The news of the birth of the eldest prince spread like a long-awaited rain, reaching every corner of Daliang.
The day before, the entire palace was in chaos, under a state of "high alert," due to the Empress's sudden childbirth. The next day, it was completely overwhelmed by the immense joy of universal celebration. Emperor Xiao Che was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict granting amnesty to the entire realm, sharing the joy with the people, and reducing taxes for three years!
The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the capital. People spread the news, and every household decorated their homes with lanterns and colorful decorations; the excitement surpassed even that of the Lunar New Year. Everyone knew that this empire, having just emerged from war and turmoil, had finally welcomed its most solid foundation—a legitimate eldest son of the emperor.
The foundation of the country has been determined, and the future can be expected.
Amidst this nationwide wave of celebration, the morning court session of the following day proceeded as scheduled.
Inside the Golden Palace, a joyous atmosphere prevailed. Civil and military officials alike wore genuine smiles; even former political adversaries greeted each other with friendly greetings. The atmosphere in the court was more harmonious and relaxed than ever before.
They were all waiting. Waiting for the emperor, who had just become a father and made unparalleled contributions to the Great Liang, to accept their sincerest congratulations.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
As the eunuch's high-pitched and long voice announced the order, all the ministers immediately composed themselves, straightened their clothes, turned to face the entrance of the main hall, and prepared to perform the solemn salute between the emperor and his subjects.
The heavy palace doors were slowly pushed open, and the morning light poured in, outlining a tall and upright figure.
The officials were about to bow and prostrate themselves, their words of "Long live the Emperor!" already on their lips. However, when they saw the person walking towards the dragon throne, everyone froze in place.
That...that's His Majesty?
On the dragon throne, Xiao Che was still wearing the black dragon robe that symbolized supreme power, and a twelve-tassel crown. But the dragon robe that used to exude boundless majesty now seemed a bit too big on him.
What's even more horrifying is his face.
His once deep, sharp, and imposing eyes were now dull and lifeless, with two enormous, shockingly dark circles under his eyes! He exuded a thick, lingering weariness and dejection, and even his usually straight back seemed to have slumped slightly, with a barely perceptible unsteadiness in his steps.
This is hardly the image of a monarch overjoyed at the birth of his son.
This is clearly... clearly the haggard look of someone who has been working for three days and three nights and has just finished interrogating a major criminal in the Ministry of Justice prison!
The entire court was dumbfounded.
After a brief silence, a wave of immense worry and emotion swept through the entire court.
Your Majesty... Your Majesty must be working so hard for the affairs of the country!
With the Crown Prince just born and the foundation of the nation newly established, this is a crucial time when everything needs to be rebuilt and both internal and external affairs require reassurance. His Majesty must be deeply concerned for the nation's well-being, for even on such a joyous occasion, he has been working tirelessly through the night for the sake of state!
In an instant, all the ministers, especially the trusted ministers led by the old prime minister, felt boundless respect and heartache.
"His Majesty!"
The old prime minister was the first to step out of the queue, tears streaming down his face, his voice trembling with sobs. "Your Majesty is overjoyed to have a prince, a blessing for our Great Liang! However, Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance, for it is the foundation of the nation! Your Majesty works so tirelessly, day and night, that if you ruin your health, how can we, your old ministers, face our ancestors?"
"Your Excellency is absolutely right!" The Minister of War immediately stepped forward, his face grave. "The border defenses are stable, the national treasury has surplus grain, and there is no urgent matter in the country. I implore Your Majesty to take care of your health and not overwork yourself!"
"We second that suggestion! Your Majesty, please take care of your health!"
In an instant, everyone in the Golden Palace knelt down, and all the ministers spoke in unison, their words earnest and sincere. The scene was deeply moving, filled with a harmonious atmosphere of mutual respect between the emperor and his ministers.
However, Xiao Che, sitting on the dragon throne, listened to the heartfelt words of these "loyal ministers" below. Instead of feeling gratified, his eyelids twitched, and an indescribable...guilt appeared on his haggard face.
He wearily raised his hand, gesturing for them to rise.
