"My affairs are none of your concern, and I am not your brother."
Hearing the words colder than ice, the Eighth Prince pouted aggrievedly.
"Brother is truly heartless~
But Mother told me everything.
Although my mother is different from yours, my father is the same person as yours.
So for this address, Brother, you are well deserving of the title~"
"Hmph, she actually told you such things? It seems she trusts you immensely as a son."
"As my mother's son, I naturally must share her worries and help Brother.
And aside from Father and your existence, Mother also told me about what Brother is currently doing."
Hearing the Eighth Prince's words, the man's voice became laced with a hint of ferocity, "She has immense courage! She actually told you that secret?"
"Brother, please calm your anger. Mother was also forced into it.
Ever since receiving news of Father's passing, Mother was melancholic for quite some time. She blamed herself for being in the palace for so many years without being able to help Father in any way.
As a son, I naturally want to share my mother's burdens.
In truth, it was through my repeated probing that Mother accidentally let slip the truth, forcing her to tell me everything."
"Regardless of the reason, she leaked confidential information and must be punished.
As for you, out of consideration for our deceased father, I can spare your life.
But the premise is that you cease causing further trouble and return to the capital immediately after the Cuju大会 concludes."
Whether it was due to the other party's callousness or the punishment of his mother, the Eighth Prince lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes obscuring a fleeting glint of darkness in his eyes.
After a moment, he raised his head again, a smile blooming on his face.
"Brother, let me help you, okay?
I promise not to cause any trouble!
Whatever Brother wants me to do, I'll do it!
Brother, please don't worry, after this is all over, I won't compete with you for anything. I only wish to leave with Mother, to flee far away and escape all disputes."
Even with the Eighth Prince's eloquent persuasion and emotional appeals, all he received were two cold replies:
"No."
Severely rebuffed, the Eighth Prince bit his lower lip until it was devoid of color, then spoke again, unwilling to give up.
"Brother, I received news that the Crown Prince has secretly slipped out of the Eastern Palace and has very likely arrived in Fengtian Prefecture.
And it seems my Second Brother is also secretly inquiring about the Crown Prince's whereabouts.
Brother, don't you think we could employ the strategy of the mantis stalking the cicada, letting the Crown Prince and Second Brother fight like the orioles?"
"I will repeat myself, you are to do nothing extraneous. Your only role is to be a pretty face.
Let alone Crown Prince Xia Cheng Lin, even Second Prince Xia Cheng Cheng is not to be trifled with."
"It's been a long time since I heard Second Brother's name from someone else's mouth. It always makes me want to laugh~
For Father to call himself a wise ruler, yet believe the rumors of that Warlah court advisor, claiming Second Brother's fate is tied to a great calamity, specifically one involving a woman. To avoid this calamity and prolong his life, his name needed to be changed to a reduplicated syllable.
My poor Second Brother, perhaps to prove the Warlah advisor's words were mere fiction, has spent his days indulging in the company of women since adulthood, and even specifically targets the daughters of powerful court officials for his advances."
Ignoring the Eighth Prince's deliberate attempt to change the subject, the man coldly warned:
"Remember what I said. Don't do anything foolish.
Also, stay away from Minister Lin."
"Understood, Brother~
Mother specifically instructed me before she left that I must obey everything Brother says unconditionally~"
...
The next day.
Lin Qing Ge noticed that the Eighth Prince, who had been quite clingy yesterday, was much more subdued and well-behaved today. Although she didn't understand the reason, having peace for her ears was good enough.
As they say, "sharpening a spear before battle can make it shine."
For the sake of a hundred taels of gold, under Lin Qing Ge's direct supervision, everyone showed a semblance of cooperation.
During this time, Lin Qing Ge also made time to visit the Second Prince at his estate outside the city.
Unlike the meek and adorable Eighth Prince, this Second Prince was tall but rather unattractive. With the embellishment of his fine robes, he could barely be considered presentable.
However, the Second Prince's eyes gave Lin Qing Ge a slight sense of familiarity.
He resembled someone she had seen before, but she couldn't quite recall who it was at the moment...
On the day of the Cuju大会.
The liveliest market in Fengtian Prefecture was crowded with people, with drums and gongs creating a festive atmosphere.
Considering the issues with the Cuju venue, Lin Qing Ge ultimately decided to hold the Cuju大会 at the execution ground, and then Lin Yan found people to erect a viewing stand.
"The Second Prince has arrived!"
"The Eighth Prince has arrived!"
Upon hearing the eunuch's announcement, the surrounding commoners knelt down, and Lin Qing Ge, along with all the officials of Fengtian Prefecture, bowed to welcome them.
The two princes took their seats in order.
The Eighth Prince, as the referee and organizer of this Cuju大会, stood up and announced loudly:
"The Cuju teams from each prefecture, please take the field!"
As the Eighth Prince's words fell, four Cuju teams entered the field.
However, one team was clearly different from the other three, who were valiant and full of spirit.
They either averted their gaze or kept tugging at their clothing.
Perhaps feeling ashamed, Ling Han, who walked at the very back, even wore a black mask over his face.
Compared to their peculiar behavior, the crowd's attention was drawn to their attire.
The style of the clothes was the most ordinary Cuju attire, with short collars for ease of movement.
But on these plain Cuju outfits were embroidered the names of numerous shops!
Take Yu Wan, who stood at the forefront, for example.
His chest was embroidered with the words "Qi Yun She," his left arm with "Yue Lai Inn," his right arm with "Qi's Pawnshop," his abdomen with "Ru Yi Fang," and in the nooks and crannies further down his abdomen, the small characters "Ren Ji Tang" were embroidered.
His left leg was embroidered with "Bo Sheng Tea House," and his right leg with "Song Lai Painting Boat."
Turning around, his back was embroidered with names such as "Ju Bao Zhai," "Ling Long Rouge Shop," "Jin Xiu Ready-to-Wear Shop," and so on...
"This..."
Although not the first time serving as a referee for a Cuju大会, it was the first time he had witnessed such a spectacle. The Eighth Prince was momentarily speechless.
Fortunately, at this moment, Acting Prefect Lin Jing Xing, Minister Lin, approached him and handed him two pieces of paper.
"Your Highness Eighth Prince, these are the opening remarks for the Cuju大会 that I wrote overnight."
Unexpectedly, this Minister Lin, who acted eccentrically, was so thoughtful in his duties. The Eighth Prince cast a grateful glance at the former, then unfolded the paper and read them one by one:
"Watching Cuju is watching Da Xia, watching Da Xia is watching Qi Yun.
Welcome everyone to witness the 14th Da Xia National Cuju大会, exclusively sponsored by Qi Yun She.
This Cuju大会 is jointly sponsored by Ling Long Rouge Shop, which you deserve to own; Bo Sheng Tea House, with its authentic good herbal tea; Ren Ji Tang, where you are good, I am good, and they are good too; Jin Xiu Ready-to-Wear Shop, for a silky smooth experience; Ru Yi Fang, where babies see you tomorrow and see you every day; De Xing Jewelry Shop, which doesn't accept gifts during festivals, only gold, silver, and jade. What is this... sponsorship?"
Although the Eighth Prince recognized all the words, they sounded so strange when put together.