TPATTHU Chapter 15

Chapter 15: His Highness’s First Meeting with Teacher

Shen Zhejiang turned his gaze towards Xiao Zhinian’s general direction.

What was so good about him?

He treated people coldly, and as a youth, he was arrogant and proud, believing he could achieve fame and success with his knowledge.

In the end, it was all a big joke.

“Teacher, do you remember? Our first meeting was at the alley entrance.”

A single sentence evoked Shen Zhejiang’s memories.

Actually, even without Xiao Zhinian’s elaboration, Shen Zhejiang remembered everything clearly.

After the Shen family’s assets were confiscated, he had nowhere to go and spent his days rushing around, seeking someone to appeal for justice for his family. He met Xiao Zhinian during that time.

That day, the sky was gloomy. He held a worn-out oil-paper umbrella, raindrops pattering against its surface, seeping into his ears.

Shen Zhejiang didn’t know where he was going, walking aimlessly and despondently.

Just then, the sound of crying came from the alley entrance.

Compelled by some impulse, he approached and saw that it was a lost child sitting under the eaves, crying loudly. The child was soaked through, and dressed in bright clothes, unlike a child from an ordinary family.

At that time, Shen Zhejiang didn’t know this child was Xiao Zhinian.

“Which household are you from?”

Shen Zhejiang lowered himself, moving the oil-paper umbrella a little further to shield the little Xiao Zhinian from the rain.

Little Xiao Zhinian looked up, his eyes red and filled with tears, blinking twice as he stared at Shen Zhejiang.

The sound of raindrops seemed to recede into the distance, becoming faint.

Little Xiao Zhinian stared blankly at the older brother in front of him, only thinking that he was good-looking, more so than anyone he had ever seen, especially his eyes.

“…Who are you?”

“Which family are you from?”

They spoke simultaneously.

Shen Zhejiang pondered for a moment, then said, “Could it be you’re lost?”

Little Xiao Zhinian nodded, “Mm.”

“Do you know the way home?”

“I don’t.”

Being playful, little Xiao Zhinian really couldn’t remember the way back to the Eastern Palace (Yanqing Palace/Hall).

Shen Zhejiang extended his hand towards him, softly saying, “How about I take you to the government office?”

Little Xiao Zhinian squeezed his small hands, shaking his head, “No.”

Shen Zhejiang thought he was worried that he harbored ill intentions, so he softened his voice even more, using an almost gentle tone, “Do you know the Minister of Justice? How about I take you to him?”

“Okay.”

Little Xiao Zhinian wiped away his tears, stood up from under the eaves, and placed his small hand in Shen Zhejiang’s slightly cool palm.

Who the Minister of Justice was, little Xiao Zhinian didn’t actually know, but he wanted to be with Shen Zhejiang.

Shen Zhejiang also hadn’t expected that, having fallen to such a state, he could still spare the energy to care for others.

Coming back to his senses, he realized that the heavy rain had been pouring for quite some time.

“Back then, this Prince was willing to go with Teacher because I felt that Teacher wasn’t a bad person, that you wouldn’t harm me.”

“…”

Shen Zhejiang didn’t respond.

If he had known then that the child was Xiao Zhinian, what would he have chosen to do?

Would he still have held Xiao Zhinian’s hand as he did then, walking out of the rain-soaked streets and alleys?

“Shen Zhejiang, come out!”

Accompanied by a rude shout, a prison guard rushed in and unlocked the cell’s chains. Before Shen Zhejiang could react, he was dragged out unceremoniously.

Xiao Zhinian ran to the front of the cell, gripping the wooden bars. The veins on the back of his hand stood out, and he shouted anxiously, almost screaming, “What are you doing?! Let Teacher go!”

No matter what, Xiao Zhinian was still the Crown Prince, and even though he was imprisoned, anyone with eyes could see that it was just the Emperor’s momentary anger.

The prison guard heard Xiao Zhinian’s shout, turned around, and respectfully bowed to him, “Greetings, Your Highness. This humble one is acting under the orders of the Minister of Justice to interrogate the prisoner Shen Zhejiang. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

He coldly glanced at Shen Zhejiang and said to the subordinate escorting him, “Take him away.”

Shen Zhejiang, expressionless, shook off the arms of the two men escorting him. His integrity remained unchanged, as clear and cold as snow falling on a mountaintop, and said, “I can walk myself.”

The prison guard sneered but didn’t make things difficult for him. However, in his heart, he cursed, *What’s with the attitude? You’re still just a prisoner.*