Chapter 2: Yuan Rang

Chapter 2: Yuan Rang

The crimson window was slightly ajar, letting in wisps of cool breeze from outside. Chen Shuoan lay on the bed, dead to the world.

Suddenly, the wisps of cool breeze turned into gusts of cold wind, accompanied by the loud crash of a door being kicked open.

Chen Shuoan: "..."

What kind of wind is this? Is someone having a seizure or what?

He groggily looked toward the door, only to find his deadbeat dad standing there.

Chen Jingxian stormed in hurriedly, plopping himself down on the edge of Chen Shuoan's bed, earnestly advising him to straighten up and be a proper person.

"Shuo'an, you were in the wrong here. Why did you go out of your way to bully that young lady? Did all those books go straight to your gut?"

He paused, realizing his son had never been studious and had indeed read few books, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh:

"I was thinking of seeking justice for you, but I ended up the bad guy no matter what I did."

Seeing Chen Shuoan lying there looking like he was about to cry, as if he had recognized his mistakes and resolved to turn over a new leaf, he said with satisfaction: "I've just been too lenient with you. Once you're healed, you'll come with me to the Su residence to apologize."

Chen Shuoan's fingers were pinned under his dad's big butt, tears streaming down his face.

"Dad..."

Chen Shuoan was in a state where moving any part of his body caused pain everywhere. He spoke weakly, trying to escape the crushing weight of his dad's "love": "You're sitting on my hand. Could you... move a bit?"

Chen Jingxian quickly stood up and perched on a drum-shaped stool, sighing again: "I've made a complete fool of myself today. If you're this much of a disappointment, then what were these seventeen years of raising you for?"

"Guess you got unlucky."

Chen Jingxian: "..."

He resolved not to bicker with this little punk, raising his hand to pour himself a cup of hot tea, setting it on the table to cool.

"In a few days, the Emperor will send the Sixth Prince to the Chen residence. To put it nicely, it's to check on your injuries and, if they seem severe, teach Duke Zhenguo a little lesson. To put it bluntly, it's to come enjoy our embarrassment. If the Chen household lacks a man who can carry the family, the agreement between the Chen ancestors and the royal family will all be void."

Chen Shuoan couldn't care less—his only goal was to get as far away from the capital as possible.

Chen Jingxian shifted the topic: "I know my title of Grand Tutor is nominal, but isn't sending the Sixth Prince a bit half-hearted?"

Chen Shuoan shook his head in disagreement: "You're being too greedy, Dad. We're a match made in hell. It's already good enough that someone's coming. But which consort is the Sixth Prince's mother?"

To be honest, I don't know a damn thing.

Chen Jingxian: "..."

Chen Shuoan was dying of curiosity, his doe eyes blinking with curiosity.

"I never see you this eager to study." Chen Jingxian raised the jade cup to his lips, took a sip of hot tea, and said, "His Highness the Sixth Prince is born of Noble Consort Liu. Though he's still a kid, he seems more mature than you."

So he's a kid who's got more maturity than me.

Chen Shuoan rubbed his sore cheeks, which had been pressed, and said seriously: "I'm awesome, so stop the comparisons."

————

Spring had just begun, but the cold snap was still lingering.

Chen Shuoan had been well-fed and well-cared for lately, living quite comfortably.

He stared at the sparrows outside the window, chirping wildly in the wind, and hummed a cheerful tune.

Before he could finish, a servant came to summon Chen Shuoan to the reception hall.

Chen Shuoan thought for a moment and realized the Sixth Prince had arrived.

Walking along the corridor leading to the front hall, Chen Shuoan could see a figure standing between the square table and the wingback chair from afar.

He stood tall and straight, though somewhat lean.

Maybe he was still in a growth spurt, his muscles lagging behind his bones.

Chen Shuoan walked over, performed a ceremonial bow to Yuan Rang, and after the bow, didn't dare lift his head.

Well, well—the Yuan Rang his dad called "a little kid" was actually about his height. If not for his still somewhat thin frame, in modern times he'd be calling everyone "bro."

The young man stood tall and elegant, leaning forward slightly to wave off the formality.

"Judging by Young Master Chen's energy, you seem to have recovered well. I'm here on His Majesty's orders to visit you—not just to bring gifts, but also to inform you of something."

Yuan Rang's voice fell on Chen Shuoan's ears, with that unique, refreshing quality of youth.

Chen Shuoan rubbed his ears, feeling like his senses were sharper, enjoying the sound of someone talking to him.

"Please, go ahead, Your Highness." Chen Jingxian cupped his hands and bowed.

Yuan Rang stared at Chen Jingxian with a light chuckle: "His Majesty, recalling your contributions in teaching the Crown Prince, has specially ordered Chen Shuoan, son of Grand Tutor Chen, to enter the palace as a study companion."

He seemed to pause with a hint of mischief, then slowly continued, "Having Young Master Chen as my study companion is my great fortune."

Chen Jingxian was stunned speechless upon hearing this.

Regardless of merit, his title of Grand Tutor was nominal—he had never instructed any prince, much less the Crown Prince. How could there be talk of merit in teaching the Crown Prince?

He could only guess the Emperor had long known about his shady dealings, intending to grab him by his weak spot, forcing him to send his son to the palace as a hostage.

This Sixth Prince was a sharp one—surely he already understood the intricate games between ruler and subject.

He sees through it but doesn't say, guesses it but doesn't reveal.

Sending Chen Shuoan into the palace as the Sixth Prince's study companion—His Majesty's intent was already clear.

One, as leverage; two, as a sign he no longer values the family.

Chen Shuoan, with his bird's-eye view, took in both men's expressions. Though it differed a bit from the original story, it was basically the same.

Nominally entering the palace as a study companion, in reality stepping into a kidnappers' den—if his dad made the slightest move, they'd kill him on the spot.

Go ahead and read this book—one read and you'll be speechless.

Chen Shuoan, thinking of the sneaky stuff his dad had pulled behind the Emperor's back, let out a cold laugh.

Sweating bullets now, huh, old geezer?