SBMT Chapter 10

With Bai Junxing’s promise of a calligraphy piece, Shen Ziqin was in a great mood. He noticed that when Bai Junxing saw him and Chu Zhao together, he seemed momentarily distracted.

 

More precisely, his gaze landed on their clothing.

 

Shen Ziqin thought for a moment: Could Bai Junxing be reminded of his beloved?

 

In the original novel, the other protagonist was Bai Junxing’s childhood sweetheart. They’d pledged themselves to each other as teens, but after the other left to join the army, they’d been separated for years, only able to communicate by letter-a long-distance romance full of longing.

 

Come to think of it, that person was now a general at the border, which meant he was technically Chu Zhao’s subordinate.

 

The thought made Shen Ziqin glance at Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao, meanwhile, was preoccupied with Shen Ziqin’s future happiness. When he noticed Shen Ziqin looking over, he immediately gave him a knowing smile, with a hint of teasing.

 

Shen Ziqin: ?

 

Chu Zhao’s smile seemed meaningful, but he couldn’t decipher it.

 

Since meeting, Shen Ziqin had felt a subtle sense of rapport with Chu Zhao-not only could their thoughts align, but sometimes a single glance or expression was enough to communicate. But today, this smile… he really didn’t get it.

 

Still, it would be rude not to respond, so Shen Ziqin could only smile back, awkward but polite.

 

Chu Zhao wore an “I understand you” look.

 

This time, Shen Ziqin got the message and was left scratching his head: Wait, what exactly do you think you understand?!

 

The two of them had no idea that, in the eyes of others, they were clearly exchanging flirtatious glances.

 

Bai Junxing, perceptive as ever, tactfully stepped back, not disturbing the little couple’s secret exchange of looks.

 

As he found a suitable seat, Bai Junxing thought, everyone knew how much scheming lay behind this imperial marriage, yet Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao not only had no grudges, but actually seemed to get along very well.

 

Not easy at all-sometimes a blessing comes in disguise. If they could really find happiness together, it would be a wonderful thing. In this world, so many things are out of one’s control. Seeing their wedding attire just now, how could he not think of someone himself?

 

Unaware that they’d just been labeled “a loving couple” by Lord Bai, the two continued to receive guests. Shen Ziqin, unable to figure out Chu Zhao’s smile, simply kept smiling himself.

 

Fortunately, there weren’t many real guests, so even with all the polite greetings, his face didn’t get tired from smiling.

 

Whenever a gift or guest arrived, the doorman would call out loudly. After hearing “gift has arrived” for a while, finally a new announcement came:

 

“Prince Rui and Prince An have arrived-”

 

With a strong, drawn-out call, the two princes approached. One was the playboy Prince An, Chu Jinxu, whom Shen Ziqin had already met; the other was seated in a wheelchair, being pushed by Chu Jinxu himself.

 

Chu Zhao went forward to greet them, and Shen Ziqin followed.

 

“Second Brother, Third Brother.”

 

Shen Ziqin bowed. “Greetings, Prince Rui, Prince An.”

 

Chu Jinxu grinned, “Hey, why so formal? You’re married now, time to change how you address us.”

 

The princes of Great Qi-whether they acted like playboys or weaklings-were only pretending on the surface. In truth, none of them were simple. They might be polite to you, but you could never be sure if you should be polite back.

 

After all, growing up in a chaotic royal family, who among them hadn’t seen blood?

 

Shen Ziqin hesitated for a moment, but changed his address, choosing a safe, proper form: “Second Royal Brother, Third Royal Brother, I hope you are well.”

 

Chu Jinxu laughed, “Alright, royal brother works.”

 

The gentleman in the wheelchair sighed softly with a smile, “Third Brother, don’t tease him.”

 

Shen Ziqin lowered his gaze slightly. The elegant man in the wheelchair was none other than the second prince, Prince Rui, Chu Zhaoyu.

 

Though he could no longer walk and was confined to a narrow wheelchair, his grace had not faded in the least. Refined and gentle as jade, most people who saw him would feel regret: if not for that accident, how outstanding would the second prince be today?

 

Back then, it was said Chu Zhaoyu got drunk at a palace banquet, wandered to the edge of a high platform, and fell, becoming disabled. When he awoke, all the attendants who’d been with him that night were punished by the furious emperor for dereliction of duty.

 

Only Chu Zhaoyu knew he hadn’t been drunk, nor was it an accident.

 

After the crown prince’s “accident,” the harem and princes became even more cautious. They’d already suspected something, but underestimated just how ruthless the emperor could be.

