Do you know: I am Qi Heng

The emperor granted the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan the right to attend court and listen to government affairs. At first, the two were very honest and treated the court officials with respect and courtesy, but they did not become too close to each other.

This secretly relieved most officials.

Their biggest worry is that the two will try to win them over, which would put them in a difficult position.

Although the Emperor has not yet decided on a successor, as long as the Emperor remains without an heir, he must choose one of the two candidates by the end of the agreed time.

Statistically speaking, the chances are even for both of them. Even if one of them has a slight advantage, it's not significant.

Given the unclear situation, most officials are still unwilling to take sides.

If the two try to win each other over directly, and the other refuses, will they hold a grudge if the other is actually chosen as the crown prince in the future?

Fortunately, neither of them did that, thus avoiding this predicament.

However, some officials in the court still chose to place bets, and these people were generally not high-ranking.

They were different from the high-ranking officials in the court. Those with high positions, as long as they did not offend the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan, would have to win them over in order to consolidate their power, regardless of who ultimately inherited the throne.

However, those of low rank have little presence in the court. If they don't take advantage of the lack of support for the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan, they won't have a chance to curry favor once the crown prince is confirmed.

Moreover, the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan currently lack supporters. If they choose to support them and win the gamble, they will become ministers of the Prince's former residence and will naturally be given important positions.

With these people joining their ranks, the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan changed their previous low profile and began to confront each other in court.

Even if they don't want to confront each other, their supporters will still fight.

Simply pledging allegiance is not enough; one must also play a role or demonstrate oneself to one's master.

Officials who supported the Prince of Yan were looking for faults against officials who supported the Prince of Yong, and vice versa.

The subordinates started fighting amongst themselves, so naturally they couldn't remain indifferent.

Moreover, the best way to become the crown prince is naturally to defeat your rivals.

Once the opponent is defeated, one becomes the sole heir apparent.

Amidst this fierce competition, the second year of the Shaotong era arrived in the blink of an eye.

In the second year of the Shaotong era, there was a metropolitan examination for young women. Before the new year, a small number of scholars went to the capital, and after the new year, more and more scholars flocked to Bianjing.

This made the already prosperous Bianjing even more prosperous.

After the Lantern Festival, the Sheng family private school reopened, and Qi Heng arrived at the Sheng family by carriage.

Qi Heng was thirteen years old at this time. Although he was studying that year, he would exercise for about an incense stick's time every morning and evening.

In a year, he has grown quite a bit taller and his physique has become slightly more robust than before.

Qi Heng was a year older, and the childishness in his eyes had faded somewhat. He wore a short jacket underneath a white fur coat, his lips were red and his teeth were white, and a warm smile graced his face.

Anyone who sees him will praise him as a handsome young man.

Upon entering the Sheng family mansion, not to hand out tips to the gatekeeper, Qi Heng arrived at the school amidst the thanks of the Sheng family servants.

"Brother Zecheng, you're the first one again!"

Qi Heng looked at Sheng Changbai, who was already sitting in the classroom reading a book, and greeted him with a smile.

"Yuan Ruo has arrived."

Sheng Changbai smiled and said, "I just feel that I can concentrate better when reading in the classroom."

"Brother Zecheng is exceptionally talented and so diligent; it truly makes one feel ashamed."

"My home is right here, just a few steps away. Compared to you, Yuan Ruo is much more diligent."

"Not at all, it's Brother Zecheng who is so diligent."

Sheng Changbai chuckled and said, "Yuan Ruo, in your words, let's stop with the mutual flattery."

Qi Heng would occasionally come up with new words, and Sheng Changbai learned quite a few of them.

"Haha, it's still necessary. Being praised makes you feel good."

Qi Heng smiled and sat down in his seat, saying, "The weather is cold these days, and getting up early for school makes me feel a bit annoyed, but Brother Cheng's praise has immediately lifted my spirits."

Sheng Changbai smiled. Qi Heng was a bit eccentric, but not unpleasant.

After chatting for a few minutes, the two began to read their respective books.

Before long, Sheng Changfeng and Sanlan arrived one after another, and the school became lively.

"I had long heard that there was a mountain called Aoshan in Bianjing during the Lantern Festival. I thought I would be able to see it yesterday, but unfortunately there wasn't. It was really disappointing," Rulan said somewhat dejectedly.

"The cost of the Aoshan (a type of lantern) is enormous, and the government has always been frugal, so it's normal that it wasn't there. Although there was no Aoshan, the Lantern Festival in Bianjing was still quite an eye-opener."

As Mo Lan spoke, she glanced at Qi Heng and said, "After returning, I had some thoughts and wrote a poem and a lyric."

"Who was talking to you? You're so talkative!"

Rulan muttered something, then turned her head and whispered to Minglan.

Mo Lan didn't pay attention to Ru Lan's words, and was somewhat disappointed when she saw that Qi Heng didn't speak.

In the first lesson, Zhuang Xuejiu did not teach, but instead asked them to write a short article based on what they saw or heard during the Lunar New Year holiday.

There are no restrictions on the subject matter or word count, but it must be submitted at the end of the first class.

They had experienced similar things several times last year, but they didn't feel any pressure.

After the first lesson, Sheng Changbai collected the students' essays and handed them to Zhuang Xuejiu.

After Zhuang Xuejiu left, Qi Heng was about to get up to relieve himself when Mo Lan came over.

"Brother Yuanruo".

"Is there something you need, Fourth Miss?"

Mo Lan twisted her sleeve, looking nervous and a little embarrassed, and said, "I have something I'd like to trouble Brother Yuan Ruo with, but it's not convenient here."

"Let's talk outside then."

Qi Heng got up and followed Mo Lan out of the school.

Seeing this, Rulan urged Minglan, who was tidying the table, "Hurry up."

"Fifth Sister, just a little longer, it'll be ready soon."

"Oh dear, let Xiaotao clean up."

Rulan, being quick-tempered, pulled Minglan outside.

"I wonder what brings you here, Fourth Miss?"

Qi Heng and Mo Lan left the school and didn't go to any secluded places.

"I heard that Madam Wu of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion is going to hold a polo match after her wedding, and I'd like to join in the fun. I'm afraid the Sheng family won't get an invitation. I wonder if Brother Yuanruo can help me?" Mo Lan said somewhat shyly.

"I haven't heard any news. I'll ask about it later," Qi Heng said casually.

If Mo Lan hadn't mentioned it, he would have completely forgotten about Madam Wu's polo match.

Madam Wu started organizing polo matches about seven or eight years ago, holding one in spring and one in autumn each year.

Last year, the controversy surrounding the death of the young prince had not yet subsided, and the polo tournament, which had been held for seven or eight years, was also suspended.

Now that the storm has passed, and it just so happens that it's spring again, it's normal for Madam Wu to hold a polo match once more.

"I've also heard of Madam Wu's polo match."

Rulan walked over with Minglan, smiling, and said, "That's one of the grand events in Bianjing every year. My sixth sister and I would like to join in the fun. Brother Yuanruo, could you help us out?"

"I…"

When Minglan saw that Molan had a dark expression on her face, she really wanted to say that she didn't want to go.

However, he stopped himself from speaking, lowering his head to minimize his presence.

"I can't guarantee that; I can only try to get an invitation," Qi Heng said.

"It's okay."

Although Rulan wanted to join in the fun, it wasn't absolutely necessary for her to go.