SBMT Chapter 30

The future Little Marquis Shen was still at the Prince Qin’s residence, immersed in memorizing dossiers.

 

Until Dongning came looking for him.

 

So that evening, there were two extra sets of dishes at Mingyue Pavilion’s dinner table.

 

One for Chu Zhao, one for Dongning.

 

That afternoon, Dongning had come with a book, asking if Shen Ziqin was free. It was the first time the child had boldly asked a question, so even if Shen Ziqin had been busy, he made time to help.

 

Dongning was gradually showing his sharpness-a good sign. The empress dowager had been farsighted in sending him out of the palace.

 

She no longer kept to her Buddhist retreat, but didn’t ask for Dongning back, and the Prince Qin’s household didn’t suggest sending him away either.

 

Before long, the other princes would see this once-distant little princess as a clever, lovable younger sister.

 

With those bonds formed, when Dongning’s true identity was revealed in the future, the shock would be lessened.

 

From Shen Ziqin’s perspective, the princes were all pretty open-minded.

 

With Emperor Cheng’an as a precedent, everything else in the royal family seemed reasonable by comparison.

 

After helping Dongning, Chu Zhao returned from work, and Shen Ziqin simply invited both to stay for dinner.

 

Dongning was clearly delighted to share a meal with them-he loved the feeling of family gathered together, warm and harmonious.

 

At the table, Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao began discussing business again.

 

Chu Zhao originally thought Dongning was too young for such matters, but Shen Ziqin said, “Dongning is clever, and he’s royal-born-there are things he should hear.”

 

Chu Zhao looked at Dongning’s eager, sparkling eyes, then at Shen Ziqin-

 

Well, he couldn’t say no to either of them. What else could he do but go along?

 

Chu Zhao, unlike Shen Ziqin, hadn’t read the original story and didn’t know Dongning’s hidden talents. He just thought Dongning was a well-behaved child raised by the empress dowager, so he reminded him, “Dongning, some things you hear in the house, you mustn’t repeat to outsiders. Can you promise your royal brother?”

 

He thought for a moment and added, “That includes the empress dowager.”

 

Dongning nodded obediently. “Yes, royal brother.”

 

Chu Zhao: “Good child.”

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao didn’t mention the origins of the topic, so Dongning only understood a little and quietly ate while listening to the adults discuss.

 

When they were nearly finished, Chu Zhao checked the time: “Shizi, will you save me a spot in the study later?”

 

Shen Ziqin, not suspecting a thing, agreed innocently: “Of course. Do you have more business to discuss?”

 

He’d accepted the role of strategist, so he was always ready to plan to save Chu Zhao’s life and do his job well.

 

Last time it was picking a deputy commander-what would it be this time?

 

He was ready for anything.

 

But to his surprise, Chu Zhao shook his head.

 

“Just lend me a chair. I’ll read my letters, you read your book, and when it’s time, you go to bed like you’re supposed to.”

 

The unexpected answer left Shen Ziqin completely stunned.

 

Wait, what??

 

The look on his face was more bewildered than ever: “Your Highness, you want to use my study just to supervise my bedtime?!”

 

 

Chu Zhao didn’t think there was anything wrong with it and nodded calmly: “Exactly.”

 

What do you mean, exactly! Shen Ziqin felt like he was about to lose it!

 

Was everything he’d said at lunch for nothing? He’d told him not to treat him like a child… Wait.

 

Shen Ziqin’s gaze sharpened as he realized this wasn’t so simple.

 

He slowly shifted his eyes to Xiao Zhen, who was waiting nearby.

 

Chu Zhao’s sudden appearance at Mingyue Pavilion last night was no doubt thanks to someone tipping him off-obviously Xiao Zhen. Shen Ziqin understood, but wasn’t angry.

 

Xiao Zhen hadn’t managed to stop him the first night, and seeing him catch a cold, had probably gone straight to Chu Zhao out of worry last night. His intentions were good, and Shen Ziqin wouldn’t blame him for that.

 

But… could Xiao Zhen have said anything else to Chu Zhao without his knowledge?

 

A sharp glint flashed in Shen Ziqin’s beautiful eyes. Xiao Zhen caught the look-and actually smiled.

