Chapter 10
The Grand Tutor of the imperial court was said to have devoted his life to scholarship—a sage in his own right—but none of that mattered to Yoshmut.
From a young age, he had detested his teachers, finding joy only in tormenting them. It was rare for him to sit through a single lesson, let alone study properly.
Even the most composed of Grand Tutors couldn’t help but say, “Of all the Khan’s children, I’ve never seen one so lazy and foolish.”
While sipping strong liquor and listening to music, Anduhu suddenly snickered and nudged Yoshmut.
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“That one looks pretty cute too.”
“With taste that low, what good is it?”
“Ha! And you think you’ve got standards? Well, I suppose you would, having a sister who’s the empire’s greatest beauty.”
Of course, it wasn’t a sincere compliment—he said it just to get under Yoshmut’s skin.
As expected, Yoshmut flung the cup he’d been holding onto the low table and glared at him.
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“Greatest beauty, my ass. That tomboy? You must be not just tasteless but blind.”
“Oh come on, you can’t deny Princess Argana is pretty. Isn’t that why His Majesty dotes on her so much?”
“Of course he does. That’s what women do—bat their lashes and coo a little, and they get food and clothes handed to them.”
Yoshmut called a servant to bring a new cup but filled only his own. When Anduhu held his out, Yoshmut spitefully shook the empty bottle in his face.
Annoyed, Anduhu poked him further.
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“Still, what do you think the Khan is planning? He’s not only abolishing the rule of succession by firstborn but now says gender won’t matter either. Isn’t that basically saying Princess Argana’s in the running?”
“Nonsense. If a woman becomes Khan, I’ll sprout wings and fly.”
Yoshmut’s temper was starting to fray, but Anduhu continued to fan the flames.
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“You never know. I heard the Khan even discusses politics with her now. That must mea—”
“You bastard!”
Yoshmut kicked over the table with a loud crash.
The man sitting opposite was struck on the back of the head with a flying bottle. Even the performers on stage froze in shock at the sudden uproar.
Rising to his feet, his bulky frame bordering on hulking, Yoshmut jabbed his finger toward the room and shouted:
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“Get out! All of you, out! Clean this mess up immediately! Hey, you there!”
A staff member rushed in upon hearing the commotion, but before he could fully ascend the stairs, Yoshmut kicked him hard in the chest, sending him tumbling down.
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“Ack!”
The actors screamed. The staffer, limping, crawled back up a few steps before throwing himself flat on the floor.
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“Do you know who I am?! And you dare bring me this swill? Do you have a death wish?”
“F-Forgive me! I’ll bring a fresh bottle r-right away…”
“Useless scum!”
Storming down the stairs, Yoshmut kicked him again.
All the while, Anduhu stood back with a sly smile, making no move to intervene.
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“Clean this up and bring me the strongest, finest liquor you have! And make sure the women you bring in actually look decent! Get rid of the ones plastered in makeup!”
“Y-Yes, of course!”
This was precisely why Anduhu always riled up Yoshmut.
He wasn’t just short-tempered—once angered, he had to stuff himself with food and drink until he practically keeled over to calm down.
Both were fools in their own way, but Anduhu had a cunning edge over Yoshmut.
He’d profited more than once by pulling stunts like this.
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‘And today… looks like another win is coming my way.’
The “win” in question, of course, referred to gambling.
They were shown to the largest room by the groveling proprietor. The sheer amount of food laid out was so excessive it was almost ridiculous.
Only then did Yoshmut calm down a little.
As women entered to pour the drinks, Yoshmut and Anduhu began devouring the feast like men possessed.
Just then, the door creaked open and in slipped a small man with a sharp chin—his steps mouse-like and quick. It was Yoshmut’s eunuch. Behind him followed another servant carrying a wide chest.
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“Your Highness, I have returned.”
As the eunuch bowed, the servant swiftly lowered the chest and opened it.
It was filled to the brim with gleaming silver bars.
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“Oh my, silver!”
“Your Highness, are you giving some to us?”
“What? Greedy little trolls. Just pour my drink.”
Yoshmut dragged the chest closer and scanned the silver, then smacked the eunuch’s head hard.
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“Why is this all you brought back? You better not be skimming off the top.”
“Your Highness! How could you say that? As you well know, the royal—”
“Shut your mouth!”
The eunuch raised his pathetic little hands to cover his mouth in fear.
The silver had come from royal treasures Yoshmut had pilfered and sold off. It was to be used as gambling capital.
Anduhu knew all about it, so it didn’t matter, but there were also women present.
Even if they understood the implications, Yoshmut didn’t care. He just needed someone to blame.
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“…The items Your Highness gave us were too valuable to sell off just anywhere. They’d have to cross the desert westward or be shipped out by sea. And that takes time…”
“Damn merchants. They think they can swindle me? Not a chance. Deal with someone else next time.”
“Excuse me? O-of course…”
The eunuch knew it was impossible, but also knew better than to argue.
Pleasing Yoshmut and getting out of there safely was the only goal now.
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“Get lost. Don’t show your face again until I call for you.”
“Understood.”
Turning away, the eunuch herded the servant like livestock and exited the room.
Yoshmut stared greedily at the silver bars, his bloodshot eyes blinking slowly.
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“Damn it. I’m a prince, for god’s sake. And I have to grovel and scrape like this just to get money?”
“What can you do? Your mother never liked your gambling.”
“Hmph, she’s an idiot too. As if sucking up to Father now will get her anywhere. Like he’d ever favor the son of some concubine, not even a proper empress.”
Blaming everything on his mother for failing to earn his father’s favor, Yoshmut downed his drink and clicked his tongue.
Meanwhile, the Cavalry General and Commander of the Opposing Forces Department, Orchai, along with his deputy Tuhua, had departed at the head of 50,000 troops—dispatched by the Khan’s command.
Argana had risen early to watch the procession from afar.
She thought to herself that 50,000 was just the right number.
Around midday, she heard that the royal physician Chaihan had gone to see the Khan. She quickly made her way to Astrahan’s quarters.
She didn’t see Chaihan, but she did see other imperial physicians boiling medicine near the great ger set up in one corner of the palace courtyard.
As Argana approached the ger’s entrance, the guards stepped in her way.
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“Do you know who you’re blocking?”
Her sharp gaze made the soldier bow apologetically.
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“Forgive me, Your Highness. His Majesty is taking his noon rest. He ordered no one to be admitted.”
“Then call for Isoon.”
“Please wait just a moment.”
