“One set of Imperial Mianfu, one Golden Flower Jade Tree, one Gilded Orchid Pattern Flask, one Red Sandalwood Night Banquet Picture Screen…”
Grandfather Fu was reading the imperial edict above, all items the Emperor was compensating to the Second Prince.
Qi Chengming knelt to receive the decree, listening absentmindedly as the words went in one ear and out the other. He felt completely unmoved, even somewhat amused:
Did they really think that as a child, a few material possessions could make up for all the grievances he had endured over the years?
Although Xiao Song Zongguan had been vague about the past events, he had grasped the meaning. The Emperor had had an ill-fated relationship with his birth mother, which led to the Second Prince being deliberately neglected since childhood, pushed around and manipulated until now. He couldn’t forgive these sufferings on behalf of the original owner—only help seek revenge.
After learning these truths… was this the Emperor’s attitude toward making amends?
Just then, Grandfather Fu paused before announcing the weightier items: “…bestow ten thousand taels of silver, grant the princely title ‘Rui’, and confer the Secret Report Supervision Right.”
The plump eunuch smiled kindly and reminded: “Prince Rui, won’t you rise to thank for the decree?”
These significant rewards naturally weren’t something an old eunuch could decide on his own—they must have received the Emperor’s tacit approval. This showed the Emperor still cared about this child he had wronged. Grandfather Fu maintained strict focus, reciting the decree without the slightest error.
“…?!” The eunuchs and palace maids kneeling behind Qi Chengming were all visibly delighted. Though they hadn’t yet received the decree, they exchanged suppressed joyful glances, their smiles barely containable.
Qi Chengming rose to accept the decree, feeling confused and bewildered. He couldn’t help testing the waters: “Grandfather… this Secret Report… Supervision Right, what does it mean?”
He was quite satisfied with the ten thousand taels of silver.
Xiao Dezi and Xiao Song Zongguan had been going back and forth with accounts recently, anxiously calculating travel expenses to Liuzhou. What use were the few thousand taels of settlement silver subsidized by the Court of the Imperial Clan according to Jun Wang standards? They’d likely be exhausted upon reaching Liuzhou. Establishing a princely residence and maintaining Imperial Guards would require finding additional sources of income. After all, the Second Prince’s foundation was too weak—no maternal family support, not even any personal savings.
No matter how hard-pressed he was, Qi Chengming couldn’t expect help from the similarly struggling Weiyong Count’s Mansion—that would be too shameless.
Now with ten thousand taels of silver, his most urgent needs were finally met.
He estimated life in Liuzhou would still be tight, but at least he wouldn’t have to worry about being unable to afford his own residence upon arrival—that would trample even the most basic dignity of a prince.
Moreover—he had been promoted from Jun Wang to Prince, and finally granted an official title:
The character “Rui” was extremely auspicious and noble, commonly meaning “propitious.” Qi Chengming recalled what he had learned from Xiao Song Zongguan—how the Emperor had always considered him unlucky in the past, neglecting and ignoring him, probably viewing him as a jinx. Then he considered how the Emperor had specially bestowed the character “Rui” as compensation now…
To put it plainly, others would naturally see this compensation as generous.
Just look at Xiao Dezi—already moved to tears.
However, in the eyes of Qi Chengming who knew the truth of those years, he found it bitterly ironic and laughable—Oh, so after grinding down the unlucky son you yourself despised for over a decade, you think a single auspicious title will settle everything? Don’t forget, princes who leave the palace to establish their fiefdoms are normally granted the rank of Qin Wang (Prince of the First Rank) by protocol. He was merely promoted from Jun Wang (Prince of the Commandery) to Qin Wang—should he be falling over himself with gratitude? Moreover, the Emperor never once mentioned changing his fiefdom. No matter how grand this new title sounded, he would still have to proceed to the remote lands of Lingnan to establish his fief.
Tch. Emotional manipulation.
Thus, when Qi Chengming expressed his gratitude, he remained composed, only puzzled by the final grant of “secret memorial oversight authority.”
He mulled over the wording.
Could it be that the Emperor… wanted him to periodically report on the officials in Liuzhou or the Lingnan region? What could possibly happen in such a harsh, backwater place that required his supervision?
