In the imperial study, Emperor Zhao Changheng received a letter from Youzhou.
The letter was written to him by Zhao Changqing, the King of Yue, who was the Grand Commander of the Army in Youzhou.
The letter raised several questions.
and--
He specifically requested Han Wenzheng, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, to provide advice.
Zhao Changheng held the letter in his hand, his gaze involuntarily turning to Han Xiuzhuan, who was standing to the side.
He was eighteen years old, with exquisite features and unparalleled handsomeness.
Whenever he stood among a group of court officials, he always managed to make those old men in their forties, fifties, and sixties look like trash.
It resembles a tender, fresh scallion growing in a patch of sea buckthorn.
During court discussions, whenever he grew tired of listening to the old ministers arguing, he would turn his gaze to Han Xiuzhuan.
A good look at your eyes will surely put you in a good mood.
But what's the deal with the fourth prince?
What special relationship existed between him and Han Xiuzhuan?
Why specifically request Han Xiuzhuan to provide advice?
Suddenly feeling a surge of curiosity, he turned the letter upside down on the imperial desk and stood up.
"Sixi, I need to change my clothes."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Sixi realized that His Majesty needed to relieve himself.
Hurry up and come in to serve the emperor, then lead him to the side hall at the back.
Upon entering the side hall, Zhao Changheng stopped in his tracks.
Seeing that no one was around, he asked, "Sixi, can you find out for me what kind of relationship the Prince of Yue has with Han Xiuzhuan?"
To everyone's surprise, when Sixi heard him say that, a hesitant expression immediately appeared on his face.
Zhao Changheng took a look and thought, "Hey, does he know something?"
"Sixi, just say what you have to say, don't keep me in suspense."
Who would dare?
Si Xi knelt down with a thud.
He lay sprawled on the ground, trembling like a quail.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to speak."
"Stand up and speak, I can't hear you if you're lying down."
Si Xi stood up from the ground, moved closer to the emperor, and lowered his voice.
"Your Majesty, I have heard a rumor circulating in the capital."
Zhao Changheng looked at him in surprise: "You spend all your time in the palace, yet you have such a keen eye and ears that you even know the rumors circulating in the capital."
Si Xi chuckled: "When I'm on leave, I sometimes visit the teahouses and storytelling halls in the capital. There are lots of people and stories there, so I catch a lot of what I hear."
"Oh, I see. Then tell me, what is this rumor?"
Si Xi glanced around and whispered, "Your Majesty, there are rumors that the Prince of Yue has a mistress in the capital."
"What?"
Zhao Changheng was stunned.
Normally, when it comes to finding a wife for the fourth prince, he makes all sorts of excuses and delays. How come he secretly keeps a mistress himself?
etc--
"Could this mistress be related to Han Xiuzhuan?"
Si Xi hesitated, carefully observing the emperor's expression.
The emperor's face was very grim: "If you don't tell me, I'll beat you with a stick."
Si Xi lowered his head and whispered, "I heard that the mistress is Han Xiuzhuan's mother."
hiss--
Zhao Changheng was shocked.
So the fourth prince's brother had a taste for this?
However, it was somewhat unfair for Han Xiuzhuan's mother, a woman of such insight, to be a concubine.
Zhao Changheng returned to the Imperial Study with mixed feelings.
He picked up the letter from the desk.
"Han Aiqing."
"Your subject is present."
"The King of Yue sent a letter from Youzhou, specifically asking you to come up with some ideas. Come and take a look."
Ahri took the letter with both hands and read it carefully.
After a moment's thought, I made up my mind.
He knelt before the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask for a favor."
Zhao Changheng asked in confusion, "What favor do you want to ask for?"
"I would like to request the privilege of being able to freely enter and exit the various government offices and to have the right to consult with the officials of each department."
Zhao Changheng remained silent for a moment: "Minister Han, do you know that if a mere compiler like you were to receive such great privileges, you would likely be met with jealousy and cold stares from everyone you visit?"
Ah Li replied firmly, "Your Majesty, I know, but I am not afraid. I have no choice but to do this in order to fulfill the King of Yue's request."
"Very well, I grant your permission. I will have a waist token prepared for you, along with an imperial decree. From tomorrow onwards, Minister Han may enter and leave any ministry without any obstruction from anyone."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
Just as the two finished speaking, they suddenly heard a commotion outside.
"Father Emperor—Father Emperor—please come out for a moment—"
Upon hearing that loud, childlike voice, Zhao Changheng immediately understood.
The second son has arrived.
What kind of show are they putting on today?
He couldn't help but call out to Han Xiuzhuan, "Come on, let's go out and watch a play."
Ah Li was completely confused: Huh? Watching a show?
The two walked out of the imperial study one after the other, and sure enough, they saw a good show.
Eunuch Sixi knelt at the entrance of the Imperial Study, arms outstretched, blocking the Second Prince from entering.
Then look at the Second Prince, Zhao Wenqi—
Wow!
He was holding a pile of weapons in his arms.
Zhao Changheng coughed lightly: "Sixi, get up."
He looked at his son with a complicated expression.
Last time they only took a farm tool, but this time they brought all the weapons at once.
"Wenqi, aren't you tired of carrying me? Put me down first."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenqi threw the weapon he was carrying to the ground.
It made a series of clanging sounds.
"Wenqi, what are you doing bringing so many weapons?"
Zhao Wenqi's face was flushed, whether from running or from excitement.
"Father, let me show you the weapon I've improved."
"Oh, you even improved the weapons?"
Zhao Wenqi nodded excitedly and picked up a sword from the ground.
This sword is half the size of a normal sword, making it the perfect size for a child.
“Father, look at this sword. It was originally very easy to bend, so I had the thickness of the spine increased so that it would not bend or break easily.”
"Oh, amazing, amazing."
"And another thing, look at this bow. It used to be made of elm wood, but now it's made of mulberry wood. The bow is more flexible and has a longer range."
Zhao Changheng was shocked: "You came up with this too?"
Zhao Wenqi was honest, scratching the back of his head and chuckling, "It was something my master and I came up with together."
Zhao Changheng nodded: "Yes, that's remarkable."
"Father, there's also this..."
Looking at his son's excited little face, Zhao Changheng's consciousness suddenly began to drift away.
As an emperor, he always thought about raising his children from a young age.
Especially with unruly kids, we have to put in a lot more effort.
I'm afraid he'll amount to nothing, afraid he'll go astray.
I wish I could tie him to a pole and let him grow straight along it, preferably straight without any bends or branches.
But to everyone's surprise, the pole was useless.
Instead, they found a ray of light, and by following that light, they found a way to grow.
"Your Majesty, when we teach our children in the future, we can't just teach them rules; we have to give them some guidance as well."
Zhao Changheng looked at his sleeping baby daughter in the Empress's arms and said with emotion.
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