Shiren
The festive horns resounded, and the figures of Huangfu Yuchen and Empress Du Mu, and their little prince appeared at the entrance of the hall.
All the people in the hall knelt down, waiting for the Emperor and Empress to take their seats on the throne. They exclaimed, “We, the officials/concubines/servants, respectfully congratulate our Emperor on his birthday. May our Emperor live for ten thousand years…”
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty…”
After the officials and consorts took their seats, the young prince sat on the prince’s seat, his eyes searching among the seats of the consorts.
He didn’t see Yan Ge, and felt a little disappointed. Suddenly, at the very end, he caught sight of a masked man, and a smile appeared on his small face. Yan Ge grinned in response, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and nodded slightly.
As the young prince was still very young, the Empress worried that he might make a mistake at such a grand banquet so she kept glancing at him, and inadvertently saw the interaction between the young prince and Yan Ge. She clenched the silk in her hands so tightly that she almost tore it apart.
Deng Mande started shouting: “May the envoys of the Mai kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Wei kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Min Kingdom enter the hall…”
Envoys from neighboring kingdoms who came to celebrate Emperor Huangfu Yuchen’s birthday successively entered the hall. Huangfu Yuchen expressed his gratitude to each of them and invited them to take their seats.
After everyone was seated, it was time for the first performance of the evening: the presentation of congratulatory gifts.
To demonstrate courtesy and friendship, the ceremony of presenting gifts by the envoys was arranged at the beginning. It was followed by the young prince, then the officials, nobles, and special individuals who were invited due to their meritorious services, and finally, the consorts.
The ambassador from the Mai kingdom stepped forward eagerly, “On behalf of His Majesty the King of Mai, this envoy presents a nine-scented lamp as a tribute, congratulating Your Majesty on your birthday. This nine-scented lamp is a precious treasure that, when lit, not only rotates gently by itself but also emits a refreshing fragrance to invigorate the spirit. We hope Your Majesty will like It.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, “His Majesty of the Mai kingdom is thoughtful. Please convey my gratitude to your king when you return.”
“Of course.”
“On behalf of His Majesty the King of Wei kingdom…”
From dozens of kingdoms, the envoys offered their gifts one after another, and then it was the young prince’s turn.
“May the young prince present his gift.”
All eyes turned to the young prince, who was less than six years old. Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, filled with indulgence. After all, he was just a five-year-old child, even if he was of imperial descent, one couldn’t have high expectations.
The young prince didn’t show stage fright. He held his head high and walked confidently into the hall. With chubby hands, he lifted the hem of his robe and went on one knee, bowing his head, “Your child congratulates Father Emperor on his birthday. May Father Emperor live for ten thousand years!”
“Rise, my child,” Huangfu Yuchen said gently.
“Thank you, Father Emperor,” the young prince stood up and proudly proclaimed, “Although I am still young, I haven’t prepared a gift. But I can calculate the multiplication of any two numbers between 10 and 20.”
The Empress’s heart almost jumped out of her chest in fright.
What act was this? Didn’t they already agree with the young prince to recite a passage from a book for the Emperor during the banquet?
There was a slight commotion among the officials, most of whom were skeptical, waiting to see the young prince’s joke. A five-year-old child who claimed to be able to perform multiplication within 20, who would believe it?
Huangfu Yuchen was also surprised. He glanced at Yan Ge imperceptibly, then looked back at the young prince. “You only learned up to 10 the other night. How did you learn up to 20 today?”
The young prince knelt down, his crisp voice full of confidence, “Please forgive me, Father Emperor. Your child wanted to give Father Emperor a surprise, so I kept it a secret. I started learning up to 20 several days ago. The day before yesterday, I lost to Father Emperor in a game because I was too nervous.”
Many people smiled kindly.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “You’re not nervous today? Since you claim to have learned it, I will test you. If you answer incorrectly, it will be embarrassing.”
The young prince showed no fear. With a clear and crisp childlike voice, he confidently replied, “Second Master said, it’s not frightening to make mistakes when you’re young. If you make many mistakes when you’re young, you’ll make fewer mistakes when you grow up.”
Grand Tutor Song Chaobang stroked his beard curiously, wondering who this ‘Second Master’ was. How could he be unaware of the existence of this ‘Second Master’?
“Hahaha…” Everyone was amused and found this ‘Second Master’ intriguing.
“Your Majesty…” The Empress broke out in a cold sweat, attempting to smooth things over.
Huangfu Yuchen warned her with a glance, “Enough. I won’t personally test you. I’ll have the envoys and ministers examine you. Do you dare to answer?”
“I dare!”
“Good!” Huangfu Yuchen addressed the crown prince and others, “You shall represent me in examining the Crown Prince.”
The young eunuchs brought a small table into the hall, upon which a pen and a piece of white paper were placed. One of the young eunuchs showed the paper to everyone on both sides before placing it down and stepping back.
The ministers were puzzled, ”This… No abacus? How is he supposed to calculate?”
Huangfu Yuchen was also taken aback by the crown prince’s unexpected move. He decided to pose the first question himself, choosing smaller numbers to prevent the crown prince from embarrassment.
