Raising Wolves CHAPTER 03

 

Raising wolves  

 Chapter 03

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

Lu Qingze reacted swiftly, stepping sideways to block Ning Juan's view. He looked down, meeting the boy's gaze with a raised eyebrow.

Was this little brat mocking him just now?

Xiao Fuzi flailed in the water, screaming for help, but he had already dismissed the guards to carry out his plan. This secluded corner of the garden was deserted.

Though he couldn't see, Ning Juan could guess what was happening. He spoke again, "Hit him back down."

The young eunuch enthusiastically obeyed.

The splashing and screams were uncomfortably close. Lu Qingze listened, his emotions complex.

Aside from a slight discomfort, he felt a twinge of relief—the little emperor was clever and composed, no helpless victim. Yet he also worried. A black-hearted schemer at such a tender age meant his plan to steer the future tyrant toward benevolence needed to start immediately.

A child's worldview was mostly formed by their teens. Any later, and they'd hit rebellious adolescence.

As a former teacher, Lu Qingze mentally assessed his new student.

He had saved the emperor and hadn't refused to deal with Xiao Fuzi. They were now accomplices of sorts, which should have earned him some trust points, right?

When the commotion finally died down, Ning Juan pushed past Lu Qingze and addressed the valiant young eunuch, his small face stern as he tried to project imperial dignity. "Your name?"

The eunuch, who had suffered under Xiao Fuzi's bullying and lived in constant fear of being killed on a whim, now felt both loyal and vindicated. Energetically, he replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant is Changshun, from the Imperial Wardrobe Office."

Ning Juan nodded. "From now on, you'll serve directly under me."

Though a puppet, the emperor was still the emperor. Serving him came with risks but also rewards—especially after killing Xiao Fuzi.

And this young ruler might not be as easily manipulated as he seemed.

Changshun understood perfectly and promptly kowtowed in gratitude.

"Do you know what to do now?"

Changshun was quick-witted. "Oh no! Eunuch Fu drowned trying to save His Majesty! This servant will fetch the guards to retrieve him!"

With that, he scurried off.

Ning Juan's attention, however, remained fixed on Lu Qingze. Seeing the man's lips pressed thin and red, as if about to speak, he held his breath, waiting.

Lu Qingze held his gaze for three seconds before finally losing the battle.

Covering his mouth, he turned away and erupted into a fit of violent coughing, as though trying to expel his lungs. His pale face flushed crimson, and just listening to him made one's own throat ache.

Ning Juan: "..."

Ning Juan opened his mouth, then pretended not to hear. "Escort me back to the Qianqing Palace. Don't just stand there."

When the coughing subsided, Lu Qingze's throat felt raw, a faint metallic taste rising.

The original owner had been imprisoned by the eunuch faction and left to die in an icy cell during winter. Though Lu Qingze had taken over the body, the damage was done. He would likely remain sickly for a long time.

Two lifetimes, and still no healthy body. Lu Qingze sighed inwardly but managed a faint smile. "As Your Majesty commands."

Ning Juan knew the palace's hidden paths well and led Lu Qingze past the guards. The moment they left the gardens, Changshun returned with the guards.

Despite the emperor's near-drowning, few in the palace seemed concerned.

Lu Qingze, drained of energy, struggled to keep up. Fortunately, the child's short legs meant small strides. Glancing at the boy's round head, he rasped, "Which scholar has been lecturing Your Majesty recently?"

Ning Juan turned, surprised, then averted his gaze sullenly. "None."

Emperor Chong'an had been obsessed with immortality for over a decade, consuming countless dubious elixirs that ruined his health. On his deathbed, he had briefly awakened to name Ning Juan crown prince and appoint Lu Qingze as Grand Tutor before slipping back into delirium. He hadn't had time to assemble a proper education team.

Ning Juan, raised in the cold palace, had never even attended school.

Chief Grand Secretary Wei Herong was more than happy to leave the emperor ignorant and easily controlled. With Wei holding power, few dared to speak up.

Lu Qingze understood now. Without hesitation, he said, "Starting tomorrow, I will lecture Your Majesty."

A cold breeze swept past, making Lu Qingze sway like paper.

Ning Juan didn't have time to feel joy—only doubt. He eyed the man skeptically. "Are you capable?"

"..." Lu Qingze frowned. "I am."

________________________________________

He had left at noon and exited the palace by dusk.

Chen Xiaodao, bored, had been chatting with the guards, who ignored him. Undeterred, he prattled on until Lu Qingze returned, then hurried over to help him into the carriage. Eagerly, he asked, "Should we go fast on the way back too?"

Even after resting in the palace, the long walk had sapped Lu Qingze's strength. Weakly, he said, "Sure. A little faster, and you can send me straight to heaven."

Chen Xiaodao immediately slowed to a snail's pace.

Back home, Lu Qingze drank a bowl of medicine and lay still for an hour before mustering the energy to visit the study. He selected a few books, skimmed them, then picked up a brush and began drawing on paper.

Chen Xiaodao, grinding ink nearby, stole glances at his unfamiliar master.

Dressed in pale green robes and wrapped in a heavy cloak despite being indoors, Lu Qingze looked fragile, his wrists so thin they seemed breakable. His skin was nearly translucent, veins visible beneath. Yet his brushstrokes were steady and confident.

