ABBLEIP Chapter103

Xiao Shen stared at the jade-like hand that was shining in the sunlight blankly . After a while, he handed over his dirty hand like a possessed person.

 

Seemingly very satisfied with his choice, Shen Qingzhuo smiled, held his hand with his palm, and pulled him up, “Happy cooperation, Your Highness.”

 

Back at Jiyue Pavilion, Xiao Shen stood uncomfortably beside the table, his whole body covered in dirt and mud, which was out of place in the clean and bright room.

 

“Take off your clothes first.” Shen Qingzhuo raised his chin slightly and gestured.

 

Hearing this, Xiao Shen couldn’t help but take a step back, his dark eyes rarely revealed a bit of confusion.

 

“Why are you hiding?” Shen Qingzhuo was amused and simply walked towards him, reaching out to help him take off his clothes.

 

The wolf cub subconsciously wanted to dodge again but was stopped by a clear and pleasant voice: “Don’t move.”

 

He had no choice but to stand stiffly in place and let the man take off his dirty outer clothes, followed by his whitish inner clothes.

 

Shen Qingzhuo walked around behind the little wolf, and when his eyes touched his back, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

 

On his skinny back, in addition to the fresh whip marks, there were also various old wounds.

 

Those scars had not been properly treated, and they looked particularly shocking on a 13-year-old boy.

 

“Sit down.” Shen Qingzhuo quickly lowered his gaze. “I’ll apply ointment for you.”

 

Xiao Shen sat down as he was told, sitting straight like a stick until the slightly cool ointment was applied to the swollen whip marks, and he instantly grabbed the corner of the table in pain.

 

But he had long been accustomed to enduring the pain in silence, because even if he cried out in pain, no one would care, and no one would be soft-hearted and compassionate either, which would instead cause the abuser to revel.

 

In this case, he might as well swallow the broken teeth and blood, and no one would want to hear him crying for mercy either.

 

“If it hurts, just say it.” Shen Qingzhuo applied ointment to him seriously, “My strength is neither light nor heavy.”

 

The hand holding the corner of the table tightened, but Xiao Shen just closed his eyes, still clenched his teeth, and said nothing.

 

Seeing that he was sweating in pain but still stubborn, Shen Qingzhuo was cruel and poked the red and swollen bump with his finger.

 

“Ah—” The sharp pain came unexpectedly, and the stubborn wolf cub finally let out a sound.

 

“That’s right, I even thought you were mute.” Shen Qingzhuo slowed down his movements again and ordered in a low voice, “Scream out if it hurts, no need to pretend in front of me.”

 

After a while, he added, “But in front of outsiders, you should continue to endure it, so as not to make a fool of yourself.”

 

Xiao Shen swallowed his saliva, trying to moisten his dry throat.

 

“Did you hear that?” Shen Qingzhuo raised his voice slightly.

 

Xiao Shen replied subconsciously, “I heard it.”

 

“The child is teachable.” Shen Qingzhuo patiently applied the ointment and ordered Xiao Dezi to fetch new clothes.

 

After finally finishing his work, he was about to take a break when he felt a dull pain in his shoulder. Then he remembered that he had been bitten by the wolf cub.

 

He raised his hand to open his collar and pulled the robe down a little below his shoulders, revealing some bleeding and skin-breaking teeth marks.

 

The wolf cub bit hard and didn’t let go, penetrating the fabric directly, leaving a deep tooth mark.

 

At the same time, Xiao Shen, who had put on his clothes, glanced at the flawless white shoulder and the obvious tooth marks. Somehow, he suddenly felt a little flustered: “I, I…”

 

Shen Qingzhuo ignored him and asked Xiao Dezi to apply ointment to his shoulder.

 

After rearranging his clothes, he turned and walked to the wolf cub, pinched his thin jaw, and warned with a smile in his eyes, “If there is a next time, I will knock out your teeth one by one, understand?”

 

Xiao Shen was forced to look into those peach blossom eyes that seemed to be drunk and opened his mouth, “There will be no next time.”

