In order to obtain the best result, Li Yu used only red Koi for his fish formation. He only had this little request, along with the fact that when he trained the fishes, no one was allowed to see; Jing-wang permitted without questions. Although the Koi obtained to create the fish formation weren’t as valuable as the ones inside the imperial palace, they still looked full of fortune.
Just practicing wasn’t enough. Li Yu also asked Jing-wang to write the word ‘longevity’ so that the fishes can use it as a reference. Jing-wang originally thought that even if this didn’t end up successful, no matter, just treat it as a game to make Xiao Yu happy. However, when he saw the fish display the word ‘longevity’ in a well organized and neat manner, looking the same as what he wrote, Jing-wang felt extremely moved as well as shocked. In this entire world, only Li Yu had this kind of ability.
In order to rehearse, fish neglected sleep and forgot about food. Jing-wang vaguely felt like his fish lost a layer of fat and prepared plenty of fish food to help fish recover. He also fed the human form Xiao Yu plenty of supplements. However, every time Li Yu would only eat a little before self-consciously stopping.
Don’t joke. Fish was going to appear on the big stage as well. His figure can’t be too different from the other fishes. Before Li Yu was totally unaware, but now that he was staying together with a school of fishes, fish finally knew how a celebrity fish’s figure should look like.
However, even though Li Yu didn’t eat much, internally, he still really wanted to. The fish food and supplements that Jing-wang gave him smelled so good. Maybe he can start eating more after the birthday celebration.
As he trained the fish display over here, the people Jing-wang sent to monitor the 6th Prince came back to report. The 6th Prince purchased many paper lanterns. Li Yu understood immediately. Looks like what he thought was correct. This kind of plot event didn’t have too much influence in the original novel. Sure enough the 6th Prince still proceeded as planned and prepared a light show.
However, since they were watching the 6th Prince, did this mean that the 6th Prince was also watching them?
Li Yu recalled the 6th Prince’s ice cold gaze and unconsciously shivered. He decided that it’s best not to lower his guard. This kind of person should never be underestimated.
Hypothesizing something might happen to the fish performance, Li Yu made other preparations ahead of time.
Very quickly, it was the day of the birthday celebration.
Jing-wang entered the imperial palace bright and early. Li Yu was afraid that if he changed into a human now, he wouldn’t be able to do it again later if he encountered some sudden issue. Therefore, one day earlier, he informed Jing-wang ahead that Li-gongzi was taking a ‘break’ for an entire day. Over here, Jing-wang brought the crystal bottle and Xiao Yu into the palace first. Behind him, Wang Xi brought the guards and transported the other fishes into the palace.
Afraid of other people seeing clues, these fishes were all placed in a huge cloth covered fish tank. In front of others, this was announced to be Jing-wang’s present to the Emperor.
On this day, the Emperor set up a banquet at BaoHe Palace to receive all of the government official’s congratulations. The presents from different provinces had been arriving continuously inside the palace for over a month now. There were plenty of dignitaries that rushed over from various regions to wish the Emperor happy birthday. The Emperor also ordered colorful canopies to be placed on the sides of the roads to receive the civilians celebrating the event.
During the entire event at BaoHe Palace, Li Yu followed Jing-wang. His view of the world was opened. He can only use one word to describe the Emperor’s birthday, and that was rich. The gifts presented by the government officials were so numerous that they couldn’t even fit in all of the rooms inside BaoHe palace. The prices of the gifts were expensive; any one of them could become an inheritance of normal families.
The Emperor was very happy and drank a few cups with his top officials and the 6 government ministers. When it was time for princes to present their gifts, Marquis An, who was arranged to go first because of age– aka the 2nd Prince, the Emperor permitted him to enter the palace on this special day to present his gifts; however, Mu TianZhao(2) failed to live up to expectations. His head was still muddled; he couldn’t even recognize the Emperor after seeing him. Seeing the current Marquis An, the Emperor recalled the formerly elegant and poised 2nd Prince and couldn’t help but feel sorrow.
