Chapter 290 Talking Liuli
Anzhou, the Prince of Qi's Palace, has now been renamed the Prince of Ping's Palace.
When Xiao Ming became emperor, this palace belonged to Xiao Beiheng.
But Xiao Beiheng did not feel happy.
Emperor Ming of Qi bestowed upon his elder brother Xiao Zhuo the title of Prince of An, granting him the fiefdoms of Shengzhou and Jingzhou. He was given the title of Prince of Ping, along with the fiefdoms of Anzhou and Yuzhou. Both received the same, seemingly fair treatment, but Xiao Beiheng disagreed.
After lunch, he wandered around the palace's back garden in a depressed mood. Even the vibrant flowers in the garden couldn't cheer him up.
His father did not directly make him the crown prince, and what he worried about really happened.
When he learned of Xiao Zhuo's true identity, he worried that once the King of Qi knew Xiao Zhuo's identity, he would make him the Crown Prince out of guilt and compensation, or based on his ability. Although the worst-case scenario hadn't occurred yet, it was already a bad omen.
"Prince Ping, I'm back." Lin Kui's excited voice rang out at the door of the back garden.
Xiao Beiheng quickly turned around and saw Lin Kui walking in with a beaming look on his face. He quickly stepped forward and asked, "How is it? What did the Emperor say?"
Lin Kui originally garrisoned Yongwei Commandery in Xiliang. When the King of Qi withdrew his troops, he, at Shen Yuexi's request, recalled Lin Kui and returned the four Xiliang Commanderies to Queen Mei Dai. Although there had been no precedent for women claiming the title of king, the Mei family in Xiliang had no male members. Emperor Ming of Qi, being magnanimous, issued an edict recognizing Mei Dai's legitimacy as Queen of Xiliang, allowing the Mei family to continue enjoying their original fiefdom.
A few days ago, Xiao Beiheng sent Lin Kui to the capital, ostensibly to present rare treasures and toys purchased from foreign countries to Emperor Ming of Qi, but the actual purpose was to let Lin Kui find out what Emperor Ming of Qi was thinking.
Now seeing Lin Kui's happy expression, he couldn't help but feel excited.
"Prince Ping, I have spoken with Your Majesty," Lin Kui said happily. "Your Majesty said that although Prince An was a distinguished leader in battle, his association with Emperor Yongde had cultivated a cruel and murderous character, particularly the act of murdering his teacher, which Your Majesty did not admire. However, Your Majesty felt that the fault lay not with Prince An, but rather with Emperor Yongde's influence, so he did not blame him. Your Majesty knew Emperor Yongde's character from a young age, and Prince An's behavior was within Your Majesty's expectations."
After listening to this, Xiao Beiheng nodded and said, "So, Father doesn't really admire Xiao Zhuo?"
"Of course, Prince Ping, you're worrying too much," Lin Kui chuckled. "You're just too worried. If you think about it carefully, you'll understand what Your Majesty means. There's no need for me to ask."
Xiao Beiheng was a little confused and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Look at the names His Majesty has given the kings," Lin Kui gestured with his palm, "Ping Wang, An Wang. Peace and safety, Ping first, An second. Don't you understand His Majesty's intention?"
"But...why didn't father just make me the crown prince?" Xiao Beiheng was still a little concerned.
He is very meticulous about this matter, and even the slightest mistake will make him uneasy.
"Hey, Prince Ping, think about it. If you were to be made Crown Prince outright, Prince An would definitely be dissatisfied. He's notorious for being obsessed with the position and leading troops into war. If he's displeased, it would be difficult for His Majesty to handle this, since they're all his sons, after all. But don't worry, this title is only temporary. It won't be long before His Majesty will definitely make you Crown Prince. After all, you're his son, raised from childhood. His Majesty will definitely be closer to you."
Lin Kui spoke with saliva flying everywhere, and Xiao Beiheng listened with half belief and half doubt.
Emperor Ming of Qi's attitude towards Xiao Zhuo was indeed somewhat subtle. Perhaps, as Lin Kui said, Emperor Ming of Qi had made them both kings just to appease Xiao Zhuo's emotions?
But what does Xiao Zhuo think? What does Xiao Zhuo think?
For a moment, Xiao Beiheng wanted to go to Xiaogang Village in Liangzhou to find Xiao Zhuo in person to see what Xiao Zhuo really thought.
