156. The Vicious Villain Duo
Xie Wenling didn't speak, but his gaze was coldly fixed on Qu Zijin.
With an icy expression, Qu Zijin even sensed a threat.
Xie Wenling didn't say anything in the end, but Qu Zijin understood what he wanted to say—he not only bullied children, but he could also take care of him in the process.
The two men locked eyes, but it was clear that Qu Zijin was the type of person who would respond better to gentle persuasion than force, and he was about to start a proper debate with him.
"Thank you so much, sir, thank you so much... Princess."
A timid voice rang out, successfully interrupting Qu Zijin.
It is Bai Qingzhong.
He was still standing there, his eyes even redder, tears welling up in them, but he held them back.
He looked so pitiful, like a homeless puppy.
Qu Zijin's heart softened instantly. Having been forced to take care of children all his life, he couldn't bear to see this, and his compassion overflowed.
He immediately forgot his eye contact with Xie Wenling and turned to comfort the seemingly bullied and helpless young prince: "Prince Bai, you..."
The little dumpling also turned to look at him, feeling sorry for him...
[Task triggered]
You saw Bai Qingzhong again.
As a child, he was destitute and alone; it was Qu Zijin who protected him and prevented him from being bullied.
However, she approached him under the guise of redemption, and Bai Qingzhong quickly became one of her followers.
Later, when Qu Zijin was framed, he chose to remain indifferent and observe.
Although you weren't the one who raised a thankless wretch, I still feel an intense urge to grind my teeth when I think about it.
[Qu Zijin didn't tell you his thoughts, but you think he's a nice guy, so it's unlikely you'd encourage him to retaliate.]
So you approached Xie Wenling, and the two of you, like-minded villains, plotted to kill Bai Qingzhong.
However, before you two villainous duo could make your move, Bai Qingzhong came knocking first.
You watched as he broke down in tears before Qu Zijin, begging for his forgiveness.
[...And Qu Zijin, this Leshan Giant Buddha, seems to have truly softened.]
You are very angry; you cannot accept this.
So you decide to kick him out.
[Task: Make him get lost and keep Qu Zijin away from him]
[Reward: Basic Healing Talisman]
After hearing what the system auntie said, the little dumpling suddenly stopped feeling sorry for Bai Qingzhong.
He's a bad guy too!
They still want to bully the Grand Tutor, they're such scoundrels!
"Grand Tutor, don't go!" Seeing Qu Zijin about to walk towards Bai Qingzhong, the little dumpling quickly rushed over and grabbed the Grand Tutor's sleeve with both of her little hands. "He's not a good person!"
The movement was so sudden that Xie Wenling almost lost his grip.
Qu Zijin looked at her in astonishment: "What's wrong? What do you mean?"
The little dumpling seems so tired.
Two idiot adults.
Brother Xie is being bullied by the dazzling Prince Liangdou, and the Grand Tutor is about to be bullied by the wicked Prince Bai.
Seriously, they all need her to protect them.
The little dumpling sighed sadly, then, with a serious expression, tried her best to teach the dim-witted tutor: "That shiny little prince bullied him, he's so pitiful. But! What if the tutor goes over there and gets bullied by him?"
The little dumpling tried her best to instill her own logic into the Grand Tutor, even though this logic wasn't very reasonable.
Qu Zijin was stunned.
He watched as the little boy clung tightly to his sleeve, acting as if he didn't want the Grand Tutor to care about anyone else's food. He then recalled the reluctant look the little boy had given him when he left with Xie Wenling earlier…
Therefore, he completely misunderstood the little dumpling's sudden hostility.
Qu Zijin has his own logic—
Teacher...could it be that she's jealous?
Are you jealous of this pitiful Prince Bai?
Because you want to care about others?
A barely perceptible blush instantly appeared on Qu Zijin's handsome face, and he coughed lightly to cover it up.
To prove that he had no ulterior motives and to appease the seemingly jealous little dumpling, Qu Zijin turned to Xie Wenling and very naturally took the little dumpling, who was still glaring at Bai Qingzhong, from his arms and held him in his own.
