SBMT Chapter 15

From Chu Zhao’s own perspective, he was in the dark, dying without knowing why. But from a reader’s point of view, everything was clear.

 

Chu Zhao died in the power struggle between the Grand Secretary and the Deputy Secretary.

 

These two officials were the most powerful factions in court, constantly fighting for advantage. Two years later, their rivalry reached a boiling point. The Grand Secretary finally moved to seize military power, and the first person he needed to eliminate was Chu Zhao.

 

For a prince to be convicted of a serious crime, there were only two options: rebellion, or treason.

 

The Grand Secretary’s faction forged letters, accusing Chu Zhao of colluding with the enemy-one slander after another, even claiming his military victories were staged with the enemy, and that he intended to rebel, demanding a thorough investigation.

 

The emperor couldn’t stand even a hint of rebellion from a prince. In a rage, he had Chu Zhao thrown in prison and ordered an investigation.

 

The Deputy Secretary saw his chance: he loudly defended Chu Zhao in court, but secretly sent people to kill him in prison, then blamed it on the Grand Secretary’s faction.

 

Chu Zhao’s death caught the Grand Secretary’s party off guard, stunned the emperor, and dealt a heavy blow to the princes.

 

Second Prince Chu Zhaoyu, already mentally fragile, coughed up blood and fainted on the spot when he heard the news.

 

Though both the Grand and Deputy Secretaries were eventually brought down, the second prince’s mental illness only worsened-there was no cure. Shen Ziqin thought that if Chu Zhao survived, perhaps Chu Zhaoyu wouldn’t have died so early from heartbreak.

 

Later, for lack of evidence, Prince Qin’s charges didn’t stick, so he was buried with the honors of a prince, and the prince’s residence was not implicated.

 

So, to save Chu Zhao, the root of the problem was the Grand Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

 

Right now, those two ministers were at the height of their power, while Shen Ziqin was just a sickly little heir. Even if he became a Reader-in-waiting, it was a powerless, idle post.

 

Starting from there, trying to shake the system was like an ant trying to move a tree-he’d almost certainly have to work overtime.

 

After two months in this world, Shen Ziqin had almost forgotten what overtime felt like. But if he calculated according to the original plot, the old emperor would die in three years, and the two secretaries would be removed around the same time. So at most, he’d have to work hard for three years.

 

In modern society, you’d work yourself to the bone just to fight for overtime pay. Here, three years of effort could save a life-what a bargain.

 

After three years, he’d retire at twenty-four, with no mortgage, no car loan, no pressure. The good life would just be starting-no loss at all.

 

And…

 

Shen Ziqin took a spoonful of steamed egg-soft, smooth, and fragrant.

 

He used to eat instant noodles at midnight; now every meal was a feast. For food like this, he was willing to work overtime for Chu Zhao.

 

If he was going to do it, he’d give it his all-otherwise it would all be for nothing.

 

He’d have to plan carefully and keep observing Chu Zhao.

 

If Chu Zhao was already quietly involved in court intrigue beyond what the novel described, Shen Ziqin’s strategy would have to change.

 

Having made up his mind and sorted out his thoughts, Shen Ziqin took a bite of lion’s head meatball.

 

-Health is the foundation of revolution. Before carrying out his plan, he had to eat and sleep well, and build up his strength.

 

This wasn’t slacking off-he hadn’t even started work yet! Sharpening the axe won’t delay the job; a little rest and preparation before getting to work.

 

After three injections, Shen Ziqin was able to get out of bed the next day, though he could only walk around the room, not go outside yet.

 

For now, he still needed daily medicine, switching to the prince’s doctor’s prescription.

 

After this illness, Shen Ziqin was pleasantly surprised to find his frequent chest pains were much less common. It looked like it wouldn’t be long before this body was as healthy as his modern one.

 

Shen Ziqin also realized that Chu Zhao was truly someone you could get along with.

 

Chu Zhao didn’t just give him special treatment because he was sick; even as Shen Ziqin’s health improved, the care and attention never lessened-in fact, as Chu Zhao found more good things, the level of pampering only increased.

 

Shen Ziqin hadn’t planned to buy a new attendant from the broker and simply kept the prince’s household servants like Xiao Dong around. Xiao Dong became the personal attendant in charge of Mingyue Pavilion’s affairs, and his daily routine went like this:

 

Morning: “Shizi, good news! The prince got a hundred-year-old ginseng and said it’s all for Mingyue Pavilion!”

