Chapter 64
You know… the way you’re trying so hard to put a green hat on yourself is quite impressive, do you realize that?
Note: green hat is like being cheated on.
Lu Hanzhi, while mentally cursing, maintained a calm expression and sighed lightly. He then said, “Your Highness, your imagination is indeed quite rich. Everyone says Ah Chan looks like you. Could it be that he’s your child?”
Yuwen Min’s hand, cleaning the sword Chen Ke, paused for a moment. Lu Hanzhi thought he had finally remembered something, but then he saw Yuwen Min slowly nodding, agreeing with what he said.
“You’re right,” Yuwen Min said slowly, “but it doesn’t matter. I personally selected Ah Chan’s bodyguard. By now, they should be within a hundred meters of where he is. I’ve also deployed my secret guards to ensure his safety, so there’s no need to worry.”
Lu Hanzhi gratefully said to Yuwen Min, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Even so, Lu Hanzhi couldn’t completely relax.
That night after returning, Lu Hanzhi immediately gave Ah Chan another set of protective armor.
Even though he had used the last coupon from the package, as long as Ah Chan was safe, he didn’t mind the small amount of points or the exchange coupon.
Speaking of which, the future tyrant’s shadow guards were incredibly powerful after his dark transformation.
It was unclear whether the future tyrant, before his dark transformation, also had such formidable shadow guards.
From Lu Hanzhi’s observations, even though the future tyrant hadn’t turned dark yet, his state was completely different from the one in the original story—he was much more powerful.
Especially recently, Lu Hanzhi had witnessed his remarkable abilities.
From the intricate schemes of his second brother and sister-in-law to the dramatic events at the Crown Prince’s residence.
Thinking back to that day, Lu Hanzhi was even more amazed. The scheme was even more impressive than what his second brother and sister-in-law had done.
The Emperor was currently thoroughly investigating the incident involving the Crown Prince performing a West Region witchcraft ritual during his wedding. After investigation, the clues would surely lead to the young royal uncle.
The first to suffer from this matter was the Crown Prince, and the second was Yuwen Minjing.
This was probably Yuwen Min’s initial plan to kill two birds with one stone.
However, on the wedding day, another issue arose involving the Crown Prince and Su Wan’ning, with the Emperor personally catching them in the act.
This not only struck at the Crown Prince and Yuwen Minjing but also delivered a heavy blow to the female lead.
Over the past few days, Lu Hanzhi had been hearing gossip about Su Wan’ning slashing her wrists to commit suicide.
The Crown Prince, filled with fury over his beloved, invited several doctors into the Crown Prince’s residence overnight, all to save her life.
Lu Hanzhi thought to himself that they really were a perfect match—he hoped they would never break up and wished them lasting happiness.
But it was a pity for County Princess Zhaoyun, who had also been a victim in this situation.
Thankfully, he had prepared in advance, or Zhaoyun might have also fallen under Su Wan’ning’s spiritual control.
Thinking of those who had been mentally controlled, there were always side effects to some degree.
Old Madam Lu had been sick for some time, but she finally showed signs of improvement.
Su Wan’ning would likely never return to the Lu family. She had become a rat on the street, and not only the Lu family but the entire capital had turned against her.
She had worked hard to build a good reputation, but with this one incident, her image could be drowned in spittle.
However, she was the female lead after all, so if she wanted to add a filter to her image, it was likely an easy task.
Yuwen Min finally moved on from the earlier topic and said to Lu Hanzhi, “The next one or two months should be relatively calm. In ten days, the wedding will take place. Wang Fei can go to your family’s home for a short stay, and I will set up a protective net around the Lu residence to ensure you, father and son’s safety.”
Lu Hanzhi covered his face, feeling that Yuwen Min was exaggerating, and said, “That won’t be necessary.” But what did he mean by saying the next couple of months would be calm? Why did he feel like the wedding day would be the start of a battlefield?
Lu Hanzhi sighed slowly and met Yuwen Min’s probing gaze.
