The Inner Attendant beside Liu Bang did not understand what Liu Bang was saying; he merely kept his head down, pretending to be blind and deaf.
Meanwhile, Liu Bang was smacking his lips, recalling his most inconspicuous son, Liu Heng, in his mind.
Yes, although Chen Cheng had tried his best to conceal it, both Liu Bang's analytical ability and his subordinates' observational skills were formidable.
Almost as soon as the Inner Attendant beside him described Chen Cheng's lecture, Liu Bang instantly understood that Chen Cheng was not interested in his favored Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi, nor the Crown Prince Liu Ying, who adhered to the Great Rites, but rather the inconspicuous Liu Heng!
He frowned, sitting on the couch, lost in thought.
But in the end, he found no answer, so he simply stood up and walked out: "Go, go, go, prepare the carriage! I'm going to the Wei King's Residence!"
.... ...
Wei King's Residence
After Chen Lang settled his family affairs, he returned to the Capital with his eldest son. This time, he did not intend to stay long in the Capital; he merely wished to leave his eldest son by Chen Cheng's side.
He nudged "Chen Yun" beside him and said, "Hurry and greet your Grandfather!"
Chen Yun timidly took a step forward, a respectful expression on his face: "Yun greets Grandfather."
Chen Lang smiled and looked at Chen Cheng: "Father, for some reason, this child is naturally a bit shy; he never likes to talk and is quite introverted. I thought that in Guandu, he wouldn't see many people, so it would be better to let him stay by Father's side."
"Staying by Father's side, he can also learn more things from Father."
Chen Cheng looked at the timid Chen Yun, sighed softly, and said, "Very well, let him stay in the Capital."
After the father, son, and grandson spoke a few more words, they heard footsteps approaching from a distance, and Liu Bang walked in directly without being announced.
Seeing the small Chen Yun, Liu Bang's eyes lit up: "Oh, so this is your little grandson, isn't he?"
He was quite familiar with the relationships within Chen Cheng's residence, knowing that Chen Lang's eldest son was born a few years ago and was now three or four years old, and this child looked just like him.
Although Chen Cheng and Chen Lang were surprised, they did not lose their composure, as Liu Bang's favorite thing to do these past few years was to suddenly arrive at the Wei King's Residence.
What could they do?
He was the Emperor; he was willful; he made the rules.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy eternal happiness—"
Before they could finish their greetings, Liu Bang impatiently told the father and son to stand up, then casually scooped up Chen Yun into his arms: "Good, this body is very robust; he will probably be a fierce general like Le Zhi in the future!"
Chen Cheng did not know why Liu Bang had come this time, but it was probably for one of the usual reasons.
He waved his hand, dismissing the attendants serving around him, and then said with a smile: "Your Majesty thinks too highly of this boy, but if it truly is as Your Majesty says, then it would be the Chen clan's good fortune."
Chen Cheng said with a beaming smile: "I only hope that after he grows up, he can devote his loyalty to the country, thereby repaying Your Majesty's kindness to the Chen clan."
Liu Bang pouted. He rather liked hearing such flattering words from others, but he disliked it very much when Chen Cheng said them.
"Alright, why are you also learning from those people? Always saying the same old clichéd things."
He held Chen Yun, his expression wavering several times, but finally, he asked: "I heard that today, in the academy, you greatly admired the Fourth Prince?"
Liu Bang asked as if casually: "This boy usually has nothing to boast about, yet he caught your eye, making me wonder if I have misjudged him?"
He leaned forward, looking at Chen Cheng, and asked: "Do you want to be this boy's teacher?"
This was a test.
Chen Cheng immediately sensed the probing intent in Liu Bang's words, but he showed no panic, as he had already anticipated this point when he expressed his admiration for Liu Heng earlier today.
How could the Emperor allow him to interact with so many princes without monitoring him?
To put it another way, the palace was the Emperor's territory; how normal was it for many people to be watching?
He merely pondered for a moment, then gave the answer he had already prepared: "Your Majesty, today I observed the princes entering the academy. The Crown Prince, as the elder brother, was acceptable and knew how to look after his brothers; the Third Prince had a broad mind and vision, and repeatedly asked me about my studies."
"The other princes were either surprised or hesitant."
"Only the Fourth Prince looked at the book in his hand, earnest and humble, which is why I looked at him a few more times."
Chen Cheng's words were very subtle, but Liu Bang immediately understood the hidden meaning in Chen Cheng's words.
What did "as the elder brother, was acceptable" mean?
It meant he was acceptable as a brother, but not as a Crown Prince, and even less so as an Emperor—Liu Bang understood perfectly what kind of character an Emperor needed to possess. In short, to become an excellent Emperor, one could not overly value brotherhood.
At least, he himself was of such a character.
It was precisely for this reason that Liu Bang felt he was not like Liu Ying.
But the Third Prince...
Liu Bang sighed deeply. What Chen Cheng said about the Third Prince having a "broad mind and vision" was actually just a subtle excuse. The real point was the phrase "repeatedly asked me about my studies"; Chen Cheng was subtly expressing his dissatisfaction!
Why did he send the princes to the academy?
It wasn't to let them curry favor with Chen Cheng! Or rather, that wasn't the most important purpose!
Liu Ruyi was merely a prince at this time, having only recently been enfeoffed as the Dai Prince, and he was already trying to win over court officials? A broad mind and vision were false; being ambitious was true!
An Emperor could be ambitious, but he absolutely could not expose his ambition so early, and with such a foolish method!
The Wei King had already clearly stated that he was unwilling to get involved in the succession struggle, yet he was still foolishly trying to win him over? What right did he have?
Even the current Emperor Liu Bang had to show the Wei King three parts of respect, so what right did he, a Dai Prince who wasn't even the Crown Prince, have to win him over? What could he promise to move the Wei King?
Liu Bang pouted. He had originally thought the Third Prince was most like him, but now it seemed the Third Prince only resembled him in appearance.
As for the Fourth Prince.....
At this moment, Liu Bang was truly hesitant. Could this Fourth Prince truly be a talent?
After a slight hesitation, he looked at Chen Cheng and said: "Since you admire the Fourth Prince so much, why not let the Fourth Prince acknowledge you as his teacher?"
His eyebrows flickered: "Or rather, let the Crown Prince, the Dai Prince, and the Fourth Prince all acknowledge you as their teacher!"
"How about that?"