Chapter 2 – Tyrant VS National Teacher (2)
When Mu Jin arrived, this was the scene before his eyes.
He sat silently atop the wall, observing the child on the stone steps, whose head was bowed. It was hard to discern his expression, but he wore the standard attire of a prince. The clothing itself was exquisitely adorned, but on his frail frame, it seemed oversized, almost as if he had borrowed someone else’s clothes.
The slender and fragile appearance made it difficult to believe that this child was already eight years old. Despite having seen Mo Yi countless times through the system’s broadcast in his consciousness, witnessing Quiong Qi’s actual appearance in this world made Mu Jin clench his fists involuntarily.
He knew that the one he cared for did not fare well in this world, not at all. Despite his status as a prince, being born from a foreign slave made his birth humble. His father, the emperor, did not cherish him, and his mother, the empress, did not show him any kindness.
In truth, within the palace, nobody truly regarded him. Observing the remote palace he lived in, and him sitting alone on the stone steps without any attendants nearby, revealed the true status of this third prince.
However, as the attendants saw that only Mo Yi was present, they took the opportunity to evade laziness, thus creating an opportunity for Mu Jin.
Creating a deliberate noise, he quickly caught the attention of the other. Startled by the sudden sound, Mo Yi hastily stood up and glanced around. Soon, he spotted Mu Jin seated high on the wall, swinging his legs leisurely.
Mo Yi’s eyes widened subconsciously, feeling a bit disoriented. The youth on the wall wore a white Daoist robe with hair as dark as ink. With delicate facial features and eyes that resembled cat eyes, Mu Jin looked at him with a smile that curved like a crescent moon.
‘Is he an immortal?’ These words sprang into Mo Yi’s mind. Could there be someone so strikingly handsome in the mortal world?
Mo Yi couldn’t find more words to describe him. He only knew that the person before him surpassed any beauty he had seen in the palace. Not glamorous, yet captivating.
Despite being just an eight-year-old child, his survival in the palace had made him highly cautious. Soon, Mo Yi regained his composure.
The moment of astonishment in his eyes passed swiftly, replaced by a serious expression. Frowning, he questioned Mu Jin, “Who are you?”
While Mo Yi observed Mu Jin, the latter also observed him. Starry-eyed with a high nose bridge and refined facial features at such a young age, he saw a pair of bright amber-colored eyes. Perhaps due to his mother’s background, Mo Yi’s facial features appeared more prominent, bearing an exotic touch.
Affected by Qiong Qi’s spirit, Mo Yi’s appearance naturally resembled Qiong Qi. But now, his complexion was sallow, and he looked exceedingly frail, which somewhat concealed his gracefulness.
However, Mu Jin could foresee the grace and charm he would possess as he grew older.
At this moment, seeing the child in front of him, trying to act maturely while questioning him, Mu Jin found him exceptionally adorable.
Bending slightly, he approached Mo Yi and blinked, smiling gently. “Do you know Master Chong Ming?”
“You mean the Imperial Master?” Mo Yi was momentarily surprised by the mention.
Glancing at Mu Jin’s Daoist robe, he speculated internally. After all, Chong Ming’s name was well-known throughout Xi Ling.
“Are you from the Xuan Qing Temple?” Mo Yi inquired uncertainly.
Mu Jin nodded lightly, chuckling, “I am Mu Jin, a disciple under Master Chong Ming. Young one, what is your name?”
“You… don’t recognize me?” Surprised by Mu Jin’s words, Mo Yi couldn’t help feeling bewildered. Since this person was a disciple of the Imperial Master, being brought into the palace must signify the Imperial Master’s high regard for him.
However, he couldn’t fathom why this person appeared in his dwelling. After all, this place was extremely secluded within the palace.
Seeing the confusion in Mo Yi’s eyes, Mu Jin couldn’t fail to understand his thoughts.
Amused, Mu Jin pretended to look around in despair, then looked at Mo Yi helplessly. “Hey kid, do you even know where you are?”
“Originally, my master asked me to follow an elderly gentleman down to rest, but we got separated halfway, and I got lost.”
“If my master comes out and can’t find me, he will definitely blame me!”
Hearing Mu Jin’s words, Mo Yi carefully observed the other person’s expression.
Seeing that his eyes were clear and free of any guilt, he had already believed him for eight out of ten.
Thinking of this person’s playful appearance, Mo Yi felt that he must have been playing truant and gotten lost, and then ran to himself.
He didn’t expect that the Master Chong Ming, who was respected and respected, would actually teach out such a reckless disciple
After all, in this palace, if one were to wander around at will, if one were to reach a place where one should not go or offend someone, it would not be a small matter.
