Chapter 5

The Appointed Prince Charming (1)

A student in a simple white ancient costume was currently sitting in the wheelchair on the stage, auditioning for the role. “How is the fate of the country any of my business? You’ve got the wrong guy. As you can see, I’m nothing but a cripple.”

The boy had delicate good looks and really gave off the vibe of a classically-beautiful ancient man. He’d even made extra effort for the audition. He was not just wearing a simple costume. He’d also applied some light make-up. He sat in the wheelchair, half-lowering his head, just like it said in the script, hiding the emotions on his face from the audience. However, his furrowed brow and pursed lips pretty much revealed his inner turmoil.

The young man was a minor, so he was still very thin and frail both look-wise and physique-wise. His self-deprecating tone and forbearing demeanor exuded a melancholic air that was altogether heartbreaking.

That’s right! How could anyone avoid feeling heartbroken? In the show, Mr. Qianji was the reclusive last descendant of the Qianji bloodline, as his relatives had been deceased since he was born, and he was crippled in both legs and deaf in both ears!

No one noticed Director Liu furrowing his brows in the judge’s seat under the dim light. He looked as if he could no longer endure the play before him. Finally, he rose to his feet and prepared to leave.

His actions drew everyone’s attention. However, a loud, impatient “hah!” diverted their attention, including Director Liu’s attention.

“You talk too much. I told you to leave!” A clear, bright voice echoed loudly after that impatient laugh. The source of its uplifted tone was yet to be seen. An imposing, proud image appeared in their minds.

Tap, tap, tap… The low, clicking sound of footsteps was heard from the corridor of the audience section.

The room was silent.

The boy, who was in the middle of his audition on stage, had turned toward the source of that voice long ago, from the moment it had rung out.

The obscure figure drew closer and closer. At first, only his slender, long legs could be seen. Everyone felt a strange, indescribable feeling as they stayed in the light and watched that pair of legs walking toward them. Only the standing Director Liu’s eyes lit up for a split second. Then, his expression became stern.

The disciplined pace of these footsteps was reminiscent of the stride of an ancient sovereign. Only the members of the imperial family could walk like that. This was a culmination of teachings of imperial etiquette and the heavy embroidery on the imperial court attire. One had to walk in this very manner in order to appear graceful and effortless despite the restrictive nature of the robes.

‘This kid…’

Director Liu stared at Si Huang, who was finally revealed in full view on the stage. Even he, who had a wide array of experiences, gasped at the sight of his beauty. Soon, he found his attention captured by his mannerisms and expressions. His eyes gradually widened, never once leaving Si Huang.

Then, Si Huang gently waved her hand and glanced impatiently at the boy on the stage. She reached out with her hand, pushed down the air beneath her waist, then placed one leg on the steps that led to the stage… Everyone widened their eyes in shock. They actually understood that action. Si Huang was reaching out to lift up the hem of a non-existent ancient robe.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you going to kneel before me?” Si Huang suddenly paused around two meters away from the boy as if she had seen some sort of unsightly look in the boy’s eyes. She furrowed her brows severely and then laughed wickedly. “Hah! I almost forgot that a cripple like you wouldn’t be able to kneel even if he wanted to.”

“Sh-Shut up!” The boy instinctively played along when he heard this. He had read the script countless times after all.

That indignant tone fit his current portrayal very well.

“Ugh!” Si Huang suddenly went very red in the face, as if she had been hit. Her throat quivered, and she forcibly swallowed the blood that was threatening to spill out of her mouth. Her body swayed. Then, she lifted her head and stared at the boy with a deadpan expression on her face, her gaze darkening profoundly and murderous intent lingering in her eyes.

She was the Crown Prince of the Feng Dynasty. No matter how spoiled and willful the prince was, the proud, noble blood of the imperial family was flowing in his veins. Therefore, he refused to allow himself to spit out blood in front of this cripple, and he certainly wasn’t going to let this cripple humiliate him! Now that he’d offended him, he deserved to die!

The boy in the wheelchair was forced to stare into Si Huang’s unpredictable eyes. His face went pale from fright. He should be grateful that he was in the wheelchair, or he would have gone limp and collapsed on the ground. That would only make things worse for him.

The boy felt as if he was hallucinating as the scene described in the script was playing out before his very eyes. This young man was the Crown Prince of the Feng Dynasty, Feng Cang, and he could have his head chopped off at any moment. He was wearing purple and black dragon robes, and there was a crest on top of his head. He exuded the elegance of a member of the imperial family, lofty and unyielding.

Clap, clap, clap! Suddenly, the sound of claps interrupted their silence.

The crowd finally awoke from its dreamlike state and looked at the Crown Prince of the Feng Dynasty on the stage… Oh, that was inaccurate! This was a very young boy.

“Wow! He’s so handsome!”

“I didn’t even notice his face!”

“I thought that he was actually going to kill someone. Was it an illusion?”

“I felt the same way.”

It was no wonder they felt as if they were in an illusion.

When the sound of Director Liu’s claps echoed in the hall, Si Huang’s gaze relaxed. No one could have thought that this quiet youth and that overbearing man who practically reeked of murderous intent were one and the same. However, the fact that Si Huang was now standing in that spot confirmed that… they were the same person!

“It was a good performance, but…”

Director Liu eyed Si Huang as she stood underneath the spotlight. This kid had been born to be in the spotlight, to be the center of attention.

“But the role of Feng Cang belongs to An Yiyuan.”

Si Huang bowed before Director Liu, straightened up, and smiled. “I know. Actually… I’m here for the role of Mr. Qianji. I didn’t get the chance to audition, so I had to resort to this. I’m sorry for breaking the audition rules, but I really need this part and I’m sure that I can become this character!”

Not portray him, become him.

Director Liu’s gaze darkened. He looked at the sincere kid with a pure and passionate look in his eyes. He actually looked like a 16-year-old student now, filled with passion and innocence as he strived to achieve his dreams. “Mr. Qianji isn’t Feng Cang.”

Si Huang’s face broke into a bright smile. Her intonation became higher because of her emotions. “Yes, I know.”

“You have three minutes.” Director Liu sat down.

Si Huang turned around. “This stage belongs to me now,” she told the boy, who was still occupying the wheelchair.

Director Liu smiled quietly when he heard this. ‘This kid sure is interesting.’

The boy was surprised. Then, he blushed. He shot Si Huang a resentful and unpleasant glare. There was also a hint of mockery in his eyes, as though he was hoping that he would humiliate himself. He got up from the wheelchair and deliberately tried to knock into Si Huang as he left. However, Si Huang was agile enough to avoid him. As a result, the boy tripped embarrassingly, eliciting a roar of laughter from everyone.