“Crown Prince, I shall begin by testing you. What is eleven multiplied by eleven?”
Without hesitation, the crown prince replied, “121,” his eyes narrowing with a smile. He had already memorized the multiplication table up to 11 times 11, 12 times 12, 13 times 13… He didn’t need to calculate; he could draw conclusions effortlessly.
On the side, a young eunuch with an abacus calculated and announced, “Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed 121.”
Huangfu Yuchen was surprised but grew more interested. He then asked, “Twelve multiplied by thirteen.”
The crown prince began writing on the paper, and after a moment, he lifted his head and said, “156.”
All eyes turned to the young eunuch, who diligently performed calculations with the abacus. After a while, he reported, “Reporting to Your Majesty, 156 is correct.”
The Empress breathed a sigh of relief and regained her composure.
The courtiers were amazed.
The envoy from Mai kingdom stood up, not willing to accept defeat. He respectfully bowed to Huangfu Yuchen and asked, “Your Majesty, may this envoy also present a question?”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
The Mai kingdom envoy asked, “Nineteen multiplied by nineteen.”
Many ministers from the Han Kingdom glared at him in secret.
After calculating, the young prince replied, “361.”
The Mai kingdom envoy widened his eyes and asked again, “Twenty multiplied by twenty!”
The young prince laughed and confidently answered, “400.”
Finally, the courtiers were impressed, congratulating Huangfu Yuchen on having such an intelligent crown prince.
The Empress had a delighted expression, but she also found it peculiar how the crown prince suddenly became so intelligent.
After the courtiers and nobles presented their gifts, it was the consorts’ turn.
The Empress offered a pair of phoenix pendants as a symbol of eternal harmony between the Emperor and Empress.
But everyone’s interest was focused on the three male consorts. Especially the envoys, as they knew that the current ruler of the Han kingdom didn’t like men. Yet, today’s birthday banquet included three male consorts, arousing their curiosity and various speculations.
Among the three male consorts, Song Ruhao held the highest position and presented his gift first. Accompanied by two eunuchs, Song Ruhao went to the bottom of the steps, while the eunuchs jointly held a rolled-up painting.
Song Ruhao knelt and said, “This servant respectfully offer a hundred longevities painting, wishing our Emperor good health and boundless longevity.” The two young eunuchs carefully unfolded the painting.
Yan Ge smirked inwardly. The words made it sound as if Huangfu Yuchen was already in his seventies or eighties.
With a slight upward curve of his lips, Huangfu Yuchen understood exactly what Yan Ge was thinking. His seemingly helpless eyes were filled with affection and indulgence that were meant only for Yan Ge.
As Song Ruhao kowtowed, his mask suddenly fell from his face and lightly struck the ground, making a subtle “ding” sound. Song Ruhao quickly raised his head and pleaded, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
The officials saw his appearance and couldn’t help but show admiration. They marveled at how the Emperor was truly the Emperor, surrounded by beautiful consorts, even the male ones possessed such remarkable looks—sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and charming attractiveness.
Song Ruhao gazed at Huangfu Yuchen with deep affection.
Yan Ge clasped his hands together, supporting his chin, and smiled with a teasing glint in his eyes, aimed at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, “There’s no offense. Song Guiren, please take your seat.” At the same time, he returned a teasing glance to Yan Ge.
Song Ruhao’s face slightly stiffened almost imperceptibly. Since the Emperor invited him to the feast, it meant that he cared about him. However, Huangfu Yuchen didn’t even ask a single question about the longevity painting that he had painstakingly created.
The Minister of the Ministry of War had a carefree personality and a rough voice, “Your Majesty, please forgive me for being rude. Song Guiren said this is a painting of a hundred years, so why does this minister think it looks like a landscape picture?”
Song Ruhao cheered up and hurriedly replied : “This painting is just an ordinary landscape, but in fact it hides a hundred characters of ‘shou’ in different fonts.”
“So that’s how it is. “The Minister of the Ministry of War said in understanding.
“Song Guiren has a heart.” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Du Zhengfeng stepped forward before Song Ruhao had the chance to speak again, leaving Song Ruhao no choice but to step back.
“This humble servant has brought a zither to play a piece for Your Majesty, to congratulate Your Majesty on eternal well-being and the prosperous fortune of the Han kingdom!”
The envoys secretly chuckled. This male consort was indeed handsome, but slightly muscular, the Emperor of the Han Kingdom has unique aesthetics.
The crowd patiently listened as Du Zhengfeng played a powerful and passionate congratulatory melody, their hopeful eyes resting on the last male consort, Yan Ge.
Yan Ge stood up and lightly applauded. Four eunuchs carried the congratulatory gift forward.
Huangfu Yuchen, like everyone else, was curious. Yan Ge had intentionally kept it a secret from him, and he had no idea what gift Yan Ge had prepared, but he was certain that it would be extraordinary.
“Your Majesty, the gift I present is one of a kind in the whole world. It can be used for daily life and leisure, as well as for military purposes.”
Yan Ge’s words surprised the foreign envoys. They put down their wine glasses and exchanged glances. The relaxed expressions on their faces suddenly turned tense.
Used for military purposes?