He had not finished sighing when he abruptly held it back, quickly shaking his hands and saying, “No, no, no, Your Highness, I am very much looking forward to marrying you.”
Yuwen Min’s lips twitched involuntarily. He felt that ever since he became close to Lu Hanzhi, his perceptions of people and matters had begun to feel surreal.
After finishing with Chen Ke, Yuwen Min wiped his hands with a fine cloth and said, “Let’s go! Let’s check on our Prince Qinxiao.”
Lu Hanzhi nodded and followed Yuwen Min into the backyard.
The steward had been cleaning for a whole day and night and had finally finished tidying up the backyard, naming it Hanyu Pavilion for Lu Hanzhi to stay in.
Ah Chan’s little courtyard was on the east side of Hanyu Pavilion, but until he was about five or six years old, he would likely stay close to Lu Hanzhi.
Ah Chan was bold and fearless; after the recent fright, he woke up and had completely forgotten about it.
As soon as he saw Lu Hanzhi, he shook the little water wheel in his hand and called out to his father, “Ah ah ah da…”
Lu Hanzhi stepped forward and hugged him, saying, “Call me ‘Father,’ not ‘Ah da!'”
Ah Chan: “Ah da da da… Mmm…”
Lu Hanzhi smiled and said, “Can you speak? Do you understand Chinese? What language are you speaking?” In just a few months, his baby talk had evolved—he couldn’t understand it at all.
Yuwen Min, who was behind them, said, “Ah Chan is still small. It will take him until he is about ten months old before he can start speaking.”
Lu Hanzhi turned in surprise and asked, “Your Highness, you know this much?”
Yuwen Min: “…My eldest brother has been mentioning this to me a lot lately.”
Lu Hanzhi chuckled lightly. He found that every time he teased Yuwen Min, there was always something new and fun.
But the eldest prince was indeed knowledgeable about child-rearing. He liked children, and when his little nephew was born, he and Ah Chan would have been good companions.
While Lu Hanzhi was playing with Ah Chan, a small voice suddenly came from behind: “Xiao Liuzi greets His Highness and Her Highness.”
Lu Hanzhi turned around and saw a small, thin boy.
The boy appeared to be about five or six years old—tall, but thin and frail.
He was Ah Man’s adopted son, named Xiao Liuzi.
At that time, Lu Hanzhi had arranged for Xiao Liuzi to be promoted to the first rank personal attendants, to always be by Ah Chan’s side.
The child was well-behaved and had been taught well by Ah Man according to the rules of the household.
Although he was shy, he was a well-mannered child.
Seeing him, Lu Hanzhi thought of Ah Man and felt a bit emotional.
He stepped forward and helped Xiao Liuzi up, asking, “Are you getting used to living here?”
Xiao Liuzi didn’t speak. There was no need to ask—of course, he wasn’t used to it.
A child who had grown up among servants suddenly moved into a grand mansion in the Prince’s residence would likely struggle to sleep at night.
Lu Hanzhi smiled at him and said, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will follow Ah Chan and be his study companion. I’ve found a private academy for you. You can go to class during the day and spend time with Ah Chan in the evenings.”
Here is the complete translation in natural English while preserving the full essence of the original text:
Xiao Liuzi knelt and bowed his head to Lu Hanzhi. “Young Master, I will never forget your great kindness for as long as I live.”
Yuwen Min, however, stopped him and said, “Wait a moment. I don’t think he needs to go to the academy.”
Lu Hanzhi looked at Yuwen Min in confusion. Yuwen Min carefully observed Xiao Liuzi for a while before saying, “He has the potential to excel in martial arts. He’s an extremely rare talent.”
Lu Hanzhi knew that martial arts training depended on one’s natural aptitude.
But looking at Xiao Liuzi’s scrawny frame, he couldn’t quite understand and asked, “So thin… and yet a rare talent?”
Yuwen Min replied, “Martial arts isn’t about being big or small; it’s about bone structure. This child was born with soft, flexible bones, which are perfect for learning light martial arts techniques.”
