Chapter 21

The words “I don’t want to eat, then get lost” stuck in Xiao Heng’s chest. His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he swallowed hard.

When had the Regent ever tolerated anyone? He was afraid that Chu Zhaoyou would start crying again.

The Regent conducted himself with integrity, but he was afraid of this fragile crybaby. Last time, a glare had almost made him cry, and now a single word “get lost” would surely lead to a tantrum.

Xiao Heng found a multitude of reasons for himself and asked with great patience, “What do you want?”

The Regent was truly fierce, unable to even eat breakfast.

Chu Zhaoyou complained inwardly, suddenly realizing that as a little puppet, he had no right to sit at the same table as the Regent. He must have had a hidden mission to fulfill, and he should have made everything he ate seem delicious to create a pleasant dining atmosphere for the Regent. He hadn’t succeeded, and the Regent was angry.

He glanced weakly at the Regent’s side and saw that the bowl of white porridge, pickled cucumbers, and pickled vegetable pancakes had already been eaten a few mouthfuls.

He picked up a white porcelain spoon and absentmindedly scooped a spoonful of rich porridge filled with lean meat and seafood into his own bowl.

Xiao Heng reached over, took away his bowl, and moved his own bowl over. The entire process took less than two seconds, and when Chu Zhaoyou blinked, the food in front of him had been replaced.

Although it had been eaten by the Regent, Chu Zhaoyou didn’t mind. He picked up the bowl, realizing that delicacies couldn’t be eaten every day, and one would get tired of them after a while.

Seeing that he was finally willing to eat slowly, Xiao Heng unexpectedly felt a sense of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

He’s quite easy to feed.

Just one less bite from me can feed a little thing.

Xiao Heng watched Chu Zhaoyou eat slowly and methodically, but he is much faster than Chu Zhaoyou, and even managed to finish reviewing all the memorials in the gaps between Chu Zhaoyou’s bites.

He felt that the atmosphere was still acceptable, so he asked directly, “Who did you meet outside the palace, and did someone influential advise you on how to return to the palace?”

I met a fool, and it’s a miracle his intelligence wasn’t lowered. There was no influential person advising me. Chu Zhaoyou pondered the Regent’s words and suddenly realized that he had been behaving differently from the original owner’s character recently. Was he being suspected?

If a sovereign was replaced, he would be thrown onto the pyre by the Regent in minutes. Chu Zhaoyou felt a bit scared. He had been feeling a bit detached recently. He knew that the original owner would act like a mouse meeting a cat when facing the Regent, but he couldn’t help but argue with Xiao Heng. He never took the initiative to yield.

The original owner called the Regent “Imperial Uncle,” but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. He was just short of calling him by his name.

Xiao Heng had been holding back for so long before asking. Did he have the results of his covert observation? Was he going to send me to the afterlife after a good meal?

Chu Zhaoyou clenched his fists on his knees, trying to keep a straight face. “I only met an old man who was returning to his hometown in southern Guizhou. I followed him all the way and learned the ‘Birthday Blessing for Magu’ from him. Unfortunately, after I learned it, I realized that the Empress Dowager didn’t like it.”

He brought up the speech he had used when he returned to court and hinted that he had suffered a devastating emotional blow from the Empress Dowager, which had caused his change in temperament.

Once freed from the Empress Dowager’s control, who said the little Emperor couldn’t become clever?

Xiao Heng had an intuition that Chu Zhaoyou was lying. He had originally wanted to know how much Chu Zhaoyou knew about the Gu poison. Before his disappearance, he was sure that Chu Zhaoyou didn’t know, but after that, it was hard to say.

Those three days were the active period of the “He Xin Gu.” Chu Zhaoyou might have met someone influential outside the palace who diagnosed the presence of the Gu in his body. As a result, after returning to the palace, this little puppet not only became clever but also became arrogant. He would avoid seeing him and always had a complex look in his eyes.

Chu Zhaoyou seemed fearless, and the only thing Xiao Heng could think of that he could rely on was the “He Xin Gu.”

Chu Zhaoyou observed the Regent’s expression, seeming somewhat mocking.

What, don’t believe his words?

Chu Zhaoyou cleared his throat. “Shall I sing a little something for you?”

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that the knowledge he had acquired in his past life would be used to save his life in this one.

Chu Zhaoyou’s words danced back and forth between the Regent’s two major taboos, triggering his wrath by a hair’s breadth.