Thinking that helping this person would not be of any harm to himself, Mo Yi pointed the way for Mu Jin.
However, he did not expect that after he had finished pointing the way, the other party would not leave immediately.
Instead, he sat down on the stone steps where he had just been sitting and picked up the book he had left on the ground to read.
However, when Mu Jin really saw the contents of the book, his heart began to feel unhappy.
No wonder the child was looking at the book so hard, the contents of the book were all about some rigid and dogmatic principles.
The expression was also obscure and difficult to understand, and it should be a book that people should read when they are older.
The content of this book was obviously not suitable for a **-year-old child to learn from.
Mo Yi is still just a child now, and he doesn’t have a good foundation. He probably can’t even understand the contents inside.
Moreover, even if he could understand it, reading these books full of superficial benevolence and morality would ruin his mind.
However, when he thought about the child’s current situation, Mu Jin also understood clearly.
Even if his mother, Lingfei, had not fallen out of favor, she was still just a foreign woman with no roots in the court.
Other palace concubines only needed to inform their families a few words, and they would be able to let Mo Yi be rubbed flat and round in the study and the drill field.
It is likely that the Grand Tutor’s teaching of the Third Prince Mo Yi was also perfunctory.
Shaking the book in his hand, Mu Jin turned to the child beside him and asked, “Can you understand what’s written on this book?”
Mo Yi heard Mu Jin’s words, his face turned red, but he snatched the book from the other’s hand.
He stared at Mu Jin with wide eyes and huffed and puffed, clearly being hit by the other’s words.
Of course, he couldn’t understand these books.
It was just that the pride in his heart made him unwilling to show his weakness in front of others.
The contents of the book were not clearly taught by the Grand Tutor. He just took him to read it once and then let him recite the passages in the book.
Every time he was tested, he could not answer the questions, and the Grand Tutor would always shake his head and say that he was stupid.
It was no wonder that he would be looked down upon as an unfavored prince who was so untalented in his studies.
Thinking of this, Mo Yi’s eyes became increasingly dim.
Mu Jin felt the child’s emotions dropping, knowing that it was his words that had made the other feel sad.
It was their first time meeting, and Mu Jin knew the principle of taking things slow.
He quickly rubbed Mo Yi’s head and smiled, “You’re so cute, don’t always look so glum!”
“Here, brother will give you a good thing!”
He then took out a small paper bag from his arms and put it in Mo Yi’s hand.
Mo Yi heard Mu Jin’s words and opened the paper bag in his hand curiously.
Inside were several pieces of delicious-looking, fragrant snacks, and he looked at Mu Jin with confusion.
He saw Mu Jin mysteriously whispering to him, “These are milk cakes, especially delicious!”
“My master loves milk cakes the most, and I managed to sneakily hide these for you behind his back.”
“Now they’re all yours! Consider it a thank-you for guiding me.”
“The next time I have a chance to enter the palace, I’ll bring you other good things!”
After saying that, Mu Jin seemed reluctant to part with the package and stole a few glances at it.
As if unable to resist, he quickly picked one, stuffed it into his mouth, and without waiting for Mo Yi’s reaction, swiftly leaped over the wall.
He waved at the other person with a smile and disappeared from there.
Mo Yi stared blankly at the direction Mu Jin had disappeared for a long time before lowering his head and picking up one of the milk cakes.
A sweet fragrance wafted through his nostrils, causing his stomach to gurgle involuntarily.
Thinking of the lunch, which was always oily and lacked even a simple broth and vegetables, Mo Yi felt frustrated.
Whenever he ate a bit more, his stomach would swell uncomfortably.
Most of the time, he had to endure hunger or force himself to eat a little.
At this moment, he was already famished, and naturally, the extremely appetizing pastry in front of him made his mouth water.
Though poisoning was common in the palace, the person just ate a piece himself, so it should be safe, right?
Despite Mo Yi’s careful demeanor, he was just an eight-year-old child who couldn’t resist his desires. He put a piece of the cake into his mouth.
The delicious and sweet taste instantly filled his mouth; it wasn’t overly sweet and had a particularly soft and chewy texture.
Mo Yi felt that this was the most delicious snack he had ever eaten.
The delicious pastry greatly eased his hungry stomach, making Mo Yi feel comfortable throughout his belly.
That poor child 🙁 even if his mother is a foreign slave shouldn’t she treat her son better? She could at least show him some motherly love so that even if there’s only a slim chance when he grow up he’ll be filial…