Learning a written language is not just about understanding the meanings of individual words; more importantly, it involves mastering their usage, which naturally extends to deeper aspects such as grammar.
Stopping at classroom learning is not enough. Outside the classroom, Wen Mingyu needs to read more, much like practicing language skills by reading original works and watching authentic foreign-language films when learning English.
Gong Xue is meticulous in his approach but not overly rigid. While discussing certain topics may be considered inappropriate for scholars, and they might prefer not to disclose their familiarity with such matters, Gong Xue doesn’t discourage Wen Mingyu from reading certain materials. On the contrary, he recommends a few, suggesting that occasional readings outside of class can serve both as a source of relaxation and a means of learning, striking a balance between work and leisure.
With this, Wen Mingyu began reading the storybooks, and with his ability to read ten lines at a glance, he read books at an extremely fast pace. Naturally, this led to a constant supply of storybooks.
The palace was intricate, with the Imperial Guards patrolling day and night, seemingly protecting the vast palace complex with an iron-clad defense. However, where there are people, there are conspiracies and calculations. Not all the palace inhabitants were loyal to the emperor; there were those with ulterior motives, individuals manipulated by external forces.
If it weren’t for Zhao Dequan having someone keeping an eye on Wen Mingyu during this period, they might not have discovered it. The issue stemmed from a particular page in one of the storybooks.
Zhao Dequan’s godson noticed something amiss and handed over the storybook that was supposed to be delivered to Wen Mingyu. His face was unnaturally pale. Zhao Dequan had a foreboding feeling, and upon examining the book, his expression immediately turned very unpleasant.
What’s written on this…
The person behind this intends to put someone in a life-threatening situation.
Not only Wen Mingyu, who would have originally seen this storybook, but even those who have handled it, including Zhao Dequan, are likely in danger of death.
Zhao Dequan’s face turned as white as paper. After contemplating for a while, he ultimately decided to present the storybook to the emperor for a final decision. After all, even if he managed to conceal it for now, if the emperor found out later, his fate would be even more miserable.
Mu Zhan glanced at the presented storybook, furrowing his brows, and said, “Zhao Dequan, do you think I have the leisure to read storybooks?”
Zhao Dequan bowed deeply, showing great respect, and replied, “This storybook is meant for Young Master Wen. However, there are… inappropriate aspects, so I request the Emperor to review it.”
Mu Zhan guessed something and reached out to pick up the storybook.
The hall fell into an unusual silence.
A cold bead of sweat dripped down from Zhao Dequan’s forehead. He felt as if he were being roasted on a fire and that a sharp guillotine blade was hanging over his head, ready to fall and sever it at any moment. The suspense was agonizing.
From above, a sudden cold laughter echoed.
Zhao Dequan still hung his head, not daring to move.
“The old fool who doesn’t know his place, dares to meddle in my palace. Zhao Dequan, skin the person who delivered this storybook, and hang them at the gate of Duke of Rongguo’s Mansion.”
Zhao Dequan trembled uncontrollably, quickly kneeling and responding, suppressing his fear. He pleaded in a low voice, “Your Majesty, it was my godson who examined the storybook. He discovered the issue but also read the contents. I dare to implore mercy. I would like to ask Your Majesty how to handle this matter.”
Mu Zhan’s expression was icy, with abnormal crimson blood vessels visible beneath his eyes, exuding an eerie and murderous intent. It seemed as if, in his eyes, there was no living being. “This matter is not urgent. First, send the storybook to Wen Mingyu. I’m curious about his reaction.”
Zhao Dequan was startled and couldn’t help but raise his head to look, but as soon as he met Mu Zhan’s gaze, he immediately lowered it deeply, forehead touching the ground.
“…Yes, I will go now.”
Zhao Dequan bowed and exited the hall, feeling extremely complex emotions and a chilling fear. Indeed, even though the emperor seemed to favor people, when he decided to kill, he would still go through with it.
The content in the storybook was taboo. If Duke of Rongguo’s people smoothly delivered it to Wen Mingyu, he would surely be killed after reading it. But now that it was stopped and ordered to be sent over, there was no other reason than to potentially kill Wen Mingyu.
Zhao Dequan harbored no illusions of surviving this incident. The threat was not over. As long as the emperor’s murderous intent persisted, no one was safe.
Wen Mingyu was completely unaware. After receiving the storybook, he read it as usual. When Zhao Dequan brought the new one, he had just finished the one in his hands and was eager to continue reading.
Zhao Dequan hesitated to speak but ultimately withdrew without saying anything.
Wen Mingyu read swiftly. It was a storybook depicting various customs and traditions of different regions in the current dynasty. The writing was humorous and interesting, and he was deeply engrossed, unaware of when Mu Zhan had arrived. Moreover, the palace maids performing their kneeling salutes made no sound. This was at Mu Zhan’s request.
