Volume 10, Chapter 02 Lawless

Dai Youming was a scholar whose hometown is a month away from the capital on foot. While his hometown wasn’t derelict, his family lived on pennies. For that reason, his only means of improving their life was through assiduous studying for ten years. Seeing how deprived his family was, the people in his hometown donated their savings to sponsor his trip to the capital. Alas, he encountered problem after problem.

Dai Youming finally qualified in the scholastic examinations in Yuansheng’s thirteenth year, winning Prime Minister Li’s approval for his determination and spent the next seventeen years to rise to fourth rank.

In the nine years prior to Dai Youming’s success, his relative kicked him out after his first failed attempt in the exams, leaving him to sleep with the cattle. Subsequent to his second failure, his uncle forced him to purchase the only inkstone his father left him even though it wasn’t worth squat.

To make ends meet while studying and taking examinations, Dai Youming wrote letters, sold paintings, toiled in manual labour and even worked in the kitchen. The day he received news he had passed, he was begging for food and donations on the street. On the same day, people started being friendly with him again. That was also the day that he realised his naivety. “This is the true nature of humans,” he realised.

It didn’t take Dai Youming long to learn the rules of the political arena when he had already witnessed people throwing morals to the curb or twisting them whenever it was convenient.

Dai Youming’s last seventeen years of service didn’t benefit the nation. He flattered his superiors, partook in dirty businesses, recruited local officials into his faction and made money whenever the opportunity presented itself. Anytime the imperial court could dip their hands in something, his hand was in the dip. As such, he knew who to flatter and who was at the heart of the hurricane in the capital.

Over a month had gone by since Emperor Yuansheng instated Red Prince in his stead while the former “joined Empress Dowager on Mount Zisheng”, and it was apparent that the latter wasn’t up to standard.

Despite having been in the capital for a long time, Red Prince hadn’t made any noteworthy accomplishments thus far for two reasons. Firstly, there was no opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities when his father was around. Secondly, his constant conflicts with Orange Prince didn’t help either of them create a good impression. As a consequence, Red Prince was never given any duties. This was perfect for Dai Youming. After all, where there is a problem, there’s room for someone to “fix” things.

Red Prince once said, “I must always have jade on me if there is no sound reason for me to discard it.” What jade item could a fourth rank official possibly offer a Prince? Who would have likely seen a wider variety of jade goods? No matter, though, for Red Prince had another hobby that a fourth rank official could capitalise on - women, especially young ones from Jiangnan. Though there were no rumours of Red Prince having a concubine, which Orange Prince was notorious for, if you think about it, it made sense for them to keep up appearances for the throne’s sake.

As luck would have it, Dai Youming happened to spot a lively, graceful maiden at Jianan House’s jade store with her lover. Judging from her pronunciation, she had to be from Jiangnan. He later found out she was even the daughter of a jade artisan. For a fan of jade and young girls from Jiangnan to be packaged into one girl, that would be the most ideal gift. Thus, Dai Youming ambushed the couple when they went out during the lantern festival to break her lover’s leg, kidnap her and then silence Bei Clan.

It took a while to pave the way to Red Prince’s manor, so Miss Chai was locked in Dai Youming’s secret chamber. Needless to say, she was provided with the best treatment to ensure she was presented to His Highness in her best condition.

Red Prince expressed interest upon hearing from Dai Youming. Red Prince sent an envoy to Dai Youming’s place last night to retrieve her today. The ship was sailing smoothly until a group stormed the manor when only a few golden rays were on the horizon.

As he got dressed, Dai Youming thundered, “You think you’re above the law?! How dare you vandalise my manor?!” He booted his steward and added, “And you! How dare you drag me out?!”

The steward, zoning out as though he couldn’t feel the pain from the kick, only muttered, “So pretty…”

Dai Youming no longer needed clarification or questioned the mental health of his steward when he saw Ming Suwen dimpling despite him raging, seducing with her succubus eyes. Had it not been for the tall man beside him, he would’ve fossi