Chapter 28

Chapter 28: What a Waste

“This child is the son of Consort Number Five, the concubine of Magistrate Xu from the Xu Guo Mansion,” Mr. Xiao Mochi’s words echoed through the Imperial Study.

“Xu Guo Mansion, the son of the Fifth Consort?” Emperor Wu repeated, his tone tinged with disbelief.

Why was it always someone from the Xu Guo Mansion?

What kind of fortune had the Xu Guo Mansion obtained?

“Yes,” Xiao Mochi nodded.

Emperor Wu looked at the poem again, then frowned and his expression turned somewhat sour. “He’s a secondary son.”

How could such a talented child be a secondary son?

One hundred and fifty years ago, the previous emperor decreed that secondary sons could not participate in the imperial examinations and could not inherit family property.

Since then, the status of secondary sons has been extremely low, only slightly higher than the children of servants.

“Otherwise, when Qi offered him the position of ‘Chancellor’ back in the day, he wouldn’t have refused me out of fear that he would break easily.” The matter of secondary sons seems simple, but in reality…

Xiao Ke was momentarily stunned, unsure why His Majesty suddenly brought this up, but after pondering for a while, he seriously nodded. “If there are no unexpected events, he should be. After all, with a natural literary genius, there has only been one like him in thousands of years.”

“So what do you think? If I let Xu Ming join the welcoming delegation to receive those envoys from Qi, how does that sound?” Emperor Wu asked.

When Xiao Mochi walked out of the Imperial Study, Emperor Wu smiled and said to Xiao Ke, “Do you think Xiao Mochi is acting arrogantly because you’re the Empress, or does he think I like him so much that I can’t bear to punish him?”

“What a waste…”

“Mo Chi, you must be tired too, you may leave now.” Emperor Wu watched Xiao Mochi’s hesitant expression and waved his hand.

Their talents were on par with Mo Chi’s.

Listening to the Empress’s words, Emperor Wu tightly held onto the piece of paper, reading it over and over again.

Xiao Mochi wanted to say something more, but seeing his sister’s already reddened eyes, he could only remain silent.

Mr. Xiao later separately questioned Xu Ming about this matter.

Emperor Wu sighed.

“Absolutely true,” Wei chuckled, “At such a young age, this child already has such insight, truly remarkable. He will be extraordinary when he grows up.”

The Zhi Xing Academy was founded by someone Emperor Wu valued most, so naturally it wasn’t short of informants.

Emperor Wu silently stared at Xiao Mochi, speechless for a long time, and the atmosphere in the Imperial Study seemed to freeze.

Xiao Ke pinched her younger brother’s sleeve, but Xiao Mochi still shook his head:

“…” Emperor Wu’s fingers continuously rubbed against the memorial.

The imperial examination was a path to success; if we limit the imperial examination, how many people will be buried?”

Behind Emperor Wu, the Empress was startled, her face turning pale.

“That’s right… He’s a secondary son.”

The more he looked at the name “Xu Ming,” the more he liked it.

Everyone has hope, everyone has a chance to turn their situation around.

“Your Majesty…” Xiao Ke’s face showed difficulty, “He’s a secondary son.”

If such a person could be raised by my side since childhood…

“Ke’er, two years from now, Qi will send an envoy to visit our Wu Kingdom. Do you think they’ll bring that child with the natural literary genius?” Emperor Wu asked.

Wei chuckled, “If Your Majesty cares about Xu Ming, old servant here has an interesting story to tell.”

Xiao Mochi bowed deeply, knowing further words would be futile, thus deciding to leave.

The Ting Feng Pavilion oversees all officials, even commoners, big or small matters, all汇总ed, and if important, would be delivered to Emperor Wu.

But Xiao Mochi still looked like he had much more to say.

“This information comes from the Ting Feng Pavilion.”

“Since Mo Chi has spoken, there’s no taking it back now.”

“Mo Chi, I allow you to retract your previous statement,” Emperor Wu said gravely.

“Your Majesty, Mo Chi has read himself into confusion. Please don’t take it to heart. If you wish to punish, please punish me instead.”

Even among Mo Chi’s two friends from Qi at the White Deer Academy, both were children of courtesans.

The status of secondary sons and children born to lower classes is almost indistinguishable, some even worse.

“I request to amend the laws of Wu Dynasty — regardless of whether they are secondary sons or children of lower classes, all children should be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.”

Xu Ming also participated in this fight.

Xiao Ke approached Emperor Wu, bowed her head lowly, “Mo Chi is youthful and passionate. Please don’t hold it against him. But regardless, Mo Chi truly has the best interests of the Wu Kingdom at heart, without any second thoughts.”

“I know.”

Speaking, Wei handed over a folded document.

“Your Majesty…” Wei outside the door quickly entered the Imperial Study.

Emperor Wu looked at Xiao Mochi, chuckled softly twice, “Even if I didn’t let you speak, would you have remained silent? Speak, what is it?”

In Qi, whether merchant’s sons or even courtesan’s sons, all are eligible to participate in the imperial examinations. Qi’s literary prosperity is known throughout the world.

“Shut up!” Xiao Ke shouted anxiously, “Mo Chi, do you know what you’re saying?!”

Xiao Ke quickly approached her younger brother’s side, kneeling before Emperor Wu, “Your Majesty, Mo Chi is full of scholarly vigor, just graduated from the White Deer Academy, and doesn’t understand many things. Please forgive him!”

“Go let the Ting Feng Pavilion gather information about the fifth consort’s son from the Xu Guo Mansion — Xu Ming.” Emperor Wu ordered.

Xiao Ke bowed again to Emperor Wu.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xiao Ke sighed in relief, slowly standing up.

“It’s an honor for Mo Chi to make Your Majesty worry so much,” Xiao Ke quickly interjected.

Looking at the records about the dialogue between Xiao Mochi and Xu Ming on the document, Emperor Wu revealed even more surprise in his eyes: “This child actually read ‘Wu Dynasty Law’? Is he really five?”

Emperor Wu shook his head, “Stand up. From now on, Mo Chi, don’t mention this matter again. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

As he spoke, Emperor Wu closed his mouth and shook his head.

“Oh? Tell me about it.”

Emperor Wu closed the white paper and sighed, his expression filled with helplessness.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate or not,” Xiao Mochi bowed deeply.

“Yes, Mo Chi withdraws,”

Xiao Mochi’s voice reverberated through the Imperial Study.

Wei naturally heard all the conversations inside the room.

However, Your Majesty, guess what? Xu Ming asked what rank the father of the opponent was, and upon hearing it was the Ministry of War, he then proceeded to act.

Emperor Wu mumbled to himself.

“How could he be a secondary son?”