 

Chu Zhaoyu had once been open and cheerful. Now, though he appeared even more gentle and kind, in truth he had become deeply thoughtful and anxious. Only he knew the bitterness and hatred he felt on those sleepless, pain-filled nights.

 

Shen Ziqin knew even more.

 

He knew that in Great Qi, it was customary to believe a disabled prince couldn’t inherit the throne-but after Emperor Cheng’an’s death, it was Chu Zhaoyu who became emperor.

 

He single-handedly restored order to the court and was a good ruler, but his worries weighed too heavily on him, and his health declined. After only a few years on the throne, he died, and it was Bai Junxing who, at a critical moment, took charge and helped the new emperor, stabilizing the country.

 

Within a frail, broken body lived a tenacious soul.

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t dare look too long, since they weren’t close yet and he didn’t want Chu Zhaoyu to overthink it. Chu Zhao stepped forward to help, personally pushing his second brother’s wheelchair inside.

 

After a while, it was finally time for the banquet to begin.

 

The gifts were piled high, but there were only about thirty guests-less lively than the tables Chu Zhao had set for his household staff in the back. Still, no one minded the quiet; everyone raised their cups to offer congratulations.

 

Standing together, Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao looked quite the pair-talented and handsome, a perfect match.

 

At the start of the banquet, everyone drank a toast together, then the newlyweds went around to toast each guest, as was the custom. Shen Ziqin held his cup as usual, but after his first sip, he paused in surprise.

 

He swallowed, then looked at Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao met his gaze, smiled, and leaned in to whisper, “Bai Xiao said you have to take medicine every day, so best not to drink. Who knows how many toasts you’ll have today.”

 

So the drink Shen Ziqin had just swallowed wasn’t wine at all-it was plain water.

 

Back in the workplace, he’d had to attend endless banquets and gatherings. Whether he wanted to or not, he always had to drink, sometimes until he vomited, but after washing his face, he’d just have to keep working and living.

 

So it turned out that even as the star of the banquet, you didn’t have to drink. All his life, people had poured wine into his glass, but no one had ever secretly swapped it for water.

 

Chu Zhao, smiling, swirled the wine pot and poured Shen Ziqin another cup-this time, the water was even warm.

 

It should have been just ordinary water, but somehow, Shen Ziqin tasted something more.

 

Sweet and refreshing… in any case, it was delicious.

 

He lowered his eyes and murmured, “Thank you.”

 

“You’ve thanked me so many times today,” Chu Zhao replied. “We’re partners now, even friends-really, no need to be so polite.”

 

Shen Ziqin felt a gentle itch in his heart, curling his fingers, not used to the feeling, but it was light and warm.

 

He blinked, didn’t say good or bad, just hesitantly nodded-a movement so small that if Chu Zhao hadn’t been watching, he might not have noticed.

 

From those small gestures, Chu Zhao subtly sensed: Shen Shizi seemed easy to get along with, but in truth, it was hard for him to get close to anyone.

 

Was it shyness, resistance, or something else?

 

But thinking about how Shen Ziqin had barely stepped outside his home before, with not a single friend to his name, it wasn’t surprising that he was guarded or uneasy around others.

 

Chu Zhao thought: Poor thing, it’s all the Marquis’s fault.

 

No matter-now that he was at the prince’s residence, he could finally live a normal life.

 

Shen Ziqin had no idea Chu Zhao was silently cursing the Marquis’s household on his behalf. The two of them raised their cups and began making the rounds to toast the guests.

 

Chu Zhao led Shen Ziqin first to an elderly man with a full head of white hair.

 

Chu Zhao held his cup with both hands, his manner solemn: “Teacher.”

 

“Shizi, this is my teacher, Elder Cen the Grand Preceptor.”

 

Elder Cen had served as a senior official in the cabinet and as the crown prince’s tutor, and had taught other princes as well. Now advanced in years, he’d long since retired. Chu Zhao had only studied under him for two years, but respected him greatly and still called him “teacher.”

 

Shen Ziqin offered a respectful toast as well: “Greetings, Elder Cen.”

 

Elder Cen drank, but though this should have been a joyful scene, his face was troubled. He didn’t offer congratulations, his lips moved several times as if holding back strong emotion, his aged eyes full of feeling, clearly wanting to speak but hesitating.

 

Seeing this, Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao couldn’t just walk away. Chu Zhao asked, “Teacher?”

 

That one word broke Elder Cen’s composure. Suddenly, his emotions burst forth and he actually began to weep.

