Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 96 - 95 In this palace, only the Tenth Prince is a child_2

Chapter 96: Chapter 95 In this palace, only the Tenth Prince is a child_2

Sun Kui reminded, "Your Majesty, it’s time for lunch."

After the court session, the Emperor had been busy reviewing memorials. He had only stopped for two cups of tea as a break.

"Have them bring the lunch directly here." The Emperor was too lazy to go to the dining hall and decided to dine right in the Imperial Study. "By the way, inform Liang Zhaoyi that I will dine at Kunde Hall tonight."

Sun Kui originally thought the Emperor had forgotten about going to Kunde Hall today, but surprisingly, the Emperor remembered.

The Emperor, seeing that Sun Kui did not respond, looked up at him and noticed a surprised expression on his face.

"What is it? Is there a problem?"

Sun Kui hurriedly said, "No, I will inform Liang Zhaoyi right away." He thought that during the late Empress’s memorial period, the Emperor would not go to the harem.

Sun Doudou saw Sun Kui coming out and quickly approached him. "Master, is there anything you need?"

"Go and inform Liang Zhaoyi that the Emperor plans to dine at Kunde Hall tonight."

Sun Doudou was astonished. "I thought the Emperor wouldn’t go to Kunde Hall today." Just as he finished speaking, he remembered something, "Oh, how could I forget? Every year around this time, the Emperor still visits Kunde Hall but does not stay overnight."

Hearing Sun Doudou say this, Sun Kui remembered too.

"Tell Liang Zhaoyi that the Emperor has had a poor appetite these days."

"Got it, I’ll go right away."

On the way to Kunde Hall, Sun Doudou encountered Zhao Yao and quickly greeted him.

"Little Mr. Sun, are you headed to Kunde Hall?"

Sun Doudou respectfully replied, "The Emperor asked me to inform Zhaoyi Madam that he will dine at Kunde Hall tonight."

"Father really didn’t forget!" He had thought his father forgot, but his mother consort was right after all.

"The Emperor hasn’t forgotten." Sun Doudou thought to himself that the Emperor remembers the monthly visit to Kunde Hall more clearly than anyone. What his master said was true—Liang Zhaoyi is quite capable. "Your Highness, the Emperor hasn’t had much appetite these past few days."

When Zhao Yao heard "no appetite," he was secretly pleased.

With Father not hungry, he wouldn’t have to share the best food.

"Father is really working hard." Zhao Yao said with feigned sincerity. However, honestly, being an Emperor really is difficult: endless memorials to review every day, endless affairs to take care of, unruly ministers and sons to manage, and more importantly, not being able to casually leave the palace. What’s the point of being Emperor with all this?

Being an Emperor is so exhausting, yet his elder brothers all vie for it; he really couldn’t understand.

"Your Highness, you also work hard studying." Sun Doudou knew Zhao Yao didn’t like studying.

Zhao Yao, as if finding a kindred spirit, said excitedly, "I study so hard, yet no one thinks so. Are you like me, not fond of reading?"

"I don’t like reading either," Sun Doudou commiserated, "but my master keeps insisting I read more." He too was not keen on reading, "Whenever I read, I get dizzy."

"Me too, little Mr. Sun, we’re kindred spirits!"

Sun Doudou was hearing someone call him a "kindred spirit" for the first time, and it was from the Tenth Prince no less.

Subsequently, Zhao Yao and Sun Doudou continued grumbling about studying.

Tong Xi, walking behind them, found their complaints against studying quite amusing.

"You’re better off than I am." Zhao Yao said enviously to Sun Doudou. "Mr. Sun encourages you to read more, but doesn’t force you. I can’t avoid it. I have to study every day, and if I don’t, I’ll be punished by Father to copy texts."

"Your Highness, you are a Prince; naturally, you must study diligently."

"Sigh..." Zhao Yao sighed maturely.

Sun Doudou was amused by Zhao Yao’s theatrical display, almost unable to suppress his laughter. He quickly comforted, "Your Highness, once you grow up, you won’t have to study at Wende Hall anymore."

"I still have ten years until I grow up." Zhao Yao raised both hands, "Ten years! I have to endure ten more years."

"Your Highness, just hang on a bit longer, and it’ll pass." Today he realized how entertaining the Tenth Prince was.

Zhao Yao pouted, saying, "My surname is Zhao, not Hang [referring to the endurance pun]."

Sun Doudou and Tong Le couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

At this moment, Lai Fu and Lai Cai ran out to greet Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao hugged them, showering them with affection.

"Mother Consort, little Mr. Sun is here!" Zhao Yao suddenly shouted, startling Sun Doudou.

Liang Zhaoyi heard them and quickly came out.

Sun Doudou promptly greeted her, "Greetings to Zhaoyi Madam."

"Please rise, little Mr. Sun. What instructions does the Emperor have?"

"The Emperor will dine here at night." Sun Doudou added, "Zhaoyi Madam, the Emperor is so busy today that he lacks an appetite; please be considerate tonight."

"I understand."

"I’ll take my leave."

Gui Xing quickly stepped forward to escort Sun Doudou out of Kunde Hall and then handed him a pouch of money.

After Sun Doudou left, Tong Xi asked Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, why didn’t you let me deliver the message for little Mr. Sun? It would have saved him a trip."

"If I really asked you to deliver the message, it would cut off little Mr. Sun’s financial road, and he would hate me for it."

The people serving the Emperor would always receive some money as a tip when they went to deliver messages to the harem.

Zhao Yao said, "Cutting off someone’s financial road is like killing their parents." The eunuchs and palace maids in the palace don’t earn much monthly, relying on the masters’ tips for extras. Moreover, everyone in the palace loves money, as money makes things easier. "So, this help can’t be given, understand?"

Tong Xi nodded in understanding, "I understand."

"Mother Consort, what are we having for lunch? I am hungry."

The Fifth Princess answered on behalf of Liang Zhaoyi, "We are having spinach and watercress for lunch."

Zhao Yao’s smile froze. He had forgotten that during the late Empress’s memorial period, they could only eat vegetables.

Sun Doudou returned to the Imperial Study and told Sun Kui about his conversation with Zhao Yao earlier.

Sun Kui, hearing it, couldn’t help but laugh too.

Sun Doudou, laughing, said, "Master, I didn’t expect the Tenth Prince to be so amusing."

Sun Kui smiled meaningfully, "In this palace, only the Tenth Prince is still a child." After saying that, he turned and entered the Imperial Study, recounting to the Emperor what Sun Doudou had told him.

The Emperor, after listening, laughed and scolded, "That little rascal!"