After several decades of separation, the appearances of several Zasak princes have changed greatly.
The grassland is different from Kyoto. Several princes have aged a lot. Although they are only in their thirties, they look much older.
However, because of eating beef and mutton, he is still as strong as ever.
Only the second prince, Erdun, is really old. Now he is sixty years old and his back is a little hunched.
After a brief greeting, everyone was taken to the camp, which was decorated more luxuriously this time than the previous time.
Nanqi is prosperous, and the trade route extends to Zasak. Nowadays, there are many objects from the Central Plains here.
Ning Chen's big tent was in the front, and he was talking to the princes at the moment. The female relatives were being entertained by the eldest prince Aoqi's wife Jibuchuhe, and her sister Duolan, now the fourth princess.
"I haven't seen you for many years, Your Majesty the Concubine is still as charming as ever. I still remember your heroic figure when you shot an arrow through a target from a hundred paces away." Dolan said with a smile.
The scar on her face was so light that there was almost no mark, but it was still there if you looked closely.
But she obviously didn't care at all.
Just by looking at those bright eyes and smiles, you can tell that Duolan and the Fourth Prince Qinggertai have been very happy over the years.
"It's rare that the princess still remembers the interesting stories of the old days, but I'm afraid I can't do it now. I don't have the opportunity to draw the bow and shoot arrows in the palace. Now I'm afraid I can't even pull the string." Ye Jun also laughed.
She is not being modest, she really is out of options.
No matter how good your hands are, things that you haven't touched for decades will inevitably become unfamiliar.
Jibuchuhe spoke at the right time, "Your Highness, it's just that you've lived in the palace for a long time and don't need these things, so you're not used to them. If you're interested, you only need to practice a little bit, and you'll be able to get back to the feeling you had before."
"Coming to the grassland, of course, I have to stretch my muscles. I prepared my riding clothes when I came here, and I will go riding with the princesses someday. But please don't laugh at my poor riding skills."
Ye Jun's eyes were bright and he looked energetic.
The two princesses naturally agreed and laughed.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left as not to disturb Ye Jun's rest.
As they walked back, Jibuchuhe said, "I was afraid that the imperial concubine would be serious and reserved, but now it seems that she is of her true nature, straightforward and sensible. She is a smart person."
"Yes, much better than those delicate women from the Central Plains." Dolan smiled.
After they left, Ye Jun changed his clothes and sat down to rest.
Going to the grassland is not any easier than the official road. I almost died of the bumpy road.
"There's a banquet tonight, I really don't want to move. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, I can't escape it."
"Your Majesty is tired. How about taking a nap? Let the servants make up the bed first." Nan Zhi said.
Ye Jun nodded.
I haven't slept well since we set out from Yuzhou. Although the carriage is spacious, it is still not as comfortable as the couch.
She was tired, but the group of children were very excited.
This is my first time to visit such a place, it is really new.
In particular, several princes are good at riding and archery, but they usually only train in the palace grounds. No matter how open the grounds are, they cannot compare to the grassland.
So after resting for half an hour, the children took advantage of the short time before dinner to go horseback riding.
Of course, the eldest prince didn't go.
He is weak and is resting in the tent.
Instead, the two princesses, Ye Shuran, and three maids went out for a stroll together.
"Your Highnesses' horses seem to be from the Liao Kingdom, and they have really beautiful bodies." A young man came riding a black horse.
The Third Prince looked him over and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet." The young man dismounted and bowed generously, "I am the eldest son of the great prince Aoqi, Bilge."
"So you are the prince. I am honored." The third prince smiled and introduced himself, "I am the third prince Ning Yuhan, and these are my second elder brother and fourth younger brother."
Bilge bowed to them again, which was considered a greeting.
The Third Prince wanted to continue talking to him, but unexpectedly, Bilger pulled the reins and went straight to the Fourth Prince.
"I've often heard from my aunt that the Imperial Concubine could shoot an arrow through a target from a hundred paces away. My aunt has never forgotten the archery contest she had with him. Now that I've seen His Highness the Fourth Prince, I'm sure he is truly extraordinary. Would His Highness be willing to compete with me in archery?"
"Your Highness is really kind, but unfortunately I am not good at archery and I am afraid I cannot compare with you. If you don't mind, you can teach me." The fourth prince said cheerfully.
When Bilge heard him say this, he burst into laughter.
"Your Highness is modest, but I dare not teach you anything. I am just discussing with you. There are many rabbits on the grassland. Why don't we run around and maybe hunt one and roast it for dinner."
The Fourth Prince caught a glimpse of the Third Prince's eyes, which looked a little gloomy, and he immediately nodded in agreement.
At the end, he symbolically called his two brothers to join him, and the four of them went together.
On the way, they met Hongger, the eldest son of the third prince, and the team became larger.
When they came back in the evening, they actually managed to hunt a few rabbits with this group of boys.
We roasted it and shared it at the dinner party.
Because it was a welcoming banquet, the princes were still concerned about the emperor's fatigue from coming from Kyoto, so they didn't hold the party too late.
On the first day, Ning Chen was still familiarizing himself with some recent events in Zasak, so he did not go to Ye Jun's tent.
However, the Fourth Prince came over and told him that Bilge was very close to him.
Ye Jun said seriously, told the servants to guard the door, and then said.
"Now your father has not yet decided on a crown prince. I am the head of all the concubines and have the most favor from your father. Furthermore, your uncle also holds military power, and your two cousins are both officials in the court. You have a good chance of becoming the crown prince."
After a pause, he raised his hand and placed it on the Fourth Prince's shoulder.
"But no matter how many advantages you have, the final decision-making power lies with your father. Your mother has been with your father for many years, so she knows him a little bit. He always values people's talents and doesn't care much about other things. So you must not be blinded by anyone's admiration."
"You should know that your father wants to choose a future crown prince who is both virtuous and talented, not an arrogant and foolish person."
The Fourth Prince was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect his mother to say this to him.
Although I don't usually avoid this topic, I rarely bring it up so directly.
Ye Jun's words did indeed calm the Fourth Prince's heart a little.
After all, he was young, and because of Bilge's different treatment today, he did have a sense of superiority in his heart, especially because he felt that he was more favored than his third brother.
But now he thought, who is the Third Prince? He is someone he looks down upon.
What is there to be proud of if he is better than someone he looks down upon? He should strive towards his own goal instead.
Doing better than father is the right direction.
Ye Jun watched his son think deeply, and when he saw the change in his eyes, he knew that he understood.
This child is smart and understands things quickly.
Sure enough, after a moment, the Fourth Prince stood up and bowed.
"I have taken note of what you said, and I will not make the same mistake again. Please go to bed early, and I will take my leave."
"Go ahead." Ye Jun waved his hand with a smile.