“What are you afraid of, sir?” Lu Xiao walked in at that very moment. “Am I truly that terrifying?”
Shen Shangling felt his legs trembling. “Your, Your Highness?”
Once Lu Xiao entered the room, Shen Shangling saw that there was actually a hint of a smile on Lu Xiao’s face. His expression showed no sign of anything being amiss… Could it be that he had not been reborn yet? Shen Shangling’s heart pounded, and he forced himself to remain calm.
“I thought Your Highness would not return for a few more days,” he said, stealing a cautious glance at Lu Xiao. Still unable to see anything unusual, he hurriedly said as calmly as he could, “I did not expect you to return today—did the mission go smoothly?”
“It was alright,” Lu Xiao replied. He walked over, but instead of taking a seat, he stood right in front of Shen Shangling, less than half an arm’s length away. “I was concerned about you, sir, so the moment I returned, I hurried over to see you—”
As he spoke, he reached out and casually picked up a strand of Shen Shangling’s hair, winding it slowly around his finger while a faint, inexplicable smile played on his lips. Deep in his eyes, however, a flash of ruthless intent flickered and vanished.
Shen Shangling felt a chill go through him. He felt that it would have been better if Lu Xiao hadn’t smiled at all; this hint of a smile made his hair stand on end for no reason.
“Sit down, sir.” Lu Xiao stared into Shen Shangling’s eyes and smiled faintly again.
“Your, Your Highness, please sit,” Shen Shangling said in a panic. “I—I will call for someone to serve tea”
“No need,” Lu Xiao said, remaining standing. “I have always had a question in my heart, and today I would like you, sir, to resolve my confusion.”
“I, I dare not,” Shen Shangling said quickly. “Please, Your Highness, speak.”
“This matter concerns you, sir,” Lu Xiao said, a silent, dark smile in his eyes. “You are a famous scholar of your generation, possessed of an unyielding spirit. Ever since you entered my estate, you have always considered the title of a male concubine to be a supreme humiliation. Is that so, or is it not?”
Shen Shangling: “…”
“I do not understand,” Lu Xiao said slowly, enunciating every word. “Since you possess such an unyielding spirit, why, when I asked the Emperor for you to enter my estate under the title of a male concubine while under the threat of axes and blades on the hunting grounds, did you not refuse?”
Shen Shangling: “…”
“Mr. Shen,” Lu Xiao suddenly chuckled. “If I were as high-minded as you and felt so humiliated, I would have smashed my head against a wall and died long ago. Tell me, is your head perhaps too hard, so you cannot die by smashing it?”
Shen Shangling: “…”
Cold sweat broke out all over him. At this moment, it was obvious that Lu Xiao had indeed been reborn. Hearing the cold, murderous intent in Lu Xiao’s words, Shen Shangling gritted his teeth, wishing he could present the soap right then and there… But he knew it wasn’t the right time: if he started by talking about making money for Lu Xiao, it would only make him more suspicious. As for the matter of raising funds… in his current status as a male concubine, it was impossible for him to know about it. He had to wait for a more suitable moment.
“Your, Your Highness,” Shen Shangling’s thoughts raced, and he summoned his C-list acting skills, putting on a trembling, fearful expression. “I… I was wrong… It is not that… I did not feel humiliated—”
“Oh?” Lu Xiao gave another cold scoff. “So, you mean to say that you now accept the status of a male concubine?”
“Your Highness saved me; I have no way to repay such great kindness,” Shen Shangling said, bracing himself. “I am willing to follow by Your Highness’s side and serve as your loyal dog and horse.” He subconsciously changed the term ‘male concubine’ to something else, finding the word still quite disturbing.
“Loyal dog and horse?” Lu Xiao said coldly. “I fear you still harbor delusions. As a condemned slave, even the dogs and horses in my estate have a status far more noble than yours!”
Shen Shangling: “…” The cat is out of the bag; there is nothing more soul-crushing than this.
“Your Highness, I, I” Shen Shangling hurriedly tried to explain.
“In my presence,” Lu Xiao’s face suddenly darkened, “a mere condemned slave dares to speak so casually? Who gave you the audacity!” As he spoke, he slammed his hand against the corner of the table. With a loud crack, a piece of the table corner was shattered.
“Kneel.” Lu Xiao squeezed the word out from between his teeth. The sudden pressure of his aura felt like a deluge of water from the underworld. Shen Shangling was naturally timid and had already been terrified by Lu Xiao’s natural supernatural strength. His legs were so weak he could barely stand, and upon hearing the sharp rebuke, he immediately collapsed to the floor.
It was essentially the same as kneeling. He sighed inwardly; this doomed “transmigrator” identity was truly… enough to make one cry without tears. As he sat on the floor, he calmed himself and tried to use his acting skills to inhabit the role: Acting, is it? Fine, I’ll kneel.
“I will give you two paths,” Lu Xiao said, finally sitting down in a leisurely manner. He looked at the dejected figure on the floor, his smile like a poisonous thorn. “One path: honor your unyielding spirit, and I will send you to the Yellow Springs.”
“I…” Shen Shangling began to speak, remembered Lu Xiao’s previous warning, and immediately corrected himself. “The… the humble servant chooses the second path.”
“Good,” Lu Xiao gave a sinister smile. “I cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes; I cannot tolerate deception. Since you are the concubine I requested from the Emperor, then from today on, you will serve by my side.”
“This servant obeys,” Shen Shangling said, feeling a slight relief in his heart. Serve, fine. I fear pain; as long as he doesn’t torture me, I can endure it.
Lu Xiao did not speak again but tapped his fingers against the table. A personal guard immediately entered and carefully served tea. Then, Lu Xiao lifted his teacup and took a slow, leisurely sip. The guard stood with his hands behind his back behind Lu Xiao, not even glancing at Shen Shangling, who was still kneeling on the floor.
