Chapter 83: Congratulations, You Got It Wrong
“This…” Huangfu Zhen immediately broke out in a slight sweat on his forehead, hesitated for a good while, then gritted his teeth and said: “It was asked from Maternal Uncle.”
“Oh?” The Initial Emperor’s brows twitched, and he slowly said: “You even know to ask for outside help.”
“It was all This Son acting without authorization. If Father Emperor wants to blame someone, blame This Son.” Huangfu Zhen raised his head, his face heavy as he said: “It has nothing to do with my two younger brothers.”
“Why would I blame you?” The Initial Emperor, however, had a strange look on his face as he said: “Did I say you couldn’t ask others?”
“No.” Huangfu Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s it then.” The Initial Emperor’s expression softened considerably as he said: “So why are you asking for forgiveness?”
“This Son…” Huangfu Zhen was choked for a moment, then forced a smile: “Seeing my two younger brothers come out dejected, I thought Father Emperor didn’t want us to seek help from others.”
“Nothing like that.” The Initial Emperor said indifferently: “You’re too cautious.” As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the distant void: “However, asking from others doesn’t count as ability. You still have to understand it yourself.”
“Yes.” Huangfu Zhen nodded heavily: “This Son knows too little about state affairs, yet spoke presumptuously of sharing Father’s worries. It was truly ignorant of the gravity.”
“Your filial piety is commendable.” The Initial Emperor withdrew his gaze and smiled at Huangfu Zhen: “How about this: after you return to the capital, go discuss with your maternal grandfather and see where in the Ministry of Personnel you can start your training.”
“This Son thanks Father Emperor!” Huangfu Zhen’s mood instantly went from the bottom of the valley to the mountain top. Restraining his ecstasy, he hurriedly stated: “This Son will certainly study hard and strive to share Father’s worries as soon as possible!”
“Mm, go on.” The Initial Emperor nodded with a smile, naturally not forgetting to instruct: “Call your older brother in.”
Once Huangfu Zhen had left after a thousand thanks and ten thousand gratitudes, the Initial Emperor suddenly sighed faintly and softly said to Du Hui: “Do you think this arrangement is appropriate?”
“Very appropriate.” Du Hui nodded with a smile.
“I wonder what kind of… surprise Older Brother will give me.” The Initial Emperor gazed deeply at Huangfu Xuan entering the hall and murmured.
.
Huangfu Xuan respectfully paid respects to Father Emperor. The Initial Emperor bade him rise, then asked directly: “Do you have answers to my three questions?”
“Reporting to Father Emperor,” Huangfu Xuan said calmly: “This Son does not know the answers.”
“Then what have you been doing all this day?” The Initial Emperor said with displeasure.
“Father Emperor’s three questions are all Great Xuan’s imperial court secrets. This Son has never been involved in court affairs before and has no way of knowing.” Huangfu Xuan said candidly: “Father Emperor pardon me, even if given more time, This Son still could not answer.”
“You didn’t go inquire?” The Initial Emperor sneered.
“This Son cannot inquire.” Huangfu Xuan answered: “Nor do I dare, nor wish to inquire.”
“Why not?” The Initial Emperor’s smile grew even stranger: “Why not dare? And why unwilling?”
“Father Emperor once taught This Son: If the ruler is not secretive, he loses his ministers; if the minister is not secretive, he loses his life; if secrets are not kept, harm ensues—thus the gentleman is cautious in secrecy and does not speak. This Son has always kept it in mind, thus cannot fail to be cautious in speech and action.” Huangfu Xuan then said in a deep voice: “This Son holds no office or position, and without Father Emperor’s decree, thus dares not contact outer ministers without authorization.” Pausing, he continued: “If outer ministers refuse to help, where does This Son’s face as a prince remain? If they do help, doesn’t that mean in their eyes, This Son’s words outweigh court regulations and national law? This Son wouldn’t know whether to thank them or report them to Father Emperor. Knowing no matter what the result is bad, of course This Son is unwilling to inquire.”
“Yo…” The Initial Emperor laughed out loud after hearing this, glanced at Du Hui beside him, and smiled: “This kid is instead lecturing me.”
“Hehe…” Du Hui gave two accompanying laughs and said nothing.
“This Son dares not.” Huangfu Xuan hurriedly apologized.
“Still daring to lie!” Who knew the Initial Emperor suddenly changed his face, heavily slapped the low table, and coldly rebuked: “You clearly sent someone to the Wei Clan—don’t tell me it was just to pay respects to your maternal grandfather!”
“…” Huangfu Xuan was struck as if by lightning, crying out madly in his heart: ‘Sure enough, Lu Yun was right!’ He hurriedly bowed and explained: “Father Emperor calm your anger. This Son absolutely did not lie! That was not This Son’s intention, but people around acted without authorization, disregarding This Son’s strong opposition, and secretly sent someone to the Wei Clan. By the time This Son knew, it was too late to recall!”
“Hmph…” The Initial Emperor snorted coldly and scolded Huangfu Xuan: “What things are around you? Why keep them?!”
