SBMT Chapter 45

Bai Xiao tilted his head, feeling something was off.

 

Then, suddenly, he understood and clapped his fist into his palm.

 

He shouldn’t be looking at the stars-he should be looking at the people!

 

Isn’t this just like those storybooks, a midnight rendezvous under the open sky?

 

Who climbed the wall? The prince. Doesn’t that mean the prince…

 

But the prince said he wasn’t interested in romance.

 

Bai Xiao clung to a tree branch, his eyes sparkling: people can change-storybooks say so.

 

Tonight’s starry sky wasn’t even that beautiful. After glancing up a couple of times, Chu Zhao lowered his head: “Can’t sleep?”

 

Shen Ziqin pushed aside his awkward thoughts and finally answered sincerely, “Mm.”

 

Chu Zhao thought he was worried about official business: “Is it about the Ministry of Rites?”

 

Shen Ziqin thought, No, it’s because of you.

 

But he said aloud, “Yes, there’s been no progress yet.”

 

A few days ago, he’d told Chu Zhao and the second prince that the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s initial investigation suggested the Minister of Rites might be colluding with foreign enemies and needed to be watched for evidence. He’d ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to act, and they assumed he’d gotten some clue from the Prince Qin’s residence.

 

In other words, Shen Ziqin was keeping both sides in the dark, arranging things smoothly so that no one knew he already had the script and some of the answers.

 

Chu Zhao said, “If he really is conspiring with the enemy, the Wan Chao Festival is the perfect opportunity-there’s no reason not to make contact. Don’t worry too much. Even if we can’t bring him down this time, there will be other chances.”

 

Shen Ziqin tugged his robe tighter, sighing: “The best result would be to take him down before the Spring Imperial Exam.”

 

If these people were convicted and jailed, they could temporarily replace the exam officials with more people from the princes’ faction. New officials entering court would owe favors, and whoever they’d passed the exam under would be their mentor in officialdom. Picking out a few useful ones to cultivate further would create future allies.

 

They’d be useful even after a change of emperor.

 

Chu Zhao thought Shen Ziqin was really worrying about a lot-maybe even more than he was.

 

Shen Ziqin, the second prince, and Bai Junxing were meeting more and more often in private. Sometimes, when he and the third prince dropped by, as they left, they’d whisper quietly at the threshold.

 

Chu Jinxu would mutter, “Bro, they’re so fierce.”

 

You don’t need real swords to kill-sometimes Chu Zhao himself felt a chill and finally understood why his second brother said that although he was smart and saw things clearly, he was still a bit green when it came to political battles.

 

Chu Zhao glanced at the three delicate scholars-especially at Shen Ziqin-and whispered, “It’s better for our own people to be a little fierce.”

 

Chu Jinxu looked shocked: “You actually like that?”

 

Chu Zhao, not acting like a younger brother at all, elbowed his third brother.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao chatted idly in the courtyard. Shen Ziqin’s mind was full of thoughts about Chu Zhao, which was why he couldn’t sleep. Strangely, now that Chu Zhao was really here, the more they talked, the sleepier he felt.

 

As they chatted, Shen Ziqin’s voice grew lower and lower. He propped his head on his hand and yawned.

 

When his mind finally started to drift, it really felt like the middle of the night. The stars and the voice beside him both grew hazy. The night itself wasn’t much, but the person’s voice was very pleasant.

 

Whether Chu Zhao was joking around or presiding over court, his voice always made people feel at ease.

 

Shen Ziqin was adaptable, a go-with-the-flow type-whether in the modern world or in Great Qi, it made no difference to him.

 

To put it plainly, he never thought of anywhere as home.

 

He was like a drifting duckweed, able to settle anywhere. Chu Zhao treated him well, so he’d settled by Chu Zhao’s side for now.

 

But he didn’t realize that once you settle, you might start to grow roots. He’d always thought that after he retired, he’d settle accounts with Chu Zhao and say goodbye. But now, he still wanted to retire, but the “goodbye” part seemed to be fading away.

 

He hadn’t even noticed how comfortable he’d become in the Prince Qin’s residence.

 

Once you put down roots, it’s hard to leave.

 

Sometimes he wondered what Chu Zhao really meant to him; sometimes he just listened to the voice beside him, and, muddled, he actually fell asleep at the table.

 

Chu Zhao watched him out of the corner of his eye. When he saw Shen Ziqin’s eyes close, he immediately fell silent.

 

“…Little Marquis?” he called softly.

 

Shen Ziqin might have heard, might not have, but he mumbled something unclear.

 

Chu Zhao, under the starlight, looked at his face and couldn’t help but reach out to gently pinch his cheek.

 

Shen Ziqin must have been really out of it, because he didn’t react at all.

 

So Chu Zhao stood up and picked him up.

