Chapter 156 The Gift
In the imperial study, the scent of ambergris is quiet and distant.
Nangong Yu sat behind the large dragon-shaped table, and even his bright yellow casual clothes could not hide the majesty of a person who had been in a high position for a long time.
Queen Dongfang Qiwu sat beside him slightly behind him, wearing a bright red palace dress with a phoenix and peony pattern. She looked elegant and graceful, with a subtle hint of expectation between her brows.
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian stood beside his father, wearing an apricot-yellow four-clawed python robe. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, his face was calm, and his eyes were fixed on the closed palace door with a restrained calmness.
In the hall, one could hear a pin drop, and only the ticking of the clepsydra was measuring the time.
Finally, steady, powerful footsteps were heard from outside the hall, approaching from afar. The heavy vermilion-lacquered hall door was slowly pushed open by the eunuch.
Against the light pouring in from outside, carrying with it the cool breath of early autumn, two figures as tall as bamboos stepped into the hall side by side.
In an instant, everyone in the hall focused their attention on him, and their breathing seemed to stop for a moment.
Emperor Nangong Yu's pupils shrank almost imperceptibly.
Queen Dongfang Qiwu placed her hands on her knees, her fingertips slightly curled up, and then slowly loosened. Only her beautiful eyes lit up instantly, filled with complex and indescribable emotions - it was a mixture of great surprise, relief, and a trace of indescribable heartache.
The back of Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian seemed to straighten a little. A flash of light flashed across the depths of his calm eyes, and then returned to a deep calm.
The visitors were none other than the fifth prince Nangong Yijun and the sixth prince Nangong Lintian, who had returned from leaving the capital for several months to gain experience in the Yanmao District of Nanhai.
However, how could these two young men in front of him still be the two princes who were still a bit immature and childish when they left Beijing, with the arrogance of the royal family between their brows?
The scorching sunshine and sea breeze of the South China Sea, and the most demanding sculptors, have left marks of transformation on them.
His skin was a healthy, even tan, fading the paleness of Kyoto nobility. His figure had grown noticeably taller and more robust, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He walked with a steady, powerful gait, a kind of long-honed tenacity.
The facial features that may have been a little round in the past have now become clear and hard lines, and the curve of the jaw reveals a faint sharpness.
The most frightening thing is those eyes.
The Fifth Prince, Nangong Yijun, was naturally calm and reserved. At this moment, the serenity in his eyes deepened, like a deep pool, undisturbed yet clearly reflecting a glimmer of insight into the world.
What was etched within him was no longer the innocence of youth, but rather the composure and clarity tempered by the rigors of complex affairs. His eyelids were slightly lowered, his posture respectful, yet he exuded a profound and majestic aura.
The sixth prince, Nangong Lintian, his former lively and energetic character has settled into a restrained sharpness.
His eyes were like a sword half-drawn from its sheath, bright and sharp, carrying a firmness and fearlessness weathered by storms. It was no longer a superficial display of arrogance, but a sharp edge rooted in strength and conviction.
He stood like a javelin, his eyes looking straight ahead, with a sense of power ready to strike.
The two brothers stood side by side. Although they still looked very similar, their temperaments were completely different.
One is like the still water in a deep pool, full of hidden power; the other is like a cold sword drawn from its sheath, full of sharpness and imposingness.
The dusty look on their clothes after returning from a long journey not only does not detract from their brilliance, but instead adds an impressive sense of the roughness and vitality of pioneers.
"Your son, Nangong Yijun (Nangong Lintian), greets the Emperor, Father! Greetings to the Empress! Greetings to my brother, the Emperor!"
The two men lifted the corners of their robes and, in unison, with the sharpness and strength of a military formation, they bowed deeply. Their voices were steady and resonant, echoing in the silent imperial study, devoid of the softness of the past.
"Okay! Okay! Get up quickly! Let father take a good look!"
Nangong Yu's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement, and even trembled slightly.
He stood up from his seat, took two steps forward, and lifted his two sons up from the ground with one hand each.
His broad palms patted their shoulders, which had become much stronger. Feeling the power contained in them, Long's eyes were filled with satisfaction and admiration, and he praised them repeatedly:
"Good! Good boy! Darker! Stronger! This spirit is great! Excellent!"
Dongfang Qiwu had already stood up, his eyes slightly red.
She did not show her feelings as openly as the emperor did, but walked forward slowly, carefully tracing the faces and figures of her two sons inch by inch, trying to make up for the months of separation.
She stretched out her hand, her fingertips trembling imperceptibly, and gently brushed across a nearly invisible fine line between Nangong Yijun's brows that was carved by the sea breeze, and then stroked the back of Nangong Lintian's hand, which was obviously rough and covered with thin calluses.
