Chapter 41: On the feasibility of luring cubs with candy

Chapter 41: Using Candy to Lure a Cub

Fei Man didn’t even flinch. She effortlessly blocked the cub’s arrow—if anything, it tickled. The attack was pretty weak, probably needs more practice.

In an instant, Fei Man reached her conclusion, completely confused by Frey’s reaction—after all, Frey wasn’t their strongest fighter, but his strength was his steadiness, usually showing little emotion.

Yet now, Frey squeezed his eyes shut in despair, as if he couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

Frey thought carefully: Job, Joshua, Mr. Hale—none of them were exactly about "love and peace," right???

Meanwhile, Xiao Chuzao clutched his little bow. His aim had been precise, but unexpectedly, he instinctively took a couple of steps forward, blinking owlishly.

Ah… he didn’t mean to shoot at Auntie… this wasn’t right…

But it was too late.

Fei Man went completely still.

The little cub gaped, instinctively turning to look at Frey beside him.

Frey also looked at the little cub.

Hale, arriving a step later, grabbed Job and yanked him back. Something felt off, and he frowned in bewilderment.

Mr. Hale appeared normal at the moment, aside from having lost weight and looked paler. He had that old stern look about him from wielding the teaching ruler in the royal court. He had no idea what kind of surprise awaited him.

Like Fei Man, he didn’t think twice about the Little Crown Clan’s minor assault.

They shared the same sentiment—this was just a cub’s playful antics.

Moreover, given the Crown Clan’s physical resilience, such behavior was akin to a kitten fumbling to show affection, still learning to explore the world with its teeth.

Cats were pets, so during their cubhood, they were trained not to nip during play. But the Crown Clan brought up their young to be fiercer and more formidable.

Such playful attacks were permitted, even indulged. No Crown Clan member would mind Zao Zao pointing that adorable little golden bow at them—

Not a single one would mind—

Hale watched as Fei Man’s body trembled slightly.

She first looked at Job, tears suddenly welling in her eyes. “Oh, poor Job, you’re breaking my heart…”

Job: …?

Was that it?

Just as Frey thought so, Fei Man turned her gaze to Joshua.

“Poor, sweet Joshua, you bring me such joy…”

Joshua: ???

Frey: …

“Oh, Mr. Hale—”

Finally, she turned her gaze to Hale, her expression tender and affectionate.

Hale went rigid.

"Hold on—this isn’t right—"

Hale reached out, turning Fei Man’s face away.

He decisively hit the medical button and calmly reported, "Come here, Fei Man’s lost it."

Fei Man’s gaze landed on the little cub.

Xiao Chuzao’s uncle was grilling him about why this took so long, and the little cub just blinked cluelessly, clueless—until Fei Man suddenly yanked him up.

Job: "..."

Joshua: "..."

Hale: "..."

Frey: "..."

"Oh my god, you’re so adorable! What’s this? Tiny hands! And this? Squishy cheeks! Auntie’s gonna kiss you, I love you so much, how can you be this cute, mwah mwah mwah—"

Xiao Chuzao, now being smothered with kisses: "???"

"A-Auntie... stop, no—no more—mmph!"

The cub squirmed like a kitten snatched up by an overeager stranger, his fur practically dripping with slobber.

His little hands flailed helplessly against Fei Man’s face, his tiny voice a mix of protest and panic.

Frey: "..."

"Wait—Fei Man!! Get a grip!!"

Your crazy laughing’s gonna blow the roof off this place!

Fei Man froze mid-smooch on the cub’s cheek.

Amos walked back in, dragging An Ya along—only for the Emperor’s eyes to go wide, a rare sight: "?"

Fei Man: [silent horror]

Fei Man’s brain finally rebooted—

Wait. What had she just done?

She’d just gotten hit by this kid’s arrow, then—kinda vibed with Job, got distracted by Joshua, then Mr. Hale... Before she could get a word out, Mr. Hale redirected her to Xiao Chuzao...

After piecing it together,

Fei Man took in the cub’s ruffled state, the slobbery kiss stains on his cheeks.

Her dignity came crashing back. Her expression went dead calm—though a closer look showed pure, soul-crushing regret.

NOOOO!!!!

WHAT HAD SHE JUST DONE????

WHY DID I DO THAT?!

Amos had already swiped the cub right out of her arms.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The uncannily similar father and son huddled together, both looking slightly terrified at Fei Man—

Of course, Amos's expression didn’t show fear, but his slightly widened pupils revealed genuine shock—Were you about to eat Zao Zao raw?

Even with a change of heart, how could it escalate to this?

An Ya slowly leaned in: ...

Could it be?

Fei Man's fingers trembled—

"No... Auntie, it’s not..."

