Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The people spoke with such detail, as if they had personally witnessed how Xue Fuguang languished on his bed in anger, or as if they were there under Gao Deshen's bed the night Xue Fuguang allegedly abducted someone, seeing the whole event unfold.

The sixth prince was contemplative.

But the twelfth prince was furious!

He burst out so suddenly that the sixth prince couldn't react in time: “You are all scholars of the Imperial Academy. Is it honorable to spread baseless rumors behind someone's back?”

Startled at first, they grew increasingly alarmed upon recognizing the twelfth prince. They apologized profusely while their eyes darted about as if searching for someone.

The twelfth prince did not notice their behavior, continuing to reason with them.

But gradually, the men's expressions eased, revealing an air of nonchalance.

The twelfth prince's mother had passed away early; he was now solely in the care of Consort Hui. Yet, it was the sixth prince who was her biological son. Without the sixth prince present, a ten-year-old child without a mother was hardly intimidating.

They thought they could just deal with him perfunctorily.

A step too late to leave and hidden behind, the sixth prince observed their insincerity with stark clarity.

His gaze turned icy, as if he was looking at the dead.

He made no rush to reveal himself; he waited until the twelfth prince had extracted promises of an apology to Xue Fuguang before allowing them to depart. Only then did he emerge from behind the rockery, patting the twelfth prince’s head.

The twelfth prince was indignant: "Brother! They are villains!"

The sixth prince smiled and said, “Twelve, you must let Master Xue know of these villains, so he can be wary.”

The twelfth prince nodded eagerly: "I'll tell the master as soon as I enter the study!"

The sixth prince spoke softly: “But you mustn't let Master Xue hear of their slanders; it would grieve him.”

The twelfth prince thumped his chest in assurance: "Rest assured, brother!"

When Xue Fuguang entered the study, the twelfth prince beckoned him urgently.

He looked almost impatient, watching Xue Fuguang approach, as if he had been waiting a long time.

Once Xue Fuguang was seated beside him, the twelfth prince leaned in and whispered several names, earnestly advising, “Master Xue, you must be vigilant of these individuals; they are not to be trusted!”

Xue Fuguang smiled and responded, “Thank you for the warning, Your Highness.”

After saying this, the corners of his eyes lifted as he glanced sideways at the sixth prince, meeting his observant gaze.

The sixth prince smiled serenely back at him as if he was uninvolved in the matter.

Xue Fuguang lowered his head to turn the pages of his book, but his mind lingered on the names the twelfth prince had mentioned just moments before.

It's not unfamiliar to my ears; in my past life, I had several encounters with him. A few were even mentioned by name in those volumes.

Though the Twelfth Prince doesn’t name names, he is well aware of the reasons behind today’s spectacle.

It’s very likely that some were gossiping behind the scenes and were overheard by the Twelfth Prince. With his youthful innocence and a desire to protect Xue Fuguang from being bullied, he couldn’t wait to tell him.

However, the Sixth Prince is certainly not so kind-hearted.

Why didn't he stop the Twelfth Prince from getting close to me this time? With a little thought, Xue Fuguang could understand why. Most likely, the Twelfth Prince has been slighted, and the Sixth Prince wants to teach those fools a lesson without dirtying his own hands, so he’s using the Twelfth Prince’s mouth to prepare him to be the scapegoat and take on the infamy.

The most stable relationship between people is one of mutual use.

If Xue Fuguang can scheme to use others as his blade, he can’t avoid being used himself.

Alas, he is not prepared to take on this infamy.

In his past life, he was known to everyone as a profligate, a man of luxury and debauchery. But in this life, he is determined to be a "good person."

These infamies must be borne by someone else.

Xue Fuguang held his pen, and a drop of ink fell onto the spread white rice paper with a plip, staining a large spot.

Shaoling saw it, leaned over to offer Xue Fuguang a new sheet, but was stopped by him.

He continued to write on that stained paper, meticulously scribing three characters: Du Ru'an.

Du Ru'an, a prodigious young genius known throughout the state of Jing.

Originally the son of a wealthy merchant in ?? state, he became an orphan when his parents died saving the Prime Minister’s wife during a bandit uprising and was subsequently adopted by the Prime Minister.

After studying with the Prime Minister and revealing his exceptional talents, the Prime Minister officially took him under his wing as his own son.

At fifteen, he became famous throughout the empire for an essay that greatly impressed the Emperor, and at sixteen, he began his official career, starting from a minor sixth-grade position. Now in his early twenties, he is already the Vice Minister of the Left in the Ministry of Works, a senior second-grade position.

He is truly a talented individual blessed with both intellect and charm, destined to make significant contributions to the world.

Most importantly, he is also one of the many rabid dogs pursuing Xiu Jin, and perhaps the most fervent, nearly succeeding in snatching Xiu Jin from the hands of the Crown Prince.

In a previous life, it was thanks to Du Ru'an’s behind-the-scenes influence that his elder sister’s marital affairs were so hopeless, even someone as clever as she couldn’t find a way out.

Xue Fuguang tightened his grip on the pen, crumpled the paper into a ball, and handed it to Shaoling: "Keep it safe."

Shaoling nodded hurriedly, "Yes, yes!"

After finishing his studies for the day, Xue Fuguang returned home and first went to see Gao Deshen.

However, a few days in confinement had left him gaunt and haggard, as if he had endured great torture.

The door creaked open, light striking his eyes, forcing them open against their will.

Upon suddenly seeing Xue Fuguang's face, he almost cried with joy, scrambling and tumbling forward to cling to Xue Fuguang's legs: "My Prince! Fuguang! Have you come to rescue me? You’ve finally arrived! Did they catch that maniac, that fiend? Inform my father; I will make sure the culprit begs for death but cannot die!"

Xue Fuguang stepped back, dodging his filthy outstretched hands, and smiled gently, "Oh, is that so?"

"How exactly do you intend to make me beg for life and plead for death? Do tell."