“It’s good that you’re back… It’s good that you’re back…”
She murmured, her voice as gentle as water, with a mother's unique heartache and pride.
"She's darker and thinner... Ning'er...she really put in a lot of effort."
The last sentence is filled with emotion.
She knew better than anyone that the earth-shaking changes in her twin sons were not just the result of wind and sun.
That was the result of Dongfang Yuning pouring countless efforts into them, placing them in the real tide, and tempering them with strict love and trust!
Nangong Yijun and Nangong Lintian felt their parents' undisguised concern and excitement, and their hearts were filled with warmth.
No matter how strong they were outside, when they were back in front of their parents, their love for their children could not help but show. The two brothers responded in unison:
"Thank you, Father, and the Queen Mother, for your concern. I am doing well. My aunt treats us very well and teaches us very strictly."
"A strict teacher produces excellent students! Strict in a good way!"
Nangong Yu laughed heartily, obviously very satisfied with his sons' changes. He pulled his two sons to sit down again, his eyes burning.
"Tell me quickly, Father. What have you seen and learned in Yanmao these past few months? Have you been wronged?"
The two brothers looked at each other, and Nangong Yijun, who was more calm, spoke first.
He did not rush to describe the magnificent experiences, but started from the most subtle details.
When I first arrived at Yanmao, I was at a loss when faced with the mountains of account books, the complex maritime trade relations, and even the communication with the craftsmen and laborers;
Talking about how their aunt taught them step by step how to understand those complicated accounts and how to see through the numbers to understand people's hearts and interests;
How to personally lead them deep into the port dock, brave the scorching sun and the smell of the sea, deal with the rough and heroic ship captains, the shrewd and cunning foreign merchants, and even the coolies who carry goods, learn to distinguish the true from the false among the mixed crowd, and grasp the key in the complexity.
"My aunt always says that what you learn from books is shallow; you must practice to truly understand. It's better to go to the dock and count the cargo in person than to read the account book ten times. It's better to argue about the price with the merchant face to face than to listen to the report a hundred times."
Nangong Yijun's tone was calm, but every word he spoke was full of wisdom and insights honed through practice.
Then, Nangong Lintian took over the conversation.
His voice was clearly full of high spirits, and he described a completely different scene.
Talk about how he participated in the planning and supervision of the construction of the new wharf, how he argued with officials sent by the Ministry of Works, and even slammed the table and glared;
It tells the story of how he helped resolve conflicts between foreign merchants and how, with the tacit approval of his aunt, he first attempted to use his power and wisdom to mediate, intimidate, and even use small-scale force to intimidate.
It tells how, on a stormy night, he followed the personal guards sent by his uncle Nangong Ye to inspect the newly established defense stronghold and feel the solemnity and responsibility of the borderland.
"Those foreign merchants may look crude, but they're actually as cunning as devils! When dealing with them, it's useless to just reason with them; we have to show them the real power and rules! My aunt taught us that only by combining kindness and severity, and by establishing firm rules, can we do business for a long time!"
There was a gleam of excitement in Nangong Lintian's eyes, a gleam of confidence that came from having experienced challenges, overcome difficulties, and ultimately gained recognition.
They talked about their experiences in Yanmao: the clumsiness and mistakes when they first took charge of the affairs, the anger and forbearance when faced with difficulties, the sudden enlightenment after solving the problems, and the true power of thunder that they witnessed under Nangong Ye's iron-blooded methods.
Those experiences are no longer the ways of governing the world that are talked about on paper, but real growth with the salty sea breeze, the smell of sweat, the sword-fighting of interest games, and the heavy pressure of responsibility.
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian listened quietly, maintaining a proper, brotherly and gentle smile on his face, and nodded from time to time to express his approval.
However, only he himself knows how turbulent his heart is beneath that calm appearance.
When she heard Nangong Yijun describe how he sorted out the complicated accounts and caught a manager who had embezzled money, and when her aunt patted him on the shoulder approvingly and said that Jun'er had a good sense of judgment...
When he heard Nangong Lintian excitedly recount how he led a team of personal soldiers to forcibly subdue a few red-haired foreign merchants who wanted to seize the shipping route by force with their powerful ships and cannons, his uncle nodded to him in a rare gesture...
Nangong Chengqian unconsciously clenched his hands in his sleeves.
His knuckles turned white from the force, and deep marks were left on his palms by his nails.
A strong desire that almost burst through his chest and... an indescribable bitterness, wrapped around his heart like a vine.
He wanted to do that too! He also wanted to be like his brothers, to jump out of these square palace walls and break free from this gorgeous cage woven with gold threads!
He also wanted to stand on the shore of the surging waves and feel the salty breeze of freedom! He also wanted to use his own wisdom and strength to solve real problems and explore unknown territories!
