Chapter 236 Qi Chengming's True Colors Revealed...

"You have no manners!" A girl in a lake-blue dress, both ashamed and angry, with tears welling in her eyes, scolded the woman in front of her, "Who do you think you are? How can you speak so rudely?"

"Is being direct considered vulgar?" The girl standing opposite her had a gentle face and the appearance of a well-bred young lady, but her words were puzzling. "If you don't want your half-sister to go flower picking with you, then just say so. Isn't ignoring her like this an insult?"

"You...!" The girl in the lake-blue dress was so angry that she couldn't speak for a moment.

Several girls nearby quickly gathered around to try and break up the fight, but the argument escalated and they started pushing each other.

"..." Qi Chengming started to get nervous and subconsciously asked the servant next to him, "Is there anyone here who can swim?"

It's not that he's narcissistic, it's just that this kind of scenario—being rescued from an accident by the river and then naturally getting together—is a bit too much for him.

"Yes...yes," the servant said hastily after a moment's hesitation.

"Get ready." Qi Chengming directed everyone to gather around, to prevent any accidents.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a man of great tenderness and compassion," Shen Shuzhi praised, covering the lower half of her face with her wide sleeve.

Qi Chengming glanced at him, instinctively sensing that the old man wasn't hiding anything good, and bluntly said, "It's precisely because I don't want to be gentle with women that I gave this order."

"Your Highness, did you really not approve of any of them today?" Shen Shuzhi composed himself and asked doubtfully. In his previous life, he couldn't understand why the new emperor refused to marry despite the immense pressure from beginning to end, and in the end, he didn't leave any heirs, only choosing an heir from the imperial clan.

Every month when the ministers held their small meetings, they discussed everything they could think of. The new emperor's seemingly detached and abstinent nature... could it be...?

At that time, the young man from the Li family refuted their words, saying that the divine physician Bian, who was on good terms with them, had taken the pulse of the new emperor and that he was in perfect health!

So you can't find anything you like?

Among those present was a rare individual—the Director of the Imperial Observatory, who had personally spoken with the new emperor in his previous life and discussed the selection of concubines. He revealed a secret… When the new emperor returned the selection list, his comment was, 'Too young; the women are giving birth too early.'

While I don't know if this is just a perfunctory excuse, it's at least a starting point. What if the new ruler has the same tastes as Cao Cao...?

Shen Shuzhi's eyes flickered slightly.

Therefore, this banquet and flower viewing event at the Princess's residence was arranged after prior notice, which is why it was so open to young ladies of varying ages, with invitations sent out to those from humble backgrounds. Some ladies might bring their young children to try their luck. But those with discerning eyes knew that the main attraction today was for the girls aged sixteen to eighteen.

Behind the scenes, the ministers even had a dispute—

If the age limit is relaxed, the issues of widows and remarriage inevitably arise. In the early years of this dynasty, following the chaos of war, remarriage was encouraged, but over the decades, this trend has gradually tightened, especially in the capital. How could a princess invite such a woman to a flower-viewing ceremony? Most women of this age have poor reputations. How could such a woman be invited?

It wasn't that the ministers were stubbornly insisting, but if the princess's residence invited them without a reason... it would be tantamount to openly saying, "Yes, we're arranging a marriage for someone, and they only like this." If His Highness the Crown Prince truly took a liking to someone, what would become of his reputation?

Those ministers who were eager to protect the emperor vehemently disagreed.

But in the end, it was the Director of the Imperial Observatory who made the decision: all requests were accepted! To further confuse the issue, the most important thing was still the new emperor!

It was fortunate that the Third Princess was willing to cooperate, and her husband did a great deal of work.

Originally, some officials looked down on Wang Shi for rising to power through the princess, thinking that a respectable and upright official had become obsequious and disgraced them as scholars. Now, all the gossip has subsided, and all that remains is envy.

This has put him on the radar of the important officials.