Could it be some powerful weapon? Perhaps even more formidable than gunpowder. As for Yan Ge referring to himself as “I,” they paid no attention to it at all.
Yan Ge had always been tactful. Since he decided to present this gift in the grand hall, it obviously meant there was no fear of others investigating. Huangfu Yuchen directly asked, “Is it a weapon, by any chance?”
Huangfu Yuhu saw that his brother’s gaze had become gentle and he looked at Yan Ge a few more times, attaching importance to him based on recent rumors.
Song Chaobang laughed heartily, “Yan Changzai’s words have completely piqued my interest. I’m sure my colleagues here feel the same way.”
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Huangfu Yuchen smiled faintly and said to Yan Ge, “You don’t need to keep us in suspense. Just reveal the answer.”
“Your Majesty, please take a look.” Yan Ge pulled back the red cloth, revealing a strange object with two wheels. Two young eunuchs worked together to place the gift on the ground.
Everyone’s attention was captivated.
“What is this?” Huangfu Yuchen asked curiously.
Yan Ge explained, “This object is called a ‘bicycle.’ Your Majesty, please allow this young servant to demonstrate its usage.”
“Granted.”
A small eunuch walked forward and knelt before Huangfu Yuchen. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” he said before quickly standing up, lifting his robes and strapping them around his waist. He mounted the bicycle, placing his feet on the pedals and smoothly gliding through the open space in the middle of the hall.
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a unique and interesting device!”
Yan Ge continued, “Your Majesty, with your busy political affairs, you rarely have time to exercise so the bicycle is perfect for you. You can exercise by pedaling while still holding your documents. If you feel bored, you can ride the bicycle and enjoy a leisurely stroll within the palace.”
Huangfu Yuchen praised, “Excellent! Yan Changzai’s gift has truly touched my heart. There will be generous rewards. Yan Changzai, you mentioned that this item can be used for military purposes. How so?”
The foreign envoys eagerly listened, afraid of missing a single word.
“That is correct,” Yan Ge replied. “Firstly, bicycles do not require fodder like horses. Secondly, bicycles have a small size. During military marches or battles, if there are narrow passages that horses or carriages can’t easily pass through, bicycles can be used to travel swiftly or even transport supplies. Moreover, the sound produced by bicycles in motion is much quieter than the sound of horse hooves, allowing for stealthy approaches to the enemy. Furthermore, Your Majesty, please observe…” Yan Ge signaled to the young eunuch.
The eunuch dismounted the bicycle and, with the help of another young eunuch, folded it up!
“It is convenient to carry! If soldiers undergo weight training, it wouldn’t be a problem for each of them to carry one.”
The officials looked amazed and were filled with admiration as they listened to Yan Ge’s words.
The foreign envoys, on the other hand, wore stunned expressions. Who was this consort? How did he find such a remarkable object?
Luo Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of War, stood up excitedly. “May I ask, Yan Changzai, where did this item come from?”
Yan Ge glanced at him but remained silent. He handed a piece of paper to Deng Mande, saying, “Your Majesty, this is the design blueprint of the bicycle. I humbly wish you longevity and the eternal prosperity of the Han Kingdom!”
Huangfu Yuchen looked deeply at him and burst into laughter. “Excellent! Yan Changzai has made outstanding contributions. He shall be promoted to “Shiren” today and rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver!”
*Ranks among male consorts from bottom to top–Daying, Changzai, Shirén (scholar), Cairen, Guiren, Shiqing, Caiqing (honorable official), Guiqing(Noble Consort), to Huang Guiqing (Imperial Noble Consort/Empress)Song Ruhao nearly crushed the cup in his hand.
Du Zhengfeng glanced at him with concern and discreetly patted his hand. The Emperor was in a good mood today, and Song Ruhao shouldn’t spoil the atmosphere.
—“Ding. Congratulations on completing Main Mission 5 and being promoted to Shiren/Scholar by the Emperor. Reward: 500 taels of silver and 8 Foundation Building Pills. Main Mission 6—To be promoted to Cairen by the Emperor. Mission success rewards include: 1,000 taels of silver, the book ‘Fengyun Immortal Record’ for cultivating up to the Late Enlightenment Stage. Mission failure: Deduction of 1,000 taels of silver. Please choose ‘Yes’ to accept the mission or ‘No’ to refuse.”
The unexpected rewards caused Yan Ge’s knees to weaken momentarily, but he quickly composed himself and said to the system, “Little Jin, select ‘Yes’ for me.”
–“Yes, Master,” Yan Jin excitedly replied. “Master, the system can be upgraded now! After the upgrade, I will explain everything to you.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!” Yan Ge expressed his gratitude.
Huangfu Yuchen surveyed the area and said with a loud laugh, “Let the feast begin. May all the honored envoys and ministers enjoy the grand banquet to their heart’s content!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty—”
The sound of music and dancing resumed as the dancers gracefully entered the central hall, swaying and twirling.
Envoys, ministers, and consorts raised their glasses to toast the Emperor. However, their expressions were somewhat complex. The foreign envoys felt restless and had lost interest in the banquet, eager to return and discuss important matters. This trip to the Han kingdom was indeed well-timed. If they hadn’t come, how would they have learned such crucial news on time?