Then she saw the little one burrow into Amos’s embrace, cupping his tiny face, both startled and bashful, his small ears flushed crimson. Shell-shocked from the aggressive kisses, he cautiously peeked at her while hiding.

Fei Man: ...

Oh for crying out loud!

"Now that Mr. Hale is here, I have other matters to attend to—I’m outta here."

With that, Fei Man swiftly fled.

Damn it all! Even when she should be apologizing, she still found Xiao Chuzao irresistibly adorable!!

But why did she actually do it—No freaking way! Could it be Zao Zao’s Psychic Weapon???

Hale was dumbfounded too.

He stared at the tiny bow still clutched in Xiao Chuzao’s hand.

Only one thought crossed his mind—The Crown Clan doesn’t mind if little ones aim weapons at them during play... That rule’s getting revoked effective immediately!!

"The duration seems to have extended."

Frey finally pieced it together.

"Is it because Zao Zao’s psychic power has grown stronger? Plus, Fei Man was close with Job and Joshua, so the emotions flowed naturally—"

But what was up with that kissing rampage at the end?

And why did the effect shift from pure affection to player behavior as the duration lengthened?

Fei Man practically professed love to everyone present equally!

"Perhaps... it’s par for the course?"

Amos hesitated slightly.

"Let’s test it again later. Zao Zao’s physical strength has improved, and his psychic power is gradually strengthening. It’s natural for his abilities to evolve."

The little one finally cottoned on, clinging to Amos’s neck.

"Dada, dada—"

"Hmm?" "Auntie’s smooches made Zao Zao dizzy."

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The flurry of rapid, woodpecker-like kisses went from zero to a hundred in an instant for the little one who had never been kissed on the cheeks before—and ended up scaring him.

Xiao Chuzao never expected that the arrows he fired would come back to hit him. He was still in shock.

Amos silently reached out, wiping the little one’s face with a tissue.

"Wow, it’s all red from the kisses. What a little menace, Fei Man."

An Ya egged it on quietly.

"Can Zao Zao have some candy?"

The little one asked softly.

Amos nodded.

Watching the little one pull out a candy pouch, pop one in his mouth, and finally calm down—his ruffled appearance smoothing out as he let out a relieved sigh—Amos glanced at the candy pouch and gave An Ya a light kick.

The ridiculous, chaotic scene left everyone dumbfounded, completely shattering the heavy, gloomy atmosphere from moments ago.

Joshua was bewildered, not quite understanding what had happened.

Job also snapped back to reality, turning to Hale with a hoarse voice.

"Teacher?"

Though Hale’s family served as Imperial Tutors and loyal ministers, they also taught the Crown Clan’s young ones during their childhood—though the lessons were few and often overlapped with royal instruction. Yet Hale occupied a special place in the hearts of Job and Joshua.

"I've already reviewed the medical report."

Hale refocused, looking at Job, who he was holding onto, and then at Joshua.

"I warned His Majesty before not to let you two go out. When there are unresolved conflicts and unspoken issues between you, going out will only make things worse. But His Majesty was unwilling to take stronger action against you."

Hale looked down, staring at them sternly.

"First, you must stop feeling like you owe your brother something. He is an independent member of the Crown Clan and doesn’t need you shielding him all the time. He must face those things himself, not let you protect him so much that he sinks further into trouble. Second, you must stop seeing yourself as a burden, always blaming yourself. The emotional state of your generation in the Crown Clan is severely troubled."

Job snapped out of it and instinctively moved to shield Joshua, but under Hale’s sharp gaze, he slowly withdrew his hand.

Meanwhile, Joshua dropped his head.

"Your condition requires additional medication. Your crowns are starting to fail—we must stop this now before it gets worse."

Hale continued speaking.

"No."

Joshua quickly objected.

"I don’t need..."

Joshua had been coddled too much, yet he was still a member of the Crown Clan. He didn’t want to rely on medication, yet he saw himself as a burden. Every time he was lucid, he wished for death—the Crown Clan had no use for someone as weak as him...

"Zao Zao can help—"

Suddenly, a small, childish voice chimed in.

The three Crown Clan members over there all froze at once.

The little one was curled up in Amos's arms, his voice quite soft but clear to every Crown Clan present.

As the surroundings quieted, he turned with puffed cheeks, blinking at them.

Then he whispered to Amos again, "But Daddy, after you and Zao Zao help, can we just run away real quick?"

Just no more getting pinned down and kissed, okay?

The little one was earnestly trying to help.

But right now, there was this vibe of—unintentional troublemaking.

Amos gave a small smile.

"No, wait, I think—"

Joshua instinctively straightened up.

"Medication... I could try that."

