The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"Where did this filthy beggar come from, daring to accept the imperial edict!"

"And he even claimed to be the hidden dragon of our time, capable of ensuring the Great Wu dynasty's survival for three hundred years!"

"He was wailing and lamenting last night, writing on the wall—it's all utter nonsense. A beating will shut him up!"

"Someone like him wants to be an official? He'd be considered filthy even if he were to fawn over Grandpa!"

"Hahaha, he's going to be executed tomorrow at noon, why bother getting angry with him? Come on, let's drink!"

……

The Great Wu Dynasty, Yanjing City.

In the dark and cramped dungeon of the government office.

"You scoundrel! Go ahead and kill me right now if you dare!"

"Otherwise, once I figure out a way to escape, I'll use the most cruel methods to slowly torture you to death!"

Chen Changgeng lay on the damp, moldy straw mat, his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white.

Over the course of more than a decade, he also studied diligently, believing that a wealth of knowledge would allow him to defy fate.

Unexpectedly, because he couldn't afford two taels of silver to bribe officials for the provincial examination, his painstakingly crafted essay was sold to a treacherous man named Zhao Heng for ten taels of silver!

He suffered injustice, and his reborn parents spoke out for him, but were beaten to death in front of the court by the corrupt magistrate, and he was forced to flee!

After much hardship and begging, they finally arrived in the capital, just in time to find the emperor posting a notice seeking talented individuals to offer their advice.

Chen Changgeng was overjoyed and borrowed a pen on the street to write hastily, hoping to defy fate with a national policy essay. However, he was imprisoned and scheduled to be executed at a later date!

Yesterday, I overheard a minor official in prison chatting. It turns out that the treacherous Zhao Heng has already made a name for himself in the capital with his writings and has even secured a position in the government office. My own essay, "On National Policy," has probably been intercepted again.

Now that he's in jail, it's clear he wants to eliminate any future threats!

Chen Changgeng closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, powerful clans and aristocratic families were deeply entrenched in their power. Even the most talented scholars from humble backgrounds were nothing more than fish on the chopping block of the powerful. What were the classics, what were the strategies for governing the country? In the face of power and money, they were less than a piece of toilet paper!

"Does being born into poverty truly mean being at the mercy of others?"

"Damn this world, you forced me into this mess...!"

"If I'm lucky enough to escape this calamity today, I'll show you powerful and wealthy people what a 'dimensional reduction attack' really means!"

Chen Changgeng suddenly opened his eyes, the last trace of kindness in them completely vanishing.

However, ideals are often grand, while reality is often harsh.

Chen Changgeng's gaze swept over the gloomy prison before him, and he could only sigh softly.

"Damn it, whether I'll even live to see tomorrow is another story, why am I thinking about this..."

Da da da!

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the prison.

At the entrance of the dungeon, a graceful figure in black robes walked in, accompanied by two sword-wielding maids with frosty expressions. Behind her, dozens of armored guards with swords filed in, instantly taking control of the government prison!

"You... are Chen Chang-geng?"

A clear, cold voice rang out, its tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Chen Changgeng slowly raised his head and saw that the person who came was of extraordinary status, which immediately angered him.

The person who came at this critical juncture is probably from some faction trying to exploit me with my essay. You bastard, are you trying to squeeze me dry?

"It is indeed your grandpa! What do you think?"

"None of you high-ranking officials are any good!"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now, get lost!"

Upon hearing this, the woman frowned slightly, but did not become angry.

She merely raised her beautiful eyes slightly, first glancing at the inscription written in prison behind Chen Changgeng.

"When autumn comes on the ninth day of the ninth month, my flowers will bloom and all others will wither!"

"The fragrance of incense fills Chang'an, the entire city adorned in golden armor!"

The woman parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious, each word and phrase exceptionally pleasing to the ear.

She paused slightly when she read the last sentence.

It's as if one is startled by the sharpness of the poem, or perhaps savoring the state of mind of the person who wrote it.

"What a brilliant move! My blossoms bloom, and all others wither! Such arrogant talent, yet so chillingly murderous!"

"It seems you harbor many grievances against my Great Wu Dynasty! Are you... plotting a rebellion?"

