chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Making of the Male Lead.

The young prince was very dedicated in teaching the child.

Even though he knew the child couldn't grasp everything now, he consistently made time amidst his busy schedule to teach him.

Perhaps he hoped for the child to learn through constant exposure.

Shen He numbly thought that this might be similar to modern prenatal education.

Some kids start getting "pushed to excel" even while they're still in the womb.

His intensive learning only began a bit after his first birthday, which, when he thought about it, felt somewhat comforting.

...Not really!

Although he felt distraught inside, Shen He, considering himself an adult, prioritized his dignity.

When the male lead taught him, he'd imitate the movements, holding back tears inside while forcing a smile on his face.

Shen He secretly hoped that Zhong Hong or someone else would notice the male lead's intense and unorthodox teaching methods.

A baby of one year, one month, and around twenty-something days... wait, he's now one year and two months old.

In short, this wasn't something Shen He should have to endure at his age.

But Zhong Hong didn't try to dissuade him, while Lian Qiao and He Ling even egged him on: "Having the young prince taught by His Highness at such a young age, perhaps he'll be a prodigy—reciting poetry at three, writing at five. What a wondrous tale that'd be!"

Shen He: I'm not feeling so marvelous.

Song Lin'an inquired from outside the study, and upon receiving permission from the young prince, entered to find a young lad, head bowed, holding a pudgy child, guiding his hand to write.

The young prince, now taller, stood in stark contrast to the round little bundle.

The tiny bundle sat on the prince's lap, wearing pristine white, short garments, revealing chubby feet and a protruding, soft, pale belly.

Hearing the noise, the child instantly turned in the prince's arms, staring curiously at Song Lin'an with his large, dewy eyes.

The young prince gently patted the child's belly, adjusted his clothing, then stood, greeting Song Lin'an with a student's courtesy: "Master Song, you've arrived."

As Qi Zhuoyun offered the greeting, he noticed the little bundle seemed exceptionally interested in Master Song.

The child's eyes remained fixed intently on him.

Suddenly, perhaps recalling something, the child turned away, burying his face in the prince's embrace, clutching his robes.

Shen He, of course, remembered his "shy" persona he had to portray in front of the prince's mentor.

After all, wasn't it essential to maintain it for the male lead's sake?

Qi Zhuoyun hadn't made that connection.

Song Lin'an felt slightly awkward, "The young prince must be unaccustomed to my presence."

The last time he'd seen the child, he was rather bold and even when held, didn't cry.

Holding the child, Qi Zhuoyun returned to his seat and invited Song Lin'an to sit. "It seems so. Zhong Hong, please serve Master Song some sour plum soup."

Song Lin'an, having traveled from afar, had sweat glistening at his temples from the late July sun.

Regardless of his impeccable demeanor and refined presence, the July sun spared no one.

Before entering, he wiped the sweat from his brow, but the heat lingered. In mere moments, sweat had formed again.

He didn't decline and instead looked at Shen He: "Your Highness is teaching the young prince to read and write at such an early age?"

With the solemn face of a young boy, Qi Zhuoyun responded: "I'm aware he can't fully grasp it now, but children learn by example. Seeing more of it now will surely speed up his learning later. Moreover, he's bright; just two months past his first birthday, he already speaks many words."

The hint of quiet pride in the young prince's voice was evident in that last statement.

Song Lin'an grew more interested, studying Shen He with greater scrutiny.

Shen He (internally): Don't see me, don't see me, don't see me.

The biggest quirk of the original novel's Prince's Mentor was his fondness for taking on students.

He has a particular fondness for teaching, relishing the satisfaction of nurturing exceptional students.

Naturally, the most outstanding among his students was the male lead, the emperor, and the eventual victor of the court's political battles.

The least proficient among them was Shen He.

Yes, that very Shen He.

No matter what he studied, he never excelled. Only when Shen He decided to forsake scholarly pursuits for martial ones did he begin to show promise.

Of course, Shen He had no intention of pursuing a martial path.

Given his lack of physical agility — for whom physical education classes felt like torture — any ordinary soldier could easily defeat him with a single strike.

He wasn't keen on scholarly pursuits either.

All he wanted was to coast through life and retire in peace!

But Shen He couldn't make that decision.

Master Song's eyes already gleamed with the desire to take on a new student.

He said softly, "Your Highness, you're preoccupied with many matters. If you trust me, when the young prince grows a bit older, I'd be honored to guide him in literature and scholarship."

Shen He quickly turned to cling to the male lead, attempting to act endearingly, hoping to distract him from the matter at hand.

The child's soft hands wrapped tightly around him, his delicate face nuzzling close, mumbling, "Brother, brother~"

His voice sounded even more soft and adorable.

Lately, feeling the heat, the child hadn't been keen on cuddling closely.

Even when held, he seldom nestled as before. Only when tired or drowsy would he seek such comfort.

This was the first time in a while he had been so affectionate.

The young prince supported the child's tiny bottom, facilitating his embrace, his lips curving slightly, "What does Hehe want to do?"

He genuinely couldn't anticipate the child's intention.

He thought, a well-behaved child like Hehe should be tutored by a trusted teacher in the future.

Although he desired to personally oversee Shen He's education, he was aware of his myriad responsibilities.

Now, life was relatively relaxed, but in a few years, when Shen He would genuinely be of age to study, he would be swamped with imperial duties.

Trusted... At the moment, aside from Master Song, there wasn't another option.

It's not that there aren't people more trustworthy than Master Song to Qi Zhuoyun. But in terms of knowledge, throughout the court, aside from the elder statesmen and a few renowned literati, there are very few who can rival Song Lin'an.

