Chapter 30 The Reborn Ministers Who Remained (Part 1) ...
"Leave it to me."
After receiving the request from the young eunuch, Qin Liusong readily agreed.
'Does Your Highness feel that you are too repressed, only able to study frantically, with no hobbies or ways to relax? Does your self-esteem seem too low?'
Qin Liusong became alert almost immediately upon hearing those words.
In his previous life, he was too far away to know why the new emperor had died. He only heard rumors that the new emperor had died suddenly from an illness, and there were all sorts of stories circulating afterward.
Some rumors say that the retired emperor was dissatisfied with the new emperor's designated heir from the imperial clan and wanted to support someone else, so he took action... Some rumors say that the new emperor's brothers were the ones who did it, and they were still unwilling to give up after failing to seize the throne... Others say that there is no conspiracy theory, it's just that the new emperor was tortured from childhood, his body was weak, and he fell ill every now and then, and now he finally couldn't hold on any longer.
Qin Liusong didn't know which was true. But when he heard Xiao Chengzi's plea, the whispers he had heard in his previous life echoed in his ears like sorcery: "...His Majesty's health is too poor, and he finally couldn't hold on any longer."
Can't!
Could it be... that things are starting to show signs of this now?
How can Your Highness keep such a heavy heart and such a tense mind? You cannot die young!
"I'll give it a try." Qin Liusong repeated it again, with a burning determination in his voice.
The following morning, Qin Liusong and Huang Dong went to the study room His Highness had specially prepared for them, called a "study room"—a simple and straightforward name. After studying for an hour, Qin Liusong unconsciously stood up and looked out the window at the rolling water.
"As the saying goes, work and rest should be balanced. Why don't we take a break before continuing?"
Master Huang was engrossed in his studies when he heard this. He looked up with some dissatisfaction: "I've only ever heard that studying should be done from beginning to end, and that perseverance is key. How can you be so lazy? You want to rest after only a short while."
Qin Liusong's cheek twitched, and he glared at him with exasperation, somewhat exasperated: "How can this idiot keep dragging us down?!"
He immediately took a couple of steps, displeased, and retorted, "Your eyes are full of dark circles; haven't you slept well for days? Was your work today much slower than the day before yesterday? The ancients said that there should be a balance between work and rest, but you call that being lazy? You're certainly diligent, but what good is it?"
"There are beauties in books, and I enjoy learning. Can't I become more and more engrossed in it?" Master Huang was in the wrong, but he retorted unhappily. These past few days, he had indeed been completely absorbed in his hobby, not needing to think about anything else, as happy as a mouse in a granary, and occasionally even managing to grab His Highness to ask him about difficult points.
His Highness doesn't mind his offense, so what's the point of Mr. Qin interrupting him here?
"...Alright!" Qi Chengming was frowning as he studied the Liuzhou topography in the infrastructure system when he suddenly heard the two gentlemen arguing. He quickly stopped them.
Master Huang's eyes were not only dark and bluish-black, but also had dense red blood vessels in the eye sockets.
Qi Chengming observed carefully for a moment, then set an example by putting down his book and announcing, "The balance between work and rest is indeed important. Let's continue in a quarter of an hour."
Before Master Huang could refuse, he called out, "Xiao Dezi! Bring some tea and snacks."
"Yes," Xiao Chengzi replied immediately. He had been secretly waiting to see the results, so he had switched shifts with Xiao Dezi. A moment later, the little eunuch brought over a plate of lotus-shaped pastries and a pot of Wuling Maojian tea.
The lotus-shaped pastry is refreshing and slightly sweet, which is perfect for pairing with the fresh and elegant taste of green tea. It is Aunt Fang's specialty. Xiao Chengzi just witnessed the miraculous scene of lotus flowers blooming in the oil pan and is still secretly amazed.
Wuling Maojian tea was a top-grade tea I bought locally a few days ago. The brewed tea was a clear, bright green, with a pleasant, refreshing aroma, like the gentle, moist water of a spring lake. To complete the look, Xiao Chengzi used a set of jade-green porcelain cups—
That being said, he actually had no choice; those were the only two ready-made tea sets they had. The other set belonged to Consort Hua, and Xiao Chengzi knew that His Highness would only use it carefully when he was alone.
