Shen Ziqin’s legs dangled in the air, his hands on Chu Zhao’s shoulders. Despite Chu Zhao’s reliable arms and chest, Shen Ziqin wasn’t staying still because he felt secure.
Did he dare move? No, he did not.
Chu Zhao’s position was carefully chosen. Shen Ziqin’s upper body could leverage itself; he could easily push against Chu Zhao’s shoulders and turn around. But if he did, he’d end up sitting directly on Chu Zhao’s arm.
The mental image was too much to bear.
The only thing Shen Ziqin dared move was his mouth: “Your Highness, please put me down. I can walk myself. I’ll go to sleep right now, really.”
Chu Zhao let out an amused snort. Shen Ziqin couldn’t see his expression and could only judge by his actions.
And those actions were: Chu Zhao continued carrying him.
Help-
Prince Qin’s residence was remarkable. Some places seemed empty but were actually full of hidden activity. Right now, guards were concealed on rooftops, in corners, and even in tree branches.
In the dark night, under many watchful eyes, the prince carried his consort out of the study with one arm, ignoring the “no” coming from the consort’s lips, and headed straight for the bedroom.
All the guards: “…”
So… intense.
Were they really supposed to be seeing this?
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhen, who had alerted the prince, clutched his chest:
Is this something I should be watching?!
He took deep breaths, unable to suppress his smile, which bloomed like a flower: Only the prince could handle this, making the young master go to sleep as soon as he arrived. Oh my~
Xiao Zhen swayed happily, hands folded, taking small, joyful steps to stand at the bottom of the stairs outside the bedroom, happily playing doorkeeper.
Carrying Shen Ziqin with one arm, Chu Zhao had only one thought: He’s so light.
He’d felt it on their wedding day when carrying him out, but how was it that after days of good care, he hadn’t gained any weight? He needed more nourishment. Should they have the doctor prescribe a special diet?
Inside the room, Chu Zhao gently set Shen Ziqin down on the edge of the bed. Shen Ziqin’s feet finally touched the ground, but his heart was still pounding, unsettled.
The aftereffects were strong.
Earlier, Shen Ziqin couldn’t see Chu Zhao’s expression, and likewise, Chu Zhao couldn’t see Shen Ziqin’s face. He’d been planning to lecture Shen Ziqin about the importance of balancing work and rest, but when he looked up, he froze.
Shen Ziqin’s fair face was flushed with a rosy hue, delicate as clouds at sunset, incomparably beautiful. Those eyes, usually filled with lazy amusement or clever sharpness, now showed rare bewilderment and uncertainty.
Like a red jade peach blossom, intoxicating on the branch.
He looked just like a startled cat, trying to act calm but forgetting that his twitching tail had already given him away.
How could someone be so beautiful that you only dared admire from afar, yet at the same time seem so down-to-earth and cozy, just like a housecat curled up in a warm nest?
It wasn’t the first time Chu Zhao had been struck by Shen Ziqin’s beauty, but it was the first time his heart was so shaken he lost all composure.
He’d never seen him like this before.
This time, his heart didn’t just skip a beat-it thudded twice, heavy and loud.
A bit chaotic.
It wasn’t until Shen Ziqin turned away and coughed softly twice that Chu Zhao’s thoughts, which had drifted off to who knows what distant river, finally snapped back to reality.
The Prince who had just carried someone back with such flair was now just as awkward as he’d been impressive.
Shen Ziqin’s blushing face left him at a total loss for what to do with his hands and feet.
But as soon as he heard the cough, his body moved before his brain could react-he automatically poured a glass of water and handed it to Shen Ziqin.
Chu Zhao: …
When did I develop this kind of reflex? Even he didn’t know.
Shen Ziqin knew his face was hot, but there was nothing he could do about it.
He mechanically took the cup and sipped the water, completely unaware of how he looked in that moment.