Very quickly, this sorrow was lessened by the other Princes. The 3rd Prince, Mu TianMing, was also permitted to enter the palace. Seeing Mu TianMing(3) much more humble, the Emperor nodded. The 3rd Prince presented the gift that he picked out meticulously. It was the bone ashes of a buddhist monk that he purchased with countless gold. The Emperor felt very touched and thought the 3rd Prince had filial piety. However, the ashes of a monk were originally meant to be enshrined and worshipped. For it to be used for such a purpose, Buddha might not be very happy.
Because today was a day of celebration, the Emperor didn’t reveal any discontent. However, when he thought about it some more– before the 3rd Prince had been confined all day, normally only allowed to read and copy books. How could he have obtained such priceless Buddhist ashes like this?
The Emperor noted his suspicion internally. The 3rd Prince promised repeatedly that he had repented, yet the Emperor only wanted to investigate the 3rd Prince some more.
Inside the crystal bottle, Li Yu also saw the Buddhist ashes that the 3rd Prince had gifted. It was pitch-black and not in any particular shape. Not to mention, did the 3rd Prince actually buy the real deal or counterfeits? Buddhist ashes were often made from the skeletal remains of monks. Li Yu instinctively felt somewhat scared of these things.
Jing-wang felt the fish’s apprehension and used his sleeve to block for Li Yu.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Li Yu peeked out from the crack of the sleeve and finally felt safer.
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Ktf Swqfgbg ilxfv ab ibbx ja tlr ilaaif rbcr’ sbecu jcv afcvfg ojmfr. Pa wjvf tlw offi ilxf tf kjrc’a biv sfa, jcv kjr ralii sbeatoei.
When it was the 6th Prince’s turn, Mu TianXiao first lowered his head and apologized humbly, saying that he was poor but upright. Unable to prepare an appropriate gift, he can only borrow the assistance of the light and shadow of the palace hall to present his gift to the Emperor.
His explanation here already set up the suspense and caused the Emperor to feel pity. Also curious to see what the 6th Prince planned to do, the Emperor ordered him to do his best.
Li Yu screamed sharply inside: here he comes, here he comes! And then speedily plastered himself against the wall of the crystal bottle.
Due to the 6th Prince’s request, half of the candles inside BaoHe Palace were extinguished. The lanterns that the 6th Prince brought over were hung up. The Emperor raised his head, looked at them for a while and felt these lanterns looked pretty regular. Then the 6th Prince invited him to look at the floor.
On the gold floor tiles of BaoHe Palace, there were many different shaped shadows. With a careful examination, they were actually birthday wishes. The Emperor said delightedly: “TianXiao(6), how did you do this!”
With a smile, Mu TianXiao(6) explained everything carefully to the Emperor. Apparently, after the 6th Prince purchased the paper lanterns, he cut out words for the birthday blessing ahead of time and pasted them inside the lantern. Lighting up the lantern and then hanging them up high, the light from the lantern would project the shadows of the words on the ground.
Mu TianXiao(6) said humbly: “It’s just a minor trick. Sorry to let father see such a poor performance.”
The Emperor clapped his hands and laughed loudly: “I know it’s not easy for you. The thought is what matters.”
When the 6th Prince presented his gift, the 3rd Prince was just to the side. Mu TianMing(3) originally thought that the Buddhist ashes he gave were extremely thoughtful and was hoping to use the Buddhist ashes to change his circumstances. However, he saw the huge difference in the attitude that the Emperor had towards himself and the 6th Prince. So in the Emperor’s eyes, the holy object that he spent countless gold to obtain, didn’t even compare to a random trick from the 6th Prince’s lanterns?
The 3rd Prince felt anxious internally and also suspicious at the same time. Wasn’t the 6th Prince always voluntarily helping him? Why would the 6th Prince steal his limelight in such an important event such as this birthday celebration?
The 3rd Prince glanced towards the 6th Prince with a gaze full of doubt. The 6th Prince said quietly: “3rd Elder brother, don’t be angry. I’ve also thought about your current predicament. If I can gain value in father’s eyes, perhaps I can put a good word in and help you obtain your freedom.”