Lu Hanzhi was astonished. “Really? That amazing? Then what about me? Do you think I could do it?”
Yuwen Min glanced at Lu Hanzhi, then walked over and casually felt around his shoulders and waist before concluding, “No.”
Lu Hanzhi: … I suspect you’re just taking advantage of me!
Yuwen Min, however, turned back to the child and said, “If you’re willing, you may take me as your master. I will teach you for one hour every day. Whether or not you succeed will depend on your perseverance.”
Before Yuwen Min could even finish speaking, Xiao Liuzi was already kowtowing repeatedly, his forehead knocking against the ground with loud thuds.
He didn’t stop until his forehead turned bruised and swollen. Then, he straightened up and said, “Thank you, Your Highness. I am unworthy to be called a disciple, but I am willing to follow Your Highness and serve you with my life. I will train through the harshest winters and the hottest summers, never failing to live up to Your Highness’s praise.”
For a six-year-old child to say such words was already remarkable.
Although children in ancient times matured early, one had to admit—despite Ah Man never having been married, the child she raised was truly outstanding.
Lu Hanzhi, however, wanted to tease him a little. He didn’t like children being so serious all the time.
He pulled Xiao Liuzi up and said, “Hey, don’t be so stiff. He just said he’s taking you as his disciple, so why haven’t you called him ‘Master’ yet? Quick, quick, call him Master! Then he’ll have to give you a red envelope.”
Xiao Liuzi blushed at his young master’s teasing and hesitated. “Young Master…” No wonder his mother always chuckled when she spoke about him—Young Master was easygoing, but he never acted properly.
Lu Hanzhi said, “Why are you calling me ‘Young Master’? It’s ‘Master’! Hurry up, call him ‘Master’ and get your red envelope! What are you standing around for?”
Left with no choice, Xiao Liuzi turned red and softly said, “M-Master…”
Yuwen Min sighed. He didn’t have any silver on him.
So he casually removed the jade pendant from his waist and handed it over. “Consider this a token of our master-disciple bond.”
Xiao Liuzi accepted it with both hands and bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Just watching made Lu Hanzhi feel exhausted. The endless formalities of ancient times were truly frustrating.
Once Xiao Liuzi left, Lu Hanzhi turned to Ah Chan and saw him skillfully picking up the milk beans from the plate on the table, popping them into his mouth one by one.
When Ah Chan met Lu Hanzhi’s gaze, he grinned widely.
But when he turned to meet Yuwen Min’s eyes, the milk bean in his mouth fell to the floor with a soft plop.
Lu Hanzhi almost laughed out loud. As expected, everyone—young or old, male or female—was afraid of a fierce person.
Yuwen Min said, “Ah Chan, be good. Being too fat isn’t good for your health. Eat less.”
Ah Chan sat there with his mouth slightly open, completely still, looking like a Russian nesting doll.
Lu Hanzhi held back his laughter and said, “Ah Chan, be good. You can eat more later.”
Yuwen Min turned to Lu Hanzhi and said, “That won’t do, Wang Fei. If you keep spoiling him, I’ll have to call a tutor to teach him proper discipline.”
Lu Hanzhi knew Yuwen Min was doing this for Ah Chan’s sake, but Ah Chan was less than six months old. Following strict rules so rigidly—wasn’t that a bit too cruel?
Yuwen Min, for once, spoke patiently. “I’m not strict with Ah Chan just because he isn’t my biological child. To me, you and Ah Chan are as important as my mother and elder brother. My mother wasn’t related to me by blood either, but she loved me like her own son. I will be a good stepfather and will never treat him unfairly.”
Lu Hanzhi understood in his heart but deliberately refused to respond properly.
Instead, he pursed his lips like a delicate jade and stepped forward, saying, “Who knows if you’ll be fair or not? How about I give you another child, and we’ll see for ourselves whether you’re biased? Without proof, anyone can just talk big.”
Yuwen Min: …???
Author’s Note:
Yuwen Min: I accept!
Lu Hanzhi: You wish! You’d die of thirst first!
Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
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