Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 140 Cut off the beard
Rare!
That's really a rare thing!
Both Wang Shouyi and Princess Xue were completely baffled.

What kind of act is this all about?!

If it were envoys coming to complain, they could understand it; it was perfectly normal. But these envoys coming to give gifts to Wang Xi was something they really couldn't understand.

When asked, the person who posted the invitation also did not know why.

There was nothing they could do but wait for Wang Xi to return.

Of course, they didn't accept the gift; they wouldn't dare accept it so casually. They had the person who sent the invitation take it back with them.

Wang Xi has been working hard to rehearse the new opera with Hongxiu recently. To be honest, the time is a bit tight. They also have to compose music and select supporting actors. They rehearse from morning till night. It wasn't until after curfew that Wang Xi dragged his tired body home.

As soon as he entered the house, Wang Shouyi called him to the back room.

"Que'er, what have you been busy with lately?" Princess Xue asked with a serious expression.

Seeing his parents' unusually serious expressions, Wang Xi felt a little uneasy. What had happened? He nervously replied, "I've been rehearsing for drama at the academy lately, and I haven't caused any trouble!"

Princess Xue asked, "Really?"

Wang Xi nodded. "It's true. I wouldn't dare lie to my mother."

"Bastard!"

Wang Shouyi suddenly slammed his hand on the table, pointed at Wang Xi, and said, "Even now, you still won't admit it?"

Wang Xi was startled and asked in a panic, "What should I admit?"

I was also wondering to myself, out of all my secrets, which ones did they actually know?
Wang Shouyi said, "They have already delivered the gifts to your residence, and you are still making excuses here."

"Gifts? What gifts? What are you trying to deny now?" Wang Xi was completely confused. Did he have this secret?

Princess Xue said, "The Nanzhao envoy sent a letter and gifts, specifically asking for you. How could you not know?"

"An envoy from Nanzhao?"

Wang Xi blinked, then suddenly realized, "Damn it, I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot about this. It seems Chen Haihong did a good job." She breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, so that's what it is! They must be looking for me, asking for seats at the charity banquet."

Princess Xue was even more curious after hearing this, "Then why were you chosen for a seat at the charity banquet?"

Wang Shouyi said, "That's right, it's more reliable to ask me than to ask you."

Wang Xi scratched his head and said, "I may have forgotten to mention that His Majesty has entrusted me with the entire charity gala."

"What did you say?" Wang Shouyi was taken aback.

Wang Xi said in a serious tone, "His Majesty has entrusted me with the management of the charity gala."

"Why?"

Princess Xue exclaimed in surprise.

"Because the main events of this year's charity banquet are opera and auction, but those officials don't understand them, so they all left it to my son to handle."

"impossible!"

Wang Shouyi said, "If that's the case, even if you forgot to mention it, I have no reason not to know."

Wang Xi said, "That's right. I'm just a student after all. How could His Majesty openly entrust me with this task? So, on the surface, this matter will still be handled by my uncle, but in reality, it will be managed by me."

Wang Shouyi and Princess Xue both gasped.

You want Prince Sipu to be your assistant, you brat?

All I can say is that Li Longji was incredibly bold to entrust such a state banquet to Wang Xi. What kind of spell did that guy cast on Li Longji?

Are there any extra?
I'll go and have a mouthful too.

Princess Xue found it unbelievable, but she also knew that no matter how muddle-headed Wang Xi was, he wouldn't dare to lie about this. So she said, "If that's really the case, then we absolutely cannot accept this gift."

Wang Xi hurriedly said, "Mother, don't worry, His Majesty knows about this gift and has allowed me to accept it."

"???"

Princess Xue became increasingly confused as she listened.

Wang Shouyi asked incredulously, "You mean, His Majesty allowed you to accept bribes?"

Wang Xi quickly said, "Father, you can't say that. I'm just a student. On the surface, my uncle is in charge. As long as my uncle didn't take the money, it doesn't count as bribery!"

Is that right?

Wang Shouyi was a little confused. I am illiterate, but I am not stupid.

Princess Xue frowned and said, "You child, stop going in circles. Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Mother, actually, these gifts are all donations, not bribes. The money will be donated to our charity, and I don't want it."

According to tradition, not everyone can attend this banquet; sending gifts is merely giving them a reason to participate.

"I see."

Princess Xue nodded and muttered to herself, "But this concerns national diplomacy, how can we be so hasty?"

Wang Xi said, "Mother, you can't say that. This charity banquet isn't a formal occasion for the New Year's Day court assembly, and the theme is charity. Just think of it as them donating some money to buy seats. What's wrong with that?"

Princess Xue shook her head helplessly. She couldn't agree, but she was powerless to do anything about it. After all, it was Li Longji's arrangement. She could only gently instruct him, "Since His Majesty has allowed it, then... then your mother can't interfere. However, you must be careful and not cause any trouble. It's best to consult your uncle on everything first."

