“The most critical point is that his name is not recorded in the family tree of the clan, and he comes from a lowly background. It is indeed difficult to persuade other ministers to consider him the heir.”
“That doesn’t matter. A hero does not ask about origins. Those ministers who cannot be convinced will simply be dealt with,” Rong Jin ordered casually. “Go, bring that little scholar here. We won’t know if it can be done until we’ve seen him.”
The author has something to say:
Tong Sui: Given my current image and identity, surely he wouldn’t take even the slightest interest in me.
Rong Jin: ???
Rong Jin’s words were never taken back. Since he had an interest in that little scholar, there was no way he could stop it.
Minister Liu Yung hurried back to the Ministry of Appointments.
At this moment, it was after class, and the study was noisy. The unruly princes gathered around a table, huddled together, looking at something.
As Liu Yung entered, he cleared his throat.
Upon hearing the sound, the princes quickly scattered and returned to their seats, pretending to read.
He saw that the little scholar was indeed surrounded earlier, but it did not seem he was bullied. His fair little face, though a bit thin, showed that he was not bad-looking.
Liu Yung approached and found that Tong Sui was scribbling something with a pen.
A sense of doubt arose within him. Could this little scholar even read and write? Perhaps those rumors weren’t entirely accurate, and he could really be trained—
However, as he moved closer to see what was on the paper, his face froze for two seconds.
This boy had actually used fine ink and paper to draw a big goose, looking particularly ridiculous with his shaky strokes.
Chu Yunyu even praised from the side, “Nice drawing.”
“Who told you to draw these things?” Liu Yung reached out and snatched the xuan paper from his table, his face sinking as he questioned, “Is this how you assist the Crown Prince in studying?”
Tong Sui stood up.
Chu Yunyu quickly interjected, “It’s not his fault; I was bored studying, so I asked him to entertain me.”
“Enough, why are you explaining for him?” Liu Yung turned and said, “Come with me. This matter must teach you a lesson.”
Chu Yunyu wanted to say something more but was silenced by a glare from Liu Yung.
Tong Sui had no choice but to follow him out.
Walking behind Liu Yung, he initially thought he would be punished, but Liu Yung said nothing and led him out of the Ministry of Appointments. Instead of stopping, his steps seemed hurried, as if he was headed somewhere.
Tong Sui frowned and looked up at this man’s face.
Wasn’t this the scholar originally beside Rong Jin?
Finally, they stopped in front of a resplendent hall, where Liu Yung’s scholarly demeanor faded, and his expression became tense and serious.
He looked down at Tong Sui, who was only as tall as his waist, feeling a hint of pity.
Lowering his voice, he said to Tong Sui, “You are here because a high official wishes to see you. Once you enter this door, just kneel and pay your respects. You must not look around or ask anything else.”
At this point, Tong Sui understood. Liu Yung had used the excuse of drawing in class to take him out for punishment, but the real purpose was to bring him to meet this high official he spoke of.
Tong Sui obediently nodded.
Only then did Liu Yung cautiously stand at the door, softly saying, “Sir, I have brought him.”
The hall was quiet for a moment before a distant, indifferent voice said, “Let him in.”
Tong Sui’s heart involuntarily raced as he reached out to push the heavy door, which felt massive to him.
As light streamed into the room, fragrant smoke wafted up, and through the mist, he could vaguely see a figure in white seated in the upper seat.
Rong Jin held a red pen in his hand, surrounded by a mountain of memorials. Upon seeing Tong Sui enter, he didn’t even glance up.
Tong Sui felt a bit disheartened but obediently closed the door and knelt on the floor.
“Sir.”
His voice echoed in the grand hall, and after a long wait, he heard the sound of the pen being set down.
Tong Sui sensed a palpable gaze landing on his back, as if he was being eyed by a venomous snake, sending chills down his spine.
Becoming prey filled him with intense unease.
Time seemed to freeze as each moment felt exceedingly long for Tong Sui.
Yet, the person in the hall seemed to relish this process, eventually saying, “Lift your head.”
Tong Sui took a deep breath and slowly raised his head.
He finally saw the person in the hall clearly.
The familiar face of Rong Jin displayed only indifference, and his gaze seemed to scrutinize Tong Sui as if assessing whether he had any value for use.
No matter how many worlds he traversed, Tong Sui found it hard to accept the coldness of being treated like a stranger.
Stay calm; I must remain calm.
Tong Sui repeated this in his mind, but his eyes couldn’t help but become a bit misty, looking as though he had been wronged, with tears glistening.
Rong Jin raised an eyebrow.
“What are you crying about? I have yet to question you about why you stared at me so in the Ministry of Appointments today.”
Tong Sui bit his lip, trying hard to hold back his tears, wiping away the excess with his sleeve, which only made his delicate face appear even redder.
“I—I made a mistake in recognition; please forgive me, Sir.”
“Made a mistake?” Rong Jin asked. “Mistook whom?”
Tong Sui replied, “A deceased family member.”
“Family, huh…” Rong Jin chuckled lightly, though his laughter held only a chill, “What a pity; I am a star of misfortune with no family, but I do have many enemies who would love to flay my skin.”
As he spoke, he turned to look at Tong Sui, expecting to see fear or terror on that pitiful face. Instead, he was taken aback to see… compassion?
Rong Jin froze for a second before snapping back to reality.
He had encountered countless people who pretended to be submissive and flattering before him, but he had rarely seen such an expression.
Was it genuine bravery, or was it feigned?