Chapter 18: Digging a Pit! You truly are my dear brother!

After returning to the palace, all was calm and peaceful.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Xiongying carried on as if nothing had happened—attending their lessons and practicing martial arts as usual.

One day, after class, the two gathered together, idly playing with a magnifying glass in their hands.

“Do you think they’ll fall for it?” Zhu Xiongying’s voice was low, his eyes narrowed with a hint of cunning as he glanced occasionally at their younger half-brother, Zhu Yunwen, the beloved son of Consort Lü, who sat upright not far away.

His fingers lightly traced the edge of the magnifying glass, as if contemplating something deeply.

Zhu Gaochi also cast a sidelong glance at Zhu Yunwen and smiled, “Don’t worry. You’re still comforting yourself. After today, you’ll realize just how bad your situation really is!”

As he spoke, he gave Zhu Xiongying a gentle pat on the shoulder, his gaze filled with quiet certainty.

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiongying’s eyes.

Their unusual behavior quickly drew the attention of the other dragon-born princes and grandsons.

Zhu Quan and Zhu Zhi gathered around as well, curiosity shining in their eyes as they leaned in to see what the two were holding.

After all, they were all just children—attending classes and practicing martial arts together, with no deep grudges between them. Any prior unpleasantness had long been forgotten.

“What are you guys playing with?” Zhu Quan asked eagerly.

Zhu Gaochi immediately began to show off, grinning, “Uncle Seventeen, come take a look! This is a real treasure!” Raising the magnifying glass high, he ensured everyone could see it clearly.

The mention of “treasure” stirred excitement, and the others, who had been idly chatting nearby, hurried over. Even Zhu Yunwen couldn’t help but perk up, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

“What treasure? Let me see.” Zhu Quan squeezed forward, eyes wide as he exclaimed, “Heavens above, this is exquisite glass!”

As he spoke, his hand reached out slyly but was waved away by Zhu Gaochi.

“Where did you get this? It’s a pity it’s a bit small. If it were larger and made into a mirror, it would be worth a fortune!” Zhu Quan shook his head regretfully.

All present were dragon-born princes and grandsons, accustomed to luxurious living, and naturally well-informed.

“Exquisite glass? That’s nothing,” Zhu Gaochi said dramatically. “This is a celestial artifact. It can magnify objects. Don’t believe me? Come see!”

If the word “treasure” merely attracted attention, the phrase “celestial artifact” immediately caused a stir. The skeptical crowd grew intrigued, and even Zhu Yunwen couldn’t sit still. He waddled over eagerly, craning his neck to look.

Zhu Gaochi produced a book and placed it before Zhu Quan, holding the magnifying glass above the text. The characters, normally small, were instantly enlarged, each detail becoming crystal clear.

“My heavens, it really magnifies!” Zhu Quan gasped, his face a mixture of shock and excitement. His eyes fixed on the magnified text as if discovering a new world.

The others scrambled to see as well. Zhu Gaochi handed it around one by one, even Zhu Yunwen getting his turn.

Everyone was dumbfounded, mouths agape, eyes wide with amazement.

“What a treasure! Truly a treasure!”

“This must be a celestial artifact. Gaochi, nephew, where did you get it?”

“Yeah, I want one too. Gaochi, will you sell it to me?”

Their curiosity piqued, the group buzzed with envious chatter.

But Zhu Gaochi shifted tone, smiling slyly, “This isn’t mine. It was gifted by Heaven to Brother Ying, along with a technique called ‘Heavenly Fire’!”

At once, the crowd fell silent, all eyes turning sharply to Zhu Xiongying, filled with confusion, surprise, and curiosity.

Celestial artifact!

Heavenly Fire technique!

It sounded almost unbelievable.

Zhu Quan struggled to suppress a laugh and patted Zhu Xiongying on the shoulder. “Nephew, why don’t you show us this… Heavenly Fire?”

The teasing tone was unmistakable even to a fool.

Laughter erupted from the assembled crowd, none believing Zhu Gaochi’s claim.

