Chapter 130 – Qing Transmigration Tale (39)
Kangxi sat on the high platform, and watched the people below talk. He could not help but look at Four.
Most of the tables of the imperial sons were empty. Even if the imperial grandsons were present, they were proper and sat slightly further away from the tables.
Only Four and his two sons looked very at ease. Four slowly sipped at his cup. Hong Hui would spear a piece of fruit with his silver fork, take a bite like it was very delicious, and then put the bitten piece in front of Four’s mouth. Four would not even look before eating it. He would nod after eating, like he was confirming Hong Hui’s taste, indicating that this was the most delicious. Hong Yun would pick through the plate, like he was going to find the other pieces from the same fruit as this piece. Four did not mind that the plate was messy and had no sense of beauty. He even speared one to feed Hong Yun. Hong Yun took a bite, and then immediately frowned. He forced himself to swallow while Four and Hong Hui laughed. They clearly had fooled the child.
In this while, everyone was busy, only he was in the mood to tease his children.
However, from this natural behavior, he knew that the father and the sons were likely like this at home. They all said that Four had a cold face and a hard heart. Now, it appeared not to be so. They all said to only carry grandsons, and not sons, so it was very rare to see father and son interact like this. Even with the crown prince he had raised on his own, he had never been so close to the crown prince during his childhood.
Father benevolent and sons filial was something that everyone wanted.
He felt a bit sad. He looked further, and saw Seventeen and Eighteen sitting alone at the end. His heart softened, and he called Li De Quan to deliver two plates of pastries from his table for the two children to eat.
This was a honor.
Soon, the hunters started to come back.
“Your Majesty, the trophies of the a-ge have been counted,” a man carrying an almond yellow banner said.
It immediately became quiet.
The emperor said, “Oh! Tell.”
That person said, “Commandery Prince eleven, Third A-ge six, Fifth A-ge seven, Seventh A-ge five, Ninth A-ge eight, Tenth A-ge eleven, Twelfth A-ge ten, Thirteenth A-ge sixteen, Fourteenth A-ge sixteen, Fifteenth A-ge nine, Sixteenth A-ge nine. Hong Xi A-ge ten.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes and said, “What about Eighth A-ge?”
“Eighth A-ge has none. He released all of the twelve prey he had captured alive.”
At the words, gasps sounded.
Si Ye’s hand tightened around the teacup. What was Eight playing with? He wanted to show his benevolence and he had no lust for the reward.
But when one did too much, it was fake.
His hand relaxed slightly like he did not lose his composure.
Kangxi laughed. “Now this is hard. There is only one reward. Who should get it?”
The Mongolian Khorchin Prince Batu stood up and said, “It should be given to Eighth A-ge. Eighth A-ge is the most merciful and deserves it the most out of all the a-ge.”
Si Ye laughed inside. When did it become your position to judge the imperial sons?
Hong Hui was almost unable to disguise his expression. This person was really speaking for Eighth Uncle? And not against him? You are a prince of Khorchin, you now clearly support Eighth Uncle? Do you think that he does not already have enough attention?
He had not brought back even one prize from the hunt. Regardless of the reason, this counted as having given up. If people could praise Eighth Uncle inside for being of noble character, Eighth Uncle would probably be satisfied.
But now, what would it mean when this was put into public? Such a good move became the result of plotting and cunning. Eighth Uncle likely wanted to cry right now.
Hong Yun whispered, “This is the ‘pig teammates’ that Di–Eniang spoke of.”
Si Ye stilled and then asked, “What pig teammates?” What nonsense had the woman said to the children again?
Hong Hui argued, “Do not fear enemies like wolves, but teammates like pigs. This son feels that the words have some sense.”
Si Ye made a sound and was about to speak.
But the emperor said from above, “Hong Hui, I see that you are talking, what are you speaking of? Tell everyone.”
So unlucky!
Hong Hui looked resentfully at Si Ye and Hong Yun. Then he stood up, and went to the center to bow. Then he said, “Khan-mafa, this grandson was telling the young brother it will be very good if this grandson will be as capable as the imperial uncles.”
Si Ye relaxed inside. It was right to say this. Do not be too honest.
Kangxi chuckled. He did not care if Hong Hui spoke the truth or not. He called Hong Hui up and asked, “Then who do you feel is the most capable of your uncles? Who should Zhen give the reward to?”
This was a trap!
Hong Hui focused and avoided the point, “This grandson feels it will depend on what the reward is? If it was some antique or rare book, this grandson feels that Thirteenth Uncle or Fourteenth Uncle will not fight for it, and it will be right to give it to Third Uncle. If it is some Buddhist scripture, this grandson will be shameless and ask the uncles to not accept it, and yield to A-ma. I think even if A-ma did not go to hunt, no one will compete with him for this.”
After the words, it was first very quiet, and then roars of laughter.
Si Ye’s heart landed. This child, after the experiences in the palace, was able to take charge.
The crown prince looked more at Hong Hui. The youth was standing in the middle, upright in figure, his expression relaxed, and his motions easy. He was very amusing, and he even spoke of this fierce competition like it was just a family squabble. The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.
Such a smart boy.
Even Kangxi could not help but laugh. “You are so slippery.” Then he had Li De Quan bring the item. It was a gift that the Mongolian princes and dukes had given to the crown prince.