"Sir, please." Xiao Chengzi handed them the cups one by one. Master Huang was a little reluctant, but in order to make it easier to have tea and snacks, he could only tidy up his messy table, pile up the thick books to the side, and put away the brush.
"Thank you." Qin Liusong thanked him meaningfully, then secretly exchanged a glance with the little eunuch, signaling him to act immediately. Xiao Chengzi returned an excited look.
Qi Chengming witnessed this scene.
He coughed lightly, and while waiting for Xiao Chengzi to come and make him tea, he first slipped a lotus-shaped pastry into the little eunuch's hand and whispered, "...We can't finish all of these. If you want some, take a small plate and pick out a few more to share with Xiao Dezi."
"Yes!" Xiao Chengzi replied in a good mood.
His Highness always thought about him and Xiao Dezi, but today his attention wasn't on the delicious lotus flower pastries, but rather...
Qi Chengming had just finished eating half a lotus-shaped pastry when he suddenly heard Mr. Qin clear his throat and praise the scenery outside the window: "It's been a long time since I corresponded with Mr. Huailiu. If he saw such a beautiful view, he would surely compose a piece of music and invite me to play it, wouldn't he? Your Highness, would you do me the honor?"
Mr. Qin spoke subtly, but his expression betrayed his eagerness to try.
Qi Chengming's attention lingered on the man's wrist for a few moments, then he thoughtfully replied, "Okay."
...He can play the zither with both hands. This delicate skill doesn't sound like someone with an arm injury who wouldn't be able to participate in the imperial examinations. In fact, after watching Mr. Qin write calligraphy and handle government affairs very smoothly these past few days, Qi Chengming already had this doubt in his mind.
Qin Liusong was unaware that his half-hearted excuse had aroused suspicion. He readily agreed, brought over a guqin, sat down with his knees together, and plucked the strings to play his best and most melodious piece.
The deep, clear sound of the zither flowed slowly out of the cabin window.
Exquisite music can sometimes be like a healing balm for the soul; it needs no words and is enough to make a difference.
Mr. Qin sat upright, his back like a green bamboo, and his playing posture was elegant and unrestrained, with beauty in both sound and color.
Qi Chengming's gaze softened considerably as he listened attentively, a gesture of deep appreciation: "..."
He suddenly felt a little tempted.
Before he transmigrated, he had always wanted to learn a musical instrument, but he never had the chance. Now that he's a prince, surely he can learn one in his spare time?
As the song ended, Qi Chengming said expectantly, "Mr. Qin, I would also like to learn this. Please teach me."
Xiao Chengzi was surprised that things went so smoothly, and then looked excited.
Even Master Huang nodded slightly in satisfaction, believing that the sound of the zither, like architecture, possessed a rustic charm that could cultivate one's character. "Your Highness wishes to learn this; that's excellent."
“Learning the zither requires patience and constant practice, but we are not in a hurry. After Your Highness has learned the basics, you can learn a short piece with me to relax in your spare time.” Qin Liusong said this, not forgetting his purpose of using the zither to entice the prince.
Learning the zither is not the goal. Seeing Your Highness's sudden surge of competitiveness and relentless effort to achieve perfection in learning the zither... that's putting the cart before the horse. Didn't you see that Your Highness's first reaction after being inspired wasn't hesitation and doubt about whether you could learn it well, but rather a firm conviction that you would eventually master it?
He is definitely the kind of hardworking student that teachers love.
But as their lord, he was a major headache for both Qin Liusong and Xiao Chengzi. They wished they could cling to each other's legs and beg them to stop working so hard and take a break.
...So Qin Liusong said this with a hidden agenda, hoping that His Highness would treat playing the zither as a pastime.
As long as he teaches in fragmented ways, he'll start with a short, melodious tune to capture the prince's heart, allowing the prince to play it for pleasure when he's tired. Each time, he only gives such a short piece, and the person gradually becomes immersed in the beautiful music.
The more you love something, the more immersed you become.
If His Highness simply immerses himself in the music and enjoys it, how could he not relax? Wouldn't that be a natural thing?
Qin Liusong was secretly plotting something.
