Chapter 83
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Helplessly, Xue Yao watched as the rebellious brat gulped down a bowl of honey. In an instant, Xue Yao erupted, “Your Highness! You can’t…”
“Can’t what?” The Seventh Prince squinted, locking his gaze onto him. “Who are you?”
Xue Yao: “……”
“Ah—” The Seventh Prince feigned realization. “So, it’s you, the Seventh Prince’s reader-in-waiting who spent half a lifetime at granduncle’s house?”
Xue Yao: “……”
Only four months have passed!
Why deliberately remind him of the identity as “Seventh Prince’s reader-in-waiting”?
Crafty and rebellious brat!
“Long time no see.” The Seventh Prince, surrounded by dark energy, presented himself with a touch of grace to Xue Yao. “Your grandpa, Seventh Prince Lu Qian, do you still remember?”
Xue Yao fully sensed the fury of the chubby cub.
The mocking skills of this little fellow were directly proportional to his mood.
This time, genuine anger surfaced!
“I promise never to visit granduncle again.” Xue Yao, understanding the situation, knew that confronting Long Aotian head-on wouldn’t yield good results. In a split second, he admitted his mistake, “I brought a new flavor of milk from out of town. How about I feed Your Highness three pots later?”
“A’Yao! You’re finally back!” The Sixth Prince and the Fifth Prince stood in the distance, wildly waving to Xue Yao, as if refugees on a deserted island that had spotted a rescue team.
Xue Yao: “……”
Can’t you guys step aside a bit?
His chubby cub wasn’t as dirty as imagined!
“You’re tired from just returning to the capital, right? Quickly accompany Seventh Brother to the bathhouse for a refreshing soak!” The Fifth Prince subtly sent out a distress signal.
Xue Yao nervously met thr Seventh Prince’s cool gaze, smiling as he suggested, “Sounds good. It’s been a while since I’ve soaked in the hot springs with His Highness…”
“You want Your Highness to take a bath?” The Seventh Prince tilted his head inquiringly.
Xue Yao smiled. “Of course!”
The rebellious brat quirked a corner of his lips. “No way. That’s how your grandpa is.”
Xue Yao: “! ! !”
This cub had truly picked up some bad habits!
Knowing that not taking a bath would drive him, his big brothers, and even Mother Consort crazy, he deliberately disobeyed!
Xue Yao took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm.
Over the years, having read numerous books on child education, he recognized such rebellious behavior usually stemmed from a child feeling neglected by parents, intentionally causing trouble to seek attention.
Patience was key.
The chubby cub needed direct affection to maintain a sense of security.
Harm or fright could make the brat’s soul detach from the chubby body, observing everything numbly from the sidelines, leading to extremely indifferent emotions and other adverse reactions.
Xue Yao had nurtured the chubby cub for a decade. He must not turn dark!
Of course, now that the chubby cub’s wings were already halfway grown, Xue Yao probably couldn’t force the Seventh Prince to bathe, both in theory and in practice.
Could only coax!
•••
“Have the imperial physicians and eunuchs all returned?” Consort Hui, with a cold expression, looked at the young eunuch who came back with information.
The eunuch bowed and replied, “This servant has inquired in the servants’ quarters. Everyone who left the capital has returned and reported for duty in the palace.”
Consort Hui fell into silence for a moment, then waved her hand, dismissing him.
In the quiet inner chamber, only she and her personal palace maid remained.
Consort Hui suddenly sneered disdainfully, “I had already guessed he wouldn’t come back, yet he still claims I haven’t changed a bit, attempting to use the same tricks to deceive me.”
She gazed at the withered branches outside the window and murmured, “All lies.”
Two days later.
The Crown Prince reported the successful control of the epidemic in Pingrong County to the Emperor. Xue Yao, along with the physicians and attendants involved in epidemic control, were summoned to the Yangxin Hall for recognition and rewards.
Naturally, Xue Yao received the highest praise. The Emperor’s generosity surpassed the Empress’. Besides silver, he rewarded hundreds of rolls of cloud brocade.
After Xue Yao expressed his gratitude, it was the turn of the imperial physicians, followed by the accompanying eunuchs.
Strangely, Fourth Zhang was not present.
Xue Yao, seizing the Emperor’s inattention, glanced around for Fourth Zhang, inadvertently meeting the icy gaze of the Crown Prince.
Startled, Xue Yao, wearing a puzzled expression, exchanged questioning glances with the Crown Prince.
Amid a group of kneeling eunuchs receiving rewards, the two silently locked eyes.
The Crown Prince shook his head expressionlessly, seemingly hinting that Xue Yao should not be nosy.
Xue Yao, adaptable, lowered his head, feeling an ominous premonition.
