On the wide Yong'an Street, there are numerous market streets and high-rise buildings, with pedestrians coming and going in an endless stream and the constant rumble of carriages and horses.
This is Yujing, a city where poetry and wine abound, and where beauty abounds. It is also the most prosperous and wealthy city on the map of Daye, with the most abundant resources.
A rosewood carriage slowly drove along Yong'an Street. The bustling pedestrians occasionally glanced up and saw the orchid emblem on the carriage, and immediately stopped talking, not daring to speak loudly for fear of disturbing the people inside.
A spring breeze stirred the curtains, revealing the young man's cold, jade-like face inside the carriage.
"It's Young Master Wei..." someone who knew him said with a sigh.
Everyone in Yujing knows that the third young master of the Wei family suffered greatly on his long journey. He fell ill as soon as he returned, but no one knows why he went out again today.
The carriage slowly pulled up to the Xihua Gate and stopped. Wei Qinglou clenched his fists, coughed a few times, tightened his cloak, and then slowly got off the carriage.
Upon seeing him arrive, the guards standing at the palace gate quickly put away the spears they had been holding in front of them and called out in unison, "Young Master Wei, the Third Prince."
Wei Qinglou nodded slightly and entered the palace gate. There was already a white-faced, beardless eunuch waiting by the carriage with a hunched back. When he saw him come in, he quickly bowed and stepped forward: "Third Young Master, you've finally arrived. His Majesty has been thinking of you for a long time."
Wei Qinglou, with a sickly air about him, smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Eunuch."
The eunuch quickly waved his hand, "What are you saying, Third Young Master? Please don't be so disrespectful to this humble servant!"
The eunuchs were junior eunuchs who served the emperor. Even the chief minister of the court had to address them respectfully as "Eunuch".
But he wasn't as close to the Grand Secretary as he was to Wei Qinglou.
Firstly, I dare not, and secondly, there is no need.
Wei Qinglou, though not holding an official position, was more favored by the emperor than all the civil and military officials in the court.
The carriage stopped outside the Imperial Garden. The eunuch bowed and smiled, "Please come in, Third Young Master. His Majesty has ordered that no unauthorized persons are allowed to enter. This servant dares not disobey the decree, so I will not lead the way for you."
Wei Qinglou nodded and said, "Okay."
He entered the Imperial Garden and went straight to the pond with flowing water. There was a pavilion by the pond, and a man in a gray-blue robe was standing by the railing.
Although his attire was ordinary, his noble air was undeniable; this was the current Emperor Yewen, Gu Xinming.
Wei Qinglou walked over unhurriedly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty."
Gu Xinming turned his head to look at Wei Qinglou, a look of relief flashing in his eyes, but he still scolded, "Didn't I tell you to stay home and rest well? What's the matter that you're in such a hurry to come to the palace to see me?"
Wei Qinglou lowered his head: "Your Majesty, this humble subject wishes to enter the Dali Temple."
Gu Xinming's eyes showed even more relief: it seems that his decision was indeed correct. Wei Qinglou was much more composed than before during his trip to Suiping.
Surprisingly, he even developed a sense of ambition.
But he didn't rush to agree. Instead, he pondered for a while and asked, "Why?"
Why do you want to join the Dali Temple?
Why Dali Temple in particular?
Wei Qinglou lowered his eyelids and did not answer.
In that instant, he thought of many things. The Wei family in Yujing was originally only a second-rate family. It was because Princess Xining married him that the late emperor secretly poured resources into the Wei family to support their status so that his sister would not be wronged. Fortunately, the Wei family did not disappoint the late emperor's favor. His grandfather devoted his life to the Great Ye, and even on his deathbed, he still remembered to tell his father to serve the country and be loyal to the emperor.
Later, precisely because of this, Emperor Wen was grateful for his teacher's kindness, and after he ascended the throne, the Wei family enjoyed even greater favor and prestige. Later still, a woman surnamed Wang married into the Wei family, further elevating their reputation in the capital.
However, beneath the surface of fame, undercurrents were surging. Ever since he could remember, his father had never let his guard down, always seemingly cautious, afraid of making a mistake that might give others an opportunity to take advantage of him, ultimately bringing disaster upon the family.
Therefore, he knew from a young age that he had to hide his talents. Not only him, but his eldest sister's marriage and his second brother's joining the army were also for the long-term benefit of the family.
He originally thought he would live a leisurely life, marry any girl he wanted, and then, being neither good at literature nor martial arts, take a minor official position, spending his days planting flowers in the courtyard and watching fish in the pond after court.
But to their surprise, his slightest appearance threw them into disarray, and they repeatedly sent people to secretly injure him.
It was probably Zhu Jiayu who enlightened him: being kind to others is useless, and avoiding others at all times is also useless. Only by being tough, being respected and feared by others, can one protect what one wants to protect.
He thought about so much, but it only took him a moment to come to his senses. When he came to his senses, he saw that the emperor was still staring at him, as if he wanted an answer. He was about to speak when the emperor suddenly waved his hand and said, "Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you."
"However, why didn't you bring the jade pendant I bestowed upon you today?"
The material of that jade pendant was a treasure presented by the crown prince of Qi along with a peace treaty after Qi suffered a crushing defeat in the war between the states of Ye and Qi.
On that very day, Lady Wang Huan, wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, gave birth to a son. Emperor Wen was overjoyed and personally bestowed a name upon the young Wei family member. "Qing" means peace and prosperity, and "Lou" means talent and ability. Thus, he was named Qinglou. He also ordered craftsmen to carve the white jade from Kunshan, presented by the State of Qi, into the shape of a lotus flower and bestow it upon Wei Qinglou, hoping that he would be as beautiful as jade and as gentle and upright as a lotus flower, without being frivolous or unruly.
Emperor Wen had no interest in romance. After ascending the throne, he devoted himself to governing the country. Although he had many beautiful women serving him in the harem, there was no news of a pregnancy for a long time. He had known the Duke of Zhenguo since his early days and they had a good relationship. The Duke of Zhenguo was his tutor and also his uncle; the Duke of Zhenguo was his playmate and also his close cousin. When Emperor Wen heard that the Duke's wife was pregnant, he was very happy.
It can be said that Wei Qinglou came into this world carrying Emperor Wen's hopes.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com