Surprise! An extra chapter for the day. Somehow, this chapter is quite easy to translate or maybe my language skill has leveled up. Still waiting for my beloved editor to wake up. Please excuse me for any errors. Go ahead and read it~
Translated by: HaruOngy
Chapter 4 – A Talented Type IdolWhen Chu Xun received news of Di Mu Yang's return to the capital, he was on the way to the palace.
"Xiao Jing Zi, my hair bun for today, help me make it loose a bit."
"Crown Prince, why? It's not pretty when loose!"
Chu Xun grinned as he calculated. Later, Di Mu Yang would tell Imperial Father that Seventh Young Master Mei suffered from Imperial Uncle's plot. Whether he was still alive or not was still not known. He needed to act as if he lost control of himself a little. Only then would it be convincing that the Crown Prince was kind-hearted and had moral integrity as well as honest and sincere.
Finished thinking about it, he took out his beloved little mirror from his chest. He looked around at his face with the mirror, extremely satisfied.
In an act, he was a talented type of idol.
Di Mu Yang following the rules, brought Mei Qian Deng who was wearing a fully black clothes to a road which was straight to the palace's gate.
The Little General was slightly perturbed. "Young Master Mei, this kind of clothes, isn't it too plain?"
Mei Qian Deng glanced once at him as she indifferently said, "When going out I just bring two pairs of clothes as they can be washed in cycle. The other one already dirtied."
"Ai, it's my negligence for not taking good care of Young Master Mei!"
The Young Master stopped her step as she seriously scrutinised Di Mu Yang. Then, she said, "Little General Di, you don’t need to take pains in currying favour from me for the sake of making connection for the Crown Prince. Now that I'm entering the palace, I will be dedicated and devoted to my duty and will not fail His Majesty's trust."
Di Mu Yang got slightly embarrassed. This Little Young Master Mei, either not talking or when talking, his words were a burst of a bloody scene; fast, ruthless and direct.
"It's not, that whatever it is, I'm still… …" He did not have any idea how to convey it so he could only pull Mei Qian Deng arm. "Brother Qian Deng, in the future, we are on same side. I too will not hide it from you. Our Crown Prince, although on the surface is modest, amiable and polite, the truth is he is a very fussy person. Urgh, maybe a little narcissist too. Perhaps, from the start, he don’t like you very much but it's not a problem. After knowing for a long time, the relationship will improve. The Crown Prince actually is an intelligent and kind person."
Mei Qian Deng's whole face was calm. "Many thanks for the information."
From the start, this person did not care the Crown Prince's preference.
When Chu Xun arrived at the Ming Hua Palace, Di Mu Yang had already brought Mei Qian Deng then. The Emperor's face was quite hideous when he heard Di Mu Yang reported the assassination matter. Just when he wanted to open his mouth to comfort this Seventh Young Master Mei, a little eunuch announced. The Crown Prince has arrived——
The Crown Prince was face palming when he entered. His clothes were a mess, several strands of his hair fell down. It was different from his usual meticulous dress up.
"Imperial Father, erchen earlier heard that that Young Master Mei bumped into a mishap on the way to the capital……"
He had just wanted to ask if that Mei brat's corpse was found when he suddenly noticed there were four pairs of legs in front of him. The number was not right. He quickly lifted his head and faced a pair of calm and otherworldly black eyes. His heart instantly shivered. His chrysanthemum too tightened.
Who is this?
"Xun er, you have come at the right time. This person is the Seventh Young Master Mei, Mei Qian Deng. He really is an outstanding young man since ancient times. Qian Deng's martial art ability is unsurpassable and calm even in the face of danger as he avert disaster. Zhen really had not choose the wrong person for you!" The Emperor laughed joyfully as his mood turned for the better.
Mei Qian Deng faced the Crown Prince as she saluted indifferently.
Chu Xun quietly pushed aside the messy hair on his forehead. Then, he softly took a breath and in an instant, he changed his expression.
He walked over to hold Mei Qian Deng's shoulders as he slightly raised his head. He displayed an imperial family's dignified manner as he said (while containing his tears), "You're fine. This is really great!"
Qian Deng originally did not want to reply but she remembered her father's urge: Must not be wilful and offend the Crown Prince. Only then, she answered, "Thanks for the Crown Prince's worry."
"Xun er, Qian Deng comes from far away and has no house to stay in the capital. You should let your people to select a suitable room in the Ming Jue Palace to let Qian Deng settle there," the Emperor gave a verbal order.
The Crown Prince, Chu Xun suddenly felt his whole body was not well.
