Chapter 79

Chu Zhaoyou was completely fooled by the Regent, behaving like a king who allows lust to cloud his judgment, only to indulge the Regent in role-playing.

The Regent’s audacity was growing, previously avoiding any mention of the incident where Chu Zhaoyou acted like a fool, fearing that Chu Zhaoyou would hold him accountable for his memory loss. Now, he dared to fabricate stories involving the little fool!

The next day, Chu Zhaoyou twisted around and grabbed the Regent, the powerful figure’s neck, threatening with a flushed face, “Once I return, I’ll ask the divine physician for a hair growth ointment!”

The Regent paused, gripping Chu Zhaoyou’s ankle, which was resting against his side. “…”

Chu Zhaoyou squirmed uncomfortably, trying to retract his leg but couldn’t.

Chu Zhaoyou’s slender, fair-skinned legs were the very reason that the Regent would be captivated, filling his mind with frivolous theatrical plays every day.

Last night, Chu Zhaoyou’s legs bore an undue burden, causing him to squint. “I’ve suffered from the lack of dense leg hair.”

The Regent silently protested.

Chu Zhaoyou said, “I’m going to perform later. Whether you want to listen is up to you.”

The Regent found an excuse, “See, you still have the energy to put on a performance.”

It was clear that Chu Zhaoyou was adept in his professional field.

Chu Zhaoyou pondered for a moment and smirked, “That’s my business, not yours.”

Chu Zhaoyou got up and started to put on makeup, donning a brand new female lead costume, adorned with bright, shimmering embroidery, radiating an air of wealth and nobility, akin to a wealthy family. His face was as captivating as spring blossoms, with eyes as deep as autumn waters.

Throughout, the Regent followed Chu Zhaoyou in silence, resembling a tall, handsome guard. Anyone who dared to cast their eyes on Chu Zhaoyou immediately faced the Regent’s severe gaze.

His eyes were not to be given to anyone else.

Chu Zhaoyou, with a makeup look that even his own mother wouldn’t recognize, raised his chin and asked the Regent, “How do I look?”

Xiao Heng carefully observed and recalled the female lead who had collapsed on the stage all those years ago.

Chu Zhaoyou said, “Xiao, can you really not differentiate me from the other female leads? Hmm?”

Clearly, this chin, these eyes, this waist – they’re all different.

Xiao Heng immediately responded, “I can.”

Given another chance, he was certain he could recognize Chu Zhaoyou from just a glance at his back.

Chu Zhaoyou remarked, “Hindsight is always 20/20.”

Observing Chu Zhaoyou’s slender waist, Xiao Heng entertained the thought of hiding someone away.

The sound of drums and gongs emanated from the side of the stage; the performance was about to begin.

Chu Zhaoyou nudged the Regent towards the audience section, “It’s crowded here. Hold Xiao Xingxing tight.”

Xiao Xingxing lay on the Regent’s shoulder, giving a thumbs-up, ” Xiao Xingxing’s father looks the best!”

” Xiao Xingxing has good taste,” Chu Zhaoyou ruffled his son’s head. “After father finishes the performance, I’ll give you a kiss.”

“Okay!” replied Xiao Xingxing.

The Regent, under the sweet words from his son, felt a bit awkward and could only manage, “Zhaoyou looks great.”

Chu Zhaoyou replied, “Go and take your seat.”

Beside the stage, a snack vendor took advantage of the opportunity and today welcomed his biggest customer since opening.

Xiao Xingxing’s gaze shifted, prompting the Regent to automatically carry him to the stall. “You can only taste a bit. We’ll have lunch later.”

With filial piety, Xiao Xingxing bought three of everything, carrying a handful of treats.

Xiao Heng asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’ll eat with Father,” Xiao Xingxing carefully carried three large pastries. Since his father was about to perform, he didn’t want to appear careless with oil all over his mouth.

The stage was simple, but when Chu Zhaoyou appeared, there was a collective gasp from the audience.