After three rounds of wine, Yan Ge quietly left.
Huangfu Yuchen, claiming to be unable to handle the alcohol, allowed everyone to leave their seats at will.
The consorts watched as the two figures left one after another.
Yan Ge waited outside the hall with a beaming smile, feeling extremely delighted.
–Yan Jin said, “Master, you’ve waited so long for the Foundation Building Pill. Now that you have it, can you resist the temptation to consume it immediately?”
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Today is his birthday, so I should accompany him well. Since we already have the treasure, there’s no need to worry about it running away.”
Huangfu Yuchen arrived quickly and took Yan Ge’s hand.
“You knew I would follow you?” he asked.
“I guessed.”
Huangfu Yuchen embraced Yan Ge’s waist and used light footwork to fly towards the Tenglong Palace. As soon as they entered, he dismissed the palace maids and kissed Yan Ge’s lips. The faint scent of alcohol filled their mouths, intensifying their senses, while an ambiguous atmosphere enveloped them.
Feeling the warmth emanating from Huangfu Yuchen’s body, Yan Ge nervously pushed against his chest. “Why did you suddenly promote me?”
“Didn’t I promise to elevate your status when the opportunity arose?” Huangfu Yuchen leaned closer, about to kiss him again.
Yan Ge pushed him away once more. “Do you like the gift I gave you?”
“I do, very much.” Huangfu Yuchen complied with his request and refrained from getting closer. However, his arms remained hugging him, and their bodies continued to be intimately close, while his eyes playfully teased the person in his embrace.
“I’m glad you like it. In the future, you must treat me even better.” The intense and passionate emotions in Huangfu Yuchen’s eyes made Yan Ge’s chest tighten, and he felt a sense of pride and joy.
Huangfu Yuchen pushed him towards the dragon bed and pressed him down. “How could I not treat you better? I know I spend too little time with you on usual days but I am already making arrangements for that. At the latest in February, I will embark on a southern expedition and take you with me.”
“Really?” Yan Ge was overjoyed.
“Naturally. Would I lie to you?” Huangfu Yuchen said. “The Han Kingdom was governed well by the former emperor. As the current emperor, I cannot remain complacent but must continue to develop. This southern expedition will allow me to inspect the situation in the south. I will set aside three to four months, and by then, you should also have your affairs in order.”
“No problem.” Yan Ge wrapped his arms around Huangfu Yuchen’s neck and pressed his lips against his, gently biting.
Huangfu Yuchen’s Adam’s apple rolled. “Is today’s gift in preparation for when your identity is exposed? Silly fool, there’s no need to feel too much pressure. Don’t you believe in my ability to protect you?”
“I do,” Yan Ge caressed his ear, “but if I have the ability, I can’t just sit idle, can I? Besides, these are my hobbies, so I don’t feel tired.”
Huangfu Yuchen fell silent. Having a capable lover wasn’t always a good thing, he felt like he wasn’t needed that much.
“Now that we’ve finished discussing serious matters,” Huangfu Yuchen’s hand slipped into Yan Ge’s robes, “we…”
“Are you eager?” Yan Ge didn’t shy away.
“No need for more words.” Huangfu Yuchen’s hurried breaths landed on Yan Ge’s skin, causing shivers to run through his body.
“Not yet.” Yan Ge smiled cunningly, flipped over, and pressed Huangfu Yuchen underneath him. He lay on Huangfu Yuchen’s chest, looking at his astonished expression mischievously.
He playfully patted his chest and gently caressed his face with his right hand. “If it’s too easy to obtain, it won’t be cherished. Keep waiting.”
“You…” Huangfu Yuchen’s face darkened.
Yan Ge chuckled, grabbed his hand, and said, “Come, let’s go wash up.”
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him and remained lying there, motionless.
“Let’s go,” Yan Ge tugged at him again.
Still, Huangfu Yuchen didn’t move.
Yan Ge shook his head, let go of his hand, and walked towards the bathroom, unfastening his belt as he went.
Huangfu Yuchen caught up with a few steps, reached out his right arm, and both of them disappeared behind the curtain. The sound of water in the bath was louder than usual.
Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere had become much more stifling compared to when Huangfu Yuchen hadn’t left.
Finally enduring until the end of the banquet, one by one, the guests bid their farewells. Song Chaobang looked around and, seeing no one paying attention, turned into a small path in the woods, hastening towards a distant place illuminated by moonlight.
Beside the secluded and dim garden gate, a figure paced anxiously.
“Haohao?” Song Chaobang called softly.
The figure in the shadow quickly stepped forward. “Father, you’ve finally come.”
Song Chaobang looked around and whispered, “The time for the key release is approaching. We don’t have much time. Let’s get straight to the point.”
Song Ruhao nodded and said in a low voice, “Father, we must take action. Given the current situation, I’m afraid it won’t be long before Yan Shiren surpasses me.”
“I didn’t expect the Emperor to show such favoritism towards him. As we discussed before, nothing will change, and I will make all the necessary arrangements. Don’t forget what we agreed on,” Song Chaobang said.
Song Ruhao remained silent for a moment, nodded, and softly replied, “I understand, Father.”
