Chapter 102: Lying on Ice to Seek Carp

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“Today at court, that Wang gave a remonstrance. The Deputy Minister of the Department of Horse Management took advantage of the Emperor’s absence from the morning audience, and without the Emperor’s approval, recklessly applied for funds. Moreover, even the Treasury Department did not authorize these expenditures. Isn’t this a waste of public funds, madam? What do you think?” “I’ve already submitted a memorial, but who knew these people would target me? I have no worries for myself now; my only concern is for the Emperor.”
“Are you going to submit to those villains and let them manipulate you?”

Wang Hongzhi was now overwhelmed with a headache. On his way back, he ran into Wang Yuanfeng, directly facing the source of trouble.

“The Emperor hasn’t attended the morning court sessions? Is His Majesty’s health still alright?”
Madam Wang believed that everything depended on the Emperor.

“It seems he is ill.”
Wang Hongzhi nodded in agreement; he, too, thought the Emperor was unwell.

“What does the imperial physician say?”
Madam Wang’s intuition was correct.

“We did inquire about the physician’s opinion, but his answers were vague and inconclusive. Even if he said something, it might as well have been nothing.”
Wang Hongzhi had already left the morning court to question the imperial physician.

“I think the Emperor’s ailment might be psychological,”
Madam Wang whispered softly.

“Enough speculation. I’d better rest now.”
Wang Hongzhi thought it best to speak little of the Emperor’s condition.

The next day, in the imperial garden.

Zhao Qixin, a middle-aged man, lay reclined upon the Dragon Throne. A maid fanned him gently, while two others massaged his legs, their expressions relaxed.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand Remonstrator Wang Jinpin requests an audience.”
An elderly eunuch approached, half-kneeling.

“Go away, go away! I do not wish to see him! He disturbs my refined mood.”
Zhao Qixin replied without opening his eyes.

“Lord Wang says he knows Your Majesty has been restless lately and claims to have a secret remedy for Your Majesty’s use.”
The eunuch raised his head as he spoke.

“Summon Wang Jinpin.”
Zhao Qixin rose from the throne.

“Your Majesty’s command acknowledged.”
The eunuch stood, retreated a few steps, then turned away.

“Lord Wang, the Emperor has consented to your audience.”
The eunuch, Mei Zhonglin, flattered obsequiously.

“Thank you, Chief Eunuch Mei.”
Wang Jinpin produced a piece of gold from his sleeve and handed it to Mei Zhonglin, who accepted it discreetly. Then Wang Jinpin entered the garden.

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Upon seeing Zhao Qixin, Wang Jinpin knelt with both knees and cupped his hands respectfully.

“Lord Wang, I hear you possess a secret formula that can cure my psychological affliction—is that true?”
Zhao Qixin sat back on the Dragon Throne and asked.

“Your Majesty, I would never dare deceive you.”
Wang Jinpin raised his head and bowed.

“Speak quickly. Do not play riddles with me.”
Zhao Qixin said sternly.

“Your Majesty, this prescription can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words.”
Wang Jinpin smiled knowingly.

Zhao Qixin nodded and motioned for Wang Jinpin to lead the way.

They arrived at the Yao Hua Villa, flanked by cherry blossom trees.

“Your Majesty!”
Left Qianhu surveyed the surroundings; only birdsong was audible. He sensed danger but could not locate its source. As an expert, he instinctively felt something amiss and bowed.

“Left Qianhu, wait outside. I and Lord Wang will enter.”
Zhao Qixin had already heard the sound of the zither and would not stop.

“As Your Majesty commands.”
Left Qianhu bowed.

“Your Majesty, right over there.”
Wang Jinpin pointed toward the source of the zither music.

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Zhao Qixin looked over and saw a beautiful woman playing the zither. Impatiently, he stepped ahead of Wang Jinpin, who smiled a knowing smile every man understands but did not approach further.

Yao Shuang wore a delicate pink and white dress, her graceful figure enchanting, her zither music irresistibly drawing Zhao Qixin.

“A humble servant salutes Your Majesty.”
Yao Shuang gave a slight bow.

“You play beautifully.”
Zhao Qixin touched the zither.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Yao Shuang’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes shy.

“And who is this beauty?”
Zhao Qixin’s eyes widened.

“Your Majesty, I am Wang Xiaoqiao, cousin of Lord Wang Jinpin.”
Yao Shuang knew well how to captivate a man, concealing her true identity.

Zhao Qixin glanced at Wang Jinpin, who smiled and nodded.

Zhao Qixin’s gaze grew dreamy as he looked at Yao Shuang, so he turned shyly and entered Yao Hua Villa without hesitation. Wang Jinpin stroked his beard and left, pleased that his plan had succeeded.

“Left Qianhu, Your Majesty is engaged in a private matter. Please do not disturb.”
Wang Jinpin stopped Left Qianhu from entering after him.

“Thank you, Lord Wang.”
Left Qianhu did not enter Yao Hua Villa further.

At the Ministry of Rites.

Hu Xiaocui wanted to try putting on makeup to see what it felt like.

