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nEditor: SimoB

nEver since the first prince fell out with Shi Qing and was driven out of the palace by the emperor, the remaining princes were nicer to Shi Qing than they ever were to their own brothers.

nAfter all, the emperor used to have a favourable impression of the first prince. He was a prime candidate for the position of Crown Prince. But after he was beaten by Shi Qing, not only did he not receive justice, he was even expelled from the palace.

nBefore, they just wanted to please Shi Qing, but now they didn’t dare to offend him in the slightest.

nEveryone knew that Little Master Shi’s overbearing arrogance stemmed from him being spoiled rotten. He had a bad temper and was easily angered. Before the incident, the other princes thought that although Shi Qing referred to them affectionately as brothers, he knew in his heart that they weren’t people to mess with.

nThe lesson painfully learnt by the first prince served as a warning to the remaining princes.

nOf course, they all tacitly forgot that they had a hand in his downfall as well. The other princes gleefully made sure their eldest brother could no longer fight for the throne.

nShi Qing was only 14 after all, and he has been overindulged all his life. Even their father clearly favoured him. There was no way he would withstand even the slightest of grievances.

nAnyways, it was absolutely a wise decision to be careful around him.

nTherefore, the trio all decided to ignore how Shi Qing ordered Yu Chennian around more and more.

nSince the moment Shi Qing had expressed, in front of the emperor, that Yu Chennian was a friend of his, as long as they were in the palace, they were almost always together.

nBut in the opinions of the three princes, this wasn’t a good thing for Yu Chennian.

nBefore the incident, Yu Chennian was only used as a servant by Shi Qing once in a while. After the first prince left, Yu Chennian would have to stay with him all day long.

nIn the eyes of the three princes, Shi Qing was basically using Yu Chennian as his personal servant.

nAccording to their sources, Shi Qing took an afternoon nap with Yu Chennian everyday where he apparently used Yu Chennian as a foot warmer.

nShi Qing was a picky eater, but palace regulations stated that foreign ministers must finish all the meals they were given in the palace. Although others pretended not to see if he secretly threw food away, maybe Shi Qing thought that Yu Chennian was a safer bet. At every meal, he hid in his room with Yu Chennian and tossed him the dishes that he didn’t like to eat.

nAs for how they knew? Well, the little master certainly wasn’t sneaking out his lunchbox anymore.

nEven on the rare days when they didn’t have classes, Shi Qing refused to let Yu Chennian go. He had a waist token, so he could go to the palace at any time.

nOn their day off, Shi Qing still went to the palace as usual and played in the front garden with Yu Chennian.

nOf course, quotation marks around the word ‘played’ were absolutely necessary.

nHe was recently learning to draw, but he had only started three days ago. Shi Qing said that he was learning a foreign style that required the model to stay completely still.

nThat model was obviously Yu Chennian.

nOnly a prince in Yu Chennian’s position would be treated like this. It was only because his mother died early on, his adoptive mother was a deposed empress sent to the cold palace and that his position has been low from childhood that he could tolerate Shi Qing’s treatment of him.

nIf you asked one of the others to warm someone’s feet, eat leftovers or keep a pose for an hour, any one of those things would be enough to anger them.

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nHow could a bonafide prince, a son of the emperor, act so humbly?

nHowever, Yu Chennian endured it all.

nTherefore, the three princes felt that their youngest brother was indeed cowardly, stiff and meek beyond belief.

nAfter the first prince mashed Shi Qing’s berserk button and got thrown out of the palace, the remaining ones quickly understood the new status quo. No one humiliated Yu Chennian like they would have before.

nAfter all, according to the logic of Little Master Shi Qing, it was fine for him to bully Yu Chennian however he liked, but if other people made a move, they were insulting him.

nThe sensitive little master with a short fuse would definitely crush anyone who slighted him, at any cost.

nThey didn’t think their life became lacking after not being able to bully their younger brother. After all, although they couldn’t bully Yu Chennian, it was still pretty fun to see him being bullied by Shi Qing.

nAs long as they thought about the humiliation and sadness in Yu Chennian’s heart, as well as about how powerless he was to resolve the situation, they would become very happy.

