Chapter 35: A Small Friction

Chapter 35: A Small Friction

"Chen Gangpao doesn't listen to anybody, so I have to be the one to handle him. What could this little mutt even do? Sit your ass down right now!"

Chen Shuoan grinned, flashing a row of white teeth, with faint dimples by his cheeks.

Before he could even wash the suds off Chen Gangpao's tail, Jili hurried over to Yuan Rang with a pained look and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, Young Master Chen has been busy and hasn't eaten lunch yet."

Chen Shuoan never thought Jili would rat him out like this—he'd brought it up at least nine times in half an hour. Smiling, Chen Shuoan explained, "I'm just not hungry today."

The next second, he was lifted off his feet by the waist.

Jili quickly dropped his gaze and backed away.

"Put me down."

Yuan Rang's face was dark with menace, his lips no longer curved up but pressed into a hard, straight line. Seeing Chen Shuoan still clutching the cloth, anger flared in him, but he held it back, talking to him softly, trying to smooth things over.

"You don't have an appetite? I'll have the kitchen make some sour jujube cakes to hold you over, and then I'll have them whip up a fresh meal for you, okay?"

No one knew better than him what starving felt like—the gut-wrenching cramps were something he didn't want this person to ever go through.

He should be living in a bubble, never knowing hunger or the world's hardships.

Chen Shuoan figured the guy was just messing with him.

In college, he'd often sleep till afternoon on weekends and only ate one meal a day—dinner—all the time. With no parents around to scold him and everyone else doing the same, he never saw a problem with skipping meals.

Chen Shuoan gave Yuan Rang an easygoing smile: "I don't have an appetite. Don't bother them with that. Skipping one meal isn't a big deal. Besides, I'm not done washing him yet."

"He's not gonna die just sitting there."

Yuan Rang cut him off sharply, his eyes already stormy with impatience: "If this happens again, none of you need to work in the palace anymore. All of you can go eat dog food and sleep in a kennel with this mutt."

A rustle swept through the courtyard as everyone dropped to their knees at once.

Jili knelt on the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead, plastering his hair to his temples, like slimy, creepy water snakes stuck to him.

Chen Shuoan couldn't believe his ears. Even if he and Yuan Rang had different views and disagreed, he could never let his own actions get others in trouble.

"You're spouting nonsense again!"

Chen Shuoan's brows knit tightly as he thrashed around. In the scuffle, the cloth dropped into the water, startling Chen Gangpao so he jumped out of the bath, splashing water all over Yuan Rang's robe, barking crazily at nothing.

The beast gave Yuan Rang a splitting headache, but since Chen Shuoan loved the thing, he couldn't do a damn thing about it.

He was the first to back down, softening his voice: "I was just kidding. Don't take it to heart, Shuo'an. Go eat first, and let them handle this, okay?"

Chen Shuoan yanked away from Yuan Rang's reaching hand, walking off toward the dining hall without a word.

He couldn't win a debate, couldn't win a fight, and the second he pissed someone off, he'd just casually admit he was wrong like it was nothing.

He didn't even know what he did wrong, but as long as he said sorry, he figured it was over.

Who the hell taught him that?

Every punch hit cotton—the cotton didn't feel a thing, but the guy throwing the punches was left steaming.

Chen Shuoan decided he wasn't going to talk to Yuan Rang for the rest of the day.

Yep, just for today.

Yuan Rang watched the slim, lonely figure fade into the distance, then slowly turned to stare at the little dog happily licking itself on the grass.

The Sixth Prince's face was blank, but you could somehow tell he was restless and a little pissed off.

He gave Jili a dark look and ordered: "Muzzle the dog with burlap, tie up its paws, and shove it in the basin for a good scrubbing."

"Yes, sir."

Jili wiped the cold sweat off his temples and quickly acknowledged.

————

Chen Shuoan yanked hard on the leash as Gangpao ran wild beside him, groaning in misery.

This dog was stupidly strong.

