Chapter 5 Tying Up Hair

Chapter 5: Tying Up Hair

In the Imperial Study, Zhou Mingqi put down his brush after finishing the last memorial, his face showing exhaustion.

The attending eunuch, Fu Quan, hurried forward to offer tea. Zhou Mingqi took a light sip, relaxing his tense nerves.

He lifted a hand to rub his temples. At thirty-five, Zhou Mingqi appeared still in his prime, thanks to his good care of himself.

"How's the Crown Prince? What did the Grand Tutor say?"

Fu Quan's hand shook as he held the teacup, his eyes evasive. "The Crown Prince, he..."

"Stop stammering. Just say it."

Fu Quan fell to his knees. "His Highness left the palace today and only came back at the Hour of the Rooster (5-7 PM)."

Zhou Mingqi's brows furrowed. "That kid is getting more and more out of line!"

He put down the teacup, got up, and headed straight for the Eastern Palace.

When palace attendants saw Zhou Mingqi, they knelt in fear to greet him, while some tried to slip away to tip off Zhou Zhan.

Zhou Mingqi walked quickly toward the Crown Prince's place, his face stern.

As he passed the study, he was surprised to hear soft reading sounds coming from inside.

Zhou Mingqi paused, slowed down, and stood by the window.

In the dim candlelight, he saw the Crown Prince, Zhou Zhan, sitting at his desk, quietly reading from the classics.

"Xiao Guizi, bring the lamp closer. It's too dark, my eyes are hurting."

The young eunuch, hearing Zhou Zhan's order, swayed and almost fell, dead tired.

He quickly moved the lamp closer to Zhou Zhan, who yawned and couldn't stop rubbing his eyes.

"Your Highness, maybe you should rest now?" Xiao Guizi, who always attended Zhou Zhan, felt sorry seeing him like this.

Zhou Zhan shook his head hard, forcing himself to stay awake. At Xiao Guizi's words, he was tempted for a moment.

"What time is it?"

"Your Highness, it's the Hour of the Boar (9-11 PM)."

"Then I'll read a bit more. Remind me at the Hour of the Rat (11 PM-1 AM)."

Zhou Zhan really wanted to sleep, but the Taoist had warned him not to go to bed before the Hour of the Rat, or disaster would strike. He had to persevere.

Zhou Mingqi watched the Crown Prince from the study, hidden in the shadows, his face blank.

Fu Quan, bent over, carefully watched Zhou Mingqi's expression. "Should I call the Crown Prince out, Your Majesty?"

Zhou Mingqi looked away and turned back. "No need. Tell the Imperial Kitchen to make some late-night snacks for the Crown Prince. He'll probably be hungry soon."

Fu Quan knew Zhou Mingqi had decided not to bring up the Crown Prince's secret trip today, and quickly replied, "This servant will take care of it right away."

......

At the inn, Cheng Ge was fast asleep.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by the innkeeper's voice. "Master Cheng, time to get up."

Cheng Ge rolled over, pulled out the hair stuck under his back, letting it spread out by the bed, with one foot hanging off the edge.

"I'll skip the public class. Gou San, can you cover for me?"

"Master Cheng, are you getting up?"

Cheng Ge blinked awake, saw the unfamiliar place, and snapped to attention, remembering he had traveled to this ancient world.

He sat up, scratched his messy hair, and said, "Coming, coming."

He got up and opened the door. The innkeeper came in with hot water for washing. "Master Cheng, here's your hot water."

Cheng Ge reached out and ran his fingers through his messy hair. Fortunately, his hair was of good quality, and a few strokes smoothed it out.

He picked up a hairpin, tried a few spots at the back of his head, grabbed a handful of hair, and started twisting it into a bun.

"Little brother, come help me out."

The innkeeper set down the water, turned to see Cheng Ge's messy hair, and got it right away.

He walked behind Cheng Ge, who quickly shoved the hairpin into his hand and sat down on the chair.

"Quick, fix this for me. I'm dying from the heat."

If this era allowed it, he'd cut off this long mane. A crew cut was the real hairstyle for a real man.

The innkeeper sighed in frustration, got a bronze mirror, and tried to teach Cheng Ge step by step.

"Master Cheng, you need to practice more. How can someone not know how to use a hairpin?"

The bronze mirror was polished bright, and as soon as Cheng Ge saw his face, he couldn't help but frown in disgust.

He hadn't known what he looked like until a couple of days ago, when he accidentally discovered it.

It had nearly scared him to death. In Cheng Ge's own words, it was a face that was "girly, with a hint of sleaze."

Later, he added, "And it looks like I'm about to die of illness."

Of course, if this face belonged to his girlfriend, he would love it, kissing her lips until they were raw.

But on himself, it was different. It made eating unappetizing and using the restroom uncomfortable.

Seeing Cheng Ge's expression, the innkeeper couldn't help but laugh. "Master, your temperament is one in a hundred. It's rare to see someone so striking."

"You like it so much? Want it for free?"

The innkeeper wound Cheng Ge's dark hair around his hand several times before managing to coil it up, as the volume was considerable.

He pushed the hairpin into the bun. "Master, you jest. One's body, hair, and skin are gifts from one's parents. How could they be given away?"

"There, it's done. How does it look?"

Cheng Ge shook his head vigorously. It was secure and reassuring.

"Mm, Xiao Gouzi, your skills are as good as ever. I'll treat you to a candied hawthorn stick tonight."

"Master, you're too kind. It's my duty." With that, he carried the water out of the room.

I didn't feel it while I was asleep, but now I'm starving.

Reaching out to feel the bundle at the head of the bed, I stuffed all the cash I'd conned and scammed recently into my pocket, put on my veiled hat, and swaggered out of the inn.

"Ah Zhen fell for Ah Qiang, on a night full of stars~

A plane flew overhead, and a meteor shot across the night sky..."

"Hey boss, give me two meat buns and a bowl of meat soup."

The boss swiftly brought over the buns and soup. Cheng Ge couldn't wait to sink his teeth into a bun, grease running down his chin.

While he was chowing down, he overheard some guests at the next table chatting.

"I heard Divine Doctor Bai came to the capital recently? Is that true or false?"

"I've heard that too. Magistrate Li's wife is really sick, and they barely managed to track him down."

"Didn't they say Divine Doctor Bai usually won't treat rich folks?"

"I heard Magistrate Li has some ties to the Bai family, so he agreed to treat her."

"I wonder if Divine Doctor Bai is still in the capital now?"

"Who knows? Divine Doctor Bai's whereabouts are always uncertain..."

Cheng Ge kept eating while craning his neck to listen to their conversation, but they quickly changed the topic.

Downing the last of the meat soup, Cheng Ge stood up and called out to the boss, "Boss, can I get the check?"

"All set? That'll be fifteen coppers."

Cheng Ge felt in his pocket, took out his pouch, counted out the coins, and handed them to the boss.

"Muyu, is that you?"