"Rebellion? If I really wanted to rebel, it would be all of you powerful and wealthy people sitting in jail right now!"

"I only regret that I was too young and naive back then, and that I fell for your tricks!"

Chen Changgeng gritted his teeth in hatred when he recalled the county magistrate's self-righteous yet mocking and contemptuous face when his article was sold!

"How dare you speak to the Crown Princess like that! You're courting death!"

The maid behind the woman shouted, a flash of cold light appeared at her waist, and her sword was instantly drawn and placed against Chen Changgeng's neck!

Princess! ?

Chen Changgeng's heart skipped a beat!

There have long been rumors that the current Crown Prince is very fortunate in love, having married seven women, each of whom is stunningly beautiful and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In particular, the Crown Princess Shen Qingci is a rare gem, with a kind and gentle heart!

Although Chen Changgeng had long wanted to admire the beauty of youth, he also knew that he was nothing more than a stinking toad who only wanted to eat swan meat.

"Like frost!"

Crown Princess Shen Qingci gave a light, dissatisfied shout. Seeing that her identity had been exposed, she had no choice but to slowly raise her hand and remove her robe.

The moment the firelight shone on her face, Chen Changgeng's breath caught in his throat.

It was a stunningly beautiful face that could bring ruin to a country, as if carved from jade or porcelain, natural and flawless.

Beneath the cloak, her slender figure was even more alluring, with a full and graceful chest, a waist so slender it could be encircled by a single hand, and a pair of straight and long legs.

Standing before her, her first impression is one of dignified elegance and majesty befitting a matriarch, yet one cannot help but imagine the breathtaking curves beneath her skirt.

Whether in his past or present life, Chen Changgeng had never seen a woman like her before—noble, gentle, yet with a touch of sharpness and allure.

It's no wonder that Boss Cao has a particular fondness for married women; if you encounter someone like that, you and I are both descendants of the Cao family!

"What's wrong with the Crown Princess? Even if the Emperor himself came, I would still have the same attitude."

Chen Changgeng withdrew his admiring gaze.

Now that he's in prison and buried to the waist, he won't tolerate even the Emperor himself, let alone a Crown Princess.

The only reason I'm willing to talk to you now is because you're good-looking.

Shen Qingci seemed unsurprised by Chen Changgeng's attitude.

He simply nodded and smiled slightly, handing the robe to the maid beside him.

"I knew immediately after reading your poem that the 'National Policy Treatise' was indeed written by you."

"The entire piece is less than a hundred words, yet every word is precious, demonstrating that the writer is sparing with words and possesses a proud and aloof spirit. He is by no means a person who bows down to the powerful or curries favor with the wealthy."

Her praise made Chen Changgeng a little embarrassed, and he quickly cleared his throat.

"Ahem, um. Praising me won't work; I'm not buying it!"

"However... Her Highness the Crown Princess is intelligent and kind-hearted, and also possesses unparalleled beauty. Such a remarkable woman, who is both beautiful and virtuous, is truly rare in the world."

Chen Changgeng changed the subject and reluctantly returned the compliment.

Damn, beautiful women really are a curse. Just seeing this woman standing in front of me makes me feel so pleasing to the eye and like a gentle breeze. Even if I have a temper, I can't get it out.

Sigh, I'm not a sucker for good looks, but people eventually become the kind of people they hate!

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci's lips curled slightly. Having heard so much insincere flattery from those around her, she felt quite pleased by Chen Changgeng's sincere praise and immediately became more polite in her tone.

"Sir, you are a man of exceptional literary talent and also quite knowledgeable in governance. It is a great pity that you died unjustly in prison."

"The Crown Prince is in dire need of a wise teacher like you. Why don't you come with me to the Crown Prince's residence and become his tutor?"

Chen Changgeng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Holy crap!? Is there really such a good thing? Letting me into the Crown Prince's residence, wouldn't that mean I could live?

However, he remembered that the current Crown Prince Xiao Lie was a notorious good-for-nothing, and teaching him was like casting pearls before swine. If the current emperor were not bound by ancestral laws, he might have already deposed him.

