Saving My Life By Simping For My Empress - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Qin Ji deeply suspects that Wei Qiong harbors ill intentions toward Wei Yu.

“Gao De, how can there be such a coincidence in this world? Wei Yu and I actually share the same birthday, and we’re even the same age.” Qin Ji propped his chin on his hand and beckoned Gao De over. “What do you think is a good birthday gift for me to give him?”

Gao De: “Oh, Your Majesty, aren’t you making things difficult for me? How would I know?”

Qin Ji had no siblings, so he had zero experience in giving gifts to peers. Where was he supposed to get a reference? Besides, it had to be a birthday gift, not a birthday reward—the difference between the two was massive.

“Turning twenty is a big deal. I’m having my Capping Ceremony (coming-of-age ritual); shouldn’t Wei Yu have one too?” The more Qin Ji thought about it, the more sense it made. “Gao De, go tell the Ministry of Rites that I want to hold my Capping Ceremony on the same day as Wei Yu.”

Gao De looked troubled. “Your Majesty, I’m afraid that might not be appropriate.”

Qin Ji was confused. “Why not?” Aren’t you ancient people very big on coming-of-age rituals? Isn’t it a good thing for me to help him host his?

“Your Majesty, the Prince is from the Wei State. His elders are all back in Wei. When he is capped, who will perform the ceremony for him? Moreover, it’s unclear if the Prince is even willing to come of age in a foreign land.” Cold sweat broke out on Gao De’s back; he was, after all, contradicting the Imperial will.

Qin Ji’s excitement died down, and he slumped back. “Then what do you suggest?”

Should I send him back to Wei?

If he sent Wei Yu back, would his brother even welcome him? Wei Yu had come to Qin as a hostage for the sake of the Wei State. To Wei, he was a hero. But to Wei Qiong, a heroic prince was a massive threat, wasn’t he? Isn’t fratricide common in royal families?

Qin Ji deeply suspected that Wei Qiong harbored ill intentions toward Wei Yu.

If Wei Qiong truly loved his younger brother from the same mother, why would he send him to Qin as a hostage? And even if he had to be a hostage, he sent him without a single extra possession—not a copper coin, not even a traveling servant. The Wei State wasn’t so poor it couldn’t afford a bowl of rice; why go this far?

In his eyes, Wei Qiong basically sent Wei Yu to Qin to die.

“Perhaps Your Majesty should ask the Prince for his opinion first? If he is willing to be capped alongside Your Majesty, that would be wonderful. If not, we shouldn’t force him,” Gao De suggested tentatively.

Qin Ji: “You have a point. I’ll ask him later.”

However, before that, Qin Ji had another idea.

“Gao De, come help me write a letter to the Emperor of Wei. Demand all of Wei Yu’s belongings. Aside from the lands and manors that can’t be moved, have everything sent to Qin.” Qin Ji yielded his chair to Gao De. “Also, they must arrive at the Qin capital by March.”

Gao De didn’t dare: “Your Majesty, correspondence between two monarchs… how can a servant like me write it?” Wouldn’t that be a blatant insult to the Emperor of Wei?

Qin Ji: “Stop talking nonsense. If you don’t write it, I’ll dock your pay.” He grumbled, “I don’t want to personally write to Wei Qiong. I don’t think he’s a good person.”

Gao De: “…” You are the Emperor; you call the shots.

Seeing his Majesty in such a mood, Gao De wasn’t particularly polite in his phrasing. He skipped the pleasantries and cut straight to the chase: demanding Wei Yu’s stuff.

But by acting this way, was his Majesty planning to keep Prince Wei Yu in Qin forever? Regardless of whether the Wei State would agree, would Prince Wei Yu himself agree?

Forget it, forget it. None of this concerned an old man like him. He would just follow the Emperor’s orders.

Gao De finished the letter, and Qin Ji personally stamped it. “Alright, send it to Wei. Fast.” He needed Wei Yu’s things to arrive before the birthday; otherwise, the surprise would be ruined.

…

Qin Ji didn’t get to ask Wei Yu about the ceremony immediately, as Zhao Anhong entered the palace first.

Now that his Majesty was “motivated,” had abandoned his cruel ways, and was pursuing clean politics, Zhao Anhong was so excited he barely slept. He had spent the night listing every noble family in Qin whose titles could be stripped: those whose ancestral merit had run dry, those whose scions were poorly behaved, and those whom the Tyrant had titled randomly in the past.

Qin Ji didn’t listen closely to the specific names—he didn’t know them anyway. He only heard one thing clearly: supporting these empty titles cost the court a huge amount of silver every year.

If these people held actual offices and were working, Zhao Anhong wouldn’t have put them on the list.

“Prime Minister, why don’t I see the Marquis of Guiyuan? Did I miss it?” Qin Ji had a strong impression of this Marquis, as he was the one who had jumped out during his first court session.

Zhao Anhong reported: “Your Majesty, the Heir of Guiyuan was your former study companion. The sentiment is different.”

Anything involving the Emperor—be it his teacher or his companions—usually couldn’t be treated as ordinary.

Qin Ji asked: “And what did he ‘companion’ me into?”

