Han Moze strode inside. Though his handsome face was obscured in the dimness, he was much more eye-catching than the skies behind him.
"Do you understand what you've done now, Yuan'er?"
Longyuan was left trembling by the sternness of Han Moze's voice. Even so, he quickly pushed his sore body up to hug Han Moze's thigh, pouting and crying miserably, "Father, I really didn't beat Little White Flower today. She set me up, please believe me."
"But you did beat her yesterday, yes?" Han Moze growled, gritting his teeth.
Longyuan kept his head down, said nothing and continued sobbing.
Soon, he looked up, tears welling in his big round eyes as he gulped, "Father, I won't bully Little White Flower from now on. Let me out, I'm very hungry… I'll starve to death if I don't eat."
Han Moze, however, pulled him away and turned to leave.
"No! Father, let me out!"
Longyuan tried to make a dash outside, but was stopped and pushed back inside the study.
The redwood door was closed in the next instant, and Longyuan slammed his palm loudly as he bawled, "Father, I apologize—let me out, please? I promise I won't bully Little White Flower… please, let me out… sob… don't leave me alone in here."
Meanwhile, after Han Moze left, he told Eunuch Chen, "Do as I told you. Bring those things inside, and report his condition to me from time to time."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Chen answered, and led a group of retainers into the study.
Han Moze furrowed his sharp brows and sighed, before turning to stride away.
'Don't blame me for this, Yuan'er. I did this for your own good.'
***
Eunuch Chen led the others into the study, and ordered them to put food, mattress, and other stuff on the floor.
"Sob… When will my father let me out, Eunuch Chen? I don't want to stay here. It's very dark, and I'm scared." Longyuan asked, looking up at the man as he pouted and wiped off his tears.
Sighing, Eunuch Chen mustered his mildest voice and told him, "I'm not trying to scold you here, Your Highness, but you were out of line this time. How could a child like you be so ruthless? You even beat up a kind little lady like Little White Flower to that state. Honestly…"
Eunuch Chen shook his head, whereas Longyuan's tears gushed and he wobbled unsteadily, feeling miserable all over his body.
"I didn't do it! It really wasn't me! Why wouldn't any of you trust me? Why? Sob…"
Shaking his head, Eunuch Chen turned towards an old man with white hair and beard, saying, "Elder Meng, you will be instructing his highness from now on. I'm sure His Majesty has spoken to you about the details, so I wouldn't elaborate."
With that, Eunuch Chen left with the other retainers, closing the door behind them and leaving Elder Meng and Longyuan in the study.
"Your Highness, I'm Elder Meng, who has been assigned to instruct you. His Majesty had told me to stay with you in this study, and I could leave when you finally learn how to behave… Alright, that's all for tonight. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll teach you about the principles of how you should hold yourself in the world."
As Elder Meng spoke, he bitterly spread a carpet to sit on. Yawning, he then lay down and pulled a blanket over himself, keeping his back to Longyuan loftily as if the boy was not his concern.
Since the crown prince was that young, he just had to pretend to teach him something—it was not as if the crown prince would remember his lessons even if he did his job seriously.
As the days go on, the empress would miss the crown prince, and hence release him and the crown prince.
With that thought, Elder Meng fell asleep peacefully.
Longyuan blinked at the old man who slept nearby, and somehow felt more comfortable now.
However, once he remembered the look of Han Moze's teeth-clenched rage, his tears began to roll again.