The 3rd Prince froze briefly. The 6th Prince’s words seemed very reasonable, but was it really true?
After the 6th Prince withdrew, head manager Luo stepped forth and whispered a few words with the Emperor. Earlier, Wang-gonggong from the Jing Estate had begged him to make the arrangement so that Jing-wang’s gift could be announced last. For Luo RuiSheng, this was a simple task, but it can help him gain a favor from Jing-wang. So why not? Therefore, after the Emperor praised the 6th Prince’s gift repeatedly, Luo RuiSheng aptly stepped forth and mentioned Jing-wang.
With a smile, the Emperor looked towards Jing-wang with some surprise: “TianChi, I hear you prepared a special gift this time?”
Jing-wang normally gifted a word of blessing that he wrote himself. If Jing-wang had a surprise, this would be unprecedented.
Jing-wang immediately stepped forth and presented the word that he wrote, as well as a rolled up art scroll.
The Emperor looked at Jing-wang’s word with a knowing smile. To be like this for so many years, it can be considered a type of perseverance. When he opened the art scroll, the Emperor was instantly filled with delight.
“So you actually managed to request Tang Yin for a longevity painting?”
Tang Yi was the name of the artist. This artist was recognized and praised as an art god amongst the people. The Emperor also appreciated his drawings a lot and wanted to hire him. Unfortunately, Tang Yin had an eccentric personality. He didn’t like money nor power, and rarely did commissions. Who would have thought he’d make an exception for the Emperor’s birthday.
The 6th Prince can speak his difficulties out loud, but Jing-wang can only present the art. Jing-wang didn’t mention how he managed to persuade Tang Yin. However, the existence of Tang Yin’s art here was enough to prove how much thought Jing-wang placed in this gift.
The Emperor finished appreciating the longevity painting of the red-crowned crane and peaches of immortality. In satisfaction, he ordered Luo RuiSheng to hang the painting inside GanQing Palace. The Emperor wanted to look at this painting some more daily. In comparison, the words that the 6th Prince had casted on the ground were much more uncouth. The Emperor no longer paid any attention to those words.
After gifting the painting, Jing-wang still stood there unmoving. The Emperor asked with confusion: “Do you have more gifts?”
Jing-wang nodded lightly and made a ‘please follow’ gesture.
In a delighted mood, the Emperor was happy to listen to Jing-wang. The palanquin was turned towards the direction Jing-wang was pointing at. With Jing-wang leading the way, the Emperor was brought to the TaiYe pond.
Supporting the Emperor, Luo RuiSheng and the Emperor looked inside the pond together. They saw spots of red moving inside the pond. Looking closely, they discovered the redness was many red Kois swimming around.
These red kois swam continuously and gathered before the Emperor without scattering.
Luo RuiSheng understood this was perhaps the reason why Jing-wang guided the Emperor here and said with a smile: “Your majesty, look. These fish are wishing you a happy birthday.”
The school of fish was very likeable. With a smile, the Emperor nodded.
Following behind the Emperor, the 6th Prince maintained a smile on his face, yet felt some contempt in his heart. What’s so impressive about this? Someone just had to arrive before the Emperor and scatter some fish food in the water. Then the fish would gather together easily. It’s not anything notable. How could it compare to his light show?
As the Emperor looked at the fish inside the pond, he suddenly discovered that these fish seemed to be in some sort of formation. Some were horizontal and others were vertical, looking extremely like brush strokes.
Luo RuiSheng also noticed this by now. He cried out excitedly: “Are these fishes forming a word?”
The Emperor took a step back and looked at the entire scene all at once. Connecting the bright red areas, it actually created an extremely spectacular sight. It was an upright and proper word.
— Longevity.
The same longevity for his birthday. Also the same word that Jing-wang wrote for many years.
Luo RuiSheng was extremely shocked and almost cried tears of joy: “Your majesty, the red Koi are presenting longevity!”
The Emperor already received Tang Yin’s longevity painting of the red-crowned crane and peaches of immortality. Now he was receiving longevity blessings from red kois. His dragon heart was extremely pleased. Luo RuiSheng took the lead and immediately started to shower the Emperor with auspicious words. After saying a bucket load of different auspicious blessings, this school of Koi actually still remained!
