Raising Wolves CHAPTER 09

 

 Raising wolves  

 Chapter 09

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

The warmth in the bedding soon dissipated again. Lu Qingze felt as if he were wrapped in a block of cold iron, sleeping poorly. The next day, his energy was low, and he coughed incessantly, making him unfit to lecture.

So he simply prepared a few exam papers and held a pop quiz.

Ancient arithmetic was quite cumbersome. He had integrated modern mathematics into his teachings for Ning Juan, and the little emperor grasped it quickly, sitting upright at the desk, solemnly scribbling his messy handwriting.

At lunchtime, Changshun, who had been absent all morning, appeared in the warm pavilion. As soon as he entered, he reported, “Your Majesty, I’ve found out that Prince Shu threw a tantrum in his residence this morning, but no one knows why.”

Lu Qingze, who had just picked up a bowl of steamed milk pudding with sugar, raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled, “Oh? So no one else knows what he did?”

Not surprising. Privately extending an olive branch to the emperor’s teacher—if word got out, not only would the imperial censors in the capital have something to say, but even Wei Helong would become wary.

No matter how foolish Ning Cong was, he knew it was best not to provoke Wei Helong right now.

Changshun didn’t know what had happened but guessed it was related to Lu Qingze: “It seems so. I heard Prince Shu was about to come to the palace but held back after receiving some news.”

Ning Juan’s gaze flickered subtly toward Lu Qingze, watching him toy with the bowl of pudding with a spoon. His eyes absentmindedly traced the man’s fingers before he frowned and asked, “Still playing coy?”

Lu Qingze tapped the table with two fingers: “Your Majesty, focus on your exam. You still have a big question left.”

Ning Juan’s face scrunched up, and he sullenly filled in the answer.

Changshun: “……”

“This servant dares not,” Changshun blinked hard, wondering if he was seeing things. “I heard Prince Jing will arrive in the capital this morning.”

Lu Qingze took two spoonfuls of the pudding, savoring it with half-lidded eyes as he recalled.

The imperial family of the Great Qi Dynasty had never been particularly prolific, with too many offspring dying young. Emperor Chong’an’s children were no exception—too few survived, leaving only Ning Juan.

Now, the closest royal relatives were Prince Shu Ning Cong and Prince Jing Ning Jing.

Compared to the lustful and dim-witted Ning Cong, Prince Jing Ning Jing had a far better reputation. If not for his mother being a lowly palace maid, and the Great Qi’s tradition of favoring the legitimate heir over the capable, Emperor Chong’an might not have ascended the throne so easily.

Seeing the little emperor’s furrowed brows and serious expression on his snow-white face, Lu Qingze lightly tapped the bowl with his spoon: “What’s troubling you, Your Majesty?”

Ning Juan’s frown deepened: “With two princes returning to the capital, the situation is about to get chaotic, yet you’re not worried at all.”

“Why worry?” Lu Qingze said leisurely. “A murky situation in the capital is perfect for us to bide our time and play the role of the oriole stalking the cicada.”

Prince Shu’s rushed return to the capital made his ambition for the throne obvious. As for Prince Jing, who seemed indifferent, could he truly remain unmoved?

Wei Helong must be having a headache dealing with these two princes, leaving him no time to trouble the little emperor or Lu Qingze.

If they didn’t take advantage of this opportunity to stir the pot, it would be a disservice to Emperor Chong’an’s timely demise.

Who wouldn’t say Emperor Chong’an died at the perfect time?

Lu Qingze’s calm demeanor seemed to soothe Ning Juan’s restlessness. The little emperor nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, “What about the person from last night?”

Changshun lowered his head: “He didn’t survive past the fortieth strike.”

Ning Juan gave a faint “mm” in response.

Life in the palace was cheaper than grass—a lesson he had learned by the age of five or six.

Noticing Ning Juan’s indifferent attitude toward human life, Lu Qingze’s fingers, which had been stirring the pudding, paused briefly.

