Chapter 25: The King Walking a Bulldog
Inside the Sunset Pavilion, a young boy leaned against a dog, holding a brush and drawing as he mumbled childish words to himself.
The dog was obedient too. It simply lay there on the ground, letting him lean against it. Its tail swayed leisurely, and from time to time, it licked the boy’s face, drawing out bursts of giggles.
The years were peaceful and still, just like the life of an ordinary farmer’s child, warm and sweet.
The first thing King Qi Xiang noticed was the dog.
It looked… truly rather amusing. Its whole body was clearly white, yet it was evenly covered in black spots.
It really was rare. What kind of dog grew like this?
Only then did he look at the child leaning against the dog. He had to distinguish him for quite a while before uncertainly recognizing him. Was this not his youngest prince? He had not expected him to have grown this big already.
At that moment, the nearby palace attendant was about to go over and take the boy away. The Sunset Pavilion was the king’s favorite place. How could anyone be allowed to stay here on normal days? If they offended the king, no one could bear the responsibility.
Qi Xiang shook his head and walked over.
When Prince Ning heard the footsteps, he turned back to look and hurriedly stood up, extremely nervous and uneasy.
Although he lived in the palace, because his mother consort had no power and he himself was like a little transparent person, he could usually only look at his royal father from far away.
Affection within the royal family was thin. A loving father and filial son were already an extravagant hope.
“Fa… Father.”
Prince Ning even stammered over the words. It was only a form of address, yet it felt especially unfamiliar.
Compared to Prince Ning’s timid nervousness, the Dalmatian beside him became rather excited when it saw someone approaching. Its tail wagged rapidly, and it even wanted to run over and get close to the person.
Prince Ning tugged hard on the leash, his little face a little anxious, but he still said, “Father, Dalmatian doesn’t bite. Don’t be fooled by its size. It’s especially gentle, and it even has a spiritual nature.”
Qi Xiang waved at the guards who were about to step forward. Perhaps because he was too tired from handling state affairs today, or perhaps because the scene of his little son drawing just now had been too warm, Qi Xiang was unusually tolerant today. He could not help asking, “Is this dog yours?”
Prince Ning raised his head in surprise. His father was actually talking to him. He quickly replied, “It belongs to Chen Xiaobu from the Court Commandant’s residence. He lent it to me for a day.”
Qi Xiang nodded, then pointed at the things inside the Sunset Pavilion. “And what are these?”
Prince Ning hunched his shoulders nervously. “This is the drawing board Gan Thirteen from Duke Gan’s residence lent me to draw with. This is the flowerpot Shang Zhizhou from Duke Shang’s residence lent me. There’s a flower fairy growing inside.”
After saying that, he looked a little sad. “They treasure them very much. They only lent them to me for one day.”
Qi Xiang’s brows furrowed.
Everything was borrowed?
His son actually had to borrow all of it?
Seeing Prince Ning protecting the dog behind him, clearly liking it very much, Qi Xiang frowned and asked, “Did no one prepare these little things for you?”
Such audacity.
It was said that when a sovereign grew angry, ghosts and gods would be shaken. Prince Ning might have been too young to sense it, but the palace attendants around them trembled.
Prince Ning’s answer today might cause many people to lose their heads.
Prince Ning replied, “They can’t be bought at all.”
At the thought of this, his eyes reddened. All his grievances welled up at once.
Qi Xiang froze for a moment, then simply sat down on the stone stool beside him.
Prince Ning was feeling sad, so the strength with which he held the leash inevitably loosened. As a result, Dalmatian immediately pushed its head against Qi Xiang, wagging its tail and licking his hand.
Qi Xiang: “…”
The palace attendants: “…”
Prince Ning: “…”
Could this dog truly have a spiritual nature? It was actually so close to people.
To Qi Xiang, everyone in this world respected him and feared him. Even the people closest to him did not dare act like this toward him, and he did not dare be this close to anyone either.
The feeling was truly strange. He actually could not help rubbing Dalmatian’s head.
Once he started rubbing it, things became serious. He simply could not stop. It was too nice to rub.
As he rubbed the dog, he asked, “Tell me what happened.”
The Sunset Pavilion was filled with Prince Ning’s aggrieved voice.
“This dog was given by Brother Bai from the Court Commandant’s residence. Brother Bai is very nice. When the classmates in our schoolroom have birthdays, as long as they invite him, Brother Bai sees that we like exotic beasts and gives one as a gift.”
“I flipped through the almanac every day waiting for my birthday, but Mother Consort wouldn’t let anyone send Brother Bai an invitation. If no invitation is sent, how could someone forcefully send a gift on their own?”
