Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 40 Part 1

By the time Gu Rong and Xi Rong returned to their seats, the appraisal event had officially begun.

Half the lights in the pavilion were extinguished, making the seven suspended lotus-shaped lanterns in the air shine all the more brilliantly. The Golden Lantern Pavilion was famed for its treasure troves and each year, it featured an opening treasure to begin the event and a final treasure as the grand highlight. This year’s final treasure had already been leaked in advance: the exceedingly rare and priceless ‘East Sea Ice Soul.’ But the opening treasure remained a mystery, unknown to all.

At that moment, every guest’s gaze was focused on the Treasure Platform beneath the lotus lanterns, eagerly anticipating what would claim the honor of being this year’s opening treasure.

The music swelled slowly. Two maidens in colorful garb emerged from the high lofts of the pavilion, cradling a scroll between them like heavenly dancers. They performed a graceful circle of the room before fluttering to a stop beside the lotus lanterns. Then, facing the hall of guests, they unfurled the enormous scroll in their hands.

Unlike ordinary paper scrolls, it was woven entirely from fine silk, with ends carved from precious white jade. The entire scroll was densely inscribed with golden script, glowing under the light of the golden lanterns and cascading with what seemed like rivers of gold light, enchanting and dazzling at a glance.

Gasps of awe erupted throughout the hall.

“What is that?” someone couldn’t help but ask aloud.

Most of the nobles, officials, and scholars present had studied the classics. They had seen countless scrolls and scriptures, but never anything as magnificent as the silk scroll. Even Ji Ziqing and Zhang Jiuyi, children of humble households, had astonishment in their eyes.

A steward nearby pointed to the scroll and replied slowly, “This is the Xuanji Diagram, composed in the youth of the eldest young master of the Cui clan. It was this very diagram that first made his name in the capital. When our lord traveled there years ago, he paid a high price to acquire it and has treasured it ever since, never allowing it to be damaged. But our lord has long felt unworthy of such brilliance and after much reflection, has chosen to bring it out in hopes of finding an owner truly deserving of it through this Golden Lantern Pavilion event.”

Gasps rippled through the hall again.

The name Cui Xie, the Cui clan’s eldest son, was legendary in the capital.

The Xuanji Diagram was originally composed by a historical female scholar. It consisted of twenty-nine characters across and down, which could be read horizontally and vertically to create poems, a dazzling feat of poetic brilliance unmatched across time. Scholars had studied it for generations, uncovering thousands of poems within its lines. Cui Xie’s new Xuanji Diagram expanded it to thirty-six characters in each direction, instantly establishing his reputation.

The Cui clan was among the most noble of the Five Great Clans. Thus, the ink used in the diagram wasn’t ordinary black ink. It was a special golden ink made by grinding real gold, making every character worth a fortune.

“Even an ordinary calligraphy piece by Eldest Young Master Cui is priceless in the capital. I can’t believe we’re seeing the legendary Xuanji Diagram today.”

“Only a treasure like this could be worthy of the title ‘opening treasure’ at the Golden Lantern Pavilion.”

“Forget the Golden Lantern Pavilion. For sheer talent, who in the entire Da’an Dynasty could rival Eldest Young Master Cui?”

The room buzzed with admiration and flattery. The Cui clan was one of the top two names among the Five Great Clans. Cui Xie now held a high post in the Ministry of State Affairs. Everyone knew that if they wanted access to the Cui clan, they first had to win over Cui Xie. Let alone the Xuanji Diagram, even a few words casually penned by him would spark frenzied bidding. Several family heads were already loudly offering ten thousand gold to buy the scroll.

Seated in his place, Gu Rong studied the Xuanji Diagram, chuckled, and shook his head.

Xi Rong turned to him. “What’s so funny?”

Gu Rong said, “I’m just thinking what a waste of fine materials this is. Such exquisite silk is better used for making robes. Instead, they make it into a scroll. What’s it good for? Keeping out bugs? Resisting rats? And that so-called golden ink is just flashy nonsense. A waste of the people’s wealth and labor. Never mind that scraping off just one character would buy me six months’ worth of wine, but in terms of clarity, it’s not even as good as regular black ink. It won’t last as long either. Isn’t that the very definition of waste?”

Behind them, Song Yang and Zhou Wenhe nodded vigorously, clearly in agreement and barely restraining the urge to applaud.

Even Xi Rong seemed amused. “You dare criticize someone’s signature masterpiece like that? Be careful he doesn’t come after you.”

Gu Rong didn’t care. “I’m the Thirteenth Protector of Prince Yan. That so-called eldest young master likely won’t hear me. Even if he does, he probably won’t dare cause trouble.”

Then something occurred to him. He turned his head and grinned with interest at Xi Rong. “Brother, you’re willing to talk to me now?”

Xi Rong immediately reverted to his frosty expression. “This isn’t talking to you, it’s a kind reminder. Eat more, talk less.” He pushed another plate of stuffed pastries in front of Gu Rong.

Gu Rong seemed to have expected that attitude and wasn’t bothered. Leisurely, he picked up a piece of pastry and popped it into his mouth, continuing to watch the events unfold.

Xi Rong said nothing either. He simply reached out, poured out the cup of cooled tea beside him, and refilled it with a fresh, hot one, placing it back in its original spot.

Upstairs, a pair of eyes watched the scene coldly.

Cui Jiu stood at the side, not daring to utter a word. He could vaguely sense the young master’s displeasure. Aside from that excessively considerate gesture, it might also be because the Thirteenth Protector from the north, whose appearance was… undeniably striking, perhaps even rivaling the famously beautiful young master himself.

Thankfully, he was a Northern Protector, someone utterly impossible to become entangled with the Eastern Palace.

