As Yan Lun’s words fell, all the civil and military officials in the great hall turned their gaze toward the three princes of first rank seated at the front of the civil officials. However, because Prince Hui sat in a wheelchair, only the officials in the front rows could see his profile or the back of his head, while those further back couldn’t even see the wheelchair.

Those who truly felt these gazes were Prince Kang and Prince Qing, standing on either side of the wheelchair.

Prince Qing was simply shocked—shocked that Di Xian was a talent recommended by Second Brother, shocked that Second Brother had also contributed to the canal excavation project!

Prince Kang was also surprised for a moment, but as someone who had just received credit for verifying the canal, he inevitably thought more deeply.

He was able to establish this merit because Di Xian had first successfully repaired the canal, and Di Xian’s emergence as a talent was actually Second Brother’s achievement?

Then, whose contribution was greater—his or Second Brother’s?

Without much thought, Prince Kang reached a conclusion: his verification was merely the final merit, while Second Brother’s recommendation of talent was the primary achievement. Second Brother was the talent scout who had identified a thoroughbred horse, while he was merely the one who helped check for omissions and fill gaps after the thoroughbred had galloped forth and achieved merit. The talent scout and the thoroughbred were both indispensable, but he wasn’t the only person capable of checking for omissions and filling gaps.

Emperor Yongchang sat high upon the dragon throne, quickly glancing over the eldest and third sons’ expressions before his gaze fell upon the second son’s face, his tone carrying the surprise of hearing this news for the first time: “Prince Hui, is what Minister Yan says the truth?”

When the Emperor asked a question, the responding subject, regardless of rank, should stand in the center of the great hall.

Prince Kang noticed Second Brother’s hand moving to push the delicate wooden wheel. This action made him temporarily suppress the bitter taste in his heart, and almost instinctively, he grasped the handles at the back of the wheelchair and pushed Second Brother to the center of the great hall.

When the wheelchair came to a stop, the dragon throne of Emperor Yongchang on the imperial dais and Prince Hui’s golden thread nanmu wheelchair below the dais surprisingly stopped on the same line. The dragon throne gleamed with flowing golden brilliance, noble and imposing, while the golden thread nanmu wheelchair, comparable to gold itself, also had the same luster floating across it.

Though the civil and military officials had attended court sessions with the injured and returned Prince Hui for a year, this was still the first time they had seen Prince Hui appear so prominent and dazzling at court.

Bearing the gazes of all the ministers, Zhao Sui faced Father Emperor’s downward gaze head-on.

Others didn’t know the inside story, but Father Emperor should have known long ago. Today’s revelation was definitely not just to commend his merit in recommending talent.

With the heir apparent still undecided, in the sixth month Father Emperor had publicly rebuked Prince Qing, essentially completely kicking Prince Qing out of consideration for heir apparent.

The Fourth Prince was lazy and unmotivated, so Father Emperor wouldn’t consider him either, leaving only Prince Kang.

But at the hunting grounds, Father Emperor had embarrassed Prince Kang in front of civil and military officials and about a hundred young military officers, and had arranged a marriage between Prince Kang’s wife’s family and his own wife’s family…

If at that time Zhao Sui only had fifty percent suspicion that Father Emperor might choose him, today’s coordinated performance between Father Emperor and Yan Lun raised that fifty percent to ninety percent.

Otherwise, Father Emperor’s actions would only create resentment toward him from Prince Kang and Prince Qing, and Father Emperor wouldn’t engage in futile efforts.

“Yes.”

This was the truth, and Zhao Sui had no need to deny it further. If Father Emperor truly wanted to choose him, Zhao Sui dared to accept this heavy responsibility.

Emperor Yongchang told Yan Lun to rise first, then asked Di Xian beside him: “Since Prince Hui recommended you, have you and Prince Hui met?”

Di Xian didn’t understand the Emperor’s deeper meaning, but he knew he couldn’t deceive the sovereign: “In reply to Your Majesty, on the evening of the day the palace examination results were announced, Prince Hui summoned this subject to the prince’s manor for questioning.”

Emperor Yongchang: “What did he ask you?”

Di Xian thought for a moment and recounted everything one by one. Even if not the exact words, he conveyed the general meaning.

Emperor Yongchang asked Prince Hui: “When did you first notice Di Xian?”

Zhao Sui could only answer truthfully. First, he had seen Di Xian’s name on the provincial examination results list that the Princess Consort had copied for him. This reminded him of Di Yong’s canal excavation proposal from years ago. Then he went to the Ministry of Works to check Di Yong’s old records, and after inquiring, discovered that both Di Yong and Di Xian were from Rao’an County, Jizhou, leading him to deduce they should have a familial relationship.

