Who Stole My Eggs?

Before the sun set, Xie Zuo successfully received Imperial Teacher Wen and his entourage.

From a distance, he spotted the Wen family flag fluttering in the air. He and Mu Rong dismounted their horses early and waited by the roadside with their hands lowered.

As Imperial Teacher Wen’s carriage came to a stop, the old man emerged with a stern expression, his wrinkled face stretched taut. The two of them bowed respectfully as disciples and intoned in unison, “We greet the Imperial Teacher!”

“Yes,” Imperial Teacher Wen nodded solemnly. After acknowledging the ceremony, he knelt before Xie Zuo and offered a bow.

“No need for formalities, please rise!” Xie Zuo hurriedly extended his hand to help him up, unwilling to let him kneel.

But Imperial Teacher Wen rebuffed, “Your Highness, the ceremony must be done!”

With no other option, Xie Zuo acquiesced, accepting half of his kneeling ceremony begrudgingly: What a stickler for tradition!

On the journey back, Xie Zuo and Mu Rong sat inside the Imperial Teacher Wen’s carriage.

Xie Zuo diligently served tea to Imperial Teacher Wen while discreetly exchanging glances with Mu Rong.

Clearing his throat, Mu Rong inquired, “May I ask why Imperial Teacher has come in person this time? With me accompanying the prince and General Huo providing protection, you need not worry about his safety!”

Imperial Teacher Wen casted a cold glance at Xie Zuo.

“Naturally, I’m not concerned about his safety,” Imperial Teacher Wen replied, “I’m more worried that he’ll spend all day cavorting in the countryside, learning unsavory tricks and forgetting proper etiquette and protocol! With ample free time on my hands, courtesy of the King and Queen’s respect, I’ve been dispatched to provide guidance to His Highness.”

With a gesture of respect toward the imperial city of Yuzhao Kingdom, Imperial Teacher Wen added, “I’ll ensure to fulfill my duty and teach His Highness the wedding ceremony properly. It must be executed flawlessly to enhance our nation’s prestige to the people of Yuzhao Kingdom!”

Xie Zuo sighed inwardly; this old man truly was peculiar. Amidst the frequent miracles in the Sixteen Kingdoms, Xie Zuo and princes from other countries ventured into the mountains to study and learn immortal arts. However, Imperial Teacher Wen remained staunchly skeptical, adamantly opposing such notions. He scorned beliefs in ghosts and deities, dismissing all “miracles” as deceitful. He harbored intense displeasure towards Xie Zuo’s divergence from the righteous path to explore heretical practices.

Xie Zuo reckoned that had he not been a prince, Imperial Teacher Wen would have expelled him long ago.

“Why go through all the trouble to come here, just wait until my return to teach something new?” Xie Zuo queried.

“Time is of the essence!” Imperial Teacher Wen exclaimed. “The king has set your wedding with Princess Lin on the tenth day of next month. The decree has been issued. Your wedding is a significant event concerning the nation’s fate, and there is no room for error. With less than a month remaining, the pressure keeps me awake at night.”

“I’m not naive,” Xie Zuo rebuffed. “It’s just a wedding, what’s so complicated about it?”

Imperial Teacher Wen snorted coldly and said no more.

Observing his demeanor, Xie Zuo’s heart sank, sensing an impending doom.

.

As the carriage and horses approached the inn, a soldier approached to report: “The general is waiting at the intersection ahead to greet you personally!”

Upon hearing this, Imperial Teacher Wen grasped Xie Zuo’s hand tightly and inquired in a hushed tone, “Is he still showing respect towards you?”

“Respectful, overly so,” Xie Zuo replied through gritted teeth.

Imperial Teacher Wen scrutinized his expression carefully and sighed, “My child, it’s not an easy situation. You’ve handled it well. Everyone must treat him with respect. As for the future… Oh!” Imperial Teacher Wen rose abruptly and straightened his attire, then declared loudly, “Halt!”

Sourly, Xie Zuo watched as Imperial Teacher Wen disembarked from the carriage ahead of time, proceeding to the intersection to greet Huo Yao with solemnity.

Feeling discontented, Xie Zuo whispered to Mu Rong, “I’m the prince, yet he’s addressing me in such a manner, but he’s so respectful to Huo Yao?”

