The court returned to a rare state of calm.
The territory of Da Qi had nearly encompassed all lands within a short span of two years, leaving an increasing number of vacancies in the imperial bureaucracy.
Emperor Yuanyou was somewhat troubled. Having been emperor for so many years, this was the first time he encountered a shortage of officials.
Recruitment needed to be expanded.
Zichen Palace.
Emperor Yuanyou looked at Song Yu with an unusual fondness in his eyes. "I intend to hold an additional imperial examination next year to select another batch of scholars to enter the court."
Song Yu didn't catch on at first and nodded. "There are indeed too many vacancies in the court recently. Holding an additional examination next year is quite appropriate."
The next moment, he saw Emperor Yuanyou open his mouth with a smile:
"So, for the palace examination next year, Yu'er, would you like to be the chief examiner?"
The chief examiner for the palace examination had always been the emperor since ancient times.
"If you ascend the throne before next year's palace examination, as the Son of Heaven selecting the top scholar, you would be choosing a new batch of scholars who are your direct disciples. A single stroke in the history books could leave your name for eternity."
Wu Qi, standing to the side, bent his waist even lower.
In many dynasties throughout history, it was not uncommon for fathers and sons to become enemies over the throne. Yet, here in their Da Qi, the Emperor was practically eager for the Crown Prince to don the imperial yellow robe sooner.
Extraordinary.
"Tsk."
Song Yu finally understood.
But unlike before, he didn't dismiss it offhand with a careless refusal. Instead, he pondered for a moment.
The Son of Heaven selecting the top scholar... leaving a name for eternity...
It sounded very impressive!
Seeing that there was a chance, Emperor Yuanyou slowly revealed his trump card:
"Next May, Ah Huan will have her coming-of-age ceremony. If you are the Son of Heaven, Ah Huan will be the legitimate eldest princess in name and fact."
"The first legitimate eldest princess of Da Qi."
"Father, your son cannot refuse anymore." Song Yu lowered his eyes with a light laugh. "Allow your son to enjoy a few more months of leisure until the end of this year."
"Then I shall hold on for you a few more months."
Emperor Yuanyou put on a considerate expression and happily settled the matter of succession with Song Yu.
After Song Yu left, Master Qingshan set down his teacup.
"Ginger is indeed spicier when old."
Abdicating in favor of the Crown Prince early next year would naturally call for an additional imperial examination upon the new emperor's accession, conveniently filling the official vacancies and allowing Ah Huan to legitimately become the legitimate eldest princess at her coming-of-age ceremony.
"I have been emperor for decades and am truly somewhat weary. Henceforth, the world should be their world."
Emperor Yuanyou's eyes were cloudy, his aged appearance evident.
"All I want now is to be an old man at home, watching Ah Huan grow up bit by bit."
Master Qingshan suddenly sat up straight.
"I heard that the former deposed Crown Prince's family once spoke of a prophecy about a lucky star?"
Emperor Yuanyou nodded.
"It is true."
Master Qingshan looked seriously at Emperor Yuanyou. "Ah Huan is not just the lucky star of the Eastern Palace; she is the lucky star of Da Qi. I asked a master to calculate it. Without Ah Huan, Da Qi would have perished in its second generation."
Perished in the second generation...
These were words no founding emperor could bear to hear.
Yet they came from Master Qingshan's mouth, both absurd and chillingly real.
Emperor Yuanyou was stunned, his hands beneath his sleeves trembling involuntarily. "Truly... perished in the second generation?"
"To be precise, the second emperor of Da Qi would have reigned for about a month."
Emperor Yuanyou felt as if a surge of old blood was stuck in his throat, his heart aching as if being squeezed.
Emperor Yuanyou was an intelligent man.
He knew that without Ah Huan's appearance, the one to succeed likely would not have been Yu'er.
Even now, behind the plaque in Zichen Palace, there still lay an imperial edict, placed there when he initially enfeoffed Song Ling as Crown Prince.
