Chapter 33: Journey to Mount Tai (7) Is he afraid of something?

Yan Huinan was a master at coaxing people. He had a habit of spending money when he was feeling down. He'd buy himself some precious treasures and fine clothes, spend a fortune on having his house renovated, and change things up, and his mood would improve slightly. If that wasn't enough, he'd donate to the Charity Hall and spend a fortune buying a beautiful woman's smile at a brothel.

That's how he earned his reputation as a playboy. So he spent a lot of money to please others and himself. Back when he was full of energy and flirtation, he spoke sweetly, and there was no one in the world that Yan Huinan couldn't please.

Everyone mocked Yan Huinan, praying their family wouldn't produce a prodigal like him. Yet, everyone envied Yan Huinan, for he was born into a wealthy family.

And today, Yan Huinan is still the same enviable and feared man.

Besides Xie Yun, there was only Xie Yun. Every time he tried to coax her, Yan Huinan would have to go through a lot of trouble. As a dignified prince, he was naturally arrogant and looked down on everyone. How could he really be willing to repeatedly bow down to a little girl?

He thought many times: Let her be, she really doesn't know what's good for her, I won't serve her anymore!

But because of a lingering sense of guilt and some unknown emotion, Yan Huinan couldn't really ignore her. He'd endured it for a few days, then ten days, then a half-month, and even the longest period of cold war with Xie Yun, a month and three days. Yan Huinan couldn't hold it in any longer, and despite his patience and temper, he went back to Xie Yun.

When I don't see her, I can't help thinking about her. When I see her, I feel a little annoyed by her. But when I see her, I can't help but smile.

Yan Huinan held the lychee in his hand and looked at the towering Mount Tai that was just around the corner. The scenery was lush and green, and the top of the mountain was shrouded in mist, which made people feel relaxed.

Someone once intimately close inevitably leaves an unforgettable mark on the heart. Some marks are smoothed or even vanished by the whirlwind of time, but others are eroded ever deeper, forming a raised bank, a constant watchful eye, haunted by longing even when lost. Everything is shaped by one person, fueled by anger, stirred by joy, and only quelled by longing.

-

Yan Huinan took the newly bought incense back to give it to appease someone, but what he didn't expect was that two uninvited guests came to his house.

Yan Huinan said coldly: "How did you get here?"

Lu Jihan scratched his head and looked away: "Horse a horse."

"Horseback riding?!" Even Xie Yun, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but exclaim, "You let an eight-year-old child ride a horse with you for half a month?"

The eight-year-old boy was deeply displeased with what he heard, but he kept his mouth shut, his displeasure evident. The attendant beside him, however, spoke with a certain arrogance, speaking on behalf of his master. "What are you talking about, child? Be more careful with your words. This is His Royal Highness Prince Rui!"

Hearing the man's sharp voice, although he was dressed like a commoner, he must be the old eunuch who took care of Prince Rui. Xie Yun just felt that this person really couldn't understand good or bad words.

Lu Jihan was so panicked that he waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, I stopped many times along the way. Otherwise, I wouldn't have caught up with you so late..."

Yan Huinan: "Does your second brother Yu know that you sneaked here with Prince Rui?"

Lu Jihan shook his head regretfully, "I don't know. I don't dare to go see him."

Yan Huinan sneered and said, "You also know that you dare not go to see him..."

But before Yan Huinan could finish his words, Lu Jihan hung his head, his tone aggrieved, "Not long after you left, I heard the news that Princess Yu was pregnant. My sister...my sister fell seriously ill for no apparent reason. She pretended to be fine. But even if she didn't say anything, I knew she was upset about what happened that year. I couldn't beat up Prince Yu in front of everyone, so I wanted to come and fight with Second Brother Yu to vent my anger, but when I got there, I didn't know what to do."

Xie Yun couldn't help but look at Yan Huinan. They all knew about this. Back then, the Yu family had unilaterally cancelled the engagement and immediately married the current Princess Yu. Lu Lingyu was a noble and renowned talent in the capital, but having her engagement cancelled in such an undignified manner was a slap in the face to the Lu family.

