How to Deal with Having the Villainous Tyrant’s Child Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Unexpectedly, the man shook his head. “I do not. Though Zong Yuan studied the Central Plains’ culture from a young age, he has never been there and does not know anyone from the Central Plains.”

“That’s strange…” Lu Hanzhi thought. The boy next to this man looked exactly like Mu Qingtong, but much younger.

The boy appeared about fifteen or sixteen, with slightly curled hair tips and fair skin, like a child from under Guanyin’s care, inspiring a protective instinct.

If it weren’t for Mu Qingtong’s excellent preservation, he would be around forty. If they had met before, Lu Hanzhi would have sworn this boy was Mu Qingtong’s son.

After all, the resemblance was uncanny!

Feeling it rude to keep staring, Lu Hanzhi said, “Perhaps the world really does have people who look alike. Maybe when Nüwa created humans, she was lazy and thought, ‘This template looks good,’ and just copied it.”

Even Yuwen Min didn’t quite understand what Hanzhi meant, let alone an Eastern Sea person.

The visitor bowed to Yuwen Min. “Last night, Zong He had a pleasant conversation with Wang Ye. Knowing today was a grand feast for the prince’s children and nephews, he prepared a small gift, hoping Wang Ye would accept it graciously.”

Yuwen Min politely asked his steward to receive it. “Please, Mr. Zong, come inside for a moment.”

Zong He declined. “I do not know Great Zhao customs well and may embarrass myself. Today is only to show my respect. Another day, when Wang Ye’s residence is free, I will come to pay my respects properly.”

Yuwen Min did not insist and escorted Zong He and his attendant away.

After they left, Lu Hanzhi asked, “Why did the Eastern Sea send an emissary? And why such a young and… handsome one?”

“Marriage alliance,” Yuwen Min answered.

Lu Hanzhi was shocked. “What?”

Yuwen Min explained, “Some time ago, the Eastern Sea and Great Zhao were at war. Great Zhao won, and Eastern Seasought peace. Zong He is the emperor’s adopted son. He came to request the marriage of a noble girl or boy from the Central Plains to establish a bond and avoid further conflict. At the same time, he brought a carefully raised Xiao Langjun to the capital as a gift for the Great Zhao emperor, perhaps to serve as a future attendant to a noble household.”

Lu Hanzhi understood; historically, many such marriage alliances existed.

For instance, the mother of the Third Prince had been a princess from the northern grasslands. She had voluntarily stepped down and lived in seclusion in the cold palace.

Royal succession struggles rarely allowed survivors.

But Yuwen Jing was different; he brought trouble on himself.

Given his status, he could have lived a carefree life.

Yet he had been foolish, always used as a pawn, with ambitions that knew no bounds.

Yuwen Min asked, “Earlier, you said the boy beside Zong He resembled someone?”

Lu Hanzhi replied, “Oh, he’s not from the capital. He reminds me of a master in my village, a kiln master named Mu Qingtong. His apprentice’s porcelain skills are unmatched; most of the porcelain from Han Ji Kiln comes from his hand. His master must also have been extraordinary.”

Yuwen Min nodded but didn’t think much of it.

Suddenly, Lu Hanzhi asked urgently, “Ah Min, the Xiao Langjun they sent—could it be… the boy with Zong He?”

Yuwen Min answered, “Exactly. The emperor hasn’t seen him yet and has not decided which household he might marry into. Most eligible men in the capital already have concubines. The only option is the fifth imperial son, Yuwen Qin.”

Yuwen Qin was sixteen, an age considered marriageable in ancient times.

Lu Hanzhi wanted to tease Yuwen Min. “Wang Ye, you have such a chance. Didn’t you think about taking him as a concubine? That boy is truly lovely—don’t you feel tempted?”

The two happened to walk into a corner. Yuwen Min nudged Lu Hanzhi against the wall, leaned down, and smiled. “Wang Fei, your mouth tired yet? Rested? Tonight we’ll continue, so don’t talk so much beforehand.”

Lu Hanzhi: …

Before Hanzhi could respond, Yuwen Min had already walked away.

He called after him, “Hey! Yuwen Min, you’re going bad!”

The courtyard was bustling and lively.

Everyone in the capital with a notable name had come to the feast at the two Prince Chu An residences.

This included the descendants of founding heroes, such as Lord Feng’en.

Though elderly, Lord Feng’en carried a commanding presence.

Several dukes and marquises gathered, chatting and laughing, but who knew how many hidden thoughts lay beneath the surface.

Even Imperial Concubine Rong was surprised; those who once disdained Yuwen Min were now all coming to join the festivity.

Whether sincere or not, imperial favor—though not truly a blessing—was desired and feared by all.

Everyone chased after it, forgetting that imperial favor was ultimately an illusion.

Lu Xuzhi was writing and composing poetry with a group of literati, and by chance, they mentioned Zong He.

Young Master Lin said, “It is said that this Eastern Sea emissary is the top martial artist in Eastern Sea. He trained under the emperor’s personal guards from a young age. Now that he has come to the capital, he also intends to challenge the top martial artist of the Central Plains.”

Lu Xuzhi replied, “Oh? There are not many great martial artists in the Central Plains, and no one has been officially recognized as the top. Who is this so-called ‘first in the Central Plains’?”

Young Master Lin smiled. “He has identified this year’s martial champion as the top martial artist of the Central Plains. It’s already been decided—at tomorrow’s court assembly, he intends to challenge the martial champion, Lu Xuzhi.”

Lu Xuzhi shivered. “…Perhaps I should just admit defeat now!”