Although Xiao Zhuo's fiefdoms were Jingzhou and Shengzhou, he still lived with Shen Yuexi in Xiaogang Village. Recently, I heard that the city had begun to expand. The original city became the inner city, and a wall was built outside to accommodate more people.
"Okay, you've been tired on this trip to Beijing, go down and rest first." He instructed Lin Kui.
After Lin Kui left, Xiao Beiheng walked around the garden a few more times.
He wanted to go to Xiaogang Village, but he felt a little guilty.
He had always been after Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi, and they definitely didn't like him. Even though their relationship was clear now and they knew they were brothers, they probably wouldn't treat him well. But if he didn't go, he'd be constantly worried about it, and he wouldn't even be able to sleep well.
As I was hesitating, a sharp voice, like an angry woman's, suddenly came from the end of the corridor.
"Beiheng, you're sorry."
Xiao Beiheng stopped, showing a helpless expression, and walked towards the room at the end of the corridor.
Only halfway through the walk, the same sound was heard again in the room.
"Bei Heng, you're sorry for me. Bei Heng, you're sorry for me."
"I really bought the wrong thing." Xiao Beiheng shook his head and smiled bitterly, opened the door at the end and walked into the house.
A macaw with a blue back and yellow belly, two feet long from head to tail, flapped its wings and fell from the sky. It grabbed the railing next to the door with its claws, tilted its head to look at him, and said, "Beiheng, you're sorry."
Xiao Beiheng looked helpless and shouted into the house, "Momo, did you let the bird out again?"
This macaw was called "Liuli" because he had seen it while shopping for rare treasures abroad. Its vibrant blue and yellow colors were striking, resembling glass, hence its name. The merchant said the macaw could mimic human speech and was exceptionally intelligent.
Because Su Mo was always angry with him for "drink more hot water", Xiao Beiheng bought this macaw and gave it to Su Mo as an apology. Unexpectedly, this stupid bird didn't learn anything from him, but practiced this sentence so well that it would repeat it over and over again whenever it saw him.
"Beiheng, you're sorry to me." Macaw Liuli said again.
Xiao Beiheng had no choice but to go into the house.
When I lifted the curtain, I saw Su Mo concentrating on fiddling with a hot air balloon model on the table.
Xiao Beiheng looked at the hot air balloon and suddenly an idea came to his mind. He thought of how to meet Xiao Zhuo and Shen Yuexi.
"Momo, are you still mad at me?" He walked up to Su Mo with a smile and put his hand on her shoulder. "It's been a long time. Even Liuli has learned your angry words."
Su Mo stopped fiddling with the model in her hand, turned around and gave him a blank look: "I taught it specifically to remind you how much this man has gone too far."
The macaw Liuli flew into the room with its wings flapping, landed on Su Mo's desk, and called to Xiao Beiheng again:
"Beiheng, you're sorry."
Xiao Beiheng felt his head swelling. He covered his ears and said, "Momo, please stop being angry. I was really wrong. Please don't let this bird keep talking."
Su Mo said with a straight face, "I haven't finished teaching it yet. In two days, I'm going to teach it to say 'drink more hot water'."
Xiao Beiheng clasped his hands together and bowed, "Momo, buying a bird to make amends isn't enough. What will be enough?"
"How should I know?" Su Mo turned her head and picked up the hot air balloon model again.
Xiao Beiheng smiled slightly and said to Su Mo mysteriously, "Let's go find my brother and sister-in-law."
Su Mo's eyes lit up, and she turned to him in surprise and said, "Really? You want to go too?"
"Of course, but these days are not suitable. Which festival is the next one?" Xiao Beiheng counted the days on his fingers.
"It's Qixi Festival." Su Mo reminded.
"Then let's go on Qixi Festival. There has to be a reason for the visit," Xiao Beiheng said. "Then we can make a hot air balloon together and take it for a flight."
"That's great!" Su Mo happily stretched out her arms and hugged his neck. "Beiheng, I've been worried about you two brothers not getting along. During this festival, everyone should be more friendly... No, I have to go first. I want to find Yuexi to make a hot air balloon."
"It's all up to Momo. But can you please give this bird away? It keeps saying bad things about me..."
Macaw Liuli tilted her head, looked at the two happy people, and said something else.
"Beiheng, you're sorry."
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