Chapter 35: A Minor Disagreement

Chapter 35: A Little Friction

"Chen Gangpao doesn't listen to anyone, so I had to step in. What's a little mutt like him even got? Sit!"

Chen Shuoan chuckled, flashing a row of white teeth, shallow dimples creasing his cheeks.

Before he could even rinse the suds off Gangpao's tail, Jili scurried over to Yuan Rang, his face all sour, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, Young Master Chen has been busy and hasn't had lunch yet."

Chen Shuoan couldn't believe Jili would rat him out like this—he'd brought it up at least nine times in the last half hour. So Chen Shuoan smiled and explained, "I'm just not hungry today."

The next thing he knew, he was being scooped up by the waist.

Jili quickly averted his eyes and backed off.

"Let go."

Yuan Rang's face was all menace, his lips no longer curved up but pressed into a hard, flat line. Seeing Chen Shuoan still clutching that cloth, he felt a flash of anger but swallowed it, talking to him all gentle and reasonable.

"You got no appetite? I'll have the kitchen whip up some sour jujube cakes to tide you over, then make you a fresh meal, okay?"

No one knew better than him what starving felt like—that gut-wrenching ache was something he didn't want this guy to ever go through.

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

Chen Shuoan figured the guy was just messing with him.

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

Chen Shuoan gave Yuan Rang a good-natured smile: "I don't have an appetite. Don't put them through that—skipping one meal won't kill me. Besides, I'm not done washing him."

"He's not gonna die sitting there."

Yuan Rang cut him off, a storm brewing in his eyes: "If this happens again, none of you need to keep working here. You can all go eat dog food and sleep in a doghouse with this mutt."

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

Jili knelt there, cold sweat beading on his forehead and streaking down his temples like slimy, creepy water snakes.

Chen Shuoan couldn't believe his ears. Even if he and Yuan Rang saw things differently, he could never let his own actions get others blamed or punished.

"You're spouting nonsense again!"

Chen Shuoan frowned hard and thrashed around. In the scuffle, the cloth dropped into the water, startling Gangpao into leaping out of the tub and splashing water all over Yuan Rang's robe as he barked like crazy at nothing.

Yuan Rang was so annoyed by the beast he had a splitting headache, but he couldn't do a thing about it because Shuoan loved the damn thing.

He caved first, lowering his voice and speaking soft: "Just a joke. Don't take it to heart, Shuo'an. Go eat first, leave this to them, okay?"

Chen Shuoan pulled away from Yuan Rang's outstretched hand and walked off toward the dining hall without a word.

He couldn't win an argument or a fight, and the second he got someone mad, the guy would just casually own up to it.

No clue what he did wrong, but as long as he admitted it, he figured it was over.

Who the hell taught him that?

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

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

Yeah, just for today.

Yuan Rang watched the skinny, 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 feel the turmoil churning inside him, plus a hint of annoyance.

He shot Jili a dark look and ordered: "Wrap the mutt's mouth in burlap, tie up its paws, and shove it in the basin for a good scrub."

"Yes."

Jili wiped the cold sweat off his temples and quickly said, "Yes."

————

Chen Shuoan struggled to hold back the wild Gangpao, groaning in misery.

This dog was crazy strong.

Next to him, Qin Zhonglian, seeing how tough it was for the skinny guy to hold on, reached out and grabbed the leash. But to his surprise, Gangpao yanked him forward, sending him stumbling too.

Qin Zhonglian had to pull with everything he had to drag Gangpao back, then freed a hand to pat Chen Shuoan's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile.

Buddy, I feel you. This journey of yours has really been tough.

Chen Shuoan's eyes glistened with tears, grateful for his understanding and thoughtfulness.

Zhang Chenggong laughed wildly from the side.

"Gangpao really hasn't changed a bit, hahahaha..."

Still ugly as ever.

Chen Shuoan endured it, giving up on this pointless argument.

They had all arrived at Daxiangguo Temple, where the princes and ministers were inside praying for the Emperor, leaving the younger ones to wander the mountain paths.

"Is that the young lady of the Su family up ahead?"

Qin Zhonglian, holding the dog with both hands, spotted several beauties not far away.

Chen Shuoan squinted to look—what a coincidence, it was Miss Su, the fourth daughter of the Su family, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

He exchanged a glance with Qin Zhonglian and gave an awkward smile.

One had been beaten half to death for teasing a girl, and the other had beaten him half to death for playing the hero.

Zheng Yuanzhi would definitely be an extrovert in modern times. He was warm-hearted, and seeing the young ladies at a loss on the mountain path, he guessed they were lost and called out loudly: "Ladies, why not walk with us? I am Zheng Yuanzhi, son of the Grand Secretary!"

Zhang Chenggong's face lit up with excitement, and he was about to introduce himself when Zheng Yuanzhi spoke for him too.

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

Zhang Chenggong forced a smile: "Good buddy, I have a mouth of my own."

Everyone introduced themselves one by one, and once their initial panic subsided, they grew familiar with each other.

Especially Chen Shuoan, Qin Zhonglian, and Su Qingwan, who chatted most cheerfully.

Zhang Chenggong bit his handkerchief in jealous tears, looking as if he might weep, wishing he could swap souls with Chen Shuoan at that moment.

Su Qingwan's fair, slender fingers stroked the dog's head—Chen Gangpao's head—and she smiled softly. "What an adorable little dog. Is he yours, Young Master Chen?"

Chen Shuoan nodded, couldn't help complimenting the lady's refined taste.

"How unusual. What's his name?"

Chen Shuoan said with pride, "Chen Gangpao."

Su Qingwan was at a loss for words.

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

Qin Zhonglian couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in to save her. "Miss Su, you don't have to force yourself. Shuo'an knows damn well that name is dog shit."

Wait, what? No, I didn't.

Li Wei, standing nearby, straightened up with a prim, stern look and shot a contemptuous glance at Qin Zhonglian. "So vulgar to talk like that in front of ladies."

Qin Zhonglian didn't back down and shot back immediately. "You're so fake."

Li Wei burst into fake sobs and ran over to Zhang Chenggong to huddle together for comfort.

Su Sinan, the third young lady of the Su family, covered her mouth and giggled. "The way you brothers get along is hilarious."

"It's just that we're fun guys. But speaking of which, how come you ladies are here without any male escorts or family members?" Zheng Yuanzhi asked curiously.

To his surprise, the young ladies blushed, ears turning red, covering their mouths and giggling softly.

Su Qingwan clutched a handkerchief and said softly, "We came here today to find the Hall of Matrimony at Daxiangguo Temple. We heard it really works, so we wanted to check it out."

Chen Shuoan gave a knowing smile.

Rather than the Hall of Matrimony, he was more interested in where the Hall of Wealth was.

He'd kneel there and never get up.

"So, did you find it?"

"Not yet. If we hadn't happened to run into you gentlemen, we'd still be lost trying to find the way."

Zheng Yuanzhi laughed heartily and said, "Then why don't we all go find the Hall of Matrimony together? We can look out for each other. Sound good?"

Zhang Chenggong was all for it, practically wanting to sit down and kick his feet up in agreement too.