SBMT Chapter 47

The arrows didn’t stop. The moment Chu Zhao’s blade met the arrows, he realized they were from a crossbow, not a bow-shorter, with much more force, likely from a repeating crossbow.

 

But after those first two, no more arrows got close to Shen Ziqin or Chu Zhao.

 

The prince’s guards formed an impenetrable barrier with their weapons, and the imperial guards around the camp all drew their blades. Bai Xiao leapt up, stomped down on an arrow, and charged straight toward the direction the arrows had come from.

 

The rain of arrows quickly ceased. On the ground, a dozen broken shafts lay scattered, and the forest where Bai Xiao had chased after the attackers was eerily silent.

 

But the camp was now in an uproar.

 

Shen Ziqin, having lived two lifetimes, had never experienced an assassination before. He was still in shock, his heart pounding like a drum, but he didn’t scream. Even though his heart was about to burst out of his chest, the look of shock on his face only flashed for a moment; he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay calm.

 

The greater the crisis, the more eerily clear-headed Shen Ziqin became. Even if his legs would go weak later, he knew he couldn’t panic now.

 

There hadn’t been an assassination at the hunting grounds in the original story. With his butterfly effect, the plot really had changed.

 

But it didn’t matter-now wasn’t the time to worry about how big a storm his wings had stirred up. Since it had happened, he wouldn’t waste the opportunity.

 

Shen Ziqin’s mind was already spinning rapidly.

 

All the torches in the camp were lit, and in an instant, the whole hunting ground was ablaze with light. Inside and outside the camp, imperial guards were everywhere, and yet the assassins still managed to get in. There would definitely be consequences.

 

The commander of the imperial guards rushed to the prince’s tent, about to speak, but Chu Zhao cut him off: “Search the forest! Tell the patrols at the foot of the mountain outside the hunting grounds to keep their eyes open-not even a fly is allowed to escape!”

 

Chu Zhao’s expression was icy, the torchlight casting sharp shadows across his face; beneath the pitch-black night sky, his presence was as cold as frost. His voice was steady and composed, but anyone could hear the raging fury beneath his precise commands.

 

“Count all personnel. Everyone who came today is recorded in the roster. If any household is missing or has extra people, and can’t give a clear account, arrest them on the spot.”

 

Chu Zhao shot a cold glance at the commander of the imperial guards: “If the imperial guard fails in their duty, His Majesty will settle the score with you.”

 

Under Prince Qin’s gaze, the commander broke out in a cold sweat. A seasoned marshal, decisive and ruthless, was nothing like the pampered soldiers who stayed in the capital; his presence was suffocating.

 

The commander came from a good background and was personally favored by the emperor. He looked down on the princes, who had little real power for years-including Chu Zhao, whose military authority could be revoked at the emperor’s whim. In the imperial court, there was no place for them.

 

Even if Emperor Cheng’an died someday, the real power would remain in the hands of powerful ministers, who would just install a puppet as emperor. The new ruler would be controlled by the court and serve as nothing more than a figurehead.

 

But tonight, facing Chu Zhao’s wrath, the commander felt instantly diminished.

 

He cupped his hands in salute and left to carry out the order. Only when he was out of Chu Zhao’s sight did he quietly wipe the sweat from his brow.

 

Bai Xiao soon returned; he couldn’t chase too far alone but brought back two empty repeating crossbows: “No one found, just these.”

 

They were standard-issue crossbows of Great Qi, but that didn’t prove anything.

 

Chu Zhao was still holding Shen Ziqin. Just as he was about to set him down, Shen Ziqin suddenly raised both arms, wrapped them around Chu Zhao’s neck, and pulled his head down.

 

Chu Zhao: !

 

Before he could even get distracted, Shen Ziqin quickly leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Take me into the tent!”

 

Chu Zhao stiffened, then, with one arm still around Shen Ziqin, immediately carried him into the tent. Shen Ziqin felt his feet almost leave the ground, once again truly experiencing Chu Zhao’s strength, and instinctively clung tighter to his neck.

 

It looked as if Shen Ziqin was terrified, and Chu Zhao was hurrying to comfort him.

 

Without needing a word from Chu Zhao, the prince’s guards surrounded the tent. Although no more assassins appeared, they didn’t relax for a moment.

