Chapter 205, Chapter Two Hundred and Five: The Sixth Prince Presents His Pledge of Allegiance...
Sure enough, the two princes were driven out in no time.
The sixth prince's eyes were still red, and he pursed his lips tightly to hide his grievances and resentment. He was clearly very unhappy with his father's favoritism towards his seventh brother. But he dared not utter a sound until he slunk into the princes' quarters, where no one else was around. Only then did the sixth prince dare to mutter angrily in a low voice:
"Father only dotes on that little one now!"
This is because they are indignant that they were scolded for no reason.
Qi Chengming smiled without saying a word, only offering one suggestion: "Father's opinion is the most important. Go back and discuss that matter with Mother again."
"Second brother?" The sixth prince looked up, a little anxious, but hesitated to speak.
Does this mean the marriage is off?
He hadn't quite grasped the connection yet; his father's reprimand wasn't about his sister's marriage.
But after these years of harsh discipline, the Sixth Prince has become much more docile and is no longer as impetuous and reckless as he was at the beginning. He obediently agrees to whatever his second brother says.
Qi Chengming glanced at the distant view, then calmly left the palace to await the results.
After recovering from his illness, he conducted a general inspection of the shops under the management of Steward Xiao Song. Because the people behind these shops had become a mixed bag, various powerful figures had joined in after hearing that they could make money, and there were often various disputes, big and small, on a daily basis.
The Prefect of the Capital had a hard time managing these trivial matters, and sometimes he had to rely on the powerful backer of Prince Rui's Mansion to borrow his influence. When Qi Chengming went out for a stroll, he saw He Dajia standing on the side of the street with several soldiers, arguing heatedly with someone, completely losing his scholarly demeanor.
Qi Chengming quickly ordered his men to stop some distance away, somewhat exasperated: "What's going on?"
Today, the carriage driver was Abu, a member of the Imperial Guard, who was also responsible for the prince's close protection. After reining in the horse, he looked around for a while and reported, "The two shops selling gold and jade cakes and jade cakes are fighting, apparently over customers. Lord He is helping them."
Qi Chengming frowned, realizing that the shops were making too much money for Emperor Hongren's private treasury, and others were getting restless. Friction and disputes between their respective factions were inevitable.
He also understood that the shops couldn't remain under his or the Sixth Ministry's control indefinitely, allowing them to make money cleanly. Most of the common people who opened shops had some kind of background or influence. If he wanted to be emperor, he couldn't truly expect everyone to meet modern standards of morality and equality…
As long as there is no illegal activity, no embezzlement of excessive funds, and no major mistakes, Qi Chengming does not intend to interfere.
"Let's go." Qi Chengming glanced over there a few more times and told Abu to continue driving. He vaguely heard snippets of conversation, as if the He family was lecturing someone: "What are you arguing about? You have so many customers because all your pastry shops are next to each other!"
"...Don't you know what happened to the chicken breast and goose breast shops on Dongda Road after they had to move? Be careful they don't run out of customers!"
Qi Chengming smiled, feeling a warm glow in his heart.
"As expected of the He family." He couldn't help but murmur his praise.
Qi Chengming could always issue orders as a prince, but few people truly understood his advanced ideas and concepts. Those who could accept and effectively carry out tasks were the kind of people Qi Chengming wanted.
The locals, like those in Liuzhou at first, didn't understand why similar shops were all grouped together on one street, and Qi Chengming had no intention of explaining. But he didn't expect that He Dajia, who had understood him from the beginning... now understood this reason as well.
That was exactly what Qi Chengming wanted to hear.
Qi Chengming took a stroll around the street as usual before returning home.
The gatekeeper came up to report that several companions had arrived early but found nothing, and were now waiting in the Drinking Spring Courtyard.
Qi Chengming understood and turned to go straight there.
Although Qi Chengming hadn't actually taught many classes at Yinquan Academy, the place was decorated and furnished with a strong scholarly atmosphere. Rows of bookshelves could be vaguely seen behind the glass windows, the desks were brightly lit, and the air was filled with the pleasant scent of ink.
