Chapter 34
“Elder Sister, have you been waiting long?” He stepped into the carriage dressed in bluish-gray riding attire.
Later, Zhang Susu also added these subjects to her own studies during this academic term. Because the current Zhang Susu was no longer an ordinary university student, but the Eldest Princess of Da Sheng Guo Du.
Although Su Yingxue now had a somewhat notorious reputation, Zhang Susu understood that only by mastering these skills could she truly enter the circles of noblewomen, scions of prestigious families, and high-ranking officials.
Thus, she crammed knowledge intensely, and now she was increasingly embodying the identity of the Eldest Princess.
“When Younger Brother arrives later, tell the coachman to go faster, Qiushuang. We mustn’t be late for Mr. Liu’s class.” Su Yingxue looked up and met Qiushuang’s gaze as she instructed her. For some reason, whenever she thought about meeting Mr. Liu later, she felt a mix of reverence and slight trepidation.
“Elder Sister, have you been waiting long?” Just then, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Chu Xingchen stepped inside dressed in bluish-gray riding attire.
He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, handsome and dashing. Chu Xingchen was as slender as bamboo and as lean as pine trees. Though the extremely low-key cold colors shouldn’t have been appealing, they carried a unique charm when worn by him.
Especially his eyes—they lacked the subservient deference seen in the eyes of palace servants. Deep within those dark, bright starry eyes lay untamed arrogance and unyielding stubbornness.
“Why did it take Younger Brother so long to change into riding attire? General Liu has always been strict, and I’m particularly unskilled at archery. Even after two months of practice, just drawing the bow remains so difficult. I’m truly afraid of delaying the noon class because of this.”
“While trying on the clothes earlier, I accidentally tore off a button. I had to sew it back on with needle and thread, which delayed Elder Sister’s trip to the drill ground. I hope Elder Sister will forgive me.”
Chu Xingchen’s cool voice explained matter-of-factly without being subservient or arrogant. Despite being a teenager in his teens, he carried himself with the rigid formality of a man in his thirties, completely devoid of youthful spirit.
Su Yingxue sighed faintly. To prevent him from overthinking, she quickly smiled and had Qiushuang pour him a cup of light tea, welcoming him to take a seat.
After serving the tea, Qiushuang retreated outside the carriage. The carriage slowly began moving, gradually picking up speed.
Su Yingxue explained with a smile, “Younger Brother, there’s no need to be so formal. I’m already very grateful that you can accompany me to classes and studies.”
Chu Xingchen remained silent, merely taking a sip of the light tea that filled the air with its fragrance. He always wore an indifferent, cold expression, speaking little and being generally unlikable—taciturn and reserved.
“Younger Brother, rest assured. As I mentioned during morning class, you saved my life. These arrangements are merely my attempt to compensate for past mistakes.”
Su Yingxue said calmly, “Younger Brother is like a flood dragon temporarily stranded in shallow waters. The Six Arts and literary talents are essential paths for every royal descendant. You’re extremely intelligent; though some time has been wasted, it’s not too late. With diligent study and hard work, you’ll surely achieve remarkable erudition in due time.”
Noticing that Chu Xingchen had drunk half his tea, Su Yingxue hurriedly scooped a ladle of boiling tea from the simmering teapot and refilled the porcelain cup he had placed on the table.
After all, showing appropriate attentiveness to the future villainous big shot was beneficial. Perhaps one day, genuine sincerity might move the antagonist leader. Just think—this was the future Emperor of Qi Sheng. If he eventually succeeded with her assistance and support, the advantages would surely outweigh the disadvantages.
Chu Xingchen remained silent, watching Su Yingxue’s charming smile as she gracefully poured tea for him. Suddenly, he felt a chill in his heart. After all, this was the Eldest Princess who had always flogged him with a whip—such a noble and delicate figure. He had never imagined that one day he would be sitting opposite her, drinking tea poured by her own hands.
Seeing his silence, Su Yingxue thought it was the result of years of enduring bullying that had shaped his withdrawn and taciturn nature. Her heart was instantly filled with both guilt and pity. Indeed, he was still just a youth.
Thinking this, she eagerly pushed all the pastries arranged before her toward Chu Xingchen, lining them up neatly. With a smile, she explained, “The drill ground is still some distance away. You’ll be practicing archery and horsemanship all afternoon—it’s physically demanding work. You’ve only just recovered from a serious illness, so eat more to fill your stomach.”
As Chu Xingchen watched the woman across from him pick up a piece of peach blossom cake and offer it to him with a smile, his thoughts drifted back several years.
In truth, if he hadn’t seen the peach blossom cake in her hand today, he might have forgotten it himself. The first time Chu Xingchen saw Su Yingxue was not when she was flogging him, but that year when he disguised himself as a palace servant.
It was during the Eldest Princess’s hairpin ceremony. His Majesty held a grand palace banquet in her honor and even ordered the eunuchs to grant rewards to all the palace servants of the Dasheng palaces, allowing them to go to the Princess’s Palace to receive their reward money.
That year, Chu Xingchen was living in utter misery in the Cold Palace of Dasheng, enduring endless servitude and nearing destitution. When he heard from two Cold Palace servants about the opportunity to receive reward money—though meager, it was still a reward—he hesitated for a long time. Eventually, he put on the cleanest and neatest set of stolen Dasheng palace attire he could find, washed up, changed into the clothes, and with his head lowered, secretly followed a few other servants heading to the Princess’s Palace to claim their rewards.
It was on that day, as he was about to enter the palace to queue for the reward, that he first stepped into the magnificent Princess’s Palace. At that time, he was still a young man who had never seen such a resplendent and opulent palace. Dazzled by the wealth, he gazed around carelessly and accidentally bumped into a maid serving by the Eldest Princess’s side, knocking over a plate of peach blossom cakes.
“Audacious servant! Which palace are you from? So reckless!The maid’s face turned cold with anger as she scolded, “These are the Eldest Princess’s favorite peach blossom cakes—she must have them every day after her nap!” And you, not even watching where you’re going, have spilled them all over the ground!”
At that time, Chu Xingchen harbored a deep-seated, indiscriminate hatred for the people of Dasheng Kingdom. The torment and suffering, the bullying and hardships he had endured as a hostage had conditioned him to react with panic—a fear ingrained from years of being beaten by those despicable servants since childhood.
Yet, an innate defiance and pride made him loathe those Dasheng people to the core, and he despised himself as well.
It was just a plate of peach blossom cakes. He, a royal noble, was deemed inferior to a mere plate of pastries in their eyes—utterly detestable and laughable! His dark eyes deepened like ink, concealing beneath their calm surface a habitual coldness and a burning hatred.
One day, Chu Xingchen silently vowed, he would make all those who had humiliated, bullied, and scorned him pay the price!
Yet Chu Xingchen’s expression remained unperturbed, devoid of emotion, as he feigned panic, kneeling and begging for mercy, “Please spare my life, miss!”
The palace maid, haughty and arrogant, raised her hand high, about to strike his cheek, when a gentle voice stopped her, “What is causing such a commotion?”