Chapter 271: Chapter 192
After the Dragon Boat Festival, Zhao Yao has been troubled by something.
The Eighth Prince noticed that Zhao Yao had been frowning these past few days, with a worried look on his face, and asked with concern, "Tenth brother, what’s been bothering you these days? You seem so preoccupied."
"Eighth brother, it’s almost Mother’s birthday, and I’m thinking about what birthday gift to give her." These past few days, Zhao Yao has been troubled by this matter.
"I remember you gave Zhaoyi a jade hairpin last year. This year, you could give her a pair of earrings or a bracelet." The Eighth Prince knew about Liang Zhaoyi’s birthday, and he prepared a birthday gift for her every year. He had already prepared this year’s gift for her.
"I want to make something by hand for Mother, but I can’t decide what gift to make for her." Zhao Yao looked at the Eighth Prince and asked, "Eighth brother, what do you think I should make for Mother?"
"Make it by hand?" The Eighth Prince thoughtfully considered it, then suggested, "You could make a wooden hairpin for Zhaoyi?"
"A wooden hairpin?" Zhao Yao thought for a moment and said, "A wooden hairpin is too plain, and it doesn’t look very nice." Wooden hairpins aren’t as beautiful as jade or golden hairpins.
The Eighth Prince couldn’t think of a good suggestion for the time being, after all, Zhao Yao was young, and there weren’t many things he could make himself.
"Tenth brother, I suggest you just buy something. If you don’t have enough money, I’ll give you some."
"Eighth brother, I have money." Zhao Yao insisted, "I still want to make something by hand for Mother."
The Eighth Prince saw that Zhao Yao was determined to make the gift himself, so he didn’t try to persuade him any further.
"Then think carefully about it."
"Eighth brother, what do you think women need the most?" Zhao Yao asked, "What do women like best, like my mother?"
"Generally speaking, women like gold and silver jewelry, or beautiful clothes."
"Mother isn’t very interested in those things." Zhao Yao scratched the back of his head and said, "Mother likes gardening, but I can’t give her seeds as a gift."
The Eighth Prince suddenly had a good idea: "You could cook a bowl of longevity noodles for Zhaoyi yourself."
"Eighth brother, I can’t cook." Zhao Yao said with a gloomy face, "I don’t want Mother to get an upset stomach from the longevity noodles I made on her birthday."
The Eighth Prince was amused by Zhao Yao’s words and quickly thought of another idea.
"Doesn’t Zhaoyi like reading? You could give her a book."
"That’s a good idea, but I still want to make something by hand for Mother." Zhao Yao pouted and said, "If I really can’t think of a good gift, I’ll give her a book."
The Eighth Prince said, "I think giving a book is a great idea."
As they were speaking, Mr. Xiao walked in.
The Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince were severely injured in an assassination attempt near the imperial grounds. They had been staying in Xingde Palace nursing their wounds and have not come to Wende Hall for lessons.
The Fourth Prince had long stopped attending lessons in Wende Hall; he was busy working on historical records in Lanyuan Pavilion every day.
Currently, only the Seventh Prince, Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, and Zhao Yao attended lessons in Wende Hall.
Mr. Xiao first explained the content to the Seventh Prince, then continued teaching the Eighth Prince, followed by the Ninth Prince, and finally Zhao Yao.
Although Mr. Xiao was already Zhao Yao’s confidant, their interactions remained normal, with nothing peculiar, so much so that even the Eighth Prince didn’t notice. However, occasionally Mr. Xiao would call Zhao Yao to his study, ostensibly to further explain the classroom content, but in reality, they were discussing other matters.
Previously, during Mr. Xiao’s classes, Zhao Yao would often be distracted, but since Mr. Xiao agreed to accompany him to his fief, Zhao Yao no longer lost focus during class.
Quickly, it was noon, and the morning lesson ended.
Mr. Xiao didn’t call Zhao Yao, but glanced at him.
Zhao Yao understood Mr. Xiao’s hint and nodded lightly at him.
Mr. Xiao and Zhao Yao both had a day off tomorrow. Zhao Yao planned to leave the palace to meet Mr. Xiao the following day.
Before the Dragon Boat Festival, Zhao Yao’s maternal grandfather, Liang Shuren, had already sent several clansmen to the capital. After some time, Liang Run would lead them to Wusun.
Before they departed for Wusun, Zhao Yao needed to leave the palace to meet with them and give them some instructions.
"Eighth brother, I’m taking a day off tomorrow to go out and have some fun. Do you need me to buy anything for you?" Although the Eighth Prince came to Wende Hall for lessons every day, he couldn’t practice activities like archery and riding in the afternoon since his injuries hadn’t completely healed.
The Eighth Prince thought for a moment and said, "There’s nothing I want."
Zhao Yao’s eyes glinted mischievously, and he suddenly grinned wickedly: "Hehehe, Eighth brother, I’ll buy some storybooks for you." Every time he left the palace, he would buy some storybooks. "Eighth brother, I’m telling you, storybooks are fascinating and you can learn a lot from them."