Troublemaker Prince Chapter 11
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 11
After You Yusui finished speaking, everyone present basically turned their gaze toward the Sixth Prince You Yuliu. You Yuliu had never expected that You Yusui would bring this matter out into the open so brazenly—he had truly lost all face and dignity.
The low-ranking concubines sitting in the back whispered among themselves, while his brothers in front wore mocking expressions on their faces. You Yuliu suddenly felt that the wounds inflicted by You Yusui's whisk hurt even more.
Moreover, one hundred thousand taels of silver—how could he possibly produce such an amount? He didn't even have one thousand taels on him. You Yusui was being utterly unreasonable!
"Does Sixth Imperial Brother not wish to prepare a gift for this prince?" You Yusui said with a dejected expression. "I originally thought that during this prince's illness, when Sixth Imperial Brother didn't come to visit me, he was preparing a birthday gift for this prince."
After speaking, You Yusui swept his gaze over all the brothers present—none of them would escape.
Hearing this, You Yuliu gasped. When had he ever prepared a birthday gift for You Yusui? But if he spoke up to refute it, wouldn't that confirm that he had no brotherly affection for his elder brother? With so many people watching, especially with their father emperor present, he dared not display any appearance of sibling discord before everyone.
"Yes, it's just that I don't have many connections and couldn't find any good items to serve as a birthday gift for Crown Prince Second Brother. So these one hundred thousand taels of silver shall be my birthday gift to Crown Prince Second Brother. I hope Crown Prince Second Brother won't disdain it." You Yuliu spoke through gritted teeth. Where was he supposed to find one hundred thousand taels of silver?
You Yusui's face revealed a smile, then he said, "After the banquet ends, this prince will send someone to Sixth Imperial Brother's place to collect it."
If it wasn't enough, he would have all the ornaments and treasures from the Sixth Prince's and Consort Ning's palaces moved out entirely.
At this moment, the Sixth Prince had no idea that You Yusui would empty his and his mother consort's palaces. He was only thinking about how to fool You Yusui after the banquet ended.
"I imagine everyone has prepared gifts for this prince. This is the first time this prince has celebrated a birthday in seventeen years, and to receive such attention from elders and brothers—this prince is greatly pleased." As You Yusui spoke, tears were about to fall again.
You Fengyun, sitting in the seat of honor, was already getting a headache listening to You Yusui's words. He felt he shouldn't have appeared at this family banquet.
"I wonder what gifts everyone has prepared for this prince. Could you let this prince open my eyes?" You Yusui raised his eyes to look at everyone, seemingly waiting for them to speak.
Everyone fell silent. No one had expected the Crown Prince to pull such a stunt. After all, according to their expectations, the Crown Prince would surely fly into a rage and storm off with a sweep of his sleeves, or endure it silently without daring to say much. How could they have prepared birthday gifts for the Crown Prince?
You Yusui was quite satisfied with this scene. Since he had already thrown away his face, and since being shameless didn't disadvantage him.
Huo Xiling, sitting beside You Yusui, couldn't help but squeeze You Yusui's hand upon seeing this. Although he was currently being persecuted by the Eldest Princess, his sister and brother-in-law truly cared for him—unlike the Crown Prince, whose father, sons, and brothers were all enemies.
Seeing Huo Xiling squeeze his hand, You Yusui couldn't help but squeeze back, then used his eyes to tell Huo Xiling: Don't worry, this prince will help you vent your anger in a moment.
Just as the atmosphere was gradually becoming awkward, You Fengyun, seated at the head, spoke, "An Hai, after the banquet, go and present the calligraphy Zhen made the other day to the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, You Yusui was stunned and somewhat couldn't believe it—would his father treat him so well? Then he immediately reacted: Oh, his father's calligraphy—something that would make one's bottom hurt even when used as toilet paper. It would be better to give him a ginseng root to stew chicken with. However, since the Emperor had given a gift, the others would be too embarrassed not to give anything.
