Chapter 37 Reward

Chapter 37: The Reward

Cheng Ge, having just finished showing off, puffed out his chest and swaggered triumphantly out of the palace gates.

He was heading toward the government lodgings when, in the distance, he spotted the steward of Prince Cui’s mansion standing by a carriage.

Upon seeing Cheng Ge, the steward immediately hurried over, his smile crinkling deep into the wrinkles on his face.

“Master Cheng, His Highness sent me to pick you up after work.”

Cheng Ge was surprised. He didn’t expect Cui Ji to send someone for him.

“What’s up with the Prince? Is he feeling sick?” Cheng Ge didn’t have a place in the capital, so he was supposed to stay at the government lodgings.

After all, he and Cui Ji had only just met.

Staying at the mansion last night was just a coincidence, and now the steward was here to take him there—something must be up.

Hearing this, the steward paused for a moment, then realized Cheng Ge was jumping to conclusions.

“Don’t worry, Master Cheng. It’s just that the mansion is pretty quiet now, with plenty of empty rooms.

The Prince figured it’s a long way back to the government lodgings after work, so staying at the mansion would be perfect and save you a lot of hassle.”

Cheng Ge hadn’t expected that to be the reason. He didn’t just follow the steward right away.

After all, they weren’t related or anything, and living in a stranger’s house indefinitely felt a bit off.

But just looking at the perks, staying at the mansion was way better.

Not to mention having a bunch of servants, having a whole courtyard to yourself was something you couldn’t get at the government lodgings.

“I’d rather not put the Prince out. The lodgings are fine for me.”

Seeing him refuse, the steward remembered the look on Cui Ji’s face when he sent him to pick up Cheng Ge, and quickly tried to persuade him.

“You know, the mansion went through a huge tragedy before. The Prince lost his family when he was just a kid, and he’s been down in the dumps ever since.

Yesterday, when I saw you visit, even the Prince’s appetite got a lot better.”

Hearing this, Cheng Ge couldn’t help but feel touched.

In his past life, his family spoiled him, and being the youngest, they doted on him even more.

Even though they were busy with work, they always made time for him whenever they could.

After staying at the mansion last night, he had to admit it was way too quiet.

And now Cui Ji had a leg injury and couldn’t get around easily. Even with servants to take care of him, without any family or friends around to care for him, he had no one to talk to. He must be feeling pretty miserable inside.

At night, when he couldn’t sleep, he might even count bricks and secretly wipe away tears.

A tough guy crying—that’s the most heartbreaking thing.

At that thought, Cheng Ge immediately imagined Cui Ji as a pitiful, lonely little guy with no one to love him, and his sympathy just overflowed like crazy.

He remembered that even though Cui Ji was quiet yesterday, there seemed to be a hint of closeness in his expression.

If staying at the mansion could really cheer him up, maybe living there for a while wouldn’t be so bad.

Eating without a meal buddy really takes half the fun out of it.

Of course, Cheng Ge’s decision was totally because he was a kind-hearted guy, and had absolutely nothing to do with how good the mansion’s food smelled.

“Well, since your Prince is so sincere, I’ll stay for a couple of days.” Cheng Ge turned his head away, his tone carrying a tiny bit of rare modesty.

“You’re so straightforward, Master. Let’s hurry back before the food gets cold.”

The steward’s face immediately lit up with a smile, and he carefully guided Cheng Ge onto the carriage.

Hearing that the meal was already ready, Cheng Ge didn’t have a single ounce of reluctance left. He hopped onto the carriage in a flash, practically sticking his butt out.

When he got to the mansion, he saw Cui Ji sitting in the courtyard playing chess by himself, with a pot of tea at his side.

The last rays of sunset lingered on the horizon, casting dappled shadows through the tree branches over the wall.

Cui Ji sat like an old monk in meditation, as if enveloped in light and shadow, ethereal and hazy.

Hearing the noise, he slowly turned his head and beckoned Cheng Ge over.

Cheng Ge, clutching the boxes, trotted over happily and stood opposite Cui Ji. “Your Highness, have you eaten yet?”

Cui Ji hadn’t expected him to ask about food first, and his expression froze for a moment.

But recalling Cheng Ge’s voracious appetite at yesterday’s meal, he figured the man must be hungry.

“Not yet.”

With that, he handed Cheng Ge a damp cloth. “I’ll have the meal set up in the courtyard—it’s cooler here.”

Cheng Ge placed the boxes on the table, took the cloth, and wiped the sweat from his forehead, finally feeling a bit cooler. “Alright.”

Cui Ji’s gaze fell on the wooden boxes; from the carvings, they seemed to be from the palace.

Noticing his look, Cheng Ge chuckled twice and promptly handed him the box containing the ginseng.

“Here, this is for you! A big tonic!”

Cui Ji looked at the box, then at Cheng Ge, without reaching for it.

Seeing he didn’t take it, Cheng Ge assumed he was being shy, so he took Cui Ji’s hand resting on the table edge and shoved the box into it. “Take it. Consider it my rent for room and board.”

Cui Ji glanced at the box in his hand, his expression unchanged, his fingertips tightening slightly. “Which noble bestowed this?”

Cheng Ge plopped down on a stool, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip—it was a bit cold.

“Oh, it was from the Crown Prince.”

Cui Ji opened the box to reveal a ginseng of excellent quality, with distinct roots and clearly a high age.

But the mansion had plenty of fine things, so Cui Ji didn’t think much of a single ginseng, especially one given to Cheng Ge by the Crown Prince.

He merely glanced at it and set it aside on the table.

Looking up to speak to Cheng Ge, he was interrupted by several figures entering the mansion.

Judging by their attire, they were from the palace, carrying numerous items.

The leading eunuch glanced at the two, then fixed his gaze on Cheng Ge, and said in a shrill voice, “You must be Tutor Cheng, I presume?”

Cheng Ge was a bit confused, wondering why someone from the palace would be coming to see him at this hour.

Could it be that his earlier false accusation of the Crown Prince in a hit-and-run had been discovered, and they were now coming to his door to punish him?

"It's... it's me. May I ask what business you have with me, sir?"

The eunuch was all smiles as he spoke slowly, "His Majesty has decreed that, considering Tutor Cheng's hard work in overseeing the prince's studies, he has specially sent us to deliver some tonics."

"Huh?" Cheng Ge's eyes flew wide open. This world was getting kind of surreal.

Damn! The rich really were different—they handed out good stuff like it was no big deal.

Cheng Ge dropped to his knees with a thud, his movements unusually smooth, and accepted the gifts with both hands, "Your servant thanks His Majesty for the reward."

After the palace attendants left, Cheng Ge snapped back to reality, scrambled to his feet, and sneaked open the box for a peek.

"More ginseng?" This emperor and the Crown Prince were truly cut from the same cloth, sending such identical gifts.

But Cheng Ge wasn't picky. He selected a few items that looked top-notch and pushed them directly in front of Cui Ji.

Patting the back of Cui Ji's hand, his eyes shining with excitement, "When we strike it rich, we won't forget each other."

Cui Ji: "..."

Cui Ji nudged the items aside, his expression devoid of joy, and asked, "Why would they reward you with these?"