The Top Scholar Doesn't Want to Study

Lin Si'an is the Prime Minister's only son. He isn't arrogant or overbearing, and of course... he also doesn't behave like a decent human being.

His greatest talent is putting on an innocent face, saying something sweet, then catching people off guard with a couple of slaps.

One day, he finally slipped up and his father bundled him off to the mountains. From then on, he was supposed to study by day, play the zither by night, and live like a carefree hermit among the clouds. Of course... that was never going to happen either.

He's poor, but what matters is having ambition. He raised chickens, but they ran away. He farmed, but all he grew was poisonous medicinal herbs. He built a thatched cottage, but it collapsed.

Still, it was no big deal. The house next door looked pretty good to him, and he'd helped with every brick and tile. One day, he would move in too, and he wanted the biggest courtyard!

And eventually, he really did move in, to the biggest courtyard of all. Only now, someone else was by his side.

With the sun already high in the sky, he lay on the bed, reflecting: This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't how An'an's dreams were supposed to turn out...

The culprit himself rubbed his aching back. He felt bad for him, but he'd do it again next time.

Fu Cheng, the regent of the current dynasty, held supreme power and commanded the court. One day, he resigned and returned to the countryside.

The first thing he saw upon arriving in the mountains was two round little heads peeking over his wall.

"..."

The child had two rosy cheeks, and his face and clothes were filthy. There was even straw stuck in his hair. He looked utterly pitiful.

Fu Cheng's heart softened for a moment, so he took the child in and looked after him. The household grew livelier by the day.

But gradually, Fu Cheng realized that something was off. Lin Si'an didn't seem nearly as innocent as he'd imagined. Still, that was all right. He was confident he could set him on the right path and help him become a better person.

He was confident.

He was conf...

He...

Forget it. A child can be a little mischievous.

Later, when someone exposed his feelings, emotions he'd suppressed for so long surged like a dark tide, gradually devouring his reason. He became twisted.

Extra Scenes:

1. An'an: Fu Cheng, you're so nice. Nobody used to let me play with them. They said I was too stupid.

Fu Cheng: You're wonderful. They're the ones who are awful.

A group of badly duped victims, pressing their philtrums: Could you say that again with your hand on your heart?

2. An'an, after returning to the Prime Minister's residence: Mother, I couldn't get enough to eat or warm clothes on the mountain, and I couldn't sleep well. An'an had such a hard time. (He gives Lin Hongwen an accusing look.)

Xiang Qiurong: My poor child, you suffered so much.

Lin Hongwen: Drowning in guilt.

Xue Xi, held back by Xue Yan: You little brat, say that one more time!

Fu Cheng: ...

Reader's Guide:

1. An evil, study-averse, silly beauty of a shou who spreads rumors nonstop with his sweet little mouth, paired with a powerful regent gong. His rose-colored glasses are thicker than city walls.

2. The story starts in the mountains and later returns to the imperial court. The main plot is probably, more or less, the imperial examinations. The shou grows over the course of the story, and the overall tone is lighthearted.

3. This is a sweet story, with no angst! This is a sweet story, with no angst! This is a sweet story, with no angst!

Finally, wishing everyone an enjoyable read.

Theme: Study hard and keep improving every day.