Chapter 262 Brother Qi is His Majesty?! ...

In Liuzhou Town.

The heads of several prominent local families gathered together in complete silence.

In the main hall, it was supposed to be just the few of them having a private meeting, but there were several younger people sitting at the lower end of the hall, both men and women, aged from their teens to their early twenties, all of them looking restless.

"Foolish!" The Huang family patriarch slapped his thigh in exasperation. "How could you keep such a big thing a secret until today?!"

Brother Huang Shi pursed his lips, glancing guiltily at the ground.

Although he corresponded with his cousin in the capital and his married sister, ... such matters still had to be decided by His Majesty. If his elders hadn't received a letter from the post station and excitedly come to him about the special imperial examination next year, they wouldn't have stumbled upon his letter to his cousin. He had kept this secret perfectly well!

—The other playmates didn't know until today!

The remaining boys and girls who had been gathered together dared not speak out in anger: "..."

Hu Hong, who came from the lowest social standing among those present, yet had the best relationship with his brothers, replied absentmindedly, "We didn't know that Brother Qi was His Majesty."

And Brother Zhang too!

Are the three of them really good brothers? They've been keeping this from him!

Hu Hong felt wronged, but he didn't say anything.

Miss Zhao, who was already married, nodded silently.

Miss Zhou and Miss Wen lowered their heads and remained silent, looking embarrassed.

This news caused an uproar in their family. They regretted not having recognized Taishan sooner, otherwise—otherwise they might have even entered the Prince Rui's household. You see, the Emperor's harem is still vacant! That could very well be the position of Empress, bringing wealth and honor to the whole family!

Why was Liuzhou so lenient and tolerant towards young men and women back then? And why did so many girls of similar age come to Liuzhou, hoping to strike it rich and befriend Prince Rui? It's one thing that no one succeeded, but now, as several families piece together the news, they realize they were once so close, yet missed out on wealth and glory…

I wonder how many people regretted it so much they wanted to vomit blood.

But when he thought about how these children had been his playmates for several years, he comforted himself that his family hadn't suffered a great loss after all, and there would be benefits in the future.

Both Miss Zhou and Miss Wen felt rather awkward: "..."

They looked up and exchanged glances with their companions, all of them seeing the displeasure in each other's eyes.

Young people are full of vigor and have a pure and genuine feeling.

They used to be good friends, but now, in front of their parents, they act as if they have to fawn over Brother Qi.

Although this is the truth, the boys and girls are not very happy about it.

“So what if the adults know now? We still don’t know if we’ll ever see each other again!” Miss Zhao said shrewdly, speaking up for everyone on behalf of everyone.

The heads of the families exchanged glances, knowing that this was the truth. Condemning them now was useless, and all that remained was embarrassment.

Wasn't this... just hit by a series of shocks?

I had just learned that the prince of Liuzhou had ascended the throne and become the new emperor, and that Liuzhou would soon soar to new heights. In my ecstasy, I then discovered that these younger generation members had been secretly having an affair with Prince Rui for several years...

The fact that no one fainted is a testament to the strong mental fortitude they've developed over the years thanks to the prince's rigorous training.

The Zhao family head softened his voice: "What girls' school? Wasn't that something His Majesty mentioned before he left? We in Liuzhou must support His Majesty's decision. Go back and have all your sisters attend it, okay?"

Miss Zhao was delighted and nodded confidently.

Regardless of what her elders think, she will accept anything that can help her career!

...

Wuling.

That winter, after finishing the tasks assigned by His Highness Prince Rui, Bai Xuan took his wife, children, and elderly relatives back to his hometown, planning to return to Liuzhou after the New Year.

Two years ago, when Prince Rui was in Liuzhou, Bai Xuan, as the head of the family, went there to serve him, and no one in the Bai family dared to mention that not everyone had come to the ancestral worship ceremony. Now that Prince Rui has returned to the capital and become the Crown Prince, Bai Xuan's status has risen even higher, and even the magistrate of Wuling County has to fawn over him, making returning home to worship his ancestors an extremely honorable thing.

The Bai family, including its five direct branches and over a hundred collateral descendants, held a grand banquet at the Bai family mansion. This was after the ancestral worship ceremony, and the host family always had to treat them to a meal before they left. In previous years, even the grandest ancestral worship ceremonies were small-scale, but this year it was a specially grand affair. Prominent families, gentry, and the county magistrate of Wuling all attended.

Right there at this banquet.

Bai Xuan was constantly clinking glasses with people, but he only lightly touched his lips with the wine, not actually swallowing it. Those who toasted him didn't seem to mind, and their faces remained full of smiles.

Suddenly, a commotion arose at the door.

Bai Xuan looked up sharply and saw that it was the county magistrate's clerk who had come running over, looking travel-worn. The clerk excitedly said something to him and handed him an official document from the government, still sealed.

Following closely behind, many servants from various households rushed in through the doorway, whispering reports to their respective masters, causing a commotion in the area.

What happened?

Bai Xuan felt a vague unease, yet also seemed to have gained some insight, and was somewhat excited.

"Father—Prince Rui has ascended the throne and become the Emperor!" The daughter, Wen Su, exclaimed in surprise. The girl's childish voice came from the women's side, relieving Bai Xuan's anxious and confused state.

Bai Xuan: "...!!"

"Su'er, come here." He quickly beckoned his daughter over to explain the situation. His wife, Jinniang, had to take care of their young child and couldn't move around much at the table.

The little girl, at seven or eight years old, was quite sensible. She snuggled into her father's arms and blurted out everything she had just heard: "A messenger from the post station has come to deliver the name of the new Emperor Taiyuan to all the places! It's Prince Rui!"