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nIt was lunch time again today.

nThe lunchboxes were all sent respectfully to their tables by eunuchs. As usual, Shi Qing raised his little chin and called out: “Yu Chennian.”

nThe young man sitting at the back went forward in silence. He held his lunchbox in his left hand while, like a silent servant, he skillfully picked up Shi Qing’s with his right.

nShi Qing got up with a look of satisfaction and sauntered out when Yu Chennian held the two lunch boxes and stood to one side.

nYu Chennian followed him without saying a word.

nThe princes, who were waiting for the eunuchs to open their lunchboxes, glanced at each other in commiseration.

nThey were almost sympathetic towards Yu Chennian. At the very least, he was also a prince like them. Yet he was so thoroughly humiliated by one of his subjects.

nBut their sympathy only lasted for a split second.

nYu Chennian on the other hand didn’t feel at all humiliated as he followed Shi Qing to his room.

nOnce they arrived, Shi Qing immediately dismissed the eunuch serving him. After having Yu Chennian place the two lunchboxes on the table, he sat down cross-legged.

nYu Chennian sat down across from him. He watched as the little master eagerly opened the lunchboxes and used his chopsticks to start putting everything he didn’t like to eat in Yu Chennian’s portion.

n“Is this beef?”

nShi Qing scrunched his brows as he picked up a piece of meat and lightly sniffed it. His face immediately twisted in disgust: “How gamey! Isn’t there a single decent cook in the Imperial Kitchens?”

nThe corners of his mouth curled. With a look of displeasure, he gave all the beef in his box to Yu Chennian.

n“This fish has too many bones. You take it.”

n“Why is there even a bowl of soup here?”

nShi Qing opened the bottom compartment and brought out a bowl of steaming soup. He stirred it with his chopsticks, revealing the ginseng below. Ginseng was precious, even in the Imperial Kitchens. Even more so because the Imperial Kitchens had a set amount allowed to them each month. Its rarity made it a precious commodity.

nIt was obviously abnormal for this kind of nourishing ginseng soup to be served to one of the princes’ reading companions. The reason why it was given to Shi Qing was because the Imperial Kitchens knew that his position in the palace was special. Especially after he ruined the first prince so easily. They knew he wasn’t someone to mess around with, so they added this in to curry favour.

nUnfortunately, Shi Qing wasn’t an ordinary reading companion.

nHe was a little master who grew up dining on all kinds of delicacies. A mere bowl of ginseng soup was nothing to him. When he saw that it contained ginseng, he pushed it aside with disinterest: “Take this too.”

nThen, Shi Qing babbled on about how the Imperial Kitchens were too musty and how none of their food was any good, while picking out everything he didn’t like to give to Yu Chennian.

nIt was only after he finished going through his boxes that the pleased little master began to dig in. Although he usually looked arrogant and aloof, he did come from a family of aristocrats. He ate seriously and slowly in a very elegant fashion.

nYu Chennian was silent most of the time. He would sometimes say a few words to Shi Qing, but only after the little master asked him first. Yu Chennian, who had been sitting on the opposite side quietly watching Shi Qing rearrange their food, only started eating after Shi Qing.

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nHe first ate the things originally in his box.

nYu Chennian took his chopstick to the braised eggplant. Judging from appearance alone, this dish seemed very delicious.

nBut only those who had eaten it knew how hard it was to swallow.

nThere was way too much oil. The outside was burnt, yet the inside was raw. It was hard to describe the sensation of chewing on such a thing.

nIf a delicate little master like Shi Qing tasted it, he would probably start to vomit after a single bite.

nBut Yu Chennian still chewed and swallowed it like nothing was wrong.

nOnly those who lived in the palace know how terrible the life of an unfavoured master was.

nThere was no lack of two faced people in the palace who delighted in the misery of others. Especially since Yu Chennian’s adoptive mother was once the empress, the mother of the nation. Even if she hadn’t hurt a single person while in power, she occupied a position that others coveted.

nWhen she was the empress, those who held grudges against her couldn’t do a thing to her.

nBut when she fell from grace and was exiled to the cold palace, their revenge came swiftly.

nThe masters weren’t the only ones who acted this way, even the palace servant had different attitudes depending on who they were dealing with.