 

Inside, Chu Zhao set Shen Ziqin on the bed. Shen Ziqin grabbed his shoulder and spoke quickly: “Send someone out right now and say you’ve tracked the assassins escaping the hunting grounds, and that you’ll personally lead a team to pursue them.”

 

Chu Zhao was stunned, but Shen Ziqin pressed on: “Then go straight back to the city, gather the patrol camp, and search the Minister of Rites’ home. He’s at the hunting grounds tonight, so his house is without its master-there’s no way they’ll react in time!”

 

In just a few words, Chu Zhao completely understood Shen Ziqin’s plan.

 

The assassins had come suddenly, but in a short time, Shen Ziqin had already devised the most advantageous response for them.

 

Returning to the capital, Chu Zhao would only have time to search one household-because once he raided one, the others would be alerted and have time to prepare. Both the Grand Secretary’s and Deputy Grand Secretary’s mansions were heavily guarded; they knew this well.

 

Give them even a little time, and they might find nothing.

 

But catching the Minister of Rites’ household off guard would definitely work.

 

Shen Ziqin’s heart was still pounding from the assassination attempt. The tent was lit, making his eyes look especially calm and bright, with a fire inside that was different from Chu Zhao’s.

 

“The Minister of Rites is two-faced. Besides evidence of colluding with outsiders, he’s always kept records of dealings with the Deputy Grand Secretary and other officials-letters, account books, all for self-protection and leverage over others.”

 

This was stated clearly in the original story-it wasn’t just a possibility; the Minister of Rites definitely kept those things.

 

At this point, Shen Ziqin looked up and met Chu Zhao’s eyes: “After this, the Deputy Grand Secretary’s faction will never recover. The emperor, seeking balance, will only be able to promote the upright official he trusts most. Old Zhang, after so many years, will finally be the next to advance into the cabinet.”

 

But this upright official was one of the rare few who truly placed his hopes in the princes and cared for Great Qi. With him in the cabinet, the princes would finally have eyes and ears at the heart of government.

 

Shen Ziqin’s chest heaved as he took a deep breath and spoke slowly: “After tonight, we’ll finally have a real footing at court.”

 

After years of planning, the princes would finally have a chance to stand against the Grand Secretary.

 

His voice was soft, but the words landed like a hammer; for a moment, the tent was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

 

After he finished, Shen Ziqin took a moment to collect himself. Tonight’s assassination had nearly cost him his life, but it had also handed him a knife. Give him an opportunity, and he’d use it to drag his enemies down without mercy.

 

Once he’d recovered, he said, “No time to lose, Your Highness-go.”

 

But Chu Zhao didn’t move.

 

Shen Ziqin was puzzled: “Your Highness?”

 

He realized Chu Zhao’s lips were pressed tight, and he was looking at Shen Ziqin with an extremely complicated expression-so many emotions intertwined that even their usual unspoken understanding couldn’t decipher them all.

 

Astonishment, admiration, and… was that pain?

 

When Chu Zhao finally spoke, his voice was hoarse: “Weren’t you afraid when you were attacked?”

 

Of course he was, but if the sky falls, Shen Ziqin’s mouth will hold it up. He wanted Chu Zhao to feel at ease and get on with the real business: “No. With you and Bai Xiao here, and since they only used arrows, it means they couldn’t get close. Now the whole camp is on alert, so there’s nothing to fear.”

 

He thought this was a thorough answer, even throwing in a compliment for Chu Zhao-surely a perfect response.

 

But Chu Zhao’s eyes only grew deeper.

 

Chu Zhao felt a lump in his throat: Shen Ziqin always put his plans for him first, never caring for his own life.

 

Shen Ziqin was brilliant, but cared too little for himself.

 

He’s given me his life, Chu Zhao thought, his heart tightening.

 

Chu Zhao, who had been leaning over the bed, took a deep breath, pressed his hand to his sword, stood up, and took two steps back, fixing his gaze on Shen Ziqin.

 

Shen Ziqin, unsettled by the look, wondered if he’d said something wrong.

 

Had he?

 

Then Chu Zhao spoke, solemnly: “I know you give your all for me. The grand plan is important, but you must remember: no matter what, your own safety always comes first.”

