novelraw Chapter 266
Chapter 266
Chapter 266: Let's See How Long You Can Still Roam Free
After chatting with Fourth Prince for a while, Wei Yu suddenly asked about the person who went out earlier.
"Fourth Brother, was the person who just went out from Yizhou?"
Feeling thirsty, Fourth Prince poured himself a cup of tea. "Yes, why? Do you have something to ask?"
Wei Yu stroked his chin. "Previously, didn’t you go with Second Brother to Jiaozhou to check sugar prices? The Yizhou aristocratic family lost their sugar supply. It’s been quite a while, and I’m quite curious about what Yizhou is like now."
Fourth Prince glanced at him and sneered, "I thought you forgot, but you still remember."
Both of them had deep interactions with Deng Zhengde. Fourth Prince was also clear about the Merchants' Alliance cooperating with the Yizhou aristocratic family to go to Great Liang.
"Two months ago, Deng Zhengde already went to Great Liang with the Yizhou side, taking lots of goods from me. It was like I entrusted the Merchants' Alliance to sell on my behalf, and afterward pay the Merchants' Alliance a 20% profit."
Fourth Prince gave Wei Yu a look and said, "He went to Great Liang, and who knows when he will come back. It’s impossible for the Merchants' Alliance to have no one managing there. To avoid petty interference, Father Emperor discussed this with me and will send my people over—not to take over, just temporarily stand in. Ninth Brother, rest assured."
That comment. Wei Yu gave a sideways glance at him. "Fourth Brother, no need to be so cautious. I’m not unreasonable. After all, the money the Merchants' Alliance earns all goes to Father Emperor. What does it have to do with me?"
Fourth Prince gave a half-smile. "Little Ninth, you’re not being straightforward."
At this point, with his well-known money-making abilities, Fourth Prince no longer had much ambition for the top position.
He was never very ambitious. Compared to the quarrels and bloodshed between Eldest Brother and Second Brother, thinking of the bloody struggle and fratricide, Fourth Prince felt quite content with his current wealth.
At least with his knack for making money, whoever becomes the top will not treat him poorly, placing him in the Ministry of Revenue, and maybe he could succeed Lord Qi someday.
Of course, it would be best if the top is Little Ninth.
After all, except for being lazy, Little Ninth was excellent in all other aspects.
Better than Eldest Brother and Second Brother.
"Fourth Brother, don’t overthink."
Not wanting to discuss miscellaneous things with Fourth Brother, Wei Yu waved dismissively. "Our Father Emperor is still vigorous in old age; who knows when he might add another younger sibling for us. As for me, I have no great ambitions; I’ll just stick with Father Emperor and earn a living."
Fourth Prince almost laughed angrily.
He claimed he had no ambitions and was just making a living?
With everything he was doing and the abilities he displayed, which official in the court wouldn’t be swayed?
It's just that he seldom stays in the capital year-round. Otherwise, there would be no shortage of officials volunteering as advisors, and if he wanted to hold a banquet, the Wise King’s residence bricks would probably be worn out!
"Hmph, fine, you just keep fooling around. I’ll see how long you can still roam free!"
Those words sounded like a curse, making Wei Yu feel uneasy even after leaving.
He stood on the carriage, looked at the club’s main entrance twice, and couldn’t help but ask Fang Sheng, "Fang Sheng, do you know what my Second Brother has been up to lately?"
Fang Sheng kept his gaze straight, "In a few days, it will be the Prime Minister’s birthday. I heard Second Highness and Seventh Highness are preparing birthday gifts for the Prime Minister."
Oh.
Wei Yu had no real idea about any official’s birthday.
He scratched his head, a little annoyed. "Have we received the invitation yet?"
"Not yet."
Previously, no one had returned. Even if the Prime Minister’s residence sent an invitation, what good could it do?
Wei Yu immediately pressed his palms together, sincerely wishing, "May the Bodhisattva protect us. I, Wei Yu, swear that Fang Sheng will not eat meat for three days, hoping the Prime Minister’s residence won’t send us an invitation. Amitabha."
Fang Sheng: …
–
It was impossible that the invitation wouldn’t be sent.
Before, the Prime Minister’s residence didn’t send it because Wei Yu wasn’t back. Now that Wei Yu returned and the birthday was approaching, not sending one would be thought rude.
As soon as Wei Yu returned home, he received "bad news" from Xiao Anzi.
"Your Highness, the Prime Minister’s residence has sent an invitation, asking you to attend the Prime Minister’s birthday banquet. Will you go?"
He didn’t want to go!
Wei Yu stretched his legs and lay on the couch, sincerely not wanting to attend such banquets, including the Prime Minister’s birthday banquet.
Such events were exhausting: toasting and sipping drinks, friendly yet sharp-tongued conversations flying everywhere. If Wei Yu went, he wouldn’t even enjoy his meal.
He would rather stay home alone playing on his tablet.
Xiao Anzi was quite happy about the Prime Minister’s invitation. He put the invitation on the table and said, "You haven’t been in the capital for half a year and missed many things. I think the capital officials nearly forgot you. Luckily, it’s the Prime Minister’s birthday banquet—you can show up and build good relations with the officials. That way, when you are sent away by His Majesty in the future, someone can speak up for you!"
Being sent away was disliked by most. Generally, being sent out of the capital meant offending someone above.
So in Xiao Anzi’s eyes, his master being sent out was definitely a bitter hardship. Whatever value His Majesty placed on him, he thought his master's health and safety were more important.
Wei Yu was choked up by Xiao Anzi’s words.
He raised his head and sighed to Xiao Anzi, "Anzi, your way of thinking is unacceptable. You’re encouraging your master to make cliques? That can’t be done; it would arouse jealousy. Your master still wants to live a few more years."
Xiao Anzi didn’t understand these things. He scratched his head, looking bitter. “If we can’t get along with the officials, what if Your Highness is sent away by His Majesty in the future?”
"Just go with it; what else can you do?"
To prevent Xiao Anzi from continuing, Wei Yu changed the topic, excitedly asking, "Xiao Anzi, tomorrow I’ll go stay at the manor for a few days. Do you want to come?"
His Highness is away. Xiao Anzi, who hadn’t gone out in a while, immediately brightened up, "Yes! I want to go with you!"
"Alright, then go pack your things. Also, ask Hong Zhong and Bai Ban too."
"Understood, Your Highness."
After dealing with the Prime Minister’s birthday banquet invitation, the next day, Wei Yu took a group of men to the manor.
Half a year had passed again, and Wei Yu found many changes at the manor.
Firstly, the area had expanded a lot. The lands around were bought by Steward He. The central teaching area was thriving, and the dormitories and canteen were expanded. The manor was also renovated.
After arriving, Wei Yu didn’t go straight to the Research Institute but first visited Liu Huaiyuan.
After all, the spring imperial examination was approaching. As the boss, he had to encourage the candidates.
The Chinese teacher had temporarily resigned and was now diligently studying in the dormitory. When Wei Yu arrived, he saw him practicing writing essays on previous exam questions.