Chapter 27 Crown Prince’s Tutor

Chapter 27: Crown Prince's Tutor

Wang Jin knelt on the ground, after a moment's thought, and replied, "Your Majesty, among the Hanlin Bachelors, there are indeed a few with remarkable talent.

Among them, Cheng Muyu, a second-rank scholar (jinshi), is diligent and hardworking, never slacking, with unique insights in his studies and profound knowledge. He has delved deeply into the classics, histories, and philosophical works, showing the moral fortitude of pine and bamboo."

Zhou Mingqi nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Wang Jin. "Since you recommend him, he must possess genuine talent.

The Crown Prince is growing older but is still lazy and hasn't made progress. I'm thinking of making this Cheng Muyu the Crown Prince's Tutor in the Eastern Palace. What do you think, my dear minister?"

Wang Jin was shocked inside. He'd just stated the facts in recommending Cheng Muyu, never thought Zhou Mingqi would have this in mind.

But he didn't dare go against the emperor's will, and he had faith in Cheng Ge. He quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise indeed. If Cheng Muyu enters the Eastern Palace, he'll definitely help the Crown Prince improve."

Zhou Mingqi sat at his desk, looking off into space. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Alright, summon Cheng Muyu to the palace."

Picking a tutor for the Crown Prince was no joke. In the future, when the new emperor ascends the throne, that tutor would be his right-hand man. If they picked some mediocre or treacherous guy, it'd mess up the Crown Prince and throw the court into chaos.

When the eunuch led Cheng Ge into the palace, he was totally confused.

In that short half-hour, he ran through everyone he'd ever pissed off and every shady thing he'd done.

He finally decided it had to be that bastard Zhang Qinghang scheming behind his back.

Zhang Qinghang hadn't started his official career yet, so the only way he could whisper in the emperor's ear was through his third-rank dad.

The whole way, Cheng Ge cursed Zhang Qinghang and his ancestors back eighteen generations.

Finally, he started thinking about what to do if the emperor wanted to nail him.

Plan A: Catch him off guard, lunge, and snap that Dog Emperor's neck, go down together and make history.

Plan B: Catch him off guard, grab his leg, sob like a baby, yell about injustice, and try to wake up the Dog Emperor's conscience.

Cheng Ge's head was pounding. This was a real pickle.

The more he thought, the more pissed off he got. Back in his original world, he wouldn't have given a damn about these lowlifes.

He, Master Cheng, had never taken this kind of crap. He was done with it.

Just as he was getting worked up, Cheng Ge was brought before the emperor. The incense in the hall made his head all foggy.

He instinctively wanted to look up and see the emperor's face, but then he snapped out of it. The emperor's face wasn't something a commoner like him could just stare at.

He chickened out, braced himself, knelt, and did a proper bow.

Staring at the floor tiles in front of him, he announced loudly, "Your subject, Cheng Ge, greets Your Majesty. Long live the emperor, ten thousand years!"

Zhou Mingqi sat up straight, checking him out but not telling him to get up.

He looked down from his high seat at the guy below, whose whole body was slightly bent, his face unclear.

His black hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin, a bit messy, maybe from hurrying. A few stray strands, wet with sweat, stuck to his pale, slender neck.

The guy was tall and lean, but his back looked kind of frail. Kneeling there like that, he looked pretty pitiful.

The silence around was suffocating. Without an order, Cheng Ge could only stay in his bowing position.

Otherwise it wasn't too bad, but his knees were starting to hurt. But under the emperor's stare, he didn't dare make any big moves.

Gritting his teeth, he cursed under his breath, "This Dog Emperor should just kill me or let me go, not pull these nasty, torturous tricks!"

The air was creepily still, with only faint breathing sounds audible.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Zhou Mingqi seemed to remember him and finally spoke.

"Come closer." Cheng Ge was startled but dared not disobey. He steeled himself and slowly crawled forward.

