novelraw Chapter 197
Chapter 197
Chapter 197 (No title, lazy)
When they heard Wei Yu say again that he was handing it over to Father Emperor, the Eldest Prince and the others somehow felt a sense of having seen strange things so often that they no longer found it strange.
The Fifth Prince glanced around at his brothers’ faces, and his heart, eager for some entertainment, started to stir again.
He chuckled lightly and said to Wei Yu, "Ninth Brother, you seem to be quite close with Father Emperor behind the scenes nowadays."
No way.
He was about to be tricked again!
Wei Yu smiled and denied, "No, no, we’re all Father Emperor’s sons. Father Emperor treats us all equally, okay! I don’t have any other merits, the only thing worth praising is that I’m more obedient. Yes, I’m a Daddy’s boy!"
All the princes: …?
What the heck is a 'Daddy’s boy'!
Having been through Wei Yu’s jokes several times before, the Eldest Prince had developed some resistance; he ignored Wei Yu’s words and frowned as he asked him seriously, "Ninth Brother, be honest, did you already discuss the Merchants’ Alliance with Father Emperor before you went to Jiaozhou?"
Wei Yu was momentarily stunned, then realized and immediately looked shocked at his Eldest Brother, "Wow, Eldest Brother, you’re amazing! You guessed it right immediately… Oh no, that’s not how it is—the Merchants’ Alliance was definitely not Father Emperor’s decision made long ago…"
Those ambiguous and increasingly suspicious remarks made the Eldest Prince show an expression of ‘just as I thought’.
Even the Second Prince looked thoughtful upon hearing this.
Only the Eighth Prince in the corner looked shocked, staring intently at Wei Yu, who was rambling nonsense and now deeply regretting his misstep while passionately performing a wrong statement!
Speaking nonsense and making matters worse.
"Ah, no, actually, the Merchants’ Alliance was really not decided by Father Emperor; it was a proposal from me, honestly, it has nothing to do with Father Emperor…"
The Eighth Prince gazed deeply at his Ninth Brother.
If he had not been following this guy all along, watching him write the proposal for the Merchants’ Alliance, and those days when he and Deng Zhengde chatted freely about the Merchants’ Alliance, he might really have believed Wei Yu’s nonsense!
With Wei Yu’s shameless skill of lying with his eyes open, it was at least a masterful level!
He estimated it would take him ten years or more to learn such a technique.
"Alright, Ninth Brother, we all understand what you mean, don’t worry."
The Second Prince said as he poured a cup of tea for Wei Yu and pushed it over, signaling him to rest.
Wei Yu gave Second Brother a shy smile, "Thanks, Second Brother."
Taking the hint, Wei Yu picked up the teacup and sipped quietly.
The Second Prince glanced at him, his calm eyes revealing a hint of understanding.
Because the Eldest Prince’s earlier guess had basically answered his doubts about Wei Yu’s sudden surge in influence recently.
Having grown up together in the same palace, the Second Prince was clear about Ninth Brother’s past behavior and his true weight even without probing.
No matter how much a person hides or conceals their abilities, when would they suddenly perform out of nowhere without any warning?
So indeed it must be Father Emperor advising Wei Yu from behind the scenes.
Thinking of Emperor Wei having been struck by lightning before, the Second Prince's expression darkened.
It was because of previous matters that Father Emperor was wary of them older ones; otherwise, how would Father Emperor support Old Eight and Ninth Brother… Better take it slow.
Wei Yu peered from behind the cup lid, sneakily watching his Eldest Brother’s and Second Brother’s complex expressions, then glanced at the others:
Third Brother didn’t care, his attention never on these affairs.
Fourth Brother smiled brightly at him and even raised an eyebrow when he noticed Wei Yu looking.
Fifth Brother waved his fan, watching the others’ expressions with interest.
Sixth Brother, as always, only knew how to eat.
Seventh Brother was drinking tea with his head lowered.
Eighth Brother… oh, Eighth Brother was glaring at him.
Wei Yu straightened up, put down his cup, smiled and clapped his hands, "Ah, today is my birthday, so let’s not talk about these trivial matters. Why don’t we discuss something happy? Hmm?"
The Fifth Prince looked over, curious, "What happy thing?"
Wei Yu rubbed his hands, "Of course, for example, birthday gifts and such!"
The brothers: …
–
Deng Zhengde’s arrival had indeed caused a stir inside the Capital.
Because of the Merchants’ Alliance.
The day after the birthday feast, Wei Yu led Deng Zhengde, carrying the accounts, to visit his Dad in the palace.
After looking through the accounts, Emperor Wei highly praised Deng Zhengde.
His praise was even more exaggerated than Wei Yu’s!
It could only be said that once educated people get emotional, it really defies any kind of embarrassment.
Especially a person who is an Emperor; when wanting to cherish one or two ministers, he has endless ways. Watching from the side, Wei Yu kept thinking he learned a lot.
So it turns out shamelessness is inherited.
Emperor Wei had a truly gentle and earnest attitude toward Deng Zhengde, who was making money for him.
Chatting about personal ambitions, poetry and lyrics was one thing; but in front of Wei Yu, they even casually talked about family matters like they were unaware of anyone else around.
By the end, Deng Zhengde’s eyes were moist with tears as he said frankly His Majesty was a wise ruler, and he would devote himself tirelessly and completely for the Great Wei…
Wei Yu felt a sense of déjà vu from the scene.
After Deng Zhengde left, Wei Yu couldn’t help but lean on Emperor Wei’s desk and asked eagerly, "Father Emperor, were you just brainwashing someone?"
That phrase.
Emperor Wei understood what Wei Yu was thinking.
He glanced at Wei Yu sideways and said calmly, "As a master, you must learn to appoint the worthy and learn to make your subordinates loyal to yourself."
Huh?
His Dad suddenly becoming so serious stunned Wei Yu.
Emperor Wei looked at him, "After yesterday’s birthday, you are now seventeen, and in three years you will come of age; then whether you want to be lazy or not, your subordinates will increase day by day. As a master, don’t let laziness cause your servants to bully you."
"What seventeen? That’s nominal age, I’m only sixteen…"
Wei Yu muttered, twitching his nose and suddenly smiled, "Ah Dad, you being so serious just scared me. I’m a prince, who dares to bully me? You’re my Dad after all."
Ungrateful son!
Before three seconds of seriousness, Emperor Wei glared, picked up a memorial beside him, and threw it at Wei Yu, "I’m telling you about the ways to behave, don’t mess around with me! If I die someday, see whom you can rely on!"
Wei Yu caught the memorial, asked with a serious face, "Did you just say a curse word?"
Emperor Wei: …
Annoyed and embarrassed, he picked up another memorial and threw it again.
Why did this unfilial son never get the point?!
After being kicked out of the palace by his Dad, Wei Yu walked back to his mansion with Deng Zhengde.
On the way, before Wei Yu could ask about Deng Zhengde’s reward, Deng Zhengde hinted at his own stance first.
Deng Zhengde said: "His Highness has favored this humble subject; as long as this humble subject alive, every single one of us is His Highness’s man. Please rest assured, His Highness, I understand everything!"
Wei Yu: …?
He understands?
Understand what?!