Longyuan held out his hand while trembling.
Smack, smack, smack—
The old man struck it viciously and repeatedly again.
Unable to bear it, Longyuan pulled his hand away again, and begged tearfully, "No, stop… it hurts! Next time, I'll memorize it in time!"
Even so, the old man commanded quietly, "Hold your hand out, Your Highness."
Yielding to the old man's threats, Long Yuan held out his hand.
Smack, smack, smack—
Elder Meng struck Longyuan's hand heavily a few more times, before putting away his stick.
Longyuan's little hand was numb, burning, and aching. He rubbed it firmly on his own clothes, while tears had long since welled in his big, round eyes.
It hurts! How could the elder be so ruthless?
Nonetheless, Elder Meng flatly said, "Now, I'm going to teach you the meaning of every line in this book, Your Highness. It would be best if you listen seriously, or you'll suffer the consequences yourself—understand?"
Longyuan lowered his head slightly and frowned in pain. Cold sweat seeped out, and he gulped slightly as he answered, "Y-Yes, sir."
Elder Meng then had Longyuan read a book while he lay on his mattress. Closing his eyes, he leisurely explained the meaning behind each line.
Afraid to even be distracted, Longyuan listened attentively, but was unable to understand many parts since he was still too young.
Nevertheless, Elder Meng would allow him to ask questions between each hour of lecture, and the boy felt that he gained much new knowledge after asking.
By night, he could explain all the principles in the book.
Elder Meng nodded subtly at that—he was a genius, and it was expected of the emperor's son.
With that, he took out another book from the rack and had Longyuan memorize it, instructing, "Memorize this by tomorrow afternoon."
Then, he lay down and slept.
On the other hand, Longyuan did not dare to dilly dally, and sat beside the candlelight overnight to commit the book to memory.
***
The night was silent. Every inch of the palace was bathed in moonlight, and two guardsmen stood outside the study, watching it dutifully.
"Xiao Du, I listened to your advice in the afternoon and drank more water as diuretic. I need the toilet now, so keep watch for me."
"Fine, go on. It doesn't matter even if you returned late."
Xiao Du waved at the other guard who headed to the toilet, and when his partner had gone far, he whipped out a bamboo tube and poked it into the study.
Then, he started to blow on it.
Longyuan was still memorizing the book diligently inside, but suddenly felt his head spinning, before eventually falling unconscious.
Soon, feeling that the timing was right, Xiao Du opened the door and entered.
There was a vicious look the instant he set eyes on Longyuan, but he merely smiled wickedly.
Then, finding the small stick from Elder Meng's hands, he mercilessly stabbed it into his heart.
A long trail of blood streamed out from the corner of his lips as his complexion paled, and his breathing weakened as well.
Then, Xiao Du pulled the stick out and put it in Longyuan's hands, before turning to leave the study and locking it behind him.
Soon, the other guard who went to the toilet returned and chuckled, "Chuckled, it feels so great after I relieved myself!"
Xiao Du smiled but said nothing, his gaze turning sinister as certain thoughts crossed his mind.
In a distant dark corner, the witch looked at Xiao Du and smiled faintly, revealing that she was missing some teeth. "Well done, Hui'er… that heartless tyrant doesn't deserve happiness."
***
By the next morning, Liu Rushuang brought a dozen eunuchs and handmaidens with her to the study.
The door open, and the first rays of dawn illuminated the huge pool of blood in the study.
Liu Rushuang's beautiful eyes widened at that.
W-What happened!?
Meanwhile, sunlight grazed Longyuan's eyes, and he opened them to find Liu Rushuang standing outside.
He promptly sat up and called out excitedly, "Mother!"