Shen Ziqin held Dongning’s hand as they went out, naturally accompanied by attendants.
Hei Ying had been assigned by Chu Zhao as Shen Ziqin’s bodyguard. Though young, he could take on ten men-a must-have for outings. Xiao Dong came too, Dongning brought a palace maid, and other prince’s residence guards mingled in the crowd, protecting them discreetly.
Dongning had been raised in the inner palace and had never walked the city streets before. Suddenly seeing such a lively, bustling marketplace, he was instantly captivated.
So many colors, crowds, shops, and stalls, goods of every kind-he only had one pair of eyes, and couldn’t take it all in. He wanted to see everything and miss nothing, and was soon very busy.
For the first time, he truly showed a bit of childlike behavior fitting his age.
But even as he looked around, he kept a firm hold on Shen Ziqin’s hand and didn’t run off.
Shen Ziqin took him to several shops, buying some common little trinkets. Dongning loved them and, by the time they reached Xinyue Teahouse, his eyes were shining, and he felt much closer to Shen Ziqin.
They got a private room at the teahouse and met the singing brother and sister.
The siblings weren’t famous, just performers making a living. The brother played an old, cheap pipa, the sister sang. Their looks weren’t remarkable, but their music was beautifully matched, gentle and moving-no wonder they’d become popular lately; they truly had talent.
They were clean, but their clothes were visibly worn and faded, clearly homemade and washed many times.
Shen Ziqin tipped them extra silver, and the siblings thanked him profusely, staying to take song requests in the private room.
Shen Ziqin and Dongning sipped tea, snacked, and listened to music, waiting for Bai Junxing.
After a while, Shen Ziqin spotted Bai Junxing approaching on the street.
Then Bai Junxing was stopped by someone who started talking to him.
Bai Junxing paused. At first, Shen Ziqin thought it was just a casual chat with an acquaintance, but soon realized something was off.
Bai Junxing’s expression shifted from indifferent to frowning, then to clear impatience. He tried to leave, but the other person blocked his way.
Huh? What’s going on?
Shen Ziqin slowly set down his teacup.
He soon realized Bai Junxing was genuinely being harassed, as Bai Junxing tried to walk away but the man shamelessly followed.
The man had been facing away, but as he turned, Shen Ziqin saw his face: arrogant, lazy, mocking, and cold.
Not a good sort.
Just from his expression and Bai Junxing’s reaction, it was clear nothing good was being said.
Lord Bai might need help.
Before acting, Shen Ziqin asked, “Who’s that with Lord Bai? Does anyone recognize him?”
Hei Ying glanced out the window and, after just one look, was certain: “Cui Qingshan. The prince wanted information on all the Patrol Battalion officers-I’ve seen his portrait.”
Shen Ziqin paused, but before he could think further, Hei Ying exclaimed, “How rude! That guy actually told Lord Bai, ‘With looks like yours, if you softened up and flattered people, promotions would come easy. Why struggle? You might as well follow me instead of wasting that pretty face.'”
Shen Ziqin was surprised. “You could hear that from here?”
They were not only in a second-floor private room but also half a street away from Bai Junxing.
Hei Ying pointed to his eyes. “Lip-reading. I can read lips.”
Dongning murmured in admiration, “Sixth Brother’s household is truly full of talented people.”
Hei Ying scratched his head bashfully at the little princess’s praise, but Shen Ziqin’s attention was already elsewhere: *Cui Qingshan is attracted to men? This is new information.*
Whether Cui Qingshan was merely harassing Bai Junxing with crude jokes or genuinely interested in men would soon become clear. This unexpected variable forced Shen Ziqin to abandon his two days of planning-serendipity at work.
The best strategies aren’t about complexity but results. Cui Qingshan’s public harassment of Bai Junxing could be dismissed as colleagues bantering… unless the target was someone with a *special status*.
Like replacing “Lord Bai” with… the Prince Qin’s Consort.
Even officials who secretly disrespected Prince Qin would still feign courtesy in public. But openly insulting royalty? That was a different matter.