A jade scepter.
It immediately grew quiet. Hong Hui’s heart immediately tensed. What would be suitable to say next?
Kangxi smiled and said, “Now you have seen this, say, who is most suitable to receive it?”
Hong Hui glanced at the crown prince and went over daringly. He bowed and said, “This nephew wants to beg something from Second Uncle.”
The crown prince looked up and raised his eyebrows. He said, “What of your second uncle do you want?”
Hong Hui laughed. “The scepter hanging from Second Uncle’s belt.”
The jade scepter was just a plaything. The bigger ones could be decoration, and the smaller ones were clothing adornments. Lin Yu Tong had several pairs of fine jade scepter earrings, just the size of a knuckle.
There was a jade scepter the length of an adult’s hand hanging from the crown prince’s belt. It was pure white all the way through, made from the best mutton-fat jade.
“You have good eyes.” The crown prince smiled and untied it, handing it over.
Hong Hui smiled. “Second Uncle, thank you for the gift.”
Then he handed over the jade scepter, placing it next to the other jade scepter.
One was big, but the jade quality was not the best. The crown prince’s was small, but it was the best among the best. It was not possible to say which was the best.
He chuckled and said, “They are all given by Second Uncle. Thirteenth Uncle and Fourteenth Uncle will get one each, it is reasonable and fair.”
If there was one, there was competition. Now, there was two, so no need.
There was also no special meaning which had been implied.
The crown prince raised his eyebrows again and secretly toasted Si Ye with his wine cup, congratulating him for having a good son.
Kangxi was not angry. He looked at the people below and asked, “So you are eliminating your eighth uncle?”
Hong Hui was not worried and just looked in confusion at the emperor. He said, “This grandson heard just now that Eighth Uncle did not bring anything back at all. Regardless of the reason, the rules are the rules. The emperor is the one who made the rules. So everyone must abide by the rules.”
Kangxi’s eyes were brighter as he looked at Hong Hui.
Yes, the meanings in the child’s later words were the thing he wanted to express today. The jade scepter belonged to the crown prince, but as long as he, the emperor, was here, then what he said was the rule. Only he could change the rules.
This child had disrupted the arrangements today, but had expressed what he had wanted to say today.
This was very good! So smart.
Kangxi chuckled and continued to ask, “Someone said just now that your eighth uncle is very merciful, and it should be given to your eighth uncle. But now, you say that based on the rules, if one does not have any trophies, they do not count. Then, honestly speaking, do you feel that your eighth uncle doing this is merciful?”
Hong Hui wanted to cry! These questions were more pointed than the last.
But he could not play dumb now.
Being a bit slippery was called smart. If one was too slippery, they would become unprincipled.
People had to have their own principles. They could not refrain from saying things just because they feared offending people. This was a rule that Eniang had taught him.
So he said gravely, “If not killing is called being merciful, then Khan A-ma killing countless prey in these years is called not having mercy?”
Not far away, Eighth Prince’s face immediately paled.
Fourteen laughed inside.His brother deserved it. He had wanted to ask this a long time ago. You are the only merciful one, and we are all murderers. He immediately felt that it was better for the nephew to be his. He spoke to this ye‘s heart.
Hong Hui’s voice was clean and briskly loud. “Survival of the fittest. This is like the larger fish eating the smaller fish, and the smaller fish eating the shrimps. Us Manchu survived generations by hunting, we were a part of the grasslands. Now, we have entered the passes. Khan A-ma does not just hunt, you insist on us grandsons learning to ride and shoot. This is to make sure the grandsons do not forget our foundation. We gained the world on horseback, we need to always remember that the world did not come easy. To govern the world, we have to rely on the civil officials, but to protect the peace of the world, we still need our skills on horseback. Not killing does not mean true mercy. True mercy is to follow the heavenly path.”
Kangxi had mirth in his eyes. He immediately laughed loudly, “Good good good! You have studied well! You have understood.” Then he called Hong Hui up to his side, and looked down on the people below. “It is hard to conquer the country, and even harder to guard it. To have the world at peace, and the people healthy and peaceful is even more hard.” Seeing Hong Hui walk over, he said, “It is rare for someone to understand like you to see clearly and know well. Today, it will be as you say, the jade scepters will be rewarded to your thirteenth and fourteenth uncles.” Then he took off the jade pendant he wore. “This is to reward you.”
The nine dragon jade pendant!
Si Ye’s hand shook, and his tea almost spilled out.
Everyone looked in uncertainty and shock at Hong Hui. Hong Hui himself was a bit stunned, and hurriedly looked back at Si Ye.
This thing was too sensitive. Si Ye shook his head.
Kangxi seemed to not have seen it, and tied it with his own hands on Hong Hui’s belt. “It is just a jade pendant! In ordinary families, their mischievous grandsons will likely take their grandfather’s items before their grandfather gives it to them. Zhen is a grandfather, and will gift his grandson today. What is not appropriate?”
Was this the same?
But after he said this, what could everyone say?
- Grafting Life Chapter 129 – Qing Transmigration Tale (38)
- Grafting Life Chapter 131 – Qing Transmigration Tale (40)
- Grafting Life Chapter 132 – Qing Transmigration Tale (41)
Tell me something