“Yun family’s little girl, tell Zhen, the soldiers at the frontier endure so much hardship—am I wrong to grant them a few extra taels of silver each year?” The Emperor asked.
“Not at all,” Fuyi shook her head. The frontier was a harsh, resource-scarce place, and the soldiers led a tough life guarding the border.
“Even an eighteen-year-old girl understands this, yet they go on about ancestral rules and how we shouldn’t let soldiers develop extravagant habits,” the Emperor grumbled, becoming more coarse in his speech. “I say it’s all bullshit!”
‘How could an extra three or five taels lead to extravagance?’
“Those officials must be very frugal and adhere strictly to ancestral laws, then,” Fuyi said, blinking innocently. “Your Majesty, you should praise them lavishly and let the entire capital know about their virtues.”
“Oh?!” The Emperor’s eyes lit up. ‘Right! They value frugality so highly, don’t they? In that case, they must see money as worthless and despise luxury!
“No wonder Zhen felt we were destined to meet when seeing you years ago,” the Emperor said, slapping his thigh. “Fuyi, we really are kindred spirits.”
‘What a clever girl! Perfectly to my liking!’
“Tomorrow in court, Zhen will make sure to praise them well.”
“Your Majesty, perhaps you should begin by looking into their family members to find out who has the most lavish lifestyle,” Fuyi whispered, inching closer to the Emperor. “Do this first… and then that…”
“Good, good,” the Emperor nodded enthusiastically. “So we must start with their children and grandchildren…”
“Leave them to me!” Fuyi patted her chest. “Soon, this subject daughter guarantees they’ll be too embarrassed to be seen spending even a single coin.”
As the smiles on the Emperor’s and Fuyi’s faces grew brighter, the Empress inexplicably thought of one phrase: birds of a feather flock together. She turned to share the thought with Sui Tingheng, only to see her usually impeccably mannered son get up and join the Emperor and Fuyi.
“Miss Yun, this plan is brilliant, but I think you still need another ally.”
The Emperor and Fuyi both looked at him. “Who?”
“Me.” Sui Tingheng lifted the edge of his robe and sat down, his expression full of sincerity. “Once Miss Yun’s plan is in motion, my support will increase the odds of success.”
“Are you going to do it?” The Emperor gave his son a skeptical look. Heng’er’s character was different from his own. While he acted shamelessly at times, Heng’er was elegant and composed. Even those pedantic old men at court were full of praise about Heng’er.
“If it can make life better for the soldiers at the frontier, why not?” Sui Tingheng turned to Fuyi with a slight smile. “Miss Yun’s plan is truly brilliant.”
“No, no, it’s really not that great,” Fuyi showed some modesty, though her eyes curved in a smile. “With Your Imperial Highness taking the lead, it’ll be much easier.”
“I’m relieved that you don’t think I’m being intrusive.”
“How could that be?!” Fuyi reached out and patted Sui Tingheng’s arm. “Your Imperial Highness is my trump card.”
Only after the gesture did she realize she was addressing a prince, not her buddies. She quickly chided herself—‘Getting carried away like that is the greatest mistake an idler could make!’
“Since Miss Yun says so, I am reassured.” Sui Tingheng glanced at his arm, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
Fuyi stole a quick glance.
‘Seems like… he isn’t angry?’
Still unsure, she glanced again and saw that he truly did not appear displeased. Her hesitation melted away, and admiration for the Prince’s character once again swelled within her. ‘What a kind and gracious Prince!’
“Your Imperial Highness, the Imperial Physicians have examined the two jars of wine; there’s nothing wrong with them,” Mo Wen approached, carrying a faint scent of wine.
“What wine?” The Emperor’s curiosity was piqued.
“Father Emperor, the matters of state are important, and you should refrain from drinking,” Sui Tingheng answered evasively. “Mother Empress, shall I take Miss Yun to my palace for lunch, so Father Emperor won’t be tempted by the wine?”
“What are you implying? You think your father has no self-control?” The Emperor stood up. “Relax, Zhen will not crave your wine.”
Sure enough, during lunch, the Emperor showed great resolve and didn’t even have the servants set out the wine cup for him.
“These cups aren’t suitable,” Sui Tingheng instructed the servants to remove the jade wine cups. “Bring out the glass cups.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.” Mo Wen was a bit surprised. The prince usually did not like extravagance, yet today he had asked for the priceless set of glass cups.
The amber-hued Daughter’s Red wine was poured into the glass, shimmering like liquid moonlight, intoxicating even before a sip was taken.
“To Your Imperial Highness,” Fuyi toasted, raising her glass and taking the first sip. The years of fermentation had enriched the wine’s sweetness. Though the person she shared it with was not who she had once imagined, she truly enjoyed the moment.
Five years ago, she had been proud and naïve, unaware of the darkness in people’s hearts, incapable of appreciating wine or reading the true nature of some people.
Now, five years later, she had experienced life’s hardships and had seen the suffering of the common people. Sitting with her were a wise monarch, a gentle mother of the world, and a young, capable heir to the throne.
“To His Majesty, Her Majesty, and His Imperial Highness,” Fuyi tilted her head back to drink the second cup.
When she buried these two jars of wine five years ago, she could never imagine today’s moment.
‘Yun Fuyi,’ she thought to herself, ‘you really have come a long way.’
“To Miss Yun,” Sui Tingheng filled a third cup, raised it, and lightly clinked it against Fuyi’s.
As the glass made a clear, pleasant sound, the liquid inside rippled gently. Even those who had yet to drink seemed to feel intoxicated.
The Emperor picked up his chopsticks and shoveled meat into his mouth.
‘It’s just wine; what’s so special about it?’
‘Heh, I’m not interested!’
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Author’s Note:
What makes him drunk? It’s certainly not wine~
The Emperor: What’s the big deal? I’m absolutely not interested. Honestly, my son is such a show-off…
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.