The costume had been hurriedly purchased overnight from a major theater troupe by Xiao Heng, resplendent and dazzling.

To the common folk, grandeur was synonymous with elegance.

They had never seen such a stunning female lead or such luxurious attire. She seemed like a fairy, graceful in movement, with exceptional vocal skills. The previously bustling area fell silent in an instant, everyone completely engrossed, their eyes fixed on her.

Xiao Xingxing glanced at the children in front and whispered to the Regent, “They’re all looking at my father.”

The Regent shared Xiao Xingxing’s sentiment, but had to admit that Chu Zhaoyou on stage was exceptionally radiant. Everyone else seemed like mere background, with Chu Zhaoyou shining brightly.

Chu Zhaoyou, with narrowed eyes, gazed at the Regent. It was the first time he had performed for the Regent with his full makeup on, hoping he would enjoy it. Chu Zhaoyou observed the Regent’s reaction, unintentionally conveying emotions he wasn’t even aware of.

The Regent realized that Chu Zhaoyou was trying to seduce him.

While he had chased away five ruffians, his own gaze was more roguish than all five combined, devouring Chu Zhaoyou with his eyes.

Xiao Xingxing placed a chestnut into his father’s mouth.

After the performance, Chu Zhaoyou began to feel a bit tired. Seizing the opportunity, he made a request, “Can you carry me on your back?”

The Regent handed Xiao Xingxing to Xiao Qi, understanding that carrying his wife was more important.

Xiao Xingxing, puzzled, asked while lying on Xiao Qi’s back, “Uncle Xiao Qi, when I grow as tall as my father, can I also stop walking by myself?”

Xiao Xingxing felt he didn’t need to be carried.

Xiao Qi considered Xiao Xingxing’s reference point to be faulty. He and the Regent Prince were similar, so he should worry about whether he would end up carrying a wife like the Regent.

Thinking of the adorable and clever little prince, resembling the Regent so much, Xiao Qi suddenly felt a motherly sense of reluctance.

Of course, this didn’t imply anything negative about His Majesty.

At dusk, the group stopped by the lakeside to rest. Chu Zhaoyou held Xiao Xingxing while fishing. In no time, Xiao Xingxing became restless, looking around without reprieve.

When a butterfly flew by, he ran after it. Seeing Xiao Qi making a fire, he hurried over to watch for a while, then returned to ask Chu Zhaoyou if he could do that.

Chu Zhaoyou sensed that a fish was about to bite, so he whispered, “Your father can do it. Go ask him.”

The Regent then found a dry piece of wood and some leaf debris, teaching his son some wilderness survival skills.

A spark leapt from the leaves, and Xiao Xingxing eagerly grabbed a stick, wanting to try it himself.

Xiao Heng, worried that Xiao Xingxing’s curiosity would lead him to imitate everything and concerned that he might hurt his tender hands trying to make a fire, hurriedly picked him up. “Zhaoyou seems to have caught a big fish. Let’s go see.”

As the words were spoken, a large fish glistening with golden scales was pulled out of the water and flopped in front of Xiao Xingxing.

Chu Zhaoyou rushed over, “Regent, let’s grill the fish!”

“Sure.”

Xiao Heng quickly cleaned the fish, removed the innards and scales, and then skewered it to grill over the fire.

The family of three gathered around the small fire, occasionally seeing droplets of oil from the fish tail sizzle in the flames.

Excitedly nestled in Chu Zhaoyou’s arms, Xiao Xingxing pointed out, “Father, a little spark! Just like Xiao Xingxing!”

The Regent agreed, “Yes, just like it.”

Xiao Xingxing was indeed the little spark that the Regent had created.

Chu Zhaoyou pondered for a moment, realizing the Regent’s roguish approach.

Shameless.

The Regent’s grilled fish was as delicious as his grilled chicken. Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t help but suspect that the Regent had honed his skills by secretly hunting and grilling among a group of vegetarian monks.

