Chapter 6: Without a Penny, I Won't Leave, Not Even at the Gate

Qujiang Pavilion.
Top floor.

Ye Lantian and Wei Wuji stood by the desk, gazing at the four poems spread out before them, their hearts stirred and unable to calm for a long while.

The deposed Crown Prince Ye Xun, with effortless grace, had composed four immortal masterpieces, each themed on plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums.

This...

This was beyond belief.

Ye Lantian could accept if anyone else had written these four poems, but never Ye Xun.

A prodigal who had lost his position as heir apparent—how could he possess such overwhelming talent?

Ye Xun’s character was all too well known to Ye Lantian.

“Minister, do you... do you truly believe these were penned by that unfilial son?” Ye Lantian furrowed his brow deeply, his voice grave.

“This…” Wei Wuji shook his head with a wry smile. Though he dared not believe it himself, the facts lay bare before them. “Your Majesty, this test question...”

Not to mention others doubted it—

Even Wei Wuji suspected that Ye Lantian had secretly leaked the prompt to Ye Xun.

No other explanation could suffice.

“Tsk...” Ye Lantian’s brows knitted into a deep furrow as he sat down on the mat, lowering his eyes. “This prompt was only written after I arrived at Qujiang Pavilion today. Do you think I would leak it to him?”

“Heh heh...” Wei Wuji smiled awkwardly but politely. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I did not mean to imply that. I am but dull-witted and truly cannot fathom the reason.”

Even if they accepted that Ye Xun cheated—

Where in the world would such a prodigious talent arise to aid him?

And who of such genius would willingly serve under such a disgraced, fallen prince?

In their eyes, Ye Xun was not even worth exploiting.

“Could it be that this ungrateful son has suddenly awakened?” Ye Lantian picked up the poems from the desk and studied them again.

Hearing this, Wei Wuji nodded slightly, then mused, “It’s not entirely impossible. Your Majesty, are you familiar with the current Prime Minister of Dayu, Xue Juzheng?”

Ye Lantian nodded. “Of course.”

Wei Wuji continued, “Xue Juzheng was a commoner, a scholar who endured fifteen years of hardship studying yet failed to pass the imperial exams. He was exceedingly dull. Once, he was accidentally struck on the head by Crown Prince Yufeng of Dayu while riding a horse.”

“Later, Yufeng brought him into the palace for convalescence. Unexpectedly, upon awakening, Xue Juzheng experienced a sudden enlightenment. In just three years, he rose from a mere guest at the Crown Prince’s mansion to the position of Prime Minister of Dayu, becoming a celebrated tale.”

“Such a thing actually happened!?” Ye Lantian listened, utterly incredulous.

“Indeed.” Wei Wuji nodded slightly. “Recently, His Highness the Prince of Qin was stripped of his crown prince title, leaving the Qin Prince’s mansion fallen into ruin with only a minor eunuch and a dog remaining. The Crown Princess fled back to Yunnan, and you canceled the betrothal between Shangguan Yunqing and the Prince of Qin, instead holding a literary contest to find a suitor for Shangguan Yunqing.”

“This provocation... is truly significant.”

“How can you blame me!?” Ye Lantian stood abruptly, sweeping his sleeve in anger. “You know full well how detestable that ungrateful son is. You are his maternal uncle, I am his father, and Ruyun is both his mother and your sister.”

“Ruyun remains unconscious! How can I not grieve for him!?”

“But look at how absurd he has become! If I don’t depose him, he’s not far from execution!”

“If Ruyun wakes one day, how will I explain this to her!?”

As he spoke, Ye Lantian’s eyes reddened, veins bulging on his forehead.

Mentioning Wei Ruyun, Wei Wuji’s eyes also glistened with tears.

Wei Ruyun, Ye Xun’s mother, was the Empress of Great Xia and Ye Lantian’s childhood sweetheart; their bond was profound.

Five years ago, Empress Wei took a sword meant for Ye Lantian, and now she lay motionless on her bed in a state of paralysis, unconscious.

Ye Lantian loved her dearly and doted on Ye Xun in kind, yet Ye Xun’s reckless behavior incensed him beyond measure.

All these years, Ye Lantian’s affection had been misplaced.

Wei Wuji was equally helpless; as Ye Xun’s maternal uncle, he felt nothing but shame.

His sister was a virtuous empress—how could she have borne such a creature!?

Perhaps Ye Lantian and Wei Ruyun were simply too exceptional, producing Ye Xun as their flawed offspring.

After a pause, Ye Lantian composed himself and pondered aloud, “So what do you suggest we do about today’s matter? In any case, Shangguan Yunqing can no longer be betrothed to him. At least not now!”

Wei Wuji considered this and replied, “Why not cancel the literary contest for now, then have someone investigate whether the Prince of Qin has a secret mentor guiding him before making a final judgment?”

“If His Highness the Prince of Qin truly has suddenly awakened...”

Upon hearing this, Ye Lantian fell into thought and nodded slightly. “Given the circumstances, that is the only way.”

Then, he instructed the official from the Ministry of Rites beside him, “Go forth and proclaim my imperial decree: the literary contest is to be canceled. State that the authenticity of the Prince of Qin’s poems is still under investigation. I will decide once the truth is uncovered.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The official bowed and exited Qujiang Pavilion.

A moment later, the official ascended the stage and announced the imperial edict.

The gathered literati accepted this, albeit reluctantly, as Ye Xun’s sudden transformation was indeed suspicious.

---

Ye Tao heard the news and grinned from ear to ear. He didn’t mind losing; the important thing was that Ye Xun’s efforts had come to nothing.

It seemed the Great Xia Emperor still did not trust him.

However, Ye Xun was displeased.

Damn it, I worked so hard memorizing those four poems, and it still doesn’t count!?

I even picked out a name for the baby, just waiting for tonight’s wedding night!

And now they pull this on me!?

Though displeased, Ye Xun did not act rashly.

If he were blessed with a system granting him the might of a tyrant or the valor of his ancestor, he could have chosen to stand proud and roar: “Had Heaven not born me, the Crown Prince Xun, Great Xia would remain in eternal darkness.”

If he possessed the power to summon countless heroes, he could have raged with hair bristling, shouting: “Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west; never mock the youth for their poverty.”

But now, with nothing to his name, no backing, unable even to support his dog Wangcai, he could only bow to reality and pay for the sins of his predecessors.

Then, Ye Xun looked at the official delivering the decree and said sternly, “I will not leave without my money. Consider it a deposit. Otherwise, Wangcai will not agree.”

“If you don’t pay, I won’t leave.”

At his words, Wangcai crouched low, glaring at the official and growling softly.

Ye Xun thought for a moment. Knowing the Emperor’s temperament, the bride was likely not to be taken away, but the money could probably be secured.

As long as Shangguan Yunqing remained in the capital, there was no way she could escape.

“This...” The official appeared troubled but, intimidated by Wangcai’s fierce presence, could only reply, “I... I will ask His Majesty.”

Then he fled toward Qujiang Pavilion as if escaping.

The spectators around the stage burst into laughter upon hearing Ye Xun’s words.

This obstinate Crown Prince was truly pushed to his limits, stubbornly demanding money before leaving.