HPDBC Chapter 26: 26. Better not to keep a diary anymore.
Chapter 26: 26. Better not to keep a diary anymore.
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In the Zixuan Dynasty, the Emperor was only past the age of not being confused, possessing great authority and naturally enjoying all the luxuries of the world. With the strong prevalence of cultivation practice throughout the Jiawu Realm, as the Utmost Supreme, he naturally had no lack of Cultivation Techniques.
Although the extent of his power was hard to say, his body was undoubtedly incredibly strong and even now, he brimmed with vitality like a young man barely into his twenties.
For the Emperor, this was undoubtedly a great blessing, but for the Crown Prince, who was next in line for the throne, it was a situation as bad as it could possibly get.
After all, who is a temp worker that doesn’t want to become permanent?
There’s no true affection in the imperial family.
Thus, even though one could say he was second only to one and above ten thousand, the Crown Prince of the Zixuan Dynasty lived his days on thin ice, extremely fearful to the utmost degree.
Especially under the current circumstances, which were the least the Crown Prince wanted to face.
If he answered well, his father would think—this unfilial son is so cunning, could he have been eyeing my position for a long time now?
But if his answer was poor, then his father would think—unable to handle even this minor matter, how can I entrust the reign to him? Should I appoint another heir?
So, while others envied his position as the Crown Prince, the reality was that even being the Crown Prince was difficult!
How ruthless his old man was, others might not know, but as his son, how could he not be clear about it? Others only knew that the Tan family had dominated thirteen states, a formidable force indeed, but did they know that his father could ascend the throne all thanks to the Tan family? And what about the Tan family now?
All that remained was an illegitimate child, utterly non-threatening!
"Father, your son is not entirely clear about this matter. If you ask me to make a decision now, I would have Tan Shuchang investigate this issue and assign someone to supervise it," the Crown Prince thought quickly and gave an answer that he deemed could get him through the situation.
The Emperor heard this, only smiled slightly, and then asked his attendants, "How goes the investigation I ordered?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has found out that Tan Shuchang demanded the Upper Profound Seal from the Ning family, and upon failing, he wrote a letter of accusation," a eunuch promptly stepped forward to answer.
"How much did he ask for?" the Emperor’s interest was immediately piqued.
"Tan Shuchang asked three times, the first time was the year before last, for fifty Upper Profound Seals. The second time was last year; he still asked for fifty but the Ning family gave him seventy. This year, he’s still asking for fifty."
"Just over a hundred?" The Emperor sneered, involuntarily shaking his head repeatedly, "I remember this Ning family. If it weren’t for Minister Tan’s appreciation of his talents, and lending him a helping hand, he would probably still be copying books, right?"
"Eunuch, there is something I would like to consult with you about."
"The Crown Prince flatters me too much. If the Crown Prince has any questions, I shall answer whatever I know and spare no detail," hastily said the eunuch while showing a sincere and frightened manner.
"Eunuch, I wish to know how to arrange an official position for that Tan Shuchang?" the Crown Prince asked directly.
"How did His Majesty just refer to his father?" Instead of directly answering, the eunuch responded with this question.
"I understand now, thanks to the eunuch for the guidance." The Crown Prince nodded, acknowledging that human hearts are complex. It was the Emperor who had exterminated the man’s family, yet it was also the Emperor who now had thoughts of remembrance.
With a single address as ’Lord Tan’, the Emperor’s complex thoughts were completely revealed.
"I dare not take credit, I dare not. I still need to inform the three princes about drafting the imperial edict; this task, I’m afraid, will require the Crown Prince to be especially diligent," said the eunuch.
There are three steps to processing an imperial edict: drafting, submitting for review, and finally issuing it after approval.
The step of drafting is normally undertaken by the heir apparent, after all, the Emperor too needs to cultivate.
...
Zixuan Dynasty, Emperor Yi Year, July, nineteen.
By chance, I saw a disciple of Caiyun Valley compete in alchemy with someone else. I found the Caiyun Valley’s disciple’s morals lacking; even after defeating the opponent, he still mocked them for only managing to explode their furnace. Therefore, I generously threw down ten Upper Profound Great Seals, bought that young girl ten Alchemy Furnaces, and encouraged her not to be upset.
At her age, she need not bow down to the complexities of human relations and propriety.
Upon hearing this, the young girl’s eyes brimmed with tears, seemingly deeply moved.
Zixuan Dynasty, Emperor Yi Year, July, twenty-one.
While visiting Qinghe City for procurement, I happened upon a father and son playing chess, quarreling incessantly over a single chess piece to the point of nearly coming to blows. Finding it uninteresting, I advised them—that arguing was detrimental to familial harmony—they might as well slap each other ten times and be done with it.
Unfortunately, the father and son did not appreciate my advice and instead wanted to lay hands on me.
The River City really is full of Demon Cultivators!
July, twenty-two.
On this day, Tan Shuchang did not write in his diary, because the invitation to the eerie game had finally arrived again!