Chapter 507: Arresting ‘Private Advisor Long’?
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Bayview Seafood Restaurant?
The Retired Emperor frowned. Isn’t it the restaurant that supplies seafood to the royal family?
The reputation of the restaurant was quite good among the ministers.
The franchises of the restaurant could be found in almost all coastal cities.
When he was young, he had been to the Bayview Restaurant before and was rather pleased with the visit. They served big and fresh lobsters and their service was excellent. He had also disguised as a commoner to interview a few of the locals regarding the restaurant and they were all satisfied with Bayview Restaurant.
How is it possible for a reputable restaurant like this to serve rancid prawns?
Is what I learned about this restaurant all wrong?
Is someone manipulating the management of the restaurant?
Are restaurants these days involved in politics too?
The Retired Emperor was furious. He gently ma.s.saged his Imperial Grandson’s belly and said, “Little Seven, you can tell me about the story that happened in Bayview Restaurant later. Now, let the imperial physician check your pulse and prescribe medications for you.”
“I don’t want to take any medicine,” the headstrong little boy continued to refuse. That’s impossible. The imperial physicians will expose me when they check on me and everyone will find out that I’ve been lying about my bad stomach the whole time. Hmph! I will never give in!
The Retired Emperor tried to coax his grandson, “My good boy, how can you not take any medication when you are sick? Don’t worry, the medicine doesn’t taste bitter at all.”
To pretend to be sick, the little prince had been lying in a p.r.o.ne position. Coupled with his always mischievous expression, he actually looked rather adorable in his current state. After he heard the Retired Emperor’s words, he answered willfully, “Imperial Grandfather, despite my young age, I am able to use my common sense. All medicine is bitter.”
Retired Emperor was fl.u.s.tered.
“What do you want then?” Only a moment ago, the Retired Emperor was feeling sorry for the boy. But now, the Retired Emperor had the urge to beat his Imperial Grandson up.
After some deliberation, the little boy said in a serious tone, “Third Brother told me that the celestial crane carries a celestial aura. Consuming it can enhance one’s strength and improve one’s health. Perhaps Imperial Grandfather can order the imperial kitchen to boil soup with the celestial crane. Imperial Grandfather can have it and share the benefits too.”
Eunuch Sun was completely bewildered by the prince’s request. Is Little Seventh Prince still coveting the Retired Emperor’s celestial crane at this instant?
Has the prince forgotten how he got expelled?
The shadow guards pretended to not hear the conversation as they stared blankly at the ceiling in synchrony.
The Retired Emperor’s expression changed as he snarled, “You little brat!”
“Please calm down, Retired Emperor. Stay calm!” Eunuch Sun hurriedly went up to hold the Retired Emperor back. “Your Highness, the little prince is still sick…”
The Retired Emperor took a deep breath and said, “He doesn’t look sick!” After all, the boy was still asking for food in spite of his upset stomach.
“Well… Your Highness, you know about the little prince’s att.i.tude.” Eunuch Sun had no choice but to make up an excuse for his young master.
Sulking, the boy said bitterly, “Imperial Grandfather, you are no longer a young man. It’s not healthy for you to get angry so often.”
Who is this boy trying to annoy? The Retired Emperor was agitated, but there was nothing he could do. He glared at the boy and questioned him, “Tell me honestly. Is your stomach really hurting?”
“It’s true.” The little boy stuck out his bottom. “When I follow uncle around, I have never had any putrid meat.” He was speaking the truth. Everything he had was freshly prepared.
The Retired Emperor used to be so occupied that he missed the opportunity to care for the Third Prince. To compensate for that, he paid all his endearments to Little Seven. However, understanding that the imperial palace was an extremely dangerous place, he expelled Little Seventh Prince from the palace in order to keep the little prince safe.
The boy was different from the other princes. He was never a picky eater and that made him an easygoing person.
The Retired Emperor heard that the kids in the White Academy hardly got to eat meat.
Then, he felt sorry for the boy again when he heard Little Seven’s rant.
“You can’t have the celestial crane now as you’re having a bad stomach. You should have some soft food.” The Retired Emperor gently rubbed the little prince’s bald head. Before he could summon the servants from the imperial kitchen, a eunuch entered the room with an edict in his hands, saying that he had an important message to deliver.
The Retired Emperor received the edict before he briefly scanned through it. Then, he snickered and said, “No wonder they said that the restaurant is manipulated by someone! It’s true. Little Seven, tell me everything that happened at the Bayview Restaurant.”
The bald boy gave a firm nod before he narrated the entire incident that happened in the provincial capital. He then began to rub his stomach after he finished the story.
A loud thud resonated across the room!
The Retired Emperor slapped the edict on the table and his eyes were filled with complete iciness. “Eunuch Sun, pack our things. We’ll leave the palace first thing tomorrow.”
“Yes.” Eunuch Sun carefully picked up the edict. He was dumbfounded when he read the edict and could now understand the reason behind the Retired Emperor’s fury.
It was a complaint lodged against Governor Li.
Worse, ‘Lord Wei’ was mentioned in the text. According to the edict, Lord Wei abused his power to exploit the restaurant and the public was incensed by his misdeed.
Eunuch Sun, who served the Retired Emperor attentively, certainly knew the true ident.i.ty of ‘Lord Wei’.
Lord Wei was none other than the princess consort!
Even without taking her ident.i.ty as a princess consort into account, within the past two days, she had done more for Fuping County than the ineffectual officials who were posted at the county.
The Retired Emperor was extremely pleased when he received the edict that came from Governor Chen.
In fact, it was rather logical as the Retired Emperor appeared obviously concerned when the dry season arrived every year.
Due to the shortage of rice, the people flocked to the Capital to beg for food. For the Retired Emperor, that was the most distressing scene to watch.
However, the princess consort had actually invented a water pump!
It was a great creation that would benefit the whole War Dragon Empire!
As His Highness and princess consort had yet to return, it was irrational for the Retired Emperor to unveil their ident.i.ties. Otherwise, the Retired Emperor would have celebrated her success and officially conferred the t.i.tle of princess consort on her.
How can she be accused of groundlessly?
The more Eunuch Sun dwelled on the thought, the more furious he got. Eventually, he began to pack everything at a faster rate.
Although the Retired Emperor appeared calm, he had the intention to annihilate the whole Helian family.
In fact, he would be less angry if Elder Helian did not send him the edict.
Nonetheless, the balance of power was very important for the imperial court. It was disagreeable to push anyone too hard.
But, it’s just a small restaurant.
How dare they make up such a big lie about it?
There must be a lot of people from the imperial court who are working together to help the restaurant with the lie. Even I fell for the lie!
Hah. Seafood is my favorite?
Even I have no idea about this little fact of myself!
On the contrary, Liao Qingtian, who was in the provincial capital, was thrilled when he received the edict. “I was right. The County Magistrate Wei was looking for trouble when he decided to disturb the Bayview Restaurant! The elder has delivered the edict to the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor will probably be here by noon tomorrow.”
“General Liao is such a discerning man.” The imperial officials who were sitting by the side gave a thumbs up. They laughed gleefully and said, “County Magistrate Wei must be regretting deeply now!”
“Regret? The Retired Emperor will not tolerate this if he finds out about the incident,” Liao Qingtian put on a chilling grin as he said, “He will definitely be removed from his position. Arrest the private advisor who follows Wei Wei around!” Since the elder allowed him to manage the affair unsparingly, he would carry out his task with no scruples.