"These lotus flowers look so real. There must be at least a hundred of them when I saw them from afar. They are so beautiful. No wonder Eighth Brother would rather stay in his manor than to go out. This is such a beautiful scene. Even I don't want to leave." The Fifth Princess who was used to seeing extravagance could not help but mutter to herself. She was stunned by the "Ten miles of lotus flowers" before her eyes that were blooming in the snowy winter.
Unlike the blistering summer, it was naturally impossible for there to be such beautiful lotus flowers in the middle of winter. The patch of flowers in front of them were definitely man-made. From the side, they looked and smelt like real lotus flowers. It made one feel as if they were looking at a scene straight out of summer. Furthermore, the buildings by their side were very tall and there were large maple trees by the lake which blocked the wind.
The tall walls blocked the northeastern winds, and the maple trees blocked the rest of the wind. When the wind blew across the surface of the lake, it felt like the gentle summer breeze. This was such an interesting idea. Such technique, such wealth… Feng Yuxuan could only think to himself that it was such a pity. His eighth brother was definitely a worthy competitor if he used such thoughts, technique and wealth against him.
However, he also heaved a sigh of relief because of this. Despite this, he kept an envious expression on his face. It was fortunate, fortunate that Feng Yuran was just a playboy and he did not have to spend much effort on him. Feng Yuxuan glanced at the Fifth Princess who was still stunned by the scene and the smile on his lips grew even more gentle.
"Fifth Sister, if you like this, get Eighth Brother to build you a "Ten Miles of Lotus Flowers" in your palace. You will be able to enjoy summer in all four seasons. It will be so relaxing." Feng Yuxuan laughed gently after his shocked gasp. Then, he walked along the lakeside towards the water pavilion.
"Eldest Brother, you are such a joker. If I did something like this in the palace, Father and Mother would not go easy on me. How much money do you have to spend on something like this!" The Fifth Princess shrunk back. One did not know if it was because she was cold or she found Feng Yuxuan's words lame. She pouted and then followed behind Feng Yuxuan, looking rather pitiful. Feng Yuxuan laughed as he watched her.
The two of them did not continue on this topic. This was something only Feng Yuran could do. They could not do something like this.
It seems that their father intended to continue allowing their Eighth Brother to be a leisurely King who did nothing. He could just live his life without worries or fuss. Otherwise, how could he watch as Feng Yuran spent his fortune and only got the two of them to come and supervise him. Their father had not rebuked him either.
The Fifth Princess looked at the "Ten miles" of lotus flowers and suddenly felt that being a leisurely king with no responsibilities was rather good as well. She could not help but sigh despondently. She really did not like being a girl.
It was not that she wanted to be a prince and fight for the throne. But when she thought that if she were a boy, and if she were the son of the Empress, she would be able to be a leisurely king with no responsibilities either if she did not wish to fight for the throne. She would just have to eat, drink and play. As long as she was no trouble to the other princes, no one would care about an unimportant king with no responsibility no matter who became the Emperor in the future. Everyone would be able to accept it, unlike herself right now. Her mother was hurrying her to get married all the time and she did not like any of the men that her mother picked.
She could not help but sigh deeply when she thought about what bothered her. She felt that the colors of the lotus flowers were too bright and were rather irritating. She turned her head and did not look at them again, following Feng Yuxuan towards the waterside pavilion.
She had not considered that if she were truly a prince and were the son of the Empress, she would definitely be embroiled in the battle of the throne. No matter which prince ascended the throne in the future, they would be wary of the Empress' son. She would never be able to become a leisurely king with no responsibilities.
If she were successful, she would be able to sit on the throne, and if she failed, her entire family would be killed!
Of course, these were things that the Fifth Princess would not be able to understand as a Princess. She could only be annoyed at her status as a Princess.
The wind could not blow through the thick tent with many layers. There was also a carpet laid on the ground. As such, the entire platform was very warm. Feng Yuxuan and the Princess had just entered when they were assaulted by a fragrance. There was a couch placed right in front of the wide and tall platform. Feng Yuran laid on it, wearing a beautiful purple robe. His long hair was scattered on his shoulders, half-covering his handsome face. He was holding a fan in his hand. It was not open and he tapped it on the side of the couch with the rhythm of the music. His long phoenix-eyes were half-shut and he looked as if he was enjoying himself very much.
There was a group of skimpily dressed dancers in front. Their extent of the skimpiness of their dressing was enough to make one warm on a winter's day. There were two rows of skimpily clad women who were playing instruments, and a woman singing in front of them. Her singing was warm and sultry.
"Eldest Brother, Fifth Sister. It is such a rare visit from you two. How do you have the time to visit me? Could it be that Father has some new instructions? I have been feeling poorly these days and I fear that I cannot go to the palace to thank Father with Eldest Brother and Fifth Sister." Feng Yuran opened his eyes when he heard noises at the door. He did not sit up but only invited them in warmly.
It was two completely different seasons inside and outside. They were assaulted by a gust of warm air and they felt warm the moment they entered. They glanced at the soft waists of the dancers expressionlessly. Feng Yuxuan entered first while the Fifth Princess paused outside for a moment. Then, she followed him in, not willing to be outdone.
