"Your Highness."
"Is my mother not here?" Prince Qi noticed the awkward expression on the palace maid's face and stopped to look at her.
"Your Highness, early this morning, the Bright Moon Palace sent someone to invite Her Ladyship, saying she was to copy scriptures for the people's blessings."
Prince Qi handed the carved wooden box in his hand to the maid: "When my mother returns, give this to her. I came across this pair of bracelets while shopping and thought they would suit her well, so I bought them."
Copying scriptures?
Everyone in the palace knew that Consort Su disliked poetry, calligraphy, and painting. It was likely that only the consorts she disliked were the ones copying scriptures, while she herself never touched a brush.
Whenever Consort Su was in a bad mood, some unfortunate consort would inevitably suffer. There were no exceptions.
"Your Highness," a servant whispered a reminder, "the inner palace is not a place to linger. You should head to Taiyang Palace to pay your respects to His Majesty."
Outside Taiyang Palace, Liu Zhongbao saw Prince Qi and greeted him with a smile: "Greetings, Fourth Prince."
"Eunuch Liu, good health to you." Prince Qi glanced toward the palace: "Is His Majesty available at the moment?"
"The Emperor said that if any of the princes arrive at this hour, there is no need for me to announce them. Your Highness may enter directly." Liu Zhongbao smiled and pushed the door open for Prince Qi.
As he walked through the solemn corridor, Prince Qi heard laughter coming from the inner chamber. He paused, straightened his robes, and stepped inside.
"Your son greets His Majesty."
Prince Qi's bow was executed with grace and precision, so flawless that even the most critical etiquette official could find no fault.
"Rise and take a seat." Emperor Longfeng gestured for a servant to bring a stool for Prince Qi: "Your younger brother just came to complain to me about not having eaten, forcing the servants to prepare him breakfast."
Prince Qi glanced at Prince Chen, who was sitting at the table quietly eating, and smiled: "Fifth Brother has always been carefree. Once he marries, his consort will surely keep him in line."
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Emperor Longfeng pointed to the empty seat on his right: "If not, join your brother."
"Thank you for your kindness, Father, but I have already eaten."
"A grown man like me, being managed by a young girl?" Prince Chen set down his chopsticks and naturally accepted the service of the Taiyang Palace attendants, who seemed accustomed to treating him as if he were the palace's young master.
Emperor Longfeng smiled without comment and motioned for the servants to clear the table: "Yanze, your wedding is approaching. If there is anything you need, report it directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and have them prepare it for you."
"The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Rites have been very attentive to my wedding preparations. Today, I came to the palace to pay my respects to you, Father, and also to see my mother." Prince Qi glanced at Prince Chen: "Only after arriving did I learn that Consort Su has taken the consorts to copy scriptures for blessings."
"That's a good thing," Prince Chen leaned lazily on his chair: "Thanks to the heavens' protection and Father's diligent governance, the people of our great empire live in peace and prosperity. The consorts' actions will surely be praised as a virtuous deed."
Prince Qi chuckled: "Fifth Brother speaks wisely. I believe that not only should the consorts copy scriptures, but as princes, we should also do so to pray for the people's well-being."
Prince Chen glanced at Prince Qi out of the corner of his eye. In all his years, this was the first time he had seen someone volunteer to copy scriptures.
What kind of mindset was this?
"Copying scriptures requires sincerity. I fear that if we write too many, the gods won't have time to read them all." Prince Chen thwarted Prince Qi's attempt to drag all his siblings into this: "Why not donate some money to a charity instead? That would also be a virtuous act. Father, don't you think that makes sense?"
Emperor Longfeng nodded slightly: "Yanze, with your wedding approaching, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with such trivial matters as copying scriptures."
"Understood," Prince Qi lowered his eyes: "I was not thinking clearly."
Emperor Longfeng had intended to offer some advice about mutual support in marriage, but seeing Yun Yanze's respectful demeanor, he turned to Yun Duqing instead.
"Father, I too am engaged, though my wedding is still some time away. There are many things I need to prepare." Prince Chen quickly spoke up: "The Ministry of War seems interesting. Why don't you let me spend a few days there?"
Copying scriptures was out of the question. What sane person would enjoy such a task?
"The Minister of War is getting old," Emperor Longfeng, as a ruler, had some sympathy for his trusted ministers and had no intention of letting his son cause trouble for the elderly man.
"I think the Ministry of Rites would be a better fit," Emperor Longfeng pondered: "You can spend some time there."
The Minister of Rites was known for his good temper, eloquence, and robust health, making him less likely to fall ill from stress.
More importantly, the Vice Minister of Rites was Ming Jingzhou.
"Father, I think we can still discuss this further..."
"A gentleman's word is as good as gold. I will issue the decree to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow." Emperor Longfeng waved his hand, looking exasperated: "You may leave now."
"Father, Dad, Dear Father..."
"Liu Zhongbao, escort Prince Chen out."
Watching Prince Chen being "escorted" out by Liu Zhongbao, Prince Qi stood up and bowed: "Father, I shall take my leave as well."
Among all the princes, who but Yun Duqing would dare to act so recklessly in front of the Emperor?
"Your Highness," Liu Zhongbao stood smiling at the door: "Please do not be upset. His Majesty's decision to assign you to the Ministry of Rites is for your own good."
Of course, it was also for the good of the Minister of War.
Though the Ministry of Rites had many trivial matters, many of its duties were related to education and imperial examinations. By insisting that the Fifth Prince go to the Ministry of Rites, His Majesty was paving the way for his future.
"Fifth Brother," Prince Qi stepped out of the hall and approached Prince Chen: "Congratulations."
"What is there to congratulate?" Prince Chen raised an eyebrow: "Are you not enjoying your time at the Ministry of Revenue?"
Prince Qi smiled faintly: "It's rare for Fifth Brother to take the initiative to share Father's burdens. That alone deserves congratulations."
"I accept your congratulations, Fourth Brother," Prince Chen replied with a half-smile: "But mere words are not enough. Remember to send a gift to my residence later."
With that, he turned and strode away.
Liu Zhongbao watched the scene with a smile and bowed slightly as Prince Chen left.
At Bright Moon Palace, Consort Su ate a piece of fruit fed to her by a maid and picked up a copied scripture to examine. She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"The handwriting is sloppy. Their hearts are not sincere," she sighed: "They will continue copying tomorrow."
"Your Ladyship," Xiangjuan whispered: "His Majesty has issued a decree, assigning His Highness to the Ministry of Rites to learn the ropes."
Consort Su sat up from her recliner: "How old is the Minister of Rites?"
"Just past forty, and he has a good temper."
"Oh," Consort Su lay back lazily: "Then it's fine."
The officials of the Ministry of Rites, however, felt that it was not fine—in fact, it was a major issue.
Among the six ministries, why did the troublemaker have to come to their department?
"The Minister of War is elderly and can't handle stress."
"The Minister of Works has a fiery temper and is prone to violence."
"Prince Qi is at the Ministry of Revenue."
"Prince Huai is at the Ministry of Justice."
"What about the Ministry of Personnel?"
"The Minister of Personnel has a habit of threatening to commit suicide by banging his head against a wall when things don't go his way. You know how it is."
"Then who will oversee Prince Chen when he arrives at the Ministry of Rites?"
The room fell silent as no one volunteered.
Footsteps echoed from outside, and everyone turned to see Ming Jingzhou entering. Their eyes lit up with hope.
It had to be him!
Ming Jingzhou was startled by his colleagues' intense gazes and took a step back: "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Brother Ming, take heart. There's no hurdle in life that can't be overcome."
"Brother Ming, you look exceptionally dashing today."
"The honor and future of the Ministry of Rites rest on your shoulders."
Ming Jingzhou noticed that even colleagues who had argued with him a few days ago over political differences were now smiling at him with genuine warmth and friendliness.
The Ministry of Rites had two vice ministers. The other vice minister, Zhou Rui, seeing that Ming Jingzhou was still unaware of the situation, couldn't help but pat his shoulder with a smile: "A decree just came from the palace. Prince Chen will be joining our Ministry of Rites."
Ming Jingzhou: "..."
First, he was to marry his daughter, and now he had to teach his future son-in-law in advance? What kind of suffering was this?
Did His Majesty's conscience not ache even the slightest bit?
"Is this the Ministry of Rites?" Jiuzhu stepped down from the carriage, holding a food box, and looked up at the plaque above the ministry's gate in awe: "What beautiful calligraphy."
Chunfen approached the guard at the gate: "Sir, I am from Vice Minister Ming's household, here to deliver a food box for him. Could you please inform him?"
"Please wait a moment," the guard signaled, and someone went inside to deliver the message.
Jiuzhu was visiting the Ministry of Rites for the first time, and even the pair of stone lions at the entrance seemed exceptionally majestic to her.
Her father was truly remarkable to hold a position here.
The clip-clop of horse hooves approached, and as Jiuzhu turned around, her eyes curved into a smile. "Your Highness."
"What are you doing here?" Prince Chen dismounted from his horse and noticed the food box in Jiuzhu's arms. "Are you delivering meals to Vice Minister Ming?"
"I had nothing else to do, so when my mother arranged for someone to bring the meals, I decided to tag along," Jiuzhu explained, tilting her head curiously. "But why are you here, Your Highness?"
"I naturally have official business to attend to," Prince Chen replied, lifting his chin slightly. "I also serve in the Ministry of Rites, unlike you, a young lady with nothing but free time on her hands."
"Your Highness is so impressive," Jiuzhu said, her eyes sparkling as if stars had fallen into them.
Prince Chen, who had originally planned to make a brief visit to the Ministry of Rites, found himself smiling faintly at her radiant gaze. "It's nothing extraordinary."
"Your Highness, do you know who wrote the calligraphy on that plaque? The characters are so beautiful."
Prince Chen looked up at the plaque and pondered for a moment. "These characters were written by the renowned minister Wang Jiaxu. He assisted our ancestors in establishing the empire, codified laws, and lived a life of integrity and righteousness. After his death, countless commoners voluntarily mourned him and guarded his tomb, calling him 'The Just and Honorable Lord.' He was truly a figure worthy of admiration."
"Your Highness knows so much," Jiuzhu marveled. "To be so beloved by the people, he must have been a great official."
"Indeed, to have such capable ministers is a blessing for the court and the people alike..."
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness," Ming Jingzhou approached Prince Chen and bowed. "I apologize for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive my oversight."
Prince Chen helped Ming Jingzhou up and returned a half bow, as a junior would to a senior. "We are colleagues in the Ministry of Rites. There's no need for such formality."
Colleagues?
You haven't even set foot inside the Ministry of Rites. How can you call yourself a colleague?
"Father," Jiuzhu handed the food box to Ming Jingzhou and then happily gave Prince Chen a respectful curtsy. "I didn't realize Your Highness and my father were colleagues. I hope you'll look after him in the future."
"Of course, of course," Prince Chen smiled. "Minister Ming is a man of great learning and wisdom. There is much I wish to learn from him."
Jiuzhu nodded in agreement and turned to her father with a serious expression. "Your Highness is still young, so it's natural that there are things he doesn't understand yet. Father, you should teach him well."
Ming Jingzhou, holding the food box tightly, looked at Prince Chen, who was smiling amiably and returning a junior's bow.
Your Highness, something is off about you!
