The royal study was filled with things that couldnât be found anywhere else, but the most valuable ones were still the and . They gave the room an awe-inspiring feel.
Emperor Shang directly sat on the dragon chair, while his personal attendant, court eunuch Xu, moved to his side, ready to serve. Shang Wuxin took the First seat* without saluting, nor showing a shred of respect. That kind of attitude was too rampant, but it was supposed to be like that in the first place.
Eunuch Xu glanced surprised at the crown prince, who was behaving so strangely, he could be mistaken for a different person. He was even more shocked by the emperorâs lack of reaction, but he was merely the emperorâs servant, thus he lowered his head, afraid of seeing or hearing anything he shouldnât. Though he stood there for a very long time, he truly didnât hear a single sound. The emperor should have already been berating the crown prince, the crown prince should have been arguing back. Then the father and son would part on bad terms, and within two days, the whole palace would know that the crown prince had angered the emperor again. Yet something seemed different nowâ¦
Shang Wuxin was looking at the emperor, who was looking at her. There was a hint of warmth in his deep gaze, though it was hidden so well, even the emperor himself hadnât realized it was there.
âNot saluting upon meeting Us, who gave you the courage?â Emperor Shang opened his mouth first, but as soon as he started talking, it was to scold. Though unfortunately, Shang Wuxin wasnât like the former crown prince, who could only look at the emperor dejectedly. Furthermore, she didnât bother giving an explanation. After observing Emperor Shang, she had noticed that he was actually restless with worry.
Shang Wuxin looked at the seemingly angry Emperor Shang, then stood up without a warning, startling him and eunuch Xu. Eunuch Xu went so far as to move in front of the emperor, blocking him from whatever harmful thing that unfathomable crown prince was about to do. On the other hand, Emperor Shang remained the same.
However, Shang Wuxin simply left the royal study without giving them so much as a glance. The purpose she came here today had already been reached. Even though some matters were still unclear, she got the basics. As for her Imperial father, she smiled wordlessly.
âCrown Prince!â Seeing the crown prince walking out of the study safe and sound, Wu Weiâs mind calmed down. If the emperor had decided to punish him, she wouldnât have been able to help. Instead, had she rushed in, she would have become a burden to him. With these thoughts, Wu Wei resolved to improve her martial arts as quickly as possible and become his support.
Shang Wuxin glanced at Wu Wei and found that she hadnât been further harassed by the guards. Without pausing her steps, she kept walking away from the royal study. As for the numerous Imperial guards, none of them were brave enough to irritate her. The crown prince dared to bring a maid to a meeting with the emperor without any explanation. He didnât even bother saluting, yet he wasnât punished. Moreover, his personal maid was so difficult to deal with. Many people suspected that the former crown prince had been concealing his strength and biding his time. From this day on, many people in the palace started dreading the crown prince, whom they had previously looked down on the most.
âEunuch Xu ah, you tell Me, did I do something wrong!â Emperor Shang was staring at the shut golden door, feeling anxious for a short moment, but he could only speak his thoughts to his attendant. As soon as he stepped out of this study, he could not say anything, and could not show anything on his face.
âHow could Your Majesty be wrong?â Eunuch Xu earnestly replied. He knew the reason for many of His Majestyâs actions. If onlyâ¦
Emperor Shang smiled. Even if he made a mistake, no one would dare say anything. Nevermind. Thinking of the crown princeâs behavior just now, he suddenly came to a decision.
Meanwhile, Shang Wuxin brought Wu Wei out of the Imperial palace and sat on the carriage, ready to return to the Crown Princeâs residence. Right then, their carriage got obstructed by some people. Wu Wei, who was in the driverâs seat, looked icily at the lot blocking the path, but the one leading them was the eldest prince, Shang Chenzhao.
Wu Wei lowered her head as she couldnât let her discontent show, but she was unaware that her state of mind had already been perceived by Shang Wuxin.
âWhat is it?â Shang Wuxin lifted the curtain slightly and asked the eldest prince Shang Chenzhao. Her manner was graceful even while sitting in a not at all luxurious carriage. In fact, because of her radiance, the ordinary carriage also seemed to become more noble.
