Chapter 197 - 172: Better Happy Together

"Am I not virtuous?"

Hearing Jiang Xian ask this, Xie Che couldn’t help but laugh. "You like the word ’virtuous’? It’s not impossible to give it to you."

A great man’s legacy lies in his name, not his mortal self.

In ancient times, many cared more about the mark they would leave in the history books, placing immense importance on their titles in life and their posthumous names. In the harem, the words "virtuous," "moral," and "gentle" were naturally the most sought-after gilded signboards for the Concubines.

As for the Lady, that signifies a high station.

Seeing that she seemed to truly want it, Xie Che, though a bit troubled, subconsciously began to calculate how he could pin the title ’Virtuous’ on her... Princess Consort Zhang had always been well-behaved and kept to herself, and Xie Che respected her for it. That meant the only way to pry the word ’virtuous’ away was to promote her.

Between a title and the position of Noble Consort, Ms. Zhang would surely choose the latter.

Then, when Xian’er was promoted to a first-rank concubine, she could get her wish and receive the title ’Virtuous’.

"No, I was just asking about the career path for my next promotion."

Xie Che had just about finished planning the entire promotion track in his head when his beloved concubine said that wasn’t what she meant. The Emperor didn’t mind. "It’s no matter. We can discuss titles again in the future. The idea you came up with today was a great help to me. Tell me, how should I reward you?"

After seeing Gu Zhaoyi, Second Brother finally believed him.

For Prince Xie, it was a grand gesture meant to attract talent—if a woman of ability could earn the Emperor’s trust, how much more so for him? This conversation melted away the ice between the two brothers. Having gained a worthy and talented man of the Xie clan, how could the Emperor not be pleased?

"Hold on. I had already planned to reward you with a new concubine rank; you don’t need to use this favor for that."

Jiang Xian hadn’t even finished her request for a promotion before her boss cut her off.

So she changed her tune. "I’ve noticed Zhao’er has too much free time. Why don’t I ask, on his behalf, for some schoolwork? He could start practicing his calligraphy and memorizing texts early."

’Time for some homework and tutoring books!’

Just then, Liang Yuyin entered with a bow. "Emperor, the Eldest Prince has woken up and is coming to find you. Should this servant find a way to coax His Highness away?" This was his way of asking if the Emperor wanted to see him or not.

"I was just talking about him,"

A smile touched Xie Che’s lips. "Have the Eldest Prince come in. His mother is here as well."

As soon as he finished speaking, the anxious voice of a nanny was heard from outside. "Your Highness, Your Highness, slow down! This servant can’t keep up! Be careful not to fall."

As befitting the Eldest Prince’s status, he had four nannies attending to him at all times, not to mention droves of palace maids and eunuchs. They filled the otherwise somewhat cold and empty Bihua Palace, prioritizing the little master’s every need.

"It’s fine! I’m walking very steadily. I won’t fall."

Zhao’er, who was about three years old, was dressed in auspicious red robes with rolled gold trim. He had a delicate little face that combined the best features of his Emperor and Empress parents. Around his neck was a golden necklace with Ruyi-shaped ends, engraved with auspicious cloud patterns, and a small longevity lock.

These auspicious little trinkets were all gifts from his third-day birth ceremony.

The Eldest Prince had one, and so did the Second Prince.

The Second Prince’s, however, was a silver necklace. It wasn’t that the Emperor was biased; it was because the golden necklace had come from the Noble Consort. She felt that something made of silver was unworthy of her godson’s neck. It really made Zhao’er look like a little wealth-bringing cherub, all shiny and golden.

"Your son pays his respects to Father Emperor."

After entering, Zhao’er shed his boisterous energy and properly greeted his Father Emperor. After Xie Che scooped him up, he was still a bit flustered. "Father Emperor, I haven’t paid my respects to Mother Consort yet."

"You want to get down and kowtow to your Mother Consort? Save it. She doesn’t need a kowtow from you."

Jiang Xian hummed in agreement.

