The Unstoppable Sixth Prince

Chapter 64: The Wrath of Emperor Wen

"Have you heard? At the poetry gathering in the Garden of Blossoms last night, a young gentleman composed four exquisite poems in less than the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, leaving everyone at the gathering feeling overshadowed..."

"Why haven't I heard about it? I heard that Young Master Liu even angrily scolded everyone for their pointless moaning..."

"Indeed, Young Master Liu is passionate and eloquent, praising His Highness the Sixth for his journey to the North."

"Every person is destined to die, some heavier than mountains, some lighter than a feather. That one sentence from Young Master Liu encapsulated the tragic journey of His Highness the Sixth to the north..."

"The wisdom of the current emperor is unparalleled in history..."

The next day, the entire imperial city was in an uproar.

On the streets and in the alleys, groups of three or five people could be seen gathered together, animatedly discussing the events of last night at the Garden of Blossoms.

Along with Yun Zheng's four poems, the news that the Sixth Prince is about to head to Shuo Bei, willing to die to inspire the troops, also spread.

This move by Emperor Wen also received high praise from the people of the imperial city.

However, within the palace, Emperor Wen was in a furious rage.

"Investigate! Find out for me!"

"Get that bastard with the surname Liu out for me!"

Emperor Wen was furious and overturned the imperial desk to the ground.

That bastard generously helped him and Lao Liu earn a great reputation.

But this bastard's words undoubtedly put the father and son on the fire, roasting them.

Now, the whole city is praising the father and son, lauding the emperor's wisdom and martial prowess, and commending the sixth son's passionate spirit.

In this way, if he doesn't allow Lao Liu to go to Shobei, wouldn't that make him a laughingstock in the eyes of the world? How would he then silence the voices of the masses?

Bastard!

This bastard!

The Emperor Wen grew angrier the more he thought about it, wishing he could slice that bastard into a thousand pieces.

Just as Emperor Wen was in a fit of rage, the palace guards came to report: "Your Majesty, Elder Zhang requests an audience."

Zhang Huai?

Emperor Wen furrowed his brows.

"After a moment of silent contemplation, Emperor Wen struggled to suppress his anger and said in a deep voice, 'Xuan!'"

Soon, Zhang Huai was brought in.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is guilty, this old minister is guilty..."

Zhang Huai entered the door and immediately knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly with tears streaming down his face.

Zhang Huai's actions completely bewildered Emperor Wen.

Zhang Huai has always been self-disciplined; what crime could he possibly have?

"Your Excellency, please rise quickly!"

The Emperor regained his composure and quickly had someone help Zhang Huai to his feet and offered him a seat.

However, Zhang Huai did not sit down; with tears streaming down his face, he said, "This old minister feels deeply ashamed and has no face to sit down. I humbly request Your Majesty to punish me!"

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The Emperor was speechless, filled with confusion as he asked, "Minister, why don't you explain what crime you have? I'm completely baffled."

Zhang Huai said with a face full of shame, "This old minister has not been strict in managing my family. My unworthy grandson, Zhang Xu, somehow got involved with His Highness the Sixth. That rascal spends all day with His Highness studying lewd tricks, and even took him to the brothel, bringing disgrace to the royal dignity..."

"Is it about this matter?"

Emperor Wen did not take it seriously and chuckled, saying, "Zhang Xu took the sixth brother to the brothel, which is indeed not very good. Just teach him a lesson later, and I'll also give the sixth brother a warning! As for the strange skills you mentioned, didn't you say a few days ago that as long as they benefit the country and the people, all strange skills are good?"

"This is different!"

Zhang Huai felt an overwhelming sense of shame, "That scoundrel is teaching the Sixth Prince all those bizarre and frivolous skills! He's going to ruin the Sixth Prince!"

Is that so?

Emperor Wen thought for a moment and then said with a smile, "Indulging in distractions is indeed not good! How about this: I will call Sixth Brother into the palace later and give him a good scolding! You shouldn't take it to heart; don't let it affect your health."

