Little Sugar Horn

One little sugar corner, and a mouthful of sugar-sweet delight.

Chang Yu is the renowned Prince Zhaojun, a prince from outside the imperial clan. Yan Shuo is an obscure eighth-rank official in the Bureau of Transmission.

The story begins when Yan Shuo misfiles a memorial and is summoned before the emperor to face Prince Zhaojun. The stingy prince leaves a deep impression on him. Then, for reasons unknown, the two grow closer and come to understand each other better and better.

By the time stories about them are all over town, and the emperor looks at Yan Shuo with disapproval and pity, Yan Shuo finally discovers that Prince Zhaojun paid people to write those stories and has been showering him with praise in front of the emperor all along.

What is he supposed to do when this naughty little puppy, who knows how to act pitiful, gets more and more lovable? Yan Shuo can only happily take a big bite out of the little sugar corner.

--

Chang Yu stepped outside and saw that the rabbit had not run far. Suddenly, he reached out and put a hand on Yan Shuo's shoulder.

Yan Shuo jumped in fright. Seeing it was Chang Yu, he hurriedly bowed. "Y-Your Highness."

"I'm not called Your Your Highness."

Has this prince lost his mind? Yan Shuo's face turned bright red, and all he could manage was, "Your Highness, Prince."

Chang Yu put an arm around his shoulders and led him down the steps. Inside the hall, he had not seemed particularly imposing, but now the arm on Yan Shuo's shoulder felt remarkably strong. He was half a head taller than Yan Shuo, who looked especially slight beside him, like a poor little rabbit caught in a wolf's jaws.

--

"Should I call you Cowardly Bunny? You're as timid as a rabbit."

"This humble official pays his respects to Prince Zhaojun." Yan Shuo bowed quietly. Why did Prince Zhaojun keep picking on him? Was he planning to hit him? With his skinny arms and legs, how could he take a beating?

Chang Yu was unfazed. "Do you know how small a rabbit's gallbladder is?" He indicated a size about as big as a soybean. "The moment it hears the slightest rustle, it panics and dives into the grass, vanishing in an instant."

"Have you ever cut open a rabbit, Prince Zhaojun? Is its gallbladder really that small?" Yan Shuo's attention was immediately diverted.

He'd been all puffed up with anger just a moment ago, and now he was so easily distracted. Chang Yu silently filed that away.

--

An ancient-world setting based on actual history. If you ask, it's a blend of the Ming and Qing dynasties; if you ask again, it's an alternate world.

This story does not judge any historical figures. All the plot, characters, systems, and customs are artistically reimagined and do not represent any historical reality or personal preferences.

Theme: Be conscientious at work, treat others kindly in life, and grow into someone who can help society and other people.