IDWBE -Chapter 30 Holy and Wise

He had absolutely no interest in what this prince intended to say next.

In just this short while, he had already formed a clear understanding of Prince He.

He was even worse than the rumors of being “ignorant and incompetent.”

It could be said he was utterly unfit for polite society.

Like dog meat that can’t be served at a formal banquet!

Like expecting ivory from a dog’s mouth!

No—that was an insult to dogs!

In any case, if this prince continued speaking, nothing good would come out of it.

According to the rules of scholars and gentlemen, anyone who dared insult one’s honored teacher should be met with fierce resistance—even if not risking one’s life, one must at least show unbending integrity in defense of the teacher.

If one couldn’t even protect the reputation of one’s mentor, there would be no place left in scholarly circles.

But the man before them, even without imperial favor, was still a prince.

To bend before power was unavoidable. If one were charged with “grave disrespect,” there would be nowhere to plead one’s case.

“Grave disrespect” was one of the “Ten Abominations.” According to Liang law, it meant immediate execution—no pardon even in times of amnesty.

“Well then, I shall not stand on ceremony. Let us all drain this cup together.”

After finishing his wine in one gulp, Lin Yi cleared his throat and continued: “As for Lord Chancellor’s poetry—”

“My teacher’s poetry is naturally superb! Wherever there is well water, one can hear songs of his verses!”

No matter what, Liu Baixian would not allow this prince to continue.

If he kept talking, Liu would truly be caught in an impossible position!

“The Lord Chancellor was the top scholar in the fifteenth year of Yongguang, first appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. In the first year of Longde, he served as lecturer at the imperial banquet. In the fifth year of Longde, he entered the Wen Yuan Pavilion and participated in state affairs—”

The Heir Apparent Lin Chun also quickly interjected.

“The Lord Chancellor’s learning needs no further praise.”

“His knowledge could fill five carts!”

“His mind brims with classical mastery!”

“In literary circles, none can rival him!”

“Do you all remember that quatrain of his? Even Princess Huaiyang, the foremost talented woman of our dynasty, once praised it, saying: ‘When his brush falls, it startles wind and rain; when his poem forms, it makes ghosts and gods weep.’”

Everyone chattered at once, each speaking over the other, whether others listened or understood.

The central purpose was only one:

No matter what, Prince He must not be allowed to open his mouth.

Who knew whether there were imperial guards or secret agents in this banquet hall? If word got out, it would not end well!

Lin Yi sat in the seat of honor, staring blankly at the fervent crowd before him. He couldn’t even find a chance to interrupt.

And even if he did speak, would anyone listen?

Were they treating him as if he didn’t exist?

Clang!

He threw a plate to the floor.

The hall fell instantly silent. One could hear a pin drop.

“So much noise—what decorum is this!”

“Your Highness, please forgive us!”

All except Liu Baixian knelt.

“You think it’s easy for me?” Lin Yi said, tears welling up. “I barely survived the journey from Songyang. All my grain and supplies were lost. I was preparing to write a memorial to Father Emperor to plead guilty. It seems I cannot proceed to Sanhe after all. I must remain in Qingyuan City a few more days, awaiting imperial instructions.”

With yesterday’s experience at Prince Qing’s residence, his acting had grown more refined.

When the words fell, everyone was terrified.

Submitting a memorial of guilt to His Majesty?

It sounded like Prince He’s own matter—but who knew whether he might drag them into it?

“The emperor’s thunder and rain are all acts of grace”—that saying was merely to comfort people.

Who could truly endure the emperor’s “thunder”?

One might lose everything—property confiscated, family exterminated!

And worse, this meant he intended to remain in Qingyang City!

They were already at their wits’ end after just this short time. If he stayed longer, how could they possibly endure it?

At this rate, Qingyang City might descend into chaos!

As for Lin Chun beside him, he was even more helpless.

Hadn’t they just received 150,000 taels of silver and two hundred horses from Prince Qing’s estate yesterday?

“Your Highness need not trouble yourself over such trifles, nor disturb His Majesty!”

The first to break was Prefect Liu Baixian.

“These minor matters—I shall spare no effort to handle them!”

“The Prefect speaks rightly!”

The officials and clerks hurried to echo his words.

Only the wealthy gentry and merchants remained silent.

“No, no. My own affairs—how could I trouble you all? That would be improper, improper indeed.”

Lin Yi sighed and shook his head.

“Your Highness need not stand on ceremony. There is no need to exhaust yourself over such small matters.”

Liu Baixian looked deeply troubled.

After another sigh and shake of his head, Lin Yi left the banquet hall.

That very night, an additional 100,000 taels in banknotes appeared on his table.

Along with fifteen cartloads of grain, a pair of jade corals, two luminous pearls, and one hundred fine horses.

“I’m suddenly reluctant to take up my fief.”

Lin Yi, tired of sitting in the carriage, swayed atop a donkey. “Are there any relatives of mine ahead? Passing their gates without visiting would be discourteous.”

Song Cheng laughed. “Your Highness is right. The nearest would be Prince Weiyuan of Nanping.”

Even a fool would now understand what their prince was thinking.

“Prince Weiyuan?”

Lin Yi had no impression.

“He is the son of Prince Hui. Born of a concubine of low status, he was demoted two ranks and granted the title of Auxiliary State General. He is over seventy this year,” Wen Zhaoyi said leisurely from horseback behind them. “I met him in my younger days while wandering the jianghu.”

“You roamed the jianghu in your youth?” Lin Yi’s eyes lit up.

“Aren’t we speaking of Prince Weiyuan?” Wen Zhaoyi rolled her eyes. “Why are you suddenly concerned about me?”

Lin Yi chuckled and did not pursue it further. “Prince Hui’s son? Then by that reckoning, he’s my grand-nephew. It would be improper not to visit.”

“Prince Weiyuan resides in the northwest. We’ll need to detour,” Song Cheng said.

“For the sake of visiting my grand-nephew, what’s a little detour?” Lin Yi declared righteously.

Thus he led the entire princely entourage, along with the seven or eight hundred remaining refugees settled in Qingyuan City, grandly toward Nanping.

Two days later—

Seeing the trembling old man kneeling before him, coughing incessantly, Lin Yi’s heart softened.

If he angered the old man to death, wouldn’t that be immoral?

But then he noticed the two beautiful, delicate concubines supporting the old man.

All hesitation vanished.

In the end, he returned fully loaded—with seventy thousand taels of silver, eight cartloads of grain, and one hundred fine horses.

Though over a hundred more refugees stayed behind.

Nanping Prefecture was even more prosperous than Qingyuan City. Settling there was not a bad option.

Lin Yi smiled. “Acquire more horses. When everyone has a mount and a carriage, we’ll move much faster than on foot.”

Luo Han hurried to say, “Your Highness is holy and wise!”

Before he finished speaking, a foot struck him.

Instinctively he tried to dodge, but seeing it was the prince, he endured the kick.

The prince was no martial artist. The kick felt no different from a mosquito bite. Though he didn’t understand why he was kicked, he could not embarrass His Highness.

Planting his left foot, he staggered back more than ten steps, fell to the ground, and began wailing dramatically.

The crowd burst into laughter.

“You bastard, you really know how to act!” Lin Yi cursed.

“Your Highness—”

“Shut up!” Lin Yi barked. “If you don’t know how to speak, speak less.”

Luo Han looked utterly confused.

What had he done wrong?

Song Cheng passed by and patted his shoulder. “Other than the Son of Heaven and the Empress, no one may be called ‘holy and wise.’”

“But in the operas, that’s how they sing it…”

Luo Han had no one to air his grievances to.