Chapter 8: Here He Comes
The next day, Chen Bai carried one hundred jin of potatoes onto a carriage, preparing to hand them directly to Qi Zheng.
At the entrance of Shangjing Academy, Chen Bai told Chen Xiaobu to go in first while he waited for Qi Zheng.
When Qi Zheng arrived, Chen Bai pushed the potatoes down from the carriage. “Mountain Lord asked me to give these to you.”
Qi Zheng’s expression changed. He hurriedly had someone move the whole sack onto his own carriage, acting as if he were a thief.
Could he let anyone know about this thing? This was the trump card he was preparing to use to crush Crown Prince Jiao.
Chen Bai shrugged. What was there to be afraid of? Even if someone saw it, they would not know what it was.
Qi Zheng hesitated for a moment, then said, “If you run into any trouble in the future, you may have someone from Yun Shangjin pass a message to me.”
At least he was keeping his promise.
The two entered the academy. Qi Zheng inevitably used the crowd attracted by Chen Bai again and began recruiting retainers.
Unfortunately, it was useless.
Over the past few days, Chen Bai had also heard some news. Apparently, someone had spread the word that Qi Zheng’s fief was so barren it was nothing but wild hills and wasteland, and even its subjects were just refugees who had temporarily fled there.
With conditions like that, of course no one would ruin their own future by becoming his retainer.
And it was said that Crown Prince Jiao’s residence would be recruiting another batch of retainers and strategists. The students at the academy were all waiting for that. Who would pay attention to Qi Zheng?
Chen Bai glanced at Qi Zheng, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and thought to himself that if personally coming here to recruit people had any use, it would not have failed for so many days.
However, he himself was already a joke now. It seemed a little inappropriate to laugh at Qi Zheng.
He controlled his expression. He was just air.
When they walked into the classroom, Qi Zheng’s cold, sharp aura actually made the whole room fall silent.
So strange. It made people’s hair stand on end.
Suddenly, someone spoke, probably trying to ease the atmosphere. He looked at Chen Bai and said, “Young Master Bai, you get cursed at every day, yet you can still come to class as if nothing happened. I have never seen anyone so shameless.”
Chen Bai: “…”
Damn it. The daily routine had started again. Would these people die if they went a single day without using him as a target?
And within three sentences, they would definitely start lifting benches to fight.
Chen Bai put his food box to one side first. If it got knocked over, there would be nothing to eat.
Just as he was about to stand, an extremely irritated voice sounded.
“Noisy.”
After Qi Zheng said that, he added, “Is the classroom a place for you to fight?”
Everyone: “…”
If anyone else had said that, fine. But Prince Zheng was the one who disobeyed classroom discipline the most. Hearing such words from him was truly baffling.
Was he throwing a tantrum because he could not recruit retainers? Chen Bai had benefited from it.
Chen Bai: “…”
Did this mean he did not have to fight today?
This bodyguard was excellent.
Sure enough, until the teacher arrived, no one caused trouble. With Qi Zheng’s sour face, he looked like anyone who dared disturb him would suffer.
Even the teacher paused. Why was the classroom so neat today?
Over the past few days, every time he came in, there would definitely be broken desks and benches all over the floor, with books and bamboo slips scattered everywhere.
He muttered, “How strange.”
Chen Bai felt relaxed today. As long as there was no fighting, he found the academy’s lessons rather interesting.
As for Qi Zheng not being able to recruit retainers and whether he was happy or not, that had nothing to do with him.
Could Qi Zheng be happy? Tomorrow was the day he would establish his residence.
The only fortunate thing was that he still had a few relatively loyal retainers who could barely help him keep up appearances.
But he had celebrated too early.
The next day was the day the Second Prince’s Residence would hang its plaque and formally open.
In other words, it was the day Qi Zheng established his residence.
Yet his only few retainers did not come. Not a single one.
These people were loyal. It was impossible for this to happen unless they had been temporarily detained.
They would probably be released once today passed.
But what was he supposed to do today? Today, in front of everyone, he had to register his retainers and strategists in the official roster.
A dignified prince. If not a single retainer or strategist appeared…
Qi Zheng had worn an icy expression since early morning.
Someone was determined to make him lose face today.
Many people had come outside the Second Prince’s Residence. Whether they had come to offer congratulations or watch a joke was hard to say.
Chen Bai was dragged by Chen Xiaobu into a teahouse, where they sat by the window.
“Brother, I’ll treat you to tea today.”