Qi Xiang asked, “Why can others send invitations, but your mother consort would not allow it?”
Prince Ning: “…”
How was he supposed to say this?
If Crown Prince Jiao knew he had complained behind his back, life would become difficult for him and his mother consort in the future.
At that moment, a palace attendant stepped forward and whispered a few words beside Qi Xiang.
Qi Xiang’s expression did not change. He only said calmly, “Since when did the imperial family and the inner palace have to look to the crown prince’s expression?”
Hiss!
A group of people lowered their heads, staring straight ahead. They dared not speak and dared not listen.
Qi Xiang continued rubbing the dog. “When you return, have your mother consort send an invitation.”
Prince Ning cried. “But my birthday was yesterday.”
The time had already passed. Sending an invitation now—was it for Brother Bai to attend his birthday banquet next year? Was that not a little too early?
Qi Xiang: “…”
It was somewhat awkward.
Forgetting his youngest son’s birthday did make him seem rather cold-hearted. Although he knew that what happened now would not spread to anyone else’s ears, he still felt as if he owed the child something.
After thinking for a moment, he said, “How about Father grants you one request?”
Prince Ning immediately lifted his little head. “Really? Then can I go with Chen Xiaobu and the others outside the city to plant sunflowers? They said sunflowers grow facing the sun and are especially pretty.”
“No, wait. Father, can you allow me to attend the interest class that Chen Xiaobu, Gan Xin, and the Shang brothers are all attending? Most of the classmates in our schoolroom go there now. Every time I talk to them, I can barely join the conversation…”
What interest class?
The attendant beside him explained briefly.
Although Chen Bai’s identity as Lord Mountain had caused an uproar throughout Shangjing, to Qi Xiang, he had at most heard of it for amusement and then forgotten about it.
Now that the attendant mentioned it, he did have some impression.
The strange schoolhouse opened by that retainer in Prince Zheng’s residence?
Back when he heard of it, he had even frowned slightly. Ten taels of gold for tuition was truly absurd.
He had not expected…
Not only were the students flocking to it, even his own son was using his royal promise on this.
Qi Xiang hesitated for a moment. After all, a prince could not leave the city without permission, but he had already made a promise just now…
It was not a particularly serious request. He said one word: “Granted.”
Prince Ning was now overjoyed. He had originally thought he would never be able to go to the interest class with Chen Xiaobu and the others.
The only pity was that he did not have a dog.
The sunset fell in the west, and the evening glow was beautiful.
In other people’s eyes, today’s Emperor seemed a little different.
He and the little prince rubbed the dog until the sun went down.
Qi Xiang felt rather strange too. Ordinary fathers and sons probably interacted like this. It seemed to feel quite good.
He was the Emperor of Great Qian, devoted to being a good ruler for Great Qian. Some things had indeed been neglected.
Looking at Prince Ning obediently feeding the dog, his face filled with a child’s simple fondness and smile—not flattery, and not a false expression disguised by fear—Qi Xiang did not know what had come over him today, but his heart was rather touched.
After sending Prince Ning away, Qi Xiang suddenly said, “For the birthday banquet in one day, send Young Master Bai an invitation.”
It would also let the imperial family and the inner palace see clearly that one crown prince was not enough to make them act so timid and fearful. As long as one’s heart was set on what was good for Da Qian, there was no need for so many scruples.
…
One day later, a piece of news that shook the entire Shangjing spread everywhere.
For the king’s birthday banquet, an invitation had been sent to Chen Zixiu.
For a time, speculation ran wild. That was Chen Zixiu, the one who had disgraced the crown prince, ruined his future, and whom no one dared associate with.
What exactly did the Emperor mean by sending such an invitation?
Even the memorials that had been relentlessly attacking Court Commandant Chen suddenly decreased.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince’s residence fell completely silent. No matter how fiercely people outside discussed it, they did not dare make the slightest sound.
When Chen Bai received the invitation, he was also baffled. He could not figure it out at all.
A small figure like him could actually receive an invitation from the Emperor?
Of course, Court Commandant Chen and Lady Ronghua were certainly happy, though they could not figure out the reasoning either.
The guests invited to the Emperor’s birthday banquet were the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, and several important officials.
Although Chen Bai was also among those invited, at the banquet, he was a dispensable presence. He did not even see the Emperor’s face.
The way others looked at Chen Bai was strange.
His current situation was extremely special. No one dared come forward to chat with him, but of course, no one dared insult him either.
