SBMT Chapter 14

Shen Ziqin didn’t know Chu Zhao had entered the palace. By the time he woke up again, it was nearly dusk.

 

The sunset outside was beautiful, but the doors and windows were tightly shut, so he couldn’t see it. His fever had gone down and he felt much better, though his limbs were still a bit sore.

 

His throat was uncomfortable too-he coughed twice as soon as he opened his eyes.

 

Immediately, voices sounded in the room: “Shizi is awake! Bring the medicine, and someone go inform the prince’s courtyard!”

 

The person who came to help Shen Ziqin sit up was a young servant he didn’t recognize, clearly a prince’s household servant, quick and efficient.

 

A steaming, dark bowl of medicine was brought in. Shen Ziqin refused to be spoon-fed-he insisted on doing it himself.

 

If he could drink water with shaking hands that morning, he could certainly hold a bowl steady now.

 

Besides, being spoon-fed meant taking it one spoonful at a time, and drinking Chinese medicine like that was pure torture.

 

Shen Ziqin could drink a whole bowl of medicine without blinking, but for someone with a sweet tooth, the taste was truly unpleasant.

 

But just because he could endure it, no one could tell he was suffering.

 

He quickly finished the bowl, and just as he put it down, Chu Zhao entered the room.

 

Chu Zhao glanced at the empty bowl and shook the oiled paper package in his hand. “Looks like I bought it just in time.”

 

Shen Ziqin: Bought what?

 

Chu Zhao pulled up a chair by the bed and unwrapped the paper.

 

As the paper opened, it revealed its contents: candied fruit dusted with sugar.

 

Shen Ziqin’s eyes lit up. Chu Zhao held the fruit out to him, and Shen Ziqin didn’t hesitate to pick one up and pop it in his mouth. Sweet and tangy, it immediately washed away the bitterness.

 

The gentle sourness that followed the sweetness was just right, clearing his foggy mind.

 

He couldn’t help but take another. As he ate, he heard Chu Zhao laugh softly above him.

 

Shen Ziqin: ?

 

With his mouth full, he couldn’t speak, so he looked up, questioning with his eyes: What are you laughing at?

 

Whether it was that Shen Shizi’s eyes could speak, or that Prince Qin was just that in tune with him, Chu Zhao understood and smiled. “Nothing, really.”

 

He just thought Shen Ziqin’s look of satisfaction while tasting the fruit was exactly like a contented kitten-utterly endearing.

 

A servant came to clear away the medicine bowl, and Chu Zhao instructed, “Shizi likes sweets. Remember to always prepare candied fruit when serving medicine in the future.”

 

The servant quickly noted, “Yes, sir.”

 

Shen Ziqin’s hand, reaching for a third piece, paused.

 

“The prince knows I like sweets?”

 

Chu Zhao held the package. “When we went flower-viewing, there were all kinds of pastries in the carriage. You tried the savory ones but didn’t touch them again, while you ate more of the sweet ones. I guessed you liked sweets-was I wrong?”

 

Such careful observation.

 

Shen Ziqin picked up another piece, but didn’t eat it right away. “You’re very attentive, and your guess is spot on. By that logic, since you only ate the savory pastries, you must prefer savory things?”

 

So he’d been observing me too. Chu Zhao nodded. “That’s right.”

 

He looked at Shen Ziqin’s now-healthy complexion. “How are you feeling?”

 

“Much better.”

 

“I’ll have the doctor come check on you again later.”

 

Chu Zhao waited until Shen Ziqin had almost finished the next piece before finally asking, “What are you planning to do about the Marquis’s household?”

 

Earlier, Shen Ziqin had been too sick to care, but now that he was better, it was time to settle accounts.

 

Shen Ziqin’s chewing slowed. He swallowed, then said slowly, “I never really cared about being the Marquis’s heir.”

 

All he wanted was a peaceful, safe life. He didn’t care who held the title.

 

But the Marquis’s household had gone too far. The title they coveted so much-now Shen Ziqin didn’t want to let go.

 

He was just lazy, not a pushover with no temper.

 

His voice was still hoarse, a little rough, but there was a decisive undertone. Chu Zhao caught the meaning: “So now you’re interested?”

 

“Mm.” Shen Ziqin spoke slowly to spare his throat. Chu Zhao didn’t rush him, just listened patiently. “The Marquis wants to give the heir’s title to Shen Minghong. I won’t-cough-let them have their way.”

 

The sickly heir’s face was blank, but those eyes were full of defiance. Weakness and determination appeared together, making both qualities stand out even more.

