2110 Embellishing Details
The third prince retold the story behind the painting Duan Yue had hid beneath the study table, but while embellishing details.
Afterwards, he said, "This son had only inadvertently discovered this painting. This young lady truly has limpid eyes and beautiful features. Her pristine aura is extraordinary. This son's counterfeit painting probably cannot even recreate a third of her charm. No wonder Fourth Brother fancies this beauty."
"However, Fourth Brother is truly too ruthless. He had put poison in the original painting, causing one of Eldest Brother's personal attendants to get implicated and thus die from poison."
The third prince rambled on and on.
Meanwhile, the crown prince, Rong Li, merely stood in front of the Ultramarine Province Emperor without saying anything.
The second prince was all smiles. He would occasionally glance up meaningfully at the third prince.
When describing this third brother of theirs positively, he was honest and frank, forthright and sincere. When describing him negatively, it would be brainless, prone to anger, rash…
Tsk, tsk, Imperial Father's complexion really looked ugly.
"Alright!" The Ultramarine Province Emperor shouted and beckoned to the attendant on his left. "Go summon Old Fourth."
The third prince clammed up upon seeing the emperor flare up.
The Ultramarine Province Emperor turned to look at the crown prince who had been keeping quiet. He suddenly asked, "What does the crown prince think."
The crown prince, Rong Li, stepped up and bowed respectfully. "Imperial Father, this son deems Fourth Brother's actions as truly somewhat muddle-headed. Just as Third Brother says, Fourth Brother secretly hiding the portrait of the Divine Province's future crown prince consort… is not beneficial to the Ultramarine Province and the Divine Province's peaceful relationship."
"The present sittuation in the world has become unpredictable, and the barbarian tribes are eyeing us covetously. Even though we signed a peace alliance with the Nether Province a hundred years ago, the affairs of the world have changed much since then. How do we know if the Nether Province will be as reliable as in the past?"
"Even though the Three Provinces coexist, it is common knowledge that the Divine Province is most powerful. Even after experiencing that political upheavel many years ago, the Divine Province is still standing at the peak of the world."
"This son implores Imperial Father to issue an edict to choose a consort for Fourth Brother."
"This son believes that this is only a result of Fourth Brother's immature youth. When he settles down, he will definitely be a pillar of our Ultramarine Province's well-being."
The Ultramarine Province Emperor glanced at Rong Li meaningfully. He nodded and turned to look at the second prince. "Old Second, what do you think?"
"This son agrees with what the crown prince has said."
Rong Li lowered his eyes, sneering on the inside.
This second brother of his had a temperament that completely differed from their third brother. However, he also looked down on this person's cowardly stance with no views of his own.
At least Third Brother had a bit of courage and uprightness in him. As for this Second Brother, he had nothing to say.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the fourth prince has arrived."
"You all go back first. Let Old Fourth come in." The Ultramarine Province Emperor waved them out.
"This son will excuse himself now." Rong Li and them bowed and then turned to walk out of the main hall.
The trio saw their fourth brother walking inside when they got to the main entrance with the open red lacquered doors.
His peerless countenance was complemented by pearl white clothes and a quiet air.
His long hair fell freely to his waist, making him look indolent, but his sharp gaze jolted Rong Li to the core.
How was this gaze so piercing?
"Greetings to Imperial Father." Just as the trio exited the main hall and the four doors shut, they heard their fourth brother announce this with a crisp voice.