Chen Bai was also self-aware. He just had to endure the time. Once the banquet ended, he would leave. He was too lazy to stay here and let people watch him like a monkey.
As long as his etiquette was sufficient and he made no mistakes, that was enough.
As for what the entire banquet was like, he was not clear. In any case, he ate and drank by himself, then waited for the banquet to end. After Court Commandant Chen and Lady Ronghua came out, they returned home.
It felt like he had merely freeloaded a round of wine.
After the banquet ended, however, something was different inside the palace.
Qi Xiang looked at the gift list in his hand.
“One exotic beast from the outer lands, offered in celebration of the Emperor’s boundless longevity. Gift presented by Chen Zixiu of the Court Commandant’s residence.”
Qi Xiang looked at the gift list in his hand, then looked at the dog lying by his feet, biting his shoe. It had two donkey-like ears and an entirely black body.
He did not know whether to laugh or cry. “This Chen Zixiu… truly gives an exotic beast to anyone who sends him an invitation?”
The palace attendants around him also wore indescribable expressions. What exactly was Chen Zixiu doing?
But this exotic beast was truly… somewhat cute. It was chubby and even had donkey ears.
Still, sending it into the palace like this was somewhat improper. Were they really going to let the king raise a dog?
The mighty and imposing king walking a silly, adorable dog every day—that scene…
They could not help shuddering.
At that moment, Qi Xiang asked, “Did that Chen Zixiu say anything?”
“Young Master Bai said this exotic beast is called a bulldog. It is lazy by nature and easy to raise.”
The corners of Qi Xiang’s mouth twitched. Did he truly expect him to raise it?
Although, for some reason, deep down, he actually felt a little…
But he knew it was inappropriate.
At that moment, the attendant said, “Your Majesty, I will have someone send it away.”
Qi Xiang did not react. Instead, he bent down and picked up the dog.
It was fleshy and soft, and felt rather good to hold. Those donkey ears—why were they so funny?
Most importantly, it was close to people. Unlike other animals, it neither tried to flee in fear nor seemed completely unaware of fear.
The moment Qi Xiang held it, he knew this was a creature that understood human nature, not one of those emotionless beasts.
Look at this face, all wrinkled. Look at these eyes, as big as a bull’s.
“Your Majesty,” the attendant beside him called softly. How should they deal with this dog?
Qi Xiang hesitated for a moment. “Send it to Prince Ning. Hasn’t he always wanted to raise one? This should satisfy him. Let him raise it on my behalf.”
He was now an Emperor who had a dog.
Attendant: “…”
Raise it… on the Emperor’s behalf? Not bestow it upon Prince Ning?
Why did he feel as though he could not understand those words?
At that moment, Qi Xiang glanced at him. The attendant quickly lowered his head and went to handle the matter smoothly.
Over at Prince Ning’s side, Prince Ning’s mother consort had learned that the Emperor had actually met Prince Ning once at the Sunset Pavilion and had stayed with him for quite some time. While feeling delighted, she was also a little worried.
“In the future, don’t bring any exotic beasts near the Emperor again.”
If he wanted to approach, he should do so himself. What if he brought a dog and offended the Emperor?
Prince Ning thought grumpily to himself that even if he wanted to bring one, he had no chance anymore. Dalmatian had already been returned to Chen Xiaobu.
What a pity. He had even roasted so much jerky, following the dog-raising knowledge Brother Bai had spread, without adding any seasoning and slowly drying it over heat.
Just as they finished speaking, the palace attendant arrived.
“Oral decree from the king. Prince Ning is pure by nature, and his innocent heart is truly rare. Prince Ning is hereby specially assigned to raise one exotic beast on behalf of the king. Each day, when the sun slants westward, he may borrow the Sunset Pavilion to spend time with the exotic beast…”
The consort looked at Prince Ning holding the leash of the chubby exotic beast. Even after the attendant left, she still had not reacted.
The Emperor wanted Prince Ning to help raise the dog?
If that attendant had not been the Emperor’s personal attendant, she would never have believed it.
How had things suddenly turned out like this?
In the past, the Emperor had barely even seen Prince Ning a few times. For some reason, her eyes began to sting. People said that once one entered the palace, one would enjoy glory and wealth, but who knew the hardships within? Her son had been born and grown to this age, yet the number of times he had spoken to his father could be counted on one hand.
Prince Ning was also unbelievably shocked. As if he were dreaming, he looked at the exotic beast that kept biting his shoe.
This dog… How could this dog look like this? It was too cute. Oh my god, those trembling donkey ears, that plump black skin.
The next day, when Prince Ning led the bulldog into the schoolroom, things became lively.