 

When Shen Ziqin coughed, Chu Zhao set down the fruit and poured a cup of warm water, handing it over. He had no airs of a prince, and was quite skilled at serving others.

 

Shen Ziqin thanked him and sipped the water. Seeing he’d stopped eating, Chu Zhao folded up the paper with the fruit, saying, “If the Marquis can’t bear to let go of the heir’s title, then let him give up the marquisate. That way, he won’t have to worry about his successor anymore, right?”

 

Shen Ziqin paused mid-sip, looking up in surprise. “Your Highness, do you mean…”

 

Chu Zhao gave a meaningful smile. “In about half a month, I’ll see that the Marquisate of Yin Nan is handed over to you.”

 

His tone wasn’t threatening, in fact it was light and casual, but the words were decisive and left no room for doubt.

 

Chu Zhao was aiming to seize the marquisate directly-Shen Ziqin was stunned, raising his cup and taking a big gulp in surprise.

 

Wasn’t it said in the original story that Chu Zhao had no interest in court intrigue? Yet Chu Zhao spoke with such certainty now, clearly indicating he had people on the inside, and enough power to bring down the Marquis of Yin Nan. Was Prince Qin now building his own faction? Shen Ziqin was sure he hadn’t missed any plot points in the original.

 

Or had the story already started to diverge from the original because of his presence as a transmigrator? But since arriving, he’d been stuck in the house, barely able to flap a butterfly wing-how could he have stirred up a storm already?

 

Half a month… Half a month… Shen Ziqin’s mind raced. Was there any important plot in the original about half a month after Prince Qin’s wedding?-Ah, there was!

 

In the original, half a month later, the second prince’s secret maneuver succeeded in bringing down certain officials in the Ministry of Justice and Personnel, replacing them with his own people.

 

Was Chu Zhao planning to ride the second prince’s coattails and take down the Marquis of Yin Nan at the same time? Or was Chu Zhao actually involved in the second prince’s scheme all along?

 

The novel said the three brothers got along well, but for such major plotting, being close wasn’t enough-you needed real ability to participate.

 

Lost in thought, Shen Ziqin unconsciously rubbed his cup.

 

Chu Zhao, unaware of the storm his words had stirred in Shen Ziqin’s heart, continued, “In the next half month, the Marquis might petition to reclaim the heir’s title. We need to hold the line and not let him succeed.”

 

Now that his fever had gone down, Shen Ziqin’s mind was sharp again. He multitasked, thinking over Chu Zhao’s plan while analyzing aloud: “If he wants to undermine me, he’ll focus on two points: first, that I’m marrying as a man; second, that I hold no official post, unlike Shen Minghong.”

 

“No rule says a male consort can’t inherit a title. The first point is easy-I can shut him up with words alone. As for the second, it’s not hard to get an official post for me.”

 

Shen Ziqin opened his mouth-

 

Chu Zhao stroked his chin. “But your health needs care. You’re not fit for real duties. Let me think… Is there a high-ranking but easy post where you could take a year or more of sick leave…”

 

Shen Ziqin closed his mouth again.

 

He’d been about to say he didn’t want an official job, but-was there really such a thing as getting paid without having to work??

 

No office worker would dare dream so big.

 

Chu Zhao snapped his fingers. “Got it.”

 

Shen Ziqin: There really is!?

 

“There’s still a vacancy for Hanlin Academy’s Reader-in-waiting. It’s an idle post where you can take leave as you like, fifth rank, higher than Shen Minghong’s, just right.” Chu Zhao even teased, “Lord Bai is also in the Hanlin Academy now-you two could be colleagues.”

 

Even if he never went to work, being colleagues in name would make future meetings easier-truly killing several birds with one stone. Chu Zhao was quite pleased with his arrangement.

 

The Hanlin Academy wasn’t easy to get into. As the emperor’s secretariat, it was a dream post for scholars, usually reserved for the top three in the imperial exam-a tougher competition than the college entrance exam.

 

But under Emperor Cheng’an, things had changed, as the emperor began to rely more on eunuchs.

 

Drafting edicts and documents, the emperor now had his eunuchs handle most of the work. While there was no official “imperial secretary” post for eunuchs, their duties were about the same. This didn’t lighten the Hanlin workload, but left many lower-ranked scholars idle, greatly reducing their power and status.

 

Now, Reader-in-waiting was a position without real power. The emperor likely wouldn’t mind giving it away, and as long as you didn’t offend him, you could take leave as you pleased.

 

Still, in most officials’ eyes, the Hanlin Academy’s prestige remained untarnished, and all six ministries welcomed Hanlin alumni.

