Chapter 124
Before anyone could react, in the distance, a burst of fireworks suddenly bloomed in the night sky.
All heads turned upward. The firework streaked across the heavens, vanishing in an instant, leaving everyone with the same question: what was that?
Before they could fully process it, a cascade of vibrant, multicolored fireworks exploded one after another, illuminating the night sky like a celestial rain of blossoms, dazzling beyond belief.
Almost everyone was entranced by the sight. Was this a divine omen of good fortune? Otherwise, how could such a wondrous spectacle appear out of nowhere?
The scene fell silent for a moment, with only the dazzling fireworks flickering in and out of sight.
Ming Yu clasped his hands and spoke respectfully, “Your son presents the tribute of ‘Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers’ to celebrate Father Emperor’s longevity, wishing you endless years of prosperity, good health, and an eternal reign!”
What! This… This was prepared by Duan Wang? A birthday tribute? Truly astonishing!
Upon hearing this, Ming Zhen slammed the table in frustration. That damned Ming Yu had completely overshadowed the other princes. He had painstakingly searched high and low for the South Sea Purple Gold Coral Beads as a tribute for his third brother. Those beads were immensely valuable and considered a rare treasure. He had hoped this gift would allow his third brother to stand out. But in the end, the spotlight was stolen by Ming Yu.
Ming Yu had prepared a total of fifty-six fireworks, symbolizing the emperor’s fifty-sixth birthday. Before long, the fireworks in the night sky began to fade, and only then did the astonished crowd snap back to their senses.
The emperor burst into hearty laughter. “Excellent! Very impressive! This is the most unique gift I have received.”
Ming Yu seized the opportunity, saying, “Of course! Father, you have no idea how long I spent preparing for your birthday or how much effort I put in. But as long as it pleases you, it is all worth it.”
His words were smooth and flattering, making the emperor laugh heartily. Instantly, the atmosphere of the banquet became lively again.
The Eleventh Prince, Ming Zhen, clenched his fists. He couldn’t stand seeing Ming Yu so pleased with himself. However, watching him win favor with the emperor only made Ming Zhen grind his teeth in frustration.
“The Fourteenth Prince is indeed insightful. Such an extraordinary display—unheard of and unseen before! A remarkable gesture, truly.” The Third Prince, Ming Tao, remarked sourly.
The emperor’s praise was heard by all, and it was clear that he was highly pleased with Ming Yu’s extravagant gift. Ming Tao hadn’t expected that just as his own tribute had caught the emperor’s attention, Ming Yu would suddenly appear and steal the limelight. This left him feeling powerless, as if he had gathered all his strength for a punch, only for it to land on empty air—a feeling difficult to adjust to.
Ming Zhen, standing to the side, took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. He chimed in, playing along with Ming Tao’s pretense, “Fourteenth Brother, you certainly hid this tribute well. Such a rare and precious spectacle, yet you kept it concealed instead of presenting it to Father immediately. Only unveiling it at the most opportune moment to surprise him—truly, you have grown up and become much more composed.”
Though his words sounded like praise, they carried a hidden jab, subtly implying that Ming Yu did not prioritize the emperor and had selfishly kept his gift hidden as a bargaining chip.
The remark was veiled, but everyone present was astute enough to catch the underlying meaning. Those uninvolved simply sat back to watch the show unfold.
The Crown Prince, Ming Ye, frowned, worried that Ming Yu might be at a disadvantage. Just as he was about to speak in Ming Yu’s defense, he heard Ming Yu chuckle and respond, “Oh, you flatter me! Eleventh Brother truly understands me well. Knowing that I always have Father in my heart and that I go to great lengths to bring him joy—it must have taken you much thought to say that.”
He paused for a moment before adding, “However, as for being more composed… I must admit, I haven’t made much progress. Father has often taught me to temper my temperament, but unfortunately, some things are ingrained and cannot be changed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have ended up clashing with my elder brothers not long ago, fighting until heads were cracked and blood was spilled.”
