The Cold Crown Prince and the Maniac Tyrant - Chapter 5

When he had first pulled this book off the shelf, Sang Wan had skimmed through a few pages, but there were quite a few traditional characters he couldn’t even read.

Yet, Bei Haizhao, at such a tender age, knew them all!

Sang Wan could no longer sit still.

I was actually shown up by a twelve-year-old child? How can a doctoral-level academic elite like me live with this!

System 996 let out a speechless “Oh.” It had never seen the host this anxious about completing a task.

Sang Wan coughed: “Nanzhao, I’m craving date paste cakes. Go and fetch a serving.”

Bei Haizhao glanced at Sang Wan before setting the book down.

As soon as Bei Haizhao left, Sang Wan immediately whipped out the Comprehensive Guide to Ancient Traditional Characters that the system had just manifested for him. To avoid suspicion, he had even carefully wrapped it in a new book cover.

He spent the entire afternoon wrestling with the guide. Whenever his eyes grew tired, he would close them and have Bei Haizhao read aloud to him.

By the time the clouds rolled over the haze and the moonlight began to flow, Sang Wan finally set the book down, smiling with relief. Relying on his powerful memory, he had managed to learn all the traditional characters; the rest would just come down to reviewing them from time to time.

I am indeed an academic genius!

Sang Wan stretched and told Bei Haizhao: “Let’s go. Time to head back and rest.”

Bei Haizhao took two steps toward the door before glancing back at the Analects on the table.

Isn’t this a beginner’s book for children?

With Crown Prince Sang’s level of education, why has he been studying it all day?

Is it really the Analects inside? Or is there something unspeakable hidden within?

“You little mongrel, I accidentally dropped my book, aren’t you going to help me pick it up?”

Smack. A book landed at the eight-year-old’s feet. The title on the cover read Book of Documents.

A breeze swept across the cover, flipping it open to a page where two naked bodies were entangled—both men, and one of them was clearly still a mere child.

“Yueh—” The boy retched instantly.

“Hahahaha, he got so scared he threw up. How useless.”

With the corners of his eyes flushed red from retching, the boy kept his gaze fixed on the man who called himself his uncle. How disgusting. How can such a repulsive person exist? I want to chop him up and feed him to the dogs.

The dark shadows beneath his eyes grew dense. Bei Haizhao indifferently looked away.

【Beep-beep】

【Corruption Value +1, current Corruption Value 31】

System 996: “!!!!!!”

Sang Wan stumbled, nearly falling. He leaned against the doorframe and turned his head in disbelief. He felt as if he could see a pair of devil horns sprouting from Bei Haizhao’s head.

Everything was fine, what is the male lead going crazy for now?

The next day, Sang Wan took Bei Haizhao to the study as usual. He pulled a book from the shelf and paused to study the notes written in the margins by the original Crown Prince.

A person’s character could be seen through their handwriting. The brushwork was even and consistent, with every horizontal and vertical stroke perfectly aligned. The original Crown Prince had been a perfectionist.

To play a role perfectly, one couldn’t just rely on outside opinions. That information was too one-sided and prone to stereotypes. Now that Sang Wan had become this doomed Crown Prince, although he had the system to guide him, he was the one who had to do the work.

The next six years were critical for completing his mission, and he didn’t want any unexpected mishaps—like exposing his identity because his handwriting was different.

Looking at his afternoon’s progress, Sang Wan nodded in satisfaction, feeling quite pleased. He really was an academic genius; in less than half a day, he had managed to imitate the handwriting quite well.

He tucked the practice sheet away with the originals. As for his earlier attempts, he glanced at Bei Haizhao, who was busy reading, and decided not to draw attention to them—simply burying them at the very bottom of the pile.

System 996 suddenly spoke up: “According to statistics, Bei Haizhao has licked his lips thirty-six times this morning alone.”

Sang Wan: “?”

System 996 said: “I’m afraid that before Bei Haizhao becomes the ruler of all under heaven, he’s going to turn into a mute.”

Sang Wan: “???”

System 996 cautioned: “Bei Haizhao is still young; he can be steered in the right direction if you educate him properly. We do not approve of this kind of disguised corporal punishment!”

