bookrebus Chapter 82 The Smooth Prince Consort
Chapter 82 The Smooth Prince Consort
On the banks of Yunchi River, the birdsong was silent.
Qin Qi and Wen Xiangyu sat facing each other. He was tall and elegant, dressed in white.
Wen Xiangyu had never thought much of his character, but when faced with his appearance, she still had to admit that he was indeed the most handsome third-ranked scholar.
After being reminded by Gu Yuan, he also began to feel that his words were now extremely smooth and diplomatic.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Minister Wen, for inviting me to enjoy this beautiful scenery," Qin Qi said. "However, I am incompetent and only visit the academy every few days, so it really doesn't count as much of a favor."
Wen Xiangyu smiled and said, "You are too modest, Prince Consort. Everyone in Yanjing knows that you are a master of both calligraphy and painting. A single piece of your work is worth a thousand pieces of gold."
"Since the dean has kept you in the academy, he must value your talent. The dean has really put a lot of thought into this."
"Not at all," Qin Qi shook his head. "How can I compare to the Minister, who has devoted himself so wholeheartedly to the people and even invited me twice for his sake?"
"Even Zhuge Liang's three visits to the thatched cottage were nothing compared to this."
Wen Xiangyu personally poured him a cup of wine, saying, "Why should the prince consort belittle himself? All I have done is to be loyal to the emperor."
"I envy the prince consort. He has a skill and lives a carefree life, untroubled by external things."
"These are all trivial skills." Qin Qi took a sip of wine, surprised. "This is... the Sangluo from Yunzhou?"
Wen Xiangyu nodded.
Qin Qi sighed, "I've only ever had this wine once, at a state banquet. Even the Princess's residence doesn't have it."
"The prince consort just lacks connections," Wen Xiangyu smiled. "I have a few outstanding students in Yunzhou who always send me any rare or unusual items they come across. Sharing is worse than keeping it to yourself; let's share it with those who are destined to have it."
"To be honest, Minister Wen, although I am the son-in-law of the emperor, I am truly inferior to you in every way," Qin Qi said enviously.
“You flatter me, Your Highness,” said Prime Minister Wen.
Qin Qi smiled.
"I have come here today to ask the Prince Consort for a favor," Qin Qi said. "Although Bailu Academy is the top academy in Yanjing, if the disciples only know how to bury themselves in their studies and ignore worldly affairs, wouldn't they become useless bookworms? How can we expect them to become pillars of the nation? How can they care about the people and relieve the ruler's worries?"
Qin Qi put down his wine cup and said earnestly, "Minister Wen's insightful views are truly a blessing for the people."
“It’s just what I feel, just what I feel.” Wen Xiangyu waved his hand. “If Bailu Academy could compile His Majesty’s great achievements and Empress Dowager’s gentle and kind nature into a book, it would not only teach people to understand the principles of things, but also serve His Majesty and Empress Dowager.”
Wen Xiangyu comforted him, saying, "The prince consort is a man of deep feeling. He is willing to ruin his future for the princess. Others may not know, but my sister has praised him to His Majesty and the Empress Dowager several times."
Qin Qi was a little puzzled, "Imperial Noble Consort?"
“Yes,” Wen Xiangyu said. “She said that the Princess’s life has been full of hardships, and it is truly a blessing that she has found such a good husband.”
Qin Qi smiled and said, "You flatter me, Imperial Noble Consort."
"True love will eventually be united," Wen Xiang said. "You and the Princess are a perfect match, envied by countless men and women in Yanjing."
"I still remember the third-ranked scholar back then, dressed in red, parading through the streets. I don't know how many pearl flowers and embroidered handkerchiefs were thrown at him. The whole street was piled up. I have never seen such a scene again in my life."
Qin Qi shook his head, raised his cup and said, "Minister Wen, please don't joke. The past should not be mentioned again."
Wen Xiangyu laughed and said, "The prince consort's charm is as undiminished as ever, he deserves praise. Come, let's drink!"
The two were chatting and laughing.
After chatting and laughing, Wen Xiangyu helped the drunk Qin Qi into the carriage and instructed his attendants, "Take good care of your son-in-law."
As Wen Xiangyu watched the carriage disappear into the distance, his personal guard approached him. "My lord, what did you discover during your two visits?"
"Is he really useful?"
Wen Xiangyu laughed, "Do you really think he's willing to give up the fame and fortune in officialdom? If he really could, why would he have met with me twice?"
The guard said, "But he's become the prince consort, which means he's destined to have no official position. Even if this matter is accomplished, what good will it do?"
Wen Xiangyu snorted coldly, "So what if he doesn't become an official? He's not stupid. As long as he pleases His Majesty, he'll definitely reap the rewards."
"Could the eldest princess possibly be on our side?"
Wen Xiangyu rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? Don't you know what kind of temper the Princess has? Even His Majesty gives her some leeway. Do you think she'd listen to her husband? Be smarter from now on and don't provoke anyone from her household."
"Yes, yes, yes, yes," the guard replied hastily.
-
When the carriage was halfway through its journey, a gentle breeze brushed against his cheek, and Qin Qi slowly opened his eyes.
There was absolutely no sign of drunkenness in his eyes.
There was an extra person in the corner of the carriage; it turned out to be Xingluo.
Qin Qi said to Xing Luo, "Your Highness, he is right. Wen Xiangyu has his eye on Bailu Academy. He wants Bailu Academy to send twenty students to compose poems and paint at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet."
"So what are your plans, sir?" Xingluo asked.
"Of course we'll agree first," Qin Qi smiled. "But we'll have to drag it out for a few days, so he realizes this is difficult to handle."
"Sir, have you figured out how to persuade the dean?"
"The more drama there is, the more spectacular the banquet will be." Qin Qi shrugged. "It's also a good opportunity to let those brats see what the real world is like. Don't think that just because you've read a few books, you really have a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation."
Xingluo suddenly felt a little sorry for the dean. "How about I ask Elder Han to prescribe some calming and soothing medication for the dean? The dean is getting old and can't take this kind of treatment."
Qin Qi smiled and said, "If you're so free, why don't you go and inform His Highness right now?"
Xinglu shook her head, "His Highness entered the palace with the Princess today and should be with her now."
Your Highness will naturally keep your promise.
After all, their queen had given them dried meat yesterday.
If he were to report to His Highness now, it would be one thing if His Highness ignored him, but he would certainly be ridiculed by Qinghuai.
Qin Qi smiled and said, "Then you can stay over there."
He instructed his attendants outside, "Quickly return to the Princess's residence; I miss Nan Shu."
Xingluo pursed her lips.
-
"What?" Jiang Luan exclaimed, "Prince Xuan has been..."
Qi Yun nodded.
Jiang Luan asked suspiciously, "Qi Yun, do you think it might be related to Jiang Zhi?"
"The Princess Consort of Liang?" Qi Yun asked.
“Yes,” Jiang Luan said. “Ever since she came back, my mother and I have failed time and time again in our plans.”
"My mother has now been relegated to the side courtyard."
Qi Yun shook her head. "It shouldn't be like that. The Princess Consort of Liang has already married into the Liang Prince's Mansion, so why would she want to deal with you?"
“Miss, I think you should take care of your health first so that you can conceive a child with Prince Jing. Once Prince Jing becomes the Crown Prince, you will be the Crown Princess.”
Qi Yun looked up at Jiang Luan in front of the dressing table.
Jiang Luan nodded in satisfaction, "Go out and get me some more bird's nest."
Qi Yun breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Jiang Luan had figured it out.
He responded and left.