Shiren
The festive horns resounded, and the figures of Huangfu Yuchen and Empress Du Mu, and their little prince appeared at the entrance of the hall.
All the people in the hall knelt down, waiting for the Emperor and Empress to take their seats on the throne. They exclaimed, “We, the officials/concubines/servants, respectfully congratulate our Emperor on his birthday. May our Emperor live for ten thousand years…”
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty…”
After the officials and consorts took their seats, the young prince sat on the prince’s seat, his eyes searching among the seats of the consorts.
He didn’t see Yan Ge, and felt a little disappointed. Suddenly, at the very end, he caught sight of a masked man, and a smile appeared on his small face. Yan Ge grinned in response, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and nodded slightly.
As the young prince was still very young, the Empress worried that he might make a mistake at such a grand banquet so she kept glancing at him, and inadvertently saw the interaction between the young prince and Yan Ge. She clenched the silk in her hands so tightly that she almost tore it apart.
Deng Mande started shouting: “May the envoys of the Mai kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Wei kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Min Kingdom enter the hall…”
Envoys from neighboring kingdoms who came to celebrate Emperor Huangfu Yuchen’s birthday successively entered the hall. Huangfu Yuchen expressed his gratitude to each of them and invited them to take their seats.
After everyone was seated, it was time for the first performance of the evening: the presentation of congratulatory gifts.
To demonstrate courtesy and friendship, the ceremony of presenting gifts by the envoys was arranged at the beginning. It was followed by the young prince, then the officials, nobles, and special individuals who were invited due to their meritorious services, and finally, the consorts.
The ambassador from the Mai kingdom stepped forward eagerly, “On behalf of His Majesty the King of Mai, this envoy presents a nine-scented lamp as a tribute, congratulating Your Majesty on your birthday. This nine-scented lamp is a precious treasure that, when lit, not only rotates gently by itself but also emits a refreshing fragrance to invigorate the spirit. We hope Your Majesty will like It.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, “His Majesty of the Mai kingdom is thoughtful. Please convey my gratitude to your king when you return.”
“Of course.”
“On behalf of His Majesty the King of Wei kingdom…”
From dozens of kingdoms, the envoys offered their gifts one after another, and then it was the young prince’s turn.
“May the young prince present his gift.”
All eyes turned to the young prince, who was less than six years old. Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, filled with indulgence. After all, he was just a five-year-old child, even if he was of imperial descent, one couldn’t have high expectations.
The young prince didn’t show stage fright. He held his head high and walked confidently into the hall. With chubby hands, he lifted the hem of his robe and went on one knee, bowing his head, “Your child congratulates Father Emperor on his birthday. May Father Emperor live for ten thousand years!”
“Rise, my child,” Huangfu Yuchen said gently.
“Thank you, Father Emperor,” the young prince stood up and proudly proclaimed, “Although I am still young, I haven’t prepared a gift. But I can calculate the multiplication of any two numbers between 10 and 20.”
The Empress’s heart almost jumped out of her chest in fright.
What act was this? Didn’t they already agree with the young prince to recite a passage from a book for the Emperor during the banquet?
There was a slight commotion among the officials, most of whom were skeptical, waiting to see the young prince’s joke. A five-year-old child who claimed to be able to perform multiplication within 20, who would believe it?
Huangfu Yuchen was also surprised. He glanced at Yan Ge imperceptibly, then looked back at the young prince. “You only learned up to 10 the other night. How did you learn up to 20 today?”
The young prince knelt down, his crisp voice full of confidence, “Please forgive me, Father Emperor. Your child wanted to give Father Emperor a surprise, so I kept it a secret. I started learning up to 20 several days ago. The day before yesterday, I lost to Father Emperor in a game because I was too nervous.”
Many people smiled kindly.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “You’re not nervous today? Since you claim to have learned it, I will test you. If you answer incorrectly, it will be embarrassing.”
The young prince showed no fear. With a clear and crisp childlike voice, he confidently replied, “Second Master said, it’s not frightening to make mistakes when you’re young. If you make many mistakes when you’re young, you’ll make fewer mistakes when you grow up.”
Grand Tutor Song Chaobang stroked his beard curiously, wondering who this ‘Second Master’ was. How could he be unaware of the existence of this ‘Second Master’?
“Hahaha…” Everyone was amused and found this ‘Second Master’ intriguing.
“Your Majesty…” The Empress broke out in a cold sweat, attempting to smooth things over.
Huangfu Yuchen warned her with a glance, “Enough. I won’t personally test you. I’ll have the envoys and ministers examine you. Do you dare to answer?”
“I dare!”
“Good!” Huangfu Yuchen addressed the crown prince and others, “You shall represent me in examining the Crown Prince.”
The young eunuchs brought a small table into the hall, upon which a pen and a piece of white paper were placed. One of the young eunuchs showed the paper to everyone on both sides before placing it down and stepping back.
The ministers were puzzled, ”This… No abacus? How is he supposed to calculate?”
Huangfu Yuchen was also taken aback by the crown prince’s unexpected move. He decided to pose the first question himself, choosing smaller numbers to prevent the crown prince from embarrassment.
“Crown Prince, I shall begin by testing you. What is eleven multiplied by eleven?”
