[unedited]
Wen Mingyu didn’t expect that when he said he couldn’t read and write, the tyrant’s response was to arrange a teacher for him, so that he could learn quickly and read the memorials.
He really couldn’t comprehend why Mu Zhan had to ask him to recite for him when he could just find a trusted, literate subordinate?
Nevertheless, this is also a positive outcome for Wen Mingyu.
In this unfamiliar era, knowing a little more knowledge would be more beneficial for him to survive on his own.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is very generous!”
In this present moment, Wen Mingyu did not fake it. He heartily thanked Mu Zhan for this move, and it really helped him a lot when he did this. Wen Mingyu’s bright eyes stared at Mu Zhan, it looked as if stars were stored in his eyes, and his smile was exceptionally sweet; like a soft snack that with one bite, the sweet filling flows out.
Mu Zhan was slightly stunned. He looked twice, then averted his eyes.
“How long will it take to learn, a month?”
Wen Mingyu was speechless for that unexpected question, wasn’t the tyrant demanding too much from him? A month to master a new language? This concubine can’t do it.
“This, a month is a little bit…..” Wen Mingyu smiled with embarrassment.
Mu Zhan nodded in agreement. “A month is indeed not quite suitable.”
That’s right, Wen Mingyu thought. A month is simply inhuman.
As a result, Mu Zhan continued, “It’s too long, half a month will suffice.”
Wen Mingyu: “……”
This is definitely a deliberate trick to fool him, right? Right? Right? !
Dog Emperor!
Stupid thing!
You’re beyond help!
Wen Mingyu put a smile on his face, but in his heart, he was roaring and spamming complaints. He was greatly stimulated by the tyrant that his hair puffed up like a ball of fur, and he turned into a cranky rabbit.
Mu Zhan made arrangements for him to study for five hours a day, so he didn’t have to temporarily come for the time being, but Mu Zhan would conduct a surprise inspection anytime to see what he had learned.
Wen Mingyu listened to the end, and only felt that life can't be loved.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
You always have to pay back what you owe from others. He hasn’t even read the materials in the Senior Year yet, and he’s now experiencing it in the ancient times. If he doesn’t learn well, he may be hanged. his learning efficiency will probably be oddly high since there’s a tyrant watching his every move.
The following day, Wen Mingyu met his teacher, who was a Doctor of Calligraphy and was dispatched by the Imperial College
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Gong Xue, a Doctor in Calligraphy, has already reached his 40s. He was dressed in official clothes and had a calm and peaceful bearing. Suddenly, he was arranged to teach an illiterate person, yet there was no resentment and dissatisfaction on his face. Instead, he was very competent and taught things in a strict manner.
There were no flattering words and acts of currying favors, he didn’t expect Wen Mingyu to put in a good word for him in front of the Emperor, and he didn’t dislike that Wen Mingyu was an illiterate who can’t read or write.
The attitude was plain, and there was not that much difference from teaching other Imperial students.
There are some of them who possess their own teaching styles.
Wen Mingyu liked this style of teacher, and he also learned earnestly. After devoting himself to it, he forgot the idea of exploring the Imperial palace for a moment; he hadn’t seen the tyrant for a while, and there was no chance to mention it, so he didn’t bring it up.
Due to being often summoned by the tyrant and was still alive and well, the people around Wen Mingyu thought that it seems that he’s fairly favored. The attitude of the palace servants had obviously changed.
At the beginning, Mu Zhan treated Wen Mingyu in a special way, the Head Eunuch and the others did not pay much attention to that. After all, His Majesty was unpredictable, even if he looked like he had interest, maybe the next moment, he would be angry and kill the person with no reason at all. The servants from the Imperial palace were not in a hurry to please Wen Mingyu.
However, as time went on, Mu Zhan still kept looking for Wen Mingyu, and the favor he showed did not lessen. Now that he also arranged a teacher for him to learn, the servants began to brush up their presence in front of Wen Mingyu.
The most conspicuous one was You Fu. The little eunuch who was originally appointed to serve Wen Mingyu, but because he felt that Wen Mingyu would kick the bucket soon and had no future in the palace, he ran away to hang out somewhere else, and now, he was back and was kneeling in front of Wen Mingyu to express his loyalty.
Although, Wen Mingyu felt that San Xi was enough to take care of him, and he didn’t want to bother with this eunuch.
You Fu did not expect that this seemingly good-natured master was not talkative, and even a little hard-hearted. He clenched his teeth, slapped himself hard in the face, and pleaded for his life, making it appear that Wen Mingyu was deliberately punishing the servant.
Wen Mingyu was startled by his actions and frowned from the sight. Although he was still a student and was not that old before he crossed, he can only rely on himself because there were no parents and they were only peers that he saw in his part-time jobs. He knew that You Fu was intentionally forcing himself to be soft-hearted.
