Chapter 9

When Nie Qinglin woke up the next day, she found that the weaving workshop had already delivered the newly made dragon robe.

Yesterday’s flogging incident had left the entire prison administration on edge.

Fortunately, there were plenty of pre-existing embroidered patterns left from previous robes, kept in reserve for emergencies.

Since everything was readily available, the head of the weaving workshop simply gathered all the top tailors and, in a single night, cut and stitched together three complete dragon robes with embroidered patterns before sending them over.

Other casual robes were also being rushed to completion.

The dragon robe fit perfectly.

Standing before the newly delivered large bronze mirror, she really did have a bit of that imposing presence befitting a Son of Heaven.

However, without a high collar to conceal herself, Nie Qinglin regretted that she would no longer be able to doze off freely in court.

During the morning court session, the dashing young emperor finally sat upright on the dragon throne with his large eyes wide open, much to the satisfaction of the Grand Tutor standing beside him.

On this day, aside from the usual civil and military officials, an unexpected guest was present in court—a vassal lord who had arrived in the capital, the Prince of Pingchuan.

He was the late emperor’s sixth uncle, born of a concubine.

Due to the late emperor’s lack of favor, his fief was relatively small, situated right next to the vast, fertile lands of the Prince of Pingxi.

Although the Lantern Festival was approaching, those who usually traveled to the capital were mostly noblewomen and children.

While it wasn’t unheard of for vassal princes to visit the capital, it was rare.

However, coming this early was even more unusual.

Especially in these troubled times, it was expected that during the Lantern Festival, most vassal princes’ families would refrain from entering the capital, lest they become bargaining chips in the hands of treacherous ministers seeking to usurp power.

Yet, the Prince of Pingchuan had voluntarily arrived ahead of time—what was he planning?

The frail, emaciated Prince of Pingchuan wobbled as he entered the court, coughing as he knelt to pay respects to the young emperor.

Nie Qinglin truly worried that this royal great-uncle might cough up a lung right there on the floor.

Today, Grand Tutor Wei was uncharacteristically amiable.

He even rose from his seat beside the emperor, quickly stepping forward to help the ailing prince up, speaking warmly, “Prince of Pingchuan, you are unwell. There’s no need for such grand etiquette. Someone, bring a chair!”

After the Prince of Pingchuan expressed his gratitude and took his seat, he gave the routine report on the state of his fief’s affairs before expressing his deep appreciation to Grand Tutor Wei for finding him a miraculous physician.

He hoped that the imperial doctors in the palace could conduct a more thorough diagnosis this time.

So, the terminally ill vassal prince had come to the capital for medical treatment.

This revelation put the court officials at ease.

The Prince of Pingchuan had always been timid and never sought trouble.

Even when other vassal princes defied orders and withheld their tributes, the Prince of Pingchuan continued to make his due contributions—albeit from a poor region, making his offerings meager and insignificant.

After sitting through an entire court session, Nie Qinglin’s back ached.

Grand Tutor Wei was truly acting out of character today—perhaps having a moment of newfound benevolence—going so far as to excuse him from attending studies in the Hall of Classical Learning.

Instead, he instructed him to return to the rear palace and spend some time playing with the young heir of the Prince of Pingchuan, fostering familial affection within the royal bloodline.

Due to his poor health, the Prince of Pingchuan had a son late in life.

The heir of the Pingchuan estate, Nie Zhong, was not yet seven years old.

He was an adorably chubby child, his fluffy hair tied into a small topknot, adorned with a pair of golden bells that jingled with every step he took.

Wrapped in an embroidered golden robe, his round little belly protruded, making him look every bit the cherished young noble.

After following his wet nurse’s guidance and properly saluting the young emperor, the child asked in a soft, milky voice, “Father said I am the Emperor’s little royal uncle—is that true?”

Nie Qinglin pulled the little boy to his side, gently pinching his chubby cheeks.

“Although you are young, in terms of seniority, you are indeed one generation above me.”