“This is my royal father’s dog. Father asked me to help raise it. Father also agreed to let me go plant sunflowers with you all and attend the interest class…”
At such a young age, his face was already wrinkled from smiling.
Both of his wishes had come true. One could imagine how happy he was.
“It must have been Brother Bai’s gift at the king’s birthday banquet.”
“Even the Emperor sent Brother Bai an invitation…”
Some students who had not yet persuaded their families suddenly felt even more justified. They were already preparing to go home and argue with their parents.
“Its name is Bulldog. It especially likes biting the backs of shoes. What should I do?”
“Prince Ning, after school this afternoon, let’s go outside the city together to plant sunflowers.”
The group of students began chatting happily again.
After school, these students rode in carriages out of the city. When they reached the road sections they were responsible for, they took out digging tools and stuck out their little bottoms as they got to work, occasionally glancing at the notes they had written.
The people of Shangjing were all stunned.
Weren’t these the children of important court officials? What were they doing?
They looked like they were planting something along the road.
Some bold people could not help asking, and the young masters answered with smiles, “We’re planting suns. When autumn comes, this whole road will be full of suns.”
Planting suns?
The people of Shangjing laughed themselves silly. What nonsense was that?
Still, so many young masters planting some kind of “sun” along the road outside the city was quite astonishing. The news spread rapidly.
It even became one of Shangjing’s amusing stories. Of course, no one took it seriously.
Each person had to plant five hundred sunflower seeds. For these children, that would take several days.
Every day after returning home, they were inevitably questioned by their confused parents.
“How could there be a flower in this world that grows facing the sun?”
“And what do you all look like, carrying flowerpots to class every day? Do you really think you can grow flower fairies?”
Who knew where they had heard such strange tales?
The students were also full of determination. They had personally seen it inside that stone screen. They had to grow it and show the elders at home.
The matter caused quite a stir.
As for Chen Bai, he passed a few comfortable days, though he was not idle. Had he not said he would show the students a movie next time? He had to dub the whole thing by himself, which was no small project.
Fortunately, with a voice changer, even a grown man could dub a little girl’s voice. Everything was available.
While dubbing, he also had to… guide Qi Zheng in sketching online.
Ever since the last time Qi Zheng’s flowerpot drawing had been mocked by a group of students, that man had actually taken it seriously.
To be honest, Chen Bai had not expected that besides having a strange personality, Prince Zheng could also be so competitive.
In any case, Qi Zheng now requested a video call every day, always with a proper reason.
Lord Mountain had to avoid exposing his identity, so he could only appear once every five days on class days. Thus, he could only guide him online.
Qi Zheng’s attitude toward online lessons was… not bad.
His progress was also decent. At least the pot he drew now looked like a pot.
Qi Zheng held up the flowerpot he had just drawn for Chen Bai to see.
Chen Bai hummed. “It’s all right.”
As a result, Qi Zheng’s face darkened. “Perfunctory.”
He clearly had not even looked at it properly.
Chen Bai: “…”
These rich, spoiled young masters were truly hard to serve. He had already been on video for half the day. To be honest, even with his closest friends in the past, he had never video-called for this long.
However, after saying that, Qi Zheng did not continue dwelling on it. Instead, he took out his flowerpot. “How are my narcissus flowers growing? They’ve all sprouted.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Had Qi Zheng been so deprived from having no friends before?
Now that he had finally found an “online friend” who could talk through a phone and required no responsibility, that was why…
It was a little hard to refuse such enthusiasm.
If he ignored him, the other party would probably be very upset.
Qi Zheng, aside from his bad temper and his overly obvious difference in attitude toward different people, was actually not too bad.
How about bringing him along when playing?
Chen Bai looked up. “Prince Zheng, want to play ranked with me?”
Qi Zheng: “…”
What was that?
Chen Bai had originally planned to teach Qi Zheng how to install the game online, but the man was too stupid and fumbled for ages without managing to install it.
Then sorry.
“I’m going to play with my friends. You… keep drawing your flowerpot.”
Qi Zheng lowered his eyes. “You, a demon, actually have friends? It couldn’t be… Chen Zixiu, could it?”
Chen Bai was stunned. “Of course.”
If he was not friends with himself, was he supposed to be enemies with himself?
As a result, Qi Zheng hung up the video first.
Chen Bai: “…”
Damn it. When he needed someone to chat with, he solemnly called him “demon.” When he did not need him, he directly hung up on him.
No internet etiquette at all.
Chen Bai silently condemned him for a while, then continued finishing the movie dubbing he had not completed.
