Chapter 186: His Dad, Disrespectful in Old Age

Two months after Wei Yu returned to the capital, the Second Prince finally came back with a large sum of money obtained from Jiaozhou.

How much money was it?

More than 1.1 million taels of silver.

Among it, more than 500,000 taels were confiscated from corrupt officials in Ji Commandery, and the rest were all earned by Wei Yu through his arrangements in Ziyang County.

Actually, even the Second Prince was shocked when he saw so much silver.

The corrupt officials in Ji Commandery are one thing — after plundering the people’s wealth for so many years, it was normal to confiscate over 500,000 taels.

But the factories that Wei Yu set up earning more than 600,000 taels in just two months? That was abnormal!

Roughly 300,000 taels per month—it was a terrifying speed of earning money. If the Second Prince didn’t know all this money was earned for the Father Emperor, he might have even thought of having Wei Yu earn money for himself.

The speed of gathering wealth was frightening.

When Emperor Wei saw the real gold and silver, it was the first time he smiled with his eyes squinted in front of Wei Yu.

“Well done, well done! Both you and your Second Brother did a great job in Ji Commandery!”

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Second Prince and Wei Yu stood together.

Hearing Emperor Wei’s praise, the Second Prince smiled and said, “Your servant dares not take credit. This trip to Jiaozhou was entirely thanks to Ninth Brother and Eighth Younger Brother’s assistance. If it weren't for their cooperation with me, there would have been even more difficulties ahead.”

Wei Yu quickly humbly waved his hand. “Not at all, Second Brother is polite. It is Second Brother’s ability to control the subordinates that allowed the Ji Commandery bandit problem to be quickly resolved. Otherwise, the younger brothers would have caused trouble long ago, and we wouldn’t have made so much money for Father Emperor.”

Second Prince said, “Ninth Brother, you are too humble. It is I who should thank you.”

Wei Yu replied, “Where dare I take credit? It is because Second Brother is capable.”

“You’re too polite.”

“It’s the proper way.”

Emperor Wei silently watched their mutual politeness with an unreadable smile in his eyes. “You two really have brotherly love. Enough, stop deflecting. You both contributed on this trip. Speak, what do you want?”

It was clearly time to award merits, but the Second Prince raised his hand to refuse.

“To help Father Emperor is my duty; I do not need any reward.”

What a ruthless man.

Refusing even money.

Wei Yu shook his head at his Second Brother, then turned to his dad smiling sweetly, “Father Emperor, since Second Brother refuses, then I…” Just a holiday, that’s all I want!

“You don’t want anything either?”

Faced with the old man’s kind smile, Wei Yu’s words stuck in his throat.

No way he’d say no!

Seeing the holiday right in front of him—what was all his exhausting work for the past two months if not to get this?

Taking a deep breath, Wei Yu held his head high, resisting his dad’s deadly gaze, and said righteously: “No, I am not as upright and honest as Second Brother. I worked so hard in Ji Commandery because that was my first time doing something for the Great Wei people. Such a memorable experience deserves a return that I will never forget. Only then can I remember this time and encourage myself to continue working for the people in the future!”

Even the Second Prince was stunned.

Emperor Wei silently looked at him.

Neither had expected that a reward which was almost taken back could somehow be defended by him like this?!

Honestly, Wei Yu was quite something.

Not only did he argue in front of his Second Brother, but he continued to argue with his dad in his mind.

[I don’t care, I don’t care! This reward is the hard-earned money by your son; you can be stingy with others, but not this! You’re being disrespectful in your old age! I’ll make a scene, I really will! Believe it or not, once I go out I’ll jump into the City Protecting River!!]

Emperor Wei: …

The ‘crying, throwing a tantrum, threatening to hang oneself’ tactics have apparently been learned by this unfilial son.

“Shut up!”

Emperor Wei had a splitting headache because of the commotion.

The Second Prince looked up surprised, not quite understanding who Father Emperor was talking about.

He hadn’t spoken with Ninth Brother, had he?

Emperor Wei paused.

Oh, almost forgot Old Two (Second Prince) was here too.

Sigh, lately it’s become a habit for Wei Yu to make a fuss around…

Wei Yu was still complaining.

[I’m telling you! If you deny my holiday, I’ll say it! You stingy old man, making your mule worker so hard! Even mules get a rest sometimes, but I haven’t had any for two months! Don’t you have any heart for your son? Dad~~ Your son is still young——]

From throwing tantrums to acting cute, Emperor Wei rubbed his head helplessly and said, “Fine! Wei Yu, just say what you want.”

Wei Yu’s eyes lit up, immediately saying, “One month off!”

He didn’t dare to ask for more; a month was probably the bottom line for his dad. Wei Yu knew if he asked for more, his dad would cut it down a lot.

Sure enough, after hearing Wei Yu’s words, Emperor Wei only slightly frowned, thought for a few seconds, then agreed to his request.

“Fine, I permit it.”

Wei Yu was overjoyed. “Your servant thanks Father Emperor!”

[Dad, you are so good. I really can’t find a better dad than you in this world! Mwah mwah mwah~~]

Emperor Wei: Hehe.

–

After paying respects to Emperor Wei, the Second Prince and Wei Yu left the Hall of Mental Cultivation together.

Having secured a holiday, Wei Yu was in a good mood.

He smiled and asked the Second Prince, “Second Brother just returned, you must be going to see Consort Mother Xian in the harem, right?”

Although Consort Mother Xian was nosy, as long as she didn’t dance in front of him, Wei Yu usually ignored her.

“Mm.”

The Second Prince nodded, then looked at Wei Yu and smiled, seeming a bit moved: “In the past, Second Brother didn’t care much about you. Now, it seems Ninth Brother has grown up.”

Hmm?

That didn’t sound right.

After watching too many palace intrigue dramas, Wei Yu’s first reaction was that his Second Brother was at it again.

Testing him once more!

Pretending not to understand, Wei Yu shyly smiled and waved his hand, saying, “No, I’m still young! I’m still three years away from manhood! Oh right, Second Brother, my birthday is coming soon, how about you?”

Suddenly looking at his Second Brother, Wei Yu blinked his eyes, full of innocence and expectation.

The Second Prince, who originally wanted to ask if there was something going on between him and Father Emperor, was left speechless: …

After a few seconds of silence, the Second Prince suddenly smiled.

“Ninth Brother, rest assured, for your birthday, Second Brother will naturally give you a gift…”

Wei Yu smiled brightly, nodding, “As long as Second Brother comes with a birthday gift, the sentiment is secondary.”

The Second Prince paused.

Isn’t it usually that the sentiment is the most important?

Standing at a crossroads, the Second Prince stopped, shaking his head with a smile, “Second Brother understands. On your birthday, I will definitely give you the best gift. Well, you should go back first.”

Wei Yu repeatedly nodded, “Okay, then Second Brother, farewell.”

“Farewell.”

Watching Wei Yu’s departing back, the Second Prince slowly reined in the smile on his face.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed.