The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 551 - 518: Young Master Xiao Yao (First Update)

Chapter 551: Chapter 518: Young Master Xiao Yao (First Update)

After chatting with his grandfather for a while, Yuanbao walked out of Rong’an Hall, planning to head to his study in the outer courtyard to review his studies. As he was walking along the corridor, he saw the Attendant Student Duan Yan happily running over. He bowed and said, "Young Master, someone from the palace is here."

Yuanbao was taken aback. He had just returned home not long ago, why would someone from the palace come?

Judging from Duan Yan’s look, it probably wasn’t anything bad, so Yuanbao didn’t ask who had come.

Duan Yan was just a book attendant who used to serve him with ink and brush at home. He hadn’t seen much of the world nor interacted much with people from the palace, so asking would be pointless.

Quickening his pace, Yuanbao walked forward.

The gate and the main door were both open, and from afar, he could see a spacious and luxurious carriage parked outside. Standing beside it was Mr. Mu, who served Zhao Xi. Mr. Mu held a tray covered with bright red silk, obscuring its contents.

Yuanbao stepped over the threshold and looked at him in surprise, "Mr. Mu, what brings you here?"

During his time in the palace, although Yuanbao was spirited, he had a good relationship with the servants. That’s why Mr. Mu greeted him with a beaming smile, "Young Master Song left in a hurry this morning, so His Highness ordered me to deliver some gifts to you."

Upon hearing that it was something from Zhao Xi, Yuanbao raised an eyebrow, "His Highness is certainly thoughtful."

Mr. Mu handed over the tray to him and added, "His Highness also asked this old servant to tell Young Master Song to keep up the good work over the next three years."

Never forgetting to oversee his studies, truly a diligent and responsible friend!

Yuanbao chuckled and shook his head, reasonably guessing what Zhao Xi had sent him.

Receiving the tray, Yuanbao expressed his gratitude and instructed Duan Yan to give a tip.

After Mr. Mu left, Yuanbao carried the tray back.

Duan Yan said joyfully, "His Highness is soon to be conferred a title; the things he sends to you must be very valuable."

Yuanbao, upon hearing this, directly handed the tray towards him and said, "If you like it, it’s yours."

His face was all smiles, leaving others unsure of his true intentions.

"Young Master..." Duan Yan stammered, "I was just joking."

"I wasn’t joking," Yuanbao said earnestly, as if eager to rid himself of a hot potato.

Duan Yan laughed awkwardly, "Aren’t you deliberately putting me in a tough spot?"

"Giving you a chance and you don’t want it, then never mind." Yuanbao withdrew his hand and continued walking forward.

Once he reached the study, he placed the tray on the desk, lifted the red silk cloth, and indeed saw a set of the Four Treasures of the Study underneath.

Yuanbao vaguely remembered that Zhao Xi had collected this set for a long time, never using it.

Now giving it to him, he wasn’t sure whether to praise Zhao Xi’s generosity or to say his reach was too long; even after leaving the palace, he still remembered to supervise him.

After wiping his hands, Yuanbao took out the items and arranged them on the desk, planning to use them from now on.

Duan Yan had always thought it was going to be gold and silver treasures, seeing that it’s a set of the Four Treasures of the Study now, his eyes widened, "His... His Highness sent this to the Young Master?"

"What else did you expect?" Yuanbao looked at Duan Yan.

Others might not know, but Zhao Xi was well understood by him; he wasn’t a worldly person, and such mundane items as gold and silver treasures wouldn’t likely come from Zhao Xi’s hands.

Still, why did it have to be the Four Treasures of the Study? A set of bows and arrows would also work, especially since he had been itching to practice outside the city lately.

After some thought, he decided that capturing rabbits alive was more practical. Perhaps Zhao Xi sent him the Four Treasures of the Study to cater to his unpresentable horse riding and archery skills.

After a bit of self-consolation, Yuanbao suddenly found Zhao Xi quite considerate after all.

Just after Mr. Mu left, another group arrived from the palace.

This time it was Mr. Cui, who served Emperor Guangxi, bringing the imperial edict.

Yuanbao didn’t dare slack off and led a group of servants out to receive the decree.

Emperor Guangxi was more straightforward than his son, directly granting Yuanbao a large plate of gold and silver jewels, and had Mr. Cui convey his words, saying Yuanbao was a young talent, elegant and unruly, bestowing him the title of "Young Master Xiao Yao."

This was the first noble title bestowed by Emperor Guangxi since he took the throne.

Upon hearing this, Yuanbao said he liked both the gold and silver jewels and the title of Young Master Xiao Yao; indeed, the Emperor understood him best.

Mr. Cui handed the rewards to a servant beside Yuanbao, flicking the horsetail whisk, and said, "The Emperor is very concerned about the imperial examinations in three years, young master, be sure not to disappoint him!"