Instead of being trapped in this palace that symbolizes supreme power but also restricts all life, day after day he reviews memorials that have been embellished and have long lost their true meaning, and plays the role of the perfect crown prince in the respectful or tentative gazes of court officials!
[Beep! Warning!]
The cold and rapid electronic sound of System 118 rang sharply in his mind.
[Host's emotions are fluctuating wildly! The desire to leave the palace and be free has exceeded the safety threshold! The Crown Prince Responsibility Module is being forcibly activated!]
Repeat: The Crown Prince's responsibilities are above all personal demands! Stability! Stability! Stability!
An invisible, heavy yoke instantly fell upon Nangong Chengqian's heart. The surging desire and bitterness were forcibly suppressed, transforming into a trace of bitterness that sank into the deepest part of his eyes.
He closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, they had regained the gentle yet slightly distant calm that a prince should have. However, his clenched fists did not loosen after all.
Dongfang Qiwu keenly captured the fleeting complex emotions of his eldest son.
She sighed softly in her heart, and her eyes fell gently on Nangong Chengqian for a moment, with silent comfort and understanding.
As a mother, how could she not understand her eldest son's feelings? But in this majestic palace, this vast land, someone must always shoulder the heaviest and loneliest responsibility.
"Oh right, Father, Mother, and Brother!"
Nangong Lintian was talking excitedly when he suddenly remembered something. He turned around and took two heavy, exquisitely wrapped red sandalwood boxes from the attendants standing in the corner of the hall.
"This is something my aunt asked us to bring back! She said it's a 'Yanmao specialty' for my father, mother, and my brother!"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became relaxed and lively.
Nangong Yu and Dongfang Qiwu both smiled with interest.
Nangong Yijun stepped forward and opened one of the larger wooden boxes with his own hands.
The box is lined with bright yellow silk, and the first thing that catches the eye is an inkstone.
The inkstone is completely black, the stone is as delicate and smooth as baby skin, with a faint light flowing. What is even more strange is that there is a naturally formed winding dragon-shaped pattern on the inkstone body, with scales and claws flying, lifelike, and an ancient and vast atmosphere comes to the face.
"Father, this is the Dragon Roar Inkstone that my aunt specially found."
Nangong Yijun held it up respectfully, his voice steady.
"It's said to have been salvaged from a treasure ship from a previous dynasty that sank hundreds of years ago. It's made of deep-sea jade. My aunt said it can be turned into ink by the breath, and can hold water without drying up. Furthermore, the dragon pattern is naturally formed, which embodies the aura of an emperor. It's perfect for you."
Nangong Yu took the heavy, warm Dragon Roar Inkstone, brushed his fingertips over the naturally formed dragon pattern, and felt the ancient meaning and majestic aura contained in it. His eyes sparkled, and he couldn't let it go.
"Great! What a wonderful Dragon Roar Inkstone! This girl, Yuning, has a sharp eye and a clever mind! She has won my heart!"
The value of this inkstone far exceeds that of ordinary treasures, and it lies in its unique artistic conception and symbolism, which perfectly fits the emperor's status.
Next, Nangong Yijun pulled several rolls of neatly folded cloth from the box. The fabric was as thin as a cicada's wing, almost weightless, yet when unfolded, it shone with brilliance, as if it had been cut from the rosy clouds where the sea meets the sky. The fabric felt cool and smooth to the touch, with faint ripples of water.
"Mother, this is shark silk."
Nangong Yijun held the cloth in front of Dongfang Qiwu with a gentle smile in his eyes.
"It's said to be woven from moonlight crystals by mermaids deep in the South China Sea. It stays wet underwater and keeps you cool and sweat-free in the summer. My aunt said this color is called Hai Tian Xia, and it best complements the Queen Mother's elegance.
She also specifically instructed me to tell my mother that the best material was reserved for you and the Queen. When you make summer clothes, they will surely stun everyone."
Dongfang Qiwu's fingers gently stroked the cool and smooth mermaid silk gauze that was flowing with a dreamy luster, his eyes full of surprise and love.
The beauty of this fabric is beyond imagination, and what is even more rare is the delicate thought that goes into it.
She saw her sister in the distant South China Sea, busy with the huge Yanmao District, while not forgetting to choose the most suitable gift for her.
A warm feeling, mixed with a strong yearning for the vast world outside the palace walls, quietly grew in her heart. How pleasant would it be to stroll along a real seaside wearing this Hai Tian Xia?
The thought flashed through her mind, but it left a deep impression in her heart.
"Ning'er is so thoughtful... Mother really likes this material."
Dongfang Qiwu's voice had a barely perceptible sense of distance.
Nangong Lintian opened another wooden box, which was slightly smaller but equally heavy. He first took out an extremely finely crafted purple clay teapot.
