To show how much he valued him, the Emperor personally had the Chief Eunuch who served by his side lead Bo Ruofeng to the Imperial Study. Along the way, Eunuch Tong briefly explained the situation to Bo Ruofeng.
Normally, every imperial prince was assigned one study companion to attend classes together in the Imperial Study. However, the current Emperor had only one son, making the situation rather unique. Worried that the Crown Prince would be lonely, the Emperor had specially selected several peers from the families of high-ranking officials and nobles to serve as the Prince’s study companions. Consequently, the Imperial Study now resembled a constellation of stars revolving around the moon.
Eunuch Tong led Bo Ruofeng to the entrance of the Imperial Study, but to his surprise, the doors were currently closed and it was dead quiet inside. Bo Ruofeng asked, “Eunuch Tong, is today a day off? Why does it look like everyone is absent?”
“That shouldn’t be right.” Eunuch Tong calculated the date and was quite puzzled.
Bo Ruofeng was overjoyed and slapped his palm. “Since everyone is absent today, I’ll just come back tomorrow!” He said this and turned around, wanting to head back.
Could this person also be someone who hated studying? The Emperor’s imperial decree had explicitly instructed him to bring this person to the Imperial Study! Fearing he wouldn’t be able to report back successfully, Eunuch Tong hurriedly grabbed the young man who was eager to run off. “Young Master, please wait a moment. Since you’re already here, come inside and take a look at your seat.”
Bo Ruofeng blinked and raised his hand to signal Eunuch Tong to lead the way. “Eunuch, please go first.”
This Young Master was truly well-mannered. Eunuch Tong was modest in words, but felt extremely pleased in his heart. Walking slightly ahead and to the side of Bo Ruofeng, he guided the way forward and naturally reached out to push open the double doors.
The intricately carved wooden doors emitted a groaning sound of protest. Eunuch Tong gave a push and felt some resistance, wondering if the doors were locked from the inside. He didn’t notice that Bo Ruofeng behind him had raised an eyebrow and quickly stepped back two paces.
Eunuch Tong gathered his strength and pushed the wooden doors wide open. With a splash, water cascaded down from above, soaking Eunuch Tong from head to toe. Finally, an empty wooden basin fell down, landed on the ground, spun half a circle, and came to a stop.
Eunuch Tong stood frozen in a daze for a long time, while Bo Ruofeng behind him quietly raised his sleeve to block the tip of his nose. Coming to his senses belatedly, Eunuch Tong caught the rancid smell coming off his body and shrieked, “Who is it?”
“Eunuch Tong, what are you making such a big fuss about?” A familiar voice rang out lazily from inside the room, effortlessly overpowering Eunuch Tong’s about-to-erupt, shrill voice.
Bo Ruofeng looked toward the source of the sound and, sure enough, saw the young lord he had kicked into a pit in the mountain bamboo forest yesterday. Dressed in a bright yellow Crown Prince’s robe—a color that should have been warm—the hue was forcefully chilled by the youth’s stern expression.
Realizing that this was Fang Youcheng, the little tyrant, Eunuch Tong completely lost his momentum and shut his mouth resentfully. “So it’s Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince…” He raised his hand to sniff his sleeve, looking on the verge of retching. Unable to endure the stench on his body any longer, he bolted out the door in a flurry.
After Eunuch Tong left, muffled sounds of laughter erupted inside the Imperial Study.
Ah! Frowning and holding his nose, Bo Ruofeng stepped over the puddle at the doorway and walked inside to scan the room. He didn’t see the teacher, but instead saw nine sets of desks and chairs arranged in a grid-like formation. Some study companions were sitting quietly in silence writing assignments, while others were chuckling among themselves. Most of the seats were already occupied.
The Crown Prince sitting dead center possessed a deeply punchable face. Sitting with his arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, he stretched his legs out naturally past his desk, resting his boots on the empty chair in front of him. His phoenix eyes sized up Bo Ruofeng from top to bottom, his expression arrogant. “Tsk, what a pity.” It was plainly evident that even if that basin of rancid water hadn’t been set up by him, it had certainly been instigated by him.
