Chapter 267 Receiving an Imperial Award

Chapter 267 Receiving an Imperial Award

“I understand. I will definitely remember what Mother said tonight,” Wang Zhou said first. He looked around and added, “I will also remind my younger siblings.”

"Mother, which department do you think I'm best suited for?" Wangchuan asked. "I'll be finishing my studies in three years, and it's time to start preparing for the imperial examinations."

"What are your thoughts?" Meng Qing asked him.

Wang Chuan's eyes darted around, and he glanced at Wang Zhou, saying with a hint of jealousy, "I need you to come up with a plan for me."

Meng Qing glanced at Wang Zhou and said meaningfully, "I'll give you a plan, but you have to listen to it."

Wang Zhou is very decisive; once he's made up his mind, no one can sway him. She only needs to persuade him, and he'll follow her planned path. Wang Chuan is different. He's full of ideas and quick-witted. If she lays out a path for him, he can branch out countless smaller paths, sometimes even changing course on a whim—quite like Du Min. But the uncle and nephew differ in one way: Wang Chuan has a high starting point, an outgoing personality, and won't take shortcuts. Therefore, Meng Qing doesn't want to impose rules and regulations on him like she would on Du Min.

Sure enough, Wang Chuan hesitated. He said slyly, "You go first. If we disagree, and you can persuade me, I'll listen to you."

Meng Qing pointed at Du Min, "Your third uncle's path is suitable for you. You have his style and can navigate the officialdom smoothly."

Du Min smiled first, then looked at Du Li and said, "Second brother, my son's personality is like yours, and your youngest son's personality is like mine. It's fair."

Du Li was immediately annoyed. "Wang Chuan's personality is just like his mother's. Your second sister-in-law is much more tactful than you."

Du Min choked, unable to refute.

Wang Chuan wisely refrained from judgment and continued to ask, "Am I to become a county magistrate like my third uncle? Mother, if you and Father are willing to come with me, I will listen to you."

“I disagree. I’m the eldest brother, and our parents should stay with me,” Wang Zhou objected.

“Don’t be so selfish. You’ve already taken over seven more years of our parents’ time than I have! Mother and Father have to make up for those seven years.” Wang Chuan complained, “Mother, if you don’t agree, I… I won’t sleep tonight. I’ll stand by your bedside.”

"Why are you acting like a rogue?" Yin Caiwei asked with a smile. "Where did you get this rogue nature from?"

The whole family looked at Du Min.

Du Min didn't refuse, "Follow me, follow me, Second Brother, you admit that, right?"

Du Li remained silent.

“You don’t need to go to the provinces to serve as a county magistrate like your third uncle. After passing the imperial examination, you can become a proofreader in the Tongwen Guan (a school for scholars), serving in the government and before the emperor. By then, your third uncle, Ximei’s maternal grandfather, and Governor Zheng will likely all be in the government. With them around, you can easily access court affairs. Once you’ve accumulated enough experience in the court, you can go to the provinces to serve, starting as a military advisor or a prefectural military commander. You can then directly face the governor and meet with the county magistrate, avoiding many tedious and arduous administrative tasks. Accumulate achievements in the provinces, and then, when the time is right, you can climb the ranks in the court.” Meng Qing continued the previous topic.

Du Min agreed, “Back then, when I was the Vice Minister of Rites, Prefect Zheng pointed out this path to my official career. But at that time, I was a poor scholar who had passed the imperial examination. I had no connections or influence in the court, so I chose to work hard to achieve political success in the local area.”

Wang Chuan nodded, "I'll listen to my mother."

"What were your thoughts before?" Meng Qing asked.

Wang Chuan shook his head and refused to speak.

“I know, my second brother wants to go to the Ministry of Rites,” Ximei replied. “My second brother is also learning the Hu language so that he can better communicate with the Hu people.”

“I don’t want to think about it now, or rather, I don’t want to think about it for the time being. It’s too superficial to just accumulate seniority in the Ministry of Rites. I need to do something real like my third uncle, to become a capable minister, and to have a good reputation among the people.” Wang Chuan changed his mind. He wanted to become a cornerstone of the court, to increase his mother’s importance, so that if the new emperor wanted to touch his mother in the future, he would have to take him into consideration.

“Once you return to the imperial court from your local area, you can go to the Ministry of Rites,” Du Min said.

Wang Chuan nodded.

The sound of the night watchman's drum came, and Meng Qing glanced outside and said, "It's past midnight, time to go back to the room and rest. We have to go to the palace to meet the emperor tomorrow, so we need to be well-rested."

The dishes had long since gone cold and tasted fishy and salty, so everyone got up and left the table.

Xi Mei followed beside Yin Caiwei, while the three brothers, Zhou, Chuan, and Shan, lagged behind. Wang Zhou and Wang Chuan were exchanging punches and kicks, while Wang Shan kept dodging. When there was no way to avoid them, he chose to jog a few steps to catch up with the people in front.

"Second Uncle," Wang Shan caught up with Du Li, "Second Uncle, I want to sleep with you tonight."

"Okay." Du Li agreed without thinking. "You go back to your room first, I'll come find you after I've washed up."

