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| Rebirth: Back to Zero Author: 祎庭沫瞳 (Yi Ting Mo Tong) |
Chapter 25 Royalty (Part 1/3)
After
the morning assembly, Jun Liyuan went to Serene Palace to meet the Emperor. As
Emperor Yanxi had a breakfast appointment with the Empress, it did not seem out
of place to invite his children along for the meal. Hearing of the meeting, Jun
Lixuan tagged along and brought the tonic prepared by Ling Qiyang to Empress.
Adding medical herbs into meals were a fantastic way to ingest the otherwise
bitter herbs.
"Third
Brother, do you know why Emperor Father is looking for you?" Jun Lixuan
asked. After being Ling Qiyang's company for a long time, he had gradually
grown fond of the scent of herbs. Holding the medicine in his hand, the faint
fragrance wafting about was as if was Ling Qiyang walking beside him.
Jun
Liyuan pondered for a while and shook his head, "I don't know. But it
shouldn't be a big deal. Otherwise, we would not meet at Empress Mother's palace."
"Yeah."
When
the two arrived, breakfast had just been served. The Emperor sat face to face
with Empress. When the duo arrived, Empress was a little surprised, as if she
was not informed of their visit.
The two
greeted the ruling couple. Emperor Yanxi waved his hands expressionlessly,
letting them rise.
"Why
are you two here?" Empress smiled. Her eyes fleeted onto Emperor Yanxi's
expression and immediately, caution blared in her heart. Tactfully, she did not
offer them any seats.
"Qiyang
has prepared a tonic. Springtime is the best time for recuperation and caring
for the body. So, I brought it here while it's still fresh." Jun Lixuan
said, handing the medicine to the attendant.
"Thank
you." Empress smiled comfortingly. Since his son married Ling Qiyang,
Serene Palace's tonics had never been more readily available. Moreover, Ling
Qiyang's prescription was much more effective than the Imperial Doctors' and
more palatable. After a few months, the Empress's complexion was rosier, and
she seemed to have shed a few years of age.
"I'm
glad Empress Mother likes it."
After
asking her youngest son, the Empress looked at Jun Liyuan, "How about you?
You have something for me too?"
"I
told him to come." Emperor Yanxi said. Still, his face was cold and blank.
As the
Empress heard the words, a trace of apprehension flashed in her eyes. However,
she kept the worries to herself. Her face remained calm, and she did not
question.
"I
called you here because I heard that you are raising a luthier in your mansion.
Some officials have reported that you are obsessed with his playing all day
long, and neglected your official duties." Emperor Yanxi asserted as he
leaned forward, staring at his son in the eye.
The
Empress frowned. Having a luthier at the mansion was a minute issue that could
easily blow out of proportion. However, she had absolute belief in her son that
he would not be addicted to music and be derelict in duty.
Hearing
what Emperor Yanxi said, Jun Liyuan frowned slightly. Just as he was about to
speak, Jun Lixuan next to him stepped forward and said, "Emperor Father,
this matter is related to Qiyang and me. Please allow me to explain."
Emperor
Yanxi nodded and motioned for him to continue.
"That
person is not any busker, but a professional zither performer. His name is Mo
Qingge. He was the one whom I rescued that day when Qiyang and I investigated
the Corpse Thread Parasite." In Ye Empire, street buskers were equivalent
to prostitutes and least respectable amongst professionals. On the other hand,
professional musicians were more respected and dignified. They lived off their
skills and talents, and would never sell their bodies or provide inappropriate
services. "Because Mo Qingge is a man and Qiyang is an Omega, I did not
wish to risk his reputation while he saved people out of goodwill. So I sent Mo
Qingge to the Third Brother's place for recuperation. In fact, I was a little
selfish. I did want Qiyang to spend too much time with other men."
Emperor
Yanxi looked at Jun Lixuan and nodded in agreement with what he said, "At
that time when you reported to me, Qiyang didn't come with you. You said he was
saving someone, is it the same person?"
"Yes."
Jun Lixuan said, "After some interaction, both Qiyang and I found Mo
Qingge well-educated and intelligent. In fact, it was very eye-opening to speak
to him. He is also humble and sophisticated. Such an acquaintance is rare.
During his recuperation, I have also sent some men to investigate his
background. Although Mo Qingge worked at Tranquility Pavilion, he only
performed the zither and maintained his dignity with a clean reputation. He
never showed greed or vanity. Only after thoroughly understanding his
background did I dare to leave him at Third Brother's mansion without worry and
allow Qiyang to interact with him. Third Brother allowed me to act so selfishly
out of kindness. Who knew, some others misunderstood him."
Jun
Lixuan used "misunderstanding" instead of "framing". On the
one hand, he emphasized how they disagreed with their actions being worthy of
criticism. On the other hand, he highlighted his innocence, tactfully
reflecting the ulterior motives of the person.
Jun
Liyuan also stepped forward and bowed. He respectfully said, "Emperor
Father, you have always emphasized this to us. While people were divided into
different ranks because of their identities, we cannot be judge people solely
by ranks. You have also once said that all talented people are worthy of
opportunities. As a prince, I must learn to identify men of talent and offer
then chances to display it."
Emperor Yanxi nodded. Although his court was not lacking talent,
he believed that there were comparable talents hidden within the laymen.
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jiayou dystopia!!! and i just think third brother and Mo Qingge will have a difficult path huh QAQ thank u for the chapter~
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