 

As Reader-in-waiting, Shen Ziqin could coast or climb the ranks-either path was open.

 

As a reader of the original, Shen Ziqin knew the Hanlin Academy had lost favor, but he didn’t know you could take a long leave and not show up for work.

 

A dream job for office workers-ambitious officials would weep with envy.

 

Chu Zhao’s choice was perfect.

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t voice his opinion, but Chu Zhao took his silence as agreement. “How do you want to deal with your personal attendant?”

 

Shen Ziqin snapped back to the present-he’d already decided: “Fine him fifty taels of silver and expel him.”

 

A servant’s monthly wage wasn’t high, but there were plenty of perks in the Marquis’s house. Fifty taels was a sum he could scrape together, but it would hurt.

 

Chu Zhao thought he’d misheard. “Fine him and then expel him?”

 

As a modern youth, Shen Ziqin had no taste for taking lives over small matters. “Yes. The blame should fall on the right person-just focus on the main culprit.”

 

Fining a servant-what an idea. Chu Zhao realized Shen Ziqin was full of surprises. In a world where nobles rarely treated servants as people, the heir was truly a breath of fresh air.

 

Talking to him was genuinely pleasant.

 

“Alright, we’ll do as you say.” Chu Zhao stood up. “The kitchen is preparing food-eat well and rest. I’ll check on you again tomorrow.”

 

After Chu Zhao left, the room was quiet again. Shen Ziqin put on a robe and leaned against the bedhead, his thick black lashes casting shadows over his thoughtful eyes.

 

A servant soon brought up food.

 

The doctor had said Shen Ziqin should eat light meals for a few days, but “light” just meant less oil and spice, not bland or rough.

 

The jade-green and white soup was thick and smooth, the steamed lion’s head meatballs were fragrant and tender, and the fresh fish was deboned, minced, and steamed with egg-nutritious and delicious.

 

Every dish was carefully prepared to suit a patient’s appetite-nothing like what he’d had at the Marquis’s house.

 

Shen Ziqin picked up his spoon and slowly ate. As he ate, he let out a quiet sigh.

 

The red wedding candles had already been cleared from the room, but the quilt was still a festive red with mandarin ducks. Once he was well enough to get out of bed, the bedding would be changed too.

 

Everything in the room was expensive: gilded filigree incense burners, landscape silk screens-each item was a fine piece chosen from the prince’s storeroom.

 

If the marriage was a matter of mutual benefit, then he and Chu Zhao were even. But all this special treatment now, and helping him fight for the marquisate, was a different kind of favor.

 

A life of luxury and ease was within reach, and it was Chu Zhao who made it possible.

 

Without Chu Zhao, he’d still be fighting a war of wits with the Marquis’s household, and who knew how long it would take to finally settle down.

 

…But the Chu Zhao who helped him so much was supposed to die in two years.

 

Every good thing that had happened to Shen Ziqin since transmigrating was tied to Chu Zhao. Even Bai Xiao keeping him company and making him happy was thanks to Chu Zhao.

 

In the two months before the wedding, Chu Zhao had sent plenty of nice things to his courtyard and even taken him out for an outing.

 

For someone who couldn’t go far or stay outside long, an outing wasn’t much, but Chu Zhao was full of enthusiasm-finding things to enjoy for himself and always thinking of Shen Ziqin.

 

Chu Zhao was no longer just a few lines in the original novel, but a living, breathing person-one who treated him especially well.

 

In fact, counting his modern life, Chu Zhao was the person who’d treated Shen Ziqin the best, ever.

 

Chu Zhao had given him everything from a beautiful home and a life of wealth and comfort, to… something as small and sweet as a piece of candied fruit after medicine.

 

Every single thing.

 

People aren’t made of wood-how could he not feel anything? His impression of Chu Zhao had soared, and knowing that Chu Zhao was fated to die soon, how could Shen Ziqin just stand by and do nothing?

 

He couldn’t.

 

Shen Ziqin never took others’ kindness for granted. If someone treated him well, he always wanted to repay them double-otherwise, he’d feel uneasy.

 

To repay Chu Zhao, little favors wouldn’t mean much to a prince. If he was going to do it, he might as well save his life.

 

A salted-fish life was wonderful, but a person can’t just accept kindness without giving anything back. Shen Ziqin couldn’t do it-he had to answer to his conscience if he wanted to eat, sleep, and live well.

 

He patted his chest-conscience still there. Life was hard, but that didn’t stop him from being a good person.

 

Chu Zhao was a good man; he didn’t deserve such a tragic end. Shen Ziqin decided-he would help Chu Zhao.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)