Chapter 305: The Unlucky Young Prince
“Come, Young Master Sang, this way please.”
In the State Master’s Mansion, Zhuang You was leading Young Master Sang on a tour while explaining his work: “Currently, there are only three teachers available for the Dao Theory class, and among them, only Young Master Sang can teach Class A.”
“So, until the State Master finishes his seclusion, Young Master Sang will need to temporarily take over the State Master’s position and serve as the main lecturer for the Dao Theory class.”
“The Dao Theory class for Class A meets once every two to three days, and every two weeks, a lecture requires participation from all students. Its main purpose is still to answer any questions students encounter during their training.”
“I believe that with Young Master Sang’s self-taught talent, explaining some minor issues in cultivation will be more than sufficient,” Zhuang You said warmly.
Young Master Sang tugged at the corner of his mouth but still nodded with a smile: “I’ll do my best.”
But to be honest, with Young Master Sang’s cultivation level relying purely on game mechanics, there’s really not much insight to share.
Luckily, he had the invincible Nian Nian mom as his backup.
Otherwise, he really couldn’t keep up the pretense as a teacher.
“Oh, by the way, aside from that.”
Zhuang You suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly added, “Once a week, Young Master Sang also needs to visit the inner courtyard of the State Master’s Mansion.”
Inner courtyard?
Young Master Sang blinked: “There’s an inner courtyard in the State Master’s Mansion?”
“Usually, the inner courtyard is basically the private residence of the State Master. Even teachers like us cannot enter easily.”
“However, right now, there is a student who requires Young Master Sang’s personal guidance. So, please consider taking some time to go there each week.”
Personal tutoring? Who’s the lucky one?
“In the Holy Kingdom, who else enjoys such treatment?”
Zhuang You shook his head: “Naturally, it’s the Emperor’s younger brother, the Young Prince Huo Ming.”
“Almost everyone knows in the Holy Kingdom. The Emperor doesn’t have many special hobbies, but he dotes on his younger brother endlessly.”
“Not long ago, on the Young Prince’s fifth birthday, the entire State Master’s Mansion held a grand school initiation ceremony for him, personally attended by the State Master to conduct the apprenticeship ritual, making the Young Prince his direct disciple.”
“He even moved the Young Prince directly into the inner courtyard of the State Master’s Mansion, not allowing anyone to interrupt his studies.”
“But just the day after the apprenticeship, the State Master locked himself away at home without making a sound. The Young Prince hasn’t attended a single class from the State Master yet.”
“So during this time, the duty of teaching the Young Prince Dao Theory class has fallen to Young Master Sang.”
Young Master Sang nodded thoughtfully, and after a moment, asked, “In that case, may I meet this Young Prince? New teachers should greet their students, right?”
“It should… be possible.”
Zhuang You hesitated for a moment and slowly replied, “However, the Emperor has very strict controls on interactions with the Young Prince, and outside class times, you may need to apply separately for contact.”
This was the first time Young Master Sang heard about such exaggerated restrictions.
Is the Empress really raising her brother?
Why does it feel more like she’s raising a pet?
“Logically speaking, a five-year-old child should be at the age where they need friends to play with,” Young Master Sang voiced his concerns, “If the Emperor restricts his freedom so severely, prohibiting contact with others, won’t that have the opposite effect? What if it causes the child to develop psychological issues?”
Zhuang You looked around warily and then whispered to Young Master Sang: “Teacher Sang, outsiders should not comment on family matters, especially royal family matters.”
“The Emperor has always been stubborn about his younger brother. No one dares to say anything or offer opinions, lest they incur the Emperor’s wrath.”
…In short, it’s just feudal family hierarchy.
If so, it seems this Young Prince is rather pitiful.
“But there’s some good news, the class for the Young Prince starts tomorrow morning,” Zhuang You said. “Young Master Sang will see the Young Prince’s true face first thing in the morning.”
Young Master Sang nodded with a smile.
——
——
In fact, from the words the Empress said to him before leaving, combined with Zhuang You’s explanation,
Young Master Sang already had a vague feeling.
This young brother of the Empress could very likely be his target during this trip to the Holy Kingdom.
Just like everyone has their own lifeline, it was clear that the fearless Empress’s most vulnerable lifeline was her younger brother.
If he could control this five-year-old boy,
It would be equivalent to grasping the Emperor’s lifeline, possessing the means to hold the Empress in check.
So after returning, Young Master Sang immediately called out Nian Nian, determined to spare no expense in acquiring all intel regarding Young Prince Huo Ming.
He was even prepared for a significant expense, willing to buy information at any price Nian Nian demanded.
However.
“Huo Ming’s intel doesn’t cost money,” Nian Nian said.
Young Master Sang: “…Huh?”
“That’s odd? With your usual sly merchant ways, how could you possibly let such a good opportunity pass without squeezing some points out of me?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to squeeze you, it’s just that this kid doesn’t have much to share.”
Nian Nian shot Young Master Sang a disdainful glance: “This kid’s life history is blank. Ever since he became conscious, he’s been protected day and night by Huo Ningxue, and the only people he probably sees are the palace servants bringing food.”
“He was kept in the depths of the palace until Huo Ningxue took care of a few of her royal brothers and ascended to the throne, allowing him to experience the world as the pampered Young Prince.”
“Due to being locked away in the palace for so long, this child has barely developed an independent personality, turning into a timid, introverted puppet. Add in Huo Ningxue’s compensatory treatment later, making sure he lives a life where everything is handed to him, resulting in him becoming someone who just passively listens to others without any opinions. Basically, he does whatever Huo Ningxue tells him.”
“If you really want me to tell you about his personality and interests, the best I can say is: He’s a well-behaved boy who doesn’t have any likes or dislikes.”
“…That’s it.” Nian Nian spread her hands.
After hearing this, Young Master Sang’s mouth twitched.
This Young Prince’s life seems even more miserable than he imagined.
But hearing Nian Nian say this, Young Master Sang felt even more curious about meeting this Young Prince.
Who knows, he might use this Young Prince to get closer to the Empress.
“But, why is the Empress keeping her brother locked up? Is there a story there?”
“That’s not Huo Ming’s intel; that’s about Huo Ningxue.”
Nian Nian’s cute face lit up with a cunning glimmer like a little fox, her beautiful eyes fluttering mischievously: “If you want to know, don’t blame me for demanding a steep price~”
Great.
Seeing that Nian Nian was still that familiar little trickster, Young Master Sang felt relieved.
Maybe he was just used to being scammed by this little merchant; it took a moment for him to adjust to this sudden change.
“Rest assured. I still say, if you want points, I’ve got none; if you want a life, you’ll have to go find someone else.” Young Master Sang said seriously, “You can’t squeeze even a grain of rice from me, the stingy rooster.”
Nian Nian: “……Go die. Stupid host. Hmph.”
