TPSC 08

Chapter 8

After Chu Molí was revealed by Chu Yan, he simply stood to the side, quietly watching while fanning himself with a folding fan.

Shen Yin slightly lowered his head and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting:

“Your subordinate A-Wu greets His Highness the Third Prince.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Molí raised an eyebrow slightly, and even the motion of his fan paused for a moment.

Chu Yan, however, burst into laughter after hearing this:

“Not bad looking, and skilled as well. How about you follow this prince?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yin immediately shook his head without hesitation.

“That won’t do. This subordinate is bound by a death contract. Without His Highness the Crown Prince’s permission, I cannot recognize another master.”

In simple terms: if you want him, you have to buy him.

After speaking, Shen Yin stepped slightly to the left and stood behind Chu Molí, head lowered, looking completely obedient and awaiting his master’s orders.

Chu Yan’s expression darkened slightly upon hearing this, but he truly wanted this skilled and good-looking guard. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly shifted his gaze toward Chu Molí.

“Crown Prince Imperial Brother, I want this guard. Name your price.”

Chu Molí slightly turned his head and glanced at Shen Yin behind him. A faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

Then, without saying a word, he walked past Chu Yan toward the main hall, taking Shen Yin with him.

Chu Yan had never been ignored like this before—especially not by someone he had always looked down upon. His face immediately flushed with anger.

“Chu Molí, stop right there!”

Upon hearing this, Chu Molí actually stopped as he was told.

Seeing this, Chu Yan sneered again in disdain.

Before he could say anything further, Chu Molí turned around. Facing the blazing midday sun, his entire figure seemed like a deity descending to earth, outlined in a golden glow. His expression was calm, almost divine in its composure—but his voice was as cold as ice:

“Scram.”

The usually silent Crown Prince, who tolerated humiliation without responding, suddenly acted like this. Aside from Shen Yin behind him, everyone watching was slightly startled.

After speaking, Chu Molí casually walked into the hall and took a seat, followed by Shen Yin.

Chu Molí raised his hand and beckoned slightly toward Shen Yin.

Shen Yin bent down and leaned his ear closer.

“Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“Heh.”

Chu Molí glanced sideways at Shen Yin’s sharply defined profile and let out a soft laugh.

Then he said:

“I didn’t know… you actually know how to lie.”

“A-Wu?”

“Heh, interesting.”

Shen Yin silently rolled his eyes in his heart.

This was all because his master was practically useless—so as a subordinate, he had to avoid offending others as much as possible. Especially when that person was the Third Prince.

If he returned home and cried to his mother, making a big fuss, the already unstable Crown Prince’s residence would become even worse.

“Yes, this subordinate admits fault.”

Chu Molí lifted his hand, picked up a piece of pastry from the plate, and held it to Shen Yin’s lips. His dark eyes flickered slightly.

“Done well. This is your reward.”

Shen Yin quickly accepted it with both hands.

“Yes, this subordinate thanks Your Highness for your grace.”

Hmph. Using someone else’s things to reward his own shadow guard—how generous.

Shen Yin looked at the delicate pastry in his hand, and his stomach embarrassingly growled again.

Chu Molí, seated above him, casually opened his fan, covering the lower half of his face. Beneath the fan, his lips curled slightly and his eyes lifted faintly.

This little shadow guard… is quite interesting.

Including yesterday, Shen Yin had not eaten for a full day and night, plus half of today.

Without hesitation, he stuffed the pastry into his mouth in one bite.

Fortunately, although there were many people present, not many were paying attention to their corner. Besides, a soon-to-be-dismissed crown prince and a guard were hardly worth noticing.

At this moment, Chu Yan, whose face was dark as a pot bottom, walked over and sat beside Chu Molí.

“Crown Prince Imperial Brother. Long time no see.”

Just earlier, Chu Molí had used the same greeting and was ignored by Chu Yan.

Now Chu Yan used the same words, but it was Chu Molí’s turn to pretend he hadn’t heard.

Chu Yan received no response—not even a glance. This made the always-centered Third Prince extremely furious.

His eyes reddened with rage as he looked at Chu Molí’s profile, a flash of malice deep in his gaze.

“If I can’t have it, no one else can.”

Shen Yin, standing properly beside him, subtly withdrew his gaze from Chu Yan.

A reckless prince with a simple mind, and a crown prince who was cruel and calculating.

Shen Yin silently shook his head.

This combination… no matter how you look at it, Chu Yan is going to lose.

He even silently transferred the “candle of mourning” that Shadow Nine had given him to Chu Yan in his heart.

Finally, Shen Yin drew a cross over his chest.

May God bless you… so you don’t end up too miserable.

Amen.

Chapter 7: The Crown Prince Eating Heartily from a Bowl

After an unknown amount of time, the host of today’s banquet finally appeared.

The second young miss of the General’s Manor, Mu Qingqing, walked out wearing a pale pink floor-length dress, with a maid beside her carefully adjusting the trailing hem of her gown from time to time.

Beside her stood three people: two men and one woman.

The older man was the master of the manor, General Mu Feng, whom Shen Yin had seen before.

The younger man should be Mu Feng’s eldest son, Mu Qing.

The older woman was likely Mu Feng’s wife and the mother of Mu Qingqing and Mu Qing—Chen Hui Lan, the second daughter of the Marquis of Chen’s estate.

Mu Feng stepped forward first and bowed toward Chu Molí and Chu Yan.

Then he straightened and cupped his hands toward the rest of the guests.

“Thank you all for gracing our residence with your presence for my daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony. I am truly grateful.”

“Today, please eat and drink freely. Everything is on the Mu family.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone echoed in agreement:

“Indeed, we will not be polite today, General Mu!”