From the very beginning, Emperor Yuanyou had planned a peaceful and smooth life for Song Yu.
An intense wave of relief washed over Emperor Yuanyou.
"Fortunately, fortunately Ah Huan was found and brought back."
Master Qingshan did not reveal any other matters, only looking towards the sky outside the hall.
The reason he spoke of this today
was because Da Qi must treat Ah Huan well.
...
"Father, you and His Majesty have agreed that you will ascend the throne early next year?"
Song Shihuan found it strange. This time, she didn't even need to persuade him; her father had come around on his own?
Song Yu nodded.
His peripheral vision catching Shen Qingping laughing so hard she was bent over, Song Yu suddenly realized something, the tips of his ears turning slightly red.
Then, Shen Qingping cleared her throat and imitated Song Yu's manner, saying:
"Emperor? Not even a dog would want to be one."
Song Shihuan also laughed until she was out of breath.
Song Yu's face grew redder and redder, before he helplessly reached out and tapped Song Shihuan's delicate nose:
"You ungrateful little thing."
That day's lunch was shared by the three of them.
"How does Your Highness plan to spend the remaining six months of this year?"
"This prince wishes to travel around, to see how the common people live in various parts of Da Qi." Song Yu became uncharacteristically serious. "Once I become emperor, it will be difficult for me to go out and understand the people's conditions again."
"This prince must bend down and personally ask the common people in each place if they are truly content and secure, what they truly need."
"This prince does not wish to be a deaf and blind emperor."
"Father, I support your idea!"
A crisp clinking of cups sounded, and Shen Qingping also raised her wine cup, clinking it with theirs.
"Cheers."
Shen Qingping made all the arrangements overnight, even assigning tasks to Shen Mingwen.
She ensured that Emperor Yuanyou wouldn't be overworked to the point of illness, and that officials like Cheng Guang wouldn't be left grumbling with resentment. It was all very fair and reasonable.
Then, on a clear morning.
The three of them, dressed in clothes like ordinary commoners, secretly left the capital on horseback.
Just outside the capital, they heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching from behind.
"Going out to have such a good time, and you didn't take me?"
Gu Mingning wore a look of resentment, gazing accusingly at Shen Qingping.
Song Yu initially wanted to tell Gu Mingning to go back where he came from, but changed his mind upon seeing the sword at Gu Mingning's waist. Hmm... Gu Mingning wasn't entirely useless.
He could protect them in critical moments.
"Alright then, you may follow." Song Yu said with an air of granting a great favor.
"And me!"
Another head popped out. Song Yu's eyes showed a flicker of alarm, meeting Shen Qingping's gaze. Trouble.
But Song Shihuan happily hugged Gu Mingzhu, not even asking Song Yu's opinion, and directly stated, "Mingzhu is coming with us too."
And so, the party of three became a party of five.
"This prince will lay down the unpleasant truths first."
"Let's be clear, on this journey we are not young masters and ladies, but ordinary commoners. Our food and drink must be the same as the common people's."
As Song Yu spoke, he looked pointedly at Gu Mingzhu.
"Also, this journey will likely take about six months. The roads will be bumpy; it will involve hardship."
"Your Highness, didn't you say you'd state the unpleasant truths first? Why are you saying such nice things?" Gu Mingzhu was somewhat puzzled. She had originally wanted to try the food common people ate, and now she could try it for six months!
What a pleasant surprise!
Song Yu looked up at the sky speechlessly.
"Alright, alright, let's set off."
The tall city gates of the capital gradually grew smaller behind the five of them. Wherever they went, dust flew on the roads, yet it could not obscure the overly bright radiance emanating from the five figures.
They melted into the boundless dust and morning light outside the capital.
"Our goal is!" Gu Mingning held the reins, brimming with the spirited vigor of youth.
A chorus of voices followed:
"To measure the breadth of the land!"