In the beginning, You Fu left, and Wen Mingyu understood his reasons, but it didn’t mean that he would allow such a person to stay around.
When one makes a decision, one should think about what the consequences might be in the future. Why would he think that he would just let go of his past grievances and accept him calmly regardless of what he had done in the past?
Wen Mingyu does not need him to serve him, but it was not necessary to drive him away. He can stay and work here as well. It’s just that You Fu insisted that he wanted the same status as San Xi as his personal attendant and he didn’t want to do odd chores.
Wen Mingyu was annoyed by the noise and asked someone to take him out, You Fu then stared at the others hard, then kneeled outside the door and said that he could help the master. Help what? Naturally, it was to help him gain favors from the emperor.
However, Wen Mingyu felt that it was best to remain as it was. The distance was not near nor was it far. He was not hated by the tyrant to be suddenly put to death, nor did he need to spoil him to let him serve on his bed.
Finally, Zhao Dequan came over and happened to see this scene. His expression changed and he immediately told the people to put You Fu away and reported this to His Majesty.
Generally speaking, such a small matter was not a concern for His Majesty to worry about, but according to his observation during this period of time, Zhao Dequan guessed that His Majesty might want to know, so he reported it.
Mu Zhan heard what he said and smiled, put down the memorial and with a rare compliment, said, ”It was handled well.”
Zhao Dequan thought for a moment that His Majesty was approving his actions, and was about to say that it was his own duty, but suddenly realized that His Majesty should be talking about Young Master Wen. Sure enough, right after that, he heard a voice from above.
“This one doesn’t want him to appear in front of Wen Mingyu again.”
“……. Yes, this slave comply with the order.”
Zhao Dequan respectfully answered, and he immediately ordered people to send You Fu to wash the clothes of the servants. It’s only natural that the people want to climb up the ladder, but this kind of blatant behavior of climbing high and stepping low by threatening the Young Master, is too foolish and harmful to others and oneself.
Zhao Dequan suddenly felt that if Young Master Wen was soft-hearted and left someone, and later You Fu did something that should not be done; in the hands of His Majesty, his end will be unimaginably miserable.
After this incident, Zhao Dequan brought a new group of servants to go and replace all the people who had little thoughts in Wen Mingyu’s residence.
The eunuchs and maids knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully towards Wen Mingyu, “This slave and others will serve Young Master with all our hearts and be loyal and devoted, with no second thoughts.”
Wen Mingyu was taken back by this big battle that suddenly arrived. San Xi also froze, but soon felt overjoyed and worried. He was overjoyed because it shows that His Majesty values his master, and worried whether he would be replaced or not. Fortunately, he immediately heard the voice of his master afterwards, speaking out and wanting to keep him by his side. He breathed a sigh of relief and was very grateful to Wen Mingyu..
Contrary to San Xi’s belief that His Majesty attached importance to him, Wen Mingyu felt that the tyrant had just casually intervened on a whim. And, therefore, also found that there was really nothing that could be hidden in the palace. It feels like no matter what you do, there’s always a pair of eyes in the shadows watching; it was spine-chilling.
Wen Mingyu didn’t think wrong.
Zhao Dequan sensed that the Emperor cared about him, he then paid special attention to anything related about him, and picked up some important news for the Emperor everyday.
And whenever Zhao Dequan mentioned Young Master Wen, although the Emperor wouldn’t say much, he would still listen to the end with unexpected patience.
Especially these days, Young Master Wen is busy with his studies and has not come to see His Majesty lately. His Majesty would even ask a few questions when he mentioned something about Young Master Wen.
Ten days later.
Mu Zhan looked at the memorial, and suddenly threw it down with annoyance. He got up and walked out.
Zhao Dequan, who was standing at the door of the Imperial study, was quite surprised, “….. Your Majesty?”
Mu Zhan went straight ahead without looking at him, “Go to Wen Mingyu. After so many days, this one will see what he has learned.”
Zhao Dequan hurriedly had people carry the imperial carriage, and at the same time, there was a rare moment of speechlessness in his heart. However, it was only ten days, how long does he have and how much can he learn. Your Majesty just wants to see someone.
The whole hall was startled when the emperor arrived. All the way, the servants knelt down and saluted His Majesty.
Gong Xue, who was teaching at the moment, stopped, and saluted respectfully.
Wen Mingyu, who was sitting and writing at the desk, also stood up and prepared to salute, but Mu Zhan waved his hand and motioned that there was no need for a salute. Wen Mingyu really did not kneel, but smiled at Mu Zhan.
When Gong Xue witnessed this, his heart shook, and there was some difficulty in hiding his surprise.
“How are you faring?”
