Chen Ji shrugged. “How would someone like me be able to learn from an expert? We are just trying to live.”
The Crown Prince was sarcastic. “If even the teacher is average, there is no need to mention the pupil’s ability. You are learning this kind of random skill and dream of going out to defend the weak? I think you will be considered lucky if you are not killed.”
Chen Ji replied, “If you have skill, then you should teach me.”
The Crown Prince rolled up his sleeves. “Okay, let me teach you. I will let you see what it means for a famous teacher to train a fine student.”
Chen Ji drew out his sword. “Come on!”
Again and again, Chen Ji’s sword was easily knocked to the ground by the Crown Prince. The two of them gave up and resorted to their bare hands. Before they started, they even put on a show. In the end, they did not even display any skill and relied completely on who had more strength and who had more tricks up his sleeve. They took turns squishing each other. Eventually, they both ran out of energy and lay on the ground with their limbs spread out. They panted happily as they gazed at the sky.
“Chen Ji, I really want to hear you sing as Zhao Zilong. I already promised Imperial Mother that I would not see you ever again. If you don’t sing for me today, I will never get to hear you sing ever again.”
Chen Ji pulled himself up and took a deep breath. When he opened his mouth, he vocalized --
“In ancient times, there was a brave hero. He did not fear death nor was greedy to live…”
The Crown Prince sat up and hugged his knees. He looked intensely at Chen Ji, as if to engrave the image of him into his heart. When Chen Ji finished singing, he cheered. The Crown Prince even brought the gem-embedded dagger that he carried along with him and handed it over.
Chen Ji smiled, “It is the last day and you still want to reward me?”
The Crown Prince shook his head. “This is not a reward, this is me giving my friend a gift. I like to hunt. Every time I hunt, I will bring along this dagger. Take it. Whenever you see it, think of me, your close friend.”
“A gift from a close friend. I cannot reject this. I will carry it around with me.” Chen Ji took the dagger from the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince smiled and turned to leave. He knew clearly that if they continued hanging out like they did in the past, he would put Chen Ji in danger. With today’s farewell, he would never see him ever again.
Chapter 28.1: Early Autumn
In Ganlou Palace, Sheng Chumu stepped forward and knelt down. He expressed that he was incapable and was not worthy to marry the Princess. He asked the Emperor to retract his order.
The Emperor was furious. The reason why he betrothed Princess Xinnan to Sheng Chumu was because Sheng Xiaojing had always asked him for her hand. Who would have known that as soon as he agreed, they no longer wanted her. Were they looking down on his daughter?
Sheng Xiaojing kneeled down alongside his son. “Your Majesty, please calm down. Our Duke Lu Residence received your generosity and the princess’ hand. We are all overjoyed. The reason why Chumu is asking you to retract your marriage order is because of difficult circumstances.”
Lu Qi took the chance to step on them. “Could it be that he is interested in other women? You dare to compare the royal princess to an ordinary woman and even choose the ordinary woman over the princess!? Not only are you stupid, you must be crazy. You are simply disregarding the royal family’s peerless beauty. Moreover, you are not taking into account His Majesty’s generosity.”
Sheng Xiaojing looked at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, there is nothing of this sort. Princess Xinnan has always been my ideal daughter-in-law. The reason why Chumu cannot accept is because...this issue is really not nice to hear. I am afraid that saying it will pollute Your Majesty’s ears.” Sigh, he could not even relax during his retirement days. Because of his two sons, he had to deceive the Emperor.
The Emperor urged, “Get to the point.”
Sheng Xiaojing hesitated as he steeled his heart. “Your Majesty also knows that Chumu was a playboy in the past. He went to a lot of brothels. As a young boy, he did not know how to restrain himself and...contracted an illness.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. He had a feeling but continued to ask, “What illness?”
“It's...it's...when couples are together they have to consummate. He has a little trouble...getting it to stand.”
Lu Qi accidentally guffawed.
The Emperor froze. “There is an illness like this?” He turned to Sheng Chumu, who had been silent. “Sheng Chumu, is this true?”
Sheng Chumu gave a troubled look. “Yes. I am very embarrassed about this and have never told anyone before. Actually, part of the reason why I suddenly stop going to brothels and stop indulging myself in love affairs is because of this illness. I am extremely grateful to Your Majesty for wanting to betrothed Princess Xinnan to me. However, if I hide my own problem just to be Your Majesty’s son-in-law, I will be depriving the princess from happiness. I cannot do that to the princess.”
The Emperor only half-believed him. “Can’t this be treated?”
Sheng Chumu was awkward. “I have secretly been visiting the physician and have taken several prescriptions. Unfortunately, as of now, it doesn’t look to be improving.”
The Emperor finally understood. “It's true that no one would be willing to speak of an illness like this. The fact that you can tell me this honestly proves that you are loyal to me.”
Sheng Xiaojing continued, “Your Majesty, although Chumu’s illness does not seem to be improving now, it might improve in the future. If Your Majesty does not mind, Princess Xinnan could marry into our family first. With Your Majesty’s blessing, Chumu’s illness could become better…”
“It will be good if you could heal, but what if you can’t? What would happen to my daughter then? Sheng Xiaojing, have you gone muddled from wanting my daughter as your daughter-in-law? There is still two months to Princess Xinnan’s birthday, I haven’t written my decree yet. Let’s drop the topic on Princess Xinnan and Sheng Chumu.” The Emperor was unhappy.
Sheng Xiaojing dangled his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sheng Chumu had to fight back the joy he was feeling. “Thank you for understanding, Your Majesty.”
Having witnessed the entire scene, Lu Yunji spoke, “Your Majesty, Duke Lu has contributed and achieved numerous feats in his lifetime. Now that his eldest son has this illness. I feel very sorry for him. Passing on the family name is not a small issue. If I may suggest, Your Majesty should call for the Imperial Physician now to give Sheng Chumu a check up. Let’s see if it is really serious.”
Sheng Chumu objected, “Your Majesty, it is very embarrassing to speak of an illness like mine. This matter regards Princess Xinnan’s happiness and that is why I had no choice but to say it. Duke Chen clearly just does not believe me.”
Sheng Xiaojing added, “Your Majesty, I would not dare to lie to you.” Oh my god, even if he was beaten to death, he had to finish his lie.
“Sheng Chumu, are you feeling guilty? You are just pretending to be sick so you don’t have to marry Princess Xinnan, right?” Lu Qi felt that Sheng Chumu was resorting to tricks. He was clearly rejecting the marriage with Xinnan for Fu Rou.
The Emperor became suspicious once again. “That’s enough. Let the Imperial Physician check what illness you have. See if he will be able to heal you. I am also concerned.”
When the Imperial Physician came, he led Sheng Chumu to the side palace to check. Sheng Xiaojing was extremely flustered. Lu Yunji saw this and felt confident.
“Duke Lu, why are you so anxious? Are you feeling guilty?” The old man was so gullible. Did he think that he could fool everyone with just words?