The crowd had never seen such a scene before and all rushed forward to watch the spectacle.
The Emperor was extremely pleased with Jing-wang’s gift and loudly praised Jing-wang. However, he didn’t ask Jing-wang how he did it. Perfect scenery and beautiful sights shouldn’t be disrupted and revealed; the Emperor just considered this to be a strange marvel.
Mu TianMing(3) angrily looked at all of this. Seeing Mu TianXiao(6) also looking, he mocked scathingly: “I can’t beat your clever trick, yet you can’t even compare to a mere mute.”
The 6th Prince only smiled and said: “5th elder brother’s gift is quite extraordinary. I’m still lacking a lot.”
Mu TianMing(3) figured if he stayed, he’d only serve as a prop to make others look better. Therefore, he hastily requested to leave.
Mu TianXiao(6) still held a smile the entire time, not letting anyone find fault in him.
The Emperor appreciated the view of the red Kois for a long time. The red Koi actually still remained. The 6th Prince got an idea.
For the koi to form the word “longevity,” he knew that Jing-wang must have done something in the water. However, he just didn’t know how Jing-wang did it. Nevertheless, if he could disrupt the fish formation, Jing-wang wouldn’t be able to stay pleased with himself for too much longer.
The 6th Prince didn’t need too much time to find a weak point. He asked an inner servant nearby: “Are there any fish food? I have never seen this kind of scene before and really want to feed these fishes.”
The 6th Prince wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t attempt to use poison right under the Emperor’s eyes. He merely wanted to feed the fish. There definitely was a reason why these fishes were able to form a word. However, fish was still fish. How smart can they be? He only needed to throw a handful of fish food down and the fish would immediately start fighting.
Under this kind of circumstance and scene, many people in the surrounding area all wanted to feed the fishes. The 6th Prince’s action wasn’t out of the ordinary. In conjunction, the Emperor also said after hearing his words: “Exactly, even I want to reward them.”
Jing-wang’s heart instantly jumped to his throat. However, he remembered what Xiao Yu had warned him and guaranteed repeatedly; he mustn’t mess up Xiao Yu’s plans. Forced himself to calm down, he stared at the school of fish closely.
The 6th Prince smiled smugly. He retrieved the fish food from the hands of the servant and wildly threw down a large handful.
As expected, the red kois all rushed over to fight for the food. The huge “longevity” word instantly dispersed!
The Emperor seemed to realize something, and felt slightly regrettable. However, just as the red kois dispersed, he saw a silver and gold koi swimming slowly out of where the longevity word used to be.
This koi held a lotus in its mouth, its gold shiny fish fins splitting apart the green waves of TaiYe pond. Swimming to the Emperor, it gracefully spun in a circle.
The Emperor: !!!
Adding together all of the surprises the Emperor felt in his entire lifetime so far, it still couldn’t compare to the surprise he felt right now!
“TianChi, this is…… the fish you raised!”
The Emperor very quickly recognized Jing-wang’s pet fish.
Jing-wang nodded his head and looked dotingly at the fish inside the water who was attempting to hula dance.
The 6th Prince caused trouble. Good thing, Xiao Yu had a backup plan ready ahead of time.
This fish inside the water right now, was not only Jing-wang’s love, but also his pride.
thanks for the chapter!
HA! TAKE THAT 6TH PRINCE! Trying to ruin the gift but ya just made it better!
Thank You for the chapter (♡ >ω< ♡)
Dance little fish, hula hula! Lmao! Thanks for the update 🤣❤️🐟
XIAO YU IS SO FRICKIN CUTEE!! I loved this chapter, so so good! Thanks for the translation ❤️
awnnn that last line!!! his love and his pride 🥺❤
+1 🥺🖤
+2 🥺❤
this is really cute!! fish you did well! and all your fish friends did too! (:
HWHEHWHQ THE 6TH PRINCE CAN NEVER COMPARE TO OUR JING WANG. BEAT THAT, YOU LITTLE SHIT.