CH 49

C49 – Can We Still Have Fun?

Tang Yue had been spending most of his time at Prince Zhao’s Mansion, unaware that rumors about him had spread far and wide.

Zhao Sanlang had visited Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion a few times but couldn’t find him. Later, he discovered indirectly that Tang Yue was at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. Summoning his courage, he decided to go there in person.

Tang Yue held the carving knife given to him by Wang Zizhao, surrounded by a mess of wood on the table. He and Zhao Sanlang locked eyes for a moment before Tang Yue couldn’t help but ask, “Did you really come to find me?”

Zhao Sanlang was left speechless. “If I didn’t come to find you, would I be here at Prince Zhao’s Mansion?” He wasn’t that free to wander around!

When people of their generation saw Wang Zizhao, they either hid as far away as possible, like a mouse encountering a cat, or were drawn to him like a cat spotting a fish. They either wanted to avoid him or be in his favor.

Unfortunately, Zhao Sanlang belonged to the former group. If there wasn’t something important, he would never step foot into Prince Zhao’s Mansion.

“Oh, then why are you looking for me?” Tang Yue presumed that Zhao Sanlang had no important business, so he continued working.

Zhao Sanlang became captivated by Tang Yue’s carvings. He leaned on the table and examined each piece with admiration. He exclaimed, “Tang Xiaolang, you have incredible craftsmanship!”

He picked up a simple-looking wooden pig and studied it. For the first time, he realized that this creature wasn’t as irritating as he had initially thought.

“Thank you for the compliment!” Tang Yue accepted the praise without lifting his head.

“What are you carving? What are you doing?”

“The twelve zodiac animals, such a dull pastime!” Tang Yue held up the newly completed tiger in front of him and nodded in satisfaction.

Just as he expected, skills needed practice. He had finally regained his peak level.

Zhao Sanlang snatched the tiger from Tang Yue’s hand and admired it as if it were a precious treasure. “It looks so lifelike. If only I could add a layer of tiger skin to make it even more realistic.”

Tang Yue secretly grumbled. Why would such a small wooden sculpture need tiger skin?

“Hey, give that to me. I happen to be a tiger!” With those words, Zhao Sanlang stuffed the wooden sculpture into his pocket.

Tang Yue reached out to take back the wooden sculpture from Zhao Sanlang. “If you like it, I can carve another one for you. I’ll give this to someone else.”

“Who are you giving it to? Who will give me face?” Young Master Zhao arrogantly inquired.

Tang Yue pointed the carving knife in a certain direction and shrugged. “Why don’t you ask Wang Zizhao? Maybe he’ll give you one.”

Zhao Sanlang recoiled. His arrogance was instantly dampened. “Hehe, in that case, I won’t claim it. But remember to carve one for me next time. One… no, two. One male and one female!”

Tang Yue looked at him and clicked his tongue. “Zhao Sanlang, I never expected you to have a fondness for a girl who has grown up with you. Don’t tell me you’re lacking maternal love?”

There was no need for questioning. He was aware that one of the two wooden sculptures belonged to County Princess Huizhu.

Zhao Sanlang’s face turned pale, and he exclaimed, “How can love be determined by age? How ignorant!”

“Alright, alright, as long as you’re happy with it.” He didn’t mind who this kid liked. It was none of his business, after all.

Zhao Sanlang rubbed his nose and whispered, “The plan you came up with last time didn’t seem to work, did it?”

“What idea?” Tang Yue didn’t remember for a while.

Zhao Sanlang stared at him and reminded him, “Love letters…”

“Oh, that… He doesn’t like it?” “Impossible. It’s more likely that your writing isn’t descriptive enough, right?”

Zhao Sanlang pulled out a stack of handkerchiefs and handed them to Tang Yue. “Take a look at the poem. Why isn’t it vivid enough?” As soon as he said that, he remembered that Tang Yue couldn’t read, so he retracted his hand. “Never mind. You can’t read. I’ll read it to you.”

Tang Yue held his hand and smiled. “Who said I can’t read?”

He opened Zhao Sanlang’s hand and took the handkerchiefs in front of him. He examined them earnestly.

He had been studying under Wang Zizhao for a few days and had learned hundreds of characters. He thought he would be able to read a few poems, but he didn’t expect this kid to produce such a masterpiece out of nowhere. The poem was written with just a few characters, yet it appeared very intricate.

Zhao Sanlang asked in surprise, “When did you learn how to write?”

“I’m learning!” Tang Yue didn’t hide it from him.

Zhao Sanlang looked at him in astonishment and stammered, “Did you… learn from Mr. Wen?”

“Who is Mr. Wen?”

Zhao Sanlang rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. “Exactly. I overestimated you. How could Mr. Wen personally teach you? It’s just about learning how to read.”

Tang Yue understood. Mr. Wen must be a renowned scholar in Prince Zhao’s Mansion.

