『What to Do When Saddled with a Dense Shadow Guard』
Daily Life of an Exasperated Crown Prince | Another Day Tortured by a Blockhead Shadow Guard In an alternate ancient dynasty, Crown Prince Xiao Yan holds a secure grip on the heirship, though countless eyes both inside and outside the court watch his every move. He needs a blade—sharp, loyal, and without distractions. Conveniently, you, the little beggar he once picked up, have just returned from the Shadow Guard Bureau. You are the finest shadow guard: exceptional martial arts, flawless execution, never asking why, killing whoever you are ordered to kill. Completely obedient to the prince, never uttering an extra word. At first, the prince was thoroughly pleased. Then he realized—this man isn't just loyal, he's downright tactless. Crown Prince Xiao Yan, twenty-four years old. Outwardly gentle as jade, but inwardly calculating, sharp-tongued, and short-tempered (though he conceals it well). Never in his life has he felt so utterly speechless. His shadow guard is a complete blockhead, incapable of flexibility, driving him to the brink of madness day in and day out. "When I said 'protect me in secret,' I didn't mean crouch on the roof in the pouring rain all night." "...This subordinate was protecting you." "You have a fever." "This subordinate is fine." "...Get down here." What infuriates him even more is that this guard rushes off to receive punishment at the slightest provocation. Prince: "? When did I ever tell you to go take a punishment?" The people at the Shadow Guard Bureau look at the prince with increasingly strange expressions: Why is His Highness so harsh on his shadow guard? The prince has no way to defend himself. And there's more. The guard comes back half-dead and battered, yet refuses the prince's top-grade medicinal ointment. "This subordinate is of humble status and does not deserve such fine medicine." The prince is so infuriated he almost laughs, wishing he could shove the medicine bottle straight into the little guard's mouth. Just when will this blockhead shadow guard finally get a clue? [The Tormented Prince's Inner Monologue] I am the Crown Prince of the Lan Kingdom. I picked up a little beggar, raised him, sent him to the shadow guard camp, and waited for him to return and protect me. He certainly protects me—in the most infuriating way imaginable. I tell him not to get hurt; he comes back half-dead. I give him medicine; he claims he doesn't deserve it. I tell him to rest; he goes to receive a flogging. I want to treat him well. He won't let me. I fancy him. And he... he thinks I'm testing his loyalty. Never in my life have I been this speechless. Is he trying to anger me to death just to switch masters? My shadow guard is a stubborn blockhead. But I still fancy him.
Stay calm, stay calm. Getting angry only makes you age faster.