Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Calm of the Crown Prince In the Imperial Study of Chengguang Hall, the Emperor hummed a tune while reviewing memorials. Sun Kui, who was waiting on the side, was puzzled by the Emperor’s good mood. Why was His Majesty in such high spirits? Could it be because he betrothed the younger daughter of the Kong Family’s Senior Official to Prince Dai? Betrothing the younger daughter of the Kong Family to Prince Dai was no small matter, yet the Emperor showed no signs of it. Sun Kui had always been by the Emperor’s side, and although His Majesty never confided in a mere servant, he would occasionally hint at his intentions. But this time, nothing at all. Thinking of the Emperor’s unpredictable nature, Sun Kui suddenly had a startling thought: Could it be that this betrothal was a sudden decision by His Majesty? The Emperor, without the ability to read minds, naturally didn’t know what Sun Kui was thinking. The tune he was humming grew louder and more peculiar. Seeing the Emperor so happy he was swaying his head, Sun Kui felt more certain that the betrothal was indeed a spontaneous decision by the Emperor to give the younger daughter of Senior Official Kong to Prince Dai. After hesitating for a moment, Sun Kui cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, are you so happy because Prince Dai is returning soon?" The Emperor had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials. Closing the document in his hand, he smiled at Sun Kui, "Didn’t you see their expressions?" "Their expressions?" Sun Kui was momentarily taken aback and then understood who the Emperor meant, "Your Majesty, are you referring to the expressions of the ministers when they heard about the betrothal of Senior Official Kong’s daughter to Prince Dai?" The Emperor supported his face with his right hand and chuckled with interest, "Weren’t their expressions fascinating?" Upon hearing this, Sun Kui became more convinced that the betrothal decree announced in the morning assembly was indeed a sudden decision by the Emperor. "Many ministers were stunned, even Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu were startled." "Isn’t it amusing?" Sun Kui respectfully replied, "Amusing." His Majesty truly enjoys toying with others. "Your Majesty, surely you didn’t betroth Senior Official Kong’s daughter to Prince Dai just for amusement?" The Emperor glared at Sun Kui, "Do I seem that idle to you?" Sun Kui silently thought: Your Majesty, you are precisely that idle! "Then why did you suddenly betroth Senior Official Kong’s daughter to Prince Dai?" Sun Kui added, "You shocked the ministers." At that moment, a little eunuch brought a cup of tea. Sun Kui hurriedly stepped forward to receive the tea and offered it to the Emperor. The Emperor took the teacup, sipped a few times, and then said, "I didn’t decide on the betrothal suddenly." Sun Kui was astonished and said, "You planned to betroth Senior Official Kong’s daughter to Prince Dai from the beginning." "Yes." After the news came back to the capital that Prince Dai had quelled the rebels in Liangzhou, the Emperor decided to betroth the younger daughter of Senior Official Kong to him. In fact, when Prince Dai was dispatched to suppress the rebellion in Liangzhou, the Emperor didn’t expect him to succeed, given the complexity of the situation there. Unexpectedly, Prince Dai accomplished the task commendably. This victory of Prince Dai in quelling the rebellion in Liangzhou was a substantial achievement. Whether as emperor or father, he deserved a generous reward. However, the Emperor disagreed with the ministers’ proposal to bestow a pearl on Prince Dai. That was a tradition from the previous dynasty, which, while not directly causing its downfall, did have some implications. The Emperor knew well what Prince Dai desired most, so he seized this opportunity to fulfill it for him. "Your Majesty, Senior Official Kong represents the Kong Family!" Sun Kui was deeply shaken. The Emperor couldn’t possibly be unaware of the immense benefit this marriage would bring Prince Dai, and the substantial pressure it would place on the Crown Prince. The Emperor glanced at Sun Kui nonchalantly, "I’m aware." "But you..." Sun Kui started to speak but dared not continue. As a servant, he shouldn’t pry further. The Emperor did not blame Sun Kui for his curiosity, and smiled ambiguously, "I know what I’m doing." Sun Kui dutifully replied, "Your Majesty is wise." The Emperor’s fingers brushed the rim of the teacup as he said, pointedly, "I hope I won’t be