Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 92 Shen Hu’s Surprise

Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Shen Hu’s Surprise

In the past few days, Lingyun again acted as a carrier pigeon, helping Zhao Yao send a letter to Liang Run.

Zhao Yao didn’t have any holidays, so he couldn’t leave the palace to discuss the land purchase with Liang Run in detail, thus they could only discuss it through letters.

In the letter, Liang Run detailed several villages that caught his eye to Zhao Yao. He couldn’t make up his mind on which village to choose and asked Zhao Yao and Liang Zhaoyi for help.

"Mother concubine, I think this Dahua Village is pretty good." This Dahua Village is forty miles away from the capital, but its geographical location is excellent, surrounded by mountains on all sides with a river running through it. The only downside is that Dahua Village doesn’t have a lot of farmland. However, the village chief of Dahua Province said that you can clear the land yourself and the fields you dig out are considered your own, not the village’s.

Liang Zhaoyi also had her eyes on this village, "This village is not bad."

"Second uncle said the villagers of this village are kind-hearted and honest, and the village chief is also very fair." After reading the letter, Zhao Yao very much wanted to visit this Dahua Village.

"Tell your second uncle not to rush to buy the land just yet, wait until I discuss it with your father and then let him buy it."

"Mother concubine, do we really have to tell father?"

"We must tell your father." Liang Zhaoyi knew what Zhao Yao was thinking, so she raised her hand and lightly patted his head, "Don’t worry about it, I have it under control."

Hearing this, Zhao Yao pinched his chin, examining Liang Zhaoyi from top to bottom.

"Mother concubine, since when did you get so close to father?"

Liang Zhaoyi was amused by Zhao Yao’s words: "I am your father’s concubine, naturally, I am close to him."

"Mother concubine, you know that’s not what I meant." Zhao Yao said with a squint, "I feel like you and father have a secret affair..."

Before he could finish, his little head was given a firm slap. Liang Zhaoyi said irritably, "Watch your mouth."

Zhao Yao flashed a flattering smile at Liang Zhaoyi, "I was joking."

"If your father hears you say that, he will spank you again."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao instinctively covered his little backside with his hand.

"Buying land is not a small matter, and we don’t have relatives in the capital, so we can only tell your father."

"This kind of thing is very trivial for father, will he bother?"

"He will, because it’s for you." Liang Zhaoyi said seriously, "Your father will not ignore it."

"Really, since when did I become so important?" Zhao Yao wasn’t quite ready to believe Liang Zhaoyi’s words.

"You’re the son of the Emperor." Liang Zhaoyi didn’t elaborate further, "You’ll need to go to the martial arts arena to train soon, so get ready."

"Oh, then I’ll go." Zhao Yao changed into a practice suit and went to the martial arts arena.

As a prince, Zhao Yao and the others had many things to learn. Riding, archery, and martial arts were skills they had to master besides studying.

On his way to the martial arts arena, he ran into the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince’s weapon was the spear, and he was learning it quite well.

Zhao Yao had not reached the point where he could choose a weapon yet. He had only recently started learning martial arts, and he could only choose a weapon after he mastered the basics.

Even though he couldn’t learn a weapon yet, he had already decided which one he wanted to learn. Initially, he wanted to learn the sword because wielding a sword looked very handsome and dashing, but the Third Prince and the others chose to learn the sword as well.

Just because the Third Prince and they were learning the sword didn’t mean others couldn’t. However, Zhao Yao didn’t want to be like the Third Prince and learn the same thing. He decided to learn the saber in the future. While the saber may not be as refined as the sword, it’s more imposing than the sword.

On the way to the martial arts arena, Zhao Yao kept making saber-swinging poses and asked the Fourth Prince if he looked imposing.

When he arrived at the martial arts arena, the Third Prince and Fifth Prince were already there, practicing their sword skills.

Shortly after, the Ninth Prince arrived.

The Ninth Prince was naturally strong, and his weapon was the axe.

The Seventh Prince was the last to arrive, and he was also learning the sword.

A moment later, the masters of each prince arrived.

Since each prince chose a different weapon, their instructors were also different.

The masters teaching the princes martial arts were all military officers, carefully selected. They taught the princes solid skills, not just for show. More precisely, they taught them their experiences, accumulated on the battlefield.

Zhao Yao’s instructor for the basics was named Fan Ruyi. Judging by the name, one might think it was a delicate beauty, but it was actually a sturdy man.

