With the three-court trial concluded and the Ministry of Works’ left vice minister executed, the princes’ faction, after years of patience, finally began to gain ground in key positions. Behind the scenes, the Six Ministries and the cabinet were roiling with hidden currents.
Shen Ziqin inherited the marquisate and officially became the Marquis of Yin Nan. This was a happy occasion, and by rights should have been celebrated with a banquet, but since his nominal father had just been demoted, a lavish party would invite criticism, so Shen Ziqin skipped it.
He didn’t actually care if outsiders called him unfilial-it was just that, after doing the math, there weren’t many people he could invite, but the scale and menu couldn’t be skimped on, so it wasn’t worth the expense. Better not to hold a banquet at all; it saved money and avoided being reported by censors-a win-win.
Over the next half month, Shen Ziqin drafted new plans and quietly set them in motion. His next target was the Deputy Grand Secretary’s faction, and this time, he was going big.
Accelerating the clash between the two major factions was the only way to save Chu Zhao’s life.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhao was so busy he barely touched the ground.
The reason was simple: the Wan Chao Festival was about to begin. Envoys from all nations were arriving in the capital, and just a few days after the festival would be the spring imperial exam. Scholars from all over had already arrived in the capital to study and would get to witness the festival’s splendor.
The capital was more bustling and lively than ever, packed with people, making security a top priority.
Chu Zhao had known the festival would be busy, but only after becoming commander did he realize just how busy.
The only good thing was that the camp was running smoothly, and since he was stationed in the capital, he lived very close to home.
At noon, Chu Zhao slipped back to the prince’s residence and had a cup of tea at Mingyue Pavilion.
Hei Ying didn’t understand why, with all this busyness, the prince insisted on coming back to Mingyue Pavilion for tea. Weren’t you supposed to be keeping your distance, Your Highness?
Chu Zhao gulped down his tea and let out a breath: “Your tea is still the best, and it lets me steal a moment’s peace.”
Shen Ziqin: “This is the Longjing you gave me before. Did you finish what you had in your own courtyard? If so, I’ll pack some of mine for you to take.”
Chu Zhao waved it off: “No need. It tastes best in your courtyard with your scenery. Let me rest here.”
All that precious tea, Chu Zhao had given it all to Shen Ziqin, keeping none for himself, though he let Shen Ziqin think he’d kept half.
Chu Zhao picked up a pastry: “This morning, two scholars and a noble’s son got into a fight on North Street. What a scene-fans and shoes flying everywhere, not a single one of them knew martial arts, but it was still pretty fierce.”
There was always tension between commoners and noble families in Great Qi. Emperor Cheng’an liked to stir things up, sometimes poking this side, sometimes that. Honestly, this troublemaker couldn’t be gotten rid of just yet, which was why the princes hadn’t simply killed him off.
First, he wasn’t easy to kill. Second, even if Emperor Cheng’an dropped dead, the Grand Secretary, Deputy Grand Secretary, and their factions still held so much power that they could influence the whole country. If they weren’t taken down first, hastily switching emperors would only mean a new puppet and might even cause chaos everywhere.
Better to use Emperor Cheng’an as a pawn to deal with the old foxes.
As Chu Zhao spoke, he pulled out a little trinket and set it in front of Shen Ziqin.
It was a pure gold chain with a hollow, filigree spherical scent s
achet hanging from it, also pure gold. The gold wire was finely wrought, and the bird motif was vivid and beautiful, the craftsmanship exquisite. Shen Ziqin’s eyes lit up as he took it and examined it closely.
Chu Zhao saw his expression and knew he liked it, so he smiled: “There are twice as many western traveling merchants now, bringing back all sorts of interesting things. If you have time, you should go have a look.”
After saying this, as if remembering something, he quickly added, trying to sound casual, “I’m just giving you a gift, it doesn’t mean anything else, don’t overthink it.”
Shen Ziqin: Hm? I wasn’t overthinking at all.
He fiddled with the tassel at the bottom of the scent sachet, unable to put it down. “I understand. Your Highness treats me well, thank you.”
The prince treats me well-out of sincere regard for his strategist. I get it, I do!
