MTCCP Chapter 16

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According to noble traditions, a child of Hua Qingzhi's status should typically be sent to a prestigious institution like Eton College in England.

Prominent families often allowed the eldest son to inherit the family responsibilities while granting the younger sons freedom to grow as they pleased. Both the Yue and Hua families followed this custom.

So, if the little prince insisted on going to France, then he would go to France.

While Yue Yiwan was cutting fabric in Xiqing Pavilion, he casually asked the steward passing him scissors a few questions and picked up some gossip.

The young prince, Hua Qingzhi, was seven or eight years younger than Hua Muzhi and still in high school. He only returned home during vacations.

It was said that Hua Qingzhi was outspoken and much livelier than the crown prince.

Having already graduated from university, Yue Yiwan often felt like he was turning into an old uncle. Seeing college students on the streets made him nostalgic, and hearing that the young prince was still in high school made him rub his face and lament the passage of time.

The plane would arrive in Lindu at midnight, and it would take several more hours to get back to the palace. By the time Hua Qingzhi returned, it would likely be three or four in the morning.

Currently, the crown prince resided in the East Palace, while the northern part of the palace had been converted into Chengfan Palace for family gatherings. When the young prince or the eldest princess returned, they typically stayed in the western section.

That evening, Yue Yiwan brought his ball of yarn to the living room and resumed knitting a new scarf.

He wasn’t particularly industrious; he just liked keeping his hands busy while watching TV. Eating snacks while watching could easily lead to overeating and weight gain, and with the wedding approaching, knitting felt like the safer option.

Looking slimmer for the cameras was ideal, especially since the entire nation would be watching the livestream and checking updates on social media.

Since Yue Yiwan had finished knitting the blanket, Hua Muzhi had become somewhat reserved, hesitant to strike up conversations with him.

Previously, using Toto as an excuse, they had spent evenings chatting and knitting the blanket together, which naturally increased their time together.

Now that the blanket was done, Hua Muzhi felt too embarrassed to ask Yue Yiwan to watch TV with him and had retreated to his room to write.

Yue Yiwan, oblivious to these subtle shifts, was preoccupied with considering whether to knit a matching wool hat.

Hua Muzhi wrote for a while, but his thoughts refused to cooperate, leaving his mind blank. Putting on a serious expression, he decided to feign a reason to go to the living room.

As soon as he stepped in, he saw the "little tailor" watching a variety show while knitting a scarf, even pausing to greet him.

"Did Elisa get eliminated?"

"She was eliminated last episode," Yue Yiwan replied, waving his knitting needles like a busy bee, his eyes and hands moving nonstop. "Her sweatshirt design was an absolute disaster in terms of color coordination. The one crying in front of the judges now is Alya, who’s already started playing the sympathy card."

Hua Muzhi wanted to sit closer to him, but the nearer he got, the more awkward he felt. Finally, she chose a spot that wasn’t too close nor too far and idly played with a ball of yarn on the sofa.

Toto, sleeping nearby, sneezed, rolled over, and promptly dozed off again.

“Are you knitting a scarf?” Hua Muzhi asked.

“Yes, winter is coming. I thought I’d make a pair,” Yue Yiwan replied.

A… pair?

Hua Muzhi’s ears turned red again. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he asked, “Wouldn’t that be a lot of trouble?”

Yue Yiwan looked at him and suddenly held up the half-finished scarf. “Do you think this design—camel color with cloud patterns—would be liked by His Majesty and the Empress?”

The crown prince was silent for a few seconds. “His Majesty?”

“I looked through last year’s winter photos of foreign visits yesterday. His Majesty looked quite dashing in his overcoat,” Yue Yiwan said with admiration. “My dad, on the other hand, has a beer belly that’s almost impossible to hide with a suit now.”

Don’t you even consider making something for me? Hua Muzhi thought.

“For the Empress, I’m thinking of knitting one in dark gray or pure black—it’ll match her clothes well,” Yue Yiwan continued as he glanced back at the television. The wooden knitting needles in his hands danced like they were performing a tap dance. “Should I make gloves for the little prince, too?”

