Chapter 315: Chapter 208: The Joke about Liang Zhaoyi
In the early hour of Shen, after finishing his archery training, Zhao Yao hurriedly ran to the Lanyuan Pavilion.
At this time, the Fourth Prince was still busy inside the Lanyuan Pavilion.
Ministers in the Lanyuan Pavilion usually leave the palace at the fourth quarter of the Shen hour. At the end of the Shen hour, the gates of the Imperial Palace will be locked.
"Fourth Brother." Zhao Yao didn’t even change his clothes, running all the way to Lanyuan Pavilion to find the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince was arranging the paper he had copied in the afternoon. Seeing Zhao Yao panting and coming to him, he quickly put down the papers in his hand and went forward, looking worried, he asked, "What happened, is something the matter?"
Beside him, Lin Xueyi considerately brought Zhao Yao a cup of tea, "Your Highness the Tenth, have some tea first."
"Thank you." Zhao Yao thanked him, took the cup, and drank it heartily.
After finishing the tea, Zhao Yao let out a comfortable sigh.
Seeing Zhao Yao’s little face full of sweat from running, the Fourth Prince asked with concern, "Did something happen?"
Zhao Yao waved his hand and said, "Fourth Brother, nothing happened."
"Really, nothing happened?"
"Fourth Brother, you said you would take me to see how paper is made. Did you forget?"
Hearing Zhao Yao say this, the Fourth Prince remembered and then looked apologetic as he said, "Sorry, I forgot."
Zhao Yao pouted at the Fourth Prince, "I knew you would forget, but it’s okay, I won’t hold it against you."
The Fourth Prince pretended to be grateful, "Thank you, Tenth Brother, for not holding it against me."
"Fourth Brother, take me now." Zhao Yao said, quite urgently, "There’s still time now, otherwise the gates will be locked soon."
"Is this why you didn’t even change your clothes and ran to find me?"
"I was just anxious."
The Fourth Prince flicked Zhao Yao’s forehead and, with a stern look, scolded him, "With your sweaty self, you should return to Kunde Hall to bathe and change clothes instead of running around. Don’t you know your health isn’t good?"
"Fourth Brother, I’m fine..."
Before Zhao Yao could finish speaking, the Fourth Prince interrupted, "You’ll catch a cold. Come with me to Xingde Palace to bathe and change first."
"Fourth Brother, that’s not necessary..." Before he could finish his words, seeing the stern look in the Fourth Prince’s eyes, Zhao Yao felt a chill down his spine and immediately put on a smiling face, "I’ll listen to Fourth Brother." The Fourth Brother’s fierce eyes were indeed frightening.
The Fourth Prince gave Lin Xueyi some instructions and then led Zhao Yao out of Lanyuan Pavilion.
"Fourth Brother, will it be too late to go to Shangfang Bureau after I bathe and change clothes?" Zhao Yao cautiously glanced at the Fourth Prince’s expression, "The craftsmen will all leave the palace soon." Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed to Lanyuan Pavilion to find Fourth Brother after school.
"There are many eunuchs in the Shangfang Bureau who are craftsmen. They won’t leave the palace," the Fourth Prince said while looking helplessly at Zhao Yao’s anxious face, "You can go to the Shangfang Bureau anytime."
"Huh?" Zhao Yao was initially stunned, then smiled awkwardly, "I didn’t think of that."
The Fourth Prince said, both helpless and amused, "What are you in such a hurry for?"
"I’m not in a hurry now."
Though it was already June and the weather was getting hotter, the evening breeze still carried a bit of chill.
The heat and sweat from Zhao Yao’s earlier run had turned into cold sweat, and his wet inner clothing clung to his body, making him not only uncomfortable but also a bit cold.
Worried that Zhao Yao would catch a chill from the wind, the Fourth Prince quickly led him back to his room in Xingde Palace. The attendants in the Fourth Prince’s room had already prepared hot water so Zhao Yao could bathe upon arrival.
Zhao Yao occasionally stayed over at the Fourth Prince’s place, so he had clothes there. Even if he didn’t, the Fourth Prince would have some made for him. Besides, the Fourth Prince’s clothes from when he was young were still there.
After bathing, Zhao Yao urged the Fourth Prince to take him to the Shangfang Bureau. The Fourth Prince had no choice but to take him there.
Upon learning about this, Yu Hai quickly reported to the Eighth Prince.
"To the Shangfang Bureau?" The Eighth Prince raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Why is the Tenth Brother going to the Shangfang Bureau?"
Yu Hai replied, "He said he wanted the Fourth Prince to take him to see how paper is made."
"Papermaking?" The Eighth Prince looked surprised, "The Tenth Brother is curious about papermaking?"
"What’s there to see in papermaking."
The Eighth Prince chuckled lightly, "Who knows with him. I’ll ask him tomorrow."
The Fourth Prince took Zhao Yao to the Shangfang Bureau. The Shangfang Bureau was located in a rather remote and inconspicuous spot in the imperial city. It took the two of them half an hour to walk there.
The Shangfang Bureau is a place specialized for making various artifacts. These artifacts include a lot of things, not only the ones needed in the palace.
Upon hearing that the Fourth Prince and the Tenth Prince had arrived, the Chief Eunuch of the Shangfang Bureau hurried out to greet them.
The Fourth Prince explained their purpose for visiting, and Eunuch Han quickly led them to the papermaking courtyard.