He simply had no idea what Tang Yide wanted.
"Fine. As long as he makes a request, I'll agree to anything," said Du Gu You. He simply couldn't believe that Tang Yide would be willing to be the chief steward of a prince's mansion. Of course, he thought Concubine Qin had made a mistake. How could it be? Everyone was eager to get closer to the emperor. How could Tang Yide have such a request?
Before long, Tang Yide really came back beaming. "See, see. I told you. That old fellow must have gone to the Sixth Prince's Mansion."
As soon as Du Gu You finished speaking, Eunuch Tang quickly knelt on the ground. "Your servant went to the mansion to deliver an imperial edict."
The emperor was so strange today! Eunuch Tang felt uneasy. After following the emperor for decades, he still found it hard to fathom his mind.
"How is Qing'er today?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince looks much better," said Eunuch Tang. He was even more confused. He didn't know what the emperor was up to.
"Qing'er's fief is in the south of the Yangtze River. There's a lack of a suitable chief steward there. Yide, help me think. Who would be the most suitable person to send?" While speaking, Du Gu You deliberately or unconsciously observed Eunuch Tang's expression.
Seeing a look of struggle flash across Eunuch Tang's face, Concubine Qin knew he was in a dilemma. "Eunuch Tang, just speak your mind. After following the emperor for decades, it's time for you to think about yourself."
Concubine Qin was giving Eunuch Tang a hint. Tang Yide bowed even lower. "Your Majesty, your servant is the most suitable person for the position of chief steward."
What?
Du Gu You looked at Tang Yide in disbelief and gave Concubine Qin a puzzled look. He tightened his grip on the chair.
"Isn't it good to be by my side? Have I ever treated you badly?"
"Your Majesty has been kind to your servant. But your servant is old and just wants a place to spend his remaining years. That's all," said Eunuch Tang bravely. He had thought about it for a long time, but didn't know how to follow the Sixth Prince's Mansion in a proper way. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, how could he let it slip?
"Fine, fine. Since it's your wish, I'll grant it. But I have a request," said Du Gu You. Before Eunuch Tang could show his joy, he was stunned by the emperor's request.
"Request?"
Concubine Qin also looked over. Du Gu You changed to a more comfortable sitting position. "Yes. Will you agree or not?"
"Yes, yes," said Eunuch Tang quickly.
"Share the interesting things in the Sixth Prince's Mansion that make you happy with me. Don't enjoy them all by yourself," said Du Gu You. Hearing this, Eunuch Tang was slightly taken aback.
It seemed that someone had said the same thing many years ago. That voice was so far away, yet it seemed like it was just yesterday.
"Alright, alright. Eunuch Tang, stop kneeling here. Hurry to the imperial kitchen and keep an eye on things," said Concubine Qin, waving her hand. "I'm very happy that Tang Yide will be the chief steward."
"Why?"
"Eunuch Tang has seen everything by your side. He can take good care of Qing'er and manage the mansion well. With the person you trust the most there, I can rest assured," said Concubine Qin.
"You're so good at talking. Actually, I just want to know what in Qing'er's mansion could lure away my chief steward," said Du Gu You, still dwelling on this matter.
Concubine Qin shook her head helplessly. Du Gu You could be very childish sometimes, but that was when he was the cutest. There was no intrigue or power play. "Your Ladyship, please decide on the dishes," said Eunuch Tang, bringing a writing brush and paper and respectfully placing them in front of Concubine Qin. Du Gu You secretly observed the old eunuch's face. Seeing the faint look of contentment, he knew that this matter was a foregone conclusion and stopped dwelling on it. He decided to have Qing'er's mansion built more grandly, following the specifications of a prince. After all, Du Gu Qing was the only prince in the royal family now, so there would be no objections to a higher - level specification.
"I've written it down. Eunuch Tang, please keep a close eye on it. I'm really scared," said Concubine Qin. The last incident almost cost Du Gu Qing his life. Fortunately, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. But she was still scared. With Eunuch Tang there, she believed he would manage everything well.
She squeezed Du Gu You's hand. "I'm really happy that you agreed to let Eunuch Tang be the chief steward. As a mother, I can't be with my child. With such a careful chief steward like Eunuch Tang, I feel somewhat comforted."
"You're right. But I just really want to know what happy things that old fellow is keeping from me," said Du Gu You.
"Some things can only be understood intuitively and are hard to put into words. Even if you ask Eunuch Tang to explain, he may not be able to. Maybe Qing'er is different from his two elder brothers. He doesn't crave power, and Eunuch Tang feels at ease in his mansion," said Concubine Qin.
"If you put it that way, I even want to go there. After the crown prince is established, we'll build a small courtyard in Qing'er's mansion and live there," said Du Gu You.
"That would be wonderful," said Concubine Qin, showing a smile on her face. Due to the rules, she couldn't leave the palace unless she was with the emperor. She didn't know when she would be able to visit the south of the Yangtze River.
Concubine Qin took out the letter she had just written and carefully sealed it. "Can I abuse my power a little? I'm so eager," she said.
"Sure," said Du Gu You. It was rare for Concubine Qin to make a request. Besides, there happened to be an urgent document to be sent to the south of the Yangtze River. It was just a matter of convenience. "The old duke hasn't seen Qing'er yet, has he?"
