Cold-faced Empress

Now that the ceremony was complete, her reluctance was futile. Putting aside her own unwillingness, the fact that Mo Canglan could become Rong Chen's master was a tremendous boon for Rong Chen. Knowledge, martial arts, strategies for governing the country, military tactics… Rong Chen could learn so much from Mo Canglan. Moreover, Mo Canglan was powerful and influential, and his status as the Prince of Mu provided Rong Chen with immense protection.

Fu Siying's only two concerns are: first, whether Rong Chen will become as ruthless and make enemies on all sides as Mo Canglan; and second, what if Mo Canglan dies early?

If Rong Chen really learns to be ruthless and make enemies on all sides, and suddenly Mo Canglan dies and is reincarnated, wouldn't all the sins he left in the mortal world fall on Rong Chen's head?

Suddenly realizing these two things she had to worry about, Fu Siying felt a lump in her throat and her head throbbed with worry.

Sigh! Why didn't I think of these two points sooner, and just watched Rong Chen's apprenticeship ceremony go through?

Rong Chen officially became Mo Canglan's only disciple. For a time, he became even more reserved in his words and actions, and his fear and respect for Mo Canglan grew even stronger.

Mo Canglan said, "You don't need to go to the academy anymore; there's nothing to learn there. Starting tomorrow, come to the Prince Mu's residence at the same time as you would to receive instruction."

"Yes, Master."

"When I have time, I will personally instruct you. If I am not available, I will assign a reliable person to teach you. Fu Rongchen, you will take an exam in a hundred days. If you pass, you can stay. If you fail, our master-disciple relationship will end, and you can go and find Young Master Zhiyu again."

Rong Chen was stunned for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Yes."

In the time it takes to say two sentences, Mo Canglan has already begun to assign teaching tasks: "Your strength is horsemanship, so within a hundred days you will specialize in riding and archery. The Mu Prince's Mansion is not the Fu family; no one will show you any mercy. You need to be prepared."

"Yes, disciple will practice diligently and will not let down Master's cultivation."

Seeing that the master and apprentice had adapted to their new identities, Fu Siying's lingering discomfort and reluctance seemed like she was being presumptuous.

After careful consideration, she quietly asked Mo Canglan, "Prince Mu, how has your health been lately?"

This sudden, strange question made Mo Canglan frown: "What do you mean?"

Ok?

What does she mean? What else could she be referring to?

Fu Siying asked in bewilderment, "I am very grateful that you took Chen as your disciple, but I have no way to repay you, so I wanted to ask if your body can handle it."

She blinked her eyes, trying to appear sincere, and Mo Canglan's face suddenly stiffened. He stared at her, and suddenly, his brows furrowed like tangled threads.

She...she was so grateful, she had no way to repay her, so...

Mo Canglan's eyes deepened.

As the saying goes, "If I have nothing to repay you with, I will repay you with my body." I never expected her to do something like this.

Because she was too embarrassed to say it aloud, she reservedly asked about his health instead. Ah, she was planning to offer herself to him, but was afraid he couldn't handle it?

Should he praise her for daring to ask, or should he praise her for asking the right question?

After a long silence, Mo Canglan uttered three words in a deep voice: "I can handle it."

Fu Siying, who was getting embarrassed from waiting for so long, felt relieved and was about to respond when she heard him add, "You should be worried about yourself; you definitely won't be able to handle it."

Fu Siying was completely confused: "Me?" What does this have to do with her? Does it mean he will discipline Rong Chen too harshly, and it will make her feel very sorry for him?

Fu Siying quickly and firmly shook her head: "No, no, don't worry about me, I can definitely handle it! As long as you can hold on!" It would be so irresponsible of her to leave before she has nurtured Rong Chen into a capable person.

...As long as he can hold on, she can handle it? Such a bold answer shocked Mo Canglan, who scoffed disdainfully, "Ha, all talk. I'm waiting to see your skills!"

After saying that, he left, not wanting to share a room with Fu Siying anymore. The room was too hot with her around, strangely hot, making him blush and sweat, which was bad for his health.

Seeing Mo Canglan leave in a hurry, Fu Siying withdrew her gaze and looked at Rong Chen with great confusion: "What is he talking about? What do you mean by waiting to see my abilities? What abilities do I have?"