SBMT Chapter 17

Realizing this, the once-comfortable outfit suddenly felt a bit awkward.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao’s eyes met in the air, but both quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.

 

A little awkward.

 

They boarded the carriage in silence. Chu Zhao opened a box inside, revealing more dried fruits and snacks. He pushed a small dish over: “Want some?”

 

Shen Ziqin: “Yes.”

 

They’d already skipped all the formal pleasantries, and these little gestures had quickly become second nature. With just a question and answer, the earlier awkwardness vanished.

 

As he munched on dried fruit, Shen Ziqin thought: of course the prince and consort’s ceremonial robes were a set. Not only did they have to dress like this for today’s palace visit, but for any major event in the future, they’d be in matching outfits. He’d better get used to it.

 

Besides, they’d already worn wedding clothes-what was there to fear from matching outfits?

 

With that, he felt much more at ease.

 

Chu Zhao peeled some dried fruit and changed the subject: “We’ll follow our plan with the emperor. The empress dowager is kind-just treat it as a casual visit.”

 

Shen Ziqin nodded, peeling dried fruit as well. After making a small pile, he reached over to offer some to Chu Zhao: “Here-”

 

He didn’t finish, because at that exact moment, Chu Zhao also held out a handful to him.

 

Their fingers touched in midair-Chu Zhao’s warmth meeting Shen Ziqin’s coolness. They both froze for half a second, then jerked their hands back as if shocked.

 

A dried fruit jumped from Shen Ziqin’s hand, about to fall, but Chu Zhao caught it smoothly.

 

They both blinked, amused by the little mishap.

 

It was strange-when they were together, it was always so easy to feel cheerful.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Such skill, young hero.”

 

Chu Zhao, modest: “You flatter me, sir.”

 

Shen Ziqin gestured to his palm: “So these dried fruits-”

 

“Let’s just eat our own.” It would be too weird to exchange snacks, Chu Zhao said, shaking the one he’d rescued. “I’ll keep this one-thanks, Shizi.”

 

They snacked on dried fruits as the carriage rattled along, soon arriving at the palace gates.

 

Inside the palace, with its high walls and deep alleys, even surrounded by people, there was a heavy, stifling atmosphere-no wonder they said entering the palace was like entering the sea. Just the approach felt that way.

 

But then, as the grand halls came into view, all that gloom vanished, replaced by the awe of majestic architecture and the weight of history.

 

Shen Ziqin, interested in history and culture, couldn’t help but admire the palace complex.

 

Seeing his interest, Chu Zhao began to introduce the sights.

 

“The imperial garden is filled with rare plants from everywhere, flowers blooming all year. Right now is the best season for flower viewing. The palace scenery is nice, but there aren’t many truly interesting things-”

 

Chu Zhao chatted on, critiquing the palace, while the accompanying eunuchs inwardly despaired.

 

Were these two here to pay respects or to go sightseeing?

 

Weren’t they afraid the emperor would hear and think they were being disrespectful?

 

…But then again, Prince Qin really didn’t seem to care.

 

While others entered the palace with restraint and caution, these two were just enjoying a free tour of ancient architecture, chatting all the way to the empress dowager’s Cining Palace.

 

The empress dowager was a devout Buddhist, and her palace was always filled with sandalwood incense, calming and peaceful.

 

She truly looked kind and gentle. Chu Zhao and Shen Ziqin bowed properly, and she smiled, telling them to rise.

 

The empress dowager didn’t address Chu Zhao first, but instead spoke to Shen Ziqin, her tone gentle: “I heard you fell ill the day after your wedding-I was worried. You were always frail as a child. Are you better now?”

 

Shen Ziqin answered properly, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I’m much better now.”

 

She nodded with a smile. “I remember seeing you years ago, so small, always by Pingyang’s side. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up. Zhao’er, Ziqin is delicate-take good care of him.”

 

Shen Ziqin drew a quiet breath.

 

Whew, the empress dowager probably just mentioned it in passing, not because she believed those ridiculous rumors that his illness was Chu Zhao’s fault, right?

 

What he didn’t know was that the empress dowager only believed half the rumor.

 

She didn’t believe Chu Zhao was violent-but she did believe it was Chu Zhao who made Shen Ziqin unable to get out of bed.

 

Young people, so lacking in restraint-so inexperienced. The Empress Dowager thought this and looked at Shen Ziqin with even more affection.

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t want to understand, but he was sure he did.

 

…Your Majesty, you’ve misunderstood your good grandson!

 

Unfortunately, Shen Ziqin and the Empress Dowager didn’t have the same tacit understanding he shared with Chu Zhao; no matter how loudly he thought it, she couldn’t hear him.

 

She wore a string of prayer beads on her wrist, and as she spoke, her smile faded, replaced by a hint of melancholy: “I only learned of the imperial marriage after the decree was issued. You two… both good children. Now that you’re married, remember to be of one heart and support each other.”

 

The Empress Dowager had been hurt by the emperor and now rarely meddled in his affairs, so she got the news late. If she’d known earlier about the marriage decree, she would have tried to intervene.

 

Of course, she wouldn’t have succeeded-just ended up arguing and worrying even more.

 

To translate her words: I know the emperor is no good, but what’s done is done. Now that you’re married, living well together matters more than anything.

