Zhao Yao was very fond of this horse, which was in no way inferior to his father’s fine steed, Lie Huo. This horse was only one year old, still very young. Zhao Yao originally planned to take it back to the palace, but considering the limited space there, it was not suitable for keeping a horse.
He named the horse "Wu Tu" and instructed Liang Guan to send it to the Royal Villa for care.
Besides these gifts, Liang Run also thoughtfully bought some delicacies from Wusun and other Western Regions countries. He had also purchased many books from Wusun and other Western Region nations.
Zhao Yao selected a few items from these gifts to give to his four younger brothers and Ding Yuan.
In the evening, Zhao Yao dined with Liang Guan and the others.
After dinner, Liang Guan was thoughtful enough to buy some fireworks to celebrate Zhao Yao’s birthday.
Meanwhile, in He Lianfang’s residence, the Emperor was chatting with He Lianfang.
"You want me to send the Little Ten to Lingnan? That place is a land of exile. Do you think I would agree?" the Emperor feigned discontent and said.
He Lianfang silently watched the Emperor’s theatrical display with an expression that read "I see through your act."
Seeing that He Lianfang wasn’t willing to go along with his act, the Emperor puckered his lips and said, "Lao He, it’s rare that you and I think alike."
Hearing this from the Emperor didn’t surprise He Lianfang at all.
"Indeed, you have a brain, and it’s an exceptionally clever one," the Emperor remarked, giving He Lianfang a deep look, "Lao He, if you came to propose this to me today, I’m afraid you’ve already talked to Little Ten about going to Lingnan, and he’s already agreed."
Sure enough, the Emperor had guessed it right.
"Exactly, he’s already agreed to go to Lingnan in the future." After discussing the Lingnan visit with Zhao Yao, He Lianfang pondered whether the Emperor had long been prepared for Zhao Yao to go to Lingnan, which is why he summoned the Emperor to confirm.
The Emperor curved his lips with interest and asked, "How did you persuade him to agree?"
"It’s simple, far from the Emperor’s reach," He Lianfang deliberately mocked, "Your son couldn’t wait to be far away from you."
The Emperor cooperated with He Lianfang by putting on a saddened expression, "I’m so heartbroken." He said so, but there was no trace of sorrow in his tone. He even pretended to cry, "How can Little Ten leave me and go so far to Lingnan?" ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel·fıre·net
He Lianfang couldn’t bear the Emperor’s cringe-worthy acting any longer. He made a disgusted face and said, "Drop that disgusting face." Little Ten sometimes came up with words that were spot on, like "cringe-worthy," a term that was so apt and fitting.
The Emperor gave He Lianfang a resentful look, "Am I not cooperating with you?" After this, he dropped his overly dramatic sad expression and resumed his usual nonchalant demeanor. "I can guess how you persuaded Little Ten, usually by telling him that in Lingnan, he can do whatever he wants..."
One cannot deny that the Emperor knew his youngest son very well.
Seeing that the Emperor had guessed everything, He Lianfang felt no inner turmoil and maintained a calm appearance.
"Have you already sent people to Lingnan?"
Given the Emperor’s decision to send Zhao Yao to Lingnan, he surely wouldn’t leave everything unarranged for his youngest son.
The Emperor winked playfully at He Lianfang: "You guess."
He Lianfang gave the Emperor a side-eye and unceremoniously issued a dismissal order: "You can leave now."
"It’s rare for you to seek me out, and I haven’t had a good chat with you yet; how could I leave?" The Emperor chuckled, "Come on, let’s have a good chat."
He Lianfang said with a face full of disdain: "I have nothing good to discuss with you."
"How could you not? We can talk about Little Ten." The Emperor rested his chin on interlocked fingers and winked at He Lianfang, "Lingnan is not a good place; we can also chat about Lingnan."
He Lianfang gave the Emperor a cold glance, "You send your people to Lingnan; I send mine, without interfering with each other."
"Of course." The Emperor was unsurprised by He Lianfang’s having his people. It would be odd if He Lianfang didn’t have any. "Lao He, when you lose to me, don’t cry."
"Zhao Zheng, it’s you who will certainly lose," He Lianfang mocked, "I can’t wait to see the scene of your defeat."
The Emperor laughed and said, "Then you might be disappointed."
He Lianfang said nothing further. In his heart, he was confident that the Emperor would lose to him, and he would lose miserably because Zhao Yao was naturally suited to be an Emperor.
The Emperor did not linger long at He Lianfang’s residence; he stayed for two hours before leaving.
Before he left, He Lianfang called out to him: "You should arrange for a new tutor for Little Ten."