Delicate, Yet Shamelessly Freeloading [Quick Transmigration] Chapter 81

Chapter 81: The Snobbish Black Moonlight (30)

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The six arts of a noble man: Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics.

 

Shui Que had only recently returned to the royal family, and his behavior was still a bit unrestrained and lazy, lacking the composure expected of royalty. But Duan Zhang didn’t think it was a problem. He understood that Shui Que had grown used to his lifestyle during all those years away and didn’t want to constrain him with rigid rules the moment he came home.

 

So when it came to etiquette, Duan Zhang planned to assign the scholars from Prince Yuan’s household, the heads of the Eastern and Western Studies Halls, to handle it after the New Year. For now, just gentle reminders would suffice.

 

As for music—it couldn’t be rushed, and wasn’t urgent either. He had noticed Shui Que had been captivated watching theatrical performances and dance routines lately in the Eastern Palace, so he figured his younger brother probably had a natural affinity for music. There was no need to force it. He could pick it up later when he wanted to cultivate his tastes.

 

The rest of the subjects, however, needed to be scheduled right away.

 

Duan Zhang usually had his breakfast delivered to Yangxin Hall after finishing court sessions each morning.

 

But Shui Que wasn’t used to that. He always felt weak if he didn’t eat early.

 

So in order to eat all three meals a day with his brother, Duan Zhang had no choice but to change his routine, instructing the imperial kitchen to start preparations earlier and ensure that Prince Yuan had his breakfast as soon as he woke up.

 

After they finished breakfast, Duan Zhang wiped the corners of Shui Que’s mouth with a handkerchief.

 

Shui Que had always been spoiled. In all three of his lives so far, there had always been people who naturally tended to his every need. Even now, having an emperor—the ancient supreme ruler—personally wiping his mouth didn’t elicit much reaction from him.

 

But he had accidentally gotten food on his lips during breakfast, and he felt a little embarrassed. “Thank you, Imperial Brother. Did you get it all?”

 

Duan Zhang casually handed the used handkerchief to the chief eunuch standing nearby. Immediately, a new one was presented—a finely embroidered piece with golden thread, featuring dragons and phoenixes. He took it and set it aside.

 

He then studied Shui Que carefully and sincerely praised, “Xiao Yao’s mouth is perfectly clean.”

 

A silver tray shaped like a peach turtle was brought in by the palace servants. On it were two glass bowls.

 

One held a white, slightly translucent cream, the other a sandalwood-colored gel. Neither had any strong fragrance—just the faint freshness of herbal plants.

 

Shui Que leaned in curiously. “What’s this?”

 

“Lip balm, and face cream,” Duan Zhang said. “It’s dry in late autumn. You need to take extra care.”

 

When he was little, in the cold of winter, even before dawn he still had to go to the study hall for lessons. Their mother consort, always worried about him, would gently apply cream to protect his face.

 

Now, it was his turn to cherish his little brother.

 

“I have to preside over court shortly.”

 

Duan Zhang carefully lifted Shui Que’s chin with his left hand.

 

“Why don’t you go read at the Wenhua Hall first?”

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

Shui Que sat still, obediently pouting his lips.

 

The faint herbal balm was applied to his lips with the pad of his fingers. His lower lip was full, making it easy to apply the lip balm evenly, though the small round bead on his upper lip was slightly squashed as he wiped it.

 

After a while, Shui Que instinctively pressed his lips together, the rosy flesh of his lips meeting, and when they parted, a small popping sound was heard.

 

“All done.”

 

He said. After a pause, as though unable to sit still for long, he made to get up and run out.

 

Duan Zhang gestured for him to sit back down before he slowly began applying a facial balm to his face.

 

Shui Que muttered, his voice muffled, “Isn’t Imperial Brother supposed to attend the court?”

 

As his cheeks were gently rubbed, slightly pressed, and the motion caused subtle shifts in his features, he closed his eyes and allowed the large hands to massage the fragrant balm into his skin.

 

“Mm,” Duan Zhang replied, “There’s time. First, I need to protect your little face.”

 

His younger brother was over ten years younger than him, still young, with a small face, delicate and snowy. If nothing were applied, come the harsh winter, with the cold wind blowing, he might end up with frostbite.

 

Duan Zhang then went to Wende Hall to preside over the morning court.

 

Shui Que, separated from him, sat in a palanquin and went to the nearby Wenhua Hall to read.

