Chapter 4
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“Brother, for now, be at ease. We’ve been summoned by the Emperor to Qingqiong Hall to offer our apologies. Even if the Seventh Prince remains unforgiving, we must await the Emperor’s judgment. Consort Xi won’t easily trouble us.” Xue Yao may not have grasped the intricacies of palace etiquette, but he was certain that Consort Xi wouldn’t readily cause them problems.
Consort Xi was a dancer from a foreign country offered as tribute to the Great Qi Emperor. Due to her astonishing beauty, the Emperor took her as a concubine. After giving birth to a son, she was elevated to the rank of a Consort.
According to the novel’s description, although Great Qi had a relatively tolerant attitude toward foreign nations, they wouldn’t allow someone with mixed foreign blood to inherit the throne. Therefore, Prince Ning, though highly favored, always had to navigate carefully and avoid becoming a target among his six brothers vying for the throne.
Consort Xi, as Long Aotian’s mother, should theoretically embody gentleness and magnanimity. She definitely wouldn’t seek revenge against an eight-year-old child like Xue Yao just because of a broken toy.
The novel offered scant insight into Consort Xi’s disposition, but she left a general impression of being a gentle and unassuming fairy.
Concerning her storyline, it mainly revolved around how beautiful she was, to the extent that after the Emperor’s passing and Prince Ning’s departure to his fief, he constantly heard rumors of people in the palace harboring ill intentions toward his biological mother.
This was also one of the catalysts that eventually pushed Prince Ning to his breaking point, prompting him to march north with his army.
With this in mind, Xue Yao was prepared. If he could meet Consort Xi in Qingqiong Hall, regardless of how beautiful she might be, he couldn’t afford to be mesmerized. It would be best not to even raise his eyes. He couldn’t give Prince Ning an opportunity to hold a grudge, thinking he coveted Consort Xi’s beauty.
“You’re being too naive,” Qinghe retorted with skepticism. “When you humiliated the Seventh Prince that day, the Emperor’s order for us to apologize in person presented an opportunity for Consort Xi to exact private revenge. Can she spare us?”
Xue Yao felt somewhat frustrated.
He had come to realize that this Long Aotian novel, despite its illogical plot twists for the sake of entertainment, concealed a world where scenes not depicted in the book followed a logical course. Even the cannon fodders possessed normal intelligence.
Xue Yao was just an ordinary person and couldn’t rely on his intelligence to outsmart the common folk in the story.
Take, for example, this reader-in-waiting named Qinghe. He appeared to be around twelve or thirteen, yet in his speech, behavior, and cunning, he was already much more mature than Xue Yao was at the age of twelve or thirteen.
Just that casual remark, “when you humiliated the Seventh Prince that day,” nonchalantly placed the blame squarely on Xue Yao.
Xue Yao, of course, didn’t acknowledge this. “On that day, even if it was my initial suggestion, without your encouragement and prodding, it wouldn’t have come to pass.”
Qinghe’s expression shifted. He pounded his chest while stamping his foot. “I don’t know what possessed me that day! I actually dared to conspire against the Seventh Prince. Looking back…sigh! In the end, it was you who led the charge!”
Gritting his teeth and with his hand wrapped in gauze, Qinghe pointed a finger at Xue Yao angrily. “One must take responsibility for their actions! I endured a thrashing on your behalf once, and I can’t endure another. This time, go to Qingqiong Hall by yourself!”
Xue Yao was unsure whether to laugh or cry at the situation, particularly at Qinghe’s remark about not knowing what had possesed him.
Isn’t it just the author trying to create drama, deliberately lowering the IQ of cannon fodders like you?
Seeing Xue Yao’s strange smile, Qinghe feared that Xue Yao might cause trouble and jeopardize himself, so he quickly softened his tone. “My main concern is that I’m not very eloquent. If I go with you, not only can I not be of help, but I might even…”
“Alright,” Xue Yao interrupted him, with a smile, “I understand what you mean, Brother. We got into this trouble together, and it’s fair for each of us to shoulder the responsibility once. I’ll handle the apology alone.”
Taking Qinghe along might indeed lead to complications. Despite his precociousness, he was still a child. It was better if Xue Yao went to apologize by himself.
However, Xue Yao wanted to make things clear. He intentionally emphasized, “We got into this trouble together.” This time, assuming the apology task alone was a way to clear the slate. He didn’t want anyone to use the favor of taking a beating as leverage against him.
Hearing this, Qinghe quickly softened his expression and feigned concern. “In that case, it’s all on you this time.”
“It’s not a big deal. It’s just that I’m going to apologize empty-handed, so I don’t have much confidence. If we don’t leave any room to maneuver, even if I get a beating for nothing, both of us will lose our positions as readers-in-waiting in five days.”