Mu Rong’s expression was complex, “The general commands the military might of the nation and holds an esteemed position akin to that of a teacher. Mutual respect is warranted. The teacher acts in the interest of the nation and, more importantly, in your favor, brother.”

With the Huo family boasting a war god like Huo Yao, their influence was formidable. Both the imperial army and the secret guards were under Huo family command. Every king would tremble at such might.

Yet, his prince brother chose an unconventional path, relying on something to win over Huo Yao. If the old teacher were to learn the truth, he would likely be overcome with grief and rage to the point of death.

As an old man, Imperial Teacher Wen retired to rest upon arrival at the inn.

.

Xie Zuo returned to his quarters and slumped onto the bed, exclaiming, “I’m exhausted!”

Upon seeing Huo Yao enter, he hastily shut the door and sat up warily, “What are you planning?”

Huo Yao’s eyes gleamed with intensity, “To continue from last night.”

Xie Zuo’s complexion paled, “No, it’s too much, it’s too painful!”

Huo Yao sat beside him, enveloping him in his arms and tenderly kissing his forehead, “I have something good.”

“What good thing?”

From his sleeve, Huo Yao produced a small, round-bellied suet jade bottle with an open mouth, “I bought this after traveling dozens of miles. Let’s give it a try?”

Xie Zuo: “???”

Huo Yao uncorked the bottle, revealing a jar filled with clear, delicate ointment emanating a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

Huo Yao dabbed a bit of the ointment with his fingertips and applied it to the back of Xie Zuo’s hand, saying, “It has excellent lubricating and pain-relieving effects. It’s the best product.”

Xie Zuo found Huo Yao’s behavior mischievous, “You’ve learned some naughty tricks!”

Attempting to escape, Xie Zuo tried to push Huo Yao away, but Huo Yao was unwilling to let him go and pushed him back onto the bed.

As they wrestled, a cautious knock interrupted them.

Xie Zuo was relieved and hastily inquired, “What is it?”

It was Mu Rong, “The teacher wishes to see you.”

For the first time, Xie Zuo found Imperial Teacher Wen endearing, “Coming, I’ll be there in a moment!”

Xie Zuo pushed Huo Yao’s shoulder, “Get off!”

Reluctantly, Huo Yao released him.

Xie Zuo scrambled out of bed, opened the door, and let Mu Rong in.

Mu Rong glanced at the sky, then at Xie Zuo accusingly, “The sun hasn’t set yet, you’re too impatient!”

Xie Zuo chuckled awkwardly, “Let’s hurry.”

Mu Rong reminded him, “Brother, if you go to see the teacher in such disarray, you’ll surely be scolded.”

“You’re right, wait here, I’ll change.”

Xie Zuo quickly tidied up and left hand in hand with Mu Rong, leaving Huo Yao alone in the room.

The lonely general clutched the jade bottle dearly, feeling disappointed.

.

Moments later, Xie Zuo returned with a stack of books.

Dumping the books into Huo Yao’s arms, he said, “Don’t say a word, let me have some peace. It feels like a swarm of mosquitoes has invaded my mind.”

As Imperial Teacher Wen grew older, he became more talkative. After a brief nap, he called Xie Zuo for another lesson. It was only when Xie Zuo looked on the verge of collapse that Imperial Teacher Wen reluctantly released him.

Sinking onto a stone bench in the courtyard, Xie Zuo muttered, “Once I return to my true self, I’ll give that old man a piece of my mind!”

Huo Yao stacked the books inside and found Xie Zuo lying on the stone table, looking utterly defeated. Feeling a mix of amusement and sympathy, Huo Yao remembered that Xie Zuo had learned these etiquettes for the sake of marrying another woman, and the corners of his mouth, which had just lifted, flattened again.

With his face pressed against the table, Xie Zuo watched Huo Yao approach and begged, “Have mercy! The old man wants me to visit him tomorrow early in the morning to receive his teachings, saying I can’t wake up late.”

Huo Yao lifted him onto his shoulders with his strong arms, “I’ll let you off today. Let’s go take a bath together.”

Xie Zuo stopped struggling and complained, “Your posture… Is that how you carry your lover? It’s like carrying a sack of pork!”

Ignoring his complaint, Huo Yao carried him into the house with determined strides.

Note: I kinda miss Wu Xiao, he’s so lively, he would be smelling Xie Zuo up and down.