After the emperor left the room, Li Min was left alone with this new kid. He thought for a while and decided it won't be too bad to mess around with him. "How old are you?" He asked.
"Twenty-two, your highness." The man said in a clear voice.
"Were you scouted from the army?"
"Yes, your highness. How did you…" he cut himself short. Though he was new to this profession, he knew questioning a prince was one of the things he was never supposed to do. He bit his tongue and his eyes began to tear up as he sniffled.
"Don't cry, kid. I have no power to be able to punish you. I guessed you are from the army because you spoke clearly and your diction is good. That's it. Come, help me change into my formal robes."
Li Min was more than capable of living on his own, but since he was being offered free service, you couldn't expect him to be a saint and help himself. He had never been a prince before, after all.
When he took off his blindfold and saw the man in front of him, he was certain he had been fooled. There was no way this man was in his twenties. He looked like a teenager, a very ill-fed one at that. He had a child-like appearance and glittering eyes. In modern terms, he had a baby-face.
When Mu Cheng saw the grey eyes and the charming face, his face acquired a cherry red tint. The blindfold covered more than half of Li Min's face and judging by his status, this was the first time he had seen the prince in person. Li Min schooled his expression, exercising all restraint to prevent himself from laughing. Mu Cheng snapped out of it soon and soundlessly slapped himself for misbehavior.
Mu Cheng's movements were a little clumsy but they were acceptable. He helped Li Min change into his court attire and then did his hair. Only a few strands of hair were pulled and Li Min hissed only once. Truly, Mu Cheng could be considered a natural talent.
After he had his fun playing dress up, Li Min tied the blindfold in place.
"Mu Cheng?"
"Yes, your highness?"
"Later, when you report my whereabouts to my father, tell him I need a few silk blindfolds."
"Yes, your highn-" the boy's face twisted and then he spoke in one breath, "Your highness, I am not a spy!"
"Do report it. Imperial father will understand my meaning." Li Min reassured. Mu Cheng could only look on the ground like a wronged cur.
"Call Chen Yanbei inside," Li Min commanded. The gentle tone that he often used looked like a distant memory. Mu Cheng scurried away and came back with Chen Yanbei in tow, several seconds later.
Li Min heard the faint sound of knees hitting the ground. "This subordinate greets his highness, Prince of Anding."
Li Min switched tones like clothes. When he addressed Yanbei, his tone was sweet and friendly. "I can't see now. There's no need to kneel. You can just lie to me." He chuckled humorlessly.
Chen Yanbei, however, carried an expression so horrified you would think his family was being executed. Another loud thud was heard, probably the sound of his head hitting the floor. The man was kowtowing. "I wouldn't dare, your highness. Please punish me. I failed to protect you."
Li Min walked up towards the kneeling man rather clumsily and picked him up. "What is a grown man like you crying for? People will think your lover died if they saw you like this. It is only my eyes, not my life that is gone." The man continued to sob, unable to stop himself.
Li Min could doubt anyone's loyalty towards him, but not Chen Yanbei's. When going through the memories of the original body, he had confirmed who his only ally would be. Chen Yanbei was not appointed by his father or mother. He was an orphan that he had saved during one his adventures from his rebellious days. The thirteen-year-old kid had no family or friends left, his entire town had been slaughtered by barbarians. He accepted his white clad savior as his everything— parent, friend, master and God.
Li Min's heart softened at these memories that he had not even lived. He could feel the touch of those small, calloused hands in his own. He stepped forward to embrace Chen Yanbei before remembering that they were not alone.
He settled with placing a hand on his head and saying, "I can no longer see, so you must be my eyes henceforth. I will trust your word."
The man finally collected himself at these words and spoke with a conviction that was rare in twenty-year-olds. "This subordinate will not disappoint your highness." Come hell's wrath or heaven's love, he would not be deterred from his loyalty to the prince.
"Come, let us go visit the court." Li Min said with an excited smile.