Chapter 78 – Your Highness, that’s enough

“…”

Lu Xingwang fell silent for a moment, his dark gaze fixed on Jian Mei, making the atmosphere a bit tense.

Jian Mei muttered quietly, “Maybe I should try it myself.”

“Concentrate.”

Lu Xingwang lowered his head and continued guiding Jian Mei through writing. Although the characters were challenging, having someone guide him made it suddenly seem less difficult. When a complete character appeared on the paper, Jian Mei sighed softly, “Looks good.”

Lu Xingwang said, “For now, focus on being able to write it. Don’t worry about aesthetics.”

Jian Mei nodded gently, “Okay.”

Bowing his head, he wrote a crooked character following Lu Xingwang’s teaching. Each stroke was based on his memory, quickly producing a somewhat twisted character.

Jian Mei lifted it up, smiling, “How is it?”

Lu Xingwang nodded, “Not bad.”

Jian Mei smiled. Despite DaZhuang ge often appearing strict due to his identity, sometimes feeling reserved and unfamiliar but most of the time, in their interactions, Lu Xingwang remained patient, just like before. Although he wouldn’t go out of his way to say anything intimate, since he was clumsy, this person never showed the slightest impatience.

Rumors claimed that the Crown Prince was ruthless, but Jian Mei didn’t feel it. Lu Xingwang seemed like his DaZhuang ge, unchanged.

Just as he was thinking, a voice came from outside, “Your Highness, Lord Shangguan requests an audience.”

Lu Xingwang said, “Let him in.”

Looking at Jian Mei, he thought to ask him to hide in the back, but this clever little devil reacted faster than him. Without any instructions, he swiftly and skillfully tidied up the items on the table. Right in front of Lu Xingwang, he scooted under the table, even making a gesture to remind him to keep quiet.

“…”

Well.

A trace of amusement flickered in Lu Xingwang’s eyes as he let him be.

The footsteps outside gradually approached. It was nearing evening, and there shouldn’t be anyone coming for an audience at this hour. However, Shangguan Yue still came reluctantly. He bowed respectfully, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Hmm.”

Lu Xingwang said, “It’s quite late, Lord Shangguan. You’re being very polite to come at this hour.”

“Your Highness, what are you talking about? Shangguan Yue was nervous, “The appearance of such a mistake in the accounts is my negligence. When I saw the document Your Highness sent me, I couldn’t rest easy. So, I’ve come to apologize.”

On Lu Xingwang’s desk were several thick account books. These were submitted directly to the Crown Prince by the Ministry of Revenue, bypassing the Emperor, during the years when the Crown Prince¹They are talking abour previous crown prince here was involved in politics. The accounts seemed fine on the surface, but in reality, all the records were secretly manipulated. Almost millions in funds had disappeared without a trace.

“Lord Shangguan, you are an experienced courtier,” Lu Xingwang looked up at him, “I thought such mistakes wouldn’t occur.”

Shangguan Yue’s heart jumped to his throat. Anxiously, he spoke, “Your Highness, rest assured. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and provide Your Highness with a satisfactory explanation. However, due to the considerable time gap, even if we recover the funds, it might only be a partial amount. Fortunately, the shortfall in this fund isn’t substantial…”

Lu Xingwang smirked, “Not substantial?”

“Boom!”

The account book was slammed straight to the ground, creating a loud noise that seemed to strike directly into Shangguan Yue’s heart.

Shangguan Yue’s heart trembled. When he looked up, he met Lu Xingwang’s icy gaze. Lu Xingwang spoke, “So, this sum of money is not a big issue for Lord Shangguan, I presume.”

Shangguan Yue realized he misspoke and hastily tried to amend, “No, Your Highness…”

“Within three days, I want a thorough investigation result,” Lu Xingwang’s expression remained unchanged, and his voice was as cold as the judgment of the King of Hell, “Otherwise, Lord Shangguan, please submit another account book.”

Though the words seemed innocuous, their meaning was quite clear.

Either you expose all the former Crown Prince’s faction members in the Ministry of Revenue, or you take responsibility for the seventy million.

Shangguan Yue felt bitter but understood that if he couldn’t handle this matter properly today, the Crown Prince wouldn’t easily spare him. He bowed heavily and left.

Once he departed, the room fell back into silence.

Lu Xingwang glanced to the side, stood up, and walked a couple of steps to the table. “Been crouching for a while?”

Jian Mei lightly shook his head.

“Come.”

Lu Xingwang reached out to him. He pulled Jian Mei out from under the table. Jian Mei crawled out slowly, then took a deep breath and stretched his body. Due to the extended period of inactivity, his legs felt a bit numb, and he gently gasped for air.

The darkness in Lu Xingwang’s eyes deepened slightly as he pressed Jian Mei into a chair. The authoritative Crown Prince now half-squatted, his slender hands resting on Jian Mei’s legs. He spoke, “Feeling uncomfortable here?”

Jian Mei’s legs were a bit numb, and he nodded lightly, “A little.”

Lu Xingwang massaged for him with skilled hands, applying a touch of energy. This technique could promote blood circulation, and his movements were gentle. If someone walked in at this moment, their eyes might pop out, but the Crown Prince himself was serious, “Feeling better?”

Jian Mei gently nodded, “Mm.”

A bit shy, actually.

The person sitting on the chair had reddish earlobes. It was strange; he had intimate contact with Xiao Ban and young master before, but he never felt this shy.