Even if there's no hope for a future career in government, there are still many potential benefits...

Thinking back on the farcical little gatherings, Shen Shuzhi snapped out of his reverie and casually asked His Highness a question, as usual, without expecting any response. But Qi Chengming fell silent; he had indeed noticed that the girls at this flower-viewing banquet were all...older.

"...Let's talk about it later, I've been very busy lately," Qi Chengming said cryptically.

Although he didn't know how everyone had figured out his bottom line, Qi Chengming was surprised and touched by the fact that they were able to help him so quietly.

Shen Shuzhi was startled, noticing the softening of His Highness's attitude.

Good heavens, has the sun risen in the west?!

He quickly looked towards the opposite bank of the river, noticing where the new emperor's gaze was falling, and silently nodded: "—Yes."

These are indeed the most crucial times... They helped us in our past lives, so this time we can't afford to hold them back. The new ruler is at least willing, so they won't be in such a rush. Let's resolve the current predicament of establishing the kingdom first.

This battle, which lasted for three or four months, involved fighting on both large and small scales.

What's most troublesome about foreign invasions is that they attack repeatedly. Emperor Hongren isn't actively preparing for war this time. Without sufficient determination to drive out the foreign enemy, the situation will only drag on and won't end well.

The antics of the Wang clan of Taiyuan were also causing considerable distress, and Emperor Hongren had recently become so agitated that he even developed two blisters on his lips. With the weather turning cooler, continuing the fighting would only further deplete his resources… Emperor Hongren was caught in a dilemma, unable to stop even if he wanted to. Wasn't it enough that he had bowed to the aristocratic families? Did he now have to beg for their help?!

The old emperor couldn't swallow this insult, yet he was powerless to do anything about it.

He was like an aging lion, trapped and struggling, while those hiding behind the scenes coldly waited for him to exhaust himself. Every second of that torment was exceptionally terrifying and hopeless. Where was the turning point?

Until the very last moment, Emperor Hongren really couldn't bring himself to ask the powerful families for help... They would be exploited to the bone, and by then, would the emperor still be the one who was high above and held absolute power?

The turning point came on the day of the grand assembly in early October.

After the Crown Prince came out of the Ministry of Revenue and tearfully complained again about the difficulty in raising funds and provisions, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue made up his mind and resolutely submitted a proposal—saying that His Highness the Crown Prince had managed the fiefdoms very well and was familiar with the operation of money shops. He requested that His Highness the Crown Prince enter the Ministry of Revenue for training and take charge of military supplies and provisions.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongren, caught off guard, gripped the armrest of his throne tightly, his expression darkening as he looked towards the Minister of Revenue. The Vice Ministers were the Minister's deputies; if these words hadn't been spoken with his authorization…

Emperor Hongren still held a sliver of hope, but under his watchful gaze, the Minister of Revenue raised his tablet with his eyes downcast and stood obediently.

Not only that, the next moment—

"I second that!" This was the response from Lord He, who was temporarily acting as Minister of War, after a moment of hesitation.

The other officials, regaining their composure, also stepped forward, echoing, "His Highness the Crown Prince is prudent and capable of sharing Your Majesty's burdens." "Indeed!" "We request Your Majesty!"

Suddenly, words of support for the Crown Prince's assistance in governing the country spread throughout a large portion of the court.

These successive events stunned Prince Ning and the Seventh Prince. Prince Ning cautiously glanced up and saw his father sitting silently with a terrifying expression. He looked as if he had been caught off guard, not as if he had known beforehand.

Prince Ning glanced to the side again. His elder brother, the Crown Prince, was dressed in his imperial robes, standing tall and already looking like a young man. He remained silent with his head bowed, as if he were deaf and mute, completely oblivious to the arguments and clamor in the court, simply waiting with his hands clasped.

It looked somewhat unfamiliar.