 

The library inside was Duan Zhang’s collection, filled with classics, historical records, and general references, as well as some works on hydraulics, agriculture, astronomy, and geography. He wandered around the bookshelves twice.

 

Shui Que sought assistance from the system: 【77, why don’t you play that unfinished ancient drama series for me again?】

 

System 77 had previously been unable to function due to a bug in the small world, and it couldn’t directly leave the world. Feeling both embarrassed and guilty, now that it had the opportunity to help the host, it naturally didn’t hesitate.

 

【Sure!】77 replied. 【What else would you like to watch? 77 points can also be exchanged for a lot of TV shows.】

 

After Duan Zhang finished the morning court session and returned, he saw Shui Que asleep on the desk where he usually read and reviewed memorials.

 

“….”

 

Shui Que’s face was pink and smooth, with a small red imprint where his face had been pressed.

 

Duan Zhang glanced at the desk again and saw that all of his previous scrolls were stacked up.

 

Shui Que hadn’t opened a single one.

 

It was already late morning.

 

Duan Zhang sighed.

 

…

 

Perhaps Shui Que simply couldn’t sit still and wasn’t focused enough to read, Duan Zhang thought as he rode with him in the dragon carriage to the archery hall.

 

The autumn sunlight was warm.

 

At the archery hall, soldiers stood at attention at the shooting platforms, tall and strong, dressed in simple wide robes, with purple cloth headbands, more than twenty in total, all from the palace guard.

 

They stood in two rows, forming the shape of spread wings, like a group of geese.

 

After the morning court, Duan Zhang changed into a cinnabar yellow narrow-sleeve riding outfit. He swiftly mounted his horse, drew his bow, and released three arrows in quick succession, all hitting the target.

 

The soldiers cheered loudly, their voices echoing like thunder.

 

Shui Que winced at the sound, realizing that these soldiers were there to cheer him on. It was indeed royal protocol, even for archery and horseback riding, they had such formalities.

 

Duan Zhang returned to Shui Que’s side and asked, “Xiao Yao, would you like to give it a try?”

 

The soldiers led a short horse forward, but it was of fine quality, and its body was strong enough.

 

Shui Que hesitated and confessed, “Imperial Brother, I don’t know how to ride…”

 

Duan Zhang hadn’t expected that Shui Que didn’t even know how to ride a horse.

 

In the previous dynasty, there had been minority ethnic groups in power, and as a result, many of the people of Darong still retained the skills of horseback riding and archery.

 

It felt a bit embarrassing, and Duan Zhang couldn’t find the words.

 

So Shui Que discreetly glanced at Duan Zhang, thinking his actions were hidden, but in fact, Duan Zhang easily caught his expression.

 

Duan Zhang paused and thought.

 

Xiao Yao had been away from his side for many years and must have gone through many hardships. Moreover, the bandit raid had caused him to flee his home. How could he have had the time or energy to learn how to ride?

 

His heart swelled with pity for his brother.

 

Duan Zhang said, “Then… let’s start by learning archery first.”

 

Shui Que took the bow that Duan Zhang handed him, and turned to see his archery teacher.

 

Wei Yan walked over respectfully and bowed, “Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

 

Duan Zhang nodded. “Wei Yan, from today on, you’ll teach Xiao Yao archery. He’s just returned and hasn’t learned it before, so his skill is a little lacking. You’re familiar with him, so it should be fine.”

 

In the presence of the Emperor, Wei Yan spoke seriously. “Yes, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint Your Majesty and Prince Yuan’s trust.”

 

Duan Zhang still had some reservations and reminded Wei Yan, “Archery has no eyes, so be cautious. Safety is paramount.”

 

He then turned to Shui Que. “I still have court matters to attend to. Stay here with Wei Yan to practice. Come to Yangxin Hall for lunch with me, and in the afternoon, there will be two teachers coming to teach classics and practical governance at Zicheng Hall.”

 

Shui Que quietly nodded.

 

As the dragon carriage left, Wei Yan cleared his throat and said, “Your Highness, let me demonstrate first.”

 

Shui Que was still a little uneasy; it was rare to see Wei Yan so serious.

 

Wei Yan notched an arrow, easily drew the bow to its full extent, his clothes tightly stretched across his back as he pulled. With a twist of his wrist and a downward press of his elbow, the arrow flew straight into the bullseye.

 

The soldiers cheered loudly.