In Qinghe’s mind, he had been contemplating avoiding a beating, but he didn’t expect the little Xue Yao to think ahead. He couldn’t help but admire him. “Brother, you’ve thought this through. If we have to offer gifts, our group of brothers should work together, at the very least, present something the Consort might find pleasing.”
Xue Yao waved his hand. “Consort Xi receives the Emperor’s rewards daily. We can’t come up with a gift that would catch her eye. It’s better to be specific about the problem. My plan is to directly assure the Seventh Prince that within three days, we will repair the wooden horse toy and return it in its original state. Along with that, we’ll offer a small trinket. This way, we might just pass this test.”
Qinghe’s eyes lit up, finally realizing that appeasing the Seventh Prince was likely much easier than placating Consort Xi. As long as the little prince was satisfied, the issue would naturally be resolved.
Repairing the wooden horse was undoubtedly the most cost-effective and effortless solution. Thinking about this, Qinghe couldn’t help but praise Xue Yao.
However, Xue Yao continued, “The wooden horse is a large item, and taking it out of the palace for repairs would require expenses and arrangements. So, I plan to have the palace craftsmen help with the repairs. I remember, Brother, you seem to have a good friend there?”
Qinghe immediately replied, “That’s easy! You bring the wooden horse out, and I’ll introduce you to my friend at the Imperial Crafts Bureau. It’ll be done in no time!”
With their plan in place, they bid farewell and went their separate ways.
Later that afternoon, Xue Yao arrived alone at the Qingqiong Hall.
A eunuch went in to announce the presence of the reader-in-waiting sent by the Emperor for an apology. Upon receiving the news, the Consort’s palace attendants allowed him in.
Xue Yao was placed in a reception hall, but there was no sign of Consort Xi.
It appeared that the gentle fairy truly didn’t take this matter seriously at all.
How come Prince Ning did not inherit his mother’s generosity?
After roughly ten minutes, a palace maid carried the little Seventh Prince into the hall. She placed him on the high chair at the center of the hall. Xue Yao immediately bowed in respect.
The palace maid informed the Seventh Prince, “The Emperor sent that servant to offer apologies to Your Highness.”
Xue Yao’s temple veins throbbed!
Could this palace maid even speak? She was making it sound like he wouldn’t apologize unless the Emperor allowed it. Did it seem like he didn’t care about keeping his ear and tail anymore!
But this was the Qingqiong Hall. As a mere reader-in-waiting, Xue Yao couldn’t conveniently argue back and could only suppress his frustration.
The room fell into complete silence.
Xue Yao’s heart raced as he stood before the little prince, unsure whether he should bow first. He cautiously lifted his eyes to observe the expression on the Seventh Prince’s chubby, doll-like face.
The Seventh Prince’s plump, dumpling-like face remained devoid of any expression. His tiny body sat still in the grandmaster’s chair, his eyes slightly lowered, as if contemplating matters of state.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
Suddenly, the Seventh Prince leaned forward, nearly toppling from his chair. Fortunately, the palace maid caught him just in time!
The palace maid hastily pinched the rosy cheeks of the Seventh Prince. “Your Highness, don’t fall asleep. That rascal has come to offer his apologies!”
Xue Yao: “……”
Apparently, his visit had disturbed the Seventh Prince’s nap. He was still groggy and barely awake, dozing off in the chair.
Xue Yao had thought about how people in ancient times often didn’t have the habit of taking afternoon naps, but he hadn’t considered the young age of the Seventh Prince.
Now, it was too late to take his leave. The Long Aotian cub had already been stirred awake.
The palace maid’s gentle rubbing had the desired effect on the Seventh Prince’s small face, making him look more awake. His chestnut eyes brightened as he gazed around, seemingly realizing he had just woken up. His eyes ultimately settled on Xue Yao in the center of the hall.
“This boy is…” The palace maid was about to introduce Xue Yao again when she saw the Seventh Prince’s little mouth purse up in surprise.
His Highness had recognized him!
It was the big meanie who had broken His Highness’ wooden horse!
Xue Yao suddenly felt an imposing aura, almost tangible, washing over him.
It seemed that the presence of Long Aotian from the novel was indeed real!
He was so startled that he found himself slightly tongue-tied. Luckily, he had prepared his words in advance. He quickly bowed while trying to soothe the situation, “I hope Your Highness won’t be upset or harm yourself. I acknowledge my wrongdoing and seek to make amends. I have purchased a novelty toy from a merchant in Jiangnan specifically for Your Highness. I wonder if it suits Your Highness’ taste.”
Saying this, he retrieved a small pinwheel from his pocket, blew on it, and set it spinning.
The Seventh Prince stared at the pinwheel in Xue Yao’s hand without expression. Suddenly, he raised his hand and patted the empty space next to him.
The palace maid promptly explained, “His Highness wants you to come forward and demonstrate how to play with it.”
Xue Yao felt a surge of relief. It seemed there was hope.
