Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 30: Choice But No Choice

[Shi Han Jun]

Han Jun watched as Li Qing and his roommate stood side by side. Now this is going to be interesting. One is very cold toward everyone and doesn't like to talk. The other is nervous to talk to people and is worried about impressions.

Han Jun turned his attention back to Bing Shi Fu who was picking lots. "Li Wen Zhou and Su Ping." Two people raised their hands and walked toward each other. Once they stood side by side, Bing Shi Fu continued drawing the lots. " Fang Han Jun and Hu Tiao Xia." Han Jun raised his hand and scanned the crowd for his roommate. No one else raised his hand. Bing Shi Fu also noticed it and announced once again, "Fang Han Jun and Hu Tiao Xia." Han Jun waited but to no avail.

Bing Shi Fu cleared his throat and said, "Fang Han Jun, maybe your roommate is in the bathroom. In any case, if he does not show up, you may have a room all to yourself."

Yes! I don't need to worry about my roommate messing things up for me. Han Jun inwardly celebrated.

"Let me continue to pick the roommates," Bing Shi Fu said. He drew a wooden stick from the container, read it, and drew another. "Luo Xiao Zhao and Wen Ping Xi."

Han Jun saw Xiao Zhao make his way to a young man who was dressed very nicely. Han Jun knew Wen Ping Xi to be the son of Wen Si who was in charge of the war and defense of the country. Wen Si had the power to promote or demote officials in the military and was in charge of making sure the military ran smoothly. Han Jun knew that if he hoped to be the emperor, he would have to be on good terms with Wen Si and the best way was to become friends with Wen Ping Xi, the descendant of Wen Si. The military had immense power and whichever prince could control the Wen family, that prince had the highest chance of getting the throne.

But that was only if Han Jun was interested in the throne. For now, Han Jun knew that he wanted nothing to do with the throne. He was sure that the First Prince was also not interested in the throne, but just to let Ge Ge feel at peace (in case he was wrong), Han Jun resolved to try to stay away from Wen Ping Xi. If it came between Han Jun picking the throne or having to pick Ge Ge, he would pick Ge Ge without so much as batting his eye. What could be more important than brotherhood?

When Bing Shi Fu was done announcing the roommates, he proclaimed, "You may all go to your rooms now and relax. Today at two, you will be able to pick who you want to study under, so be prepared."
The students started to disburse and Han Jun made his way to his assigned room. It was located at the edge of the school grounds and was the furthest from all of the other rooms. He knew it would take longer to arrive at the school room. He now stood in front of a somewhat run-down building. Its once white walls were marred with dark markings and two corners of a sign hung down forlornly as the wind blew it gently. The double doors were closed tightly and on the ground was a thin layer of dust. Han Jun glanced around. The building was surrounded by white walls that rose above the school grounds to protect any intruder from entering.

He glanced at the door. Should I ask to change my room? Maybe it looks better inside. He strode up to the door but hesitated. No, I can do this, he thought as he pushed the double doors with both his hands. Dust immediately flew into his eyes and he quickly covered his eyes with his long sleeves. He coughed violently. When the dust settled, he took arm away. The room was not much better than the outside. A thin layer of dust was on the floor, and furniture, and on the ceilings. On some furniture, cobwebs hung down. Rays of sunlight penetrated the room and revealed dust flying in the air. It had an old, wooden, dry smell to it and made Han Jun gag.

Not being able to bear it much longer, he quickly fled the room, determined to switch to another. As he stood just outside the double doors, he bent over and put one arm on the pillar for support. He retched. When he was done, he straightened up and sighed deeply.