Xiao Heng had noticed that his temper had been fluctuating lately. He would get angry at Chu Zhaoyou’s words, and then he would back down when Chu Zhaoyou repeatedly crossed his boundaries. He attributed this to the “He Xin Gu.” After all, it had flared up once, and now he was becoming irritable. Perhaps he would become foolish next time.

Since coming to power, this was the first time someone dared to sing in front of the Regent. Chu Zhaoyou was well aware of his taboos. To say such a thing was either hypocritical or deliberate.

“You want to sing, do you? Fine.” The Regent called for Qian Shicheng and a team of Dragon Guards. “Listen carefully. You’re not allowed to stop until he’s finished.”

With his hands behind his back, the Regent left Chu Zhaoyou’s residence, seething with anger.

Qian Shicheng and the Dragon Guards looked at each other in confusion. What play were they supposed to listen to?

“The ‘Birthday Blessing for Magu.'”

Chu Zhaoyou scratched his cheek, answering their unspoken question.

Qian Shicheng looked uncomfortable. That wasn’t what he wanted to know.

“Come on, let’s get started. The Regent told you to listen, but that doesn’t mean I’m singing for free. Pay up first.” Chu Zhaoyou reached out his hand. “I’m broke. I need to fleece you if I want to make some money.”

Qian Shicheng didn’t move. If he had to pay, he wasn’t going to listen.

Chu Zhaoyou bluffed, “The Regent Prince gave you a task. Are you going to ignore it?”

“We dare not!” the Dragon Guards said in unison.

“In that case, what are you hesitating for? Hand over the money and report back to the Regent later.” Chu Zhaoyou gave them a tip. “Listening to a performance like this isn’t cheap. It’s a national-level artist’s performance. Do you know how expensive a ticket is? Today, I’m only charging each of you one or two silver coins.”

Chu Zhaoyou held up a finger. Every listener meant more money in his pocket.

The Dragon Guards remained unfazed. Who would dare to listen to a play and then report back to the Regent for reimbursement? They’d rather die than pay.

Chu Zhaoyou looked at the leader, who was the wealthiest among them.

Qian Shicheng’s face turned sour. Why couldn’t the Regent pay and then leave? Now this little Emperor was demanding money from everyone.

Even more terrifying was the fact that he had no money.

Qian Shicheng stiffened. “I have no money. It’s all with my wife and mother.”

Chu Zhaoyou glanced at his boots. “You, my lord, don’t have any private savings?”

“… ” Qian Shicheng resignedly took off his boots and poured out the silver he had saved for a year. He sighed wearily. He had once said that three women could put on a play, and one actress could perform in ten plays.

The little Emperor was even more cunning than his wife.

The Dragon Guards respectfully admired Qian Shicheng. The leader was truly inscrutable. They had thought he had only a few coins at most.

Chu Zhaoyou took a bowl from the table and collected the silver. Qian Shicheng led the way, and the others had no choice but to pay up.

Chu Zhaoyou made a clinking sound as he received the money and sat back in his chair.

Qian Shicheng and the Dragon Guards had a sudden realization. The Regent’s intention wasn’t to humiliate His Majesty, but to have them give money to His Majesty.

It was rumored that His Majesty’s singing wasn’t very good.

They all consciously kept a straight face, afraid of revealing any hint of disdain and giving Chu Zhaoyou an opportunity to demand more money.

Chu Zhaoyou closed his eyes and then opened them, reciting, “The auspicious clouds gather beneath the golden palace, and the gentle breeze drifts before the brocade feast…”

Qian Shicheng looked at the little Emperor in astonishment. Had he really gone to learn how to sing during those three days?

His enunciation was clear and melodious, unlike anything heard in the theaters of Great Chu.

Qian Shicheng, a rough man, couldn’t quite put his finger on what was different. The performers were clearly from the lower class, but when they heard Chu Zhaoyou sing, they felt they should be wearing the most solemn court attire, listening attentively to every word. Was it because only the most esteemed Emperor could have such an effect? It seemed to be more than that. Ultimately, it was as if the performer himself didn’t consider actors to be lowly, and what he sang was as pure as the driven snow.

The Dragon Guards were all deeply moved. They found themselves captivated, feeling that the money was well spent. They must have spent too much money and were now regretting it.

The performance was very short, and when it ended, everyone was still in a daze. Was that it?

Chu Zhaoyou looked kindly at them. “Do you have more money? I can keep singing.”

The Dragon Guards took a step back, indicating they had no more.

Chu Zhaoyou counted the silver. There were a total of twenty taels. The Regent should have called everyone in the palace and held a performance for a thousand people. He would become rich in no time.