TPSC 05

Chapter 5

Early the next morning, Shen Yin arrived outside the Crown Prince’s bedroom before dawn, dark circles hanging heavily under his eyes.

Dressed in a guard’s uniform, he held a three-foot-long Guiying Blade in hand and stood by the door, waiting for the Crown Prince to wake.

“Ha… ah—”

He couldn’t hold it in and let out a huge yawn.

Afterward, he wiped his face, trying to erase the exhaustion. As the most handsome among the shadow guards, yawning so widely that even his molars were visible really didn’t fit his “number one handsome guard” persona.

Fortunately, he had come too early. The Crown Prince’s residence was still empty—not even servants were around—so no one witnessed his unsightly moment.

Just as he was thinking that, the door behind him suddenly opened.

Shen Yin immediately straightened up and lowered his head slightly. Just as he was about to greet, a teasing, wicked voice sounded beside his ear:

“Ugly.”

Shen Yin froze all over. As expected… just as he thought.

Inside, the Crown Prince leaned lazily against the doorframe after opening it, raising a hand to yawn elegantly. Compared to Shen Yin’s earlier wide-mouthed yawn, it was like heaven and earth apart.

Shen Yin only saw the graceful Crown Prince glance at him and say coolly:

“From now on, you’re not allowed to yawn like that. It’s too ugly.”

“Anyone who disobeys—beheaded.”

After saying that, His Highness turned and walked back inside, heading straight to the bed and lying down. At the end, he added:

“Close the door.”

Before Shen Yin could say a word in his defense, he had already left a terrible impression in the Crown Prince’s mind.

Aside from thinking the Crown Prince was insane, Shen Yin also deeply felt that his life was probably about to end.

The miserable Shen Yin resigned himself and stepped forward to shut the door.

With great force and speed, it cut through the air with a sharp “whoosh,” before settling into silence.

Inside, the Crown Prince—dressed in white inner robes—lay on his side, propping his head with one hand. He watched the little shadow guard by the door with a faint smile.

Clearly, the guard was furious—anyone could tell from how hard he had pulled the door.

Yet in the end, he still raised a hand to stop it from slamming and gently closed it without a sound.

What was this called?

Having anger with nowhere to vent.

Chu Moli lay there, long black hair spilling over his shoulders. One leg was bent on the bed, the other lazily draped over it. His free hand tapped lightly against his knee as the corner of his lips curled up—he looked thoroughly entertained.

Interesting.

It seemed he wouldn’t be bored for quite some time.

Outside the door, Shen Yin stood there in silent frustration, replaying in his mind how he should have slammed the door earlier and scared that lunatic Crown Prince.

But after thinking it through, he shook his head.

He couldn’t do that.

Whether the Crown Prince would be scared or not, he didn’t know—but he himself might end up with his bones scattered in some dog’s stomach.

Just then, he suddenly felt a chilly gust of wind swirl around his neck.

Shen Yin shuddered. Had the Crown Prince come up with some new way to torment him?

Looking up at the sky, he lamented silently:

Heavens, please send someone to take this madman away.

This is torture.

Inside, Chu Moli turned over, facing inward. After glancing at the brightening sky, he finally closed his eyes with peace of mind.

He slept until around mid-morning.

Meanwhile, Shen Yin—who had been up since before dawn—stood outside with heavy dark circles, dutifully resembling a giant panda.

Why isn’t that lunatic Crown Prince awake yet?

For the tenth time, Shen Yin complained inwardly. Didn’t he say he woke early?

It was almost noon—wasn’t he hungry?

Just as he thought this, his stomach growled loudly.

At that moment, the servants had already begun their work. Hearing the sound, a few passing by cast quick glances at Shen Yin before hurriedly looking away.

Shen Yin felt a bit embarrassed.

As a shadow guard, going hungry wasn’t common. Before missions, they usually ate until about half full—not too hungry, but not so full that they’d need the restroom at a critical moment.

Because if your stomach growled during a mission, it wouldn’t just alert the enemy—it could cost you your life.

And don’t ask why shadow guards also need to use the restroom.

Obviously, no normal person can avoid that—and Shen Yin certainly couldn’t.

Though sleepy and hungry, Shen Yin still stood perfectly straight.

Behind him, the bedroom door creaked open again.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Shen Yin immediately saluted.

“Come in and attend to me,” Chu Moli said, then turned back inside.

“Yes.”

Shen Yin followed him in.

Inside, Chu Moli stood by the bed in white inner robes, arms slightly raised, waiting to be served.

Shen Yin secretly curled his lips.

As expected—people really are different. Even an unfavored Crown Prince was still noble enough to require attendants.

He walked over to the wardrobe to pick out clothes for the day.

At a glance, his eyes almost hurt.

There were too many clothes.

No—not just many, but too many luxurious and beautiful garments, dazzling him.

For a moment, Shen Yin doubted whether this “unfavored Crown Prince” was really as neglected as rumored.

Afraid of making the Crown Prince wait too long, he casually chose a white robe with gold-trimmed edges and embroidered peony patterns.

He then selected a belt, jade pendant, and tassels to match.

At this point, Shen Yin shook his head inwardly.

Looks like the rumors were true after all.

Since ancient times, what kind of Crown Prince keeps a wardrobe in his room? And not only that—everything was just stuffed together without order.

While he grumbled inwardly, his hands moved swiftly and efficiently.