The convoy from Wei State stopped at the post station in the capital of Jin State.
From a distance, they could see a group of horses waiting at the entrance of the post station as Qi Shao, Wei Chao, and others disembarked from their carriages.
“I greet His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Wei, and His Highness, the Crown Prince of Jìn,” the Minister of Rites of Jìn State, who was tasked with welcoming the Crown Prince of Wei, hurriedly approached as they got off the carriages.
Qi Shao looked at Wei Chao and pointed to the official in a gauzy hat before them, “This is our current Minister of Rites, Lord Liu.”
“Lord Liu, thank you for waiting here,” Wei Chao smiled faintly. “The snow on the road delayed our carriage for a while.”
“Has His Majesty, the Emperor of Jìn, summoned us today?” Qi Wei asked.
Minister Liu shook his head and said, “Your Royal Highness has traveled a long way through wind and snow. His Majesty understands the hardships of your journey, so he has graciously allowed you all to rest at the post station for now. He will receive you tomorrow.”
“The post station has already been prepared, and it’s snowing outside. Your Royal Highness, please come inside and warm up by the fire.”
Qi Shao couldn’t stay at the post station, so after bidding farewell to Wei Chao, he, along with Zheng Er and others, first went to the ancestral temple to offer incense to his late father, the former Emperor.
Qi Shao was deeply saddened when he first heard the news of Emperor Jin Yuan’s passing, but as time passed, the sorrow began to fade.
After expressing his regret for not seeing Emperor Jin Yuan one last time, Qi Shao continued to speak to the spirit tablet of Emperor Jin Yuan, recounting his experiences in Wei State at great length. Following the reminders from Zheng Er and the others, he left the ancestral temple once again, boarded a carriage, and headed towards the palace.
“Hey, Zheng Er,” Qi Shao, feeling a bit stifled alone in the carriage, opened the curtain and began chatting with the coachman, “Do you think this time Uncle Chen will confer some kind of prince title on me? He has already ascended to the throne; I can’t keep being just a crown prince, can I?”
Before a Crown Prince of Jìn was titled, an untitled prince could only have one legal wife, two concubines, and various consorts. But being a titled prince was different. Titled princes could have one legal wife, four side consorts, and several consort consorts. If he were made a titled prince, the women in his harem would have a legitimate status.
Speaking of which, that woman, Du Hongdie, should be giving birth soon.
Qi Shao’s mood soured as he thought of this. The prospect of a child in Du Hongdie’s belly being potential evidence of his infidelity cast a shadow over their conversation.
“Crown Prince, we’ve reached the palace gate. It’s time to disembark,” the coachman announced.
Qi Shao snapped back to reality, pulled back the curtain, and got out of the carriage.
“Crown Prince, you have returned,” Lin Dahai, who was standing at the palace gate, greeted him with excitement. “His Majesty has sent me to welcome you.”
Surprisingly, even Uncle, the Emperor, remembered to send someone to receive him?
Qi Shao felt pleasantly surprised, and as he walked, he almost felt like he was walking on air as if he had been infused with newfound energy.
Inside the Hall of Diligence, Qi Heng was in a meeting with the Minister of Works.
Two attendants carried a large wooden box into the room, and upon opening it, revealed a pile of bricks inside.
“Is this the product you’ve created following that formula?” Qi Heng descended the steps and examined the contents of the box.
“The raw material process for these bricks is essentially the same as the blue bricks we use now. However, the production of blue bricks is complex, and they are expensive, making them unaffordable for the common people,” the Minister of Works said, his tone excited. “But with the recipe provided by Princess Yan’er, these bricks, though not as sturdy as blue bricks in terms of quality and hardness, have a simpler production process. With enough kilns, they can be produced continuously.”
Blue bricks are scarce and costly, and only the royal family can typically afford them. Most of Jìn State’s buildings are constructed with adobe bricks and wood. Even poorer households struggle to gather enough materials and often use materials like thatch and dung to build their homes.
