However, to ascend to rulership, one must adhere to the hierarchical structure. While the Second Prince may excel in leading troops to war, a qualified ruler cannot afford to dismiss trivial matters and casually fraternize with subordinates.
Individuals who disregard the minutiae tend to be headstrong and resistant to restraint—a disastrous disposition for a ruler.
As the legitimate son of the intermediate palace and the son of the current empress, the Third Prince carried himself with dignity. He possessed a gentle, scholarly demeanor and a wealth of knowledge. Widely connected in the Confucian community, he held the second-best reputation among officials and Confucian scholars, following only the Crown Prince.
However, Shao Yunduan discovered an intriguing detail. In his pursuit of a tea set he fancied, the Third Prince had commissioned craftsmen repeatedly, investing three years and over sixty thousand taels of silver.
