The second day, the imperial tutor estate’s betting price suddenly matched the prime minister estate’s all at once. In conjunction with the incident on the previous day where the grandsons of the Zhao family and Qin family had a huge fight in Fuxiang restaurant, this move really seemed like a poor attempt to cover up, and only made the situation look worse for the imperial tutor estate.
Almost in mockery, the prime minister’s estate added another thousand gold pieces. This time, the imperial tutor’s estate did not hesitate and quickly followed up. However, it was only enough to maintain the same amount as the prime minister’s side, not an addition.
Everyone all felt that the imperial tutor’s estate was at its last breath, only stubbornly refusing to give up at the moment.
However, no matter what, in the end what was at stake wasn’t mere silver coins. This was real gold. Everyone’s gaze all congregated to watch the result of this gamble, thinking in their hearts ‘Wow, a battle between gods, just as outstanding as I expected. Just look at them casually throwing all that gold around.’
This was the first time two very important government officials led the public to gamble, and very quickly the news traveled into the emperor’s ears. Just as these two big officials were about to bet their family fortunes, the emperor suddenly summoned both Imperial Tutor Zhao and Prime Minister Qin. These two old officials turned a blind eye and both expressed in front of the emperor that this private gamble was set up behind their backs by the younger generation. And that neither of them knew anything at all.
So the emperor said: “My beloved officials, let’s stop here.”
Prime Minister Qin and Imperial Tutor Zhao looked at each other, then agreed in unison: “We will obey your majesty.”
Imperial Tutor Zhao said: “Today when I return home, I will punish that unfilial son of mine and order him to withdraw all the money. This bet will no longer count as valid.”
When Prime Minister Qin heard this, he instantly felt it was not proper. However, since the emperor already made his decision, he can only express: “I will as well.”
As soon as they finished speaking, an announcement came from outside: “The empress requests to see your majesty.”
The emperor frowned and replied: “Let her in.”
The empress walked in, greeted the emperor respectfully and said firmly: “This matter is already well known by the public. Everyone has been waiting for a ‘miracle’ to occur. This news was spread out from Ping Wang’s estate. If the bet were suddenly nulled… I’m afraid people will feel like Ping Wang was purposely spreading lies. If people mention this in the future, where would the royal family’s reputation lay?”
Imperial Tutor Zhao frowned and said: “If this thing was spread from the Ping Wang’s estate, then it obviously came from someone inside the estate with a long tongue. Just find them and get rid of them when the time comes. How could this cause harm to the royal family’s reputation.”
“Imperial Tutor Zhao’s thoughts are excessively simple.” The empress’s tone was gentle: “In the end, Ping Wang is the royal family’s eldest son. If we say the gods grant a miracle to Ping Wang, that’s equivalent to saying the gods bless our nation. Not to mention, the person that first started the bet was Commander Zhao. I assume it’s because he also trusts that the royal family is chosen by the Mandate of Heaven. Plenty of common citizens have already laid down a bet as well. No matter what, we should give them an explanation. Even if it is caused by someone maliciously spreading rumors, they should still be publicly punished without mercy! They need to be made an example of so this won’t happen again in the future! Otherwise, this time what’s being spread is that wangfei is with child, but the next time… what if someone spreads something about the crown prince, are we supposed to remain silent?!”
The emperor remained quiet. Imperial Tutor Zhao said with a tight face: “Then according to the empress’s words, my estate bet on the miracle being true is because we believe in the Mandate of Heaven. While the prime minister’s estate bet the miracle is false because you don’t believe in the Mandate?”
“Exactly opposite. It’s not that we don’t believe in miracles, but we believe more in the royal family which already inspires awe throughout the nation. The royal family’s own brilliance is enough to stand equal to miracles!”
Imperial Tutor Zhao said with a cold smile: “So no matter what, it’s your prime minister’s estate that’s right. If the miracle is false, then my estate has no insight, is blinded by malicious rumors, and helps support liars and miscreants. If the miracle is real, that means my estate trusts gods more than we trust in the royal family, how disloyal to the emperor!”
The empress chuckled: “No need for the imperial tutor to be so angry. To determine the truth, we can ask the emperor to bring the imperial physician to the king’s estate to diagnose in person. If it’s real, then we’ll just say it’s a miracle. If it’s fake, then it’s a good chance to put fear in those who spread the rumor…. This news has been circulating for a while now. If it’s real, there should be activity in wangfei’s stomach.”
Maybe it’s because emperor Hong Ren had a tolerant personality. After letting them bicker for so long, he finally raised his hands to quiet them and said: “Then let’s do as the empress said. Let’s go take a look.”
The imperial tutor’s face looked ugly. He was the first one to follow the emperor’s footsteps out. The empress fell back half a step and asked: “How much money has the imperial tutor’s estate spent so far?”
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.
