e looked at the man before him. “Where are you from The Palace Is our Emperor someone in Changde Palace or did you come from some noble family”“Hmph!” Most of them who served as dead soldiers were har...14. Twin Pearl Princes (Part 1) / Written by Feng Qing

14. Twin Pearl Princes (Part 1)

"Beat him to death! Beat him to death..." On a deserted street, a group of elegantly dressed children were surrounding and beating up a frail, brocade-clad boy. Children at this age can be particularly cruel; they barely understand the intrigues and conflicts between adults but deal with issues in their own direct and brutal ways.

The child being beaten was also wearing brocade clothes, yet he appeared thin and small like an isolated puppy. His tiny face already hinted at a future of extraordinary beauty. Perhaps it was precisely this appearance above average that caused him to be hated and bullied by more of his peers.

"Sure enough, the son of a fox spirit is born with such an ugly look!" A twelve or thirteen-year-old brocade-clad youth stood aside, gloating as he cursed. The boy suddenly opened his eyes wide, glaring fiercely at the youth who was directing others to beat up his half-brother. Startled by the intense gaze, the youth involuntarily took a step back. When he realized what had happened, he became even more furious and ashamed, "Teach him a lesson for me!"

"Someone's coming!" Someone shouted. The children who were just beating up the boy immediately scattered like frightened birds. That brocade-clad youth glanced resentfully at the child on the ground before leaving as well.

The street suddenly became quiet. The beaten boy curled into a small ball, hugging his knees and sobbing softly.

"Stop crying, they're gone." A gentle voice filled with kindness came from somewhere, making the boy look up in surprise to see an extraordinarily beautiful, splendidly dressed girl standing before him.

The young girl was no more than twelve or thirteen years old, and even boys who had seen many beautiful women found her to be the most beautiful one they had ever seen. She wore a light yellow robe with cloud patterns, and her hem and cuffs were adorned with rose-red phoenix tail borders. She also draped a pale red cloak embroidered with phoenix tail motifs over herself. A green gem hung gracefully around her slender neck, and she wore a simple bun decorated with a lotus flower hairpin. Another one of the hairpins did not sway; when she lowered her head to look at him, a light golden pendant hanging from her headdress gently swayed, causing even little children to stare in awe.

"What's wrong Did you get hurt" Seeing that he didn't respond, the girl bent down with some concern.

"No...," the boy shook his head and said quietly. Those people might have hit him, but they were afraid of really killing him, so although it was very painful, there were no injuries. Otherwise, he would have been killed years ago by someone else.

"I'm glad you're not injured then. I'll ask someone to take you home. Who are those people, and why did they hit you" The girl looked at the boy's dust-covered face and carefully wiped it clean with a handkerchief before realizing how good-looking this child was.

"None of your business!" Startled, the boy raised his hand to swat away the girl’s hand. Seeing her somewhat bewildered expression, he gnawed at his lip in frustration but stubbornly refused to speak and turned his head aside.

The girl came from a noble family too, though young herself; she had seen many things. Given how this child acted, she could guess what might have happened. This boy didn't want to go home because he must have suffered some injustice there. The people who just hit him... they might even be his relatives.

"Alright then, let's not go back for now. What's your name" Pulling the child up with a smile, she asked.

"Feng... Feng Zhiyao. You..." The boy hesitated but eventually didn't ask her name out loud. A lady’s name shouldn’t be casually inquired about; although he was an illegitimate son, Feng Zhiyao had learned what he needed to know.

"Phoenix Deyao Are you from the Feng family in the capital Just call me Huahua sister," the young lady said with a smile. Among the noblewomen and refined ladies of the capital, each had their own circles. When a group of women gathered idly together, they naturally couldn’t help but chat about trivial matters. The Feng family was also considered an influential household in the capital city. Naturally, the young lady had heard some things about the affairs of the Feng family.

"You... won't look down on me" Phoenix Deyao stared steadily at the girl before him and asked with confusion.

The girl smiled charmingly and said in puzzlement: "Look down on you Why would I do that You're just seven or eight years old, why should I look down on you"

"I’m a concubine’s son!" Phoenix Deyao gritted his teeth. He hesitated for a moment and then added harshly: "I'm not small! I am already nine years old!"

“Nine years old It doesn’t look like it,” the girl said, “Whether you’re a legitimate or illegitimate son isn't something you can choose yourself. As long as you work hard and improve in the future, people won’t look down on you. But if when you grow up, you become like those idle rich brats who don’t have any decency, I will naturally hold you in contempt,”

"I’m about to turn nine," Phoenix Deyao said. "Doesn't that mean I don't want to improve myself It's clearly the elder Mrs. Feng who said there’s no need for a concubine’s son to learn so much..." The young lady smiled as she looked at the indignant child before her and suddenly pursed her lips with a smile, saying: "If you really want to make progress, I’ll take you somewhere fun."

