Chapter 5 – Tyrant VS National Teacher (5)
The territory of Xuanqing Temple was not remote, so the ox cart carrying Mu Jin and Master Chong Ming returned there after a short time.
Later, Mu Jin explained some doubts about cultivation to Master Chong Ming, which could be considered as repayment for the help he received.
Meanwhile, in the evening, Mo Yi returned to the sleeping hall from the drill ground.
Within a short year, several other princes passed away successively.
Currently, the Fifth Prince Mo Dun was only five years old and didn’t need to practice martial arts in the drill ground yet.
Without those brothers who used to torment him, Mo Yi’s days had become much better.
However, after returning from the drill ground, he still had to face that woman from time to time.
Whenever Ling Fei was in a bad mood or belittled by other concubines, she would come and vent her anger on him.
Sure enough, upon returning to the sleeping palace, Ling Fei was already waiting there.
Seeing her holding a thick ruler, Mo Yi knew he would inevitably endure another round of punishment today.
Whether it was being punished or insulted, although he had become accustomed to it, Mo Yi still felt it was better to suffer fewer injuries.
Therefore, seeing the palace attendant close the door, he knelt on the ground without any resistance.
He knew that the more he cried out in pain or tried to escape, the harsher the woman would be, so enduring this was better.
Seeing Mo Yi’s understanding, Ling Fei revealed a trace of malicious smile on her face.
The ruler in her hand fiercely struck the child in front of her.
Thinking about what the Fifth Prince’s mother, De Fei, had said arrogantly to her today, Ling Fei’s heart overflowed with hatred towards the Emperor Wen.
All these wounds were only on Mo Yi’s body; when he wore clothes, no one else could notice.
After a while, seeing Mo Yi already in pain and sweating but still silently enduring, Ling Fei found it increasingly boring.
When he finally couldn’t bear it and collapsed on the ground, she snorted coldly, threw away the ruler, and walked to the door of the sleeping palace.
“Clean yourself up.”
The sharp voice echoed in the ear, and the door of the sleeping hall opened again, already pitch black outside.
Ling Fei left abruptly, ignoring Mo Yi lying on the ground covered in injuries.
Such incidents happened frequently, and the palace attendants remained quietly in the courtyard, pretending not to have heard anything.
However, what no one noticed was that the moment the door of the sleeping hall closed again, the child lying on the ground erupted with intense hatred in his eyes.
Once, Mo Yi had yearned deeply for maternal love.
Watching the other princes cuddling in their mothers’ arms, he had also hoped that one day he could receive the same care and affection from his mother.
But over these years, he had already seen through it.
That woman had no ounce of affection for him; he was just a tool for her to vent her frustrations.
Clutching his fists and enduring the pain in his back, Mo Yi struggled to straighten up, crawled up from the ground, and collapsed on the bed.
His light-colored eyes seemed like stagnant water, yet also resembled a wolf lying in wait in the grass.
Mo Yi knew that he was still young and had to endure it for now.
But one day, he would repay all this pain tenfold or a hundredfold.
After a long time, the door of the room opened again, and a palace attendant brought a food tray, placed it, and then left.
Mo Yi lying on the bed didn’t even need to look at the food on the table to know what was there.
The rich aroma of meat entered his nostrils but only made the child feel nauseated.
Glancing at the table full of meat, hearing the room’s door close again, in the dim light, the child felt like a dog locked in a cage.
After toiling in the drill ground all afternoon and enduring abuse upon returning to the sleeping palace, Mo Yi was already famished.
However, he didn’t want to touch the food on the table. Eating those greasy meals would only make the injuries on his body more painful.
Drooping his eyelids slightly, Mo Yi reached under the bedsheet and pulled out a small hidden paper packet.
Upon opening it, he found two pieces of milk cake quietly lying inside.
They were the ones Mu Jin had given him during the day. He couldn’t bear to eat them all and deliberately saved two pieces.
The fragrant and white cake was put into his mouth, and the soft milk cake melted on his tongue, making the child almost forget the pain on his body.
Yet, immediately after, his heart felt even more desolate.
He felt as though this might be the last bit of sweetness he could taste in this sleeping palace.
Meanwhile, Mu Jin returned to Xuanqing Temple after answering Master Chong Ming’s questions, only to find that it was already completely dark outside.
Back in his room, Mu Jin immediately had the system transmit the image from Mo Yi’s side.
Watching his own child sitting alone in the room, lying on the bed seemingly asleep, the faint candlelight reflecting his gaunt face.
