Emperor Mingzheng looked down from his throne, find the scene displeasing, and said, “Throw him into the prison. I don’t have the time to deal with him.”
Chen Junxiong was dumbfounded. Why was he still being sent to prison? Wasn’t he supposed to pay a fine? He hurriedly cried out, “Your Majesty, I’ll pay the fine! I’ll pay the fine!”
Emperor Mingzheng was irritated. The idea of a fine was merely Han Ze’s private thought, yet this man had the audacity to proclaim it out loud. He sneered, “What do you take the laws of the court to be? If everyone who committed a crime could be pardoned just by paying a fine, do you think the law is just a decoration?”
Chen Junxiong thought to himself: I didn’t commit any major crime; I just mocked Prince Chun a few times. I’m willing to pay, yet you still want to lock me up.
No matter how unwilling Chen Junxiong was, he was still hauled off to the prison.
When the head of the Chen family heard the news—that his sister had been demoted to a Noble Lady and his son imprisoned—his body swayed. “That wicked son… that wicked son!”
Madame Chen was pacing in circles, frantic. “Master, what do we do?”
Master Chen said hatefully, “It’s all because you spoiled that wicked brat!”
Madame Chen felt very wronged. “You were the one who said Junxiong was the second son and you didn’t expect much of him. You and his grandparents were always the ones indulging him. Every time I tried to scold him, his grandmother protected him. How is it my fault alone?”
“Is this the time for this?” Master Chen roared irritably.
Madame Chen was also at her wits’ end. “Then… then what do we do?”
Master Chen rubbed his forehead. “Have your eldest brother help us inquire. Go to the prison to see that brat and grease some palms. Although he’s a scoundrel, he wouldn’t dare do anything truly catastrophic. Once the Emperor’s anger cools, he should be released.”
As for his sister, he didn’t know what had happened for her to be demoted so drastically.
…
Han Ze went to the prison to see Chen Junxiong. Upon seeing him, Chen Junxiong crawled to the bars. “Prince Chun, please spare me! However much gold you want, I’ll give it to you! I’ll give it all to you!”
Han Ze snorted. “My Dad said you committed insubordination by insulting a Prince and must stay in prison. Fines won’t work. If everyone paid a fine for their mistakes, the court would fall into chaos. Even if you give me gold now, I can’t plead for you. I can’t harm my Dad.”
Master Chen, who had just entered the prison, felt complicated upon hearing Prince Chun’s words. Prince Chun had damaged his brain as a child, yet he still knew not to harm his father and put his father first. His own son wasn’t stupid, yet he only knew how to pit his father. He’d be better off as a fool!
But as much as this son was a disaster, he couldn’t just not save him. He wondered what sins he had committed in his past life to father such a scoundrel.
Chen Junxiong’s eyes darted around as he asked, “Prince Chun, just tell me: do you like gold or not?”
Han Ze blurted out without a thought, “Of course I like it! Don’t you?”
Chen Junxiong thought: Nonsense, of course I like gold, but gold isn’t as important as my life. He whispered, “My parents have a lot of gold. When the time comes, they will surely send it to your mansion.”
Master Chen: “…”
Han Ze asked happily, “Really?”
Chen Junxiong nodded. “Really!”
Han Ze said excitedly, “I’ll be waiting at home then.”
Chen Junxiong added, “I will definitely make my Dad send the gold to the Prince Chun Mansion.”
Han Ze nodded with satisfaction. “You’re not bad.”
Chen Junxiong thought: Damn right I’m ‘not bad.’ If the Prince thought he was good, he would plead for him. He didn’t want to stay in this shitty cell a second longer, keeping company with rats every day.
Having received a satisfactory answer, Han Ze turned to leave. He bumped into Master Chen and gave him a smile. “Your son is very good.”
Master Chen: “…” Of course you think he’s good when he’s promising you gold.
Chen Junxiong saw his father and said hurriedly, “Dad, you heard that, right?”
Master Chen nodded. “I heard. You said I have gold?”
Chen Junxiong gave a guilty, dry laugh. “Dad, it’s just some gold. Can it be more important than your son’s life?”
Master Chen ignored him and asked sternly, “What happened with your aunt? Did she provoke the Emperor by pleading for you?”
Chen Junxiong frowned, his tone dissatisfied. “Don’t blame me for that. Auntie was pinching the Fifth Prince to win favor, and Prince Chun saw her. You know he’s a fool; he shouted it out right then and there. Could the Emperor be happy hearing that?”
Master Chen’s heart skipped a beat. How could his sister be so muddled?
Chen Junxiong wailed, “Dad, forget about Auntie for now! Hurry and send gold to Prince Chun so he can go to the palace and plead with the Emperor. I don’t want to stay in prison; this isn’t a place for humans!”
Master Chen looked at him crossly. “Serves you right for talking nonsense all day. Daring to mock Prince Chun—you have too much audacity.”
