Sickly Jade - Chapter 20

Qi Chu arched a brow. “What is the National Preceptor afraid of? Are you worried that this Palace might tarnish your pure reputation?”

Ye Shaoyun raised his eyes and glared at him. “Who, exactly, should be more afraid?”

Qi Chu chuckled softly. “Who is afraid? Regardless, I am not.”

Ye Shaoyun looked at him with an expression of “despairing over his stubbornness.” “Preposterous. You can see for yourself now: the princes are all eyeing you like tigers ready to pounce. With the slightest carelessness, the position of Crown Prince will be lost. Do you still intend to be so willful?”

“Willful?” Qi Chu didn’t care in the slightest, then countered: “So, in the National Preceptor’s eyes, this is me being willful?”

Ye Shaoyun did not want to discuss this with him here, so he turned to leave.

Qi Chu’s voice sounded from behind him: “Imperial Father’s health is getting worse and worse now. How much longer he can hold on… is anyone’s guess.”

Ye Shaoyun turned back abruptly to look at him. “Your Highness, be mindful of your words!”

These words sounded like extreme disrespect to the Emperor, and also sounded like a threat to him.

“I shall strictly follow the National Preceptor’s admonition.” Qi Chu wore a handsome smile on his face. Despite his words, there was not a trace of regret in his expression. Ye Shaoyun looked at him as if he were a madman, said nothing more, flicked his sleeves, and left.

Seeing Ye Shaoyun leave, Qi Kun hurriedly followed, munching on a pastry, and didn’t catch up until they were outside the arena.

“What’s wrong? Did you have a fight with the Crown Prince?”

Ye Shaoyun slowed his pace, looking back at the Beacon Tower with a heavy heart. “The child has grown up and won’t listen anymore.”

Qi Kun crossed his arms. “You’re the only one who can say that who else treats the Crown Prince like a child? But as they say, the heart of a sovereign is unpredictable. The Crown Prince is also a sovereign, after all; it was only a matter of time before he slipped out of your control.”

Ye Shaoyun lowered his eyes. “I didn’t think it would be this soon.”

“You, too. Out of everyone you could have chosen, why pick this one from the cold palace? The most insid… no, the most deep-thinking one. Can someone like that ever be truly tamed?”

Ye Shaoyun finally swept his gaze toward him. “Do not discuss the Crown Prince. Besides, how much better are you than him?”

Qi Kun puffed out his chest. “At least I’m livelier, more cheerful, warmer, kinder, and loved by everyone.”

Ye Shaoyun: “In our neck of the woods, someone like you is called ‘simple-minded’.”

Qi Kun didn’t realize he had been insulted and laughed happily. “What does that mean? Does it mean I have a kind heart?”

“…” Ye Shaoyun sighed. “Yes. Your Highness, aren’t you going to choose a beauty to take home? Have you chosen one yet?”

Qi Kun shook his head repeatedly. “I thought seriously about what you said, and I think it makes a lot of sense. What if I really brought home an assassin? If I lose my own life for it, I’d rather live a few more years.”

Ye Shaoyun patted him on the shoulder, leaving behind one sentence: “The child can be taught.” Then, he strode away.

“Wait, don’t rush!” Qi Kun followed him, stepping into the carriage alongside him, completely unconcerned about propriety. “It was hard enough for the National Preceptor to get out; come play with me. Let’s go to the Chunlan Pavilion and drink some wine.”

Ye Shaoyun scooted his hip to the side. “Has the Prince forgotten that I cannot drink wine?”

“I know, I know. If we can’t drink, we’ll drink tea. The tea and snacks at Chunlan Pavilion are also top-notch, and there’s music to liven things up. I didn’t get to have any fun today; I feel truly stifled.”

Ye Shaoyun: “Your Highness may go if you wish, but do not drag me along. This poor Daoist is a man of the Dao and does not understand the charms of such places. Someone, invite the Prince to step out of the carriage!”

“No, I don’t want to!” Qi Kun threw a tantrum, gripping the door frame tightly and refusing to leave. He continued to persuade him: “Just accompany me to play for a while; you don’t have anything else to do anyway.”

