SBMT Chapter 42

With Zhan Yan as a guest, dinner was set in the main hall.

 

There was wine on the table, but Shen Ziqin didn’t touch it-he just watched the two of them drink. Both Chu Zhao and Zhan Yan could really hold their liquor, so they switched straight to big wine bowls.

 

“We found their new horse ranch in the Hohhot mountains. Your Highness was right-it must be the White Wolf Tribe working with several other clans. Their horses are incredibly fast. If they switch to these new horses, it’ll be even harder for us to chase them into their territory-we’ll only be able to defend.”

 

Zhan Yan put down his bowl, looking frustrated: “Half a year ago, when you chased them deep into the grasslands, that was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

 

Shen Ziqin had never seen the Great Qi borderlands with his own eyes. He had a rough idea from the original book, but not the details of each area. He asked, “You found the ranch but couldn’t take it out-is it that hard to attack?”

 

Zhan Yan nodded gravely: “Yes.”

 

Sending a few scouts deep into enemy territory to gather intelligence is one thing-leading a large force in is another matter entirely.

 

And being able to spot their ranch at all was thanks to the prince’s improved telescopes.

 

Telescopes were easy enough to make and already popular, but the ones used by the Great Qi army could see farther and worked better than those in civilian hands.

 

Shen Ziqin understood why Zhan Yan was so unwilling to let it go.

 

It had been the perfect chance for a decisive victory, but because the court was causing trouble, not only did they lose the initiative, they nearly got Chu Zhao trapped on the steppe.

 

Shen Ziqin glanced softly at Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao drained a bowl of wine, eyes lowered, his expression unchanged, even with a faint smile as he swirled the empty bowl.

 

It was empty, yet heavy; a dry bowl showed no trace of heroism, only lingering coolness and a sense of lonely desolation.

 

Chu Zhao stared at the wine bowl. Suddenly, a jade-like hand tipped the wine jar and filled his empty bowl.

 

Wine poured in, reflecting the Milky Way-filling the bowl with a scoop of moonlight.

 

Chu Zhao looked up at Shen Ziqin, who was pouring for him.

 

“I’ve read history books. I know human strength has its limits, and that opportunities lost never return,” Shen Ziqin said, setting down the wine jar and clinking his teacup against Chu Zhao’s. “But people must keep moving forward. Your Highness has already overcome countless hardships-good fortune will surely follow.”

 

Holding that clear moonlight in his bowl, Chu Zhao realized that breaking through loneliness didn’t require anything dramatic-one sentence, one cup of wine, was enough.

 

He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, raising his bowl high: “One doesn’t need endless good fortune in life-may we have peace and smooth days ahead. Little Marquis, I toast you.”

 

Shen Ziqin held up his teacup and drank, using tea in place of wine. He understood Chu Zhao’s gaze best, but just now, he felt there was something in Chu Zhao’s eyes he couldn’t quite read.

 

…Even though he hadn’t drunk, he still felt a bit hot in the face.

 

Surely he couldn’t get tipsy just from the wine’s aroma, Shen Ziqin thought, sipping his tea.

 

Chu Zhao and Zhan Yan looked like they were set on drinking the night away. Shen Ziqin finished eating and excused himself, leaving the two to enjoy their drinks.

 

After several rounds, Zhan Yan hugged the wine jar and sighed: “We never got to drink at your wedding, Your Highness. Got any sweets left? Let me have some for good luck.”

 

“There’s plenty of sweets.” Chu Zhao set down his bowl and kicked Zhan Yan’s chair. “You’re not drunk, are you? Where’s the thing?”

 

Zhan Yan had drunk a lot but was still perfectly clear-headed. At Chu Zhao’s words, he took off the case he’d been carrying on his back, pushed aside the dishes, pressed a button on the case, and it sprang open.

 

He’d come to the capital on an important mission-to deliver something to Chu Zhao.

 

Inside the long case were many carefully secured components, all gleaming with a cold metallic luster, radiating a subtle sense of danger in the lamplight.

 

“When you returned to the capital last year, we followed the blueprints you left behind. Each component was made by a different craftsman-none of them even knew what they were making,” Zhan Yan sighed. “The mines were hard to find, and smelting was slow. In the end, only ten complete sets were finished.”

 

All the parts were separate; it was clear they’d have to be assembled to work.

 

“Oh, right,” Zhan Yan picked out a small piece from the box, “only this thing called a ‘bullet’ had the highest success rate-we’ve already stockpiled quite a few.”

 

Chu Zhao examined the components, his eyes reflecting a metallic, unreadable gleam: “Well done. I know how hard it is to get metal. Once the craftsmen get used to it, we’ll have dozens more sets ready this year-that’s enough.”

 

As an outstanding general, Zhan Yan had sharp instincts. He’d seen Chu Zhao’s inventions before, but even though the box only contained unassembled parts, every time he saw these things coming together, he felt a mix of excitement and danger.

 

One of the tubes inside looked vaguely like a musket barrel, but it was much thinner, so he couldn’t be sure.