 

Both replied in unison, “We will heed Your Majesty’s guidance.”

 

After their private conversation, a young child at the Empress Dowager’s side stepped forward and bowed to Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao: “Dongning greets Royal Brother and Royal Sister-in-law.”

 

Sister-in-law… Shen Ziqin struggled to keep his expression steady, but his fingers twitched under his sleeve.

 

Life is like a dream-he’d never imagined he’d be someone’s sister-in-law one day.

 

The world is full of surprises.

 

Chu Zhao: “Dongning, good child.”

 

This pretty, pink-clad child was Princess Dongning, name Chu Yu, only six years old but already showing signs of future beauty.

 

She was the third princess, the emperor’s youngest child, but Shen Ziqin knew she harbored a huge secret-even Chu Zhao and the other princes didn’t know yet.

 

The third princess was just a disguise; in truth, this child should be called-the seventh prince.

 

That’s right, Princess Dongning was actually a boy.

 

Most of Emperor Cheng’an’s children were born before he ascended the throne. Later, he became obsessed with immortality pills and the harem, but didn’t want more children, so any favored consort was given contraceptive soup.

 

Dongning was an accident.

 

The emperor, half drunk, slept with a young palace maid and forgot the soup-one time was enough for her to become pregnant.

 

At first, Emperor Cheng’an was displeased, but then he thought, having a child late in life proved his virility, so he became proud, gave the maid a low rank, and ordered her to carry the child to term.

 

When the emperor gives an order, disobedience means death-not just for her, but her whole family. But if she bore a son, everyone knew how the emperor treated his sons.

 

The maid had no choice but to beg the Empress Dowager.

 

The Empress Dowager agreed, saying the child would be raised as a princess.

 

And so “the third princess” was born.

 

The maid was in poor health and died three years later, after which Dongning was taken in by the Empress Dowager and raised safely as a princess.

 

Shen Ziqin sighed-it was truly hard to be Emperor Cheng’an’s child; every prince had to take their own unusual path just to survive.

 

Dongning was not only a master of cross-dressing, but also of voice acting-maybe helped by a child’s natural voice. Though not especially sweet, no one doubted she was a girl.

 

The Empress Dowager slowly turned her prayer beads. “In a few days, I plan to shut myself away for prayer. Zhao’er, could Dongning stay at Prince Qin’s residence for a while?”

 

Chu Zhao: Hm?

 

What did the Empress Dowager’s retreat have to do with where Dongning stayed? In any case, it was the palace staff who looked after her.

 

He didn’t know the reason, but since the Empress Dowager asked and it was no trouble, he agreed: “Of course. Just let me know the date, and I’ll send someone to fetch Dongning.”

 

The Empress Dowager smiled in relief. “Good, good. Dongning, thank your royal brother.”

 

Dongning obediently: “Thank you, Royal Brother.”

 

At only six, the child was already so well-mannered, and didn’t forget Shen Ziqin: “Sorry to trouble you, Royal Sister-in-law.”

 

The royal family was full of clever people. Shen Ziqin quickly replied, “Not at all.”

 

Chu Zhao couldn’t guess the reason, but Shen Ziqin could: Dongning was young, not close to the other princes or the married princesses-at most, they’d meet at holidays. The Empress Dowager, growing old, naturally wanted to make future arrangements for Dongning. Since Dongning was really a prince, the Empress Dowager surely wanted to find him a reliable protector.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao sat a while longer in Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager gifted them a pair of jade ruyi scepters and two small Buddha statues said to have been blessed by high monks. When the time was right, they took their leave.

 

Next up was the emperor-the real challenge of the day.

 

The emperor received them in the warm pavilion where he met with ministers.

 

This was Shen Ziqin’s first time seeing Emperor Cheng’an. Objectively, he wasn’t ugly-in fact, you could see he’d been handsome in his youth. Whatever else could be said about the “immortality pills,” they did keep his appearance youthful.

 

But just one glance from his eyes was enough to make your skin crawl.

 

Chu Zhao didn’t call himself “your son” in front of the emperor, just “your subject.” Shen Ziqin naturally followed his lead.

 

“Your subjects greet Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Cheng’an didn’t bother with small talk. He gave them gifts, then said bluntly to Chu Zhao: “You’ve rested long enough since returning to the capital. Time to get back to work. The Patrol Battalion is yours-take care of it for me. Report to court in three days.”

 

His tone was slow and deliberate, full of the effortless authority of a ruler, looking down on everyone. Talking to Chu Zhao, it was as if he were dismissively ordering around a toy.

 

He drooped his wrinkled eyelids. “If there’s nothing else, you may go.”

 

Chu Zhao acted as if he hadn’t noticed the attitude, bowed, and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

He was about to leave, but just as he turned, Shen Ziqin suddenly stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, this humble subject has a request!”

 

The emperor was caught off guard by this sudden move, looking up in surprise. He was just wondering what was going on when he heard Shen Ziqin refer to himself as “this humble subject”-even Chu Zhao looked genuinely astonished.

 

Oh?

 

Even Chu Zhao didn’t know Shen Ziqin was going to pull this?

 

The emperor’s interest was piqued. He leaned forward slightly, sitting up straighter. “What is it? Speak freely.”

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)