Chapter 21
Before the city gate, Master Liu declined Ritual Master Xu's offer to ride together, claiming that he didn't sleep well the previous night.
He had no mood to chat with anyone now!
He and the Old Madam of the Liu Family exchanged glances, both silently listening to the soft, tender voice that followed.
Especially Master Liu, though he didn't admit it, he listened intently.
[Even if the Emperor Father is not lingering in the harem now, he still needs to give the Mother who bore his son and daughter a proper status.]
[So, this time he wants to give Grandfather another promotion opportunity, and has someone come to ask you 'how to handle Pan Ji's river administration'.]
Master Liu's expression turned serious.
He also wanted a promotion, partly to serve the people, and partly to earn face for his daughter!
If the maternal grandfather was promoted, the Fifth Prince in the palace would also not be looked down upon by others.
Master Liu immediately began to ponder.
—How to handle Pan Ji's river administration?
Did the Emperor want to send him to work on clearing the Yellow River region?
Was he asking how Master Liu would assist Pan Ji, who had just been promoted to the position of river administration governor a few days ago?
While Master Liu pondered, the palace carriages had already gone far away.
The nearest palanquin carrying Concubine Liu was also slowly disappearing from sight.
[Grandfather, if you answer like this, it would be good...]
The soft, tender voice seemed to be getting farther away, becoming inaudible.
The Old Madam of the Liu Family immediately became anxious, "Old Master, do you have confidence? Can you answer it?"
"When we reach Qiu Mountain, I'll try to find a way to see Concubine Liu and the Little Princess!"
Only by being close could he hear the intentions of his young granddaughter.
Master Liu narrowed his eyes and raised his eyebrows, "Don't startle the Little Princess!"
After the imperial carriages and officials' sedan chairs left, they finally boarded their own horse-drawn carriages and headed towards Qiu Mountain one by one.
Once the carriage curtains were drawn, the sound of hooves and wheels accompanied them all the way.
The elderly couple of the Liu Family spoke softly, so others could not hear them.
Master Liu pondered and asked, "Does our daughter know about the Little Princess's situation?"
The Old Madam of the Liu Family hesitated but soon shook her head, "When I went to the palace during the Little Princess's full moon ceremony, Channiang seemed unaware, and the Fifth Prince showed no reaction either. It seems that only I could hear the Little Princess's voice back then, and now Old Master can too."
Master Liu's face lit up with delight, "Our granddaughter is close to us!"
The Old Madam of the Liu Family glared at him, "Then don't answer the Emperor's question wrong and embarrass the Little Princess! If you get demoted, it's fine, you can just go back and sell sweet potatoes. But if you implicate our daughter and the Little Princess, you'll have me to answer to!"
Master Liu waved his hand dismissively.
"'How to handle Pan Ji's river administration'... Since I know the Emperor's question in advance, I'll prepare for two days, don't worry, Madam, I won't answer it wrong."
Since the Emperor wanted to send him to handle the river administration, he would go and have tea with a few officials from the river administration department in the next two days to seek advice.
"And I'll have Zhang San buy me a few books, so I can study them through the night."
The Old Madam of the Liu Family felt relieved upon hearing this.
This preparation seemed adequate.
Much more reliable than answering on the spot.
If the Old Master still answered incorrectly after such preparation, it would be no wonder the Emperor didn't want to employ him.
The couple discussed a bit more and came to a tacit agreement, "Since they don't know about the Little Princess's situation, let's keep it between us and not reveal a single word."
Their granddaughter had given him the question in advance, but if the Emperor found out, wouldn't that be cheating?
Master Liu, who intended to be clever and regain the Emperor's favor, was determined to keep it confidential!
"If the Little Princess mentions anything about our daughter or the Fifth Prince, Madam, you must find a way to inform them when you go to the palace."
"Of course!"
Two days later, the ancestral sacrifice at Qiu Mountain was successfully conducted under the supervision of the Abbot of Qiu Mountain Monastery.
The Emperor decided to stay for three more days, eating vegetarian and reciting scriptures, with all officials in attendance.
