Chapter 0093: The Emperor Flows Like Water While the Su Family Stands Firm as Iron, Casually Praising Xie Chengze
Su Qinghe tossed and turned all night without sleep.
One moment he recalled the unsolved mathematical problem, the next he remembered Jingmo’s words in the carriage, then he thought of that stunningly beautiful young man kowtowing with desperate determination, and finally the memory of him tugging at his sleeve while whining sweetly, calling him “Qinghe brother.”
Su Qinghe had never been called “brother” before.
He was younger than Shen Yuan, and though born in the same year as Sheng Yiren, he was two months younger, making him the youngest among them.
In the Su Family, even collateral-line half-brothers looked down on him, never addressing him as “elder brother,” let alone using such an intimate term as “brother.”
If they wanted to use him, they could simply force him through imperial authority—why would they need to call a commoner “brother”?
Su Qinghe tossed and turned, unable to sleep, until he finally got up, dressed, and braved the cold midnight wind to the eastern kitchen, where he began making pastries to calm his mind.
By the time he came to his senses, dawn had broken, and cooks were trickling into the kitchen. Su Qinghe quickly washed his hands and left the eastern kitchen with his pastries.
Today happened to be the Hanlin Academy’s rest day, and the Second Prince would be visiting the Su Family. He needed to be there early—at the very least, if the Second Prince faced harassment, he could help shoulder some of the malice.
Main Hall of the Su Residence.
Although it was a rest day, the direct descendants of the Su Family still rose at the usual hour and gathered in the main hall, where the family head would first examine their studies before allowing them to pick up their chopsticks and eat.
Su Qinghe usually avoided meals in the main hall to spare himself humiliation, so when he suddenly appeared for breakfast, Family Head Su Zhongyue was quite surprised. “Qinghe, what brings you here?”
The Su Family’s eldest legitimate son, Su Haichao, cast a faint glance at Su Qinghe. “Perhaps he heard that Third Brother was promoted yesterday and came to curry favor for a sinecure. Otherwise, why would he have the nerve to show up for a meal in the main hall?”
“Hmph, you might be disappointed then,” Su Wenhao, the eldest son of the Third Branch, sneered coldly. “Our Su Family has always been upright and honorable—we earn our official positions through our own talents and learning. We don’t engage in backdoor dealings!”
“Enough,” Su Zhongyue said sternly. “Qinghe has finally come to the main hall for a meal. Both of you, quiet down!”
Su Haichao indifferently averted his gaze, while Su Wenhao snorted and fell silent.
Su Qinghe lowered his eyes, his heart aching.
Favor? If he were truly favored, why did the sharp-tongued remarks in this mansion never cease?
Because this was his father’s way of reminding him: he had neither talent nor virtue. If he lost his last remaining value as a marriage pawn, what awaited him would be more than just these stinging taunts—it would be abandonment by the family.
In the Su Family, every generation of family heads never abandoned any usable value in their clansmen. Even the dull-witted were expected, when needed, to perform acts of fatal remonstrance for the Su Family, cementing the family’s reputation for loyalty.
Even the women they married were meticulously chosen solely to produce intelligent and learned descendants. This was how the Su Family had endured for thousands of generations, never falling into decline with the rise and fall of dynasties.
Su Zhongyue was counting on him to marry Sheng Yiren, the foremost beauty and talented woman of Jingcheng, and produce offspring beneficial to the family—that was why he showed him relative leniency.
Clutching the red sandalwood food box, Su Qinghe sat down with a heavy heart.
Su Zhongyue glanced at the red sandalwood food box in his hand and frowned slightly. “Qinghe, did you come suddenly to bring pastries for your father? I have no appetite today, so…”
Before he could finish, Su Qinghe retorted irritably, “They’re not for you.”
Su Zhongyue: ?
Due to a sleepless night, a mind burdened with worries, and an unsolved mathematical problem that had been plaguing him, Su Qinghe was in an irritable mood. His frustration inevitably seeped into his tone as he blurted out his thoughts without thinking.
Snapping back to reality, he flusteredly explained, “There will be a guest visiting later. This is prepared for him.”