That was what his mouth said, but he himself was lying against the window, standing on tiptoe to watch the bustle outside. “The classmates in my classroom said Prince Zheng is going to lose a lot of face today when he registers the names of his retainers. I wonder where they got that news.”
Chen Bai shook his head. No wonder Chen Xiaobu had insisted on dragging him out today. Chen Xiaobu was still too young. Without Chen Bai accompanying him, he could not leave the residence alone.
This little gossip-lover had actually come to watch someone else make a fool of himself.
Today was a rest day for Shangjing Academy, so there were no classes.
Chen Bai poured himself a cup of tea, then looked out the window.
It was indeed lively. Those who had delivered congratulatory gifts had not left either. Everyone seemed to understand each other without saying it aloud. They were all waiting for something.
Qi Zheng stood there, his face expressionless.
The steward beside him was so anxious that sweat poured down like rain. “Your Highness, it is… it is time to register the retainers.”
In Great Qian, nobles kept “men of talent,” and this was originally something worth showing off. But today, he feared…
“Your Highness, why don’t we cancel this part?”
It would be better than having not a single name written in the register and becoming the laughingstock of all Shangjing.
Qi Zheng thought to himself that if things could be solved so simply, that would be good. But how could certain people possibly be allowed to get their way?
Sure enough, the crowd watching the show suddenly parted. A man in a crimson python robe, moving with the bold stride of a dragon and tiger, walked out surrounded by a group of people.
“Imperial Brother is a little late for Imperial Brother’s residence-opening ceremony today. Hurry and present the gift I prepared.”
“Luckily, I still made it in time. It should now be time for Imperial Brother to register the names of the retainers and strategists in his residence, yes? Imperial Brother once journeyed far to Great Zhao and made great contributions to the friendship between the two nations. I believe retainers and strategists must be rushing here to serve you. Let your elder brother broaden his horizons.”
What an open and upright gentleman he seemed, looking as though he had sincerely come to offer congratulations.
Inside the teahouse, Chen Bai shot to his feet.
His nails dug into the flesh of his palms without him noticing. The corners of his eyes turned red. “Crown Prince Jiao!”
That man in the python robe was none other than the culprit who had set him up, ruined him, and caused him to be spat on even when walking down the street.
His stomach was full of grievances, with nowhere to pour them out.
Chen Bai stared through gritted teeth. Some things would explode no matter how hard they were suppressed.
What a smug and triumphant Crown Prince Jiao. His glory made people feel unwilling, especially that falsely righteous appearance of his. It was truly disgusting. He was clearly a venomous snake with fangs, yet no one knew it.
Chen Bai glanced at Chen Xiaobu, who was watching with great interest, and quietly withdrew from the room. He asked the servant waiting at the door to go in and look after him, then took out his phone and walked out.
First, Chen Bai covered himself up and bought a mask from a street stall.
Then he entered a clothing shop and bought a deep crimson robe.
In an empty alley, he put on the mask and changed into the red robe.
To conceal his eyes, he even specially bought a pair of disposable colored contacts.
No matter how one looked at him, he gave off an eerie, mysterious air.
At this moment, things on Qi Zheng’s side had reached a fever pitch.
Crown Prince Jiao was wearing a face full of “confusion.” He looked at the time and said, “Imperial Brother, if you do not register your retainers and strategists soon, the auspicious hour will pass.”
He lived in the Eastern Palace and was busy with state affairs. It was perfectly reasonable that he did not know Prince Zheng’s situation. This was exactly what the watching crowd was thinking.
In everyone’s eyes, Crown Prince Jiao had come to congratulate Qi Zheng on opening his residence, which already fulfilled the “elder brother’s kindness” part of brotherly harmony.
Crown Prince Jiao even said with considerable surprise, “Imperial Brother, why do I not see the retainers of your residence? According to custom, when registering them, you should introduce them as well.”
Qi Zheng looked at the hypocritical performance opposite him. This man’s public face and private face were truly displayed to perfection. It was as disgusting as eating a dead fly.
In truth, Crown Prince Jiao’s intention to deliberately make things difficult was already very obvious. It was just that no one would believe it.
If Qi Zheng did not lose all face today, the other party would probably not let this go.
The surrounding people also began discussing softly.
“I thought the rumors in the marketplace were fake. I didn’t expect there truly isn’t a single retainer. There is no wind without waves. I wonder what insider leaked the news.”
“A dignified prince, yet not a single person is willing to attach themselves to him. It seems there really is a reason why the king dislikes him.”
“Doesn’t this perfectly prove the rumors that he is a lone star of misfortune? That is the fate of one who curses his six kin.”
