EMHTC -Chapter 16 Ah——

Who wouldn’t want to be a marquis? That’s a marquis we’re talking about!

At the founding of the dynasty, with so many opportunities to earn military merit, there are only 155 marquises to date. By comparison, there are 1,188 capital officials, making marquises about one in ten—a distinction of extraordinary value.

Back then, achieving a marquis title was about conquering the world. Now, with the empire stable, earning such a title is immensely challenging, and ascending to a princely rank is near impossible.

Over time, Xie Luoshui had come to understand the immense power wielded by marquises and kings.

At this moment, the elderly but imposing emperor held her hand, making a solemn promise, enunciating each word clearly: “I’ve heard from maritime traders about a foreign land where three unique crops grow. If you can bring them back, I’ll confer a marquisate upon you. If you want Kuaiji as your fief, you shall be made the Marquis of Kuaiji. If not, I’ll grant you a title in Luoyang County.”

Luoyang County was where Xie Luoshui’s foster parents resided. Receiving a title there would be the epitome of returning home in glory.

It rarely rains in winter, yet it did today. Raindrops pattered on glazed roof tiles, echoing with the voices around her, each strike reverberating in her chest.

Xie Luoshui stared at the elderly emperor in a daze. With every word he spoke, light began to gleam in her eyes—a light of hope, a promise of a brilliant future.

The elderly emperor promptly announced the removal of the Marquis of Kuaiji’s title, imprisoned him and Madam Du, and sentenced them to execution in autumn. As for the false heir, while his actions could have been judged as rape, the emperor reclassified it as murder, given the victim’s death. The false heir was to pay with his life.

The false heir’s legs trembled, and he stammered to sound less terrified: “Who did I kill?”

Oh, still trying to put up a fight, are we?

The emperor remained silent as the Minister of Justice, feigning regret, “reminded” him, “Wei Min, a fetus counts as a life too.”

The sigh that followed was long, sorrowful, and sanctimonious.

The false heir choked on his words, his face contorting.

He wanted to retort, to argue that if a miscarriage equated to murder, then the world would be teeming with killers. But…

One glance at the Emperor of Great Xia not far away, and the false heir trembled from his legs to his hands, his whole body shaking. Finally, he broke down completely, wailing: “I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I’ll never, ever do it again!”

He sobbed, tears and mucus streaming down his face.

The emperor, however, pointed at him and then looked meaningfully at Xie Luoshui, his eyes carrying a profound smile.

“Minister Xie, behold.”

From a two-year labor sentence to immediate execution—

“This is power.”

Xie Luoshui’s heart skipped a beat.

Her right hand slowly, slowly clenched into a fist, as though trying to grasp something.

The emperor showed great mercy by targeting only the Marquis of Kuaiji’s household, sparing the rest of his clan.

The Marquis was utterly devastated, preferring the emperor had executed his entire clan rather than letting his twin brother go free.

He was furious—

“Xie Luoshui! Why?! This marquisate was earned by my father risking his life for the emperor during the wars that built this empire! How can you be so easily promised the title?!”

His scream was loud, heart-wrenching, catching Xu Yanmiao’s attention.

Xu Yanmiao found the man ridiculous.

【It was your father who risked his life, not you. What does it have to do with you?】

“Hah—” The Minister of Justice laughed outright, showing zero restraint.

The Marquis of Kuaiji couldn’t decide whether to glare at Xu Yanmiao or the Minister of Justice first, nearly losing control from anger.

Xu Yanmiao obliviously added fuel to the fire.

【If we’re talking about ease, isn’t inheriting the title just by being the eldest son even easier?】

【Besides, no wonder you’re so upset. After all, the title almost went to your younger brother. Losing it over that must sting.】

【Lucky for you, you don’t know your father hesitated about giving you the title. Your infertility was only a minor factor—he could’ve just adopted a child from the Wei family for you.】

【What really made him hesitate was your lack of ability, your shallowness, your preference for fame over substance, and your inability to accomplish anything meaningful.】

“Ah—”

The Marquis of Kuaiji let out a grief-stricken cry, rolled his eyes, and fainted on the spot.

The imperial physician checked his pulse and reported to the emperor, “Anger surged to his heart. He’ll be unconscious for a while.”

【Huh? Seriously? He fainted from anger? How petty.】

Xu Yanmiao remained oblivious.

The military ministry’s clerk looked at him hesitantly, wanting to say, Enough, Xu Yanmiao, show some humanity! He’s already unconscious; he can’t faint twice.

Soon, the unconscious marquis, his wife, and their fake son were all thrown into prison.

The Crown Prince glanced over at them, yawning, “Another one.”

The former imperial son-in-law discreetly studied the newcomers in jail—a man unconscious, a woman hysterical, and a young one staring blankly at the ceiling as though he could communicate with it.

Slightly intrigued, he asked their story.

The fake heir recounted it, only to see the former imperial son-in-law’s expression shift from blank to a broad grin.

The fake heir raged, “What’s so funny?!”