“Xiaocui, you’ve been painting your face for ages. When will you be done?”
Wang Yuanfeng was impatient, but since he was simple-minded, he did not understand that applying makeup takes time.

“Stop bothering me. If you keep interrupting, I’ll never get it right.”
Hu Xiaocui began shaping her eyebrows.

“This time it looks quite good.”
Wang Yuanfeng smiled, eating an apple.

“Stop making noise.”
Hu Xiaocui was still not satisfied.

“Xiaocui, you’re always slow. When can you come play soccer with me?”
Wang Yuanfeng ignored Hu Xiaocui’s words.

“When I finish, then I can go.”
Hu Xiaocui waved him off.

“Then let me help you.”
Wang Yuanfeng, bored, stood and came beside her.

“That’s a girl’s business. You go play. Don’t bother me.”
Hu Xiaocui pushed him away, gazing into a bronze mirror.

“No, no! I want to do it myself! I’ll finish quickly!”
Wang Yuanfeng snatched the eyebrow brush from her hand.

“All right, all right, I’ll do it for you.”
Hu Xiaocui reluctantly agreed.

“Let’s see what you can do.”
She crossed her arms.

Wang Yuanfeng bit his apple and began painting on Hu Xiaocui’s forehead, laughing as he worked.

At that moment, Madam Wang entered. Seeing Wang Yuanfeng painting Hu Xiaocui’s eyebrows, she smiled with satisfaction. Indeed, Wang Yuanfeng had changed since getting a wife. She nodded approvingly and left the room.

“Are you done yet?”
Hu Xiaocui felt as if an eternity had passed.

“Done. Take a look.”
Wang Yuanfeng nodded smilingly.

“All right, let me see.”
Hu Xiaocui looked into the mirror and saw two eyes drawn on her forehead. Her own eyes widened, and she clenched her fists.

“Four-eyed girl, four-eyed girl!”
Wang Yuanfeng laughed joyfully.

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“Wang Yuanfeng!!!”
Hu Xiaocui clenched her fists and chased after him, hitting him playfully.

After the playful scuffle, Madam Wang sent them to the study, instructing Hu Xiaocui to supervise Wang Yuanfeng’s reading.

Hu Xiaocui carried a plate of osmanthus cakes into the study, where she found Wang Yuanfeng with a book covering his face, reclining in his chair, asleep.

She removed the book and saw his mouth wide open. She took a piece of cake and stuffed it into his mouth, then gently held his chin closed. Startled awake, Wang Yuanfeng swallowed the entire cake.

“What did I just swallow?”
He asked, waking up.

“A mouse! A mouse jumped into your mouth just now. I wanted to catch it, but you swallowed it.”
Hu Xiaocui lied with wide eyes, already laughing inside.

“Ah? What should I do now?”
Wang Yuanfeng nervously touched his chest.

“Of course, catch a cat next, swallow it, and then the mouse will come out.”
Hu Xiaocui continued.

“That’s impossible! A cat is too big to swallow.”
Wang Yuanfeng gestured at the size of a large cat.

“Then what? The mouse will eat through your stomach and you won’t be able to eat anymore.”
Hu Xiaocui laughed, knowing he was a fool and clueless.

“Ah! Yuanfeng won’t be able to eat anymore!”
Wang Yuanfeng wailed.

“Relax, you just swallowed an osmanthus cake.”
Hu Xiaocui stopped laughing.

“Really an osmanthus cake.”
Wang Yuanfeng swallowed and felt reassured, reaching for more cake.

“Still sleepy?”
Hu Xiaocui slapped his hand.

“No, not sleepy.”
Wang Yuanfeng shook his head.

“Then keep studying. Today we continue with the unfinished lesson from before: ‘Lying on Ice to Seek Carp.’”

“The story of Wang Xiang, a filial son whose parents treated him poorly, yet he never held a grudge. One winter, his stepmother craved live carp.”
Hu Xiaocui arranged the idiom book and turned to the story, then stood by the desk.

“Where in winter can you find live carp?”
Wang Yuanfeng’s mind was puzzled.

“Haha, you’re not stupid, right? It’s freezing cold in winter. Where would you find live carp?”
Hu Xiaocui nodded knowingly.

“If the stepmother is mean, then don’t catch any.”
Wang Yuanfeng picked up an osmanthus cake, about to eat.

“If he were like you, he wouldn’t be a filial son.”
Hu Xiaocui slapped the cake from his hand.

“How did he catch them then?”
Wang Yuanfeng looked at the cake with a wronged expression.

“Listen carefully. He laid himself on the ice, using his body heat to melt the ice.”
Hu Xiaocui hugged herself, feeling cold.

“Wouldn’t Wang Xiang freeze to death?”
Wang Yuanfeng raised his eyebrows.

“Yes, but his devotion moved heaven. Two carp leapt out of the river, allowing him to fulfill his stepmother’s wish.”
Hu Xiaocui clapped her hands.

“Wang Xiang was truly filial.”
Wang Yuanfeng nodded earnestly.