Chapter 10
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Contrary to his imagination, Han Jiao discovered that he hadn’t reached the state where he could observe everything with a cold eye.
He came close to voluntarily taking the blame in front of the Emperor.
Confronted with a devastating threat, he completely displayed the unmistakable genetic trait inherited from his father―stubbornness.
He acted impulsively.
Moreover, Xie Duo was his biggest future threat, and he almost became a pawn for the enemy.
This was because he realized that the big boss appeared to be a decent person.
Why did Xie Duo suddenly switch sides in the novel?
As a typical face-slapping novel, the author didn’t allocate much solo dialogue time to the villains.
Every time a minor boss was defeated, a higher-level boss would take their place.
Xie Duo unexpectedly waged war against the male protagonist, as if the author couldn’t find more powerful bosses and had to bring him in to make up the numbers.
In the novel, after Xie Duo seized the position of Crown Prince, Prince Yan didn’t want a conflict between siblings. Therefore, in the final battle, it was Xie Duo who first ignited the flames of war, determined to eliminate Prince Yan.
The Empress gave birth to a daughter and three sons. The battle for the throne initially unfolded between the Sixth Prince, Prince Yan, and the Seventh Prince, Prince Duan, who were only a year apart. However, miraculously, the Ninth Prince, Xie Duo, managed to maintain a good relationship with both brothers, despite their conflicting personalities.
Some readers analyzed at that time that Xie Duo’s strength lay precisely in this aspect: feigning laziness while actually being an expert at “pretending to be a pig to prey on tigers”.
However, based on Han Jiao’s current observations, it seemed that the big boss wasn’t pretending.
After all, which ambitious individual aiming to become the Emperor would choose playing soccer and copying homework over secretly expanding their power and diligently studying?
In the early stages of the story, Xie Duo didn’t make much of an impression. He was a somewhat spoiled young dandy, displaying significant military talent and being a cold-faced handsome boy with exceptional combat skills from a young age.
During the power struggle between the two older brothers for the throne, Xie Duo actively advised the Emperor to name his Sixth Brother, Prince Yan, as the Crown Prince. In theory, their relationship wasn’t bad.
So why did he suddenly turn against the male protagonist and relentlessly try to destroy him in the later stages?
As mentioned in the novel, the Crown Prince believed that Prince Yan posed a threat to his position.
In this type of novel, that reason alone was sufficient.
Empathizing with the situation, Han Jiao felt that Xie Duo didn’t appear to be someone who would turn against his own brother solely out of envy and jealousy.
The significant rupture between these two brothers likely had other underlying causes.
Han Jiao had never previously pondered this matter in depth because, despite Xie Duo’s formidable strength, he ultimately met a tragic end.
Xie Duo unintentionally became an excessively powerful and uncontrollable villain. In order to justify the storyline and consider the sentiments of female fans, Xie Duo was redeemed before his demise, evoking a mix of tears and emotions.
Hence, the ultimate portrayal of this character wasn’t as the ultimate villain but rather as a crucial supporting male character.
Of course, in the eyes of female readers, Xie Duo likely served as the male protagonist in a “BE” story.
Now, recalling the comments from those female readers――
“A’Dou simply lost his way. Let’s give him some time to find his way back home.”
“Xie Guang sacrifices his own people for the sake of the world. Our A’Dou is short-sighted. Whoever dares to sacrifice his people, he sacrifices them first. Can’t compare, can’t compare.”
“You guys can take the throne. A’Dou is taking me away~”
Perhaps girls were ultimately more perceptive than boys. They were able to sense Xie Duo’s character traits through just a few scenes, something that Han Jiao couldn’t fully grasp while following the serialized story.
At this moment, Han Jiao didn’t want the big boss to die prematurely. He needed to closely monitor the changes in the relationship between Xie Duo and Xie Guang and try to prevent misunderstandings and hatred between the brothers as much as possible.
For Prince Yan, this also meant reducing one of his most formidable opponents.
Attempting to prevent the ultimate showdown would require maintaining a relatively close friendship with both of these brothers, which was too difficult.
It was better to take things one step at a time.
•••
Upon arriving home, Mrs. Han immediately noticed that her son’s complexion wasn’t right. She walked up quickly, her face filled with worry. “What happened? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Nothing, just a bit hungry.” Han Jiao perked up, not wanting to startle his mother.
