Chapter Twenty: The Crown Prince

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Qin Hao hurriedly finished gnawing on the chicken leg, chewing a few more bites casually before swallowing, then broke into a cheerful smile.

“Miss Mei, you are truly bright and insightful.”

“Since Miss Mei has guessed it’s me, and coincidentally, the tea ceremony has just concluded, I should be going now.”

As he spoke, Qin Hao glanced again at Miss Mei and Miss Xue, silently murmuring to himself.

They truly possess outstanding grace.

What a pity.

With my current frail frame, how could I possibly endure the two of you without being drained completely?

Though I’ve heard that the top courtesans of the Wind and Moon Pavilion undergo rigorous training and are highly skilled women, much to be anticipated.

But right now, I simply can’t handle it.

“Young Master Shen, please wait,” Miss Mei hurriedly spoke up.

Qin Hao stopped, offering an awkward smile. “Miss Mei, Miss Xue, I have no intention of participating in the tea ceremony. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

“If Young Master Shen leaves, it would be an insult to me. Today, I shall leap down from here,” Miss Mei’s voice was resolute, frightening Qin Hao into freezing on the spot.

In ancient times, whether virtuous women or courtesans, they were all fiercely determined; when they said they would jump, they truly meant it.

Miss Xue stepped forward and said, “If Young Master Shen refuses to return to the chambers with us sisters today, I shall accompany my sister in jumping.”

Qin Hao was utterly at a loss.

They were resorting to threats of death to force him!

Just then, Ma Yingze suddenly patted Qin Hao on the back. “Brother Shen, tonight is your lucky night—two beauties vying for you, and one even threatening death. If you don’t go, your brothers will lose respect for you.”

“If you’re that concerned, I’ll find two companions for you tonight as well.”

With the matter reaching this point, Qin Hao had no choice but to comply.

Thus, under the envious and admiring gazes of many scholars, Qin Hao was escorted by the two top courtesans into their chambers.

With that, the tea ceremony ended.

Tonight’s tale of a great scholar playing with two beauties would spread throughout the capital.

The reputed Young Master Shen’s name would become known far and wide.

The next day.

Qin Hao awoke to find the two courtesans still asleep beside him.

Yet nothing had transpired between the three of them that night.

Seeing Qin Hao’s emaciated frame, Miss Mei and Miss Xue were tearful.

They could not understand why such a great talent as Young Master Shen had suffered such hardship.

The two of them cried half the night before finally falling asleep after Qin Hao comforted them.

Miss Mei and Miss Xue made a pact.

Once Qin Hao restored his health, they would become his first women.

Qin Hao saw Miss Mei and Miss Xue still peacefully asleep beside him and quietly rose.

Just as he stepped out of the room—

“Young Master Shen, how did you rest last night?” the steward of the Wind and Moon Pavilion approached, swaying her slender waist, her smile blooming like a flower.

Yesterday, Qin Hao’s four poems outshone all others.

Countless literary talents had chased after him.

Each of the four poems was about Miss Mei and Miss Xue.

This instantly raised their value to the highest among courtesans in the capital.

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From now on, business at the Wind and Moon Pavilion would double or even triple because of Miss Mei and Miss Xue.

All thanks to Qin Hao.

That was why the steward greeted Qin Hao so warmly, as if he were family.

“Did you sleep well? Is there food?” Qin Hao asked with a smile.

“Yes, yes, I had it prepared. Knowing you must have exhausted yourself last night, I arranged the meal early,” the steward responded enthusiastically.

Qin Hao nodded contentedly.

He understood well that thanks to his four poems, the Wind and Moon Pavilion’s renown would be greatly enhanced, elevating its previous popularity to an even higher level.

Given how much they benefited from him, this place would henceforth be one of his favored haunts for free indulgence.

“Brother, I’m eating,” Ma Yingze came over, radiant.

“Join me?” Qin Hao invited.

Ma Yingze, however, did not stay, nervously replying, “Brother, I woke up late; my family’s anxious. The day after tomorrow, we’ll be here again—I’ll bring some friends for you to meet.”

Qin Hao nodded and smiled in agreement.

After Ma Yingze left, Qin Hao finished breakfast and returned to the Long Princess’s mansion.