Hua Muzhi cleared his throat and mustered his courage. “I think you’ve forgotten someone.”

After all, they were supposed to get married someday. It wouldn’t hurt to exchange some thoughtful gestures, right?

“Who?” Yue Yiwan asked without looking away from the TV. Then, suddenly pausing mid-action, he said, “The princess! Right! I need to carefully consider what to gift her.”

After all, he still had that antique jade ruyi scepter enshrined in his room—it was essential to maintain proper etiquette!

The crown prince rubbed his temples, feeling, for the first time, the headache of having such a large and lively family.

The next day, on their way to pay respects, the autumn wind blew swirling leaves in all directions.

With the temperature dropping, even sitting by the window made people unconsciously rub their hands for warmth. Yue Yiwan, naturally afraid of the cold, was already bundled up in thick traditional clothing and had fastened his winter cloak earlier than usual.

The cloak, trimmed with rabbit fur, made his skin look even fairer. It also made him resemble a round, fluffy ball of fur. Hua Muzhi, knowing Yue Yiwan had over-layered himself, supported him all the way, worried the man might tumble out of the carriage.

As they neared the main hall of Wenqing Palace, a clear and carefree voice, filled with youthful energy, rang out.

“How could someone as wonderful as my brother just decide to get married like this?!”

Yue Yiwan raised his eyes and swayed into the hall.

The long wind outside was kept at bay, and the interior remained as warm as spring, even warming up his chilled cheeks.

Before Yue Yiwan could remove his cloak, a servant deftly helped untie the straps and removed it, peeling him out of the nutshell-like garment.

From afar, a young man snorted and shouted, “So this is the person who’s not even officially married to my brother yet?”

The empress dowager, reclining inside, drawled lazily, “You’ve been in Paris for so long, yet you’re still chattering away like a little machine gun?”

Finally free from his "shell," Yue Yiwan strode across the curtain and caught sight of the little prince.

He truly looked like a high schooler.

The young man resembled Hua Muzhi in many ways. However, while the latter exuded a polished and steady elegance, like a jade refined through years of care, the former was more like a young deer with budding antlers—sharp and untamed, as if he might charge at any moment.

The mix of youthful vitality, unyielding pride, and a hint of naivety unique to a sixteen-year-old made him surprisingly endearing.

Yue Yiwan withdrew his gaze, greeted the empress dowager and emperor with Hua Muzhi, and then sat down. Accepting a cup of hot tea from a servant, he sipped it slowly to warm himself.

Hua Qingzhi, having made several barbed remarks without a response, was growing impatient.

He couldn’t believe anyone was worthy of his brother. To him, his brother wasn’t just the best in the world—he was first, second, third, and fourth. Anyone trying to claim that title deserved to be smacked.

This future sister-in-law, as the story went, had merely caught his brother’s eye at a flower-viewing banquet and drank the plum wine he poured. Somehow, their families decided to betroth them, and now, the training period before the wedding was more than halfway done. It was absurd.

His mother had said the wedding date was approaching, which made Hua Qingzhi panic.

How could this person stay here like it was no big deal? Unacceptable!

No way would he just sit and watch his brother get tied down to someone for life so casually. Arranged marriage? That didn’t count as real marriage!

“Mr. Yue must be quite the gentleman—he hasn’t said a single word,” the young prince sneered. His tone turned sour as he added, “Or is it that you just don’t like me as your brother-in-law?”

The empress frowned, thinking her youngest son was becoming more unruly after his time abroad. Just as she was about to intervene, Yue Yiwan blew lightly on his tea to cool it and spoke leisurely.

“You’re the crown prince’s own brother; of course, I’d spoil you a little.” He raised his eyes, smiling as he looked at the fuming Hua Qingzhi. “Youngsters tend to have quick tempers. You’ll grow out of it in a few years.”

Who are you calling quick-tempered?!

You’re the one with the quick temper!

Hua Qingzhi bristled, unable to refute him. Frustrated, he turned to Hua Muzhi, who was quietly sipping his tea, and blurted, “Brother, did he threaten you? Or use some underhanded trick to force you into marriage with him?”