"Oh."

However, there was one person who was even more perplexed than Princess Xue and Wang Shouyi.

This person is Li Linfu.

It turns out that he was the one who ordered the news about the charity banquet to be leaked, because he knew that many envoys came to Chang'an to curry favor with the emperor, whether in economic, political, or military matters.

They all have something they want.

The banquet would be of extraordinary significance if the emperor attended. He reasoned that the envoys would surely come to curry favor with him, and he could use this opportunity to make a name for himself in the court. Moreover, he knew that the emperor was extremely fond of opera, and if he could organize it well, he would surely gain the emperor's favor.

This is of utmost importance to him.

But several days have passed since the news was released, and no one has come looking for him.

Could it be that I miscalculated, and none of the envoys wanted to attend this charity banquet?

This is impossible!

"Reporting to Master, I have already found out."

The servant hurried into the hall, panting, and said, "So all those envoys went to the royal family to give gifts."

"Wang family?"

Li Linfu was taken aback. "Is it the Duke of Qi?"

"Yes."

The servant nodded and added, "No, they all went to give gifts to the young master of the Wang family."

"Wang Xiaoque?"

Li Linfu exclaimed in surprise, "Are those envoys crazy, going to give gifts to a little kid?"

The servant said, "It is said that the Japanese envoys happened to meet the young master of the Wang family at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and asked him for a seat. The young master of the Wang family agreed, and as a result, the other envoys all went to give gifts."

"That's unreasonable!"

Li Linfu slammed his fist on the table in anger, saying, "That Wang Xiaoque is outrageous! He's only a teenager, yet he dares to use the charity banquet as a pretext to accept bribes. How can he be allowed to make such a decision? No, I have to talk to the Prince. This can't be allowed!"

He didn't actually dare to accept the money; he just wanted to use it to improve his status and make a name for himself, but he never expected that Wang Xi would intercept him halfway.

He was in a hurry to go out.

But as soon as he opened the door, he saw Li Qiao.

"Your Majesty?"

"What? Are you going out?" Li Qiao asked curiously, noticing his hurried demeanor.

Li Linfu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "This humble official...this humble official was just about to go to see the Prince."

Li Qiao asked, "What is it?"

"that is.!"

Li Linfu suddenly looked around and then said, "Your Highness, please come inside, please come inside."

We entered the hall.

Li Linfu then said, "Your Highness, I have heard something. Perhaps Que'er did something out of line because he didn't know the seriousness of the matter. I don't blame Que'er, but I think we should stop him as soon as possible to prevent a major disaster."

Li Qiao was completely confused. "What exactly is going on?"

Li Linfu said, "It is like this. I heard that Que'er accepted gifts from those envoys, saying that she was helping them arrange seats at a charity banquet."

Upon hearing this, Li Qiao chuckled and said, "So that's what happened. You really scared me to death."

He doesn't understand, and neither do you. Isn't that frightening enough? Li Linfu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this concerns diplomacy. We can't act recklessly like this. If we're discovered, it could cause a lot of trouble!"

"There won't be any trouble."

Li Qiao waved his hand.

Li Linfu asked in bewilderment, "Why?"

Li Qiao said, "Do you know why I've come to see you today?"

Li Linfu shook his head.

"It's also somewhat related to this matter."

Li Qiao said, "This morning, His Majesty asked me to go to the palace to appreciate the plum blossoms. He also told me something about the charity banquet. Nominally, I am in charge, but in reality, I will let Que'er handle it."

"Let Que'er handle it?" Li Linfu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Such a big task, and you're letting a little kid handle it.

That's outrageous!

Li Qiao nodded and said, "Your Majesty means that the charity gala is mainly about doing good deeds, and Que'er has experience in this area. The performance is an opera, which is also Que'er's forte. Why don't we let him organize it and we can cooperate with him from the sidelines?"

Li Linfu was on the verge of tears and said, "But this is ultimately a matter of national diplomacy. Is Your Majesty's decision somewhat hasty?"

Li Qiao said casually, "That's what I told His Majesty too, but His Majesty insisted that Que'er take responsibility. Alas, there's nothing I can do; His Majesty dotes on that boy very much these days."

Even His Majesty knew about the gift, and His Majesty allowed him to accept it. The money would eventually be donated to the charity to help more hidden households.

As for diplomatic issues, we're still here, aren't we? You can discuss this with Que'er, just keep an eye on things, I won't interfere anymore."

Li Linfu looked bewildered: "The Prince isn't going to take care of it anymore?"

Li Qiao clicked his tongue: "Que'er is my nephew after all. Do you really expect me to take orders from him?"

Li Linfu's mind was in turmoil. "You know that, you know that, you know that! You want me to listen to a little kid's orders? If word gets out, people will laugh at me!"

He originally orchestrated this incident to gain face, fame, and elevate his status in the court.

As a result, he was asked to help a little child.

This is insane!

(End of this chapter)