 

His smile had two layers.

 

First: “Young master, look how well I did, right?”

 

Second: “Seize the opportunity, young master!”

 

Shen Ziqin: …I really don’t have any opportunity I need to seize, thanks.

 

Chu Zhao followed Shen Ziqin’s gaze and, appreciating Xiao Zhen’s cleverness, said, “Xiao Zhen is very worried about you, too.”

 

Shen Ziqin replied woodenly, “Yes, I know.”

 

Oh, he knew all right.

 

“Your Highness,” Shen Ziqin took a deep breath, deciding to deal with Xiao Zhen later, “I promise I’ll rest well tonight. If I trouble you any further, I’ll really feel bad.”

 

“It’s no trouble. I can read letters and work in your study too. If you really plan to rest, you won’t mind me sitting there. Unless you’re planning to sneakily stay up again?” Chu Zhao smiled, “As long as you go to bed on time, I won’t do what I did last night.”

 

Just thinking about being carried off last night-who knows how many guards secretly saw-made Shen Ziqin’s face heat up again. He pressed his lips together, his ears tinged red.

 

He was embarrassed, but to others, it looked very different.

 

Dongning’s eyes widened slightly.

 

He looked at Chu Zhao, then at Shen Ziqin, and, piecing together the context, saw that when his royal brother mentioned last night, his royal sister-in-law blushed.

 

Dongning: …

 

This conversation had definitely moved beyond what a child should be hearing!

 

He gracefully and quickly stood up: “Royal brother, royal sister-in-law, please enjoy your meal. I need to go study.”

 

Now that the topic had shifted from state affairs to private couple matters, the only thing to do was leave and not interrupt.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao barely nodded before Dongning turned and left in a flash.

 

His steps were quick, but still elegant.

 

But the way he left so abruptly-it felt a bit off.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Why did he leave in such a hurry?”

 

Chu Zhao: “He’s just eager to study after dinner-such a diligent, hardworking kid.”

 

Shen Ziqin: Well, that’s… reasonable.

 

No, it’s not reasonable at all! Did you two really not realize how easy it was to misunderstand your conversation just now?!

 

In the end, Shen Ziqin couldn’t escape. After a short rest and his medicine, under Xiao Zhen’s beaming gaze, he went with Chu Zhao into the study.

 

Chu Zhao remarked, “Ever since Xiao Zhen started serving you, he’s been smiling more and more. That’s a good thing, even if his smile is a bit odd.”

 

Shen Ziqin picked up his book and sighed: Isn’t it? He finally gets to put his talents to use.

 

Shen Ziqin resigned himself to Chu Zhao’s supervision, but Chu Zhao was a good study companion-quiet, only the soft sounds of opening letters and unfolding paper, never disturbing Shen Ziqin.

 

The sound of someone else flipping through papers felt just like being back in a school study hall-the atmosphere was so good that Shen Ziqin soon forgot any awkwardness and became absorbed in his reading.

 

Time slipped by in the gentle rustle of pages.

 

As he neared the end, Shen Ziqin’s motivation only grew stronger.

 

Three pages left… two… one… Done!

 

He let out a long breath, set down the book, and looked completely satisfied. After sitting for so long, he stretched his shoulders, his sleeve slipping down to reveal a pale arm, completely forgetting anyone else was there, and let out a contented hum.

 

A cat stretching-soft and relaxed.

 

Only when he finished did he turn and realize Chu Zhao was watching him with a smile-who knows how long he’d been looking.

 

Shen Ziqin: …

 

He immediately dropped his hand and sat up straight, as if nothing had happened.

 

Chu Zhao was thoroughly entertained.

 

“Time’s almost up,” Chu Zhao said, propping his cheek on one hand, sitting like a king. “You were so focused, I almost didn’t want to interrupt. Luckily you finished, so I didn’t have to struggle with myself.”

 

Shen Ziqin coughed lightly, righteously: “I promised to sleep on time, didn’t I? See, I kept my word.”

 

Who was he fooling-he’d been so absorbed he’d lost track of time.

 

Chu Zhao didn’t call him out on it; as long as Shen Ziqin got enough rest, that was enough.

