Chapter 645: Stubbornness

“Dong dong dong.” A knocking at the door.

“Come in.” In the study, Yang Shu leaned back in his chair, snacking on a plate of fried beans with one hand while thumbing through a thick ledger with the other. He didn’t even look up as he allowed the person outside to enter.

The visitor was Yang Shu’s most trusted Guest Elder, who entered with a bright smile, looking full of energy.

Although Yang Shu had repeatedly said there was no need for much formality in his residence, the Guest Elder never dared neglect etiquette. He greeted respectfully before saying, “Your Highness, Lord Li just left. He left behind an invitation, saying he wishes to drink with you sometime, and has specially prepared Immortal Brew for you.”

“Tsk tsk, Immortal Brew? This Li Chun fellow is quite something. An open invitation for me to drink Immortal Brew? Who does he think he is? Inviting me to drink a jar of wine worth hundreds of thousands of silver coins? Does he think he’s got the same shady-yet-not-quite-clean status as those Xuanqing Guards? Hmph, it’d be best if people like him stayed far away—otherwise, sooner or later I’ll have his head.”

Whether the Xuanqing Guard’s ambiguous status is gray or not is hard to say—even across generations they’ve always received some privileges, being the Emperor’s private soldiers, with life and death in the Emperor’s hands, untouched by laws. But now officials want to emulate the Xuanqing Guard? Let them dream!

The Guest Elder knew Yang Shu’s temperament well and handed over a list of gifts, saying: “Your Highness, this is the gift list Lord Li left. All the items on it were refused as per your instructions, but I said to wait for your review upon your return, so I kept the list for you.”

“Is there a seal on it?”

“There is.”

“Very good. Keep it. We should put together our own Document Library someday, and record all those who have been sending gifts to me these days. Heh, in the future, if the chance arises, I’ll make them all pay.”

“That day will surely come. With your brilliance and might, Your Highness will surely stand above the world…”

“Enough, enough. You scholars, whenever you try to flatter someone, it just feels off. Awkward! Anything else? If not, you may go. If anyone else comes to visit, handle it as before—I’m not in.”

The Guest Elder didn’t leave, but instead advised, “Your Highness, now that you’re officially in charge of running the national finances, real authority is in your grasp. In three days you’ll be inspecting the major cities of each region—it’s the first official Royal Prince’s inspection in decades of the Dynasty, and of no small significance. You’re sure to gain tremendous benefit and recruit local talent to bolster your voice and power.

If you refuse to see anyone, I fear it’ll harm your reputation, and some who wish to pledge themselves to you might be put off.

What do you think…”

Yang Shu cut the Guest Elder off with a wave, frowning, clearly displeased by these words.

“You think I, Yang Shu, need to rope in a bunch of people with dirty hands and unclear minds to join me in the Royal Family’s Major Examination? Can relying on those sorts possibly contend with my six elder brothers?”

And do you think currying favor and going along with evildoers are the same thing?”

The Guest Elder heard the unusual anger in Yang Shu’s tone and immediately knelt to admit fault. But Yang Shu stood from his chair, moved before the Guest Elder, squatted down, and looked him in the eyes, saying word by word: “Are you trying to tell me that ‘he who achieves great things does not bother with trifles’? I knew that kind of nonsense was used to fool the foolish since I was five. If you can’t hold to small things, how do you accomplish anything grand? As my Guest Elder and even my Strategist, if you spout such brainless loyalty again, don’t blame me for being merciless. Remember!”

“Yes, Your Highness! I will remember!” ℓ.

Yang Shu stared straight into the other’s eyes.

The Guest Elder dared not avert his gaze, meeting Yang Shu’s eyes for a full ten breaths before Yang Shu’s expression softened again.

Returning to his chair, Yang Shu picked up his now slightly cool tea and took a sip, saying, “Some things must not be started. Once begun, they can’t be stopped. So don’t resent me for strictness—I cannot afford mistakes.”

“Your Highness is right. I was speaking nonsense just now, and it will not happen again.”

“Mm. Anything else?” Yang Shu did not pursue the topic further. Again? He did not care. Those who repeat mistakes will have no more chances. That has always been Yang Shu’s principle, with no exceptions.

The Guest Elder’s back was soaked with cold sweat. He did not dare raise his head as he replied, “Your Highness, the Binding Princess has already set things up. The envoys from Wen River have arrived as well. As you instructed, a banquet has been booked this evening for the meeting. Do you wish to prepare any gifts?”

Yang Shu thought for a moment. “Here’s what we’ll do. Take that Black Stone Guqin we salvaged from the sea, pack it up nicely—doesn’t she enjoy collecting these bizarre instruments? A guqin made of stone and an antique, and it’s said to be related to their Sound Cultivators as well. That should count as a grand gift.

Also, prepare a batch of Treasure Pills as a meeting gift for those from Wen River.”

“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll see to it at once.”

Yang Shu waved him off and buried his head back in the ledger. He needed to settle the accounts quickly, as he’d be leaving the Imperial City in a few days—a clean closure was necessary.

By evening, a certain nameless alley in the Imperial City welcomed its honored guests to a small restaurant booked for the night. Small it was, but famed; few could afford to dine here, as a meal could easily cost an ordinary family several years’ expenses.

Few knew the restaurant’s background, but Yang Shu knew every detail—after all, he owned it.

Whether in food, drink, or distraction, Yang Shu was the best among his brothers—none, not all six together, could match his taste or his palate. He was always out seeking the finest dishes, both to satisfy his cravings and to inspire new recipes for his restaurant.

For example, the signature pepper-salt chicken from a tavern Yang Shu frequented was also on his menu, though the taste was still a bit off. Of course, the average palate couldn’t tell the difference.

A prince hosting a banquet was a rare thing among the other six princes, but Yang Shu did so often. When the mood struck, he’d throw a feast, drinks flowing, poetry and song, drinking games, savory or vegetarian, Yang Shu would always be an impeccable host.

He could even talk delightfully with someone like the High-Tier Cultivator Binding Princess.

Arriving a bit early, Yang Shu found that the Binding Princess was already there, along with five cultivators, dressed elegantly but with stiff expressions, in the private room.

“Hahaha, Binding Princess, it’s been a long time—you grow more radiant as ever!” Yang Shu entered, laughing and greeting first. The Binding Princess, being a leader of the Moon Shadow Tower and his liaison, was always treated as an equal by him.

“Your Highness flatters me.” Though she was said to be advanced in age, the Binding Princess’ cultivation kept her youthful in appearance—at most a mature woman in her fifties, hardly old.

After a brief pause, the Binding Princess introduced, “Your Highness, you haven’t met these three yet, have you?”

“No. In Wen River I met Elder Liu; these must be the five heroic disciples Elder Hu mentioned under his tutelage?” Yang Shu cupped his hands.

The five cultivators returned the gesture, introducing themselves: “Disciples of Nine-Life Zhenren from the City of Unjust Death: Liu Cheng, Liu Hao, Liu Ren, Liu Wu, Liu Qing. Greetings to Prince Ling!”