Chapter 0049: Vulgar and Unrefined Xie Chengze, Unknowingly Permissive Shen Yuan

“Your Highness, why must you speak so crudely?” Shen Yuan’s pupils trembled in shock, unable to comprehend how Xie Chengze could utter such coarse words with such a flawless, beautiful face. “Who taught you this?”

In his memory, even at his angriest, Xie Chengze’s insults never went beyond “bastard” or “worthless servant,” let alone his usual speech, which was always imbued with the refined accent of Jingcheng’s imperial officials—never this vulgar and unrefined.

Could it be that during his absence from Jiangdu Xian, some scoundrel had taught him rustic profanities?

Xie Chengze pouted, unbothered. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Why speak so formally in the village?”

Xie Chengze’s expression was so genuine that Shen Yuan couldn’t discern its truthfulness, even beginning to suspect that in his previous life, Xie Chengze never cursed simply because he had never left Jingcheng or ventured into the countryside.

Rubbing his temples, Shen Yuan could only advise, “Your Highness, it would be best to speak less of such words, lest you find it hard to readjust upon returning to the capital.”

He could almost imagine the expressions on Emperor Jian and the Crown Prince’s faces if Xie Chengze were to curse upon his return—and how they would assume he had led Xie Chengze astray, neglecting his duties…

“Oh.” Xie Chengze hung his head, unclear whether he had taken the advice to heart. He then asked, “By the way, Shen Yuan, in our Jian’an Dynasty, can someone who is mute hold an official position?”

“Certainly not.” Shen Yuan shook his head, understanding the underlying question, and explained further, “However, there is one exception. The Directorate of Celestial Observation selects candidates based solely on ability, not qualifications. Zhang Yuheng is well-versed in astrology and astronomy, so it’s likely he aims for the Directorate.”

“I see,” Xie Chengze said, suddenly enlightened. “I didn’t even know his name, yet you already know what he excels at.”

Shen Yuan cast him a faint glance. “So, what exactly were you and Zhang Yuheng doing earlier? Don’t try to change the subject.”

Xie Chengze guiltily touched the tip of his nose, pondering how to evade the question, when the man beside him stated calmly, “I heard Your Highness intends to create an explosive called gunpowder. It seems this is related, isn’t it?”

Xie Chengze: … “Don’t listen to nonsense. How could something as remarkable as gunpowder be associated with sh… with filth?”

“When I traveled through Jian’an with the former Grand Tutor, we visited Penglai in the east. The people there excel in alchemy and use filth to extract saltpeter,” Shen Yuan lowered his gaze, looking at him meaningfully. “They mix it with sulfur, charcoal, and soapberries to ‘subdue the fire’ and neutralize the toxicity of their elixirs.”

“…” Xie Chengze said, “Lord Shen, you know too much.”

“Once these substances ignite, they generate far more heat than burning firewood and are highly prone to causing fires. I understand Your Highness wishes to expedite the mountain excavation, but it’s still unwise to risk your life.” Shen Yuan’s steps halted, and after a pause, he averted his gaze, speaking softly, “What Your Highness has accomplished is already more than enough.”

Xie Chengze perked up: Hm?

If Xie Chengze had any strength, it was his knack for seizing the crucial point. “Lord Shen, are you praising me?”

When Shen Yuan had spoken those words, his tone carried an indescribable awkwardness. Xie Chengze stole a glance and indeed noticed Shen Yuan’s eyes darting toward the ground. The moment his words exposed him, the faint redness at the tips of Shen Yuan’s ears deepened instantly, like the flesh of a ripe pomegranate.

This person truly lacks sincerity—clearly already won over by my personal charm, yet still refuses to admit it.

Ah~ Perhaps this is just male pride~

Xie Chengze teased with ill intentions, “Lord Shen, why are your ears red again? Sunburned? Would you like this prince to hold an umbrella for you?”

Sensing the person beside him trying to push his luck again, Shen Yuan immediately quickened his pace forward and said lightly, “Your Highness should carry an umbrella when going out in the future, lest you get sunburned and then throw a tantrum blaming me.”