He could still act, "As the saying goes: For a friend to come personally from far, is it not a joy. To let erchen make room in the master bedroom for Young Master Mei is not a problem. It just…… the imperial harem area has heaps of rules and Young Master Mei is a jianghu person who is unconcerned with trivialities. What if he accidentally offended madam from whichever palace? At that time, Young Master Mei will fall into a predicament. Why don’t let him stay in the generalissimo mansion first. After familiarise with the palace rules, is it not too late for he then to move out to the Ming Jue Palace?"
After saying that, he threw a sharp glance at Di Mu Yang.
"Yeah, Emperor……"
Without waiting for Di Mu Yang's support, the Emperor waved his hand as he smiled deeply. "No problem. Just let Xiao Jing Zi follow Qian Deng. This Mei child with just a look and already know he is a smart person. Will learn in a single teaching."
Just like that he happily decided.
The Emperor allowed the three youngsters to kneel and leave.
When they were climbing down the Ming Hua Palace's stairway, a "dong" sounded. Something fell on the ground.
Mei Qian Deng squatted to pick it up. "Crown Prince, a mirror dropped."
Chu Xun returned to his sense. Just like a cat with its fur raised, he turned around and snatched away the small mirror as he fiercely said, "Don’t touch this Crown Prince's things!"
"Xiao Jing Zi, open an umbrella!"
Outside, there was no rain. Not even a cloud was present and the sun was quite strong.
Chu Xun had never planned of concealing his internal displease but it still was not over the top.
"Prepare for Young Master Mei the most remote building in the Ming Jue Palace." He ordered Xiao Jing Zi.
Di Mu Yang persuaded him, "Your Highness, it's not really good if His Majesty found out about this."
Chu Xun looked at Mei Qian Deng. He conceitedly smiled. It was said that a confident man had the most glamour. "It may not be so. One look at Young Master Mei and will know he is a dull person. He much prefer living in a remote place."
Mei Qian Deng clearly nodded her head.
Di Mu Yang still wanted to reconcile these two people's relationship. "Ming Jue Palace is not considered large and not considered small too. Crown Prince, let us bring Young Master Mei around for a look?"
"Xiao Jing Zi, lead Young Master Mei to familiarise with the surroundings. Incidentally, explain clearly the palace rules to Young Master Mei. This Crown Prince still has homework to be done. Temporarily will not keep company with you all."
The Crown Prince, Chu Xun returned to his room and laid on a bed. He was a bit unwilling.
Obviously, he let Di Mu Yang go to hide away that Mei brat. In the end, he instead saved him and even brought that person back to the capital.
This little liar!
Thinking up to here, Mei Qian Deng's face unconsciously appeared in Chu Xun's mind. His facial features were a little hazy. How was his look again? Earlier, he was so furious that he didn’t look properly. He just remembered it was an oval face, with crimson phoenix eyes and his temperament was aloof. He was absolutely not inferior in the least compared to those heirs of famous families and nobilities.
It was completely different from the unbearable tall and stalwart appearance that he imagined.
Chu Xun's heart had a strand of restless feeling. After remaining static for a long time, both of his legs were tingling. His body as if ten thousands of ants were biting around, it was extremely uncomfortable. He kicked a few times on the bed. Later, his back gum grinded until sounds could be heard. He kicked a few more times at the cotton-padded mattress. In the end, he suddenly stood up. He nagged like a broken record while going out.
"This Crown Prince just want to see how that wild jianghu grass that little demon can manage to stay at Ming Jue Palace!"
People said that curiosity killed the cat.
For this round, the Crown Prince had really fell head first.
He again turned back sneakily. Like a cornered cat, he went to look for that Young Master Mei.
Xiao Jing Zi currently was introducing himself to Mei Qian Deng, "Young Master Mei, nucai is Xiao Jing Zi. Please don’t think that this nucai is so narcissist until wanting to look at the mirror everyday (that is Crown Prince). The Crown Prince once said: With copper as a mirror, can straighten one's attire. With ancient as a mirror, one can know the rise and fall. With people as mirror, one can understand gain and loss. Therefore, nucai is called as Xiao Jing Zi."
Mei Qian Deng lightly fanned her eyelids. Her eyes were clear with no ripple.
She did not continued the conversation leading to an awkward silence.
Xiao Jing Zi was somewhat embarrassed. He covered his mouth, laughing to escape from the embarrassment. "This is Young Master Mei's first time here and will not understand well the rules in the palace. So, speaking and acting cautiously is the best."
Mei Qian Deng alone turned around. Her line of vision locked on behind the corridor's corner.
