SBMT Chapter 19

Xiaofuzi’s voice was piercingly loud, full of emotion. The words “about to collapse” stabbed right into the emperor’s ears, deafening.

 

No way-what do you mean “about to collapse”?

 

Emperor Cheng’an was utterly shocked. The Marquis of Yin Nan had mentioned his son was frail, but he hadn’t expected him to be this weak.

 

If, because he sent beauties to his son, his daughter-in-law died of shock at the palace gates, wouldn’t that be the biggest joke in the world? What would the scholars and writers say about him?

 

Emperor Cheng’an might act shamelessly in big matters, but on small ones, he cared a lot about saving face.

 

Regardless of whether he was lying to himself, his expression changed. “Did you summon the imperial physician?!”

 

Only then did Xiaofuzi say, “Ah, the prince immediately took out a pill he carried and gave it to him, and he recovered.”

 

Emperor Cheng’an: “……”

 

He took a deep breath and grabbed a book to throw at Xiaofuzi. “Who taught you to talk like that?!”

 

Why the dramatic pauses-trying to give me a heart attack?

 

But at least the person was fine. Emperor Cheng’an massaged his brow, slumped his shoulders, and sat back down. “Continue.”

 

Xiaofuzi had taken a hit, but it didn’t hurt. He launched into a vivid description of the scene.

 

Of course, the scene was utter chaos.

 

Shen Ziqin had nearly collapsed, looking dangerously ill, surrounded by the Prince Qin’s people. Chu Zhao stuffed something in his mouth, and only then did he recover.

 

The two beauties had never seen anything like it, standing awkwardly aside, at a loss.

 

Shen Shizi’s good looks, with just a hint of red in his eyes, made him look heartbreakingly fragile. His pale hand rested in front of him, mouth opening helplessly.

 

He looked so close to breaking that everyone around fell silent, even their breathing softened, as if afraid any noise would shatter his voice. They listened with bated breath.

 

Then Shen Ziqin, on the verge of tears, said: “Your Highness, I know my fate is bitter. If healthy newcomers are here to serve you, that’s good. As the old one, I’ll move out of Mingyue Pavilion tonight and let the two gentlemen stay.”

 

“Cough, and I’ll stop taking my daily medicine too, to save money for the household. Give more to the two gentlemen.”

 

Finally, he raised a trembling hand: “All I ask is that I can have a shabby room to shelter from the rain. Your Highness, please don’t make me live with the pigs and livestock!”

 

The two beauties were stunned: What! Is the fate of a fallen consort in Prince Qin’s house to live in a pigsty!?

 

Even the emperor was stunned: Since when did Prince Qin’s residence have a pigsty!?

 

Shen Ziqin’s words were so moving that everyone present was touched.

 

Xiaofuzi continued, “How could Prince Qin bear to hear that? He swore to the heavens that as long as he lived, he’d never let the consort live in a pigsty!”

 

Xiaofuzi was clearly moved by the scene, his emotions running high.

 

The emperor was annoyed: I told you, there’s no pigsty at the prince’s residence-the worst is the stables!

 

…Wait, but it’s been a long time since his spies could get into the prince’s residence. Could Chu Zhao really have built a pigsty?

 

With Chu Zhao’s temperament, it seemed possible.

 

…Where’s the imperial dignity? What a mess!

 

Emperor Cheng’an’s paranoia was fixated on the strangest details, while Xiaofuzi continued his performance.

 

“His Highness poured out his feelings to the consort, saying the emperor’s gift was meant to ease the consort’s burden, but now it seemed they were no help and might even upset him. He couldn’t accept the two gentlemen and begged the emperor to take them back.”

 

After such a scene at the palace gate, it wouldn’t be long before word spread.

 

What could the emperor say? Shen Ziqin might be faking, but he might not. If he really died of anger, the emperor couldn’t risk being blamed for killing his daughter-in-law.

 

The Empress Dowager had only just stopped coming to nag him-he wanted a little peace.

 

Emperor Cheng’an held his forehead and sighed, waving his hand impatiently. “Forget it.”

 

Chief Eunuch Quan immediately said, “Yes, I’ll send the two back right away.”

 

He gestured for Xiaofuzi to leave. Xiaofuzi bowed and slipped out, then let out a quiet sigh of relief and patted his chest.

 

Ah, serving the emperor is like living with a tiger-you really have to watch your words.

 

The carefully chosen beauties didn’t even get to see the prince’s residence before being sent back. The Prince Qin’s carriage rolled away, taking the two masters home.

