#28 - What a pity

"This child is Xu Ming, the son of the fifth concubine of Xu Zhishi from the Xu State Residence."

Xiao Mo Chi's words echoed within the Imperial Study.

"Xu State Residence, son of the fifth concubine?" Emperor Wu repeated, his tone laced with disbelief.

Why is it someone from the Xu State Residence again?

What kind of luck has the Xu State Residence obtained?

"Yes," Xiao Mo Chi nodded.

Emperor Wu looked at the poem again, and then, Emperor Wu frowned, his face somewhat displeased: "He is a son of a concubine."

How could such a talented child be born of a concubine?

One hundred and fifty years ago, the late emperor established a rule that sons of concubines could not participate in the imperial examinations and could not inherit clan property.

From then on, the status of sons of concubines became extremely low, only slightly higher than that of the sons of servants.

The status of sons of concubines and children born to the lowest classes was almost indistinguishable, and in some cases, even inferior.

"What a pity..."

Emperor Wu closed the paper, sighed, and his expression was full of helplessness.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should?" Xiao Mo Chi cupped his hands in salute.

Emperor Wu looked at Xiao Mo Chi and chuckled twice: "Even if I don't let you speak, do you think you wouldn't? Speak, what is it?"

"I request to amend the Wu Dynasty law—that all children, whether sons of concubines or children born to the lowest classes, may participate in the imperial examinations."

Xiao Mo Chi's voice reverberated in the Imperial Study.

The Empress behind Emperor Wu was startled, her face turning pale.

Xiao Ke quickly walked to her younger brother's side and knelt down before Emperor Wu: "Your Majesty, Mo Chi is full of literary spirit and has just left White Deer Academy. He doesn't understand many things. Please forgive him!"

Emperor Wu silently looked at Xiao Mo Chi, remaining silent for a long time, and the atmosphere in the Imperial Study seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Mo Chi, I allow you to take back what you just said," Emperor Wu said in a deep voice.

Xiao Ke tugged at her brother's sleeve, but Xiao Mo Chi still shook his head:

"Now that Mo Chi has already spoken, there is no reason to take it back.

In Qi, whether the son of a merchant or even the son of a prostitute, all can participate in the imperial examinations. Qi's literary prosperity is known throughout the world.

Everyone has hope, and everyone has a chance to turn their life around.

Even two of Mo Chi's good friends from Qi, whom he met at White Deer Academy, are sons of prostitutes.

Their talents are no less than Mo Chi's.

The imperial examination is a path to the clouds. If the imperial examination is restricted, how many people will be buried?

"Shut up!" Xiao Ke shouted anxiously, "Mo Chi, do you know what you are saying?!"

Xiao Mo Chi wanted to say something, but seeing his sister's red eyes, he could only remain silent.

"Your Majesty, Mo Chi has been studying until he's confused. Please don't take it to heart. If Your Majesty wants to punish someone, please punish me."

Xiao Ke bowed to Emperor Wu again.

Emperor Wu shook his head: "Get up. Mo Chi, don't mention this matter again. I will pretend I didn't hear it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Ke breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up.

However, Xiao Mo Chi still seemed to have a lot to say.

"Mo Chi, you must be tired too. You may leave first," Emperor Wu said, looking at Xiao Mo Chi's hesitant expression, and waved his hand.

"Yes, Mo Chi takes his leave."

Xiao Mo Chi cupped his hands in salute, knowing that it was useless to say anything more, so he decided to leave.

After Xiao Mo Chi left the Imperial Study, Emperor Wu smiled and said to Xiao Ke: "Do you think this Xiao Mo Chi is relying on you being the Empress, feeling fearless? Or does he think that I already love him so much that I can't bear to punish him?"

Xiao Ke walked to Emperor Wu's side, bowed her head slightly: "Mo Chi is young and vigorous, please don't hold it against him, Your Majesty. But no matter what, Mo Chi is truly wholeheartedly for the Wu Kingdom and has no disloyal intentions."

"I know."

Emperor Wu sighed.

"Otherwise, when the State of Qi invited him to take the position of 'Chief Secretary' a few years ago, he wouldn't have refused. I'm just afraid that he's too upright and easily broken... The matter of sons of concubines seems simple, but in reality..."

As he spoke, Emperor Wu closed his mouth and shook his head.

"It is Mo Chi's honor that Mo Chi can cause Your Majesty so much concern," Xiao Ke quickly interjected.

"Alright, alright, you don't need to say these polite words," Emperor Wu took a sip of tea and called out to the outside, "Wei Xun, come in."

"Your Majesty..." Wei Xun, who was guarding outside the door, quickly walked into the Imperial Study.

"Have Listening Wind Pavilion collect information about Xu Ming, the son of the fifth concubine of the Xu State Residence," Emperor Wu ordered.

Wei Xun naturally heard all the conversations inside the door.

Wei Xun smiled: "If Your Majesty cares about Xu Ming, this old servant has an interesting anecdote that I can tell Your Majesty first."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this old servant heard that at Zhi Xing Academy, Xu Pangda, the son of the legal wife of the Xu State Residence, fought with the sons of the Minister and Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

The reason was that the sons of the Minister and Vice Minister of the Ministry of War insulted Xu Pangda's mother.

Xu Ming also participated in this fight.

But Your Majesty, guess what? That Xu Ming asked the other party what their fathers' official positions were, and only started fighting after hearing that they were from the Ministry of War.

Mr. Xiao also questioned Xu Ming about this matter afterward.

This is the news sent by Listening Wind Pavilion."

As he spoke, Wei Xun handed over a memorial.

Listening Wind Pavilion monitors all officials, and even the common people. All matters, big and small, will be summarized, and if important, will be handed to Emperor Wu.

And Zhi Xing Academy was founded by a person that Emperor Wu valued most, so naturally there were many informants.

Looking at the record on the memorial about the conversation between Xiao Mo Chi and Xu Ming, Emperor Wu's eyes revealed even more surprise: "This child actually reads 'Wu Dynasty Law'? Does he really think he's five years old?"

"It's absolutely true," Wei Xun said with a smile, "This child has such thoughts at such a young age, it's really not simple. When he grows up, his potential is limitless."

"..." Emperor Wu's fingers kept stroking the memorial.

The more he looked at the name "Xu Ming", the more he liked it.

If such a person could be cultivated by my side from a young age...

"Ke'er, the State of Qi will send a delegation to visit our Wu Kingdom in two years. Do you think they will bring that child prodigy with a natural literary spirit?" Emperor Wu asked.

Xiao Ke was stunned for a moment, wondering why His Majesty suddenly asked this, but after thinking about it, Xiao Ke nodded seriously: "If there are no accidents, they should. After all, a natural literary spirit only appears once every few thousand years."

"Then, what do you think if I let Xu Ming enter the reception delegation to receive those envoys from Qi?" Emperor Wu asked.

"Your Majesty..." Xiao Ke looked embarrassed, "He is the son of a concubine..."

"..."

Listening to the Empress's words, Emperor Wu tightly gripped the paper, reading it over and over again.

"That's right... He is the son of a concubine."

Emperor Wu seemed to be talking to himself.

"Why is he the son of a concubine?"