Chapter 312: Chapter 205_3
"Little brother, the capital is not our hometown. The three of us must be cautious and prudent in our actions here. You cannot act recklessly as you did at home," Zheng Rang reminded Zheng Qian again, "Our father repeatedly warned you before we left."
"Are the people in the capital so timid that they don’t even have the courage to accept my challenge?"
"Little brother, why should people agree to your challenge? Who do you think you are?" Zheng Rang retorted, "Why should others cooperate with you just because you do something? Just because you’re smart? Just because you’re the son of Zheng Xilin?"
Zheng Cheng chimed in, "Exactly, who do you think you are? Why would people agree to your challenge?"
"Little brother, let me tell you again, in the capital, you are nothing. Even if you’re smarter than everyone here, they won’t give you a second glance. Instead, you’ll bring trouble or even danger upon yourself." Zheng Rang’s expression grew very serious. "The capital is under the emperor’s feet, bustling and lively, but also filled with danger. If we’re not careful, we might find ourselves in life-threatening situations. Don’t think that being extremely intelligent allows you to rise above everything."
"In the capital, intelligence doesn’t signify much. Don’t rely on being smarter than others to assume you can do as you please."
"Little brother, if you go to the various academies in the capital looking for trouble, the only outcome is that you’ll be chased out by them."
"If you want to challenge the students of the Imperial College, there’s only one way—get admitted, and once inside, you can legitimately and openly compete with the other students," Zheng Rang said, his tone softening. "I’ve heard that the Imperial College has monthly assessments to evaluate students’ abilities in various areas. If you don’t perform well, you could be expelled from Taixu. However, doing well brings rewards."
"Little brother, if you want to compete with students from the Imperial College, then get in and study there, giving you the chance to challenge them every month."
"As for other academies, I advise you not to provoke them; no one will agree to your challenge," Zheng Rang said, his voice turning stern again. "Both your second brother and I came to the capital for a future, not to keep cleaning up your messes. If you want to be headstrong, return home where father will continue to cover for you. But if you’re reckless in the capital, neither your second brother nor I can help you."
"Little brother, I’m here in the capital to learn more about the Mo Family. I don’t want to be expelled from the capital without learning anything," Zheng Cheng clasped his hands together and bowed to Zheng Qian. "Little brother, even if I’m begging you, please behave in the capital and don’t cause trouble for us, okay?"
"If you don’t listen to our advice and still want to cause trouble, I will have no choice but to forcibly send you back home," Zheng Rang suddenly smiled sinisterly. "Then you won’t be able to meet your lord."
Hearing this, Zheng Qian immediately frowned with displeasure: "I won’t leave the capital until I find my lord."
"Stay well-behaved in the capital and don’t cause trouble," Zheng Rang, who was initially opposed to bringing Zheng Qian to the capital, said. His younger brother was restless, making it difficult to prevent him from causing trouble. "You’re already twelve, not a little child anymore. Don’t act willfully."
Zheng Qian looked at Zheng Rang and then nodded slightly, "I understand."
Despite hearing Zheng Qian’s agreement, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng were not relieved. They’ve seen Zheng Qian agree only to forget shortly thereafter.
"I hope you truly understand," Zheng Rang said, determined. They had come to the capital with resolve; they must achieve something here or they wouldn’t return home to face their father. Leaving the capital because of their younger brother’s antics would leave them... dissatisfied.
"It’s late, go back to your courtyard and rest."
Zheng Qian nodded and then turned to leave.
Watching Zheng Qian’s departing figure, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng both sighed.
"Brother, little brother will never listen to us." If he listened, he wouldn’t have caused so many issues back home. If he were obedient, he wouldn’t be himself. Always rebellious and self-important, he rarely heeds others. "He’s definitely going to cause trouble in the capital."
"That’s why I was against bringing him to the capital," Zheng Rang said, frowning. "But father insisted on bringing him along."
"Brother, our days ahead won’t be easy," Zheng Cheng said with a pained expression. "I came to the capital to study, not to keep cleaning up after little brother." He was tired of handling his messes.
"If all else fails, let father personally take him back." Zheng Rang, too, was done with cleaning up after Zheng Qian, as he had significant matters to attend to in the capital.
"Will father come to the capital?"
"If father doesn’t come, we’ll apply to go elsewhere," Zheng Rang had thought of many possibilities before coming to the capital, "we don’t necessarily have to work here."
"That’s an option."
"We’ll leave little brother behind," Zheng Rang said with a stern face. "He’s not a child anymore; we don’t need to take care of him."
Despite their mixed feelings of love and hate towards their younger brother, both Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng had always been indulgent and spoiling. This time, however, they were in the capital for serious purposes; sacrificing their future for him was not an option.
They were not like their father, able to live a carefree life. They didn’t want to return home, much less live a mundane life. They were young and ambitious, wanting to accomplish something, ideally surpassing their father.
"If it comes to that, we have no choice."
Their frustration with Zheng Qian stemmed from their countless efforts to help him, only to receive no gratitude, just his sense of entitlement.
In Zheng Qian’s eyes, it was natural for his older brothers to clean up his messes.
Zheng Xilin had said his youngest son was so smart that he lacked normal human emotions.
They understood this but it did not mean they had no grievances.
"Sometimes, I really wish little brother would consider our feelings," Zheng Cheng said with a bitter smile. "But, he never thinks about us."
Zheng Rang pinched his brow, "He’s here to collect debts; we must owe him from a past life."
Zheng Qian returned to his courtyard and looked up at the night sky of the capital, wondering in his heart where his lord could be in such a vast city?
Regarding his future lord, Zheng Qian had many fantasies, like the fact that his lord should be smarter than him. He wouldn’t pledge allegiance to someone dumber than himself.
Zheng Qian wasn’t so arrogant as to think he’s the smartest in the world; rather, he considered himself the second smartest. The smartest one would be his future lord.
What kind of person would be smarter than him?
He was eager to meet his lord.
However, in such a large city with so many people, how could he find his lord?
The divination only told him that his lord was in the capital, but didn’t specify where, or who it was.
Once he met him, Zheng Qian was confident he could recognize his lord at a glance. But first, he’d have to meet him.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yao, who had fallen asleep in Mr. Xiao’s home, suddenly felt a chill and quickly pulled his blanket up tightly around him in his sleep.
The next day, when Tong Xi woke Zhao Yao, he looked very haggard.
"Your Highness, didn’t you sleep well last night?"
Zhao Yao yawned and said, "I had some sort of dream last night that made me restless all night." While sleeping, he felt waves of cold. Uh...he wasn’t coming down with a cold again, was he?