Phoenix Deyao suspiciously looked at the girl in front of him. The girl comfortingly patted his head and said with a smile, “Don’t be afraid, sister isn't someone bad.” When her gentle hand touched the slightly dusty head of Phoenix Deyao, even he felt that if this sister was indeed not good, he would still follow her willingly. It was much better than going home to face the elder Mrs. Feng and his two brothers.

"Ah! Miss, what are you doing..." Leading Phoenix Deyao to the intersection, there was a carriage parked at the intersection with several guards-like men standing in front of it as well as an middle-aged woman and a few maidservants. Seeing them, the middle-aged woman hurriedly came forward and frowned slightly, looking displeased.

As they had originally planned to simply scare off the people who were bullying someone when they saw a group of children beating up a child, but little did they know that their mistress insisted on going over herself to check it out. Now she has even brought back this person. Looking at this dirty-looking kid before her, the woman’s brows immediately furrowed tightly.

"Nanny."

The young lady whispered softly. She patted Feng Zhiyao’s hand to comfort him, then smiled at the nanny and said, "This child is very obedient; take him with you so that he can be company for Ah Yao."

“Oh my lady,” the nanny cried out suddenly. “Lady, we don’t even know what kind of background this boy has—how could he possibly…serve as company to that young master What if something bad happens…” The Huas were considered a prestigious family in the capital city, but compared with the Ding Prince’s residence, they did not amount to much. Not everyone had the qualifications to be the second prince of the Ding Prince’s household’s playmate.

“It will be fine; Zhiyao is a good child,” the young lady smiled and said, “Get in the carriage.”

“This…He even shares a name with that Second Young Master” The nanny was taken aback. After taking another careful look at Feng Zhiyao, she noticed how handsome this child looked; he just wasn’t as well-nourished, or else he wouldn’t have been much different from the second prince of the Ding Prince’s household in appearance. “Very well then, but you must behave yourself and not anger any important people so that we don’t drag our lady down with us.” The nanny nodded and gave her instructions.

She was no stone-hearted woman; she felt sorry for this child who had been beaten up by a group of kids when he was still so young. However, since she was the wet nurse to the eldest daughter of the family, naturally, she would have to be more careful with everything.

This day marked Feng Zhiyao’s first encounter with an influential figure in his future life—the second prince of the Ding Prince’s household—Mo Xiuyao. As a minor son from a merchant family, being able to meet the legitimate son of the exalted Ding Prince’s household could be considered extremely fortunate. However…for Feng Zhiyao, at that moment, he only thought: I want to kick him so badly!

The moment they entered the grand gate of the Ding Prince’s residence, a gust of wind rushed towards his face. Feng Zhiyao was momentarily stunned; he was still just an eight-year-old child who wouldn’t be able to dodge even if he noticed that it was a thrown weapon coming at him. But it turned out that what had hit his forehead was nothing more than a stone, which flew past his head without causing any pain.

“Sister Yunxi, how did you get here” Up ahead on an artificial hill sat an eight or nine-year-old boy in white robes, looking down at the well-dressed young lady with a smile and not even glancing towards Feng Zhiyao. But Feng Zhiyao didn’t care about that; he noticed something else. So…her name is Yunxi Hua Yunxi.

“Yaoyao, are you playing tricks again If I tell the eldest young master later on, he’ll definitely punish you,” said Hua Yunxi with a clear voice.

The child on top of the artificial hill did one flip in midair before landing firmly in front of them. Even though he was not yet ten years old, his light-footed skills were already comparable to those of first-rate martial artists in the江湖 (jianghu).

Mo Xiuyao stuck out his tongue and said, “Sister Hua, you always use Big Brother to scare me.” But who could blame him for being afraid of no one but his big brother who had raised him since childhood

Hua Yunxi covered her mouth and chuckled. “Who says I’m scared of the Ding Prince and Crown Prince”

“Is Sister Hua here to see me then” Mo Xiuyao asked with a smile.

Wang Yunxi nodded and smiled, saying, "That’s right. I want to go out of the city to pray for blessings and順便 visit Grand Princess Jingzhao as well. Last time she kept nagging me that when I come next time, I should bring you along too. Let’s get ready and leave."

Meng Xiuyao immediately let out a pitiful cry and looked at Wang Yunxi with some resentment. Wang Yunxi raised an eyebrow and smiled without caring about his act of pity. Meng Xiuyao could only grumble unhappily in his heart. Every time he saw Grand Princess Jingzhao, she would like to pinch him here and there, kneading his cheeks as if he were a dough ball. It was at this moment that the Second Young Master Meng’s gaze fell on Feng Zhiyao standing beside him with an unhappy expression on his face. "Who is this boy He looks so stupid."