Without hesitation, the crown prince replied, “121,” his eyes narrowing with a smile. He had already memorized the multiplication table up to 11 times 11, 12 times 12, 13 times 13… He didn’t need to calculate; he could draw conclusions effortlessly.
On the side, a young eunuch with an abacus calculated and announced, “Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed 121.”
Huangfu Yuchen was surprised but grew more interested. He then asked, “Twelve multiplied by thirteen.”
The crown prince began writing on the paper, and after a moment, he lifted his head and said, “156.”
All eyes turned to the young eunuch, who diligently performed calculations with the abacus. After a while, he reported, “Reporting to Your Majesty, 156 is correct.”
The Empress breathed a sigh of relief and regained her composure.
The courtiers were amazed.
The envoy from Mai kingdom stood up, not willing to accept defeat. He respectfully bowed to Huangfu Yuchen and asked, “Your Majesty, may this envoy also present a question?”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
The Mai kingdom envoy asked, “Nineteen multiplied by nineteen.”
Many ministers from the Han Kingdom glared at him in secret.
After calculating, the young prince replied, “361.”
The Mai kingdom envoy widened his eyes and asked again, “Twenty multiplied by twenty!”
The young prince laughed and confidently answered, “400.”
Finally, the courtiers were impressed, congratulating Huangfu Yuchen on having such an intelligent crown prince.
The Empress had a delighted expression, but she also found it peculiar how the crown prince suddenly became so intelligent.
After the courtiers and nobles presented their gifts, it was the consorts’ turn.
The Empress offered a pair of phoenix pendants as a symbol of eternal harmony between the Emperor and Empress.
But everyone’s interest was focused on the three male consorts. Especially the envoys, as they knew that the current ruler of the Han kingdom didn’t like men. Yet, today’s birthday banquet included three male consorts, arousing their curiosity and various speculations.
Among the three male consorts, Song Ruhao held the highest position and presented his gift first. Accompanied by two eunuchs, Song Ruhao went to the bottom of the steps, while the eunuchs jointly held a rolled-up painting.
Song Ruhao knelt and said, “This servant respectfully offer a hundred longevities painting, wishing our Emperor good health and boundless longevity.” The two young eunuchs carefully unfolded the painting.
Yan Ge smirked inwardly. The words made it sound as if Huangfu Yuchen was already in his seventies or eighties.
With a slight upward curve of his lips, Huangfu Yuchen understood exactly what Yan Ge was thinking. His seemingly helpless eyes were filled with affection and indulgence that were meant only for Yan Ge.
As Song Ruhao kowtowed, his mask suddenly fell from his face and lightly struck the ground, making a subtle “ding” sound. Song Ruhao quickly raised his head and pleaded, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
The officials saw his appearance and couldn’t help but show admiration. They marveled at how the Emperor was truly the Emperor, surrounded by beautiful consorts, even the male ones possessed such remarkable looks—sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and charming attractiveness.
Song Ruhao gazed at Huangfu Yuchen with deep affection.
Yan Ge clasped his hands together, supporting his chin, and smiled with a teasing glint in his eyes, aimed at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, “There’s no offense. Song Guiren, please take your seat.” At the same time, he returned a teasing glance to Yan Ge.
Song Ruhao’s face slightly stiffened almost imperceptibly. Since the Emperor invited him to the feast, it meant that he cared about him. However, Huangfu Yuchen didn’t even ask a single question about the longevity painting that he had painstakingly created.
The Minister of the Ministry of War had a carefree personality and a rough voice, “Your Majesty, please forgive me for being rude. Song Guiren said this is a painting of a hundred years, so why does this minister think it looks like a landscape picture?”
Song Ruhao cheered up and hurriedly replied : “This painting is just an ordinary landscape, but in fact it hides a hundred characters of ‘shou’ in different fonts.”
“So that’s how it is. “The Minister of the Ministry of War said in understanding.
“Song Guiren has a heart.” Huangfu Yuchen said.
Du Zhengfeng stepped forward before Song Ruhao had the chance to speak again, leaving Song Ruhao no choice but to step back.
“This humble servant has brought a zither to play a piece for Your Majesty, to congratulate Your Majesty on eternal well-being and the prosperous fortune of the Han kingdom!”
The envoys secretly chuckled. This male consort was indeed handsome, but slightly muscular, the Emperor of the Han Kingdom has unique aesthetics.
The crowd patiently listened as Du Zhengfeng played a powerful and passionate congratulatory melody, their hopeful eyes resting on the last male consort, Yan Ge.
Yan Ge stood up and lightly applauded. Four eunuchs carried the congratulatory gift forward.
Huangfu Yuchen, like everyone else, was curious. Yan Ge had intentionally kept it a secret from him, and he had no idea what gift Yan Ge had prepared, but he was certain that it would be extraordinary.
“Your Majesty, the gift I present is one of a kind in the whole world. It can be used for daily life and leisure, as well as for military purposes.”
Yan Ge’s words surprised the foreign envoys. They put down their wine glasses and exchanged glances. The relaxed expressions on their faces suddenly turned tense.
Used for military purposes?