*

Job and Joshua's problems were settled—for now.

The main reason was the rift that formed when their parents' and aunt's crowns broke years ago. Neither of them was big on talking things out, and with their constant grief, their crumbling crowns made their emotions spiral faster. And as twins, their emotions hit twice as hard, ending up like this.

Amos had already carried the little one back.

To cheer the little one up and keep an earlier promise, Amos took Xiao Chuzao to see the streets near the royal court.

But since the little one wasn't fully stable yet and his existence wasn't public knowledge, they kept the trip under wraps, visiting only a few spots.

Even so, all the new sights had the little one wide-eyed and amazed, bubbling with curiosity and excitement.

A few more days passed.

During this time, Hale—now settled—began preparing his teaching materials.

Teaching a Little Crown Clan kid who knew zilch—this was Hale's first time.

When Hale became a proper teacher, even Amos and the others were older Crown Clan kids, and the youngest, An Ya, already knew plenty.

Only Xiao Chuzao was starting from scratch.

These past days, the little one had been testing his psychic abilities under his guardians' watch. Picking his guard team was coming along too. With no other Crown Clan children to grow up alongside Xiao Chuzao, word was the top squad from the special class would be his long-term companions.

They'd soon be training nonstop in the royal court.

Now, just one week remained before the big cross-nation, cross-clan meeting.

"Teacher, teacher—are you almost here?"

Hale had just reached Dwight's palace gates when the little one's soft voice piped up in his mind.

But this was a one-sided mental link—Xiao Chuzao could talk to him, but Hale couldn't reply. So Hale found himself pestered with endless nudges, once, twice, three times.

Hale was confused—because right now, Xiao Chuzao was still kinda dodging him.

And now—

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Gatekeeper [door slammed shut with finality]: "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

Hale: "For class."

Gatekeeper [door bolted tight]: "Please enter the passphrase to verify your sobriety, teacher."

Hale: "..."

Gatekeeper [red alarm lights flashing]: "Enter the passphrase, Your Highness Hale!"

Hale: "Long live the Crown’s brilliance, may the Empire endure forever—seriously, must you set such an insane passphrase?"

And of course it made him say it out loud.

Meanwhile, the little tyke in Hale’s mind kept pestering—"Teacher, where are you?" "Are you almost here?" "Zao Zao will ask Papa to look for you, okay?"

Couldn’t Amos just hurry up and get Xiao Chuzao a smart communication device? Was it because he was always hovering around the kid that he forgot??

Gatekeeper [door opens]: "Passphrase confirmed. Your Highness Hale, please enter!"

Wonderful. Now it wasn’t just clueless—it was obstinately literal.

Hale stepped inside.

The kid, who’d been babbling to his crown, quickly plopped it back on his head when Hale entered. Dressed in a miniature black Saint Cas Empire military uniform, his tiny jacket lay draped over the sofa, the snow-white lining lending gravitas to his otherwise delicate cuteness.

Xiao Chuzao stood up fidgeting nervously, his wings tucked stiffly against his back.

"T-teacher."

Hale nodded and produced his lesson plan.

With the stern teacher aura of a homeroom instructor, he declared, "Come, Little Highness. Today’s lesson covers these vocabulary words."

Xiao Chuzao was remarkably sharp.

Hale would swear Princess An Ya hadn’t been this quick-witted at his age.

Over the week, the more Hale taught, the more he absorbed other instructors’ duties—he was completely absorbed. Partly to drown his traumatic past, but mostly because mentoring this child gave him profound fulfillment.

And as an educator, it enraged him—such a sharp, well-behaved prodigy being shunned by those fools.

"Master these terms in a few months, and we’ll advance to Saint Cas Empire’s historical narratives."

Lessons continued until nearly noon, when Amos returned from the royal council chamber. After observing briefly, he retreated to his study. Only then did Hale check the time, fish out a pillbox, and dry-swallow a fistful.

Painkillers.

Xiao Chuzao perched on a stool clutching his pristine notebook, feet swinging above the floor. Beside him sat another stool where he’d carefully arranged his spirit bear stuffed toy, now watching Hale intently.

"Little Highness, anything else?"

Hale didn’t even blink at the bitterness.

Spectacles glinting, he looked every inch the erudite academic—none of his usual sarcastic, arrogant, or hysterical self remained.

Unable to contain himself, Xiao Chuzao scampered to the low table—what was once Amos’ meeting room, now repurposed with child-sized furniture, fresh fruits, and always-warm water within the kid’s reach.

Xiao Chuzao took his little cup to fetch some water, then pattered back and held the cup up high.

"Teacher."

He blinked his big round eyes.

Hale paused for a moment before accepting the cup.

