Chapter 43 Su Shi felt he understood everything…
Zhao Yuanyan is currently in a state of collapse.
He was like a badger that had only eaten half a melon, frantically running around in the fields. Logically, the royal bloodline was a matter of national importance and should never be confused; his most outrageous guess was impossible. But how could he explain the current situation?
The son of the Prince of Pu was a fake, but the imperial edict was genuine. Therefore, it shows that the emperor was also aware of the matter.
The question is, even if the officials knew the truth, how could they allow their beloved son to recognize someone else as his father?
Zhao Yuanyan tried to put himself in that shoes and imagine the scene.
No, I can't imagine it, just thinking about it makes me want to explode!
"...Your Highness, is your sugar painting finished?"
The familiar, tender voice brought Zhao Yuanyan back to his senses. He hurriedly took the sugar painting that Fusu handed him with a smile: "What is this painting?"
“It means longevity like the pine and crane,” Fusu said.
The grandchildren, young and old, chattered and discussed for a long time, but no one could convince anyone else. In the end, Fusu made the final decision.
Back when he was still an infant, held in the Emperor's arms and unable to walk independently, he had heard the Emperor talk about his Eighth Uncle's illness, which was said to have been extremely critical at one point, causing great concern.
After that, Fusu was never heard from again. Upon closer inspection today, he appears to have fully recovered. However, given his age and having narrowly escaped death, the Eighth Prince now shows signs of frailty.
Then let's send him a pine and crane symbolizing longevity, wishing him a long and healthy life.
After all, they are elders, and they firmly stand behind the emperor in supporting him. It's only right that they show concern.
Prince Zhao Yuanyan reached out and steadily accepted the sugar painting, his face showing admiration, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. For someone of his age and status, blessings like gourds and auspicious scepters held little meaning for him. What blessings had he not yet received, what wishes had not yet been fulfilled?
Only the blessing of health and longevity truly touched his heart.
For a moment, Zhao Yuanran suddenly understood why the Emperor doted on Prince Cheng so much—it wasn't because he was the long-awaited heir.
Looking at his own kids, they were only focused on the sugar painting in his hand, some even secretly drooling.
Sigh, I'm so tired.
Zhao Yuanyan took a big bite and, sure enough, saw many pairs of eyes that had dimmed. For some reason, he felt a little better and took another bite without hesitation.
Suddenly, a sob came from somewhere.
Fusu looked around and finally realized that the voice was coming from the little boy he had just met. Although he was called a "little radish head," they were actually about the same height: "Hey, hey, don't cry, what happened?"
"Grandpa, Grandpa... Grandpa cut in line, waaaaah!" The little girl started crying, looking very aggrieved: "I've been waiting in line for so long!"
Fusu skillfully coaxed people: "It's alright, the painting is yours now, you'll get it soon—"
The candy in Zhao Yuanyan's mouth immediately lost its sweetness. He quickly separated Douding and Luobo by hand, causing both little ones to look at him. After a moment, Luobo seemed to understand something, and his grievances doubled: "Grandpa, you're so mean!"
"Why won't you let me talk to him?! How can you look down on him?! Waaaaaah!"
Zhao Yuanyan: "..."
Zhao Yuanyan: "…………"
The candy in Zhao Yuanyan's mouth tasted bitter. How could he possibly look down on Prince Cheng? No, how could he dare!
However, Fusu had warned him not to reveal his identity, even speculating that the Emperor might be behind it. Zhao Yuanran dared not expose him, so he reluctantly withdrew his hand, his face flushed red, and he was breathing heavily through his nostrils.
Fusu quickly put his arm around the little boy's shoulder and stopped his crying in time: "Don't cry, don't cry. The prince didn't mean to look down on me. He's just doing it for your own good. Don't talk back to him."
He frantically sent Su Shi meaningful glances: Is it ready? Is it ready?
Su Shi: Stop rushing me! Stop rushing me!
Didn't you see how much sparks were flying from the drawing?!
"The little bunny is here—"
The freshly made sugar painting was handed to Little Radish Head, causing him to lower his hands from his red-rimmed eyes. He gripped the sugar painting tightly, took a bite of the rabbit ear, and couldn't help but let a smile appear on his tense little face.
Fusu breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally managed to appease her.
The next moment, the rabbit ear with the missing piece was thrust in front of him, and Little Radish Head stared intently: "You eat too!"
Helpless, Fusu took a bite and crunched.
"Is it tasty?"
"Um!"
"You should have some too." He handed it to Su Shi, who unceremoniously bit off a rabbit head in one swift bite: "So sweet, so delicious!"
The little radish head was finally satisfied and stopped glaring at people.
But Su Shi wrinkled his nose at Zhao Yuanyan. His action was not discreet and was immediately noticed by the other two people.
That was clearly an expression of dissatisfaction, seemingly directed at what Little Carrot Head had said earlier. Perhaps, in his heart, he was feeling indignant on behalf of his friend.
—Your Highness, please do something about this!
Zhao Yuanran kept giving Fusu meaningful glances: Others may not know, but do you know whether I look down on you or not?