Could it be some powerful weapon? Perhaps even more formidable than gunpowder. As for Yan Ge referring to himself as “I,” they paid no attention to it at all.
Yan Ge had always been tactful. Since he decided to present this gift in the grand hall, it obviously meant there was no fear of others investigating. Huangfu Yuchen directly asked, “Is it a weapon, by any chance?”
Huangfu Yuhu saw that his brother’s gaze had become gentle and he looked at Yan Ge a few more times, attaching importance to him based on recent rumors.
Song Chaobang laughed heartily, “Yan Changzai’s words have completely piqued my interest. I’m sure my colleagues here feel the same way.”
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Huangfu Yuchen smiled faintly and said to Yan Ge, “You don’t need to keep us in suspense. Just reveal the answer.”
“Your Majesty, please take a look.” Yan Ge pulled back the red cloth, revealing a strange object with two wheels. Two young eunuchs worked together to place the gift on the ground.
Everyone’s attention was captivated.
“What is this?” Huangfu Yuchen asked curiously.
Yan Ge explained, “This object is called a ‘bicycle.’ Your Majesty, please allow this young servant to demonstrate its usage.”
“Granted.”
A small eunuch walked forward and knelt before Huangfu Yuchen. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” he said before quickly standing up, lifting his robes and strapping them around his waist. He mounted the bicycle, placing his feet on the pedals and smoothly gliding through the open space in the middle of the hall.
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a unique and interesting device!”
Yan Ge continued, “Your Majesty, with your busy political affairs, you rarely have time to exercise so the bicycle is perfect for you. You can exercise by pedaling while still holding your documents. If you feel bored, you can ride the bicycle and enjoy a leisurely stroll within the palace.”
Huangfu Yuchen praised, “Excellent! Yan Changzai’s gift has truly touched my heart. There will be generous rewards. Yan Changzai, you mentioned that this item can be used for military purposes. How so?”
The foreign envoys eagerly listened, afraid of missing a single word.
“That is correct,” Yan Ge replied. “Firstly, bicycles do not require fodder like horses. Secondly, bicycles have a small size. During military marches or battles, if there are narrow passages that horses or carriages can’t easily pass through, bicycles can be used to travel swiftly or even transport supplies. Moreover, the sound produced by bicycles in motion is much quieter than the sound of horse hooves, allowing for stealthy approaches to the enemy. Furthermore, Your Majesty, please observe…” Yan Ge signaled to the young eunuch.
The eunuch dismounted the bicycle and, with the help of another young eunuch, folded it up!
“It is convenient to carry! If soldiers undergo weight training, it wouldn’t be a problem for each of them to carry one.”
The officials looked amazed and were filled with admiration as they listened to Yan Ge’s words.
The foreign envoys, on the other hand, wore stunned expressions. Who was this consort? How did he find such a remarkable object?
Luo Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of War, stood up excitedly. “May I ask, Yan Changzai, where did this item come from?”
Yan Ge glanced at him but remained silent. He handed a piece of paper to Deng Mande, saying, “Your Majesty, this is the design blueprint of the bicycle. I humbly wish you longevity and the eternal prosperity of the Han Kingdom!”
Huangfu Yuchen looked deeply at him and burst into laughter. “Excellent! Yan Changzai has made outstanding contributions. He shall be promoted to “Shiren” today and rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver!”
*Ranks among male consorts from bottom to top–Daying, Changzai, Shirén (scholar), Cairen, Guiren, Shiqing, Caiqing (honorable official), Guiqing(Noble Consort), to Huang Guiqing (Imperial Noble Consort/Empress)Song Ruhao nearly crushed the cup in his hand.
Du Zhengfeng glanced at him with concern and discreetly patted his hand. The Emperor was in a good mood today, and Song Ruhao shouldn’t spoil the atmosphere.
—“Ding. Congratulations on completing Main Mission 5 and being promoted to Shiren/Scholar by the Emperor. Reward: 500 taels of silver and 8 Foundation Building Pills. Main Mission 6—To be promoted to Cairen by the Emperor. Mission success rewards include: 1,000 taels of silver, the book ‘Fengyun Immortal Record’ for cultivating up to the Late Enlightenment Stage. Mission failure: Deduction of 1,000 taels of silver. Please choose ‘Yes’ to accept the mission or ‘No’ to refuse.”
The unexpected rewards caused Yan Ge’s knees to weaken momentarily, but he quickly composed himself and said to the system, “Little Jin, select ‘Yes’ for me.”
–“Yes, Master,” Yan Jin excitedly replied. “Master, the system can be upgraded now! After the upgrade, I will explain everything to you.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!” Yan Ge expressed his gratitude.
Huangfu Yuchen surveyed the area and said with a loud laugh, “Let the feast begin. May all the honored envoys and ministers enjoy the grand banquet to their heart’s content!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty—”
The sound of music and dancing resumed as the dancers gracefully entered the central hall, swaying and twirling.
Envoys, ministers, and consorts raised their glasses to toast the Emperor. However, their expressions were somewhat complex. The foreign envoys felt restless and had lost interest in the banquet, eager to return and discuss important matters. This trip to the Han kingdom was indeed well-timed. If they hadn’t come, how would they have learned such crucial news on time?