The former imperial son-in-law chuckled, “Oh, nothing. It’s just that your parents are facing execution, while mine were merely demoted to commoners. Turns out my family’s situation isn’t so bad after all.”

The fake heir: “…”

He wanted to hit someone.

Court dismissed.

Xu Yanmiao strolled home lazily, oblivious to the complex gazes trailing behind him.

Time and again, the emperor and officials considered calling out to him to ask about the Americas. Yet their hesitations and calculations silenced them.

Thus, Xu Yanmiao sauntered back, only to be greeted by—

“What the heck is all this?!”

Piled outside his house were countless chests, surrounded by vigilant guards. Upon seeing him, their tense expressions relaxed. “Sir Xu, you’re finally back.”

Xu Yanmiao: “What is this?”

“We are Princess Wanshou’s guards. Her Highness ordered us to deliver these gifts as thanks for your righteous words the other day.”

Xu Yanmiao was stunned.

“So many chests, just for a few words?”

The guard captain nodded curtly.

He, too, found it excessive, but orders were orders.

“Her Highness insists these are just tokens, a mere fraction of her gratitude for your life-saving kindness.”

Xu Yanmiao: “Well… put them inside, then.”

One by one, the chests were carried in.

“The princess sure is generous.”

Xu Yanmiao grinned. “Good thing the emperor happened to point at me that day!”

But as his house filled up, leaving barely any room to walk, he scratched his head.

“Looks like I’ll need a bigger place soon.”

Then he noticed a sealed letter attached to one of the locked chests.

Elsewhere.

In the Princess of Xiangyang’s residence, her crisp commands rang out—

“Move the large Huanghuali wood screen inlaid with yellow marble!”

“Take all these bedding and satin pillows and burn them. Who knows if he might have caught the same disease as his uncle!”

“This set of blue-and-white teacups and saucers wasn’t touched by the Prince Consort, right? Alright, keep it.”

When Princess Wanshou entered, she saw the servants here being ordered around by Princess Xiangyang, busily moving or destroying one item after another.

Meanwhile, Princess Xiangyang stood on a swing, rocking back and forth. Below the stone bench nearby lay a pair of exquisitely embroidered shoes, carelessly placed.

“Shengxian, what are you…”

Princess Xiangyang turned her head. “Fifth Sister?”

She made no move to get down, clutching the ropes with one hand and smiling brightly. “Why has Fifth Sister come to see me?”

Princess Wanshou explained her reason for coming.

—She hoped this most favored princess could intervene and save the servants implicated by the Prince Consort’s misdeeds.

“They never mistreated me, and their contracts were in Liu Yi’s hands. They were always terrified of being beaten to death or sold off. How could they dare step out of line, let alone treat me kindly?”

Princess Wanshou seemed lost in thought, speaking slowly: “If anyone is to blame, it’s myself for not being able to stand tall back then. How could I fault them for not helping me?”

“Father, in his fury, had them imprisoned and is waiting until the autumn for their execution. At first, I didn’t think much about it. But recently, while visiting the Ministry of Revenue, I overheard clerks discussing the struggles of their families and the humiliations they’ve endured for survival. It made me realize: even those with official positions live with such hardships. What about those whose lives aren’t their own?”

Compared to her emotionally distant, authoritarian father, the Emperor, or her gentle but unfamiliar mother, the Empress, the first person who came to mind as someone to seek help from was the little sister who used to follow her around excitedly, calling her “sister” before her marriage.

Her little sister tilted her head on the swing, watching her.

Princess Xiangyang knew her Fifth Sister’s temperament well. Kind, yes, but only toward “people.” Servants? Naturally excluded.

How many days had she been on duty? And yet she was already sympathizing with the plight of servants.

Becoming an official… could it really change someone so drastically?

Suddenly, Princess Xiangyang became immensely curious about the idea of being an official.

Thus, after easily persuading their father to release the servants, she declared confidently: “Father! I want to be an official too!”

The old Emperor frowned at her. “What kind of official can a young girl like you be? Do you think you’re capable of such work?”

“Fifth Sister is an official. She can manage accounts, and I’m not bad at it either.”

“Not bad, but your Fifth Sister’s appointment is temporary. Besides, she almost got beaten to death by her Prince Consort and needed something to do. Are you in the same position as her?”

Princess Xiangyang began seriously contemplating the possibility of dragging her estranged Prince Consort back and forcing him to beat her.

She then added, “What about the one who struck the Drum of Injustice?”

“I need her to go overseas.”

Princess Xiangyang refused to give up. “Father! I want to be an official!”

But this time, no matter how much she fussed, her usually indulgent father refused to budge.

Princess Xiangyang stormed out of the palace. “I’m never speaking to Father again!”

Five whole days! She had pleaded with him for five days straight, and not only did he refuse, but he also demanded she copy Admonitions for Women!

“I’m so furious!”

“I’m so furious!”

Two voices spoke simultaneously.

