Chapter 0158: Emperor Jian’s Bloodthirsty Ambition, Xie Chengze’s Sudden Demise

As the New Year Festival approached.

This year’s royal banquet was scheduled to take place in Liaozhou, freeing the Ministry of Rites from the usual trivialities of palace banquet preparations, requiring only ceremonial arrangements for sacrificial rituals.

After conducting prayers at the Heavenly Altar, the emperor set out for Tianshui City in Liaozhou, accompanied by his consorts and officials.

Along the way, numerous salt transport carts shuttled back and forth, while merchant caravans from other regions also traveled toward Liaozhou, eager to participate in the unprecedented Ice Sculpture Festival.

It was only then that Emperor Jian learned Xie Chengze had invited wealthy merchants from various regions.

No, not just the merchants—but their entire families.

Not only had he invited the emperor’s entire household, but also countless other families.

Among them was even the Jiang family of Yangzhou—Jiang Henan.

“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Zhao stood before the royal carriage, holding a red sandalwood tray, and spoke in a hushed tone, “This humble servant has just received this item from Lord Jiang. Please take a look.”

Emperor Jian lifted the carriage curtain and saw a thin booklet resting on the red sandalwood tray. The cover was inscribed with the words “Ice Sculpture Program List” in familiar handwriting—clearly that of his fourth son, Xie Zimiao.

As he picked it up with his sleeve, he realized the booklet was bound using Yangzhou Chengxintang paper. This paper, pure, sturdy, and lustrous, was notoriously difficult to produce and hailed as “priceless.” Even the royal family and prestigious clans rarely possessed more than a few sheets. Only the Jiang family would use such luxury for casual matters rather than for famous paintings or poetry.

Emperor Jian winced at the extravagance as he opened the booklet, then let out a surprised “Huh?”

His eyes widened in astonishment at the miniature ice sculpture designs leaping off the page, some even delicately tinted with color. Each entry specified the sculpture’s height and width, along with its corresponding auspicious meaning, evoking murmurs of admiration.

Flipping further, he discovered never-before-seen peculiar programs and their pricing. Emperor Jian pondered—the prices were neither cheap nor expensive for commoners. If children insisted on participating, parents in Liaozhou would likely not hesitate to pay.

But… intriguingly, some activities offered exclusive “VIP channels” for wealthy merchants, bypassing queues and allowing multiple attempts for those unsatisfied after one try. The prices escalated with each additional attempt, limited in quantity to prevent satiation and maintain interest for future events.

One program, however, was outright exploitative: it incorporated gambling. To address lingering gambling issues from the previous dynasty, Jian’an had legalized gambling but imposed heavier taxes. Thus, Xie Chengze’s gambling setup did not violate national laws and would instead enliven the Ice Sculpture Festival.

This child certainly had a knack for unconventional ideas.

Without a second thought, Emperor Jian recognized how deadly these programs would be for wealthy merchants in a dynasty starved for entertainment.

And how much profit would the festival organizers reap? How much tax would they contribute to Jian’an…

Who were the organizers again? Emperor Jian wondered if he should set aside royal dignity and demand higher taxes—

Wait, weren’t the organizers his own dear son Chengze? That meant all profits would ultimately belong to the imperial court, didn’t it?

Emperor Jian’s lips twitched uncontrollably into what resembled a gaping maw, but when Eunuch Zhao glanced over, he swiftly retracted the expression and resumed turning pages with feigned elegance.

The final program was called an auction.

He had never heard of such a thing.

Intrigued, Emperor Jian flipped to the next page, only to be struck by a sudden darkness before his eyes. The illustrations looked terrifyingly familiar.

What is this?!

What are these?!

Aren’t these the rare treasures he had sent to Cheng Huan Palace over the years?!

That was the emergency fund he had reserved for the Jian’an Dynasty! How could they appear here?!

Screaming internally, Emperor Jian was relieved to see only a few items depicted, meaning Cheng Huan Palace hadn’t been completely emptied.

These rare treasures held immense collectible value and would never depreciate due to dynastic changes. The Jian’an Dynasty, barely a century old, had been impoverished from quelling rebellions across its vast territories, compounded by the previous emperor’s death from overwork. With old ministers circling like vultures, the throne would have been unstable without the support of the Jiang and Cao families.

To secure a chance for Jian’an’s future revival, Consort Hua had proposed this scheme: hoarding collectibles through gifts from local officials, to be liquidated in desperate times.

Had Xie Chengze known, he would have understood: this was purchasing appreciating assets to sell later at higher prices for profit.

Thus, Emperor Jian’s panic upon seeing Cheng Huan Palace’s treasures in the booklet was understandable. But remembering this was all for the people, he relaxed—just as when Xie Chengze sold Yun Duan Jin to Rou Fei and used the silver to aid Yi Province’s famine victims.

As Emperor Jian placed the Ice Sculpture Program List back on the red lacquer tray, preparing to have Eunuch Zhao show it to the consorts and princesses, a serious question struck him.

Why did Jiang Henan have a dedicated program booklet, while he did not?!

Xie Zimiao!

Am I not your biological father?!

——

“Achoo!” Xie Zimiao sneezed violently.

“Caught a cold?” On the ice rink, Xie Chengze sat hunched on a small stool, nibbling a cold steamed bun with little energy, though concern for his younger brother warmed his tone.

“Probably not. Perhaps Mother Consort is missing me.” Rubbing his reddened nose, Xie Zimiao slid a small pack from his back and retrieved a waterskin.

“Su Qinghe made this from lambskin—it keeps warmth perfectly. The ginger brew inside stayed hot the whole journey.” Handing it to Xie Chengze, he urged, “Second Brother, drink it quickly to warm up.”

“Mm.” Seeming distracted, Xie Chengze reached out almost reflexively, obediently accepting the waterskin. He unscrewed the cap and took a sip.

Before he could register the taste, roaring cheers erupted from soldiers and rebels in the distance.

Lifting his gaze, he saw a massive ice sculpture at the rink’s center begin to glow as candles were lit—like stars descending to earth, gathering into a breathtaking, dazzling spectacle against the winter night.

This was the largest, most time-consuming ice sculpture on the rink, and the final one completed.

It signaled the successful conclusion of preparations for the Ice Sculpture Banquet.

The Ice Sculpture Festival could now proceed smoothly.

“Nephew—!”

Da Dangjia strode over from afar, waving excitedly at Xie Chengze who sat on a small stool. “We’ve completed one hundred ice sculptures!”

Although many small ice sculptures were just filling the numbers, it still counted as completing the Hundred Sculptures Project, right?

Now, his little nephew’s final wish should be considered fulfilled!

Just as he was thinking this, Da Dangjia saw two streams of bright red blood suddenly flow from beneath Xie Chengze’s nose.

Then the world spun, and the whole person toppled forward onto the ice!

“Ah—Nephew—!”

Da Dangjia let out a sharp, piercing cry, taking a large stride to cradle Xie Chengze’s “corpse.” His raised, broad face was filled with tragic emotion. “How could you leave just like that—!”

If he had known this would happen, he would have waited a few more days to complete the ice sculptures!