After he finished and was about to call his friend Tang Shen to play ranked, someone suddenly came from outside.
“Young Master, someone from the Second Prince’s residence requests your presence.” It was the steward of the Court Commandant’s residence.
Chen Bai froze. Qi Zheng was looking for him?
No, wait. His current identity was Young Master Bai. With this identity, Qi Zheng’s icy face had never even deigned to look at him.
Had the sun risen from the west today?
When he went out, it really was the steward from Qi Zheng’s residence. Even the carriage had been prepared. Judging from this posture, if he did not go, they might forcibly drag him there.
After Chen Bai left, Court Commandant Chen and Lady Ronghua were also full of confusion.
“When did Bai’er get involved with Prince Zheng?”
“Last time, it was also Prince Zheng who spoke on Bai’er’s behalf. Speaking of it, we still owe him a favor.”
Not only could they not figure it out, Chen Bai himself was also confused.
When he arrived at Qi Zheng’s residence, it became even more baffling.
When Chen Bai saw Qi Zheng, Qi Zheng was in the courtyard with a painting easel set up, drawing a flowerpot. Chen Bai had arrived, but Qi Zheng did not even lift his eyes.
He was left standing to the side, unable to stand comfortably or sit, awkward beyond words.
Chen Bai deliberately coughed twice, only to be glared at by the steward beside him. “Do not disturb His Highness.”
Fine. He did not believe Qi Zheng had failed to notice him.
Absolutely heartless.
How could one person’s personality be so split? He was definitely a pervert.
He stood there then. If a prince did not let him sit, could he find a seat on his own?
As Qi Zheng painted, however, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Chen Bai did not know how long he stood there before Qi Zheng finally spoke. “You’re here.”
Chen Bai’s body trembled. He nearly called him “Daddy.” He finally remembered him.
“I wonder why Your Highness summoned me?”
This was what confused him the most.
Qi Zheng said, “I heard Court Commandant Chen and Lady Ronghua are very worried about your future.”
What? Chen Bai was a little dazed.
He was someone whose future had been completely ruined. It was only natural for his parents to worry, but what did that have to do with Qi Zheng?
“I have a post here. How about handing it to you?”
Chen Bai thought, Not interested. Qi Zheng was so difficult to get along with. Was he supposed to jump into the pit himself?
Besides, for a lone star of calamity like Qi Zheng to suddenly take the initiative to find a post for Chen Zixiu? It would probably rain blood from the sky.
Chen Bai said directly, “Thank you for Your Highness’s kind intentions, but Shangjing cannot tolerate me for now. I will not add trouble for Your Highness.”
Qi Zheng hummed. “Then it’s settled. From now on, you will work at my side.”
“My fief has only just been established, and I happen to need a Tongzhi Lang. Speaking of which, this Tongzhi Lang is also a local official appointed by the court. Each fief recommends the candidate itself. Even other sons of the Nine Ministers’ families usually start from such an official post when first entering court service.”
Tongzhi Lang was a civil official. Its duties were roughly to report local conditions to the higher authorities. As Qi Zheng said, when the children of the Nine Ministers first entered official service, most began with this kind of post. It was proper and standard. However, given Chen Bai’s current situation, it was basically impossible for him to obtain such a position.
Only, Chen Bai had been beaten senseless by this sudden blow from Qi Zheng. What was going on?
He had not asked Qi Zheng, as Lord Mountain, to plan a future for him. Besides, he had clearly just refused so directly. Why did Qi Zheng not understand human speech?
Qi Zheng continued, “There is nothing in my fief right now, so I don’t need you to run back and forth reporting anything. You also don’t need to come every day to answer roll call. What you need to do is… be available whenever summoned. If I want you to appear before me within fifteen minutes, you must not be late by even a tiny bit.”
“I’ll say the ugly words first. It is such a simple requirement. If you cannot do even this, don’t blame me for being rude, and forget any talk of a future…”
Chen Bai: “No, I—”
As a result, Qi Zheng lowered his head and continued drawing his flowerpot. The steward beside him glared at Chen Bai. “Do not disturb His Highness.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Could one be forced into becoming an official?
Besides, he was at least the eldest son of the Court Commandant’s residence, one of the Nine Ministers. Was Prince Zheng not afraid people would suspect him?
And with his reputation being like dog shit, did Prince Zheng not find it smelly to get involved with him?
No, wait. What move was Prince Zheng making? He could not understand it at all.
Chen Bai was utterly confused, and Qi Zheng ignored him.
He stood there like a wooden stake. No one paid attention to him.
Qi Zheng was making him come here just for this?
