SMMW | Chapter 23

〖Congratulations on answering 5 questions correctly. You have successfully passed the palace examination.〗

“Finally! Brothers, the good days are about to begin!” Excitement was impossible to hide in Song Hao’s voice. The zero-spending route had been nothing but poverty and scraping by everywhere, and now he was finally about to become a second-generation imperial heir.

[The three-year deadline has arrived, welcome the prince back to his rightful place! [fireworks x1]]

[Dang, you actually made it this far]

[Congrats [fireworks x1]]

[Wasn’t easy]

[Did you bring the jade token for acknowledging kinship? Don’t choke at the critical moment]

“I brought it, I brought it. Of course I’ve got it with me.”

Song Hao flexed his fingers and continued clicking through the dialogue box.

〖“His Majesty arrives!”

The emperor of the Great Hong Dynasty, Xuanyuan Hong, entered the hall together with the accompanying officials.〗

“Wait a second!”

Song Hao paused the plot, his expression turning strange. “Xuanyuan? Hong? Then my surname is Xuanyuan too? Xuanyuan Hao… so… tacky!”

He bit down harder on each of the last three words, making it obvious that Song Hao truly despised the name.

[That’s how old-school games are]

[Quit nitpicking, it’s not like the emperor can take your surname]

[Be glad it isn’t Huangfu]

[No wonder the surname on the emperor route is fixed as Yuan, the plot actually connects]

[To be fair, there’s a reason this game blew up back then, at least the plot design is really clever]

Song Hao clawed at the table twice to vent, and his excitement at becoming a prince immediately dropped a few notches.

〖After the kneeling ceremony, the eunuch announced loudly: “The marking is complete. The candidates whose names are called shall step forward and answer. If…”

The emperor lifted a hand, stopping the eunuch. He pointed at you. Though his voice was trying hard to stay controlled, a trace of trembling could still be heard in it. “You, what is your name?”

The officials in the hall also all turned to look at you, each revealing an unusual expression.

Yuan Hao: This commoner is Yuan Hao, from Jinping Prefecture.

Emperor: Are your father and mother still living?

Your choice is: Tell the truth / Half true, half false〗

“If telling the truth were the better option, the plot would just make you tell the truth directly. If it gives you a lie option, then lying is definitely better.” Song Hao analyzed confidently. He had already started to get the hang of this game. You did not think about what the question was, you thought about what the person setting the question intended.

〖Half true, half false〗

〖Yuan Hao thought to himself: If the emperor had the ability to protect Mother, then Mother would not have died in childbirth. The people who could harm a pregnant consort back then would only have greater power now. If I expose the fact that my adoptive mother is still alive, it may bring her fatal disaster. Better to conceal part of it.

※ Intelligence +2〗

“See? I’ve already fully figured out this game.” Song Hao said smugly. After grasping the pattern, the number of times he needed to reload saves had dropped a lot. The game progressed faster, and the livestream also gained more viewers.

But that was not what the comments were focused on.

[The emperor’s pretty handsome]

[Very classy]

[This character model is seriously good]

[The red-robed minister beside him is pretty good-looking too]

[You can tell they put a lot of care into the character models]

Song Hao immediately started protesting the injustice. “The emperor looks good because he looks like me. I look good because I spent more than two hours customizing this face. That has nothing to do with the devs. If I’d used the original rhino-man, then the emperor would’ve had to be rhino-man too.”

[The father looking like the son, this is chaos]

[The devs are pretty lazy, they just directly reused the player’s model]

[Look on the bright side, you’ll still be this handsome when you’re old]

[Seriously, help, don’t bring up rhino-man again]

[Hahahahaha rhino-man was hideously ugly]

〖Yuan Hao: It was Mother alone who raised this commoner. I do not know who my birth father is, and Mother passed away of illness last year.

Emperor: What was your mother’s name?

Yuan Hao: My late mother’s surname was Su, with the single given name Qin.

Emperor: Su Qin?

The emperor grabbed the old eunuch Shunlu, who had attended him for many years, and asked: Back then, at Consort Xian’s side… could it be?!

Shunlu: There was indeed a palace maid named Su Qin by Consort Xian’s side. After Her Highness passed away, the palace servants said Su Qin was overcome with grief and followed after her. Your Majesty even specially permitted her body to be returned to her hometown.

Emperor: Right, right.

The emperor stood there in a daze. Only after a long while did he look at Yuan Hao again.

Emperor: Did the Su clan leave anything behind for you?

Yuan Hao: When my mother became gravely ill, she gave me the jade pendant she always carried and told me to keep it safe.

Emperor: Shunlu!

Shunlu: Yes. Are you carrying the jade pendant with you? Young Master Yuan, could you present it so that His Majesty may have a look?

Yuan Hao: I am wearing it on me.