Bo Ruofeng retorted, “What’s a pity?”
“That rancid water didn’t land on your head, what a pity.” Fang Youcheng curved his lips in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, brazenly speaking his intentions aloud. “I said that with your martial arts skills, you could completely avoid this kind of child’s play. So take a guess: what did I initially propose to put in that basin?” Lowering his tone, he casually drew a soft sword from his waist, yet his gaze remained fixed entirely on Bo Ruofeng, unmoving.
While he was sizing up Bo Ruofeng, Bo Ruofeng was sizing him up in return.
What truly was a “constellation of stars revolving around the moon” position, Bo Ruofeng sighed inwardly.
Bo Ruofeng’s gaze swept over the only empty desk and chair in the room—the very chair the Crown Prince was propping his boots on. He walked right up to the Prince’s desk. Looking neither dissatisfied over the rancid water that had almost dumped onto his head nor flustered and embarrassed by the bright, gleaming tip of the sword pointed directly at him, he calmly and steadily cupped his fists in a salute. “Bo Ruofeng of the Northern Suppression Marquis Manor pays respects to Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
“You certainly have some nerve showing up here.” Fang Youcheng straightened his torso and stood up, lifting his sword. Being a year older than Bo Ruofeng, Fang Youcheng was also slightly taller. Standing up now to look down at Bo Ruofeng, his cold face radiated authority. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you for the crime of showing disrespect to a superior?”
As he said this, holding his sword, the icy tip lightly tapped against Bo Ruofeng’s cheek in a provocative manner.
The whispering in the Imperial Study ceased. Everyone else kept silent, clearly unwilling to cross the Crown Prince. The slight echoes in the sparsely populated Imperial Study made the atmosphere feel as oppressive as an interrogation of a criminal.
It seemed he was still angry about yesterday’s incident, but this also showed how much the Prince cared about suffering a setback at his hands yesterday. Bo Ruofeng thought to himself that now that he had just received the Emperor’s imperial decree, he would simply face the challenge head-on.
At the dangerous moment when the blade was pressed against his cheek, Bo Ruofeng curved his eyes and hit him with a direct, honest strike. “It is this subject’s fault for failing to recognize Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. If I had recognized you earlier, this subject would have begged for mercy and admitted defeat right away, submitting to any beating or punishment. Ruofeng offers his apologies to the Crown Prince here.”
He openhandedly lifted the front of his robe and performed a deep obeisance ritual.
Was this an apology or was he adding fuel to the fire? Although he performed a grand ritual and looked like he was apologizing, didn’t his words imply that the Crown Prince was using his power and status to oppress others? Was this guy genuinely an idiot or just acting like one?
The already quiet Imperial Study instantly plunged into a dead silence. Unlike before, when most of the study companions had a spectator mentality and naturally remained silent, they were now practically certain that this newcomer was about to be disciplined by the Crown Prince. Consequently, everyone held their breath like cicadas in winter, and not a single person planned to step forward to help advise or persuade the Prince, all fearing they might be implicated.
“Absurd! Do I need a mere martial official’s son to yield to me?” Fang Youcheng reacted violently, pressing the blade directly against Bo Ruofeng’s neck as if he might send the other person’s head rolling to the ground the very next second.
“It was this subject who misspoke. Perhaps yesterday was just sheer luck on my part…”
“Of course it was luck! If you hadn’t ambushed me, I definitely would have given you a proper beating!” Fang Youcheng interrupted him with absolute conviction.
It seemed he refused to accept defeat. Bo Ruofeng paused, finding it quite amusing inwardly. He stood up straight and looked at him sincerely. “I heard from His Majesty that Your Highness has been searching for me. May I ask what for?”
“Naturally, it’s because of the little tricks you used yesterday to win…” Fang Youcheng abruptly clamped his mouth shut. Looking at Bo Ruofeng’s innocent face, he realized that talking about yesterday’s events would only harm his own image, and the fact that he couldn’t beat someone yet went around looking for him to settle scores would inevitably spread. Fang Youcheng hurriedly changed his tune. “Of course, it’s because your performance yesterday was quite good. Although it was an ambush, your martial arts skills are indeed quite impressive. I’ve always cherished talented individuals, which is why I sent people to look for you.”