Even if he is lucky enough to ascend the throne, his ruthless brothers would overthrow him the very next day.

Once you enter the Crown Prince's residence, you become a member of the Crown Prince's faction. Assisting such a useless person is like carrying a lantern into a latrine—it's suicide!

"Now that the Crown Princess is personally recruiting him, it is indeed a good opportunity to extricate myself."

"Life is of utmost importance; everything else can be planned later."

Chen Changgeng was secretly calculating in his heart. Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly thought of something and frowned.

That scoundrel Zhao Heng is currently serving in the capital's government office and belongs to the Crown Prince's faction.

So you send me to jail and make me suffer, and then you want to get me to work for you with just a word, without giving me any benefits, just getting something for nothing? Is that fair?

Chen Changgeng immediately looked displeased and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I, Chen, am but a commoner, and I am utterly unworthy of the heavy responsibility of being the Crown Prince's tutor."

"Moreover, Chen has now been falsely accused and imprisoned, his reputation is ruined. If he were to enter the Crown Prince's residence..."

"If this matter reaches the ears of the civil and military officials, it may implicate the Crown Prince!"

Shen Qingci was incredibly intelligent and immediately understood Chen Changgeng's implied meaning. Wasn't this a hint to her?

"Rest assured, sir. Zhao Heng is a man who deceives his superiors and bullies his subordinates. I will have someone investigate and punish him to clear your name."

"Furthermore, if you are willing to enter the Crown Prince's residence, I will guarantee you wealth, honor, and a life free from want!"

Chen Changgeng raised an eyebrow slightly and cleared his throat.

You're just making empty promises? All you're doing is giving me these vague, unrealistic things!

"I will deal with Zhao Heng in the future, so there is no need for the Crown Princess to worry about him."

"Furthermore, if you want me to enter the Crown Prince's residence, I need at least this much salary per year."

Chen Changgeng held up five fingers: Five hundred taels!

Five hundred taels is no small sum; even for a staff member in the Crown Prince's residence, that's considered an inflated amount.

It's not that Chen Changgeng is greedy; he's been eating chaff and wild vegetables and fleeing for his life all these years. He's truly terrified of poverty!

The Crown Princess hesitated slightly upon seeing this.

My family doesn't run a charity, and this price is way too expensive.

However, thinking that she could try it out for a few days and settle the accounts at the end of the year, and if it wasn't suitable, she could just fire her, Shen Qingci gritted her teeth and persevered.

"Alright, five thousand taels it is!"

Five thousand taels?!

Upon hearing those three words, Chen Changgeng was immediately jolted, and he almost blurted out "Holy crap!"

Five thousand taels—that's tens of millions in purchasing power!

With this year's salary, I could buy a luxury house within the second ring road of the capital, and a few beautiful maids, and I would be set for life!

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess...you have such an accurate eye for people!"

Suppressing his excitement, Chen Changgeng gave Shen Qingci a big thumbs-up with trembling hands.

Five thousand taels have already been thrown in, what else is there to say, sister!

From now on, I'll follow your lead!

Just as a hint of doubt appeared on Shen Qingci's face, Chen Changgeng quickly chimed in.

We can't let her overthink it now; we need to strike while the iron is hot and quickly turn the situation into a fait accompli.

"There is one more thing. I am but a commoner; how dare I presume to be the Crown Prince's teacher!"

"Having entered the palace this time, I, Chen, do not seek empty fame, but wish to serve as a humble page, accompanying the Crown Prince!"

Would he really become the Crown Prince's tutor? He couldn't possibly be that good.

The saying goes, "A tall tree catches the wind." If the whole court finds out, how will I be able to run away with my bucket then?

Shen Qingci glanced at Chen Changgeng with some surprise, but seeing his grateful expression, she didn't think much of it.

"Alright, I'll do as you say."

"From now on, you will serve the Crown Prince as a junior eunuch, attending to his every need."

"Take him to the sterilization room!"

No, wait a minute!

Chen Changgeng suddenly looked up!

The purification room, isn't that a place for bastards?

I only said I wanted to be a pageboy, I didn't say I wanted to be a eunuch!