Should he inform this kid that the person who taught him how to read and write was Wang Zizhao?

Forget it, it sounded so fake. This kid would never believe it.

“Do you understand?” Zhao Sanlang changed the topic.

“Certainly,” he replied. Tang Yue felt slightly less confident, but he continued, “Your poems are too grand. The artistic conception surpasses the realm of love. When the princess reads them, she only knows how to appreciate them, but she will never feel your love.”

Suddenly, Zhao Sanlang held Tang Yue’s hand, his eyes shining. “Brother, you truly have talent. How did you know that the princess only said two words?”

Tang Yue shook his hand away and laughed. “I guessed it!”

“You are truly extraordinary!” Zhao Sanlang exclaimed excitedly. “After reading the poem, the princess simply said ‘good poem’ and then gifted me a jade ruyi before bidding me farewell.”

Tang Yue thought to himself, “If I didn’t bid you farewell, wouldn’t I want to keep you for dinner and spend the night together? Wishful thinking!”

However, he speculated that this kid had no chance. With the age difference, it wouldn’t be so easy to bridge the gap.

“Why not try a different approach? Instead of finding someone else to write for you, express your own thoughts and send a bouquet of roses every day. Let’s give it a try.”

“What is a rose?” Zhao Sanlang tilted his head and asked.

Tang Yue really wanted to rub his head. Why does it look so stupid?

“It’s just a type of flower, a bright red one. If you can’t find it, you can use something else as a substitute.” He was unsure if roses were available.

“I understand.” Zhao Sanlang nodded seriously.

“Do you want to go in and see Wang Zizhao?” Tang Yue asked him.

Zhao Sanlang leaped up in fright and quickly waved his hand. “No, no, no. I still have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. See you later!”

With that, he ran off with a gust of wind under his feet.

Tang Yue was at a loss for words. Was Wang Zizhao really that terrifying? It’s not like he would devour people!

He carefully polished the twelve zodiac figures on the table using sandcloth, then brought them to the carpenter. He procured a long box and packed each figure individually. He intended to present them as a treasure.

Ever since the arrival of the Third Prince, Wang Zizhao had been in a foul mood. Tang Yue’s attempts to entice him with food had failed, so he needed to find another approach. He wasn’t sure if Wang Zizhao would appreciate it or not.

After knocking on Wang Zizhao’s door, Tang Yue immediately detected the smell of smoke upon entering. He hastily opened the window and exclaimed, “What are you burning? How can you endure such heavy smoke without opening the window? Aren’t you afraid of suffocating?”

Wang Zizhao remained silent, his gaze fixed on the brazier, lost in thought.

Tang Yue paid no attention to his official duties, and he refrained from involving himself in any conspiracies.

At first, his sole intention was to establish his own career and gain recognition by healing Wang Zizhao’s leg. However, as he spent more time with him, he realized that despite Wang Zizhao’s cold exterior, he was not difficult to get along with. This led Tang Yue to gradually develop deeper personal feelings for him.

“Don’t look anymore. If you keep fixating on it, you won’t be able to turn ashes back into its original form,” Tang Yue said as he extended a wooden box towards Wang Zizhao. “Open it and take a look. It’s for you.”

Wang Zizhao raised his head, his eyes filled with skepticism. “You’re giving this to me?”

“That’s right. Isn’t it customary to give gifts when you’re living in someone else’s house free of charge?” Of course, Tang Yue didn’t mention that it was intended to uplift Wang Zizhao’s spirits.

Wang Zizhao opened the wooden box and discovered a collection of animal wood carvings inside. Each piece possessed an indescribable cuteness and appeared distinct from anything he had seen before.

He picked up a monkey figurine, placing it in the palm of his hand. The monkey, small enough to fit in his hand, had an expression of raised eyebrows and a gaze fixated on the distance. Its eyes were vivid and lifelike.

“Did you carve these?” Wang Zizhao gazed at Tang Yue’s hands, his curiosity piqued about the other talents these hands might possess.

Tang Yue smiled but didn’t answer. “Do you like it?”

“It looks good.” Wang Zizhao answered honestly.

“Are you feeling better now?” Tang Yue glanced at the brazier on the ground and offered reassurance. “In life, it’s inevitable for people to face losses. If you desire more, you must be prepared to endure greater hardships and wounds. So, there’s no need to worry.”

Wang Zizhao felt a slight stir of emotion. As he looked at the wooden sculpture in his hand again, his eyes grew warmer.

Lowering his head, he spoke, “I may not care about many things, but… just like this wooden sculpture, its outward beauty cannot conceal the flaws within. Some people are the same way. It’s good that you see through it.”

Tang Yue was speechless.

Wang Zizhao placed the wooden sculpture back into the box and set it beside his pillow. He spoke earnestly, “Next time, Tang Xiaolang, use this wooden sculpture to exchange for some timber. The manor doesn’t lack that.”

Tang Yue “…” Can we still have fun?