During this period, Xiao Yunzhou summoned many officials to answer questions before the Emperor and handle state affairs.
Finally, on the third day, it was the long-awaited turn of the elderly Master Liu.
Surprisingly, the one who came to summon him was none other than Wei Zheng, the chief eunuch.
Wei Zheng smiled amiably, not only treating Master Liu with respect all the way, but also invited the Old Madam of the Liu Family to join them at Concubine Liu's residence.
"The Emperor, in his benevolence, knows that Concubine Liu has recently given birth and misses her parents."
"Therefore, he has graciously allowed Master Liu and the Old Madam to dine with Concubine Liu first. After an hour, this servant will come and escort Master Liu to the Emperor's presence."
Master Liu and the Old Madam were both taken aback.
They had already received the news that their daughter had been elevated to the rank of Concubine.
But they didn't expect the Emperor to be so considerate.
Master Liu was very pleased, but as soon as he followed the Old Madam into the side hall where Concubine Liu was staying, he was struck with shock and froze on the spot.
[Grandfather, you're going to have a bad day today.]
[You misunderstood the question 'how to handle Pan Ji's river administration'!]
[It's not asking you how you would handle the river administration yourself! You're answering in the direction of you personally handling the river administration, which would be completely wrong!]
Master Liu and the Old Madam were both dumbfounded.
Especially the Old Madam, who glared fiercely at her husband!
What thorough preparation?
What guaranteed no mistakes?
Big liar!
"How..." How could it not be about him handling the river administration?
Master Liu was dazed.
[You're the deputy at the Imperial Academy, which trains future officials. Why would the Emperor Father ask you about handling the river administration?]
[River administration is not your responsibility.]
['How to handle Pan Ji's river administration' means the Emperor Father is asking you, since Pan Ji, a talented official, has been transferred to handle the river administration, his former position at the Hanlin Academy is now vacant. As the deputy of the Imperial Academy that trains students, what do you think of the Third Son of Duke Yingguo, the student Ying Qin - could he be transferred to the Hanlin Academy to fill Pan Ji's vacancy?]
The Old Madam of the Liu Family suddenly understood.
Master Liu was dumbstruck, his face quickly turning red.
The Emperor's question had such a meaning!
He had completely misunderstood the direction.
His granddaughter understood better than he did.
Little Xiao Chuchu let out a soft cry in Concubine Liu's arms, her face flushed as she tried to gesture, but it was too difficult for her.
This adorable sight made Concubine Liu, now a mother, unable to resist and want to give her daughter a big kiss.
"Chuchu is so good."
Channiang, who had now attained the rank of Concubine, quickly turned her thoughts and looked towards her long-unseen father.
With reddened eyes, she pointed out, "Father, your granddaughter and I were practicing recognizing characters this morning, and it seems she can recognize the character 'one' now."
"Nonsense, the Princess is too young! Don't force her growth, let her eat, sleep, and play properly."
Master Liu couldn't help but object.
Channiang smiled and nodded, "People in different positions have different perspectives. I used to resent Mother for being strict with me, but only after becoming a mother myself did I realize that both Father and Mother did it for my own good."
"It shows that no matter what you do, you must first understand your position and identity."
Master Liu fell silent.
So the Emperor thought he was foolish.
What seemed like a simple mistake of answering the wrong question actually revealed that he had failed to understand his responsibilities.
He had misunderstood the direction of thinking about the problem from the start, rendering all his efforts useless.
Before summoning him, the Emperor had most likely asked Ritual Master Xu from the Imperial Academy the same question.
They naturally had to be very familiar with the outstanding students in the academy, knowing who could take on what positions in the future and whether they could handle the responsibilities... They had to be clear about all of this.
If Ritual Master Xu had answered the Emperor's question correctly and he answered it wrongly, it would make him look exceptionally foolish!
If he couldn't even handle a matter concerning the Imperial Academy, what position could he be placed in? How could he be promoted?
Master Liu immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
That was a close call!
By the time they finished their meal, someone came from the front courtyard.
"The Emperor summons Liu Siyi."
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