He would teach the little emperor to value others’ lives, but now wasn’t the time for benevolence.

“I’m done eating,” Lu Qingze set down his bowl and stood to collect the exam papers. “Your Majesty, have your lunch first. I’ll see how you did.”

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While Lu Qingze graded the exams, Prince Jing’s carriage rumbled into the capital.

Inside the carriage, the middle-aged man with a refined appearance kept his eyes closed as he listened to his subordinate’s report.

The subordinate recounted every detail of recent events in the capital. At the end, he added, “Oh, and yesterday on the palace road, Prince Shu intercepted the emperor’s tutor. The emperor intervened but was still slighted by Prince Shu. Word from the palace is that the emperor was so angry he couldn’t sleep all night and had Tutor Lu stay in the palace to avoid Prince Shu.”

At this, Ning Jing finally opened his eyes, a trace of understanding and mockery flashing in them: “Given Lao-Si’s temperament, that Tutor Lu must be quite good-looking.”

The subordinate replied, “They say he is. He was the top scholar in the imperial examinations of the 24th year of Jian’an. After offending the eunuch faction, he was thrown into a water prison and barely survived. Now he’s sickly, and whispers from his residence suggest he doesn’t have long to live. The late emperor appointed him as the new emperor’s tutor on his deathbed.”

Ning Jing’s expression darkened: “Oh? As a top scholar, he must be teaching the little emperor well, then.”

“Not at all,” the subordinate shook his head. “The new emperor grew up in the cold palace and received no proper education. His progress in writing is slow, and he’s still studying the Analects.”

Ning Jing relaxed slightly.

A sickly man and a foolish child posed little threat.

The real concern was the one in the Grand Secretariat. Dealing with Wei Helong required caution.

“Your Highness, where shall we go first?”

Ning Jing lifted the carriage curtain and gazed toward the imperial palace, a shadow crossing his eyes: “To the palace.”

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Prince Jing encountered Prince Shu on his way into the palace, and the two arrived together to see the little emperor.

Remembering the words on the silk from last night, Lu Qingze couldn’t help but shudder. Before the two arrived, he retreated to the warm pavilion, unconcerned about Ning Juan’s ability to handle them.

In the original story, during his early years of laying low, Ning Juan had feigned ignorance so well that Wei Helong barely noticed. By the time the minister realized the threat, the little emperor was already capable of standing against him. The moment Ning Juan bared his fangs, he struck with precision, annihilating Wei Helong’s entire family.

Playing the fool required skill—too stupid was unrealistic; it had to be just the right amount of foolishness without arousing suspicion.

Ning Juan knew how to toe that line.

And he didn’t disappoint Lu Qingze.

Faced with the two princes’ probing questions, Ning Juan answered with a perfect mix of naivety and stupidity—playing dumb when necessary and letting slip just enough information. At the end, he even put on a thoughtful expression, as if wondering whether he’d said too much.

He truly seemed like an uncultivated wild child raised in the cold palace.

Ning Cong had never taken the little emperor seriously, but wary of Ning Jing, he engaged in hollow pleasantries before his eyes began wandering. “Your Majesty, didn’t you keep Tutor Lu in the palace for lectures? Why isn’t he here?”

Ning Jing chuckled silently, hiding a disdainful eye-roll behind his teacup.

Here we go again.

At the mention of Lu Qingze, Ning Juan’s expression darkened. “Tutor Lu is unwell and resting.”

Ning Cong’s face was thick as a wall. “This prince and Tutor Lu hit it off at first sight. Since he’s unwell, I should visit him. You two chat—I’ll go see Tutor Lu.”

Ning Juan replied coolly, “Thank you for your concern, Uncle, but the imperial physician advised against disturbing Tutor Lu during his rest.”

