Chapter Sixty: Lin Wanwan Stops the Carriage

At the mention of Lin Wanwan, Xiao Jingxuan furrowed his brow, displeased, and interrupted Song Yunmo.

“We grew up playing together since we were children. I don’t want you speaking of her that way. Besides, the way you spoke of the Empress in court today was not in keeping with the Song family’s values. A gentleman does not stand beneath a precarious wall—you should reflect on yourself.”

Boys are strangers to sorrow. Xiao Jingxuan had lived cautiously since his youth, yet he too had once known the innocence of childhood. Other than clinging to Lin Wanwan for warmth, Song Yunmo had once been his closest friend. Song Yunmo came from a distinguished family, but was never stiff or rigid like his father—he was lively and interesting, a scholar and a politician but also carefree and open-hearted. He never looked down on Xiao Jingxuan’s status; the two spent every day together.

Until that day, when Xiao Jingxuan climbed over the wall to find Song Yunmo and tell him that the Lin family had refused to let Wanwan marry him, and that he was going to the battlefield to secure his own place. He saw Song Yunmo’s father whipping his son with a wet bamboo stick, scolding him for associating with Xiao Jingxuan, the outcast. “How many times have I told you? Why don’t you listen? What great things could Xiao Jingxuan possibly accomplish? Do you understand what it means to protect yourself?”

In that moment, the last glimmer of light in Xiao Jingxuan’s heart was snuffed out. Without a word, he left for the battlefield.

“Hey, Xiao Jingxuan, what do you mean by that? Can you stop being so sarcastic? I don’t care about any precarious walls—I’ll stand wherever I please!” Song Yunmo’s shout yanked Xiao Jingxuan back from his memories.

“Is this how you teach the Crown Prince?” Xiao Jingxuan doubted the Song family’s reputation for strategy would allow the Grand Tutor to act so recklessly.

“What do you mean? I teach the Crown Prince to be upright, to rule with benevolence, to govern with both kindness and authority, to have a broad vision for the empire and to lay plans for the world. I certainly don’t teach him to be devious.” Song Yunmo felt insulted, stamping his foot in anger.

Xiao Jingxuan pondered for a moment, then looked at Song Yunmo with a slight smile.

“What are you smiling at? I thought you’d forgotten how. Stop that—it’s creepy,” Song Yunmo said, only to realize Xiao Jingxuan’s sly grin was making his hair stand on end.

“Would you consider taking on another student?” Wasn’t it normal to smile when asking for a favor? Why say he was being creepy—Xiao Jingxuan didn’t understand.

“Your son? He doesn’t seem to like me very much.” At this point, Song Yunmo could guess who the student was.

“Yes, it’s settled. I’ll have Yunbai formally become your disciple.” After hearing Song Yunmo’s words, Xiao Jingxuan suddenly understood—he had lived such a hard life, overthinking everything, but there was nothing wrong with his son being like Song Yunmo: carefree and unrestrained. Having made up his mind, Xiao Jingxuan turned to leave. Later, he would tell Su Jingluo he had found the best teacher in the world for Yunbai.

“Hey! You can’t just leave like that—I haven’t agreed yet! And listen, now that you have Luoluo, you’re not allowed to pine for Lin Wanwan anymore, you hear me?” Xiao Jingxuan strode away, leaving Song Yunmo shouting after him at the top of his lungs, unsure if he’d been heard.

Seated in his carriage, Xiao Jingxuan felt quite pleased with himself for having found such an excellent teacher for Yunbai. He ordered the driver to return home as soon as possible. He couldn’t wait for Su Jingluo to sober up so he could tell her how capable he was. After all, Song Yunmo was not a teacher just anyone could invite.

The carriage had only gone a few steps before it stopped again. Outside, Zhuo Yue’an’s voice sounded.

“My lord, Miss Lin Wanwan is outside.” Zhuo Yue’an’s voice was cold. He had already heard from Ruihuan how Lin Wanwan had tried to steal the prince’s wife. Seeing her approach, he wanted to hurry the carriage away, but who could have guessed she would throw herself in front of the horses so recklessly?