"He has seen him once," said Concubine Qin. That was when Qing'er was just born. Her father, Cao Kun, had requested to return to his fief. Since his daughter had become a royal concubine, he naturally didn't want to get involved in the court affairs. He had withdrawn early.
Now that the two princes were vying for the position of crown prince, the old duke simply pretended not to know. Du Gu You liked Mei Zhenguo and the old duke the most. That was why he had rejected Mei Zhenguo's repeated requests to retire. There were very few reliable people left. If Mei Zhenguo left, he would be like a lonely emperor without any support. He wouldn't even have anyone to rely on, let alone someone he could use.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince and the Sixth Princess have arrived," said a palace attendant, coming in with Eunuch Tang's instruction.
Hearing that the two people they had been waiting for had finally come, Concubine Qin showed a look of joy on her face. "Hurry and invite them in."
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, they've just entered the palace gate," said the palace attendant, kneeling on the ground. "Why are you reporting when they're just at the palace gate?" said Du Gu You impatiently.
Concubine Qin gave him a look. "Go and check again."
"Yes," said the palace attendant. Everyone knew that the emperor was like a docile lamb in front of Concubine Qin. As long as Concubine Qin was happy, everything would be fine. Hearing Concubine Qin's words, the palace attendant immediately turned around and ran out.
"Isn't it still going to be a while?" said Du Gu You, looking at Concubine Qin's eager look in confusion. "That's because you don't want to," said Concubine Qin, tapping him on the chest with the handkerchief in her hand. "Qing'er is the flesh that fell from my body. Only a mother cares about his cold, heat, and illness."
"I care too," said Du Gu You, smiling gently. A man's emotions were more reserved and not as easily shown as a woman's.
"They've entered the third gate."
"They've entered the middle gate."
The palace attendant kept running back to report. Concubine Qin didn't mind at all. "Go and get the reward money from Eunuch Tang."
The palace attendant was sweating all over. "Thank you, Your Ladyship."
Sure enough, before long, Du Gu Qing with white hair led Mei Qingxue and appeared in front of them. Mei Qingxue was about to salute when Concubine Qin grabbed her.
"Today, there's no emperor and no royal concubine here," said Concubine Qin.
Mei Qingxue immediately understood. "Dad, Mom, I'm hungry. Do you have anything delicious?" Du Gu You was slightly taken aback. Seeing Concubine Qin winking at him, he quickly nodded. "I..." He had just said one word when he received a warning look from Concubine Qin.
"Just in time. There are some snacks," said Du Gu You, quickly making an excuse. Without any surprise. "Dad, Mom," said Du Gu Qing calmly. He didn't know what his father was up to. Since his father wanted to play, he would just go along with it.
"Good, good," said Concubine Qin, carefully looking at Du Gu Qing's face. "You seem to be even better than yesterday."
"Mom, Du Gu Qing is much better now. He can eat and sleep well. People who know him think he's a prince, but those who don't..." Mei Qingxue covered her mouth and laughed. He was just like a pig. Her eyes carefully scanned the emperor and the royal concubine. What were they up to today? Role - playing? Oh my...
"What are you thinking?" said Concubine Qin, looking at Mei Qingxue with a smile. "Mom, it's that thing with a nose facing forward and ears that can swat mosquitoes."
"What thing has a nose facing forward and ears that can swat mosquitoes?" Du Gu You was intrigued.
Mei Qingxue pushed the tip of her nose with her finger and waved her other hand behind her ear like a fan.
"This one," she said.
Concubine Qin burst out laughing. "It's like, it's like..."
"It's not me. It's him. He eats and sleeps all day," said Mei Qingxue. She knew Concubine Qin was teasing her about her act.
How unseemly! Du Gu You was just about to show his royal dignity when he saw Du Gu Qing looking at him with a half - smile. "Mom, Dad seems to have something to say," said Du Gu Qing.
Seeing Du Gu Qing's expression, Mei Qingxue immediately noticed the slight frown on Du Gu You's face. She immediately pretended to be stupid.
Concubine Qin knew that Du Gu You was about to lose his temper. "Oh? Your Majesty? Do you have something to say?" They had agreed not to show the emperor's airs, and he had said he wanted to know what made Tang Yide happy. With the emperor's temper, he would never know. Concubine Qin didn't want the emperor to ruin tonight's dinner.
"Your Majesty may be eager to go and review the memorials," said Concubine Qin.
She was openly going against the emperor. Du Gu You was stunned. He had just frowned because he thought Mei Qingxue wasn't ladylike enough. He didn't deserve to be the target of everyone's criticism, did he?
"I just remembered. Is there a dish missing today? I remember that my daughter - in - law was most interested in that one. What's it called?" said Du Gu You, pretending to pat his head and acting as if he couldn't remember.
Mei Qingxue rolled her eyes secretly. She had been interested in many dishes last time, not just one. This person was really...
"Double Plum Fairy. Daughter - in - law thinks that dish is unique," said Mei Qingxue. Who didn't want to live a life of being envied like a couple of immortals? That dish just suited her heart. She hoped to grow old with this man who was rumored to be impotent.
"That one..." Concubine Qin was also taken aback. That dish represented her state of mind.