That question stumped Zhao Anhong. The Heir of Guiyuan had indeed accomplished nothing. As a companion, he did nothing but suggest bad ideas to prank the teacher or kill innocent palace servants. If the late Emperor hadn’t been merciful, the Heir would have been executed long ago. But the current Emperor was Qin Ji.

Qin Ji: “Add the Marquis of Guiyuan. We’ll strip their title first.”

He was already being strict with himself; he couldn’t be expected to be lenient with others. Besides, what did the Tyrant’s companion have to do with him? He hadn’t accompanied him in studying.

“Just these people then. Draft the decree and strip them all. Reclaim the court’s rewards, though I don’t want their personal property.” Qin Ji closed the folder. “Prime Minister, go see to it.”

Zhao Anhong accepted the order and withdrew. His heart was full of doubt. What happened to the Emperor? He is like a different person compared to the previous unpredictable tyrant.

Could it be the late Emperor opened his eyes and finally led his son back to the right path? Zhao Anhong shook his head, laughing at himself for being delirious from lack of sleep. If there were truly ghosts and gods, the Emperor should have changed long ago. Why wait until now?

“Prime Minister, please wait!” Gao De came running after him from Ziji Palace.

Zhao Anhong stopped, being very polite to Gao De: “Eunuch Gao.”

Gao De bowed: “Prime Minister, His Majesty saw that you were tired and specifically had a side hall in Ziji Palace readied for you. Please take a short rest in the palace.”

Zhao Anhong was truly shocked this time: “Eunuch Gao says… the Emperor is letting me rest here?”

This was Ziji Palace, the symbol of the Emperor’s supreme honor. To let a minister rest here—what an immense glory that would be if word got out!

“The side hall is ready. Prime Minister, please follow me,” Gao De said.

Zhao Anhong bowed toward Qin Ji’s direction to thank him for the imperial grace before following Gao De.

Speaking of which… why did the side hall give him such a familiar feeling?

…

After his rest, when Zhao Anhong was invited to have lunch with Qin Ji, he finally realized why the side hall felt so familiar.

The Wei hostage, Wei Yu, was there. And he seemed completely accustomed to sitting at the same table as the Emperor.

Zhao Anhong’s sharp mind was muddled. The last he had heard of Wei Yu, the prince was being abused and left for dead in a side hall. How were they sitting together now? Moreover, Wei Yu seemed to be… testing the Emperor on his lessons?

Since when did the Emperor and Wei Yu become so brotherly and harmonious?

When Qin Ji was with Wei Yu, he usually didn’t notice anyone else. So while Zhao Anhong’s gaze was exploding with curiosity, Qin Ji didn’t notice at all and ate as usual.

It was Wei Yu who couldn’t stand it anymore and reminded Qin Ji: “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister rarely stays in the palace for a meal. You should speak with him more.”

Only then did Qin Ji remember there was a Zhao Anhong at the table.

“Prime Minister, is the food to your liking? If not, I’ll have the kitchen whip up some new dishes.” Qin Ji had truly forgotten to consider his tastes.

As a subject, Zhao Anhong didn’t dare ask for special dishes. He repeatedly said the food was “excellent” and there was “no need to trouble the kitchen.”

Qin Ji didn’t realize how much confusion his attitude toward Wei Yu caused the Prime Minister. Once Zhao Anhong said it was fine, Qin Ji ignored him again and went back to fussing over Wei Yu.

Zhao Anhong: “…” He seemed quite normal when making decisions this morning.

When Qin Ji personally finished two-thirds of the food on the table, Zhao Anhong stopped thinking he was normal. Is the Emperor not being fed? Why can he eat so much in one go?

“His Majesty has been working hard lately and is still growing. It seems we should have the Weaving Department come and take new measurements for more suitable robes,” Wei Yu explained, as if reading the storm of confusion in Zhao Anhong’s eyes.

Qin Ji: “I do need new clothes. I feel like I’ve grown quite a bit taller lately.”

The Tyrant hadn’t been obese, but he was very out of shape. His belly had made his robes round. In recent days, Qin Ji had worked off the flab, though he was still a bit far from his six-pack goal. But he really had grown taller.

Hearing this, Zhao Anhong peeked at Qin Ji’s robes—they really were a bit short.

This was a good thing! The Emperor was growing both in brains and in height. He had to tell the late Emperor this good news. Zhao Anhong’s attention was successfully diverted by Wei Yu, and he left the palace in high spirits to execute Qin Ji’s orders.

…

After lunch, Qin Ji went to the study to review his lessons and wait for Xu Ziye.

Xu Ziye was quite satisfied with Qin Ji’s studious attitude. He didn’t mind that Qin Ji learned slowly; he taught very seriously for those four hours every day.

With a good teacher and a brilliant “guide” behind the scenes, Qin Ji felt his progress was significant.

In the evening, Qin Ji took his homework to Wei Yu for checking. When he received a “not bad” from Wei Yu, he was so excited he almost touched the ceiling.

Taking advantage of Wei Yu’s good mood, Qin Ji leaned in closer: “Wei Yu, would you like to hold your Capping Ceremony with me? I’ll ask the teacher to perform the ceremony for both of us.”