nTake the Imperial Kitchens for example. Towards those who were favoured like Shi Qing, they would send ginseng soup of their own volition to please him.

nWhen it came to those like Yu Chennian, most of the servants deliberately sabotaged their meals. They would give little care when making the contents and only pack the lunchbox when the dishes were already cold.

nSoup? You actually have the nerve to want soup? You have such a high opinion of yourself.

nThis was the extortion scheme that the Imperial Kitchens were running. If you want to eat hot and tasty food, then please send along some money. If you don’t want to donate, then enjoy these cold leftovers.

nA phoenix that had crashed to the ground was worth less than a chicken. Usually, the masters who were humiliated by them would never have the chance to turn their lives around again.

nYu Chennian, as the adopted son of the deposed empress, had grown up being treated like this.

nThe smallest things he dealt with would be an unimaginable offense to Shi Qing, but to him, it was Tuesday.

nHe was at the age for growth spurts. He needed more food than what was allotted to him each day. If the other princes were hungry, they could just have the Imperial Kitchens deliver something, anytime and anywhere.

nYu Chennian however, wasn’t favored, so he certainly couldn’t do such a thing. He barely had any allowance left as is due to various people on the ladder taking a share. There wasn’t even enough left to buy extra meals.

nIn the past, Yu Chennian could only bear it. It was easier during the day, but his stomach grumbled and ached all night with hunger.

nBut ever since Shi Qing had a quarrel with the first prince and established his position in the palace, his little tail has been raised higher and higher. He began to throw the dishes he didn’t like to eat to Yu Chennian without any pretenses.

nAfter getting nearly one and a half portions of food everyday, Yu Chennian never woke up in the middle of the night from hunger again.

nIt was only after finishing his own dishes first, that the young man started on the ones Shi Qing had given him.

nAlthough the little master was very picky, his dishes were all served by the head chefs of the Imperial Kitchens.

nAfter all, if he wasn’t happy with his meal, the Imperial Kitchens would definitely be censured after a complaint to His Majesty.

nIn fact, the dishes disliked by Shi Qing were all sumptuous. Even the ingredients were carefully selected. After Yu Chennian finished eating, he finally drank the soup.

nThe ginseng soup seemed to send a pleasant warmth cascading through his entire body.

nDing! Yu Chennian’s animosity value: 75

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nShi Qing wasn’t surprised.

nNo matter what he did these days, Yu Chennian’s animosity value would automatically drop.

nIf it wasn’t for the one month time limit, it wouldn’t be bad to take it easy for a while and wait for him to drop to 50 on his own.

nWhen Yu Chennian finished eating, Shi Qing wasn’t even half way through his meal. He was still slowly taking small bites.

nWhen he saw the young man put his chopsticks down, his face was a little unhappy. He couldn’t help but break his rule about speaking during mealtimes: “How can you always eat so fast? You clearly have more dishes than me.”

nYu Chennian knew that the little master’s bad habit of provoking people, no matter what he was doing, was rearing its ugly head again.

nShi Qing was spoiled and proud. He loved having control over others.

nYu Chennian stared at the angry little boy. He said in his deep voice: “I won’t eat so fast next time.”

n“Do you think you need to cater to me specifically?!” Shi Qing wasn’t grateful for the concession. He put down his chopsticks and turned around to flop onto the bed. He kicked off his boots and dove under the blankets.

n“How do they expect me to eat when there’s only a single basin of charcoal in the room on such a cold day? I can barely hold my chopsticks.” He put his head into the quilt and continued to vent: “I’m not eating anymore!”

nYu Chennian took a glance at his untouched food.

nAlthough Shi Qing’s appetite was small, the amount he ate was certainly not enough.

nThe young man got up and made a suggestion: “Why don’t you eat in bed?”

n“How can I eat in bed when I’m wrapped up in the blanket?”

nThe little master had wrapped himself up like a silkworm baby.

nThe silkworm baby rolled back and forth on the couch unhappily. Finally, his little head squeezed out. His eyes seemed to brighten as he suddenly thought of something.

n“Feed me,” he ordered in a spoiled tone.

nMaybe because he was afraid Yu Chennian wouldn’t agree, so, without waiting for his answer, Shi Qing urged: “What are you doing? Do you want me to freeze to death? Hurry up ah!”

