The next day at court, the newly enfeoffed Twelfth Prince dropped a bombshell by exposing the tea leaf speculation scandal in the eastern Jiangnan circuit, specifically the Yuhang region, causing an uproar in the imperial court. When the Youning Emperor reviewed the evidence submitted by Xiao Changgeng, he slammed the table and rose in fury.
Sericulture was a cornerstone of the state. Every year, even the emperor would organize sacrificial rites to the Silkworm Goddess, praying for abundant cocoon harvests and prosperous mulberry farmers, ensuring the silk industry could enrich both the people and the nation. This demonstrated the immense importance placed on sericulture. Now, someone had the audacity to scheme against it, harming the affluent Yuhang area—how could the Youning Emperor not be enraged?
Because of this incident, the Youning Emperor postponed the summer retreat to the imperial villa. Under the scorching sun, stored ice melted rapidly, and many grumbled about the Yuhang affair. Everyone wished to resolve it quickly and escape to the Lin You Imperial Villa to avoid the heat. With numerous factions involved, the situation descended into chaos.
"Why is His Majesty delaying? Isn't this allowing opportunists to thrive in the confusion?" Zhenzhu fanned Shen Xihe, seizing the moment Shen Xihe set down her book to strike up a conversation.
Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Do you realize how far-reaching this matter is? The collusion between officials and merchants to deceive tea traders and exploit silkworm farmers is merely the beginning. After this turmoil, silk will inevitably become scarce this year, paving the way for silk merchants to take the stage. They will hoard the goods and inflate silk prices to profit handsomely. Each link in this chain is interconnected, and the repercussions could shake the entire Jiangnan region. How could His Majesty allow Jiangnan to fall into chaos?"
This was intentional—to let demons dance freely, giving some the chance to wisely withdraw from the fray. For the sake of the greater good, the Emperor would not uproot everyone involved in the tea price case. The silk merchants would never get their turn; the affair would stop here. The prefects of Yuhang and Jiaxing would not be spared, nor would the implicated merchants escape punishment. By making an example of a few, the lesson would be clear—but it must end there.
"They’re getting off too lightly," Biyu fumed, indignant that such heinous criminals could evade full justice.
"The law cannot punish all, because implicating too many would cause greater harm," Shen Xihe cast a calm glance at the two. "His Majesty is the Emperor. He cannot act on personal whims or vendettas. His eyes are fixed on the entire realm. That is why not everyone can become an emperor, and not every emperor can become a wise ruler."
"Your Ladyship—"
"Ten thousand blessings to Your Ladyship!" Biyu’s words were cut off by an artificially chirpy voice.
The mistress and her maids turned to see Xiao Huayong approaching under the blazing sun, carrying a white cockatoo on a perch. The parrot was snow-white with faint yellow tinges on its belly and crest, repeatedly squawking, "Ten thousand blessings to Your Ladyship!"
"Meow!" Duanming, who had been lazily sprawled on the railing, instantly leaped onto the table, glaring hostilely at the approaching parrot.
"The tea price case will likely take several days to conclude. I know you prefer tranquility, but staying secluded in your residence all day without company is not good for you. I specially found this parrot to keep you company," Xiao Huayong placed the bird stand before Shen Xihe. "When you’re idle, you can amuse yourself with it."
"Meow—" The moment Xiao Huayong finished speaking, Duanming pounced. Fortunately, Xiao Huayong reacted swiftly, grabbing the cat by the scruff and noting its extended claws, sharp and ready. "Youyou, if you don’t trim its claws, it might injure you.""I never had much fondness for keeping pets. Since it insisted on following me, I simply took it in, but I didn't want it confined to the mansion as a mere plaything. For more than half of each month, it must venture into the deep mountains and wild forests to find its own food." Shen Xihe rarely fed Duanming.
She had trained Duanming into a highly alert little subordinate, increasingly sharp at detecting scents, never treating it as an object.
"This parrot was a tribute from Southern Tianzhu at the beginning of the year—quite unique. I've kept it for a few months, taught it some phrases, and found it amusing, so I brought it to Youyou to relieve her boredom." Xiao Huayong explained.
It was clear he had put effort into taming this parrot, so Shen Xihe didn't refuse: "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Deer cry 'yo yo', forever bound in heart... Ouch!"
The white parrot suddenly shook its head and chanted as if reciting poetry, only to be interrupted by Xiao Huayong's subtle flick of his sleeve. Xiao Huayong maintained a proper smile toward Shen Xihe.
He had only carelessly said those words once, and this damned parrot had memorized them. As for the other phrases he had taught it, it had never seemed to learn them so quickly.
Shen Xihe suddenly felt her cheeks grow warm. Xiao Huayong's bold words in front of her were one thing, but to say such things behind her back...
"Deer cry 'yo yo', forever bound in heart; lutes and zithers in harmony, phoenixes sing in concord!" The white parrot, having flown to the side, called out again.
Xiao Huayong cleared his throat lightly: "I... only said it once in front of it."
He truly hadn't been spouting sweet nothings all the time. After all, such words could only be spoken to someone he admired. It was just that day when Shen Xihe had gifted him a handkerchief—after returning to the Eastern Palace, he couldn't resist taking it out to look at it, and as he gazed, the words slipped out, forgetting to guard against this bird.
"Youyou adores me... Ouch!" Before the parrot could finish its cry, Xiao Huayong clamped its beak shut. He immediately picked up the bird stand, "Ahem, this bird isn't fully trained yet. I'll take it back for further taming..."
"I think it's perfectly fine." Shen Xihe suppressed a laugh.
This parrot had been presented as tribute at the beginning of the year. Counting the days, it had likely been by Xiao Huayong's side for half a year. To facilitate its training, Xiao Huayong had probably kept it close, perhaps without guarding many of his secrets from it. Shen Xihe looked forward to learning some of Xiao Huayong's secrets from this bird's mouth.
Xiao Huayong shot a cold glare at the white parrot, feeling the embarrassment of having his own words used against him. He shouldn't have brought this bird along. Yet, for half a year, it had never uttered these phrases—only upon meeting Shen Xihe did it start speaking.
It must have been because he called Shen Xihe "Youyou," unlocking some hidden potential in this foolish bird.
"Deer cry 'yo yo', lingering in my heart..."
Xiao Huayong clenched his fists tightly behind his back, afraid he might lose control and wring the bird's neck.
Shen Xihe had never seen Xiao Huayong in such an awkward state before. Witnessing it for the first time, she found it quite novel. She moved the bird stand closer, restrained Duanming who was about to pounce again, and leaned in to examine the parrot carefully.
The parrot blinked at Shen Xihe, tilting its head: "May the lady be blessed, may the lady be blessed."
Shen Xihe, who had always preferred tranquility, suddenly found the chattering parrot rather endearing. A flicker of joy stirred in her heart: "Your Highness's gift, I accept. It belongs to me now."
"Youyou is mine!" the parrot chimed in after Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe couldn't help but glance at Xiao Huayong, who wore an expression of grim resignation, barely managing to maintain a smile.Poking the parrot, Shen Xihe couldn't resist teasing Xiao Huayong: "I never knew Your Highness was such a dreamer."
She was fond of him? She belonged to him?
When did this ever happen?
OpenNovel