He’d bathed before going to the study, so his hair was down, only loosely pinned with a silver hairpin, long black hair cascading over his shoulders, soft and smooth. With his flushed cheeks, under the lamplight, he was breathtakingly beautiful.
After finishing the water, Shen Ziqin finally felt a little better. His fingers curled around the rim of the cup, unsure how to look at Chu Zhao. After a moment’s hesitation, he carefully and tentatively looked up-
Just in time to meet Chu Zhao’s gaze.
Even though Shen Ziqin quickly looked away, he still noticed that this time, it was Chu Zhao who looked away first.
And Chu Zhao’s eyes seemed… embarrassed?
…He’d been so decisive carrying him just now, so why was he embarrassed now? That reaction time was a bit slow, wasn’t it?
Chu Zhao looked everywhere except at Shen Ziqin, taking the empty cup from him. “You should get some sleep. I’ll come home at noon tomorrow, so you can tell me then.”
“…Alright.”
His book confiscated, himself forcibly sent to bed-Shen Ziqin had needed all his willpower to fight off his drowsiness before, but now that he was near the bed, he couldn’t muster any more energy.
The bed really was the enemy of productivity.
He took off his outer robe and obediently lay down. Chu Zhao even came over to tuck him in.
By now, Shen Ziqin wasn’t really embarrassed anymore. Being carried for the first time in his life was actually kind of funny in hindsight. He glanced at Chu Zhao and saw that after tucking him in, Chu Zhao went and sat at the table again.
Sat down?
Shen Ziqin: ??
His puzzled look was too obvious. Chu Zhao glanced at him, then quickly looked away and coughed. “I’ll leave after you fall asleep-otherwise you’ll just get up and read again.”
Shen Ziqin: …You don’t understand the power my current sickly body gives my bed over me.
He still wasn’t fully recovered, and lying down made his voice even stuffier and softer. “I won’t, I promise. You should rest too, Your Highness.”
But he’d just relapsed, so Chu Zhao wasn’t reassured. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
He turned away. “I won’t stare at you. Just go to sleep.”
Shen Ziqin didn’t really get it, but respected this cold-shoulder approach.
He’d stayed up late reading, so he was tired. His mind was muddled, half on his new idea, half on the memory of being carried by Chu Zhao. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.
Chu Zhao, back to the bed, listened until the breathing behind him was slow and deep. Only then did he turn around, and finally dared to let his gaze fall on Shen Ziqin’s face again.
Sleeping soundly.
Looking at him, Chu Zhao thought of that milk pudding he’d poked at last night.
He turned to leave, but even as he walked out, he kept picturing that soft, white pudding.
Chu Zhao stopped.
Suddenly, he turned back, using his internal energy to move silently to Shen Ziqin’s bedside. In the flickering lamplight, a shadow fell across the bed curtain, and Chu Zhao’s eyes seemed to darken, deep and unreadable as he reached out-
-and very gently, very quickly, poked Shen Ziqin’s cheek.
Not at all like the feel of milk pudding.
Chu Zhao withdrew his “guilty” finger, satisfied, and left.
The lamp in the heir’s bedroom went out as Chu Zhao stepped outside.
Xiao Zhen was still waiting at the door, eyes filled with faint regret and disappointment.
Even if the heir was sick and couldn’t do anything as a couple, the prince could at least sleep beside him for warmth-why not stay?
Chu Zhao didn’t get it: ?
What are you regretting?
Though he was increasingly baffled by Xiao Zhen’s thought process, he still had instructions to give: “You did well tonight. You’ll be rewarded-go to Steward Meng for your silver. If the heir stays up late again, let me know.”
“Yes.” Xiao Zhen agreed, then rolled his eyes and suggested, “Your Highness, why not come check on the heir every night? If he knows you’re coming, he definitely won’t stay up late in the study.”
Chu Zhao considered and agreed: “That’s reasonable.”
Xiao Zhen was delighted: Good, good, come more often, spend more nights together-if the atmosphere’s right, the prince will definitely stay over.