At these words, the civil and military ministers all praised Prince Hui’s excellent memory.

Emperor Yongchang looked toward the two prime ministers and Minister of Personnel Shen Shiyan: “When Di Yong was transferred to serve as magistrate of Qingxia County, all three of you handled the transfer document. Later, when Di Yong submitted a memorial proposing canal excavation, all three of you also participated in the court discussion of this matter. Including this year’s provincial and palace examination results announcements, Di Xian’s name passed before your eyes both times. I manage myriad affairs daily and may inevitably overlook things, but why did none of you three important ministers assisting me think of Di Yong’s excellent canal excavation strategy through Di Xian?”

The Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister, and Shen Shiyan quickly stepped forward behind Prince Hui, all admitting their memory was inferior to Prince Hui’s, and their concern for the people was also inferior to Prince Hui’s.

Emperor Yongchang wasn’t truly going to rebuke them for this matter. He waved his hand to indicate they should return to their positions, and said to the civil and military officials: “I am very gratified that I still have a son and subject like Prince Hui who is knowledgeable, can recognize worthy talent, cares for the people, and dares to recommend worthy talent to the court. Without Prince Hui, who knows when Di Xian would have had the opportunity to assume his post in Qingxia and petition again for canal excavation? Without Prince Hui, who knows when the Fengyan Ancient Canal could have been reopened to channel water and benefit the local people? Therefore, with the completion of Fengyan Canal, Prince Hui and Di Xian share primary credit, rewarded with one thousand taels of silver.”

For Prince Hui, a reward of one thousand taels of silver was nothing, but the court recorder sitting to the side of the great hall had recorded this matter. Thus, Prince Hui’s primary achievement in recommending Di Xian would be recorded in the annals of history, just like Prince Qing’s offense in the sixth month when he lost one thousand soldiers and angered the Emperor, to be passed down through the ages. Future generations, whenever they mentioned Fengyan Canal, would mention the father and son Di Yong and Di Xian, as well as Emperor Yongchang and father and son Prince Hui.

Today’s court session ended here.

Prince Kang pushed Second Brother out, and wherever they passed, civil and military ministers looked admiringly at Prince Hui in the wheelchair.

Prince Hui’s expression remained as usual, while Prince Kang worked hard to maintain an expression of happiness for Second Brother.

Having exited the great hall, Prince Qing was about to say some insincere words when Prince Kang was about to push Second Brother down the slope when Emperor Yongchang sent a eunuch to request Prince Hui to the imperial study.

Qing Ai promptly took over the wheelchair, bowed to the two princes, and pushed his own prince away.

Surrounded by ministers, Prince Qing first walked down the white marble staircase with Prince Kang. Only after putting some distance between themselves and the ministers behind did Prince Qing gloat at Prince Kang’s square, elongated face: “Who could have imagined that after Elder Brother worked so hard traveling outside for two months, finally completing his assignment and returning, he would have his glory stolen by Second Brother?”

Both elder brothers had merit, while he was the most awkward one. But thinking carefully, the elder brother who had clearly done so much yet wasn’t as meritorious as Second Brother seemed even more awkward?

As long as he wasn’t at the bottom, Prince Qing felt much more comfortable.

Prince Kang was truly in a bad mood and couldn’t keep up the pretense anymore. He shot Prince Qing a cold glare and strode toward his Ministry of Finance.

In the imperial study, having pushed Prince Hui before Emperor Yongchang, Qing Ai withdrew together with Eunuch Wang.

Emperor Yongchang sat on the dragon throne, in no hurry to speak, only silently observing the son before him.

Zhao Sui suddenly thought of the Princess Consort at home. Sometimes when the Princess Consort wanted to see his embarrassment, she would deliberately stare at him like this.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Sui glanced at Father Emperor and said: “Regarding the canal excavation matter, this son indeed has some merit, but as the Princess Consort said, the primary credit for the canal’s completion should go to Father Emperor.”

Emperor Yongchang said in surprise: “To me?”

Zhao Sui then repeated the Princess Consort’s words on assigning credit, including the Princess Consort’s share of credit to the canal laborers.

Emperor Yongchang nodded with ambiguous meaning: “You certainly tell her everything.”

Zhao Sui: “…The Princess Consort is curious. That day, this son merely looked at Di Xian’s name a few extra times, and she asked if this son had thought of something.”

Emperor Yongchang: “I am also curious. I’ll ask you now—when I praised you in the great hall, what did you think?”

