Traveling through an ancient military camp: Bao'er's survival song

It is said that the Eighth Prince Liu Shu was born only a few hours before the Crown Prince, while the Empress, who gave birth at the same time as Consort Chen, died of postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth to the young Crown Prince Liu Xu. Although the Emperor did not appoint another Empress afterward, Consort Chen's status rose steadily until she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort.

Whenever Luo Binghe thought of this, he felt a pang of sympathy for the young prince. His elderly father and young son, his powerful brothers, and the loss of his maternal family—children without mothers must learn to be independent early. Although Luo Binghe had lost his grandfather and father, he could still feel the warmth of his mother's embrace. Luo Binghe often thought: perhaps this was why the prince was so mature for his age.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye as Luo Binghe developed feelings for the Crown Prince, who was both a brother and a subject.

In the past two years, Luo Binghe has witnessed his younger brother, the Crown Prince, possessing exceptional intelligence and the ability to conceal his true abilities. Sometimes, he would even stare into the Crown Prince's amber eyes and wonder if the Crown Prince was a celestial being descended from heaven as a literary star.

Luo Binghe was somewhat unwilling to admit defeat; if he couldn't win in a literary contest, he could compete in martial arts. However, when he proudly boasted to His Highness the Crown Prince about his perfect aim, Liu Xu simply drew two arrows, nocked them, and shot. Thus, Luo Binghe witnessed a seven-year-old boy firing two arrows simultaneously and hitting the bullseye.

Strike.

This was a devastating blow to Luo Binghe, who loved to show off.

Luo Binghe immediately deflated.

Liu Xu patted his shoulder and comforted him in his childish voice, saying, "Brother Luo, you don't need to be brave. You are going to be a great general and fight for the Han Dynasty on the battlefield."

Luo Binghe, who had been listless, immediately perked up: That's right! I promised my uncle the emperor that I would become a great general.

That day, Crown Prince Liu Xu gave Luo Binghe a courtesy name: Zizheng.

When His Highness the Crown Prince didn't need his company, the energetic Luo Binghe explored every corner of the palace. He was proud and unperturbed; his loyalty to the Emperor and the Crown Prince was the source of his arrogance in the palace. He could sleep for an entire day in any nook or cranny of this awe-inspiring palace.

Mr. Wu's secret with Consort Chen was discovered in the corner where he was sleeping.

The teacher who instructed these children of the royal family, Wu Peng'en, was exceptionally handsome. Even when he stood at the front of the class in his official robes, he exuded an air of refined elegance. This Mr. Wu came from a humble background but was exceptionally talented. Among the children from poor families whom the aging emperor began to support in those years, he was the most outstanding.

The spring sunshine that day was exceptionally bright, and the afternoon sun was warm and pleasant. The Crown Prince and the Emperor had left the palace the day before for the Plowing Ceremony, so Luo Binghe took a break from school and went to a secluded courtyard to explore the new map of the palace.

As he lay comfortably asleep on the tree trunk, strange, incoherent language kept creeping into his ears. He tried to resist the disturbance and continue his afternoon dream, but was ultimately defeated by the harsh, cracking creak of the old wooden door as it opened.

Luo Binghe, the emperor's eldest son, the crown prince's second son, and his third son, thought it was some lazy and slacking eunuch. He opened his eyes and was about to scold him when he saw Wu Peng'en walking leisurely in through the wooden door.

Luo Binghe quickly stopped talking, still wondering about Mr. Wu's ability to catch truants, finding them even in the most remote corners, when he heard a familiar, gentle voice: "Mr. Wu is late."

Luo Binghe broke out in a cold sweat. He recognized that voice all too well; it was Consort Chen. The same Consort Chen who always feigned concern for the Crown Prince!