Shen Shangling felt incredibly awkward. He had never knelt for anyone in his life, not even on one knee, let alone both. His knees ached, but since Lu Xiao had not told him to get up, he dared not move, only rubbing them secretly with his hands.
Just then, Lu Xiao set down his tea and stood up, flicking his robes. Slap! His sleeve hit the teacup on the table, sending the remaining hot tea splashing directly onto Shen Shangling, landing heavily on his shoulder. Half the cup of hot tea splashed right into his face.
Shen Shangling: “…” He could barely restrain himself from leaping up in fury.
“Someone,” Lu Xiao said coldly, “change his clothes and send him to my study.”
Yutao hurried in, bowed respectfully, and complied. Lu Xiao turned and left the room, while his personal guard stood at the door, clearly waiting to take Shen Shangling away after he changed. Yutao glanced uneasily at Shen Shangling, who was still kneeling, and signaled to Yuxing and the others, who held trays of clothes and entered silently to stand in a line. The young maids looked terrified; they had no idea how he had offended the Prince, or why the Prince’s expression had been so foul the moment he returned. These clothes were newly ordered by the Prince, who had commanded that he wear them.
“…Young Master,” Yutao said, carefully lowering her voice. “Please change; I fear the Prince will be displeased if you are late—” As she spoke, she looked at Shen Shangling and couldn’t help but jump: The beautiful man’s eyes were reddened, and the soaking wet tea had made his undergarments cling to his skin, highlighting the porcelain-like texture underneath… It made her own heart race.
Shen Shangling wiped his face and, having regained some composure, stood up unsteadily. Damn this feudal society. There are no human rights at all. When he saw the clothes he was to change into, his vision almost went dark again: What on earth? The original owner’s clothes had been flamboyant, like a noble lady’s—exquisitely and meticulously flamboyant. But these clothes were styled like those in a brothel—so gaudy and flashy that he felt he could go perform an exorcism.
Yutao and the maids exchanged rapid glances, their eyes filled with astonishment. Clothes like this… it would be too shameful to be seen in. But they dared not say a word, carefully serving Shen Shangling as he changed.
Once he was ready, the burly guard glanced at him with disdain. “Young Master Shen, please—”
Under someone else’s roof, Shen Shangling had no choice but to bow his head. He followed the guard step-by-step to Lu Xiao’s study. Lu Xiao had already bathed and was standing before a map on the wall, seemingly lost in thought. He had his back to the door and did not turn around when he heard them enter. The guard retreated silently after delivering Shen Shangling. Shen Shangling stood there, wisely keeping his mouth shut.
“Serving by my side,” Lu Xiao said suddenly, still not turning around, his voice cold and flat. “As a mere condemned slave, how dare you stand upright and act on your own? Remember, in the future, in this room, unless I say otherwise, you will kneel and listen to my orders.”
Shen Shangling: “…” No, wait, what?
“Do you want someone to break your legs,” Lu Xiao turned around, “or will you—kneel down yourself?”
Shen Shangling took a deep breath and, without a word, lowered his head and knelt down again. Damn it. So infuriating. Kneeling this much, and not even getting paid for it.
Just then, a guard announced from outside that Physician Jiang had arrived. Lu Xiao ordered him to be admitted. Jiang Yuanlin walked in with large strides. Upon entering the study, he was clearly startled. “Yo, I thought the Prince had opened a dye shop on the floor; all these gaudy colors” He glanced at the person kneeling on the floor, and upon confirming that this gaudy heap… was indeed Shen Shangling, his expression became rather strange.
“What are you looking at?” Lu Xiao shot him a sidelong glance.
“Your Highness,” Jiang Yuanlin cupped his hands in a salute, his smile quite casual. “Looking at nothing. Shall I check on you first?” He took out a pulse cushion. Lu Xiao didn’t say much and placed his hand upon it. His trip to Jibei had indeed been perilous; he had contracted malaria and nearly slipped into a coma from a high fever. It was in that coma that he dreamt a great dream… remembering his previous life, he realized he had been reborn. Every time he thought of his past life, Lu Xiao’s gaze would sweep over the kneeling Shen Shangling, his eyes suddenly growing cold.
“A bit weak,” Jiang Yuanlin said after checking the pulse, nodding. “But fortunately, the foundation is not damaged. I was worried it would involve your old injuries, but for now, it seems fine.” He put away the pulse cushion. “I will write another prescription for the Prince to recuperate; it will not leave any lingering illnesses.” Seeing Lu Xiao nod, Jiang Yuanlin glanced again at Shen Shangling, his eyes sweeping over Shen Shangling’s vulgar, gaudy clothes, and his mouth twitched involuntarily. Thinking of the Journey to the West stories Jiang Sanwen had been listening to for the past few days, and the principles this man had been teaching the boy… Jiang Yuanlin clicked his tongue and was just about to ask something when he caught a glimpse of Lu Xiao’s expression. He immediately raised an eyebrow and retreated.
Once Jiang Yuanlin left, Lu Xiao’s gaze fell once more on Shen Shangling.
“In the past, the Prince of Chen kept many beautiful concubines,” Lu Xiao stood up, walked to a knife rack, drew a long blade, and began to wipe it slowly with a silk cloth, his voice unhurried. “He would often order the beautiful concubines to kneel and crawl, competing for a silk handkerchief to gain the favor of serving in his bed” He used the tip of his blade to lift the handkerchief and shook it at Shen Shangling. “Since you, sir, have acknowledged the status of a condemned slave and accepted the title of concubine, why not follow the example of the ancients and try a ‘kneeling crawl to snatch the handkerchief’?”
Shen Shangling: “…” What is this man saying in such a flowery way? Can he speak a little more slowly?