Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Posthumous Honor
"Hmm, there’s some truth in that."
As they spoke, Xia An brought in a bowl of chilled sour plum soup from outside.
It was quite refreshing and thirst-quenching.
The Emperor received it, tilted his head back, and drank it in one go. He felt slightly unsatisfied but remained silent without asking for another bowl.
As an emperor, he was already accustomed to controlling his desires.
Indulging in the coolness of summer was not considered appropriate.
The two exchanged some casual conversation, then saw Nanny Du bringing the Second Prince over from the backyard. They entered directly into the inner room, and then paid their respects to the Emperor with proper decorum.
The Emperor furrowed his brows with a hint of helplessness.
"Nanny, I’ve mentioned before that such formalities are unnecessary."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness, but rules cannot be neglected."
She then beckoned the Second Prince over, softening her tone as she spoke.
"I haven’t come by in the past couple of days, and you seem more spirited than before."
"Thank you, Father, for your concern. Lady Lin, Nanny Du, and everyone in Huifang Courtyard have been good to me, so I’ve been able to eat and sleep well."
The Emperor reached out to pat his round head, smiling with satisfaction.
He truly believed that children, like orange trees, needed the right soil and careful nurturing.
Otherwise, how could the saying go, "Oranges in the south are oranges, but in the north become trifoliate oranges"?
"I came today to talk to you about something."
"Please, Father, speak."
"Lin Guifei wishes to hold a birthday banquet for you, at the Lotus Lake Pavilion not far from here. What do you think?"
Lin Guifei?
The Second Prince seemed perplexed, as he had little interaction with this Lin Guifei.
Even her daughter, the Emperor’s only princess, was equally unfamiliar to him.
Such unfamiliar people suddenly wanting to celebrate his birthday, and from the sound of it, not in a small way.
He already understood there was some intrigue involved.
From the bottom of his heart, he disliked this matter.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke.
"I do not wish for a grand birthday banquet, and I ask for Father’s understanding."
"Why is that?"
"My... my biological mother passed away due to childbirth, so my birthday is also her death anniversary. If it were just a small gathering in the courtyard, it might be acceptable, but celebrating grandly makes me feel unworthy as a son."
The Second Prince’s words were reasonable and well-founded.
Su Pin had been gone for so long that everyone had somewhat overlooked her death anniversary.
Or perhaps no one in the entire palace ever remembered it.
Hence, when he suddenly brought it up, everyone fell silent.
Especially the Emperor.
At this moment, he even found Su Pin’s appearance somewhat blurry in his memory, as she was very low-profile.
The Emperor didn’t even know what she liked to eat or use.
Let alone anything else.
Nanny Du noticed a trace of regret in the Emperor’s eyes and suddenly opened her mouth to comfort him.
"Your Majesty, this old servant has something to say, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate."
"Speak frankly, Nanny."
"This old servant believes the Second Prince is right, but Lin Guifei’s intentions are also good. If we were to refuse directly, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Perhaps it would be better, in the name of the Second Prince, to recite the Rebirth Scripture for Princess Consort Su for seven days, wishing her early ascension to Paradise. This would also allow the Second Prince to show his filial piety."
The Emperor nodded; this method was indeed tactful.
It didn’t offend Lin Guifei’s honor, nor did it have to stop the birthday banquet.
So after thinking about it, he opened his mouth and said.
"Dong Yuzhong."
"At your service, Your Majesty."
"Issue a decree: posthumously confer Su Pin the title of Princess Consort Su, and invite Master Zhiyuan from Baolin Temple along with his disciples to the traveling palace to recite scriptures for the Princess Consort Su’s salvation!"
"Yes."
Then he looked at the Second Prince and added.
"The Second Prince’s filial piety moves the heavens. I am greatly comforted. From this day forward, you shall be conferred the title of Han King, with Yunzhou as your fiefdom."
The Second Prince was stunned when he heard this.
He completely didn’t expect that from just a matter of a birthday banquet, so much would come of it.
Not only could his mother obtain a posthumous title, but he also became "Han King"!
Although it currently seemed to be a title without substance, there were only two princes in the palace now.
Clearly, the healthy and intelligent one was the Third Prince, yet the first to be conferred a king title was him!
It’s really unfathomable.
Lin Wanyi was also shocked, but she was not a thoughtless person.
While the Emperor indeed favored the Second Prince a bit out of guilt, it wasn’t enough to make him disregard the Second Prince’s health and entrust him with the kingdom.
So, there must be another reason.
If it’s not due to the Second Prince, then it must lie with the Third Prince.
Was it a warning to the tiger?
Or an enticement by profit?
Lin Wanyi couldn’t comprehend.
She glanced at Qiu Ming, who quickly understood.
Knowing the Emperor’s intentions, Dong Yuzhong, being the one who served at the imperial court, naturally understood.
So it was reasonable to have Qiu Ming investigate.
However, Nanny Du, coldly observing the eye contact between Lin Wanyi and Qiu Ming, was contemplating something with pursed lips.
Lin Wanyi gently patted the Second Prince’s shoulder and softly reminded him.
"Second Prince, quickly give thanks."
Only then did the Second Prince react.
He immediately knelt, respectfully kowtowing to express his gratitude.
The Emperor looked at his innocent face, and the complex emotions in his eyes ultimately melted by the bond of father and son.
"Hmm, stand up. First, get your health back. When spring comes next year, I’ll find you a master for horseback archery. With more practice, your constitution won’t be as weak as before."
The Second Prince was speechless.
In his whole life, let alone horseback archery, he seldom even ran or jumped daily.
Otherwise, he would likely end up out of breath.
The Emperor really had high hopes for him, thinking that the illness they couldn’t cure for six years would be healed after this mere half year?
Though such thoughts crossed his mind, his demeanor still showed eagerness.
After all, he had heard from the palace elders that his Father had also begun practicing horseback archery from a young age.
Getting wounded was as common as eating meals, yet it only made his mind exceptionally strong.
"Yes, I understand, Father. I will practice diligently and not disappoint your expectations."
"Hmm."
Seeing them speak so harmoniously, Lin Wanyi was also happy on the side.
Such a scene of paternal kindness and filial piety brought back many memories.
She too was pampered by her parents and grandparents growing up.
Although often suppressed by Ronghe Hall and the West Wing in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, she chose not to let those people or things weigh heavily on her heart.
Just remembering the beautiful, warm memories was enough.
During the time she spent with the Second Prince, she found the child truly remarkable.
Such a young person, having endured the palace’s human relationships and indifferent treatment, still maintained a sincere heart.
Although he hadn’t engaged in much study yet, given time, he would surely gain good knowledge.
For a scion of the Royal Family,it isn’t necessary to reach high office to have the best.
Being able to live a long life of peace without worries is also a good fate indeed.