Lu Xingwang noticed a hint of avoidance in his eyes and asked, “Did I scare you just now?”

“Huh?” Jian Mei realized, quickly shaking his head, “No.”

Lu Xingwang was somewhat surprised.

Jian Mei, under his gaze, thought for a moment and softly spoke, “At first, maybe a bit,but it’s certain he was wrong for you to act this way. If you’re not strict enough…”

Lu Xingwang suddenly wanted to hear more, “Mm?”

“If you’re not strict enough…” Jian Mei lowered his eyes, his voice much softer, “I’m afraid he might bully you instead.”

I’m worried he might bully you.

Although it seemed like an ordinary statement, it hit Lu Xingwang’s heart like a heavy load. For a long time, nobody cared whether he might face difficulties or be mistreated. People regarded him with awe or calculation.

Perhaps the world saw him as invincible, but only Jian Mei worried that he might suffer injustice.

Should he explain to this child that he isn’t that fragile?

Lu Xingwang hesitated for a moment, gazing at Jian Mei who had returned to his desk to resume his homework. In the end, he chose to remain silent. It’s okay like this, he thought.

………..

The next day.

It had been a week since Jian Mei started learning to write.

When he returned from outside, and since SA class had no evening sessions tonight, everyone gathered together.

The child from the Xiwu family sat on the sofa reading a book. Yunshi, not knowing where he got it from, has a little injured rabbit and is carefully dressing its wounds, taking good care of it.

Jian Mei said, “Why hasn’t anyone returned to their dorms?”

“Aren’t we waiting for you?” Nan Feng jumped off the sofa and said, “You can go out to play every day. So envious.”

Jian Mei was puzzled, “Can’t you guys go out?”

Ying shrugged, “No, we can’t go out at all. You’re lucky; you can attend the tutorial class and go out every day.”

Jian Mei didn’t expect to have such a benefit.

Nan Feng approached and said, “Mei Mei, help us bring in some things.”

Jian Mei asked, “Huh?”

“It’s just buying some things we want, help us out.” Ying also approached, “Waiting once a week is too tiring.”

Jian Mei wasn’t unwilling to help, so he inquired, “What do you want to buy?”

As he said this, the group, who were initially uninterested, gathered around:

“The latest version of Barbie Fairy Pink Elixir.”

“Get me some green liquid; my vine has been a bit dry lately.”

“Could you please bring me some rabbit toys?”

…

Jian Mei looked at the nearby Xiwu child, who was reading a book. He came over, patiently asking, “Xiao Xi, what do you want?”

The child hadn’t spoken since the beginning, and others didn’t rush him. As they waited together, silence filled the room. Then, the child slowly spoke, “I want the latest manga.”

Jian Mei sighed inwardly and nodded, “Alright.”

Cheers and joy filled the room.

Nan Feng said, “Mei Mei, you’re our savior. How about this? After school, you can come back early, and we can teach you too.”

Ying added, “Yes, you can ask us; we can all teach you.”

Jian Mei felt a bit embarrassed, “Wouldn’t it be inconvenient?”

“What’s inconvenient about it?” Nan Feng smiled, “Are you questioning a genius?”

“…”

Ying kicked him, then smiled at Jian Mei, saying, “Don’t mind him; his brain doesn’t work too well.”

Jian Mei, amused by Nan Feng’s sulking appearance, thought for a moment and realized he shouldn’t dwell on it. After all, he will help them with shopping, which should be considered a fair exchange. It wasn’t too much trouble after all.

With that settled, the next day after school, Jian Mei declined²I don’t know why but in raws it is written like he didn’t decline it but i think may be it was typo or i am perceiving wrong the palace driver who came to pick him up. He expressed that he could return to the dormitory to do his homework.

At this moment in the palace, a civil official was organizing recent schedules and arrangements with Lu Xingwang.

The civil official was reading, “In a few days, it will be the Festival of Flowers. According to the agreement, some people from Planet XX will visit our country. At that time, Your Highness may have to come forward to receive them. Also, the documents you requested for the new recruits from various governments in recent months have arrived, and…”

Lu Xingwang received a message while listening.

It was a message from the attendant to pick up Jian Mei. The Crown Prince glanced at it briefly, frowned slightly, gestured to the attendant, and then made a call to Jian Mei.

Jian Mei’s clear voice came from the other end, “Hello?”

“Have you finished your class?” Lu Xingwang asked.

Jian Mei softly replied, “My classmate said they could teach me. Mainly, I know your work is quite busy, and my learning this might take up your time. So, I decided to go back to academy and let my classmate help.”

The civil official, initially disinterested, caught on to something that the Crown Prince’s mood seemed not quite right. Moreover, the atmosphere slowly became more serious. So, he perked up his ears to eavesdrop on why the usually busy and tireless Crown Prince was unhappy or if there was any unexpected incident in the court.

Then, in the next second,

The civil official heard Lu Xingwang say very seriously, “I’m not busy.”

There seemed to be something said on the other end of the phone, and Lu Xingwang added, “Hmm, I haven’t been very busy lately.”

“…”

?

The civil official stared with widened eyes, somewhat unable to believe that the Crown Prince was casually telling such lies.

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)

Guys take it as an apology chapter for this much delay.Enjoy(⌒‐⌒)

• 1
  They are talking abour previous crown prince here ↩︎
• 2
  I don’t know why but in raws it is written like he didn’t decline it but i think may be it was typo or i am perceiving wrong ↩︎