The Regent openly admitted that with his physique, it was impossible for him to be a vegetarian.

From the age of nine to seventeen, Xiao Heng, not inclined to become a monk, made sure not to deprive himself. He often ventured across mountains, catching a chicken or fish and returning only after having his fill.

There were many monkeys in the mountains. Some with aggressive tendencies would vie for food. The Regent claimed to have had scuffles with the monkeys, and that was the truth, as frequent as his clashes in Fengxing Province.

Chu Zhaoyou listened to the Regent’s mountain stories while eating fish. He was so engrossed that he frequently forgot to feed Xiao Xingxing.

Xiao Xingxing looked up, mouth open, waiting for a piece of fish to drop. After a while with no luck, he licked his own lips eagerly.

The Regent quickly picked up a piece of fish, ensuring there were no bones, and fed it to Xiao Xingxing. “Eat slowly. If there are bones, spit them out.”

With his mouth full of oil, Xiao Xingxing marveled at his father, who not only fought with monkeys but also grilled fish. He was super amazing!

After five days of wandering, when Chu Zhaoyou returned, the Regent asked if he wanted to take a different route, but Chu Zhaoyou insisted on returning the same way.

During his performance in the village, he encountered a rather peculiar middle-aged woman. The Regent was away dealing with ruffians at the time. The woman’s gaze lingered on Xiao Xingxing, and when Chu Zhaoyou turned to look at her, she quickly averted her eyes. After a while, she was nowhere to be found.

Chu Zhaoyou was afraid of being overly suspicious and didn’t dare to tell the Regent. During his performance on stage, he excelled, thinking that if the Regent’s mother were present, as she adored performances, she would have been lured out to watch. But she didn’t appear.

Chu Zhaoyou thought he might have been overthinking, but after two days, the matter resurfaced, causing him some unease that needed to be resolved.

Upon returning to the village, Chu Zhaoyou was warmly welcomed by the villagers, who inquired if he would return to perform during next year’s autumn harvest.

“Depending on the situation, I’ll try to make it,” Chu Zhaoyou replied with a smile. In truth, if he had the time, he preferred to tour the entire region of Chu.

Chu Zhaoyou didn’t know if that person was Xiao Man, or if Xiao Man had seen the Regent, and if so, whether she would be willing to appear.

The Regent received several important memorials. Upon arriving at the village, he halted at the village millstone to review them.

Chu Zhaoyou roamed the streets carrying Xiao Xingxing. “Xiao Xingxing, sing something.”

Just as Xiao Xingxing was about to speak, Chu Zhaoyou said, “We’re outside; we can’t let others overhear the memorials. It’s confidential.”

Xiao Xingxing had to give up singing about the state affairs he had just seen from the Regent Prince and instead sang “Loyalty to the Country.”

“Wolf smoke rises, looking north at the land, dragons soar, horses neigh, and sword aura is as frost—”

“I am willing to defend our land and expand our territory; the majestic China should be celebrated by all corners—”

A group of Dragon Guards secretly followed Chu Zhaoyou, moved to tears. Their young prince was truly exceptional. In the future, he would undoubtedly become an emperor of great expansion!

Xiao Xingxing sang fluently, and every time, Chu Zhaoyou added, “No warmongering.”

Beside the great Chu, it’s your godfather’s territory. Defending the land is fine, but there’s no need to expand.

“Xiao Xingxing understands!”

Chu Zhaoyou said, “Now, continue singing.”

Author’s Note: The next chapter will be about Xiao Man, a family gathering. If you don’t like Xiao Man, you can skip it.

Irresponsible Mini Theater:

Xiao Xingxing: “Why does someone carry my royal father, who’s so big? Why don’t I have anyone?”

When he grows up, the talented Xiao Xingxing uses a lazy person’s wheelchair.

Fond Father: Xiao Xingxing is so clever.

Strict Father: If he’s not crippled, why is he using a wheelchair? Break his legs!

Minister: Why on earth is our prince using a wheelchair???