The little one's cup was tiny—smaller than the palm of his hand—so Hale could easily hold it. He lowered his head and drank all the water in one go, the bitterness washing away in an instant.

Xiao Chuzao then stretched out his small hand, revealing his very last candy in his palm. He wanted to exchange it for the cup—

"One cup doesn’t seem enough?"

The little one thought to himself.

Hale didn’t return the cup. Instead, he stared at the beautiful candy.

He bent down, meeting those bright, round eyes. The little one flinched slightly, his tiny wings folded tight against his back.

"Why?"

Hale showed confusion.

"You don’t really like me that much, and you still fear and avoid me. As teacher and student, we’ve only known each other for a week. So why do you keep talking in my head, pushing me again and again—"

And why pour water for him?

You could've ignored it.

These things didn’t really matter.

The learned scholar seemed to have encountered a dilemma.

"Was it a task assigned to you by His Majesty Amos?"

To keep him from drowning in pain, to help him live a little longer.

Hale could understand such intentions.

After all, the Crown Clan was dwindling. Though they could wait for the little one to grow up, what then? What other challenges might come?

And in this generation, the Crown Clan had only the Little Highness left.

For the clan's sake, preserving its strength was only natural.

"Medicine is bitter—"

Xiao Chuzao pressed the candy into Hale’s hand.

"Zao Zao used to get stomachaches. When he found herbs to eat, he thought—if only there were candy, it would be so nice. He’d heard candy was sweet, and now that he’s tasted it, it really is sweet."

Xiao Chuzao took the little cup back, lowering his small head.

"Papa... Papa never said anything, but Zao Zao thinks if someone could talk to him when he’s feeling bad, it would make him feel better. So... that’s why Zao Zao kept talking to Teacher. Sorry, Teacher—"

The little one lifted his head. "Was Zao Zao bothering you again?"

Xiao Chuzao was still a bit afraid of Hale because of what happened before. Plus, as a teacher, Hale was always strict. But knowing Hale was always in pain made it impossible for Xiao Chuzao to look away.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

If only it could be more comfortable.

Little Chuzao recalled the times when he was unwell and tried to make Hale feel slightly more at ease.

This was the first time Hale had frozen up like this all week.

He quickly snapped out of it: "No... not at all, you're not disturbing me."

Hale lowered his eyes: "Little Highness, make yourself at home."

Hale popped the candy into his mouth.

"This afternoon, I'll take you to the training field to try the Psychic Weapon again. Morning classes are done—you're free to go."

Zao Zao nodded eagerly, his little wings relaxing behind him. Mori knocked on the door right on time, smiling as he spoke to the little one.

"Little Highness, the baby formula for lunch has been delivered. The King is waiting for you in the hall."

"Coming, Grandpa Mori!"

The cub's voice perked up as he skipped toward the door.

Hale remained still, gently crunching the soft candy in his mouth—it was very sweet.

In another corner of the palace grounds.

"The palace training is far more intense than expected, isn't it?"

Peng Liang threw an arm around Chao Huangmu's neck.

They were on their way to eat.

He also glanced at the stoic teenager beside them.

"Hey, what do you think? This afternoon's extended training run passes by the Crown Clan royalty's palaces. Might we see an unfamiliar royal? And that mysterious Little Highness—"

Chao Huangmu, his dark hair messy, was pulled along as he said with a bright laugh: "We'll see when we get there. Maybe we'll spot the young master we're supposed to protect—the Little Highness."

The afternoon came.

Chu Zao finished lunch and woke from his nap.

The little cub rubbed his eyes, hugging his spirit bear as he stepped out of his room.

The other Crown Clan members were probably already waiting in the hall.

But strangely—

The cub rubbed his eyes again, staring into the distance.

He wasn't seeing things.

There was a pack of sweets over there!

Zao Zao's eyes widened.

Hiding in the corner, Fei Man—who Zao Zao had been dodging like crazy these days—held one end of a string, the other leading to the pack of sweets. She peeked out—perfect, he bit!

Xiao Chuzao skipped forward a few steps: "Candy!"

Fei Man gave the string a little tug.

Zao Zao: "The candy's getting away!"

As the candy "ran" faster, Xiao Chuzao hurried after it, his little body lunging for the candy before peering down.

Then, the candy in his arms was suddenly yanked away sharply.

"Don't run!"

The little one's competitive streak kicked in—and it was candy, after all! Xiao Chuzao had already eaten his candy ration for the morning. He held onto the candy for dear life, only to be slowly pulled toward the corner by the string—until the tugging stopped.

The cub looked up and met Fei Man's gaze, who was holding a bundle of string.

Xiao Chuzao, hugging both the candy and his ghost bear tight: !