Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“How much longer do we have to keep him recovering?” Li Si Qi asked casually. “That dog emperor has pretty much worked him into a mental and physical breakdown. Can he still be used?”

“Of course he can!” Xiao Hu Zi replied with a grin. “He’s only forty-three. In the Great Qing, that already counts as old. Back in ancient times, there were great generals who still donned armor and went to war at sixty. Besides, the First Prince is already in his fifties. If nothing unexpected happens, he can live another seven or eight years.”

“Kang Xi’s sons are all trouble,” Li Si Qi said softly. “Pretty Ninth has already been removed from the imperial clan registry, so he doesn’t count as royal anymore. Remember to give him the Puppet Pill, and hand our business over to him to run. And that face of his… too many people in the capital recognize him. Give him a new face. I don’t want him causing some huge mess. Giving him a chance to live doesn’t mean we have to give him a chance to stir up trouble.”

“Master, you really do know his temperament!” Xiao Hu Zi said. “After God of Wealth Ninth watched the Qing fall, he was so happy he looked like a madman. He kept saying it was good that it fell. Looks like he truly hated the Emperor to the bone. Even if the country was destroyed, he didn’t care. But once he saw modern history, with wars raging on for decades, especially the massacres that killed hundreds of thousands, and the land shattered and ruined, he finally fell silent. Only then did I see the hot blood of a son of Yan and Huang in him. He shouted and cursed at those Japanese invaders.”

“Oh? You let him see the new century?” Li Si Qi sat up straight at once, frowning. “That’s not good. He still can’t handle things that are too far ahead.”

“No, no!” Xiao Hu Zi hurried to explain. “I only showed him the brutality of those Japanese invaders. I didn’t give him much information.”

“That works,” Li Si Qi said, narrowing her eyes as she made arrangements. “The First Prince can be brought out too. Let him learn about the crimes of those Japanese invaders as well. Then toss those two brothers over to Guang Fu. One can make money for me, and the other can train up a navy for me. When the time is right, they’ll go to those Japanese islands and dig out gold and silver mines. We’re just poor common folk. Taking back what belongs to us – no one can say a thing.”

“No problem!” Xiao Hu Zi agreed at once, then added, “Master, God of Wealth Ninth isn’t in the clan registry anymore, so giving him the Puppet Pill is fine. But the First Prince can’t. He’s still a royal clan prince. If we make him take the Puppet Pill, the Heavenly Dao here will come looking for trouble right away.”

“It’s fine,” Li Si Qi said, unconcerned. “Let him see the history first, just like Pretty Ninth. Then tell him what you decided. If he’s willing to go to Guang Fu, send him there. If he isn’t willing, we don’t have to force it. Just erase anything he shouldn’t know.”

“Understood.”

… Three days later, an imperial edict nearly turned the harem upside down. Noble Lady Wan was promoted to Concubine Wan. Zhen Huan was promoted despite having no child. That dog emperor, who had always been stingy about ranks, was paying more and more attention to his figurine.

Once again, there was a promotion to concubine without a child. How could the harem not be shocked and furious? In no time, plenty of porcelain in every palace got smashed, and only Yong Shou Palace stayed fairly quiet. The Imperial Study.

“Concubine Xin still hasn’t heard the news?” The Emperor asked, focusing his attention on Yong Shou Palace after hearing the uproar in the harem.

Su Pei Sheng’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Replying to Your Majesty, Consort Xin has made no other move.”

“Come,” the Emperor said as he stood. “Accompany me to Yong Shou Palace. I haven’t seen Sixth Prince and Wen Ning in quite a few days.”

There were not too many children in the palace, but not too few either. Still, the boy-girl twins held a place in the Emperor’s heart. The Emperor led a whole entourage in a grand procession to Yong Shou Palace.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

Li Si Qi had just stepped out when she saw the Emperor striding over. She immediately bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Rong’er, get up.” The Emperor reached out to pull her up and guided her inside. “Are Little Six and Wen Ning resting?”

“No, they’re playing,” Li Si Qi replied blandly. “Your Majesty can play with them.”

Sure enough, once they entered, the two little ones were on the couch, playing. Senior Maid Ruo Lan and the others quickly bowed when they saw him. The little ones heard the sound, turned their heads, and looked toward the person walking closer and closer.

“Father!” Hong Zhao suddenly shouted.

Wen Ning glanced at her brother, then at the man who had frozen in place, and followed along. “Father!” Those two baby-soft calls made the Emperor burst with joy. “They can call people now?

When did they start?”

“Replying to Your Majesty,” Senior Maid Ruo Lan answered with a smile. “Sixth Prince and Third Princess only started calling people these past two days.”

“Sixth Prince and Wen Ning are excellent – clever children,” the Emperor said, laughing as he walked closer. “If I remember right, they should be about eleven months now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Senior Maid Ruo Lan replied, a trace of helplessness flashing through her heart. Her own mistress was ignoring His Majesty!

The Emperor was so delighted that it never even occurred to him he was being ignored. He happily played with the two little ones, and whenever they called “Father,” he was so pleased he could barely tell up from down. It was only at mealtime that the Emperor finally noticed. After the meal, the two little ones grew sleepy and were carried away.

“What, are you unhappy?” The Emperor smiled. “You’ve got quite the nerve, ignoring me now.”

“How would I dare?” Li Si Qi pouted. “I just didn’t want to interrupt Your Majesty while you were playing with the children. Your Majesty, don’t wrong me, alright? If Your Majesty gets angry and throws me into the Cold Palace, how unfair would that be for me?”

“Nonsense!” The Emperor laughed. He could tell she really was sulking, so he called her bluff. “You think I don’t know? You’re jealous.”

“Am I not allowed to be jealous?” Li Si Qi didn’t deny it. She casually picked up a pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. “How about I just openly get jealous, then?”

“You silly girl!” The Emperor had been forced to bite into a cold, hard pastry, and it would’ve been rude to spit it out, so he could only swallow it.

“Hmph!” Li Si Qi snorted. “Concubine Wan really is Your Majesty’s precious darling. I fought for my life to give birth to two children, and Your Majesty only gave me a concubine rank. I’m not complaining, and I know Your Majesty treats me well. I also know Your Majesty looked after me by having me raise the children together with Noble Consort Hua. I was satisfied, and I was happy. It’s just that…” She glared at him without restraint. “Compared to Concubine Wan, I’ve really disgraced Sixth Prince and Wen Ning!”

“What nonsense are you saying!” The Emperor’s smile vanished.

The Emperor wasn’t unaware of the gossip about Concubine Xin, but he had never meant to elevate her too conspicuously, and the An family had no notable talent. So he had ignored it. Now, hearing her say this out loud, he still felt uncomfortable. In the end, he said, “I know you’re a good one.

Don’t worry. I won’t shortchange you.”

“I was out of line,” Li Si Qi said, smiling as if she didn’t care. She lifted a teacup and placed it into his hand. “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

“You really are still like a child,” the Emperor said.

“With Your Majesty spoiling me, I’m not afraid,” Li Si Qi replied.

“You silly girl.”

… The next day, the Emperor left, and Yong Shou Palace returned to its usual calm. The harem, of course, couldn’t calm down. The consorts fought desperately for favor, and Concubine Wan stood on equal footing with Concubine Li. No one could even untangle their grudges anymore – the only way to describe it was fire and water.

No matter how the harem tossed and turned, New Year’s Eve still arrived.