Chapter 3 The Male Lead Is in Danger

Chapter 3: The Male Lead Is in Danger

"Times have changed. With the original owner’s grandfather deceased, and his father, the current Prince of Beiyuan, Luo Wenqing, being weak and easily bullied, and with Emperor Yuanjing turning a blind eye, even the maids and eunuchs dared to look down on Luo Yunchen, often mocking and snubbing him."

"The princes and princesses bullied him plenty too. As long as Luo Yunchen didn’t die, none of the palace masters cared about his life."

Su Zheng pursed his lips: "Did the original owner bully the male lead as well?"

"Plenty of times. Knowing that Emperor Yuanjing disliked Luo Yunchen, the original owner often bullied him to curry favor with the emperor."

"He made Luo Yunchen wear maids' clothes to serve tea and water to the princes and princesses, help them chase balls, pick up arrows, and carry their stuff, tied him to a tree to use as a target, and flogged him whenever they were displeased."

"But Luo Yunchen always went along with it, expressionless, as if he couldn't be bothered to stoop to their level. Even when arrows were aimed at him, he was forced to kneel, or whipped, he kept his back straight and didn't even blink. This only made the crown prince and the other princes angrier after each session, so they'd bully him even worse next time."

Su Zheng stood up and parted the bed curtains: "He gets that bowing his head and begging for mercy might save him some physical pain, but it'd make the princes despise and bully him—and Beiyuan—even more. So he'd rather take the pain than let Beiyuan and his grandfather's dignity be tarnished."

"Yes, host, that’s the situation. Do you want to go find the male lead? I can pinpoint where he is."

Last night, the original owner's hot temper flared up again. He flew into a rage, beat and punished the maids and eunuchs, and kicked them all out. Now Su Zheng was alone in the hall.

As soon as Su Zheng put on his shoes, his nose twitched, and he totally forgot the system's question.

"Host, the male lead's about to get bullied. Your turn to step in."

Su Zheng kept sniffing, craning his neck forward.

"Host, according to the original world's bug, the male lead's in danger."

Su Zheng sniffed left, then right, finally zeroing in on a direction.

"Host, if you go save the male lead now, you might still make it in time."

Su Zheng sped up, following his twitching nose.

"Host, are you even listening to me?"

When he got there, Su Zheng's eyes lit up. So many shiny, crystal-clear fruits! So many fancy, tempting pastries!

"Host, host, listen—we gotta save the male lead!"

Su Zheng wiped his mouth, dashed to the table, grabbed a shiny fruit in one hand and a pastry in the other.

"Host, host..."

*Crunch* went the crisp fruit, *munch* went the soft pastry. Su Zheng didn't care about mixing flavors; he just couldn't believe such tasty food existed.

"Host..."

Su Zheng ate fast, shoving one after another into his mouth, not even leaving the pits or seeds—everything went down his throat.

"..."

The system was tired. It gave up calling.

Whatever. Let it all burn down.

After Su Zheng had scarfed down every last crumb on the table, he still stared at the fruit plate, his lips smacking, clearly wanting more.

After a moment, he tore his gaze away from the plate and scanned the hall, sniffing as he looked. He searched the whole palace but found no more food, finally calming down.

Su Zheng asked the system: "System, did you say something to me just now?"

The system nearly cried. Finally, the host remembered it.

"Host, I told you the male lead is in danger."

Su Zheng wasn't in a rush. Based on the world line the system provided, the male lead was like an unkillable cockroach—tougher than a zombie. Even if in danger, he wouldn't die.

"The male lead was taken to the Imperial Martial Ground by the Tenth Prince on someone's instigation. The Tenth Prince was provoked into a martial arts spar with him and ended up injuring him in a fit of rage."

Su Zheng: "What's the situation now?"

"The male lead and the Tenth Prince have started their spar."

Su Zheng nodded and called for servants to attend him. After all, he couldn't manage his long hair or the ancient dressing rules on his own.

Four young, beautiful maids pushed open the palace door, bowed to Su Zheng, and approached to help him dress.

As they drew near, Su Zheng suddenly stepped back, covering his nose with a frown: "Did you all fall into a pile of pollen? It's suffocating."

The four maids turned pale with fear, dropping to their knees to beg for mercy: "We are guilty! Spare us, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Get out, all of you. Find me a eunuch."

The maids hastily agreed and withdrew. Soon, an old matron brought in a young eunuch.

The original owner didn't like being served by eunuchs; his close attendants were always young maids. So the Eastern Palace had few eunuchs, and those it did were low-ranking.

This matron was sent by Empress Shen to manage the Eastern Palace's affairs, known as Nanny Chen.

Nanny Chen was indeed Empress Shen's person, but she couldn't—and dared not—disregard the crown prince. Faced with this urgent task, she dared not keep the prince waiting, so she picked the best among the mediocre: this young eunuch.

Nanny Chen bowed and said, "Your Highness, this is Xiaoyunzi. He knows a bit about dressing hair and helping nobles with attire. Would Your Highness allow him to try?"

Su Zheng glanced at Xiaoyunzi, who was trembling, kneeling on the ground with his head nearly buried in the floor, and nodded: "Let him try. You wait outside."

"Yes, Your Highness. This old servant takes her leave."

After Nanny Chen left, Su Zheng told Xiaoyunzi to rise and asked, "Do you know how to tie up hair?"

Xiaoyunzi stood up, still hunched, and replied, "In response, Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant knows a few simple hairstyles."

"Then do the simplest one. Hurry up. It doesn't matter if it looks good, as long as it's sturdy."