Indeed, in these unexplored parts of the story where the characters hadn’t been covered, they behaved normally. Though this three-year-old was the future formidable Long Aotian, at the moment, he didn’t exhibit anything particularly extraordinary and appeared to enjoy the small toy just like any other ordinary child.
This made things much simpler.
Xue Yao walked over to the Seventh Prince but didn’t dare sit next to him. He stood bent over beside the child, swaying the little pinwheel back and forth, making it spin.
The Seventh Prince raised his chubby hand, accepted the small pinwheel, and lowered his head to examine it. He was deeply engrossed, but his plump face remained expressionless.
Xue Yao suspected he hadn’t fully woken up yet. It really wasn’t the best timing.
The palace maid noticed His Highness’ fondness for the toy and brought some refreshments for Xue Yao to enjoy.
Xue Yao didn’t expect things to go this smoothly. He couldn’t help but feel pleased and lowered his head in silent satisfaction. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the Seventh Prince turning his head, seemingly fixated on Xue Yao’s ears.
Instinct for self-preservation made Xue Yao immediately cover his ears. He turned to look at the Long Aotian cub, trying to divert attention. “Does Your Highness like this pinwheel?”
The Seventh Prince didn’t say anything. His beautiful chestnut eyes were locked onto Xue Yao. Suddenly, he opened his mouth, forming an “ah” shape, frozen in that position.
Xue Yao was baffled.
Fortunately, the palace maid quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. She bent down and coaxed, “Your Highness, be a good boy. These pastries are for the guest. You’ll have your milk in a while. You shouldn’t indulge in sweets.”
It was then that Xue Yao understood. The chubby little prince wanted him to feed him a pastry.
The Seventh Prince, who hadn’t gotten to taste the pastry, seemed a bit disheartened and had lost interest in the little pinwheel.
Xue Yao cautiously ventured, “Last time, one of the servants from our study hall got a bit playful and wanted to have fun with Your Highness. However, he accidentally damaged your wooden horse…”
He said it this way because he saw the child was still very young and hoped to alter his memory through words.
He began by shifting the blame for the broken wooden horse to someone else and tried to turn “malicious teasing” into “having fun together.”
Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince suddenly looked at him with a raised eyebrow and spoke a rather comical statement, “Why would the Seventh Prince ride such a shabby wooden horse? Clearly, it was a deliberate insult by the servants. Let me go and smash that thing and then invite the Seventh Prince to ride a real horse!”
These words coming from the mouth of such an innocent child seemed quite absurd, but Xue Yao was instantly drenched in cold sweat!
This was precisely the same statement that his host had said when he was causing trouble that day!
Word for word!
All of Xue Yao’s previous wishful thinking crumbled in that moment.
This Long Aotian cub was practically a human tape recorder!
No wonder he held grudges so well! His memory was simply extraordinary!
It was all over.
His ear couldn’t be saved.
His tailbone couldn’t be saved.
His life was in jeopardy!
The Seventh Prince’s expression remained unchanged. His chubby face was slightly tilted upward, his chestnut eyes remained fixed on Xue Yao. Seeing no response from him, the Seventh Prince seemed intentional in his reminder and repeated the same phrase, “Let me go and smash that thing and then invite the Seventh Prince to ride a real horse.”
Xue Yao, who was on the receiving end of this unexpected twist, felt like he might just cough up blood. He looked up at the Seventh Prince, offering a smile that bordered on tears.
The Seventh Prince tilted his head, showing some confusion. Once again, he repeated, “Let me go and smash that thing and then invite the Seventh Prince to ride a real horse.”
Please stop talking anymore.
I smashed it, okay? Just take my ears and tailbone!
Stop talking like a broken record. I’m already dead inside!
The Seventh Prince was getting annoyed, thinking that this person lacked sincerity. He decided to get straight to the point and repeated, “Invite the Seventh Prince to ride a real horse.”
“……” Xue Yao finally grasped the chubby cub’s hint and hurriedly approached him in a low voice. “Your Highness, would you like to go horseback riding?”
The Seventh Prince’s chestnut eyes lit up in an instant, his little mouth twisting into a mischievous, triumphant grin!
Xue Yao’s heart skipped a beat. He had accidentally fallen into the trap set by this chubby little master!
He hastily explained, “No, Your Highness, I can’t take you horseback riding. According to the rules, you have to be at least eight years old to practice riding!”
The Seventh Prince’s smile dropped. He turned his displeased eyes towards Xue Yao’s ears.
The message was quite clear. They had agreed that if he smashed the wooden horse, he would take the Seventh Prince horseback riding. Now that the wooden horse had been smashed, if he failed to keep his word to the Seventh Prince…
Xue Yao: “……”
Was this a threat?
Wasn’t this chubby cub supposed to become a wise and benevolent ruler in the future? How could he be so cunning at the age of three?
Are you actually the villain in disguise?
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Did the baby go back in time ? lol