Lu Lingyu was as calm then as she is now, but how can a young girl's heart, in love, be as calm as the surface of the water? Only she knows the bitterness and unbearableness within.

Princess Yu's long-standing inability to conceive sparked widespread speculation in the capital about a rift between Prince Yu and his wife, leading some to wonder if Prince Yu had truly fallen in love with someone else or if there were other motives. This matter, dragging on for so many years, felt like a seed of hope, yet also like an invisible thread, sparking gossip among onlookers but offering hope to those involved.

But now the news that the princess was pregnant was like a sharp blade, ruthlessly cutting off all hopes, and perhaps also deeply hurting Lu Lingyu's heart.

Xie Yun didn't understand it back then, but now she felt deeply sad and indignant for Lu Lingyu. "What's the point of beating up Yu Xian? If you want to vent your anger, just send someone to the alley to corner Yu Wang, put a sack over his head, and beat him up. That would be enough to vent your anger."

Yan Huinan couldn't help laughing, and reluctantly pulled Xie Yun into his arms, covering her mouth: "Shut up."

Xie Yun couldn't help but frown, his expression changed instantly, and he broke away calmly, "I know."

The silent rejection and resistance were self-evident. Yan Huinan's hands were suddenly empty. The feeling of being rejected all the time was unpleasant for anyone, and Yan Huinan was no exception.

He knew Xie Yun was upset about his failed escape attempt and was mad at him. But he was willing to give her time to calm down and not argue with her. As long as she stayed by his side and never thought about running away again, everything would be negotiable.

Yan Huinan cleared his throat and said, "Si Wen, clear out two rooms for Prince Rui and Master Lu to stay in first. Report this to His Majesty. Send someone to Prince Yu as well, and report the princess's pregnancy as good news."

The princess's pregnancy is irreproachable good news.

Only one person was truly distressed and hurt by it. However, these sentimental relationships were nothing in the eyes of Yan Huinan and others who were used to controlling the overall situation and making strategic plans.

Xie Yun was even more disheartened by this. She said nothing more, as she had no right to interfere. Just as she was about to return to her own courtyard, someone grabbed her sleeve.

Looking back, it was Prince Rui who had remained silent the entire time. His eyes sparkled. Xie Yun was confused: "Is there anything else, Your Highness Prince Rui?"

Prince Rui turned his gaze to Yan Huinan and held Xie Yun tightly.

Yan Huinan guessed it right away: "He must have heard about your performance at the archery range yesterday and came to ask you for advice on archery."

Xie Yun pointed at herself in surprise and looked at King Rui and said, "My archery skills?" She had to admit, "Your Highness, my archery skills were all taught by General Yan. You should ask General Yan directly instead of asking me."

Prince Rui remained silent, stubborn as a calf, tugging at Xie Yun's sleeve. Xie Yun continued, "My archery skills are just for fun. Only by following General Yan can I learn real skills!"

After saying that, Xie Yun turned her head to look at Yan Huinan, wanting him to help her solve the little problem at hand. Unexpectedly, she saw Yan Huinan curling his lips as if he was watching a show.

It was just something she used to coax the child, so he didn't really think she was praising him, did he? What did this smug look mean?

Prince Rui's pure eyes, like a calf, were almost filled with tears, and he kept holding Xie Yun's hand tightly and refused to let go.

Yan Huinan finally spoke, "He's an orphan now. Can you teach him for the sake of his pity?"

"Why don't you teach?" Xie Yun asked.

As soon as the words fell, the force that had been pulling at Xie Yun's sleeve suddenly loosened. She looked down and saw Prince Rui stubbornly wiping his tears and walking out with the old eunuch, leaving behind an upright and unyielding figure.

It’s over, the child cried out of grievance.

Xie Yun was annoyed and slapped Yan Huinan's arm fiercely, "Look at what you did!"

After saying that, he chased after him, grabbed him, coaxed him for a long time, and promised that he would teach him well. Only then did King Rui believe it.

On the way to the training ground, Xie Yun thought of Fei Jing because King Rui had been silent, so she had to ask Yan Huinan.