Hearing that he outranked the emperor in seniority, the little boy grinned widely in delight.

Fortunately, the Inner Service Department had sent over some exquisite toys yesterday, allowing her to properly entertain her young royal uncle.

After playing for a while and offering the boy some fresh fruit, Nie Qinglin smiled and asked, “Little Royal Uncle, have you started learning to read?”

The child nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I started attending lessons when I was four.”

Nie Qinglin casually picked up a national gazette and unfolded a map inside.

While eating fruit, she pointed at different characters on the map, testing the young heir’s knowledge.

After quizzing him for a while, the emperor smiled and asked, “Now, let me test you, Little Royal Uncle. Do you know where your father’s fief is?”

The little boy nodded vigorously, pointing to a narrow strip of land.

“Father says that this land will all be mine in the future!”

Nie Qinglin followed the chubby little finger and nodded in acknowledgment.

In her mind, he thought: Little Royal Uncle is fortunate—this is indeed a fine territory. Long and narrow, controlling the throat of the main route. If this passage were sealed, the vast lands of Pingxi would be trapped like a turtle in a jar. A slow simmer would yield a perfect pot of nourishing soup. Let’s just hope Grand Tutor Wei takes his time drinking it—otherwise, once the world is pacified, this useless piece of tender meat might end up in the pot as well…

Unaware of the emperor’s concerns about her metaphorical stew, Grand Tutor Wei was in the Hall of Classical Learning, busily gathering the necessary “firewood” for his turtle soup.

Meanwhile, the ailing Prince of Pingchuan sat in a soft chair, his expression hesitant.

“The Prince of Anxi is, after all, my imperial nephew. If Grand Tutor Wei wishes to convict him of deceiving the emperor, I have no right to interfere. When two tigers fight, the victor naturally commands respect. But for Grand Tutor Wei to ask me to seal off the main road and cut his lifeline… that… that might bring disgrace upon the Nie family’s kinship.”

Wei Lenghou remained all smiles despite the prince’s refusal.

“Your Highness’s concerns are understandable, and I sympathize. But while you are mindful of the Nie family’s kinship, the Prince of Pingxi is a ruthless man. Lately, there have been numerous land disputes at your border, making life difficult for the local magistrates. The Prince of Pingxi is accustomed to tyranny, and you have already yielded much land to him. But Your Highness must also consider the future of your young heir. That man’s ambitions are boundless—not only does he covet land, but he also seems quite fond of your little prince. After all, none of his own sons are promising. How could they compare to your well-bred and intelligent Nie Zhong…?”

The Prince of Pingchuan suddenly erupted into a violent coughing fit, his frail body trembling in his chair.

He knew all too well—Grand Tutor Wei had informants everywhere, but he had not expected even this long-buried scandal to be uncovered so clearly.

His current wife was a young noblewoman he had taken as a second wife after his first wife’s passing.

Given his frail health, he had little vigor for the marital chamber.

But years ago, when the Prince of Pingxi was still a mere heir, he had been a brazen libertine.

Seizing the opportunity during the Lantern Festival, when the Empress Dowager’s palace was vacant, he had seduced and violated the new princess consort.

Though the Empress Dowager had caught them in the act, the matter was hushed up—after all, both the late emperor and his fifth brother were her own sons, and the heir of Pingxi was her biological grandson.

It was only natural that the scandal was swept under the rug.

But when the princess consort returned home, she became visibly pregnant.

Eventually, unable to hide the truth, she confessed everything.

Although enraged enough to consider drowning the unfaithful woman, the Prince of Pingchuan ultimately relented, allowing her to give birth before confining her to a Buddhist hall.

With no other heirs, he had initially intended to strangle the bastard child at birth.

But upon seeing the baby—so soft and lovely—he found himself unable to do it.

Naming the boy “Nie Zhong” was a deliberate double entendre, reflecting the prince’s conflicted emotions.

He could only hope that as the child grew, he would understand the true meaning of  loyalty.

