Chapter 140: With Many Children, How Can Each One Succeed?

Chapter 140: With Many Children, How Can Each One Succeed?

The Empress's Jingren Palace

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

Three crisp sounds in succession, and the Empress, Consort Liang, Consort Hui, and Princess Changping all knelt on the ground.

"Isn't this shameful? Isn't this shameful!" the Emperor bellowed angrily.

The room was as silent as the grave. Looking at the women kneeling on the ground, the Emperor suddenly felt utterly exhausted. He was getting on in years, his health declining day by day, yet not one of his sons was capable of shouldering the burden. These women, instead of sharing his worries, were caught up in deadly strife every day.

Today, they had even nearly caused the death of Xiao Huai's daughter. By now, probably the whole Daiqian Dynasty knew about the fierce infighting among the consorts of his harem, nearly resulting in the death of a meritorious official's daughter. They had completely lost face for him.

Taking a deep breath to alleviate the heaviness in his heart, he stood up and declared, "Consort Liang and Consort Hui are to be confined for half a year, and fined one year's worth of offerings. The Empress is fined two years' worth of offerings."

Having said this, he strode out, followed immediately by palace maids and eunuchs. After walking for a while, he asked Jiao Kangsheng, "How is the palace banquet going?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly under the stewardship of Consort Min," Jiao Kangsheng said.

"Consort Min is sensible," the Emperor remarked as he walked towards the Imperial Study. Originally, he was supposed to attend the palace banquet, or at least make an appearance, but now he felt neither the mood nor the face to go.

"Summon Qi Liangsheng to the Imperial Study," the Emperor ordered again.

Jiao Kangsheng immediately instructed a young eunuch to fetch the person. By the time the Emperor reached the entrance of the Imperial Study, Qi Liangsheng was already waiting there. Seeing the Emperor approach, he promptly bowed in respect, to which the Emperor gestured, "Dispense with the formalities, my subject."

With that, he stepped into the Imperial Study, walked over to the chessboard by the window, and sat down, saying to Qi Liangsheng, "Join me for a game of chess."

Qi Liangsheng moved to sit opposite the Emperor. After the Emperor placed a piece, he picked up a black stone and placed it on the board. The two engaged in the game, moving pieces back and forth, until the Emperor asked, "Do the concubines and mistresses at your residence quarrel often?"

As Qi Liangsheng placed a chess piece on the board, he thought about the incident that had just occurred and had a rough idea why the Emperor was inquiring.

He replied, "I have two concubines; one was a servant who served me previously, and the other was chosen by my mother from among our household's female descendants. Both have given birth to daughters, with no sons yet. My principal wife treated them reasonably well while she was alive. They have their squabbles, but nothing too serious."

The Emperor snorted with a laugh, "When all is said and done, it's still about the throne."

Qi Liangsheng naturally responded to the Emperor's words with silence.

The Emperor sighed again, "Having too many women is also a hassle; they fight to the death over affection, status, and the throne. It's fine when they employ petty schemes, but today they nearly cost the life of Zi'an's young girl. I deeply regret not being able to protect Zi'an!"

Qi Liangsheng lowered his eyes, pausing for a moment before saying, "Every household has its troubles, just like my good-for-nothing and the Second Son of the Marquis of Yongning; both are idle all day, indulging in trivialities. Not long ago, they were even expelled from the academy.

After the expulsion, I forced him to study at home, but who knew he and the Second Son of the Marquis of Yongning would concoct some scheme about becoming Imperial merchants. Your Majesty, what do these young fools know about business? Yet they dream of becoming Imperial merchants. I was so angry I nearly disowned him."

The Emperor seemed amused by his tale and said, "I recall you and Zi'an don't get along, but your children seem to enjoy each other's company."

Qi Liangsheng replied with a helpless expression, "Birds of a feather flock together."

The Emperor laughed heartily and asked, "What's the name of Zi'an's second son?"

"Xiao Yuming," Qi Liangsheng replied.

"How is the boy?" inquired the Emperor.

Qi Liangsheng's face showed difficulty, "After all, it's someone else's child, it's not appropriate for me to comment."

The Emperor said, "I'm just making casual conversation with you, speak freely."

Qi Liangsheng sighed, "The eldest son of the Marquis of Yongning is fairly adept at his studies. Fang Dahu has also praised him. Some time ago, he came to me seeking guidance. After testing the boy's knowledge, I found him satisfactory and took him on as a disciple."

The Emperor nodded, "I've heard about this. Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Yongning's household has produced a scholar."

Qi Liangsheng nodded in agreement, "That child is indeed commendable. But this Xiao Yuming... is rather unruly. He's been unsuccessful in his studies. Recently, Duke Tang wanted him to train in martial arts, but after a few days, he complained of hardship and gave it up."

After saying this, he let out a heavy sigh.

The Emperor’s face brightened with a smile, "With so many children, how can each one turn out successful? It’s enough if they don't cause major trouble."

"Duke Tang said the same to me a few days ago," Qi Liangsheng said. "He no longer has high hopes for him; he just wishes he won't stir up trouble and will live a peaceful and wealthy life as an idle gentleman."

"As parents, we all wish for our children to succeed, but there’s nothing we can do if they don’t," the Emperor said as he placed a chess piece on the board, seeming much more at ease.

Qi Liangsheng silently exhaled a sigh of relief. The Emperor must have heard about Xiao Yuming's ruthless interrogation of the palace maid, which is why he summoned Qi to inquire about Xiao Yuming. He must be concerned about another Xiao Huai emerging from the Marquis of Yongning's household!

The Emperor and his minister continued their game of chess while discussing matters of the court. In the end, Qi Liangsheng lost to the Emperor. The Emperor laughed heartily after his victory, then dismissed him.

After leaving the palace and returning home, he entered his study and documented his conversation with the Emperor in the imperial study. He then had it secretly delivered to Duke Tang's residence.

After reading the letter, Duke Tang pondered for a long time, then said to Tang Shubai, who was sitting beside him, "Have your wife visit the Marquis of Yongning's household tomorrow, and tell Shuyi not to be too strict with Yuming for the time being."

Tang Shubai, holding Qi Liangsheng's letter, replied, "Alright, I'll tell her in a bit."

Duke Tang snorted coldly, "Since he has no outstanding sons of his own, he doesn't wish for others' children to excel either."

After reading the letter, Tang Shubai lit a match and burned the pages, then said, "Given today’s events, it’s unlikely we'll find out much."

"Even if we don’t find out, a scapegoat must be presented, and it can’t be just any insignificant person," Duke Tang said, his voice tinged with an indescribable chill.

Today's events had truly disheartened him. Not to mention the merits he had earned fighting alongside the former Emperor to establish the dynasty, his sons, Xiao Chengkun and Xiao Huai, had died on the battlefield for the sake of the Great Qian Dynasty. Such incidents should not have occurred. Even if they did, the Emperor should not be thinking of brushing them off so lightly.

"Just wait," Duke Tang said with a cold laugh. "Chaos is bound to ensue sooner or later."

"Shuyi said that it was a child named Li Jingyi who saved Yuzhu," Tang Shubai said with a frown after thinking for a while. "The seventh prince should be named Li Jingyi."

Duke Tang hummed in acknowledgment, "Tell your wife to convey to Shuyi that if the seventh prince has any requests, agree to what can be done and refuse what cannot. We owe him a debt of gratitude for saving a life; we’ll find an opportunity to repay it."

Tang Shubai agreed, then excused himself to return to the courtyard of the Lady Tang.