nYu Chennian looked at the little master, who had wrapped himself up tightly on the bed, with only his little head poking out, and his eyes grew dark. He obediently picked up the lunchbox and sat beside the bed.

nBecause only the dishes Shi Qing liked were left in his box, the little master was too lazy to choose anything specific.

nHe lay down on his back, covered completely with thick warm bedding with only his head peeking out. He was like a chick waiting to be fed, opening his mouth in anticipation for food.

nYu Chennian seldomly had the chance to make choices on behalf of others.

nHe first took a spoonful of steamed rice, which was a high quality cultivar from Wujiang. Each grain was crystal clear, plump and round. The taste should be soft and sticky, just like the Shi Qing who cuddled up against him during his afternoon naps.

nOnce the spoon reached the youth’s mouth, he closed it trustingly and began to chew. He was satisfied that he didn’t have to hold the chopsticks in his hands in the cold weather.

nYu Chennian picked up a meatball.

nShi Qing ate it obediently.

nHe ate everything he was given obediently, like a sweet and sensible little baby. Yu Chennian’s heart was gradually suffused with other flavours.

nThis tender Shi Qing that let Yu Chennian feed him, made a sweet taste appear in his mouth. It was like a piece of candy made from honey.

nAnd yet, to Shi Qing, he was only someone to be ordered around. A bitterly sour aftertaste surfaced.

nIt was like the taste of the persimmon Yu Chennian had climbed a tree for when he was famished as a child. The bite he took was astringent, but still, it alleviated the hollow pain in his stomach. It was a very complex feeling.

nWhile trying to decipher his difficult emotions, the young man continued to slowly feed the youth who had his mouth open, until Shi Qing was full.

nShi Qing yawned. His childish eyes, that were always round with arrogance, began to slowly but surely droop down.

nHe was sleepy.

nThe sleepy little master didn’t drift off immediately. He rolled over in the blanket until he was on the inner side of the bed. He then patted the surface and urged: “I’m going to sleep. Come up quickly.”

nYu Chennian was still silent as he climbed into the bed with practiced motions.

nAs soon as he got in, the youth with a warm aura turned to him and skillfully pulled his arms open to drill into his chest.

nWhile he rubbed this way and that, Shi Qing popped his head out and poked him with his hand: “Why do I feel like you’ve grown sturdier?”

nYu Chennian’s body involuntarily tensed as he felt the youth’s tender hands poke his body repeatedly. His throat grew parched, but his voice was normal: “Somewhat.”

nHe had been eating and sleeping well these days, and would even get to drink some tonic soup on occasion. He was the age when growth spurts were common after all. In less than half a month, he grew noticeably taller and more muscular.

n“You grow so fast.”

nShi Qing sounded a little envious as he poked Yu Chennian absentmindedly: “I’ve eaten plenty of good things since I was a child, but I’m still so weak. If only I could be born as strong as you.”

nYu Chennian thought that the little master was perfect just as he was.

nEvery part of his body was wonderfully soft and spoiled. He looked thin, but there was plenty of tender meat to squeeze.

nHis waist was slender enough for a single arm to envelop.

nPerhaps it was because he had always been controlled by others since he was a child, but Yu Chennian liked the feeling of having complete control.

nObviously, Shi Qing fit his preferences.

nThe little master was still talking: “It’s a good thing I’m still young and can still grow. When I’m your age, I should be different than I am now.”

nHis words gradually painted a picture in the young man’s mind of the 17 or 18 year old little master.

nHe would definitely be a bit taller, and his eyebrows and eyes would widen as well. Since his features were already pretty, they wouldn’t be too different even when he grew up.

nHis thin bones couldn’t be changed, but would that future Shi Qing still lie obediently in his lap and use his white, tender and uncalloused fingertips to touch him softly?

nShi Qing only voiced his appreciation for a moment. After, he laid down on his chest comfortably and went to sleep.

nOnly Yu Chennian was left awake. Inexplicably, the future that his imagination conjured up made his body heat up and made him thirsty.

nHe didn’t move, so as to not disturb Shi Qing’s nap, but he was no longer sleepy.

nHe could only stare at the beam of the roof and remain motionless with his eyes open for an entire afternoon.

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