Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Xie Chengze coughed softly. He now knew that universal mathematics education was as secure as holding an egg in both hands – a sure thing!
But to make absolutely certain, he draped an arm familiarly around Su Qinghe’s neck and asked, “Qinghe, you and your father are close, aren’t you?”
Su Qinghe froze slightly.
Why had he suddenly mentioned Father?
He pressed his lips together instinctively and lowered his eyes, unwilling to answer.
People had asked before whether he was truly as favored by the Su family patriarch as rumor claimed. Yet every one of them had only wanted to use him as a convenient stepping-stone into the Su family and onto the path to office. How could any of them have sincerely sought his friendship?
If he refused, they inevitably flew into humiliated rage, cursed him for failing to appreciate their kindness, and claimed they had pitied a mediocrity like him by offering friendship, only for him to squander it…
After hearing the insult a hundred times, Su Qinghe had come to believe it himself.
Did the Second Prince truly have no ulterior motive in approaching him now?
Su Qinghe did not believe that. Beneath the capital’s prosperity, hidden currents surged, a web woven from power and profit. Why would the Second Prince willingly befriend a man without talent or virtue?
His true purpose was probably the influence of the Su family behind him.
Was it for… imperial power?
Su Qinghe did not dare think further. He could consider only his own affairs if he wished to avoid disaster.
In his lowered gaze, the two princesses and Zhu Xiaobiao were still drawing pheasants and rabbits. His palm tightened again. After hesitating, he finally said, “Though Father favors me, Your Highness presumably knows this commoner is merely mediocre. I cannot sway Father’s decisions.”
Why was he calling himself *this commoner* again?
Xie Chengze scratched his cheek. “I really did approach you because I want you to whisper a few words in your father’s ear. As for whether you can sway him, I think he will listen so long as it does no harm to the Su family.”
Su Qinghe had not expected Xie Chengze to admit it so readily. He grew even more silent and lowered his head without speaking.
“Oh, come on. Help me, please~ Or at least hear what I want first, then decide whether you’re willing.” Seeing Su Qinghe’s reluctance, Xie Chengze grasped both his sleeves and swung them from side to side. “Big Brother Qinghe~ Please~ I truly don’t know who else I can ask for help!”
Su Qinghe: !!!
B-Big Brother Qinghe?!
A continuous electric tingle shot from both sides of his neck to the roots of his ears, which flamed bright red. Su Qinghe was so startled by the coaxing plea that his mouth hung open. When he finally reacted, his knees buckled and struck the ground. “Y-Your Highness! You must not abase yourself so before this commoner!”
“Ah.” Seeing him react this way, Xie Chengze dropped onto the stone stool, hid his face behind his sleeve, and began sobbing softly. “I understand. I’m nothing but an incompetent, overbearing prince with an empty pretty face and not a single virtue. That’s why you all look down on me. All that talk of becoming my friend was a lie.”
At the thought of his life of imperial privilege collapsing at the final hurdle, Xie Chengze wept like an old man. “You all despise me! If none of you even wants to hear me speak, what meaning is left in my life? I might as well smash my head against this stone table and die!”
With that, he sprang to his feet and hurled his lowered head toward the table!
Zhu Xiaobiao: …His Highness is doing it again.
“Your Highness – !”
“Second Brother – !”
Su Qinghe and the two princesses screamed. Terrified, Su Qinghe threw his arms around Xie Chengze’s waist and lunged violently to the side. They tumbled to the ground together. Su Qinghe frantically examined Xie Chengze’s forehead and, only after confirming there was no wound, demanded angrily, “How could Your Highness act so recklessly?!”
“Are you angry?” Xie Chengze’s eyes widened slightly. After three meetings, this was the first time he had seen Su Qinghe lose his temper.
Only then did Su Qinghe realize he had shouted at Xie Chengze. Fear immediately tightened his lips, and he began wondering how to beg forgiveness.