 

Inside the carriage, Shen Ziqin’s mouth was still sweet-the pill Chu Zhao had shoved in his mouth earlier wasn’t medicine, but a sugar ball.

 

It was actually their backup plan for the first “act” at court, but it ended up being used in this unexpected situation.

 

So, you really can’t celebrate too soon. They’d just put on a little play for the emperor, and he hit them with a big surprise.

 

Shen Ziqin sipped his tea-two tearful performances in a row had really worn out his throat.

 

After soothing his voice, he felt much better. “The emperor probably won’t send anyone to the back courtyard again for a while.”

 

Sending people is like cursing the Prince’s consort-how terrifying.

 

Chu Zhao refilled his tea. “You worked hard today.”

 

Shen Ziqin: “It was your skill, Your Highness.”

 

He wasn’t just flattering-he meant it.

 

The palace gate scene hadn’t been prearranged; it was all improvised. No matter how good Shen Ziqin’s acting was, it needed Chu Zhao to play along to make it work-and Chu Zhao had not only kept up, but matched him perfectly, never letting any part of the act fall flat.

 

Still, after all that, the earlier joy had been forcibly cooled. No mood for celebration now, Shen Ziqin was replaying the scene in his mind for any mistakes. “I wonder if the eunuch who went back to report will embellish things and say something against us.”

 

Chu Zhao set down the teapot. “Don’t worry about that-he’s called Xiaofuzi, and he’s Third Brother’s man.”

 

Oh, so that was Xiaofuzi-the future Chief Eunuch Fu. Now Shen Ziqin was at ease.

 

They’d started preparing for today’s “official post” performance in advance. Shen Ziqin’s essay had been shown to Chu Zhao first, and Chu Zhao had been amazed by it.

 

He really admired people who could write. Unlike Shen Ziqin, he was fine with experiments and research, but writing papers was torture-every deadline was agony, staring at a blank screen, unable to type a single word.

 

“Shizi,” Chu Zhao said, “you write beautifully and are clever. If you truly want to enter officialdom, you’ll have a much brighter future than Shen Minghong.”

 

What Shen Ziqin said to Emperor Cheng’an today-maybe there was some sincerity in it? For instance, the desire to serve the country after studying hard is indeed a scholar’s pursuit.

 

“If you want to become an official and do real work, I’ll support you. But I also truly think there’s no need to rush-focus on getting healthy first.”

 

By the time Shen Ziqin recovered, the court might have changed so much that it would be more suitable for a loyal minister devoted to the country and the people.

 

Shen Ziqin really had no interest in being an official, but since he wanted to save Chu Zhao’s life and wipe out the Grand Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s factions, he couldn’t avoid getting involved in politics. So he couldn’t refuse outright-he just nodded: “Mm.”

 

He did need to recover, but-Your Highness, your life is already on the countdown, I can’t just stay home and recuperate.

 

Chu Zhao saw that Shen Ziqin took his words to heart. After all the effort today, he figured the heir must be tired and would rest well back at the residence. What he didn’t know was that as soon as Shen Ziqin returned to Mingyue Pavilion, he had paper and brush prepared and shut himself in the study to write and plan.

 

One step at a time, one target at a time.

 

Chu Zhao was about to take over the Patrol Battalion, and the current deputy commander, Cui Qingshan, was naturally unhappy. After several twists and turns, this man was connected to the Grand Secretary’s faction. He might not look important now, but later he played a key role in framing Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao’s charges were never fully proven, but after his death, the Grand Secretary’s faction lost out, while the Deputy Secretary’s group gained the upper hand. Cui Qingshan, by sheer luck, escaped punishment and ended up running the Patrol Battalion.

 

After Chu Zhaoyu ascended the throne and reopened the Prince Qin case, Cui Qingshan was finally executed in the purge.

 

Shen Ziqin circled Cui Qingshan’s name in thick black ink, surrounding it tightly.

 

He’d be the first target.

 

Cui Qingshan wasn’t described much in the novel-most readers probably forgot him-but Shen Ziqin’s memory was excellent. Not only did he remember, he could extract useful details from the limited description.

 

Cui Qingshan was arrogant and reckless, a bit clever, the second son of the Cui family’s third branch. His father was a senior official in the Ministry of Works.

 

Young Master Cui had always had things go his way, so he couldn’t handle setbacks. If he was stripped of office and kicked out of the Patrol Battalion, he’d be finished-not a threat.

 

If he really kept quiet after that, he could even save his own neck.

