With how cunning and ruthless his fourth brother was, if he wanted to kill him, he wouldn't give him such an easy to cure poison.
Upon reaching his study, he met his brother sitting at a table staring into space.
When he heard the footsteps he immediately stood and greeted, "Second Brother"
Zhang Zhengyang nodded and took a sit opposite him. He could notice the frustration on his brother's face at a glance, "Don't worry, soon everything would be over."
The Ninth Prince, nodded with a smile, that seemed to be forced, making his brother frown,
"At this age you still put up such a face?"
The Ninth Prince suddenly laughed, "Of course not…"
The Crown Prince shook his head, he felt no matter what his brother would remain immature, he hoped he'd grow up fast, so they could face troubles together. If he remained like this, it wouldn't be good for him.
"How are things going at your side?"
The ninth prince became serious, "Everything is going according to plan, this time, it was my fault that I almost got caught."
"I had Xiao Qi cover for you for a few days, as long as you're fine there should be nothing to worry about, but this is a very dangerous thing to do, next time be more careful, if you had stayed unconscious for a few more days, then all our hard work would go to waste."
The ninth prince nodded.
He and Zhang Zhengyang shared a brotherhood no one could comprehend, it went farther than just the blood or interest they shared, after going through hell together, there was nothing that was going to break them apart. And he had sworn to himself to support his brother in everything he did, because he trusted him that much.
He hoped that one day, when his brother reached his goal, he would be able to stand by his side as his number one supporter.
This time he had almost blundered, thankfully his brother had sent him his most skilled guards, and so he could escape.
"Second brother, I heard that the duke's son passed his exams this year."
Zhang Zhengyang nodded, "He's not stupid, he's just cowardly, once that's been taken away from him he's sure to become someone that many would look up to."
The ninth prince nodded in agreement, he was relieved. His brother was really something! Even though their Fourth Brother was seriously fighting against them behind the scenes, they still had the upper hand.
Zhang Zhengyang saw the look on his brother's face and sighed, "Zhehan, don't be too relaxed just yet. The Fourth Prince isn't blind, nor is he cripple that he'll just sit and watch."
Zhang Zhehan, the ninth prince nodded, "Yes brother, I'll definitely keep my eyes open for anything amiss.
Zhang Zhengyang smiled, took a book from the table and randomly opened it. What he normally did was pick up people who seemed to have no talent at all, and have them go through multiple hardships so they could grow. Over the years this method has helped him build an organization that was deeply unified. Everyone understood each other, because they had been through similar experiences. And they all revered him who had believed in them and helped them become what they never imagined they could become in life. Of course sometimes the method would fail, but it was the most effective.
The two brothers discussed more. Having their own thoughts in mind. Hoping to achieve long lasting results.
It had already been announced all over the Capital, that the Crown Prince had returned and that he would have been killed if not for a brave lady that came to his rescue. When the rich young misses heard this news many of them felt a bit uneasy.
The Crown Prince even brought her back. And she was currently living in the Crown Prince's manor.
What pained them most was that the Emperor got deeply involved in this matter, and now the chicken would have a chance of becoming a phoenix.
They couldn't swallow this.
Thankfully, with the Emperor's eyes on the Crown Prince all these times, it was inconvenient for him to have officials visit him frequently. If not, those who had brothers or fathers working in the court would have asked them to spy on the Crown Prince for them.
Though after the incident of Chu Yin, the daughter of the duke, that had requested to go and pray at the Northern Green Forest Temple, many families flet insecure about their daughters, hoping they wouldn't do anything stupid because of their infatuation towards the empire's Crown Prince.
In a few days, a banquet would be held, and Zhao Xing would be attending, not as a little servant boy, but as the Crown Prince's benefactor. She had no idea why she had to go through all this. To her it was too troublesome. Especially when she had to strictly learn etiquette under Jiang Mama. She was as strict as she looked and Zhao Xing dared not offend her at all.
She listened to everything she was told, and even had to read some of the classics of this era, learn a bit about poems. Her days were so packed, it was sickening.
"Nuo Nuo, when is the banquet again?"
"In a week's time."
Zhao Xing wanted to collapse. A week? Who wanted to go through all this trouble for seven more days?
"I can't, I have to see the Crown Prince." Today she had to wake up early and begin her class, but she slept late yesterday because she was asked to memorize some passages in a poetry collection. She also had to copy some of the books she read. If this wasn't torture, then what was it?
"Grand Tutor, the prince has already left the manor…" Nuo Nuo had seen how much her mistress hated the lessons she was receiving, she knew her mistress was lazy and would rather do nothing than study. Though she felt bad to see her mistress looking so miserable she knew what the prince did meant well.