Chapter 29 Brother Didn’t Push Him Away

Chapter 29: The Crown Prince Didn't Push Him Away

Su Yang instinctively turned to find the source of that gaze and ended up meeting Su Zheng's cold, sneering stare fixed on him.

A shiver ran through Su Yang, and the words he hadn't finished speaking stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

A smile played on Su Zheng's lips, but it was bone-chilling and utterly devoid of warmth.

His icy gaze held a naked threat, his tone low and deliberate: "Eighth Brother, who were you just talking about? Think carefully before you answer."

Su Yang opened his mouth, his voice dry and hoarse: "I, your humble brother, your humble brother was... wasn't... your humble brother didn't... didn't say anyone..."

Su Zheng snapped coldly: "As an elder brother among the imperial princes, instead of setting an example of propriety and discipline before your siblings, you engage in sycophancy, spout nonsense, strive to stand out with petty behavior, and indulge in empty talk. If I do not severely punish you today, I fear you will forget your own status!"

After reprimanding him, Su Zheng swept his gaze to the side and asked: "Where are the Eighth Prince's attendants? Today, the Eighth Prince's attendant will kneel outside the hall to act as his desk. The Eighth Prince shall complete his lessons outside the hall today."

This scolding and punishment were practically no different from stripping the Eighth Prince naked and throwing him into a snowfield.

A dignified prince being labeled a petty troublemaker and a lowly sycophant.

And being singled out and banished outside the hall, with only his own eunuch attendant to serve as his desk.

Whether it was convenient or uncomfortable to use was secondary.

This was utterly trampling the Eighth Prince's face and dignity into the mud.

Su Yang trembled all over, his lowered eyes filled with fear and resentment.

But Su Zheng was the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince most favored by the Emperor and Empress.

Though he was a prince, he could not resist in the slightest. He could only grit his teeth and head outside under Su Zheng's cold reprimand.

Seeing this, the other princes dared not utter another word.

They would rather be punished with caning for a mistake than suffer such humiliating treatment.

Only Luo Yunchen, head bowed and motionless, allowed a pleasant smile to curl his lips, betraying his delight.

The hall quieted down, and Su Zheng addressed everyone again: "From today onward, Heir Luo will be my appointed study companion. He will attend classes with me in the Imperial Study Bureau from now on. Since we are fellow students, we should coexist harmoniously in the future. Alright, everyone, go study."

"Yes, Elder Brother."

The two frontmost seats belonged to Su Zheng and Su Wang. Su Wang was absent today, so his seat was empty.

Su Zheng had Luo Yunchen take his own seat, while he himself took the seat behind Luo Yunchen—originally Su Yang's.

Xiaoyunzi placed two sets of writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books on the two desks before retreating to wait outside the hall.

When Luo Yunchen happened to glance back, he saw Su Zheng with his eyes closed, slightly shaking his head, his lips moving in small motions.

It looked as if he were reciting from memory, but Luo Yunchen could tell at a glance that Su Zheng was pretending to recite while actually sneaking a nap.

Covering his mouth, he chuckled softly a couple of times. Luo Yunchen didn't disturb Su Zheng and went back to reading his own book.

Only when he sensed the Grand Tutor was about to enter the hall did he lightly tap Su Zheng's desk twice.

Su Zheng suddenly opened his eyes and met Luo Yunchen's smiling gaze.

Luo Yunchen flicked his eyes toward the hall's entrance.

Su Zheng had previously instructed the system to wake him when the Grand Tutor entered.

Now, the system also reminded him in his mind, so Su Zheng naturally understood Luo Yunchen's meaning.

He shot Luo Yunchen a silent glare, then properly picked up his book, pretending to study diligently.

This drew a few more soft chuckles from Luo Yunchen.

Before entering, Grand Tutor Min had already seen Su Yang outside the hall and inquired about the situation.

Su Yang avoided the crucial points, stammering that he had said something wrong and was punished by his Crown Prince elder brother.

Hearing this, Grand Tutor Min did not intervene further. Since it was the Crown Prince—the heir apparent and thus a ruler—and a ruler's orders were difficult to defy, he naturally would not interfere.

He only advised: "Since you have made a mistake and are being punished, repent sincerely here. To know one's error and be able to correct it is the greatest virtue."

Su Yang could only grit his teeth and agree.

Grand Tutor Min entered the hall, glanced at today's students, and began the lesson.

Su Zheng had the original host's memories and could recognize the characters in the books, but interpreting them was still difficult.

The lesson was also boring, and he spent most of the time daydreaming or chatting idly with the system.

It wasn't until the Weishi hour (1-3 PM) that class was dismissed.

Su Zheng patted his nearly numb legs and returned to the Eastern Palace with Luo Yunchen as quickly as possible.

He had only had a small bite early in the morning and was now starving.

Without another word, he had the Eastern Palace servants quickly bring food.

After eating and drinking his fill, the servants cleared the dishes.

Su Zheng said: "Chen Di, I'm going to take a nap. I'll leave the homework assigned by the Grand Tutor to you. You need to complete both my portion and yours. Make my portion average."

Luo Yunchen grabbed Su Zheng, who was about to leave: "No, Crown Prince Brother. You just ate; you can't sleep immediately. How about we go practice calligraphy to aid digestion? That way, we can also complete the calligraphy assignment. I'll handle the rest. How about that?"

Su Zheng wanted to say he was too sleepy to need to aid digestion. But seeing Luo Yunchen's serious expression and his determined stance—he wouldn't let go unless Su Zheng agreed—he could only nod in consent: "Fine, at most one hour. After one hour, I need to sleep."

"Deal."

The two went to the study together.

At the desk, Su Zheng picked up the brush to write. He had the original host's memories, so his brush-holding posture was completely correct.

But he had the memories without the habit; the characters under his brush were simply unbearable to look at.

Su Zheng looked at them again and again, truly unable to bear the sight, crumpled the paper into a ball, and threw it away.

Luo Yunchen glimpsed Su Zheng's writing from the corner of his eye and was secretly surprised.

He had practiced calligraphy since childhood and received training. He could tell at a glance a person's calligraphy skill level.

Su Zheng's brush-holding posture seemed fine, but his strokes were weak and floating, the force chaotic and without order, completely like a beginner's state.

Yet anyone who had studied, even if only passing the child scholar exam, could not possibly have no experience practicing calligraphy at all.

And the occasional aura of authority that would reveal itself from his brother...

His calm, fearless attitude toward imperial authority was certainly not something an ordinary commoner could display.

So, what kind of person was this brother of his, so contradictory yet so interesting?

It really made him curious and excited!

Luo Yunchen quietly came up behind Su Zheng, one arm loosely wrapped around Su Zheng's waist, reaching around to grab his hand.

With some force, he guided Su Zheng's hand to write: "Has the Crown Prince been slacking off on his calligraphy practice so long that he's this rusty?"

Warm breath tickled his ear, and the chest behind him was hot and firm. Su Zheng was momentarily stunned.

For a moment, he almost felt like leaning back would bring him endless peace and ease.

Luo Yunchen leaned forward slightly, pressing his body even closer to Su Zheng, and squeezed Su Zheng's fingers with some force, dissatisfied: "Crown Prince, focus on your calligraphy—don't zone out!"

Su Zheng snapped back to reality, straightening his back even more, and wiggled his fingers as he said, "Alright, alright, I was wrong. You teach, and I'll learn earnestly."

It was a shame he couldn't get closer to his brother, but Luo Yunchen still curled his lips into a smile—his brother hadn't pushed him away!