บท 30: A Scary Man

Shao Chen was contemplating Yan Mei's suggestion. 'Maybe I could ask that thief emperor about the story continuation?' As he did not know any other people to help him.

At the same time, Chen Liqin went into his office. Dark heavy cloud hanging on his face and it became heavier when Shao Chen entered his view.

Shao Chen did not realize the emperor's bad mood, trotted then handed the worn-out book to him. His eyes glittering, full of hope.

Chen Liqin eyes twitched. 'You want me to teach you now?!'

Sighed … Chen Liqin received the book then put it on his desk. "Get me some tea then finished your job first! After that, I will teach you."

Shao Chen frowned. Chen Liqin realized that he had spoken too fast because of anger, so he repeated his word again, slower.

"Oh!" Shao Chen nid-nod then ran out.

Chen Liqin sat back behind the desk, felt his exhaustion had peaked since Shao Chen appeared in his peaceful life. He was eager to get rid of this troublemaker but he could not oppose Yan Mei and Chen Guang without a good plan. The happy life with Ming Yu will be in danger if he did not act carefully.

'Yes! For the sake of Ming Yu!' He will endure the urge to drove Shao Chen away. After he knew how to talk things through with his parents … 'haha! Just you wait, Shao Chen!'

Satisfied with the plan, he intended to get back to work when the worn-out book caught his sight. Curiosity drove his hand to pick and open the book. However, not even five minutes passed, his brows knitted deeply and his hand clutch the book, almost tore it apart.

"Damn!" Chen Liqin could not stop his hand from slamming the book.

No wonder he had felt very familiar with Shao Chen's way of revenge. It came out to be inspired by his mother's favorite novel series!

Chen Liqin glared at the book begrudgingly. This was the source of his misery these days! He almost burnt this cursed book but a brilliant idea stopped his impulsiveness.

Big evil smile bloomed. Simulating the idea several times in his brain, he could not stop giggling. 'I will make use of that stupid brain!'

*****

Shao Chen walked through the wide palace area, looking around in confusion. He wanted to asked for the tea from palace kitchen but it turned out that he had lost again.

Sometimes, one or two people would walk pass him. Shao Chen intended to ask for direction, but without knowing why, after noticing Shao Chen, these people would speed up their footsteps with unpleasant look.

"???"

He did not have any other options beside keep walking and searching.

"Wh … re?" Looking around, he found himself walking through an open hallway which connecting one bulding to another.

"What are you doing here??" A cheerfull voice suddenly asked from behind.

Shao Chen's point of view became blurred because a hand forcefully spin his body so that now, he was facing a tall man. That man's face was very close to Shao Chen's. Uncomfortable with the closeness, Shao Chen try to move farther but when Shao Chen pulled his face back for two centimeter, that man would get closer for two centimeter! It kept repeating until Shao Chen's back had arched almost 90 degree perfectly.

"Pl … o … ay …." Shao Chen tried to free himself from that man's grip but that man could not understand. He kept smiling brightly then exclaimed as bright as his smile, "My name is Yongrui, I am the 13th prince of Xin Kingdom! You are Shao Chen, right?"

For the nth time, Shao Chen had to hear a very fast speech that his head was buzzing. His frowned deeply, did not reply but Chen Yongrui thought that Shao Chen was only being cold, so he kept talking excitedly.

Shao Chen grew dizzier. He did not want to be here for a longer time so he wriggled harder.

"Get your hands off Shao Chen!" Suddenly, a girl's exclamation reverberated throughout the hallway, stopping Chen Yongrui's nonstop chatter.

From afar, Feng Meifeng ran to Shao Chen then pulled him behind her back. When she witnessed Shao Chen being harassed by someone, she was too worried and wanted to protect the girl so that she did not realize that the man that she thought suspicious was actually a prince.

"Are you okay? Did he do something bad to you?" Feng Meifeng asked while spinning Shao Chen's body in all direction, made sure that he did not have any injury.

Chen Yongrui blinked several times then raised his eyebrows while chuckling. "Hey, I am not a suspicious person."

