Apr 24, 2026
Chapter 81 — Taking a Master • The Mask Falls
While Zhao Dalong, Han Fei, and the children were nervously preparing to meet the teacher, the teacher himself—Chu Ci—and his son Chu Yan were also waiting anxiously.
The days after leaving the imperial capital could not compare to the luxurious life they had once enjoyed there, yet they had been the happiest two years of their lives. Originally, they had believed they might live peacefully like that forever.
Who would have thought they would encounter Yan Shengrui, injured and suffering from amnesia? His sudden appearance had stirred up the past they had deliberately tried to forget, forcing them to face reality once again.
“Whoa—”
“Master Xuan, we’ve arrived.”
As the sound of the carriage stopping echoed outside the gate, the father and son—who had purposely closed the door while waiting—both stiffened.
They had come.
Yan Shengrui and his children had finally arrived.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking followed immediately. Chu Yan trembled instinctively, and the noise snapped Chu Ci out of his wandering thoughts. He glanced at his son’s tense expression, then forced himself to push aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind. Smiling gently, he nudged him forward.
“Go open the door. Shengrui has lost his memory now—nothing will happen. Let’s not lose our composure first.”
Under his reassurance, Chu Yan gradually calmed down. Nodding, he went out and pulled open the door.
Before long, Ling Jingxuan walked in behind him, holding one little bun in each hand. Behind them, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei followed nervously, step by cautious step. At the very back came Song Shuisheng, carrying items in both hands, and the timid Xiao Huzi.
“You…!”
The instant Chu Ci saw the two children’s faces, he pointed at them, his eyes widening in shock. Even though he had already been mentally prepared, a storm still surged through his heart.
They looked too similar.
They were practically identical to Yan Shengrui as a child—so much so that no one could possibly doubt their parentage.
“Hehe… Good morning, Mister Chu.”
Having long expected such a reaction, Ling Jingxuan simply smiled and nodded.
The two little buns looked up at their father, then released his hands in unison and stepped forward.
“Good morning, Mister Chu!”
Somehow, the two had learned proper scholar etiquette somewhere. Perfectly synchronized, they clasped their fists and bowed toward Chu Ci like proper young scholars.
“Mm? Good, good… Come here, let me take a look.”
Coming back to his senses, Chu Ci beckoned them closer. The two little buns were surprisingly bold, showing not the slightest trace of shyness as they walked right up to him.
Chu Ci reached out almost tremblingly—touching one, examining the other. After a long moment, he finally asked hoarsely,
“What are your names? How old are you this year? Have you studied anything before?”
They really were Shengrui’s sons…
Who could have imagined that the once-formidable General Prince would now have children? If he taught them well, Shengrui would surely remember the favor. And if fate repeated itself—if he could not escape the path destiny had once laid out—then perhaps he could at least protect Yan’er’s life.
“Replying to Mister—my name is Ling Wen, the elder brother. This is Ling Wu. We are almost five years old. Recently, Daddy taught us the Three Character Classic, and something called the ‘nine-nine multiplication rhymes.’ Our Father has also taught us quite a few characters. We’ve been studying very diligently.”
Ling Wen first bowed politely before speaking clearly. Beside him, Ling Wu nodded enthusiastically the entire time.
Though the two little buns looked identical, their personalities were completely different—and quite distinct—making them surprisingly easy to tell apart.
“Good children. Don’t call me ‘Mister.’ I’m not a formal tutor who teaches students for a living. From now on, you may call me Uncle Chu. Wasn’t there another little companion with you?”
The children’s politeness instantly won Chu Ci’s heart. He patted their heads affectionately before finally shifting his gaze to the group behind them.
“Hurry, Tiewazi—go greet Mister.”
Seeing this, Han Fei—who had been standing there holding his child in a daze—quickly set him down and urged him forward nervously.
But the shy little boy, who had been lively and adorable in the carriage earlier, suddenly became bashful and clingy, refusing to let go of his father.
Zhao Dalong and Han Fei grew even more anxious.
They were terrified that Chu Ci might think the child lacked manners—and refused to accept him as a student.
“Don’t be afraid, Tiewazi. Uncle Chu isn’t the kind of person who looks nice but has a black heart. Come on—he’s kind, just like our daddy.”
The two little buns walked over and took one of his hands each, gently leading him up to Chu Ci.
“Don’t be scared. I don’t eat people,” Chu Ci said with a faint smile, noticing the child’s nervous shyness. His usual cool aloofness softened as he spoke in a warm, almost playful tone. “Tell me—what’s your name? How old are you this year?”
