Chapter 388 Qingtian Stone, A Close Call

Pei Yuan called out, "Sun Yan, bring the things in."

Both Emperor Longqing and Prince Heng subconsciously looked up and out.

Sun Yan carried in a mahogany box that was about a foot long.

Pei Yuan said, "In another half month it will be Father Emperor's birthday. I have been thinking about what birthday gift to give Father Emperor.

After thinking it over, I still feel that the things I make myself are the most heartfelt.

Therefore, I have asked Chengxuan to help me find some high-quality Qingtian stone.

He took the rosewood box from Sun Yan and opened it for the Longqing Emperor to see.

It was filled with a box full of stones.

Emperor Longqing leaned forward to take a look, then took out a piece and examined it carefully, his face showing surprise.

"Is this a type of Qingtian stone with a light-transmitting effect?"

Pei Yuan smiled and nodded, "Father has a discerning eye; he recognized it at a glance. It is indeed the finest 'light-frozen' Qingtian stone."

Prince Heng's expression changed slightly, and he reached down and rummaged under the box.

There was a whole box of stones, each about the size of a palm, slightly yellow in color, with a warm and pure texture. Under the sunlight, they looked almost transparent, with fine, horn-like patterns, and were quite beautiful.

Prince Heng chuckled and said:

"It is said that the finest Qingtian stone is warm and soft, with bright colors, and shines like a lamp under the light, hence the name 'Light-Damp Frozen Stone'."

However, the quantity of light-dampening jadeite is extremely small. Even in the Liangjiang region, which produces Qingtian stone, there probably isn't a box of this size among the tributes presented in the past two years.

Sixth Brother, you have such great skills! You've acquired so much Qingtian stone in less than a month. Fourth Brother is truly impressed.

Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Fourth brother, there's no need for your sarcastic remarks. Although Qingtian stone is precious, it can be found if you put your mind to it."

"As long as Fourth Brother is sincere and filial, you can find just as many."

Prince Heng's face stiffened, and a dark glint flashed in his eyes.

Are you implying that I am not filial enough to my father?

"That's what my fourth brother said, not what I said."

"you!"

Emperor Longqing frowned and interrupted, "Alright, you two stop arguing. But this Qingtian stone... it looks somewhat familiar to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a wronged voice came from outside the door.

“Your Majesty, you’ve recognized these stones. They are my grandmother’s treasured collection from many years ago.”

"Chengxuan?" The Longqing Emperor looked surprised. "You... what? You're saying this Qingtian stone is your grandmother's treasured possession?"

Li Chengxuan nodded with a wronged expression.

"Your Majesty should know that my grandmother had a fondness for collecting Qingtian stones, right?"

The Longqing Emperor nodded.

Li Chengxuan's grandmother, the Grand Princess of Chengyang, loved Qingtian stone when she was young. During the reign of the late emperor, every year when the Qingtian stone from the Liangjiang region was presented as tribute, a few good pieces would be selected and sent to the Grand Princess of Chengyang.

After Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, he was grateful for the contributions of the Duke of Huguo's family and respected his aunt from Chengyang, so he would order people to send him a few pieces of Qingtian stone every year.

Li Chengxuan said, "A few days ago, Prince Rui suddenly came to visit my grandmother, saying that he wanted to buy the Qingtian stone in her possession."

At first, my grandmother refused, so Prince Rui went to my house every morning to beg my grandmother.

Today, Grandmother found out that he wanted to buy Qingtian stone because he wanted to carve a unique birthday gift for His Majesty himself.

His grandmother, moved by his filial piety, agreed to give him the Qingtian stone.

The Longqing Emperor raised an eyebrow. "So that's how it is."

Li Chengxuan sighed, "Yes, Prince Rui has made quite a few trips to my house in order to obtain this box of Qingtian stone."

I've been talking until my lips are practically worn out, and this morning the ordeal almost caused my old injury to flare up again. Grandmother was worried, so she sent me to personally escort the Prince back."