"Ahem, my apologies," he said, holding the soft little bundle of joy. Only then did he realize that it was inappropriate to snatch the child directly from someone else's arms. So he tried to explain to Xie Wenling, "The county princess must be frightened. Hmm... I'll comfort her."
Xie Wenling, whose child was suddenly taken away: ? ? ?
Upon hearing Xie Wenling's sophistry, he chuckled.
The little dumpling was also a bit confused.
She just didn't want the Grand Tutor to bother with that troublesome Prince Bai, so how did she suddenly get carried away by the Grand Tutor?
Her little head was a bit slow to catch up. She blinked her big eyes blankly, looked at the Grand Tutor, and then turned to look at Brother Xie, who was empty-handed and looked very unwell.
I can't figure it out...
Then I'll just stop thinking about it.
Seeing Qu Zijin's actions, which were almost like snatching someone away, Xie Wenling silently convinced himself to hold back.
Because there are more pressing issues to deal with right now.
His gaze shifted to Bai Qingzhong, who remained standing alone, and his tone lost its usual businesslike calm: "Young Master Bai, why are you without any attendants? Where are the servants from the Xixiang Prince's residence?"
This question struck a nerve with Bai Qingzhong.
He suddenly raised his head, and the tears he had been holding back for so long finally spilled over in large drops.
He bit his lip hard, trying not to cry out, but he couldn't hold back.
“I…I…” he sobbed, speaking haltingly, “Although I am the eldest son of the Prince’s Mansion…my mother died early…my father remarried soon after…and had…had other younger brothers…none of them liked me…my father even…even refused to ask for the title of heir apparent for me…he wanted to give the position to the younger brother born to my stepmother…”
"This time when I went to the capital... they... they pushed me out... they only gave me a wet nurse and two unfamiliar maids, and had guards escort me... on the way, the wet nurse contracted the plague and was... was sent back... now I'm all alone..."
By the end, he was almost sobbing uncontrollably, his thin shoulders trembling violently; he looked utterly pitiful.
Qu Zijin's heart clenched as he listened.
He was already soft-hearted, and at this moment he felt even more sympathy for this young prince who had a tragic past and was constantly bullied.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on the little dumpling, and his gaze towards Bai Qingzhong was filled with pity and reluctance.
Then, subconsciously, I began to think about whether I could offer this young prince some help and protection...
Even the little dumpling in his arms, listening to Bai Qingzhong's tearful narration and seeing his pitiful appearance, showed sympathy on its little face and muttered softly, "Ah... he really is so pitiful..."
Qu Zijin sensed the little dumpling's softening and became even more determined to help.
He spoke, "If Your Highness does not mind, I might..."
Before the words were even out of his mouth, the little dumpling suddenly snapped back to reality.
Her little hands gripped his collar, and she shook her head vigorously: "Grand Tutor, no!"
Although the little dumpling couldn't fully understand what the system aunt was saying, she vaguely felt that if the Grand Tutor got involved with this troublesome Prince Bai, something bad would definitely happen!
Just like when I was almost surrounded by those adults!
She couldn't bear to see the Grand Tutor jump into the fire!
Qu Zijin was taken aback by the little girl's sudden and strong opposition, and looked down at her in confusion.
Meanwhile, Xie Wenling finally spoke.
He remained unmoved by Bai Qingzhong's tearful pleas, his calmness bordering on coldness: "Grand Tutor Qu, put away your useless pity. He is the son of a prince, and regardless of whether he is favored or not, his status is sensitive. As Grand Tutor, you privately befriend and even intend to shelter a prince's son who is ostracized by his father's family and is in a precarious situation. Are you afraid that His Majesty will not suspect that you are forming cliques for personal gain, or even have other motives?"
His words brought Qu Zijin to his senses.
After realizing what had happened, her face even turned slightly pale.
Yes, he was only thinking about how pitiful Bai Qingzhong was, but he completely ignored the complex political implications behind it.
He, a close advisor to the emperor and tutor to the princes, was taking care of the son of a vassal king...
It was practically dancing on the emperor's suspicions.
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