The Empress knew the Crown Prince’s lameness couldn’t be concealed for long.

If the Crown Prince’s leg was lame due to confinement, that would be His Majesty’s failure as a father, and His Majesty would certainly feel guilty and uncomfortable, unwilling to see the Crown Prince again.

But if the Crown Prince were injured during a wrestling match celebrating his father’s birthday, it might evoke some sympathy from His Majesty, gaining some advantages for the Sixth Prince she was raising…

The frustrating part was that she couldn’t bring down the Second Prince, wasting all her scheming!

Thinking of this, Empress Tang reached out to grab the little girl: “Later, don’t let him tear your clothes. When he kicks your leg, don’t dodge. Fall off the platform quickly, and then…”

It was unclear whether “Feng Qiyuan” heard her, for before the Empress could finish, the youth rose with a smile and walked toward the arena.

The graceful youth, with a baby face still not entirely shed of its down, had a waist as straight as a bright willow, drawing everyone’s gaze.

The Second Prince watched with a smile, thinking to himself: Third Brother’s martial skills have improved significantly these past few years. Just now, I’ve provoked him with several remarks, stirring his anger. The Crown Prince will surely be miserable!

When the Crown Prince mounted the platform, the difference in the two princes’ physiques became immediately apparent. The slender seventeen-year-old youth standing before the burly Third Prince, who was in his early twenties, looked far too delicate!

As the Third Prince maliciously clenched his fists and flexed his shoulders, his joints cracked loudly, as if foreshadowing the sound of bones he would soon crush.

Just as the Third Prince prepared to pounce like a fierce tiger, the Crown Prince spoke languidly: “Third Brother, have you no shame? You’re so much bigger and stronger than I—aren’t you afraid people will say you’re bullying the weak, winning without honor?”

Third Prince Feng Qiwu sneered: “On the Dafeng arena, fists do the talking. If Your Highness fears getting beaten, you can request to concede and leave the stage. Don’t whine like a woman, hoping I’ll pretend to lose.”

Among all the princes, the Third Prince, raised in military camps, was the most straightforward, daring to call the Crown Prince effeminate to his face.

Four years ago, the Crown Prince would certainly have been reduced to red-rimmed eyes, choking and stammering insults in return.

But this time, returning from confinement, the Crown Prince showed much improved composure, smiling: “There’s no need to hold back. But it’s Father Emperor’s birthday celebration, so we should add some amusement. You’re three years older than I and a renowned strongman in the military. It’s not good to bully someone smaller. Following commoner customs, let’s do a one-legged hop, seeing who can knock the other off the platform first. This way, we compete in agility, not strength. Do you dare, Third Brother?”

The Third Prince was amused. The little girl was good at finding excuses. Did he think the children’s game of hopping on one leg didn’t require strength?

But this was fine; it would spare him from being too rough and maiming the effeminate youth on the platform.

The platform was quite high. Knocking the effeminate one off would be enough to teach him a lesson and vent some frustration!

With this thought, he generously waved his hand: “If Your Highness doesn’t mind losing face, I certainly don’t care. But since you set the rules, don’t weep and blame me if you fall from the high platform!”

The Crown Prince smiled slightly and proceeded to hug his right leg, beginning to hop in place.

Below the platform, the Second Prince and Consort Shang observed this and slightly narrowed their eyes: They had heard the Crown Prince’s right leg was lame. Had he grown clever? Using this provocation against the Third Prince while protecting his right leg, playing to his strengths and avoiding his weakness?

Meanwhile, the Third Prince also lifted one leg, his movements agile, charging toward the Crown Prince like a bull released from its pen.

With such momentum, like splitting mountains and cleaving rocks, it seemed the willow-like Crown Prince would be knocked flying off the platform. Yet at the crucial moment, the youth barely managed a jump, turning to avoid the Third Prince’s attack.

Then the spectacle of a small spinning top teasing a great bull officially began. The Crown Prince’s feet seemed spring-loaded as he hopped nimbly around the platform.