The body of the pot is round and simple, the sand is fine and warm, and the color is deep like rosewood.
The most amazing thing is that on the body of the pot, a miniature picture of "South China Sea Scenery" is vividly engraved using micro-carving techniques!
Vast seas, scattered islands, sails plowing through the wind and waves, the bustling port, and even the faint outline of the new buildings in the Yanmao District... a myriad of scenes are captured within this small space! The lid knob is cleverly designed to resemble a small anchor.
"Father, this is for you."
Nangong Lintian grinned with the pride of a young man.
"My aunt said that knowing you love tea, she specially invited the best teapot maker in the South China Sea, using the finest purple clay. It took several months to create this teapot. The illustration on the teapot was personally approved by the Emperor's uncle, and it is guaranteed to be exactly the same as the real thing! If you're tired of reviewing memorials, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the South China Sea while drinking tea, just to relax!"
Nangong Yu took over the purple clay teapot that contained the vast sea in its small space, stroked the exquisite micro-carvings with his fingertips, and looked at the small anchor on the lid of the teapot that symbolized the voyage and foundation, feeling filled with emotion.
How can this be just a teapot?
This was clearly a carefully crafted portrait of Nangong Ye and Dongfang Yuning's achievements in governing the South China Sea, silently showcasing to him, the emperor, the prosperity and stability of their newly opened territory! It also contained a deep respect for him, their brother and their ruler. This thought, this achievement, filled him with a surge of pride.
"Great! What a great 'South China Sea Scenery'! Ye'er and Yuning, you're so thoughtful!"
Nangong Yu praised loudly and put the teapot back into the box carefully.
Finally, Nangong Lintian took out a long brocade box from the bottom of the box and held it in front of Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian. His expression became respectful and solemn:
"Brother, this is given to you by your aunt."
Nangong Chengqian was slightly startled, then took the brocade box and opened it. Inside was not any rare jewelry, but a nautical chart made of fine manatee hide, which was meticulously tanned and extremely tough.
The nautical chart slowly unfolded, and the coasts, islands, and waterways outlined with ink lines were extremely clear. Monsoon patterns, reef distribution, important ports, and even some newly discovered sea areas rich in fish or mineral deposits were also finely marked with cinnabar!
This is obviously the latest, most detailed and most core strategic map of the South China Sea and surrounding waters!
Next to the map, there was a dagger lying quietly.
The dagger was simple and unpretentious, even a little old, and the sheath was made of ordinary shark skin, but when the dagger was pulled out, it shone coldly, and the edge of the blade carried a cold murderous aura of a veteran of the battlefield.
At the end of the dagger handle, there is an inconspicuous word "Yan" engraved.
"My aunt said,"
Nangong Lintian's voice was clear and powerful.
“The purpose of a map is to understand the world’s situation. Even if you are in a high position, you still need to keep the world in mind.
This dagger was the first sword that the emperor's uncle carried with him when he first settled in the northern border. It had drunk the blood of enemies and protected his comrades.
The Imperial Uncle said, "Although this dagger is old, its purpose remains unchanged. I hope my Imperial Brother... always carries this sharp weapon with him, guards his heart and upholds the Way."
He paused, looked at the prince's eyes which suddenly became extremely deep and complicated, and added,
"My aunt also said that no matter when or where, the door of Yanmao will always be open to my royal brother. You can come and relieve your stress anytime!"
Nangong Chengqian's fingers slowly stroked the cold and tough manatee hide scroll, feeling the ups and downs of the ink lines on it, and touching the surging waves and fluttering sails thousands of miles away.
His fingertips finally rested on the old dagger that looked ordinary but carried a heavy past and expectations.
The touch of cold metal spread along the fingertips, and the desire for the world outside the palace walls that had been forcibly suppressed was like dry firewood thrown into a spark, burning fiercely in the heart!
The huge, invisible force was like a cold iron clamp, once again tightly strangling Nangong Chengqian's turbulent emotions.
The burning desire was forcibly cooled and solidified, and finally turned into a heavy, rusty bitterness that fell heavily into the deepest part of my heart.
The knuckles of his hands, which were holding the map and the old dagger, turned white again due to the force, and trembled slightly.
His Adam's apple rolled, and he forced himself to raise his head. He put on an impeccable smile that was filled with gratitude and composure, and said in a calm voice:
"On my behalf... I thank my aunt and my uncle. With this map and this dagger, I will definitely live up to your expectations."
Each word seemed squeezed from between his teeth, carrying a tremendous weight. He knew that this map broadened his horizons, and this old dagger was a legacy of responsibility, but also an invisible spur and... a gentle prison.
The words "Yanmao's door is always open" now sound more like an unattainable dream with cruel temptation.
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