On the day Fourth Zhang knocked out numerous patients, in his haste to close the gate, Xue Yao hadn’t noticed if Fourth Zhang had revealed any martial arts skills to the Crown Prince. Now, thinking back, it was highly likely he exposed himself.
Could Fourth Zhang have been privately dealt with by the Crown Prince?
At the thought, Xue Yao clenched his fists, inwardly regretting that, after overcoming the plague, he had completely relaxed his vigilance.
Upon reflection, Fourth Zhang had been silent when disembarking. Despite Xue Yao’s attempts at conversation, he deflected each time, as if wary of someone.
Now, thinking about it, the Crown Prince had been standing by him the entire time, likely having already reached an understanding with Fourth Zhang.
Xue Yao’s heart pounded.
Barely enduring the audience with the Emperor, he immediately rushed to Zhongcui Palace to find Fourth Zhang.
“Fourth Zhang hasn’t returned.”
This was the response given to him by the eunuch from Zhongcui Palace.
Xue Yao walked aimlessly through the palace alleys, disoriented.
Images flashed in his mind of the night when Fourth Zhang, using a lit twig, dispersed the darkness that enveloped the room, saving his life from the attack by a peasant.
Xue Yao halted, his bewildered expression turning resolute. He turned and headed towards the Crown Prince’s hall.
“He was once wanted by the authorities. Despite his skills, he couldn’t take the martial examination and could only enter the palace to make a living,” Xue Yao explained Fourth Zhang’s background in the study to the Crown Prince.
“He’s not in my residence.” The Crown Prince remained tight-lipped, indifferently turning to Xue Yao. “Nor is he in the palace, but he’s safe. You can rest assured.”
Xue Yao sighed in relief. “Your Highness, do you want to investigate his background? When he was young, his hometown suffered from a plague, and only he and his mother survived…”
“I’m already aware. Xue Yao, you’re too kind-hearted. Draw boundaries for yourself and limit the reach of your hands outward to avoid inviting trouble.”
Xue Yao stood frozen.
He wasn’t sure if the Crown Prince’s words were a well-intentioned reminder or a veiled threat.
“From now on, forget about Fourth Zhang as if he never existed,” the Crown Prince said. “His skills don’t necessarily require him to make a living in the palace.”
Xue Yao nodded understandingly.
Since the Crown Prince had assured Fourth Zhang’s safety, Xue Yao shouldn’t inquire further. He could only obediently take his leave.
But…
“Your Highness!” Xue Yao finally, insensitively, raised his head. “If not for protecting me, he would have been well in the palace. It’s all because of this epidemic…”
The Crown Prince raised his hand, cutting off his words. “Ever since you and Fifth Brother moved Fourth Zhang from my hall to Consort Hui’s side, I’ve been investigating him. If not for his merit in protecting you this time, he would have met an unfortunate end by now.”
“Your Highness, he entered the palace with no ulterior motives, just wanting to take care of his former master from the General’s mansion!”
The Crown Prince chuckled softly, “How do you know he had no motives?”
“He’s not a sinister person. I can…”
“But he’s a fake eunuch.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Yao felt as if he had swallowed a solid cold glutinous rice ball, choking on his words!
“A skillful fake eunuch, risking his life to linger around Consort Hui, would he have no motives?” The Crown Prince, suppressing his anger, emphasized, “She is Father Emperor’s consort.”
Now, Xue Yao completely understood. He immediately took his leave from the Crown Prince’s hall.
Fourth Zhang turned out to be a fake eunuch.
Fortunately, Pingrong County provided Fourth Zhang with an opportunity to earn merit, or else if the Crown Prince secretly found out the truth, Fourth Zhang would undoubtedly have faced execution.
Despite the Crown Prince’s leniency and disregard for trifles, deeply influenced by traditional values, he couldn’t tolerate any scandal involving his Father Emperor’s consort.
It was probably impossible for Fourth Zhang to return to Consort Hui’s side.
The relocation of the Emperor’s “green hat” to Consort Hui’s palace was planned by Xue Yao and his younger brothers.
No wonder the Crown Prince was irritated about this matter. Xue Yao was the one who directly helped Fourth Zhang establish connections and arrange for a new position. The fact that the Crown Prince didn’t hold him accountable was already giving face. Yet, Xue Yao audaciously came to the Crown Prince’s hall to request something – it was truly “relying on favoritism and acting arrogantly.”
Becoming a favored person in front of the Crown Prince but being “shut out” by the Seventh Prince.
This time, the chubby cub was really throwing a tantrum. Not only did he refuse to bathe, but he also declined to drink the milk personally fed by Xue Yao.
To demonstrate his determination not to “go on business trips” anymore, Xue Yao decisively moved into Qingqiong Hall.
I won’t leave the palace! Certainly not leave the capital!
