Emperor Qiande’s smiling expression gradually faded.
Grand Chancellor Wen Si Miao, who had been mentioned, showed no reaction to Ji Wang’s words whatsoever.
He was the oldest minister at court, a veteran official who had served two reigns, already sixty-eight years old.
“Second Brother, the Grand Chancellor is advanced in years. His daily efforts to share His Majesty’s burdens and handle state affairs already consume all his energy. How could he possibly have any left to entertain a child?”
“Ling Yi is only six. Simply hiring any tutor would be more than sufficient to teach him.”
“Look at the several boys in my residence – didn’t we hire just one tutor to teach all of them? And that tutor isn’t even a court official.” Prince Chen curled his lips, his words laced with hidden barbs.
“Eldest Imperial Brother, my child is truly dull-witted, hence the need to seek a renowned teacher for instruction.” Ji Wang smiled faintly, speaking with utmost humility.
“Crown Prince, don’t you think having a nation’s Grand Chancellor teach a mere child would be a waste of talent?” Prince Chen glanced at the pale-faced Crown Prince.
“Both Imperial Brothers, perhaps we should hear Father Emperor and the Grand Chancellor’s opinions on this matter.” Crown Prince Zhao Yunxi immediately recognized Prince Chen’s attempt to drag him into the conflict and declined to take the bait.
“Beloved Minister Wen, what is your view?” Emperor Qiande finally spoke.
Chancellor Wen slowly rose to his feet: “Your Majesty, in two years I will reach the age of seventy. I already find it difficult to share Your Majesty’s burdens. At home, I have several great-grandchildren. My grandsons are filial and have never troubled me to instruct them – they handle their children’s education themselves.”
After speaking, Chancellor Wen bowed respectfully to both princes.
His meaning was clear: if he lacked the energy to instruct even his own family’s children, he certainly had no capacity to fulfill Ji Wang’s request.
“Beloved Minister Wen, please be seated. I know you are aged, yet still share my burdens – this brings me great comfort. Fortunately, your health remains good. If ever you wish to retire and enjoy time with your grandchildren, simply inform me.” Emperor Qiande had no intention of replacing his chancellor.
An old partner was comfortable to work with.
So far, he had detected no selfish motives in him.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Second Son, you heard him. Better seek another qualified teacher for Ling Yi. He’s only six – there’s no hurry. You and your wife can take your time searching.”
“Regardless of whom you choose as teacher, the tutor must consent to the arrangement.”
“My grandson doesn’t lack for teachers. The several instructors at the Imperial Clan Academy were all personally selected by me, each fulfilling their duties conscientiously.” Emperor Qiande’s implied meaning was equally clear.
There was no need to hire additional tutors.
“This subject has overstepped. Grand Chancellor, this prince has been presumptuous.” Ji Wang’s expression cooled slightly.
Father Emperor remained as protective of the Crown Prince as ever.
What use was a Crown Prince with limited lifespan?
Could Father Emperor possibly be considering passing the throne to a child?
Why hadn’t that assassination attempt five years ago simply taken the Crown Prince’s life?
The Crown Prince had been riding high on the merit of taking an arrow for Father Emperor.
Even the Eastern Palace’s Shizi wanting Huo Shangshu as tutor had received Father Emperor’s approval.
“The Reunion Cakes are ready. Today being Mid-Autumn Festival, my ministers, let us, ruler and subjects, enjoy them together. Empress, begin distributing the cakes.” Emperor Qiande regained his good mood, smiling as he instructed the Empress beside him.
“Your subject consort obeys the decree.” The Empress gently waved her hand.
Several palace servants worked together to carefully carry an enormous Reunion Cake to a large table.
Emperor Qiande stepped forward and accepted a short sword from a servant’s hand.
A red silk tassel hung from the sword’s hilt.
The first cut would be made by the Emperor himself.
The sharp short sword sliced from one end of the table to the other.
The massive mooncake was divided in two, revealing the filling inside and releasing an even richer fragrance.
When the palace attendant placed a small plate before Huo Ningyu, she picked it up and tasted it.
“Mmm, so fragrant.”
In her previous life, seated beside Zhongyi Bo Furen, she wouldn’t have dared to voice her feelings so casually.
But today, sitting beside her own parents, no one would accuse her of impropriety.
Rong Huazhi, seeing her daughter enjoying the food so much, pushed her own plate toward her.
“If you like it, have mine too.”