Wei Lenghou’s words stabbed straight into Prince Pingchuan’s heart.

He knew his days were numbered and only wished to enjoy the company of his young son at his knee, ensuring the continuation of his bloodline.

If, after his death, Prince Pingxi deliberately forced Nie Zhong to recognize his ancestry and ruined his own posthumous reputation—making it known to the world that he had been cuckolded by his nephew—his blood would boil with rage.

Even if it meant staking his life and benefiting an outsider, he would make sure that Prince Pingxi preceded him on the road to the underworld!

That day’s secret discussion in the study yielded great results.

Due to his frail health, Prince Pingchuan could not stay in the palace for long.

After bidding farewell to the Emperor, he took his young son back to his temporary residence.

Meanwhile, Wei Lenghou leisurely tapped on the table, remembering that he had not yet had his meal.

He thought for a moment and asked, “Has His Majesty taken his midday meal?”

Eunuch Ruan hurriedly summoned a palace attendant to inquire in detail, then reported back, “His Majesty was too preoccupied playing with the young heir of Pingchuan and only ate some random fruits and snacks. He has not had a proper meal.”

The Grand Tutor nodded and instructed Eunuch Ruan that he would be heading to the Emperor’s chambers shortly to dine with His Majesty.

Eunuch Ruan immediately relayed the message to the imperial kitchen, ensuring the Grand Tutor’s favorite dishes were prepared, and sent word to the Emperor’s residence to have them ready.

By the time the Grand Tutor stepped into the Emperor’s chambers, the young Emperor was, for once, sitting properly in the main hall, waiting for him!

Eunuch Ruan loudly called for the meal to be served, and dish after dish was placed on the table.

The sovereign and his minister shared another harmonious meal, adding to the many anecdotes of camaraderie within the palace.

However, as they began eating, the Grand Tutor quickly noticed something: the young Emperor, despite his usual gluttonous tendencies, would only pick at a few bites of the most exquisite dishes before putting down his chopsticks.

The Grand Tutor lifted his eyes slightly and asked, “Is Your Majesty too troubled over the disaster victims to eat, or is it that my presence makes you uncomfortable?”

Nie Qinglin had never had much of an appetite.

The sudden increase in dishes yesterday had already overwhelmed her stomach, long accustomed to meager portions.

Moreover, she had just eaten some fruits and snacks.

How could she possibly be hungry?

Upon hearing the plague god’s question, she quickly responded, “It is rare for the Grand Tutor to take time from his busy schedule to dine with me, and I am overjoyed! It is only that I indulged in some local snacks brought by the young heir of Pingchuan while we played, and I am still quite full.”

Wei Lenghou frowned.

That sickly Prince Pingchuan had somehow managed to raise a plump, adorable child who was quite eye-catching, yet the dragon seed raised in the imperial palace was thin as a monkey!

How disgraceful! When the Lantern Festival arrived and all the noble relatives gathered, how could he hold his head high if everyone was looking up at this scrawny creature?

With that thought in mind, he raised his voice and called out to the palace maids and eunuchs outside, “From today onward, remove all of His Majesty’s idle snacks. Stop sending up those frivolous things. From now until the Lantern Festival, apart from breakfast, His Majesty’s other two meals will be taken with me.”

The moment Nie Qinglin heard this, she nearly burst into tears—what a calamity from the sky! she had long known that being a puppet emperor was no easy task, but she had not expected the Grand Tutor to be ruthless enough to strip her of even this last bit of entertainment!

Grand Tutor, just how free are you? Have all the floods in the provinces subsided? Are the barbarians at the border no longer causing trouble?

At this moment, she actually hoped Prince Pingxi would prove competent.

Her seat on the throne now depended on her cousin’s efforts to turn the tide!

Wei Lenghou, satisfied with the young Emperor’s reddening eyes after giving his orders, personally picked up a piece of osmanthus venison and placed it in the Emperor’s bowl, leaving no room for argument.

“How can those things fill your stomach? Finish this meat before leaving the table!”