“Yes!” Huangfu Xuan hurriedly agreed: “After This Son returns, I will drive them all out of the palace.”
“In the future, learn to judge people with your eyes.” The Initial Emperor snorted again, his tone softening as he asked: “How do you plan to solve my questions? Saying ‘I don’t know’ is it done?”
Huangfu Xuan hurriedly cupped his hands: “If Father Emperor clearly decrees This Son to inquire from the relevant offices, This Son will definitely find the answers as soon as possible!”
“Then go investigate.” The Initial Emperor said indifferently: “Du Hui, later write a note to inform the Ministry of Personnel, lest Eldest Highness say again that I as ruler am not secretive and lose my ministers.”
“As decreed.” Du Hui respectfully accepted the order.
“Right, don’t forget to tell them no one is permitted to help!” The Initial Emperor coldly looked at Huangfu Xuan: “Our Eldest Highness relies on no one, just himself!” With a wave of his hand: “Go on.”
Huangfu Xuan was left dizzy by the Initial Emperor’s barrage of veiled barbs, and at these words felt as if granted a general amnesty, hurriedly withdrawing. When he reached the doorway, he could hardly stand steady.
.
In the hall.
Once Huangfu Xuan left, the Initial Emperor frowned and said somewhat strangely: “How did Eldest turn this corner?”
“Eldest Highness has always been cautious in speech and action; it’s not surprising he has such thoughts.” Du Hui softly answered.
“No one knows a son better than his father—he truly dares not act recklessly,” the Initial Emperor shook his head: “But these words, he couldn’t say them himself.” He snorted angrily: “Usually when he sees me, he starts arguing after not two sentences. How could he suddenly wise up overnight?!”
“Eldest Highness is twenty years old now; it’s time he grew up.” Du Hui smiled.
“No need to speak for him everywhere,” the Initial Emperor was extremely suspicious and still didn’t quite believe: “Yesterday I had you watch the princes—did he see anyone else?”
“Besides the people in Yaoguang Hall, Eldest Highness only chatted for a while on the Setting Sun Tower with a young man.” Du Hui hurriedly answered truthfully.
“What young man?” The Initial Emperor was somewhat surprised.
“This old slave has verified,” Du Hui softly said: “It’s Grand Court’s Right Censor Lu Xin’s son, named Lu Yun, who entered the palace by decree to accompany the Emperor.”
“Lu Yun?” The Initial Emperor was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: “I remember now; I wanted to see him.”
“Your Majesty handles ten thousand matters daily; it’s normal to not recall such a trifle for the moment.” Du Hui softly said: “But that youth is only sixteen, probably couldn’t come up with those words either.”
“Not necessarily; Gan Luo became prime minister at twelve, Gao Cheng was envoy at fourteen, and entered court to assist governance at fifteen.” The Initial Emperor shook his head: “Some people can’t be measured by age.”
“Your Majesty is right; from what Li Dayin said at the time, that youth is indeed extremely precocious.” Du Hui followed the Initial Emperor’s words.
“Call him over; I’ll know if it’s him once I see him.” The Initial Emperor lightly stroked the yellow jade ruyi and slowly said.
.
The four princes left the Inner Palace full of worries. This time, not only did no one pay attention to Huangfu Xuan, even Huangfu Zhen was cold-shouldered by his two younger brothers.
“Come, go sit at my place.” Huangfu Zhen proactively called to the sullen-faced Huangfu Shi and Huangfu Xuan.
“Pass; we still need to go back and catch up on sleep.” Huangfu Shi said dully.
“No going; Second Brother is now someone with an assignment—we can’t climb that high.” Huangfu Xuan also followed his third brother.
“What nonsense!” Huangfu Zhen nevertheless pulled the two along without another word.
Only then did Huangfu Shi and Huangfu Xuan reluctantly follow him to Beichen Hall.
After entering the hall, Huangfu Zhen personally poured tea for the two, looked at his still fuming younger brothers, and sighed: “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”
“Figured out what?” Huangfu Shi gave him a glance.
“We appeared too eager this time,” Huangfu Zhen said in a deep voice: “To be honest, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have rashly offered to share Father’s worries, which brought Father’s suspicion and implicated you two.”
“What?” Huangfu Shi and Huangfu Xuan looked at Huangfu Zhen uncomprehendingly and exclaimed together: “Father Emperor suspects us?” They had also been puzzling over why Father Emperor’s reaction was so abnormal; hearing Huangfu Zhen say this, they believed it seventy to eighty percent.
“Sigh, hopefully I’m overthinking…” Huangfu Zhen sighed and comforted the two: “But even if it’s true, don’t worry. I’ve taken full responsibility, saying it was I who sought help from Maternal Uncle, having nothing to do with you.”
The two then breathed a sigh of relief, gratefully looking at Huangfu Zhen: “Then Father Emperor telling Second Brother to seek an assignment from Maternal Grandfather—isn’t that another trap?”