 

Back in the Western Regions, Chu Zhao’s gunpowder had shattered what the enemy thought were impregnable copper walls-and their courage along with them. That formula became something everyone wanted to steal, but despite sending countless spies, no one had cracked it yet.

 

Chu Zhao had given strict orders: this project was as important as the gunpowder back then. Any leak at any stage-death without mercy.

 

The greater the mission, the better the result. Zhan Yan was hopeful: “Your Highness promised to demonstrate how to use it. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

 

Chu Zhao smiled and closed the box, hiding the dangerous glint. “Don’t rush. After the palace banquet, I’ll take you to try it out. Even if you don’t want to learn, I’ll make sure you master it before you’re allowed to return to the border.”

 

Zhan Yan cupped his hands. “Understood!”

 

After accepting the order, he coughed lightly: “Your Highness, I’ll take my leave for today?”

 

Chu Zhao raised his brows, pretending not to know: “What, not going to drink with me all night, not leaving until we’re both drunk?”

 

“Junxing is waiting for me,” Zhan Yan said with a sigh. “We haven’t seen each other in so long. You can’t keep your family to yourself and not let us light our own lamps-have a heart for your brothers.”

 

“Get out of here,” Chu Zhao laughed and scolded. “Go on, go! I only feel sorry for Lord Bai, not you. Go back to your den.”

 

Zhan Yan grinned, turned to leave, and Chu Zhao remembered something: “Take the banknotes from Steward Meng later. It’s not easy for the brothers to come back to the capital. Food and drink are on me.”

 

Zhan Yan didn’t stand on ceremony-this was Chu Zhao’s way of taking care of his men, and everyone would remember it.

 

When the courtyard was quiet again, Chu Zhao glanced toward Mingyue Pavilion, thinking: Family, huh…

 

He poured himself a bowl of wine and drank slowly, feeling odd-somehow, the moon he poured for himself never seemed as round as the one Shen Ziqin poured for him.

 

At the same time, a carrier pigeon arrived at Mingyue Pavilion. Bai Xiao, already familiar with the routine, caught it, took the letter, and delivered it to Shen Ziqin.

 

Bai Xiao rested the pigeon on his head, slumped over the table, and pouted: “Marquis, if there’s anything to do, I can handle it too! I’m better than the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

 

The white pigeon cocked its head, two pairs of eyes-one big, one small-staring at Shen Ziqin.

 

Shen Ziqin read the letter while coaxing the child: “Of course you’re the best, but some things can’t be done alone. Besides, I need you by my side.”

 

That last line made Bai Xiao beam. He hugged the pigeon over his head and grinned: “Right, guarding the marquis is the most important job.”

 

The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s letter was concise: “No unusual activity yet.”

 

In the original novel, the Minister of Rites’s collusion with foreign enemies is only discovered later, but looking back, it’s clear his dealings with outsiders weren’t new.

 

Shen Ziqin had the Embroidered Uniform Guard watch several senior officials in the Ministry of Rites and a cabinet elder. By his reasoning, they’d been in contact for a long time.

 

With a festival like the Wan Chao Festival, there was no reason not to make contact.

 

They were good at keeping calm.

 

The Wan Chao Festival would last several days. After the formal palace banquet, there would be three days of outdoor events: archery, hunting, cuju, swordplay, and more-all to show off national strength. When it was over, unless the emperor ordered otherwise, the foreign envoys would have five days to leave the capital.

 

There was still time for them to make contact, so the Embroidered Uniform Guard would keep watching.

 

Shen Ziqin wrote a reply and put it in the message tube. Bai Xiao climbed out the window to release the pigeon.

 

Beneath the vast capital, the current ran swift.

 

*

 

The next day was the formal Wan Chao Festival banquet. Shen Ziqin got up and Xiao Zhen led the attendants in preparing his ceremonial robes.

 

Shen Ziqin’s health had fully recovered, but he and Chu Zhao hadn’t spread the news. Shen Ziqin still attended court periodically, sometimes feigning illness. By now, the image of the frail Prince Qin’s consort was deeply ingrained.

 

Today, Xiao Zhen brought out a set of sapphire-blue ceremonial robes with flying luan sleeves, paired with a jade crown and a pale moon-white sash. His hair was styled in several layers, intricately braided-a technique Shen Ziqin knew he’d never master.

 

The attendants were unusually enthusiastic about dressing him up-who wouldn’t want to admire a beauty up close?

 

Xiao Zhen even wove a silk thread with a jade bead into his hair, letting it hang behind his head-a touch of elegance and cuteness.

 

Chu Zhao, meanwhile, wore deep indigo, as dark as the night sky. No matter what he wore-plain or ornate-his bearing was always striking. Shen Ziqin, no matter how many times he saw it, couldn’t help but envy his figure.

 

Chu Zhao looked at Shen Ziqin. “You…”

 

Shen Ziqin answered first: “Your Highness is as handsome as ever today.”