Each time, the Third Prince came within a hair’s breadth of knocking the youth flying, but always just missed… Before long, the Third Prince was panting slightly, his nostrils flaring as if he’d plowed a hundred acres.

This indeed provided great entertainment, causing the audience below to shout excitedly, cheering for both the Third Prince and the Crown Prince. Even His Majesty was laughing heartily, radiating the joy of being surrounded by children and grandchildren.

The Empress was initially tense, watching the youth refuse to fall from the high platform, her fists clenched within her sleeves.

But seeing the girl lead the bull around with such ease, her expression relaxed considerably. It seemed the little girl was still useful, having thought of this way to handle the wrestling match.

If she could persevere, the horse race would follow the martial display. Then she could proceed with her plan, having “Feng Qiyuan” pretend to fall from his horse, framing the Second Prince!

Thinking of this, Empress Tang felt somewhat relieved.

Just then, a thud came from the platform. The Third Prince was strong and heavy, and despite his martial prowess and strength, he couldn’t sustain standing on one leg for long. When he finally collided with the Crown Prince, a clever move struck his waist acupoint, causing him to lose balance and fall with a thud.

A nearby eunuch immediately raised a flag and announced: “Crown Prince victorious!”

The victorious youth smiled shyly, clasping his hands to give the thoroughly defeated Third Prince a graceful exit: “Third Brother, we agreed not to hold back, so why did you let me win? I’m grateful, truly grateful…”

The Second Prince had somehow appeared below the platform, stirring the pot with a neither light nor heavy tone: “Your Highness is truly brilliant! Did you hear that Third Brother injured his waist during a bandit suppression mission? You restricted all his martial skills with the one-legged hop, then specifically targeted his injury? Brilliant, truly brilliant! This spectacular battle will surely spread throughout the capital and court by tomorrow! Our martially superior Third Brother, actually defeated by the Crown Prince, haha…”

The Third Prince had always prided himself on his martial prowess. Hearing these inflammatory words, he suddenly felt manipulated, calculated against by this effeminate Crown Prince. If the story of being tricked into falling flat spread everywhere, how could he face his military brothers?

With this thought, the Third Prince was so angry his nostrils wouldn’t close. His blood surged, and with a roar, he stood up, no longer caring about the heir apparent status, only wanting to beat up Old Fourth.

Seeing this, the Second Prince’s eyes revealed delight. Having lost so much face in public, given the Third Prince’s temperament, he would beat the Crown Prince regardless of his status! After all, he had privately disciplined the Crown Prince before, and each time the Crown Prince saw the Third Prince, it was like seeing a tiger…

Indeed, as the Third Prince’s temper flared, he grabbed the Crown Prince’s collar with one hand, lifting him like a chicken, about to throw him off the high platform…

At that moment, a steady male voice sounded from one side of the platform: “Third Prince, accepting a gambling loss isn’t shameful!”

Though not loud, the voice was like cool, sweet spring water poured into the bull’s hot, steaming ears.

The Third Prince turned to look and saw an elegant, refined man in white robes sitting in a wooden wheeled chair, coolly regarding him.

Still struggling to calm his anger, the Third Prince held the Crown Prince high, his fist cracking loudly. The man in the chair offered a timely reminder: “Today is His Majesty’s birthday celebration, not a military drill. Third Prince, don’t overshadow the host by continuing to play with the Crown Prince. General Zhao has warmed the wine—please go drink with your comrades, Third Highness.”

Though the words sounded like a reprimand, they awakened the Third Prince, warning him not to act rashly and create trouble.

For some reason, the Third Prince finally let out a heavy breath through his nostrils, glared, put down the Crown Prince, and swept his robes as he left the platform.

The Second Prince, seeing his plan fail at the last moment, snorted coldly and sarcastically addressed the man in the wooden wheelchair: “Young Master Mu, my boorish Third Brother listens to you, more than to me as his elder brother!”

The man in the wheeled chair continued calmly: “The princes will soon compete in horse racing. Time is short; let’s not delay here.”