 

Shui Que looked at the distant target and then at Wei Yan. “Can I do it too?”

 

“Your Highness, why not give it a try?” Wei Yan said. “I’ll help you adjust your posture. With enough practice, you’ll definitely be able to reach the level of shooting a hundred steps with accuracy.”

 

T-That impressive?

 

Shui Que had seen such scenes in ancient drama shows where the main character could shoot a willow branch from a hundred steps away on horseback.

 

Suddenly, he felt as though he had a great destiny to fulfill.

 

System cheered him on: 【You can do it, Host! You’re the best!】

 

Shui Que was eager to try. He mimicked Wei Yan’s earlier stance, standing with his legs apart, drawing the bow, but… he couldn’t pull the bow.

 

His face showed blank disbelief for a moment.

 

He tried again, straining so hard that his shoulders trembled and his face turned red from holding his breath.

 

Wei Yan muttered, “Your Highness, you can’t pull the Yishi strength bow?”

 

The Yishi strength bow was a standard for Darong’s military exams, and the system had converted the force requirement to 71 kilograms.

 

Shui Que: “….”

 

It was still too difficult for him.

 

Wei Yan was naturally strong; before he came of age, he could draw a 300 jin* bow. Seeing Shui Que’s struggle was somewhat surprising to him.

Note: 300 jin = 180kg.

 

But after thinking for a moment, he realized it made sense. If Shui Que had been like him, how could Wei Yan have gotten slapped by him and recovered in just half a day?

 

Shui Que mumbled, “…Don’t laugh at me.”

 

It was normal that he couldn’t pull the bow since he hadn’t trained before.

 

The Overseer comforted him: 【Hmm, you should use a smaller bow, baby.】

 

Seeing Shui Que’s displeasure, Wei Yan quickly became tactful. “It’s the bow’s size. It doesn’t suit Your Highness’s hand.”

 

He had a soldier bring a softer bow, which only required about a quarter of the strength.

 

Shui Que barely managed to pull it to 80%.

 

“Lift your elbow,” Wei Yan came over to adjust his posture. “Your upper arm and lower arm should form a straight line.”

 

He carefully raised Shui Que’s elbow and lowered his wrist.

 

The pale skin of Shui Que’s wrist seemed so delicate that any more force might break it, so Wei Yan was particularly cautious, slowing down his movements.

 

“Your upper and lower arms should be tight together,” Wei Yan patted Shui Que’s arm. “Use strength, tighten up.”

 

It was good that he didn’t shoot, as he had been slow to correct his posture in the first place. Shui Que had been pulling the bow for so long, but when he was patted on the back, all his strength drained away.

 

He didn’t care that there were still many archers around, or that it felt like being alone with Wei Yan in the marquis residence. When he was angry, he was truly angry.

 

He stuffed the bow into Wei Yan’s arms, frowned, and quietly complained, “It’s all your fault. Why were you so slow to correct my posture? My hands are exhausted, and my feet are starting to go numb.”

 

Wei Yan didn’t know what to do. He paced around him, “I’ll be quicker next time, okay? Don’t be angry, your posture was perfect just now.”

 

Others were still watching, and the little eunuch was waiting nearby. Shui Que was worried that they’d be laughed at, or that the eunuch would report to the Imperial Brother that he wasn’t taking the lesson seriously or was slacking off.

 

Though, the Imperial Brother probably wouldn’t punish him…

 

Shui Que suppressed his frustration and tried drawing the bow again.

 

He could barely manage to pull it to seventy or eighty percent of the full draw.

 

To help correct him more quickly, Wei Yan almost pulled Shui Que into his arms from behind. “Let me help you aim.”

 

Guiding his hands, Wei Yan helped Shui Que shoot his first arrow, which hit the target perfectly.

 

Afterward, Shui Que felt a little more motivated to learn.

 

However, when he tried shooting the second arrow by himself, it disappeared into the distance, vanishing into a haystack far away.

 

He felt disheartened, his brows furrowing in disappointment.

 

Wei Yan couldn’t bear to see him like that. He coughed dramatically and quickly found an excuse, “This, this is the fault of the target.”

 

“Try again, try again.”

 

He encouraged Shui Que while signaling to the archery unit.

 

Shui Que pulled the bow again, and the arrow shot forward at great speed. The archers shouted, and the formation quickly reformed, like geese folding their wings. When the formation parted, the arrow had hit the target.

