Chapter 68: with translation of chapter title

The emperor's summons came so suddenly that Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) was completely at a loss.

Asking about the way to educate children? That excuse is far-fetched; an emperor would have no leisure to concern himself with how a minister raises his kids.

Wang Xiu knew full well this was certainly no good thing, more like a Hongmen banquet, a probing test.

The new emperor Li Heng intended to personally weigh the weight of this "former dynasty's old minister."

He dared not be negligent, changed into a fresh set of official robes, heart pounding, followed the little yellow-gate attendant, and once again entered that Huangcheng which was both familiar and strange to him.

The Huangcheng of Chang'an remained the same palace, but its master had changed.

The air seemed to be filled with a different kind of tension and killing intent.

The palace guards stood ramrod straight, eyes sharp; upon seeing Wang Hui's official robe they merely gave a cold glance, showing no respect whatsoever.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) knew these men were Li Heng's direct troops brought from Lingwu; they recognized only the new emperor, not these court officials.

All the way silent, the little yellow-gate led him to a side hall beside the Tai Ji Dian, where the emperor handled daily affairs.

"Lord Wang, please wait here; Your Majesty will arrive shortly." The little yellow-gate said, then bowed and withdrew.

Inside the side hall only Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) remained; he stood in the hall, eyes on nose, nose on heart, striving to calm himself.

His mind raced through possible scenarios and counterarguments for the upcoming meeting.

He knew this test was crucial; a single misspoken word could bring disaster upon the Wang Family.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, footsteps sounded from outside the hall.

The new emperor Li Heng entered, surrounded by a host of eunuchs and palace maids.

Today he did not wear that imposing dragon robe but changed into a bright yellow casual robe, appearing less imperial majesty and more of a homely air.

"Subject, Wang Hui, pays homage to Your Majesty, long live the emperor ten thousand times ten thousand." Wang Hui immediately knelt and performed the great salute.

"Beloved Minister Wang, rise." Li Heng's voice sounded gentle; he walked to the main seat and sat down, gesturing for Wang Hui to sit as well.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Hui rose, daring only to sit on the edge of the chair, head perpetually lowered, not daring to meet the emperor's gaze.

"Beloved Minister Wang, no need to be so formal." Li Heng lifted his teacup, took a light sip, "Today I summoned you for no other reason than to have a casual chat."

"Casual chat?" Wang Xiu sneered inwardly, "Don't believe your ghost."

"I have heard that Beloved Minister Wang's eldest son, Wang You, has some renown in the Jiangnan region?" Li Heng asked seemingly offhand.

"Replying to Your Majesty, my unworthy son is merely studious for a few years; I dare not claim talent, lest I embarrass Your Majesty." Wang Hui hastily answered modestly.

"Ah, Beloved Minister Wang, there's no need for excessive modesty." Li Heng waved his hand, "I also know that your second son, Wang Ce, presented a brilliant stratagem at the Battle of Jia Shan, assisting Guo Linggong in crushing Shi Siming. At such a young age, he already possesses such general's talent—truly a tiger father has no dog son!"

"Your Majesty overpraises." Wang Hui's heart tightened, knowing the main topic was coming, "Ce merely got lucky; it all relied on Guo Linggong's patronage and guidance to achieve any merit. He is young and inexperienced, unworthy of such praise from Your Majesty."

He desperately pushed Wang Ce's achievements onto Guo Ziyi, this being exactly the extension of the "concealing clumsiness" doctrine he had previously taught Wang Ce.

"Oh?" Li Heng's eyes narrowed, seeming interested in his answer, "The battle reports I've seen don't say that. Guo Linggong praised Wang Ce highly in the reports, saying he 'bears the style of his ancestor, a general's talent rare in a century.' This surely isn't false, right?"

Here it comes, here it comes, the most deadly question arrives!

Wang Xiu (Wang Xiu) felt his back instantly soaked in cold sweat.