"...Outrageous!" Emperor Hongren looked at the chaotic scene in the court, his face expressionless, but a surge of anger rose in his heart.

It sounds easy to put the Crown Prince in charge of the Ministry of Revenue's provisions and military supplies, as if the endless wars and the empty treasury are being handed over to him. But in reality, what difference does it make from temporarily handing over the power to govern the country and several large armies to the Crown Prince?! Even if he has strict control, is being in charge of provisions just about managing provisions?

Emperor Hongren wasn't senile yet. His covert struggle with the aristocratic families over the past six months had all been orchestrated through undercurrents within the Ministry of Revenue! He had repeatedly failed in his attempts to do so. Now that he had relinquished control, he was essentially letting the Crown Prince deal with the aristocratic families, procure provisions, and take control of the Ministry of Revenue!

Emperor Hongren was worried that his young son would carelessly squander the family's legacy, which was one thing; he was also furious and incredulous that his ministers thought this immature boy was doing better than them and dared to suggest that he take charge on his own... This was outrageous!

He is the true emperor!

Was this instigated by his good-natured crown prince?!

This brat is colluding with his ruler and deceiving his father—what is he planning to do?!

The old emperor was so angry that his hands were trembling slightly. For a moment, he didn't know whether to first lash out at the ambitious crown prince or demote a few officials to teach these people a lesson.

but.

Now is not the time to let him vent his anger.

He was truly powerless. The situation was dire, almost to the point of no return. Those who had stepped forward were all high-ranking officials, and he still had to rely on these non-aristocratic officials to do their utmost in the coming period to reverse the disadvantage... He had no choice but to accept this.

"..." Emperor Hongren felt a surge of rage stuck in his throat, unable to get it out or down. The intense sense of humiliation made his chest feel extremely uncomfortable.

A prestigious family! The Crown Prince!

He's caught between a rock and a hard place; everyone's pressuring him! Does everyone have to make things worse for him at this critical moment and force him to choose one option?

Emperor Hongren did not want to face this coercion, but his subconscious had already told him that even if he did not choose, he would probably be forced to retreat and fall by one of these two options.

...

The emperor froze for a moment, but the ministers at the grand court assembly did not.

Since becoming the Crown Prince's tutor, Grand Secretary Mu had attended every grand court assembly. He observed the situation discreetly, focusing his gaze on Elder He of the Ministry of War: "..."

After discussing with His Highness the Crown Prince, they all understood that the situation had reached a point where it was time to close the net.

...In that case, the true intentions will be revealed.

If the new emperor were to ascend the throne through abdication as in the previous life, the suffering he would have to endure and the people's pain would be far too great and far too long. The ministers couldn't wait, and even the most composed Grand Secretary Mu couldn't wait any longer. All that torment was meaningless.

They have everything now, and the new emperor is not the lonely crown prince who suffered greatly in his previous life and had no one to support him. Why can't they take some measures?

—The Vice Minister of Revenue stepped forward to submit his memorial at this delicate juncture, which was now almost a dead end.

The ministers who echoed him were also part of the reborn ministers' ranks. But to Grand Scholar Mu's surprise, Minister He of the Ministry of War, and some other ministers who were neither here nor there in the court, had spontaneously spoken up in support. Did this mean that no matter how much His Majesty suppressed him, others still recognized the Crown Prince's abilities?

Grand Secretary Mu was pleased, but he continued to observe the court with a detached eye.

Next... His Majesty's power will be given as it should be, whether he wants to or not.

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Author's Note: Grand Scholar Mu (Initial Rebirth): It's too chaotic after the new emperor left. How about we support a different prince this time?

Grand Scholar Mu (in distress midway through his observation): It's impossible to change... I have to find a way to avoid the situation I was in in my previous life.

Grand Secretary Mu (currently serving with all his might): This old minister remains utterly loyal to the country, and even a hundred years from now, I will have the face to meet the late emperor... But Your Majesty, it is time to relinquish power.