"Tap, tap."
Emperor Qing curled his finger and tapped twice on the imperial desk, neither lightly nor heavily.
The laughter stopped dead, as though abruptly severed.
Emperor Qing's expression remained as still as an ancient well, his voice carrying an emperor's composure and authority:
"Chengze and Chengcheng have both finished answering. Minister Cen, I imagine you have reached a decision."
Cen Dansheng straightened his robes and bowed deeply toward the throne and the princes:
"The Second Prince is sincere and wise, thorough in his thinking, and possesses the bearing of a benevolent worthy. In time, he will surely become a virtuous prince of the court, a pillar of the state."
At these words, many gazes turned toward the Second Prince.
Under their scrutiny, the Second Prince unconsciously straightened his back a little more, and a faint blush rose to his cheeks.
But in the next instant, Cen Dansheng changed tack:
"Yet the Third Prince is plainhearted and forthright, conceals nothing in his words, and retains a child's innocence while possessing an innate root of wisdom. He accords perfectly with the 'genuine' temperament this old minister has admired all his life.
"When teaching a prince, virtue comes first, and temperament is the foundation. Thus, I am willing to devote my remaining years to teaching the Third Prince."
*??*
Zhou Cheng snapped his gaze toward Cen Dansheng.
What the fuck!
This old bastard wasn't playing by the rules!
He had smeared himself this badly, and the man still chose him? This was absolutely scripted! There was definitely something shady going on!
Countless gazes shifted away from the Second Prince like searchlights and instantly focused on him.
The Second Prince's face paled.
Emperor Qing seemed unsurprised by Cen Dansheng's choice. He nodded and said:
"Since you have reached a decision, my minister, then I shall..."
"Father!"
Zhou Cheng could no longer concern himself with anything else and spoke up loudly:
"Father! I have little interest in scholarly pursuits. I only want to practice martial arts like my eldest brother! This Old... Cen is profoundly learned. He ought to teach someone as eager to learn as my second brother. Please grant my wish, Father!"
Emperor Qing had not expected Zhou Cheng to dare interrupt him before the court. His expression abruptly darkened, even his composure vanishing. He no longer concealed his imperial pressure, which spread as though it had taken tangible form. "Chengcheng!"
The name was cold as iron, and Zhou Cheng felt his heart constrict.
"It seems Consort Li has spoiled you excessively and neglected your discipline, indulging you until you have become utterly ignorant of propriety! Stand down! Sit properly!"
Emperor Qing's voice was not loud, but it seemed to carry the might of Heaven itself.
With his system mission and future path at stake, Zhou Cheng knew at that moment that he had acted too hastily, but he already had no other choice!
His status as a child and the setting of this sacrificial ceremony had given him both favorable timing and favorable ground. This was also his only possible chance to change Emperor Qing's will.
He steeled himself and tried to argue again. "But Father, I really..."
Bang!
Emperor Qing slammed his palm onto the imperial desk!
The dull thud was not deafening, yet it seemed to carry the force of a thousand tons. Not only did the nearby imperial relatives' expressions change drastically, but many of the distant officials shook violently, almost collapsing to the ground.
"There are no buts!"
No emotion could now be discerned in the emperor's voice, only a chilling indifference and absolute authority:
"Your eldest brother practices martial arts not because he wishes to, but because Qing needs him to! As a prince, you were born with a duty. You may do only what Qing needs you to do... never whatever you happen to want! Must I teach you even this principle?!"
Their gazes met, one from above and one from below, and Zhou Cheng instantly felt as though he had been frozen solid, standing rigid in place.
"Since Minister Cen has chosen you as his pupil, starting tomorrow, you will apply yourself to your studies, cultivate your heart, and learn reason! If you dare to be unruly or idle again, or harbor other intentions..."
Emperor Qing's gaze was sharp as a blade.
"I will have Consort Li properly fulfill her duty as a mother! I trust she will discipline you well."
Zhou Cheng shuddered, his last shred of hope utterly crushed.
He had forgotten that his status as a child was not an impregnable defense.
Noble Consort Li was his greatest vulnerability.
Emperor Qing stopped looking at him and turned his gaze toward the Second Prince, his tone softening slightly.
"Since Minister Cen has chosen Chengcheng...
"Chengze, I shall appoint another teacher for you. Zhang Xu, vice minister of rites, is deeply learned and upright in character. He may serve as your teacher."
"Your son... thanks you, Father."
Joy appeared on the Second Prince's face, and he looked toward Zhou Cheng with a hint of delight at his misfortune.
Zhou Cheng stood rooted to the spot, his mind almost completely blank.
