Chapter 11
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During the break at the Imperial Academy, an assignment was given. The topic was: Methods of Flood Control.
Students were required to draw on classical texts, select and critique historical and contemporary approaches to flood management, and provide their own perspectives on flood control.
While most responses submitted by the students were conventional, Chu Lishu, in his paper, mentioned a particular method.
The method involved introducing clean water to reduce sediment in rivers, thereby narrowing the waterway to mitigate flooding.
This approach had aided the Great Zhou Dynasty in reducing losses during several flooding years, resulting in the historically lowest number of affected civilians. Even after the ascent of the new emperor, regions prone to water disasters continued to adhere to this method.
However, as soon as this argument was presented, the expressions of everyone at the Imperial Academy changed. The head master immediately punished Chu Lishu, directing him to reflect on his actions in the Cold Spring Cave.
For students, kneeling in the Cold Spring Cave was a significant punishment, but there was not a single person in the Imperial Academy willing to speak up or help.
Even someone with a good character like Xu Wenze only privately warned Lin Qingyang.
All of this was solely because the proposed flood control method came from the former Crown Prince, Yuan Ran, who is none other than the male lead, Chu Lishu.
Back in the day, Yuan Ran excelled in both literature and martial arts, harbored concerns for the country, and had grand plans. After becoming the Crown Prince, he devised eight strategies for reform, all of which brought benefits to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even the late emperor had praised the Crown Prince for his ability to govern the country. It was said that the Crown Prince was capable of benefiting the world, surpassing his predecessor. There were even jokes among the elderly courtiers that the Crown Prince should retire early and enjoy a peaceful life as an emperor emeritus.
However, such remarkable achievements were completely overshadowed by the failure of that one battle. Nobody mentioned the Crown Prince’s past contributions; they only remembered his mistakes.
These eight reform strategies, including the flood control method, were all part of the late Crown Prince’s legacy. Everyone knew that this method was effective, but no one dared to bring it up or acknowledge it. It was as if it were a taboo subject.
No one would be foolish enough to mention the former Crown Prince’s ideas in the Imperial Academy, even if it were to express agreement with the merits. Doing so would be seen as an attempt to exonerate a person of wrongdoing.
In short, nobody was allowed to mention the former Crown Prince or quote anything he had said.
Although this situation was truly frustrating and felt unjust, it was the current state of affairs, and there was no way around it.
So when Lin Qingyang heard from Xu Wenze that Chu Lishu had referenced the former Crown Prince’s words in his answer sheet, it was utterly perplexing.
What was he trying to do?
Didn’t he know he couldn’t expose himself?
Why would he casually bring up his past actions? Wasn’t he afraid of raising suspicion?
Lin Qingyang couldn’t comprehend Chu Lishu’s thought process. Knowing he was being punished and temporarily unable to return, he still came to check on the situation, hoping to offer some help and increase his favorability.
As a result, he encountered such a tragic situation upon his arrival.
The anger that Lin Qingyang had been suppressing in his heart surged.
He still remembered a passage in the writings describing how the Crown Prince, in search of a solution to control floods, had tirelessly traveled to flood-stricken areas, seeking the expertise of capable individuals. He had traversed dangerous riverbanks, personally inspected every step of disaster relief, worked tirelessly day and night, and ultimately proposed a set of regulations.
The Crown Prince had presented such a commendable solution, indirectly saving countless lives, yet at this moment, he was being held down and whipped by a group of people who had once kneeled before him. It was absurd and ridiculous.
Lin Qingyang wrapped up Chu Lishu, noticing his extreme weakness. He couldn’t help but grit his teeth.
As he lifted his eyes, they met a pair of distinct black and white orbs. The person’s expression didn’t reveal much pain, only a hint of confusion. His handsome face was as white as snow from the cold, and his lips had lost their color, appearing like thin ice on the verge of shattering.
Lin Qingyang’s heart tightened instantly, overwhelmed with sympathy.
“Lin Qingyang, you dare!”
Lin Qingyang took a deep breath, turning around to glare with anger.