Su Zhongyue wanted to say something, but seeing Su Qinghe’s timid demeanor, he rubbed his temples and sighed, “Never mind. Let’s begin today’s discussion. Today, we shall deliberate on the governance principle of ‘standing firm without leaning, strong and resolute.'”
Su Qinghe breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
The young scholars in the hall fell into thoughtful contemplation. After a while, Su Haichao stood up and was the first to respond, his voice ringing clearly throughout the main hall. “The so-called ‘standing firm without leaning’ means maintaining impartiality and selflessness amidst the complexities of worldly affairs, not favoring any side, and not being swayed by temporary gains. This is the cornerstone of a nation’s lasting peace and stability. ‘Strong and resolute’ is the ultimate praise for this attitude, reminding us to remain unwavering in upholding the right path, undeterred by hardships and obstacles.”
“For the state, enacting just laws ensures the smooth implementation of policies and wins the people’s support. For officials, considering the interests of all parties without being tempted by personal gain allows for the implementation of beneficial policies. For governance, it means daring to take a firm stand, punishing wrongdoers severely to serve as a warning to others. This is my humble opinion.”
“Mm, not bad.” Su Zhongyue nodded in satisfaction and was about to add something when a loud, clear voice suddenly sounded from the doorway, accompanied by several claps. “Well said! Excellently put!”
Who was speaking?
Everyone turned to look and saw a gold-threaded red boot step into the doorway first, followed by a tall, striking figure striding into the main hall.
The man’s red robes were as vibrant as blooming crabapple flowers, and his stunningly beautiful face bore a faint smile on his rosy lips. In a hall filled with people dressed in white, he stood out like a mesmerizingly enchanting fox spirit that had suddenly barged into a solemn and austere classroom—incongruous yet breathtakingly beautiful.
For a moment, everyone was spellbound.
At first glance, no one recognized the dazzling figure as the Second Prince. Since only a handful of Hanlin Academy members attended court, most of the Su Family had only seen the Second Prince at large imperial banquets, and even then, only from a distance. Moreover, his domineering and arrogant demeanor had always marred his appearance, making people keep their distance in distaste.
Thus, when the Second Prince, radiating confidence and a bright smile, entered the hall, his changed demeanor made it difficult for them to identify him. It was only after they regained their senses that they realized it was the Second Prince paying an unexpected visit to the Su residence.
The initial awe on their faces instantly shifted to subtle disdain. They rose one after another and bowed to the Second Prince, offering their greetings: “Your Highness, a thousand blessings.”
“No need for such formalities~” Xie Chengze waved his hand shamelessly and walked over to Su Zhongyue, smiling brightly. “This prince just finished some business and happened to pass by the Su residence while feeling quite hungry. A little calculation told me there would be delicious food here, so I thought I’d drop in for a meal. Scholar Su, I assume you don’t mind adding an extra pair of chopsticks for this prince?”
Passing by? Su Zhongyue couldn’t help but glance at the sky outside. What business could he possibly have this early in the morning?
He must have come straight to the Su residence!
Suppressing a twitch of his lips, Su Zhongyue stood up and offered his seat. “Your Highness, you jest. Attendant, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.”
Xie Chengze took his seat with pleasure, watching as Su Zhongyue sent someone to fetch another chair. He then turned to Su Haichao and said, “This must be the eldest son of the Su Family? I’ve long heard that the Su Family’s eldest son became a lecturer at a young age. Seeing you today, your dignified bearing is indeed extraordinary, and your insights on statecraft and governance run deep.”
Su Haichao replied indifferently, “Your Highness flatters me. These are merely ordinary skills, hardly worth mentioning.”
After speaking, he lowered his head and fell silent, clearly unwilling to engage further.
Su Qinghe glanced worriedly at Xie Chengze. The Second Prince, a scion of the imperial family and far from mediocre, was being treated with such disregard by the Su residence—he must be feeling upset.
What could he say to ease the tension…
As Su Qinghe racked his brains, he saw Xie Chengze wave a hand dismissively and remark carelessly, “I was just casually offering praise—I say this to everyone. Feel free to take it lightly.”
Su Haichao: ???
Su Qinghe: Pfft.