 

He needed a reason that even the emperor couldn’t refuse, one that wouldn’t work even if the Cui family begged the Grand Secretary.

 

Time to brainstorm-a couple of backup plans would be safest.

 

The emperor’s actions today reminded Shen Ziqin that things could change at any moment. It was time to get moving.

 

He pressed his paperweight-a black jade lotus-on the desk. Chu Zhao had already paid him a generous advance. Yes, his career as a Prince Qin’s “employee” was officially underway.

 

*

 

After sending Shen Ziqin back to the prince’s residence, Chu Zhao changed clothes and, traveling light, went alone to the second prince’s Ruiwang Manor.

 

“Second Brother, how about what we discussed earlier?”

 

Second Prince Chu Zhaoyu sat in his wheelchair and nodded. “The Marquis of Yin Nan isn’t hard to deal with. We’ll take down his allies in the Ministry of Personnel too. To avoid the heir being labeled the son of a criminal, just demote the marquis and send him out of the capital. What do you think?”

 

Chu Zhao: “Yes, that’s perfect. I was thinking, after the emperor strips the marquisate, we’ll find a reason to have the title given to the heir. I was still wondering what excuse to use, but now there’s no need to worry.”

 

Second Prince: “Hm?”

 

The palace gate drama hadn’t reached his ears yet, so Chu Zhao filled him in. The second prince’s expression changed several times as he listened, then he actually laughed-a rare, genuine laugh.

 

He hadn’t truly laughed in a long time.

 

“That heir is really… quite something.”

 

Chu Zhao smiled as well. “He is indeed interesting.”

 

Chu Zhaoyu said, “This way, the marquisate can be handed over as compensation, smoothing things over after the palace gate incident.”

 

The Ruiwang Manor was very quiet-solid as a rock, but unlike the lively Prince Qin’s residence, its stillness hid a faint sense of menace, more like stagnant water than calm.

 

Since Shen Ziqin had come to Prince Qin’s residence, Chu Zhaoyu found himself in a better mood more often. But stepping into Ruiwang Manor again, he felt a strange sense of desolation.

 

“Second Brother,” Chu Zhao knew he was always burdened and didn’t like to talk about his feelings, “things get done one step at a time, you can’t do everything at once. Don’t push yourself too hard-take some time to go out and relax.”

 

Chu Zhaoyu didn’t say yes or no, just curved his lips and deflected: “You’re one to talk. Whether or not your marriage is real, you’re a married man now-act more steady.”

 

“When the court situation changes, you see it clearly, but you’re not good at planning ahead. Your residence has always lacked a good strategist. You can’t always follow my lead in official matters-you need someone by your side to keep an eye out.”

 

Chu Zhaoyu lowered his gaze. If he died one day, who would advise his two brothers?

 

They say war is the art of deception, but military tactics and court intrigue are two different things. Chu Zhao was a master of the former, had a decent sense for the latter, but wasn’t an expert.

 

He was suited to take in the big picture and act when the time was right.

 

As for their third brother-he was clever, but not enough to handle the cutthroat court. The second prince worried most about his two brothers.

 

Chu Zhao knew his strengths and weaknesses and wasn’t arrogant: “A good adviser is rare, but why can’t I always follow your lead? You watch the court, I watch the borders-perfect division of labor.”

 

He was serious as he said this. The second prince thought Chu Zhao probably sensed something and was trying, in his own way, to offer comfort.

 

But soon, Chu Zhao switched to a lighter tone: “I’m about to take over the Patrol Battalion, so my days of idleness are ending. Before I start, I want to take the heir out for some sightseeing. Second Brother, want to join us?”

 

Chu Zhaoyu was struck by a thought. Although he knew Chu Zhao and Shen Ziqin were only putting on an act, not truly a loving couple, Chu Zhao had been mentioning Shen Ziqin more and more frequently in front of him-just since he’d arrived today, eight out of ten sentences had been about Shen Shizi.

 

Could it be that between Chu Zhao and Shen Ziqin…

 

“I won’t go,” Chu Zhaoyu said, with a hint of implication, testing the waters. “You’re always thinking about Shen Shizi. It’s rare to see you so concerned about someone.”

 

Chu Zhao didn’t pick up on the deeper meaning, simply replying, “Now that he’s in the prince’s residence, of course I should look after him more.”

 

Chu Zhaoyu replied softly, “Oh.”

 

So, the two of them really were innocent-nothing had happened yet.

 

But living under the same roof, with this much attention already, who knew what might happen as time went on?

 

If Chu Zhao really could have someone by his side who understood him, that would be a good thing.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)