Feng Meifeng thought that this man have a very thick face! She turn around fiercely. "NOT SUSPICIOUS YOU SAY?! SHAO CH—" Her face suddenly turned pale. Now, she could see clearly who exactly was she was talking to. He is 13th prince!!

At the same time, Chen Shihong, whom coincidentally passed through that place, heard someone's shout. When he found the source, he saw two girls and one man, he frowned.

'What did Yongrui had done again this time?' He shighed.

He got closer, finding the girl that had shouted before was paying the prince respect. Cold sweat dripping down her back.

Chen Yongrui seemed to want to do something more so Chen Shihong quickly pulled his back collar. " You make trouble again?" Chen Shihong shot a sharp glare to his youngest brother.

Chen Yongrui showed a pitiful face. "Oh! Come on Brother Hong! I am only want to introduce myself to Shao Chen!" His tone a bit annoyed.

Chen Shihong looked at the girls. Feng Meifeng paid respect in a hurry but Chen Shihong stopped her halfway.

"13th prince, Chen Yongrui, whatever is it, it is your fault. Let's go! Don't disturb them!" Chen Shihong pulled Chen Yongrui, who was still whining, away.

Feng Meifeng breathed a sigh of relief. She did not expect she will met two princes in flesh here. It felt really unreal. However, this thought did not stay long in her mind. She immediately turned to Shao Chen, still worrying.

"Are you sure you are okay? He …." Feng Meifeng lower her voice. "…he really did not do any harm to you?"

Shao Chen shook his head. Actually, he was a bit shocked and scared at Chen Yongrui because the man kept urging him with something Shao Chen did not understand.

Knowing that the girl really was okay, Feng Meifeng sighed. "That's nice. I really wanted to meet you but you were always inside His Majesty's Office."

"W … y?"

"What happened to your voice?"

Shao Chen tried to explain but Feng Meifeng could not grasp any of the word. Had no other choice, she decided to get Shao Chen explain after his throat healed.

"I heard a lot of gossiped about you!" Fengf Meifeng exclaimed vexedly. Each of them is worser than the other.

Shao Chen tilted his head, full of question mark.

"They said that you had licked His Supreme Majesty and Her Highness Queen Mother boot so that you can get closer to his highness. And now, you are even trying to lick His Highness boot so that he will accept you as his empress! Just think about it make me want to throw up! I mean, did they had any brain? Do they really think you can do something complicated like that?" Feng Meifeng was getting angrier and angrier.

Shao Chen nodded full of agreement. Why he had to lick that thief emperor boot?

He had completely misunderstood the meaning of bootlicking. He even came to a worst conclusion that maybe the palace people loved to lick others boot and loved to get their boots licked too. Euw! That is not a good taste! Shao Chen thought, remembering his own experience on licking someone's feet and shoes in the past.

Feng Meifeng did not have any clue about his misunderstanding so he interpreted Shao Chen's nod as anger.

"Look, hear me, ok? I know because of this gossip, everyone is ignoring you, but don't be angry. You still have me! If you have any problem, just ask me, ok?"

Shao Chen nodded again. He now understand and did not understand why people was ignoring him.

Feng Meifeng became more relax after she managed to told Shao Chen about this. She knew exactly that Shao Chen is not an up to date person so before Shao Chen got any trouble because of his ignorance, it was better to alert him first.

After relieved from the heavy burdened, Feng Meifeng realized an important point.

"By the way, why are you here?"

Silent ….

Shao Chen's brain loading ….

"A—!!! Th … t … a!! (Ah!!! The tea!!)"

*****

After lecturing Chen yongrui how to act appropriately in front of lady, Chen Shihong let Chen Yongrui go in sullen face.

Chen Shihong walked through a narrow street which will lead him to the isolated complex of the palace. This complex consisted of underground jail, cold palace, and exile houses.

His father, the eldest of the senior prince had been exiled inside this complex for years. Only Chen Shihong who had a special privilege from the emperor that could go out from isolated complex.

He was checking the goods he had bought for his parents when two figures entered his view. In Chen Shihong impression, the two should have not any connection. One of them was Dai Junjie who was solemn and the other was Ming Yu who was laughing brightly. But the brightness that Ming Yu displayed now felt very different.