Emperor Longqing turned to look at Pei Yuan.

Seeing Pei Yuan's pale face and dry, chapped lips, if it weren't for his neatly styled hair and clean clothes, one would have thought he was exhausted from a long journey.

Emperor Longqing's expression softened, but he frowned and reprimanded Pei Yuan.

"You, don't you know that if you're injured, you should rest in bed? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Why can't you wait until you've fully recovered before preparing birthday gifts for me? You might cause serious health problems if you don't heal properly."

Pei Yuan smiled slightly, "Your subject will heed your teachings, Father, and will not dare to act recklessly again."

Jinbao and Physician Zhou were acting on my behalf; they did not intend to deceive Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness.

Emperor Longqing glanced sideways at Jinbao and Imperial Physician Zhou, and snorted coldly.

"You blind fool, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and help your prince up!"

This means that no punishment will be imposed.

Jinbao and Physician Zhou were overjoyed and quickly got up to help Pei Yuan.

When Pei Yuan stood up, his body swayed slightly.

The Longqing Emperor noticed this and frowned slightly.

"You've been resting for almost half a month, and you still don't look better? If you hadn't messed things up so recklessly, wouldn't you have been better by now?"

Although the tone was stern, it was full of concern, which everyone present could hear.

Prince Heng's expression was somewhat stiff.

Pei Yuan glanced at Prince Heng and chuckled.

"Given my current condition, there are still fools spreading rumors that I am going to Yangzhou. In my current state, I'm afraid I won't make it to Yangzhou before I die."

Fourth brother, don't you agree?

Prince Heng clenched his fists, his face looking rather grim.

Who's being called blind?

He twitched the corner of his mouth. "I only heard it mentioned by someone from the Imperial Guards. I didn't hear it clearly. I guess it was a mistake."

Pei Yuan picked at his ear and sighed.

"It's not a big deal that my fourth brother misheard this; it almost caused Father to misunderstand me."

It also ruined the birthday surprise I had prepared for my father.

"Father, how about on your birthday, when I present you with the gift, you pretend you didn't know beforehand? And act as if you're pleasantly surprised, okay?"

The Longqing Emperor was amused by this remark and glared at him, saying, "Nonsense!"

Pei Yuan chuckled and shrugged, "There's nothing I can do. It's just that my fourth brother had to hear the wrong news at this time."

Emperor Longqing glanced thoughtfully at Prince Heng, and the smile on his face faded.

"Don't believe everything you hear in the future. Think things through before you act or speak."

This is tantamount to criticizing him for being shallow in his actions.

Prince Heng's face turned pale, and he responded softly, "Yes."

Today, I had intended to expose Pei Yuan's trip to Yangzhou, but unexpectedly, not only did I fail to expose Pei Yuan, he was also reprimanded.

Damn it, where did Pei Yuan come from?

Emperor Longqing stood up and patted Pei Yuan on the shoulder.

"You're not allowed to go out and cause any more trouble. Stay home and recover from your injuries. The Southern Yue delegation is coming soon, and I'm counting on you to bring honor to Great Wei."

"Your subject obeys and respectfully sees off Your Majesty."

After Emperor Longqing left, Prince Heng gave Pei Yuan a deep look and then hurriedly chased after him.

Pei Yuan saw them off to the door and watched the sedan chair leave the Prince Rui's residence.

Emperor Longqing returned directly to the palace and did not summon Prince Heng again.

Prince Heng returned to his residence with a sullen face. As soon as he entered his study, he kicked over a potted plant that was placed by the door.

"Go and investigate immediately! Find out how Lao Liu got back! Where are the guards at the city gate?"

Are they all dead? Didn't they notice that Old Six had gone into town?

The confidant said, "I have already sent people to investigate, and no one at any of the four city gates saw Prince Rui enter the city."

Prince Heng didn't believe it. "How could that be? Did the sixth prince grow wings and fly in?"