USWHC -Chapter 518 The Talent of a Top Scholar (Part 8)

“Why have you come?” the Emperor’s voice was cold, dripping with icy authority.

Zhu Jie smiled gently and took a stew pot from Wan Yue behind her. She said, “From afar today, I noticed that Father hadn’t eaten properly, so I cooked some ginseng chicken soup myself and brought it specially for you.”

Hearing this, the Emperor’s expression softened slightly. He sighed and said, “Was it really necessary to go to so much trouble? Haven’t they already brought you offerings?” He glanced back as he spoke.

Naturally, the consorts and ladies of the palace constantly sent gifts to the Emperor. But Zhu Jie smiled softly and said, “That’s them, but this bowl comes entirely from my daughter’s pure filial heart!”

“You… have always been clever since childhood!” The Emperor finally revealed a faint smile. “I’m a bit tired. Put it down and go rest.”

The Emperor was clearly trying to send Zhu Jie away, probably still waiting for Hua Feixue.

Zhu Jie didn’t disobey. She obediently put down the pot, but she had no intention of actually leaving. Instead, she quietly moved behind him and gently massaged his shoulders. She murmured, “Little Qi Kingdom is really so arrogant—it’s laughable!”

“You’ve seen it all?” Her hands applied just the right pressure, kneading him in a way that made the Emperor momentarily relax, half-closing his eyes in comfort.

Zhu Jie let out a soft sigh. In a gentle voice, she said, “I only saw Father’s hardships… I saw Father’s fatigue.”

“You can see it clearly, yet there are still the blind ones, singing such lewd and obscure songs in such a place—it’s truly ridiculous!” the Emperor said angrily again.

Lewd and obscure songs? That depends on the listener’s mood! Clearly, Hua Feixue had chosen the wrong timing—or perhaps Consort Duan had deliberately set her up to sing.

“Father needn’t be angry at such petty people. If it were me, I wouldn’t even glance at her—I’d just have her reprimanded and dismissed,” Zhu Jie said, her hands slowly reaching his temples, gently massaging.

Had Hua Feixue heard this, she might have drawn a knife out of sheer rage.

The Emperor’s voice turned fierce: “Such shameless scum—killing them wouldn’t even satisfy me!”

“A foolish woman like that… if she were punished for this, I’m afraid the Qi Kingdom would make a fuss, thinking we of Daliang are afraid of them!” Zhu Jie said calmly, carefully observing the Emperor’s expression. Seeing no change, she continued, “If it must be done, let me handle it quietly for Father.”

The Emperor took a deep breath, opened his eyes silently, and said, “You’re right. We mustn’t give people a chance to laugh at us. Fine, let that woman go for now.”

But judging from the Emperor’s expression, he wasn’t truly letting her off—he planned to wait until others had left to find a reason to punish her.

Zhu Jie, however, wasn’t too concerned. She had already decided to take Hua Feixue out. By the time the Emperor remembered, the palace might no longer have such a person.

Zhu Jie quietly changed the topic: “Second Prince is truly strange—why insist on participating in the Daliang Talent Selection Hall? What does it have to do with him?”

In truth, she was worried—what if Ji Yi embarrassed himself in front of everyone? Hence, she asked tentatively.

The Emperor replied confidently, “Let him see how talented Daliang’s scholars are!”

“You seem so sure of yourself, Father! You must already have a strategy,” Zhu Jie probed, wondering if he planned to give some prior hints to make him shine.

The Emperor merely smiled calmly. “I’ve already reviewed this year’s exam papers. The top three candidates are all exceptional, especially Ji Yi. His paper is broad in scope, visionary in outlook. A minor palace examination would be no problem for him.”

When she heard Ji Yi’s name, Zhu Jie’s hands froze for a moment. She was somewhat surprised that her father held him in such high regard—and felt a small, quiet joy. “Ji Yi?”

“Yes, the top scholar of this year,” the Emperor said softly, then pursed his lips and smiled. “You wouldn’t understand this anyway. Forget it—go rest.”

Zhu Jie immediately acted obediently. “Then Father, you should rest early too.” She didn’t press further and withdrew with perfect timing. Her purpose had been achieved: Hua Feixue would not meet the Emperor.