Qin Zhonglian, seeing how his skinny arms and legs were struggling to hold on, reached out and grabbed the leash, only to get yanked forward himself.

Qin Zhonglian had to use all his strength to haul Gangpao back, then freed a hand to pat Chen Shuoan's shoulder with an approving grin.

Dude, I feel you. This whole thing hasn't been easy for you.

Chen Shuoan's eyes welled up, grateful for his understanding.

Zhang Chenggong was howling with laughter on the side.

"Gangpao's still the same, hahahaha..."

Still ugly as hell.

Chen Shuoan sucked it up and dropped the pointless argument.

They'd all made it to Daxiangguo Temple, where the princes and officials were inside praying for the Emperor, leaving just the younger folks to roam the mountain trails.

"Is that Miss Su up ahead?"

Qin Zhonglian, gripping the leash with both hands, spotted a few pretty girls up ahead.

Chen Shuoan squinted—what a coincidence, it was Miss Su, the fourth daughter, whom he hadn't seen in ages.

He and Qin Zhonglian exchanged a look, both grinning awkwardly.

One got beaten half to death for flirting with a girl, and the other beat him half to death playing the hero.

Zheng Yuanzhi would definitely be an extrovert in this day and age. He was a good guy, and seeing the girls looking lost on the mountain path, he figured they were lost and shouted out: "Ladies, why don't you walk with us? I'm Zheng Yuanzhi, son of the Grand Secretary!"

Zhang Chenggong's face lit up, ready to introduce himself, but Zheng Yuanzhi beat him to the punch.

"This is Zhang Chenggong, the Left Censor-in-Chief's son."

Zhang Chenggong gave a tight smile: "Dude, I've got my own mouth."

Everyone introduced themselves, and once the initial awkwardness wore off, they started getting chummy.

Especially Chen Shuoan, Qin Zhonglian, and Su Qingwan, who were chatting up a storm.

Zhang Chenggong bit his handkerchief in envy, tears welling up, wishing he could trade places with Chen Shuoan right then.

Su Qingwan's fair, slender fingers stroked the dog named Chen Gangpao, smiling softly. "This little dog is adorable. Is he yours, Young Master Chen?"

Chen Shuoan nodded, couldn't help complimenting her good taste.

"How unique. What's his name?"

Chen Shuoan said proudly, "Chen Gangpao."

Su Qingwan: "..."

"The... the name's adorable too," Su Qingwan managed to say.

Qin Zhonglian couldn't stand it anymore and came to her rescue. "Fourth Miss Su, you don't have to force yourself. Shuo'an knows the name is total dog crap himself."

Wait, what? No, I don't!

Li Wei, standing nearby, put on a stern, pretentious look and cast a contemptuous glance at Qin Zhonglian. "How vulgar, talking like that in front of ladies."

Qin Zhonglian shot back without missing a beat. "You're so fake."

Li Wei whimpered and ran off to Zhang Chenggong for comfort.

Third Miss Su, Su Sinan, hid a giggle behind her hand. "The way you brothers mess around is so funny."

"We're just fun guys. But speaking of which, how come you ladies are here without any male escorts or servants?" Zheng Yuanzhi asked curiously.

To his surprise, the ladies blushed, ears turning red, as they merely covered their mouths and smiled softly.

Su Qingwan held a handkerchief and said softly, "We came out this time to find the Hall of Matrimony in Daxiangguo Temple. People say the hall really works, so we thought we'd come see for ourselves."

Chen Shuoan smiled knowingly.

Compared to the Hall of Matrimony, he'd rather know where the Hall of Wealth is.

He'd kneel there forever.

"So, did you find it?"

"Not yet. If we hadn't happened to run into you gentlemen, we'd still be lost for a while."

Zheng Yuanzhi let out a hearty laugh. "Then let's all go find the Hall of Matrimony together. We can watch each other's backs. What does everyone think?"

Zhang Chenggong was all for it, practically jumping up and down in agreement.