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The Eldest Prince, Xie Zhao, was born with innate wisdom and was exceptionally intelligent.
The Third Prince, Xie Qi, was humble and approachable, a master of both riding and archery.
It went without saying for Xie Zhao. His mother, Consort Hao, was a formidable woman in her own right—how could the son she raised be anything less?
Xie Qi's mother, Ma Ronghua, on the other hand, had not deliberately groomed her son. Having been assigned as a companion to a young lady of the Rong Family since childhood, she lacked any great ambition. She was already content just to have a son. She feared that his brilliance might attract disaster, yet she couldn't bring herself to poison his mind with the intrigues of adults. Torn by this inner conflict, Ma Ronghua, aside from doting on him, taught her son nothing at all.
But Xie Qi adored following his two older brothers around.