During dinner this evening, Consort Xi, glancing at her son who resembled a muddy ball and couldn’t even eat his meal, put down her chopsticks with a “pa” and asked Xue Yao with puzzled disbelief, “What potion did you give him? He was fine a few days ago, and now he’s in such a state!”
Xue Yao explained with a wry smile, “The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and His Highness lacks the company of other older males…”
Consort Xi paused, thought for a moment, and asked Xue Yao in a surprised, hushed tone, “Are you saying Old Seventh lacks fatherly love?”
Before Xue Yao could reply, there was a “crack.” He turned to see the Seventh Prince snapping the chopsticks, looking up at him with a fierce expression, questioning with his eyes: Fatherly love?
“Ah! Of course not!” Xue Yao hastily dispelled the old father’s fantasies, explaining with a touch of helplessness, “How could I dare to assume such a position? I’m just His Highness’ playmate.”
Consort Xi, however, already understood something from his attitude and fell into contemplation.
It was said that children lacking communication with their fathers were often not articulate.
No wonder Consort Xi felt like she had wholeheartedly cherished her son, yet couldn’t turn him into someone as outstanding as the Crown Prince.
Ultimately, it was because every time the Emperor came to Qingqiong Hall, he only focused on being intimate with her, ignoring their son.
Her son must feel quite disheartened, right?
Consort Xi, looking with pity at her grubby son, turned to Xue Yao and instructed, “Please, take extra care and sincerely accompany him for the Emperor.”
At the first acknowledgment of Xue Yao’s role by Consort Xi, joy surged inside him. Just as he was about to agree, he felt a heavy aura beside him…
Turning to see the Seventh Prince’s questioning gaze, Xue Yao had to lower his head, excusing himself, “I dare not.”
After dinner, the Seventh Prince went to the courtyard to practice swordsmanship.
The chubby cub went to great lengths to sweat more, persistently avoiding baths, using this method to make Xue Yao regret deeply.
Faced with the rebellious cub, Xue Yao was already at his wit’s end.
Holding a small pinwheel brought from home, he tried to get close to the chubby cub.
“Your Highness used to love this little pinwheel when you were a child, but unfortunately, it got broken later.” Xue Yao followed the chubby cub running around the courtyard, presenting the pinwheel to him. “I had the craftsmen from the Imperial Crafts Bureau fix it for me yesterday. Your Highness, give it a blow and see!”
The rebellious Seventh Prince remained unmoved, swiftly turning and pointing his sword westward.
Unable to dodge in time, Xue Yao failed to hold onto the pinwheel. It spun and fell to the ground, conveniently landing by Seventh Prince’s feet.
Without bending down to pick it up, Xue Yao waited expectantly for the chubby cub to casually retrieve the pinwheel. To his surprise, the rebellious cub continued swordplay as if nothing happened.
That little pinwheel, swept away by the dust kicked up by His Highness’ movements, seemed like a forgotten childhood playmate.
For some reason, this scene made Xue Yao suddenly feel despondent. He lowered his head, staring blankly at the little pinwheel, and tears unexpectedly welled up in his eyes.
The Seventh Prince, sensing the abnormal expression on the little reader-in-waiting, immediately stopped his swordplay and stared at Xue Yao in confusion.
Xue Yao whispered, “Your Highness has grown up, no longer in need of a little pinwheel.”
The Seventh Prince furrowed his brow, not understanding why Silly Yaoyao was suddenly throwing a tantrum.
The heartless reader-in-waiting left for four months, sending only one letter with ten lines.
Yet he dared to throw a tantrum.
The Seventh Prince sent a total of forty-seven letters to Suzhou, but there was no response, like dropping stones into the vast ocean. Three failed attempts to sneak out of the palace led to scoldings and, as a consequence, accumulated a month and a half of confinement.
Still, he dared to throw a tantrum.
Full of resentment, the Seventh Prince, on the verge of transforming it into anger, softened upon seeing the tearful reader-in-waiting. Eventually, lacking backbone, he sheathed his sword, knelt on one knee, and reached out to pick up the little pinwheel.
Noticing that the pinwheel had gathered some dust, the Seventh Prince instinctively puffed up his cheeks and blew on it. The pinwheel immediately started spinning.
A figure cast a shadow overhead.
The Seventh Prince, who was dusting off the pinwheel, looked up to see Silly Yaoyao with a kind smile on his face…
Xue Yao was deeply moved.
The chubby cub started playing with the little pinwheel again!
The old father, satisfied, reached out and pinched the chubby cheeks of his son…
Consort Xi, passing by at the right moment, was stunned by this scene!
Indeed… it was a picture of fatherly love and filial piety!
“You truly understand children,” Consort Xi exclaimed with myriad emotions, “Teach him well.”
Xue Yao nodded solemnly.
The Seventh Prince, holding the little pinwheel, looked utterly bewildered…
No! It’s not like this!
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