“Pfft!” Someone in the crowd couldn’t hold back a laugh. The incident of the three princes getting into a fight had already spread far and wide. While the exact details remained unknown, it was common knowledge that the emperor had punished the Eleventh and Twelfth Princes by confining them. If not for today being the emperor’s grand birthday celebration—and the intercession of Imperial Concubine Hui—Ming Zhen wouldn’t even be here. In fact, once the birthday festivities were over, he would likely be sent back into confinement. After all, an imperial decree was not to be taken lightly, and his punishment was far from over.
The Crown Prince calmly sat back down, taking an unhurried sip of wine as a faint smile appeared on his lips. This Fourteenth Brother—was he truly oblivious to the true meaning behind Ming Zhen’s words, or was he just playing along? He always seemed to ride along with what others said, yet somehow, in the end, he managed to leave them utterly frustrated. That was a talent in itself.
Ming Zhen’s face turned alternately red and pale. Was Ming Yu pretending not to understand? Had his sarcastic remark not been obvious? Instead of feeling slighted, Ming Yu had smoothly flipped the situation around, leaving Ming Zhen choking on his own words. He was so enraged he nearly coughed up blood.
Bringing up that previous incident was clearly intentional—to humiliate him. Ming Zhen and Ming Chao had both been punished, yet Ming Yu had walked away completely unscathed. Not only did he avoid responsibility, but he had also allowed the story to spread, making it difficult for Ming Zhen to show his face in public.
Furious but unable to lash out, Ming Zhen could only endure. On such an important occasion, who would be foolish enough to stir up trouble in front of the emperor? His anger boiled in his chest, but he forced himself to gulp down a mouthful of wine to suppress his frustration.
Provoking first is disgraceful—this saying fits you perfectly. Ming Yu smiled innocently, looking utterly harmless. He even wished Ming Zhen had the courage to argue back. But unfortunately, judging by the way Ming Zhen was shrinking back, it was clear he wouldn’t dare.
Ming Tao, fearing his brother might suffer a loss, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Fourteenth Brother’s devotion to Father Emperor has always been pure and sincere. His filial piety has never wavered, and his heart is dedicated to Father’s joy. As brothers, we share the same sentiment. If Father does not mind, we would gladly dress in colorful robes and perform to bring him happiness. What do you all think?”
With these words, he not only praised Ming Yu for earning the emperor’s favor but also showcased his own filial devotion while rallying the other princes. His approach was meticulous, covering all angles.
The other princes quickly chimed in with agreement, and some even playfully suggested that arrangements be made for them to dress in festive costumes and perform for the emperor’s amusement.
The sight of the princes getting along so harmoniously put the emperor in an excellent mood. He waved his hand and laughed, saying, “Enough, enough! What are you all doing, putting on a spectacle like a troupe performing ‘The Rainbow-Colored Clothes for Parental Amusement’ in front of all the ministers? I’m embarrassed just watching you. And you, third son—you’re already grown! Why are you joining in on this nonsense with your younger brothers?”
Feeling wronged, Ming Tao protested, “This is truly what I felt in my heart. How can you say I was just making a fuss?”
The third prince, Ming Tao, had always been well-liked by the emperor. He had made notable contributions in political affairs and was generally considered a steady and reliable person. Seeing him act with a bit of childishness now made the emperor feel a tinge of nostalgia.
To the emperor, it was natural for children to develop their own thoughts as they grew older. Yet, those who retained a childlike sincerity like Ming Yu were rare. Now, seeing Ming Tao behave this way, the emperor couldn’t help but feel affectionate. No matter how old they became, children were still children in the eyes of their parents.
The emperor was in good spirits and had no real intention of reprimanding them. Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he said, “You! I don’t even know what to say to you. Alright, alright. As long as you all can help ease my burdens in the future, I will be content.”
“Yes! Your sons will do their utmost to share in Father’s burdens,” the princes all stood and responded in unison.
Of course, the princes wouldn’t actually dress in colorful costumes like jesters to amuse their father. If such a thing were to be spread, what would become of their dignity as royal sons? They were merely putting on a show to bring joy to the emperor. As for helping him share his burdens—well, that depended on whether their father would even give them the opportunity.
Ming Zhen’s embarrassment was effortlessly defused by Ming Tao. It had to be said—Ming Tao had a way with handling things. Standing to the side, Ming Yu quietly observed everything, simply smiling without saying a word.