Grandfather Fu’s first words made Qi Chengming realize he had misunderstood. The plump, fair-skinned eunuch clasped his hands, leaned closer, and whispered an explanation:
“Regarding the matter of Consort Hua back then… His Majesty intends to continue investigating thoroughly. But to catch a fish, one must first calm the waters before casting the bait. His Majesty means that the Second Prince has suffered injustice and must not be further disheartened, so he will not conceal this from Your Highness. He asks for your patience a while longer. This secret memorial authority is for Your Highness to communicate directly with His Majesty once you reach your fiefdom, so you may continue overseeing this investigation!”
Grandfather Fu also quietly mentioned a few relay station officials in Liuzhou Prefecture and the methods for submitting secret memorials. Qi Chengming lowered his eyelids impassively, committing each detail to memory.
—Of course, the Hongren Emperor would not phrase it so delicately; these were Grandfather Fu’s polished words.
But the underlying message was one of remorse and a firm resolve to investigate.
Qi Chengming was somewhat astonished: “…”
His impression of the Hongren Emperor had been exceedingly poor—viewing him as cold, unfeeling, irresponsible, and hypocritically remorseful after the fact.
But now, at the very least, the Emperor showed some resolve in investigating the origins of his original self’s birth mother, Consort Hua, and the Second Prince’s ill-omened reputation? He wasn’t continuing to feign ignorance and was even attempting to offer a tacit apology through this “oversight authority.” Though it was unclear… how much of the Hongren Emperor’s determination stemmed from his own anger at having been deceived for over a decade.
How to put it.
In short, he could still be considered a premium-grade scoundrel among scoundrels?
Qi Chengming smirked sardonically at his own thought.
…On the surface, benefits not taken were benefits wasted. Qi Chengming respectfully accepted these instructions, putting on a moved expression as he thanked him: “Xiao Dezi, escort Grandfather out.”
Xiao Dezi responded smartly, patted the pouch holding the silver taels, stepped forward to see Grandfather Fu out, and prepared to awkwardly attempt a bribe.
Grandfather Fu initially turned to leave immediately but, before departing, scanned his surroundings once more. Shaking his head at the sight of not a single experienced, steady elder in the Second Prince’s Residence, he patiently waited for Xiao Dezi to obsequiously bow and escort him out, then offered a few more words of advice: “…Go back and explain things properly to His Highness the Second Prince. Do not fail to appreciate His Majesty’s intentions.”
When Xiao Dezi stepped back into the Second Prince’s Residence, he appeared deeply preoccupied.
The assorted tribute items, carried in like flowing water, had all been placed in the main hall on Qi Chengming’s orders. He was now inspecting them one by one as if unpacking chests, directing the palace servants on their arrangement.
The most eye-catching among them was still that exquisitely beautiful and intricate screen.
Qi Chengming stood with his hands behind his back, admiring the dusk-blue banquet scene embroidered on the folding screen. The needlework was vividly rendered—a lively gathering under lantern-lit night, where men and women sat together without segregation, children included, all wearing smiles. The flowing ribbons and fluttering skirts were so dynamic it seemed the figures might leap from the fabric, eagerly inviting viewers to join their painted revelry.
“Exquisite,” he murmured in admiration. “Superb painting, masterful embroidery.”
This high craftsmanship, born from the dedication of ancient laborers, had finally allowed a rustic like him to witness such artistry. Even as an art novice, he could recognize this as a pinnacle where painting and embroidery harmonized perfectly—a work demanding five or six years to complete.
—And he’d heard these were all allocated from the emperor’s private treasury. How could they be anything less than treasures?
“Your Highness…” Xiao Dezi approached after Qi Chengming had finished his appreciation, speaking softly. “Grandfather Fu reminded this servant earlier. Aside from the princely coronet robes, all these rewards… were cherished items once used by Lady Hua. Especially this screen—it’s said she painted and embroidered it herself.”
Qi Chengming’s mind went blank for a moment, as if struck by a heavy mallet.
The Second Prince’s birth mother… excelling in both painting and embroidery?
She was a woman of remarkable talent.
Though he lacked the original host’s memories, his growing affection for the Weiyong Count’s household—his maternal relatives—made him willing to honor the deceased birth mother as his own. Now, the Hongren Emperor’s gesture of returning Lady Hua’s belongings clearly signaled reconciliation.