Finally, Wen Mingyu reached that page.
At a glance, his first reaction was that it didn’t seem to connect with the previous text. It felt strange—could this be a pirated book?
Stunned for a moment, he snapped back to reality and promptly closed the book with a bang, as if it were not a book but some kind of monster ready to devour him.
A shiver ran down Wen Mingyu’s spine, and he even broke into a cold sweat. He should have sensed that something was off the moment he laid eyes on the first word. Now, after a quick glance, the entire page’s contents were imprinted in his mind. Having an eidetic memory proved quite troublesome at times like these.
When Sanxi wanted to reveal the secrets of the harem earlier, he had stopped him from speaking. Now, he had stumbled into a big mess, and he couldn’t help but wonder who was so malicious as to want to harm him like this?!
Wen Mingyu felt a chill down his spine, and even his invisible tail couldn’t help but emerge, a small snowy white tuft nervously swaying under his rear end, as if that was his true form.
He was contemplating pretending he hadn’t seen anything and secretly destroying the book. However, to his surprise, when he looked up, he found himself locking eyes with one of the main characters from the secrets of the palace – Mu Zhan.
In an instant, Wen Mingyu was so scared that his soul almost flew away.
He felt his tail pop out, hidden in his pants, which was fortunate; however, if his ears on the top of his head were exposed…
He quickly lifted his hand to cover his head with the large sleeves, bending over the table and coughing violently. Half of it was genuine, as he was indeed choked by the scare, but the more intense coughing was to disguise his reaction.
Emotions fluctuating wildly, he couldn’t control himself. The rabbit ears emerged, hanging softly on the side of his face, mirroring his own timidity.
Accidentally discovering the palace secrets, his true form was about to be exposed.
What kind of hellish situation was this?! He was doomed!
Wen Mingyu, still coughing, suddenly felt a hand placed on his back, gently patting him to ease his breathing. Under normal circumstances, he might express gratitude, but this person was the tyrant. Was he truly helping him or plotting something sinister? It felt more like a snake slithering than a hand!
Moreover, a rabbit’s back was not supposed to be touched randomly…
Feeling a tingling sensation, as if a wave of overwhelming excitement swept over him, washing away his rationality. He could hardly resist his instincts, transforming from a fluffy ball into a limp, white bunny pancake, stretching his paws and wiggling his tail, revealing his soft belly.
He couldn’t help but let out a whimper, a tiny sound that sounded pitiful.
The hand on his back suddenly froze and withdrew for some unknown reason.
Even though withdrawing meant possibly facing the issue of the secret, Wen Mingyu quietly sighed in relief because if the touching continued, he might not resist turning into a lop-eared bunny.
If his furry ears and tail were seen, he would undoubtedly be considered a monster, and in ancient times, he would be burned at the stake.
Wen Mingyu hastily tucked away his bunny ears just as Mu Zhan grabbed his wrist and pulled it aside, narrowly avoiding exposing them, a very perilous moment.
Mu Zhan reached out, pinching his chin, forcing him to lift his face.
The corners of his eyes reddened, his eyes brimming with tears, the moisture clinging to his thick eyelashes, like delicate flowers dampened by rain, extremely fragile. It invoked an instinct to protect, yet at the same time, it could give rise to an indescribable desire, a temptation to crush those delicate petals and witness the slow release of their essence.
“I haven’t said anything, and you’re already crying?”
Mu Zhan lowered his gaze, looking down at him from a superior position, his eyes filled with complexity.
Wen Mingyu coughed and said, “I didn’t cry.”
I just coughed too hard earlier; it felt like my lungs were about to come out. Tears are nothing.
Unconsciously, a delicate eyelash quivered, and a crystal-clear tear slid down his cheek, reaching his chin and meeting Mu Zhan’s fingertips. Mu Zhan gently brushed it away, his fingertip getting dampened by the tear, creating an indescribable sensation.
Wen Mingyu felt an itch and unconsciously flinched, but immediately he was pinched even tighter, causing a faint pain. He dared not move.
“What did you see just now?”
Nervously, Wen Mingyu swallowed hard, “I didn’t see anything. I can’t read.”
Mu Zhan chuckled, “Is that so? Then, let me recite it for you.”
Wen Mingyu: “…l.”
Damn, how am I going to keep pretending after this!
T/N: This is the last chapter for this week. This might be the last chapter I’ll upload, found out this is already being translated so yeah. I messaged the current translator about this and depending on their wishes, there’s a big possibility I might have to delete this but anyways I guess this is a sign I should really pick up “Jun You Ji Fou”
Thanks for reading~
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