Perhaps encouraged by that gentleness, Tiewazi glanced at the two little buns with reddened eyes. Receiving their silent encouragement, he twisted his fingers together and answered shyly in a tiny voice,
“Replying to Mister… my name is Zhao Tiesheng. My fathers calls me Tiewazi. I’m five years old this year. I’ve also learned the Three Character Classic with Xiao Wen and the others… but I’m slow, so I didn’t learn it as well as they did…”
Though his voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, he at least answered clearly. Standing behind him, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei exaggeratedly let out a sigh of relief. They had truly feared he might clam up again like he had before the old scholar—refusing to say a word until they were forced to take him back home.
“Good boy. From now on, you can call me Uncle Chu, just like Xiao Wen and the others. Come, let me introduce someone.”
Chu Ci nodded in satisfaction and pulled his son forward.
“This is Chu Yan. He’s nine years old, my son. You can call him Brother Yan.”
The three little buns greeted him in unison with perfect politeness:
“Hello, Brother Yan!”
“Hello.”
As he replied, Chu Yan’s gaze remained fixed on the twins.
So these were his cousins…
Judging by their behavior, they didn’t seem like the other cousins he knew—arrogant and insufferably proud.
“Yan’er, take them inside. Find a copy of the Three Character Classic and teach them for a bit. I’ll join you shortly.”
“Yes, Father.”
Though young, Chu Yan carried himself with the unmistakable bearing of true imperial nobility. Every movement and gesture revealed elegant upbringing and refined manners.
The three little buns glanced back at their respective fathers. Only after receiving approving nods did they obediently follow Chu Yan toward the back courtyard.
Behind Ling Jingxuan, the timid Xiao Huzi hurried after them as well.
The moment the children disappeared, Chu Ci’s gentle demeanor vanished. Rising to his feet, he looked at Ling Jingxuan with cool indifference.
“I’ll accept them as students. From now on, they will come at the third quarter of the chen hour in the morning and leave at the first quarter of the you hour. I dislike people being late. I hope you can keep the time.”
“No problem,” Ling Jingxuan replied with a nod. “However, Mister Chu, the children are used to taking a midday nap. I hope you’ll allow them to keep that habit—perhaps set aside two ke each day for them to rest a bit.”
He gestured for Song Shuisheng to place the items on the counter.
“This is a medicinal fish that I raised myself, along with fruit jam I made. Consider it a small meeting gift for Mister Chu—I hope you won’t find it too humble. As for tuition… may I ask what Mister Chu requires?”
Ling Jingxuan believed naps were beneficial. If possible, he didn’t want the children to abandon good habits just for the sake of studying. Reading books all day without balance was useless; work and rest had to complement each other for true efficiency.
“Tuition isn’t necessary,” Chu Ci replied coolly after glancing at the items on the counter. “I’m not a professional tutor, nor do I lack money. The three children simply happen to suit my eye. Within my ability, I will teach them well. As for your request—I can agree to it.”
His tone remained distant and restrained. Even though he knew the man before him had a close relationship with Yan Shengrui, he had no intention of currying favor. Born into the Imperial Clan, he possessed his own pride and dignity.
“Tuition must be paid,” Ling Jingxuan said calmly. “If Mister Chu refuses it, then we’ll take the children back with us.”
Who was Ling Jingxuan? Someone who would take advantage of small favors? If he accepted Chu Ci’s goodwill today, the debt of gratitude would only grow heavier. One day, an even greater price would have to be paid to repay it.
He was not foolish enough to place Yan Shengrui in such an awkward position.
Realizing once again just how formidable this man was, Chu Ci’s gaze darkened slightly. He turned to the others and said,
“Would the rest of you mind stepping outside for a moment? There are a few matters I would like to discuss privately with Ling-gongzi.”
His tone sounded courteous and gentle, yet beneath it lay an unmistakable authority—the natural habit of someone long accustomed to high status. Even though he tried to suppress it, it still surfaced unconsciously.
Zhao Dalong and Han Fei looked at Ling Jingxuan uncertainly. Only after he nodded lightly did they leave the bookshop.
“What does Mister Chu wish to say?”
Ling Jingxuan casually pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing one leg over the other as he looked at him with relaxed ease.
Was he about to lay his cards on the table?
“You’re a clever man,” Chu Ci said quietly. “So I won’t bother beating around the bush.”
“Do you know Shengrui’s true identity?”
Chu Ci sat down across from him. The cold indifference from earlier had vanished; in its place lingered a faintly sharp, piercing aura.
Ling Jingxuan raised a brow, the corners of his lips curling slightly.
“Why not keep denying it, Mister Chu? You should know that as long as Shengrui hasn’t regained his memories, denial is the best way to keep you and your son safe. At the very least, it won’t stir the memories sleeping inside him and make him recall his past too soon.”