What a big deal!

This old man is also making such a fuss over this little matter.

He even thought he was doing something that would provoke the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people!

Just as Emperor Wen personally helped Zhang Huai sit down, Mu Shun rushed in, ready to speak, but upon glancing at Zhang Huai beside him, he hesitated.

Emperor Wen frowned, "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't beat around the bush."

Mu Shun smiled apologetically and then said, "Your Majesty, the person who composed poetry in the Garden of Blossoms last night seems to know Elder Zhang's grandson, Zhang Xu."

"What?"

The Emperor's expression changed.

Zhang Huai, seeing this, immediately sighed and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is guilty. That scoundrel Zhang Xu took the Sixth Prince to the Garden of Blossoms last night, and that shameless wretch even called for ten courtesans to attend to him..."

Hearing this, Emperor Wen's face suddenly twitched violently.

Did you also call for ten prostitutes?

This bastard, does he not fear dying on a woman's belly?

The Emperor Wen fell silent for a moment, then immediately instructed Mu Shun, "Go, have someone ask Zhang Xu who that bastard poet really is!"

Mu Shun was about to accept the order when Zhang Huai suddenly asked in astonishment, "Does the Emperor not know who composed four excellent poems in the Garden of Flowers last night?"

"I have no idea!"

The Emperor said irritably, "If I had known, I would have had that bastard brought into the palace and given him two slaps!"

"No need, no need..."

Zhang Huai waved his hands repeatedly, "Although the poems composed by His Highness the Sixth are all plagiarized from the daughter of the Ye family, His Highness publicly refuting those talented scholars to uphold the Emperor's dignity can also be seen as a commendable act of filial piety..."

Zhang Huai was still there, talking incessantly, completely unaware that Emperor Wen's expression had turned extremely grim.

Your Highness the Sixth?

The bastard who wrote the poem, is it the sixth one?

Is the sixth one the bastard you were looking for?

Emperor Wen tightly clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, asking, "Are you saying, my lord, that the one who composed four excellent pieces last night is the sixth?"

"Yes, it's His Highness the Sixth."

Zhang Huai nodded gently, but looked at Emperor Wen with confusion.

Even if His Highness the Sixth has plagiarized the poem of the Ye family's young lady, must the Emperor react this way?

Is it possible that the Emperor is angry because Zhang Xu and the Sixth Prince called for ten courtesans?

Hmm, this is indeed possible.

"Son of a bitch! This bastard!"

The Emperor's fury erupted suddenly, his face filled with rage as he shouted at Mu Shun, "Go, summon the Sixth Prince to the palace for me!"

"Yes!"

Mu Shun was not Zhang Huai; he knew exactly what would anger Emperor Wen and quickly ran outside.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, Emperor Wen angrily called out to Mu Shun.

Mu Shun stopped abruptly, turning around cautiously, waiting for Emperor Wen's further instructions.

The Emperor's heart was ablaze with anger, yet he struggled to calm himself.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Emperor Wen shook his head and said, "No need to summon Sixth Brother to the palace! Send someone to inform Sixth Brother and the other princes that tomorrow I will be going to the Southern Garden for a hunt, and they must all accompany me! Also, make sure Sixth Brother brings Shen Luoyan and Ye Zi!"

"Yes!"

Mu Shun bowed and accepted the order, then carefully withdrew.

Once Mu Shun had left, Zhang Huai comforted, "Your Majesty need not be so angry. This old minister has inquired thoroughly. His Highness the Sixth Prince got drunk in the Garden of Flowers last night. Although Zhang Xu called for ten courtesans, His Highness did nothing at all..."

Hearing Zhang Huai's words, Emperor Wen couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

Ten prostitutes?

He actually hoped these two bastards would go have fun with those ten prostitutes!

What kind of poetry does he write?

Why did he say that after writing poetry?

Bastard!

This bastard!

I drank a few drops of horse urine and even forgot my own name!