Chapter 5: The Upper Study

Chapter 5: The Imperial Study

Chen Shuoan was shocked by his candor, but couldn't recall who he was, and felt too awkward to claim brotherhood with him, so he simply nodded along with a smile from his seat.

He looked up and scanned the study room, feeling that the young gentlemen in the front rows carried an extraordinary air, as if a dimensional wall separated them from the students in the back.

So he crouched in the back and patted Zheng Yuanzhi on the shoulder, saying, "Bro, are those all princes up front? Why do they all look so handsome?"

Zheng Yuanzhi turned around and beckoned him, signaling for Chen Shuoan to lean in.

Chen Shuoan hunched over and leaned toward him, as giddy as a little monkey.

"They're all princes and heirs. The closer their relationships, the nearer they sit. The Crown Prince is right in the middle—so handsome he stands out like a crane among hens." Zheng Yuanzhi gazed at Yuan Qi in front with admiration.

Chen Shuoan was covered in black lines, thinking this kid's literary cultivation was even more hopeless than his own.

But then a boot trimmed with silver thread swept over from the side, brushing past Chen Shuoan's leg that was exposed at the edge of the desk and landing a precise kick on Zheng Yuanzhi's rear.

Close call, bro! You almost hit an innocent bystander!

"Who are you calling a chicken? Are all the princes chickens too?" Qin Zhonglian retracted his long leg, flashing Zheng Yuanzhi a creepy smile.

Zheng Yuanzhi shook his head frantically, his face full of unspeakable meaning: "I didn't say that. You said it."

With that, he rubbed his backside and turned back around, as if he'd been kicked into a sulk.

Chen Shuoan couldn't help but laugh at his miserable state.

Guys, you feel me? This novel is a whole comedy troupe.

Qin Zhonglian: "..."

Chen Shuoan craned his neck to get a look at the so-called male lead, wanting to see what the domineering Crown Prince who had countless maidens screaming in delight actually looked like.

In the very center sat a figure, tall and straight, his robes dripping with luxury, leaving Chen Shuoan with nothing but a charming view of the back of his head.

Tsk.

Can't see the face.

But he seems like a total hunk.

Chen Shuoan got excited, feeling like he could sense the kingly aura radiating off the male lead even from the back row.

His gaze swept across the front row, person by person, finally landing on Yuan Rang at the far right.

His Highness the Sixth Prince was as cold as ever, the air around him a frosty negative eight degrees.

Then he caught a glimpse of a gray hem drifting past the doorway.

Chen Shuoan immediately went on alert—over a decade of schooling had given him a sixth sense for this kind of thing.

He swiftly threw a punch at Zheng Yuanzhi's back, trying to wake up his drowsy deskmate: "The master's coming!"

"Ow!" Zheng Yuanzhi let out a pained howl.

That single cry rang through the already quiet room like firecrackers on New Year's.

Everyone turned to look.

Chen Shuoan met Yuan Rang's probing gaze, looked at his handsome, cold profile, and shrugged innocently, determined to dump all the blame on Zheng Yuanzhi.

He pointed at Zheng Yuanzhi, who was so awkward he could've dug a three-bedroom apartment with his toes, and mouthed: "This idiot."

Yuan Rang watched Chen Shuoan making faces at him from across the room and found it hilarious.

He kept his face blank, gave a slight nod, and turned back to his studies.

That one move from Yuan Rang had Chen Shuoan's heart doing flips.

Times change, girls check out older women. Society moves on, attitude is everything.

This wasn't just an imperial study—it was paradise for looks-obsessed fans.

Chen Shuoan thought blissfully.

"What's all this? Shouting so loud?" The master entered, looking puzzled. "Yesterday you called in sick and skipped my class, but today you're full of energy. All better now?"

Zheng Yuanzhi wiped his face and stammered, "Your student is young and can take a few knocks. I was mostly better by yesterday afternoon. Thanks for your concern, Master."

Zhang Zhi chuckled warmly, stroking his white beard, and said, "Youth is good—youth is truly good. Such a loud voice, such vitality."

Zheng Yuanzhi closed his eyes in agony, feeling he'd lost all face.

————

By the time today's lessons were all done, Qin Zhonglian still hadn't come to cause trouble, which Chen Shuoan found pretty surprising.

He recalled the force of Qin Zhonglian's fists hitting his body and shuddered.

I'm an upright young man now, a flower of the motherland. Please, big bro, spare me.

Chen Shuoan silently repeated this a hundred times, with utmost sincerity, praying for the Bodhisattva to show up.

"What are you mumbling about all weirdly? Let's go eat." Zheng Yuanzhi walked over, scooped up Chen Shuoan, and shoved him out the door.

Chen Shuoan, under Qin Zhonglian's murderous glare, wished he could bury himself completely in Zheng Yuanzhi's arms.

"What are you looking at, Sixth Brother?" Yuan Wu followed Yuan Rang's gaze and spotted the crowd jammed in the doorway, chuckling softly. "They're a bit rowdy."

Yuan Rang gave a slight bow and said flatly, "Third Imperial Brother."

"The Crown Prince is heading south to Jiangnan soon. Want to go along?" Yuan Wu rubbed the jade pendant at his waist, his hawk-like eyes locked on Yuan Rang's face, as if searching for a flaw.

"When?" Yuan Rang seemed completely clueless.

Yuan Wu's hand paused on the jade, seemingly shocked he didn't even know about this. He chose his words carefully and said, "After the spring hunt."

"Your younger brother is still young and loves to play," Yuan Rang said softly, his face betraying no emotion. "Naturally, I don't wish to accompany the Crown Prince."

Yuan Wu thought for a moment, as if weighing how much of Yuan Rang's words was true and how much was fake.

Then he let out a hearty laugh, pleased with Yuan Rang's tact, and said, "Sixth Brother is still young—it's only natural to enjoy frolicking. Since Father entrusted this task to the Crown Prince, it's best we stay out of the way."

With that, he strode toward the door, a hint of smugness in his bearing.

Yuan Rang's face suddenly turned cold, his sharp aura sending a chill through anyone nearby.