Since the other party had already spoken so plainly, Ling Jingxuan stopped hiding behind vague hints. His words made it clear—he not only knew Yan Shengrui’s identity, he had also guessed where the two of them had come from.
“You won’t tell him.” Chu Ci’s voice turned firm. “Ling Jingxuan, some things are not as simple as you imagine. The affairs of the Imperial Family are not something you can pry into. I don’t know how you and Shengrui came to have two five-year-old children, but if my guess is correct, he didn’t know of their existence before losing his memory.”
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
“So rather than worrying about us, you should worry about yourself. Shengrui is not the kind of man who allows himself to be manipulated or toyed with.”
Chu Ci was no easy opponent either. With Yan Shengrui absent, there was no reason for him to remain cautious. Facing Ling Jingxuan, he spoke sharply yet calmly, perfectly embodying the authority of someone long accustomed to power.
If Ling Jingxuan had been an ordinary man, perhaps he might have been intimidated.
Unfortunately, he was not the original owner of this body—nor even a person of this era. Back in the twenty-first century, he too had long stood among those who held power. A mere threat like this was hardly enough to shake him.
“I’ll return those words to you,” Ling Jingxuan said evenly. “Chu Ci, we both know why you appeared here alone with your child, and why you agreed to take the boys as students.”
His tone remained calm, but the meaning behind it was unmistakable.
“I have no interest in the affairs of your Imperial Family, nor have I ever planned to become part of it. But some things are destined. If there’s nowhere left to run, then the only choice is to face it directly.”
His gaze grew sharper.
“I hope you will gradually teach the two boys how to deal with the Imperial Clan and the court. But spare them those rigid doctrines about ‘when the ruler commands a subject to die, the subject must die.’ My children will never live beneath another’s heel. Even the most exalted person in the land will not be allowed to trample over them.”
No longer concealing the overwhelming presence that surpassed the man before him, Ling Jingxuan spoke with unrestrained authority.
Within his phoenix eyes flashed the cold edge unique to those who ruled above others—along with a killing intent powerful enough to rival Yan Shengrui himself.
For a moment, Chu Ci froze.
Outwardly his expression barely changed, but inside, waves surged violently.
What a terrifying man.
He could change his demeanor in an instant. His presence rivaled Shengrui’s—and that of anyone in the Imperial Family.
Who exactly was this man?
How could a simple farmer possess such courage and authority, speaking of never standing beneath another’s rule? Did he realize that in this world, the emperor’s command was greater than heaven itself? If someone with ill intent overheard such words, he could lose his head for them.
“Hehe…”
Ling Jingxuan suddenly returned to his earlier relaxed demeanor, smiling lightly as he rose to his feet.
“Since Mister Chu refuses tuition, I’ll have people deliver goods from our household regularly instead. I’ll leave the children in your care.”
Some matters only needed to be hinted at. Ling Jingxuan believed Chu Ci was clever enough to understand.
“Perhaps… only someone like you truly belongs in that place where people devour others without even spitting out the bones.”
Chu Ci’s voice carried a faint trace of choking emotion—pain, bitterness, and helplessness mixed together.
Ling Jingxuan paused at the doorway. After casting one brief glance at the man with his head lowered, he spoke quietly:
“No one is born suited to any place. Every person has limitless potential. If you want to achieve your goals—if you want to live freely as you wish—then you must make yourself stronger. Strong enough to change the unfavorable world around you.”
With that, Ling Jingxuan turned and walked away.
Those who only think about adapting to their surroundings and relying on others will never grow strong—much less take control of their own lives. If Chu Ci could not see that truth, then no matter how long he fled, it would be useless.
“…Change the environment?”
After a long while, Chu Ci’s cool voice echoed softly in the quiet room.
On his beautiful face flickered a trace of anticipation, a hint of excitement—and far more uncertainty.
As someone born into the Imperial Family, he understood their nature better than anyone. He could say with certainty that Ling Jingxuan’s existence would inevitably stir a storm within the royal clan.
The Imperial Family would never tolerate someone so audacious.
But if—if this man could still move through such a world with ease…
Then he would believe the words Ling Jingxuan spoke today. He would stop running and face everything head-on.
As for how it would all unfold, he would simply wait and see.
He believed Yan Shengrui would not make them wait long.
Notes & Pinyin
- 辰時三刻 (chénshí sān kè) – About 7:45 AM in the traditional Chinese time system.
- 酉時一刻 (yǒushí yī kè) – About 5:15 PM.
- 刻 (kè) – A traditional unit of time (~15 minutes).
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Translator: LazyHermitGal
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal wondering in the void and falling into the translation abyss.