Zhao Sui looked at his own legs and said: “This son thought that the Princess Consort was someone Father Emperor sent to this son’s side, and the position at the Ministry of Works was also something Father Emperor was willing to grant this son by breaking precedent. That this son could serve as a talent scout for Di Xian relied first on the Princess Consort curing this son’s heart ailment, and second on Father Emperor still being willing to use this son’s half-crippled body. Therefore, for as long as Father Emperor uses this son, this son will dedicate himself wholeheartedly and dare not be negligent.”

Emperor Yongchang knew that Second Son understood his meaning.

As for Second Son’s self-deprecating words, Emperor Yongchang said: “Those who occupy high positions rely on their brains. As long as they have brains, there are plenty of people below who can run errands and handle matters for them. Without brains but only legs, they either get manipulated by others or run off to bring disaster upon themselves.”

Zhao Sui could only remain silent.

Emperor Yongchang: “How is your wife’s condition?”

Zhao Sui: “With Nanny Jin caring for her, the Princess Consort is well in all respects.”

Emperor Yongchang nodded: “She must be showing now, right? With the bitter cold weather, it’s easy to slip outside. Have her go out less.”

Zhao Sui: “Father Emperor can rest assured. After winter began, she no longer likes going out. At most she invites her mother and others to the manor to keep her company and relieve her boredom.”

At the hour of you in winter, night fell early. Zhao Sui, wearing a cloak and sitting in his leather-upholstered wheelchair, was pushed out of the Ministry of Works by Qing Ai.

On the palace road leading outside, he encountered Prince Kang and Prince Qing waiting for him side by side.

A day had passed, and Prince Kang had already calmed down. Second Brother indeed had great merit, and Father Emperor praising him was appropriate. As the elder brother, he couldn’t be so petty toward Second Brother sitting in a wheelchair. So when Prince Qing stirred things up, urging him to treat Second Brother to drinks, Prince Kang readily agreed, refusing to give Third Brother a chance to laugh at the two older brothers.

Learning of their intention, Zhao Sui said: “To Elder Brother’s manor?”

If they went to a tavern, he could only stay on the first floor main hall. The Princess Consort liked dining in the main hall among commoners for the liveliness, but Prince Kang and Prince Qing probably wouldn’t want that.

Prince Qing clicked his tongue: “Second Brother received much more reward silver than Elder Brother. Shouldn’t we go to your manor?”

Zhao Sui: “The Princess Consort is with child. I don’t want to disturb her by making her come out to pay respects.”

Prince Kang glared at Prince Qing and decided: “We’ll go to my manor.”

Zhao Sui sent someone to inform the Princess Consort so she wouldn’t wait for him for the meal.

Arriving at Prince Kang’s manor, Chen Ying brought the children to pay respects to their two prince uncles. After greetings were exchanged, she returned to the rear courtyard.

Only the three brothers remained in the hall. Prince Qing felt sour at heart, and most of what he said was unpleasant to hear. Zhao Sui neither drank the wine Prince Qing offered nor engaged with those meaningless remarks, instead proactively asking Prince Kang about his experiences in Liangzhou.

Prince Kang also loved discussing such matters with him, and the two elder brothers gradually left Prince Qing aside.

Prince Qing found it quite boring, filled his stomach, and wanted to take his leave.

Prince Kang wanted to keep Second Brother a while longer, after all, it was rare for him and Second Brother to chat at such length in one sitting.

Zhao Sui: “It’s getting late. I’ll go back and keep the Princess Consort company.”

Prince Kang: “…”

When Prince Hui finally finished cleaning up and came to his Princess Consort’s side, Yao Huang was already somewhat drowsy.

“For no particular reason, why did the Crown Prince invite you all to drink?”

She leaned close to Prince Hui, sniffed, and surprisingly didn’t smell even a hint of alcohol.

Zhao Sui explained: “Elder Brother had merit in verifying the canal. Third Brother asked him to host, but there were only us brothers at the banquet. When I said I wouldn’t drink, they didn’t force me.”

Young children shouldn’t drink alcohol, and unborn children should be even more protected from alcohol fumes.

Yao Huang hummed and muttered: “Clearly Your Highness also has merit.”

Zhao Sui grasped the Princess Consort’s soft hand: “I’ve already received primary credit from you. What’s outside isn’t important.”

Yao Huang knew Prince Hui wasn’t greedy for fame or profit, and smiled: “Then I’ll reward Your Highness with something more substantial.”

As she spoke, she hooked her arm around Prince Hui’s shoulder, making him lie down a bit. Once the distance was sufficient, she slowly leaned in for a kiss.