Chapter 16: This Is What It Means to Like Someone

Chapter 16: This Is What It Means to Like

The competition over there was in full swing, and Chen Shuoan and his crew of slackers were busy rating the contestants' facial expressions during their matches.

Chen Shuoan chuckled happily: "Everyone's doing great, you know. Seeing talents like this in our Great Rong Dynasty, I can kick back and slack off with peace of mind."

Zheng Yuanzhi felt helpless at his lack of ambition but had no way to change it. The man's laziness seemed innate.

His motto: don't race me in laziness—I'm too lazy to race you.

Horse racing was underway on the track, and in the span of a few moments, the winner had already lapped the others and grabbed the handball at the finish line.

Riding on horseback, the man first waved the handball at his opponents with a contemptuous smile, then blew several wolf whistles toward the women in the stands, like he was trying to show off his charm.

Chen Shuoan took it all in and deadpanned: "A bit ruggedly handsome, and some looks too—like ruggedness and charm rolled into one."

Qin Zhonglian cracked up beside him.

Zheng Yuanzhi glanced at the other side of the stands and nudged Chen Shuoan's arm: "Look at the Crown Prince over there—hot as hell."

Chen Shuoan followed his gaze and said with some exasperation: "Some fan you are of the Crown Prince. That's clearly the Third Prince."

"That can't be right. Did I misread? The one next to the Emperor."

Chen Shuoan smiled and stressed again: "It's the Third Prince."

Just as the two were about to get into a heated argument over "who that person is," Zhang Chenggong struck first: "Zheng, your hand's hurt, but your eyesight's gone too? That's clearly the Third Prince."

Zheng Yuanzhi squinted for a closer look, and his handsome face turned red—it really was Yuan Wu.

"Can't blame you. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince's mothers are cousins. Blood runs thicker than water, so it's only natural they share similar builds and features," Qin Zhonglian said.

"But the Third Prince has indeed gained the Emperor's favor recently—he's been called to serve at his side every few days. I heard that after the spring hunting trip, he'll be sent to the Pingshuo area to oversee the mines," Li Wei leaned in and said mysteriously.

"Really?" Qin Zhonglian's expression sharpened, and he mulled it over silently.

"Just rumors." Li Wei waved his hand dismissively.

Zhang Chenggong chimed in: "Yesterday I heard my sister's husband asking about this too. I'd bet it's true."

Chen Shuoan's heart sank—in the original book, there were no mines this early in the plot.

Before he could process it, Zheng Yuanzhi asked again: "Give it to the Third Prince to manage? The Crown Prince would clearly be the best choice."

"Who cares about 'best' now? The Crown Prince is heading down south soon and can't handle that many matters. Besides, skill comes from practice. The Emperor giving the Third Prince this chance is like planting a seed and hoping it grows—if it doesn't work out, he can just swap in someone else. He's not exactly short on sons."

Zhang Chenggong said nonchalantly.

Li Wei quickly grabbed Zhang Chenggong's ear and hissed: "Keep your voice down!"

Zheng Yuanzhi lowered his voice: "If the Third Prince hadn't saved the Emperor's life a few days ago, I doubt this sweet gig would've landed on him."

Zhang Chenggong shrugged, agreeing with his point.

Chen Shuoan listened with his heart pounding and quickly asked: "What are these mines for, and why's it such a sweet gig?"

Zheng Yuanzhi put his uninjured right hand on Chen Shuoan's head and said affectionately: "Gossip's a powerful thing. Our Shuo'an actually knows to ask questions now."

Chen Shuoan gave a half-smile: "Get to the point. Don't make me slap you when I'm happiest."

Li Wei leaned in to explain: "The mines mainly produce iron ore, copper ore, and placer gold. Salt and iron are necessities for every household—forget salt, the profit from iron alone is huge. Our big man upstairs established the Salt Commissioner, Iron Commissioner, and Monopoly Bureau in his early years, all to monopolize trade and fill the government's coffers. So anyone managing the mines is especially sought after—just the transport alone pays off big time."

Chen Shuoan nodded in understanding, figuring the position was indeed important.

Li Wei hesitated, then added: "With the Pingshuo Iron Commissioner post going to the Third Prince, who knows who'll grab the remaining Xinzhou and Lingnan ones."

Zhang Chenggong snorted with a laugh: "Whoever gets them, the Third Prince's already a step ahead. Consort An in the palace is probably smiling from ear to ear."

"Though the Empress and Consort An share the same bloodline, they've always been at odds—they'd trip each other up just passing by. Now that the Third Prince is making his mark, those two probably have their eyes on the Eastern Palace position," Qin Zhonglian said, having listened to every word with arms crossed.

"But His Majesty has always had high hopes for the Crown Prince. If Consort An and the Third Prince keep pushing, would His Majesty just stand by?" Zheng Yuanzhi immediately spoke up for his idol.

Qin Zhonglian smiled contemptuously and retorted: "You think the Empress's daily prayers and vegetarian meals mean she's really harmless? Or do you think the Crown Prince would let himself be walked all over? Fine—even if the Third Prince and his mother have what it takes to go for the Eastern Palace seat, His Majesty would probably be delighted to see it."

"How could that be?! His Majesty has always seen the Crown Prince as the rightful heir!" Zheng Yuanzhi exclaimed in shock, finding Qin Zhonglian's view utterly absurd.

Qin Zhonglian gave a wry smile at this and said: "Whoever wins is the rightful heir."

His long legs carried him onto the track—archery was about to begin.

As he walked, Qin Zhonglian waved at Chen Shuoan, playing it cool: "Remember to cheer for me."

The shallow Chen Shuoan instantly cast all thoughts of the mines aside.

He'd already thought up the cheer: Brother Qin's handsome, Brother Qin's strong, Brother Qin's so awesome he shakes the sky!

————

Yuan Rang and the Fifth Prince, Yuan Zhen, were heading to the track together.

Yuan Zhen adjusted his sash and smiled bitterly: "Father hasn't been too fond of me lately. I guess he's holding a grudge."

Yuan Rang wasn't listening at all—his eyes were locked on Chen Shuoan in the distance.

That person's stunning face was flushed red from the sun, giving off an unexpected hint of innocence.

Yuan Rang's Adam's apple bobbed; his throat went dry.

The weather was indeed hot.

He should go inside to avoid it.

Why was he here?

Because of me?

Yuan Rang couldn't pinpoint the source of that inexplicable flutter in his chest. He only felt his whole body trembling as if pricked by needles.

He dug his fingertips into his palm, harshly telling himself to keep his hopes from being dashed—it's not for you. Why would anyone do it for you?

Fourteen-year-old Yuan Rang walked toward Chen Shuoan, walking into the blazing late-spring sun and the warm wind rushing at him.

Chen Shuoan watched Yuan Rang approach, realizing he was standing right in the path the contestants had to take. He cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and shouted with a smile: "Go, Sixth Prince!"

Yuan Rang's heart stopped. The world around him went silent.

He suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, like he'd been drifting in fierce waves and suddenly reached shore.

It was for him.

Spring lingers, grass and trees grow lush.

That person stood in the sunlight, smiling with pure innocence, like a carefree little bird.

I've got to catch him.

Yuan Rang thought.