Yan Huinan: "It's normal that you don't know. He is the late emperor's youngest son, but because his mother was of low birth, he was raised in the cold palace since birth. Most people in the world don't know that such a prince existed. Later, you... Anyway, he is not mute. He just doesn't want to talk. His personality is different from others. He is withdrawn and even a little closed to himself and his heart. He doesn't talk normally, doesn't cry out when he is in pain, and doesn't cry out loudly."

Later, after the previous emperor died, Song Hongxuan ascended the throne and made his younger brother a king. However, Xie Yun was already gone by then, so naturally he didn't know about the existence of King Rui.

Xie Yun: "Why is that?"

Yan Huinan shook his head. "It must be due to the environment he grew up in, and then he seemed to have been frightened. I've been away from home fighting for many years, so I don't know much about these things."

Just ask yourself, what mentally immature child, at the age when he needs the love and care of his family the most, has never seen his biological father? Without having seen his biological father, and having been looked down upon and treated coldly, can he grow up healthy and sunny?

Yan Huinan continued, "He doesn't like to talk, and no one plays with him. He's become increasingly withdrawn. His only hobby is learning martial arts; he's a martial arts fanatic. He used to haunt me whenever I returned to Beijing, but this time he'd follow me here. Perhaps it's because of my uncle."

After saying that, he laughed helplessly.

"Why is it because of Prince Yu?"

Yan Huinan: "Have you forgotten? Which child in the royal family is not afraid of him?"

Indeed, Prince Yu was a rigorous scholar, and the Crown Prince had been extremely afraid of him since his time as Grand Tutor. It was difficult for anyone who had been Prince Yu's student to not be afraid of him.

But after Yan Huinan finished speaking, silence suddenly fell between them. Memories of the past seemed to come alive, naturally flooding back into their minds. At the same time, it also told them that they could no longer talk about the past.

In reality, while Xie Yun was the one who taught, Yan Huinan ultimately taught. Xie Yun initially stood aside, offering some technical pointers, while Yan Huinan was the one demonstrating. When it came time for Prince Rui to actually practice, Yan Huinan would still provide direct instruction if there were any irregularities in the movements.

"Archery requires not only standard upper body movements but also a stable chassis." Yan Huinan raised his foot and kicked King Rui's calf, and he couldn't bear the force and fell to the ground.

The old eunuch who was standing not far away and watching was about to rush over to help the young master up with heartache, but Prince Rui was very capable and climbed up by himself.

Yan Huinan did not show mercy just because the child fell. He watched with an expressionless face as King Rui got up from the ground, stood firmly again as Yan Huinan taught him, drew his bow and arrow, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

While the class was still going on, Xie Yun asked the old eunuch, "He's not afraid even when the general treats him like this. Why is he afraid of Prince Yu? Is Prince Rui's academic performance very poor?"

Upon hearing this, the old eunuch's eyes suddenly revealed fear, but after a moment's fear, he seemed to be hesitant to speak, and finally said, "The prince likes to learn riding and archery, and he doesn't mind a little hardship. Your Highness's lessons... are not taught by Your Highness Prince Yu."

What? Yan Huinan really didn't have the energy to pay attention to who the royal family's teachers were. Maybe he was mistaken.

But Xie Yun did catch the old eunuch's fear. When she asked that question, the old eunuch was obviously trembling all over. Was he afraid of something?

She didn't say anything, only to hear the old eunuch change the subject and continue, "It's normal for the general to remember it wrongly. He once said frankly that he didn't like children, but His Royal Highness Prince Rui didn't care. He only knew that the general was the war god of the Great Zhou, so he persisted in coming to study. Later, the general must have been moved and would occasionally teach him. This old servant has served His Royal Highness since he was born. I am old and can't bear to see His Royal Highness suffer injustice, but I know that His Royal Highness is truly happy at this moment."

Xie Yun nodded.

Yan Huinan certainly didn't seem like someone who would like children. For someone like him, wanting a child was just a way to gain leverage! She thought as she watched Yan Huinan sternly instructing Prince Rui not far away.