Yin Caiwei glanced at Meng Qing, then at Du Min, but remained silent.

"You're so old already, why do you still need your second uncle to sleep with you?" Du Min thought he was just making trouble for no reason.

“I just want to sleep with my second uncle.” Wang Shan glared at him, and he shouted angrily, “Even if I’m thirty years old, I still want to sleep with my second uncle if I want to.”

"Oh, you miss him?" Du Min was a little jealous. "I'll sleep with you, and we can talk."

"No!" Wang Shan protested.

"I...I'll sleep with Wangchuan," Du Min said, trying to save face.

Wang Chuan looked displeased. "Third Uncle, I'm not going to be anyone's backup."

“Me too,” Wang Zhou quickly waved his hand.

Du Min was furious. "Fine, you're all lawless now!"

"I'm sleeping with Ximei tonight." Yin Caiwei took Ximei's hand and left first.

Wangzhou and Wangchuan slipped away in tacit agreement, and Wangshan hurriedly followed.

"Old Du, if you don't act like a father, you'll be hated by everyone when you get old," Du Li reminded him.

“You’re being too harsh on Wangshan. He’s not even ten years old yet. How can he compare to his two older brothers? First, he had no father by his side, and now neither of his parents are around. How can he dare to be so unrestrained and poised? He’s a child, and you’re an adult. You need to control yourself and stop comparing him to others. Your relationship with your son isn’t good, so don’t let it affect their relationship as well,” Meng Qing warned.

"I didn't say anything. Don't I often talk to Wangzhou and Wangchuan like that?" Du Min was wronged to death.

“It’s different. You’re Wangzhou and Wangchuan’s third uncle, so they might not heed your words. But it’s different with Wangshan. You’re his biological father. He has hopes for you, which is why he’s sensitive and insecure. If it really doesn’t work, treat him like our son. He’s the same as Wangzhou and Wangchuan. Just play with him, don’t exercise your right to discipline him, and don’t be picky.” Meng Qing was at her wit’s end. Du Min had extremely high expectations for Wangshan, wanting his son to embody all the virtues of his children. If he didn’t meet his expectations in any way, he would be harsh and critical. Wangshan, on the other hand, had high hopes for his father, who hadn’t been around since childhood. He hoped his father would be as kind and benevolent as his second uncle, Du Li, and that his father would love and cherish him. But reality was far from his imagination, and the father and son had no emotional foundation. Their repeated conflicts would inevitably lead to them becoming enemies.

Du Li wanted to kick him again. "You just don't put your mind to it. With your intelligence and cunning, can't you even figure out this little tricky thing?"

Du Min clicked his tongue. "Why are things at home so troublesome?"

"If you don't want trouble, you should just stay single." Du Li couldn't hold back any longer. He kicked Du Min. "Are the people and things outside worth your time and effort? Aren't the people and things at home worth it? Are you, Lord Du, too noble, or are the people at home too lowly?"

Du Min kept dodging, while Du Li kept chasing; the two brothers ran towards the front yard, one chasing and the other dodging.

Meng Qing ignored it and left first, pulling her cloak tighter around her neck.

"Let's go, let's go." Wang Chuan pushed Wang Shan out from behind a wall, with Wang Zhou following closely behind.

The three brothers walked together toward the courtyard. Wangchuan put his arm around Wangshan and said, “See? Your dad is as fierce as a big goose in front of you, always craning his neck to scold you. But in front of my parents, he becomes a docile dog, letting them hit and scold him. He’s not scary at all. If he scolds you again, you can argue with him if you’re in the right. My parents will definitely back you up. Don’t be afraid of him.”

“Like my mother said, don’t treat him like your father, but also like your third uncle. Anyway, your second uncle treats you well, not much worse than your own father,” Wang Zhou said slowly. “You’ll understand once you get to know your father better. He’s a very selfish person, only caring about his own pleasure and comfort. He can’t adapt to others; he just expects others to accommodate him. You should make him realize as soon as possible that you’re only superficially friendly with him. That would be a blessing for you.”

"I'll listen to my eldest and second eldest brothers," Wang Shan declared.

“I’ll keep an eye on you. You can’t cry from feeling wronged anymore. If you cry again, I’ll punish you by making you wash my socks.” Wang Chuan provoked him and then gave him some advice: “If your third uncle picks on you again, just roll your eyes at him and tell yourself that he’s not my father and he’s meddling in other people’s business.”

Wang Shan laughed out loud, then suddenly stopped and said, "I'm going to tell my second uncle that I'm not sleeping with him tonight, I'm sleeping with you instead."

Wang Chuan grabbed his ear, "Did you stuff donkey hair in your ears? I'm not going to be anyone's backup plan."

"I want it." Wang Shan clung to him, refusing to let go.

Wang Chuan tried to push him away several times but couldn't break free. He joked, "Your shameless nature comes from your father."

"Huh!" Wang Shan said with disdain, then clarified, "I learned it from my second brother."

Wang Zhou saw that Wang Shan had become attached to Wang Chuan, so he sent the gatekeeper of the courtyard to run an errand and tell my father that Wang Shan wanted to sleep with Wang Chuan and that he didn't need to come anymore.