Uglwf Zlclrafg Hlc gfqilfv: “8 atberjcv ubiv qlfmfr.”
Ktf fwqgfrr ijeutfv delfais: “Ljralis fcvlcu atlr abvjs lr gfjiis ifaalcu atfw boo abb fjrlis.”
Ktf fwqfgbg jcv lwqfglji qtsrlmljc ifoa atf qjijmf lc ibk qgbolif. Qlatlc j rtbga ktlif, j ilaaif xlv mjggslcu j rwjii vgew gjc fnfgsktfgf, rqgfjvlcu atf cfkr: “Fqvjaf! Ktf fwqfgbg qfgrbcjiis ygbeuta jc lwqfglji qtsrlmljc ab Ulcu Qjcu’r frajaf ab nfglos atf ageat!!”
All the windows in the alleyways opened one by one. The crowd was apprehensive but also excited: “They are finally going to announce the answer to this mystery?!”
“Aiyo, this melon I’m eating… is really sweet!”
“So excited! I’m so excited! Where can I go to hear the news the fastest?”
“Fuxiang Restaurant!!”
“Not Fuxiang restaurant. It’s already filled to the brim there. Even the tables outside are full of people. They had to add several waiters to serve everyone.”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. You can hear the news at all the other taverns and tea shops too. I heard all of the shopkeepers sent runners out to keep watch.”
“This is a hard to come by gamble shared by government officials and the common people. How about it, friend? Do you want to place a bet?”
… …
While the streets were bursting with noise and excitement, the emperor already rode by in his carriage and arrived at the King’s estate. The king’s estate looked like it didn’t receive the news yet. Steward Qi hurriedly opened the front door and bowed in reverence to the emperor: “Your majesty please come in. This servant will go get wangye and wangfei right now.”
The empress sat on a side chair and said smiling: “It’s already late morning. What’s the matter? Are they not up yet?”
“Answering your majesty, wangfei hasn’t been feeling well the last few days. He was just about to invite the imperial physician over today to check his pulse.”
The emperor said: “Tell them to come over. The imperial physician is already here.”
His expression was grave. It seemed like he was also considering in his heart what to do if this thing were real, and what to do if this were fake. The empress sat quietly to the side. She didn’t say a word this time. As long as the imperial physician can’t diagnose Song Song’s pregnancy, then a good show should start.
Inside the room, when Song Song heard the emperor came in person, he immediately climbed out of bed.
“What’s the rush?” Li Xiao’s movement was not fast, yet not slow. Song Song quickly helped him tie up his clothes. He completely had a ‘the emperor is not worried, but the servant’s panicking’ feeling, and said frowning: “Why did the emperor come so suddenly, he didn’t even give a heads up.”
Li Xiao looped an arm around his waist and said: “Don’t worry. With me here, father won’t blame you.”
“Father’s age is already up there. How can we let him wait for us?” Song Song finished helping him get ready and ordered people to bring water so he could wash his face. He himself called for someone to help him fix his hair. Normally at home, he didn’t care so much. When he didn’t need to greet guests, he just tied his hair casually behind his head. But now that he had to meet the emperor, he definitely needed to be impeccable from head to toe. Li Xiao couldn’t help laughing at him. After he finished preparing, he chased away the maid, stood behind him with the comb, and helped Song Song fix his hair personally.
Song Song saw him in the mirror and started to fidget in his chair: “What are you doing? Just look at the time. You want to comb my hair now?”
“I also know how to bind hair.”
Lately, Song Song has been eating well, even his hair has become beautifully shiny black with no more split ends. As Li Xiao touched it, he bent over to take a whiff and said: “Song-er smells really good.”
“Hurry up already–!!” Song Song was about to go nuts. Stupid Li Xiao. How long has it been? He’s still moving slow as a snail. Song Song almost felt like his heart was thrown in the frying pan, suffering terribly.
The person sitting in the front hall was the ruler of the nation ah!
Who dares to let him wait!!
Li Xiao leaned over and kissed his cheek. Song Song finally reached the end of his patients and reached out to snatch over the comb: “I’ll do it myself!”
But he was dodged by Li Xiao: “It’s better if I do it…. “
“Chang Ji!!!” Song Song’s voice held a few degrees of fury. However, to Li Xiao, even his angry appearance looked soft and fluffy. Nevertheless, he finally quickened his pace: “Alright alright. I’ll be done soon.”
He picked up the hair crown and fastened it with a hairpin. His movement was very light, but swift. Finally done, Song Song hurried up to straighten his outer garments and headed towards the door. After walking a few steps, he noticed Li Xiao didn’t catch up, so he returned to grab the other’s hand. He said frowning: “Please be serious. What kind of time is this? We’ll definitely be reprimanded by father in a bit. You’re his son so it doesn’t matter. But if I made him unhappy, what then?”
“Song-er should be more confident in yourself. Father also likes you.”