It was Cheng Yi. Surprisingly, the person confronting him was Cheng Yi.
Lin Qingyang was on the verge of grinding his back teeth.
“Cheng Yi, you are resorting to extrajudicial punishment. My cousin is frail, if something happens to him due to your actions, are you prepared to shoulder the law of causing harm to a human life? Do you think Marquis An Nan’s residence’s people are easy to bully?” Lin Qingyang assumed a domineering posture.
“Heh, for such a heinous person, he deserves to die.” Cheng Yi tilted his head back, his eyes scornful. “Haven’t you heard about what he’s done? Marquis An Nan’s residence has raised such a person; you can’t escape blame.”
“Regardless of what he did, it should end here now that the head master has already punished him. Who gave you the authority to use extrajudicial methods here now?” Lin Qingyang knew instantly that Cheng Yi was acting on his own accord.
Cheng Yi was fuming, his nose almost crooked with anger. He retorted, “Lin Qingyang, have you taken the wrong medicine? How could you defend him? Weren’t you also displeased with him?”
“Let me make it clear today—I am indeed pleased with him! If you harm him, you are harming me. I am not one to back down easily. If you provoke me, I’ll report it directly to the emperor. I want to see how a student who unintentionally quoted a sentence ends up being beaten to death by you.”
The emperor cared about reputation and face. If such a trivial matter reached the emperor’s attention, despite causing his displeasure, it would be handled fairly. Since Cheng Yi was not an official but a fellow student, he had no authority to resort to private violence. When the matter reached the emperor’s ears, Cheng Yi would inevitably face punishment. Moreover, with political tensions rising in the court, factions had begun their power struggles. Opportunistic individuals would undoubtedly use Cheng Yi’s situation to attack whoever was behind him.
However, Cheng Yi’s actions were merely an attempt to please his own master, so he naturally couldn’t afford to cause trouble for his master. Therefore, when faced with someone as troublesome as Lin Qingyang, he naturally suffered.
“You… You, alright, Lin Qingyang, if you insist on protecting him then do it… that person. Be careful, I will report this!”
“You better shut up. Don’t label me, or else I’ll compile the petty things you’ve done in the commoners’ circles and submit them to the court. Let’s see how everything unravels.”
Both being little overlords, it was a matter of who had a cleaner slate.
Cheng Yi and Lin Qingyang had always stayed out of each other’s way, but unexpectedly, a day of conflict had arrived. “Lin Qingyang, are you determined to protect him? You have to be at odds with me!”
Lin Qingyang was about to retort when suddenly his sleeve was pulled.
Turning his head, Lin Qingyang saw that Chu Lishu had used his strength to barely stand up.
Chu Lishu slightly bowed towards Cheng Yi.
“Second Cousin has no such intention. It’s all my lack of insight. I intended to write a good essay but unintentionally made a mistake. Young Master Cheng’s admonishment is justified. If Young Master Cheng is still unsatisfied, I’m willing to endure a few more lashes to learn my lesson.”
Lin Qingyang opened his mouth to speak but didn’t know what to say. He just clenched his teeth even tighter.
Cheng Yi, on the other hand, burst into triumphant laughter.
Originally in a stalemate, Chu Lishu lowered his head, offering an opportunity for resolution. Cheng Yi naturally took it. After all, the deed was done, and letting this guy know his limits would suffice.
“People from out of town who haven’t settled down should be more observant and willing to learn. Don’t always try to show off; you should know the consequences of loose mouth. Since you acknowledge your mistake, I’ll spare you this time. Hmph, let’s go!”
Cheng Yi, having saved face, swaggered away, looking as proud as a peacock displaying its feathers.
“Earlier, that fellow didn’t utter a word when he was being beaten. How come he suddenly knows how to talk when Lin Qingyang arrives?” someone nearby remarked.
Cheng Yi chuckled, “Now that he’s living in Marquis An Nan’s residence, he naturally doesn’t dare to cause trouble for the Marquis’s household. Otherwise, wouldn’t he be wandering the streets? Even such an ignorant lad can still win the favor of Young Lady Cao. It’s simply unreasonable.”
