Chapter 179 Developing a Mindset...
If Song Gu is unsure, how could Qi Chengming be so sure?
He could only ask the wet nurse, Liu, to come and take a look, hoping to guess the answer correctly.
Unfortunately, Consort Liu only entered the palace during Consort Hua's pregnancy and didn't have much contact with her otherwise, so it's really hard to say for sure.
After much deliberation, Qi Chengming suddenly had a brilliant idea: "...!"
"Don't put it away yet. I'll go to the palace again tomorrow." Qi Chengming reasonably suspected that this was a hook set up by Emperor Hongren.
As a young prince who lost his mother at birth, and whose close palace servants were gradually dismissed, leaving him with only two half-grown eunuchs by his side, how could he know what his mother's old belongings were?
Last time, Zhao Fuman gave us some pointers; this time, it seems we're waiting for him to ask.
Regardless of whose request it was, Qi Chengming, who had just returned to the capital, did indeed need a reason to quickly ease the strained relationship with Emperor Hongren. Even putting on a show required a pretext.
Song Gu nodded in understanding and then brought up the next matter: "The people who went to inquire about General Wen have returned and have found his whereabouts."
Qi Chengming had already guessed it by looking at the map, but he still asked, "General Wen?"
Being addressed as a general, what military rank has he been promoted to?
"This matter is easy to find out." Song Gu's face was calm, and the original conflict and hostility were gone. He looked at Wen Er with a calm mind. "After joining the army, Lord Wen was said to have obtained the position of General of Martial Strategy. He led the troops to drive away the Westerners who were harassing the area outside the Yellow River. He won several battles in a row and returned to the capital in great victory. He should have been rewarded."
"However, it was delayed for more than a month, supposedly because... the King of the West sent an envoy."
Qi Chengming almost couldn't believe his ears: "...The Emperor delayed Wen Er's reward because of their protests??"
Has Emperor Hongren become senile?!
This doesn't seem like the old Deng.
He was a scoundrel when it came to his wives, concubines, and children in the harem, but he wasn't so spineless when it came to the affairs of the court, was he?
As Qi Chengming pondered the matter, he himself became uncertain.
He didn't understand Emperor Hongren.
Song Gu quickly added: "Actually, the beginning of next month... according to tradition, is the day when all nations come to pay tribute. The Western King sent an envoy at this critical juncture, and there has been no response from the palace. People outside are speculating whether this is the reason."
"Does His Majesty intend to bestow further honors upon Wen Er at the beginning of next month?" Qi Chengming astutely seized upon the question and asked in return.
Song Gu nodded; that was his guess.
Otherwise, I can't understand why His Majesty has suppressed it until now. His Majesty in the previous life never humiliated General Wen. It's impossible that His Majesty suddenly changed his nature after being reborn—punishing General Wen in front of the subservient Westerners just to show off, right?
The month was almost over, and Qi Chengming patiently decided to pay close attention to the situation on that day.
But there was still something he didn't understand, so he hesitated and asked, "I remember... there used to be constant warfare, so what's the deal with this 'all nations coming to pay tribute'?"
It wasn't mentioned in the original plot.
Could this be considered a highlight of Wen Er and the Seventh Prince's personal lives before they met?
After Qi Chengming transmigrated, he also worked hard to understand the history of this dynasty. Not to mention Emperor Hongren, going back to the previous emperor, Emperor Taizu, several generations of emperors had been in constant war and there was never a time of complete peace.
To be precise, when the previous dynasty changed hands, it was already quite remarkable that the founding emperor was able to carve out a territory and not be taken advantage of and devoured by the surrounding foreign tribes and other scattered small countries. Subsequent generations had been constantly at war and wanted to recuperate, and were temporarily unable to unify the world.
During the reign of Emperor Hongren, the emperor suffered a series of defeats in recent years, and his throne was once in danger. It was not until the rise of generals such as General Wen Xiao—which was meant to highlight the future glory of the seventh prince having military power—that the situation took a significant turn for the better.
Given all this... what kind of "all nations paying tribute" is this?
"It's an unwritten rule established by the previous dynasty during its glorious era for the surrounding small countries. The colder the winter, the harder it is for these small countries to endure, the more likely they are to send envoys to offer congratulations. Back then, the previous dynasty would demonstrate its magnanimity by bestowing upon them some valuable goods that it considered beneath its notice," Song Gu explained, not belittling or belittling the fact that it originated from the previous dynasty, but rather offering sincere praise.
"Therefore, none of the surrounding small countries are allowed to openly call themselves emperors, even if they are similar in substance, they are only called kings. This strategy was stable for a time, but later, the glory of the previous dynasty was no longer present... and it was very easy to backfire."
“Even if Father Emperor knows how dangerous this is, he still can’t resist the temptation.” Qi Chengming nodded in agreement, turning the teacup around, now fully understanding.
The weaker the military, the more irresistible Emperor Hongren became to the grand prestige of the previous dynasty's era, with its envoys from all nations paying tribute. Even knowing it was a poisoned chalice, he couldn't resist taking a bite. Once he did, it would surely be recorded in the annals of history. Who would admit to being weaker than the previous dynasty?
They should at least be side by side.
Emperor Hongren, an unremarkable but benevolent ruler, will have a more illustrious reputation during his reign, earning him a place in history and ensuring his place in the afterlife. However, the Western King's arrival might not be without ulterior motives… Hopefully, next month will go well.
This wasn't in the original storyline, and Qi Chengming was worried that Emperor Hongren would lose his mind and suffer a loss, so he was very anxious.
"...!" Gan Tang, who happened to be passing by the door, suddenly widened her eyes, having caught Qi Chengming spinning the bowl. Her slender eyebrows furrowed in pain as she watched with trepidation.
