Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 106 The Road to Becoming a Favored Minister
royal palace.

"Nephew greets His Majesty the Empress."

When Wang Xi saw Empress Wang, he immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully. As he lowered his head, he glanced around with his peripheral vision, but unfortunately, he did not notice anything unusual.

"No need for such formalities, sparrow."

Empress Wang said somewhat embarrassedly, "I hope your aunt's sudden summons won't interfere with your studies."

Wang Xi quickly replied, "No, our academy is currently adjusting its curriculum, so there's not much to do."

"Won't that disturb your rest?" Empress Wang asked with concern.

"How could that be? My nephew is so young, he has so much energy he doesn't need to rest at all."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Actually, I've been missing the Empress Auntie lately. How has the Empress Auntie been doing lately?"

Empress Wang was deeply moved and said, "I am living a life of luxury here, so there is no need for you to worry about me. However, His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately, and I feel a bit bored. I have also heard everyone talking about Dream of the Red Chamber, so I called you here to tell me about Dream of the Red Chamber to relieve my boredom. Would you like to come?"

The emperor must be here. Wang Xi's eyes flickered a few times, but he said, "So Aunt wants to hear about Dream of the Red Chamber. That's easy. I'll tell you now."

Based on his understanding of Empress Wang, he would never summon Wang Xi to the palace just because he wanted to hear about Dream of the Red Chamber.

Because Empress Wang was the kind of woman who was very strict with herself and adhered to etiquette.

"Alright!" Empress Wang nodded.

Wang Xi immediately began telling Empress Wang about the Dream of the Red Chamber.

You should know that he is the mastermind behind it all, and a professional at that. He either doesn't talk about it at all, or when he does, it's much more interesting than what Cui Gu'er and the others have said. Moreover, this time he used all his strength and didn't hold back.

Empress Wang listened with great interest.

After an unknown amount of time, Empress Wang noticed that Wang Xi had suddenly fallen silent. "Que'er, why are you not talking? Are you thirsty?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Nephew is a little thirsty, but the story is finished."

"Finished?"

Empress Wang asked curiously, "This is clearly not the end of the story!"

Wang Xi said, "That's because you haven't finished writing it yet, and that's all I know."

Empress Wang's eyes flickered as she said, "But I've heard that the Master has also written some, but he hasn't finished revising them yet. Do you know about this?"

"Uh."

Wang Xi scratched his head and said, "Nephew...nephew knows a little bit, but...but the master has rules that I can't say!"

Empress Wang feigned displeasure and said, "Not even my aunt is acceptable?"

"Auntie, what is this?"

Wang Xi hesitated for a while, then nodded and said, "If Aunt wants to hear it, of course I'm willing to tell you. But please, Aunt, don't spread this around. If the teacher finds out, he will blame me."

Empress Wang laughed and said, "Auntie is in the palace, who can she talk to?"

"That's true."

Wang Xi had a sudden thought and whispered, "Actually, it's only you, Aunt. Even if His Majesty asks, I won't tell. Please don't tell His Majesty."

Before the words were finished, a voice came from behind the curtain: "You, Wang Xiaoque, do you think my uncle is so worthless to you that you have to keep it a secret from him?"

But then a figure emerged from behind the curtain; it was none other than Li Longji.

"His Majesty!"

Wang Xi was secretly delighted, but he pretended to be surprised and looked at Empress Wang. The pain of being betrayed was evident in his expression.

Empress Wang also felt very guilty and scolded, "Your Majesty, why did you come out!"

"I only realized today that my uncle-in-law means absolutely nothing to Que'er," Li Longji said, stepping forward with a look of grievance.

Wang Xi lowered his head, remaining silent, looking like he was accepting the punishment.

Empress Wang quickly explained, "Your Majesty, Que'er is one too!"

"I know that he only has you, his aunt, in his heart."

Li Longji was quite jealous, and then said to Wang Xi, "But Wang Xiaoque, I won't listen to your story for nothing today. Your father didn't want that job, so I'll give it to him as payment."

Empress Wang's face lit up with joy, but Wang Xi muttered under his breath, "What does my father have to do with me?"

Li Longji chuckled, "You little rascal, you really are something!"

Empress Wang grew anxious and spoke first: "Que'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and thank the Emperor for his grace."

Wang Xi thought to herself, "Aunt, I can't thank you like this. If I do, it might give me away."

"Hey!"

Li Longji stopped Empress Wang and then asked Wang Xi, "What do you want?"

After the previous brawl at the Imperial Academy and the portrait incident, Li Longji's impression of Wang Xi was that of a simple-minded boy who was only close to his aunt.

He didn't care, since it wasn't the first time.

Wang Xi said, "I don't want anything. If Aunt wants to hear it, or if His Majesty wants to hear it, then... then Que'er will naturally comply."

Li Longji was both amused and annoyed, and said, "It seems that my uncle really has no weight. Oh well, I'll just consider today as me benefiting from the Empress's favor. Please continue."

After saying that, he shamelessly sat down next to Empress Wang.

I'm so confused!

He actually really likes this kind of thing!
The reason he didn't agree to Li Qiao's suggestion at the time wasn't because of any sensitive issues. In fact, although that job was a position with real power, it wasn't anything special, which was the main reason why Wang Xi felt he could take it.