 

“Very good.” Shen Qingzhuo released his hand and stroked his head in appreciation, “Good boy, your sharp fangs should be aimed at the enemy, not Master.”

 

“Mas, ter??” Xiao Shen repeated hesitantly.

 

Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled, “Why, am I not worthy of being your master?”

 

“No.” Xiao Shen shook his head, and in an encouraging look, he called out in a stiff tone, “Master.”

 

Yes, he should have been his master.

 

“Good disciple.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled sincerely, “Once a teacher, always a teacher. Since I have said this to you, as long as you are obedient, I will not let others bully you.”

 

The eyes moved slightly, and the obsidian eyes suddenly widened. Xiao Shen couldn’t help but blurt out, “Really?”

 

“A gentleman’s promise is worth a thousand gold.” Shen Qingzhuo took his thin shoulders and walked towards the palace gate with the confused wolf cub. “If we don’t want those people to continue bullying you, we have to find a way to step on them all first.”

 

This year, thirteen-year-old Xiao Shen received the first birthday gift in his life.

 

His master put on the jade pendant with a red string for him. The jade pendant was a gift and a shackle for him.

 

From that day on, he became the wolfhound trained by his master. He would tear the enemy apart with his teeth and claws when he was outside, but once he returned to his master, he would be a docile and obedient dog and would never go west when he was pointed to go east.

 

Seven years later, in the winter of the third year of Tianqi.

 

At the third quarter of Yinshi[mfn]3-5am[/mfn], the palace attendants in Yuehua Palace began to move on tiptoe.

 

Not long after, a few coughs were heard from the inner hall, and Xiao Dezi hurriedly stepped into the inner hall, followed by a little palace maid holding a basin of hot water.

 

The current Imperial Preceptor, King Duan, who is second only to the emperor and above all others, lives in Yuehua Palace.

 

Compared to the young emperor in Chengqian Palace, this one is more frightening, because everyone knows that the person who truly controls the Dayong Dynasty is the beautiful imperial preceptor who looks weak and fragile.

 

In the court, whenever the imperial preceptor frowned or glanced at them, the whole court would be terrified and afraid to even breathe.

 

When the supreme king arrived at Yuehua Palace, the first thing he did was to pay his respects to the imperial preceptor. There was even a palace maid who saw the emperor kneeling outside the palace gate for a whole night without even changing his posture.

 

A jade-like hand stretched out from the draped curtain. Xiao Dezi hung up the bed curtain, and the eunuch waiting beside him quickly knelt on the ground and carefully put the warmed white socks on a pair of jade-like feet.

 

After Xiao Dezi finished his work, he saw his master’s sleepy look and couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, how about you sleep a little longer?”

 

Even if his master doesn’t attend the morning court, those memorials will be sent to Yuehua Palace, so why bother getting up so early?

 

“I won’t sleep anymore.” Shen Qingzhuo got up and went down the bed, “Change the clothes.”

 

At Maoshi, he packed up and was about to go to Jinluan Palace to attend the court, but he heard the eunuch report that Lord Pei requested to see him.

 

“Summon.” Shen Qingzhuo turned around and sat down, holding a cup of hot tea.

 

After a moment, Pei Yanqi stepped into the Yuehua Palace with his robe raised and bowed gracefully: “Your Highness.”

 

“Lord Pei, there is no need to be polite.” Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyelashes and smiled slightly, “What’s so important that you can’t even wait for the morning court?”

 

Pei Yanqi took a few steps forward and whispered back, “I received news that at the morning court today, some officials wanted to impeach Your Highness.”

 

“En?” Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with interest, “Who is this upright person who is willing to sacrifice himself ah?”

 

A few years ago, he successively eliminated the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, the accidentally exposed time traveler, and all obstacles, ultimately sending the little tyrant to the supreme throne.

 

He is nominally King Duan, but in fact he is the regent who controls the government. The real core of power has always been firmly in his own hands.

 

Although he had trained the wolf into a loyal hunting dog after so many years of getting along with him, but a dog will always be a dog. Who knew if it would go crazy one day and bite him back?