 

Noon: “Shizi, good news! The prince found a top-quality lingzhi mushroom and put it straight into Mingyue Pavilion’s storeroom!”

 

Afternoon: “Shizi! The prince-”

 

Shen Ziqin’s ears buzzed. “Just make a list of everything the prince sends to Mingyue Pavilion and show me all at once-no need to announce every single item with a fanfare, really.”

 

He rubbed his forehead. Xiao Dong was efficient and clever, but… how to put it? He really reminded Shen Ziqin of those loyal confidants in modern TV dramas who help favored consorts win the emperor’s affection.

 

Shen Ziqin appreciated the gifts, but couldn’t handle Xiao Dong’s enthusiastic voice and eager eyes. He was just Chu Zhao’s partner, not some pampered favorite.

 

Xiao Dong grinned. “As you wish, but Shizi, this time it’s not a gift-the prince himself is coming to see you.”

 

No more gifts-now the prince was delivering himself. Xiao Dong winked like crazy: See how much the prince dotes on you!

 

Shen Ziqin: …Don’t do that, you’re scaring me.

 

Only a handful of trusted people in the prince’s household knew the marriage was just for show; Xiao Dong clearly wasn’t one of them. He didn’t even understand why Chu Zhao had them call Shen Ziqin “Shizi” instead of “consort.”

 

But it didn’t matter-he could see with his own eyes how attentive the prince was!

 

Chu Zhao entered, Xiao Dong poured tea for both masters, then tactfully withdrew to wait outside, leaving them their private moment.

 

Chu Zhao first checked Shen Ziqin’s complexion and nodded in satisfaction. “You look much better.”

 

Pale skin, red lips, jade-like features, eyes bright with light-anyone could see he was now a well-cared-for young noble.

 

To raise a sickly patient to full health and color even gave Chu Zhao a sense of accomplishment. He thought, is this the joy of “raising” someone?

 

Shen Ziqin said, “Thanks to you, Your Highness.”

 

With all the tonics and fine ingredients being sent to Mingyue Pavilion, every meal was different, and just the soups alone were countless-nourishing and delicious. With such care, it would be impossible not to recover some color.

 

“I had Third Brother help me find some top-quality bird’s nest. It should arrive in a couple of days-take your time enjoying it.”

 

“Your Highness, Mingyue Pavilion already has plenty of good things,” Shen Ziqin said, even his tea was now the finest. “Don’t just focus on me-add some nice things to your own courtyard too.”

 

Chu Zhao replied, “Don’t worry, I keep some for myself too.”

 

Whether that was true or not, Chu Zhao didn’t seem like someone who’d shortchange himself, so Shen Ziqin felt reassured.

 

Chu Zhao took out a booklet. “Here’s the list of wedding gifts-you said you wanted to choose.”

 

They’d agreed to split the wedding gifts, but Shen Ziqin’s illness had delayed it. Since it was already settled, he didn’t refuse and picked out a few items.

 

Given how much Chu Zhao had already sent him, Shen Ziqin only took a few things-far less than half.

 

Adding in his dowry, he realized he’d gone from penniless to genuinely wealthy.

 

He’d taken all the dowry from the County Lady of Pingyang, and for the sake of appearances, the Marquis’s household had added more. Altogether, it was more than most people could earn in a lifetime.

 

With such ample starting funds, it would be easy to do anything he wanted in the future.

 

Setting aside the gift ledger, Shen Ziqin brought up a more pressing matter: “I’m well enough to go out now-I can enter the palace to pay respects.”

 

They’d delayed the post-wedding visit, but it had to be done sooner or later.

 

Chu Zhao nodded. “We’ll go tomorrow, and also take care of your official post. The emperor is suspicious-we’ll need to put on a show for him. Here’s what I’m thinking… and then…”

 

Shen Ziqin listened carefully, then offered some revisions: “I think here we could…”

 

After refining the plan, he asked, “What do you think?”

 

Chu Zhao looked thoughtful, listened quietly, then smiled. “Very good.”

 

“So good it’s as if it was tailor-made for the emperor,” Chu Zhao’s brows and lips curved in a meaningful way. “Shizi, you really understand his temperament?”

