Chapter Three Hundred Nineteen: What to Do About a Child’s Early Love
That’s right.
Young Master Sang obviously didn’t give Li Shanyan the real Earth Store Immortal Jade.
Instead, it was a fake made on the fly by Nian Nian using the system.
It was one thing to deal with Li Shanyan; the most important thing was to figure out what his purpose was for collecting the Earth Store Immortal Jade.
Inside the fake jade, there were fragments of Nian Nian’s own system, equivalent to or GPS-like tracking devices.
In short, with this thing, you could sneak a peek at what Li Shanyan was up to.
But all of this had to wait until Li Shanyan took the jade back home.
While Young Master Sang and Li Shanyan were happily sipping tea together in the room, the empress’s communication eunuch rushed in to summon the two into the palace.
Clearly, Huo Ningxue couldn’t wait to question the long-missing Li Shanyan since he had finally resurfaced.
A moment later, in the royal study of the palace.
“National Master, what is the meaning of this memorial?”
The empress held the memorial written by Li Shanyan, puzzled as she asked, “Why does the National Master want to retire? Have I neglected you in some way?”
“Your Majesty has shown great favor to this old minister; how could I feel neglected?”
Li Shanyan chuckled, saying, “It’s just that I have served the Holy Kingdom for many years, and now, my age and health are failing. It’s time for me to step back and make way for the young.”
“Now that I hear you have found capable young talents to replace me, I’m naturally happy to resign and return home to enjoy a peaceful life.”
As he spoke, he turned to smile at Young Master Sang.
Huo Ningxue was still a bit reluctant and urged, “Mr. Sang is just as wise as the National Master. Why should one of you leave when both can remain National Masters?”
“Ah, Your Majesty, that’s not how it works,” Li Shanyan leisurely stroked his beard. “One mountain cannot have two tigers. If both are called National Master, how would anyone figure out who is who?”
“Once I step down, everyone will just call Young Master Sang ‘National Master,’ and that won’t lead to any confusion. Isn’t that much more convenient?”
Huo Ningxue suddenly understood, “That makes sense. The National Master is indeed wise.”
Young Master Sang couldn’t help but exchange glances with Li Shanyan.
Young Master Sang: “… Oh, so that’s how you usually deceive her?”
Li Shanyan: “… Um, this explanation is a bit faster and more convenient.”
The two National Masters seemed to reach a consensus regarding the empress’s policies.
Finally, under Huo Ningxue’s witness, Young Master Sang and Li Shanyan briefly conducted a handover ceremony for the National Master position.
From this moment on, Young Master Sang could ditch the “acting” title in the Holy Kingdom.
After completing the ceremony, Li Shanyan seemed a bit eager to return. When Huo Ningxue inquired, he said he hadn’t finished his meditation last time and needed to get back to it.
Finally, he had the Earth Store Immortal Jade.
He needed to hurry back and activate “Dream Realm Dust” again to finish the task.
Although once activated, he wouldn’t know how long he would sleep.
But when he woke up this time, he should legitimately retire and enjoy his later years.
As the thoughts of a blissful future filled his mind, Li Shanyan hurriedly bid farewell to the empress and dashed back to his residence to continue his meditation.
Leaving behind Young Master Sang and Huo Ningxue, awkwardly staring at each other in the royal study.
Huo Ningxue: “Mr. Sang… No, you should be called National Master now.”
“Since you have officially taken over the position of National Master, I hope you will continue assisting me and protect the citizens of the Holy Kingdom.”
Young Master Sang also pretended to be serious as he bowed, “I will exhaust all effort for the Holy Kingdom until my last breath.”
“Speaking of which,”
Huo Ningxue shifted to a more relaxed tone, casually asked, “How is the little prince’s studies going recently?”
“Your Majesty, the little prince is diligent and remarkably intelligent. Even though I teach him such a vast and complicated range of knowledge, he grasps it all easily.”
“However…” Young Master Sang suddenly hesitated.
“What’s wrong?”
As soon as Huo Ningxue noticed Young Master Sang’s tone, she immediately became tense, like a parent worried about a child’s misbehavior.
“Uh, there’s one thing I might need to ask Your Majesty’s opinion on in advance.”
After much deliberation, he tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, do you…”
“… mind if the little prince has an early love?”
Huo Ningxue: “…?”
——
——
In the National Master’s estate, at the entrance of Class One.
It was currently break time after class, and many students were taking the opportunity to rest and play, or gathered in groups, pulling out their communication devices to play “Original Immortal.”
Among the crowd, the little prince Huo Ming stood out.
He was holding his communication device, his youthful face slightly flushed, nervously pacing in front of a cute little girl.
“Um… Sister Ru, I can’t get past this copy. I don’t know how to form a party; could you teach me?”
The little girl was also busy playing “Original Immortal” with her communication device. Hearing Huo Ming, she put it down and leaned closer: “Let me take a look.”
Perhaps because their faces were so close, the little prince’s face turned even redder.
“Oh, you’ve gotten this far.” The little girl shook her head regretfully, “I’m sorry; I haven’t reached that part yet. I don’t know how to form a team either.”
“Oh! But Zimo gege has already completed it; let’s go ask him!”
Saying this, she grabbed Huo Ming’s small hand and cheerfully ran over to where Xiang Zimo was, who was focused on his game.
As soon as Huo Ming’s hand was held, he looked as if his soul had left his body, dazed and swaying as he walked.
“Zimo gege!”
The little girl approached Xiang Zimo, her eyes sparkling with excitement: “Do you know how to form a party for this copy?”
“Eh, I don’t know. Figure it out yourself. Can’t you see I’m busy farming materials?”
Xiang Zimo waved his hand dismissively without looking up, “Girls are such a hassle.”
The little girl pouted with a wronged expression, her eyes blinking as if she would drop little pearls of tears.
Watching this scene, the little prince felt sorry for her and wanted to rush up and wipe her tears.
……
Meanwhile, observing all this from outside the window, Young Master Sang and Huo Ningxue fell into silence.
Young Master Sang: “… Uh, that’s how it is.”
Huo Ningxue: “… So whose child is that?”
“The daughter of the Minister of Personnel, Xu Ru.”
“When did Mingming start acting like this?”
“Probably about a week ago. I noticed the little prince occasionally daydreaming in class, his gaze always drifting towards this girl named Xu Ru.”
Seeing Huo Ningxue’s serious expression, Young Master Sang cleared his throat and defended the little prince, “Your Majesty, you needn’t worry too much; early love has an important place in childhood.”
“The little prince hasn’t let it affect his studies… so there’s no need to worry for now.”
“What you mean to say is,” Huo Ningxue said sternly, “It might affect his studies in the future?”
“Uh, I can’t guarantee—”
“That won’t do.”
Huo Ningxue decisively shook her head: “We must think of a way to break them apart.”
“This matter is handed over to the National Master.”
Young Master Sang accepted the task helplessly, taking one last pitying look at the little prince.
Sorry about this.
If you’re going to blame someone, blame your sister.
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