A few carriages were parked in front of the Crown Prince residenceâs vehicle, but the very first one belonged to the eldest prince. His carriage was lavishly decorated with rare pearls hanging off it all over. He also had several bodyguards by his side. If one compared his display with the crown princeâs, they would believe he was the crown prince instead. The real crown prince seemed inferior and unpresentable next to him. At this moment, the common folk had gathered in the streets to watch the show, while keeping their distance. Everyone knew that Shangâs crown prince was sickly, timid, and incompetent, but no one had ever seen his face as the former crown prince had almost never set foot outside his home. Looking at the eldest prince provoking the crown prince now, many people were waiting to witness the crown prince losing face.
Pride filled Shang Chenzhaoâs mind as he stood outside his carriage, looking arrogantly at Shang Wuxin. So what if he was the crown prince? Their royal father didnât like him and he didnât have a mother to support him from the back. He was practically unable to keep the Crown Princeâs position for long. Thinking of this, Shang Chenzhaoâs expression appeared even more fearless as he sneered at Shang Wuxin.
Regarding Shang Chenzhaoâs expression, Shang Wuxin didnât have any emotional reaction whatsoever. Shang Chenzhao was wearing a very showy purple robe. Unfortunately, the purple color didnât bring out his nobleness, but instead made him look like an upstart. His countenance was relatively stalwart, but his under eye shadows were too heavy and his eyes couldnât conceal a thing. Shang Wuxin felt it was a waste of time to even look at this person.
She put down the curtain. Shang Chenzhao was the type who wouldnât amount to anything, just an inconsequential person. He wasnât worth her attention, but if he didnât know his place, she wouldnât mind carving him up. She was only afraid that the taste of killing her elder brother would be too good.
Noticing that the crown prince had put down the curtain, Wu Wei understood his meaning. She directly grasped the harness, preparing to drive the carriage around the blockade. However, her attitude made Shang Chenzhaoâs anger rise. Whenever heâd met the crown prince before, he had been so submissive, yet he was unexpectedly ignoring him now. Even his ugly maid dared to behave like that. Could it be because he hadnât taught his younger Imperial brother a lesson recently?
âSince the Crown Prince is inside, why not come out to meet this elder Imperial brother?â Shang Chenzhao wanted to directly grab that sickly crown prince and throw him down the carriage, but seeing his bodyguardsâ expressions, he knew he couldnât do that in public with so many onlookers around. Still, he was very used to mocking him. âOr is the Crown Prince so timid, that heâll tremble in fear even just coming out of the carriage?â
âHa ha ha ha!â The officialsâ sons and the bodyguards behind Shang Chenzhao all roared out in laughter. Someone threw in, âWho knows, maybe the Crown Prince pissed his pants in fear. Who doesnât know the Crown Prince is as timid as a mouse!â
The common folk were watching as the eldest prince humiliated the crown prince. Even the Imperial guards dared to join in, since they knew what kind of reputation he carried. It made for a lively show.
Wu Wei gripped her fists, wishing nothing more than to murder these people who were ridiculing the crown prince, but she was unable to deal with so many at once. Granted that she managed to beat up the eldest prince, she wouldnât have a nice ending. She wasnât afraid of bearing the consequences, she rather feared of implicating the crown prince. Since it happened at the Imperial palace, Wu Wei understood that it was difficult for the crown prince to make a move.
âSince youâre aware that This Prince is the Crown Prince, how come none of you followed basic courtesy? Or did Imperial consort Qin teach the eldest Prince this way?â A cool voice with a sharp tone sounded from inside the carriage. It was deep and melodious. Just the sound of it intimidated the laughing people into a halt and made the common folk curiously gaze at the Crown Princeâs carriage. Having such a voice, just how charming would his appearance be? Perhaps the rumors were wrong.
âYou*, you want This Prince to salute you?â Shang Chenzhao asked incredulous. It had always been his younger Imperial brother saluting him whenever they met each other. Now he dared make him salute. Had he gone insane? âWho do you think you are, actually asking me to salute you!â
Shang Chenzhao had barely finished saying those words, when he heard a collective gasp from around him. No matter how powerless the crown prince was, how could a mere prince speak that way to him. Such words were going against the law. Even the common people were looking at the eldest prince with uncertainty.
Notes: Not edited yet.
*First seat: It has to do with ranks. The higher the rank, the closer they can sit to the emperor.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
*You: The eldest prince totally dropped all honorifics here.
After looking through a bunch of drawings of sweet and innocent girls, I think I found one that looks a little shrewd. I think itâs a good image for Shang Wuxin.