56 Day 55: The Scums Surprise (1/2)

Gao Yin never saw Ci Sheng again. He only heard of Ci Sheng's deeds in the palace through the people.

The people, after they saw Gao Yin's sanity, no longer fears him and instead now interacts with him. Gao Yin, from his family's riches, built a small school. There, he spends his time teaching kids.

2 years passed and Gao Yin's school grew larger. He hired teachers for the kids. Now, he only teaches from time to time, the rest of his time he spends traveling.

As to the matter if Gao Yin and Ci Sheng would see each other again... only time can tell.

- An excerpt from The Empire's Consort Retold, chapter **

Black lines covered Gao Yin's face after he read the update. ”Why is this still updating?!” he asked, shocked. ”And... 'Retold'?!” he asked the system.

”Yes.” The voice answered. ”Since the system overhauled because of that problem, the system needs to fix the stories' changes and so this is the system's solution – ” it explained. ” – to make revisions of the stories, and it bases on the changes of the stories.” It said.

Gao Yin's face went dark and he didn't answer.

”Yes. It's as you think.” The system said. ”The story's ending will be based on your actions.” it told him.

”But... you just said...” Gao Yin muttered. ”The ending...”

”Yes.” The voice said. ”It's better if it'll follow the ending of the original story.” It said.

”... then... what if the ending will change?” Gao Yin asked, remembered the protagonist kissed him earlier, which is absolutely not on the original story.

If the scenes changes, of course the ending could change, too.

”...” the voice fell silent. After a while, it spoke. ”... then just make sure it'll end good.” It answered.

More dark lines covered Gao Yin's face. ”... you sure don't sugarcoat your words.” He told it.

”... nothing will come good out of sugarcoating.” The voice said. ”It'll leave a bad taste in your mouth, instead.” It said.

Gao Yin didn't answer anymore and bid the system goodbye as he prepared for his class. For some reason, his and the system's talk last time got cut. Probably due to the interference because of the problem that popped up in the system. He thought.

But, he never thought that the system will take two years before it talked to him again. Yes. Two years. So unbelievable. That 'problem' must be a very big problem to make so much trouble for the system it took them two years to contact him again. He thought.

Just what is that 'problem', anyway, and how big of a trouble does it make?

He opened the door and greeted the youths of today (his students). ”Good morning.” He greeted.

They respectfully bowed. ”Good morning.” They greeted back and sat.

Gao Yin smiled as he laid his book on his table. But, before he could begin his class, the door opened loudly and a teacher catching her breath appeared, looking at Gao Yin.

”Sir!” she called.

”What? What's the hurry?” Gao Yin asked, puzzled.

The teacher took a deep breath before she answered. ”Sir!” she called again. ”Some personnel from the palace wanted to see you!” she said.

Gao Yin's eyes went wide, shocked. He turned to his students who are clueless, then he turned to the teacher. ”You take over my class.” He said as he flicked his sleeve and stood straight.

”Yes!” the teacher answered and bowed when he passed by. ”Sir...” she called, worried.

”Don't worry.” He told her. ”I'll never let them take what's left of me.” he said, referring to his school. He walked out.

Ever since he started his school, aside from admiration, there's also envy he garnered. Not just from other persons who also had their own school built, but also from the palace.

Since the palace also has a school on their own, and it's a government school, of course they'd be mad since the teaching method should only be one – their own teaching method. But since the private schools started, and Gao Yin's school is one, of course more teaching method will be unknown, much to the imperial teachers' anger.

They believe that their teaching method is always right, which makes Gao Yin's brows raise.

Even though he's not a teacher, but he still has some idea on how to teach because he's been to the best schools in his real world. He knows the teachers' hardships, but he also knows their joy – that's passing what they learned to the next generations. And of course, one learns best through many methods, not only one.

The more they learn from different aspects through different methods, their knowledge broadens and the student learns best.

Gao Yin saw a carriage outside of his school and a palace guard waiting for him. The guard saw him and respectfully bowed. He just nodded at the guard and voluntarily went inside the carriage.

But, before he could sit, he was pulled from the side and the door closed.

”Go.” A voice that's holding Gao Yin tight said. The carriage then started to move.

Gao Yin, wide – eyed, tried to break free from the person's grasps but the person is holding him tight. The carriage is not small but not big either, and so their body is close to each other. He could feel the warm breath fanning on his neck.