Qi Zhuoyun hopes that the person instructing Shen He should be exceptionally competent, only then would they be deemed worthy.

After much contemplation, the young prince gently ruffled the child's fluffy head, which had two little tufts, and said, "If Master Song is willing to tutor Hehe on my behalf, that would be ideal."

Shen He, who was trying to nuzzle closer, said: "..."

Pinching the child's chubby face.

He pouted, feeling that his earlier cute gestures to gain favor were all in vain!

One child was already a handful for the male lead, yet now the original story brings another challenging child, Shen He, for Song Lin'an to handle!

He let go, slid down from the male lead's chest, lost hope for the future, and began to resign himself to despair.

After Song Lin'an and the young prince quickly agreed on the matter, Zhong Hong came over to pick up the child, who now resembled a deflated dumpling.

Master Song is to discuss important matters with the young prince.

By early September, the Emperor returned from the summer resort, accompanied by a massive entourage, to the capital.

After the Emperor's return, the young prince became noticeably busier.

He no longer had the time to daily tutor the child in writing or recite various classics as the master did.

Often, by the time the young prince could take a break from his numerous duties, Shen He would already be asleep, and the prince would just take a peek at him.

The child slept soundly, his chubby fair face tinged with a healthy pink, a portion of his little belly visible, having kicked off the thin blanket to one side.

He seemed to have grown a bit since before.

Even seeing him daily, the signs of the child's growth were evident.

The day after the Emperor returned to the palace, Concubine Liu Xuan took Shen He away.

Being a favored concubine, Liu Xuan had accompanied the Emperor to the summer resort.

She initially wanted to bring Shen He along, but considering even the young prince didn't go, taking Shen He might have raised objections.

After much consideration, she decided against it.

Almost two months later, upon seeing the little dumpling again, the aunt immediately hugged him and planted a big kiss on him.

The child's head tilted back, utterly powerless to resist.

Auntie, wasn't that kiss a bit too enthusiastic?

Liu Xuan tickled the child's armpit, making him laugh, "Our little He has grown so much in just two months, your auntie really missed you."

An old maid nearby made a tsk-tsk sound and said, "Your Highness, we shouldn't speak such words. May you have a long and prosperous life, and see the young master grow up, marry, and have children of his own."

Concubine Liu Xuan didn't mind the remarks. She laughed heartily and playfully poked the child's soft belly, "Ah, that's true. When our little He grows up and gets married, I wonder which young lady would be a suitable match for him?"

Shen He stretched out his arms, trying to escape the ticklish grasp, mumbling in protest, "Auntie, Auntie!"

Dear aunt, instead of thinking about which young lady, perhaps think about a dashing young man.

After he retires, he plans to find a handsome man to date.

Before his transmigration, he came out to his parents, even preparing mentally for the worst, like having his legs broken. He spent two years just preparing mentally for the confession.

Surprisingly, after a stern talk from his parents, they sighed and accepted their son's unique orientation.

Shen He pondered, being here, he's destined to inherit the Shen Duke Mansion. If he dates a man, nobody should have a say against it, right?

Shen He mentally tallied the possible objections, his expression freezing.

There would still be quite a few people who could oppose.

Shen He put off any plans of dating before he turned twenty.

He couldn't date locally, it seems!

Once he retires, he'll find a place filled with handsome men and date someone non-local.

Shen He clenched his small, chubby hand.

Yes, that's the plan!

Auntie returned from the summer resort, bringing back many gifts for Shen He.

There were various delicacies, which might also be available in the palace, but it's the thought that counts.

Shen He nestled against his aunt, eating happily.

Before being escorted back, he hugged his auntie and gave her a big, heartfelt kiss.

It left Concubine Liu Xuan beaming with joy, her jewelry shimmering. She pinched Shen He's soft cheeks a few more times before letting him go.

……

Time slipped by, like water flowing eastward.

The child grew rapidly, quickly transitioning from a tiny tot the height of a kneecap to a sprightly toddler.

Unbeknownst to many, young Master Shen had already turned four.

One day, from afar in the palace corridor, one could spot a beautiful child, as delicate as a carved jade statue, peering around curiously as he walked alongside the palace walls.

He was dressed in an indigo robe, the material of which spoke of its luxury at a single glance.

Recently, there had been official transfers within the court. Some local officials had been transferred to the capital, filling the vacancies. It was their first time seeing such a child.

They curiously asked familiar colleagues, "Which young prince of the palace is this?"

The colleague replied, "He's not a prince, he's..."

Before he could finish his sentence, they watched as the child, with eyes shining like polished jade, dashed like a fledgling bird returning to its nest, straight into the arms of a young man dressed in ceremonial robes.

The young prince is now over twelve and, at first glance, almost looks like an adult.

He effortlessly lifted the child, who barely reached his thighs, seemingly unfazed about wrinkling his ceremonial attire.

The child sweetly addressed him, "Prince brother, you came out so late today."

"Darling, didn't Concubine Liu Xuan invite you over today?" Qi Zhuoyun's voice was changing, having hit puberty.

His voice now had a hint of huskiness and might fully transition to an adult's tone any morning.

Perhaps self-conscious of this awkward phase, the young prince had become more reserved recently, even speaking less to Shen He.

Even when he did speak, he would lower his voice to mask its changing timbre.

Shen He, wrapping his arms around Qi Zhuoyun's neck, thought the voice was not unpleasant.

When his own voice changed, it sounded far worse. His classmates were even more amusing, sounding like a gaggle of ducks.

Watching the male lead grow up and witnessing his voice break felt incredibly surreal.

Shen He felt a strange sense of accomplishment, almost as if he'd raised him.