She had never liked the custom of kowtowing all the time, but she was reassured that the Eldest Prince was so well-mannered. Zhao’er considered this carefully, remembering his Mother Consort had told him to always listen to his Father Emperor first when they were out. He then said, "Then I will make it up to Mother Consort tonight."

This childish declaration greatly amused Xie Che.

"Zhao’er takes after your diligence, knowing to make up for what’s missed. Zhao’er, as long as your mother isn’t grounded and can still get out of bed, she goes to Jianzhang Palace to pay her respects, rain or shine. You should learn from her persistence."

"I understand, Father. I will also go to Jianzhang Palace often to pay my respects to the Mother Empress."

To the Eldest Prince, the Empress was also his Mother Empress.

The Empress was neither warm nor cold toward the Eldest Prince. After all, she was childless; growing too close to any Prince would inevitably lead to speculation, which wasn’t good for the child either. So she treated them all the same. When he visited, he would be served pastries that had been thoroughly inspected, and she would ask the nanny a few questions about the Eldest Prince’s well-being. Beyond that, she kept her distance, maintaining a superficial relationship. Saying too much could easily offend someone.

"Emperor, he’s getting heavy to hold. Be careful not to tire yourself out."

"A bit of heft is good. It means he’s growing well and that the Palace Attendants are taking good care of him," Xie Che said, sensing her worry that their son might get too chubby. He reassured her, "Once he’s old enough for riding and archery lessons, he won’t be able to get fat even if he wanted to. When I was his age, I was even chubbier than he is."

"Really? Father Emperor, I want to eat pastries and get even chubbier. Then I’ll be more like you!"

Zhao’er rested his head on his father’s shoulder, his adorable, fair-skinned face a picture of sweet affection.

A father should be strict with his son, but Xie Che just couldn’t bring himself to be harsh with him.

With a single glance from the Emperor, a Palace Attendant withdrew to prepare snacks suitable for a three-year-old. "I won’t deprive you of your snacks. It’s just that your mother just asked for a reward on your behalf. She said you have too much free time and wanted to find you some lessons to do, like practicing calligraphy and memorizing texts..." He picked up Zhao’er’s chubby little paw and chuckled. "Can this little chubby hand even hold a brush?"

The back of the little human’s hands were so chubby they had dimples.

"Father Emperor, I can hold it,"

Zhao’er answered earnestly, not realizing his father was teasing him. "But I have something else to ask of you. I beg Father Emperor to grant my request."

"Zhao’er has always been a good boy. You can ask your Father Emperor for anything you want."

Zhao’er looked up from his father’s arms, his puppy-dog eyes shining brightly. "Although this is a blessing Mother Consort requested for me, if I’m the only one who receives it, others might hear of it and assume that the Second Prince does not have the Holy Favor, and the servants might neglect him. Happiness is best when shared. I hope that whatever I have, my younger brother will have too. I can practice calligraphy and memorize texts with him."

The average lifespan in ancient times was just over thirty, so one had to mature quickly.

A child born into the Royal Family, steeped in such an environment, was naturally not comparable to a commoner’s child who grew up wild. Moreover, Zhao’er had received an education even in the womb, so he was more mature than his peers.

But this request came from the heart.

In his small world, his mother’s "prenatal education"—teaching him to read and recognize words—was all an expression of love.

So, his way of showing love for his younger brother was to invite him to read books and do lessons together.

Xie Che chuckled softly. "To know how to look after your younger brother at such a young age... Very good. I will grant your wish."

Jiang Xian couldn’t see the future; she didn’t know if her son was some prodigy with high emotional intelligence who had to have perfect moral character from a young age. She didn’t care what others thought. Zhao’er had to possess filial piety and love for his siblings. Raising him to be malicious would only create a narrow-minded, short-sighted fighting cock, one who would be utterly exposed under the scrutiny of adults with minds as sharp as razors.

One only had to consider the current Emperor’s courage in placing great trust in his own brother to know what kind of person Xie Che admired.