Most importantly, he was not allowed to speak. He could not even object or argue?
Qi Zheng did not only draw flowerpots. He also had other things to do. He merely said, “Follow me.”
Chen Bai: “…”
He understood one truth: there was simply no reasoning with someone who refused to allow any rebuttal.
The only meaningful thing about coming here was that he finally saw the potatoes Qi Zheng had planted inside his residence.
The patch of land was fairly large, and the potatoes in the field were already lush and green. Judging from their appearance, they were growing well.
As long as they continued like this, the harvest should be decent.
Chen Bai was only allowed to leave after following Qi Zheng around to inspect these potatoes. By then… the sky was almost dark.
When he returned to the Court Commandant’s residence, he was summoned by Court Commandant Chen. This was the first time Court Commandant Chen had taken the initiative to call for him.
“What is going on? Why did the Second Prince’s residence send over the official robe and seal of Tongzhi Lang for his fief? The appointment document bears your name.”
Tongzhi Lang was a local official. It only had to be reported to the court for record.
Chen Bai thought, Asking him? He was still confused himself.
He replied, “This doesn’t seem appropriate, does it? If people find out, won’t they think our Court Commandant’s residence has sided with the Second Prince? How about we go tell Prince Zheng that we don’t want this office?”
Court Commandant Chen said in annoyance, “Do you think I didn’t think of that? I had someone return it, but they couldn’t return it. If we try again, it will mean completely falling out with him.”
This Prince Zheng’s way of doing things was truly forceful, leaving no room at all…
Chen Bai opened his mouth. The two of them stared at each other, wide-eyed.
What exactly was Qi Zheng planning?
Did he dare openly win over the Court Commandant’s residence, one of the Nine Ministers? Was he tired of living?
He could not figure it out.
Court Commandant Chen could not get an answer either, so he could only let Chen Bai leave.
This matter still had to be resolved with a proper method. Forcefully returning it was definitely inappropriate.
As soon as Chen Bai returned to his own courtyard, he opened the video call and asked somewhat impatiently, “Why did you make such arrangements for Young Master Bai?”
Qi Zheng’s face was expressionless. “Why not? I see that you are very attentive toward this believer of yours. You’ve helped me quite a lot as well, so consider it my way of repaying your favor.”
Chen Bai frowned. Was that really the reason?
Repaying a favor by repaying it to his believer? What kind of operation was that?
Qi Zheng’s logic did not make sense.
He tried probing from the side, but in the end, he could not get anything out of him.
Instead, Qi Zheng took out the flowerpot he had drawn again and asked Chen Bai to appraise it.
Chen Bai: “…”
He had watched Qi Zheng draw it with his own eyes. What else was there to appraise?
The next day, after classes at Shangjing Academy ended, Chen Bai had finished dubbing the movie and was very relaxed. He was preparing to play a game.
As a result, Qi Zheng sent a voice message asking for a video call.
After Chen Bai opened the video, he said, “What is it? I was just about to play a game with my friend.”
Qi Zheng hummed. “Nothing.”
Then he hung up the video call.
Chen Bai thought, Good, if it’s nothing. He had not been able to play ranked for ages, and this season was about to end.
As a result, he had only gotten halfway through his first match when the steward arrived.
“Someone from Prince Zheng’s residence came to pass on a message. They say the Tongzhi Lang of their residence is to go over.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Wasn’t he the Tongzhi Lang?
He looked at the sky outside. At this hour?
He had no choice but to go. Who asked the other party to be a prince? Class hierarchy really killed people.
When he arrived at the Second Prince’s residence, Qi Zheng’s expression was clearly somewhat poor. “Why did you arrive so late?”
This…
His ranked match had been halfway through, and he did not want to screw over his teammates, so he had left only after finishing. But he had not delayed by more than a few minutes. He had hurried on the road.
Was Qi Zheng so angry because he had something important to ask him?
He could not help asking, “May I ask what urgent matter Your Highness summoned me for so late?”
Qi Zheng raised his brows coldly. “Nothing. Do I need a reason to summon an official of my fief?”
Chen Bai: “…”
&^&&&
So he had deliberately called him over for amusement?
“On the contrary, you. What did I tell you last time? I told you to be available whenever summoned. If I said you must arrive within fifteen minutes, you cannot delay by even half a moment. Did you manage that?”
Chen Bai: “…”
He finally understood why Qi Zheng had suddenly given him an official post. It was to toy with him.
What a perverted hobby of a spoiled noble.
The key was that he still could not resist.
