Chapter 81: Covenantor (IV)

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Chapter 81: Covenantor (IV)

“Butler Fei, have several sets of clothes made for Shang Ze. I’ll be returning to the capital next month.” After a pause, Lu Xiufan added, “Prepare several sets for every season.”

“Yes.” Fei Lin nodded. Lu Xiufan’s meaning was obvious: when he returned to the capital next month, he intended to bring Shang Ke with him.

Lu Xiufan was the younger brother of the Prince Consort—the Queen’s husband—so there were particular standards governing his dress and appearance. As Lu Xiufan’s subordinate, Shang Ke likewise needed to maintain a proper image. What worried Fei Lin was that Covenantors were poor at social interaction, while Lu Xiufan certainly wasn’t going to introduce Shang Ke’s identity to everyone they met. If Shang Ke accidentally came into conflict with some prince or noble, the unlucky ones would undoubtedly be those nobles foolish enough to provoke him.

Lu Xiufan already attracted more than enough hatred on his own. Butler Fei practically worried himself sick trying to help his master draw a little less hostility and earn a little more goodwill.

That evening, Fei Lin sought Shang Ke out and instructed him to keep his distance from unnecessary social contacts when they went to the capital the following month. If someone truly could not be avoided, he should at least behave modestly and politely. Fei Lin also gave him a set of etiquette manuals and guidelines for coordinating his wardrobe, telling him to study them carefully so he would neither make a fool of himself nor offend anyone for no reason.

Shang Ke was no stranger to formal etiquette. Under Fei Lin’s supervision, he carefully reviewed the materials several times, sincerely accepted his guidance, and easily passed the final assessment.

Aside from his lack of facial expression, Shang Ke’s etiquette was nearly flawless, yet Fei Lin kept feeling that something was off. After watching him for a long time, he finally understood: Shang Ke’s expression was simply too cold. No matter how deferentially he behaved, he somehow gave off the impression that he stood above everyone else. Unlike Lu Xiufan’s stern and dignified aloofness, Shang Ke’s was an indifference that seemed to regard everything around him as beneath notice.

“Shang Ze, smile like this.” Fei Lin demonstrated with a gentle, courteous smile.

Shang Ke stared expressionlessly at Fei Lin’s wrinkled, smiling face while ten thousand alpacas stampeded through his mind.

“Shang Ze, facial expression is one of the most important ways people communicate. Even if you can’t truly smile, try moving the corners of your mouth a little, like this.” Fei Lin curved his lips upward. “Come on, you try.”

Shang Ke pursed his lips into something halfway between a smile and no smile at all. Somehow, it made him look even more aloof than when he was expressionless—and came complete with a built-in aura of mockery.

Fei Lin continued patiently, “Try drawing out the movement a little longer. Again.”

Slowly—very slowly—Shang Ke pulled up the corners of his mouth, like the sloth from Zootopia, until an extraordinarily bizarre and unmistakably mocking smile became fixed on his face.

Fei Lin: “…” Not even God can save that paralyzed face!

“Pfft!” A muffled laugh suddenly escaped from outside the door.

“Master.” Fei Lin awkwardly saluted the newcomer while inwardly reeling. Master laughed just now, didn’t he? He definitely laughed! Absolutely!

“There’s no need to keep teaching him. Let him stay as he is.” Lu Xiufan strode inside and stopped before Shang Ke. In a quiet voice, he said, “You don’t need to force yourself. A smile should come from the heart. I already have to face all kinds of false smiles every day. I don’t need one more from you.”

Only then did Shang Ke return to his usual cool expression.

Fei Lin sighed and stopped insisting. For a Covenantor without emotions, any facial expression was ultimately unnecessary.

One month later, Lu Xiufan took Shang Ke and a guard contingent to Soya, the capital.

Shang Ke did not actually want to go to the capital, because the chances of running into members of the Yue Family there were high. Although the Yue Family’s main residence was not in Soya, many of its younger members studied and worked in the capital. His Main Mission in this world was to become the Yue Family heir again, but as long as other candidates existed, the family would never willingly hand the position to a Covenantor who could not live past thirty-five.

Therefore, Shang Ke would have to rely on outside power to force his way back into the family, and Lu Xiufan was his best possible backing. At the same time, he needed to disrupt the balance of power within the Yue Family and muddy the waters enough to create an opening for himself.