For the first time, he understood the tyranny of imperial power. For the first time, he experienced the suffocation and helplessness of having his life, death, fortune, and calamity entirely in another's hands...
Was... this really the only way things could end?
Bereft, Zhou Cheng sat back down at his table.
Unwilling to accept this, he looked up and once again met Emperor Qing's indifferent gaze!
His heart jolted, and he instinctively started to lower his head and retreat.
Just then, a series of cold yet familiar mechanical tones suddenly sounded in his ears!
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully provoking intense negative emotions in the mission target!] [Negative emotion harvesting function unlocked!] [Negative emotions from Li Yunqian +110!] [Attribute panel unlocked!] [Experience conversion function unlocked!]
Chapter 3: Selling out Fan Xian (Please bookmark and keep reading)
In the sixty-ninth year of Qing's calendar, Emperor Qing offered sacrifices to the Divine Temple and changed the era name to "Qing."
In the third year of the Qing era, in Guangxin Palace within Qing's imperial city.
Sparse afternoon shadows slanted through the window lattice. Li Yunrui reclined on a cushioned couch, holding a white jade teacup between her fingertips, its steam veiling her eyes and brows, which seemed to hold a smile and yet not.
When Zhou Cheng entered the hall, this beautiful sight greeted him.
"Oh my~ Isn't this our 'Why Not Eat Meat Gruel' Prince Cheng? Instead of busying yourself dealing with all that gossip, how did you find time to visit this desolate corner of your aunt's?"
Ignoring her teasing, Zhou Cheng walked straight to the opposite side of the couch, lifted the teapot, and poured himself a cup.
The clear tea reflected his handsome face, which had now shed its childishness.
Several months earlier, he had undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, been granted the title of Prince Cheng, and officially moved out of the imperial palace to establish his own princely household.
Li Yunrui calling him Prince Cheng was not entirely teasing.
"Naturally, I missed the tea in your palace, Aunt," he said, taking a sip before looking up. "Of course, I missed you even more."
Li Yunrui chuckled and gently set down her teacup.
"You're as smooth-tongued as ever."
She waved her delicate hand, sending the surrounding attendants far away.
Only once no one remained nearby did she speak:
"Someone is clearly spreading those recent rumors deliberately to sully your reputation. Aren't you worried at all?"
"What have I got to worry about? If someone wants to talk, let them!"
Zhou Cheng looked utterly unconcerned.
The rumors Li Yunrui mentioned were mostly about things he had done.
Years earlier, the words "Why not eat meat gruel?" had spread like wildfire from the Capital throughout Qing, and had even reached Northern Qi and various smaller countries as an oft-repeated anecdote.
Both openly and by implication, they painted him as an arrogant, foolish prince who knew nothing of the common people's suffering.
Because this concerned a prince's reputation and the imperial family's image, rumors were tightly controlled in the Capital. Usually, they were ruthlessly suppressed the moment they showed any sign of emerging.
Recently, however, for some unknown reason, that control had weakened. Not only had the gossip spread more rampantly, but people had also added oil and vinegar, concocting all manner of absurd stories.
Li Yunrui shook her head.
"If even you, the person involved, aren't worried, I have nothing more to say. In that case, tell me. What did you come to see me about?"
Zhou Cheng did not answer immediately, instead saying:
"Can't I visit my aunt without having something to ask? What a waste of your nephew's wholehearted filial devotion!"
"Filial devotion?"
Li Yunrui sounded as though she had heard an amusing joke:
"I haven't seen any filial devotion, but I've seen your greed and lust quite clearly over the years. Of all you brothers, you visit most diligently, shamelessly asking for either money or people. Aren't you afraid of gossip? Tell me, what do you want this time?"
Zhou Cheng stopped spouting nonsense. Holding his teacup, he said seriously:
"I hear Father intends to visit Great Eastern Mountain next year to offer sacrifices to the Divine Temple. According to precedent, a member of the imperial family must be sent ahead this year to oversee the repairs. I want that assignment, and I hope you'll help me, Aunt."
"Repairing the temple?"
Li Yunrui paused, somewhat surprised. "Great Eastern Mountain is remote wilderness, and repairing the temple is a miserable assignment of eating in the wind and sleeping under the dew. With your temperament, would you really seek out hardship?"
Zhou Cheng met her gaze.
"I hear Great Eastern Mountain is rich in Heaven and Earth Vital Energy, a treasured place for cultivation. I want to go there to cultivate martial arts!"
Li Yunrui paused, then laughed outright.
"Martial arts? Don't make your aunt laugh! Do those three-legged-cat skills of yours even warrant cultivation?"
Before you continue