I Don't Want to Be a Charmboy【Quick Wear】

Chapter 371 His Highness the Crown Prince is Outstandingly Talented (9)

Lin Shen suddenly raised his eyes, and the corners of his lips curved into a perfectly symmetrical smile, revealing a faint, seemingly innocent smile.

Lin Shen was only twelve or thirteen years old, his face still showing signs of immaturity, but he already had the beginnings of a remarkable talent.

"Grand Tutor," Lin Shen's voice was clear and melodious, carrying the unique quality of a young man, "Why did you stop talking?"

Zhang Zhengyuan snapped back to reality, only then realizing that he had been staring at the Crown Prince's face, lost in thought.

He felt a sudden panic and subconsciously raised his hand to fidget with his fingers to cover up his momentary embarrassment, forcing a somewhat forced smile onto his face.

"Your Highness is quite the joker. I was just thinking about how to explain it more appropriately. Well then... let's continue."

He picked up the book again, trying to draw his attention back to the scriptures, but his mind was already in turmoil.

Just then, Lin Shen seemed to estimate that the time was about right. He leaned forward slightly, his smile deepening, becoming exceptionally sweet, as if coated with honey. His voice also softened: "I haven't fully grasped what you just said. Grand Tutor, would you mind teaching me again?"

That smile was like spring flowers suddenly blooming, so bright it was dazzling.

Zhang Zhengyuan felt as if his heart had been suddenly clenched by something, and then it began to pound uncontrollably.

His mind went blank, with only one thought swirling in his head.

His Highness the Crown Prince smiled at him so sweetly... At such a young age, his brows already exude charm, and his every smile and frown has such magic. He is truly... a born little devil who knows how to captivate hearts.

He forcefully suppressed the surging emotions surging within him, along with some unspeakable, sordid thoughts that arose within them. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he tried to maintain the composure of a teacher, nodding.

"Your Highness's diligence is my good fortune."

He continued explaining, but his voice inevitably carried a hint of dryness and absent-mindedness.

His gaze, as if drawn by invisible threads, always involuntarily swept across the pages of the book, secretly tracing Lin Shen's outline.

The boy's drooping neck had a beautiful line, and his skin was as white as jade, gleaming with a delicate and warm luster in the candlelight.

And those ears peeking out from her black hair, small and delicate, with rounded earlobes and a faint pink hue, as beautiful as jade carvings, so cute that they make one's heart itch with desire.

Zhang Zhengyuan, as if possessed, raised his head and quickly scanned the hall.

The palace attendants all lowered their heads and looked away, standing in the shadows at a distance, and none of them paid any attention to this side.

A crazy thought began to grow in his mind—he was just touching it, just touching that incredibly soft earlobe, it should... be okay, right? No one would notice.

He was bewitched by the thought, and his fingers, hidden under his wide sleeves, curled slightly and trembled as if he wanted to raise them.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Imperial Study was completely different.

Li Mao arrived breathless after running all the way. He didn't even bother to wipe his sweat. He hurriedly found the chief eunuch Li Quan and whispered a few words in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Li Quan's expression hardened. Without daring to delay, he immediately tiptoed into the somber study.

Emperor Qi listened with a grim face to the reports from his ministers about the floods in Jiangnan. His brows were furrowed with dark clouds, as if he might unleash a thunderous rage at any moment.

The ministers held their breath, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Li Quan silently approached the throne and leaned close to the Qi Emperor's ear.

Emperor Qi's face, which had been serious to the point of being cold, softened visibly after hearing Li Quan's words, and the corners of his mouth even involuntarily turned up, forming a smile that could be described as "romantic".

He bent his fingers and tapped the smooth rosewood tabletop idly, clearly in a very good mood.

The ministers below, who were anxiously awaiting their reprimand, looked at each other, exchanging bewildered glances.

Just a moment ago, His Majesty looked furious, as if he wanted to drag them out and behead them immediately. How come in the blink of an eye... he's smiling so smugly? Which deity sent down a life-saving rain to resolve this crisis?

Emperor Qi seemed to realize his lapse in composure. He cleared his throat and straightened his face again, but the smile in his eyes could not be completely hidden.

"Alright, the matter of the floods in Jiangnan is of great importance. You may go and discuss it in detail. Tomorrow morning at court, I want to hear a practical and feasible plan."

His gaze swept over the few people below who seemed to have been granted a pardon. His tone was slow, but carried an undeniable authority: "If you still can't find a good solution, I will have no choice but to ask you all to spend a few days in the imperial prison to think things through."

The ministers hurriedly kowtowed and repeatedly answered "Yes," almost scrambling to their feet to their feet, and hurriedly but orderly withdrew from the imperial study.

After the ministers had all left, Emperor Qi immediately stood up from his dragon throne, tidying up the wrinkles in his robes in a good mood. He even looked down at his attire and casually asked, "Li Quan, how do I look today?"

Li Quan nimbly bent down, his face beaming with a perfectly timed, cheerful expression, and flattered in a loud voice, "Your Majesty is naturally radiant today, handsome and dashing, unmatched by anyone!"

Emperor Qi was amused by his words, pointed at his head lightly, and chuckled, "You old codger, always putting on airs and being glib." Despite his words, his smile deepened.

After saying that, he didn't linger any longer and strode out with a smile.

Li Quan quickly suppressed his smile, resumed his respectful demeanor, and followed closely behind with small, quick steps.

Li Mao, who was waiting outside, immediately joined the group.

The group headed straight for the Zichen Palace, where the Crown Prince resided.

Upon reaching the outside of the palace, Emperor Qi gestured to the palace servants following closely behind him, indicating that they should remain where they were and not follow him inside.