 

Shui Que felt that something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

 

The archers praised him, “Your Highness really is a master at archery!”

 

Wei Yan also praised him from head to toe.

 

Shui Que felt dizzy from all the compliments, almost thinking of himself as a young general with divine strength.

 

…

 

“Ancestors and the barbarians, or local chieftains, or establishing towns and counties, all relied on military defense and alliances through marriage. The custom of knotting hair gradually changed.”

 

Qi Chaojin lowered his gaze and read from the exam material.

 

Shui Que rested his chin on his hand beside him, listening little by little.

 

“…Your Highness.” Qi Chaojin still wasn’t quite used to addressing him this way and paused before continuing, “Your Highness, are you listening?”

 

He was giving Shui Que a lesson on the history of governance in the southwest regions, connecting it to the exam questions for the Ministry of Rites.

 

Since the fifteenth of August, Qi Chaojin hadn’t seen Shui Que for nearly half a month.

 

He knew that Shui Que had lost his memory, and his true background was likely even more noble than Qi Chaojin had originally suspected. However, he hadn’t expected Shui Que to be from the royal family.

 

The Emperor’s only younger brother.

 

Despite some unspoken confusion, Qi Chaojin mostly felt relief.

 

There was no other family besides the royal family who could nurture Shui Que as well as he had been nurtured.

 

The Xiao Langjun had spent a long time contemplating the precious coal and thought that this winter in the Eastern Palace, it would be enough to burn it all.

 

Moreover, this meant Shui Que could completely sever ties with Marquis Anyuan’s residence…

 

Qi Chaojin thought about the words Shui Que had said to him back then.

 

He was a rare treasure, someone who could no longer be treated lightly by the heir.

 

Since their broken engagement two years ago, Qi Chaojin had never been able to quietly watch Shui Que’s sleeping face like he could now.

 

Their few encounters before had ended unpleasantly.

 

In the warm afternoon, Shui Que slept with his head propped up on his side, his soft cheek squished, his breathing shallow.

 

Perhaps it was like a dream, where the delicate and precious Prince had spent two years with him in Changzhou County.

 

For a moment, Qi Chaojin was lost in thought.

 

But the words from before no longer counted.

 

Shui Que tilted his head and leaned into his embrace.

 

But because it was a light sleep, he woke up suddenly.

 

His eyes were barely open, and his lips muttered, “I’m listening, I’m really listening, very attentively, I’m not sleeping.”

 

Qi Chaojin laid the exam material out in front of Shui Que and repeated what he had just read.

 

“What do you think, Your Highness?”

 

Shui Que looked troubled.

 

“Qi Lang, you know my…”

 

He had never passed any imperial examination. Back when he was studying at the academy, he’d left most of the paper blank. For him to answer these exam questions on the spot felt like an impossible challenge.

 

Without any need for work, his attitude toward Qi Chaojin had softened, and he even returned to addressing him with respect.

 

System 77 said that the task in this world wasn’t properly designed. It hadn’t realized that his character was actually so noble, which meant the storyline would surely go against the world’s setting and couldn’t progress.

 

Shui Que only needed to wait for a little while longer. Once the option to leave this world was fixed, he would be able to return to the big world.

 

The system comforted him, suggesting he treat this time as a vacation.

 

But who would study history and philosophy during a vacation?

 

Qi Chaojin pulled out three exam answer sheets, “Shui…..Your Highness, no need to answer. You only need to judge the answers of the officials. Just pick the best parts.”

 

These were exam papers he’d borrowed from the Ministry of Rites, still marked with previous names.

 

Shui Que stared blankly at the long essays.

 

In no time, he shook his head, “I think… I think Qi Lang’s answer is the best.”

 

In reality, he hadn’t even read the other two essays, but he recognized Qi Chaojin’s handwriting and assumed it was just more sweet words from him, and that he would indulge him as usual.

 

And indeed, he was right.

 

Shui Que praised Qi Chaojin, but seeing his exasperated expression, he stretched out his arm with a sigh, “Qi Lang, I’m exhausted. I’ve been practicing archery all morning, my arms are sore, and I can’t focus on the lessons. If someone could just massage me…”

 

He said this while sneakily glancing at Qi Chaojin.

 

For an entire history lesson, the first half hour he was dozing off, and the second half was spent enjoying Assistant Minister Qi’s massage on his shoulders and legs.