“You look so pale!” Mrs. Han cupped her son’s face. “Did you have a quarrel with someone?”
“Really, I didn’t. I had too many official matters today. I’m both hungry and tired. Mother, is there something to eat?”
Mrs. Han touched her son’s forehead and didn’t sense anything unusual. She then went to prepare a warm meal for him.
After finishing his meal, Han Jiao buried himself in the study, writing strategic and tactical proposals for the Emperor.
He lacked the fervent emotions he had during the previous writings when grinding the ink. Han Jiao’s mind went blank as he stared at the back of his hand. Suddenly, memories of the resounding sound when the paddle struck down flashed in his mind.
The image of blood droplets rolling off the big boss’ left fingertips swiftly crossed his mind.
Shivering, Han Jiao’s finger slipped, causing him to get ink all over his hand.
Disposing of the ink block, Han Jiao belatedly felt his anger welling up.
The Emperor was too ruthless. How could a child be beaten like this just for copying homework? It was domestic abuse!
Even the executing eunuch seemed strange. Normally, punishment methods like paddling and court caning have various techniques, and when dealing with an Imperial Prince, it should naturally follow the approach of making a lot of noise while delivering minimal impact. However, that eunuch genuinely struck with force, probably a clumsy newbie.
The novel also mentioned that the Emperor favored the Ninth Prince the most. How could he resort to such measures? The other sons and daughters would likely be treated as inconsequential.
Han Jiao had no desire to exert himself by writing scholarly papers to appease such an Emperor.
It would be better to just casually finish it off.
After all, he had no intentions of making a name for himself under this Emperor’s reign.
After careful contemplation, it appeared unlikely.
How astute were the thoughts of this Emperor? Had Han Jiao truly witnessed enough today?
If the quality of his essay fell significantly below the previous one, the Emperor would surely sense his grievances and deliberately dismiss it as a half-hearted attempt.
Han Jiao sighed with a pained expression and obediently started grinding ink and working on the draft.
It was a wretched situation.
A day later, during the palace assembly, as soon as Han Jiao took his seat, he discreetly tucked the medicine packet he had concealed in his clothes into the crevice between the documents and the wall.
It was a renowned external pain relief plaster from an exclusive formula of a well-established pharmacy in the capital city.
Where did he get the savings to afford such valuable medicinal ingredients?
He secretly borrowed money from his Third Aunt, who refused repayment. However, he insisted on writing a promissory note.
This was actually unnecessary. The imperial palace didn’t lack this bit of folk remedy. But he still had to do something to express his sympathy, right? It was likely the first time the big boss had endured such a brutal beating.
Today, it was Elder Lin’s turn to exposit knowledge, so Han Jiao would have the chance to see the big boss again.
He didn’t want to acknowledge that he had yearned for this day, enduring and waiting until now.
Han Jiao had never owed anyone such a debt of gratitude in his two lifetimes as a disciple.
If the big boss hadn’t taken sole responsibility that day, Han Jiao would have been at least demoted to a commoner, never to be employed again.
It was both reasonable and proper for him to sincerely express concern and sympathy to Xie Duo.
So, during the half-hour from the beginning of the court assembly to the official work session, he appeared composed while reading, but internally, he was impatient. Finally, the moment came when Elder Lin arrived at the document room to assign tasks.
Han Jiao swiftly reached into the crevice and retrieved the medicine packet, concealing it in his sleeve, preparing to stand up.
“Chen Yuzheng,” Elder Lin’s gaze passed over Han Jiao, calling out to the junior scholar behind him, instructing him to accompany him to the study.
Han Jiao, who had already risen from his seat, quickly sat back down, unable to hide his surprise as he gazed blankly at Elder Lin.
He had been contemplating how to exchange pleasantries with the boss when they met, but Han Jiao hadn’t considered another question…
Elder Lin had no intention of having him assist in teaching anymore.
The Prince’s punishment was, after all, related to him. It was understandable for Elder Lin to make a change.
Han Jiao made every effort to calm the disappointment that was roaring inside him. It was normal, very normal.