Yet from the corner of his eye, Su Qinghe saw Xie Chengze’s novel, astonished expression. The prince not only showed no remorse for his reckless act, but looked as though he wanted to see Su Qinghe lose his temper again. Anger surged through Su Qinghe once more, and he refused to speak to him.
How could the Second Prince act so extremely? Life was precious. How could he treat it as a game?!
“Don’t be angry.” Xie Chengze tugged at his sleeve and seized the opportunity to explain. “The Ministry of Works is desperately short of talent, and its work is closely tied to mathematics. Yet our dynasty has pitifully few masters of the subject. That is why I want to make mathematical education widely available. The Su family is a distinguished clan in the capital, admired and followed by scholars throughout the realm. If the Su family offers its support, scholars everywhere will be willing to study mathematics. That will fill the Ministry of Works with talent and help Jian’an create superior civilian and military implements.”
Su Qinghe looked at Xie Chengze in astonishment.
So the Second Prince wanted him to whisper in his father’s ear in order to promote mathematics? To bring talent into the Ministry of Works and benefit Jian’an?
Su Qinghe had misunderstood him. He had thought the Second Prince was pursuing imperial power…
Shame rose in his heart. Su Qinghe bit his lip. “Your Highness is devoted to the people. You could naturally explain the matter to Father yourself. Why go through this commoner?”
Xie Chengze scratched his head in embarrassment. “I have tried. But my reputation at court is poor, and no one is willing to listen to me.”
Su Qinghe understood at once.
He knew better than anyone how the Su family despised mediocrity. Even the Second Prince, in the eyes of the Su clan, was probably… beneath consideration.
“This commoner can only do his best.” Su Qinghe rose, his eyes lowered. “Your Highness should not hope for too much.”
“I’ll go with you when the time comes.” Xie Chengze climbed to his feet and patted his shoulder. “And stop calling yourself *this commoner*. I truly consider you a friend.”
Su Qinghe nodded with a bitter smile. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Inwardly, however, he did not believe him. His friendship with the prince… still existed only because Xie Chengze wanted something from him. Once he had been used, the prince would likely cast him aside like a worn shoe.
Better not take it too seriously, or the pain would be worse when the time came.
Su Qinghe left Chenghuan Hall in a daze. Jingmo had been waiting beyond the inner palace in a torment of anxiety. Seeing Su Qinghe unharmed, he first sighed with relief. Then he noticed the sorrow in his young master’s eyes and asked in distress, “Were you wronged again, Young Master?”
Su Qinghe said nothing and climbed into the carriage, lost in thought. Jingmo could not help muttering, “Young Master, you should stop coming here. Or at least send Lord Shen a message before you do. Do you know how frightened this servant was, waiting outside?”
Su Qinghe slowly returned to himself. “I cannot trouble Big Brother Shen every time. Besides, the Second Prince did not make things difficult for me. I only… I only…”
He leaned sideways against the wooden carriage wall, sadness in his eyes. “Jingmo, does pure friendship not exist anywhere in this capital? Must you be useful to another person before you can be considered friends?”
Jingmo tilted his head slightly. “This servant doesn’t know. Even servants at the Su Residence need friends to cover their shifts or introduce them to opportunities, let alone people throughout the enormous capital. But this servant thinks anyone who befriends you from the start only because you can help him is definitely a terrible choice for a friend!”
He bared his teeth. “Those scholars are all sour and stinking. Jingmo doesn’t like them!”
“What if… what the other person seeks is a good thing?” Su Qinghe asked, clinging to a thread of hope.
Jingmo scratched his head. What did it mean for the thing someone sought to be good? If the person sought it, then it must be good for *him*!
So he nodded. “Mm-hmm! They’re all bad people! None of them deserve you, Young Master!”
I see…
The light in Su Qinghe’s eyes gradually dimmed. “You’re right… I shouldn’t…”
He should not cling to foolish hopes again.