The beauties looked at Feng Yuxuan seductively when they saw him enter. Their gazes met and the fragrance of their makeup filled the air.
"Eighth Brother, could you ask them to leave first so that we can speak?" Feng Yuxuan asked gently as he sat down on the wide Nanmu chair with a frown on his face.
"Eldest Brother, do you not like these? I quite like it." Feng Yuran said lazily, his beautiful eyes sliding across Feng Yuran's melancholic expression. He suddenly smiled and clapped his hands. "Since Eldest Brother does not like it, then I shall not force it on you. If you ever find yourself liking what you see here, just send someone to tell me. I will definitely pick the best for you."
Feng Yuran only intended Feng Yuxuan to hear the last part of his statement, which was why he said it softly by Feng Yuxuan's ear. He smiled knowingly. Feng Yuxuan almost could not keep the gentle expression on his face as he was teased by Feng Yuran in front of the Fifth Princess. He coughed awkwardly with a slight blush on his face as he squirmed.
The women all curtsied to Feng Yuran before leaving. There was a pile of thick capes at the door. The women all took one and pulled them tightly around themselves. They picked up their instruments, drums, hid their flutes…and then left the waterside pavilion.
"Eldest Brother, Fifth Sister, have some tea. There isn't much etiquette to observe here. Tell me what you would like to eat if there's any. Father has stopped me from leaving the palace, but he did not stop my mouth. Even if I were to move, I cannot move out of his hands." Feng Yuran was in a good mood and there was a beautiful smile on his handsome face. He picked up a pastry on the table and ate it elegantly. Someone had already poured tea for Feng Yuxuan and the Fifth Princess.
"Eighth Brother, Father is going to be angry if you behave like this. He might even extend your ban. Can you read more if you have nothing to do. Father asked me and Fifth Sister to come today to see if you have studied." Feng Yuxuan sighed and advised Feng Yuran.
"Eldest Brother, do you think I'm not doing good like this?" He looked at Feng Yuxuan charmingly as he leaned back into the couch, asking the question disapprovingly.
"It's not that it is not good. But Father…" Feng Yuxuan was annoyed by Feng Yuran's laziness, but did not know how to persuade him. He had come on behalf of Emperor Zongwen today, so he had to persuade Feng Yuran to get himself together no matter what. Even if Feng Yuran had no interest in fighting for the throne, he was a royal son and had to maintain outward appearances after all. It would not do to have the rumors say that the biggest playboy in the capital was from the royal family after all.
"Would Father feel gratified if I started studying hard now?" The frivolity in Feng Yuran's laughter grew. He even winked at the Fifth Princess naughtily, causing her to laugh despite herself. "Eldest Brother, I will read books, but can I do that in a few days? I have only just been locked up by Father, so can you let me relax for a few days before I start reading? Tell Father not to worry about me. I eat and sleep well here and I will listen to him in a few days and study well."
While he might have answered to Feng Yuxuan, he looked as if he was just saying it half-heartedly. It did not sound sincere at all. He had to pick his mood to study, and would only study when he was in a good mood. And if he was in a bad mood, he would study later. Feng Yuxuan was speechless. Was there anyone as lazy as this? Even though he had thought of plenty to say before coming, they were all useless now.
Feng Yuran looked as if he would not listen to anyone's advice, and who could really do anything to him? Feng Yuxuan pitied Emperor Zongwen now for having a son like this. He could not scold or beat him, and he sounded as if he was reasonable for not being skilled at anything. How were they going to teach him to be better?
He had heard that Feng Yuran had helped to settle something in the imperial gardens some time ago. It seemed now that he was interested in the girl's beauty. That was nothing surprising. Feng Yuran's heart cringed when he thought of that innocent and beautiful face and the smile on his face grew warmer.
Feng Yuxuan and the Fifth Princess left in the end with nothing to show for it. Feng Yuran sent them to the door warmly and only turned around after watching their horse carriage speeding off in the distance. He told his servants to close the Manor's doors and he walked further into the manor. He still could not leave his manor, so no one came to his manor.
"Your Highness, what did King Chu and the Fifth Princess mean?" Feng Yue hurried behind Feng Yuran and asked him softly.
"They came to visit me to see if I have been working hard. They were worried about me!" Feng Yuran answered lazily without slowing down. He returned to his courtyard and did not go to the waterside pavilion. He went up to the third floor of Jinwei Pavilion. He said that it was his bedroom and he did not like too many people following him. His servants all stayed on the first floor and only Feng Yue followed him up.
"Your Highness, you mean that King Chu and the Fifth Princess were here to visit you?" Feng Yue followed him and asked anxiously.
"It's fine that they were worried about me. It would be best if they visited me every day if they have nothing to do. I will seem even more innocent!" Feng Yuran said casually as he picked up a book on the table and looked at it.
"Then, now…"
"We can rest assured now. My good Eldest Brother and Fifth Sister have seen me being defiant. They would definitely speak up for me when they return to the palace. Father would be satisfied now!" Feng Yuran smiled as if he did not care. He did not even look up at all.