 

“Don’t treat your own life like it’s nothing.”

 

Shen Ziqin: ?

 

I don’t!

 

I care a lot about my own life, okay? I want to live a long, healthy life and enjoy decades of a happy retirement.

 

Where did Chu Zhao get that idea?

 

But seeing the unusually serious and focused look in Chu Zhao’s eyes, Shen Ziqin’s heart gave a little jump: Is His Highness so worried because he cares too much about me?

 

Shen Ziqin felt his ears heating up again and tried to stay calm: “Your Highness, I do care about myself.”

 

Chu Zhao didn’t say anything, but his eyes were full of “I don’t believe you.”

 

He clearly didn’t trust Shen Ziqin on this, but for some reason, that only made Shen Ziqin’s heart pound even louder.

 

Chu Zhao still didn’t leave, stubbornly pressing for an answer: “Did you remember that?”

 

Shen Ziqin could only go along: “Uh, yes, I remember.”

 

I really do care about myself!

 

But now wasn’t the time to argue with Chu Zhao about this. Better to go along with the lion for now.

 

Finally, Chu Zhao shifted his feet: “I’ll leave Bai Xiao and Hei Ying here with you. Just say you were frightened and took some calming medicine and are sleeping now-no need to see anyone.”

 

Shen Ziqin nodded vigorously, waiting for Chu Zhao to hurry up and go: “Mm!”

 

Chu Zhao gave him one last deep look, then lifted the tent flap and left.

 

After he left, Shen Ziqin blinked, slowly collapsed onto the bed, pulled the pillow over, kneaded it, and hugged it to his chest.

 

He couldn’t see his own expression, but his cheeks were surely as pink as peach blossoms, shy as a spring day in March.

 

Shen Ziqin rolled over to the right:

 

He wants me to cherish myself.

 

Shen Ziqin rolled over to the left:

 

He said nothing is more important than my safety.

 

Shen Ziqin felt an overwhelming urge to make a sound, his emotions bouncing around, desperate for an outlet, leaving him dizzy.

 

In the end, he just let out a heavy breath, then buried his face deep in the pillow, hiding it from the world.

 

Outside, Chu Zhao followed Shen Ziqin’s plan, saying his guards had found traces of the assassins, who’d likely already left the hunting grounds, and requested permission to pursue them.

 

Although the assassins had targeted both Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao, who knew if they had other plans? With assassins appearing so close, the emperor was furious and immediately agreed to let Chu Zhao give chase.

 

So Chu Zhao, with full authority, led several guards and a detachment of imperial soldiers in pursuit.

 

The imperial guards actually found no tracks along the way, but followed the prince’s guards’ shouts of “this way” and “that way,” trailing all the way into the city.

 

High-ranking nobles might look down on the princes, but the imperial guard soldiers didn’t dare question orders and could only follow Chu Zhao’s arrangements.

 

Once inside the city, Chu Zhao told the imperial guards and two of his own men, “The city is too big for just us. You two go east-I’ll go call up the patrol camp.”

 

The imperial guards could only follow the two guards away.

 

Galloping hooves echoed through the night as Chu Zhao led the patrol camp, finally reining in at the gates of the Minister of Rites’ mansion: “Whoa-!”

 

The prince’s guards went up and banged on the door.

 

The gatekeeper, half-asleep, cracked the door open: “Who is it… hey, what are you doing!”

 

The guards didn’t bother with explanations, simply forced the door open. The gatekeeper was no match for them, and the doors swung wide as the soldiers poured in.

 

“Someone help! They’re breaking in!” The gatekeeper saw the armed soldiers and realized something was wrong, fear rising in his heart, but still shouted, “This is the Minister of Rites’ residence-who are you people, what do you want!”

 

Chu Zhao strolled in, patrol camp soldiers at his side, flashing their badges. Chu Zhao surveyed the courtyard, his voice calm and steady.

 

“I am here by order to apprehend assassins. There is reason to believe they have fled into the Minister of Rites’ residence. Anyone who interferes with the search will be suspected of harboring criminals.”

 

Chu Zhao raised his hand and brought it down decisively: “Search!”

 

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)