Several people were writing something with their heads down.
The most conspicuous among them was Qi Jiyun—the grandson of the clan leader, who sat idly to the side with a sullen face, not even touching a pen.
"How's it going with what I told you to do?" Qi Chengming first gave Qi Jiyun a special look, and sure enough, he saw the tall man droop his head like a frost-covered eggplant, too guilty to look at him.
Qin Chongzhi, being the eldest of the four companions and from a distinguished family, the son of a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, was the first to rise, put down his pen, carefully roll up a stack of dried paper, and hand it over to them.
"Your Highness, I have learned almost everything."
Chu Hong glanced at him in surprise, then stood up with admiration and handed in his homework: "There are still some parts that I don't understand, and I've only learned about 70-80% of it."
Wang Shuo, the only one still seated, had a somewhat unfocused gaze and didn't dare to utter a sound: "..."
He was no longer the arrogant man he was at home; instead, he spoke with a fawning tone, "Cousin—this thing is too obscure and difficult to understand. I can provide people! We have many loyal accountants in the family, all of whom are retired from the army."
Seeing that everyone had expressed their opinions, Qi Jiyun blurted out, "I will do whatever Your Highness tells me to do!"
Qi Chengming almost facepalmed.
Since he started having study companions, his relationship with them has become one of mutual benefit and loss. He entrusted these four people with the follow-up to the ticket issue. But firstly, they needed to have a basic understanding of economics.
Is it true that children of civil officials are quick learners?
“It won’t do to not read any books at all.” Qi Chengming stared at Qi Jiyun and bluntly said, “Now I know why your uncle didn’t dare to let you go. Even if you want to join the army in the future, if you only know how to kill enemies with brute force, you will not become a general and there is no future for you.”
Qi Jiyun replied dejectedly.
He himself knew that His Highness was right.
After Qi Chengming finished speaking, he glanced at Wang Shuo again, but ultimately said nothing more.
My cousin is already an earl, and he reads and writes regularly, but he just doesn't get it when it comes to this.
“…!” Wang Shuo shrank his neck and took a deep breath after his cousin’s gaze left.
Thank goodness.
Although he had been reborn, he hadn't learned these obscure and difficult things in his previous life. It was no longer possible for him to secretly try and amaze his cousin again.
Wang Shuo could only continue to assure him: "After the New Year, my brother will definitely spread the word about this matter."
Qi Chengming nodded steadily.
It's almost Chinese New Year, and my cousin promised to do it very soon, as if it were an urgent matter.
Qin Chongzhi dared not be careless upon hearing this: "When I get back, I will find an opportunity to have a small gathering with my classmates and spread the word to other places as soon as possible."
Chu Hong was still clutching his homework with longing eyes: "Your Highness, then I..."
"Come on, if you still don't understand something, I'll guide you." Qi Chengming helplessly rolled up his sleeves.
When it comes to personnel matters, there are plenty of officials in the court eager to share his burdens, still blindly believing the rumors that he is the Emperor's beloved son. However, if he wants to implement new things and ideas that understand Qi Chengming's thoughts, he is still in dire need of people and can only teach them personally from his side.
Wang Shuo hesitated for a moment, then silently glanced over there out of the corner of his eye.
Although he had spent his entire past life fighting wars, he remembered clearly the names of the powerful officials his cousin relied on. Some of them hadn't yet risen to prominence and would have to wait. As for the few already serving in the court… could he find a way to bring them over to be exposed to his cousin's new ideas earlier?
What reason could he possibly have? He was both a military officer and a nobleman, completely unrelated to ordinary people...
Wang Shuo fell into deep thought and could only put the matter aside for the time being.
My maternal grandparents are planning to go to the village to invite my mother back, busy discussing his marriage. I don't know why they're in such a rush. My cousin also has errands to run after the New Year, so I'll worry about that later.
