Chapter 0102: The New Generation Surpasses the Old, Even the Fierce Elder Fears the Persistent Youth
The old man’s sharp gaze swept through the crowd before finally settling on the striking red court robe amidst a sea of blue official garments.
Realizing who this person was, Elder Gu’s expression instantly turned cold. “Why is the Second Prince here?”
The Second Prince has arrived?
The officials turned their heads in surprise, and indeed, Xie Chengze stood right behind them.
They quickly bowed in greeting, “Your humble servants pay respects to the Second Prince.”
“No need for formalities.” Xie Chengze raised a hand, passing through the officials to approach the heated kang bed. He reached out and felt the middle layer of the bedding.
Waves of warmth continuously seeped into his palm. His hands, chilled by the cold wind during his journey, greedily absorbed this hard-won warmth, gradually becoming rosy and nimble. Xie Chengze couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction, turning to Elder Gu. “As expected of Elder Gu, to actually create such a warm heated kang.”
“Hmph, I dare not claim credit. This old minister merely obtained a blueprint for the heated kang from His Majesty by chance and replicated it accordingly.”
Elder Gu snorted coldly, likely still resentful of Xie Chengze’s earlier “mockery,” his tone quite unwelcoming. “The remarkable one is the skilled artisan who drew this blueprint, not this old minister. If Your Highness wishes to praise someone, better praise that craftsman!”
Xie Chengze couldn’t help but touch his small nose, complying with the request. “Very well, the artisan who drew this blueprint is truly masterful! Their craftsmanship has reached the pinnacle of perfection! Indeed, the new generation surpasses the old, fresh talents continually emerge. Surely, they will one day replace Elder Gu and revitalize this stagnant Ministry of Works that cannot break free from convention.”
“You! You—” Seeing Xie Chengze actually praising the artisan and even comparing him to that person, Elder Gu trembled with rage, his beard shaking as he pointed at Xie Chengze and roared, “Utterly unreasonable!”
Witnessing Elder Gu’s anger, Xie Chengze innocently touched his small nose again, feeling deeply wronged inside.
Didn’t he tell me to praise him? Why is he so upset now?
The minds of the elderly are truly difficult to understand.
“Elder Gu!” An official subtly signaled with his eyes, reminding him to watch his attitude.
Another official quickly interceded on Elder Gu’s behalf, “Your Highness, please understand. Elder Gu has always been stubborn and rigid in temperament, but he means no harm. Please consider his advanced age and do not punish him.”
Other officials also pleaded one after another, as if fearing that Xie Chengze’s displeasure would lead to severe consequences for Elder Gu.
Xie Chengze pondered that he hadn’t shown any signs of anger, so why was everyone so tense? He waved his hand, “It’s fine. This prince is not so narrow-minded.”
“Hmph! Your Highness speaks without shame!” Elder Gu snorted coldly again, his face stern as he prepared to say more, but the official beside him quickly spoke up, diverting his attention, “Elder Gu, there seems to be a problem with this heated kang. Please come and take a look.”
Only then did Elder Gu stop speaking, shooting a fierce glare at Xie Chengze before turning and hunched over, walking toward the heated kang.
Seeing this, Xie Chengze couldn’t help but ask the official beside him, “Elder Gu seems to hold quite a grudge against me. Have I offended him in the past?”
The official immediately gave Xie Chengze a complicated look. “Has the Second Prince truly forgotten?”
There really is?
Xie Chengze leaned in, adopting a serious posture: “I’m all ears.”
The official: “…This is hardly something worth lending an ear to, Your Highness!”
Shaking his head helplessly, the official leaned close to Xie Chengze’s ear and whispered, “Have you forgotten? Eight years ago, when Old Gu was still in good health, you ordered him to craft something called a ‘Yin-Yang Vessel.’ But when Old Gu said it couldn’t be done, you had him beaten with ten strokes of the rod. Three years ago, you again demanded he create an arrow that could be launched from a sleeve. When Old Gu insisted it was impossible, you had him beaten another ten strokes, cursed him for being a useless old man occupying a position without merit, and told him to get out of the Ministry of Works sooner rather than later…”
Xie Chengze: …
Good heavens, the original owner actually did such foolish things?!