Meanwhile,

At the imperial palace,

In the court hall,

The Earl of Kaiyang was utterly frustrated.

He had thought his quick promotion to Minister of Revenue would be a blessing.

Who knew he’d encounter such a difficult problem immediately upon arrival?

Princess Li Qingyao said, “Earl of Kaiyang, since everyone agrees on the latest disaster relief policy, then proceed to implement it. Remember to use the saved silver to purchase military supplies to support the northern front.”

The Earl of Kaiyang was in a dilemma—answering was risky, and not answering was no better.

His words would inevitably lead to increased benefits for military generals.

All the civil officials opposed this.

Once he agreed, it would set off a chain reaction.

Furthermore, the keen-eyed could tell this brilliant relief plan did not originate from the princess herself but from some higher source.

The Earl cursed in his heart whoever had advised the princess.

This matter was too significant; he couldn’t decide alone, so he furtively looked to his father-in-law, Duke Yang Guo, for help.

Duke Yang gave a subtle nod, signaling his son-in-law to agree.

Understanding the hint, the Earl finally said, “Princess, your disaster relief plan is indeed ingenious. After court, I shall proceed with it.”

The princess smiled with satisfaction, her face glowing as she looked at her father, the emperor seated on the throne.

The Emperor Xuande also approved but his gaze flicked toward Duke Yang.

His daughter was still too young; how could the civil officials allow the military’s influence to grow unchecked?

Sure enough,

Duke Yang spoke up.

“Your Majesty, may I meet the great talent who devised such a disaster relief plan?”

“Moreover, such a plan is a good governance strategy. I dare to ask Your Majesty to bestow generous rewards upon this person.”

Other civil officials also began to speak, eager to meet Qin Hao.

How could they not know such a capable man?

To know the enemy is to win every battle.

If possible, Duke Yang wanted to recruit this talent into the civil official group.

Emperor Xuande said coldly, “Don’t ask me about this matter. Ask Qingyao. Even I have yet to meet this talented man.”

Duke Yang smiled and asked, “Princess, such a talent should serve the nation. I dare to recommend him to join the Six Ministries to serve Your Majesty. Do you agree?”

Li Qingyao cursed the old fox silently.

My man—does he think I don’t see through him?

What a schemer!

“Duke Yang, this man is currently a civilian under my household. Our dynasty has no precedent for civilians to join the government, which would violate ancestral rites,” Li Qingyao replied with a smile.

Duke Yang continued, “Princess, extraordinary people perform extraordinary deeds. Such a talent will surely be recognized by officials regarding disaster relief.”

Many civil officials nodded in agreement.

Having such a talent join their ranks would be a blessing.

Moreover, the emperor was curious and recognized Qin Hao’s talent.

One after another, officials requested Emperor Xuande to allow the great talent to enter government service.

Li Qingyao was furious in her heart.

Qin Hao must never be handed over to the civil officials.

Otherwise, with his talent, military generals would never have a chance to rise.

Emperor Xuande, seeing his daughter’s anxiety, calmly asked, “Crown Prince, what is your opinion on this matter?”

At the front of the hall, the Crown Prince suddenly looked up and uttered “Ah!”

His expression was as if suddenly awakened from deep thought.

Seeing this, the emperor slammed his hand on the table and roared angrily, “You are inattentive during court! Do you still deserve the title of Crown Prince? I think it’s better if you don’t hold that position!”

The Crown Prince shrank his neck in fright. “Father, I, I…”

Many civil officials quickly pleaded on his behalf.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. The Crown Prince surely has his reasons for distraction.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s absent-mindedness is unintentional.”

These officials could not allow the Crown Prince to be deposed.

Everyone in the capital knew the Crown Prince loved literature and was a firm disciple of Confucianism.

Once he ascended the throne, the civil officials would dominate.

Emperor Xuande’s face was stern. “Is that so? Crown Prince, tell us, what matter distracts you so much that you ignore court affairs?”

The Crown Prince seemed to flip a switch and excitedly shared, “Father, I received four timeless poems this morning. I became so engrossed that I was momentarily distracted.”

The Crown Prince did not notice the emperor’s growing displeasure and continued babbling.

“Very well, then tell us, what poems could cause the Crown Prince to neglect state affairs?”