Chapter 821 - 752: Bitter Millet_3

Chapter 821: Chapter 752: Bitter Millet_3

Although Huangfu Yuxuan is already the Heir of Prince Liang, his seat is several places away from him, and he never expected Prince Liang to say such a thing. Once the words were out, Huangfu Yuxuan glared at him fiercely, scaring back what he was going to say next.

Prince Xin glanced at Prince Liang and then laughed, "Eldest Brother is right; Father’s birthday is a joyful occasion, Fifth Imperial Brother must not ruin the mood!"

While his statement was similar to Prince Liang’s, Prince Liang’s intention was purely to annoy Prince Cheng, but Prince Xin just didn’t want Prince Cheng to continue speaking.

In the harsh and barren lands, growing rice that can be eaten, no matter how little, is a matter of national governance and people’s livelihood, and it has nothing to do with crying poor.

The Emperor unhappily glanced at Prince Liang, but he also showed some displeasure at the corn offered by Prince Cheng, saying, "Old Fifth, are you blaming Father for not giving you a prosperous territory?"

Prince Cheng replied, "Your son wouldn’t dare! Under the vast heavens, everywhere is royal soil; to the edges of the land, all are royal ministers. The rain, dew, thunder and lightning, all are the gracious favor of the monarch!"

After hearing this, the Emperor’s expression improved, and his tone somewhat softened: "It’s good that you think this way!"

Prince Lu said gravely, "Growing corn in barren lands is what officials from various regions are also attentive to and doing because it concerns the people’s livelihood. Usually, it’s enough just to report it; today, Old Fifth uses it as a birthday gift, isn’t this too perfunctory?"

Prince Cheng merely cast him a cold glance and turned to the Emperor, "Father’s birthday, your son offers a gift, that shall be auspicious, precious, and truly rare! The reason your son offers this as a gift is precisely because it is precious!"

Prince Xin laughed heartily, "Fifth Imperial Brother, you mean that after spending over twenty years, you’ve finally cultivated this item, and this item is precious?"

Prince Cheng didn’t look at Prince Xin and said, "Father, although treasures are good, they cannot fill one’s belly; though curiosities are wonderful, they serve only for enjoyment! Father is a king of a country, your son believes that Father, possessing the wealth of a nation, would consider any rare treasures merely objects for enjoyment. In Father’s heart surely more wishes for our Nanxia citizens to live in peace, for people to be happy, and for five grains to flourish!"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily, stroking his beard, he laughed and said, "Old Fifth speaks well! Agricultural affairs in Nanxia are not flourishing; if disaster strikes, people find it difficult to wrap their bellies, and the national treasury and granaries have little leftover grain. If more land could produce more food, that would be beneficial to the nation and its people! Feed is the people’s heaven, and the country is based on the people! Now Yunzhou, in the harsh lands, can grow bitter millet and sorghum, this is auspicious, a truly joyful affair!"

"Father, your son offers this as a gift to celebrate Father’s eternal national prosperity, blessing all the people, and wishes our Nanxia country peace and safety!" Prince Cheng’s eyes sweep over Prince Lu, Prince Xin, and Prince Liang calmly, saying, "I don’t know why in Elder Brothers and Younger Brothers’ eyes, this became an act of perfunctoriness?"

Prince Li laughed, "Peaceful nation, peaceful people, is indeed eternal prosperity! Father, your son believes Fifth Imperial Brother’s gift is indeed precious, your son also congratulates Father, celebrates Father!"

The Emperor laughed, "Good, good, good, Old Fifth, you are indeed thoughtful!" He pointed at a dish on the table, "This dish for Old Fifth!"

Nearby, a eunuch naturally brought the dish to Prince Cheng’s table.

Prince Cheng thanked for the favor.

This left Prince Lu, Prince Xin, and others feeling vexed, as if they had swallowed a fly, being difficult to bear.

They had racked their brains, spent silver and effort early on to prepare the most prized gifts for Father’s birthday, aiming to outshine the occasion and surpass their other brothers.

Who could have thought that without spending money or effort, Old Fifth simply brought a box of corn, and with a few flowery remarks won Father’s praise and honor of receiving a dish!

The younger generation like Huangfu Jingchen naturally also had gifts, but their gifts had to neither appear overly outstanding that would overshadow the Princess’ gifts, nor could they be too stingy.

Huangfu Jinxuan presented a bow; when Huangfu Jingchen saw him take out that bow, he couldn’t help being slightly stunned and remembered Xia Wenjin’s words from yesterday.

The Emperor has always been affectionate toward Huangfu Jinxuan; despite Huangfu Jinxuan’s unruliness and mischief, the Emperor indulged him greatly, much like the treatment of Imperial Grandsons.

He respectfully offered the bow with both hands, saying, "Emperor, this is a fine bow carefully selected by Jinxuan, reportedly used by the General Huaihua of the previous dynasty. Such a fine bow is fitting to present to the Emperor, wishing the Emperor wealth as vast as the eastern sea and longevity akin to the southern mountains!"

As soon as his words were finished, Huangfu Yuxuan abruptly stood up and shouted, "Bold! Huangfu Jinxuan, what guilt do you deserve!"