Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve: Changing the Soup but Not the Medicine The matter of whether to give Prince Dai a pearl quickly spread to the capital. Many storytellers kept up with current events, recounting tales from the previous dynasty about granting pearls to a prince. Some storytellers, who were in favor, embellished the tale of granting a pearl, praising Prince Dai's achievements and fervently supporting the awarding of the pearl to him. Other storytellers, of course, did not support granting the pearl to Prince Dai, blaming the downfall of the previous dynasty on granting pearls to princes. They also claimed that granting the pearl was a provocation to the Crown Prince, a covetous ambition towards the heir apparent. The common people listened with great interest. Some believed that Prince Dai's remarkable military achievements warranted the honor of the pearl. Others felt that, although Prince Dai had performed admirably, it was merely his duty and obligation as a prince. The debate over whether Prince Dai should be granted a pearl stirred up a dispute among the populace. Not only that, even the people within the palace were quietly discussing the matter. For a time, the matter caused quite a stir. In the Imperial Study, Emperor Wu of Zhou was not surprised after hearing Sun Kui's report. "Your Majesty, it seems that most people support granting a pearl to Prince Dai," Sun Kui continued his report, "They all believe that Prince Dai's outstanding military achievements deserve the honor of a pearl." Emperor Wu of Zhou lifted his tea cup, peeled back the tea lid, and gently rubbed the rim with it, "And what else?" "They also say that the Crown Prince has not achieved any military accomplishments for Great Zhou." Emperor Wu of Zhou lowered his head to drink tea, accidentally swallowing tea leaves, which he spat out disdainfully, "How boring." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞 Sun Kui did not understand the emperor's remark and asked perplexedly, "Your Majesty, what's so boring?" "Do you think they are really arguing about the pearl?" Emperor Wu of Zhou curled his lips in a sneer, "Just the same old story with a different guise, don't you find it boring?" Sun Kui, being a clever man, immediately understood the emperor's implication. "Then Your Majesty, should we stop these rumors?" Emperor Wu of Zhou responded with a faint smile, "No, I'd like to see how they continue to argue." "Yes," Sun Kui thought to himself, the ministers are racking their brains over whether to grant a pearl to Prince Dai, while His Majesty finds it all amusing. Seeing Emperor Wu of Zhou about to review memorials, Sun Kui quietly retreated. Just as he stepped outside, he saw a young eunuch from last night hurrying toward him anxiously. The young eunuch first greeted Sun Kui respectfully, then lamented, "Mr. Sun, Lingyun has not returned." Ever since Lingyun flew out last night, it hadn't flown back. He thought Lingyun would return this morning, but it was still nowhere to be seen. "Mr. Sun, what should we do?" "Lingyun will fly back once it's done playing outside, you don't need to worry." "But if His Majesty wants to play with Lingyun and finds it's not there, I'll never be able to escape blame," the young eunuch said with a nearly tearful expression, looking at Sun Kui pitifully, "Mr. Sun, please help me." "I told you not to worry, so just don't worry," Sun Kui reassured the young eunuch, "His Majesty knows Lingyun flew away and won't blame you." "Really?" "Really." Seeing the young eunuch's red eyes, Sun Kui waved him off, "Just wait patiently for Lingyun's return." "Thank you, Mr. Sun." After expressing his gratitude, the young eunuch returned to the side hall and waited at the door for the return of Lingyun. The Lingyun, whom the young eunuch was concerned about, was leisurely eating snacks in Kunde Hall. Liang Zhaoyi not only prepared snacks for Lingyun but also fresh meat, apples, and water. Lingyun was pleased with Liang Zhaoyi's offerings, but it did not let her touch it, nor did it let her remove the letter tied to its leg. Except for Emperor Wu of Zhou and Zhao Yao, Lingyun did not allow anyone else to touch it, not even Liang Zhaoyi. After a satisfying meal, Lingyun perched on Zhao Yao's desk, basking in the sun and dozing while waiting for Zhao Yao to finish his studies. At noon, the princes at Wende Hall were dismissed from their studies on time. Just as the teacher left, Zhao Yao hurried out like a gust of wind. Tong Xi, seeing his master rush out, quickly approached and, without needing