Chapter 0053: Proud Xie Chengze Is Easy to Placate, Unlike the Unpleasant Shen Yuan
It was Xie Chengze’s voice.
Shen Yuan quickly turned around to see Xie Chengze standing with his arms crossed, glaring at him with clear dissatisfaction. “It seems Lord Shen has completely disregarded my words as well.”
For some reason, Shen Yuan felt an urge to laugh.
“Does that make us even, Your Highness?” Shen Yuan took a step forward, his gaze falling upon Xie Chengze’s sun-flushed cheeks. He couldn’t help but sigh helplessly, “Even if you’re hiding something, didn’t I remind you to bring an umbrella when going out?”
“It’s too heavy.” Xie Chengze averted his eyes, tilting his chin up with an air of haughtiness. “And I don’t want to touch anything you gave me. It’s bad luck.”
“Is that so…” Shen Yuan raised a hand to thoughtfully stroke his chin. “The clothing chest I gifted you contains quite a few sweet pastries. If left for too long, they’ll spoil. Since Your Highness scorns anything from me, I shall take them back.”
Xie Chengze: …
Xie Chengze: “I didn’t eat them.”
Shen Yuan nodded cheerfully in agreement. “Of course I know you didn’t eat them. Your Highness detests me so—how could you possibly consume something I personally delivered?”
Xie Chengze’s fists clenched: “…So why did you come looking for me? Surely not just to mock me?”
“Of course not.” Shen Yuan chuckled softly and stepped aside, graciously making way toward the room. “There are too many eyes and ears out here, Your Highness. Let’s continue our discussion inside.”
Xie Chengze snorted loudly before striding past him, deliberately keeping a wide distance.
Shen Yuan followed closely, closing the door behind them. He turned toward Xie Chengze, who had already seated himself at the table, and spoke solemnly, “Regarding what happened earlier today, I wish to explain. My intention was never what Your Highness assumed.”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care.” Xie Chengze couldn’t be bothered to listen to excuses. He refused to cling to empty hopes only to be disappointed again—just like every birthday when he thought his parents would return, yet ended up lighting the candles alone deep into the night.
Birthday wishes never came true.
“Your Highness, if you succeed in creating gunpowder, it won’t earn you His Majesty’s admiration—only suspicion and schemes.” Shen Yuan cut straight to the point. “The Emperor acknowledges only the Crown Prince. If you stand in the Crown Prince’s way, no matter how much His Majesty dotes on you, he will never let you off.”
“Moreover, you must be aware of the devastating power and intimidation gunpowder possesses in warfare once it’s used to injure and kill?” Shen Yuan gazed at him intently. “Even without the Crown Prince, His Majesty is currently in his prime. How could he tolerate anyone posing a serious threat to his position? He would remain wary of you, testing you endlessly…”
His eyes held a complex expression as he looked at Xie Chengze. “The moment you reveal even a hint of ambition, your fate will be sealed.”
Xie Chengze was taken aback. He then glanced skeptically at Shen Yuan. “Lord Shen, the way you phrase it… almost sounds like you’re advising me to secretly harbor rebellious intentions and bide my time in the shadows?”
Shen Yuan: ?
Shen Yuan didn’t quite understand. Frowning, he said, “Your Highness, choose your words carefully. I never suggested rebellion, and you must never speak of this to anyone.”
Xie Chengze let out a light scoff, his tone laced with sarcasm. “But if I die, shouldn’t you be the happiest, Lord Shen? Why not stand by and watch me bring about my own destruction?”
Shen Yuan was momentarily stunned. He lifted his gaze, his eyes complex as he stared intently at Xie Chengze, as if trying to see through his very facade. Yet in the end, he clenched his fist, his voice low and veiled, “This subject… would not be pleased.”
Xie Chengze’s pupils flickered, and he subtly straightened his posture.
He said he wouldn’t be pleased.
He also said that if he failed to conceal even a hint of rebellious intent, his fate would be death.
So when he asked during the day if Xie Chengze wanted to die, it wasn’t a threat—but genuine concern?
His heart gave a sudden, frantic leap. Xie Chengze couldn’t help but lower his lashes, fingertips fidgeting nervously beneath his sleeves as he struggled to suppress the curve of his lips.
So he had misunderstood Shen Yuan.
But Shen Yuan was right—Xie Chengze knew it himself. If he were to develop gunpowder, Emperor Jian would inevitably grow wary of him, fearing he might threaten both the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s positions.
Yet this problem wasn’t without a solution.
If he handed over the gunpowder formula to Emperor Jian, the Emperor would at most remain cautious of him but wouldn’t truly harm him. He might even assign people to study and improve the formula. As for the fame of this “Land of Abundance,” it would fall upon Shen Yuan and Liang Wan Da, who would represent the achievement—it had nothing to do with him.
He would remain the incompetent, mediocre Second Prince, known only for his indulgence in pleasure.
As long as his reputation stayed tarnished, no one could shake the Crown Prince’s position.
“Actually, I…” Xie Chengze began, but he had only uttered three words when Shen Yuan spoke simultaneously from beside him, “However, if Your Highness is willing to voluntarily present the gunpowder formula to His Majesty, there might still be room for maneuver. Even if His Majesty remains wary, he would not truly act against Your Highness.”
After speaking, Shen Yuan turned to Xie Chengze, his eyes prompting, “What was Your Highness about to say?”
“…” Xie Chengze clenched his fist, withdrawing all the words he had intended to say. A faint, indifferent smile touched his lips. “Nothing. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Shen. This prince is immensely grateful.”
He called him Lord Shen… Shen Yuan keenly sensed that Xie Chengze seemed angry again.
“What is the matter now, Your Highness?” Shen Yuan didn’t wish for unnecessary misunderstandings or rifts between them. “Did this subject say something wrong just now?”
Xie Chengze gave a wry smile. “No, how could that be? Lord Shen’s calculations are divine. This prince has benefited greatly and is more than grateful!”
Yet his expression clearly showed displeasure. For some reason, Shen Yuan couldn’t bear to see him like this—as if he had suffered some grave injustice, making it impossible to feel at ease or ignore him.
He couldn’t help but reach out to grasp the young man’s shoulder. “Xie Chengze, speak properly. Making such an expression—did I say something wrong again?”
“Don’t touch this prince!” Xie Chengze swiftly pulled his shoulder back, agile as a rabbit in his anger, and snapped at Shen Yuan without courtesy, “You want me to hand over the gunpowder formula? What, so you’ve always believed this prince wouldn’t be willing to surrender it? Is that why you thought earlier that I was seeking death? You genuinely believe deep down that this prince would rebel, that I—mmph—!”
His unfinished words were stifled by Shen Yuan’s hand covering his mouth. Shen Yuan said with some irritation, “Your Highness, watch your words!”
How could the word “rebellion” be uttered so carelessly? If this habit persisted, it could stir up trouble when they returned to the capital! Did he have any regard for his own safety at all?
Shen Yuan used to think Xie Chengze disregarded human lives, but now he realized Chengze disregarded not only others’ lives but his own as well!
Xie Chengze lowered his gaze to look at the large hand covering his mouth, then at the man’s furrowed brows and angry expression. He grew so furious his head spun, and the most vicious method he could come up with at that moment was to thrust out his tongue and fiercely lick Shen Yuan’s palm.
What kind of bad habit was this? How dare he cover his mouth while he was speaking! Did he not understand what status and position he held?