Chen Junxiong muttered, “Wasn’t it you guys at home always whispering that Prince Chun is a fool and the Emperor’s favor is fake? Otherwise, why would I mock him?”
Master Chen jumped in alarm. “You still dare to speak?”
Chen Junxiong sheepishly shut his mouth. “Then hurry and send gold to the Prince!”
“I’ll find a way to get you out.” Having gotten the information he wanted, Master Chen turned and left.
Chen Junxiong shouted after him, “Dad, don’t forget! The gold! The gold!”
Master Chen’s foot slipped, nearly making him fall. This wicked son…
…
Back at the manor, the Old Master and Old Madame Chen asked hurriedly, “What did Junxiong say?”
Master Chen slowly explained the situation in the prison. Old Madame Chen urged, “Then hurry and send gold to Prince Chun! That prison is dark and damp, and there are many rats. How can Junxiong endure it?”
Master Chen was a bit impatient. “Mother, Prince Chun acts strangely and not like ordinary people. Even if we send the gold, we don’t know if he will actually plead for Junxiong. If he doesn’t, wouldn’t the gold be wasted?”
Old Madame Chen didn’t care about that. “Everyone knows Prince Chun loves gold. Our family has plenty of it. If you don’t try, how do you know he won’t plead?”
Madame Chen added, “Master, let’s try. It’s just some gold.”
Left with no choice, Master Chen had the gold hauled to the Prince Chun Mansion. He sighed dejectedly; the family’s misfortune was that no one served as an official in the court, leaving them so passive.
…
Han Ze was lying lazily on a couch, a young maid fanning him while he nonchalantly ate grapes.
Xiaoxing and Xiaozhu, having finished their lessons, were fiddling with a chessboard nearby. Xiaoxing asked, “Dad, do you think the Chen family will really come and give you gold?”
Han Ze spit a grape seed into a dish and shook his head. “Dad doesn’t know either.”
Xiaozhu said, “Who cares if they send it? Their son was thrown in jail by Imperial Grandfather; I don’t believe they aren’t anxious. We aren’t in a hurry anyway.”
Han Ze laughed loudly. “Xiaozhu is right! We aren’t in a hurry at all.”
As they spoke, a young eunuch reported that Master Chen had arrived.
Han Ze looked at the children and said happily, “They’ve come to bring gold!” He stood up. “Come, let’s go see how much they brought us.”
Curious, Xiaoxing and Xiaozhu followed their father. Their eyes went wide when they saw two massive crates.
Han Ze saw Master Chen and said, “Master Chen, have you come to give me gold?”
Master Chen was choked. He had never met someone like Prince Chun. He gave a few laughs. “Please accept this gold, Prince.”
“I’m not stupid; why would I refuse gold brought to my door? I’ll definitely accept it!” Han Ze gave a grand wave of his hand and had the butler take the crates to his courtyard.
Once the gold was taken away, Han Ze looked at Master Chen. “The gold is delivered. You can go back now.”
Master Chen was choked again. “Prince… about my son, please look after him.”
Han Ze smiled. “I will definitely look after him.”
Master Chen relaxed slightly and took his leave.
…
The three of them returned to their courtyard and had the crates opened. Seeing the gold inside, they took a deep breath. Han Ze said, “The Chen family is truly wealthy. So much gold, given to us just like that.”
Xiaoxing sighed. “I wonder how much more they have at home?”
Xiaozhu said with envy, “They must have a lot, otherwise they wouldn’t have sent so much.”
Han Ze stroked the gold. “We can’t spend all this. Let’s take some to your Imperial Grandfather and Grandmother.”
Xiaoxing looked at his father. “Are you actually willing?”
Han Ze shook his head and said bluntly, “I’m not.”
Xiaoxing laughed. “Then why send it?”
Han Ze looked at him sternly. “I am your Grandfather and Grandmother’s son; I must be filial. When we had little gold, it was fine, but now that we suddenly have so much, we must send some to them. Otherwise, it’s unfilial.”
Xiaoxing hurriedly said, “Dad is right. Grandfather and Grandmother are so good to us; how can we be unfilial? Why not send all of this gold to them?”
He had heard in the palace that Imperial Grandfather was worrying over money. Since they had gold now and no immediate use for it, they might as well give it to him. Anyway, they weren’t in the village anymore; they didn’t have to worry about starving. As long as they had enough gold for the house, the extra was useless.
Han Ze looked extremely reluctant. “Let’s… let’s give them some. We don’t have to give it all, right?”
Xiaoxing pursed his lips. “Dad, you said you wanted to be a filial son, yet you’re reluctant to give gold to Imperial Grandfather? He’s so short on money; as his son, you should help him.”
Han Ze scratched his cheek and looked at him with a frown. “Is your Grandfather really that short on gold?”
Xiaoxing nodded. “Grandfather is the Emperor. He has to pay the officials’ salaries and fight bad people. All of that needs money. It takes so much silver just to raise Sister and me; think of how many people Grandfather has to support. He definitely needs lots and lots of money.”