 

Later, Nie Xiuyuan came to teach him about agricultural books, hydraulics, and astronomy, but Shui Que had been so tired that his head was spinning. He used the same trick he had with Qi Chaojin earlier.

 

Nie Xiuyuan’s face remained cold, unaffected by Shui Que’s antics. “Your Highness must study diligently from now on. This is only the first day. You cannot slack off just because your arms and legs are sore.”

 

He held a copy of “Water Management” and another on “River Defense”.

 

His tone remained level: “Today, we will study flood control theory.”

 

Shui Que was completely dazed, and the words seemed to spin in his head without leaving any lasting impression.

 

He wasn’t learning flood control theory—he was being taught how to deal with Shui Que!

 

“I’m not learning anymore, I can’t study anymore…”

 

Shui Que felt like crying, but there were no tears.


This completely contradicted his persona as someone who lived off others!


Had he somehow bound himself to some sort of “big male lead” system?


“I was born to…” to live off others.


Shui Que was about to replicate his classic line from before when Nie Xiuyuan pressed his fingertip against his mouth and sternly said, “Your Highness, as a prince, you must abandon your previous mindset. You cannot say anything about being someone’s Xiao Langjun again, or I will report it truthfully to the Emperor.”


Shui Que stared at him, lips pressed together.


Seeing that he was no longer causing trouble, Nie Xiuyuan withdrew his hand.


But the sensation of his fingertip lingering, soft and moist, remained.


Why were his lips so tender?


Nie Xiuyuan snapped back to reality, lowering his brows and shaking off the thought, saying, “Since you have no interest in listening, I assume you didn’t pay attention to the river defense discussion I just mentioned.”


“Why don’t you first copy the first volume ten times? Once you have a rough understanding, I’ll come back tomorrow to explain in detail.”


Shui Que looked at him in disbelief.


“But didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t make me copy books anymore?!”


“…Times are different now,” Nie Xiuyuan replied. “I am no longer the Headmaster of Xijiang Academy, and you are now Prince Yuan.”


Shui Que grabbed his wide sleeve. “Sir, you lied to me. You care about me, you can’t be this heartless…”


He looked up at him with a pitiful gaze, his eyelashes trembling as if trying to captivate someone’s heart.


Nie Xiuyuan sighed, “……Five times.”


…


The next day’s Cabinet meeting was still held in the Zichen Hall.


Once the meeting ended, Nie Xiuyuan was ready to begin Shui Que’s lessons.


The lessons were held in a side hall of the Zichen Hall.


Once the meeting was over, Nie Xiuyuan could simply head there.


He wondered if Shui Que had finished copying the river defense discussion.


While discussing state matters, Shui Que’s pitiful appearance from the day before kept flashing through Nie Xiuyuan’s mind.


…It didn’t matter if he hadn’t finished.


“Ministers, are there any objections to the disaster relief for the flood in Qingzhou?”


Duan Zhang sat on the lacquered golden dragon-carved wooden chair, surrounded by various memorials.


His ochre-yellow robe was large, draping over the entire dragon chair. Holding a scroll of memorials, his long sleeves brushed the ground.


None of the ministers below objected.


Once the meeting ended, Nie Xiuyuan felt something was off.


As his colleagues left the Zichen Hall, Nie Xiuyuan had not moved the wheelchair very far when he suddenly turned back.


A purple brush with entwined branch patterns rolled to the floor, bouncing under the round wooden wheel.


Nie Xiuyuan raised his gaze.


He saw that the Emperor had moved his long sleeves, revealing Prince Yuan, who had been hiding under them, sitting on a soft cushion, his head resting on his elder brother’s knee, eyes closed in peaceful sleep, his lips slightly puckered, a tiny gap between them.


His small frame and the wide robe of Duan Zhang had concealed him, and the memorials on the table blocked the view, so no one had noticed.


Apparently, he had been so absorbed in copying books that he lost track of time and ended up in the middle of the meeting, hiding there and falling asleep. His brush had smeared ink on the dragon robe, leaving black stains in various directions. When he finally loosened his grip, the brush fell without him realizing.


Nie Xiuyuan suspected that perhaps Prince Yuan had planned the whole thing—acting pitiful to have the Emperor speak up for him so that he wouldn’t need to copy books anymore.


Though Prince Yuan was small in stature and looked so innocent, his face red as he slept, he was just as sly as a fox.

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Huge shoutout to @candycorns2 on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.

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