The Second Prince smiled insincerely and swept his sleeves as he departed.

The man in the wheeled chair did not leave but turned his gaze toward the young Crown Prince.

The “Crown Prince” had also descended from the platform and was staring intently at this man.

Though she had roamed the streets and society, seeing many things, she had never seen such an exceptionally handsome man.

Though simply dressed in a white robe with a wooden hairpin, his demeanor was refined and elegant. Among the crowd of silk and satin-clad nobles, he displayed a transcendent quality like a solitary pine on a high mountain.

Unfortunately, he appeared unable to walk properly, unable to stand up even in such an occasion.

The Second Prince had addressed him as “Young Master,” suggesting he was from a noble family. Who was he? Song Ao’s illustrated book hadn’t included this figure!

As the youth studied him, the man remained silent, his nose slightly cold, his gaze clear and cool, looking directly at the young man on the steps.

Perhaps they had been staring at each other too long, for the Third Prince Feng Qiwu suddenly returned. Seeing the “Crown Prince” staring at the man in the wheeled chair, he immediately stepped in front, blocking with raised eyebrows: “Crown Prince, mind your conduct! Stop harassing Hanjiang!”

The “Crown Prince” blinked, unclear about the Third Prince’s meaning.

The Third Prince moved closer, whispering through gritted teeth: “Hanjiang is a proud man, not one of those theater performers in your palace! You’ve already caused him to be unable to walk properly. If you still harbor evil intentions, don’t blame me for breaking both your legs!”

Having said this, the Third Prince didn’t wait for the Crown Prince’s reaction before turning to wheel away the man surnamed Mu.

“Feng Qiyuan” smacked his lips after being scolded, and seeing Song Ao approaching quickly, pointed at the man in the wheeled chair and asked softly: “Song Ao, who is that person? I don’t think he was in the album you gave me.”

Song Ao replied in a low voice: “His name is Mu Hanjiang, the only son of Princess Anqing, the Empress Dowager’s adopted daughter, and Duke Ding. He’s considered the Crown Prince’s cousin. However, he left the capital four years ago, and since the Empress didn’t know he would suddenly return to the capital, he wasn’t included in the album… Did you speak with Young Master Mu just now? Did you reveal any flaws?”

“Feng Qiyuan” repeated the Third Prince’s words and asked Song Ao what they meant.

Song Ao’s expression stiffened, and she spoke with contempt: “The Crown Prince is fond of handsome men and greatly… admires this Young Master. During a palace banquet four years ago, the Crown Prince had some verbal entanglement with him. Somehow, this Mu Hanjiang fell from a high platform, injuring his spine, becoming disabled ever since…”

Ah? Could he have been pushed by the Crown Prince? No wonder the Third Prince always wanted to throw her off the platform—perhaps seeking revenge for his friend, wanting to throw her down the platform as well?

But from Song Ao’s meaning, the Crown Prince admired… Mu Hanjiang?

Song Ao had no interest in dwelling on the Crown Prince’s romantic affairs and continued tensely: “Although Young Master Mu is from a noble family, he grew up with Duke Ding stationed at the frontier, excelling in both civil and military arts. He was originally meant to inherit his father’s career and join the military. Unfortunately, after becoming disabled, he could no longer serve in the army and instead took a nominal position as a ceremonial official inspecting the border areas. Recently, he has joined the Third Prince, serving as a military strategist to clear out river bandits in Jianghuai. You should avoid him and not provoke him!”

Song Ao shared the Empress’s mindset, eager for the troublesome girl to mount a horse soon, so they could quickly conclude this scheme.

The girl seemed inclined to chat, and her eyes brightened with interest when hearing about clearing river bandits: “So even a princess’s son, once disabled, cannot continue his career path. I wonder if the Crown Prince, with his future lame leg, could find a leisurely position like Young Master Mu?”

Song Ao haughtily raised her head without answering, though she sneered inwardly: Throughout history, what good fate awaited a deposed Crown Prince? Having once held a high position was itself an original sin! One should burn incense and pray just to survive a few more years!