Chapter 162

Chu Congxia wanted to start school, but she certainly couldn't go the next day; she needed to make some preparations. However, the news spread slowly.

The people in the Imperial Study reacted differently upon learning that the daughter of the Prince of An was coming to study.

Several learned scholars who taught privately sighed with emotion.

"Your Majesty is far too strict. The young princess of the Prince An's mansion is only a few years old, yet she is already being sent to the study to study."

"That's right. The other children are at least five or six years old when they are sent here. This one is really too young."

"His Majesty doesn't think all three- or four-year-old children in the world are as smart as she was at that age, does she?"

"Oh, you know what, His Majesty might actually be thinking that way."

The students studying in the Imperial Study were also quietly discussing this matter.

"I heard that Uncle An's sister is coming too."

"Uncle An's younger sister? Who is she?"

"The one who was recently granted the title of Princess Wanchun by His Majesty, I heard that His Majesty personally decided on the title."

“Ah, I see. It is said that her original name was Congxia. Therefore, His Majesty said, ‘Where does Congxia come from? It must be from the spring.’ So he bestowed upon her the title of Princess Wanchun.”

"No way, His Majesty treats her so well? Why? Just because her father is Prince An's uncle?"

"But His Majesty doesn't seem to favor any of the other children in Uncle An's family either."

The Imperial Study was originally the royal inner academy, and the children studying here were all sons of princes and princesses, or occasionally a couple of sons of meritorious officials.

They are well-informed and can learn many things that are unknown to the outside world.

For example, outsiders only know that His Majesty is closer to the Prince An's residence—this is normal, after all, His Majesty was raised by the Prince An's mother for a period of time when he was young. But outsiders don't know that His Majesty treats the young princess of the Prince An's residence so well, and even personally drafted her title. Not many people receive this kind of treatment.

"I also wish His Majesty would grant me a title. If I come in first place this year, may I ask for this favor?"

"Pah! Don't even dream about it, first place is mine!"

"Cousin, I let you win last time, but I won't let you win this time."

"Who needs your permission? Let's find someone to judge this! Chengzhang, tell me, between me and my cousin, whose scholarship is better?"

Instead of offering his usual amicable advice to the two when he was stopped, Wanyan Chengzhang asked a seemingly unrelated question, somewhat absentmindedly: "Does His Majesty like this Princess Wanchun very much?"

"Probably." The person who answered was not sure either, only saying, "His Majesty is very busy and doesn't see the royal family members often. You see, you haven't seen His Majesty many times in the palace either, have you? But Princess Wanchun has entered the palace to see His Majesty alone many times."

Wanyan Chengzhang nodded: "I see."

Although his status was awkward, his situation wasn't too bad. Firstly, the Great Yu royal family was proud of their magnanimity and wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for a child living under someone else's roof. His food, clothing, and daily necessities were all treated like those of the sons of princes and dukes. Secondly, he had a gentle and steady personality and wasn't annoying. On the contrary, he was quite likable among the mischievous children of his age.

Therefore, although he had no close friends in the Imperial Study, he was not neglected or isolated.

Thanks to his harmonious relationship with his classmates, Wanyan Chengzhang learned a lot of things that might not be useful for the time being, but he believed that they would come in handy eventually.

***

Several years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Qin Su had just returned from inspecting the railway outside the palace. He and Ye Yan were taking a walk and discussing the impact of the railway's opening on agriculture and commerce along the coast when they suddenly heard the honking of geese in the distance.

Qin Su paused, then turned her head to look: "Where did that goose call come from?"

The palace servants nearby hurriedly went to check the situation and returned shortly afterward to report to Qin Su: "Your Majesty, someone fell into the lake and startled the flock of geese, which caused them to chase after the person and make the geese's calls."

"Oh?" Qin Su became interested. "Someone's being chased by a goose? Let's go take a look."

She took Ye Yan's hand and walked towards the noisiest direction. When they got closer, they realized that the person who had fallen into the lake was none other than Wanyan Chengzhang.

When she arrived, Wanyan Chengzhang had just subdued a large white goose.

The boy, about fourteen or fifteen years old, was tall and slender. He held the goose by the neck with one hand and smoothed his wet, long hair with the other. His disheveled clothes were half-open, revealing his broad chest with thin muscles and rolling water droplets.

He stood there in the sunlight by the lake, and his masculine beauty was truly remarkable.

Qin Su glanced around and saw that many palace maids had flushed faces and shifty eyes.

The palace servants bowed to Qin Su. Wanyan Chengzhang seemed to be a beat slow to hear everyone calling "Your Majesty." He hurriedly turned around, his emerald green eyes meeting Qin Su's for a second, his pupils clear, clean, and beautiful.

He paused for a moment, then quickly threw the goose in his hand away, straightened his clothes, and bowed: "Chengzhang greets Your Majesty."

His clothes were soaked through and he couldn't get them dry for a while, which only drew people's attention to him.

Qin Su looked him over, a half-smile playing on her lips: "No need for formalities. I was just taking a stroll nearby when I heard the commotion and came to check."

Qin Su values ​​education and has visited the Imperial Study several times in recent years. He even personally taught two classes and is quite familiar with Wanyan Chengzhang.

Chu Congxia would occasionally mention him, saying that he liked to fawn over her, showing concern in a half-hearted way, and always trying to chat with her, which annoyed her to no end. She was busy studying now and had no time to deal with him.

Qin Su hadn't taken this person too seriously. The grasslands were now completely under the control of Dayu, and it was only a matter of time before she incorporated them into a province.