At the mention of Young Lady Cao, the capital’s top talent, Cheng Yi’s face lit up with a smile, and those around him quickly chimed in.
Meanwhile, in the Cold Spring Cave, silence prevailed.
Watching Cheng Yi leave so smugly, Lin Qingyang was seething. He endured and endured, then turned to look at Chu Lishu.
But suddenly, Lin Qingyang noticed that Chu Lishu was quietly watching him.
What are you looking at? You should be staring fiercely at that damn Cheng Yi, jotting down his deeds in your little black book, and seeking revenge after climbing the ranks!
Lin Qingyang couldn’t understand why Chu Lishu showed no signs of anger. If it were him, he would have been furious long ago.
After all, Cheng Yi was none other than Chu Lishu’s….. Yuan Ran’s real younger cousin.
…
The Cheng family was one of the four major families in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The Cheng family had two daughters, both married to the late emperor. One became the empress, and the other the noble consort.
The empress, frail in health, remained childless for many years. In contrast, the noble consort gave birth to two sons, the crown prince, Yuan Ran, and his younger brother, Yuan Ye.
The imperial harem was peaceful, with little contention, until after the turmoil. Following the deaths of the emperor and empress, only Consort Cheng and the young prince, Yuan Ye, remained in the palace.
Although the emperor’s direct younger brother was chosen as the new emperor, to quell various discussions and stabilize the court, the new emperor issued an imperial edict to designate the young prince, Yuan Ye, as the crown prince.
The meaning was to inform the world that the new emperor would eventually return the throne to the son of his elder brother, as this was the orthodox way.
The current Crown Prince was, in fact, the younger brother of Chu Lishu himself.
As for Cheng Yi, being a member of the Cheng family, naturally aligned himself with the crown prince. By punishing those who praised the former crown prince, Cheng Yi indirectly conveyed the Crown Prince’s stance.
Having his own younger brother disapprove of him and his cousin personally administering the punishment, Lin Qingyang had no idea how Chu Lishu managed to handle such a situation.
Anyhow, Lin Qingyang was on the verge of spitting blood. Without much thought, he knew that Cheng Yi must have been a lackey following Chu Lishu in the past. Now he was flaunting his power in front of him.
“Cheng Yi… Don’t you know who he is? Are you afraid of what he might do?” Lin Qingyang blurted out in a moment of impulse but immediately regretted saying it.
“Young Master Cheng’s status is noble. Even if Second Cousin is the legitimate son of Marquis An Nan, it’s not enough to contend with him. It’s better for Second Cousin to avoid conflicts with him in the future. There’s no need to offend him for my sake,” Chu Lishu said hoarsely, his voice devoid of much emotion, neither angry nor sad, just empty.
Lin Qingyang realized he had misunderstood and looked at Chu Lishu in disbelief. Although he wasn’t suspected much, Chu Lishu’s ability to say such things was truly remarkable. His endurance was truly exceptional.
Hearing Chu Lishu’s hoarse voice, Lin Qingyang grew concerned. This guy had almost died earlier, losing two points of favorability. Now his favorability points were insufficient. The male lead must not have any problems.
“Are you… Are you okay? Cheng Yi was too heavy-handed…” He only got a bit of the aftermath, and it hurts so much, he could almost cry. It’s not that he’s delicate, but that fat guy’s body is really intolerant to pain.
“Why did Second Cousin appear here?” Chu Lishu suddenly asked.
“Of course, I heard that you were in trouble, so… cough, you’re my younger cousin. How could I, as your elder cousin, not come to check on you?” Well, the main purpose was actually to check in and score some favorability points.
Seeing Lin Qingyang’s eyes seem a bit evasive, as if guilty, Chu Lishu paused for a moment, but his eyes remained fixed on him.
“Ah, don’t talk about this. Come on, let’s go out. The wounds on your back need to be treated.” Lin Qingyang quickly changed the subject, pretending to assist him out.