You hand the jade pendant to Shunlu. Shunlu lifts the tray and shows it to the emperor. With only a single glance, the emperor cried out eagerly, “It’s this. It’s this one. This is what I gave Consort Xian back then. I searched for it for so long, so it turns out Su took it away.”

The discussion in the hall could no longer be suppressed, and the ministers began whispering to each other.

Shunlu: Th-this really is…

Before Shunlu could finish whatever flattering words he was about to say, the emperor strode straight to Yuan Hao’s side and pulled him into a fierce embrace. “You, you are my third son. The son I had with Consort Xian. You look exactly the same as I did in my younger days.”

And that was indeed true. Anyone who had begun following the emperor in his youth would have had no objection at all.

All the ministers in the hall knelt together and offered congratulations aloud. “Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the pearl returning to Hepu.”

The emperor said with emotion: Su raised you very well. During the marking, many ministers had already recommended you as the zhuangyuan.

Shunlu reminded: Third Prince, why are you not quickly thanking His Majesty for his grace?

You looked at the emperor’s encouraging gaze, hesitated, then bowed and said: This commoner thanks Your Majesty.

The emperor helped you up and said in a tone that allowed no dispute: How are you still a commoner? From today onward, you are the zhuangyuan of this year’s examination, and the most noble Third Prince of this dynasty.

Xuanyuan Hao: Yes, this son understands.〗

“Huh? My name changed just like that?” Song Hao opened the status panel, and sure enough, the character name had changed from “Yuan Hao” to “Xuanyuan Hao.” It looked ancient, chuuni, and domineering.

[He really does hate it]

[Yuan Hao: Dad, why don’t you just take my surname Yuan instead]

[That name is so embarrassing]

[As long as I’m here, let’s see who dares laugh at Xuanyuan Hao]

[Hahahahahahahaha]

〖After naming the zhuangyuan, the emperor continued with the bangyan.

Emperor: As for this second-place candidate, Mu Zi…

Suddenly, one of the ministers knelt to the ground, asking forgiveness. Because he was close to the emperor, you heard all of the quiet exchange between ruler and subject.

Emperor: Lord Li, do you object to the candidate for bangyan?

Lord Li: Your Majesty, this minister has failed in teaching his daughter. Mu Ziyi is in fact my daughter, Li Yi.

Emperor: Hahahahahahaha…

Emperor: Even so, women are no less than men. In terms of talent and learning, she is fully worthy of bangyan. The matter of appointing her to office can be set aside for now.

Emperor: Mu Ziyi, your scholarship is worthy of bangyan.

Li Yi: Thank you, Your Majesty.

Lord Li: Thank you, Your Majesty.〗

“Oh, Mu Zi Li, she’s this Lord Li’s daughter. Dressed in purple robes, his official rank should be pretty high. Not bad, my imperial dad is pretty broad-minded. No wonder he’s the emperor.”

It was hot, and Song Hao ate a popsicle while continuing through the plot, completely in a melon-eating, watching-the-drama frame of mind.

[The minister’s daughter is here!]

[Bro, you absolutely have to seize this chance, ahhh]

[I recorded this, don’t you dare deny it later, it’s time to start your harem]

[Purple robes are for officials of the second rank and above]

[Good good good, this one, and there’s emotional groundwork too]

〖Emperor: As for this third place, I find it somewhat difficult to decide.

A red-robed official stepped forward and memorialized: This minister believes that the Jinping Prefecture candidate Wen Qing is widely learned in the classics, and both his character and writing are excellent. He may serve as tanhua.

Emperor: Lord Jiang is usually sparing with words. It is rare to hear you praise anyone, so you must truly cherish his talent. Very well, Wen Qing of Jinping Prefecture shall be tanhua.

Wen Qing: Thank you, Your Majesty.

Lord Jiang: Thank you, Your Majesty.

Emperor: Looking carefully at the two of you, your brows and eyes do resemble each other somewhat. Don’t tell me he’s your illegitimate son?

Lord Jiang: Y-Your Majesty, th-this, how could our appearances possibly…

Emperor: Hahahahaha, I know Changning’s temper. I was only joking a little. You needn’t be so afraid of her. If she bullies you, just come and tell me.

Lord Jiang: The Princess is possessed of both virtue and honor. There is no one in the household who does not submit to her. To receive the Princess’s favor is this minister’s good fortune.

Emperor: Good, then. I have few relatives. Aside from Changning, I have only this one cousin. Though her temper is a bit fierce, she is not unreasonable. In a few days, have her enter the palace as well, and let her take a look at Hao’er too.〗

“Whoa, that’s a ton of information. This Lord Jiang is a prince consort, right? And really henpecked too. Emperor Dad is very protective of his family, he was deliberately giving him a little warning. And he even said Lord Jiang and Wen Qing looked somewhat alike…”

Song Hao’s imagination ran wild. Holding up his popsicle, he started rambling nonsense. “Did you guys notice? Wen Qing’s mother’s surname is also Wen, so he took his mother’s surname. Then what about his dad? Could it be this Lord Jiang? That would explain why Lord Jiang actively recommended Wen Qing for tanhua. It makes sense!”

