Chapter 6: Teaching

Zhao Yan felt as if she were in a dream, asking the eunuch holding the dust brush beside her persistently.

The old eunuch smiled and repeated clearly, “His Highness Prince Su is appointed as both the Crown Prince’s tutor and the assistant to the Crown Prince by His Majesty himself.”

He was capable of instilling fear in fifth-rank courtiers with a single word and making the entire imperial city tremble with just a stomp of his foot.

To entrust the power to an unrelated prince to assist the still inexperienced Crown Prince was akin to handing hostages over for manipulation. What was Father Emperor thinking?

Underneath his dark-colored civil and military robes, a glimpse of blood-red inner garments could be seen, elegant and luxurious. His demeanor remained relaxed and composed, his countenance gentle and harmless. Yet Zhao Yan could not retrieve the same indifferent state of mind she had when they first met in the warm pavilion. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of oppression, as if drowning in water, making it hard to breathe.

As Wen Renlin stood before her, he paused for a moment, then raised his arm slightly. Underneath his tightly bound martial sleeves, his hand, with prominent veins, was slender yet powerful.

Zhao Yan remembered the splattering blood at Changqing Gate, her heartstrings tightening involuntarily. Yet the hand that held the power of life and death only naturally rested on her thickly-collared shoulder.

Without exerting much force, Wen Renlin’s grip on her shoulder made her feel a chill from the depths of her heart. Zhao Yan turned her head, pretending to cough and avoiding it, softly saying, “Thank you, Prince Su, for your understanding.”

The warmth of his palm was fleeting, as Wen Renlin loosened his grip, seemingly unconcerned.

The little prince had a frail frame, akin to that of a woman, as if he could be crushed with a little effort. How could such narrow shoulders bear the tumultuous storms of this chaotic world?

Leaning in closer, Wen Renlin extended his long arm from behind, reaching over the prince’s ear, using a white jade paperweight to smooth out the paper in front of her inch by inch.

Feeling the slight tremble of her slender figure, a hint of intensity flickered in his eyes.

“I was rushed into this assignment, and the Ministry of Rites has not made preparations. Therefore, there won’t be a formal ceremony for me to pay respects today. First, the Crown Prince will write an essay, and I’ll assess the level of your talent before offering guidance.”

The phrase “offering guidance” rolled off his tongue particularly naturally and slowly, as if it were just a casual remark.

There were no outsiders in the Chongwen Hall, yet what she discussed with Master Wen yesterday now spilled from Wen Renlin’s mouth…

The surveillance network of the Prince Su’s Mansion was indeed terrifyingly sensitive!

“Prince Su is thoughtful.”

Zhao Yan sat upright, even more cautiously than when she faced the Emperor, afraid of revealing any clues. Wen Renlin smiled ambiguously, tilting his head slightly as he continued to smooth the paper.

“What guilty deeds has the Crown Prince committed?”

His posture was extremely close, his deep voice sounding as if it were echoing against her earlobes. “Otherwise, why would you be so nervous upon seeing me?”

Stay calm…

Don’t panic.

Zhao Yan maintained her composure, imitating the mild demeanor of Crown Prince Zhao Yan, and said, “Prince Su’s reputation precedes him, making it hard for me not to feel nervous.”

Wen Renlin chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.

“As the sword of the Emperor, I only strike at those who harbor dark secrets in secret chambers.”

His hand continued to grind the ink without pause, his breath barely noticeable as he asked, “The Crown Prince surely has no hidden secrets to keep from Prince Su, right?”

Suppressing the urge to shiver, Zhao Yan answered meticulously, “I am young and ignorant, struggling just to stay alive. What secrets could I possibly keep from Prince Su?”

Wen Renlin gazed at her silently.

After a moment, he suddenly raised his eyebrows and smiled, as if the chilly oppression just now had been nothing more than a harmless jest.

“It was just a jest, and the Crown Prince took it seriously.”

Wen Renlin leisurely dipped his brush in ink and handed it over to the visibly frightened little prince.

How could Zhao Yan dare to touch the paper and pen he handed over?

She could only resort to her old trick, coughing lightly into her fist, pressing it against her lips, and weakly saying, “These consecutive cold days have weakened me, and I fear I cannot produce any good writing.”

Wen Renlin nodded and withdrew the brush, saying, “It’s because I didn’t consider it carefully enough.”

Huh, he’s surprisingly easy to talk to?