Shen Ziqin wouldn’t let this opportunity slip. His gaze fell on the earnest pipa player in the room.
A plan formed. Shen Ziqin removed his jade pendant. “Musician, I’ll trade this pendant for your clothes and pipa. Deal?”
The pendant was worth more than they could earn in a lifetime. The brother hesitated only a heartbeat before agreeing. Moments later, the siblings left grinning, their financial worries solved.
In a neighboring room, Shen Ziqin changed into the coarse homespun clothes, swapping his silver hairpiece for a wooden pin. The rough fabric did nothing to dim his beauty-if anything, his porcelain skin and striking features shone brighter, his delicate appearance in humble attire evoking a “beauty in distress” aura.
As everyone marveled at his transformation, Shen Ziqin picked up the pipa. “I’ll resolve Lord Bai’s predicament.” He glanced around and pointed at Hei Ying. “You’ll accompany me-stay hidden until I pluck the strings, then jump out and shout *this line*. Louder the better.”
After whispering instructions, Hei Ying’s eyes lit up. “Like a storybook scene!”
“Exactly.” Shen Ziqin smiled. “Do well, and I’ll buy you sugar figures later.”
—
On the street, Bai Junxing was nearing the teahouse, but Cui Qingshan clung like sticky rice. “Lord Bai, I’ve got money-*I’ll* treat you!” he slurred, reeking of alcohol and brothel perfumes.
Bai Junxing, refusing to inhale deeply, coldly retorted, “I’ve no interest-” when his gaze caught someone approaching from the teahouse.
Cui Qingshan turned and froze.
A walking daydream approached-Shen Ziqin, gliding toward them like spring personified, pipa in hand. Cui Qingshan wondered if he was still drunk. *Since when do celestials descend to mortal teahouses?*
Shen Ziqin, holding the pipa, ignored Cui Qingshan and walked straight up to Bai Junxing, stopping in front of him with a smile: “Lord Bai.”
Cui Qingshan was still dazed: *What a beautiful smile, and such a pleasant voice.*
Bai Junxing hurried to salute, but Shen Ziqin had anticipated this and was even faster: “Lord Bai, wait.”
Since Bai Junxing was carrying the box with the calligraphy, he couldn’t use his hands to return the greeting, so he could only bend at the waist. Shen Ziqin’s words made him pause mid-motion, so it looked more like a light nod.
Shen Ziqin said, “It’s been a few days since we last met-I’ve missed you. Thank you for the gift you sent the other day; it meant a lot to me.”
Bai Junxing felt that something was off about Shen Ziqin today, but the words themselves were perfectly polite-just a courteous greeting, and the “gift” should refer to the wedding present he’d sent.
Bai Junxing began, “Thanks to the prince-”
Shen Ziqin interrupted, “Ah! Lord Wang’s gift was also wonderful!”
Bai Junxing’s “princess consort” was abruptly cut off, leaving him bewildered: *Which Lord Wang?*
The sense of incongruity only grew. The Prince Qin’s consort, dressed in rough homespun and holding an old pipa, looked just like…
But Shen Ziqin’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t continue about Lord Wang, but smiled and said, “It’s fate that we meet today. Please, let me treat Lord Bai to a song.”
As he spoke, his slender, jade-like fingers gently stroked the edge of the pipa.
Bai Junxing: …
*We’re meeting today because we arranged it…*
He finally realized what felt wrong: Shen Ziqin’s outfit and casual words, to an outsider, would make it seem like he was a street performer, and Bai Junxing was the benefactor who’d tipped him last time.
Cui Qingshan, who hadn’t spoken until now, finally blurted out: “So you’re the one who’s gotten famous at Xinyue Teahouse lately, the one who sings with his sister?”
Bai Junxing’s eyes widened.
But what shocked him even more came next.
Because Shen Ziqin not only didn’t deny it, he added something even more misleading: “Mm, my sister is waiting for me in the teahouse.”
Dongning was, on the surface, his “sister” right now-nothing wrong with that.