The memory of that cold, snow-like face with its alluring teardrop flashed in Ning Cong’s mind, and his heart itched with desire. Clicking his tongue, he refused to give up. “I heard Tutor Lu isn’t teaching well. How about this—I’ll recommend a few great scholars to Your Majesty, and you can hand Tutor Lu over to…”

Ning Juan’s killing intent surged, his chest boiling with rage. His tone turned icy. “Uncle, Tutor Lu was personally appointed by the late emperor. If you have objections, take them up with him.”

Silence fell over the room.

Still just a child, so easily provoked.

Seeing Ning Cong’s face twist with anger, Ning Jing, who had enjoyed the spectacle, chuckled. “Prince Shu was only joking, Your Majesty. No need to be upset. Fourth Brother, the emperor is protective of his teacher. His words were a bit harsh, but as an elder, you surely don’t mind, do you?”

Ning Cong glared at Ning Juan, forcing a smile. “Sixth Brother jokes. Why would this prince hold a grudge against a child?”

The atmosphere had turned too tense for further small talk. Ning Cong and Ning Jing left the palace together.

But Ning Juan’s anger didn’t subside.

Not only because of Ning Cong’s condescending disdain—the man had openly coveted someone by his side and even proposed an exchange!

Overwhelming humiliation washed over him.

He was still too weak, with no power or influence, unable to even protect Lu Qingze properly.

Power.

Ning Juan clenched his fists, grinding the word between his teeth, his eyes dark with fury.

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Lu Qingze napped briefly before rubbing his eyes and returning to the warm pavilion, only to find the little emperor looking like he was about to explode. He narrowed his eyes. “What did I tell you before? A ruler must not show joy or anger.”

Ning Juan shot him a look. “But I’m angry.”

“If you’re angry, take a deep breath and suppress it. What goes around comes around—pay it back tenfold later.”

Ning Juan obeyed, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of plum blossoms and medicine in the air eased some of the frustration in his chest, but he was still sulking. “Does being emperor mean I can’t have emotions?”

Seeing him calm down a bit, Lu Qingze couldn’t resist pinching his puffy little cheeks, smiling. “Of course you can, but it depends on who you’re with. For example, in front of your teacher, you’re free to laugh, throw tantrums, or even act spoiled.”

Ning Juan dodged his hand, scoffing at the idea. “This emperor has never acted spoiled.”

This little brat still hadn’t even called him “teacher” once.

Lu Qingze sighed inwardly.

He’d have to find another opportunity to build more trust.

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That evening, Lu Qingze was summoned to Ning Juan’s bedchamber.

The room was warm, with charcoal braziers in each corner. The little emperor, already dressed in white sleepwear, sat on the bed, swinging his legs unconsciously. When Lu Qingze entered, he pointed to a narrow daybed by the window, now covered with thick bedding. “You sleep there.”

The daybed was under the window, which had been tightly shut and pasted over with paper to block drafts.

Though narrow, Lu Qingze’s slender frame would fit comfortably.

Given the little emperor’s prickly personality, this was probably his roundabout way of showing concern after seeing how cold Lu Qingze’s bedding was last night.

But given Ning Juan’s cautious nature, it was unlikely he’d allow someone to share his room unless absolutely necessary—especially since Lu Qingze hadn’t yet earned his full trust.

Unless…

Lu Qingze figured it out. “Ah, no wonder you were so angry earlier. Did Ning Cong lose his mind again?”

Ning Juan snorted heavily. “Tutor Lu, Ning Cong really dared to suggest taking you away by force.”

Last night, there was already a harassing incident, leaving Lu Qingze to sleep alone. He wasn’t at ease.

And… it would be cold, wouldn’t it?

Ning Juan lowered his long lashes, unwilling to admit that he cared about Lu Qingze. He climbed onto the bed, pulled the covers over himself, and closed his eyes: “If you dare to grind your teeth, talk in your sleep, or snore, I’ll throw you out.”

His tone was fierce.

Lu Qingze found it amusing: “As Your Majesty commands.”

After all, this was the little emperor’s nest, and the bed was more comfortable than the one last night.