 

Last time in the carriage at Dongzhuang, he’d only half-carried him, but this time it was a real princess carry. Shen Ziqin was light as a feather in his arms.

 

 

Even though his body had recovered, why hadn’t he put on any weight?

 

Shen Ziqin unconsciously curled up a little more in Chu Zhao’s arms, finding a more comfortable position-like a very precious cat.

 

The cat had no claws and was quiet, but still made the prince’s heart flutter in chaos.

 

Up in the treetop, Bai Xiao’s eyes suddenly shone, just like an owl in the night, unusually alert.

 

Chu Zhao carried Shen Ziqin inside, took off his outer robe and folded it neatly, carefully tucked him in, and as he left the room, he was surprised to find that the heaviness and suffocation in his chest had completely vanished in just this short time.

 

It was as if it had never existed.

 

Tonight, there were no guns, no relentless tides of history-just the wall of Mingyue Pavilion, and a house cat inside.

 

When it was time for Bai Xiao to switch shifts with the guards, he jumped down from the tree, tiptoed over with shining eyes, and said to the prince, “Your Highness, just now you two reminded me of a scene from a storybook! A country boy sneaks over the wall of a noble’s house for a midnight tryst, but just as he picks up his beloved, the servants catch him and drive him out. The story is so tragic.”

 

Chu Zhao flicked the hilt of his sword and laughed, “Are you going to play the servant from the story and beat me up?”

 

Bai Xiao shook his head vigorously: “I wouldn’t dare!”

 

Besides, he couldn’t win anyway.

 

“Your Highness,” Bai Xiao put his hands behind his back, a little secretive and childishly excited, “do you… like the marquis?”

 

Chu Zhao paused, reached out to ruffle his hair: “Kids shouldn’t pry into grown-up matters.”

 

After ruffling his hair, Chu Zhao walked off. Bai Xiao stood there a moment, then straightened his hair, only to realize-huh, this time the prince didn’t say “I’m not interested in romance.”

 

*

 

The next day, the emperor led the officials and foreign envoys to the royal hunting grounds. For the next three days, they would camp and compete at the hunting grounds, with all the nations celebrating together.

 

Spring wasn’t the best season for hunting, so only a section of the forest would be enclosed. Hunting was just a small part-there were many other contests.

 

The grand procession moved toward the hunting grounds. Shen Ziqin dozed in the carriage.

 

He’d stayed up too late the night before. Unlike Chu Zhao, who was strong and could go without sleep for days, Shen Ziqin could only lean against the carriage wall and rest with his eyes closed.

 

But he couldn’t really fall asleep, partly because of the tea, but mostly because… Chu Zhao’s gaze was so obvious.

 

He and Chu Zhao could communicate silently with just a glance, so he could clearly feel Chu Zhao’s eyes fixed on his face, almost tangible.

 

Why keep staring at me? Even if there’s nothing to see in the carriage, can’t you look out the window?

 

Shen Ziqin’s scalp tingled. He almost wanted to just open his eyes, but didn’t quite dare.

 

He was afraid that if he suddenly looked up, he’d see something in Chu Zhao’s eyes that he shouldn’t.

 

Shen Ziqin suspected Chu Zhao had developed other feelings for him-he wanted to test it, but was also a little scared. Yet, for some reason, his heart was beating faster, and it wasn’t from fear.

 

As Shen Ziqin pretended to sleep, the window was suddenly knocked on.

 

He took the chance to open his eyes naturally, not looking at Chu Zhao, but opening the window directly.

 

It was Bai Xiao.

 

Bai Xiao grinned and handed in a little wildflower: “Marquis, look at the flower I picked!”

 

Shen Ziqin smiled and reached out, only to realize Bai Xiao had quickly slipped a letter into his hand along with the flower. He paused, then calmly withdrew his hand: “It’s pretty.”

 

Bai Xiao giggled and rode his horse a little farther from the window.

 

Shen Ziqin closed the window, set the flower on the table, and opened the letter to read.

 

It was from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Shen Ziqin’s eyes lit up: “There’s news from the Ministry of Rites.”

 

Chu Zhao moved over to read with him.

 

After last night’s banquet, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had been staking out for days, finally caught the Minister of Rites secretly meeting with foreigners. The minister and the two men were all smiles, clearly familiar.

 

They covered their faces with cloths, so only their smiling eyes could be seen-it was hard to tell which delegation they belonged to.

 

One of them was skilled in martial arts; judging by his build and the shape of his blade, he was an expert. Once they went inside, the Embroidered Uniform Guard didn’t dare alert them, so they couldn’t hear what was said.

 

“The eyes look like someone from a northern tribe,” Shen Ziqin said after reading. Chu Zhao took the letter and tossed it into the carriage’s incense burner to burn.

