Chapter 58: Who Wouldn’t Be Confused by This
Xiao Yang felt deeply wronged about the whole Grand Tutor Xu affair.
She’d just been a bit lethargic during her lessons and had dozed off a few times. Grand Tutor Xu, apparently finding his own lecture dull, suddenly put down his book and began regaling her with reflections from his many years as an official.
He spoke of witnessing the splendor of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, of his relationship with Emperor Taizhong, and of how wise and benevolent the late Emperor had been. Finally, of course, he didn’t forget to praise Xiao Yang.
He said she had finally grown up and now possessed the majesty and bearing of an Emperor.
Xiao Yang, who knew exactly what she was really like, thought: ’...Talk about forced praise.’
Only at the very end did Grand Tutor Xu reveal his true intentions. He said he was getting on in years and begged Your Majesty to grant his retirement so he could return to his hometown and live out his remaining days in peace.
Xiao Yang had no choice but to agree. The thought of no longer being tormented by the old man made her practically ecstatic.
However, Grand Tutor Xu then said that as an old man with no more strength than it takes to truss a chicken, he was afraid of being bullied upon returning home. Therefore, he hoped the Emperor would transfer his son back to their hometown to look after him, even a post as a Deputy Governor would suffice.
Grand Tutor Xu’s son was currently the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, a third-rank position, whereas a Deputy Governor was a fifth-rank position.
That was a demotion of three full ranks.
Xiao Yang wasn’t completely heartless. The position of Imperial College Sacrificial Officer couldn’t be easily filled at the moment, but she could give Grand Tutor Xu’s less-than-accomplished younger son a promotion.
With Grand Tutor Xu to watch over him, even a good-for-nothing should be able to handle being a Deputy Governor.
Grand Tutor Xu had no objections and then brought up his grandson.
He claimed his grandson was a once-in-a-century genius of the Xu Family—very obedient and well-behaved, but he looked so innocent and was so quiet that he was constantly being bullied and disturbed.
He said he wanted to send his grandson into the palace to serve as Your Majesty’s study companion.
When Xiao Yang heard this—a handsome, innocent, and well-behaved boy genius—she thought, ’What reason is there to refuse?’
However, things quickly took a bizarre turn.
When the court officials heard that Xiao Yang was letting Grand Tutor Xu retire, they all rushed to persuade her against it. But it turned out Grand Tutor Xu had already packed his things that day and was gone by the next.
He left only his eldest son—the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer—and his family behind in the Capital City.
At this point, Xiao Yang didn’t think much of it. She just assumed that since he was old, he was eager to go back and enjoy a quiet life.
’He’s worked for over fifty years and can finally retire. Wouldn’t it be more concerning if he *wasn’t* eager?’
But then, rumors began to spread that she was coveting Grand Tutor Xu’s grandson.
Xiao Yang fell into an awkward silence. She did want to see his grandson, but "coveting" was a stretch. ’But if I deny it,’ she thought, ’will anyone even believe me?’
Soon enough, however, the Regent King presented her with a file.
Grand Tutor Xu had four grandsons in total: two were married, and one had a lame leg. The only one who could be sent was the youngest, seventeen-year-old Xu Xingchen.
This Xu Xingchen was described as having an obedient-looking face, and he was a recognized genius who could read ten lines at a glance and never forget a thing. He was undeniably brilliant, but as he grew older, people discovered he had a... "small" problem.
He was very well-behaved but didn’t like to speak. He was very obedient but seemed emotionally detached.
He was brilliant at his studies and could recite texts flawlessly, but he couldn’t write an essay that met literary aesthetic standards.
Moreover, he was fascinated by studying corpses.
It started with the bodies of insects, then moved on to small animals.
He loved to disassemble, reassemble, and study them.
At first, the Xu Family thought he was interested in medicine and even hired an apricot forest master to teach him. But they soon discovered he had no interest in the healing arts; he simply liked studying dead bodies.
Later, he chanced upon a forensic doctor and, without his family’s permission, became the man’s apprentice.
The boy became so obsessed with studying corpses that when his great-granduncle died, he wanted to dissect him. After being stopped, he snuck out in the middle of the night to dig up the grave.