Bai Junxing glanced at Shen Ziqin, then at Cui Qingshan, hiding his surprise and regaining his composure.
He realized Shen Ziqin was doing this on purpose, and he couldn’t ruin the act.
Seeing Bai Junxing’s expression and silence, Shen Ziqin thought: *Lord Bai really knows how to play along.*
Cui Qingshan looked Shen Ziqin up and down, unrestrained: “You do look good-no wonder you’re a bit famous.”
Bai Junxing said nothing more, turning his gaze to Cui Qingshan, silently watching him dig his own grave.
Cui Qingshan, emboldened by Shen Ziqin’s smile, pressed on: “You’re inviting Lord Bai to hear a song-why not invite me too?”
Shen Ziqin feigned ignorance: “And you are…?”
“Third son of the Cui family, Cui Qingshan.”
Cui Qingshan arrogantly lifted his chin, growing more pleased the more he looked at Shen Ziqin. He even reached out, as if to touch Shen Ziqin’s arm, but before he could, Shen Ziqin stepped back, keeping a safe distance.
Shen Ziqin said, “Why not invite both lords to enjoy a song together?”
Cui Qingshan, who spent his days at pleasure houses, had never met such a beauty. He was itching with desire, feeling drunk without drinking: “Hey! Why are you dodging? How much can you make playing music on the street? Look at you, so down and out-why not come to my manor as a companion? Play for me every night and I’ll guarantee you a life of luxury!”
Cui Qingshan rambled on: “If Lord Bai wants to join, even better… Bai Junxing, why are you looking at me like that?”
Bai Junxing’s gaze was no longer cold, nor was it angry-it was a look of pity for a fool, which baffled Cui Qingshan.
*You’re done for,* Bai Junxing thought.
Earlier, Cui Qingshan’s loud harassment had already drawn the attention of vendors and passersby. Now, with Shen Ziqin involved, even more people stopped to watch.
First glance: drawn by beauty. Second glance: *Let’s see what’s going on here.*
The timing was perfect. Not to mention, the teahouse’s doorman had definitely heard every word Cui Qingshan had just said.
Shen Ziqin’s autumn-water eyes sparkled with a smile that made Cui Qingshan’s heart flutter. He couldn’t help but step forward, only to hear the beauty softly ask:
“Is the food at the Cui manor better than at Prince Qin’s residence?”
Cui Qingshan froze.
Prince Qin’s residence?
Shen Ziqin’s fingers plucked the pipa strings with a casual strum-
And Hei Ying burst out from the side, voice booming: “Shameless scoundrel! How dare you insult the royal consort-what crime is that!”
The young martial artist’s voice was full and resonant, pushing the scene to its climax.
The crowd erupted: *It involves royalty-what a scandal!*
Cui Qingshan: !!?
*Royal consort? Isn’t this just some street performer?*
His contempt for commoners was ingrained-he never thought of anything but the word “lowborn.”
Bai Junxing had expected this, brushing his sleeve: *See? I told you you were finished.*
The commotion drew even more onlookers, and soon the street outside the teahouse was packed-enough to attract the attention of the Patrol Battalion.
Soldiers pushed through the crowd: “What’s going on here?”
A little while later, at the Patrol Battalion’s main camp-
Chu Zhao was revising the training schedule when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
He looked up from his desk to see a young soldier rushing in.
A brisk stride and a tense face-when a messenger looked like that, it was never good news.
Chu Zhao’s eyelid twitched.
…Could he really be so unlucky as to have trouble on his very first day?
The soldier entered, dropped to one knee, and reported, “Your Highness, there’s trouble in the city-a scoundrel tried to take advantage of a respectable person, and South Street is completely blocked with onlookers.”
For cases of harassment, there were established procedures, but if they felt the need to inform the commander directly, it must be difficult to handle.
Chu Zhao tapped his fingers on the desk: “Is the offender someone of unusual status?”