Yet Qi Chengming had only one burning question:
“Why… would my mother’s possessions end up in His Majesty’s private treasury?!” he pressed, utterly perplexed.
Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi exchanged uneasy glances. These young eunuchs, barely in their teens and largely confined to the Second Prince’s Residence, stammered nervously under the inquiry, sweat beading their foreheads. Neither could provide an answer.
Bi Shu quietly poured Qi Chengming a cup of warm tea and ventured a reply: “When this servant still served in the Imperial Household Department, we heard all items in the consorts’ quarters were imperial gifts. Upon their passing, everything must be returned to the Department. Beloved possessions might be left to their biological children… or otherwise handled uniformly by the Department.”
The distinction, of course, hinged entirely on whether the consort had been favored or not.
Qi Chengming fell silent once more: “…”
He nearly cursed the Hongren Emperor for being utterly shameless.
After all, the Second Prince’s Residence contained no delicate artifacts reminiscent of Lady Hua’s style. He strongly suspected:
Had Lady Hua’s imperial gifts been reclaimed after her death, while the emperor—deeming the Second Prince an ill omen—hastily relegated the boy to the Residence under caretakers? Had he then tucked her personal treasures into his private collection?
…Without a thought for what her own son might need.
Qi Chengming set aside his anger toward the emperor.
Considering today’s compensatory gifts, the old monarch’s remorse seemed genuine—yet so was his continued indifference. This was likely the best reconciliation a feudal emperor could conceive. Regardless of imperial intentions, Qi Chengming refused to dwell on it. He would accept what was given and focus solely on those he cared about—after all, he couldn’t forgive that father figure on the original host’s behalf anyway.
Qi Chengming anxiously called for Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi: “Quickly, come over and help me look!”
Several people craned their necks and huddled together in front of the screen. Qi Chengming held his breath as he carefully examined the Night Banquet painting inch by inch again. He whispered, “Help me look at the people at this banquet. This oldest one with black hair—does he look like my maternal grandfather?”
“Then this must be the wife of the Weiyong Count?” Xiao Chengzi, with sharp eyes, looked at the middle-aged couple seated in the upper positions.
Their hair had not yet turned gray, their faces were free of wrinkles, and they were full of vitality, smiling as they were surrounded by their children and seated above… They looked at least twenty years younger! If it weren’t for what Xiao Dezi had said earlier, and the fact that the figures in the painting bore some resemblance in spirit to the elderly couple of the Weiyong Count’s Mansion, Qi Chengming wouldn’t have been able to connect them.
“These two should be my uncle and aunt,” Qi Chengming identified the unfamiliar man and woman seated below one by one.
Then, there were two young children—one tall and one short—and a young woman.
The two young children might be the children of his uncle and aunt—Qi Chengming’s two deceased older cousins, the elder brothers of Wang Shuo. As for the last one…
Qi Chengming’s finger lingered over the last young woman, hovering an inch above the screen without touching it.
“She is…” Bi Shu’s voice suddenly softened.
The girl had bright eyes and gleaming teeth, her smile radiant as she held a wine cup. She bore none of the stereotypical impressions Qi Chengming had imagined, such as “talented woman” or “gentle and graceful.” With just a few strokes, the artist had captured the girl’s temperament and spirit, so vivid that Qi Chengming couldn’t bear to look away.
Just by imagining, Qi Chengming could envision how carefree and joyful Hua Pin must have been when she was still in her maiden chambers, how cherished she was by her father and brothers… That must be why, after entering the palace, she spent so much time and effort creating this Night Banquet painting, filled with emotion and longing, painting it on the screen to accompany her day after day.
But now, that person was gone. The lively scene depicted in the Night Banquet painting had left only the lonely elderly couple and Hua Pin’s nephew, whom she had never met.
‘Mother.’
Qi Chengming closed his eyes, willingly murmuring this address in his heart.
‘Rest assured… I will thoroughly investigate the events of the past. If there are doubts or enemies, I will avenge you for it.’
Starting by observing the movements within the palace this time.
Qi Chengming watched coldly.
—On the second day of the palace lockdown and search, the restrictions were lifted everywhere, and the Hongren Emperor’s official verdict on the matter was finally announced.
Author’s Note:
I’ve enabled paragraph comments! Finally figured out where to turn them on.