In his past life, Lu Qingze's parents had neglected him due to his heart condition. Raised by his grandfather, he had been taught to remain calm and composed. To cultivate patience, his grandfather had taught him calligraphy, and Lu Qingze's cursive script was elegant, his lines flowing smoothly.

Curious, Chen Xiaodao craned his neck. "What are you drawing, young master?"

Lu Qingze smiled faintly. "Elementary School Essentials, Qi Dynasty Edition."

Chen Xiaodao: "???"

Scholars really spoke in riddles.

Having grown up on the streets illiterate, Chen Xiaodao had been picked up after fainting from hunger—only for Lu Qingze to be imprisoned the next day. He hadn't had time to absorb any scholarly aura. Watching Lu Qingze write and draw, he couldn't help but mutter enviously, "If only I could read too."

Lu Qingze's dormant teacher instincts stirred. He glanced over. "Good. Starting today, I'll teach you to read and write. Complete your homework diligently."

Chen Xiaodao: "!!!"

Overjoyed, Chen Xiaodao blurted, "Thank you, young master!"

Lu Qingze chuckled, set down his brush, and compared his notes with the original owner's annotated books.

They were identical.

Perhaps because he had transmigrated, not only did he share the original's appearance, but even his handwriting was the same.

________________________________________

The next morning, Lu Qingze returned to the palace with a thick stack of papers.

The death of a eunuch caused no ripple in the palace. Everything was as calm as ever.

Ning Juan hadn't expected the seemingly half-dead Lu Qingze to actually drag himself back, and with so much preparation.

Still a child at heart, from the moment Lu Qingze entered the Qianqing Palace, Ning Juan's gaze kept drifting to the stack of papers, though he pretended otherwise.

Like a kitten stealing glances, thinking itself unnoticed.

Lu Qingze smiled inwardly. You underestimate a homeroom teacher's sharp eyes.

Students always thought their little antics went unseen.

He pulled out a sheet and placed it before Ning Juan. "What has Your Majesty studied before? Let me assess your progress."

Ning Juan glared at him for a moment before picking up the brush and copying the first chapter of the Analects.

Lu Qingze noticed the first issue immediately: his grip was wrong.

But he said nothing, quietly observing.

After what felt like ages, Ning Juan finished, his long lashes fluttering nervously, a far cry from yesterday's boldness.

Lu Qingze took the paper and raised an eyebrow.

The original novel often emphasized the tyrant's terrible handwriting to contrast the protagonist's elegant calligraphy.

But this wasn't just bad—it was illegible.

Apart from the atrocious script, the content was flawless, word for word.

A future tyrant with handwriting like chicken scratch?

Lu Qingze couldn't help but smile. "Your Majesty's characters love to brawl, but there's plenty of room for improvement."

Ning Juan sensed the backhanded compliment and glowered.

Oops, touched a nerve.

Lu Qingze schooled his expression and moved behind Ning Juan, adjusting his posture and grip. His voice was calm. "Your posture is wrong. Sit straight. The brush rests between the middle and ring fingers. Keep your wrist steady. A righteous heart leads to upright strokes."

Ning Juan stiffened.

The warm, plum-scented presence enveloped him, the hands guiding his cool but firm.

Aside from his mother in early childhood, no one had ever held him like this.

Lu Qingze guided him through a few characters before stepping back. "Now try on your own."

As the warmth withdrew, Ning Juan first felt relief—then an inexplicable pang of loss.

Frowning, he shook off the strange feeling and copied a few more characters, his improvement evident. The previously chaotic strokes now at least stood upright.

Adjusting his grip was challenging, but once corrected, Ning Juan didn't err again.

Lu Qingze was impressed—the most self-disciplined student he'd ever taught.

Though this student hadn't yet called him "teacher."

Still not enough trust.

Sighing internally, Lu Qingze brought out the picture book he had painstakingly prepared the night before. "Next, I'll tell Your Majesty a story."

Ning Juan scowled. "A story? I'm not a child."

"..." This kid lacked self-awareness. Lu Qingze smiled. "It's a story for emperors."

Ning Juan's expression softened slightly, curiosity peeking through as he lifted his chin. "Proceed."

The picture book was Di Jian Tu Shuo (Mirror for Emperors), which Lu Qingze had studied in college. For an elective course, his professor had assigned a paper on a chosen book, and this one had stuck with him. The first half contained tales of diligent rulers, the second half consequences of tyranny—perfect for a young emperor's education.

When the illustrated booklet was placed before him, Ning Juan was taken aback.

Combined with Lu Qingze's earlier protectiveness, he now truly believed the man wasn't acting but genuinely saw him as a child.

Not with the condescending pity of the court officials, but something else.

As Lu Qingze narrated the tales, his slightly hoarse voice was soothing, and Ning Juan found himself engrossed.

His gaze lingered on the man's strikingly handsome face, the sharp edges softened by illness. Unconsciously, some of his bristling defensiveness eased.

Lu Qingze, watching closely, smiled inwardly.

Children were easy to win over.

So what if he was a little dark? He'd straighten him out eventually.

But classical texts and history weren't his forte. To nurture a wise ruler, he alone might not be enough.

Lost in thought, Lu Qingze wondered: How could he persuade Wei Herong to bolster the emperor's education team?

________________________________________

Author's Note:

Ning Juan, pretending not to hear: No heartache now, but tears later.

CONTINUE