Why is the Dog Emperor Like That? - Chapter 3

When word spread that I was to become the teacher for the Second Prince, Yin Xiao, all my friends in the capital felt pity and sorrow for me. One by one, they came to visit me. They offered a mountain of consoling words, and before leaving, each of them managed to shed a few tears. To any onlooker, the scene was so dramatic that it appeared as though my family was hosting a funeral.

However, that sentiment was not entirely misplaced. In their eyes, there was little difference between my current situation and dropping dead on the spot.

A few days ago, when I was summoned to the palace by the old Emperor, it was ostensibly to serve as a study companion to the First Prince, Yin Shu. Everyone assumed the Emperor was showing me favor by positioning me to become a vital official for the future sovereign. Who could have imagined that only a few days later, I would instead become the teacher to the Second Prince?

It was common knowledge that the Second Prince’s maternal family was eyeing the throne with predatory intent. In the years to come, there would undoubtedly be a bitter struggle between the brothers within the imperial household.

One friend, with eyes brimming with tears, said to me, “Zijin, you have jumped into a fire pit! Currently, the First Prince is the most likely to ascend the throne, yet you are taking the side of the Second Prince. You are making a grave mistake.”

I could only offer a bitter smile. If it were not a matter of life and death, who would be foolish enough to join the losing side right as the war was ending?

On my first day as Yin Xiao’s teacher, I nearly caused the execution of my entire extended family. I carried a stack of books into the palace and arrived at the door of Yin Xiao’s study. I knocked, announced my name, and waited a long time before hearing a muffled voice say, “Come in.”

As I stepped into the room, a wave of cold air hit me, making me shiver.

“Hey.” Young Yin Xiao sat at his desk. He glanced at me and crossed his arms with an impatient expression. “What are we supposed to learn today?”

This little brat was incredibly rude. I twitched the corner of my mouth. For the sake of my family’s safety, I kept my voice calm and said, “First of all, my name is not ‘Hey’.”

I cleared my throat, suppressed a mischievous grin, and said to Yin Xiao, “Little Highness, from this day forward, you should call me ‘Teacher’ instead.”

Yin Xiao was visibly stunned. In an instant, his expression turned from clear to cloudy.

“Are you certain?” Yin Xiao sneered. “Me? Calling you ‘Teacher’?”

His face clearly said, “Who do you think you are?”

The Kingdom of Daliang had only two princes. Each was a master accustomed to a life of luxury, pampered with the finest food and clothing. Years ago, when the Emperor had not yet decided on an heir, the palace servants served both of them with the utmost care. Their every necessity was provided in the most extravagant fashion. Even if Yin Xiao’s current treatment had dropped a tier, it was still not my place to overstep.

Fortunately, for every move he had, I had a countermeasure. I had prepared for this well in advance.

I spoke softly, “Little Highness, the current Emperor is the Son of Heaven, yet he still honors the veteran official of the previous dynasty, Yang Mingwan, as the Imperial Tutor and addresses him as ‘Teacher’.”

As I spoke, I raised my eyebrows slightly. My gaze was warm and earnest, appearing quite sincere.

“If your Little Highness follows the Emperor’s example, word of your virtue will spread, and it will surely bring joy to His Majesty.”

The original book mentioned that during his childhood, the person Yin Xiao admired most was his father, Yin Sheng. As expected, the moment I mentioned Yin Sheng, the look in the boy’s eyes changed. He lowered his gaze and studied me again.

“Rise,” he said.

I remained motionless, as if I had not heard him. Young Yin Xiao clenched his fists and suppressed his temper, his small face twisting with effort.

“Teacher, please rise.”

I was delighted.

Summer had just begun. Although there were ice basins in the palace, the summer heat was still stifling. I did not understand why, since I had transmigrated into a book, I could not have been bound to an air conditioning system. Because I am sensitive to heat, I had changed into a relatively thin, bamboo-green silk shirt before coming to teach. It was cool, breathable, and very comfortable.

However, I was shocked the moment I entered the study. Despite the scorching summer sun, Yin Xiao was actually wearing heavy, formal princely attire. He was stubbornly maintaining his noble posture at the cost of his own life. I could not even find the words to mock him. In my heart, I secretly thought, “Impressive.”

Halfway through the lesson, Yin Xiao’s complexion began to look wrong. I noticed his face was flushed red and his head was nodding periodically. He looked as though he had a fever, or more likely, heatstroke.

I asked kindly, “Would the Little Highness like to remove his formal robes and wear something cooler?”

Yin Xiao’s soft little cheeks immediately puffed out. He gritted his teeth and asked, “What is it to you?”

Choosing my timing perfectly, I corrected him, “Little Highness, it is not ‘you,’ it is ‘Teacher’.”

“Tea-cher.” Yin Xiao was nearly fainting, yet he did not forget to give me an attitude. “What is it to you?”

I sighed. He had become slightly more civilized, but not by much. This stubborn child had cheeks as soft as glutinous rice balls, but the hardest part of his entire body was likely his mouth.

I truly could not stand to watch any longer. When I reached out to help Yin Xiao remove his clothes, he nearly bit me to death. His face turned even redder than before, and he kicked at me while shouting, “Go away!”

“Stop struggling,” I said as I held him down, feeling quite helpless. “If this continues, you will get heatstroke. If you overheat until your brain turns soft, who will inherit the throne?”

Yin Xiao fell silent. It seemed I had to use the right medicine for the symptoms. I immediately stripped him of his formal robes until he was left in only a thin inner shirt that was already soaked with sweat. For a moment, I could not tell if we were in a lesson or a bathhouse.

Yin Xiao tugged at the corner of his shirt. His eyes were glued to the floor, and he refused to look up at me. He whispered, “Do you… Teacher, do you think I can…”

I truly did not hear him clearly, so I asked, “What did you say?”

“Never mind.” Yin Xiao snorted coldly and shot me a sideways glance. “Are you not here to teach? I am bored of memorizing these few pages. Change to something new.”

“Very well, very well.” I took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his small face.

Yin Xiao was very dissatisfied with the fact that I treated him like a child. He widened his eyes to look fierce. To be honest, this kid was actually quite cute.

Yin Xiao truly lived up to his potential as a major villain; he was a very fast learner. Once I finished teaching the remaining points and assigned some homework, I prepared to pack my things and leave. The young Yin Xiao looked me up and down as if he had something to say. I knew it would likely not be anything pleasant, so I did not want to hear it. I silently quickened my movements.

Yin Xiao’s brow furrowed even deeper. “Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?”

“Everyone goes back to their own home to find their own mother.”

Yin Xiao gave me several suspicious looks before suddenly asking, “Is my eldest brother still trying to recruit you?”

I was stunned for a moment and could not help but laugh. “How could that be possible?”

The Great First Prince, Yin Shu, was the popular candidate for Crown Prince. He had countless advisors by his side. Why would he ever pay any attention to me?

I did not expect that Yin Xiao’s words would be prophetic. Speak of the devil, and the devil shall appear. I soon crossed paths with Yin Shu.