Fan Ruyi, though not tall, was agile and quick. He was one of Shen Hu’s subordinates, who, when young, went with Shen Hu to suppress a rebellion and accidentally got one eye blinded by the rebels. Later, Shen Hu recommended him to be a master for the princes, teaching them martial arts.

Zhao Yao obediently went to the side of the martial arts arena to practice horse stance. Fan Ruyi stood beside, watching him.

While Zhao Yao was in horse stance, Shen Hu and Chu Ying arrived at the martial arts arena.

Fan Ruyi and several other officers, upon seeing Shen Hu and the others, hurried forward to salute.

The Third Prince and Fifth Prince rushed over as well to greet Chu Ying and the others.

Zhao Yao was still in horse stance, so he didn’t go over. Even if he wasn’t in horse stance, he wouldn’t go over to join the fun.

Shen Hu and Chu Ying were trusted generals of the Emperor, very important to the Third Prince and others, but not as important to Zhao Yao.

From time to time, Shen Hu and the others would visit the martial arts arena to check on Fan Ruyi and the others, who came from their military camp.

In front of the Third Prince and Fifth Prince, Shen Hu and Chu Ying were a bit impatient, but still very respectful. However, their manner remained aloof.

The Third Prince and the others knew very well that Shen Hu and the others were hard to win over, so they gave up trying to bribe them. Still, when they saw them, the Third Prince and others would politely say hello, since after all, Shen Hu and the others were trusted Great Generals of the Emperor.

After greeting Chu Ying and the others, the Third Prince and others returned to their positions and continued practicing their sword skills.

Shen Hu and the others quietly sighed in relief, grateful that the Third Prince and others did not ask them for guidance. In the past, when Prince Dai practiced martial arts in the arena, he always asked them for guidance, putting them in a difficult position.

They noticed a little kid practicing horse stance, with sweat dripping down his face, yet he was still gritting his teeth and persevering, which surprised Shen Hu and Chu Ying.

"Who is that little kid?"

Chu Ying thought for a moment and said, "It should be the Tenth Prince."

Shen Hu remembered, "So it’s him."

Of the emperor’s ten sons, Shen Hu and the others had little regard for any of them. Apart from the Crown Prince and Prince Dai, they were most familiar with the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Fifth Prince. As for the Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, and Tenth Prince, they were not familiar.

Among the ten princes, the Eighth Prince and Zhao Yao were the least noticeable in the eyes of courtiers. They never appeared in the ministers’ conversations either.

Shen Hu and Chu Ying came over and saluted Zhao Yao, since Zhao Yao was indeed a prince.

Zhao Yao quickly returned the salute and obediently addressed them, "General Shen, General Chu."

Upon seeing the dimple on the left corner of Zhao Yao’s mouth, Shen Hu and Chu Ying were slightly taken aback.

Seeing them staring directly at him, Zhao Yao thought there might be something on his face, and lifted his hand to wipe it off carelessly.

"General Shen, General Chu, why are you staring at me? Is there anything wrong with me?"

Shen Hu and Chu Ying snapped out of it and quickly said, "It was us who were rude. Your Highness, there’s nothing wrong with you."

Zhao Yao felt that the way Shen Hu and the others looked at him just now was rather shocking, as if they had seen something incredible.

"Then I will continue practicing my horse stance." With that, he continued diligently with his horse stance.

"We won’t disturb you then."

Shen Hu and Chu Ying didn’t stay long in the martial arts arena. After saluting Zhao Yao, they took their leave.

"Old Chu, did you see that?"

Chu Ying nodded and said, "Saw it."

"It’s exactly like Prince Yi Yong."

Chu Ying corrected him, "It’s just the dimple that’s alike."

"How come the emperor never mentioned this?"

"What’s there to mention?" Chu Ying glared at Shen Hu, feeling he was making a fuss over nothing, "Apart from the dimple, the Tenth Prince doesn’t resemble Prince Yi Yong in any other way."

"Isn’t this quite remarkable?" Shen Hu didn’t understand how Chu Ying could remain so calm, "Except for Prince Yi Yong, I’ve never seen anyone with just a single dimple."

Chu Ying rather disdainfully said, "That’s because you haven’t met enough people."

"I find it quite extraordinary."

Shen Hu and Chu Ying were not initially with the emperor. They had joined the army when they were very young, initially serving as privates under Prince Yi Yong for three years, before being transferred to the emperor’s service.

Serving as privates under Prince Yi Yong for those three years was an unforgettable experience, still vivid for Shen Hu and the others. Actually, it was Prince Yi Yong that left a deep impression on them.