”Who – ” he said. He can't turn to see the person's face since he's sitting on the person's lap, his back on the person.

”It's just 2 years that passed but you already forgotten me?” the person asked.

Gao Yin's forehead knotted. He's sure he didn't forget anybody. ”I believe I don't remember an indecent person like you – ” he said when he felt something poking on his butt.

Gao Yin is a man, and the person is also a man, so he is sure what's that thing poking him.

”Oh, right.” The person said and held Gao Yin tighter. ”You don't remember me since I was still an innocent, naïve and ignorant child back then.” He said and chuckled. ”Yes. Perhaps, you can remember if I'd say that I'm that child that kissed you and never appeared before you since then – ” he said and laid his head on Gao Yin's back.

Gao Yin's eyes went wide and he stood up, shocked. But, since they're inside the carriage... ”Ow!” he cried when his head hit the roof.

”Are you alright?” the person asked, concern on his voice as he turned Gao Yin to face him.

Gao Yin used this chance to confirm his thoughts. Sure enough, it is him. He thought as he looked at the face he tried to forget but can never forget.

How can he forget the protagonist's face? He thought and mentally frowned. But, his emotions that he suppressed for a long while welled up.

He felt his eyes became misty as he stared at the face he missed so much after their last meeting.

”Ci Sheng.” He said, his voice hoarse as he stared at his face.

Ci Sheng grinned. ”I thought I already told you to just call me 'Sheng'?” he asked.

Gao Yin's eyes welled up, but he's holding back his tears. ”Sheng...” he called, a tear escaped from his eye. 2 years may just be a short time, but to him, it's the longest time he had.

Ever since Ci Sheng left him, he felt half of his life was taken away. Perhaps it was just because he was already too attached to the kid he took care of and raised. And so he busied himself with kids, too, and raised them by teaching them.

Perhaps Gao Yin might just be looking for Ci Sheng from them. But, he himself he knew he'd never admit that.

”The last I heard you became the head scholar.” Gao Yin said as he took his time staring at the face he missed for two years. ”You must have a wide influence in the palace, then.”

Ci Sheng nodded. ”Yes.” He said.

Gao Yin looked at his eyes. ”You... doesn't sound happy.” He told him.

”How can I be?” Ci Sheng said and looked at Gao Yin's face whom he also missed for two years. ”They're planning to crush your school. I have to strive harder so that I could control many people and crush those that oppose you.” He explained.

Gao Yin's eyes went wide. ”You mean...” he said. ”The reason why my school is still here...” he said, didn't continue.

Among all the private schools in the empire, only Gao Yin's school remained. So he had a backer. He thought and mentally grimaced.

Ci Sheng' brows raised. ”Do you have other reasons for your school to be still here other than me in the palace?” he asked.

Gao Yin didn't answer and just looked away. Ci Sheng laughed.

”Hey.” He called. ”Why did you come to my school?” he asked. ”If you're protecting my school instead of taking it away... ” he said. ”Do you want to see your mentor?” he asked and grinned, teasing.

Ci Sheng smiled. ”Is there any other reason aside from seeing you?” he asked back.

Gao Yin laughed, happy. ”Well...” he just said and smiled, shy. ”Oh, right.” he said, remembered something. ”About your father...” he said and looked at Ci Sheng, serious.

”Ah.” Ci Sheng said, frowning. ”He's bedridden right now.” he answered.

Gao Yin made an 'oh'. ”How about the queen mother?” he asked, remembered that bitch is the one who killed the original Gao Yin's family just for a petty revenge after being rejected.

”She poisoned the emperor, and so she was hanged.” Ci Sheng answered.

Gao Yin's mouth formed an 'O'. ”Then, the empire now...” he said.

Ci Sheng looked at him. ”Do you still want for the empire's fall?” he asked.

Gao Yin shook his head. Now that he has a school built for the children's future... ”No... I just want peace now.” he answered.

Ci Sheng nodded. ”Good.” He said. ”You can tell my younger brother that.” He said and smiled.

The carriage stopped

Gao Yin's forehead knotted. ”'younger brother'?” he asked as the door of the carriage opened. ”Didn't he want to kill you?” he asked, referring to the original plot of the story.

Ci Sheng laughed loudly, holding his stomach.

”If I did – ” a voice said. ” – then what would become of the empire now?” he asked.