Houses like that are basically not windproof, and during the winter, there are often cases of people freezing to death.
“How many of these bricks can the Ministry of Works produce in a day?” Qi Heng inquired.
“Your Majesty, I only had a small brick kiln set up temporarily. If we continue to burn bricks without pause, we can probably produce around two thousand in a day,” the Minister of Works replied.
The Minister of Works paused for a moment and continued, “Although they are not as durable as blue bricks, houses constructed with them can last for decades without issue. I believe it can benefit the common people.”
Qi Heng nodded, “In that case, after the Spring Festival, instruct the Ministry of Works to gather labor and build brick kilns.”
The Minister of Works was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, saying, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Qi Heng waved his hand, and the Minister of Works quickly got up, retrieving an item about the size of a palm, wrapped in yellow paper, from the box.
“Your Majesty, this is a semi-finished product made using a recipe of lime, coal ash, and gypsum,” he explained, carefully unwrapping the paper as he spoke.
“Please have a look, Your Majesty.”
In the center of the paper was a lump of grayish substance.
“Is this the mud and lime?” Qi Heng pinched a bit between his fingers and rolled it, releasing a pungent lime smell.
“Yes, once mixed with water and sand, it can act as a binding agent, securely holding these bricks together,” the Minister of Works confirmed.
Qi Heng nodded thoughtfully. “I recall Yan’er mentioned that this mud and lime can also be used for flooring.”
The Minister of Works affirmed, “Indeed, Your Majesty. I have already used stones, mud, and lime to pave a stretch of road at the Ministry of Works, about ten meters long. If Your Majesty has the time, you can visit the Ministry to see.”
“I’ll make time to visit in the near future,” Qi Heng said as he wiped his fingers with the handkerchief handed to him by a palace attendant. “If Yan’er provides any more recipes, just follow them without needing to consult with me. However, ensure strict confidentiality. The recipes must not be leaked.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
As the Minister of Works knelt down, the voice of Qi Shao suddenly came from outside the door.
“Uncle, it’s me, Qi Shao, requesting an audience,” Qi Shao’s voice came from outside.
“Very well, all of you may withdraw,” Qi Heng waved his hand and instructed a eunuch to fetch the Crown Prince.
Qi Shao received permission and quickly entered the hall. He passed by the Minister of Works, and his gaze briefly lingered on the large box, piquing his curiosity.
But Qi Shao didn’t dare to ask.
“I greet Uncle,” Qi Shao bowed respectfully.
Qi Heng gave him a brief glance. “Have you returned to the Crown Prince’s residence?”
“Not yet,” Qi Shao quickly shook his head, fearing that Qi Heng might misunderstand. “I came back late because I delayed a bit at the ancestral temple, offering incense to my late father.”
“Your filial piety is commendable,” Qi Heng chuckled. “Since you haven’t returned to the Crown Prince’s residence yet, there’s no need to go back.”
Qi Shao was taken aback. Could it be that Qi Heng had such sinister intentions as to imprison him?
Qi Shao knelt on the ground with a thud, raising his hand as if to swear, “Uncle, by the conscience of heaven and earth, I truly never coveted the throne. The most I thought about on the way back was becoming a titled prince and having a few beautiful women!”
Qi Heng’s gaze turned rather peculiar. “Who told you that I would be wary of your aspirations for the throne?”
Of course, it was Wei Chao. On the way back, Wei Chao had warned him multiple times to be cautious about his words and actions, fearing that Qi Shao, as the legitimate Crown Prince, might be targeted by the ruthless Prince Chen. They didn’t want to give Prince Chen any reason to act against him.
Although Qi Shao believed he had no apparent vulnerabilities and didn’t see any reason for Qi Heng to be wary of him.
“If it’s not for that reason, then why do you intend to imprison me, Uncle?” Qi Shao asked humbly.
“Naturally, it’s to make you study,” Qi Heng replied nonchalantly. “I heard from Crown Prince Wei that you caused quite a commotion in Wei State, is that right?”