 

Faced with this obvious probe, Shen Ziqin didn’t flinch, handling it smoothly: “I’ve heard bits and pieces about His Majesty in the Marquis’s house, but I wouldn’t say I know him well-I just think this is the safest approach when dealing with someone in power.”

 

“That’s true.” When it came to the emperor, Chu Zhao had to be careful, but his direct question and Shen Ziqin’s calm answer meant he wasn’t really suspicious and let it go easily.

 

The two of them discussed how to deceive the emperor with barely a second thought, working together seamlessly-now they just had to put on the show.

 

Once the plan was set, Xiao Dong knocked.

 

“Your Highness, Shizi.”

 

They paused. Shen Ziqin said, “Come in.”

 

Xiao Dong entered respectfully. “Masters, it’s almost time for lunch.”

 

With it being this late, Chu Zhao should be heading back to his own courtyard to eat. He was just about to set down his teacup when Xiao Dong, perfectly on cue, asked, “Would Your Highness like to have lunch here with Shizi?”

 

Both Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao froze.

 

Shen Ziqin: …Help! Do you have to be this good at timing!?

 

Since the wedding, they’d each lived in their own courtyards and eaten separately. Eating together would be fine if it were just a meal, but Xiao Dong’s eager look made Chu Zhao feel something was off.

 

He couldn’t put his finger on it, but that look made him hesitate.

 

Chu Zhao, about to agree, turned to look at Shen Ziqin.

 

Since Xiao Dong had already spoken up and it was mealtime, Shen Ziqin couldn’t very well send anyone away.

 

At this point, he really had no other option: “If Your Highness isn’t busy, why not stay and eat with me?”

 

Chu Zhao did his best to ignore Xiao Dong’s meaningful look. “…Alright.”

 

As soon as he agreed, Xiao Dong’s eyes grew even brighter-almost dazzling.

 

Xiao Dong beamed, “Is there anything Your Highness or Shizi would like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen add it right away!”

 

Since coming to the prince’s residence, Shen Ziqin had eaten so well that he was curious to see what new dishes the cooks could make, so he never ordered, leaving it to the kitchen’s creativity. Chu Zhao wasn’t picky either, leaving it up to them.

 

Xiao Dong withdrew, and Chu Zhao picked up his tea, drinking in silence.

 

Another sip.

 

Finally, he couldn’t help but set down his teacup and ask, “Why is he so happy?”

 

…Because he thinks he’s helped me secure your favor.

 

Yes, not competing for favor, but securing it-since there are no other consorts in the prince’s rear court.

 

Xiao Dong was wasted in the prince’s household; anywhere else, he’d be a dark horse in palace intrigue.

 

Shen Ziqin replied woodenly, “He’s probably just really happy to see you, Your Highness.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Chu Zhao was puzzled. Xiao Dong had worked for him before, but had never looked at him with such burning enthusiasm.

 

Still, he trusted Xiao Dong’s character-otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him serve Shen Ziqin. As long as there was nothing wrong with the man, letting him look a little wouldn’t hurt.

 

Chu Zhao set down his teacup, then remembered something else: “By the way, when we go out tomorrow, you might hear some rumors. I wanted to warn you in advance.”

 

A little heads-up.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Hmm?”

 

What rumors-about him?

 

For once, Chu Zhao looked a little awkward. He rubbed his nose and coughed lightly before saying, “I suspect it’s something the palace deliberately spread. I wanted to tell you first, so you won’t be caught off guard if you hear it tomorrow.”

 

So it really was about him. Shen Ziqin grew even more curious, picked up his cup, and listened intently.

 

After much hesitation, Chu Zhao finally dropped the bomb: “Since you fell ill the day after our wedding and couldn’t go pay respects, there’s a rumor outside that… that I really am as violent as they say, that I didn’t care for you at all, and that I wore you out so badly you couldn’t get out of bed.”

 

“Pfft-cough, cough, cough!”

 

Shen Ziqin choked on his tea, coughing so hard the world spun.

 

He’d mentally prepared himself, but not enough-this was absurdity opening the door for its mother: truly, the height of absurdity.

 

He coughed until his eyes were red and teary, regretting ever taking that sip of tea.

 

—

 

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