 

Before leaving the study, Chu Zhao stood and tossed the letter he’d been reading into the candle flame, burning it.

 

He’d meant to burn it earlier, but didn’t want to disturb Shen Ziqin.

 

Shen Ziqin watched the fire consume the letter, turning it to ash, but didn’t ask. Instead, Chu Zhao explained, “It’s a letter from the border.”

 

Since returning to the capital, Chu Zhao had handed over his command token and was a marshal in name only, confined to the city like a caged beast. But the peace at the borders had been hard-won, and he couldn’t help worrying.

 

The soldiers still recognized him as marshal, and the letters never stopped.

 

Some were routine, checked by many hands; others, only Chu Zhao ever saw.

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t ask about the contents, only said, “Is all well at the border?”

 

“Overall, things are fine. The neighbors are behaving themselves.” Chu Zhao tossed the letter into the copper basin. “The Wan Chao Festival is coming up-let’s hope they aren’t planning any ‘surprises’ for us.”

 

The Wan Chao Festival is the day when all the nations and vassal states come to the capital of Great Qi to pay tribute. During this time, not only is there increased movement along the borders, but the capital itself becomes especially lively. Whenever this festival approaches, the soldiers responsible for security must be extra vigilant and give their utmost attention.

 

Ah, Wan Chao Festival is coming…

 

Shen Ziqin thought, unfortunately, there really will be a bit of a “surprise.”

 

But it’s fine, nothing too serious-nothing that can’t be handled.

 

Chu Zhao watched the letter burn to ash, gave a whistle, and a guard immediately dropped down from the roof to take the ashes away. Chu Zhao and Shen Ziqin stepped out together. “Shizi, get some good rest.”

 

It seemed that tonight, since Chu Zhao saw Shen Ziqin had finished memorizing the dossiers and had no reason to stay up late, he was finally at ease and didn’t follow him to the bedroom.

 

Shen Ziqin bowed. “Your Highness, you rest well too.”

 

Watching Chu Zhao’s departing figure, Shen Ziqin sighed.

 

Always worrying about the borders, carrying the safety of the nation on his shoulders-a person like this really shouldn’t be buried as an unjust soul by Great Qi.

 

Fortunately, he’d transmigrated here. He would do everything in his power to save Chu Zhao.

 

Having finished memorizing the dossiers, Shen Ziqin slept soundly and content.

 

He’d achieved his goal ahead of schedule, and when he returned the dossiers to the third prince, the prince’s eyes went wide with shock, falling into even deeper self-doubt.

 

How could there be so many people with such good memories!

 

Leaving aside the nearly self-defeated third prince, Hei Ying completed his mission right on time two days later, bringing back the results of his investigation.

 

As Shen Ziqin suspected, the two officials he’d named were indeed guilty of countless crimes, their evil deeds too many to list. Even in the matter of seizing farmland, innocent lives had been lost.

 

Hei Ying truly lived up to being Chu Zhao’s trusted aide-he not only found the facts, but also gathered all the evidence.

 

Chu Zhao compiled everything and sent a letter to the second prince’s residence.

 

The second prince’s reply came quickly.

 

It was an invitation for Shen Ziqin to visit.

 

“I’ve told him you’re in charge of this matter,” Chu Zhao said, handing the letter to Shen Ziqin.

 

Shen Ziqin accepted it solemnly. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I won’t let you down.”

 

“Haha, good.” Chu Zhao winked. “Go on, read the letter.”

 

Just as Shen Ziqin was opening the letter, Chu Zhao added, “Lord Bai will be invited as well.”

 

Shen Ziqin’s hand paused.

 

He’d brought up Lord Bai again, and in such a casual tone!

 

Shen Ziqin’s internal alarm bells rang, but outwardly he just smiled gently, holding the letter. “Alright, I’m looking forward to meeting with the second prince and Lord Bai.”

 

Don’t worry, Your Highness-when I return, I’ll bring you the news that Lord Bai is already spoken for, and I’ll pull out that little seedling in your heart, roots and all, whether it exists or not!

 

Chu Zhao also smiled. “Mm.”

 

See, he says he’s looking forward to it-he really does care about Lord Bai. Hopefully, after this meeting, their relationship will deepen even further.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)