Noticing earlier that the skin on his neck had turned red from the sun, Shen Yuan thought to himself, What kind of guards are Wuhen and Wuji? Don’t they even know to buy an umbrella for their master?

Xie Chengze broke into a smile, jogged to catch up with Shen Yuan, and shifted the red oil-paper umbrella in his hand toward him. “Lord Shen, let’s share~”

Shen Yuan glanced at the slender arm exposed as the wide sleeve fell back from the raised hand, sighed inwardly, took the umbrella, and tilted it slightly to fully envelop the other in cool shade.

He said softly, with a trace of unconscious tenderness and indulgence in his tone, “I’ll have the cook prepare some meat for you tonight.”

Xie Chengze: !!!

Yay~ Meat again~

……

Although he had managed to fool Shen Yuan, Xie Chengze continued developing gunpowder in secret.

In his previous life, he had been something of a rich second generation—his parents were often abroad on business, and aside from returning home to accompany him, they granted his every wish. During his rebellious teenage years, he once edgily declared he wanted to blow up the whole world. In response, his parents actually spent a considerable sum to hire a renowned domestic chemistry professor, who took him to a lab and taught him how to make a simplified version of an explosive…

Well, his personality was definitely warped, and his eccentric parents were partly to blame.

But thanks to that experience, he genuinely knew how to make explosives and wasn’t afraid of blowing himself up due to inaccurate measurements.

The saltpeter issue was resolved; all that was left were sulfur and charcoal. Charcoal was easy—the village had plenty, so he could source it locally. As for sulfur, it could be bought at an apothecary. To increase the explosive power, Xie Chengze also splurged on some sugar.

Just as he hid in his room, sticking out his tongue to sneak a lick of sugar, a sudden knock came at the door.

At this hour, no one usually came looking for him. If it were Wuhen or Wuji, they wouldn’t even knock. If it were Zhu Xiaobiao or others, they would call out “Young Master” or “Your Highness” after knocking. Only one person would knock without saying a word…

Xie Chengze hurriedly hid the package of sulfur he had just bought under the tea table, then strode to the door. When he opened it, sure enough, it was Shen Yuan.

“What is it?” Xie Chengze stood behind the door, asking bluntly.

Shen Yuan stepped inside, holding an exquisitely crafted wooden clothing box. It was clear at a glance that it didn’t contain ordinary coarse linen clothes. He said softly, “The day before yesterday, I noticed Your Highness’s robes looked somewhat worn, so I went to the tailor’s shop…”

He paused mid-sentence, suddenly frowning slightly as a faint, familiar scent teased his nostrils. His eyes darkened. Tucking the clothing box under his arm, he strode purposefully toward Xie Chengze behind the door.

Xie Chengze, who had been feeling guilty since Shen Yuan first stepped into the room, now rushed out from behind the door intending to push Shen Yuan outside. Unexpectedly, Shen Yuan happened to be walking toward him at that moment. The distance between them was too close, and with both moving simultaneously, they ended up colliding squarely against each other.

Xie Chengze’s slender, delicate frame—never conditioned by physical exertion—was no match for the powerful force of the martial artist’s robust strength. He was instantly knocked backward, and in a reflexive panic, he cried out “Shen Yuan!” while frantically reaching for Shen Yuan’s arm, only to grasp at empty air.

Just when he thought he would land hard on his backside, he suddenly felt a pair of large hands wrap around his waist, pulling him forcefully back upright.

His body pressed against a firm, taut chest, and his chin bumped against Shen Yuan’s solid shoulder, causing him to hiss softly in pain.

Realizing he was safe, he tried to push Shen Yuan away but found the hands around his waist still firmly locked in place, making it impossible to break free. Forced into an intimate embrace, he could only clutch at the jade belt around Shen Yuan’s waist to maintain his balance.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan had unknowingly lowered his head.

The fine strands of hair from his forehead brushed lightly against Xie Chengze’s sensitive earlobe, stirring a ticklish sensation. He leaned closer to the pale, delicate neck of the person in his arms, his nose twitching slightly as he inhaled, causing the other to tremble faintly—like a delicate flower quivering under the rain, evoking pity.