Taming Tyrants I

Arc 1: Beauty and the Beast (14)

Fifteen years ago, Nian Xiaoyuan was just twelve when his father brought him to the imperial school. He always lived with his foreign mother outside Zhou. She was hiding from his father but eventually, he found them and brought them back to the capital. The reason why his mother hid him from his father is that she doesn't trust him. She is afraid of his treacherous wives and she was the only woman next to him who bore his child. But after learning his mistake, he divorced his wives and took back his wife and Nian Xiaoyuan.

Song Yue noticed his talent in both literacy and martial arts. He offered to take Nian Xiaoyuan as his disciple. Father Nian agreed and thus, Nian Xiaoyuan kept entering the imperial tutor's household. One day, Nian Xiaoyuan entered the mansion. The servants were running around as if in panic. Fortunately, a maid brought him to where his master is. Song Yue was flustered as his wife gave birth in another room.

The young Nian Xiaoyuan waited until the doctor came out. She delivered a message that Song Yue's wife had died. Song Yue was unable to react. Nian Xiaoyuan tried to cheer him up. However, Song Yue remained unmoved. An infant's cry resounded in the room. Nian Xiaoyuan tilted his head in pure curiosity. He slipped into the room when no one was paying attention and followed where the cry was coming from.

Nian Xiaoyuan approached a crib where an infant was crying. He was mesmerized to see an infant. Its his first time seeing one and he finds her cute. Nian Xiaoyuan reached his hand as the infant stopped crying. She looked up to him and met his gaze. Soon, she grabbed his hand and fiddled with it for a while. Her hand was soft and tender. Nian Xiaoyuan looked at his own hand that was rough because of holding weapons and doing chores. Suddenly, she bit his hand.

"Gross!" he felt repulsed and quickly took his hand back. The infant cried again. Nian Xiaoyuan was afraid someone will come in. He forced himself and gave his hand back. The infant played with it without bringing it to her mouth. He finds her harmless again. "Little girl, you're so cute. Be thankful your father is my master."

That innocent baby, that annoying brat, that devious lady, its all Song Cha Hua. Nian Xiaoyuan was the only one who made her cry. He likes bullying her and Lin Xingjin likes defending her. But why did it turn out like this?

"Lin Xingjin!" finally, Nian Xiaoyuan found Lin Xingjin in the military camp. Just on the right place, his own territory. Nian Xiaoyuan strode with long steps. He suddenly grabbed Lin Xingjin's collar as the soldiers around them sucked in their breath. Lin Xingjin frowned. Before he can struggle, Nian Xiaoyuan punched him. Lin Xingjin fell down, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

"What's your problem?!" Lin Xingjin fought back. A general passed by and ordered the soldiers to keep them away from each other. Nian Xiaoyuan was calm but Lin Xingjin still wants to kick his face.

"What's my problem? Song Cha Hua is!" Nian Xiaoyuan answered. The soldiers knew he will go after the prince again and they quickly held him back. "Bastard! You have a responsibility to protect her! Since we were young! You promised, idiot!"

"Promised? I didn't promise her anything!" Lin Xingjin struggled but the general behind him kept him from getting near Nian Xiaoyuan.

"Oh, right. You forgot. Even she forgot. F*cking bastard. You used to protect her, no?" he asked with a grin. Lin Xingjin paused. "You always protected her from me because I often make her cry. But you know why? Because I don't want to be her fiance. Because your are more fit to be her husband."

"What are you saying?" his brows furrowed in confusion.

"I was her first fiance. Before she was even born, she's already betrothed to me, stupid." Nian Xiaoyuan pulled his arm back. He crossed his arms and showed an impatient arrogant look. "But then, you came to the picture and replaced me on my behalf. Master doesn't wish for an uncertain son-in-law so he had you take my place. You promised her, in front of me too, that you will not break the engagement."

"Lies. Why cant I remember?" Lin Xingjin snorted. All he knows is that Song Cha Hua has been his fiance and no one else than him.

Nian Xiaoyuan laughed. That was his signature evil laughter. He often used that to mock his enemies or when someone made a fool of himself. Nian Xiaoyuan clicked his tongue.

"Then recall this day and never forget it. Song Cha Hua is not your responsibility now and I'll make you regret this." he left with a sinister smile that sent fear to the soldiers. Nian Xiaoyuan will make him regret. He will take Zhao Xue from Lin Xingjin and include Song Cha Hua. "Bastard. If he can remember, he will surely beg for forgiveness."

Nian Xiaoyuan didn't come back after that day. The Mid-Autumn Banquet arrived and a prince of a foreign dynasty came to make connections with Zhou. The prince was said to be sickly and everyone can guess he wished to meet the divine doctor Zhou is proud of.

Hong Cha attended but she immediately got bored. She noticed how different Nian Xiaoyuan has been looking at her.

"System, is there any way to remember what Song Cha Hua had forgotten? Im starting to get confused." she asked System Wu while enjoying the delicacies in front of her.

[Hm... There is, Host.]

"How?" her eyes brightened to hear the good news.

[By dying, Host. It is said humans will remember everything if they die.]

"Is there any method that doesn't involve death?" she grimly inquired. System Wu didn't reply. Hong Cha finds it hopeless. She can just ask Nian Xiaoyuan again. But will he agree?