“Today is amazing. Dad-spotting one after another. The other ministers can also look around and see if their own kids are here too. If we gather five pairs, we can start a variety show.”

“Hahahahahahaha, this is incredible. The top three are all connected insiders. Emperor Dad, if you hand a realm like this over to me, that’s going to be really hard to handle.”

Song Hao grinned as he prepared to become emperor, while the main focus of the comment section was already on the future empress candidate.

[The minister’s son is here too!]

[Don’t lock gender in that hard]

[I’m a college student, I support Wen Qing as empress]

[You better not be a heartless scumbag]

[An affection value of 99 is no joke]

[Red robes are worn by officials of the fourth rank and above, his rank is lower than Lord Li’s, out]

[Wen Qing still has to marry a wife though]

[This is a harem game]

[White Potato Bro said his plan was to start taking wives after becoming a prince]

[Streamer, stop just watching the drama and give us a straight answer]

At this point, Song Hao’s attention was not on the comments at all, but on the zhuangyuan parade on the game screen. It was called the zhuangyuan parade, but in fact all three of them took part.

Soldiers at the front beat drums to clear the way. In the middle rode the three of them on horseback. The zhuangyuan rode in the center, half a horse-length ahead, while the bangyan and tanhua rode on the left and right. Behind them was an even bigger group playing instruments and making a lively celebratory racket.

The three of them were dressed more or less the same, all in bright red robes embroidered with gold thread, black winged futou hats, the hat-wings swaying with the motion of their bodies, and a large red flower pinned before the chest.

But the outfits were not exactly the same either.

Xuanyuan Hao wore everything properly, whatever he had been given, he simply put on.

Li Yi found it gaudy and privately took off the big red flower, hanging it on the horse’s head instead.

And Wen Qing, as the tanhua, had several extra brightly colored silk flowers tucked into both sides of his hat.

Li Yi could not ride a horse, or perhaps the horse also disliked that red flower. It twisted and fought every step, gradually falling behind.

Song Hao shifted the camera angle to watch the excitement, but turned the wrong way, and before he could react, the whole screen was suddenly filled with Wen Qing.

Judging by his expression, Wen Qing had been startled at first too, but after realizing what had happened, he smiled. It was noon in the game, and brilliant golden sunlight poured down, outlining his whole body in gold, the edges soft and fuzzy with light. His long hair had all been tucked into the hat, exposing smooth sideburns, and on both sides of his cheeks were large red and pink silk flowers.

In the proudest years of youth, astride a galloping horse, when the tanhua smiled, he outshone half the spring scenery of the city.

He really was beautiful. As Song Hao kept looking, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted. He reflexively went to open his screenshot software to save the image, but when his gaze dropped, he suddenly saw the comment section flooding with question marks.

[?]

[?]

[?]

[What are you grinning like an idiot for?]

[We’re all waiting for you, say it]

“Say what?” Song Hao genuinely had not been watching the comments. In the time he had zoned out, he had already pinched himself back and forth four times.

[The minister’s daughter or the minister’s son, pick one?]

[? Are you trying to play dirty here]

[Hurry up and say you’re going to marry Li Yi!!!]

[Support Wen Qing as empress]

[Start the harem right now!!!]

So that was what they had been fighting over.

Experienced at this kind of thing, Song Hao immediately started trying to calm them down. “We’re all family in the same livestream room, so let’s talk nicely, okay? We are gathered here today to celebrate that zhen, I, have successfully become a prince.”

[Zhen???]

[Not even surviving past the opening scene]

[The very first word out of your mouth and you’d be dragged away for execution]

[Can’t stand illiterates]

[Recommend banning anyone who didn’t complete nine years of compulsory education from becoming a streamer]

Song Hao was also the type who listened when corrected, and immediately changed his words. “Oh oh, then guaren, gu, have successfully become a prince.”

[…Those two are also self-references for emperors]

[I’m so mad I’m laughing]

[There’s really no need for the comments to fight, with a brain like his, any random prince could kill him easily, he won’t even make it to marriage]

[That said, he can load saves]

[Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha]

Song Hao was still consulting Smart Search. “What is the proper self-reference for a prince?”

The answers Smart Search gave were: erchen, mou, bengong, benwang…

None of them worked here.

Song Hao simply gave up. He rummaged around in the drawer beside him and pulled out a birthday hat that had been included with a cake he bought before. After adjusting the size, he put it on his head, spread his arms toward the camera in a world-is-mine pose, and said with a grin:

“I have successfully become a prince.”