Chu Zhao curled his fingers: I just gave him a sachet, and he thinks I’m being especially good to him!
Chu Zhao was determined to make sure Shen Ziqin understood he wasn’t special: “I also got something for Dongning,”-not just you, don’t overthink it-he turned, “Hei Ying, where’s the gift?”
Hei Ying presented a small box: “Right here.”
Inside was a jeweled butterfly hairpin for a girl, also very pretty.
But the sachet was something Chu Zhao had picked out personally, only remembering to get a gift for the princess as an afterthought. He carried the sachet himself, while Hei Ying held the butterfly hairpin.
Truly, nothing special here-His Highness is perfectly fair, not playing favorites at all.
Hei Ying, always by his side, kept his head down, feeling numb from all this.
Chu Zhao handed the butterfly hairpin to Shen Ziqin: “Give this to Dongning for me.”
He could only rest for a bit, and as he got up, Shen Ziqin quickly had Xiao Zhen bring over the prepared food box. Chu Zhao picked it up and waved: “I’m off, Little Marquis.”
The little marquis examined the sachet closely, then had Xiao Zhen hang it in his room and fill it with fragrance. As for the butterfly hairpin, Dongning had already sent word that he wanted to come by that afternoon for a lesson, so he’d give it to him then.
That afternoon, Dongning came to study with Shen Ziqin. Not long after, Steward Meng came in with news.
“Marquis, someone outside claims to be an envoy from the White Wolf Tribe and wishes to see the prince.”
Chu Zhao had already instructed that if he was absent, all matters in the residence were to be handled by Shen Ziqin.
Shen Ziqin paused in his explanation to Dongning: “White Wolf Tribe?”
The White Wolf Tribe was now the strongest clan on the northern grasslands, and growing stronger. In the original story, they took advantage of Chu Zhao’s death and Great Qi’s distracted border defense to unite the eight tribes and become kings of the steppe.
Later, after building up their strength, they led their forces south. By then, the one to meet them in battle was Zhan Yan, who had become the new marshal.
Shen Ziqin fingered his book, gently rubbing the cover. “When did they arrive in the capital?”
A guard replied, “Today.”
“Coming straight to the Prince Qin’s residence on their first day in the capital? That’s suspicious.” Shen Ziqin put down the book. “Don’t receive them, don’t accept their gifts, send them away.”
Coming to the prince’s residence on their first day was a blatant move to provoke the emperor. The Wan Chao Festival was for paying respects to the emperor, not a prince.
Dongning had just turned seven a few days ago. Living in the prince’s residence, he’d learned a lot from his tutors and especially from Shen Ziqin, who never treated him like an ordinary child. This made Dongning admire him even more.
“Is it because their gifts to the prince are too lavish that you say they have ulterior motives?”
“Overly generous gifts are like knives. You know what the emperor is like-the empress dowager must have told you.” Shen Ziqin’s gaze was deep. “Your sixth brother handed over his command token, but everyone knows the border generals still recognize him. The neighboring countries fear him. Even though the emperor uses him now, the White Wolf Tribe bringing gifts to the prince is like stabbing the emperor right in the lungs.”
Dongning pressed his lips together. If the emperor was unhappy, someone else would suffer.
“The prince guards Great Qi’s borders, but he’s surrounded by people who want him dead-enemies, and even his own countrymen.”
Shen Ziqin looked gently at Dongning. The words might have been heavy, but he knew Dongning could understand. “Dongning, as a royal, you must remember: there are always traitors and loyal pillars in the world. The royal family must never let the loyal be discouraged.”
Dongning’s heart skipped a beat. The more he learned from Shen Ziqin, the more he felt Shen Ziqin didn’t treat him as a clueless child, or even as a princess, but as someone who might one day serve in court…
But Shen Ziqin shouldn’t know anything-maybe it was just his nature.
Either way, Dongning was deeply moved.
Dongning solemnly said, “Yes, royal sister-in-law, I’ll remember.”
They picked up their books again, but just as they finished a question, Steward Meng returned.
This time, there was another visitor.
“Marquis, Deputy Commander Zhan Yan from Mingsha Pass requests an audience.”
Zhan Yan, one of the main characters in the original story, and the one Bai Junxing longed for.