Li Xiao couldn’t bear to continue teasing him so quickened his pace to walk beside him. As they almost reached the main hall, he saw his wangfei finally stopped. Song Song lightly coughed a few times, then touched his face saying: “Is my face washed clean?”
After he finished washing his face, he forgot to look at the mirror, so he could only ask Li Xiao to look for him.
The latter gazed at him for a while. When Song Song almost couldn’t wait any longer, he suddenly said: “Wait, don’t move….”
“En… What is it?” Song Song: “Did you not straighten my hair crown? I feel like it’s a little crooked.”
“You have eye boogers.”
“… …” Song Song instantly reached up to wipe when Li Xiao suddenly placed a kiss on his mouth. He continued to say: “Just kidding.”
“You–”
Li Xiao ran into the main hall in two big steps. A smile on his lips, the bright happiness in his eyes dazzled the emperor for a moment. His eldest son stood illuminated by the light at the entrance, reaching a hand to one side. A snow white shoe first appeared, then a hand, and finally a delicate pretty face.
Li Xiao turned and led Song Song over to say respectfully: “Greetings to father, mother… grandfather is also here?”
Imperial Tutor Zhao waved. The emperor said: “Take a seat.”
He held a hand warmer, slowly stroking the heat on its surface, as he examined his oldest son’s energetic face. His heart grew a few degrees warmer: “These last few days, the capital has been extremely noisy over this ‘miracle’ business. Have you two heard of this?”
Li Xiao replied: “Of course we’ve heard. I even bewitched uncle to place a bet. What’s the matter? Is father also interested? Remember to place your bet on the ‘believe’ side, or else I’m afraid you’ll lose horribly.”
The empress’s smiling expression didn’t change. With Song Song, this kid’s energy and aura seemed different. Just look at the situation. He actually dared to still remain unwilling to admit his mistake.
The emperor lectured: “Watch your words.”
What do you mean ‘bewitched’? He glanced at the old Imperial Tutor beside him and saw his expression revealing a hint of ‘look, you saw it right? This thing was caused by your son. My estate is also a victim.’ expression
Li Xiao nodded and said: “So does father want to place a bet today? How much are you going to spend? Just follow this son, I promise you’ll make a lot of money.”
The empress couldn’t stand him speaking so rudely in front of the emperor. This behavior made her feel extremely uncomfortable inside. Even the crown prince didn’t dare to act so intimately in front of the emperor. Li Xiao, however, took advantage of his illness to purposely get close to the emperor, living like he wasn’t even royalty. She said smiling: “Stop playing around, Xiao-er. Your father specifically brought the imperial physician over. After all, this thing has caused such a disturbance. It’s time to give the common people a proper answer.”
The emperor’s originally smiling expression gradually faded and he heard the empress ask permission: “Your majesty, let’s start.”
The emperor Hong Ren said: “Today I did indeed bring the imperial physician. This thing can’t continue to cause further disturbances.”
“I see.” Li Xiao said: “Father came to act as judge. I have a godlike doctor at my estate. The truth is he already looked over Song-er and determined that he’s indeed with child. So no need to trouble the imperial physician.”
The empress said: “Since his majesty already brought the imperial physician over, might as well give it a look.”
Li Xiao took a glance at Prime Minister Qin: “I heard the Prime Minister’s estate also made a bet. Since Song-er’s pregnancy is already confirmed, I was just prepared to ask father to make this gamble null. But if you really want the imperial physician to diagnose, then I’m afraid the Qin estate will have to pay up.”
Prime Minister Qin was completely unafraid and said calmly: “Since my estate made the bet then naturally we will follow what’s agreed upon.”
“Alright!” Li Xiao laughed loudly and held Song Song’s hand saying: “Then this king and Song-er will first thank your estate’s generosity!”
The empress shot him a look and thought: Death is near at hand. Still so dedicated to your act.
The writer has something to say:
Cray Cray: Hehe.
Song Song: As planned—
Thank You for the chapter ٩(*ゝڡ◕๑)۶♥
I reay want them to wind up having like six kids in the end just to stick it to that damn Empress and the Song family. Like haha now they have a basketball team full of kids, your crown prince is nothing!
where is my popcorn???
Why do I think whenever these two act someone looses their money 😹😹😹😹
It’s true they’re like a con artist 😂😂
I think the emperor might outlive the empress when she gets her answer!
I laughed so hard at the eye booger teasing – but also choked up a little bit at the Emperor seeing his Eternal Hope happy and playful 😊
I can’t wait tosee how the Empress will pay for this.
Thank you for the chapter!!! 💖
This pair of husbands extortion is too blatant…..🍿🍿🍿
In case anyone is curious, 1 gold tael is equivalent to 100,000 copper coins (pretty much the same worth as 100,000 yuan back then). So 8 thousand gold taels = 800,000,000 copper coins. That is alot lot😲