Zhao Yao's orders, swept him up and ran out. By the time the Fourth Prince stepped out of Wende Hall, Zhao Yao's figure had long vanished. "Your Highness, did something happen with the Tenth Prince? This servant saw him rushing out just now," asked Wei Mian, the Fourth Prince's personal eunuch. "Nothing," the Fourth Prince chuckled inwardly, knowing the Tenth Prince wanted to avoid the Ninth Prince's continued boasting about their Second Brother's affairs. "Let's go." The Eighth and Ninth Princes followed behind the Fourth Prince. The Ninth Prince continued narrating his brother's illustrious deeds to the Eighth Prince, claiming that his brother should be granted a pearl. Only after stepping out of Wende Hall did the Ninth Prince reluctantly release the Eighth Prince. The Eighth Prince secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now he understood why the Tenth Prince was so eager to escape Zhao Xun's boasts about Prince Dai's victories. "Your Highness, the Tenth Prince asked me to tell you he went back first," Yu Hai said, "He also said you've worked hard." The Eighth Prince smiled wryly, then asked Yu Hai, "What's this business about granting a pearl to Prince Dai during the morning assembly?" Lowering his voice, Yu Hai reported to the Eighth Prince, "It was raised by ministers from Prince Dai's faction, claiming that Prince Dai's illustrious service deserved a pearl, but the Crown Prince's faction disagreed..." Yu Hai recounted everything that happened during the morning assembly to the Eighth Prince. The events of that morning's assembly had already spread through the palace, and Yu Hai could easily gather the information. "Granting a pearl to a prince?" The Eighth Prince sneered, "I wonder if it's the idea of Marquis Xuanping or that mighty and valorous Second Brother of mine?" "Your Highness, do you think His Majesty will agree?" "Father's thoughts are unfathomable; whether he agrees is uncertain, but," at this point, the Eighth Prince smiled meaningfully, "I do hope Father agrees. That way, when we come of age and become lords, maybe we can also be granted pearls." Meanwhile, the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Princes were also discussing with their mothers about whether Prince Dai should be granted a pearl. These princes naturally hoped Emperor Wu of Zhou would agree to grant a pearl to Prince Dai. On one hand, Prince Dai receiving a pearl would intensify the rivalry with the Crown Prince, which would be advantageous for them. On the other hand, they could similarly receive a pearl when they matured. The matter of granting a pearl to Prince Dai, while detrimental to the Crown Prince, was beneficial to the other princes. In Kunde Hall, Zhao Yao did not discuss the matter of granting a pearl to Prince Dai with Liang Zhaoyi. Upon arriving, he immediately went to find Lingyun and eagerly retrieved the letter from its leg. Zhao Yao's second uncle mentioned in the letter that his eldest uncle was doing fairly well in Qingzhou and had found an inn to potentially take over. Once the inn's matters were settled, he would write. The second uncle also mentioned another matter in the letter; that their grandfather was soon to be transferred to Guangling County in Yangzhou as a County Magistrate. "What did your second uncle write?" Liang Zhaoyi asked as she entered. "The second uncle said the eldest uncle is doing well in Qingzhou." Zhao Yao handed the letter to Liang Zhaoyi, "Mother, take a look." Liang Zhaoyi took the letter and, after reading it, slightly furrowed her brows, "Father is being transferred to Yangzhou?" "The rebellion in Yangzhou hasn't been quelled; why is Grandfather being transferred there?" Zhao Yao also found it odd, "Was this transfer ordered by Father or by Grandfather's superior?" "It's unlikely to be your father's directive, considering your grandfather is just a minor County Magistrate," Liang Zhaoyi speculated, "It seems to be a routine transfer." In the Great Zhou Dynasty, officials of the same rank were transferred to take positions in each other's jurisdictions. "With the rebels not yet subdued, there may be risk in Grandfather going to Guangling County in Yangzhou at this time." "Your great-grandfather has some business connections and friends in Yangzhou, they will assist your grandfather," Liang Zhaoyi was not overly concerned about her father's safety, "Moreover, the disturbances in Yangzhou should soon be over, your grandfather will be fine." "Yes, Yangzhou's troubles will soon end." Though for some reason, he had a feeling that Yangzhou's unrest wouldn't end quickly.