That really was just a small job.

However, given the situation at the time, Li Longji knew that it was almost impossible to continue listening to Dream of the Red Chamber. The only way was to bring Wang Xi to the palace through Empress Wang to tell him the story. This was to keep Wang Xi in check and give him spoilers.

What a clever old fox!

After taking a sip of water, Wang Xi continued speaking. While listening from behind the curtain, Li Longji had already felt that this young man's eloquence far surpassed that of Cui Gu'er and the others, bringing each character to life. Now, he listened with rapt attention, completely absorbed. Even Empress Wang hadn't expected Li Longji to be so fond of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

Although she enjoyed listening to it, she found it merely entertaining and not obsessive.

Ultimately, there is an insurmountable gap in their cultural literacy.

Wang Xi was prepared, and after only giving away two spoilers, he said, "This time it's really over."

Surprisingly, Li Longji did not further exploit her, but instead exclaimed: "Her eyebrows are like wisps of smoke, neither frowning nor smiling; her eyes are like dewdrops, neither weeping nor smiling. How wonderful! How beautifully written!"

Then he asked Wang Xi, "Lin Daiyu's illness hasn't gotten better. Will she die?"

Wang Xi said, "This kid doesn't know much either; the story isn't finished yet."

Li Longji immediately said, "I want her to live."

"Ah?" Wang Xi said, "Your Majesty, this was not written by me."

Li Longji then said, "Then you should go and talk to the master."

Wang Xi hesitated, "Your Majesty, the gentleman is a bit eccentric and dislikes interference from others. I'm afraid..."

"That's true."

Li Longji nodded and said, "It's better not to mention it, lest the master be unhappy and write something inappropriate, which would be a loss!"

"Yes, yes."

Wang Xi nodded.

But still not satisfied, Li Longji continued, "Que'er, I heard from the master that you are extremely accomplished in music, and that conducting was also your idea."

"It's alright, it's alright," Wang Xi said with a rather smug smile.

Li Longji said, "Then could you show it to your uncle and aunt?"

"no problem."

Wang Xi said, "Your Majesty..."

"There are no outsiders here, just call me uncle."

"Oh, Uncle!"

Wang Xi was very perceptive and excitedly said, "Uncle, you don't know this, but what the teacher really cares about is the vivid teaching method. So he wrote a lot of pieces, and I have been assisting him all along. One of them is 'Farewell My Concubine,' which is very well written and I like it very much."

"Farewell My Concubine?"

Li Longji was pleasantly surprised, but in his heart he thought, "So this kid likes to be praised."

He absolutely refused to reveal anything when I asked him to, but after I praised him a couple of times, he spilled all his secrets.

Wang Xi said, "It's about the story of Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, and Yu Ji."

Li Longji's eyes lit up and he immediately said, "If Que'er likes it, it must be a good song. Then sing it quickly."

Empress Wang, standing to the side, was both amused and exasperated. How could the dignified ruler of a nation be flattering a mere boy?

That's really rare.

Wang Xi suddenly picked up the chopsticks on the table and tapped the porcelain bowl on it.

Clang clang clang.

Upon seeing this, Empress Wang quickly said, "Que'er, don't be rude."

"It's alright! It's alright!"

Li Longji immediately became anxious. As soon as he heard the tune, he knew there was something fishy about it. He quickly stopped Empress Wang and said to Wang Xi, "Continue, continue. Uncle, listen."

"Hey!"

Wang Xi began to sing as he played the percussion instruments, “I urge the king to drink wine and listen to the Yu song.”

Li Longji nodded slightly at first, but as he listened, he began to shake his head and sway. The story of Xiang Yu and Yu Ji really suited his taste, because he also had a passionate side. However, he did not know that he would eventually reach that point, but he died a very pathetic death. Later generations not only did not regret it, but also felt that he died too late.

The more he listened, the more fascinated he became. Not satisfied, he unconsciously picked up his chopsticks and started tapping along with the rhythm.

Wang Xi suddenly stopped and asked in confusion, "Uncle, how come you know this too? Did your teacher mention it to you?"

Li Longji was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "I just learned it. I'm so glad I tried to use it on the spot. I hope you won't laugh at me."

“Learn and apply right away?”

Wang Xi said with great frustration, "Could it be that my uncle's talent is higher than mine? I've been learning for two or three days, but my uncle only needed to listen for a short while to learn it."

His tone was filled with disappointment.

Li Longji was overjoyed; the flattery was so subtle and seamless. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Not yet mastered, not yet mastered. Haha!"

Wang Xi's eyes darted around and he said, "In that case, let's start over."

Li Longji glanced at Wang Xi and said with a half-smile, "Que'er, do you perhaps want to have a competition with your uncle?"

Wang Xi retorted, unconvinced, "The master said that I am the most talented."

Li Longji laughed and said, "Alright, let's start over."

The two of them each had a chopstick in their hand, and they started singing again from the beginning.

Wang Xi certainly had talent, otherwise he wouldn't have become the "King of Scrolls," but it must be admitted that Li Longji's talent in this area was the kind that only one in a hundred years could come.

The two secretly competed, singing back and forth.

The most embarrassed person was Empress Wang, the only woman present, who was completely ignored by the two men.

This is a huge blow to my self-esteem!

(End of this chapter)