At this moment, a sharp-eyed concubine sitting in the back row stood up and said, "This concubine has prepared a gift for the Crown Prince—a man-tall red coral. It's not easy to move, so after the banquet ends, this concubine will have palace servants send it to the Eastern Palace. I hope Your Highness will like it."
The one who spoke was Consort Hui, not much older than You Yusui, childless, but from a prestigious family background. She was the leader among the palace consorts from prestigious families. As soon as she spoke, many consorts from prestigious families stood up.
"This concubine has prepared a white jade ruyi for the Crown Prince. After the banquet ends, it will be sent to the Eastern Palace."
"This concubine has prepared ten pecks of Hepu pearls for the Crown Prince. After the banquet ends, they will be sent to the Eastern Palace."
"This concubine has prepared an authentic work by the previous dynasty's calligraphy master Lin Hui—the 'Dream Wandering in the Immortal Realm' scroll. After the banquet ends, it will be sent to the Eastern Palace."
...
"This concubine has prepared an ivory miniature carving for the Crown Prince. After the banquet ends, it will be sent to the Eastern Palace."
In just a few breaths, more than ten consorts from prestigious family backgrounds had generously offered gifts to the Crown Prince, while the faces of Consort Xian and the various princes grew increasingly ugly.
Emperor You Fengyun wondered if his Crown Prince had come to raid his harem. However... You Fengyun looked toward those dozen or so consorts from prestigious families—the wealth of prestigious families was beyond imagination.
Hearing his father emperor's consorts recite their gift lists, You Yusui's lips curved slightly upward, then he turned toward Consort Xian and others who had remained silent.
"Consort Xian and the Eldest Princess watched this prince grow up, and my various brothers are as close as flesh and blood to this prince. Why don't you let this prince guess what you will give this prince?" You Yusui lightly tapped Huo Xiling's palm with his finger, his lips carrying a smile. Since they wouldn't give voluntarily, he would personally ask for it.
"Eldest Imperial Brother is a scholar. What you're giving me must be that 'Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon' Chengni inkstone." You Yusui looked at the First Prince You Yuyi with a beaming smile, then mentioned the First Prince's treasured possession—a Chengni inkstone he had been reluctant to use until now.
Upon hearing this, the First Prince couldn't help but be alarmed. He had only recently received that Chengni inkstone from his maternal grandfather, Prime Minister Su. Because it was made by a famous craftsman and the inkstone was of superior quality, he was reluctant to use it and had kept it in his storeroom, never showing it to outsiders. How did the Crown Prince know he had such an inkstone? Could there be a spy in his palace?
"I imagine after this prince returns to the palace, I'll be able to see this inkstone." You Yusui directly confirmed that the First Prince would give him the Chengni inkstone.
The First Prince had never expected You Yusui could be so shameless. However, to avoid showing sibling discord, he could only present his beloved treasure to someone else.
After obtaining the First Prince's Chengni inkstone, You Yusui demanded the Third Prince's most beloved sword. Seeing this, the Fourth Princess and Fifth Prince proactively offered gifts. The Fourth Princess gave a sachet and handkerchief she had embroidered herself. The Fifth Prince, You Yuwu, was a prince born to a palace maid who never participated in sibling rivalries. He offered a jar of fine wine he had been storing and spoke a few pleasing auspicious words before returning to his seat.
Now You Yusui's gaze fell upon the Eldest Princess and Consort Xian.
Consort Xian and the Eldest Princess felt a chill down their backs and looked at You Yusui warily. To prevent their treasured possessions from meeting disaster, they prepared to strike first, but You Yusui was faster than them.
"Consort Xian will surely give this prince the cloisonné enamel lotus pattern elephant-ear incense burner, and the Eldest Princess will give this prince the silk tapestry work 'Plum Blossoms and Magpie Painting' left by the Great Master Zhang of the previous dynasty." After You Yusui finished speaking, he smiled, then enjoyed watching Consort Xian and the Eldest Princess—heartbroken inside but having to pretend to be generous on the surface.