What can Wanyan Chengzhang change? What can he do?

But clearly, Wanyan Chengzhang had his own ideas, and his thinking was quite unique.

Under Qin Su's watchful gaze, he said with shame, "It was Chengzhang who disturbed Your Majesty's journey and interrupted Your Majesty's relaxation."

"It's alright," Qin Su said leisurely. "Since you've fallen into the water, you should go back and change your clothes and rest as soon as possible, after all..."

She paused meaningfully, her gaze lingering on Wanyan Chengzhang for a moment, before continuing, "You look like you're very susceptible to catching a cold right now."

Wanyan Chengzhang seemed to understand Qin Su's unspoken meaning. He quickly looked up at Qin Su, his expression a perfect mix of embarrassment and shyness.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Before he stepped back, he felt a cold, wary gaze; he knew who it was without even turning around.

But he didn't care.

Who in the world doesn't love beauty?

The emperor was no exception.

Over the years, His Majesty has had no one to show favor to except General Ye, which is completely illogical.

How could a monarch with great power not want more beautiful women?

Perhaps His Majesty values ​​his relationship with General Ye and cannot bear to hurt him, or perhaps His Majesty is concerned about General Ye's military power and does not want to create further discord between the Emperor and Empress.

Regardless of the reason, Wanyan Chengzhang was very confident that he could break the existing balance.

...

After this, Qin Su encountered Wanyan Chengzhang several more times.

Horse riding, playing chess, painting, feeding fish... all kinds of graceful postures and demeanor are displayed to people.

What's even more subtle is that, although Wanyan Chengzhang and Ye Yan have absolutely no resemblance in facial features, Qin Su noticed that his demeanor and manner of speaking sometimes bore a resemblance to Ye Yan's.

This is definitely not something that can be learned in a short time; it requires a long period of imitation.

After realizing this, Qin Su's original intention to toy with people dissipated by most.

She placed a chess piece and said calmly, "I have won again."

“Your Majesty’s chess style is domineering and arrogant, full of the aura of a king. Chengzhang is no match for you.” Wanyan Chengzhang smiled at her, his tone sincere and earnest. “However, Chengzhang has been fortunate enough to play chess with Your Majesty and has already benefited greatly.”

"Fortunate?" Qin Su slowly repeated the two words. "I'm afraid it's not fortunate, but rather intentional?"

Wanyan Chengzhang looked up in alarm: "Your Majesty?"

Qin Su scrutinized him, tapping the table with the chess piece in her hand: "Alright, you're always trying to get close to me. Tell me, what do you want? Do you want to go back to the grasslands?"

"No, Chengzhang doesn't want to go back to the grasslands." He immediately denied it, then stammered, looking like a young man shy about his feelings, "Chengzhang wants to, wants to..."

"You're stammering." Qin Su felt bored and raised her hand to stand up. "If you don't want to talk, then forget it."

Her unpredictable mood swings and sudden departures took Wanyan Chengzhang by surprise.

He didn't have time to think too much, abandoning his original plan and standing up even faster than her, kneeling down at her feet with a thud: "Your Majesty! Chengzhang wants to serve Your Majesty!"

"Serve me?" Qin Su leaned back, looking down at him with a playful expression. "How do you intend to serve me?"

Wanyan Chengzhang thought she was moved, so he crawled a step closer to her.

His voice was low and suggestive: "That depends on what Your Majesty likes. I can make whatever Your Majesty likes."

Qin Su chuckled and used her toes to lift his chin.

Wanyan Chengzhang did not resist. He raised his head in response to the movement, facing Qin Su with a sacrificial posture. His eyes and actions were full of the temptation to be slaughtered.

"Your Majesty," he gazed at Qin Su with adoration, "please let me be your dog. As for a dog, you can do whatever you want with it."

Qin Su said, "I am more than ten years older than you."

"So what?" Wanyan Chengzhang's gaze was intense, and he seemed to be sincere. "Your Majesty is peerless in elegance and wisdom, and is the most noble person in the world. Age means nothing to Your Majesty."

Qin Su glanced at him twice, then suddenly burst into laughter.

Seeing her radiant smile, Wanyan Chengzhang's heart fluttered, and he couldn't help but reach out to hug her leg: "Your Majesty..."

Before his hand could even touch Qin Su, he was lifted into the air by the collar.

A blur flashed before his eyes, and in an instant, the world spun around him. He crashed into a pillar not far away, and fell to the ground with excruciating pain in his back.

"Cough!" Blood spilled from the corner of Wanyan Chengzhang's mouth as he clutched his chest and struggled to lift his head.

Ye Yan stood where he had just knelt, leaned down and pulled Qin Su tightly into his arms, pressed one hand against the back of Qin Su's head, and bit her lip hard.

"Su Su!"

Qin Su chuckled: "I saw you coming a while ago, but you were standing behind the tree without saying a word. You finally decided to come out now?"

Ye Yan said angrily, "How dare I disturb His Majesty's enjoyment of playing chess with others?"

Qin Su smiled and said, "Then what did you do when you finally came out?"

Ye Yan remained silent, then scooped Qin Su up in his arms and wrapped her tightly in his cloak.

As he carried Qin Su past Wanyan Chengzhang, their eyes met as Wanyan Chengzhang, who was lying in the dust looking up at him.

Ye Yan's eyes flashed with a chilling murderous intent as he scoffed, "A low-grade imitation, trying to be someone's dog?"