By the time he was discovered, he had already reached the coffin lid.
After that, the Xu Family had to post guards at the grave day and night for two full months before he finally gave up the notion.
In short, Xu Xingchen was handsome, but he was a deceptive little deviant—by no means the innocent, well-behaved genius he was made out to be.
And Grand Tutor Xu hadn’t sent the boy to Xiao Yang out of the goodness of his heart, either.
He had a grandson he couldn’t handle and a grand-disciple he couldn’t teach. He simply threw them together and ran for the hills.
SLAM!
Xiao Yang slammed her hand on the table. "That old fox! I’m going to skin him alive!"
And here she thought Grand Tutor Xu had finally seen the light, that they would stop tormenting each other.
So this was the trap he’d laid for her!
At the door, Xiao Lv stood waiting side by side with a youth who had a fair, babyish face.
He had a good idea who this person was. Though Xiao Lv didn’t usually pay much attention to people’s appearances, he couldn’t help but stare.
’This guy is almost too cute.’
Until now, he’d always considered the Little Emperor the most beautiful and adorable person he knew. But the Little Emperor’s looks were more of a refined, exquisite beauty, tinged with a roguish charm. With her eccentric personality, she wasn’t so much "cute" as she was dazzlingly, resplendently beautiful.
This person, however, was different. He just looked... good. At a glance, he seemed harmless, obedient, and quiet. A closer look revealed his unusually fair skin, exceptionally thick eyelashes, and perfectly proportioned features, with clean lines that weren’t the least bit harsh.
He looked like a sweet-tempered, well-behaved doll.
The Little Emperor’s furious voice echoed from within. Xiao Lv tore his gaze away. ’Who’s angered Your Majesty now?’
A little eunuch came out and bowed. "His Majesty summons you both to enter."
Xiao Yang was furious. She couldn’t believe she’d been deceived.
The fact that the Regent King was the one to expose the truth made her feel even more foolish.
That old coot Grand Tutor Xu was infuriating. She would absolutely not let him get away with this.
But just as her anger was blazing, an attendant came to announce that Xu Xingchen and Xiao Lv were requesting an audience.
She immediately ordered them in, her eyes glued to the doorway, eager to see what this "little deviant" looked like.
And then... her eyes suddenly lit up.
’Where did this sweet little doll come from?’
"Xu Xingchen pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Even his voice was obedient—a clear, soft, youthful tone.
"AHEM..." Xiao Yang’s throat suddenly felt itchy. She composed herself, the fury in her eyes transforming into a brilliant sparkle. "Right, you may rise."
Standing nearby, Rong Yin took in Xiao Yang’s entire expression, and a frosty hostility crept into his cold, dark eyes.
Xu Xingchen obediently rose and then stood there without a word.
Xiao Yang raised a hand. "Come here."
Xu Xingchen stepped forward, his big, dewy eyes fixed on Xiao Yang.
Xiao Yang’s mouth fell open, then snapped shut. ’How can a person look like this?’ she wondered. ’He’s like a soft little mochi. I just want to give him a squeeze; he looks like he’d feel amazing to the touch.’
’How could a wrinkly old man like Grand Tutor Xu produce such a cute, doughy little bun? Is this a genetic mutation?’
The moment she laid eyes on him, Xiao Yang tossed everything the Regent King had told her to the back of her mind.
’A kid this cute? Even if he’s a deviant, he’s an adorable deviant.’
"Don’t be scared now," she cooed. "I don’t bite. From now on, you’ll stay by my side. You can tell me anything you want, okay?~~"
’Now I’m the one who feels like a pervert,’ Xiao Yang thought. But she was utterly powerless against that face.
’He’s like a fluffy white Samoyed puppy.’
’Who wouldn’t be smitten by a sight like that?!’
Xiao Yang’s impression: He’s like a little puppy. A pet. I want to keep him!
Onlookers’ perspective: The Emperor is definitely lusting after his beauty!
"Xiao Jin!"
Rong Yin called out her name, his face cold. When the Emperor didn’t react at all, his expression darkened, and he departed with a flick of his sleeve.
Xiao Lv watched Rong Yin leave, then glanced back at the completely oblivious Xiao Yang, a thoughtful expression on his face.