The idle chatter was lively indeed.
The corner of Crown Prince Jiao’s mouth lifted ever so slightly. Then, with a face full of surprise, he said, “Surely Imperial Brother’s retainers and strategists have not… not a single one of them come?”
The people around them were also waiting for Qi Zheng’s answer. Even the murmurs quieted down.
After today, Prince Zheng would probably become an enormous joke.
But at that moment, the crowd suddenly parted.
Someone beat gongs and drums. Someone stretched out his clear, booming voice and shouted loudly, “Mountain Lord presents a gift!”
“Congratulations to Prince Zheng on the auspicious day of establishing his residence!”
“…”
Everyone froze. What was going on?
Mountain Lord?
Why did that name sound familiar? A few days ago, had it not been widely rumored that Prince Zheng had obtained a divine painting, and the signature on the painting seemed to be Mountain Lord?
Countless eyes looked over in unison.
It was a group of people. With great fanfare, they carried a sedan chair. In front, people beat gongs and drums to clear the way. Behind, people carried poles with loads that should be congratulatory gifts.
Qi Zheng was also shocked. Mountain Lord? Could it be that demon… had come?
When the group reached the front of the residence, the most nervous person was actually Qi Zheng, because he knew what that demon looked like: cat ears, pointed chin, and a face that could bewitch all living beings.
If others saw that, things would not be as simple as excitement.
Qi Zheng was a little puzzled. What was this demon trying to do? Had he truly come to congratulate him?
The sedan chair stopped and was set down on the ground.
The man in front of the sedan chair shouted with great vigor. Chen Bai had paid him very generously.
Without waiting for anyone to react, the man announced in a booming voice, “Mountain Lord presents a gift: one chest of exquisite utensils unparalleled in the world.”
This was the gift list being announced.
In truth, there was no need for him to shout. From the moment Chen Bai’s ostentatious sedan chair entered everyone’s sight, all eyes had already turned toward the carrying poles.
Because the loads had not been covered, and the things inside… were far too eye-catching.
Exquisite utensils unparalleled in the world?
In reality, they were just bowls and plates Chen Bai had bought online. Each one cost a little over ten yuan, and together they filled an entire chest.
He had specifically chosen those translucent porcelain bowls—the kind that caught the light and looked especially beautiful.
Though each one only cost a dozen yuan or so, they were as dazzling as works of art. The technology and craftsmanship far surpassed this era. To the people of this time, did they not look just like rare treasures?
They were even prettier than any jade.
Just imagine if someone used exquisite warm jade to make a bowl. Putting aside the godlike craftsmanship required, the thought alone would already be enough to shock the world.
And now, there was an entire chest of them.
Everyone’s gazes refused to leave that chest for even a moment. No one even blinked. For a while, no one paid attention to the matter of retainers anymore.
Crown Prince Jiao frowned slightly. He had prepared for many days, all so he could trample Qi Zheng into the mud today. He had not expected such a scene to appear and suppress the topic so much.
What an excellent way to shift attention.
Qi Zheng was no fool either. He had the steward beside him receive the gifts and insisted that the items be carried into the residence one by one.
Under the sunlight, the never-before-seen utensils reflected a soft, dazzling glow. Whether in color or material, they were probably worthy of the phrase “unparalleled under heaven.”
The crowd began discussing animatedly.
“Who exactly is Mountain Lord? First there was that divine painting no one had ever seen before, and now he has sent so many exquisite utensils no one has ever seen either.”
In the future, besides discussing how Qi Zheng had established his residence without even a single retainer, people would probably also have to add these exquisite utensils to the conversation.
At that moment, Chen Bai happened to step down from the sedan chair.
Dressed in a red robe, he looked strange, dazzling, and unlike ordinary people. Just this outfit alone would make him stand apart from the crowd, like a crane among chickens.
Qi Zheng did not know whether it was a psychological effect, but that was what he thought.
The first thing Qi Zheng looked at was Chen Bai’s ears. After all, his face was covered by a mask, but his ears could not be hidden.
He did not know why he was so nervous, but after looking, he could not help letting out a breath of relief. Fortunately, no cat ears had appeared.
But he was absolutely certain that the one who had stepped down from the sedan chair was a demon.
Chen Bai happened to face Qi Zheng as he stepped down, and because Qi Zheng observed him very carefully, he quickly noticed something subtle.
The newcomer’s eyes were wrong.
They were brown eyes, with pupils like blooming flowers.
This… was definitely not something human eyes should have.
It really was that demon.