Chu Xun really thought this was his fastest speed limit in his whole life. He used his whole life's fastest speed to pull back his head that had just prepared to peek out. He had yet to feel relieved that he was not caught when the leaning corner's door happened to open. Chu Xun just felt blackness before his eyes when his head made a "duang" sound and his whole person had been hit muddled.
"Crown Prince! Crown Prince, are you alright?! Nucai has sinned deserving a ten thousand deaths, Your Highness please spare nucai's life!!"
An imperial palace maid appeared from the door. Upon seeing this scene, she was so shocked that she had lost her mind. She threw away the cleaning rag in her hand and knelt on the ground while admitting her sin. When she saw that the Crown Prince was not responding, she rushed over to hug tightly the Crown Prince's long leg as she shouted loudly, "Someone come! The Crown Prince has knocked his head against the door——"
"Shut……up……"
Chu Xun squeezed out two words between his teeth.
He held onto the door. Originally he wanted to escape when his drooping vision noticed another pair of black boots had appeared before him. Then, a slightly cold hand landed on his forehead. Chu Xun raised his head and came face to face with Mei Qian Deng's calm eyes. Mei Qian Deng used both fingers and palm to quickly inspect the Crown Prince's forehead and said.
"The external injury is superficial. Crown Prince, how many is this?" She lifted one forefinger.
Chu Xun's forehead repeatedly throbbed. Why, she must be afraid that his head suffered internal injury until the Crown Prince has turned into an idiot?!
A certain person coldly groaned and left in a fit of pique, his walk as if on wings.
Ever since Mei Qian Deng lived in the palace, the Crown Prince's previous unclear premonition had come true.
The next day during mao[1] time, Xiao Jing Zi came to wake up Chu Xun.
"Your Highness, it's time for you to wake up and change clothes."
The Crown Prince did not need to attend morning court but had to attend morning classes.
Chu Xun rolled over the blanket over his body, turning into a sleeping worm. He boohooed twice and writhed only a few times, unwilling to wake up. He dreamt of Mei Qian Deng. He dreamt of preparing to kick her back to the ravine ditch.
Xiao Jing Zi was used to this. His family Crown Prince not only like to laze around in bed, he even had bad get up temper.
"Your Highness, Young Master Mei is waiting outside the palace. To let others wait during first study is not quite good."
When the word "Mei" entered Chu Xun's ears, he instantly opened his eyes and got up from the bed. Among his guarded expression was a slight excitement, to the point of opening widely his mouth to order Xiao Jing Zi to change his clothes. Just as the words reached his mouth, they instead changed into a coughing fit.
"Crown Prince?"
Chu Xun touched his throat. His voice was hoarse. "My throat hurts."
"Do we need to summon the imperial physician?"
"Medicine is three parts poison!"
"Then what should we do?"
"Give me, cough cough, just, snow pear."
"It can't be infected with a cold?" Xiao Jing Zi was not relieved. The Crown Prince always said medicine was three parts poison. Since childhood, he dislike seeing imperial physician. But this time, his throat had been painful for several days already. How could he recover with just eating snow pear? Obviously, it had turned much worse.
Unable to fight against Chu Xun's persistence, Xiao Jing Zi could only first changed his clothes. The day had yet to be bright. Chu Xun changed his clothes, washed his face and rinsed his mouth. Finally, he sat in front of a mirror, wanting Xiao Jing Zi to comb his hair.
He saw a figure appeared in the mirror. Noble and unsullied, elegant and charming. In heaven and earth, there would not be a second such person. Chu Xun's verdant slender white hands touched his own face. It was exactly during his puffed up session that he suddenly felt as if he saw something extra was on the left side of his face. He thought it was a dirt on the mirror and raised his hand to wipe it but that spot followed his face moving together.
"Cough, Xiao Jing Zi, bring over, a candlestick over."
Xiao Jing Zi obeyed his order.
Chu Xun held the candle as he approached the mirror and looked again.
He looked for a very long time.
"Crown Prince?"
The long waiting Xiao Jing Zi had a bad feeling.
"Crash——"Chu Xun suddenly returned to his sense. The candlestick fell from his hand and smashed onto the table before falling onto the ground.
Xiao Jing Zi was shocked as he rushed over. He was afraid that the little fire would burn the whole building. Thankfully, that flame extinguished in time.
"Your Highness?!"
Just what is going on?!
Chu Xun was completely stiff. His eyes were listless. His mouth reciting a certain word.
"On my face, grows a, pim—pim—pim—pim—ples[2]……." At the last syllable, he was shaking crazily.
[1] A period between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
[2] This refers to pimples in case some of you can't get it. The Chinese word for pimple is 痘痘 (doudou)