Someone nearby interjected, “Hey, Brother Lu, you cannot do that, absolutely cannot. If you admit defeat, won’t that disgrace Great Zhao?”

Admitting defeat was out of the question. This challenge had to be accepted.

Lu Xuzhi gritted his teeth. “Eastern Sea warriors are not easy to deal with—they resort to seppuku* at the slightest provocation. They cannot bear to lose.”

Note: samurai’s suicide by disemboweling. 

From Lu Xuzhi’s perspective, in martial arts, victory and defeat were common occurrences, but dying or threatening death over a loss seemed excessive and ridiculous.

Someone nearby said again, “That’s called Bushido* spirit.”

Note: Bushido is way of the warrior.

Young Master Lin scoffed, “Bushido? I don’t understand it. Isn’t losing just a chance to try to win next time? What’s with cutting oneself? Isn’t that just admitting your skill is inferior? Does that mean you’re beneath others your entire life?”

Lu Xuzhi waved his hand with a cheerful laugh. “Foreign customs—let’s not try to interpret them too boldly.”

Lu Xuzhi was normally an extremely easygoing person. No one could see the image of a responsible elder brother in him, even when facing his younger siblings.

His greatest strength was that he could adopt any persona at any time.

When he was a child, he accompanied Yuwen Jue in study, and among all companions, he was the one who praised the Eldest Prince the most extravagantly.

The Eldest Prince’s calligraphy and literary talent were indeed good, but with Yuwen Jue’s embellishments, it was as if a celestial star had descended to Earth.

Lu Hanzhi often joked that his second brother was just Yuwen Jue’s ‘bootlicker,’ and in this case, he was right.

Who could blame him? Yuwen Jue simply liked it.

The entire day passed in lively bustle. Aside from Zong He and the boy who resembled Mr. Mu, the day went very smoothly.

No one caused trouble, and nothing unexpected happened.

The Crown Prince, surprisingly, had been discreet enough not to appear, and he did not summon Su Wan’ning either.

He only sent word that since Zhaoyun had arrived, the Crown Prince’s wishes had been fulfilled and sent a generous gift.

At noon, it was time for Ah Chan’s “Zhuazhou”. Lu Hanzhi sent for a large table, arranging all sorts of little items.

There were seals, books, abacuses, coins, brushes, knives, and swords…

Yuwen Min personally carried Ah Chan forward. Seeing so many people for the first time, Ah Chan was a little hesitant.

The usually lively and active boy frowned and pouted as he scanned the crowd, glancing here and there until he finally spotted the short Xiao Liuzi.

Xiao Liuzi was peering through the crowd. Seeing Ah Chan looking at him, he quickly pushed through and went over.

Lu Hanzhi laughed. “Ah Chan, hurry! Pick one! What do you want? Go on, grab it!”

The crowd cheered along. “Little Prince, pick! Go on, grab something!”

“Little Prince, pick the sword! Your father was brave all his life, and you are the Brave Prince Xiao—go on, grab it!”

Note: Wordplay: his title is Prince Qinxiao (Qin here means brave).

“Training in martial arts and swordsmanship is tough. Our clever little prince naturally should learn literature like his uncle! Pick up the brush, come on!”

“Better to be a high official. Our little prince is born noble—pick the seal! One stamp and you rule the world!”

Someone nearby cautioned, “Don’t speak carelessly.”

Another replied, “Ah, we’re just wishing for good luck!”

Fortunately, no one took it seriously. Everyone immediately turned their attention back to Ah Chan.

Lu Hanzhi coaxed Ah Chan off his father’s arms and onto the table. He pointed to the items. “Ah Chan, which one do you want? Take whatever you like.”

Ah Chan finally began to show interest in the table of items.

Yuwen Min watched closely. “Ah Chan, pick whichever you like. Whatever you want, Father will allow.”

Imperial Concubine Rong even stepped beside Ah Chan. “Ah Chan, what do you like?”

Ah Chan looked at his grandmother in confusion. She smiled warmly at him, and he grinned, drooling a little as he did.

Prince Chu held Ah Meng in his arms and asked, “Ah Chan, what’s the matter? Why are you hesitating? You’re usually so decisive.”

It had only been a few days since moving into the new residence, but already many of the flowers and plants in the garden had suffered at the hands of the little prince.

Lu Xuzhi said, “This is a major event for life. It’s good that Ah Chan is taking his time to think.”

The crowd laughed heartily, which made Ah Chan shiver.

This little prince usually dominated the residence, yet on his first appearance in a crowd, he cowered like this.

Lu Hanzhi found it amusing. He wondered if Yuwen Min had been this cute as a child.

Ah Chan looked here and there but still didn’t reach for anything.

Apparently, this little prince hated being forced. The more they urged him to pick, the less he wanted to.

Lu Hanzhi panicked internally. Could the Zhuazhou ceremony really fail today?

He noticed Xiao Liuzi observing Ah Chan from the edge and had an idea. He approached and said, “Liu Liu, go and coax your little junior brother. Ask him if he wants to pick.”

Xiao Liuzi went forward. “Junior brother, do you… like anything? Will you pick one?”

Ah Chan grinned at Xiao Liuzi, reached out, and grabbed his hand. “I like… Brother…”

Everyone: …

Lu Hanzhi looked astonished. “Incredible! Ah Chan hasn’t decided what he wants to be in life, but he’s already chosen who he wants to go through life with.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, finding Wang Fei’s remark amusing.

Xiao Liuzi’s face turned bright red. He was flustered, unsure whether to pull his hand away or not.

Just as he was at a complete loss, the restless little Ah Chan pressed a quick kiss onto his face.

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