Doubts arose in Zhao Yan’s heart. She stole a glance and saw Wen Renlin’s right hand, which had just placed down the brush, make a turn and reach towards her wrist.

Her eyelids twitched, and Zhao Yan quickly withdrew her hand into her sleeve, softly asking, “What is Prince Su doing?”

As she pulled away, Wen Renlin’s fingertips grazed the back of her hand, sending a shiver down her spine, chilling her to the bone.

His hand had absolutely no warmth.

Wen Renlin paused slightly, slowly lifting his eyelids to examine her. “I have some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and can feel the Crown Prince’s pulse to provide some basic treatment.”

Zhao Yan gritted her teeth inwardly, realizing her little trick was insignificant in front of Wen Renlin.

The pulse reflects one’s life, and whether one is healthy or not can be determined with just a touch, let alone the fact that the pulses of men and women inherently differ in yin and yang.

She smiled less naturally, wrapping her fox fur cloak tighter around her, and said, “It’s the duty of the Imperial Hospital to take care of me. Such trivial matters… Prince Su need not trouble himself.”

“The well-being of the Crown Prince is crucial to the stability of the country and cannot be considered trivial.”

Wen Renlin maintained the appearance of a dignified gentleman, but a hint of inscrutable darkness flickered in his eyes. “Or does the Crown Prince think that I, Prince Su, am inferior to even the mediocre doctors of the Imperial Hospital?”

Zhao Yan’s throat felt dry, but she forced herself to remain composed. “Given my current situation, Prince Su should be aware. Having narrowly escaped death not long ago, if any mishap were to occur during Prince Su’s treatment, it might complicate matters and implicate you.”

With a trembling hand, she raised her moist eyes, adopting a timid expression as if to say, “I’m considering your well-being too.”

Wen Renlin was somewhat surprised by her reaction but didn’t retract his hand. Instead, his index finger, adorned with an eagle-patterned black iron ring, lightly tapped on the edge of the table, neither fast nor slow.

Yet, the pressure was immensely palpable.

At this critical moment, Empress Wei burst into the room.

Her phoenix robe trailing on the ground, she, the mother of the nation, exuded an imposing aura akin to that of a female general. Coldly, she said, “Prince Su seems to be in high spirits! Not content with managing the court officials, now you’re even meddling in teaching. Are all the loyal ministers and virtuous generals in the world extinct?”

Liu Ying lowered her head as she followed behind the Empress. Zhao Yan knew she had brought reinforcements discreetly and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She stood up and bowed, and the eunuchs serving the ink, paper, and tea also respectfully withdrew, kowtowing. Amidst the sounds of obeisance, Wen Renlin’s upright figure seemed particularly conspicuous.

He didn’t even bother with a bow, merely nodding as if in greeting. “Your Majesty, your praise is unwarranted. Though I may be young, I am qualified to educate His Highness the Crown Prince. As for Your Majesty…”

He paused for a moment. “Rushing over like this, one might think Your Majesty is anxious to conceal something.”

“This palace has only one son and naturally needs to visit and care for him regularly.”

Empress Wei’s eyes were cold and clear, tinged with mockery. “After all, Prince Su’s methods of dealing with others are quite formidable.”

The palace attendants trembled, afraid to make a sound.

The only abnormality was Wen Renlin. He showed no signs of displeasure and even seemed in the mood to chuckle.

“Your Majesty honors me with your presence, which is an honor for me.”

Wen Renlin turned and sat down in the Grand Tutor’s chair, saying to the palace attendants, “What are you all standing around for? Do you intend for Her Majesty to stand while she listens?”

The palace attendants finally sprang into action, arranging chairs and brewing tea.

Wen Renlin didn’t ask the Crown Prince to write anymore and instead picked up a book on military strategy, starting to explain it.

His voice was deep and pleasant, narrating with clarity, making the dry and abstract military strategies easy to understand. Holding the scroll with one hand, he exuded a scholarly yet martial demeanor.

Unfortunately, Zhao Yan couldn’t bring herself to listen carefully. Sandwiched between the Empress and Prince Su, she felt as if she were witnessing a confrontation between immortals, with hidden currents swirling beneath the surface.

She endured until the sound of the clock striking, and Wen Renlin didn’t prolong the class. He stopped halfway through his explanation of military strategy and took his leave.

After the lesson, Zhao Yan collapsed onto the desk, feeling as if she had used up all her strength. It was as if she had been granted a reprieve. When she came to her senses, she realized her back was damp with cold sweat, soaking through her inner garments.