Wang Yunxi rolled her eyes helplessly and said, "His name is Feng Zhiyao. He’s a good child. I’ll go talk to Young Master Shi and tell him to let you have lessons together with him in the future. Since your ages are close, it will be great for you two to become companions."

The Second Young Master Meng rolled his eyes. "He looks so stupid; can he keep up with his studies"

Hearing someone’s arrogant tone, Feng Zhiyao silently lowered his head and stared at his fists. Even when bullied by two half-brothers for years, he had never felt the urge to clench his fists as tightly now.

“Ah ah... Stupid boy, are you planning to beat me up Do you know that even ten of you together wouldn’t be a match for this young master” The Second Young Master Meng only became more arrogant in response.

"MENG XIUYAO!" Wang Yunxi called out impatiently.

Seeing the hand raised by Wang Yunxi, the Second Young Master Meng immediately fled like a rat and was still too pitiful to say, "Sis Yunxi, I’m your younger brother! Who is this kid for you to treat him so well"

Feng Zhiyao snorted coldly. He raised his small face and turned around to leave right away. Wang Yunxi was taken aback and hurriedly pulled him back, saying, "Where are you going"

"You don’t need to beg him!" Feng Zhiyao said coldly, “This young master doesn’t care about studying anything with him! He’s just the Second Young Master of Ding王府, so what I don’t want to!” Wang Yunxi was both amused and exasperated by his words. She grabbed the child who wanted to leave and glared at Meng Xiuyao making a face beside her as she said, "Ao Yao is just mischievous; he doesn’t have any malicious intent."

Feng Zhirao scoffed. Meeting someone who throws stones at him and looks down on others is unlikely to be a good person.

I’m leaving now, thank you for saving me today!

Trying his best to act mature, Feng Zhirao tried to show gratitude, but his disheveled appearance lacked the necessary convincing power. When he was about to leave, Mo Xiuyao unexpectedly stopped him and asked with a smile: "Where are you going Back to get beaten up" Although he looked young, he was actually very intelligent. He knew exactly how Feng Zhirao got into this mess and why Hua Yunxi brought him to the Ding王府 (Ding Manor).

What’s it to me

Feng Zhirao blushed with anger at being caught in such a compromising situation.

Mō Xiuyáo reached out and pulled his cheek, then said: "Alright, considering Huā Sī's sake… from now on, you will train martial arts together with me."

"Who wants to…" Feng Zhirao started, but Mo Xiuyao quickly interrupted him. “I guarantee that as long as we train for three days, you’ll be able to defeat all those who bullied you.” Seeing how reluctant Feng Zhirao was, he whispered in his ear.

Feng Zhirao fell silent. It wasn’t because he liked this annoying person; it was simply too tempting a proposition.

"What are your terms" asked Feng Zhirao.

Mō Xiuyáo seemed surprised by the question and scratched his chin, pretending to be mature: "From now on, you have to do everything I say. If I tell you to go east, you can’t go west; if I tell you to jump into a river, you can’t climb a mountain; if I tell you to chase cats, you can’t play with dogs! In short… You must obey my every command!"

"Mō Xiuyáo," Feng Zhirao said coldly.

"You’re dead."

公子鳳三冷哼了一聲，聽他的意思就是讓他去死他就去死？他當自己是傻子麼？”I hate you and your white face. Ever since you came, Huā Sī doesn’t care about me anymore," said Mo Er Gongzi.

Feng Zhirao rolled his eyes. "Do you think you’re dark-skinned"

"Xiuyáo, make sure you get along well with Zhirao," said Hua Yunxi with a smile.

Mō Xiuyáo’s face lit up and he patted Feng Zhirao’s shoulder: "Huā Sī brought him to me, so he’s my good friend and brother. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Brother Zhirao."

"He’s the same age as you," Hua Yunxi said helplessly.

“I don't care. Feng Zhirao, right Come on, let's go to my study room for class. Our teacher is going to be crazy!” Mo Xiuyáo grabbed Feng Zhirao by his collar and ran off.

Being dragged along, Feng Zhirao looked back in a daze and saw the beautiful young lady still smiling at them from behind. The light shone on her gently, creating a halo of colorful light around her figure.

"Clunk!"

Feng Zhirao tripped over his own feet while staring blankly into space and fell to the ground, sprawling in an awkward position.

Mō Xiuyáo cursed: "Feng Zhirao, you bastard!"

———

I guess I’ll stop writing tragedies then. Actually, I’m not the stepmom; it’s just that this name gives off a tragic vibe.ndifferently, "As the Prince, I don't know of anyone who can escape my grasp. Even if nothing happens now, there will come a day when his fate is sealed."Ye Li reached out and held onto Mo Xiuyao's ha...