Chapter 221: The Youngsters
Gong Changan had not yet officially become a companion reader, so he usually did not go to the places where the two heirs apparent studied and lectured. He only went to listen when Tutor Zhuge held his lessons.
In the half month since entering the palace, he had gotten a general sense of the temperaments of Ying Tong and Ying Bai.
Ying Tong had a quick temper, while Ying Bai was somewhat arrogant.
Naturally, they usually tried their best not to reveal their shortcomings, but one’s true nature was not something that could always be hidden if one wished.
Although Gong Changan was a few years younger than the two of them, he was a natural schemer, and in the midst of jokes and banter, he had already calculated countless plans.
These days, Tutor Zhuge had come to the palace, and the scholars lecturing the two heirs apparent were busy with their own studies. Furthermore, everyone was busy preparing to welcome the King of Fenye and Princess Duanmin, so the two heirs apparent had become quite idle.
Although the palace was vast, they were confined to it every day, and moreover, they lacked freedom.
Therefore, Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent, Ying Tong, proposed that the three of them go out of the palace to explore.
Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent was naturally willing, but Gong Changan calmly said, “We must first seek permission. Besides, where would we go outside the palace?”
“My home is fine,” Ying Tong said. “My home has everything.”
“Going to your home or my home is boring. With so many people following and restricting us, it’s no different from being in the palace,” Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent, Ying Bai, shook his head. “It’s better to go boating.”
“It’s already autumn, what’s the fun in boating?” Ying Tong and Ying Bai often got into disputes after only a few words.
Besides their own subtle rivalry, their temperaments were also naturally incompatible.
After arguing for a few sentences, seeing that Gong Changan remained silent, they both asked him, “What do you think we should do?”
Gong Changan blinked and said, “My knowledge cannot compare to that of the two heirs apparent. However, I recall the Emperor and the tutor discussing not long ago how the ancestors of the Great Zhou gained their empire on horseback, but now the scions of noble families often indulge in pleasure and have cast aside archery and horsemanship. Not being able to draw a bow or ride a horse is truly forgetting one’s roots.
Moreover, the weather is crisp and clear in autumn, the perfect season for galloping on horseback. However…”
The two were listening intently when they saw him stop speaking, and they couldn’t help but urge him, “However what?”
“However, both of you are precious beings. If anything were to happen, it would be absolutely unacceptable,” Gong Changan’s small face showed a look of apprehension.
“It’s just riding a horse, what could happen?” Both of them laughed. “You are still a child. We usually practice archery and horsemanship, this is not something that cannot be touched.”
So the next day, they all rode out of the palace. Although Gong Changan was young, his skill in riding was high.
The two heirs apparent saw this and couldn’t help but feel a subtle rivalry, and from then on, riding horses became a regular activity.
One day, Gong Changan discussed with Wen Mingqian, “I have been back in the Capital City for quite some time, but I have not yet met with my old brothers. Firstly, I don’t want them to think I’ve forgotten my roots, and secondly, I truly miss them.”
“It’s only right that you go see them. During the days you’ve been at the academy, you’ve been corresponding with these young friends. They know you’re back and must miss you too,” Wen Mingqian said as he tried on new clothes for him. “I’ll ask the Empress for permission when we pay our respects later.”
The Empress was very fond of Gong Changan. Every time Wen Mingqian brought him to pay respects, the Empress would call him to her side and give him some dim sum and fruit.
More than once, she said in front of Wen Mingqian, “You are truly blessed to have such a good son.”
The Empress’s greatest regret in her life was that she had no heir.
Wen Mingqian requested permission from the Empress for Gong Changan to go out of the palace to see his young friends.
The Empress said, “Indeed, it was my oversight. I heard that child Changan and the Heir Apparent of Duke Feng’s Family have become sworn brothers. If that’s the case, you should accompany him to see his old friends.”
The mother and son tidied themselves up a bit and left the palace. Upon arriving at the Duke Feng’s Family, they were naturally warmly received by the Gong Family.
Feng Tianzhu’s smile was so wide his mouth couldn’t close. He hugged Gong Changan and said, “Good brother, I’ve missed you terribly! I knew you were back in the Capital City, and I waited and waited but didn’t see you. When I inquired at the Gong Family, I found out you had already been summoned to the palace.”
“Elder Brother, please forgive me. I was truly helpless. I finally obtained an imperial decree, and I rushed to see you immediately,” Gong Changan said.
Wen Mingqian also said, “We came in a bit of a hurry and didn’t have time to inform you in advance. Fortunately, we know you would never refuse our gifts.”
“You are too polite,” Madam Feng said with a smile. “Knowing that you are in the palace now, you cannot act on your own accord. To be able to ask Her Ladyship to let you come out of the palace to see us is already a great gesture.”
Wu Shi, while leading servants to make tea and serve fruit, said, “Our Heir Apparent mentions Gong Fourth Young Master every day. He truly misses him from the bottom of his heart.”
“The Heir Apparent values loyalty and friendship the most. Changan also thinks of him often in the palace,” Wen Mingqian said. “I just didn’t expect the Empress to be so gracious as to allow me to come out as well. I’m truly benefiting from my son’s good fortune.”
At this point, Feng Tianzhu had already pulled Gong Changan out, and he quickly instructed his attendant to invite Qi Ziyu and Xu Mang over.
“These two were complaining a few days ago, saying that if they had known you were going into the palace, they should have come directly to the Gong Family to find you the day they heard you returned to the Capital City,” Feng Tianzhu said. “That way, they wouldn’t have to worry so much every day!”
When Gong Changan was in the Capital City before, the four of them were the closest. After nearly a year apart, even children, upon meeting, would be filled with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow.
Xu Mang came up and punched Gong Changan, “You brat, you’re finally back! I’ve saved so many good things for you!”
Feng Tianzhu pushed him away and said, “You’re still so careless! Your fist is as hard as a stone. If you hurt him, can you afford to compensate?”
Qi Ziyu said, “Changan has grown taller, and he looks even less like the Gong Family.”
Gong Changan casually replied, “I take after my mother.”
Qi Ziyu was the eldest among them, looking exactly like his father, Duke Qi. He was tall, thin, fair-skinned, with long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, naturally fond of observing people.
Feng Tianzhu said, “His Elder Brother Gong Jing’an and Second Brother Gong Yu’an are both handsome and elegant. Don’t they look like Changan?”
Qi Ziyu smiled without speaking.
Xu Mang blurted out, “He’s not a young lady, why are you judging appearances? Let’s go play kick ball!”
A year’s time made little difference in adults, but it was different for youths. In this year, they had all grown taller, though some grew more than others.
Feng Tianzhu’s illness had recurred several times. Fortunately, the black dog Gong Changan had given him could detect it before each episode, allowing for timely treatment.
However, he also grew slowly because of this, and even Gong Changan and Xu Mang, who were younger than him, had surpassed him in height.
After staying at the Duke Feng’s Family until evening, Wen Mingqian proposed to take their leave.
The Duke Feng’s Family also knew they had to return, but they repeatedly urged, “If you can come out, just come here. Or if you can’t come out for a while, you can send a message through someone in the palace.”