After three rounds of wine, Yan Ge quietly left.
Huangfu Yuchen, claiming to be unable to handle the alcohol, allowed everyone to leave their seats at will.
The consorts watched as the two figures left one after another.
Yan Ge waited outside the hall with a beaming smile, feeling extremely delighted.
–Yan Jin said, “Master, you’ve waited so long for the Foundation Building Pill. Now that you have it, can you resist the temptation to consume it immediately?”
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Today is his birthday, so I should accompany him well. Since we already have the treasure, there’s no need to worry about it running away.”
Huangfu Yuchen arrived quickly and took Yan Ge’s hand.
“You knew I would follow you?” he asked.
“I guessed.”
Huangfu Yuchen embraced Yan Ge’s waist and used light footwork to fly towards the Tenglong Palace. As soon as they entered, he dismissed the palace maids and kissed Yan Ge’s lips. The faint scent of alcohol filled their mouths, intensifying their senses, while an ambiguous atmosphere enveloped them.
Feeling the warmth emanating from Huangfu Yuchen’s body, Yan Ge nervously pushed against his chest. “Why did you suddenly promote me?”
“Didn’t I promise to elevate your status when the opportunity arose?” Huangfu Yuchen leaned closer, about to kiss him again.
Yan Ge pushed him away once more. “Do you like the gift I gave you?”
“I do, very much.” Huangfu Yuchen complied with his request and refrained from getting closer. However, his arms remained hugging him, and their bodies continued to be intimately close, while his eyes playfully teased the person in his embrace.
“I’m glad you like it. In the future, you must treat me even better.” The intense and passionate emotions in Huangfu Yuchen’s eyes made Yan Ge’s chest tighten, and he felt a sense of pride and joy.
Huangfu Yuchen pushed him towards the dragon bed and pressed him down. “How could I not treat you better? I know I spend too little time with you on usual days but I am already making arrangements for that. At the latest in February, I will embark on a southern expedition and take you with me.”
“Really?” Yan Ge was overjoyed.
“Naturally. Would I lie to you?” Huangfu Yuchen said. “The Han Kingdom was governed well by the former emperor. As the current emperor, I cannot remain complacent but must continue to develop. This southern expedition will allow me to inspect the situation in the south. I will set aside three to four months, and by then, you should also have your affairs in order.”
“No problem.” Yan Ge wrapped his arms around Huangfu Yuchen’s neck and pressed his lips against his, gently biting.
Huangfu Yuchen’s Adam’s apple rolled. “Is today’s gift in preparation for when your identity is exposed? Silly fool, there’s no need to feel too much pressure. Don’t you believe in my ability to protect you?”
“I do,” Yan Ge caressed his ear, “but if I have the ability, I can’t just sit idle, can I? Besides, these are my hobbies, so I don’t feel tired.”
Huangfu Yuchen fell silent. Having a capable lover wasn’t always a good thing, he felt like he wasn’t needed that much.
“Now that we’ve finished discussing serious matters,” Huangfu Yuchen’s hand slipped into Yan Ge’s robes, “we…”
“Are you eager?” Yan Ge didn’t shy away.
“No need for more words.” Huangfu Yuchen’s hurried breaths landed on Yan Ge’s skin, causing shivers to run through his body.
“Not yet.” Yan Ge smiled cunningly, flipped over, and pressed Huangfu Yuchen underneath him. He lay on Huangfu Yuchen’s chest, looking at his astonished expression mischievously.
He playfully patted his chest and gently caressed his face with his right hand. “If it’s too easy to obtain, it won’t be cherished. Keep waiting.”
“You…” Huangfu Yuchen’s face darkened.
Yan Ge chuckled, grabbed his hand, and said, “Come, let’s go wash up.”
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him and remained lying there, motionless.
“Let’s go,” Yan Ge tugged at him again.
Still, Huangfu Yuchen didn’t move.
Yan Ge shook his head, let go of his hand, and walked towards the bathroom, unfastening his belt as he went.
Huangfu Yuchen caught up with a few steps, reached out his right arm, and both of them disappeared behind the curtain. The sound of water in the bath was louder than usual.
Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere had become much more stifling compared to when Huangfu Yuchen hadn’t left.
Finally enduring until the end of the banquet, one by one, the guests bid their farewells. Song Chaobang looked around and, seeing no one paying attention, turned into a small path in the woods, hastening towards a distant place illuminated by moonlight.
Beside the secluded and dim garden gate, a figure paced anxiously.
“Haohao?” Song Chaobang called softly.
The figure in the shadow quickly stepped forward. “Father, you’ve finally come.”
Song Chaobang looked around and whispered, “The time for the key release is approaching. We don’t have much time. Let’s get straight to the point.”
Song Ruhao nodded and said in a low voice, “Father, we must take action. Given the current situation, I’m afraid it won’t be long before Yan Shiren surpasses me.”
“I didn’t expect the Emperor to show such favoritism towards him. As we discussed before, nothing will change, and I will make all the necessary arrangements. Don’t forget what we agreed on,” Song Chaobang said.
Song Ruhao remained silent for a moment, nodded, and softly replied, “I understand, Father.”