I
t wasn’t until the emperor asked him directly about the fireworks—what they were and how he had obtained them—that Ming Yu finally stepped forward.
Naturally, he couldn’t say that the fireworks were made from leftover materials during the research and development of firearms and explosives. Instead, he replied, “This is something your son had skilled craftsmen painstakingly work on for over a year to create. It was rushed to completion day and night just in time to celebrate Father’s grand birthday.”
The emperor nodded in satisfaction. “Very good. Old Fourteen, your filial piety is commendable. I am pleased.”
This remark unknowingly stirred up envy among many. Yet, Ming Yu remained oblivious to the envious gazes directed at him. He continued, “Father, you know your son well. My fief in the borderlands is desolate and barren, practically an uninhabitable wasteland. I truly have nothing of value to offer, so I can only use my mind to come up with clever tricks like this to bring you some amusement.”
The moment he spoke these self-deprecating words, the envious glances withdrew considerably. Many felt a sense of balance return to their hearts. That’s right—why even bother competing with this fool? Just look at his fief—wasteland and poverty. What could he possibly have? And he was the one who had fought for that land himself. Ha! Now he was finally experiencing the hardships of life, wasn’t he?
Look at him—struggling so much that he had personally formed a trade caravan to do business in the Western Regions. A prince engaging in merchant activities? How humiliating! Not long ago, people had been envious of how much silver Ming Yu was making. But now? No one was jealous anymore.
It was even rumored that Ming Yu had sold his trade caravan to the third prince just to raise funds for something called the Western Qi Corridor. Short-sighted fool! With a trade caravan in hand, at least he wouldn’t starve. But now he had lost his means of making money—there would come a day when he’d regret it. Lately, he had been seen all over the capital borrowing money, utterly disgracing his royal status. No matter how poorly off the other princes were, none of them were in a worse position than Ming Yu.
Thus, what Ming Yu had intended as his usual act of hardship and self-pity in front of the emperor—hoping to earn some favor—had unexpectedly earned him the pity and sympathy of most people. Even he hadn’t anticipated this outcome.
The emperor was also moved by Ming Yu’s words. He was just about to blurt out, “Reward him!” when he suddenly remembered that his private treasury had already been emptied by Ming Yu not long ago. Fortunately, he caught himself in time. This Old Fourteen—could he possibly have his eyes on the birthday gifts presented by the officials today? Absolutely not! If he let Old Fourteen keep swindling him like this, he really would end up penniless.
Of course, no one knew how strapped for cash the emperor had become. Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Ming Yu felt a twinge of disappointment.
He could only continue, “Although my fief is sparsely populated and lacks resources to contribute, I heard that Father greatly enjoyed the watermelons I presented last year. Recently, I came across a high-yield crop from the western regions—corn. Since this is a rare commodity, I have specially prepared it as a tribute for Father, hoping you will like it.”
Ming Yu had already discussed the matter of corn with the emperor upon his return, but the news had yet to spread. Now, by bringing it up before the court officials, he was taking the opportunity to publicize it and raise awareness. Of course, he had coordinated with the emperor beforehand to ensure the promotion went smoothly.
The emperor played along seamlessly. “The watermelon that Old Fourteen presented last time was indeed exceptional—I liked it very much. But this corn—though the Great Yan is rich in resources, I have never heard of such a thing before. Quickly, bring it forward for everyone to see.”
Last year, Ming Yu had sent watermelons to the capital, but only the most esteemed ministers had been fortunate enough to taste them. The flavor had truly been unforgettable.
As for corn, everyone was baffled. What was this new crop? But since Ming Yu had said it came from the western regions, it was likely something valuable. They would need to inquire about it later—perhaps Duan Wang had some extra stock. If it was anything like the watermelon, it would be worth keeping an eye on.
Duan Wang’s people had mentioned last year that the watermelons were only in the experimental planting phase and that the yield was low—just enough to be presented to the emperor. But this year, they were planning to cultivate it on a larger scale. If successful, it would be worth spending a high price to buy some.
There was only a limited supply—first come, first served. If even the emperor praised it, how could it be anything but excellent?
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