20demayo Chapter 573 The Fourth Brother's Provocations Cause the Fifth Brother to Be Suspicious
Chapter 573 The Fourth Brother's Provocations Cause the Fifth Brother to Be Suspicious
"Alright, I've done what you asked me to do. You can't go back on your word."
"A gentleman's word is as good as his bond! Grandfather, I was just saying a few words in my defense, and your price is far too high."
Besides, my prediction was wrong. Even if you hadn't intervened, he wouldn't have lost. I underestimated him.
"Hehe, I don't care. Anyway, I've done my part and put in the effort. You can't back out now."
"At worst, I'll agree to your offer and bring that kid into our camp. He's just tutoring the Second Prince, who's the least likely candidate; he's not one of those people who can't be won over."
The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow. "The same camp? Never mind, that person's temperament, he might not like getting involved in factional strife."
Let him remain naive. At worst, I'll take good care of him and my second brother after I've achieved success.
"Grandpa, please don't worry about it. It's good that he doesn't get involved in factional struggles, and I don't want him to get involved in these troubles either."
The fourth prince waved his hand, his tone firm.
Minister Tong curled his lip. "You're quite protective of him, aren't you? Is your relationship with him really just about saving a life? I've heard quite a few rumors lately. You should listen to what others are saying about you."
"Grandpa, there's no need to lie to me. My affairs won't attract that much attention. As for Jiang Mingfei, I simply admire her. Is that not allowed?"
"Fine, fine, whatever you want. Just don't forget what you promised me and the clan leader."
The fourth prince smiled helplessly, "Don't worry, since I've agreed, I will naturally do it, but whether I can do it or not is beyond my control."
"Just cheer up now. It's good that you have this intention. The whole clan will focus its efforts on helping you with everything else."
The fourth prince looked helpless. He didn't want the entire Tong clan to get involved, but his grandfather and the clan head insisted on going their own way.
Sigh, I don't know what kind of fate I will bring to the Tong family. I just hope it won't be too tragic.
The Fifth Prince naturally noticed the Fourth Prince's departure midway through the meal, as the two were standing close together.
If the Fifth Prince were to say that the Fourth Prince had only gone to change his clothes, he would never believe it, so Minister Tong simply returned to his seat at the same time as the Fourth Prince to avoid unnecessary speculation.
It's perfectly normal for a grandfather and grandson to chat and strengthen their bond, right? It couldn't be more normal, could it?
"The Fourth Prince and Minister Tong have a deep bond, like grandfather and grandson, and they have endless topics to talk about."
"Fifth brother, are you just envious and jealous? You can chat with your maternal grandfather too, no one's stopping you~"
Oh, I almost forgot, your maternal grandfather's official rank is too low; he's currently serving as a sub-prefect in a remote place, so it's inconvenient for us to meet often.
Although the Fifth Prince concealed it very well, his expression still became unnatural for a moment.
"Fourth Brother is right. Not everyone is born with a powerful family background. Fourth Brother should cherish this good fortune."
"That's true, not everyone is born with a powerful family background. But Fifth Brother, isn't it inappropriate for you to say that?"
You were born into royalty. Is there any family in this world more powerful than royalty? Whom are you speaking up for?
The Fifth Prince was clearly referring to the influence of the maternal relatives, but the Fourth Prince simply refused to take the bait.
He put on an infuriatingly arrogant look, and the Fifth Prince couldn't very well refute him in public.
After all, none of today's goals have been achieved, and I can't afford to ruin the image I've worked so hard to maintain.
"Fourth Brother is absolutely right. I'm not speaking up for anyone, but I feel that we should all cherish our blessings for being born into the royal family. Otherwise, Eldest Brother and Third Brother are good examples to learn from."
"Hey~ You should keep that to yourself. I think the brothers are all quite grateful for what they have. Aren't they all obediently listening to the great scholars in the prince's court?"
"But you, Fifth Prince, seem to be frequently leaving the palace; you must have quite a few social engagements on a daily basis."
The Fifth Prince narrowed his eyes dangerously. He knew that the Fourth Prince knew about his business trips outside the palace, so how did he find out?
Could there be a spy among us? Who could it be?
The Fifth Prince was easily distracted by a few words from the Fourth Prince and began to mentally sift through suspicious individuals.
The first group to be suspected was, of course, the Song siblings who joined later. Song Jinyang had just stepped down from Jiang Mingfei's desk and looked like a wilted eggplant.
The Fourth Prince usually acts carefree and inactive, but when he does make a move, it hits the Fifth Prince's sensitive nerves.
Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Zhao Hongsheng stopped wasting words with the other party. He had never liked this kid since childhood, and he felt disgusted to stay with him for even a little while.
Zhao Hongsheng has always trusted his intuition; sometimes, he doesn't need to experience any specific event to judge whether someone is a good or bad person.
From childhood, he had come to understand what kind of people his brothers of similar age were.
He and his second brother were originally the closest, but unfortunately, his second brother suffered a stroke and his brain was damaged.
After that, her mother also told her to have less contact with other princes, so as not to get into trouble.
I have indeed gradually drifted away from everyone, and I've even packaged myself as someone with a terrible temper and who doesn't know what's going on.
Of his brothers, he disliked the fifth brother the most, who was like a ghost. He didn't know why when he was a child, but now he does.
The eldest brother's stupidity and the third brother's arrogance are obvious. Before his brain was damaged, the second brother had a gentle personality and was truly worthy of being called a gentleman.
Only the fifth child, the only one he didn't understand when he was a child, but that didn't stop him from liking him.
Now that I basically understand, I hate him even more. He's a real schemer.
Hidden in the shadows, acting as an invisible man, they seize opportunities to sow discord, shift blame, and frame others, profiting themselves and making a clean getaway.
The third prince is an example, but who can say for sure that the fifth prince wasn't involved in the eldest prince's affairs back then?
However, the other party was one step ahead, and the matter was over without leaving a trace. Even if there was anything, it would all be the Third Prince's fault, while he himself was at most a pitiful little boy who listened to his brother and was deceived.
A few gong sounds interrupted Zhao Hongsheng's recollection, and everyone straightened up, awaiting the judges' final verdict.
Although the prize this time is somewhat underwhelming, just because we don't have the ability to search for treasure ourselves doesn't mean we can't sell the treasure map for silver.
Forget about the money mentality; they studied diligently precisely for the "golden house" in the books.
Scholars also need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. They cannot live without a roof over their heads. To be destitute and hungry is to lose face and dignity as a scholar.
Therefore, a gentleman loves money but acquires it in a proper way, and it is not shameful for a gentleman to love money.
The oldest judge, a distinguished scholar, was responsible for announcing the winner of the poetry competition. He had been living in seclusion for many years, and it was unknown what methods the Tong family had used to persuade him to come out of retirement.