Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 139 Bribery? Charity?
"this."

Empress Wang glanced at the pearl necklace, and while pleasantly surprised, she also asked with great curiosity, "This necklace looks quite expensive. Que'er, where did you get this? Is it your mother's?"

“No.” Wang Xi shook his head and then said truthfully, “It was given to me by several Japanese envoys. When I saw this necklace, I immediately thought of my aunt.”

Empress Wang grew increasingly curious as she listened, "Then why did the Japanese envoy send you gifts?"

Li Longji also looked at Wang Xi with a puzzled expression.

Wang Xi said, "Oh, they wanted to attend the charity gala, so they asked me to get them a seat, and that's why they gave me this necklace."

"Isn't this tantamount to accepting a bribe?" Empress Wang was immediately flustered. She glanced at Li Longji instinctively and saw him holding a wine cup, drinking alone without any expression. She hurriedly asked, "So you agreed?"

"No!"

Wang Xi innocently said, "I don't have that authority, but they promised that even if it can't be done, we don't have to refund it, so why not take it?"

"puff!"

Li Longji immediately spat out a mouthful of wine and couldn't help but chuckle.

Wang Xi asked, puzzled, "Why is my uncle laughing?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Li Longji waved his hand repeatedly, this was the first time he had seen someone accept gifts so simply.

However, he did not intend to lecture Wang Xi. He still hoped not to be too serious in front of Wang Xi, lest the boy be frightened and they could not enjoy playing music together in the future.

Of course, he didn't think this was the right thing to do either, but he figured he'd leave the education to his aunt and just watch from the sidelines.

Empress Wang was speechless for a moment, but seeing that Li Longji didn't seem to care, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Even so, you shouldn't accept this gift. They are accepting a bribe. Your aunt will let it go this time because you are young. You should return the necklace immediately."

"Bribery?" Wang Xi hurriedly said, "Auntie, Que'er is doing good deeds!"

"Doing good deeds?"

Empress Wang said in surprise.

Li Longji also turned his head to look at Wang Xi.

"Ok!"

Wang Xi said in a serious tone: "At the time, Que'er was thinking that this charity gala had two main purposes. First, it was for charity, and second, it was to promote the culture of our Great Tang Dynasty. They wanted to donate money and wanted to learn about the culture of our Great Tang Dynasty, so of course we had to agree."

Empress Wang asked, "What does this have to do with you accepting this necklace?"

Wang Xi said, "Of course it's related. Aunt, have you thought about how to get those foreign guests to donate money for this charity gala?"

Empress Wang shook her head and said, "This aunt does not know."

Wang Xi said, "We need to organize some activities to create a lively atmosphere. I have an idea: the palace can take out some items for auction and let the envoys from various countries compete for the highest bid."

As the Empress of our Great Tang Dynasty, my aunt naturally has to take the lead in doing good deeds. I know she doesn't have much jewelry, so I thought I'd give her this necklace. Then, she can donate it to a charity gala in the name of charity, have it auctioned off, and donate the proceeds to the people. Isn't that doing good deeds?

Empress Wang was almost confused by Wang Xi's words. After a while, she finally understood and immediately said, "Don't talk nonsense. As the Empress, how could my aunt not even have some jewelry? Even if she really doesn't, it's none of your business. In short, it's wrong of you to accept gifts from others."

Seeing that he couldn't fool her, Wang Xi suddenly said, "Actually, my uncle also had a share in this necklace."

Li Longji, caught in the crossfire, asked, "What does this have to do with me?"

Wang Xi said, "If my uncle hadn't agreed, how could the Japanese envoy have entered the charity banquet? This is my way of giving this to my aunt on behalf of my uncle."

Is this okay?

Li Longji found it both amusing and exasperating to hear him arguing so illogically. However, considering that he hadn't given Empress Wang a gift in a long time, he laughed and said, "It's rare for Que'er to show such filial piety and kindness. Empress, please accept it. Consider it my way of offering a gift to the Buddha."

Wang Xi cursed inwardly, "You scumbag! Even when you're giving a gift, you have to use someone else's money to present it to someone else."

Empress Wang said, "How can this be done?"

Li Longji said, "If I say it's okay, then it's okay. I originally entrusted this matter to the Court of State Ceremonial, so there weren't many regulations. Even if there's one more Japanese envoy, it won't make a difference."

He didn't care about charity at all; his mind was entirely on opera.

Empress Wang frowned and said, "But this necklace was given to Que'er by the Japanese envoy. If we donate it in my name, wouldn't that be..."

After hearing this, Li Longji also felt that something was amiss.

The Japanese envoy will be present at that time.

