Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes

Chapter 351: Chapter 350: Besides, in This World, Who Isn’t a Chess Piece?

In a few days, it should be close to the Summer Solstice.

Speaking of which, time really flies.

Like fleeting clouds, gone in a flash.

Ever since the news of Shen Han entering the Fifth Grade First Snow Realm spread, the number of new students at Tianyi Academy has increased.

And the Dean and Vice-Dean found it much easier to recruit tutors.

Shen Han’s stunning performance in the Ten Nations Grand Competition greatly enhanced the reputation of Tianyi Academy.

Nowadays, Tianyi students walk with much more pride outside.

Unlike before, when Tianyi Academy was considered the worst, and students felt ashamed to show it.

In the evening, Shen Han headed towards Prince Qingyuan’s courtyard.

This time, he was familiar with the route.

Prince Qingyuan arrived a bit earlier than Shen Han, and upon seeing him, a smile appeared on his face.

“You’ve come, come in and sit.”

Shen Han didn’t stand on ceremony, he entered the courtyard, bowed in respect, and sat beside Prince Qingyuan.

“This Ten Nations Grand Competition must have been a worthwhile experience, right? Did you gain any insights?”

Prince Qingyuan asked about the Ten Nations Grand Competition right away, but his face always had a smile.

“I wouldn’t call it insights, just some observations that the Qi and Yan nations seem to be growing stronger.

The younger generation of the two nations seems to be a step above Great Wei in power.”

This was Shen Han’s genuine impression.

Indeed, he was somewhat moved by the young talents of Qi Country.

Those talents from Qi Country, almost all of them knew a bit of the Power of Laws.

He even inquired, these Qi talents did not belong to the same family or sect.

Which means there was a strong individual who selflessly shared their insights on Laws.

This kind of selfless temperament indicates that the cohesion of Qi Country is truly unusual.

The current state of Great Wei would never allow such things to happen.

Hearing this, Prince Qingyuan sighed as well.

“Our Great Wei protects young people’s cultivation path with etiquette and law.

But the results don’t seem significant, compounded with internal strife, the growth of the young is indeed difficult…”

As he spoke, Prince Qingyuan also glanced at Shen Han.

“Just like when you were at Shen Mansion, in that situation, how could you dare to show your edge or reveal your talents…

The current situation of Great Wei did not arise in a day.”

After saying this, Prince Qingyuan did not dwell further on the matter but asked about the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

“During the days of the Ten Nations Grand Competition, my personal guards were always keeping an eye on you.

These guards have been by my side for over ten years, and they have quite a bit of experience.

According to them, you seemed unfazed throughout the process.

Even when my guards pushed you to compete, you didn’t show much panic.

How did you guess my plan?”

Prince Qingyuan looked at Shen Han, genuinely curious.

In response, Shen Han smiled.

“In fact, I had some guesses before even going to Ming City.

The Minister Yingtian named Elder Chu branded me with a curse, yet His Holiness, going against the opinions of many, insisted on letting me participate in the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

From there, logically, if Elder Chu wanted to make a move on me, there was no need for a petition from the masses.

All he had to do was let me normally participate in the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

By then, if Great Wei was defeated, the blame would directly fall on me, and the cursed name would be cemented.

If Great Wei performed slightly better, they would say it was despite my influence that it wasn’t better.

Even if this Ten Nations Grand Competition ended perfectly, Elder Chu would still find things to say.

He’d claim that it was His Holiness who bore the cursed omen, which led to such grandeur.

So, in this way, he essentially stood in a place of invincibility.

But on that very night, a petition appeared, pushing me to that substitute position.

I thought carefully that the petition couldn’t be arranged by Elder Chu, he wouldn’t need to do something unnecessary.”

At this point, Shen Han stopped speaking, looking up at Prince Qingyuan.

After a moment of hesitation, Prince Qingyuan nodded: “Your guess is correct, the petition was indeed arranged by me.

The deeper the misunderstanding of the Great Wei people towards you, the stronger their hatred will be.

And Minister Yingtian Chu Du would face a powerful backlash.”

Reluctantly, Shen Han asked more.

“Prince, do you have such confidence in me?

If I couldn’t defeat the young talents of Qi and Yan, what then?

Prince, you bet your reputation and resources on me.

If I lost, the whipping by the citizens of Great Wei wouldn’t be on me alone.

You wouldn’t escape either, Prince…”

Prince Qingyuan laughed, a somewhat free-spirited expression on his face.

“No plan in the world is foolproof; there’s always a slip in the hundreds of meticulous plans.

To deal with that old fox Chu Du, we had to ensure he saw nothing suspicious.

If your strength, Shen Han, overwhelmingly surpassed your peers, he wouldn’t have fallen into the trap as easily.”

Shen Han nodded thoughtfully.

These people in power seem unafraid of making bold gambles.

If it were him, perhaps he wouldn’t have the courage to make such decisions.

Shen Han knew himself well, his personality was cautious, and he wouldn’t take excessive risks.

He might not achieve meteoric success, but wouldn’t suddenly fall into the abyss either.

“Minister Yingtian Chu Du, although he harbors no rebellion, has become increasingly noncompliant in recent years.

His Holiness finds it hard to command him, and taking action against him was only natural.

A few days ago, when he was thrown into prison, he still hadn’t realized how he was defeated.”

As he spoke, Prince Qingyuan looked more intently at Shen Han.

“Being used as a chess piece, does it bother you?”

While asking, Prince Qingyuan maintained a polite and amiable demeanor.

But such a question should not be answered carelessly.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Han looked back at Prince Qingyuan.

“A chess piece won’t escape its identity for being displeased.

To become a piece means there’s still some value.

Besides, who in this world isn’t a chess piece?

Prince Qingyuan, aren’t you also a piece on the board yourself?”

Hearing Shen Han’s words, Prince Qingyuan thought for a moment and then laughed heartily.

“You’re absolutely right, had you not performed so brilliantly this time, both our pieces might have perished here.”

Jokingly, the two then proceeded to the dining hall.

The table was full of delicious dishes.

During dinner, Prince Qingyuan talked about the upcoming events.

Shen Han made significant contributions during the visit to Yexuan and in this Ten Nations Grand Competition.

This was recognized by the entire Great Wei Court Hall, and in a few days, His Holiness would reward his merits.

According to Prince Qingyuan, Shen Han would be granted the Shen Family’s title.

As for the Shen Family’s reaction, it would be addressed when the time comes.