 

He pounded his chest in anguish: “Sixth Highness, Your Highness, how could His Majesty treat you so? How could he be so muddleheaded!”

 

The entire hall was stunned.

 

Was that something you could say out loud?

 

Everyone knew the truth, but some things simply couldn’t be said in public-especially with palace eunuchs present, watching every move in the prince’s household today.

 

Elder Cen’s tears and cries made most people quickly lower their heads, afraid to get involved. The hall fell utterly silent.

 

“Teacher is drunk,” Second Prince Chu Zhaoyu quietly set down his cup, his tone gentle but firm. “Someone, help Teacher to rest.”

 

He’d only had a couple of drinks-clearly an excuse. Servants hurried forward, and Bai Junxing stood up as well: “I’ll help look after Elder Cen.”

 

Fortunately, though Elder Cen was still sobbing, he didn’t refuse their help. He knew his words had been unwise, but grief had overwhelmed him and he simply couldn’t hold back.

 

“Steward Meng,” Chu Zhao reacted as quickly as his second brother, immediately instructing, “pour wine for the two eunuchs. Teacher is just a retired commoner now-a few drunken words are nothing to trouble the emperor with.”

 

Steward Meng understood at once, personally pouring wine for the two palace eunuchs and, under cover of his wide sleeves, slipping each of them a silver note.

 

The two eunuchs, sleeves clutched around their silver, beamed: “His Highness is right, Elder Cen was just talking nonsense after a few drinks. No need to mention it.”

 

Steward Meng smiled and, returning, gave Chu Zhao a subtle nod from afar. The hall was still tense, but Chu Zhao raised his cup, his voice carrying clearly without needing to shout: “Everyone who’s come to my wedding banquet is a friend of the prince’s household. That little incident just now stays here-let’s all enjoy ourselves, and forget about small matters. I’ll drink a toast to you all.”

 

Chu Zhao drained his cup in one go. Whatever people thought, everyone put on smiles again, the strange silence swept away, and the mood returned to one of celebration.

 

Shen Ziqin took another sip of water, catching the scent of wine drifting over.

 

Behind him and Chu Zhao, a servant followed with a tray holding two wine jugs-Shen Ziqin’s held water, Chu Zhao’s, clearly, wine.

 

The wine was fragrant and strong, just from the smell you could tell it was hard liquor.

 

Chu Zhao drank three cups of strong wine on an empty stomach without changing expression-he could really hold his liquor, but even so, drinking like this was bad for anyone’s health.

 

…And that last cup had carried a bit of emotion.

 

Because, as the room returned to normal, only Shen Ziqin noticed Chu Zhao’s barely audible sigh and faint resignation.

 

If Elder Cen was heartbroken for Chu Zhao, how must Chu Zhao himself feel?

 

He’d fought on the battlefield, risked his life, and even back in the capital could not catch a break-forced to endure his own father’s hostility, surrounded by intrigue and danger. Just thinking about it, “sad” didn’t begin to cover it-it was suffocating.

 

A prince, grand marshal of the armies, and yet so miserable.

 

“Your Highness.” Shen Ziqin decided to comfort him, to distract him. “Elder Cen cares about you a lot.”

 

Chu Zhao hadn’t been brooding over his own troubles-he was thinking that before the banquet ended, he needed to remind certain fence-sitters not to let the emperor hear about Elder Cen’s outburst.

 

But at Shen Ziqin’s words, he came back to himself and nodded. “I know.”

 

Why had Shen Shizi suddenly brought up his teacher’s concern…? Ah, perhaps it struck a chord-after all, Shen Shizi hadn’t known any elder’s care for many years.

 

How pitiful.

 

Though Shen Ziqin had never known much affection in the modern world either, he hadn’t thought of it that way.

 

Chu Zhao, quick on the uptake, wanted Shen Ziqin to see a bright future, not dwell on sad memories: “Teacher may mind this marriage, but it’s not about you. If you visit him in the future, he’ll definitely treat you well.”

 

Chu Zhao racked his brain. “And the empress dowager, she’s thinking of you too.”

 

Shen Ziqin: “Huh? Oh, right.”

 

He wasn’t sure how the topic had shifted to him, but seeing Chu Zhao no longer frowning, he felt his words had worked and relaxed.

 

Shen Ziqin: Good, comfort successful.

 

And seeing Shen Ziqin’s expression free of sadness, Chu Zhao relaxed too.

 

Chu Zhao: Yes, comfort effective.

 

Shen Ziqin/Chu Zhao: Another good deed done-excellent.

 

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