No wonder Old Gu’s expression darkened at the sight of him, and why he grew so furious upon hearing him praise another’s skill as peerless. It turned out the original owner had a history of this, making Old Gu think he was deliberately mocking him as incompetent…
What a mess! How utterly awkward!
Xie Chengze silently wiped his face and stepped forward to Old Gu’s side, explaining, “Old Gu, this humble prince spoke out of turn earlier. I beg your forgiveness.”
Old Gu snorted coldly, pretending not to hear, and continued inspecting the heated kang.
“Old Gu, my earlier words were merely a moment of thoughtless haste. In truth, I hold you in the highest esteem. In the past, I was young and reckless, ignorant of propriety. I implore you to forgive me!” Xie Chengze persisted in his apology.
Old Gu picked at his ear.
Seeing that Old Gu still refused to acknowledge him, Xie Chengze finally lost his composure. Leaning down, he whispered threateningly, “Old Gu, if you continue to ignore me, don’t blame me for being ruthless…”
Old Gu abruptly turned his head, his face filled with disdain and cold arrogance. “And what will Your Highness do?”
At most, it would be a few more strokes of the rod! He, Gu Yun, was old but robust—he could endure it!
“Fine. You’ve got guts.” Xie Chengze nodded with a ferocious expression, then suddenly dropped into a squat in front of all the officials, clutching Old Gu’s leg and wailing at the top of his lungs, “Old Gu—! I repent! I toss and turn every night, lying alone with sleepless torment! Whenever I recall how I wronged you in the past, my heart aches with unbearable regret, wishing I could turn back time! Only today have I finally resolved to seek your forgiveness! Old Gu, please forgive me, wu wu wu!”
His voice was hoarse, his emotions overflowing, his actions explosive.
Old Gu: …
Are you insane?!
Old Gu struggled fiercely to free his aged leg, but after just a few attempts, he saw Xie Chengze tumble solidly to the ground. Then, covering his face with his sleeve, Xie Chengze looked up with reddened eyes, pitiful and vulnerable. “Old Gu, if this can appease your anger, then this humble prince’s fall was worth it!”
“Second Prince!”
Seeing Xie Chengze fall, the officials rushed to help him up, then turned disapproving eyes toward Old Gu, admonishing, “Old Gu, His Highness has already admitted his fault. Was it necessary to resort to violence…”
Old Gu: ???
Wait, how could an old man nearing sixty possibly assault a young, strong man like him?
Old Gu glared at Xie Chengze. “Stop pretending! I know you did it on purpose!”
“Old Gu! His Highness has always been frail and cannot endure rough handling. Having just survived an assassination attempt not long ago, his arms and legs likely haven’t fully recovered yet. How could he withstand your brute strength?” an official couldn’t help but sigh. “Surely His Highness has had a change of heart after facing death, which is why he specially came to apologize for his past behavior toward you.”
Assassination attempt?
Old Gu finally gave Xie Chengze a proper look and indeed saw him clutching his left arm, the pain on his face appearing genuine.
He snorted coldly again, “If your injuries haven’t healed properly, you should be resting in Cheng Huan Palace instead of coming to the Ministry of Works!”
“Old Gu…” Xie Chengze blinked his moist eyes, looking pitiful, “Old Gu, are you worried about this prince…”
Old Gu: …
“Your Highness, stop flattering yourself!” Old Gu snapped his sleeve angrily, having never seen someone so shameless, “This old official has important matters to attend to! I won’t entertain Your Highness any longer!”
“Mhm mhm, this prince understands. Old Gu’s words are harsh but his heart is soft,” Xie Chengze said in an annoyingly smug tone.
Old Gu rolled his eyes speechlessly, putting more force into inspecting the heated kang, his entire demeanor radiating “stay away from me.”
Xie Chengze dusted off his palace robes and trotted after him, humbly asking, “Old Gu, is there anything else wrong with this heated kang?”
Old Gu glanced at him sideways and snorted lightly, “Plenty wrong! The craftsman who drew the blueprint has some skill, but the details are handled quite crudely – clearly a novice!”
Xie Chengze nodded in agreement, “This prince thinks so too. It has form but lacks soul.”
Old Gu: …
What do you know! You haven’t even seen the blueprint, yet you dare pretend to understand here!