Fusu knew all too well that Su Shi was not the type to simply glare at someone he disliked and be done with it, even if they were powerful or influential. He might very well be plotting something wicked in his mind.
We can't just come here and cause trouble for others.
Fusu immediately coughed twice to attract everyone's attention, then said with a grin, "Your Highness, you see, it's almost lunchtime..."
Su Shi was stunned for a moment. He seemed not to have expected Fusu to be so shameless and direct. But what surprised him even more was Zhao Yuanyan's reaction.
The latter waved his hand dismissively, showing great enthusiasm: "Then let's eat at your residence!"
He then instructed his servants, "I see that the younger generation in my household and these two young friends from the Imperial Academy hit it off immediately and seem to have a special connection. Tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes and treat them well. Do not neglect them."
"yes--"
He waved the pine and crane longevity sugar painting in his hand: "I appreciate your kindness. Now I'll take my leave..."
"Why don't you join us for a meal? Just consider it a simple meal."
Zhao Yuanyan said almost without hesitation, "This... alright."
"Uh." Su Shi made a strange sound in his throat. Taking advantage of the moment when Zhao Yuanyan was instructing the servants, he quietly asked, "Young man, tell me honestly, did you know anyone from the Eighth Prince's mansion before?"
Otherwise, why would they treat you so well? A single sentence can get the prince to stay for a meal, and another sentence can get him to stay for dinner. Not everyone has that kind of face.
"We only met once," Fusu blinked innocently. "Maybe he's only being so kind to me because I'm his grandson?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanran nearly stumbled.
Su Shi looked very suspicious: "At the beginning of this dynasty, there were some unclear and ambiguous things that happened between Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong. How can you say that the Song imperial family members love each other and care for the young as if they were their own?"
But Fusu's gaze was too honest and straightforward (Fusu: I was just telling the truth, how could I not be honest?), so Su Shi could only mutter under his breath: "Well, I really don't understand you members of the imperial family."
Fusu breathed a sigh of relief, but then suddenly felt a little guilty.
Actually, there seems to be no need for him to keep his identity a secret from Su Shi all this time?
At first, he had to keep it a secret so that the two could be friends on equal footing. Later, because he needed the White Dragon Fish Robe to enter the Imperial Academy, the act of concealing the truth had become a habit.
However, the two had known each other for a long time and had developed a close friendship. Given Su Shi's personality, he certainly wouldn't reveal his identity. So, should he tell him the truth? Would he be angry if he found out? Would he ignore him? Or would his attitude change?
Fusu scratched his face, feeling a headache he hadn't experienced in a long time.
"you……"
Su Shi immediately responded, "What is it?"
Fusu: "No, it's nothing."
Even if we were to be honest, it's not a good time to be in someone else's house.
The lunch ordered by Zhao Yuanran was quickly prepared. Since he had specifically mentioned that it was a casual meal, there was no particular regard for seating etiquette. Otherwise, if the Prince's residence were to formally host guests, the Eighth Princess and the Prince's sons would all have to wear formal attire to meet people, which would be quite unacceptable.
"These are nothing special, you can try them."
"No way!" Su Shi, engrossed in his meal, didn't even look up. Upon hearing this, he quickly swallowed the fragrant mutton in his mouth: "It's much better than the Imperial Academy's dining hall!"
"Oh? The Imperial Academy?" Zhao Yuanyan's ears twitched. "I haven't been to the Imperial Academy in a long time. I heard that Master Fan made some reforms there. I wonder what it's like inside now? Could you please enlighten me?"
"No problem." Su Shi, feeling obligated to help, gave a detailed account of the current situation at the Imperial Academy. He talked about things like dividing the academy into separate study rooms and recruiting impoverished students, and finally, he didn't forget to mention the newly established Dining Committee: "We and Zhao Xiaolang just finished our committee work before we came out."
"oh……"
Zhao Yuan wore a meaningful expression.
As a seasoned official, he suddenly realized: Could it be that the Emperor hadn't given up on supporting the new policies? Come to think of it, the Emperor was truly willing to go to such lengths; to support the reforms, he even sent his only son to the Imperial Academy as a guinea pig.
"Hmm, it's not as bad as people say."
—That's not what you think.
"However, the idea of the food committee was actually my suggestion."
—This is the kind of reform I want to support.
Fusu could tell what Zhao Yuanyan was thinking just by looking at his expression. He didn't care that Zhao Yuanyan was trying to trick Su Shi into revealing information; it wasn't anything shameful. He was just inexplicably annoyed and didn't want the Emperor to be misunderstood by outsiders and to be unfairly blamed.
The emperor is not the kind of person who would disregard his son's life or death for the sake of national affairs.
The emperor dotes on him.
This point must be clarified carefully!
"Hehe, it seems I was exaggerating."
Zhao Yuanran received a definite answer and smiled with satisfaction.
The case is solved! It turns out that His Highness Prince Cheng himself didn't want to go to Zishan Hall and insisted on studying at the Imperial Academy. Did the Emperor personally agree to this? Or is it that the Emperor changed his attitude of secretly supporting Xia Song and Wang Gongchen in abolishing the new policies because of this young prince?
