Chapter 173 Training

Words : 1565 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Although Prince NanAn and his companions had their personal servants go back to the mansion to fetch clothes, no one actually brought the clothes over. If they did, wouldn’t it mean that Prince NanAn and the others agreed with their sons staying at the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion? Thus, after soaking in the medicinal bath, Chu Shun and the others wore Su Chong’s clothes. The few of them were of similar stature, walking side by side, looking elegant and full of poise. Su Chong took them to greet Mrs. Tang, who laughed, "Seeing you all walk together, I thought I had given birth to five sons." "Greetings, Aunt." Chu Shun and the four spoke in unison. Mrs. Tang, knowing their identities, smiled, "Chongchong has had no other friends since childhood besides his brothers at Qingyun Mountain. I’m glad you can stay at the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion for Chongchong. Just treat this mansion as your own home, and everyone here will treat you as they do Chongchong." The Heir of Marquis Beining felt uneasy. When others say such things, it’s just courtesy. Mrs. Tang didn’t even need to say it; Chu Shun and the others already felt the sincerity of the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. Such sincerity made them ache all over. Could they not be treated generally? They preferred a bit of special treatment. While Chu Shun and the others were chatting and laughing here, over at the Marquis Jingguo Mansion, Prince NanAn Mansion, Beining Marquis Mansion, and Duke Dingguo Mansion, they were furrowing their brows. These few got into trouble and then escaped. Even knowing they were at the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion, they were at a loss. But the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion was a den of bandits. Although they were mischievous before, they weren’t as bold, and more importantly, their parents couldn’t control them, yet the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion could get them to settle down and observe the construction of Tianxiang Building. The more they thought, the angrier they became. If they were already so obedient after such brief contact, after staying at this bandit den a few more days, they might not even recognize their parents anymore. Moreover, the most significant issue was that they had offended Duke Chong. They left after making some bold statements, not knowing how to clean up the mess. That night, the sons slept soundly while the parents tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Chu Shun and the others were worn out during the day and slept soundly at night. Mrs. Tang arranged for them to stay in Su Chong’s Qingfeng Pavilion, setting up a large sleeping area with five beds. Su Chong, instead of sleeping in the main room, chose to sleep with them in the side room. The next day, when Su Chong woke up, he woke up Chu Shun and the others. Chu Shun and the others, in a sleepy daze, looked at Su Chong and asked, "Big brother, why are you waking us up so early?" "It’s time for training," Su Chong said as he dressed. "Does it have to be this early?" asked the Heir of Marquis Beining. As for Prince NanAn, he sat up briefly before lying back down. Su Chong said, "No more sleeping, or if we go late today, we’ll have to train an extra half hour." Chu Shun yawned, pulled off the blanket, and got up. They got dressed, but Prince NanAn was still sleeping with the blanket. The Heir of Marquis Beining and Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo dragged him off the bed. Yes. They dragged him to the ground. Then splashed cold water on his face. Prince NanAn woke up with a start. After freshening up, the servants brought porridge and steamed buns. Half a bowl of porridge and a meat bun. Chu Shun was shocked, "Is this all we eat for breakfast?" Su Chong took a bite of the bun and replied, "This isn’t breakfast. Just eat a little to line your stomach, so you don’t get hungry during training. We’ll have breakfast after training." "How much training do we do in a day?" asked the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo. "Train for half an hour in the morning, rest for a bit after breakfast, then train for another hour," Su Chong replied. "...." "Training that long?" commented the Heir of Marquis Beining. "It’s not necessarily that long; we train until we’re exhausted," Su Chong said. "...." No other word could describe it, except cruel. After breakfast, they headed to the training ground, watching the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion people train, which was truly demoralizing. Compared to them, Chu Shun and the others could only describe themselves with one word— Weak. While Chu Shun and the others were training, Prince NanAn and the others were outside the