Chapter 703

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“Your Majesty’s grace to me, your old servant, is as vast as a mountain. I would repay it even if it cost me my life.”

Fei Ji’s eyes were red-rimmed. The cry of the infant in the bedchamber finally put his anxious heart at ease.

All this time, his greatest worry had been this daughter. When Fei Yuer had been in the palace for two years without conceiving, he worried day and night, unable to sleep.

And after Fei Yuer conceived, he began to worry whether it would be a boy or a girl. Now that Fei Yuer was the Empress, he saw a great difference.

After all, if Fei Yuer gave birth to a male infant, her status would henceforth be unshakeable. If it were a female infant, and other consorts gave birth to male infants first, it would be extremely disadvantageous for her.

It was for this reason that he, who had never been willing to form factions, made an exception and drew closer to some ministers, fearing that if Fei Yuer were bullied in the future, he, as her father, would still be there to support her.

But now this worry had vanished. Empress Fei Yuer had given birth to an imperial prince. According to the patriarchal system followed for thousands of years, this legitimate eldest son was the rightful heir.

Now, his daughter was not only honored because of her son, but her son was also honored because of his mother.

“I will temporarily believe your words. Previously, I didn’t make it clear to you to save you, the imperial father-in-law, a little face before the officials.”

As soon as Fei Ji entered Qingzhou Province, his demeanor was somewhat different from his time in Chang’an. Xiao Ming naturally noticed and kept it in mind.

After careful analysis, he roughly guessed Fei Ji’s intentions. He only had this one daughter, and he doted on Fei Yuer immensely. His elaborate schemes were precisely to protect Fei Yuer.

Fei Ji looked embarrassed. He said, “So Your Majesty had already seen through everything. I am ashamed.”

Xiao Ming then put on a benevolent expression. He said, “Do you truly take me for a blind man? What in Qingzhou Province can escape my discerning eyes? It’s just that sometimes I merely turn a blind eye. However, with the reforms imminent, I cannot ignore things anymore. Pang Yukun has already been reprimanded by me. You should also watch yourself, I truly do not wish for the Empress to be sad.”

As his words fell, a layer of cold sweat suddenly appeared in Fei Ji’s palm, because in his opinion, his previous actions were about to exceed Xiao Ming’s limit of tolerance.

He immediately said, “Your old servant will certainly correct my past mistakes.”

“Since that is the case, I will wait and see.” Xiao Ming’s tone softened. “In the future, when you have nothing to do, you can come and visit the temporary palace. After all, we are a family.”

A mix of stick and carrot, Fei Ji was somewhat dazed by Xiao Ming’s warning. He nodded repeatedly, saying, “Thank Your Majesty for your immense kindness.”

The two chatted briefly. At this moment, the wet nurse came out holding the infant. The Empress Dowager saw Fei Ji and said, “Dear in-law, you has done well this time, adding an imperial son to the Great Yu Empire.”

With the Empress Dowager calling him “dear in-law,” Fei Ji was even more moved. He said, “Thanks to the Emperor’s and Empress Dowager’s grace, it must be that Heaven was moved and bestowed an imperial son.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, “So you, his maternal grandfather, must assist the Emperor diligently, and in the future, give him a prosperous empire.”

Xiao Ming did not speak. Sometimes, the Empress Dowager and he seemed to have a telepathic understanding. The Empress Dowager’s words just now, seemingly ordinary, were actually of extremely high caliber.

The phrase “dear in-law” was a common saying among the common people. This clearly showed Fei Ji that he and the imperial family shared weal and woe, and the words that followed were to encourage him to assist him well.

Fei Ji nodded repeatedly. What Xiao Ming said was one thing, and what the Empress Dowager said was another.

In the eyes of the old officials of Chang’an, Concubine Zhen’s status was very high, after all, Concubine Zhen carried some shadow of the late Emperor.

After these words, the Empress Dowager signaled the wet nurse to let Fei Ji hold the little imperial prince. Fei Ji was overwhelmed by the favor, and immediately carefully held the little imperial prince, his body stiff, afraid of hurting the infant.

The Empress Dowager then said, “Your Majesty, the little imperial prince does not yet have a name. While Elder Fei is here, how about we give the little imperial prince a name?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Xiao Ming smiled and said, “How about Xiao Yi?”

Fei Ji, hearing this, said, “The character ‘Yi’ refers to being extraordinary and outstanding. Naming the little imperial prince Xiao Yi, it seems Your Majesty places great hopes on the little imperial prince. This character is truly excellent.”

Xiao Ming nodded gently. He would personally teach his first son, at least ensuring his thoughts aligned with his own.

He did not want to conquer an empire only for his son to ruin it.

After settling on the imperial prince’s name, the three chatted for a while longer. Only then did Fei Ji leave. From the spirited way he walked, it was evident how happy Fei Ji was this time.

Outside the temporary palace, Fei Ji finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter. This time, he was in high spirits, but then, remembering Xiao Ming’s words, he calmed down again.

He could no longer be wishy-washy in officialdom. He had to show Xiao Ming his attitude, and the best time to show his attitude was this reform.

No matter what, he could not be ambiguous on this matter, otherwise, he would become a burden to Fei Yuer and his grandson.

Thinking about this all the way, he returned to the Fei Mansion. Then he sent his butler to invite some important officials, and at the banquet, he would clearly state his attitude.

All that Fei Ji did naturally did not escape the eyes of the secret guards. Li San arrived at the temporary palace that evening and informed Xiao Ming about it. Xiao Ming was naturally very pleased, as the factors that could have obstructed the reform in the council hall were basically gone.

Wang Xuan came with Li San; the two met halfway and came together.

After Li San reported on Fei Ji’s situation, Wang Xuan said, “Your Majesty, I received news that Beishan has ordered the King of Goryeo to dispatch his navy to impersonate Japanese pirates and harass Dengzhou.”

“Dengzhou.” Xiao Ming immediately looked at the map. He said, “I was just thinking of dealing with Goryeo, and he’s delivered himself to my doorstep.”

Wang Xuan asked doubtfully, “Is Your Majesty truly preparing to occupy Goryeo?”

“Occupy? I’m not that foolish. My purpose this time is merely to force Goryeo to open up its trade ports. Now that Japan has established a foothold in Goryeo, I don’t want to be a shield for the barbarians. It seems the barbarians are truly desperate this time, sending the King of Goryeo to dispatch his navy to impersonate Japanese pirates. This is clearly an attempt to divert trouble to Dengzhou.”

“That’s right, because as far as I know, the Japanese pirates are very ambitious. This barbarian troop withdrawal has further encouraged Japan, and many Japanese daimyos and samurai are clamoring to occupy all of Goryeo.”

Frowning, Xiao Ming said, “A strong Goryeo is very unfavorable to the Great Yu Empire, but a Goryeo completely occupied by Japan is even more unfavorable to the Great Yu Empire. Only a half-dead Goryeo serves the interests of the Great Yu Empire.”

After a pause, he said, “On land, we cannot fight a protracted war with Japan. I cannot afford it, and the national treasury cannot sustain it. But at sea, we can restrict Japan. As long as we cut off Japan’s maritime supply lines, the Japanese soldiers in Goryeo will be finished. So, no matter what, we currently hold the advantage.”