Yuanbao cheerfully asked Mr. Cui, "If I become the top scorer in three years, will there be a beauty as a reward?"

Mr. Cui paused for a moment, "Young Master wants a beauty?"

"Not just any beauty," Song Yuanbao said, "only the ones I fancy."

Mr. Cui immediately understood and assured him that once he became the top scorer, he could directly request a royal decree from the Emperor for whomever he desired.

Song Yuanbao was pleased by this, and with a wave of his hand, he offered Mr. Cui a gold ingot from the Emperor’s rewards, then sent him off.

Earlier, someone from Yutang Palace had brought a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, and this time, someone from Qianqing Palace came with a platter of interesting items and a title. Duan Yan’s eyes sparkled with admiration, shouting, "Young Master is mighty!"

Seeing his silliness, Song Yuanbao suddenly understood why Zhao Xi had given him that look when he used to shout "His Highness is omnipotent."

Wen Wan wasn’t convenient to come out for the decree, so she learned about the situation after Song Yuanbao entered. Upon hearing that Song Yuanbao was granted the title "Young Master Xiao Yao," her lips curled upward in happiness for him, saying, "You really are promising, staying by the Eldest Prince’s side for two years, not only achieving academic success at a young age but also earning a young title."

Duan Yan enthusiastically added, "Indeed, our young master can do anything."

He had just finished speaking when Song Yuanbao snorted.

Duan Yan grinned awkwardly, "Young Master, did I say something wrong?"

Song Yuanbao replied, "I can’t ascend to the heavens or descend to the earth; where’s the omnipotence? Can’t you be a bit more realistic?"

Duan Yan cleared his throat and changed his slogan, "Young Master is mighty! Whatever Young Master says is right!"

Song Yuanbao: "..."

Song Yuanbao kicked out the dim-witted attendant student, restoring the room’s tranquility.

Wen Wan smiled at him, "Last year, after you became the top scorer, you already attracted a bunch of romantic debts. This year, you’ve gained a title. Little Yuanbao, you’d better consult Granny with the almanac before going out. Otherwise, someone might just snatch you away as a son-in-law."

Song Yuanbao chuckled, checking the hour, and returned to the study. He remained there throughout the afternoon reading, undisturbed except for Duan Yan and Hui Ink who brought tea twice.

It wasn’t until dusk when Song Wei returned from the Lower Court that Song Yuanbao emerged from the study.

Song Wei and Wen Wan both noted that the young master was more diligent than ever before and asked him, "You’ve just come home, why not take a couple of days to rest?"

Song Yuanbao said he couldn’t rest, he was accustomed to it.

Song Wei remarked, "Life here is unlike the palace; you don’t need to be so tense. It’s good to relax sometimes."

Song Yuanbao nodded, agreeing verbally but continued on with his habitual actions.

In the palace, whether attending classes or practicing martial arts with Zhao Xi, everything was intense. When his mind focused, his brain operated at a speed even he found astonishing.

This is the key reason why he matured so rapidly over two years.

Now back home, without the absolute pressure of others’ prowess, no cold supervision, and no high-difficulty tests from teachers, Song Yuanbao’s mind felt empty, as if something essential was missing, leaving him bewildered and aimless.

Thus, he desperately clung to his palace habits, striving to regain his former state, yet no matter how hard he tried, his mind was still vacant.

He suddenly recalled a phrase Song Wei once told him, meaning that he believed those few difficult years would never return for the rest of his life.

At the time, he didn’t think much of it, but now he deeply regretted it.

...

Granny Song, worried upon learning that her eldest grandson rose before dawn every day to study, brought him breakfast herself, asking why he didn’t sleep a bit longer.

Having shut himself in the study for several days, Song Yuanbao’s eyes bore red veins from fatigue. Hearing the voice, he looked up to meet Granny Song’s concerned gaze, smiled weakly, and said, "Grandma, I’m fine, I used to be like this in the palace."

"Oh, my dear grandson, you’ve returned home; how can you compare with the palace... Ah, Yuanbao—"

Before she could finish, she saw Song Yuanbao faint before her eyes.

...

The family called a doctor; Song Yuanbao was very ill, unable to eat, not even porridge, swallowing only to feel the urge to vomit.

The doctor pronounced it a nervous breakdown, requiring rest.

Granny Song was frantic, asking the doctor, "Is there no medicine to cure him? We have plenty of herbs in the storeroom. You name it, I’ll find it."

The doctor shook his head, saying the issue had already surpassed the scope of medicine, needing the patient’s own adjustment, emphasizing no more sleepless nights as continued mental and physical exhaustion posed grave risks.

Song Yuanbao sat silently against the headboard, gazing out the window in a daze.

Wen Wan sighed, instructing Song Jiao, "In your name, send an invitation to the Ye Family, inviting Miss Ye to visit."