Qi Chengming looked down and realized that these were not his most treasured sets of porcelain bowls, but rather a batch of freehand tea bowls that he had casually bought from a shop on a street corner. Each time they were fired, the patterns and designs were random, and some even had imperfections, giving them a rustic charm.
Qi Chengming really likes to use it.
This teacup is covered with tiny, sparkling marks, which at first glance look like the Milky Way or scattered petals blown from the treetops, making it exceptionally beautiful.
"Gantang, come here."
Qi Chengming recalled carefully that ever since Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi started learning more miscellaneous tasks, a palace maid under Gan Tang's command became the person in charge of tea sets. When Qi Chengming did not request it, this batch of teacups was the most frequently presented by the palace maid. Even when Gan Tang sometimes took the initiative to brew tea, she usually used this batch of tea sets.
Gan Tang entered, watching as the young prince steadily set down the teacup, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Highness?"
"I remember the name of your little palace maid was..." Qi Chengming opened the talent list in the system and recalled it, "Xiao Ju. You and Xiao Ju each received a silver ornament."
"Your Highness?" Gan Tang was stunned, bewildered, not knowing what this sudden reward was all about.
Qi Chengming didn't explain much, but just smiled slightly: "I just had an idea. If it works, you and Xiaoju will have some free time for a while. Let's share in the joy."
Although Gan Tang still looked bewildered, she quickly gave a curtsy: "This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward on behalf of Xiao Ju!"
In any case, receiving a reward is always a good thing.
Not only was she confused, but Song Gu and Nanny Liu also looked at each other, completely baffled. Even they were now wondering what His Highness was suddenly thinking.
...
the next day.
Qi Chengming decisively brought the few imperial gifts he had received to the palace for an audience.
Just as he had guessed, Emperor Hongren was as leisurely as if he had no memorials to review. Upon hearing the news, he summoned him and spoke to him gently in a side hall, pointing with a smile: "Chengming, I knew you would come here."
You're spouting the absolute most rubbish.
Qi Chengming felt he was internally criticizing these things more and more since returning to the capital, but outwardly he ignored it, taking out the objects with a puzzled look and sincerely asking, "Father, I've been pondering these things for a long time since we got back, but I still don't understand them... Are they...?"
He stammered, his words carrying a hidden meaning. He couldn't completely play dumb, that would make him seem too foolish.
Emperor Hongren had been waiting for these words. As if an itch had been scratched, he fondly picked up the jeweled football and revealed the answer: "These items were also your mother's favorites. I didn't let you take them with you to your fiefdom because these were from an earlier time..."
He reminisced about the good old days, and once he started talking, he spoke at length about his feelings for Qi Chengming.
Qi Chengming only needed to nod in response, or express surprise or repeat a question. He didn't even need any skill or acting ability to flatter Emperor Hongren, who talked non-stop until noon.
He seemed to be holding it in quite a bit, Qi Chengming surmised.
Previously, Emperor Hongren didn't know who to say these things to. He had once disliked Consort Hua's son and couldn't get along with him at all. But now, both the current situation and other factors had brought the father and son so close, and Emperor Hongren seized the opportunity.
"Zhao Fuman, send someone to prepare the meal. It's already this late, Chengming, why don't you eat with me?" Emperor Hongren glanced at the sky, still feeling unsatisfied, and gave the order with the air of a loving father.
Qi Chengming responded calmly, appearing quite intimate: "I know, Father. The dishes before you... are probably even more delicious."
Emperor Hongren pondered for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something and casually gave the order, as if he had just said something ordinary: "The court assembly the day after tomorrow... go to the palace early, and in the future, learn from your other brothers and take on one or two duties."
"...Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Qi Chengming was overjoyed and readily agreed.
It wasn't for nothing that he spent the whole day wandering around saying "er" over and over again; Emperor Hongren finally noticed and brought it up!
Despite Qi Chengming's status as a prince, even though he is eligible to attend court as a member of the imperial clan, he cannot participate in political affairs or be referred to as a "subject." However, the eldest prince to the sixth prince have all come of age and entered court to participate in politics, with only him and the seventh prince, who are underage, being exceptions.
Wouldn't it be embarrassing if we met in court?
This was his first meeting with the emperor since returning to the capital. He had been building up his power and prestige since the ship was on, and he couldn't afford to collapse here. Emperor Hongren had been busy for so long; he wouldn't let him fall. Now... it was just right.
Then another question arises quite abruptly.
Qi Chengming glanced at the dishes being served one by one out of the corner of his eye, then suddenly seemed to remember something and chuckled to himself:
"I never noticed the difference between these bowls and cups before. It was only after my trip that I realized how exquisite they are in the palace. I've used the finest quality bowls and cups since I was a child... They make all the ones I use now look like dirt!"
His words made Emperor Hongren feel very comfortable.
That's how people are; the more mistakes they've made, the less they want to face them.
Emperor Hongren was well aware that his cold treatment of his second son since childhood had made life difficult for him. But now that he had to pamper and coax him, and value his second son... Emperor Hongren's mind had changed, but there was still a slight discomfort in his heart that he was unwilling to face.
Hearing this made him feel much happier.
Emperor Hongren was overjoyed and casually bestowed the following reward: "Did you hear me? Zhao Fuman, go open the imperial treasury and select more items to replace everything Chengming is currently using. Replace the Second Prince's quarters as well..."
—That hits the nail on the head!
Qi Chengming's spirits lifted. He had been going through all this trouble just for this sentence, and he waited intently for what would follow.
Emperor Hongren then added, "Sometimes when it's inconvenient for you to leave the palace for meetings, you can stay there for a couple of days..."
It's done!
Qi Chengming finally felt a surge of joy.
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