The two fiancés exchanged a glance and shook their heads in perfect unison.

The adults nearby had been a little concerned that the young prince's antics might offend Yue Yiwan and create an awkward situation. But seeing how effortlessly and smoothly he handled it, they relaxed, sipping their tea and watching the scene unfold like a play.

Hua Qingzhi, realizing no one was backing him up, frowned and studied the pair. "No, you two don’t even look like you’re in love."

Hua Muzhi was briefly stunned, but Yue Yiwan’s smile only deepened.

“We’ve only known each other for a month and a half. If we were already pledging eternal love, that’d be too hasty, wouldn’t it?”

“Meeting once and getting engaged isn’t hasty?” Hua Qingzhi shot back.

“It’s a matter of parental approval and matchmaker arrangements. That’s fine,” Yue Yiwan replied in a calm and steady tone, as though teaching a nine-year-old cousin how to solve a math problem. “Yesterday, your brother Muzhi and I made several boxes of mooncakes. I baked some fresh ones today and brought them over for you to try. How about it?”

Hua Qingzhi’s face darkened in annoyance. “Using food to brush me off—do you think I’m a child?”

The empress gestured, and the attendants brought over the freshly baked flaky mooncakes. The rich aroma of wheat mingled with the light sweetness of rose filling.

As soon as the silver lid was lifted, the warm, fragrant scent filled the room. Even the empress dowager, who had been silently enjoying the show, sniffed the air appreciatively.

“I’m not eating that!” Hua Qingzhi huffed.

Hua Muzhi didn’t try to provoke him further. Instead, he stood and distributed the mooncakes to the empress dowager and the empress, pouring them fresh tea as well.

“These were made with roses I ground using a jade pestle yesterday,” he said warmly to his mother. “Chief Steward Xu in the palace taught me.”

The empress accepted the crumbs delicately and took a bite, her eyes lighting up with surprise. “You really made these yourself?”

“How do they taste?”

“They’re fragrant. I can taste the rose and laurel,” the empress said with a smile. “Did you add a bit of red bean paste, too?”

The empress dowager had already finished one and reached out to select another from the tray. Sipping her tea as she ate, she said contentedly, “This would be the perfect time to call in a troupe to perform some opera—enjoying the show while snacking would be delightful.”

The emperor nodded in agreement. “Let’s do that tomorrow. I’ll request The Moon Pavilion.”

Hua Qingzhi’s eyes darted to the dwindling tray of mooncakes. He was clearly growing restless.

Hua Muzhi turned to look at him, his smile warm and gentle. “Want to try one?”

Still puffed up with indignation, the high schooler snatched a mooncake from his brother and sat down beside him to eat. After finishing it, he couldn’t help but reach for another.

“How does it taste?” Yue Yiwan asked, resting his chin in his hand as he watched.

“None of your business.”

“The one you’re eating was made by me,” Yue Yiwan said, pointing to the little moon pattern imprinted on the pastry. “See?”

Hua Qingzhi had been enjoying his mooncake immensely, even contemplating grabbing another. But now, glaring at Yue Yiwan, he said, “You’re just pushing your luck!”

“Then I’ll take that as you saying you like me,” Yue Yiwan said, sipping his tea leisurely. “Tsunderes are always like this.”

Hua Qingzhi swallowed his bite before realizing he needed to retort. But by then, his words were jumbled, and he felt like a jammed machine gun. In desperation, he looked to his brother for help. “You’d better watch out after you get married—he’ll have you completely under his thumb!”

“I don’t know about after marriage,” Hua Muzhi replied calmly. “But the wool coat Yue Yiwan made for you is quite stylish. If you don’t like him, I’ll just take the coat for myself.”

“A wool coat? Made by hand?” Hua Qingzhi froze, his thoughts scattering.

Even my brother has never made me clothes.

He glanced instinctively at his grandmother and mother. Even the emperor nodded. “We all received one. We’ve already returned the gesture with gifts.”

“Then… then I’ll accept it too,” Hua Qingzhi muttered, struggling to keep his temper in check. Brow furrowed in seriousness, he demanded, “Brother, hand it over!”

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