Han Ze tilted his head. “Then your Grandfather really is short on gold.”
Xiaoxing continued, “Extremely short. I heard there are floods outside. Grandfather is the Emperor; he has to provide disaster relief, but he can’t produce the gold. He’s very worried. In that case, are you still unwilling to give the gold to him?”
“Floods?” Han Ze asked.
Xiaoxing nodded.
Han Ze said sadly, “It was because of floods that the crops in our village died and we became so poor. That’s why your Great-Grandmother had no silver for a doctor and died.”
Xiaoxing was also sad. When their Great-Grandmother passed, they were small, but they vaguely remembered she loved them very much.
Han Ze took a final look at the two crates of gold, bit his lip, and said, “Then let’s send this gold to your Grandfather. Let him send it to the disaster victims.”
Xiaozhu praised him, “Dad is so good and so filial.”
Xiaoxing also nodded his small head. “Dad truly is good and filial.”
Han Ze rubbed his head and gave a bashful “hehe” laugh.
…
The father and children had the two crates of gold hauled to the palace. Emperor Mingzheng was discussing matters with his officials when he heard Han Ze had arrived with the grandchildren and two crates.
He asked hurriedly, “Did they say what it’s about?”
Hu Deyang smiled. “The Prince says he’s bringing gold for the Emperor.”
Crown Prince Han Wei heard this and laughed. “Oh? Is the sun rising from the west? Aze is actually willing to give gold to Imperial Father?”
Emperor Mingzheng shot him a look. “Don’t let Aze hear that, or he’ll tattle to your Mother.”
Han Wei laughed and made a “zip it” gesture with his fingers. The officials all kept their heads down, pretending not to see the interaction between the Emperor and the Crown Prince, but they thought to themselves: It seems the Crown Prince’s position is very stable.
Hu Deyang whispered a few words into the Emperor’s ear. The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh. “Have him bring the crates in.”
Han Wei was stunned. He looked at Hu Deyang. What is this old fellow saying?
Hu Deyang stood expressionlessly, looking like: I am the Emperor’s servant; I listen to the Emperor.
Han Wei gave him an annoyed glare. The Emperor laughed. “Alright, tell the Crown Prince.”
Hu Deyang whispered into the Crown Prince’s ear. The officials all pricked up their ears but couldn’t hear a thing, growing curious.
Just then, Han Ze entered leading the servants with the crates. He knelt and said, “Imperial Father, I heard there are floods outside and you need gold for the victims. I’m giving all this gold to you so you don’t have to worry anymore.”
The officials were shocked. Everyone knew Prince Chun loved gold; yet he was willing to give the Emperor two whole crates?
Han Wei looked at the officials and asked intentionally, “Where did you get this gold?”
Han Ze stammered but finally said, “The Chen family gave it.”
Han Wei was delighted. He stood up immediately. “The Chen family is truly charitable! Knowing the court is anxious over disaster relief, they privately donated so much gold! Kind, truly kind!”
Han Ze looked at the Crown Prince. Big Brother, what are you trying to do?
The officials also looked at the Crown Prince, not understanding why he was favoring the Chen family.
Han Wei said, “Imperial Father, such a charitable act by the Chen family deserves a commendation.”
Emperor Mingzheng’s eyes flashed, understanding his son’s intent. He laughed loudly. “The Chen family’s act is indeed charitable! To have such a noble clan is the fortune of this dynasty! They should be commended. Prepare the decree!”
Han Wei: “Imperial Father is wise.”
Han Ze suddenly said, “The Chen family has so much gold, yet they only gave two crates. How is that ‘truly charitable’?”
Han Wei: “…”
Emperor Mingzheng smiled and said, “The amount of gold the Chen family has is their own, but their willingness to donate these two crates is an act of great righteousness. Aze, you cannot force others, understood?”
Han Ze said listlessly, “Understood.” Then he snorted, “But they still aren’t ‘truly charitable.’ If they were truly kind, they should have proactively donated lots and lots of gold.”
The Emperor glared at him. “Listen to your Dad.”
Han Ze gave a mopey “Eh.”
…
The Emperor sent Hu Deyang to the Chen manor to announce the decree.
Master Chen looked at the decree commending his “charitable act” and didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
Hu Deyang added, “Prince Chun said the Chen family has vast amounts of gold yet only donated two crates, so you shouldn’t be commended. But the Emperor said that no matter the amount, it is an act of righteousness and deserves praise.”
Having finished, he turned and left before Master Chen could say a word.
Old Madame Chen said hurriedly, “The gold we gave to Prince Chun—how did it become disaster relief gold in the blink of an eye? What about our Junxiong?”
Master Chen braced himself. “We send more.” Thinking of the meaning behind Manager Hu’s final words, he gritted his teeth. “And we’ll add another donation for disaster relief.”
He looked at the decree in his hand; it felt like a hot coal.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152