 

“If this isn’t their first contact, there must be letters or evidence in the minister’s residence. Find a chance to search and see if you can steal something.”

 

Chu Zhao was thinking, “Northern tribes… the White Wolf Tribe has been restless lately. Is it them again?”

 

Shen Ziqin knew it wasn’t, but couldn’t say so directly. “Not necessarily. The White Wolf Tribe is restless, but other tribes might be as well. We’ll only know once we have hard evidence.”

 

Chu Zhao nodded.

 

The letter burned silently in the incense burner.

 

The grand procession arrived at the hunting grounds and began setting up camp. By custom, princes, princesses, and consorts each had their own tents. Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao had tents right next to each other, in the same area.

 

The first event was hunting. While the soldiers were shooting arrows to open the festivities, Emperor Cheng’an glanced at Chu Zhao in his casual clothes: “Sixth, go win the first prize for me-don’t let Great Qi lose face.”

 

Chu Zhao wasn’t interested: “Great Qi will definitely win the prize. I don’t need to go. I haven’t used a bow in ages-I’m out of practice.”

 

The emperor snorted: “If I can still draw a bow, you can too. Just go.”

 

The emperor was going to hunt himself today. Even if he didn’t shoot anything, someone would help him. Chu Zhao could tell he had no choice, so he accepted the order and went to his tent to change.

 

Shen Ziqin, with Dongning, sat with the second and third princes to watch the opening ceremony. The second prince couldn’t hunt, and the third prince wouldn’t go the first day-maybe later if there was a chance to slack off or save face.

 

Shen Ziqin couldn’t ride alone yet, so of course he wouldn’t go. No wonder Emperor Cheng’an had to name Chu Zhao specifically-other nations’ princes, princesses, and heirs would all participate, so Great Qi’s royal family had to send someone, even if just to make up the numbers.

 

 

Would a dog emperor ever regret killing his sons at a time like this? No way. In his world, he could never be wrong-if there’s a mistake, it’s always someone else’s fault.

 

Shen Ziqin nibbled on a fruit platter. He had to admit, the opening ceremony was quite a spectacle: every soldier looked spirited and full of fighting spirit, and just watching them was invigorating. Even the dust in the air seemed to burst with youthful energy.

 

He popped an orange segment into his mouth, and as his gaze drifted from the lively performance, it landed somewhere it couldn’t leave.

 

He saw Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao, having changed in the central tent, was walking over while tightening the armguard on his wrist.

 

Dressed in riding gear, he looked even more striking-tall and elegant, brimming with presence. He’d always been a natural clothes hanger, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist that even loose robes couldn’t hide, but today his sharpness was on full display. With long legs in riding boots, he strode over, impossible to look away from.

 

Shen Ziqin had envied his figure for ages, but today, as he watched Chu Zhao walk toward him, it felt like every step landed right on his heart.

 

Especially when Chu Zhao finished adjusting his armguard, looked up, and noticed Shen Ziqin watching him. He hesitated, as if wanting to look away, but for some reason, ended up glancing back, a little tentative, a little probing.

 

Shen Ziqin’s heart started pounding under his gaze. He hurriedly stuffed another orange segment in his mouth to calm himself.

 

…He was so worried Chu Zhao might have feelings for him, he was starting to act abnormal himself!

 

The cool, sweet juice of the orange helped Shen Ziqin feel a little more normal.

 

Chu Zhao didn’t need to stay any longer-he should have gone straight to ride-but instead, he walked over, greeted his brothers, and then looked at Shen Ziqin.

 

Shen Ziqin kept stuffing oranges in his mouth, his gaze darting everywhere but at Chu Zhao, saying nothing.

 

He was busy eating-really busy.

 

Chu Zhao asked, “Are the oranges sweet?”

 

Shen Ziqin paused, but before he could answer, Chu Zhao reached over, picked up a segment from the orange Shen Ziqin had just peeled, and popped it in his own mouth. He nodded. “Pretty sweet.”

 

Shen Ziqin: …

 

Would the royal family serve sour oranges to guests?

 

Chu Zhao whistled, and Feixue galloped over. Chu Zhao jumped down from the platform, mounted his horse, and waved to them. “I’m off.”

 

The wind lifted his robes as the snow-white horse trotted out.

 

“A golden youth rides east of the market, silver saddle and white horse in the spring breeze.”

 

That line flashed through Shen Ziqin’s mind.

 

This spirited young lord even smiled at Shen Ziqin as he mounted, a smile not for show, but just for him.

 

Dongning, seeing how much Shen Ziqin liked oranges, tried to hand him another, but Shen Ziqin refused.

 

Dongning was surprised. “Royal sister-in-law, your face is so red-are you sick again?”

 

Shen Ziqin shook his head, letting the blush steam his cheeks, and calmly said, “Too many oranges-it’s making me hot.”

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)