There seemed to be remnants of Wen Renlin’s touch lingering on her hand, chilling her to the bone.

The Empress rose and gave a signal.

Liu Ying understood and led the eunuchs to retreat.

Zhao Yan knew what the Empress wanted to ask. In a tired, hoarse voice, she said, “It’s not safe here. Let’s talk when we’re back.”

The surveillance network of Prince Su’s Mansion was extensive. The conversation she had with Master Wen yesterday had already reached Wen Renlin’s ears. They couldn’t discuss sensitive matters here.

Back in the Eastern Palace, just as they closed the door, the Empress’s cold, low voice sounded from behind.

“What did he say to you earlier? Was there anything unusual?”

Facing Wen Renlin’s oppression alone and engaging in a battle of wits with him for so long, the Empress’s first concern upon speaking was not Zhao Yan’s fear and apprehension, but whether their plan had been exposed.

Zhao Yan slumped onto the soft couch, suppressing the lingering fear, and said, “I managed to bluff my way through for now. But if he comes a few more times, it’s uncertain whether I’ll come out unscathed.”

She had thoroughly understood that Prince Su was cunning and ruthless. His level of danger was not something the ragtag group of Prince of Yong’s followers could match.

She needed to find a way to escape his control.

Ah, the rebels from Shu Province!

Zhao Yan’s eyes lit up. With the cold weather, the rebels from Shu Province wouldn’t be able to endure much longer. It was the perfect opportunity to counterattack. If she could persuade Father Emperor to send Prince Su out of the capital to suppress the rebellion, then she would have some breathing room in the palace.

Seeing her daughter’s eyes darting around, the Empress knew what she was plotting in her mind.

She furrowed her brows and said mercilessly, “I advise you not to indulge in wild fantasies. Your Father Emperor won’t go to war.”

“Why?”

Zhao Yan raised her eyes, skeptical. “With the heavy snowfall in recent days, we can take advantage of it to launch a surprise attack. It can also be used to divert Prince Su away. It’s killing two birds with one stone. Why not go to war?”

The Empress’s lips twitched.

She seemed eager to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.

“This is not something you should worry about. Fortunately, Yan’er rarely showed himself, and Prince Su knows little about him. If Wen Renlin tries to deceive you, just stay calm. Everything is under my protection.”

Turning around, the Empress swayed her robe and said each word firmly, “There is only one thing: do not let him take advantage of you! Otherwise, the difference between men and women may not escape his eyes.”

At that time, it wouldn’t just be the mother and daughter; the entire capital would fall into hell.

Meanwhile, the man regarded as a demon was lounging against the soft cushions in the warm pavilion, holding a bag of dried meat, teasing the wild cats kept in the palace. There were cats with colorful coats, black, and white, all wagging their tails and rubbing against this handsome demon, purring softly.

The Crown Prince, known for his unflinching brutality, sat with his eyelids drooping and a smile playing on his lips, occasionally affectionately scratching the cats’ chins with his finger. The scene had a strangely harmonious aura.

“Do you think the Emperor has the resources to lead troops to suppress the rebellion?”

He casually tossed a handful of dried meat, displaying an effortless elegance.

The more chaotic the times, the more people turned to seeking immortality and enlightenment, hoping to escape the sea of suffering.

Over the years, the treasury had long been depleted, turning into luxurious living for the three thousand royal relatives, becoming bricks and tiles for temples and palaces. Now, the Great Xuan was nothing but a splendid empty shell, on the verge of collapse.

Zhang Cang hesitated, “Even if there’s no need to lead troops into battle, Your Highness doesn’t need to personally supervise the Crown Prince. Such trivial matters can be left to…”

Wen Renlin glanced at Zhang Cang leisurely.

The wild cats, who had just been begging for food, seemed to be startled by an invisible force, scattering with a whimper, leaving behind only scattered bits of dried meat on the steps.

Wen Renlin stood up with his hands behind his back, his black boots stepping over the remains, and casually said, “Next time before I do something, should I consult you first?”

Zhang Cang’s slightly darkened face turned pale for a moment, and he stammered, “I misspoke.”

But Wen Renlin simply walked past him without another word.

The palace corridor was long, and no one knew what he was plotting.

After all these years, even Zhang Cang had never truly understood his own master.

The only thing that could be certain: the days ahead for the little Crown Prince in the hands of Prince Su wouldn’t be easy.

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