During the Wan Chao Festival, as envoys from all nations entered the capital, border officers were also assigned to escort them. Zhan Yan had returned with one such delegation.
Shen Ziqin’s eyes brightened: “Quick, invite him to the main hall.”
This was the soulmate of his favorite protagonist! Because of his affection for Bai Junxing, Shen Ziqin naturally had a good impression of Zhan Yan.
Zhan Yan was brought to the main hall and bowed to Shen Ziqin. “This subordinate greets the consort.”
Shen Ziqin smiled kindly. “At ease, General Zhan.”
Zhan Yan brought some specialties from the border-furs, dried meats, spices-and carried a box, which he kept by his side instead of with the other gifts.
Shen Ziqin discreetly sized him up-not as tall as Chu Zhao, but still impressive and handsome, with a righteous air that wasn’t stiff. His attire was neat, and when he smiled, he looked very clean.
Excellent, Shen Ziqin thought, satisfied. He really does suit Bai Junxing.
Upon returning to the capital, Zhan Yan had gone to the patrol camp and guard station to look for Chu Zhao, but since Chu Zhao was out, he’d come to the prince’s residence to wait.
Shen Ziqin had tea served and joked, “The attendant didn’t say I was Shen Ziqin-weren’t you afraid of mistaking me for a steward or someone else?”
The consort must be joking. “How could I mistake someone like you?” Zhan Yan replied. “The prince wrote to the brothers that he married the most handsome man in Great Qi. As soon as I saw your bearing in the residence, I knew who you were.”
Shen Ziqin paused in surprise, then laughed teasingly: “He wrote about that in his letters to you all?”
He’d thought Chu Zhao’s correspondence with the border would be all business and military matters, only mentioning what was urgent.
Zhan Yan was straightforward with his own people and said whatever was on his mind: “He did. He also said your health isn’t great, so if we came across any rare medicinal herbs at the trading posts, we should buy them and send them back for him. Some of the gifts I brought today were specifically requested by the prince.”
Zhan Yan chuckled: “We didn’t want to take any silver, but the prince insisted, so those are gifts from him, not from us.”
The tea leaves in the cup swirled gently, a few stems floating in the fragrant water, everything calm on the surface-but for some reason, Shen Ziqin felt a ripple inside, his ears growing a little hot.
Chu Zhao really was so thoughtful.
To have such a considerate boss, Shen Ziqin almost wished he could sign a decades-long contract.
But fortunately, his salted-fish heart was firm-he’d had enough of working life. Once he saved Chu Zhao’s life, he still planned to retire early.
When Chu Zhao returned to the residence, he saw Shen Ziqin and Zhan Yan chatting happily in the main hall.
Zhan Yan jumped up excitedly when he saw him: “Your Highness!”
Chu Zhao smiled and walked over, bumping fists with him: “Long time no see, no need for formalities between brothers.”
Zhan Yan was completely at ease in front of him: “Everyone’s missed you!”
Shen Ziqin glanced at the sky. “It’s getting late, General Zhan, stay for dinner. You two can catch up.”
Zhan Yan happily accepted. Chu Zhao slung an arm around his shoulder and lowered his voice: “You brat, you should’ve told us sooner your sweetheart was Lord Bai.”
If he’d known, he wouldn’t have tried to help Shen Ziqin pursue Bai Junxing earlier-almost causing a big misunderstanding.
“Junxing told you?” Zhan Yan was only embarrassed for a second, then cleared his throat. “You never asked.”
He added quietly, “The consort is indeed very good-looking.”
Chu Zhao was proud: “Right? Why would I lie to you?”
Zhan Yan laughed: “But in my eyes, Junxing is still the best-looking.”
“Love is blind, I get it-but you have to admit, Little Marquis is the number one beauty in Great Qi.”
Shen Ziqin had no idea what they were whispering about. If it was military or political business, it didn’t look like it.
On the roof, Hei Ying and Bai Xiao listened in with their keen hearing.
Bai Xiao nodded: “The marquis really is the best-looking in the world.”
Hei Ying, arms crossed, listened with a blank face: If the prince really keeps his distance from the little marquis, then I’m not called Hei Ying!
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
