The Child Emperor - Chapter 137: Two Young Masters

Chai Yue was tall, his figure obscured by a long robe, with a slight hunch in his back. His face always bore a pensive look, as if accustomed to neglect, unwilling to attract attention, yet somehow more repulsive for it.

Han Ruzi didn’t dislike him, but couldn’t help but be wary.

Having just arrived at the frontier, rumors circulated that members of the Chai family sought revenge against him. However, given his status, few dared openly converse with him, let alone provoke him. There were indeed several Chai descendants in the noble camp, but they mostly appeared aloof, nothing more.

Chai Yue was the first to take action.

Han Ruzi found him somewhat admirable, yet felt his methods were too straightforward. Thus, he wanted to hear what further tricks Chai Yue had up his sleeve.

Chai Yue bowed respectfully. He was an obscure son of Marquis Hengyang. Han Ruzi sat on the bed, slightly nodding, deliberately displaying arrogance, refusing to return the gesture.

Chai Yue’s courtesy ended there. His speech was abrupt and urgent, as if he alone were sober among a group of intoxicated individuals. It was as if he was unable to comprehend why others remained unwilling to wake up despite his loud calls.

“May I speak privately with the Weary Marquis?” Without waiting for a response from the Marquis, Chai Yue gestured to the two nearby attendants, hoping they would leave.

Zhang Youcai and the other attendant ignored his command. After a while, receiving a clear signal from the Weary Marquis, they exited the tent one after the other.

Han Ruzi remained seated on the bed, not inviting his guest to sit.

Chai Yue stood there, slightly bent, as if afraid of touching the top of the tent, although there was still a considerable distance. “Lord Marquis, you do not trust me, do you?”

“You’re talking about your plan? Well, I believe it to be a clever scheme, but it’s too risky for my liking,” Han Ruzi replied.

“No, it’s not about the plan. You clearly distrust me because of my surname, Chai,” Chai Yue asked directly, with a somewhat confrontational attitude.

Han Ruzi had encountered many noble youths, but had never seen one so ignorant of social conventions. Chai Yue somewhat resembled Ma Da, who came from a fisherman background. So, instead of getting angry, Han Ruzi chuckled, “I have a few questions for you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Do you hate me?”

Chai Yue was taken aback. “I have never met the Weary Marquis before, how could I hate you?”

“Do you think I’m responsible for Chai Yun’s death?”

Chai Yue shook his head. “I’ve already investigated clearly. On that night, you, like everyone else, were just accompanying Little Marquis Chai on a stroll. Where they went and what they did was all his idea. His death… has nothing to do with anyone else, the only ones responsible are the Jin family.”

Speaking of that pampered nephew, Chai Yue’s gaze lowered slightly, revealing a hint of caution.

“I brought the Jin family to the frontier and sent them back to the steppes,” Chai Yue shrugged.

“It’s pointless to pursue the matter further now that Marquis Guiyi is dead. It’s a turbulent time, and the Chai family needs to set aside past grievances when necessary,” Chai Yue added.

The eloquence of this Chai Yue was far inferior to that of a fate seer. Han Ruzi asked seriously, “If you were in my position, would you trust a Chai family member you met for the first time? That, and this Chai family member wants me to act as bait.”

Chai Yue pondered with his mouth agape for a moment. “If it were me… I wouldn’t trust a Chai family member, but I believe you are not an ordinary person, My plan…”

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the tent, and Zhang Youcai’s sharp voice could be heard, seemingly trying to stop someone from barging in.

Although Han Ruzi had no explicit military appointment, he still bore the titles of Weary Marquis and Northern Protection General. With a status higher than that of ordinary feudal lords, no one had dared to cause a scene openly in his presence. He turned his head to look towards the door, somewhat puzzled.

Chai Yue probably saw this as an opportunity to please the Weary Marquis and gain his trust. He strode towards the door, “With me here…”

Before he could finish his sentence, someone rushed in from outside, colliding with Chai Yue. Chai Yue pushed the person away with both hands, took a quick glance, and immediately let go. He staggered back, as if genuinely destabilized by the collision.