In just a few moments, the Xuanji Diagram written in gold ink had already been bid up to twenty thousand gold.

The event had only just begun, yet the atmosphere in the hall was already unprecedentedly intense and heated.

Song Yang gave a cold chuckle. “Some people hold themselves up as paragons of virtue, but inside they’re venomous as vipers. And if we’re really talking about youthful fame, it’s not as if there’s no one in the world who could rival the so-called eldest young master of the Cui clan. Back when Grand Chancellor Qi, advisor to three emperors, opened his doors to take in disciples, all the top aristocratic clans sent their best. Everyone thought he’d pick this very young master of the Cui clan, but Old Master Qi chose someone else entirely.” |13|

Gu Rong looked at him with interest. “Sir, you seem to know quite a bit about matters in the capital.”

Song Yang had applied a simple disguise today, his face darkened like charcoal. He sighed, “That incident caused such a stir back then, even if I wanted to avoid knowing about it, I couldn’t.”

Yan Maocai had no interest in the so-called Xuanji Diagram; his eyes had been fixed on Gu Rong the whole time. While the crowd shouted their bids, he brought Ji Ziqing, Zhang Jiuyi, and a group of well-dressed young men straight over to Gu Rong. “Did the Protector find anything to his liking on the second floor?”

“Yes, yes! If there’s anything that catches your eye, just say the word, and we’ll gladly present it to you ourselves!”

A chorus of agreement echoed from the young gentlemen behind them.

Among the many nobles and officials, the young Thirteenth Protector stood out far too much in appearance, so that it was impossible to look away. Even if only driven by appreciation for beauty, they were willing to offer up fine goods for his favor.

What’s more, should anyone truly earn the Thirteenth Protector’s goodwill, it would be considered a valuable step toward fostering cooperation between the Ministry of State Affairs and the Yan clan, something sure to earn praise from their elders.

Because of that, even Yan Hemei uncharacteristically did not stop his son.

“You two, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and pour tea for the Protector,” Yan Maocai barked at Ji Ziqing and Zhang Jiuyi.

The two didn’t dare disobey in public. They came to the table and were just about to lift the teapot when Gu Rong blocked them with his folding fan.

Gu Rong smiled. “You two are guests of Young Master Yan, I couldn’t possibly trouble you. Besides, my foster father always taught me that when traveling, one must learn to rely on oneself. As for treasures, I did see something rather nice just now…”

He didn’t finish the sentence because a hand, through his wide sleeve, suddenly pinched his wrist.

It hurt a little, clearly a warning.

Gu Rong nearly bit his tongue. He coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and said, “I did see a nice treasure, but it didn’t quite satisfy me. I’ll look again later.”

Everyone looked disappointed. They’d thought he was finally going to reveal his preferences.

In the end, the Xuanji Diagram by the Cui clan’s eldest son was purchased by Feng Zhong for a sky-high price of one hundred thousand gold, one of the most expensive bids in the history of the Golden Lantern Pavilion Gatherings.

The next round of bidding was about to begin, so Yan Maocai led the others back to their seats.

Gu Rong turned to the solemn and upright Xi Rong. “Brother, you’re being a little too overbearing. If you won’t lend me money, fine, but why won’t you even let others buy things for me?”

Xi Rong countered, “That’s the result of your self-reflection?”

The hand that had pinched Gu Rong’s wrist had now slid up to his arm, cold and snake-like, coiling with quiet warning. As if the slightest misstep in words would result in a bite.

Gu Rong, ever flexible and adaptable, immediately grinned and went along. “Can’t I keep reflecting?”

“What could you possibly reflect on?”

“That I can’t spend recklessly. I can’t be wasteful.”

“Wrong.”

The cold ‘snake’ continued sliding upward.

Gu Rong suddenly had a flash of insight. “I’ve got it! I can spend money, but I mustn’t spend other people’s money so casually. Right?” He looked up at Xi Rong with a sly, fox-like smile.

Xi Rong’s expression was still cold, but he seemed somewhat satisfied with that answer. He withdrew his hand and said, “Correct. You can’t casually spend other people’s money, but I don’t count. However, I currently don’t have money to lend you.”

Gu Rong: “…”

Soon, it was time for the Western Region Gu King to be presented.

Knowing the Gu King was sensitive to light, the steward had specifically ordered half of the lotus lanterns in the hall to be extinguished, allowing the luminous glow within the heart of the jade to shine clearly.

As the attendants had said, the Gu King, reportedly cultivated over ten full years, was indeed a rare treasure, starting at an opening bid of one thousand gold.

Xi Rong glanced at Gu Rong, who sat unmoved, sipping his tea, and deliberately asked, “Weren’t you carrying banknotes? Why aren’t you bidding?”

“…”

Gu Rong took a slow sip and shook his head with casual grace.

“You know very well, brother, that all my notes together only add up to five hundred gold, barely enough to qualify for bidding. It looks like fate just doesn’t want to bring me and the Gu King together. Still, to witness its splendor today is already worth the visit.”

“Not disappointed?”

“Of course not. This kind of thing is always up to luck. If it weren’t for your generosity in giving me those notes, I wouldn’t even have that five hundred. What’s there to be disappointed about?”

“Your mindset is pretty good.”

“Naturally. As the saying goes, ‘Contentment brings happiness.’”

While they were talking, the Gu King had already been bid up to two thousand gold.

Although rare, the Gu King mainly appealed to a niche group of nobles with a taste for the exotic, so once the bidding reached two thousand, no one raised the price any further.

Just as the steward was about to announce the result, Xi Rong suddenly stood up and said, “Two thousand five hundred gold.”

Gu Rong looked up in surprise.