“It was just a matter of not being able to distinguish between roosters and hens. He’s the ruler of a whole country, and he actually filed a complaint?” Qi Shao replied in disbelief.
He was a prince, not a commoner tending to chickens and ducks. How was he supposed to know how to differentiate between male and female chickens?
“So, are you going to defy my orders?” Qi Heng’s tone turned icy. Qi Shao hesitated for a moment, but his pride won out. He mustered the courage to refuse, “I’m already an adult. I don’t want to study. If I go back to the Imperial Academy now, where will I put my face in front of my younger siblings?”
“This journey seems to have emboldened you,” Qi Heng sneered. “Whether you want to or not, you’re going. Your palace has been prepared, and you don’t need to return to the Crown Prince’s residence. Starting today, you’ll move there.”
Qi Shao’s mind raced. “My consort is pregnant, and I haven’t seen her since my return. Can you please let me go back to the Crown Prince’s residence?”
And besides, he had so many beautiful women there.
“There’s no need. I’ve already taken care of your women for you,” Qi Heng paused. “As for Du Hongdie, engaging in an illicit affair and bearing illegitimate offspring, are you sure you want to keep wearing this green hat?”
Qi Shao’s face turned green as if he had been dealt a massive blow. “All my beautiful women are gone!”
He had no hope of returning to the Crown Prince’s residence. It was better to stay in the palace, enjoying what Qi Heng had to offer, without worrying about expenses or responsibilities.
Yet, not achieving the position of a titled prince but being forced back to the Imperial Academy to study – was he not concerned about his dignity? He would become the only prince in Jìn State’s history who returned to the academy as an adult.
Qi Shao felt it was unacceptable, but when he met Qi Heng’s cold and merciless gaze, he didn’t dare say a word.
He could always bide his time. “I will inquire about your progress in your studies from time to time,” Qi Heng reminded him.
Qi Shao muttered to himself, “Wei Chao got me into this.”
The next day, Wei Chao, accompanied by several officials, entered the palace with the guidance of Jìn State’s officials.
Qi Heng had prepared the Jade Bright Hall for a banquet to receive the Wei State envoy. Upon hearing that the Wei State envoy had arrived, he nodded slightly, signaling Lin Dahai to announce their arrival.
“Announce, the Wei State envoy may enter.”
Qi Shao sat at the lower end of the hall, casting occasional puzzled glances at Qi Heng.
The eunuchs led the Wei State delegation into the grand hall.
“Wei Chao pays his respects to Emperor of Jìn,” Wei Chao bowed, holding a scroll in his hands, and approached the center to pay his respects. “My father has instructed me to present the coronation gift to the Emperor of Jìn.”
Lin Dahai stepped forward to receive the gift.
“Crown Prince Wei, there’s no need for excessive formality. Please, have a seat.”
The familiar, icy voice made Wei Chao instinctively raise his head to look up. The person on the dragon throne was wearing a crown and a bright yellow dragon robe. But that demeanor, that otherworldly countenance – he was undoubtedly, unmistakably, the…
Wei Chao was stunned. If he remembered correctly, the new Emperor of Jìn should not be the father of the Crown Prince, but rather, the ruthless Prince Chen, right?
Wei Chao double-checked his vision, making sure it wasn’t playing tricks on him. Although the man before him was no longer dressed in white like snow, there was no mistaking it – he was the Young Master Wang he had been thinking about not too long ago.
“Crown Prince…” The envoy behind Wei Chao was shocked to find his Crown Prince staring blankly at the Emperor of Jìn, and he suddenly felt his vision darken.
Qi Heng, noticing Wei Chao’s unrelenting gaze, knew that he had been recognized. He sighed in resignation.
“Young Master Wei, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed, a long while.”
The familiar address caused a taut string in Wei Chao’s mind to snap with a resounding twang.
At this moment, Wei Chao had only one thought in his mind.
Qi Shao had deceived him terribly.