But Du Li still came over. He sat in Wang Chuan's room and talked with the two boys for a while before leaving.

The family conflicts were resolved overnight. The next day, Meng Qing and Du Min sent a letter to the palace, awaiting a summons.

It wasn't until the afternoon that someone from the palace came to summon them. In addition to Meng Qing and Du Min, Du Li and Yin Caiwei were also invited to the palace to meet the emperor.

"Your humble servant greets the Empress Dowager."

"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

"This humble subject pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."

Three greetings rang out in succession. The person on the high platform looked at Du Li and said, "It was my oversight. I had intended to bestow the title of County Baron upon Young Master Du, but I forgot to issue the decree afterwards."

"Although I risked my life, my efforts were in vain, and I fear I am unworthy of Your Majesty's favor," Du Li said with shame.

"The court officials also used this argument to obstruct us, which really hurts the feelings of meritorious officials." The Empress Dowager looked at Du Min and asked, "Minister Du, when will you take up your post as governor? Take your elder brother with you. I will appoint him as an assistant director of the Ministry of Revenue. The two of you can go out on official business together and take care of each other."

Du Min's heart tightened. He restrained himself from looking at Meng Qing. He would be more than happy if his brother and sister-in-law could accompany him to his post. But he didn't know Meng Qing's plans and was afraid of delaying them.

Meng Qing turned her head to look at Yin Caiwei and muttered a few words in a low voice. Yin Caiwei didn't hear her clearly, so she turned her body to signal her to repeat herself.

"Minister Meng, Madam Yin, what are you two talking about?" the Empress Dowager inquired.

"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness. I was so excited that I forgot the rules." Meng Qing admitted her mistake and then said, "I was telling my sister-in-law that we have to make a choice. If we go on a business trip with my husband, we will have to leave our children behind. If we stay and take care of our children, we will have to live as widows for several years."

Meng Qing intentionally tested the Empress Dowager's plans for her.

"Your Majesty, I am a humble subject with limited knowledge and have never formally studied. I dare not attempt to take up an official position, lest I neglect my duties. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree." Du Li made his choice.

Upon hearing this, Du Min said, "Your Majesty, I am going there on official business, not to promote my elder brother. My brother is of no help in this matter, so please rescind your order."

"It was my oversight," the Empress Dowager said. "Minister Du is going away on official business and will not be able to return for many years. The family needs a pillar to support the family. Therefore, I hereby confer upon Young Master Du the title of Baron of Wu County, with an annual salary of five hundred strings of cash."

Meng Qing and Du Min immediately understood that the Empress Dowager's move was to test whether Du Min's ambitions remained unchanged and whether he was still willing to take on the task of investigating the land.

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Du Li expressed his gratitude.

"Minister Du made outstanding contributions in the suppression of the rebellion in Yangzhou. Now, he remains true to his original aspiration and insists on investigating the national land and re-measuring the land. Considering his hard work and great achievements, I hereby appoint you as the prime minister, grant you the title of Chancellor and concurrently the position of Grand Councilor, and entrust you with the duties of the Council of State Affairs." The Empress Dowager bestowed these honors.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor." Du Min was so excited that he bowed deeply. Regardless of the process, he had truly obtained the title of Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty, may I ask you a question? Am I the youngest prime minister in the Council of State Affairs?" Du Min asked smugly.

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile, "Minister Du is in his prime and is already a pillar of the Tang Dynasty. I cherish him greatly. Today, I will allocate a hundred soldiers to you to protect Minister Du's safety."

Du Min was so moved that he kowtowed again, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my best to fulfill my duties."

"I know of Du Qing's loyalty and courage, but while you are engrossed in official duties, you must not neglect your family affairs. You have already reached the third rank, so you may request a title for your wife." The Empress Dowager wanted to bestow titles upon Du Min's family.

With the husband's glory comes the wife's honor; Du Min could petition for Yin Caiwei to be granted the title of Lady of the County.

"It was my oversight. I will submit a memorial requesting an official appointment immediately after the Lantern Festival." Du Min had just returned to the capital and had not yet had the leisure to worry about such matters.

Yin Caiwei performed a kowtow in gratitude.

The female official entered the hall and said softly, "Your Majesty, the palace banquet is about to begin. Princess Taiping is waiting for you outside the hall."

"We take our leave," Du Min said.

The Empress Dowager granted permission, and Du Min, Meng Qing, and their group of four left the palace, where they also saw Princess Taiping outside.

"Your subject/woman greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities." Princess Taiping walked up to Meng Qing and asked, "Is this Lady Wu?"

"Yes." Meng Qing bowed again, but was stopped by a pair of hands as she squatted down. Princess Taiping said, "Lady Wu, please don't be so reserved. I have long admired your name, but I have never had the chance to meet you."

Meng Qing looked up at her.

"Princess, the Empress Dowager summons you in," a female official announced as she came out of the hall.

"Lady Wu is a remarkable woman," Princess Taiping praised, then turned and entered the palace.

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Author's note: Happy New Year! [heart emoji]