“So that’s how it is.” Bo Ruofeng smiled brilliantly and raised a hand to gently push the soft sword away from his neck. “Your Highness’s appreciation for talent truly flatters this subject.”
This smile looked increasingly grating in Fang Youcheng’s eyes. Of course he wasn’t going to let Bo Ruofeng off that easily.
Just as Bo Ruofeng turned around to pull out a chair and sit down, a sword that could cut through iron like mud blocked his path. Bo Ruofeng turned his head slightly and saw a competitive fire burning intensely in Fang Youcheng’s eyes. “Today, I’m going to test your martial arts skills myself to see what you’re really capable of. If you lose, you’d better hurry back to the northern frontier. The Imperial Study is no place for the likes of you.”
Bo Ruofeng wore a mildly troubled expression. “Then what should I do if I happen to win by fluke?”
Perhaps this was the first time he had ever encountered someone dare to bargain with him, so Fang Youcheng paused before speaking with grand generosity. “Then I’ll grant you one wish. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I’ll agree to it.”
Since the other party had already declared he wanted to chase him out of the capital city, Bo Ruofeng naturally wasn’t going to hold back with his request. “In that case, how about we use Your Highness’s little white tiger as a wager?” As soon as those words left his mouth, he heard a sharp intake of breath. Out of the corner of his eye, Bo Ruofeng caught sight of someone who looked like they wanted to speak, but had their mouth clamped shut by quick-handed neighbors in the back row.
The little white tiger was a rare creature to begin with, and its origin was definitely extraordinary. To avoid any side issues, Bo Ruofeng changed his phrasing. “What this subject meant is, lend it to me to raise for a couple of days.”
“Hmph, you certainly have a lot of nerve. We’ll just have to see if you actually have the ability to take it.” Fang Youcheng lifted his chin and actually agreed. “Follow me outside.”
The Imperial Study not only taught written knowledge, but also instructed students in horsemanship and martial arts. A martial practice field was equipped right outside.
As soon as Fang Youcheng and Bo Ruofeng stepped out, the rest of the study companions exchanged glances and followed them out. However, they didn’t get too close, cautiously standing at the doorway of the study to watch from afar.
Fang Youcheng drew a long sword from the weapon rack next to them and casually tossed it toward Bo Ruofeng.
The sword was the gentleman among all weapons; when the realm was at peace, it kept its sharpness hidden within the scabbard, and when encountering injustice on the road, it drew its blade to sever the heads of villains—this was the bearing of a gentleman. Bo Ruofeng raised his hand, caught the hilt sideways, and ran two fingers along the blade which reflected his own face. Stopping at the tip, he flicked it with his finger, causing the sword to emit a clear hum.
It was evident that even the weapons provided for the princes and study companions to practice with were of exceptionally fine material. Bo Ruofeng returned the sword to the rack. “Your Highness, this subject is not used to using a sword.”
“Whatever is on the rack, pick whatever you like,” Fang Youcheng said, frowning as he recalled that Bo Ruofeng’s weapon yesterday hadn’t been a sword, but rather a small knife and a rope. However, there were no short daggers available for selection here.
However, he guessed wrong. Bo Ruofeng’s most proficient weapon wasn’t a short dagger either.
They watched as Bo Ruofeng slowly pulled out a long spear, a weapon rarely used by the study companions. Touching the sharp, gleaming spearhead, he looked thoroughly satisfied. “This subject will use this one. Will Your Highness change your weapon?”
Although slightly surprised, Fang Youcheng insisted, “I won’t change.” He was used to wielding a sword; suddenly changing weapons would only make him unfamiliar and hold him back.
A short sword against a long spear, especially on open ground like this—it was a battle with nine deaths and one life. Should he call this young lord overly arrogant, or did he possess genuine, life-defying skills?
He had already warned him, so he shouldn’t be blamed for bullying someone. Bo Ruofeng’s eyes smiled, yet the smile only floated shallowly on the surface while the determination within was tempered with coldness.