"As expected... I knew it." Bai Xuan clenched his fist tightly, feeling a surge of hot blood rush to his head, which made his face turn red instantly.

Ever since he secretly helped His Highness the Crown Prince with his work and took care of the Crown Prince's companions from the capital for a few days, Bai Xuan had a nagging feeling that something was amiss, and he had been waiting anxiously these past few days. Either His Majesty couldn't tolerate His Highness, or His Highness couldn't tolerate His Majesty!

But Bai Xuan dared not utter such words that contradicted the Heavenly Gang.

Now it's all good... His Highness has successfully ascended the throne!

Wouldn't that make him... the number one merchant in front of the new emperor?

"...Truly a young man of great promise!" Which of the family heads present did not understand this principle?

Immediately, people began to flatter him, and the enthusiasm of those toasting Bai Xuan increased significantly. Even the magistrate of Wuling County condescended to come over, showing no sign of embarrassment, only sighs and familiarity: "Brother Bai—I'm about twenty years older than you, so I'm taking the liberty of calling you 'brother'! Don't forget our Wuling legacy in the future!"

"Not at all..." Bai Xuan affectionately pinched his daughter's soft, tofu-like face with his thumb, then pushed her back to the women's table, no longer wanting to stay in this noisy and boisterous place, and began a new round of toasts.

He was in high spirits and riding high.

Panzhou in Lingnan.

The humble little seaside village has long since been transformed into a bustling town.

At first glance, buildings of varying heights and colors are built against the mountainside, bordering the sea. Countless sails and masts stand on the sea, welcoming the fresh, salty sea breeze. From a distance, a dense mass of convicts carrying goods move slowly around the town like ants, and the docks are filled with the sounds of shouting. Even in winter, the place is full of vitality.

Huang Dong's complexion had grown even darker, but his spirits remained as high as ever. Standing in front of the door, he gazed into the distance, grinning from ear to ear.

He knew about it before the people from the post station arrived.

Leaving aside the fact that he was reinstated and made the prefect of Lingnan—His Highness would never forget them; after the palace coup that day, he told him the outcome through the divine object Aimu Pisi.

At that time, Huang Dong could only secretly rejoice.

Now look what's happened! With the official document issued, he's a genuine prefect. His Majesty promoted him the first thing upon ascending the throne!

Huang Dong only regretted that he was still in this desolate wilderness, and he didn't know who to brag to.

We can only wait until His Majesty's new plans after the New Year...

Huang Dong was itching to get down to business, but he finally managed to suppress his emotions for the time being.

Yangzhou.

The salt commissioner Xie Zhongyun was at home, deep in thought, filled with doubt and uncertainty.

These past few years... everything is different from his previous life in his memory, there are differences everywhere.

Now the new emperor has ascended the throne ahead of schedule.

Look at all these things...

Even though Xie Zhongyun and the new emperor's caravan had already reached an agreement and boarded this large ship, he could no longer suppress his doubts.

"To achieve what we have today... has the new emperor also been reborn?" Xie Zhongyun murmured. If not, he really couldn't understand the changes over the years.

Perfect timing, now's a perfect opportunity to test the waters.

Xie Zhongyun pondered for most of the night before stretching his stiff and numb shoulders, grinding ink, and writing a memorial to pay his respects to the new emperor.

He hesitated only slightly before decisively putting pen to paper:

"Your subject, Xie Zhongyun, Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou... kowtows to Your Majesty to thank you for your guidance on the art of woodblock printing."

And so on.

Even if the test fails, it can be explained that he wants to give this achievement to His Majesty—that's not wrong at all, since the woodblock printing technique was taught to him by the new emperor in his previous life.

Xie Zhongyun quickly finished writing the memorial, closed his eyes and sat quietly, waiting to send it out.

For years he's been busy fighting tooth and nail with the salt merchants, completely oblivious to the storms outside. Now that a new emperor has ascended the throne, once he's free to deal with the situation, a dramatic change will occur in the salt and iron industry of Jiangnan... He just needs to wait for that moment...

...

News of the new emperor's ascension to the throne spread throughout Dingguo, and its aftereffects are still unfolding.

In the palace, Qi Chengming swiftly dismissed several old stubborn men, determined to completely suppress and finalize the matter of deposing the late empress at tomorrow's morning court session.

—After all this time, it should be ready by now.

It's time to close the net.

"His Majesty."

Cui, the secret envoy, slipped out of the hall silently and reported in a low voice, "Grand Scholar Mu looked very unwell after leaving the Fan family. Lord Yao, Lord Wang, and Lord Du requested an audience with the Emperor Emeritus. They bid farewell at the Imperial Palace an incense stick's time ago, and their eyes were all red and swollen."

The young man looked thoughtful: "Keep an eye on them and see if they will obediently leave the capital, and if anyone will correspond with them."

"Yes." Cui Anshi obediently agreed, feeling only pity for the three officials.

So many veteran officials have been demoted, tell me—how come only the three of you dared to go to the Imperial Palace to weep and bid farewell to the Emperor Emeritus? Now you've been remembered. His Majesty is probably just waiting for some veteran officials to use the Emperor Emeritus's power to make things difficult for him!

really.

Not long after Cui the secret envoy left, Dai Xiyu's godson came to deliver a message: "Greetings, Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus requests your presence."

"It has been a long time since I paid my respects to my father," Qi Chengming said with a smile as he rose gracefully.

A naughty child's bottom will itch if he doesn't get a spanking every day, and even a doting father will start to get restless if he doesn't get a spanking for a few days.

...It can be resolved along with the matter of the late empress.

-----------------------

Author's note: Second update.

—Our Lord Xie Zhongyun delivered a critical hit in this chapter!!