Chapter 155 Do you think this Exemption Medal is dazzling?
“Well then, I’ll be straightforward. I’d like to know what kind of books and paintings my father enjoys on a regular basis. I see there are very few books and paintings in this study, and even someone as clueless about art as I am can tell these aren’t particularly valuable pieces—they definitely don’t come from any masters. I suspect they were just hung up here haphazardly by my father, right?”
Qin Bei asked with a cheerful smile.
Eunuch Mei: …..
Seeing Qin Bei speak so earnestly made Eunuch Mei feel a bit of a dilemma.
Qin Bei might not know about these paintings, but he knew.
They were all produced by Emperor Xia himself.
Although they were written casually and even Emperor Xia himself thought they weren’t that great—so much so that he didn’t stamp them with his seal and just hung them up to remind himself he still had room for improvement.
But at the end of the day, these were still created by Emperor Xia. He might think they weren’t good enough, but who else would dare to agree?
Of course, people like Ying could call it bad, as their relationship went beyond just that of ruler and subject.
“Prince Bei really thinks highly of this old servant. I’m just a servant beside His Majesty—how could I truly know His Majesty’s heart? But I believe these paintings and calligraphy must be quite impressive; after all, they were written by His Majesty himself. As for their value, anything belonging to His Majesty certainly cannot be measured by spiritual stones.”
Eunuch Mei smiled and evaded the question.
He was essentially telling Qin Bei that he had no idea what Emperor Xia liked, while also reminding him that these were all Emperor Xia’s creations so he better watch his words, lest someone with ulterior motives twist them.
Who could have anticipated that just as Eunuch Mei finished speaking, Qin Bei clapped his hands, looking relieved, “Good thing I asked you, Eunuch Mei, otherwise I would have made a huge mistake!”
Eunuch Mei assumed Qin Bei thought his previous comments about the paintings were disrespectful toward Emperor Xia, and after his reminder, Qin Bei was just glad he didn’t say anything ill-conceived.
Little did he know that Qin Bei was relieved he consulted Eunuch Mei. Otherwise, he would have planned to take these worthless things out and sell them!
If they weren’t from masters, and lacked Emperor Xia’s signature and seal, then those paintings and calligraphy would be trash—worthless scrap!
“This old servant just mentioned it casually. Prince Bei shouldn’t take it to heart.”
Eunuch Mei said with a faint smile.
Of course, Qin Bei took the opportunity to ask with a grin, “So, Eunuch Mei, can you tell me where the paintings and calligraphy my father likes are? Or those created by my father with signatures and seals? Surely you must know where they are, right?”
“I…”
Eunuch Mei was about to refuse when he heard Qin Bei continue, “Don’t worry, I know you can’t guess my father’s heart and wouldn’t dare speak for him. But it’s all right; you just need to point me in the direction of those paintings and calligraphy, and I can do the guessing myself.”
At that moment, Qin Bei’s inner thoughts were, Guessing? What a joke! As long as he knew where the valuable paintings were, he could just grab them!
“But these are His Majesty’s collections. Even though you are a prince, without His Majesty’s consent, I really can’t take you to see them,” Eunuch Mei said hesitantly.
“How about waiting a while, asking for His Majesty’s opinion first, and then I can bring you to visit?”
The moment Qin Bei heard he had to consult Emperor Xia, he panicked.
“That won’t do! I want to give my father a surprise before the royal tomb trial. I want him to experience double happiness! Once he’s delighted, he might even reconsider my allocation.”
Qin Bei quickly made up an excuse.
“Oh~”
Eunuch Mei had a look of understanding.
So that’s why it matters so much—he’s after those stolen spiritual stones!
However, Eunuch Mei was still Eunuch Mei.
Even with this understanding, deep down he harbored one conviction!
That is, he must be loyal to Emperor Xia, listening only to him in everything.
Just like Ying, the commander of the imperial army, etc.
These individuals only obeyed Emperor Xia’s orders, and no one else mattered.
They controlled the lifeblood of Great Xia.
Eunuch Mei understood that he could never match such power, but he could still compete in loyalty.
So even facing the favored Prince Bei, he could not betray that loyalty.
Even if it was just something seemingly simple in the eyes of others.
To Eunuch Mei, however, it was a significant issue; once this door was opened, how many other princes with the same intentions would come seeking him in the future?
And what if word got out? How much public opinion would he face then? Everyone might think he sided with Qin Bei rather than with Emperor Xia.
“While I understand Prince Bei’s urgency, I still can’t assist you this time. I hope you can understand the difficulties I face as an old servant,” Eunuch Mei bowed and apologized.
“tsk~hiss~”
Qin Bei clicked his tongue in displeasure, squinting at Eunuch Mei before him.
“Since you’ve gone to such lengths, it wouldn’t be fair for me to cause you too much trouble. I reckon if I were to give you a gift, you wouldn’t look down on it, right?”
Qin Bei said helplessly.
“Prince Bei, you jest! How could I, a mere servant, dare to accept your gifts? I wouldn’t even dream of looking down on them,” Eunuch Mei replied, his words sincere.
He had never accepted gifts, keeping himself above reproach—for the sake of fairness.
Eunuch Mei still stood firm in his principles.
That was until Qin Bei pulled out the Exemption Medal from his Cosmos Bag…
“Oh, I’m curious just how useful this thing is. Last time it was a second-rank concubine; I wonder how Eunuch Mei’s status measures up to that of a second-rank concubine in my father’s eyes,” Qin Bei said feigning curiosity while glancing at the Exemption Medal in his hands.
Moreover, Qin Bei was being smart about it—when facing Eunuch Mei before, he referred to himself as ‘I.’
That gave Eunuch Mei a sense that Qin Bei was approachable.
But this time, Qin Bei wanted authority, so he called himself “this king.”
WHAM!
Just like that, the air shifted, and Eunuch Mei was reminded that the Qin Bei before him wasn’t just any ordinary prince.
He was the Prince of Bei, known as the devil of the world by everyone in the palace!
There was nothing he wasn’t willing to do.
THUD!
In an instant, Eunuch Mei’s legs buckled.
Though his cultivation level was higher than Qin Bei’s, he knelt before Qin Bei immediately.
“Prince Bei, this is no joking matter! I’m old and can’t handle such shocks…”
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