Qi Zheng’s face darkened. “You will face the wall for one hour as punishment, as a warning to others. If you commit the offense again next time, I will not let you off lightly.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Wuwuwu.
This damn pervert Qi Zheng. His hobbies were truly deranged.
…
Over the next few days, every time Chen Bai was about to play a game with his friends, he would receive Qi Zheng’s summons. With the previous lesson in mind, he did not dare delay, and almost ran his legs off.
Every time Qi Zheng saw Chen Bai rushing over drenched in sweat, the corners of his mouth would lift slightly.
Really, he never once asked him to do anything serious. He just made him run back and forth.
Chen Bai even felt a little dazed. Had he just become an official of Great Qian? Although he was only an official under Qi Zheng’s residence, he was still an official, wasn’t he? His appointment had even been reported to the court. Even though he felt no official authority at all, had no subordinates, and only had one difficult superior above him.
When Chen Bai was hurrying to Qi Zheng’s residence today, the streets of Shangjing were packed with people.
After listening briefly, he learned that the crown prince and envoys of Great Zhao were entering the city, and the Emperor had arranged people to welcome them.
Chen Bai inevitably paid a little extra attention.
The person in charge of welcoming them was Crown Prince Jiao. But…
What was with those children standing in a proud, spirited row behind him, each leading a dog? They were standing right at the front of the welcoming procession.
A husky, a corgi, an Old English sheepdog, a Dalmatian, and a bulldog…
Oh my god. So eye-catching.
This had also been arranged by the Emperor. Otherwise, they could not possibly have stood here together so neatly.
When foreign envoys arrived, Great Qian had to display its dignity, strength, and etiquette.
To be honest, those dogs standing there were more attention-grabbing than anything else.
Several carriages from Great Zhao arrived.
The carriage at the very front belonged to Great Zhao’s crown prince, Sudan.
Chen Bai glanced over. Crown Prince Sudan had just lifted the carriage curtain to look at the dogs.
Chen Bai could not help freezing for a moment, because this Crown Prince Sudan looked refined and gentle, like a delicate pretty boy. Chen Bai had originally thought that people of this era were all like those in Great Qian—even scholars carried a certain lean sharpness.
So it turned out they were not. As expected, one’s immediate surroundings were not the whole world.
The carriage stopped, and Crown Prince Sudan stepped down. A dozen or so retainers followed behind him, their eyes unable to help drifting toward the dogs.
“To think Great Qian has such lively exotic beasts. Rare indeed in this world.”
On Great Qian’s side, Crown Prince Jiao froze. These dogs had all come from Chen Zixiu. How could he possibly have a good impression of them? The moment these people of Great Zhao arrived, they actually praised the dogs.
The crown prince of Great Zhao had spoken first, which could be considered a polite compliment. By rights, Crown Prince Jiao should have immediately responded and returned the courtesy.
But Crown Prince Jiao disliked them in his heart, so naturally, he was a step too slow.
This made the retainers behind Crown Prince Sudan of Zhao frown. Great Qian was relying on its strong military power and being far too rude. They would not even respond to their crown prince’s words.
Crown Prince Jiao had indeed hesitated. Someone had praised dogs he disliked. Could he immediately go along with it? In the past, others had always flattered him. When had he ever flattered anyone else?
Still, he certainly did not dare neglect national etiquette, so he was just about to speak.
But a quick-tempered retainer behind Crown Prince Sudan of Zhao spoke first. “Why do I not see many learned scholars of great renown in Great Qian’s ranks? Our crown prince admires great learning and came to Great Qian precisely to broaden his horizons.”
The smiles on the surrounding people’s faces stiffened.
Everyone knew that Great Qian’s literary education was not flourishing. The welcoming procession was indeed full of military nobles.
How could he so directly say that he had come specifically to see Great Qian’s learned scholars? Was that not slapping them in the face?
There was a blade hidden in his words, sharp enough to cut the skin. Although it was phrased as a question, who could not hear the ridicule within?
In the past, scholars from various countries had often mocked Great Qian this way, but to openly mock them in Shangjing, in front of Great Qian’s crown prince, was truly a first.
The words Crown Prince Jiao was about to say were forcibly blocked back.
The atmosphere became somewhat unpleasant, even though the two sides had only just met.
In such diplomatic contact, both sides needed to maintain proper etiquette without losing dignity.
Fortunately, an old man behind Crown Prince Jiao, the Consultant Minister Zhou Shiwang, saw that Crown Prince Jiao’s expression was wrong and overstepped slightly to say, “The envoy of Zhao jests. Great Qian’s renowned scholars have long been waiting. If Crown Prince Sudan wishes to visit them, arrangements can be made at any time.”
