Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 133

The little prince was still the little prince. Since his father was injured and returned home, he changed his ways completely. No longer hiding in the shadows, he strove to make his presence known.

Privately, he reached out to his uncle, expressing his strong support for him to take the throne. Among all his uncles, the sixth uncle was the most favored, but it was this very uncle who caused his father’s injury.

The sixth uncle harbored the belief that “those who obey me will prosper, and those who defy me will perish.” Since his father did not clearly choose a side, the sixth uncle was determined to eliminate any potential threats, which forced his father into his uncle’s camp.

The uncle had been on the throne for decades, and Zhao Chengzhang, the little prince, grew from a seven-year-old child into a twenty-year-old young man. But despite this, he never agreed to the princess’s request for him to choose a lady to marry. As a result, he secretly ran away from home. Naturally, the princess cried, but everyone was used to it. If the princess didn’t cry at least once every two days, it would be the end of the world.

When Prince Cheng and the current emperor were besieged by rebels, the princess behaved uncharacteristically, hiding in the cellar with the little prince for five days and nights without shedding a single tear. Instead, she comforted everyone with a smile every day, keeping them from falling apart. It was this strength that prevented everyone from collapsing, even as the sound of the rebels’ steps echoed overhead.

After Prince Cheng helped the current emperor win the throne, he retired, never again seeking power. The emperor, appreciating his wisdom and interests, took special care of Prince Cheng’s household. Although Prince Cheng held no real power, he was still highly respected.

But Prince Cheng knew well that the emperor’s favor was fleeting and uncertain, and it could disappear at any moment. So, secretly, he took over all the tasks that the emperor couldn’t publicly handle, managing them on his behalf.

Upon learning that the young prince was unwilling to marry, Prince Cheng summoned him for questioning.

The young prince spoke passionately, “Father, a true man does not marry until he has served his country and accomplished his mission!”

Prince Cheng scowled. “Speak plainly!”

The young prince smiled smugly. “Father, I’ve been thinking about that little spy.”

Prince Cheng suddenly realized that the boy was thinking about that ger all along. How curious—he was only seven years old at the time, wasn’t he?

Over the years, the little prince kept in contact with the Zhang family, but he never did anything about it.

In truth, the young prince was not as sentimental as he claimed. After all, he was too young at the time. Even if he remembered something, it was only the faintest memory—a vague impression of a hair bun—which made him feel a sense of familiarity whenever he saw someone with a similar hairstyle.

The young prince was handsome, carefree, and skilled in both martial arts and literature. His charm captivated countless gers and girls. He firmly believed there was no one better than him in the world. However, he had one flaw—he held grudges.

He still remembered how Zhang Shu once scorned him because of his weight and ineptitude, refusing to let his ger marry him. He also remembered how Qianjin betrayed him. In his mind, he thought, You looked down on me back then, but now I’ll make you regret it. 

When Zhang Qianjin married some village man and became a plain village ger, he would relish the sight of him standing before this prince.

Prince Cheng felt a little uncomfortable. Zhang Shu was his lifesaver. He also knew that Zhang Shu did not want to marry into the royal family. He couldn’t force him, could he? But now, this child seemed to be in love, and it looked like he wouldn’t turn back until he hit a wall. It wouldn’t be good to hit him too hard.

Fine, he thought. Let the boy hit the “tree” himself. Once he gets hurt, he’ll come back naturally.

So, on a sunny March morning with catkins floating in the air, the young prince left happily with two guards.

Prince Cheng felt a pang of sadness. My son, remember to turn back if you bump into a southern “tree.” Your father’s arms are always open for you.

The little prince, on his journey, amused himself by teasing cats and dogs, or rather, by practicing chivalry, winning countless admiring glances. However, every time, he only put on a serious face, as if reminding everyone that there was a country husband waiting for him.

As a result, Qianjin inexplicably became the target of jealousy.

After some time, the little prince and his party finally arrived in Anyang County in mid-May. By then, the streets and alleys were filled with the scent of mugwort. Every household was preparing realgar wine, and children wore bags made of red rope with boiled eggs inside, a traditional practice for the Dragon Boat Festival.

As the saying goes, Every festival makes people miss their relatives more. 

The little prince, rarely away from home, finally began to feel a little homesick. He wondered if the jar of pear blossoms buried under the old tree would still be there when he returned.

He mounted his horse and galloped toward Shuitou Village. The scenery along the way felt familiar. Though it changed a lot in the past ten years, the little prince still felt an odd sense of familiarity. This was the place where he spent the happiest days of his childhood.

…

It was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the school in the village gave the children a day off. Master Huang, though old, was in high spirits. He sat with Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Zhang, chatting about the recent weather and anticipating the harvest.

A ger of about sixteen or seventeen came out of the house. He was tall and handsome, and his smile was the most endearing thing about him.

“Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Zhang, Grandpa Huang, Aba has prepared the meal. Let’s go eat outside. There are many people today, so we’ll eat in the yard.” Qianjin helped Grandma Zhang out, followed by the two old men.

The yard was bustling with activity. There were three tables set up. The first was for Grandpa Zhang and the other elderly folks, including Father Li, Li Aba, and Zhou Nan’s Aba. The second table was for Zhang Shu, Li Mujin, Li Yan, Zhou Nan, Yu Xiaoliu, and Wang Meng. The third was for Qianjin, Zhang Erbao, the twins Li Xuewen and Li Xiwu, Qianjin’s younger brother Zhang Sanbao, the twins’ brother Li Yuanyuan, and Yu Xiaoliu’s sons, Yu Duofu and Yu Duoshou.

Zhang Sanbao and Li Yuanyuan were both just three years old and should have sat next to their Abars to be fed. However, they insisted on sitting next to Qianjin, allowing him to feed them.

Whenever the neighbors saw this, they teased Qianjin, calling him their “little Aba.” The two little ones liked to call him Aba when they were playing and big brother at other times.

Midway through the meal, Zhang Sanbao, unable to sit still, secretly grabbed Li Yuanyuan, and the two ran off while Qianjin was eating.

With no other choice, Qianjin chased after them, bowl in hand. If he didn’t feed them, he would be in trouble later because they would only look for him, not their fathers or Abas.

The two children, hand in hand, giggled as they ran ahead, calling out, “Aba, come here!”

Qianjin was chasing them from behind, wishing he could spank them.

When the little prince arrived, he saw this scene and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. The children in the countryside were lively and adorable. If they were in the palace, they would have been punished by their nannies for running around like that.

The boy chasing behind the children looked very young, but he could father children of this age. He laughed at the sight.

But then, as he heard the villagers passing by, laughing and calling out to the children, his smile faltered.

“Sanbao Yuanyuan, run quickly, your little Aba is chasing you!”

Little Aba? Qianjin?!

The little prince was struck as if by lightning. He looked at Qianjin again. His face was clear and handsome, yet he was frowning with a touch of anger, his gaze fixed on the children ahead.

The little prince suddenly felt something sour rise in his chest. He thought that Qianjin might be married when he arrived, but seeing her now, he didn’t know what to do.

The two children, who seemed so adorable a moment ago, now looked like a thorn in his side. Who was their father? Was he better than this little prince?

A man appeared from the end of the path, holding the two children. He smiled at Qianjin and said, “Qianjin, come quickly. I’ve caught them.”

Qianjin smiled, his eyes curving with a brightness that seemed to light up the air around him. Holding the bowl, he walked forward.

The little prince looked at him, his face darkening. He turned his horse sharply, cracked the whip, and galloped away, out of the village.

Qianjin heard the sound and glanced over, only seeing the back of a figure retreating, appearing cold and lonely in the sunlight.