Seeing him like this, Ye Shaoyun found it difficult to refuse the Prince directly in front of so many people, so he nodded and agreed.

Seeing this, Qi Kun hurriedly signaled Mu Yun outside the carriage. “Let’s go to the Chunlan Pavilion; your Master has agreed.”

The Crown Prince on the Beacon Tower watched the back of the carriage as it departed. He had his servants stop Ye Xiao, who was about to leave.

Ye Xiao was still carrying Ye Shaoyun’s Qingyun Spear on his back. He looked at the Crown Prince, confused. “What does Your Highness mean by this?”

Qi Chu stared at the spear behind him. “Does the General truly not know what I mean?”

Only then did Ye Xiao look at the spear Ye Shaoyun had gifted him. A smile rose on his face unconsciously. “Does Your Highness wish to spar with me?”

He had brought the spear today intending to show off his skills on the stage in front of Ye Shaoyun. He had thought he’d missed his chance, but never expected the Crown Prince to stop him. After the drinking contest the other day, a martial arts contest today was only natural.

“So that is what the Crown Prince intends. Ye Xiao is naturally willing, but I am not sure if the Crown Prince is skilled in martial arts?”

Qi Chu’s expression darkened. Was this man challenging him?

“Very well. Let’s spar.”

He had originally only intended to discuss taking back the spear, but since a spar was requested, it was for the best.

“A competition is only meaningful if there is a wager. If this Palace wins, you will gift me the spear in your hand. If this Palace loses, you may name your conditions.”

Ye Xiao was startled. He hadn’t considered betting against the Crown Prince. Even if he won, he didn’t know what to ask for. Secondly… he looked at the spear in his hand. The silver-gray spear body shone brightly in the sunlight, the tip like a precious gem. Most importantly, Ye Shaoyun had gifted it to him, and he did not want to gamble with it.

“Your Highness, let us simply spar, or perhaps wager on something else.”

In the past, martial arts contests at the Beacon Tower were held to win beauties contributed by the vassal kings, rarely for the weapons in one’s hand.

Ye Xiao glanced down at the arena; there were already quite a few vassal kings gathered to watch the fun and cheer.

“Has Your Highness taken a fancy to one of the women? Your subject will not compete with you for one.”

Qi Chu: “I want the weapon in your hand. Is General Ye afraid?”

To tell a general who had spent years on the battlefield that he was “afraid” was something Ye Xiao would naturally never admit.

“Since Your Highness insists on sparring with me, then let us do so. I hope Your Highness will not blame me for being offensive.”

The two stood in the center of the trial platform. Qi Chu had a servant bring over his sword, using the sword against the spear, while Ye Xiao brandished his long spear.

Both had seen the power of the Qingyun spear in Ye Shaoyun’s hands. Ye Xiao was already eager to try, but still advised: “Your Highness should perhaps choose another weapon. The Qingyun spear cuts iron like mud; it would be unfair for Your Highness to use a sword.”

Qi Chu gave a cold smile. “No need. I will use the sword.”

Years ago, he had constantly hoped to spar with Ye Shaoyun. Now, Ye Shaoyun could no longer lift the spear, and his spear was in someone else’s hands. If he wanted to take it back, he had to win.

The Qingyun spear moved skillfully in Ye Xiao’s hands, as if it had long since merged with his every move. This made Qi Chu’s heart burn with rage; he brandished his sword and charged to meet him.

Ye Xiao’s reaction was swift. He blocked the charge head-on, completely unafraid. The two traded blows, seemingly well-matched in martial strength at a glance.

Seeing them begin to fight, the courtiers who had been preparing to leave all stopped to watch. Ever since Qi Chu had been named Crown Prince, his status had become noble, and few dared to challenge him. A contest with the Crown Prince, especially against a veteran general win or lose, it was bound to become a major topic of discussion. It was a battle worth seeing.

The crowd had originally been watching just for the excitement, but they never expected Qi Chu to truly have the skill to go toe-to-toe with a general. After several rounds, he wasn’t losing even half a beat. The expressions of the generals watching from below grew complex.