...
The new year is fast approaching.
The snow covered the ground, and the majestic palace and towering Luoyang city walls looked like a poem or a painting in the snow. This was Qi Chengming's first time spending the New Year in the capital. Just as he had expected, he was summoned to the palace for a family banquet on a cold day.
The princes and grandsons sat at one table, and since there were no other female relatives present, the eldest prince's wife made an exception and sat with them. The prominent concubines sat at several other tables to the side.
This was the first time Qi Chengming had ever met the eldest grandson of the emperor.
Several children, dressed neatly, sat beside the eldest prince's wife. The youngest was held by his wet nurse, and the oldest was no more than four or five years old. When Emperor Hongren took his seat and raised his cup with the empress, this eldest grandson was still staring blankly at the soup pot on the table, looking rather hungry.
His wet nurse was watching anxiously from behind, wanting to go forward and remind him but not daring to.
The Crown Princess pretended not to see anything, remaining silent throughout, one hand gently protecting her slightly protruding belly. When Qi Chengming's gaze fell upon her, she looked up with a grateful expression.
Consort Shu, who had been watching from afar, had a complex expression, a mixture of resentment and joy, before finally turning her gaze away without a word.
She resented that while her son died, the second prince was welcomed back to the palace by the emperor, a picture of familial love and filial piety. But she also heard that it was the second prince's kind reminder that made her daughter-in-law realize she was pregnant, thus preventing her from losing her legitimate grandson.
Consort Shu felt a mix of emotions. All her original ambitions and subsequent plans for revenge had been thwarted.
...From now on, she should raise her grandson safely and wait to ask the new emperor for a job.
For this reason, Consort Shu was no longer willing to offend the Second Prince easily.
Qi Chengming, who keenly sensed someone watching him but turned around and found nothing, was speechless.
Consort Xue was also sitting at the table with the other concubines, and she saw all the reactions. She remained silent, but picked up a salted broad bean with her chopsticks, intending to find a way to pass the message to the Second Prince later as a reminder.
Qi Chengming was not very patient with the tedious palace banquet, so he could only pick up his chopsticks and keep eating.
Today's meals consisted entirely of hot pot and stews, thankfully seasoned with pepper, a spice as expensive as gold, in generous amounts. The imperial chef, accustomed to preparing elaborate soups and stews, ensured that each dish had its own unique flavor – some sour and spicy, others savory and delicious.
Qi Chengming tried it and thought it was pretty good, but he couldn't stand eating it every day, so he only ate it occasionally.
Not long after, Emperor Hongren suddenly announced something from above—
The princess's marriage was arranged; her new husband was a scholar-official in the Hanlin Academy.
Key point: A poor, unknown minor official.
Qi Chengming almost choked: "Cough cough..."
So sudden?!
After the New Year, the imperial examinations will be held in March. How many new candidates will be available for Emperor Hongren to choose from then on? And yet, the Emperor has decided to arrange his daughter's marriage right at this crucial juncture? And the husband is still the same…
Qi Chengming knew that the old emperor was eager to break up the implicit alliance between him and the sixth prince, but was it really that urgent that he couldn't even wait a few dozen days?
He turned to look at the sixth prince.
No wonder the young man buried his head in his food and ate in silence as soon as he entered the banquet today, showing no interest in conversation. He seemed so preoccupied that he must have known all along.
Qi Chengming then went to see the Empress. The Empress wore a polite smile and showed no surprise whatsoever. At least on the surface, she seemed quite satisfied with the marriage and wouldn't undermine Emperor Hongren.
When the event ended, Qi Chengming had specifically planned to stay overnight in the palace. He refrained from asking any questions on the way and brought the Seventh Prince with him. The three of them put on a show of brotherly affection and respect all the way back to the Prince's residence.
The Seventh Prince has been truly well-behaved lately, watching the two of them become close. When he stood at the entrance of the Prince's residence, he obediently said, "Brothers, please continue your conversation. I secretly ate a cup of fruit wine tonight and am going to bed now."