 

He was still terrified by the torture he had experienced in his previous life. He never wanted to experience the pain of being cut into pieces again.

 

“In fact…” Pei Yanqi hesitated for a moment but still answered truthfully, “There has never been a precedent of a regent king of a different surname in the history of Dayong, and there are many court officials who are dissatisfied with Your Highness.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo put down the teacup and chuckled, “So what?”

 

As Lord Pei said, the princes and nobles were naturally dissatisfied with a person of an outsider controlling the Xiao family.

 

However, he was merciful to let those people go at the beginning. He liked their frustrated look when they couldn’t stand him but couldn’t get rid of him either.

 

Pei Yanqi hesitated: “Your Highness, have you ever thought about it?”

 

“Speak.” Shen Qingzhuo glanced at him and ordered concisely.

 

“You can change your name and justify it…” Pei Yanqi lowered his voice again, “As long as His Majesty is gone…”

 

Shen Qingzhuo’s eyebrows jumped, and his voice turned cold: “Lord Pei, be careful with your words.”

 

Pei Yanqi immediately lifted his robe and knelt down to plead guilty: “The humble minister deserves to die.”

 

“Go to court.” Shen Qingzhuo left with a wave of his sleeves. “This king will pretend that he didn’t hear what you said today.”

 

Of course, he knew that the regent king had never had a good ending since ancient times, but completely overthrowing the Dayong Dynasty and changing the dynasty was no joke.

 

Moreover…

 

His little disciple had finally become the most supreme and noble king, and he couldn’t bear to push the wolf cub into the abyss of no return.

 

At the end of the year, there was a heavy snowfall.

 

Shen Qingzhuo was leaning on the couch with a hand warmer in his arms, reviewing memorials. A notification was heard from outside, and then the palace door was gently pushed open.

 

“Master.” The young emperor bowed respectfully as he entered the room.

 

“You’re here.” Shen Qingzhuo lazily lifted his long eyelashes and glanced at the emperor, “Why are you covered in snow? No umbrella?”

 

With his thin lips slightly curved, Xiao Shen whispered back, “It’s not far, I’m too lazy to hold an umbrella.”

 

“Come here.” Shen Qingzhuo waved at him, and he immediately raised his foot and walked towards the warm couch.

 

Walking to the couch, Xiao Shen lowered himself consciously, knelt on one knee, and asked his master to brush away the snow from his hair and shoulders.

 

When the warm fingertips touched his exposed neck, it brought a strange shudder, and his adam apple rolled quietly. The emperor held back and did not move and casually changed the subject: “What are you looking at, Master?”

 

“Memorial ah.” Shen Qingzhuo withdrew his hand and picked up the memorial on the desk. “The memorial impeaching Master, do you want to see it?”

 

Xiao Shen looked up at him, not even glancing at the memorial. “No.”

 

“Don’t know who instigated these civil and military officials to become more and more dissatisfied with Master.” Shen Qingzhuo said with a light ‘tsk’, looking into his eyes, “Corruption, bribery, forming a clique for personal gain—these accusations have been put on Master. Master really can’t handle it, Xiao Qi.”

 

Xiao Shen frowned, stared at the master without hesitation, and replied in a deep voice, “I can deal with them.”

 

Whoever makes his master unhappy will have only one outcome.

 

“That’s not what Master meant.” Shen Qingzhuo laughed and reached out to touch the emperor’s superior jawline. “As long as Xiao Qi believes in Master, then let them say whatever they want.”

 

Like a big dog being scratched on the chin, Xiao Shen couldn’t help but lean forward and put himself further into his master’s hands.

 

Since he ascended the throne, his master rarely wanted to touch him like this anymore. He has been obsessed to the point of dreaming…

 

“En?” Shen Qingzhuo bent his knees and pressed against his broad and solid chest, asking him to answer first.

 

Xiao Shen woke up as if from a dream and replied in an unusually earnest tone, “Of course I believe Master! Besides Master, who else can I trust?”