"My dear ministers, you are overthinking this." He waved his hand weakly, his voice hoarse, carrying a sense of utter despair as if he had been repeatedly battered by life.
He paused, and under the concerned gazes of the officials, slowly uttered a sentence that caused everyone's minds to freeze on the spot:
"The affairs of state are still manageable. I simply... did not sleep all night."
Is the state of affairs still manageable?
Didn't sleep all night?
The officials were all stunned. If it wasn't for state affairs, then why was His Majesty so... haggard?
Could it be... that something has happened in the palace?
Just as alarm bells were ringing in everyone's minds and wild thoughts began to circulate, the emperor on the dragon throne let out a long, heavy sigh, filled with endless vicissitudes.
"well--"
That sigh seemed to contain all the bitterness and tears of being a father.
Then, amidst the increasingly bewildered gazes of the court officials, their emperor completely abandoned his royal dignity and began to complain incessantly, in an almost accusatory tone, about the "horrific" experience he had endured the previous night.
"My dear ministers, you may not know this..." Xiao Che's eyes became somewhat vacant, as if he were lost in unbearable memories, "That little thing... it's simply sent by heaven to torment me!"
little things?
The officials exchanged bewildered glances. Was this title referring to... His Highness the Little Prince?
“He needs to be fed every two hours!” Xiao Che’s voice was filled with grief and indignation. “Can you imagine? Two hours! I’ve barely closed my eyes, it feels like only a moment has passed, and he starts crying! His crying is more punctual than the alarm bells at the border!”
"You think you can sleep after feeding him? No!" He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, startling the assembled officials. "One hour! At most one hour, and he'll need another diaper change! Do you know... what that feels like?"
With a world-weary gaze that seemed to have seen through the vicissitudes of life, he surveyed the civil and military officials below, who were completely dumbfounded.
“What’s even more terrifying is,” he lowered his voice, trembling with lingering fear, “that he would cry for no reason! He wasn’t hungry, nor was he wet, he just cried! He cried his heart out! I carried him around the bedchamber for a full half hour, and my voice was almost hoarse from singing, before he finally calmed down!”
At this point, Xiao Che was overcome with grief and, in a tone filled with blood and tears, gave his final summary:
"Last night, I reviewed no more than ten memorials, carried him for no less than ten miles, changed his diapers six times, and fed him four times... This was more tiring than reviewing a hundred memorials! More tiring than leading an army into battle!"
The entire Golden Palace was deathly silent.
Every single minister froze on the spot. Their mouths were half-open, their eyes were glazed, and their minds were blank, completely unable to process the unbelievable information before them.
Their emperor... in the Golden Palace... in front of all the civil and military officials... complained... about how difficult it is to raise a child?!
Is this... is this still the same decisive and awe-inspiring monarch?!
This art style is off!
The solemn and majestic Golden Palace had transformed into a scene brimming with the warmth of everyday life… a rant session by new dads. The sheer absurdity of it all challenged the worldview of every minister present.
Several young officials, some of whom also had young children at home, even nodded subconsciously, feeling a sense of empathy. However, they were immediately silenced by the horrified stares of their colleagues, and quickly lowered their heads, desperately trying to suppress their laughter until their faces turned bright red and their shoulders trembled.
Looking at the stunned ministers below, Xiao Che not only didn't realize his mistake, but seemed to have found a savior. He thought their silence was an expression of empathy for his profound suffering.
He sighed again, a long, drawn-out sigh, and a genuine, unashamed thirst for knowledge shone through his bloodshot eyes.
With a gaze that was almost weak yet filled with hope, he looked down at the group of elites below who held the fate of the nation in their hands, and asked a question that left everyone petrified on the spot:
"All of you ministers have children at home. Do you have any good methods to help your babies sleep soundly through the night?"
The entire court of officials: "..."
This question is beyond your scope, Your Majesty!
However, Xiao Che didn't give them much time to be shocked. He looked at them as if they were his last lifeline, and with a tone full of allure and expectation, he offered the most absurd bounty in history:
"If so, I will bestow upon him the title of Grand Tutor!"
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