Once asleep, the child’s face lost its guard and finally revealed a naïve appearance suitable for his age, softening Mu Jin’s heart.
However, after watching for a while, Mu Jin felt somewhat restless.
Before, when he was far from Mo Yi, he could endure it.
Now that he had finally arrived at the capital and had the opportunity to see people, how could he willingly continue only seeing them through the system?
After considering it briefly, Mu Jin stood up and silently walked towards the door.
Seeing Mu Jin’s actions, 003 guessed what he intended to do.
Quickly reminding, “Host, the palace is under lock now.”
“I know.” Mu Jin nodded indifferently, smiling. “Don’t worry, it’s just slipping into the palace.”
“Besides, I still have you. With a fantastic partner like 003 helping me watch around, I won’t be noticed for sure!”
Hearing Mu Jin’s words, 003, who had intended to advise otherwise, swallowed back their words instantly. If it weren’t for their black fur, Mu Jin would have surely seen their blushing face.
Successfully swayed by Mu Jin’s praises, 003 activated the system with heightened vigilance, silently vowing to ensure the host’s safety.
Thus, quietly, Mu Jin and 003 slipped into the palace under the cover of night.
Mu Jin’s agility, coupled with 003’s assistance, easily evaded the patrolling guards.
The few palace attendants left in the sleeping hall were accustomed to laziness and were effortlessly bypassed by Mu Jin.
Without much effort, he sneaked into Mo Yi’s room.
Observing the seemingly untouched greasy food on the table, Mu Jin furrowed his brow.
All these meals consisted of only meats and fish, not a hint of green.
With such a diet at every meal, how could Mo Yi’s health possibly improve?
Turning to look at the child lying on the bed, seemingly already asleep, Mu Jin, feeling sorry, leaned closer, wanting to touch the child’s face.
Unexpectedly, before he could touch the child, he heard noise from the door.
Mu Jin quickly hid behind a screen and saw the door being opened.
Two palace attendants entered the room without seeking permission, noticing the untouched food on the table and promptly returned it to the tray to take it away.
Who would consume these meals after reheating them would be no mystery.
Though the child lying on the bed showed no reaction when the attendants took away the food, Mu Jin knew Mo Yi had already woken up, sensing a subtle change in his breathing.
After the door closed, Mu Jin quietly revealed himself again and approached the child on the bed.
As expected, just as he was about to touch him, Mo Yi suddenly opened his eyes wide and sat up.
He stared vigilantly at the person in front of him, holding a small dagger in front of his chest.
After recognizing that it was Mu Jin, Mo Yi’s cold and stern gaze turned to astonishment.
Seeing this, Mu Jin flashed a bright smile at the child and swiftly flicked his wrist, making the dagger slip from Mo Yi’s grasp.
As Mo Yi was about to speak, Mu Jin covered his mouth and slipped something inside.
Feeling the sweet taste in his mouth, Mo Yi widened his eyes.
“It’s poison!” Mu Jin blinked innocently, saying to the child.
Hearing this, Mo Yi’s pupils shrank suddenly, and his entire body became rigid, with despair in his light-colored eyes.
But then, the person in front of him suddenly released his grip on him.
Sitting beside him, the person started laughing heartily without making any sound.
Seeing the tears almost flowing from the other’s laughter, Mo Yi realized he had been tricked.
Angrily pushing Mu Jin away, Mo Yi glared at this outrageous person in front of him.
Mu Jin gestured towards the main door outside, indicating there were palace guards and lightly shushed him.
Leaning in closer, Mu Jin asked in a low voice, “Kid, is the candy delicious?”
Mo Yi snorted and glared at Mu Jin, wanting to spit out the candy, but its sweetness made him hesitate.
Ignoring the annoying trickster, Mo Yi turned his head away.
Watching the little bump forming on Mo Yi’s cheek from the candy, Mu Jin couldn’t help but find it adorable.
Feeling that Mo Yi was still upset, Mu Jin quickly attempted to please him by gently poking him.
Knowing the child was still angry, Mu Jin hurriedly apologized, trying to make amends, until Mo Yi finally pursed his lips, frowned, and said seriously to Mu Jin, “You can’t do this next time.”
Seeing the child’s stern reprimand, Mu Jin was delighted inside.
However, on the surface, he immediately nodded vigorously, promising earnestly, “Yes! Understood!”
Even though he knew the other was pretending to be serious, Mo Yi was satisfied with Mu Jin’s response and finally showed a smile on his face.