tallest building

Chapter 221 The Youths

Gong Chang'an had not yet officially become a study companion, so he usually did not go to the places where the two princes studied and lectured, but only when Master Zhuge gave a lecture would he go to listen.

In the two weeks since he entered the palace, he has gotten a general idea of ​​the personalities of Ying Tong and Ying Bai.

Ying Tong was short-tempered, while Ying Bai was somewhat arrogant.

Naturally, they usually try not to show their shortcomings, but one's true nature cannot be hidden just because one wants to.

Although Gong Chang'an was a few years younger than the two of them, he was a natural shrewd person. Amidst the jokes and laughter, he had already made countless plans in his mind.

These days, with Master Zhuge in the palace and the scholars who were lecturing the two princes busy with their own studies, plus everyone busy with welcoming Prince Fenye and Princess Duanmin, the two princes have had some free time.

Although the palace is large, you are still here every day, and you are not free.

Therefore, Prince Ying Tong of Zhao suggested that the three of them go out of the palace for a stroll.

The Crown Prince of Chu was naturally happy to agree, but Gong Chang'an said indifferently, "It must be approved by the higher authorities first. Besides, where would we go if we left the palace?"

“Just come to my house,” Ying Tong said. “I have everything I need.”

“Going to your house or my house is no fun. So many people follow us around and we’re all restrained. Isn’t it the same as being in the palace?” Prince Ying Bai of Chu shook his head. “Why don’t we go boating?”

“It’s already autumn, what’s the point of boating?” Ying Tong and Ying Bai often started arguing after just a few words.

Besides their inherent rivalry, their personalities were also naturally incompatible.

After arguing for a few moments, seeing that Gong Chang'an remained silent, they both asked him, "What do you think we should do?"

Gong Chang'an blinked and said, "How can my knowledge compare to that of the two princes? But I was thinking about the conversation between the Emperor and the tutor a few days ago. They said that the ancestors of the Great Zhou Dynasty also won the world on horseback, but nowadays the sons of noble families often indulge in pleasure and have forgotten about archery and horsemanship. They can neither draw a bow nor mount a horse, which is truly forgetting their roots."

Besides, the autumn air is crisp and clear now, the perfect time for galloping on horseback. However…”

The two men were listening intently when they saw him stop talking, so they urged him, "But what?"

"However, both young masters are of noble birth, and we must not allow any mishap to occur." Gong Chang'an's face showed a look of fear.

"It's just riding a horse, what's the big deal?" They both laughed. "You're still just a kid. We practice riding and archery all the time. It's not like it's something you can't touch."

So the next day they all rode out of the palace on horseback. Although Gong Chang'an was young, he was very good at riding horses.

Upon seeing this, the two princes couldn't help but secretly compete with each other, and from then on, riding horses became a regular occurrence for them.

That day, Gong Chang'an discussed with Wen Mingqian: "I have been back in the capital for quite some time now, but I have not yet met with my old brothers. Firstly, I don't want them to think that I have forgotten my roots, and secondly, I really miss them."

“It is only right to go see them. During the time you were at the academy, you kept in touch with these young men through letters. They know you are back and must miss you.” Wen Mingqian said as he helped him try on the new clothes. “I will ask the Empress for permission when I pay my respects to her later.”

The Empress was very fond of Gong Chang'an. Every time Wen Mingqian brought him to pay his respects, the Empress would call him over and give him some snacks and fruit.

He also said to Wen Mingqian more than once, "You are so lucky to have such a good son."

The Empress's greatest regret in life was that she had no heir. Wen Mingqian asked the Empress for permission to leave the palace to see his young friend.

The Empress said, "Yes, it was I who did not consider this carefully. I heard that Chang'an and the heir of the Feng family are sworn brothers. In that case, you should accompany him to see his old friend."

The mother and son tidied up briefly and left the palace. When they arrived at the Feng family home, the Feng family naturally gave them a warm welcome.

Feng Tianzhu couldn't stop smiling as he hugged Gong Chang'an and said, "Good brother, I've missed you so much! I knew you were back in the capital, but I couldn't find you anywhere. When I went to the Gong family to ask, I found out you had already been summoned to the palace."

"Please forgive me, elder brother. I really had no choice in the matter. I finally obtained the imperial decree, so I rushed here to see you," said Gong Chang'an.

Wen Mingqian also said, "We came in a bit of a hurry and didn't have time to inform you in advance. Fortunately, we know that you certainly won't be picky about our gifts."

"You're being too polite," Madam Feng said with a smile. "We know you're in the palace now and can't act on your own. The fact that you were able to ask Her Majesty to let you leave the palace to see us shows how kind you are."

While having her servants prepare tea and serve fruit, Madam Wu said, "Our young master mentions the Fourth Young Master Gong several times a day; he truly misses him from the bottom of his heart."

“The Crown Prince is the most loyal and affectionate, and Chang’an always thinks of him even when she’s in the palace,” Wen Mingqian said. “I just didn’t expect the Empress to grant me permission to come out as well. I can say I’m benefiting from my son’s good fortune.”

At this moment, Feng Tianzhu had already pulled Gong Chang'an out and ordered his servant to quickly invite Qi Ziyu and Xu Mang over.

“The other day they were complaining that if they had known you were going to the palace, they should have gone straight to the Gong family to find you the day they heard you were returning to the capital,” Feng Tianzhu said. “That would have saved them from worrying about you so much every day!”

When Gong Chang'an was in the capital, the four of them were the closest. After nearly a year apart, even the children were filled with mixed emotions of joy and sorrow upon seeing each other again.

Xu Mang immediately punched Gong Chang'an, saying, "You're finally back! I've saved up so many good things for you!"

Feng Tianzhu pushed him away and said, "You're still so reckless! Your fists are as hard as rocks. If you break him, can you afford to pay for it?"

Qi Ziyu said, "Chang'an has grown taller and looks less and less like a member of the Gong family."

Gong Chang'an casually replied, "I resemble my mother."

Qi Ziyu was the eldest among them, and he was practically a carbon copy of his father, the Duke of Qi. He was tall, thin, fair-skinned, with long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and had a natural talent for scheming.

Feng Tianzhu said, "His eldest brother, Gong Jing'an, and second brother, Gong Yu'an, are both handsome and dashing. Don't they look just like Chang'an?"

Qi Ziyu smiled but remained silent.

Xu Mang scoffed, "They're not young girls, why are you making such judgments? Let's go play polo!"

A year may not show much difference in adults, but it's different for teenagers. They all grow taller in that year, some more and some less.

Feng Tianzhu's illness relapsed several times, but fortunately, he had the black dog that Gong Chang'an had given him. It could detect each attack before it occurred and deal with it in time.

However, this also caused him to grow slowly, and even Gong Chang'an and Xu Mang, who were younger than him, were taller than him.

Wen Mingqian stayed at the Feng family's house until evening before taking his leave.

The Feng family knew they had to go back, but they still repeatedly urged them: "If you can get out, just come back here. If you can't get out for a while, you can ask someone in the palace to send a message."