Although Great Qian had few renowned scholars, it was not as if they had none. He only feared that the visitors would not have time to visit them one by one.
However, he had not expected that Crown Prince Sudan would truly visit them one by one afterward. And after being visited, Great Qian’s renowned scholars all suddenly shut their doors and stopped receiving visitors.
At this moment, Crown Prince Zhao suddenly smiled. “That would be excellent.”
This made the people of Great Qian freeze. What did he mean?
They still did not know that the casual words they had spoken had been taken seriously.
With a topic opened, both sides finally began exchanging formal pleasantries.
Only, no matter how one listened, there were hidden barbs in their words.
Chen Bai thought, The relationship between Great Zhao and Great Qian is complicated. He wondered what this sudden visit from Crown Prince Zhao was really for.
Crown Prince Zhao seemed rather interested in those dogs, but every time he had only just brought them up, Crown Prince Jiao diverted the topic.
“The envoys of Zhao must be weary from the journey. How about following us to the guest residence first to rest?”
Sudan: “…”
He looked a little reluctant.
Although the children holding the dogs could not directly speak with Crown Prince Zhao, Sudan still heard some strange words from them.
“We also have divine birds, peacocks.”
“We also have a whole mountain of rabbits.”
Chen Bai watched the crowd leave and quickly started running. There was not enough time. If he was late, who knew what method Qi Zheng would think of to torment him.
In the end, when he arrived at Qi Zheng’s residence, Qi Zheng said directly, “The day after tomorrow, you don’t need to stay by my side.”
Chen Bai thought, The day after tomorrow, he really did have to stay by Qi Zheng’s side, because he would be using his Lord Mountain identity to teach.
“If there is nothing else, may I go back first?” Chen Bai asked.
Qi Zheng looked at the sky. “Stand here.”
Chen Bai: “…”
There was nothing to do, yet he would not let him go back and play a game? Would that kill him? Making people stand as punishment every day—Qi Zheng’s hobby was truly abnormally perverse.
He inevitably had to use Lord Mountain’s identity that night to complain to him and reason with him.
Only, he did not know whether it was an illusion, but the more he reasoned with Qi Zheng and complained, the more intensely Qi Zheng punished Chen Zixiu.
The next day, Chen Bai went to Shangjing Academy for class as usual.
He had originally thought it would be an ordinary day.
As a result, at noon, he heard an earth-shaking piece of news.
Crown Prince Sudan of Zhao had gone to visit Great Qian’s renowned scholars one by one, saying that Crown Prince Jiao had agreed to it on the spot yesterday.
In the end, every residence of a renowned scholar he visited began closing its doors. He visited one, and one closed its gates.
It was said that a message had spread: as long as Crown Prince Sudan remained in Shangjing, they no longer had the face to open their doors and step outside.
It caused an enormous sensation.
It was said that Crown Prince Zhao was now heading toward Shangjing Academy.
Chen Bai also found this extremely astonishing. What exactly had this Crown Prince Zhao done to make Great Qian’s renowned scholars too ashamed to leave their homes?
The students in the schoolroom all surged outside, apparently wanting to see whether Crown Prince Zhao had truly come.
But there was no need to run, because Crown Prince Zhao really had entered Shangjing Academy with a group of retainers.
“We have long heard that Great Qian’s Shangjing Academy is where Great Qian’s scholars gather. Our crown prince, Sudan, has admired it for a long time and has specially come to visit all the renowned scholars.”
The voice spread out. It belonged to one of Sudan’s retainers.
Silence fell.
Was this not the Crown Prince Zhao who made every scholar he visited shut their doors?
Did he actually want Shangjing Academy to shut its doors as well?
Chen Bai frowned. The Zhao envoys had stirred up such a great commotion and made Great Qian lose face like this. Was it truly unintentional? Or were they using this to achieve some goal?
Chen Bai looked at Qi Zheng. Qi Zheng had once been a hostage in Great Zhao for eight years. He should know something about Crown Prince Sudan.
He could not help thickening his skin and asking, “What kind of person is this Crown Prince Sudan of Zhao?”
Qi Zheng seemed to be thinking about something, yet unexpectedly, he answered, “A talent that shocks the world. No one can surpass him.”
At this moment, the masters of Shangjing Academy were also gathered together, and the atmosphere was rather oppressive.
“Has any news come back from those residences that have shut their doors?”
A person standing beside them, whose forehead was still covered in sweat, answered, “They all sent back the same sentence: A sage has descended to the world. No one can rival him. Whatever contest he proposes, do not agree.”