The newcomer was Cui Teng, the second son of the Cui family. He was also a member of the noble camp. While his elder brother, Cui Sheng, had stayed in his father’s army, he, like other noble scions, followed Grand General Han Xing. For major families, this was a customary display of loyalty to the court.

Cui Teng was obviously drunk, his cheeks flushed, eyes flashing with aggression. He swayed as he stared at Chai Yue, failing to recognize him at first, then shifted his gaze to Han Ruzi, his face slowly breaking into a foolish grin. “Hehe, brother-in-law, why… aren’t you… drinking with us?”

Zhang Youcai rushed in, frustrated, but dared not pull Cui Teng away. The second son of the Cui family was notorious for his violent temper. He would throw punches at the slightest provocation. And and even if he did punch someone, nobody could do anything to him.

Han Ruzi waved off Zhang Youcai, indicating that he could handle it. Zhang Youcai stood at the door, while the other attendant remained outside, preventing anyone else from entering.

Having overpromised, Chai Yue awkwardly nodded to the Weary Marquis and hurriedly left. He couldn’t afford to provoke Cui Teng.

Cui Teng had no idea how he was perceived by others. He staggered to the bedside, sat down next to Han Ruzi, burped, and the smell of alcohol immediately assaulted Han Ruzi.

“Brother-in-law…”

Han Ruzi turned aside to avoid the strongest smell. “Call me Weary Marquis.”

“Heh heh, there’s no need to be so polite when there are no outsiders… Why?” Cui Teng’s face, usually quite pale, appeared particularly flushed after drinking. “Why aren’t you joining us for a drink?”

“I’m too tired from the day…” Han Ruzi replied.

Cui Teng caught sight of the book on the bed, picked it up, glanced at it, and casually threw it back. “Tired and still reading national history?”

“Do you need something from me?” Han Ruzi couldn’t help but wonder. If the Grand General really wanted him to take charge of the noble camp, the first person he would need to deal with would probably be this guy.

Cui Teng put away his smile and said seriously, “You’ve been promoted.”

“Promoted to what?”

“Hehe, do you still need to hide it from family? The Grand General intends to appoint you as the Central Protector Commander, commanding three thousand soldiers, along with five hundred officers, all under your command.”

Han Ruzi was indeed not well informed, learning about his own affairs later than others.

“I haven’t received any appointment yet.”

“It’ll happen in a day or two. Congratulations, everyone sent me to invite you for a drink to celebrate.”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “The Xiongnu have retreated far away, and we haven’t achieved any significant accomplishments. Being Central Protector Commander isn’t such a big deal. What’s there to celebrate?”

“Well said, no wonder you’re my brother-in-law.” Cui Teng pretended to retch, and Han Ruzi hurriedly got off the bed, letting him pass. Cui Teng patted his forehead and laughed, “It’s fine, I can hold it. Brother-in-law, do me a favor.”

“Call me Weary Marquis.”

“Brother-in-law, let me go back to the Capital. I can’t stand this place anymore. It’s hot during the day, cold at night, and the wind and sand are everywhere. If this goes on, I’ll die here.”

“You’ve only been here for a month, and you’re already struggling?” Han Ruzi already had a bad impression of Cui Teng, and now he looked down on him even more.

“A month? It feels like ten years to me. I want to go back to the Capital. Elder Laojun and Mother are waiting for me to return. All the men from the Cui family are in the northern frontier. Someone has to stay home; it’s only natural. After returning to the Capital, I’ll advertise your accomplishments and get you a higher position, maybe even replacing that old guy Han Xing. It’s because he’s been dragging his feet on sending troops to attack the Xiongnu that things have been delayed. It’s already winter, brother-in-law, at least let me go home for the new year. I’ll come back next year as soon as spring arrives.”

Han Ruzi shook his head helplessly. “I can’t help you. Even if I do become Central Protector Commander, I don’t have the authority to let people go back to the Capital at will.”

