gnovel Chapter 18: Kong Rong Giving Away Pears
Chapter 18: Kong Rong Giving Away Pears
Xia Chengzong saw that the four young eunuchs were all around eleven or twelve years old.
They were all very handsome, and each one of them was clever and had no sign of evil.
Seeing this, he nodded slightly.
Dai Quan wasn't fooling himself; these four eunuchs, even if they weren't the best, were certainly among the most outstanding.
Xia Chengzong smiled and said, "It must be the four of them. I'm sorry to have troubled Eunuch Dai."
Seeing that Xia Chengzong was satisfied, Dai Quan's old face beamed with joy.
He hurriedly replied, "As long as Third Master is satisfied, that's all that matters. It is this old servant's honor to serve Third Master."
"If there's anything you need to do in the future, Third Master, just give me your orders."
Xia Chengzong smiled and said, "In the future, I will inevitably have to trouble Eunuch Dai with things. I hope that you will not find it troublesome."
Dai Quan laughed and said, "Third Master is truly a man of character. No wonder the Emperor likes him so much."
"A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass, and a turbulent night reveals the loyalty of the minister. From now on, Third Master, just judge this old servant by his actions."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Dai Quan got up to take his leave.
Xia Chengzong led the four young eunuchs back to his courtyard and asked them, "Tell me your names, all of you?"
"Reporting to Third Master, after we were assigned to different places, we lost our original names. Please bestow new names upon us, Third Master."
Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong nodded slightly.
This move, likely orchestrated by Dai Quan, was indeed quite ingenious.
Having their masters bestow names upon them further strengthens the subordinate relationship between the two parties, making it easier for these young eunuchs to quickly integrate into their new environment.
Xia Chengzong didn't bother to think and casually said, "Alright, from now on you'll be called Xia Dong, Xia Nan, Xia Xi, and Xia Bei."
Naming them with the cardinal directions (east, south, west, north) is simple, clear, and easy to remember.
The four young eunuchs were overjoyed to hear their new names.
They hurriedly knelt down and thanked the emperor, saying, "Thank you, Third Master, for bestowing upon us your surname and given name."
Xia Dong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Nan's positive emotions +1 +1
Xia Xi's positive emotions +1
夏北正面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
Xia Chengzong then realized that the fact that he had unintentionally bestowed the surname Xia upon them had made them so grateful.
He also discovered a new use for the Sky-Mending Stones: one could judge a person's loyalty to them simply by their emotional value.
Xia Bei is clearly a grateful person, Xia Dong is also good, but Xia Nan is a bit lacking.
Xia Xi was the worst; although she had some gratitude, it wasn't much.
Thinking of this, Xia Chengzong's face showed a thoughtful expression.
He instructed, "The four of you will move into the east side room, each of you choosing a room."
"Go and settle in first, then come back to see me."
"Yes, Third Master."
The four men obeyed and went to tidy up the house.
Looking at the 1016 emotion value on the Sky-Mending Stone, Xia Chengzong did not hesitate at all and directly exchanged for the second supernatural power: physical strength.
Soon, a misty aura emanated from the jade pendant, permeating his entire body.
Xia Chengzong felt a warm current flow through his body, which felt pleasant and comfortable.
After the heat dissipated, he felt full of energy and power.
Is this what it means to be physically strong? It certainly has immediate effects!
Before long, the four eunuchs finished tidying up the room and rushed over.
Xia Chengzong instructed: "From now on, Xia Bei will be in charge of the study, Xia Dong will be in charge of food and lodging, Xia Nan will be in charge of serving tea and water and receiving guests, and Xia Xi will be in charge of cleaning."
"Yes, Third Master."
夏北正面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
Xia Dong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Nan's positive emotions +1
Xia Xi's negative emotions +1
Ok?
So quickly, negative emotions have already arisen?
This person must not be allowed to live!
However, Xia Chengzong soon showed a thoughtful expression on his face.
Make the best use of people. Even those who are not loyal can have their uses, and may even be of great use in the future.
To test jade, it must be burned for three days; to discern its quality, one must wait seven years.
There's no need to rush to conclusions; let's just wait and see.
Xia Chengzong then instructed, "There aren't many strict rules for working by my side, as long as you do what I tell you to do."
"When you're free, you can borrow books to read in the study, but don't get them dirty. Remember that?"
"Understood, Third Master."
After collecting another wave of emotional points, Xia Chengzong said:
"Alright, you may all leave. I'm going to read a book by myself."
"Yes, Third Master."
The four men left, while Xia Bei remained in the outer room of the study.
The next day, Xia Chengzong sent the brocade robe with gold-embroidered peacock feathers and dragon patterns to his elder brother Xia Chengqian, who wore it for a day.
Xia Chengqian put on the brocade robe, his face flushed, and he was so nervous that he dared not make any big movements, for fear of damaging or tearing the robe.
The three little ones surrounded him, praising how handsome he was.
The three little ones couldn't wait to rip him off and put the clothes on themselves.
Xia Chengqian's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Caiwei's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Chengkun's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
夏承志正面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
Huh?
The three little ones finally showed positive emotions.
What's even more remarkable is that when Xiaoba unleashes positive emotions, it's just as refreshing.
Until noon.
Prince Chungjang's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Princess's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
Huh?
He understands that Prince Chungjang provides positive emotions.
Why would the princess provide negative emotions?
Xia Chengzong began to ponder.
Perhaps it's related to his frequent assertion and his overshadowing of her two biological sons?
This is still before her father ascends the throne. If her father were to ascend the throne in the future, what would she think?
People always change.
Xia Chengzong had actually anticipated this.
From the day the Prince's Mansion was unsealed, the peaceful and tranquil days gradually drifted away from them, and they could never go back.
At this moment, inside the inner quarters, the princess was doing needlework with her maid, Shaoyao.
After seven years of being confined and facing financial difficulties, the princess had to do many things herself.
She embroidered a few stitches, but then stopped, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Why wasn't Zong-ge born from my womb? His short-lived mother, in what way could she compare to me? How did she give birth to such an outstanding son?"
Peony smiled and said, "Your Highness, although Zong-ge'er isn't your biological son, he's just like one!"
"He is well-behaved and sensible. He is not only filial to the prince and princess, but also very good to his brothers."
"The robe bestowed upon him by the Emperor was given to him by the Crown Prince on the very first day he returned!"
The princess shook her head and said, "It seems good now, but what will it be like when they grow up?"
"I'm afraid if Brother Zong sells them out, these guys will still be counting the money for him!"
These words sounded ominous, so Peony dared not respond.
She quickened her pace and focused intently on her needlework.
……
That evening, Xia Chengzong finally received the emotional boost he had been waiting for.
Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Chengzong smiled knowingly.
He knew that this must have been provided to him by Emperor Yonglong after he heard that he had given the robe to his elder brother to wear for a day.
A kind heart cannot command an army, and a righteous heart cannot manage finances.
One should not be overly sentimental when ruling the world, except for the affection between brothers.
Even if an emperor himself doesn't have brotherly affection, he always hopes that his descendants will have such fine virtues.
He wanted to deepen his image in the eyes of his grandfather and father through small things.
A rope can saw through wood, and water can wear away stone.