Chapter 412: Chapter 239 The Art of Emperor_3
Upon hearing this, the emperor turned around and looked at He Lianfang in surprise: "Rearranging a mentor for Xiao Shi, why is that?" The emperor genuinely didn’t understand this time, "Xiao Shi is just starting his studies this year and is doing quite well at Wende Hall."
He Lianfang never held back in the emperor’s presence and spoke his mind directly.
"You should arrange for a tutor to teach Xiao Shi the imperial skills."
"Imperial skills?" The emperor raised his eyebrows in astonishment at these words, then immediately frowned and said, "Lao He, do you know what you’re saying?"
Unafraid of the emperor, He Lianfang looked him straight in the eyes and said once more, "Find someone to teach Xiao Shi the imperial skills." Although Zhao Yao was very perceptive and intelligent in state affairs, He Lianfang still felt that finding a mentor to properly teach Zhao Yao imperial skills was necessary for him to learn how to be an emperor.
"Reason." The emperor asked coldly.
"Xiao Shi needs it." He Lianfang thought to himself, if he were proficient in the imperial skills, he wouldn’t need to find someone to educate Zhao Yao.
He Lianfang was exceptionally intelligent and a once-in-a-century talent in commanding troops, but warfare and state governance were two different matters. The schemes used on the battlefield might not be suitable for managing a country.
The emperor coldly laughed, "Lao He, you really are concerned for Xiao Shi."
"Your youngest is even wiser than you think, especially in state affairs," He Lianfang said without changing his expression, "His cleverness surpasses yours."
"I’m surprised you hold Xiao Shi in such high regard," the emperor said, looking at He Lianfang with playful eyes, "Imperial skills... you really dare to speak of that."
He Lianfang displayed an expression as if to say, "I said it, what can you do about it."
The emperor suddenly smiled broadly, "Hahaha..." Then he turned and left He Lianfang’s residence.
Watching the emperor’s departing figure, He Lianfang frowned, unable to immediately discern the emperor’s thoughts.
Back in the Imperial Study, the emperor lightly tapped his fingers on the imperial desk.
Sun Kui brought a cup of hot tea, handing it to the emperor with both hands, "Please enjoy your tea, Your Majesty."
The emperor took the tea cup, not rushing to drink, but lightly sweeping the tea with the lid.
"Imperial skills..."
Upon hearing this, Sun Kui’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed his head, pretending he didn’t hear anything.
"Lao He really dares to say it."
Sun Kui cautiously spoke, "Your Majesty, he’s just a madman."
"However, his request is not unreasonable." The emperor laughed lightly, "He really is thinking for Xiao Shi."
Sun Kui: The emperor isn’t angry at He Lianfang’s audacious demand!
"Xiao Shi must have said something to Lao He, otherwise Lao He wouldn’t have sought me tonight or requested that I arrange a mentor to teach Xiao Shi imperial skills." The emperor said, "I originally intended to wait until Xiao Shi was a bit older to arrange for a mentor, but now I see it’s urgent."
Sun Kui was greatly shocked by this.
"Your Majesty, do you really plan on arranging a mentor to teach His Highness the tenth..." He dared not utter the words "imperial skills."
"I must consider who would be most suitable to teach Xiao Shi." The emperor himself had once studied the imperial skills when he was crown prince. However, the mentor who taught him had retired to his hometown several years ago.
Sun Kui: "!!!!!!"
He heard nothing! He knew nothing!
With a thud, the emperor slammed the tea cup he was holding onto the imperial desk, angrily scolding, "That little rascal Xiao Shi tells Lao He everything instead of speaking to me, his father."
Sun Kui: So that’s why the emperor is upset.
"Did you see Lao He’s smug face when he said Xiao Shi was smarter than I imagined?." The emperor was full of anger, "He was mocking me, flaunting that Xiao Shi is closer to him than to me, his own father."
Sun Kui: The emperor is actually jealous of He Lianfang.
"That little rascal Xiao Shi..." The more the emperor thought, the angrier and more aggrieved he felt, "I am his biological father, yet he is close to He Lianfang, not me. It makes me furious."
Sun Kui: Your Majesty, have you forgotten how you’ve mistreated the tenth prince? You’ve been pretending not to care for the tenth prince.
The emperor was quite an actor; even Sun Kui had been deceived, let alone others. The civil and military officials across the court never imagined that the emperor’s most favored and cherished son was the tenth prince.
"Tomorrow, I’ll have to teach that little rascal a lesson."
"Your Majesty, tomorrow is the tenth prince’s birthday."
"I know." The emperor said, squinting his eyes. Whatever the little rascal Xiao Shi told He Lianfang, he would certainly tell Liang Zhaoyi. He planned to ask Xiao Xiao tomorrow night.
"Go call Jia Qi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A moment later, a guard of average appearance entered and saluted the emperor, "Your Majesty."
"Jia Qi, you personally go to my old home and invite Mr. Tang."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You may leave for now; I’ll give you a letter later."
"Yes." Jia Qi withdrew.
An hour later, the emperor had Sun Kui deliver a personal letter to Jia Qi.
The "Mr. Tang" referred to by the emperor was the former mentor who had taught him the imperial skills, a great scholar well-versed in literature, knowledgeable about the past and present.