He knew Li Heng was testing him, testing the Wang Family, whether they harbored ambitions they shouldn't, even though currently the Wang Family posed no threat to him.

He drew a deep breath, rose from the chair, knelt again on the ground, his voice tinged with a hint of panic and unease.

"Your Majesty's discernment! Guo Linggong's praise is merely words of affection and patronage, a form of harm through praise! What virtue or ability does Ce have to dare compare with his ancestors!"

"I myself know my parenting is lacking; Ce is hot-tempered, unaware of the immensity of heaven and earth, having achieved some minor merit in the army, he becomes somewhat smug."

"I recently summoned him to the study and gave him a stern dressing-down! I told him to restrain his sharpness, to consult Guo Linggong and senior generals on all matters, and never again act rashly!"

"I am terrified! I am guilty! I worry that my son, youthful and vigorous, not knowing when to advance or retreat, will in the future rely on his achievements to become arrogant, betraying Your Majesty's heavenly grace."

"I implore Your Majesty, considering the late father's modest countenance, please do not continue to praise him so. I only wish he could be an ordinary general loyal to the country, down-to-earth and willing to work, and that would satisfy me."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s these words were spoken with voice and tears, sincere and heartfelt.

He crafted himself into the image of a loving father worried about his son's future, fearful that his son's youthful vigor would bring deadly disaster.

He turned all of Wang Ce's "merit" into "fault," and all "glory" into "danger."

This performance could be called emperor-level acting.

Li Heng listened silently, his face showing no expression.

He remained silent for a long time; finally, Li Heng let out a long sigh, stepped down from his seat, and personally helped Wang Hui up.

"Beloved Minister Wang, what are you doing? Please rise at once." His voice was even gentler than before, "I merely asked casually; why such agitation? I know your loyalty to the court. To educate your son thus, I am deeply reassured."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt as if he had just walked through the gates of hell, his whole body drained.

Although the new sovereign had been on the throne for not long, having fought back from rebellion to retake the capital and re-stabilize the Tang Dynasty's court, he had already cultivated imperial bearing and tactics.

He knew that this hurdle had been barely passed.

"Today I summoned you not only to ask about your son's affairs, but also to discuss a matter with Beloved Minister Wang." Li Heng returned to his seat, changing the subject,

"You should know that after discussion with the court officials, I have decided to reinstate the imperial examinations one year from now."

"Our Tang Dynasty, having endured war and seen talent wither, now needs loyal and capable ministers like Beloved Minister Wang to serve the nation."

"Your eldest son Wang You, since he has some renown, let him also take the examinations next year. I also wish to see what outstanding bearing the Wang Family's qilin child possesses."

"Era Name Official Response! I, on behalf of my unworthy son, thank Your Majesty for your great grace!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt joy inside but dared not show a trace, merely putting on an appearance of tearful gratitude.

Success! The crucial link of his plan has succeeded!

Unexpectedly, Li Heng turned out to be roughly as he had thought, providing a stepping stone for his eldest son to take the examinations.

"Alright, you may withdraw." Li Heng seemed also a bit tired, waving his hand.

"Subject, I take my leave."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) bowed his body and cautiously withdrew from the side hall.

Having just stepped out of the palace doors, a gust of cold wind blew, and he only then discovered that his undergarments beneath the official robes were already soaked through with cold sweat.

He let out a long sigh of relief!

However, he had not taken a few steps when a familiar figure walked toward him head-on.

He is the senior eunuch most favored by the Retired Emperor Li Longji.

Seeing Wang Hui, the old eunuch immediately broke into a smile and hurried forward.

"Sir Wang, I have finally waited for you. The Retired Emperor, upon hearing you entered the palace, has been thinking of you. He specially ordered this old servant to wait here; please come to the Xingqing Palace for a meeting."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s face instantly turned pale.

Just out of the tiger's den, and into the wolf's lair! This life is simply unbearable!