Mu Zhan’s insipid voice immediately brought him back to his senses. Instead of caring any more about the strange atmosphere between Mu Zhan and Wen Mingyu, he put back his attention on his studies. Once this was done, a pleased smile hung on his face.
“The Young Master is naturally intelligent and is gifted with an extraordinary retentive memory. His learning progress is much faster than I expected. This subject have adjusted the teaching plan several times, and in the second of the year, this subject may have to bring the Four Books and Five Classics along.”
Teachers like smart and serious students. At first, Gong Xue was teaching for the purpose of his principles and orders. Later, he discovered that Wen Mingyu absorbed knowledge at an alarming rate. Unconsciously, he became more attentive and interested in carving this piece of bright jade, to further bring out its shine.
Everyone likes to listen to people’s praises. Hearing his teacher’s compliment, he was overjoyed. His eyes were shining, and there was a small pride hiding in the corners of his pursed hips. It also looks like there was an invisible tail cocked up on his back and was fluttering joyfully.
Mu Zhan took a glance, and his finger hanging on his side curled up slightly, like touching something in the air.
“You took the trouble of teaching him and should be rewarded.”
Gong Xue bowed down in respect and said that it was his duty.
Then, with a wave of his hand, Mu Zhan casually invited the people away. When Gong Xue was led out of the hall by Zhao Dequan, he was still a tad confused. Today’s class….. Doesn’t seem to have not finished ah?
Zhao Dequan smiled and said, “You’ve worked hard, Mr. Gong.”
Gong Xue, who was deep in his thoughts, was interrupted. Waving his hands, he said, “It’s not hard work, no hard work.”
He left work early and went home to accompany his wife and children.
The only two people left in the hall are Wen Mingyu and Mu Zhan.
Mu Zhan walked over and picked up the rice paper that Wen Mingyu practiced his calligraphy on these days. From the beginning, there was written sloppy, soft pile that could not be distinguished, and slowly, it could be seen that the writer has gradually adapted to using the writing brush. The words had bones to which it could stand up on its own, and there were some life-like feeling to it.
Although the overall look was so-so, as a beginner, it can be said that it was already done well and there was some talent within it. In a given time, he will be able to accomplish certain results in calligraphy.
Mu Zhan was watching. Like a small tail hanging at the back, Wen Mingyu unconsciously also followed him.
When Mu Zhan turned around, he met his eyes that were at him.
Wen Mingyu didn’t say anything, but he looked at it eagerly. His eyes twinkled with light, and he almost sharply wrote— quickly praise me!
This made Mu Zhan, who originally wanted to point out that there was something wrong with it, fall into silence. After a while, he moved his lips and said in a deep voice, “It’s passable.”
Hearing this, Wen Mingyu felt his mood turned better. Mu Zhan is a tyrant, and was usually expressionless, cold, or indifferent. He didn’t expect Mu Zhan to praise him. Just listening to Sir Gong mentioning his unique calligraphy several times, some wondered what Mu Zhan thinks of his calligraphy, and the result was rather surprising. A man with a great disposition like Mu Zhan said it was tolerable. Rounding it up, means it’s great.
Wen Mingyu can’t help but feel a bit happy.
ty for the chapter!
You’re welcome! Have a nice read~
Thanks for the chapter ~
Enjoy~
Wen Mingyu the rabbit being slowly cooked in warm water haha
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
His Majesty misses the little bunny’s presence in his study 😋
Thank you for the chapter 💕
I was sure that there will be a gag with rabbit-fur brush, but no! Our little rabbit becoming more and more numb for MZ ‘scary aura’! Good for them ^^Thank You for the new chapter ❤🐰
This is one of my fave stories on CG, I’m very glad that you’re translating it! Thank you so much!! Also, aahhh, they’re sooo cuteee!!! The grumpy tyrant and the squishy concubine… I love how Mu Zhan obviously melts around Wen Mingyu. So cute, so cute!!!!
Thank you for the chapter. I really like this novel.
have fun reading! O3O
Mu Zhan found his conscience and finally didn’t point out the shortcomings of someone who learned to write ten days ago hahaha. I also like the way Wen Mingyu handles things, he’s got a good sense of proportion
Thank you so much for translating! <3
ikr! He’s finally aware of his actions towards our rabbit! and Wen Mingyu looks like he’s doing well. haha good for them~
You’re welcome!
You always has * have * to pay back wgat you owe fron others.
Done :3 Thank you for pointing it out!
53rd paragraph
Contrary to Xian Shi’s belief…. turant -> tyrant
Noted! <33
thanks for the chapter <3
Thank you for the chapter =) <3
Thanks for the chapter ♥️♥️
Good riddance to You Fu! Wen Mingyu apparently learned a lot from fending for himself before he died, so he is both academic and people smart! How nice that he didn’t get beheaded before the emperor could see his redeeming qualities.