Moreover, the mission required only that he become the Yue Family heir again. It did not say he actually had to inherit the family. In other words, once he reclaimed the position, he could simply select a different successor afterward.

This plan would take time to arrange, and making contact with the Yue Family too early would do him little good. Of course, as long as Lu Xiufan was around, Shang Ke did not fear dealing with them. His greatest danger would probably come from Lu Xiufan’s enemies instead.

Lu Xiufan had his own residence in the capital. Compared with the villa in Baoya County, the capital mansion was far more magnificent and luxurious. The servants alone numbered more than a hundred, never mind the heavily equipped guard units.

Lu Xiufan did not remain at the mansion for long before having Shang Ke drive him to the royal palace.

The car stopped outside the palace. Shang Ke was not qualified to enter with Lu Xiufan, so he could only wait in the Retainers’ Pavilion outside the palace grounds.

The Retainers’ Pavilion was a small palace building specifically provided for the attendants and drivers of nobles and high officials, as well as visiting officials and lower-ranking functionaries, to rest while awaiting orders.

Shang Ke was young, handsome, and Lu Xiufan’s personal driver, making him quite conspicuous among the people waiting there. But intimidated by Lu Xiufan’s reputation, no one dared approach him.

After an unknown amount of time, a small commotion suddenly arose outside the pavilion. Many people in the lounge hurried to the entrance to see what was happening.

A convoy bearing the royal flag approached from the distance and stopped neatly before the palace entrance.

“It’s Prince Yi Yun!” someone exclaimed softly.

“Tsk, as expected of the royal convoy. What an impressive sight.”

“I’ve never seen Prince Yi Yun before. Where is he? Has he gotten out yet?”

“There, over there.”

A brown-haired boy of thirteen or fourteen stepped out of the second vehicle. Dozens of guards respectfully separated to either side, creating a path for him.

The boy took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and looked toward the parking area. He moved around his guards and approached a luxurious black hovercar.

“This is Imperial Uncle Xiufan’s Black Wheel 3000.” Delight flashed through Yi Yun’s eyes. He immediately told a guard, “Go call my uncle’s driver over. I have something to ask him.”

The guard bowed, accepted the order, and hurried toward the Retainers’ Pavilion.

Before long, Shang Ke was escorted before Prince Yi Yun beneath the envious gazes of everyone nearby.

“You’re Imperial Uncle Xiufan’s driver?” Yi Yun looked Shang Ke up and down, somewhat surprised by his youth and appearance.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” Shang Ke performed a flawless formal salute.

“What’s your name?” Yi Yun asked.

“Your Royal Highness, my name is Shang Ze.”

Yi Yun opened his personal terminal, pulled up a video, and showed it to Shang Ke. “Were you driving the Black Wheel in this video?”

Shang Ke nodded. “Yes.”

“Excellent.” Yi Yun closed the video. “Come with me. I need your help in a race.”

“I won’t leave my post without Sir’s permission.”

Yi Yun frowned, probably because he had never encountered anyone who dared refuse him so directly.

Rather than argue, he called Lu Xiufan directly. “Imperial Uncle, I want to borrow your driver.”

“Shang Ze?” Lu Xiufan’s deep voice came through the communicator. “What are you planning?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for him. I only want his help with something.” Yi Yun’s tone softened, carrying the faintest hint of pleading. Even he was somewhat intimidated by this stern imperial uncle.

Lu Xiufan remained silent for a moment. “Understood.” Then he ended the call.

Yi Yun felt thoroughly frustrated. What does “understood” mean? Is he lending him to me or not?!

While he was still wondering, Shang Ke’s communicator rang.

“Shang Ze, go keep Yi Yun company for a while. If you feel uncomfortable, come back. If you run into any trouble, call me.” Lu Xiufan’s voice was neither loud nor soft, and the protectiveness in his words was perfectly audible to Yi Yun, who stood nearby.

Yi Yun looked Shang Ke over again, vaguely sensing that his imperial uncle treated this person somewhat differently.

Once the call ended, Yi Yun said, “Since Imperial Uncle agreed, come with me.”

Shang Ke raised no objection. Surrounded by guards at the front and rear, he boarded an escort vehicle and followed Yi Yun’s car toward a racetrack roughly fifteen kilometers from the palace.