Sang Wan spoke righteously: “You are judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s measure. Bei Haizhao is at the golden age of a student, a critical time for his education; we must cultivate good study habits.”

Sang Wan wiped his hands with a handkerchief: “Studying means reading aloud.”

“I am just letting him immerse himself in the vast ocean of knowledge.”

Corruption value going up? It’s just that he doesn’t have enough homework, which is why he has the spare time for such nonsense.

Sang Wan looked at Bei Haizhao again.

Ever since he transmigrated, the biggest benefit was that Sang Wan now possessed 5.2 vision. With just one glance, he clearly saw that Bei Haizhao’s lips were so dry they were peeling. Even his voice sounded a bit hoarse.

Sang Wan’s gaze drifted, feeling a tiny bit guilty. From morning until noon—four full hours of reading—was that perhaps too long?

Bei Haizhao happened to be licking his lips when he noticed Sang Wan’s gaze, and he paused.

Seeing this, Sang Wan reached out to take the book from Bei Haizhao’s hands. But Bei Haizhao suddenly stepped back to dodge him, his tone cold: “Does Your Highness have an order?”

Pretty vigilant, aren’t we?

Sang Wan held out his palm: “Give me the book. Drink some tea and moisten your throat.”

Bei Haizhao frowned, staring for a moment: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

【Beep-beep】

【Corruption Value +1, current Corruption Value 32】

I really thank you too!

“Ha,” Sang Wan licked his own lips, actually laughing out loud.

System 996 felt that its host was going to be driven insane!

Sang Wan said: “You’re right, we must balance work and rest.”

System 996: “???” Did I say that?

Bei Haizhao acted as if he had heard nothing, not even lifting his eyelids. As the warm tea entered his mouth, it soothed his parched lips. After spending these past few days together, Bei Haizhao had long ago realized that this Crown Prince was nothing like the cold, aloof person rumored to the outside world.

“I want the grain pancakes from inside Wuliu Lane at the Duanlu Gate on the East Main Street. Nanzhao, you’ve worked hard—run an errand and buy them for me.”

One had to know that when facing Bei Haizhao, Sang Wan usually referred to himself as “I.” Now that even the formal “孤 (Gu)” had appeared, it was clear he was quite agitated.

Bei Haizhao reined in his thoughts: “Yes, Your Highness.”

Half an hour later, the hot grain pancakes appeared before Sang Wan.

Sang Wan frowned: “I waited until the flowers faded; I don’t want to eat this anymore.”

“I want the tofu pudding made by the Tofu Beauty on Changle Street. Sprinkle some green onions, crushed peanuts, and chili oil on top.”

Bei Haizhao’s eyelashes fluttered, masking the emotions in his eyes: “Yes, Your Highness.”

Another half hour later.

Sang Wan glanced at Bei Haizhao, whose forehead was lightly beaded with sweat: “System, scan this bowl of tofu pudding. It shouldn’t be poisoned, right?”

When dealing with a future tyrant, a little extra caution was always right.

System 996’s “heart” skipped a beat as it thought of the dangerous adult version. Without a second thought, it scanned the bowl and let out a sigh of relief: “It’s not poisoned.”

Only then did Sang Wan confidently bring the bowl of soft, delicate tofu pudding to his face, and once again sent Bei Haizhao out: “I also want to eat the roasted lamb from the Drum Tower, gourd chicken, imperial shrimp balls…”

He listed over a dozen different dishes in one breath.

System 996 thought to itself: So this is what the host meant by balancing work and rest!

Seven days later, afternoon tea time.

On the balcony of the study’s second floor, the noble and cold Crown Prince lay lazily on a lounge chair, waving a folding fan while gazing at the lush scenery in the distance. A breeze blew by, and the bamboo leaves rustled. Sang Wan’s sharp eyes caught a squirrel with a massive tail nimbly leaping through the bamboo forest.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and the newly appointed errand boy, Bei Haizhao, appeared in his line of sight, carrying fresh delicacies from the capital.

Sang Wan took a deep sip of pearl milk tea: “Did you see that?”

System 996: “?”

Sang Wan lifted his chin, speaking with pride: “That vigorous posture, and that impressive arm strength. And look at Bei Haizhao’s face—he’s even gained weight. This is all thanks to my training these past few days.”

