The Prince's Ordeal

"Two Highnesses, please rest for a while."

Under the scorching sun, a group of slaves were toiling in the fields. Standing out starkly among them were two children in opulent clothing, mingling with the laborers.

These were none other than Yin Jiao and Yin Hong, the two brothers Di Xin had sent to be tempered through hardship!

Hearing the guard's words, Yin Jiao licked his dry lips. As he looked up at the slaves still bent over their work, he forcibly suppressed the feeling of thirst that surged within him.

"Father King said I must eat, sleep, work, and rest with them. Since that's the case, if they are all toiling, how can I hide aside and drink water?"

After ten days of "slave" life, Yin Jiao had begun to understand Di Xin's well-intentioned suffering. His temperament had become much calmer, and he integrated more into this life, even starting to converse with the slaves.

"Second Brother, you should drink some water and rest first."

Turning his head, Yin Jiao saw Yin Hong's longing gaze towards the water flask in the guard's hand. His heart softened, and he spoke gently.

"No, Brother, I'm not thirsty!"

Yin Hong swallowed hard. He was still young and soft-hearted. He raised his dusty little face and forced a smile at Yin Jiao.

Brother, I'll stay with you!

"Two Highnesses, drink..."

"You can go. We know what we're doing!"

Hearing the guard try to persuade them again, Yin Jiao patted his younger brother Yin Hong's head and smiled at the guard, devoid of the arrogance he once had in the palace.

"Yes."

The guard was the same one the two had threatened before, but now he followed them willingly.

The two princes, you will surely inherit the Great King's responsibilities in the future and lead this dynasty to everlasting prosperity!

"Second Brother, do you resent Father King?"

As if suddenly curious, or perhaps using conversation to distract himself from his thirst, Yin Jiao asked Yin Hong while toiling.

"I resented him at first, but not anymore."

Yin Hong's eyes reddened, and his nose twitched, as if a painful memory had been touched.

"Yes, here, we can't eat enough, can't wear warm clothes, can't sleep soundly, and we have to work all day with no free time, no chance to relax. At first, I resented Father King too."

Yin Jiao chuckled self-deprecatingly. He looked up in the direction of Chaoge City and saw children around his age ahead:

"But when I saw them, children our age, living the life we are now every day, I suddenly understood that this is what Father King truly wanted us to see."

"Yes, Eldest Brother! They are too pitiful! They have no homes, no clothes, no food, and they have to do such heavy work every day, enduring beatings and scolding. I will definitely change their lives in the future!"

Yin Hong looked up, clenching his young fists, his eyes clear as crystal.

"Yes, we will definitely change their lives in the future!"

Yin Jiao smiled. His brother had grown a lot too.

"Let's get back to work. We must clear one mu of land today!"

"Okay!"

Their innocent childish voices echoed in the fields, transforming into the most sincere characters presented on Di Xin's jade desk.

"Change them... finally, they aren't completely hopeless fools."

Di Xin grinned. In this mythical world, breaking the chains of class was akin to Yu Gong moving mountains. It could be done, but it would take a long, long time.

"The plan is proceeding step by step in an orderly fashion. With destiny on my side now, I naturally have to plan more. However, these two cheap sons still need more training."

"Someone, prepare my carriage to the Central Palace!"

"Yes!"

With the carriage official leading the way and guards in attendance, Di Xin arrived at the Central Palace, where Empress Jiang, along with her guards and servants, was already waiting.

"Greetings, Great King!"

Empress Jiang's gaze was mournful, her expression worried. It had been over ten days since she last visited Nuwa Palace to offer incense, and this was Di Xin's first time visiting her chambers.

The only thing that gave her peace was that none of the other palace consorts had attended to him; they were all confined with her.

"Rise. Empress, you have lost some weight recently. You must nourish yourself well."

Di Xin helped Empress Jiang up and, holding her hand, entered the main hall. "Did you resent me for sending Jiao'er and Hong'er out of the palace?"

"This concubine dares not."

Upon hearing about her suffering children, Empress Jiang's hand pulled away coldly, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

"If you dare not, then you still resent me."

Di Xin helplessly took a silk handkerchief from his waist. He knew when he came that a dramatic scene of tears was inevitable.

Wasn't this exactly what it was for?

"I won't explain much to you. Go now and prepare some dishes that Jiao'er and Hong'er love to eat. In the evening, I will take you to see them. Then you will understand why I made them endure such hardship and suffering."

As if still worried, Di Xin added:

"Jade cannot be made into anything without carving. They will eventually inherit my position."

"Yes, your concubine will go now!"

Empress Jiang didn't think much of it. It was the first time the two children had left her side, and they were going to such a harsh and cold place. She would tear up every day just thinking about it.

Now that Di Xin had finally relented, her entire heart was already flying towards the food.

"This pear blossom paste, and those dishes, oh! The soup, Hong'er loves the soup I make the most, I'll go myself!"

After Empress Jiang bustled about, everything was packed into boxes. Di Xin selected several top-tier guards to escort Empress Jiang out of Chaoge and straight outside the city.

Before long, the bright moon rose diagonally, its radiance full and round. Crickets chirped like music, creating a scene that was both lively and quiet.

Yin Hong lay with his head on Yin Jiao's lap, looking up at the full moon in the sky, and suddenly spoke:

"Brother, I miss Mother Queen."

"I miss Mother Queen too, but Father King definitely won't let Mother Queen come here to see us."

"Why not?"

"Because this is a trial for us..."

As Yin Jiao spoke, he suddenly sensed something was wrong, but Yin Hong had already suddenly stood up, looking excitedly behind Yin Jiao:

"Father, Father King? Mother Queen!"

"Wuwuwu! I missed you so much, Mother Queen!"

Upon seeing who it was, Yin Hong's exhaustion from the day instantly vanished. He opened his arms and ran towards Empress Jiang, hugging her tightly.

"Hong'er, Mother Queen missed you too."

Mother and son reunited, tears flowing freely, making Di Xin doubt if he had been too heartless.

"Father King!"

Yin Jiao forcefully suppressed his excitement, but his steps betrayed his thoughts. He walked to Di Xin in a few strides, bent his knees, and knelt down:

"Father King! Yin Jiao knows his mistake!"

"What is your mistake?"

"My mistake was being arrogant and overbearing because I relied on Father King and Mother Queen's pampering. My mistake was thinking I could kill or spare others as I pleased. My mistake was also being too comfortable and forgetting that such hardships exist in this world."

"Not bad."

Di Xin patted Yin Jiao's head, waved his sleeve to clear a patch of grass, and sat down without hesitation:

"How does it feel here?"