Not only did they feel physical pain, but they also couldn't flip the table and leave, since the purpose of this banquet was to arrange an engagement between the Third Prince and the Eldest Princess's daughter.
"Let the banquet begin." Having watched enough of the farce, You Fengyun spoke coolly.
Soon, dancers filed in, and the sounds of dance and music diluted the previous awkward atmosphere, making Changle Palace seem harmonious and joyful.
After the song and dance ended, the Empress Dowager began chatting with the Eldest Princess about family matters. The Eldest Princess wiped away tears, saying that after marrying out, it was difficult to return home, and that the outside world could never compare to home.
"My child has suffered," the Empress Dowager comforted with heartache.
Hearing this, You Yusui sneered coldly. What suffering had the Eldest Princess endured? When other princesses were sent far away for marriage alliances, she remained in Chang'an. Not only did she stay in Chang'an, but she also had a fief far exceeding that of vassal kings—truly possessing overwhelming power and influence.
"It's nothing for a daughter to suffer a little, but as the child grows up, I worry more each day, wanting to find her a good family." Speaking thus, the Eldest Princess sighed.
Consort Xian smiled and said, "How could other families compare to one's own family?"
The Empress Dowager also nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Aijia thinks Shuang'er is most suitable to stay in our family."
(TL: 哀家 (āijiā) is a first-person pronoun used exclusively by imperial widows, typically Empress Dowagers, to refer to themselves. It literally means "the grieving one" but functions like a royal “I.”)
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess showed delight. "It's just that children's marriages must still consider the children's wishes."
"Shuang'er, which elder brother do you like?" After saying this, the Eldest Princess nudged her daughter sitting beside her.
At this moment, You Yusui had already prepared his words to break up the engagement, but situations always turned out unexpectedly.
Ji Shuang, who had been lost in her own world since the banquet began, raised her head and looked toward the direction where the princes sat with a bewildered expression. With just one glance, her attention was drawn to You Yusui.
"I like this brother!"
As her words fell, Ji Shuang looked at You Yusui with the loving gaze one might give a toy.
The Eldest Princess flew into a rage, while Consort Xian and the Empress Dowager were also caught completely off guard.
You Yusui heard the sound of Huo Xiling's knuckles cracking, but Huo Xiling lowered his head, so he couldn't see his expression clearly.
You Fengyun, seated in the place of honor, smiled slightly upon seeing this. "Crown Prince, what are your thoughts?"
You Yusui: ...
No thoughts whatsoever—he wouldn't want her even if they offered a dowry.
"Father Emperor, you've mistaken. The Commandery Princess was pointing to Third Imperial Brother beside this prince."
(TL: 郡主 (jùnzhǔ) is a noble title in imperial China= "Commandery Princess" or more commonly, "Princess of the Second Rank." ; daughter of a prince)
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. The positions of the Third Prince and Crown Prince weren't very close, but there was still some distance between them. Anyone with eyes could see that the Commandery Princess was pointing to the Crown Prince, not the Third Prince.
Although the Eldest Princess was surprised that the Crown Prince would be so kind, she still hurried to remedy the situation. "Shuang'er, you said yesterday that you liked Third Elder Brother."
After speaking, the Eldest Princess glared at Ji Shuang, who could only lower her head and remain silent.
You Fengyun, seated in the place of honor, said with understanding, "So it's Zhen's Third Prince."
"Right, when Father Emperor grants fiefs to Third Imperial Brother in the future, please grant him more territories." You Yusui said with a smile.
"Oh? Why is that?" You Fengyun looked at the Crown Prince not far away and asked, clearly interested in You Yusui's statement.
"Because I heard that after the King Taiyuan family's son married his cousin, the children born had some degree of mental deficiency. Fortunately, we're not ordinary people—we can afford to raise a few simpleton children." After You Yusui finished speaking, he put on an innocent expression.
You Fengyun, who had married his own cousin: ….
Consort Xian, who had given birth to a mentally deficient Seventh Prince: ...
"This matter will be discussed later."