Wang Xi said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, Aunt. You are the Empress of our Great Tang Dynasty. Once this necklace passes through your hands, it will be a completely different thing. Its price can increase several times, or even ten times."

Li Longji asked curiously, "Really? Those foreign envoys are all very knowledgeable. They can tell the price at a glance. Don't be so presumptuous here."

Wang Xi snorted, "Uncle, don't look down on people. Even if you give me a piece of cloth, I can sell it for tens of thousands of coins."

Seeing the boy's smug look, Li Longji nodded and smiled, "Alright! Then your uncle will donate a piece of cloth, and you can sell it for tens of thousands of coins and show your uncle."

Wang Xi blinked. "You don't even know what exaggeration is? You're actually donating a piece of cloth!"

Li Longji certainly wouldn't act recklessly like that. He just wanted to test this kid's arrogance, since the kid had just dragged him into the mess. He chuckled and said, "Now that you admit you're being arrogant, can your uncle retract his order?"

Wang Xi had a sudden thought. If he couldn't even handle this little bit of difficulty, how could he be a favored minister? He said, "Why should I admit it? As long as my uncle dares to donate, I can sell it for a sky-high price."

Seeing that the young man was still not giving in, Li Longji got a little angry and said, "Fine. It's a deal."

Empress Wang was completely bewildered and said, "Your Majesty, this is a diplomatic matter, not a child's play."

Wang Xi said, "Aunt, don't worry. I will not only sell it for a sky-high price, but I will also make them cherish it as a treasure and be grateful for Uncle's kindness."

"Look! It seems we really underestimated the sparrow's abilities."

Seeing how arrogant this young man was, Li Longji immediately made the decision: "It's settled then."

Wang Xi said, "A gentleman's word is his bond."

Li Longji laughed and said, "A journey of a thousand miles cannot be overtaken."

As they chatted, Li Longji became increasingly interested in the charity gala and couldn't help but ask, "So this is what a charity banquet is all about? I thought it was just about asking them to donate some money."

"That's so boring, and it's also without any legitimate reason!"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Since we're holding a charity banquet in the palace, Uncle and Aunt should naturally take the lead. So I came up with this idea: Uncle and Aunt can donate some things and let the envoys from various countries rob them. All the money they get can be donated to the people. This way, it won't seem extravagant and wasteful, and it will show Uncle and Aunt's benevolence and let the people know that Uncle and Aunt care about them."

"That makes sense, that makes sense."

Li Longji nodded in agreement. This was indeed a good point. Back then, he had made a bold statement, and therefore he had always been very frugal when holding banquets in the palace, for fear of being accused of using charity as a pretext for holding banquets. Who would dare to say that? He then said, "Then, Uncle, you are only donating a piece of cloth. Doesn't that seem a bit stingy?"

With such a grand and high-class affair, does he, as the emperor, really intend to donate a piece of cloth?
"Uncle, don't worry."

Wang Xi patted his chest and assured, "I will never let the Emperor suffer any loss."

As he spoke, his eyes flickered, "However, Uncle could add a finishing touch." Li Longji asked, "A finishing touch?"

Wang Xi said, "It is my uncle's calligraphy."

Li Longji asked, "Calligraphy?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Our Wuming Academy is also a participant in this banquet, and according to etiquette, we should donate some items. After the teacher's consideration, we decided to donate a copy of the Dream of the Red Chamber. If Uncle is willing to write a poem on it, we can promote the culture of our Great Tang Dynasty and raise more money at the same time."

Li Longji also loved poetry and had written quite a few works. Thinking about how they would fight over his calligraphy, he was secretly looking forward to it and said with delight, "Que'er's idea is great!"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "When it comes to making money, uh, when it comes to doing good deeds, I've studied it all."

Li Longji laughed heartily, "Is that so? Alright then, I'll leave this charity banquet to you, Uncle."

Empress Wang was shocked and said, "How can this be allowed?"

Li Longji chuckled and said, "I find the ideas that Que'er came up with very interesting and I am also looking forward to them. They are much better than those of the Court of State Ceremonial. Besides, there is Prince Sipu helping us from behind."

Empress Wang felt somewhat relieved when she thought of Prince Sipu.

Li Longji suddenly asked again, "By the way! Was the opera performed at the charity gala 'Dream of the Red Chamber'?"

"no!"

Wang Xi said, "Dream of the Red Chamber is too long to be performed in a single episode. Foreign guests may not be able to understand it. Therefore, you have decided to write another story and then adapt it into a play."

Li Longji asked expectantly, "What is the story?"

Wang Xi said, "A love story."

"A love story?"