Qi Chengming readily agreed in one breath.
Today's reading was thus briefly interrupted. Qi Chengming's rational mind still kept him focused on his important business, wanting to make the most of his time before heading to Liuzhou and learn as much as he could, but—he was also genuinely interested in playing the zither.
Like a refined gentleman, he played the guqin while facing the river, his posture graceful and unrestrained.
Who hasn't dreamed of such an elegant ancient life?
I'm itching to try it.
Study for half an hour first, then continue reading. From now on, half an hour will be the fixed amount each day.
...
Qi Chengming had decent self-control, and he completed his schedule as he had envisioned. Whenever he successfully completed a plan he had set, he would feel an indescribable sense of satisfaction, and his guilt would vanish.
But from that day on, playing the piano was indeed added to his schedule.
Xiao Chengzi secretly thanked Qin Liu repeatedly, overjoyed: they had finally worked together to find His Highness a relaxing hobby, and His Highness seemed much more relaxed than before.
'Wouldn't this prevent the new emperor from overworking himself?' Qin Liusong pondered with concern.
The eighth day of the ninth month of that year.
After traveling for about two months and switching between land and water routes several times, the entourage of Prince Rui's Mansion finally arrived in Liuzhou before the dry season.
at the same time.
After a two-month absence, the capital city has also undergone some other changes...
In a large mansion in the four eastern wards of the city.
A middle-aged man lay on a couch, the brocade curtains tightly drawn, blocking out the sunlight from the window, leaving the room dimly lit and quiet. Behind the screen, an incense burner emitted a barely perceptible wisp of smoke, the familiar fragrance of apricot blossoms...
That was a fragrance recipe he made himself. He only loved this simple and understated scent in his early years. Later, when he was carefree and didn't care about trivial matters, he preferred "Suoqintai" even more.
The old man's eyelids twitched slightly. After a while, his cloudy eyes slowly opened. Once he could see his surroundings clearly, a glint of light flashed quickly through the murky eyes.
Grand Scholar Mu Jie, who had served as tutor to the crown princes of three dynasties and was now retired, immediately recognized the difference in the room, his own, and...
"Hiss... I still have teeth, and my legs are strong."
He can't be called an old man anymore, what's going on?
Just as the man slowly sat up, there was a commotion outside. A man dressed as a steward walked in upon hearing the noise and respectfully asked him, "Master, the eldest young master invites you to attend the eldest daughter's full moon celebration."
"What's with calling me 'Old Master'? I should be addressed that way in twenty years!" Grand Scholar Mu waved his hand, immediately rejecting the title he had been given back then. He stood up with renewed vigor, his face suddenly glowing, looking no longer like someone nearing fifty, but rather like someone ten years younger. He strode out the door with a brisk and decisive air.
The head steward only had time to glance at it, and he was speechless with astonishment.
As expected of the young master's hard-won daughter, even the old lady... uh, even the great-grandfather is so happy. It's been so long since I've seen the great-grandfather so unruly.
After leaving the small courtyard where he had lived for decades, Grand Scholar Mu did not go forward. Instead, he quickly turned into his study, familiar with the way—he had something extremely important to confirm.
Hanging in a familiar spot on the table was a seasonal calendar—a habit he always maintained, painting a different picture each month according to the season, adding a stroke of color each day until the entire month was finished. The half-finished chrysanthemum painting before him, coupled with what the steward had just mentioned about his eldest sister's full-moon celebration…
The memories of Grand Scholar Mu from many years ago suddenly became clear.
He stood there stunned for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart: the laughter was filled with relief and pain, as well as the joy of turning around after despair: "...Ha! Haha!"
Heaven has opened its eyes; such a Zhuangzi-like dream of a butterfly has actually happened.
—He was sent back to the time when the new emperor was still alive!
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Author's Note: The old minister you've been waiting for is here! (Although he's not very useful for now... at least he can come out and take a look!)
Old Mu's perception of time is still somewhat vague compared to his previous life, because he is still confused. The next chapter will clarify things in detail.
(I failed to add an extra chapter today, so I'll have to put it on tomorrow. I guess I can't keep up with six chapters a day for now. My back, my eyes, and my butt are killing me...)
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