Chapter 1949: Mysterious Jade Pendant! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Wang Chong bowed and said, ”Grandfather, Grandmother, I brought back some of Arabia's specialties with me. Inside are pearls and herbs from Arabia. Crushing the pearls and mixing them with the herbs can extend one's life and bolster the body. In addition, your grandson has brought back pineapples and durians, fruits that cannot be found in the Central Plains. I offer them to Grandfather and Grandmother to taste.
”Besides that, your grandson has also brought some Goguryeon golden ginseng to gift to Grandfather and Grandmother, and clothes and carpets made from the pelts of polar bears and arctic foxes, animals that live north of the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates.”
”Heh, what a good and considerate child!”
The Old Madam was so pleased that she could hardly stop smiling.
At their age, they cared little about precious treasures. What they found more precious was Wang Chong's consideration.
Duke Jiu said nothing, but he shot Wang Chong a glance of praise.
Although he resided in Four Quarters Embassy and paid no attention to court affairs, he had always paid attention to news that concerned Wang Chong.
”Not bad! Your grandfather was right about you! The trials you've been through have made you more mature and steadier, a true backbone minister of the Great Tang!” the Old Master declared.
Children and grandchildren would encounter their own fortunes, and the Old Master had rarely interfered in the careers of Wang Gen, Wang Yan, and Wang Chong. Even when Wang Chong had suffered a setback in the militarist-Confucian conflict, the Old Master had known and had chosen to stay mostly out of the way.
Only through honing could one sharpen a precious sword, and only through the bitter winter could peach blossoms be so fragrant. And Wang Chong had not disappointed him. Through his various trials, Wang Chong had been transformed, and he had finally become the revered and illustrious King of Foreign Lands, the hero of the Great Tang.
He had even been enshrined in Lingyan Pavilion, the first in one hundred years! This was an unprecedented honor.
And because of him, the entire Wang Clan had climbed to a completely new level. In this aspect, the Wang Clan had completely surpassed the Yao Clan, leaving Old Master Yao Chong and Yao Guangyi choking in the dust.
Of course, for the Old Master, the most important thing was that Wang Chong had not disappointed him. He had become a true supporting pillar of the empire, a fiercely loyal subject who had not betrayed the Wang Clan's traditions.
”Grandfather, thank you for your generous praise. Your grandson only did his duty!” Wang Chong humbly replied.
Although he had experienced so many sights, had been made a Marquis, a King, and even been enshrined in Lingyan Pavilion, none of these could compare to the simple words of praise from his grandfather.
Wang Chong felt his heart relax in happiness, warmth, and pride.
As a descendant of Duke Jiu and a son of a clan of ministers and generals, he had not betrayed the Wang Clan's traditions.
”Sit!”
Duke Jiu pointed a finger in front of him, and a Golden Guard quickly placed a stool there.
”You are now an important official of the state, so your every move is being watched. The Imperial Court relies on you, as does the border. Every move you make is critical. As they say, a general does not move out lightly. For you to come to Four Quarters Embassy, you must have had another reason besides seeing your grandfather!”
Once Wang Chong was seated, the Old Master gazed at him with his perceptive eyes.
”Your grandson truly has encountered some difficulties recently.”
After a few moments of silence, Wang Chong got straight to the point.
”Recently, many worrying incidents have taken place in the Imperial Court. Your grandson has pondered them for many days but has still not been able to find an answer. Your grandson hopes that Grandfather can provide some guidance.”
The Old Master and Madam shared a glance as if they had predicted this.
From the moment Wang Chong had appeared, they knew that he had come for a reason.
After a brief pause, Wang Chong began to relate what was happening in the court: the Eastern Palace incident, the construction of the Peace Pavilion, the selection of talented women, the conversation in the rear hall… In addition, he spoke of the Sage Emperor's strange behaviors previous to the Rebellion of the Three Princes and his own speculations.
The Old Master and Madam intently listened the entire time. A long while later, Wang Chong was done, and the room fell silent as the two elders turned pensive.
”Have things already reached this stage?” the Old Master suddenly said.
Buzz!
Wang Chong shivered and raised his head.
Wang Chong had just been trying his luck in visiting his grandfather, not really hoping for an answer. But from his grandfather's tone, expression, and words, Wang Chong immediately sensed that he had found the right person.
His grandfather seemed to know a significant part of the story!
”Grandfather, this is an extremely important manner that has the attention of the entire court. Moreover, the Sage Emperor's personality change is so great that it has provoked much speculation,” Wang Chong sternly said.
”Chong-er, you are an important official of the state, so you should know that matters related to the sovereign do not permit reckless conjecture. For some matters, if the Sage Emperor and Eunuch Gao will not speak, they naturally have their reasons for doing so and hardships that they must endure.
”Moreover, compared to seeking things out, as a subject, you should be seeking to stabilize the country and safeguard the people! As for anything else, as long as it does not harm the country, it need not be your focus,” the Old Master declared.
Wang Chong was taken aback. He had never expected that his grandfather would decide to remain uninvolved after hearing all this.
This was not the normal reaction!
His grandfather and the Sage Emperor had known each other for decades, and the entire realm knew of their relationship. In normal circumstances, his grandfather should have been worried about the Sage Emperor's condition after learning about what was going on, not urging his grandson to place his duty as a subject and the stability of the country above the matter.