Princess Xiangyang froze and looked up, gasping softly.

What a handsome young man!

The man, too, looked at her in astonishment.

“What’s making you angry?”

“What’s making you angry?”

Again, they spoke in unison, then stared at each other before breaking into laughter.

“I’m Gao Xiang. And you?”

“Gao? A royal surname, huh,” the man said with a smile. “I’m Xu Yanmiao.”

The two sat in a bustling teahouse, Xu Yanmiao’s voice lively and animated. “I’ve been house-hunting these past few days—not to buy, just to rent.”

“I listed my requirements to the brokerage, and they promised they’d find me something suitable. But they lied!”

“I said I wanted a landlord who was easy to deal with. They patted their chests and swore the homeowner they chose would be kind and reasonable!”

“Instead, they gave me a landlord who demands advance rent and hikes prices whenever they feel like it. Don’t think I don’t know! Their last tenant had a visiting mother from out of town, and the landlord took advantage of her need for a place to stay by raising the rent by 20%!”

As his indignation grew, he rapped his knuckles twice on the table like a drumbeat.

Princess Xiangyang’s eyes widened. “Unbelievable! You can’t live in a place like that!”

“Exactly! That’s what I thought too!”

“And then there was the time I said I didn’t want a house next to a ditch because, during the rainy season, sewage would overflow into the yard. Even if there wasn’t any sewage, I didn’t like damp houses. They agreed and showed me a place far from any ditch. But it turned out to be a leaky hut in the middle of nowhere! They even swore the roof wouldn’t leak!”

“As if! I could tell just by looking—it leaks! Previous tenants told me they had to use every pot and pan during storms!”

“And then, there was another time…”

Xu Yanmiao’s complaints continued, leaving Princess Xiangyang marveling at his seemingly endless stream of information. She couldn’t help but wonder where he got all this—his intelligence network seemed better than the beggars in popular tales!

His stories made her want to vent as well.

So, after Xu Yanmiao finished ranting about his housing woes, Princess Xiangyang began complaining about her father: “My dad is so stubborn. I told him I wanted to work at our family’s tavern, but he refused, saying it’s unbecoming for a girl to show her face in public.”

“He even claimed I was spoiled and wouldn’t last. Fine, maybe I don’t know how to manage a tavern yet, but I could at least greet customers at the door! And I’m good at accounting. If he wanted to, he could find me a position to start, and I could work my way up!”

“He just doesn’t want to let me!”

Xu Yanmiao thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. “I have an idea—it might be a bit underhanded.”

“That’s fine! Tell me!”

“Does your dad have something he cherishes or someone he cares about deeply?”

“My mom.”

“Perfect! Here’s what you do…”

Xu Yanmiao leaned closer, whispering his plan. The more Princess Xiangyang listened, the brighter her eyes grew.

That night.

In the Jiao Fang Palace, the Emperor enthusiastically held a spoonful of soup. “Dearest, you love this chicken soup. Let me feed you. Open wide…”

Empress Dou blushed. “You’re too old for this!”

The Emperor chuckled. “No matter how old we are, you’re still my dearest. Come on, open up…”

“Ahhh—”

“AHHH—”

Now I know where title comes from. Hahahahah

The Emperor froze.

The Empress froze.

“GAO SHENGXIAN! What are you doing here?”

Princess Xiangyang clasped her hands to her cheeks. “I came to visit Mother.”

The Empress quickly stood, her neck flushed. “You two eat. I still have palace affairs to handle!”

The Emperor reached out, but the Empress walked away briskly as though something was chasing her.

…

The Emperor and Empress strolled in the imperial garden.

As they climbed the stone steps, the Emperor pushed aside the palace attendants. “Dearest, let me help you.”

The Empress extended her hand.

They leaned close, and the Empress softly said, “Do you remember back then…”

The Emperor, in perfect sync, began to respond—only to freeze when his instincts, honed from countless crises, screamed a warning. He barked sharply, “Who’s there?”

The bushes rustled.

The Emperor nearly kicked them when Princess Xiangyang emerged. “Father! Mother! What a coincidence!”

“…”

“…”

“By the way, Mother, how did you and Father meet…”

The Empress coughed lightly and quickly recounted their story. All romance was thoroughly drained.

The Emperor: 🙁

After enduring this several more times, the Emperor lost patience and finally gave Princess Xiangyang an official position. “The New Year is approaching, so it’s busy. You can take office after the holiday!”

“Great! Father, you’re the best! I’m staying outside the palace for the next few days!”

The Emperor: “…”

The next morning, the Emperor attended court and heard Xu Yanmiao’s cheerful voice.

【Finally found a place with a good landlord, no flooding, no leaks, and nice neighbors!】

【See? Good deeds get rewarded!】

【This must be Heaven’s way of thanking me for helping Gao Xiang! Although she says her father’s stingy and is making her work three months without pay… Tsk, stingy like the old Emperor.】

The Emperor, seated on his throne, clenched his fists.

Xu Yanmiao. So it was you.