“Mother, I couldn’t. Everyone only gets one portion. I just wanted to taste it because the Reunion Cake looked so large.” Huo Ningyu had already eaten many other dishes and couldn’t possibly finish two pieces.
The palace banquet today offered too many delicious treats.
Their names were exceptionally poetic.
Like Drunken Crystal Crab with Amber Lotus Seeds, called Jade Tower Reflecting the Moon.
And Snow Swallow Peach Resin Stewed Pigeon Soup, named Jade Marrow in the Clear Dew of Guanghan.
After watching the song and dance performances and finishing the feast, the women, led by the Empress, went for moon gazing and river lantern floating, while the men followed the Emperor to the Moon Altar for lunar worship.
By the time the Huo Family returned home, it was already mid-hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
With no curfew tonight, the capital’s residents could revel to their hearts’ content.
Myriad households were brightly lit, numerous Kongming Lanterns dancing in the sky.
Here and there, lanterns could be seen rising into the heavens.
“Eldest Sister, I bought several too. Let’s release some!” Huo Mingchang proudly had a servant fetch the ones he’d purchased.
Rong Huazhi had also asked the purchasing matron to buy a few.
Huo Pengcheng and his wife stood under the corridor, watching their three grown children at play.
The peaceful atmosphere made Huo Ningyu forget all the hardships of her past life.
Her family was here with her.
Her parents smiled with such gentle affection.
This happiness—she would definitely protect it.
“Eldest Sister, raise your hands higher! It’s tilting. If it’s unstable, it won’t rise.”
Huo Mingchang grew anxious, having just failed with one lantern that fell before reaching even two zhang high.
“Is this better?” Huo Ningyu immediately raised her hands.
“Almost there.” Huo Mingchang bent to light it.
But a slight gust of wind made it tilt again.
“Second Brother, let me hold it. Have Younger Sister light it, and you go prepare another one.” Huo Mingxian took the unfolded Kongming Lantern from Huo Ningyu’s hands.
Huo Ningyu stuck her tongue out at her second brother and nudged him aside.
The siblings worked together, steadily sending one lantern into the sky.
Watching the banner beneath it—”Family Joy”—grow increasingly distant,
Huo Ningyu clasped her hands and made a wish.
After playing for a while, Huo Pengcheng called his eldest son and daughter to join him in the study.
“Husband, it’s so late. Aren’t you going to sleep?” Rong Huazhi asked, puzzled.
“No morning court tomorrow. Staying up a bit later is fine.”
Today being Mid-Autumn Festival, the Emperor had exempted officials from morning court, allowing them to return home and enjoy time with their families.
The siblings followed their father to the study.
Huo Pengcheng had servants guard from a distance, forbidding anyone to approach.
He wiped the faint smile from his face, his expression turning serious.
“Mingxian, what are your thoughts on today’s events?” Huo Pengcheng asked directly.
He had pondered this all the way home.
Today’s developments significantly impacted the Huo Family, and he wanted to hear his son’s perspective.
“Father, are you referring to Younger Sister saving Lingzhe, the Heir, or to the Heir requesting to study under you?” Huo Mingxian had been contemplating this as well.
“The matter of becoming his teacher.”
His daughter’s rescue was merely coincidence and posed little issue, but the Third Imperial Grandson actively proposing tutelage carried different implications.
He also noticed that Ling Zhe, owing to the life-saving grace, seemed inclined to draw closer to his daughter.
But the children of the imperial family, even at just six years old, carry profound meaning in their every move.
“Father, The Emperor is growing old, and the ambitions of the various princes have long been laid bare.
The Crown Prince is physically frail, and the Third Imperial Grandson is still young. The Eastern Palace’s advantages pale in comparison to those of Prince Chen and Ji Wang.
Other princes are also growing restless.
Back then, to ensure stability in the inner court and balance the factional struggles in the imperial court, The Emperor elevated Consort Lu, who came from an unremarkable maternal family, to the position of empress consort.
If not for the many senior ministers in the court insisting on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs, the Crown Prince would never have been designated as the heir apparent.
Had the Crown Prince remained in good health, he would likely have been suppressed by the other princes long ago.
It is only because everyone knows he won’t live long that he has been tolerated in the position of Crown Prince.” Huo Mingxian saw the situation clearly.
Huo Pengcheng nodded after hearing this, his view aligning with his son’s.
But tonight, when the Third Imperial Grandson asked to acknowledge him as his mentor, he was still hesitating when the Third Imperial Grandson performed the ceremonial bow, leaving him with no way to retreat.
“Ningyu, why did you urge me to accept at the time?”