Chapter 459: Reporting in the Great Hall
As soon as the gift from Prince Ye Yuan was presented, the voices of the civil and military officials praising him began to echo through the hall.
Emperor Ye Junshuo of the Eastern Feng Dynasty smiled greatly, offering another round of praise to his son, Crown Prince Ye Fan.
Seeing the Crown Prince so proud, though the other princes did not show any outward signs of resentment, they were all inwardly quite jealous.
The Second Prince, King Jin, immediately presented his own gift, along with a round of congratulations.
Although King Jin’s gift was not as valuable as the Crown Prince’s Nanshan warm jade pillow, it was still priceless.
“These three hundred-year-old wild ginseng are also rare to find. King Jin is so thoughtful to have found three. Well done!”
After receiving the Emperor’s praise, King Jin gave a provoking glance at the Crown Prince, then proudly returned to his position.
The Third and Fourth Princes quickly presented their gifts as well—rare treasures, valuable and difficult to find.
When it was Ye Lu’s turn, his attendants brought forward three baskets of strawberries. The other princes immediately burst out laughing. In front of the civil and military officials and all the royal relatives, they showed no mercy in mocking Ye Lu.
“Prince Lu, even if you’re out of touch, you shouldn’t present such things to your father and the Emperor at this time,” sneered the Fourth Prince, King Yu. The Third Prince, King Lie, also nodded in agreement.
“Yes, King Yu is right. Prince Lu, could it be that you are short of funds? Even gifts for the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen Mother are this perfunctory? These fruits are colorful and appealing, but I’ve never heard of such fruits. You dare to let the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen Mother taste them? Besides, our Eastern Feng Imperial Palace’s chefs can create the finest dishes in the world. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen Mother don’t care for these.”
The Third Prince, King Lie, added, “I’ve heard that the Fifth Brother spends his days indulging in luxury. Even the hot spring villa left for him by Concubine Xiu has been sold this year. Such a villa, worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, has he already squandered it?”
As soon as the Second Prince’s words fell, Emperor Ye Junshuo’s previously smiling face darkened.
Just then, the Fourth Prince continued, “I heard that the Third Prince bought that villa for thirty-five thousand taels of silver. In the past, the Fifth Brother even spent tens of thousands of taels at the auction in Feng City to buy an imperial green headpiece for the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Back then, he was so extravagant. How is it that he is so frugal now?”
“You are right, King Yu,” the Third Prince continued. “I believe the Fifth Brother has not yet matured. He doesn’t even know how to manage his family finances. Now, he’s embarrassing the Emperor in front of all the civil and military officials.”
The Third Prince’s words were followed by more mockery, making it clear they wanted to degrade Prince Ye Lu in front of everyone.
After hearing these repeated jabs, Ye Lu was already used to it. He knew that his older brothers would take this opportunity to humiliate him.
“Rebellious son?! Is what King Lie and King Yu said true?” Emperor Ye Junshuo slammed his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne, his face darkening with anger.
At this point, Ye Lu knew he couldn’t remain silent, so he hurriedly knelt and respectfully kowtowed to the Emperor, but still wore that carefree, defiant smile that only made the Emperor angrier.
“Father, although I spend money recklessly, I did indeed spend twenty thousand taels of gold to buy a sword, but I have not wasted time these days. I’ve been practicing with that sword, thinking that one day I will be able to help you, Father.”
“Heh, just you? Every time I ask you to lead troops into battle, you come up with excuses. Now you want to help me?” The Emperor sneered, not believing a word.
When Ye Lu heard this, he quickly smiled and, from one of his attendants, grabbed a basket of strawberries and placed it on his head.
“Father, Empress Dowager, Queen Mother, please have a look.”
At his sudden gesture, the entire hall was filled with confusion. Emperor Ye Junshuo’s face turned even darker. “What, still trying to make excuses? Aren’t these just wild fruits you picked from a mountain? As your brothers said, you’ve spent all your money, and now you want to fool me with this trick? What I want isn’t your gift; I want you, like your brothers, to learn to manage your estate well. Stop spending recklessly.”
At this point, seeing his son’s pitiful appearance, the Emperor’s tone softened a bit as he patiently instructed him.
“Father’s love is great, I understand. These fruits were not picked from the mountains but cultivated in the wild. Over the past year, I’ve been busy with commerce, and these fruits are some of the expensive ones I plan to sell in the capital. Also, the tomatoes and bitter melons that were so popular this summer in the capital—those were from my trade as well.”
“What? The tomatoes and bitter melons, you were the one selling them in the capital?!”
(End of Chapter 459)