That's really something!
If it weren't for the fact that sons of the imperial clan couldn't study at the Imperial Academy, Zhao Yuanran would have liked to get several of his grandsons in.
He sighed regretfully, glanced at Su Shi, and then felt relieved: That's right, not just anyone can catch His Highness Prince Cheng's eye.
Su Shi, failing to grasp the subtle exchange between the two, bluntly exposed their misunderstanding: "Young Master Zhao, if you really don't find the food in the dining hall terrible, why did you propose setting up a committee?"
Fusu: "..."
That cannot be refuted.
Zhao Yuanran then asked curiously, "What is your committee doing now?"
He always felt that His Highness Prince Cheng's suggestion was far more than just improving the food.
"We just finished collecting everyone's opinions on the dining hall."
Su Shi picked out a few things to talk about and began chatting with Zhao Yuanyan: "Some people say they want to eat mutton, but I don't know if the Imperial Academy's dining hall can cook it? What if it tastes bad?"
He really had no confidence in the quality of the dining hall.
He looked sadly into his bowl: "I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to eat this stewed mutton again."
“What’s so difficult about that?” Zhao Yuanran immediately said, “Just have the Prince’s cook go to the Imperial Academy’s dining hall. You won’t have to worry about not being able to eat there in the future.”
"Eh?!" Su Shi exclaimed in surprise.
Zhao Yuanyan said in a deep voice, "Consider this my way of thanking you two for coming to visit."
It's important to understand that the internet today is far less open than it will be in later generations. Culinary recipes were private possessions, valuable assets, and symbols of aristocratic refinement. For example, the recipe for candied hawthorns given to the Princess of Pu was only given out of respect for Fusu. Stewed mutton was a grand, substantial dish; how could a commoner student at the Imperial Academy casually remark, "Eighth Prince can actually offer up a recipe?"
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Su Shi wondered if his own painting, "Pine and Crane for Longevity," which Fu Su had presented to him, could be that captivating. Suddenly, he saw Zhao Yuanyan smiling amiably at his good friend Zhao Xiaolang.
Oh, I see.
Su Shi suddenly understood many things.
No wonder, no wonder Zhao Xiaolang was even more eager than him to go to the Eighth Prince's mansion. And no wonder the Eighth Prince, despite his imposing presence, was unusually kind to Zhao Xiaolang.
When Little Carrot Head cries, Xiao Lang can immediately soothe him. Besides his own factors, there must also be the influence of blood ties and family affection.
They all share the surname Zhao.
Just now, Zhao Xiaolang hesitated to speak to him because...?
It must be to reveal their identity, right?
Su Shi felt he understood everything.
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Author's Note: Stop thinking—there's an abyss ahead!
Speaking of which, how many fathers is Fusu now...?
Oh, right, I changed the title and synopsis of my next novel, "The Throne Cannot Become a Wife." Please take a look and support me so I can get it for free! [crying][crying][crying]
Xie Suining was born with a fair complexion and was chosen as the Crown Princess from a young age.
When she was sixteen, she went to the palace to pay her respects and caught a glimpse of a figure in bright yellow. The next day, an imperial edict was issued, summoning her to the palace... to become the emperor's concubine.
Xie Suining: "..." It's not impossible.
The Crown Princess has to wait until the Emperor dies, and even then, she might not become Empress. She is currently a direct appointee of the Emperor, and with some effort, she might become Empress directly.
Thus, everyone knew that Emperor Xingqing was eloquent and insightful, regarding Consort Xie as the bright moon in his sleeve and a precious jewel in his crown. A year later, he personally placed the phoenix crown on her head.
With the Empress's imperial edict in hand, everyone around her seemed to have honey on their lips, speaking sweeter and sweeter than the last.
"I would gladly entrust my life to Your Majesty, even if it meant dying nine times."
"To have one true friend in one's lifetime is enough."
"You know, His Majesty is the kind of person who would grant you authority if he were to do so, which means he loves you very much."
—But so what?
Empress Xie Suining couldn't imagine how comfortable her husband must be, with so many people using flattery and sycophancy.
She made up her mind.
Before the raging fire within him is extinguished, before he can control his own destiny, before he rises above all others, Xie Suining will never stop, until his death.
-
The moment Shen Zhuo saw Xie Suining, he had a premonition: sooner or later, this woman would overthrow the Great Zhao Dynasty.
Will she be a seductive concubine who bewitches people, or a domineering empress dowager who seizes power and causes chaos?
In silence, one remains deeply vigilant.
But the premonition still came true in the most incredible way.
Because of him, he became the one who knelt before the Empress's magnificent crown, stood at the head of the court, and led the shouts of "Long live the Empress!"
——
1. A female empress novel where the female protagonist is covered in arrows.
2. It features classic Mary Sue tropes, passionate love stories, political intrigue amidst a hodgepodge of officialdom, and elements of farming, infrastructure development, and national strengthening—it's all about having everything.
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