“Has Chen Er written to you?”
The Emperor’s mention of “Chen Er” shocked Consort Shu. She quickly composed herself and responded, “Yes, it’s his first time leading troops. I’m quite worried, fearing he may disappoint Your Majesty.”
“What did Old Four write to you? Let me see.”
Consort Shu had no choice but to hand over the letter. “It’s just some casual greetings, nothing of importance.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Really? This brat… He’s so considerate of you, his mother, and all the troublesome matters he leaves to me.”
Consort Shu, hearing the Emperor’s words, quickly thought it through. Her eyes darkened slightly, but she said, “I’m just a woman. He’s probably worried about me.”
She paused and added with a bit of urgency, “Your Majesty, is Duan Wang all right?”
The Emperor took the letter Consort Shu handed him and gently pulled her to sit beside him, smiling. “What could be wrong? He’s really grown up. He has someone to protect now. It’s different.”
At this moment, Consort Shu had a clearer idea. She smiled softly. “A son takes after his father. I remember when I first entered the palace, Your Majesty also showed me much care and concern.”
Is that so?
The Emperor no longer clearly remembered what it was like when Consort Shu first entered the palace, but hearing her words, he was quite pleased and looked down at the letter.
Upon reading it, he realized that the letter his son had written to Consort Shu was indeed different from the one he had written to him.
Tsk.
The letter to Consort Shu was very gentle, saying that everything was fine in Yuxiang City and that she need not worry, without mentioning any of the dangers or difficulties in Yuxiang City.
The Emperor sighed softly and said to Consort Shu, “You’ve done a great job raising him.”
“It’s not my doing. It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s teachings,” Consort Shu smiled.
But in her heart, she thought, no wonder her son’s letter seemed strange; could he have guessed the Emperor would come to read it?
The Emperor returned the letter to Consort Shu and then remembered the real reason he had come. He inquired about the Duan family’s matters.
Consort Shu actually knew. She had heard it from Mingxi.
When the Emperor asked, she smiled and said, “Mingxi’s fate was unfortunate in her youth. She was kidnapped but fortunately was rescued by the Duan family of Pingchang. At that time, the couple had no children of their own, and by coincidence, they saved Mingxi from the kidnappers and raised her as their own…”
The Emperor already knew all of this.
“Mingxi stayed with the Duan family for several years, and then Madam Duan became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She intended to teach him how to manage a business and inherit the family’s wealth, but that child preferred studying.”
The Duan couple thought that the son was brought about by Mingxi’s good fortune. Since he preferred studying over business, Master Duan didn’t mind. He had always raised Mingxi as his own son.
At this point, Consort Shu gave a light laugh. “Everyone has their own fate. Mingxi herself is someone who’s willing to endure hardship. It’s not easy for the child to have reached this point.”
The Emperor turned his head to look at Consort Shu. “You really like her, I know. Many families would dislike her because she was once kidnapped.”
“Being kidnapped wasn’t Mingxi’s fault,” Consort Shu sighed. “When my son first told me about it, I wasn’t happy either. There are so many noble ladies in the capital, why did he choose Mingxi?”
The Emperor nodded, as he hadn’t understood it at the time either.
The world isn’t lacking in beautiful women.
“He told me that one day at Shangyang Palace, when Miss Gan fell into the water, Mingxi didn’t hesitate to jump in and save her. At that moment, he thought that this girl had a kind heart. Later, when he saw her rescue someone without seeking credit, it showed her pure nature, which aligned with his preferences.”
The Emperor smiled, looking at Consort Shu. “That really sounds like something he would say.”
“It’s because Your Majesty indulged him that he got what he wanted,” Consort Shu smiled faintly, her eyes filled with tenderness as she gazed at the Emperor, touched.
The Emperor held Consort Shu’s hand. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“You may give your orders directly, Your Majesty,” Consort Shu said, leaning slightly towards the Emperor, smiling.
The Emperor patted her hand. “This time, there’s a shortage of supplies in Yuxiang City. Mingxi and the Duan family have made great contributions. What do you think I should reward them with?”
Consort Shu’s heart skipped a beat, but her face showed surprise. “Your Majesty, this is the duty of the citizens of Great Chu. When Mingxi entered the palace last time, I also wanted to reward her, but she refused. She said that the Duan family has accumulated wealth through trade, and they should be grateful to Your Majesty for governing Great Chu so well, with a clear political environment and economic prosperity.”
“The Duan family is fulfilling their duties to the court. She also said that there is a country, there is a family.” Consort Shu smiled as she said this.
“You’re laughing at what?”
Consort Shu gazed into the Emperor’s eyes with her bright, sparkling ones and softly said, “Ah, this child is so straightforward. She said she’s been learning business since she was young and is quite good at making money. As long as Great Chu remains peaceful and prosperous, she’ll make back the money in no time.”
“Your Majesty, isn’t this child a bit silly? Others would beg for such an opportunity, but she, on the other hand, pushes it away.”
“Such a thing happened?” The Emperor found it amusing and felt somewhat relieved. He had worked diligently on the throne for many years.
“Yes,” Consort Shu said, wiping away the tears of laughter from her eyes with a handkerchief. “This child can make money, but she’s also willing to spend it. It’s quite rare.”
“Even though she doesn’t want a reward, we can’t just let the matter drop. Consort Shu, what do you think would be a good reward for her?”
After hearing the Emperor’s words, Consort Shu slightly furrowed her brows and softly said, “Your Majesty, how do you plan to reward her? She’s a woman, not lacking in gold and silver, and she’s not interested in fame or fortune. It’s really difficult to figure out what to do.”
“By the way, do you know that the Duan family’s son has become Chen Qiting’s disciple and is studying at Songshan Academy? Chen Qiting, who’s always been proud, how is it that he’s willing to accept a merchant’s son as a disciple? It’s quite strange.”
Consort Shu’s face showed some surprise, and then she acted as if she had just realized something. “I might actually know something about that.”
“Tell me about it,” the Emperor immediately asked.
“I remember that one time, Mingxi casually mentioned that Duan Pingchang had some kind of favor from the great scholar Chen, but the details aren’t very clear.” Consort Shu continued, “Your Majesty might not know, but Mingxi also studied under Chen Qiting.”
“Is there such a thing?” The Emperor’s expression was subtle. “Ah, this old man, when I wanted him to stay at the National Academy to teach, he refused. But now he’s willing to teach even a girl!”
“Yes, I didn’t expect that either,” Consort Shu smiled.
Years ago, Chen Qiting had angered the Emperor by refusing to stay at the National Academy to teach, and instead, he sneaked away from the capital. Despite this, the Emperor had never executed him because, in the end, the Emperor valued talent.
It was because of this that the Emperor was now somewhat upset to hear that Chen Qiting was teaching Mingxi and her siblings, especially with their humble origins.
Among the students at the National Academy, who wasn’t of noble birth?
Consort Shu saw that the Emperor was still upset about this matter, and she found it amusing. Who would have thought that the only female student Chen Qiting ever taught would now be her daughter-in-law?