disappointed." Sun Kui was startled at the thought: Could His Majesty truly intend to depose the Crown Prince and name Prince Dai as the heir apparent? Just then, the sounds of greetings to the Crown Prince could be heard from the door. The doorkeeper, a young eunuch, entered, first greeting the Emperor, then reporting, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seeks an audience." The Emperor slightly raised his eyebrows, put down the teacup, and said, "Let him in." Shortly after, the Crown Prince entered and respectfully saluted the Emperor. "Your son greets the Father Emperor." The Emperor gestured with his hand, "Rise." "Thank you, Father Emperor." The Crown Prince straightened himself and explained his purpose, "Father Emperor, I have come to discuss the arrangements for welcoming my second brother back from the outskirts of the capital this afternoon." The Emperor inspected the Crown Prince from head to toe, finding his expression calm and collected, with no hint of anger or resentment, which surprised him. Betrothing Senior Official Kong’s daughter to Prince Dai should have had a significant impact on the Crown Prince. Knowing him well, the Emperor expected the Crown Prince to be very upset and envious. Even though he might try hard to hide it in the Emperor’s presence, his eyes would betray him. The Crown Prince was not one to conceal his emotions; he couldn’t remain unchanged even in the face of a mountain’s collapse. If something was troubling him, it would surely show in his eyes. But at that moment, the Crown Prince’s eyes were as tranquil as a still lake. The Emperor was quite curious about what Duke Zhen had told the Crown Prince that made him so composed about the betrothal. "What are your thoughts?" "Father Emperor, you mentioned in the morning assembly that I should take my brothers to welcome the Second Brother. What about the ministers?" The Crown Prince asked, "Should I take certain ministers, or should all of them go?" The Emperor asked in return, "What do you think?" "I believe all the ministers should go welcome my Second Brother’s return." The Emperor nodded slightly and said, "You decide." "Father Emperor, I request for an imperial decree." The Emperor inquired, "What decree do you want?" "A decree praising my Second Brother." The Crown Prince earnestly replied, "He achieved such great success this time. If you issue a decree to commend him, it would not only inform the people of his efforts and hardships but also bring him joy. I think what he most wants to hear is your praise." "Your considerations for him are thorough." The Emperor said with satisfaction, "Let’s do as you suggest." Then, he turned to Sun Kui and instructed, "Draft the decree!" "As you command, Your Majesty!" The Emperor quickly wrote the decree and handed it to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince accepted the decree with both hands and asked, "Father Emperor, should we hold a celebratory banquet for him tonight?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮 The Emperor replied, "He just returned. Let him rest well tonight. We’ll celebrate tomorrow." "Understood." The Crown Prince then asked, "Father Emperor, is there anything else you require?" "I have nothing more to add." The Emperor said, "Handle everything yourself." "Then I shall take my leave." With that, the Crown Prince respectfully exited. After the Crown Prince left, the Emperor suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "Your Majesty, what are you laughing about?" Sun Kui asked, puzzled. The Emperor smiled meaningfully, "I’m impressed with Duke Zhen’s skills." "Duke Zhen?" Sun Kui did not quite understand the Emperor’s implication. The Emperor leaned back, placing his legs on the imperial table, crossed his hands over his abdomen, and said casually, "Didn’t you see the Crown Prince’s expression just now?" "The Crown Prince’s expression?" Sun Kui recalled it carefully and said blankly, "The Crown Prince’s expression was normal, nothing unusual." "I bestowed the younger daughter of Senior Official Kong to Prince Dai. What reaction do you think the Crown Prince has?" Sun Kui immediately understood the Emperor’s meaning but dared not say, "This..." The Crown Prince should have been very angry and resentful, yet just now he remained very calm as if nothing had happened. That was most irregular. The Emperor squinted with a smile, swinging his legs, and said, "There’s an interesting show ahead." Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, isn’t your attitude of watching a spectacle somewhat inappropriate?