Chapter 138: Full of Disdain

You suddenly realized that Prince Jin wouldn't make such a mistake. He must have found that you and Xiao Ze were old acquaintances so he brought you to the palace on purpose. In fact, he didn't take you two seriously at all...

## Taking Down a Prince

Xiao Ze is staring at you seriously in the quiet tea house. Young as he is, he looks like a grow-up adult. How laughable and sad it it.

MC: Xiao Ze, the people in Western Liang are suffering because of Prince Jin. No one wishes him to be the new emperor. You are our only hope, do you know that?

Xiao Ze: I know! I too want to… [clench fists]

MC: [Smile gently] Xiao Ze, you need help. You won’t be able to beat Prince Jin alone. If I stay by his side, I may have found the chance. Do you understand?

Xiao Ze: So this is your reason… Afu, I didn’t know…

MC: There are many people like me who wish to contribute to bring down Prince Jin.

Xiao Ze: I know this will be difficult, but I will never give up! For you and the people like you!

MC: Actually, I just want to stay alive, and that more innocent people can stay alive.

His Majesty just asked you to prevent Prince Jin from claiming the throne. Perhaps he prefers to see a monarch-less Western Liang in chaos, but you can’t afford to see more innocent people suffer for it. So you are not just going to prevent Prince Jin, you are going to help Xiao Ze take the throne. Young as he is, he has demonstrated the virtue for a benevolent emperor!

Fat Eunuch: [Knock door] Your Highness, My Lady. It’s time to meet Prince Jin!

## Parts of the Whole

You stand up, but instead of immediately leaving, you start to make tea.

Xiao Ze: Truth to be told, your tea is truly excellent.

MC: Of course. I’ve been practicing! No, wait…

Xiao Ze: What’s wrong?

* We have met too easily
* He permitted me to make tea too easily
 MC: No, we have met too easily!

Xiao Ze: We are in the palace, and I have arranged our meeting. Don’t worry.

MC: Don’t underestimate Prince Jin. We wouldn’t be able to meet with each other if he didn’t want us to.

Xiao Ze: But why would he do that? Perhaps we are worrying too much. MC: As I told you, Prince Jin is a suspicious person. Why then would he allow me to make tea for you so easily?

Xiao Ze: Just making tea. No big deal.

MC: Xiao Ze, you don’t understand him well enough. Every step since he took me to the palace is happening according to his plan. He is indulging you!

## Keeping Acting

As you speak, you have finished making a cup of tea and placed it in front of Xiao Ze. The aroma is strong, and you can feel its bitter taste before Xiao Ze could have drunk it.

Xiao Ze: I’ve fallen into his trap.

MC: [Sigh] He should have detected that we know each other long ago, yet he took me into the palace and allowed us to talk in private.

[Clench fists] He doesn’t care about us. That’s why he would do so.

MC: It’s a truth, but let’s think on the bright side, Xiao Ze. Let him underestimate us while we prepare ourselves.

Xiao Ze: [Concerned] Will he cause you trouble for it?

MC: [Think of Si Yan and shake your head] Don’t worry. I don’t think so. I’m useful to him. Moreoever, he believes he is watching my every move and doesn’t consider us a threat.

Xiao Ze: [Look at you with bright eyes] Afu, you are truly an extraordinary person.

MC: All right! Finish this cup of tea and let’s meet Prince Jin. It’s time for us to play his game.

## Doing One’s Duty

Prince Jin is lying on a chair, flipping book pages carelessly. Hearing the approaching foot steps, he doesn’t even care to raise his head. His voice seems to be equally careless, yet it sounds so overwhelming.

Prince Jin: Does His Highness like your tea?

MC: His Highness said the tea tonight is less good than the cup served in the mansion that day. Perhaps the tea leaves in the palace are inferior to ours.

Prince Jin: If so, I shall send some tea to His Highness.

As he says, you have served a cup of hot tea to the table by his side.

Prince Jin: [Hold the cup slowly] Afu, you are a careful person.

MC: I serve Your Highness, and this is my duty. I’m learning what I should do in the mansion every day.

Prince Jin: [Look at you] That’s why I said what a pity… How about I make you a mask to cover your face, so that can accompany me without annoying me with your look?

## Stand By Me

You are shocked when he mentions mask, fearing that he has seen through the mask you are wearing. But from his expression he may just say so casually.

MC: [Stay calm] I shall obey Your Highness’ every word, but now I spend most of my time serving Lady Si Yan. It would be rare for Your Highness to see me.

Prince Jin: [Seemingly thinking of something] Let it be. I’ll consider this later.

A shout heralds the Crowned Prince’s arrive, as Xiao Ze strides in. Prince Jin slowly puts down the book and stands up to salute.

Xiao Ze: Sorry to keep you waiting, uncle!

Prince Jin: Never mind. It’s paramount for Your Highness to study well. I’m fine reading here.

Xiao Ze: Thank you for coming here to instruct me, uncle. Everything is ready. This way please.

Prince Jin: By the way, are Your Highness pleased with the tea my maiden made today? I shall send some tea to Your Highness tomorrow if Your Highness prefers my tea.

Xiao Ze: [Look at you and smile] Her tea is indeed much better than what I drank here. Thank you for your kindness, uncle.

Prince Jin: You’re welcome, Your Highness. How about I leave her here to serve Your Highness if Your Highness likes her tea?

## Just Asking

As Prince Jin and Xiao Ze are standing face to face, you at the back suddenly become extremely nervous. Why does Prince Jin say so all of a sudden? What is he planning? You are afraid that he has laid a trap for Xiao Ze, and that Xiao Ze will accept his offer on the spot out of his concern for you.

MC: (Xiao Ze, please keep my words in mind and don’t accept his offer!)

Your prayer seems to have worked. Xiao Ze just raises his eyebrow and smiles at Prince Jin’s offer.

Xiao Ze: How can I take your servant, uncle? The ministers will blame me of they learn about this.

Prince Jin: [Smile lightly] Their strictness is for Your Highness’ benefit.

Xiao Ze: I know, that’s why I can’t accept your offer even as I like your maiden’s tea, uncle, unless you can convince them otherwise?

Prince Jin: I asked Your Highness just to see how Your Highness will respond. Never mind.

Xiao Ze: So I haven’t let you down, right, uncle?

Prince Jin shows an unknown smile and keeps walking, then suddenly turns around and looks at you indifferently. Your heart that just calms down starts beating ferociously once more.

He is testing Xiao Ze and you. You can’t be certain whether he is satisfied with Xiao Ze’s answer, but you have passed his test anyway.