Chen Yuzheng, seated behind him, was so excited that his books fell to the ground. He picked them up and dashed towards the door, accidentally colliding with Han Jiao’s shoulder.
Damn.
At that moment, Han Jiao felt an unprecedented pettiness, thinking that Chen Yuzheng was intentionally provoking him.
If Elder Lin never called his name again, wouldn’t it mean he would never have a chance to see Xie Duo?
Han Jiao was overwhelmed by a sudden and huge feeling of disappointment.
He watched as Elder Lin and Chen Yuzheng walked away, and surprisingly, he found himself hoping they would turn back and call him.
However, Elder Lin’s figure vanished into the palace corridors in the blink of an eye.
“Brother Xiaobai, have you finished writing the proposal for His Majesty? Would you lend it to your humble senior for a read?”
A colleague approached, trying to get closer to Han Jiao.
Han Jiao looked up, slow to react, and hesitantly opened his mouth. “Um…”
He didn’t even listen to what the person said. But another person had already come to his rescue. “His Majesty hasn’t read it yet, and you’re eager to have an early look? Aren’t you afraid of overstepping?”
“Ah, right… Brother Taishan is right.”
Han Jiao snapped back to reality, suddenly reminded by the person’s words. He was supposed to submit the proposal to Yangxin Hall today. If he took a detour, he would have a reason to pass by the study room and coincidentally encounter the Princes.
“Thanks, Big Brother!” Han Jiao stood up and enthusiastically patted the person’s shoulder.
The person was pleasantly surprised and then warmly invited him to meet at a pub after class.
“I have something to attend to today, but we’ll definitely do it another day.”
Patiently waiting until the end of the hour of the Dragon, Han Jiao tucked the finalized paper into his sleeve, and placed the medicine packet in his pocket. Fully armed, he walked out of the Hanlin Academy.
At this time, Elder Lin should be concluding his court session. Han Jiao positioned himself at the corner of the study room alley, sure to encounter the Princes.
Everything went smoothly. The Emperor was no longer in the hall. Han Jiao handed the proposal to the young eunuch at Yangxin Hall and left. He then took a detour in front of the East Fengxian Hall, passed through Yongkang Gate, made a few turns, and finally arrived at the entrance of the study room alley.
Timing was just right. As he was about to reach the courtyard gate, Han Jiao heard the voice of Eighth Prince Xie Jing coming from inside.
The Princes and the eunuchs following behind them rushed out of the door, and they “coincidentally” met Han Jiao, who had calculated everything precisely.
“Eh? Isn’t this Master Han?” Young Prince Xie An’s eyes lit up. He joyfully hopped in front of Han Jiao, tilting his head to ask, “Why didn’t you come to teach us today, Master?”
“Oh…” Han Jiao quickly scanned for Xie Duo’s figure in his peripheral vision, maintaining a friendly smile on his face. “I received a decree from His Majesty, and I went to Yangxin Hall to submit the strategy essay today. I was just about to return to the Hanlin Academy.”
Why wasn’t Xie Duo here?
Taking leave?
Was his injury severe?
“What paper did you write this time, Master?” Xie Jing also approached curiously.
Han Jiao was about to respond when he saw the two Princes suddenly shifted their eyes behind him.
“Third Brother? Why are you here!” Xie An’s enthusiasm immediately shifted. He turned around to run towards the person approaching behind Han Jiao.
As soon as Han Jiao heard the words “third brother,” memories flashed through his mind, and he shuddered!
Was it the Third Prince?
This person was a notorious demon king, the bully of the imperial family, the eldest brother of the little Princes. When he spoke, things could get…
“Where is that damned eunuch who harmed Old Ninth?” came the low, hoarse voice of the Third Prince from behind. “Call him out. I must chop off his claws today and stew his flesh for the dogs.”
“Third Brother, please…”
“Summon that dead eunuch.”
“Father Emperor will find out, Third Brother…”
“Who is this person? Why is he standing here?” The attention of the school bully was suddenly drawn to a certain figure with his back turned to him.
“This is our Master Han!” Xie An eagerly answered.
“Master Han?” the school bully muttered, then raised his voice suddenly. “Isn’t he that fiend junior scholar-official who excels at writing policy essays?”
“……” Han Jiao felt a chill down his spine, sensing that things were about to turn for the worse.
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