As the ministers left the palace hall, many of them immediately approached the Crown Prince to offer their congratulations. Only Minister Zheng and General Chou departed after giving him a proper greeting, choosing not to linger.
However, just as Prince Li and Prince FengEr stepped out of the hall, the Crown Prince deliberately raised his voice, making sure everyone nearby could hear him.
"What a surprise! My little brother is actually willing to perform with his wife. Did HuaMuTan force you into it? I see you haven't changed at all, Qi Huang Di. Still so weak when it comes to women, aren't you?" The Crown Prince laughed before continuing in a seemingly playful tone. "I'm only joking with you. But seriously, if you don't want to do it, do you need my help speaking to Queen Grandmother?"
His intention was obvious to everyone.
Some ministers could only offer awkward smiles. It was no secret that the Crown Prince disliked Prince Li, especially after he married HuaMuTan. And the Crown Prince knew exactly which words would provoke his younger brother. Prince Li had always hated being called weak when it came to women.
His words brought back unpleasant memories of their childhood, when the Crown Prince had often mocked him, calling him a coward who could only hide behind his mother's protection.
Prince Li clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. Noticing this, Prince FengEr placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him before turning to the Crown Prince.
"I think you've misunderstood, Yi Huang Ge. It wasn't HuaMuTan who requested the performance. It was Queen Grandmother herself."
The Crown Prince turned his displeased gaze toward Prince FengEr.
"Listen here, San Huang Di! I am the Crown Prince. You should address me properly!"
Prince FengEr calmly bowed.
"Ah, please forgive me. I'm simply not used to calling you that. Besides, aren't we all brothers by blood?"
The Crown Prince stepped closer until he was standing directly in front of Prince FengEr. Lowering his voice so that only the two princes could hear him, he said coldly,
"I'm not the same as you two! I am the Empress's only son, not the son of a concubine like you. Just wait. Once I ascend the throne, I won't let either of you get away so easily!"
"Crown Prince..."
Minister Hua's voice interrupted them. He had approached without their noticing and greeted the princes politely.
The Crown Prince immediately changed his expression, putting on the appearance of a friendly and caring elder brother for everyone watching.
"Well, I look forward to your performance. Hopefully, you won't disappoint Queen Grandmother... my dear little brothers."
With that, he turned and walked away, followed by several ministers who were clearly eager to remain in his good graces.
"It seems I've interrupted your conversation," Minister Hua said apologetically.
Prince Li narrowed his eyes slightly, his attention returning to the minister.
"Not at all. Is there something you wish to discuss, Minister Hua?"
"Ah, I was hoping we could discuss the arrangements for delivering the gifts to Queen Grandmother."
"Right. We can discuss that later at Li Mansion."
"Then, shall we return together, Prince Li?"
Prince Li glanced at Prince FengEr. He still had something he wanted to discuss with his brother.
"No, you may go ahead. I'll catch up with you later, Minister Hua. ManQi, I believe you can accompany Minister Hua back to Li Mansion first."
ManQi, who had remained beside Prince Li since they left the hall, immediately bowed.
"Yes, Master."
"Very well. I'll wait for you at Li Mansion, then."
After exchanging their farewells, Minister Hua left with ManQi.
Once they were alone, Prince Li and Prince FengEr continued walking out of the palace together.
Prince FengEr couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.
"What did he mean by the gifts?"
Prince Li then explained Minister Hua's request regarding the delivery, including the permission and guards that needed to be arranged.
"Oh, I see. Well, you were right to assign guards to accompany him, considering he can't be trusted."
Prince Li nodded.
"I know. There's something suspicious about him and Yi Huang Ge."
Prince FengEr suddenly stopped walking. After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, his expression turned serious.
"Please be careful, Wei Di. I want you to tell me personally if you're planning anything dangerous!"
Prince Li smiled at him.
"Don't worry, San Huang Ge. Don't you know me well enough? I won't do anything reckless. For now, I'll simply observe them."
"Qi Huang Ge...!"
Both princes turned toward the familiar voice.
Princess Xixi was hurrying toward them. She looked as though she had just escaped from someone, and her face was flushed with anger.
"Xixi, what happened?" Prince FengEr asked as she approached.
Princess Xixi took a moment to catch her breath.
"That... that perverted prince!"
Prince Li and Prince FengEr immediately understood whom she meant.
Only Princess Xixi dared to call the Crown Prince by such a name.
"Are you all right?"
"Did he hurt you?"
The two princes asked almost simultaneously, their concern evident.
"I'm fine! He only teased me as usual, but I managed to step on his foot and run away!" Princess Xixi declared proudly.
Prince Li and Prince FengEr exchanged a look.
"You stepped on his foot? Xixi...!"
"Don't worry! I already apologized properly," she said quickly. "Besides, he deserved it! Do you know what he said, Ta Ge? He said that since our mother served Fu Huang, I should serve him as well! Just hearing that made me sick!"
It was no secret that the Crown Prince was a shameless womanizer. He had been targeting Princess Xixi since they were teenagers, but fortunately, she was favored by Queen Grandmother. That was the only reason he had never dared to go further than making inappropriate remarks and teasing her.
There were also dark rumors surrounding the Crown Prince. Many women were believed to have fallen victim to his advances, but no evidence had ever surfaced, and no witness dared to speak openly about what he had done.
Prince FengEr sighed. He then turned to Princess Xixi and firmly placed both hands on her shoulders.
"Xixi, from now on, I forbid you from coming to the palace!"
"What? That's not fair!"
"Listen to your brother, Xi Mei. You're not safe around the Crown Prince," Prince Li added.
"Ugh... Fine! I'll listen to you, Qi Huang Ge."
Prince FengEr frowned, looking rather displeased.
"Somehow, I feel like you're her real brother instead of me. Look at how quickly she obeys you compared to me!"
Before Prince Li could respond, they spotted a eunuch approaching with several servants. Recognizing him as one of Queen Grandmother's trusted eunuchs, they could already guess why he had come.
"Prince Li, Prince FengEr, I'm glad I managed to catch up with you. Queen Grandmother hopes to see you both for a while before you leave the palace," the eunuch explained.
Just as they had expected.
"Ah, it seems I can't accompany you any further, Wei Di," Prince FengEr said, raising his eyebrows at Prince Li to silently ask for a little help.
Prince Li understood immediately and nodded.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure Xi Mei gets home safely."
But Princess Xixi clearly had no intention of going home just yet.
"No! I want to see Queen Grandmother too!"
She gave Prince FengEr a determined look, making it clear that she wouldn't back down. In the end, he could only surrender.
"Fine, fine! Just stay close to me!"
He turned back to Prince Li.
"Once I'm done here, I'll come to your place. Wait for me before you do anything dangerous, Wei Di!"
"Fine. Like I said, I'll only observe them for now!"
With that, the brothers went their separate ways.
Prince FengEr accompanied Princess Xixi to meet Queen Grandmother, while Prince Li prepared to return to Li Mansion.