Book 15: Chapter 12

Turmoil from Thirty years Ago

Ming Feizhen, squinting to avoid the golden rays reflection off the walls, mused over his discussion with Emperor Yuansheng as he followed w.a.n.g Tushui out of the imperial palace.

I dont expect all of my sons to be accomplished. The people of old said, One would rather a foolish son than one who suffers misfortune. The same goes even for me. I only wish that they can live a happy life free from misfortune. Its popular for one to wish their children stand out, but thats not necessarily a good thing. All my brothers were capable and qualified to succeed my father. How did they end up? They ended up fighting each other viciously and plunging the world into tragedy for ten years. Even I was not spared from their hostility when they held me in their arms when I was a kid took me out on hunts, taught me and showed me their crushes.

I havent wanted to talk about these things since I was crowned. It breaks my heart, but I have no idea who to blame. Eventually, n.o.body wanted to talk about. The mere mention of it would make my face long for days. Perhaps its due to age, or perhaps Ive overcome imposter syndrome after ruling for so long. Whatever the reason, Ive finally found the courage to reflect. I dont know how brothers who hunted together, carried each others bows, carried jugs and pots of wine together, doing what servants would do as if they had to personally do everything, could turn on each other like that.

My eldest brother was a very laid-back person. He spoke slowly, liked to laugh and didnt like violence. He was affable with us brothers as youd expect from an elder brother. He took us out to play. When we made mistakes and Father was going to hit us, hed s.h.i.+eld us. After he got married, we three brothers made a trip to Beiping to find him rare stuff as gifts. He laughed hysterically when he saw our pathetic states upon return, but he angrily told us to never do it again after he saw our injuries. The four of us drank a lot that night.

Second Brother was the man. He was in every fight, so it wasnt surprising that he also took a lot of damage. He only cared about backing his brothers and friends, though. His mansion was a gift from Father, but he gifted it to me since he knew I liked it. He said he preferred living in the army barracks, so there was no point in giving it to him. At the time, I promised myself to build him a mansion ten times bigger than any other mansion once I had enough money regardless of what anyone told me. That was why I personally spent a long, long time inspecting the estate when Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor fell

Third Brother was a graceful gentleman, but I knew he was a kind man who could think for himself. When a big bear charged at me one autumn hunt, I just ran for it since even Second Brother was hurt, yet Third Brother stood his ground. Being smarter than all of us, he knew all four of us wouldve perished if he fled, as well. He alone stalled the bear until the guards found us.

As he so seldom recounted the stories, Emperor Yuansheng had to take breaks in between here and there to string together comprehensible sentences, but the moist in his eyes showed he meant every word he said.

I always wondered what triggered their change. I see the same old brothers in my dreams. No matter how long I spend thinking, I just cant work out what motivated them to strive for the throne so much. Thats not who they were Im telling you all this to let you know that, although I do hope they excel, Im okay if they dont as long as they can live a healthy and happy life. Emperor Yuansheng set down his cup and smiled.

I wont force you. Besides Chier and Qinger, you can choose to take any of them under your tutelage. Im counting on you. After he said that, Emperor Yusheng patted Ming Feizhen on the shoulder and left, telling w.a.n.g Tushui to come in and fetch Ming Feizhen.

and thats how it went, stated Ming Feizhen, squatting by a wall whilst munching on a handful of dry herbs.

The herbs helped offset the side effects of Ming Feizhens recent sleep deprivation. Plus, it didnt taste too shabby. Most importantly, he felt uncomfortable discussing things if he didnt have something to eat while he was talking. Since he didnt have enough time to drop into the kitchen, he therefore went to the pharmacy.

I had tried to turn down the job, but I couldnt walk off when His Majesty was pouring his heart out. You guys cant imagine it. If I walked out, I wouldnt even be able to call myself a human being. That sly coot. Guess thats why hes the Emperor.

Covering the fist mark on his eye, Tang Ye was still dealing with the aftereffects of being woken from his sleep with a fist and being told, p.i.s.s off. p.i.s.s off somewhere far away.

Big Bro, have you recovered your ability to fight?

You only just realised? How are you supposed to come drink all the wine in the world and court all the chicks in the world with me if youre so slow? grouched Ming Feizhen.

I feel like a lot of big things happened last night.

Youre imagining things. Someone farting is a big deal in this day and age. Focus on a.n.a.lysing for me. Im counting on you.

Okay. Tang Ye grabbed his rattling head to try recall the information, then requested, Could you repeat it one more time?

Tang Ye got the real combat training he always asked for.

By the time Ming Feizhen repeated himself, Mountain Monster, Shen Kuang, Su Xiao, Liu Yuan and even Zha Pi were in attendance. Basically, save for Song Ou and Shen Yiren, who were busy with the banquet in the palace, everyone who had some degree of authority at Liu Shan Men was present. They werent a group that would gather unless Ming Feizhen was present. As soon as they got together, though, they had no qualms gossiping. In no time at all there were melon seed sh.e.l.ls, tea leaves, fruit peels and the sort all over the ground.

Ming Feizhen harrumphed. Thats how it is. Two brains are better than one. Help me brainstorm an idea. Young Master Kuang, you start.

Shen Kuang started choking on the tea he was drinking, while Su Xiao patted his back. Thank you, Xiao Han. I, uh I dont know much about the topic, but I think the Princes are pretty strong in their stances, so I dont think its necessarily a job to be envious about. His Majesty is eager, though. You must think it through carefully, Brother Ming.

Ming Feizhen nodded.

Munching on melon seeds, Mountain Monster opined, Since red and cyan are off the table, that means there are four left. The orange one is gone, right?

Also munching, Zha Pi opined, Green is a bad idea, too. After all, its a terrible colour and not good for Head Constable Mings reputation. That leaves yellow and blue.

Liu Yuan shook his head. Dont forget theres also Prince Zi, who will soon officially be conferred the rank of Prince. That leaves you with at least three options.

Mountain Monster: Oh, pick one easy to control, then.

Slow down, interjected Ming Feizhen. When did I agree to taking a Prince under my wing?

Mountain Monster spat out a melon seed. What? Too good for it? Besides, Im not the one telling you to teach one. Would you actually dare to oppose the old man?

Stop, stop, stop. Youre a villain. Your opinion doesnt count. Tang Ye, you have the looks and background of an orthodox sect disciple. You tell me.

Tang Ye: You cant refuse His Majesty as she said.

Screw the lot of you! Xiao, what say you?!

Su Xiao wrinkled his face. Big Brother Ming, you have to refuse if you dont want to do it!

Thats m-

You cant just kidnap an innocent girl and demand her to marry you.

Theres something wrong about that.

Plus, whos responsible if Big Brother Ming turns him into a stupid Prince? Would we be implicated as his colleagues?

Refuse. Make sure to refuse, or resign first, okay?

Thank you, you, you, and the rest of your families, so much. Ming Feizhen put a full stop on the topic and decided to wait for Shen Yiren to return.

If there was truly no option but to accept the role, Ming Feizhen was planning to do what they said in the first place. Those were the only three Princes who had room for him to do anything. He didnt know much about Yellow Prince, but Blue Prince wouldve been a tough nut to crack. As for Purple Prince, he was a suitable candidate in all facets, except he was young. In saying that, Ming Feizhen wanted to minimise interactions with Zizi since he knew his mother.

Ming Feizhen decided to leave the issue for later as there was still one more person he needed to speak to.