Li Longji was extremely excited, "Que'er, quickly tell your uncle what the love story is."

Wang Xi said, "It is the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai recorded in the 'Ten Roads and Four Barbarian Regions Records'."

"The Butterfly Lovers?"

Li Longji thought for a while before saying, "I remember now, there is such a story."

Wang Xi said, "This story was created by our ancestors and best represents the culture of the Central Plains. However, you will improve the story to make it more exciting. I am sure you will not disappoint my uncle."

Li Longji nodded and smiled, "Very good, very good, I look forward to your good show."

After discussing this matter, Li Longji asked Wang Xi to tell him about Dream of the Red Chamber. After listening, they were still not satisfied, so the two played music together, this time with Li Longji's latest composition.

This really tests one's skills. Previously, all the pieces played were by Wang Xi, so Wang Xi had an advantage.

Fortunately, Wang Xi is already quite good at this, and he has even more experience, especially in music arrangement.

Li Longji was always delighted with his suggestions, and then played them again based on Wang Xi's arrangement.

He had originally planned to have another dance exchange with Wang Xi, but because Empress Wang sat there so formally, Li Longji was too reserved and only talked about it without actually dancing.

The two of them played until late at night before reluctantly letting the person go.

Although Empress Wang did not join them in their games, she also refrained from offering any dissenting advice that might displease Li Longji. Li Longji was currently very diligent in his duties, rarely taking a day or two off, but whenever he did, he would immediately summon Wang Xi to the palace, demonstrating just how much he favored her.

After today, the Nameless Academy will officially go into seclusion for cultivation, with teachers and students devoting themselves wholeheartedly to the arrangement of the new play.

First and foremost, of course, is to write the story down.

The story was actually written long ago, but it still needed to be polished by Huangfu Sengnian.

After writing it down, the first thing he did was show it to the female protagonist, Hongxiu.

Compared to the shock that "Dream of the Red Chamber" brought to Hongxiu, "The Butterfly Lovers" brought her more of a sense of being moved.

Her eyes were red and swollen, and you could even hear faint sobs.

It must be said that this story resonated deeply with Hongxiu.

This involves the hardships women face in pursuing education, as well as class issues, and Hongxiu has deep feelings about both of these. When she first came to Wuming Academy to become a teacher, she also suffered great criticism, and some people even came to the door to verbally attack her.

Finally, Hongxiu couldn't hold back her tears. She quickly took out a silk handkerchief, wiped her tears, and said to Tao Mo, "Hongxiu couldn't control her emotions for a moment, please forgive her, sir."

Tao Mo said, "Hong Niangzi is so affectionate and sincere, how could this old man laugh at her?"

Hongxiu composed herself and said, "The story you adapted, sir, is so moving that I can't put it down."

Tao Mo smiled and said, "If Hong Niangzi likes it, that's good. After all, Hong Niangzi will be playing the role of Zhu Yingtai. If this role can move Hong Niangzi, then she will be able to perform it more effectively."

Hongxiu then remembered that she was the female lead and had to have such a heart-wrenching love story with Wang Xiaoque. Her cheeks flushed red, and she felt very embarrassed.

Wang family.

"These are our family's merchants in various places. Please take a look, sir."

Uncle Fu, who had not appeared for a long time, handed a list to Wang Shouyi.

Wang Shouyi took it, read it, and then asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Uncle Fu pondered for a moment and said, "Many of them do business not in the name of the Wang family, and this matter is likely to offend the local landlords. If we let them take over this matter directly, it may affect our business. Therefore, in my opinion, we can choose someone else to go, and they can provide support in secret."

Wang Shou nodded and said, "That's what I think too. You should hurry up and find some suitable people."

This time, the An Ye Bureau will use the name of the Wuming Academy to help hidden households return to their registered residence in various places. In this way, they can avoid the complicated network of relationships, but Wang Shouyi must also select his own people.

Fortunately, the Wang family was large and had businesses in various places. In addition, there was also the Huangfu family there, so there was not too much difficulty.

Just then, a servant came to the door and said, "My lord, the envoy from Nanzhao has sent a letter."

Wang Shouyi was taken aback. "Nanzhao? I have no connection with the Nanzhao envoys."

The servant said, "This invitation is for the young master."

"what?"

Wang Shouyi hurriedly asked, "Could it be that Que'er has caused trouble outside again?"

Uncle Fu asked curiously, "If he had caused trouble, why would he have sent a letter?"

The servant nodded and said, "They also brought some gifts."

"Gift?"

Hearing someone speaking outside the door, Princess Xue walked out from the side and looked at Wang Shouyi.

Wang Shouyi was also completely bewildered.

(End of this chapter)