Cui Teng struggled to stand up straight, leaned in closer, and whispered, “After returning to the Capital, I’ll watch over my sister for you, and make sure she doesn’t get close to other men.”

“What kind of person do you think Xiaojun is?” Han Ruzi exclaimed furiously.

Cui Teng tapped his own forehead. “I misspoke. Xiaojun is not that kind of woman. I meant that I’ll watch over the Marquis’s manor for you, and keep other men away. I know all the nefarious and lusty men in the Capital…”

Han Ruzi was even more furious. He glanced at Zhang Youcai by the door and gestured. “It’s getting late. Go rest and stop drinking.”

“I haven’t had much to drink, really. I’m just not in a good mood, and the drinks here aren’t good either. Brother-in-law, you must let me return to the Capital. Family helps each other out. Please help me out, and I’ll repay you tenfold, a hundredfold…”

Zhang Youcai came over to support Cui Teng and gestured towards the door.

Han Ruzi didn’t want to argue with the drunkard, so he remained silent.

Cui Teng had reached the doorway when suddenly he turned around, pushed the unprepared Zhang Youcai aside, and lunged towards Han Ruzi. However, his calculations were off, and he didn’t reach Han Ruzi; instead, he fell heavily to the ground. He didn’t seem to care and crawled a bit, grabbing onto Han Ruzi’s leg, wailing like a ghost, “I want to go home! Brother-in-law, I want to go home! I don’t want to die here…”

With such a commotion, Cui Teng lost what little dignity he had left. Han Ruzi didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Together with Zhang Youcai, they exerted effort to pry Cui Teng’s hands off Han Ruzi’s leg.

“Hey, he’s actually fallen asleep!” Zhang Youcai expressed both disdain and admiration.

Cui Teng lay on his back, snoring loudly.

“I’ll go call for his attendants to carry him back,” Zhang Youcai suggested.

Han Ruzi shook his head. After all, this was Cui Xiaojun’s brother; he couldn’t treat him with ordinary courtesy. “Carry him onto the bed and let him sleep here.”

“Let him sleep in my bed.”

“I won’t be able to sleep anyway. I’m about to go out for a walk.”

Han Ruzi and Zhang Youcai lifted Cui Teng onto the bed together. Zhang Youcai sighed, “To think such an extraordinary person as the Lady has such a brother.”

Han Ruzi couldn’t explain either. He chuckled, “Go call the Cui family’s attendants and have them stand guard. When he wakes up, he’ll leave on his own.”

Cui Teng had brought five attendants with him, all waiting outside the tent. Upon hearing the call, they immediately rushed in, apologizing profusely to the Weary Marquis.

Han Ruzi left the tent and sighed in relief to see Ni Qiu, who had come from Chao Family Fishing Village, “I thought they were here to fight. Seeing these noble guys, I understand why the common people suffer.”

As the night grew late, even the noble camp quieted down. Han Ruzi couldn’t wander around casually, so he went to the adjacent main tent. He wanted to hear Prince Donghai’s ideas on dealing with Cui Teng, as he would surely cause trouble again once he woke up.

Indeed, Prince Donghai was still awake. He smiled at Han Ruzi’s entrance, “Have you experienced Cui Teng’s talents?”

Han Ruzi disregarded Prince Donghai’s glee in his misfortunes and found it strange that Chai Yue’s was present here.

Chai Yue had been sitting across from Prince Donghai. Now, he stood up and said, “Forgive my oversight. Weary Marquis, you may not know yet, but the Jin siblings have fallen into the hands of the Xiongnu and are in imminent danger.”

Prince Donghai replied, “Talking about this is useless. I’ve told you before, if you want the Weary Marquis to take risks, you’ll need to offer greater benefits.”

“There are such benefits,” Chai Yue said confidently. “My plan will greatly benefit the Weary Marquis.”

Han Ruzi gestured for the two attendants to leave and approached the two men, sitting on a stool nearby, observing the remnants of the meal on the table. “Pour me some wine.”

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