In the capital, under the emperor’s feet, there were many nobles and officials, along with their spoiled children. It wasn’t uncommon for some wastrel to cause trouble, giving people something to gossip about. Chu Zhao naturally assumed the perpetrator was someone they didn’t dare handle casually.
He hadn’t expected that the victim would also be extraordinary-trouble on both sides.
The young soldier wiped his cold sweat. Despite his nervousness, his words were crystal clear, impossible to mishear:
“The Patrol Battalion’s Vice Commander Cui Qingshan publicly insulted the Prince Qin’s consort in the marketplace! We’ve temporarily detained him at the watch station and await the commander’s decision!”
Chu Zhao: “…”
The document slipped from his hand with a soft thud.
Chu Zhao: *Say that again???*
*
The Patrol Battalion maintained a watch station in the city, not very large, mainly to facilitate communication. If anything happened in the city, they could be informed immediately.
Today, this modest station received some very important guests.
Their superior, Cui Qingshan, along with the wife of their top commander, the Prince Qin’s consort, and the precious Princess Dongning.
Cui Qingshan was familiar to them-usually swaggering with confidence, but today he’d been brought in bound tightly by the prince’s guards.
The latter two were even more significant-royal family members, priceless in status. By comparison, even Lord Bai seemed like an ordinary attendant.
The junior soldiers trembled and sweated: they’d never seen such a scene!
The best tea was brought out, with plenty of seeds and nuts to snack on, for fear of any shortcoming in hospitality.
When Chu Zhao entered the station, his billowing robes cut through the air behind him. He radiated a murderous aura, horsewhip still in hand, face dark as ink, intimidating without even showing anger.
Upon entering, his eyes immediately found Shen Ziqin.
Chu Zhao was first startled by Shen Ziqin’s unusual attire, then caught him subtly winking.
Chu Zhao: “…”
His aggressive stride came to an abrupt halt, the intimidating aura curving in the air before gently settling.
He’d thought he was coming as the victim’s family to set things right, but now it seemed the situation was very different from what he’d imagined.
He’d seen Shen Ziqin singlehandedly leave the entire Marquis of Yin Nan’s household fuming. If Shen Ziqin had really been wronged, he wouldn’t be this calm, and certainly wouldn’t have… eaten half a plate of melon seeds.
Chu Zhao dragged his gaze from the seed shells and cleared his throat. He strode to the main chair and sat down, glancing at the furious but immobilized Cui Qingshan: “Someone tell me exactly what happened.”
A soldier who’d been at the scene saluted and recounted what he’d witnessed, along with the statements collected from bystanders, starting with how Cui Qingshan had harassed Bai Junxing for half a street.
Chu Zhao listened quietly, not rushing to speak, his fingers lightly stroking the whip. When he heard that Cui Qingshan had tried to touch the prince’s consort, his eyes darkened.
Cui Qingshan cursed loudly: “Lies! Did I touch him? Are you all blind!?”
The young soldier was nervous at Cui Qingshan’s outburst-after all, he couldn’t afford to offend anyone present. He wiped his sweat: “No contact, but according to Lord Bai and many witnesses, the vice commander behaved improperly and was avoided by the consort.”
Given both parties’ special status, the Patrol Battalion had already questioned everyone nearby, recording numerous testimonies to present to Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao flipped through the papers. Cui Qingshan knew the facts were against him, but couldn’t admit it: “Bai Junxing has a grudge against me-his words can’t be trusted!”
“Oh?” Chu Zhao flicked the testimonies. “So the teahouse greeter, several shopkeepers, and random passersby all have a vendetta against you? Look, I see some familiar names here-sons and daughters of official families. Are they all untrustworthy? Or is only your mouth reliable?”
Chu Zhao turned to Shen Ziqin: “Did he touch you?”
Shen Ziqin shook his head: “No, Vice Commander Cui did raise his hand to grab me, but I avoided him. Everyone present saw it.”
Cui Qingshan had to defend himself-he couldn’t accept being labeled as one who insulted royalty: “Raising my hand doesn’t mean I was trying to touch you! I was clearly-”
“Crack!”
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
