Chapter 87
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Han Jiao, with his neck tucked in, sneaked out like a cautious little hamster. He caught a glimpse of the big boss, who stood guard at the door, casting an unfriendly gaze his way.
In an unexpected turn of events, Xie Xiu curiously followed him and asked, “A’Duo, why haven’t you returned to the palace yet?”
Xie Duo gave Han Jiao a puzzled look and questioned, “Is Big Brother really looking forward to my return to the palace?”
Just after Xie Xiu had finished his treatment and felt relaxed, he happily nodded and pointed towards Master Han. “Don’t bully Han Jiao.”
Xie Duo squinted his eyes and asked, “Why does Big Brother think I would bully him?”
Xie Xiu judged from Master Han’s past and present behavior, “He’s very afraid of you, so you must have bullied him before.”
Xie Duo nodded. “If Big Brother is so worried, why not personally escort him back home.”
“Sure!” Xie Xiu readily agreed and was about to follow Han Jiao. However, Ninth Brother grabbed his arm and pulled him back, leaving Xie Xiu puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just a joke,” Xie Duo explained with a raised eyebrow. “He’s the tutor Father Emperor appointed for me, so it’s my duty to escort him. If Big Brother wishes to show respect for his teacher,” Xie Duo pointed to the northeast, “take a left after leaving the gate. Senior Minister Li’s residence is in Shuyang Alley.”
Xie Xiu replied in confusion, “Big Brother knows where Senior Minister Li’s house is.”
“Han Xiaobai,” Xie Duo found a moment to tease, “Run, keep running, ride your little donkey like the wind. If, later on, my horse catches up with you…”
Just when Han Jiao was about to make a successful escape, he immediately halted and trotted back to the gate, looking dejected. He responded, “I’ve been waiting here for Your Highness.”
“What will you do if you catch up to Han Jiao?” Xie Xiu nervously looked at Ninth Brother.
“I’ll just escort him back home.”
Xie Xiu breathed a sigh of relief, patting his brother’s head, “Good boy.”
Prince Duan, don’t let your little brother’s innocent appearance fool you! Hurry up! Assert your authority and tell him not to bully me!
Han Jiao roared internally, but unfortunately, Xie Xiu’s telepathic skills were completely nonfunctional on that end.
The big boss was allowed to return to his place, leaving the mansion with Han Jiao.
“This treatment is very successful,” Han Jiao, now safely on his donkey, spoke softly. “The results are even better than I expected. Prince Duan can now say ‘Sixth Brother’ out loud.”
“Why did he strip Mother Empress’ clothes?” Xie Duo whispered.
Before Han Jiao had his clothes stripped, Xie Duo was still sitting on the roof and didn’t hear their conversation.
So, on their way, Han Jiao explained in detail the reasons behind Xie Xiu’s past anger and loss of control.
Xie Duo was quite surprised.
All along, he had thought that Seventh Brother’s frequent outbursts had no specific reason, and he couldn’t get any answers. He didn’t expect the little child prodigy to effortlessly solve this “age-old mystery.”
“So, the next time he loses control, all we need to do is take off an article of clothing for him?” Xie Duo extended the idea.
Han Jiao laughed triumphantly, “In my opinion, Prince Duan shouldn’t have any more episodes in the future. I didn’t make you and your brothers work hard for two months for nothing. In another half a month, I might be able to completely heal Prince Duan’s trauma and help him face Prince Yan.”
“Unbelievable.”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment,” Han Jiao pretended to complain. Suddenly, at the end of the alley, he stopped the reins, dismounted from his donkey, and looked up at the big boss on the white horse, “We’ve arrived, Your Highness, please take a look. This is my new residence, quite spacious, isn’t it?”
Xie Duo turned to inspect it and shook his head. “I don’t want to dampen your spirits, so I won’t pass judgment.”
“Being able to live in a house like this after just one year in an official position is already quite good.” Han Jiao’s eyes suddenly widened as he raised his hand to stop him. “Your Highness! Why are you getting off your horse?”
Xie Duo, who had just dismounted, squinted and questioned, “Master, with your new housewarming, shouldn’t you be the one offering tea to this Prince?”
Han Jiao opened his arms and looked at the darkening sky. “Your Highness, it’s already getting late. If you have a sip of tea, you’ll have to endure a couple more spankings. Have another sip, and your hands won’t be of much use!”
Xie Duo walked around his horse and approached the little child prodigy, lowering his gaze earnestly. “I’m quite curious about what you did to Seventh Brother. I want you to demonstrate it for me.”
Han Jiao, with a hint of earnestness, explained, “This method of treatment only works for those who’ve suffered from trauma.”
“What method?”
“I can’t explain it to you!”
“You’re not practicing witchcraft, are you?”
“No, no, no! Your Highness, where did that thought come from?”
“Then what exactly did you do to Seventh Brother? I only heard Seventh Brother talk about some past memories, and then… it seemed he suddenly changed his attitude.”
Han Jiao urgently explained, “That’s because Prince Duan recalled some details and realized that his previous thoughts were a misunderstanding.”
“How did he realize that?”
Han Jiao was at a loss for words.
It wouldn’t be good if people thought it was witchcraft.
But how did one explain the findings of modern psychology? Explaining it would make it seem more like witchcraft.
Xie Duo’s amber eyes flickered slightly as he stared intently at him. “I always find you quite interesting. Every time I see you, my mood brightens.”
Han Jiao: “……”
Normally, if he heard these words, Han Jiao would feel pleasantly surprised.
But at this moment, facing the skeptical eyes of the big boss, Han Jiao immediately protested, “I absolutely, absolutely have no witchcraft! Your Highness, think about it. If I could make others happy just by looking at them, then during the relief efforts, I would have convinced that stubborn official to cooperate with relief work long ago, and you wouldn’t have had to personally plan the water-encirclement warfare tactics.”
Xie Duo gazed at the little child prodigy’s bright peach-blossom eyes for a long time, then turned his head and calmly said, “If you truly have such magic, never use it on Seventh Brother. Once he becomes dependent on someone, it’s hard for him to break free.”
Han Jiao couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “If I really had that ability, I would have used it on everyone. Your Highness, you’re only focused on protecting Prince Duan. You don’t think about protecting yourself. Aren’t you afraid I’ll cast a spell on you?”
Xie Duo suddenly turned to look at Han Jiao and suppressed a smile.
Han Jiao saw the salted fish boss reveal such a mischievous expression for the first time, and his inexplicable heart skipped a beat before accelerating.
“Are you going to cast a spell on me?”
Xie Duo’s voice was low and magnetic, sending shivers down Han Jiao’s spine.
“I was just kidding.”
“Come on, let me see how powerful Master is. What if I really become dependent on you?” Xie Duo revealed two little tiger teeth as he grinned, his eyes locking mischievously onto the little child prodigy. “Then, I’d have to make sure you never leave.”
Han Jiao glared at the stinky little brother. “For the sake of freedom, I’ll go easy on you.”
“Ah,” Xie Duo suddenly lowered his head, pretending to shake his head and then looked at Han Jiao, with a wicked smile. “It seems like I’ve been bewitched.”
“Don’t fake it, Your Highness!” Han Jiao lowered his head, pushed Xie Duo aside like a cannonball, rushed into the house, and closed the door. He leaned against the door, panting heavily, trying to cool down the burning heat on his face.
Han Jiao didn’t know what got into him. Xie Duo’s gaze had seemed to suddenly crash into his heart, and there was a strange feeling surging deep in his mind.
Xie Duo’s calm voice came from outside the door, “Don’t you want your Ferrari?”
Damn, the donkey is still outside!
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