Chu Lishu’s pupils contracted as if suddenly awakened. He clasped his hands and said, “Thank you for your concern, Second Cousin, but I haven’t completed the punishment from the head master yet. There are still four hours left. I’ll kneel and finish it before going back. It’s cold here, Second Cousin, please go back first.”
Chu Lishu finished speaking and took off the fox fur cloak. “The head master ordered me to reflect lightly, without keeping warm.”
“You’re already like this, and you still want to kneel? Don’t worry, I’ll go talk to the head master. Although that old man is a bit strict, he’s not an ancient relic without human feelings.” Lin Qingyang hastily replied.
“This is Lishu’s fault. Lishu can complete it, I would like Second Cousin to leave.”
Just as he was saying this, there was a ding in his mind.
Lin Qingyang’s heart jumped, and he heard the system prompt: 【First mission set, Mission 1: Help the male lead complete the task of talking with the Imperial Tutor.】
Lin Qingyang breathed a sigh of relief, glad that it wasn’t a warning about the male lead being in danger.
Just as he was distracted, Chu Lishu had already knelt down. In front of him was a huge ice pillar, on which were carved the words of a sage.
Seeing the blood-soaked white clothes on his back, Lin Qingyang couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He was about to persuade again when he saw the male lead’s body sway and then fall straight forward.
Fortunately, Lin Qingyang was close enough to reach out from behind and catch the male lead. Otherwise, he might have hit his head hard and caused serious injury.
Chu Lishu seemed to have momentarily lost consciousness due to the weakness of his body. After being supported, he struggled to stand up again, reaching out to push away Lin Qingyang’s arm.
“Second Cousin, I can…”
Lin Qingyang was still recovering from the shock. “You can’t. Is it so difficult to show a little weakness? There’s no danger here, and I won’t harm you.”
Lin Qingyang, seeing Chu Lishu on the verge of fainting, became really anxious. Without hesitation, he turned around, grabbed one of Chu Lishu’s hands, and lifted him up onto his back.
As Chu Lishu clung to Lin Qingyang’s shoulders, he became completely stiff.
“Cousin!”
“If you call me cousin, then listen to me. I’m doing this for your own good. If the head master wants to punish, I’ll take the punishment for you.” Lin Qingyang, unusually firm, asserted.
However, Chu Lishu’s eyes betrayed a hint of anxiety. His carefully planned trap, set to catch a big fish, was yet to yield results. He couldn’t abandon it midway.
Just as Chu Lishu was about to struggle down, he heard Lin Qingyang calling for Shuncai, draping the fox fur cloak over him again.
Lin Qingyang complained, “Can’t you take care of yourself? Don’t make people worry.”
Soon after, Chu Lishu felt Lin Qingyang take a deep breath and carefully carry him out.
Lin Qingyang was a bit on the heavier side, so his body radiated a significant amount of warmth. This time, the warmth wasn’t confined to the fox fur cloak; it was the genuine warmth emanating from a person’s body.
The cold in the cave and the pain on his back weren’t unnoticed by Chu Lishu; he deliberately chose to ignore them. However, he could now distinctly feel himself drifting further away from the cold.
Gradually, a sense of fatigue overcame him, and his attempts to resist or push away became feeble.
By his ears, he seemed to catch snippets of Lin Qingyang’s murmurs…
“Young Master, Young Master Chu seems to have fallen asleep,” Shuncai reminded.
Lin Qingyang couldn’t turn to look, but he sensed the even breathing against his neck. Just as he suspected, the male lead was stubbornly pushing himself to the limit.
“Young Master, you’re really kind to Young Master Chu.”
Lin Qingyang’s mouth twitched. No, he wasn’t kind. He was only… just for the sake of those meager points. In case something really happened to the male lead, he’d need those points to rescue him. It was all about cost-benefit analysis.
Due to the male lead’s unconsciousness, Lin Qingyang had no choice but to bring him back to his own place.
After laying the male lead down on the bed, he suddenly heard another reminder in his mind.
【Mission 1: Help the male lead complete the task of talking with the Imperial Tutor, failed. Deducting 3 points. Account balance: 2 points. Host, please be aware.】
Lin Qingyang: !!!
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