It wasn't the first time the system disappeared. Whenever it threw a tantrum or was feeling very despaired about the plot line, it would disappear for a while and either practice its singing or find its main system daddy to cry to.
Chi Zhao didn't pay it much heed this time either. In any case, the system would return once it feels better.
Compared to the system who had already matured, Chi Zhao was more concerned about a certain prince regent who would act strangely from time to time.
Ever since that meal, his royal highness the prince regent has disappeared again.
After waiting for another two or three days, Chi Zhao realised that Shen Wumian really had no plans to come and see him again or care for him. Chi Zhao pondered for a moment and decided that if he didn't come in the next few days, he will take the initiative to go and show his face.
While Chi Zhao was calm inside, the prince regent on the other side felt like his heart was about to be twisted into a pretzel.
He didn't understand. He didn't understand at all.
After experiencing Chen Yi's betrayal and humiliation, how could he still have some compassion left towards Chen Yi? Chen Yi was despicable, lacked virtue and he was someone who repaid kindness with evil. Every time he thought of Chen Yi's face, he felt disgusted but why was it that when he sees him in person, he couldn't seem to do anything to hurt him?
Shen Wumian felt that there really must be something wrong with himself.
Shen Wumian was trapped in an endless loop of disgust and self-loathing. As long as anyone had eyes, one could tell that the prince regent was in a very bad mood. They however didn't understand why he as in a bad mood. Everything was going according to plan and everything that could get in the way was already dealt with by Shen Wumian. The young Emperor was also well-behaved recently, doing anything he asked him to do instead of stubbornly refusing.
With such a perfect life, why was the prince regent in a bad mood?
The subordinates scratched their heads and finally thought of a possibility.
It was probably because life was too perfect that it wasn't challenging enough for their amazing prince regent and he was just feeling bored.
.....
The considerate subordinates immediately decided to find something for the prince regent to do. Of the nineteen shadow guards, One to Ten gathered together and brainstormed for a long time. They eventually felt that while other issues may be difficult to find, it would be easy to find issues in the court or in opposing forces.
After some thought, they felt that only the obedient young Emperor was easy to deal with. Even if anything went wrong, he could easily be crushed to death without needing the prince regent to lift a finger.
Chi Zhao didn't know that he was about to unknowingly step into a large pit. He only saw Hong Lei standing beside him speaking naturally with her eyes lowered, "It has been busy today and the prince regent is having lunch in the prince regent mansion. He has not yet left the mansion."
Please read this from kk translates
Hong Lei finished saying this and silently raised her eyes. Chi Zhao gently blinked back at her looking innocent and obedient, but he didn't respond.
Hong Lei: "...."
Hong Lei tried again, "Because he has been too busy recently, the prince regent cannot step away to check Your Majesty's homework. Was there anything you didn't understand?"
If you say yes, then I will immediately send you off to the mansion!
Chi Zhao just blinked again and smiled brightly, "No I don't. The homework left by the prince recent was quite simple. Zhen understands."
Hong Lei: "..."
Hong Lei could almost no longer maintain the calm expression on her face. Before coming over, she had heard that the young Emperor may seem obedient, but he was actually very difficult to deal with and not as clumsy and foolish as he looked. After interacting with him for more than a month, Hong Lei who had originally thought that this rumour didn't seem very credible felt that it was too early for her to make that conclusion.
Taking a deep breath, Hong Lei revealed a rare smile, "Your Majesty is very intelligent, the prince regent will be very pleased if he knew. Since the weather is good today, why don't this slave accompany His Majesty to visit the prince regent?"
After all those curves and bends, she had finally voiced her main intentions. Chi Zhao looked at Hong Lei with a smile. Those eyes that carried three parts assessment and seven parts warmth made Hong Lei's heart skip a beat.
In this palace, no one took Chen Yi seriously, so no one cared what kind of temperament Chen Yi had. Hong Lei also thought this. No matter how clever or talented he may be, he was just one of her master's chess piece.
Looking at Chen Yi's current appearance now, Hong Lei fell into trance. In some respects, this young Emperor and her master seemed alike…..
Just as Hong Lei wondered if she should take a step back, Chi Zhao dusted his bright yellow sleeves and stood up, "Alright. Let's go."
Reaching the prince regent's mansion, there were as usual two guards standing outside. Chi Zhao familiarly walked over to ask if the prince regent was willing to accept guests today but before he could do that, there was a loud thump. The two guards had fallen onto their knees and called out, "Greeting Your Majesty." It startled Chi Zhao so much, he almost performed a backflip on the spot.
....
Chi Zhao's startled expression was noticed by Hong Lei. The latter lowered her eyes slightly and approached Chi Zhao's side, "Your Majesty, the prince regent doesn't like his servants entering without permission. This slave will wait for you here."
With Hong Lei's reminder, Chi Zhao returned to his senses. He looked at the two guards who were still kneeling before him and cautiously stepped forward. Those two guards acted like they didn't see anything and allowed Chi Zhao to slowly enter.
When he pushed open the door and entered, Chi Zhao was very puzzled. When he entered and saw that there was no one inside, he was even more puzzled.
