My Emperor Father Can Read Minds -
Chapter 71
When Wei Yu heard about Steward He taking in beggar children on the back mountain of the manor, he was a little dumbfounded.
“You’re sure it was Steward He who took them in?”
Not quite believing that the round, plump man dressed in brocade would do something like taking in children, Wei Yu asked Yi Shisan again.
Yi Shisan vowed earnestly, “This subordinate is certain. I stayed nearby and listened for a long while. I clearly heard the children say so themselves. They’re very concerned about Steward He’s safety.”
Wei Yu leaned back against his chair, crossed his arms over his stomach, and shook his head with a click of his tongue. “Truly, people cannot be judged by their appearance, just as the sea cannot be measured with a bucket. It’s really quite incredible.”
The first time Wei Yu saw Steward He, he thought he was someone who exploited and squeezed others; when he saw the man’s expression change upon learning Wei Yu’s identity, he thought he must be dishonest and corrupt; but when he heard Steward He speak calmly and confidently about everything on the estate, Wei Yu felt this plump man didn’t seem like he had any issues after all.
Now, hearing Yi Shisan’s report, Wei Yu finally began to understand what kind of person Steward He was.
Thinking back over his shifting opinions of Steward He, Wei Yu admitted to himself that he had been shallow.
How could he judge a person based solely on appearance, and decide good or bad based on such a one-sided view?
What was this?It was the result of being poisoned and corrupted by trashy novels and TV dramas!
Wei Yu sighed.
Sigh, looks like it’s time to cut down on novels and TV shows… Hmm, he could watch more anime instead!
Starting today, no more “Detective Conan” — he would go look up some good, passionate shounen anime to nurture his spirit!
“Hiss, but I still don’t get it!”
Wei Yu suddenly slammed the table with a fist, turned to look at Fang Sheng, and asked seriously and earnestly, “Tell me, do I look like the type to be heartless, to drag innocent suffering peasants to face officials, and force others to sell themselves into servitude? I even told the guards to take off their coats and hug the children just now! Didn’t they see that?”
Fang Sheng glanced at him. “Your Highness, it’s no use if I see it. The farmers have to see it themselves.”
Wei Yu’s heart hurt.
He realized that the few subordinates around him didn’t seem to be the thoughtful types.
Couldn’t they just flatter him a little, in line with what he wanted?!
Wei Yu missed the little flatterers back in the palace.
Yi Shisan, a little clever fox who seized every opportunity, noticed the prince was dissatisfied with Fang Sheng’s answer. His eyes lit up and he immediately volunteered.
“Your Highness, this subordinate requests permission to patrol the area once more to find out the truth for you.”
“Wow, promising, very promising! Fang Sheng, open your eyes and look!”
Wei Yu looked at Yi Shisan, hands trembling with excitement as he pointed, determined to make Fang Sheng learn how to be quick-witted like his peers. “Look at his attitude, then look at yourself. Can’t you learn a little? This is what a good subordinate looks like in the master’s eyes!”
Fang Sheng remained unmoved.
Forget it, this hopeless piece of wood couldn’t be saved. Better to cultivate new people.
Wei Yu turned back to Yi Shisan, smiling kindly. “You’re pretty good. What’s your name? I need to remember it.”
Yi Shisan straightened his back proudly and said loudly, “Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate has no name. Please bestow one upon me.”
“Ah? No name? Then what do others call you?” Wei Yu was slightly stunned.
Yi Shisan replied, “In the past, we only had ranks. I’m number thirteen in Team Yi, so people call me Yi Shisan.”
Cool.
Wei Yu’s eyes lit up.
He had only known about Commander Huo Tingyu before, and hadn’t really understood the customs among the Gray Guards. It was the first time he realized they addressed each other like this…
Such a name was seriously cool.
Yi Shisan, Yi Shisan, Shisan… Xiao Shisan Lang! (TL = Little Thirteenth Young Master)
“I’ve got it!”
Wei Yu clapped his fist into his palm, eyes shining as he looked at Yi Shisan. “How about from now on, you’ll be called Xiao Shisan Lang?”
Fang Sheng: …
Yi Shisan: No!
Wasn’t it said that Ninth Prince was exceptionally wise and talented?
Why was the name he gave even worse than “Yi Shisan”?!
—
Watching Yi Shisan, who had rejected the name “Xiao Shisan Lang” and left, Wei Yu felt very melancholic.
“Fang Sheng, why do I feel like his back looks so bleak and filled with resentment? Isn’t Xiao Shisan Lang a good name? It’s obviously so unique.”
Fang Sheng: “…As long as Your Highness is satisfied.”
Sighing that there were no kindred spirits in this world, Wei Yu clasped his hands behind his back and strolled toward the backyard, muttering as he went.
“Fang Sheng, your prince is very troubled right now. Not a single person around me understands me. What should I do? Should you maybe find a teacher and learn how?”
“…”
“I think Yi Shisan is pretty good. In the future, transfer him to serve by my side.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Tsk, you’re really boring, you know that? Forget it. Tonight, go act like a ‘gentleman on the roof’ and see if Steward He has any little secrets.”
“…Your Highness, may I ask, how can you speak so frankly about something as shady as sneaking around?”
“Go, go, go — don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask!”
—
As for whether Fang Sheng had become a “gentleman on the roof” that night, Wei Yu, who slept soundly till morning, had no idea.
But when he got up early, he saw Yi Shisan waiting outside his door.
Wei Yu stood at the entrance, glanced around the little courtyard, and didn’t see anyone else. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you here alone? Where are the others?”
Yi Shisan replied with a blank face, “Reporting to Your Highness, Lord Fang Sheng did not return last night. Aside from the guards, everyone else is busy accounting.”
Wei Yu paused, giving him a suspicious look. “Since Fang Sheng didn’t return all night, you didn’t stand guard outside the whole time, did you?”
Yi Shisan smiled slightly. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Wei Yu: …
Why did that smile feel a bit passive-aggressive?
Leaving that question aside for now, Wei Yu stood in the courtyard, stretching his body while asking what Yi Shisan found out during his patrol yesterday.
“Reporting to Your Highness, I counted yesterday. There are thirty-seven tenant households on the manor. Thirty-four of them live on the west side. The remaining three — one family of four watches over the fish pond and duck pens on the east side, one is a widower living near the chicken coop, and another is a grandfather and granddaughter living at the foot of the mountain.”
Speaking of the grandfather and granddaughter, Yi Shisan added a few more details: “The old man is the one who previously treated the children on the mountain. His granddaughter is the one who hid behind a tree and then ran off saying she was going to report to the authorities.”
Ah, so that’s how it is.
Wei Yu connected the dots in his mind.
Thinking for a bit, he focused on the grandfather and granddaughter. “Why does the old man live at the foot of the mountain? Is it because it’s convenient for him to forage for herbs? Doesn’t he farm? How does he pay rent then… could there be some special reason?”
Since he had so many questions, Wei Yu turned to look at Yi Shisan again.
“Go ahead and tell me. Judging by your confident look, you must know the answer.”
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