novelraw Chapter 674 - 663: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 674 - 663: The Cuckolded Prince
Upon hearing that Ye Qiu had sent people into the mountains to search for ginseng years ago, everyone felt he was filial. Pretense can be short-lived, but who could maintain such an act for years like Fifth Prince? And is thousand-year-old ginseng so easy to find?
The other ministers thought this way, and Emperor Xingwu thought even more. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had underestimated his son for so long.
The more he looked, the more he realized how outstanding his Fifth Son had grown to be—truly unique among all the princes and worthy of being his son!
"Very well, since you are so filial, Father Emperor cannot treat you unfairly. Tell me, what do you want? As long as it is not too excessive, Father Emperor will grant it," Emperor Xingwu said with a smile, but all the ministers inhaled sharply, fearing that the Fifth Prince might say something inappropriate.
Their worry was not without reason, as there had been a precedent before. The current Emperor had six princes and seven princesses. Except for Third Princess and Sixth Princess who had been married off, there should be eleven princes and princesses in the capital. However, only ten were present at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet because the Fourth Prince had been banished to the South Sea long ago.
The mother of the Fourth Prince was Consort Deng, a once highly favored concubine in the harem. Naturally, the Fourth Prince had been beloved by Emperor Xingwu from a young age. Perhaps this affection had given them ambition, daring to challenge the Crown Prince’s position. It all started from a jest said during the noble concubine’s birthday banquet, leading Emperor Xingwu to make a promise on the spot. Never knowing that this mother and son would think they could overthrow the Crown Prince, they ended up achieving nothing, and Consort Deng was sentenced to death on the spot, while the Fourth Prince was also sent to the South Sea and never returned.
So at this moment, the ministers couldn’t help but worry about what Ye Qiu might say that would be inappropriate.
But Ye Qiu was all smiles, seemingly oblivious to the hidden dangers in the words, and looked at Emperor Xingwu with admiring eyes: "Father Emperor, it’s nothing, these are all duties of a son. I’m not even used to your praise, and besides, the gift I brought today isn’t even the best."
Emperor Xingwu looked at him with an enigmatic expression: "Really don’t want a reward? Then tell me, whose gift is better than yours?"
"Of course, it’s Second Brother’s!" Ye Qiu said matter-of-factly, "Every time Second Brother gives gifts, Father Emperor, you are the happiest. This time, my gift was just a ginseng, but Second Brother has given you rice he planted and harvested himself! As people regard food as their prime want, I think Second Brother’s gift is better."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xingwu indeed looked even happier, satisfied with both Ye Qiu and Crown Prince Ye Zheng. The other ministers and the Seventh Prince also breathed a sigh of relief.
"You are right, your Second Brother did put a lot of effort." Emperor Xingwu nodded with satisfaction, "But your thousand-year-old ginseng is also not bad, so I will reward both of you a thousand gold each!"
"This son thanks Father Emperor," Crown Prince Ye Zheng quickly knelt down to express thanks.
Ye Qiu also knelt down, but his expression was somewhat hesitant, prompting Emperor Xingwu to ask: "What, do you want something else?"
Thus, everyone’s heart was raised once again for Ye Qiu.
At this moment, Lin Jingxian wished she could sew Ye Qiu’s mouth shut. Although she did not like him, now their fortunes were tied together—if he wanted to die, why must he drag her down with him?
"This son wishes to ask for a favor from Father Emperor," Ye Qiu suddenly became shy.
Emperor Xingwu’s tone became slightly ominous: "Oh? What favor?"
"Your son has built a hot spring manor for his Princess Consort in the suburbs and wishes to ask Father Emperor to bestow a name and grant a written piece of calligraphy," Ye Qiu earnestly requested.
Hearing him say this, everyone relaxed, and Emperor Xingwu’s smile grew warmer as he said, "Since it is a manor you gifted your Princess Consort, wouldn’t it be better to let her suggest the name herself?"
"It is like this, the Princess Consort, Ming’er, and Lingling are all not very healthy. Hearing that hot springs nourish the body, I thought to let them soak more often. However, the outskirts are not as lively as inside the capital, so I thought to borrow Father Emperor’s dragon aura to suppress the evil spirits there. Even if there are no evil spirits, seeking peace of mind is still good."
"So that is the case!"
"It is rumored that Fifth Prince dearly loves the Fifth Princess Consort, and indeed, the rumor is not false."
"Fifth Princess Consort is truly fortunate! Fifth Prince does so much for her."
"This is truly envy-inducing."
The Ministers and Ladies of the Imperial Decree looked at Ye Qiu and Lin Jingxian with kindness, sending them gazes filled with blessings.
However, Lin Jingxian felt quite embarrassed at this moment, and her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Crown Prince Ye Zheng. Seeing that he had no reaction, she quickly averted her eyes.
Xia Yixiao followed her gaze, but since she looked for only a brief moment, she didn’t notice whom it was directed at.
"Hahaha... You, this lad, have such thoughtfulness. I will follow your advice." Emperor Xingwu was truly pleased today. Firstly, because he obtained a thousand-year-old ginseng, which was akin to gaining another life and secondly, he found that Xiao Wu was filial and sensible, not making excessive demands, which he appreciated in a son.
When Emperor Xingwu is happy, it means the whole court is happy, for the more stable his reign, the mightier Dongchen Country becomes. Thus, everyone also overflowed with good intentions towards Ye Qiu, who presented the thousand-year-old ginseng.
Ye Qiu, having received Emperor Xingwu’s response, happily returned to his desk. He whispered to the stiff Lin Jingxian, "Princess Consort, with the Father Emperor-endorsed hot spring manor, you and the two children will surely recuperate well there."
Lin Jingxian was very reluctant in her heart, but still had to thank him: "Thank you for your mercy, my lord."
"No need, we are husband and wife, one body; it is only right for me to consider these things for you."
Ye Qiu spoke with great enthusiasm, and Lin Jingxian, unable to show her true feelings in the public, hence appeared even more virtuous and considerate.
Onlookers saw them as a couple of immortals, but Crown Prince Ye Zheng felt a different sentiment watching this; seeing how sincerely Fifth Brother treated her, could she be moved by him? Ye Zheng could not help but clench his fists.
This Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was especially lively because Ye Qiu offered a thousand-year-old ginseng. Particularly around Ye Qiu, many gathered; although the thousand-year-old ginseng was already presented to His Majesty, the fact that people dispatched by the Fifth Prince have been searching the mountains for many years means there are ginsengs of other grades. They did not seek thousand-year ones but would be happy with ones five hundred or eight hundred years old; after all, more old ginseng means another life!"
As for Lin Jingxian, she was surrounded by the Ladies of Imperial Mandate, who ceaselessly gave her compliments and congratulations, among which were hidden various other intentions.
Although Fifth Prince has historically not had a good reputation, after this incident, his image in the Holy Emperor’s eyes surely must have improved significantly. Perhaps in the future, he might become a Prince with real power. Moreover, with his wealth and his wholehearted devotion to his wife, they did not expect him to treat others the same way, but having such devotion spread even a little would bring glory to the family.
Listening to the undertones in their words, Lin Jingxian felt somewhat annoyed—for some reason. Despite her dislike for Ye Qiu, why was she uneasy about him taking concubines?