...
No one told Chi Zhao where the prince regent was, and that rubbish system wasn't around so Chi Zhao could only look around on his own. Fortunately, the mansion wasn't large, and it didn't take long for Chi Zhao to find Shen Wumian in a small side room.
Because his thoughts were a mess the past few days, Shen Wumian had hardly slept. He had just had a meal and was feeling sleepy, so he went to the room to get some sleep.
Even if he was extremely sleepy, Shen Wumian would never allow himself to fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment so as soon as Chi Zhao entered, he heard his movements. Those footsteps however were light and frivolous, one that didn't belong to someone who practiced martial arts. The only person who would dare enter this place so casually at a time like this could only be Chen Yi.
Shen Wumian didn't say anything about not letting the others in this time but anyone with eyes should know who can and cannot be allowed in. It seemed that his actions the other day may have created some misunderstandings amongst his subordiantes.
Shen Wumian frowned imperceptibly but for some reason he didn't open his eyes.
On the other end, Chi Zhao who saw that he was sleeping immediately stopped outside the door.
He didn't know what he should do. Should he leave?
Chi Zhao stood at the door conflicted for a while before finally deciding to enter.
He was already here. If he left like this, he would've come for nothing. Chi Zhao walked in and then, standing at a distance he thought was safe, he stretched out his neck to observe the sleeping Shen Wumian.
Shen Wumian was born in a noble family with both military and political ties. His grandfather and Chen Yi's grandfather had accompanied the prince in his studies since young and their relationship with the prince had been harmonious for an entire lifetime. Shen Wumian's grandfather had achieved many military exploits and was honoured and respected his entire life. After Shen Wumian's father inherited his achievements, he continued to accumulate military merits and, because he could no longer be promoted to a rank higher than what he already had, the Emperor granted him the title of 'Foreign King'. (KKnotes: 外姓王, not sure what the exact translation of it is. Basically, a very important title.) When it reached Shen Wumian, he was regarded as the most powerful of the three generations and was directly given the title of a prince regent.
With three generations of generals, Chi Zhao could see fierceness and coldness on Shen Wumian's face. Unlike the others whose features would soften considerably once their eyes are closed, Shen Wumian was still the same, making others afraid to slack off even if he appeared to be asleep.
Please read this from kk translates
Chi Zhao stayed there for a while, but Shen Wumian made no movements the entire time. Seeing that he appeared to be deep asleep. Chi Zhao who had been standing there expressionlessly suddenly curled his lips.
He lightly stepped over to the bed and slowly knelt down on the step.
He gazed at Shen Wumian's face very seriously as he wondered inside what Shen Sixteen looked like. Was he really similar to Shen Wumian? With such a handsome and eye-catching appearance, could there actually be two of them in this world?
And it just so happened that the two of them were coincidentally involved with the young Emperor. Fortunately, this was an ancient world. If this was a modern world, it would've become a dog blood story involving an overbearing president, a white moonlight and a substitute.
Of course, the overbearing president naturally referred to the young Emperor and the white moonlight was Shen Sixteen. As for Shen Wumian….After some thought, Chi Zhao could only use this phrase to describe him: A small white flower in the previous life, an tyrant flower in this life.
That thought amused Chi Zhao. Shen Wumian's appearance really couldn't be linked with a flower at all. To describe him like that, it really didn't suit hm.
Chen Yi's every action was being watched by Shen Wumian. From the cautiousness at the beginning to the boldness and relaxed mood later as well as the light chuckle just now, Shen Wumian could sense it all. The hand hidden in his sleeves stiffened involuntarily. Shen Wumian felt that he should immediately get up and strangle this person who dared to approach him while he was asleep. For a while he felt that he should throw out an attack and make Chen Yi vomit out blood and become unable to get out of bed for at least three months.
In short, each and every one of his thoughts were filled with malice but in the end he didn't move. Even his breathing slowed down in fear that Chen Yi would realise that he was pretending to be asleep and then quickly escape.
As his royal highness the prince regent alone tried to pretend to be asleep, Chi Zhao on the other end was oblivious. He supported his chin for a while and, feeling that nothing interesting was happening, he decided to leave. But before he left, he glanced briefly at Shen Wumian's long eyelashes and internally clicked his tongue.
How could it be longer than a girl's?
Chi Zhao had never closely observed how long a girl's eyelashes were, but he had seen advertisements. All the models in mascara advertisements didn't have eyelashes as long as Shen Wumian's. What are those long eyelashes there for? To seduce men?
Chi Zhao's expression was serious but his mind played out various dog blood overbearing president drama scenes. The ancient world was too boring. There was nothing to do to pass time so Chi Zhao could only amuse himself like this with his imagination. Without a thought, Chi Zhao reached out and gently touched the fan-like eyelashes.
Caught unprepared, Shen Wumian opened his eyes.
Chi Zhao: "...."
After standing there frozen for a long time, Chi Zhao finally opened his mouth, "Im-imperial uncle...Let me explain."
Shen Wumian quietly looked at him, "Mhn, explain then."