“Bring out my Purple Shadow,” Prince Yi Yun ordered the moment he entered the racetrack.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness. Right away.” The track owner immediately had someone bring out the Purple Shadow.

Yi Yun hurried to the passenger seat of the Purple Shadow and waved Shang Ke over. “Come on. Take me around the track a few times first.”

“Your Royal Highness!” One of the guards hurried forward to stop him.

Yi Yun glared at him. “Get out of the way. Don’t ruin this prince’s fun.”

The guard could only step aside and glare murderously at Shang Ke. Boy, you’d better drive carefully. If anything happens to the prince, you’ll pay for it.

Shang Ke paid no attention to the guards’ hostile stares and calmly settled into the driver’s seat.

“Your Royal Highness, please fasten your seat belt.” Shang Ke reminded Yi Yun as he started the car.

Yi Yun fastened his seat belt and glanced sideways at Shang Ke. He found this man rather interesting. Regardless of whether his driving skills truly deserved the extravagant praise online, his composure alone was enough to earn Yi Yun’s respect.

“Go,” Yi Yun ordered.

Shang Ke did not hesitate. He activated the drive system, and the Purple Shadow shot out of the prince’s private parking area like an arrow released from a bow, racing toward the track.

Thirty or forty customized luxury cars were scattered around the racetrack, while another four or five were already racing.

“Go straight onto the track.” Yi Yun glanced at the electronic display. The other cars had only just completed their first lap.

The track twisted like two coiled snakes, packed with bends and turns that made it exceptionally difficult to drive. The cars already racing could barely reach their maximum speeds.

While the racers fought to overtake one another, a streak of purple light cut rapidly through their formation and steadily moved into the lead.

The spectators outside the track exclaimed, “It’s His Royal Highness’s Purple Shadow!”

The Purple Shadow overtook three or four cars in rapid succession. Instead of slowing at a curve, it accelerated, executed a beautiful drift, and swept past the lead car to take first place.

Yi Yun was beside himself with excitement. “That’s it! Keep going and charge straight to the finish!”

Shang Ke did not disappoint him. He tore down the track, leaving a long purple afterimage tracing dazzling arcs behind him and drawing continuous screams from the crowd. Finally, with a sharp hiss, the vehicle stopped smoothly just beyond the finish line. The entire run had been fluid, clean, and decisive.

“That was incredible!” A blond young man in a racing suit approached, applauding. “Your Royal Highness, your driving has improved tremendously.”

The words had barely left his mouth when Yi Yun stepped out of the passenger side. The young man stared in surprise.

So the prince hadn’t been driving?

Yi Yun lifted his chin proudly. “I lost to you last time, so this time I found someone else to race you again.”

“May I ask which racer Your Royal Highness invited this time?” the young man asked with a smile.

Before Yi Yun could answer, a slightly shy voice interrupted. “Greetings, Your Royal Highness. I’m Yue Xuan of the Yue Family of Luoxu. It’s an honor to meet you here.”

“The Yue Family?” Yi Yun acknowledged absently, clearly not taking him seriously. He turned back to the blond youth. “Yali, are you racing or not?”

“If Your Royal Highness is in the mood, of course I’ll see it through to the end.” Yali smiled. “But racing with only two people is boring. Let’s call Young Master Luo and the others over too.”

Yue Xuan interrupted again. “Your Royal Highness, may I send someone to participate as well?”

Yi Yun and Yali frowned at the same time. Yi Yun said nothing, while Yali glanced at Yue Xuan and smiled. “Anyone here can join, but there are stakes involved.”

“That’s fine,” Yue Xuan hurriedly replied. “I believe my family can afford the stakes.”

Yali said no more. What they wagered was not money, but resources and all manner of rare treasures. The Yue Family might have some reputation, but in the eyes of the capital’s nobility, they were merely wealthy merchants with a bit of history behind them. A century ago, perhaps people might still have considered them noteworthy, but the Yue Family had long since faded from aristocratic circles.

“In that case, let him participate too,” Yi Yun said noncommittally.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” Yue Xuan was about to offer a few more polite words when a familiar figure stepped out of the Purple Shadow’s driver seat. The man closed the door behind him, turned toward Yue Xuan, and met his gaze across the car with a pair of cool, emotionless eyes.

Yue Xuan’s smile froze instantly.

Yue Ze? What is he doing here? And how did he become Prince Yi Yun’s personal racer?!

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