"Mm," Qi Chengming replied.
Even though he knew that the Seventh Prince's obedience was all an act to please him and secure a job and money like the other princes, Qi Chengming's expression softened somewhat because the Seventh Prince had been able to cover for him along the way and had now tactfully gone in first.
The seventh prince carefully observed the changes on his second brother's face before letting out a sigh of relief and contentedly leading the little eunuch inside.
The two eunuchs who originally served him had a history of illness: one had died of smallpox, and the other had survived to return to the palace but was punished by his father, receiving thirty strokes of the cane before passing away. Now, the two eunuchs serving him were new faces, and the Seventh Prince found them difficult to manage, leading to him feeling particularly aggrieved lately.
With a single glance from Qi Chengming, Shishuang respectfully retreated to a distance, and the Sixth Prince's eunuch also left, creating a quiet environment for them.
"Why so suddenly?" Qi Chengming asked. He looked at the Sixth Prince's gloomy appearance. In just a short time, the young boy had become so sinister that he seemed like a completely different person.
"Father and Mother had a big fight, and then Father arranged the marriage," the Sixth Prince said in a hoarse voice, his fists clenched tightly.
He dared not say that his father wanted Ye, the concubine in the cold palace, to come out and attend the palace banquet, and that his mother was unwilling. In the end, his father said some ambiguous things with a cold face, which made the sixth prince break out in a cold sweat. His mother was the same. In the end, she calmly agreed.
Perhaps the Emperor has already discovered the trouble the Empress has caused, or perhaps he doesn't have the evidence yet, or perhaps he's angry with the Empress and is taking it out on my elder sister...
Therefore, the Emperor immediately announced the candidate for the Empress's new husband.
When the sixth prince heard the rumors, he couldn't help but plead with his father, who didn't understand why his father couldn't even wait for the imperial examination.
"Father... asked me with a smile at the time. 'Do you all think that the Third Princess's husband's family is too poor to be of any help to you?'" The Sixth Prince couldn't help but swallow, his voice hoarse as he said this.
He was terrified.
The sixth prince had never seen his father in such a dangerous state, not even when his father had been furiously reprimanding him the last time. This moment was terrifying.
The sixth prince gripped his robe tightly, raised his head, and asked persistently, "Second brother, you're smarter than me... Does Father mean he's upset that we're too close? Is he also unhappy to see my elder sister and your family become in-laws?"
Qi Chengming didn't show it on his face, only nodding slightly, but inwardly he was sighing.
Silly child!
It's been so long, have you finally come to your senses? Don't you understand why the old emperor got angry that day?
Qi Chengming still couldn't understand why Emperor Hongren forbade even the Third Princess from having any contact with the candidates in the imperial examinations. All he had heard in the palace was that, as the only daughter, the Third Princess was deeply favored by the Emperor.
The sixth prince, his expression a mixture of grief and indignation, blurted out, "Father has gone too far!"
His expression changed many times. Finally, he grabbed Qi Chengming's hand, stared into his eyes, and said heavily, "Second brother, I can no longer be close to you on the surface, but my sister and I will always stand by your side."
He gritted his teeth, thinking of the ambiguous words his father had spoken, of his mother's power in the palace that had been taken away and never regained, and of what he had secretly investigated afterward. He didn't know when this bombshell would explode, and once it did, he would follow in the footsteps of the Third Prince and become a commoner, and his new patron would be unreliable.
This boil can only be popped by oneself.
The sixth prince closed his eyes and, without hesitation, offered his pledge of allegiance:
"Second brother, that Consort Ye in the Cold Palace is innocent. My mother was involved in your conclusion regarding the witchcraft incident back then. I'm willing to do anything, just please give me a chance to atone for my mother's sins! But this matter and your mother's death back then... I suspect it was all done by Consort Rong! I have evidence!"
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The author's note: Sigh, emphysema.
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