Shen Ziqin slept soundly, unaware that Xiao Zhen had just earned him another benefit.
A true master-truly “Zhen” master.
This cold wasn’t serious; after a day of medicine and a good sleep, Shen Ziqin felt much better. His mind was clearer, and the embarrassment of being carried had completely faded.
Though he’d been startled at the time, his heart racing for a while, it was just a small thing-time to move on.
Except… Bai Xiao’s expression today seemed a little off.
Shen Ziqin held back for a moment, but in the end, he couldn’t resist and beckoned Bai Xiao over.
After every dose of medicine, Shen Ziqin always had candied fruit, and Bai Xiao usually got to share. As usual, Shen Ziqin handed him a few pieces. Watching Bai Xiao bite into one, he finally spoke leisurely, “You’re acting strange.”
Bai Xiao, cheeks puffed out, stared back in confusion.
Shen Ziqin continued, “If you eat my candied fruit, you have to answer my questions. You’ve been drifting around, avoiding me, and staring at me with sparkling eyes for ages. What’s on your mind?”
Bai Xiao: !
He’d been lured in by the promise of sweets-never expected today’s candy would come with strings attached!
Wuwuwu.
But he still kept eating.
After swallowing, Bai Xiao scratched his head. For the first time, he found Shen Shizi’s calm, gentle gaze so pressuring-like a mountain, and only getting heavier.
In the end, Bai Xiao couldn’t take it anymore and blurted out, “It’s not like I’ve been daydreaming about how last night the prince carried you back to your room while you were shouting ‘no, no’ and blushing shyly!”
Shen Ziqin: “……”
He would’ve rather not known.
Shen Ziqin was in disbelief; it felt like his almost-gone cold had suddenly come back to attack him, leaving him dizzy: “Shy? Who? Me?”
And what “no, no”-at most he’d said “wait”!
“The prince was just making me rest…” Shen Ziqin stammered, “It was the purest, most innocent care for his strategist.”
Bai Xiao: “Mm…”
He pursed his lips and nodded slowly, as if to say “okay, I get it,” but his eyes were still shining, clearly full of inappropriate thoughts and expectations.
Shen Ziqin took a deep breath.
He reached out and, very ruthlessly, took away Bai Xiao’s remaining candied fruit.
“No more sweets for you today,” Shen Shizi announced mercilessly.
Bai Xiao was shocked: “Ah!”
“I’m also going to confiscate those storybooks in your room,” Shen Shizi added, striking again. “So young, and your head’s already full of nonsense.”
Bai Xiao clapped his hands over his face in horror: “Aaaah!”
So, when Chu Zhao came back at noon as promised to discuss business in Mingyue Pavilion, he saw Bai Xiao squatting in a corner of the courtyard, drawing circles on the ground.
Chu Zhao: “What’s wrong with him?”
Shen Ziqin replied calmly, “He’s mourning the tragic love of Scholar Xu and Fairy Yue.”
That was a new, fifteen-and-up romance novel Shen Ziqin had found in Bai Xiao’s room-turns out the kid had more than one restricted book, with some unexpected discoveries.
Chu Zhao: What on earth…?
He felt like there were more and more things in the prince’s residence that he couldn’t understand.
Forget it, the child was growing up and needed his own secrets.
“How’s your health today?”
“Thanks to Your Highness, much better.” Shen Ziqin set down his teacup and continued with the business he’d meant to bring up last night. “Your Highness, in a few days you’ll be handing over the Marquis of Yin Nan’s estate to me. Since there’ll be a court struggle then, why not stir the waters a bit more?”
Shen Ziqin took out the dossier of officials and pointed to a few names. “With these people, we can drag the Ministry of Works into it.”
“From your description of Cui Qingshan’s sentencing, it’s clear that Lord Cui and the vice minister and minister of Works have already fallen out over this. If we get the Grand Secretary’s men in the Ministry of Works to fight among themselves, we can just sit back and reap the benefits.”
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(advanced chapters available on kofi)
😘❣️