His knees scraped against the ground, each movement excruciatingly painful, but he endured.

Finally, he reached the front. He lowered his head, staring at the dragon-embroidered boots, barely daring to breathe.

Zhou Mingqi leaned forward slightly, examining him closely.

Cheng Ge could feel the scrutinizing gaze, his palms sweating from nervousness.

Here it comes, here it comes! He's finally going to make a move!

"Lift your head." Zhou Mingqi's voice was deep and commanding.

Cheng Ge hesitated, then slowly raised his head, but his eyes dared not meet the emperor's, only cautiously glancing at the hem of his robe.

Zhou Mingqi saw his face and paused for a moment.

This face was exceptionally handsome: brows like distant mountains, lashes trembling like resting butterflies, a high nose bridge, and thin lips pressed tightly together, carrying a hint of... stubbornness?

Cheng Ge: Actually, it's defiance...

Kneeling to heaven, earth, and parents was one thing, but today he had to kneel to this old man? Dog shit!

Zhou Mingqi, naturally unaware that he was being cursed out, only thought the man had a fine appearance.

"I hear from Minister Wang that you are quite learned. The Eastern Palace currently lacks a Crown Prince's Tutor. Would you be willing?"

Cheng Ge froze for a moment, instinctively looking up at Zhou Mingqi. This was completely different from the punishment scenario he had imagined!

Was this... a sudden promotion and raise? Holy crap, such good luck! Why didn't you say so earlier!

Earlier, Cheng Ge had kept his eyes downcast, making it hard to see clearly. Now, as he looked up, his eyes unexpectedly met the emperor's.

Those eyes were somewhat different from his gentle appearance. They slanted toward the temples, exuding a wild, untamed spirit.

Yet, they also carried a hint of autumnal ripples, as if stars and rivers flowed within them, causing Zhou Mingqi to lose focus for a moment.

As the saying goes, when you look at a monkey, the monkey looks back at you.

This allowed Cheng Ge to get a clear look at the emperor's face.

He wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown with tassels. His brows were deep, his nose high, and his gaze carried an imposing authority.

Cheng Ge silently admired, "This emperor is quite handsome and doesn't look old."

Probably because he was well-fed and cared for daily, born into luxury, he naturally appeared youthful.

Zhou Mingqi noticed his gaze and furrowed his brows slightly.

Realizing his lapse, Cheng Ge quickly lowered his head and said respectfully, "To serve the Crown Prince, your subject will do his utmost."

Cheng Ge was overjoyed inside. He had thought disaster was imminent, but instead, a stroke of good fortune had come his way.

Zhou Mingqi straightened his back. "In that case, report to the Eastern Palace tomorrow and start your duties."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace." Cheng Ge quickly kowtowed in gratitude, his knees killing him, but at this moment he couldn't care less.

Zhou Mingqi looked at the back of his head, which was full and round; due to the vigorous bowing, his hair bun had become slightly loose.

He asked, almost without thinking, "How old are you? Have you undergone the capping ceremony?"

Cheng Ge was momentarily taken aback, not expecting the emperor to suddenly ask such a question. He quickly replied, "I'm twenty years old, Your Majesty, and have long since undergone the capping ceremony."

Zhou Mingqi nodded. "If you've come of age, why are you still wearing your hair in a bun?"

Cheng Ge's heart tightened. How should he answer this? I'll wear it however the hell I want? Mind your own business?

Words like that would probably get his head chopped off before he even finished speaking.

He had a flash of inspiration and quickly said, "Your Majesty, my family is poor. A few days ago, on my way to the capital, I ran into bandits and lost my cap. I haven't yet acquired a new one, so I've been tying my hair up in a bun daily. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense."

After hearing this, Zhou Mingqi's gaze swept over Cheng Ge, feeling as though the other was bluffing, but he had no evidence.

"Never mind..." He turned his head and ordered, "Fu Quan, go get me that green jade crown of mine."