 

They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Chu Zhao said, “You beat me to it, but I still have to say this outfit suits you perfectly. Let’s go.”

 

He helped Shen Ziqin into the carriage. Their hands overlapped, the cloud patterns on their sleeves matching, side by side, indistinguishable.

 

When the two of them arrived at the palace banquet, everyone couldn’t help but sneak a few extra glances.

 

Not for any other reason than the feast for the eyes-how gorgeous they were!

 

Peerless in beauty, they were truly a match made in heaven, so perfect together.

 

Before the banquet even began, Zhou Danmo, the young lord, stared at them in a daze for a while, then picked up his robe and hurried to Bai Junxing’s table. He tapped his fan and whispered conspiratorially:

 

“Junxing, can we base our next storybook on them?”

 

Bai Junxing followed Zhou Danmo’s gaze and was startled, whispering back: “Aren’t you afraid the prince will have your head?”

 

“The sixth prince isn’t that kind of person.” The young lord was fearless. “Look, you write boldly, and if he takes issue, I’ll take all the blame!”

 

Bai Junxing was tempted: “I’ll… think about it.”

 

“No worries, I’ll draw a couple of sketches for you first. Maybe you’ll be inspired after seeing them!”

 

Chu Zhao, who was peeling melon seeds for Shen Ziqin, sensed something and looked up sharply, staring in Zhou Danmo’s direction as if trying to see through his fan.

 

“I feel like that brat is gossiping about us.”

 

Shen Ziqin, busy with fruit and melon seeds, looked up: “Hmm?”

 

Chu Zhao looked at his face, resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks: “It’s nothing, keep eating.”

 

A young eunuch serving behind their table stepped forward: “Your Highness, let me peel those for you both.”

 

But Chu Zhao waved him off: “No need, go back to your post.”

 

The banquet was so boring-don’t take away his pleasure of feeding Shen Ziqin!

 

After Emperor Cheng’an arrived, the diplomatic missions came forward one by one to offer congratulations. The annual tributes had already gone to the treasury, but these special treasures were presented directly to the emperor.

 

There were rare gems and jade, exotic beasts, and… beauties.

 

The hall was dazzling with treasures and beauties, but Shen Ziqin was uniquely focused on the hot dishes finally being served.

 

Ginseng black chicken soup, braised yellow fish, Dongpo pork, eight-treasure duck, Wensi tofu, jade-colored mixed vegetables, and osmanthus sugar cake.

 

Very good-he was quite satisfied with today’s feast. Shen Ziqin happily picked up his chopsticks and began eating, using the gifts from various countries as conversation pieces between bites.

 

The Green Snake Tribe was particularly interesting. They presented a dance with two lead dancers, one male and one female, combining strength and grace beautifully. Both were extremely attractive with similar features, likely siblings.

 

Emperor Cheng’an’s eyes were glued to the woman. Though he maintained his imperial dignity, his gaze never left her.

 

The Great Qi courtiers who knew him well could tell at a glance that the emperor was pleased with her.

 

Sure enough, when the dance ended, Emperor Cheng’an praised the Green Snake Tribe and immediately granted the woman a rank, intending to take her into his harem.

 

But despite being captivated, he gave her a low rank. Emperor Cheng’an loved himself most of all-no matter how heavenly beautiful the Green Snake dancer was, she wouldn’t receive exceptional favor right away. The harem was just entertainment to him.

 

After bestowing rank on the woman, the emperor’s gaze fell on the male dancer who had performed with her.

 

Just as he was about to casually reward him with some gold or silver ornaments, the man suddenly bowed: “For my sister to receive Your Majesty’s favor is the highest honor. But we have never been separated since childhood. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to stay in the capital to ease her homesickness.”

 

So far, there was nothing unusual about his request. But then came the shocking part.

 

The handsome Green Snake dancer made an earth-shattering declaration: “My tribe admires heroes. Prince Qin has dominated the steppe with unmatched valor. I have yearned to meet him for years, and today I see his reputation is well-deserved. I beg the Great Qi emperor to bestow upon me the honor of serving Prince Qin!”

 

Crash-the court erupted.

 

Shen Ziqin’s chopsticks trembled, and the osmanthus sugar cake plopped down.

 

Shen Ziqin was shocked: What was this? This wasn’t in the original story!

 

The round sugar cake rolled off the table. Shen Ziqin’s eyes followed it, only catching a glimpse of its sad descent to the floor.

 

Shen Ziqin clutched his heart, devastated-

 

My last sugar cake!

 

Just then, Chu Zhao turned to look at Shen Ziqin and caught his distressed expression. His pupils contracted: He’s so heartbroken!

 

When the emperor tried to foist someone on them at the palace gate, Shen Ziqin hadn’t been this upset. Had his feelings for Chu Zhao grown so deep in such a short time?

 

Chu Zhao was deeply moved.

 

By coincidence, the emperor also quickly looked at Shen Ziqin and saw him clutching his chest. The emperor’s eyelid twitched.

 

Don’t you dare fall ill during the state banquet!

 

#

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)