Zhu Gaochi looked somewhat annoyed; his round cheeks flushed as he raised his voice, “You don’t believe me? Brother Ying, show them your move!” He elbowed Zhu Xiongying gently, urging him to act.

Zhu Xiongying feigned reluctance but, unable to refuse the crowd’s pleas, nodded reluctantly.

The group moved outside the classroom. The sun hung high, its fierce heat oppressive, the glare off the ground blinding.

“Watch closely. Brother Ying’s Heavenly Fire technique can ignite a flame without any fire starter!”

The crowd laughed again, but Zhu Xiongying’s calm demeanor seeded doubt.

Could it really be true?

Zhu Xiongying took out a book and, using the magnifying glass, focused a beam of sunlight onto a single point. Gradually, a black spot appeared on the paper, smoke began to rise, and soon the book caught fire.

Everyone was stunned—mouths wide open, eyes bulging—unable to believe what they were witnessing.

Zhu Quan glanced at the others, all equally wide-eyed, faces etched with shock and disbelief.

“Magic?”

“My goodness!”

“Nephew, are you serious about this?”

Zhu Quan wiped his eyes, staring at the burning book and then at Zhu Xiongying’s hands, still struggling to comprehend.

“Haha, you see that? Brother Ying’s Heavenly Fire technique!”

“This isn’t ordinary fire—it’s heavenly fire, drawn down from the solar golden crow.”

Zhu Gaochi, ever the showman, stood proud with hands on hips, pointing at the sun.

“Heavenly fire?”

“Nephew, can you really wield heavenly fire?”

“Oh my, this must be destiny! This nephew is truly the chosen one!”

The phrase “destined by Heaven” perfectly suited Zhu Xiongying’s status as the imperial crown prince.

For a moment, the crowd’s gaze toward Zhu Xiongying turned reverent.

Yet among them, Zhu Yunwen’s expression was deeply complex—filled with confusion, unease, and above all… resentment!

He bit his lip tightly, fists clenched with nails digging into his palms, eyes fixed on Zhu Xiongying as if trying to see right through him.

Destined by Heaven… really?

How could that be?

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out from behind.

“You brats!”

“What are you doing?!”

Li Xiyan had seen the fire and smelled the smoke; he rushed out without hesitation.

The crowd immediately scattered like startled birds. The morning’s lessons were over; no one wanted to stick around for a scolding.

Zhu Xiongying was about to explain but was pulled away by Zhu Gaochi.

“Are you crazy? You burned the textbook! Of course Li Xiyan will be furious!”

Hearing this, Zhu Xiongying shrank back and hurried off.

But Zhu Gaochi suddenly stopped running.

“What’s wrong? Keep running!” Zhu Xiongying urged, puzzled.

Zhu Gaochi turned back, eyes sharp as knives toward the scene of the incident.

“Should we go back and see what your ‘good’ brother is up to?”

At these words, Zhu Xiongying halted, his gaze piercing.

The two stealthily returned and hid behind a fake rock to observe.

Li Xiyan was furious, shouting curses, but all the dragon-born princes and grandsons had fled. He didn’t know who had burned the textbook.

Just then, a lively figure appeared—it was Zhu Yunwen!

“Teacher…” Zhu Yunwen stood timidly before Li Xiyan, trembling slightly, eyes full of fear.

Li Xiyan turned sharply and demanded, “Yunwen, you’re the most honest one—tell me, which brat burned the textbook? It contains the sacred Confucian teachings! How could this happen?”

As a lifelong scholar, Li Xiyan could not tolerate anyone desecrating the Confucian classics—not even a dragon-born prince.

Zhu Yunwen hesitated but finally spoke timidly.

“Teacher, it was… it was… Big Brother!”

Li Xiyan’s face darkened instantly, and the two hiding behind the rock also turned pale.

Zhu Xiongying glared at Zhu Yunwen, eyes burning with anger and heartbreak.

He had never expected this usually clingy little brother to stab him in the back with such a despicable act.

“Heh, Zhu Yunwen, you truly are my good brother!”