System 996 remarked: “Running back and forth between the palace and the city more than ten times a day, every time carrying so much food—half of which goes into your mouth, and the other half Bei Haizhao eats—how could he not gain weight?”

“I’m different, I…” Sang Wan’s voice trailed off. His eyes widened, and the folding fan fell from his hand.

System 996 was alarmed: “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I, I…” Sang Wan looked down at his stomach in disbelief.

“Speak up! What happened?” System 996 was dying of anxiety, wondering if the adult version of the tyrant had managed to poison him behind its back. The system scanned the host’s body again; everything was normal.

Sang Wan collapsed: “I… I have a little belly fat.”

System 996 nearly choked. Don’t you have any sense of self-awareness? These past few days, you’ve done nothing but eat and lie down, stuffing high-oil, high-sugar food into your stomach—if you don’t get fat, who will?

Bei Haizhao, carrying roast chicken in his left hand, roasted duck in his right, and a basket of various pastries on his back, stepped onto the second floor and was met with a grave-looking Sang Wan.

Bei Haizhao spread the food across the table, thinking: What kind of tricks is he playing now?

The alluring aroma grabbed tight hold of Sang Wan’s nostrils. Sang Wan stood as if facing a formidable enemy. He took a step back, stared at the spread for a long time, and then shouted: “Meng Hai! Take this away and share it among yourselves!”

Meng Hai, who had been waiting for a long time, answered happily: “Yes, Your Highness!”

After so many days, His Highness finally remembered me! Thank the heavens, ever since that brat Nanzhao arrived, how long has it been since His Highness called for me? I used to be his favorite assistant, and now he uses Nanzhao for everything—I’m so jealous!

Sang Wan said: “Nanzhao, come with me!”

Meng Hai’s smile stiffened. Bei Haizhao followed in silence.

The two circled the garden and pond over and over again. By the fifth lap, the Crown Prince, who usually traveled everywhere by carriage, was the first to fall apart.

Sang Wan’s legs trembled. He struggled to finish the lap and returned to his bedroom, while Bei Haizhao—whom he deemed malnourished—was only slightly short of breath.

“Huff, huff.” Sang Wan panted heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead and neck.

Sang Wan clenched his fists. No, this absolutely will not do! How can I survive in these chaotic times without a healthy body? If, six years from now, Bei Haizhao still insists on killing me, I believe that as long as I can run fast enough, I will be able to avoid the fate of becoming a human pig!

The next morning at 5:45 AM, Sang Wan, dressed in a sleek black outfit, arrived at the training ground in high spirits to start his morning run. Breathing in the fresh morning air, he felt as if he had found the days when he was fighting for the college entrance exam.

Bei Haizhao attempted to follow, but was blocked by Meng Tian and Meng Hai. Meng Tian flexed his left arm, clenching it into a fist, while Meng Hai carelessly showed off his bulging biceps. If the Prince hadn’t been right in front of them, the two would have liked to carry Nanzhao off to a corner and beat him up. Let him know who is truly the favorite by the Prince’s side!

Bei Haizhao, currently just over 1.6 meters tall, took a deep breath. Veins popped out on his forehead, and his whole body was screaming—he truly hated being suppressed like this. Scenes from the Bei Hai Kingdom flashed through his mind: Kill them, kill them all.

These two… A glint of malice flashed in Bei Haizhao’s eyes. He vowed to himself that within a year, he would trample these two beneath his feet, making them wish for death.

Sang Wan, focused on improving his physical fitness, hadn’t noticed the brewing storm behind him. After finishing his warm-ups, he began searching the weapon rack for something suitable.

Up ahead, five martial arts experts, specializing in spears, swords, staffs, bows, and blades—stood in a row, awaiting the Crown Prince’s command.

Sang Wan leaned heavily on his “Nanzhao cane” and walked slowly off the field. His calves were cramping, and his legs felt like wet noodles, utterly weak. Just as he stepped into the courtyard, he was blocked by someone.

Sang Wan pulled his hand back from Bei Haizhao’s shoulder and asked the system: “What’s happening?”

System 996 scanned the area and stated concisely: “Your crazy father is here.”

Sang Wan frowned. Is the deadbeat dad looking for trouble again?