Having slept poorly the night before, Lu Qingze was mentally exhausted. Not long after lying down, his consciousness grew hazy.

He didn’t know how long he had been asleep when he suddenly heard a faint noise.

His body was weak, and his sleep was light. Though his mind woke, his body reacted sluggishly. When he finally managed to open his eyes, he saw several dark figures flitting past the window.

Because he happened to be sleeping by the window, he noticed them.

Lu Qingze’s eyelids twitched as he realized something was wrong.

The Qianqing Palace had many warm chambers, designed for the emperor to change residences frequently to prevent assassinations.

Those people were searching room by room.

He remained silent, glancing at the pitch-black room before quietly slipping off the bed. Moving cautiously in the dark, he tried to wake the little emperor and find a place to hide while calling for the guards.

But just as he reached the bedside, the door latch was pried open.

The moment the latch moved, Ning Juan’s eyes snapped open in alertness. Before he could react, someone suddenly scooped him up. At the same time, screams and cries erupted outside: “Assassins! There are assassins!”

The assassins searching this room had also spotted the two of them, and a gleaming blade slashed toward them!

Ning Juan’s first reaction wasn’t fear but a calm thought: I’m about to be abandoned again.

When Consort Jing was first banished to the cold palace, she had brought a maid with her, one who had watched him grow up. They had been quite close.

But after Consort Jing died, leaving him without protection, the empress’s people repeatedly came to the cold palace to cause trouble, plotting to kill the older one first before dealing with him, the younger.

That maid abandoned him and pledged allegiance to another master.

He still remembered the look in her eyes—guilt, heartlessness, fear, and dread—so vividly that he forced himself to erase the memory.

If even someone who had watched him grow up could act like that, how much more so Lu Qingze, whom he had known for barely over a month? In the face of life and death, if Lu Qingze abandoned him now to save himself, Ning Juan wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

But the arms holding him didn’t loosen in the slightest. Instead, they tightened further, deftly dodging the blade and retreating behind a screen, which was kicked over forcefully.

The assassin, struck by the falling jade screen, hesitated for a moment before charging again—only to let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Lu Qingze had lured him near the charcoal brazier, and the assassin, unfamiliar with the room, stepped right into it.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Qingze ducked and dashed for the door!

But outside was no safer than inside. The moment they emerged, they were spotted.

“Listen,” Lu Qingze’s breathing was slightly labored, but his voice remained steady, speaking quickly, “hide in the flower bushes. The Imperial Guards will arrive soon. Zheng Yao, the commander of the Imperial Guards, is trustworthy.”

No sooner had he spoken than the assassin from inside the room chased them out, while another assassin ahead cut down two palace servants and charged at them with a blade!

Cornered between two attackers, the eunuch Changshun suddenly lunged from somewhere, tackling the assassin from behind and clinging to him desperately, shrieking, “Run!”

But the assassin ahead was already upon them. As the cold, gleaming blade swung toward the little emperor, Lu Qingze suddenly turned, shielding Ning Juan with his body.

The excruciating pain that exploded in that moment made his entire body tremble, and his vision went black. His grip slackened.

His thoughts were chaotic. He had completely forgotten his earlier plan to seize the opportunity to build trust and that the person in his arms was an emperor. All he could think of was protecting his student.

Is this borrowed life about to end here?

The thought flashed through Lu Qingze’s mind as his ears rang with noise—someone had arrived.

A pair of small hands clutched him, trembling, hesitant to hold too tight or too loose. A choked, urgent voice asked, “Why?”

Guessing what he meant, Lu Qingze curved his pale lips slightly, his voice low and soft: “Because… you’re my student.”

Even if it weren’t Ning Juan today, he wouldn’t abandon his student to save himself.

Ning Juan froze in place, watching as Lu Qingze closed his eyes against the pain. His mind suddenly buzzed: “Teacher… Teacher!”

Author’s Note:

Lu Qingze: Though I did run away in the end.

Ning Juan: QAQ

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CONTINUE