Political Discussion Hall, waiting for court to start. Prince NanAn and Marquis Beining whispered to each other; if you got close enough, you could hear them criticizing their sons. The senior of Duke Dingguo Mansion was ashamed; he couldn’t discipline his son well, causing Duke Dingguo to be so angry his tooth ached, unable to attend court, taking a leave of absence at home. Seeing Duke Chong approach, Prince NanAn was the first to step forward and apologize to him, "We failed in teaching our children, causing trouble to you, Duke." Duke Chong sneered, "Failed in teaching? You all have raised quite the sons!" "Duke, you embarrass us," said Prince NanAn. Duke Chong sneered repeatedly, "I thought the court could have a few more pillars of talent. Now it seems Daqi will have a few more bandits!" Prince NanAn said, "You can be assured, Duke. I won’t allow that troublemaker of mine to go astray. After court, I’ll tie him up and bring him back to the mansion for strict discipline!" Duke Chong flicked his sleeves and left. That morning session left Prince NanAn and the others feeling a bit unsettled. After court adjourned, they gathered again to discuss how to bring their sons back to the mansion. But since they’re at Marquis Dongxiang Mansion now, and the Emperor had Commander Tie surround it tightly, they couldn’t make too much noise. So they decided to take turns visiting, as going all together made it seem like the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion had kidnapped their sons and refused to return them. Marquis Beining and the others were waiting anxiously at the tavern closest to the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. Prince NanAn rode to the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. Seeing him arrive, Commander Tie greeted him, "Greetings, Prince NanAn." Prince NanAn dismounted and asked, "The troublemaker’s still hiding in the marquis mansion, right?" "Haven’t seen the Commandery Prince come out," Commander Tie replied. Prince NanAn nodded and stepped inside. Knowing he was Prince NanAn, there to find his son, a servant led him to the training ground. Prince NanAn did not enter, just stood at the door watching. He saw his son running swiftly with a sack on his back, and then getting knocked down when crossing a narrow log. He patted his backside, got up, picked up the sack, and continued running. Prince NanAn’s face turned green. The servant saw him standing still and asked, "Prince, aren’t you going in?" Prince NanAn turned and left. It wasn’t even the time it takes for a cup of tea, leaving Commander Tie somewhat confused. Why leave so soon? Prince NanAn mounted his horse, spurred it, and rode away quickly. Inside the tavern, Marquis Beining and the others were restless. The door creaked open, and Prince NanAn walked in. Seeing his unpleasant expression, Marquis Beining frowned, "Why did you return so quickly? You didn’t enter the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion, did you?" "I’m outraged!" Prince NanAn sat down, grabbed a teacup, and gulped it down. Then snatched the folded fan from Marquis Jingguo’s hand and fanned furiously. Marquis Jingguo asked worriedly, "What happened?" Prince NanAn fumed, "Just my rebellious son, at home he acts like it’s his life being threatened when asked to train, but at the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion, he carries sacks like he’s flying. When knocked to the ground, he doesn’t complain about pain or exhaustion, just picks up the sack and runs again, afraid of being slow." Marquis Jingguo: "...." Marquis Beining: "...." Eldest Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion: "...." Are they avoiding trouble or going for training? "What about my son?" Marquis Beining asked. Prince NanAn glanced at him and said, "He’s hitting the wooden man stakes." Marquis Beining was first taken aback, then flew into a rage. Marquis Jingguo and the Eldest Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion felt the same way. Their sons wouldn’t listen to them, but now they were obedient in the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. How could they not be angered? Mad as they were, they couldn’t help but admire— The Marquis Dongxiang Mansion had the knack to make their sons train obediently. What could they do? The original plan to bind their sons and bring them back for strict discipline was abandoned by all four fathers— They sent their servants back to pack clothes and deliver them to the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. Let their sons stay there to train well. At the Marquis Dongxiang Mansion. After training, Prince NanAn, exhausted and barely able to stand, looked at the box of clothes carried in. He felt heartache all over his face. "It’s over, my father wants to cut ties with me."

Chapter 173 Training

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