SBMT Chapter 51

The entire room fell silent.

 

Shen Ziqin calmly raised his hand and took a sip of tea.

 

That’s right-even if his hand was shaking like he had Parkinson’s, as long as the little marquis said he was calm, then he was calm.

 

The tea in the cup was already cold, the coolness helping to clear his mind.

 

Shen Ziqin thought: Ah, it really is water in the cup, not wine.

 

So there’s no way he’d mistaken wine for water-he wasn’t drunk or crazy, and this definitely wasn’t a dream.

 

His hand trembling, Shen Ziqin set the cup back down.

 

Everyone else watched in suspense as the cup teetered on the edge, and when it finally landed safely, they all breathed a sigh of relief, silently rooting for the surviving cup.

 

The second and third princes exchanged a look: These two are acting weird.

 

Bai Junxing looked from Chu Zhao to Shen Ziqin and finally asked softly, “Um… little marquis, so what’s the actual code? I should memorize it.”

 

Like a ghost, Shen Ziqin dipped his finger in tea and wrote the full phrase on the table.

 

“Odd changes, even stays; the sign depends on the quadrant.” Bai Junxing read it out loud, not understanding but finding it easy to remember. “Okay, I’ll memorize it. If I really need help, I’ll write you and Prince Rui a letter and hide this phrase in poetry or prose.”

 

After he finished, the room fell into another strange silence.

 

What kind of secret code were these two using!?

 

But it seemed to be something only the two of them understood.

 

The second prince, Chu Zhaoyu, glanced at the dazed prince and consort and said softly, “Ziqin, sixth brother, do you two have something else to handle? If so, you can head back early.”

 

They’d nearly finished eating anyway, and Chu Zhao had only been peeling shrimp for Shen Ziqin to nibble on.

 

As the guest of honor, Bai Junxing quickly added, “Yes, and the consort isn’t in the best health. You shouldn’t get too emotional-it’s bad for you.”

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao exchanged a look and nodded emphatically.

 

The guards escorted Shen Ziqin out the main door; he practically floated away, while Chu Zhao, who’d come in through the window, naturally left the same way.

 

Just as he was about to leave, Zhou Danmo hurriedly handed over two books: “Hey, wait! These are my and Junxing’s latest works-not yet in mass print. You and the marquis get to read them first. Good stuff-don’t forget to take a look.”

 

These are books based on Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao as characters, so the originals should review them and see what improvements could be made for future revisions.

 

Chu Zhao’s mind was elsewhere, so he casually tucked them into his robe and left.

 

In the Prince Qin’s carriage, Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao were reunited, but neither spoke.

 

Though thousands of words were fighting to come out, perhaps because they were too eager, all words became stuck in their throats, and for a long time, not a single word emerged.

 

The carriage rolled along the road, the interior quiet as a mouse.

 

Shen Ziqin leaned against the carriage wall, his mind surging with countless thoughts. After a daze, the scene from earlier replayed in his mind like a movie, when suddenly one thought emerged, bold and capitalized.

 

Snapping out of his trance, Shen Ziqin sat up with a start: “You didn’t attend compulsory education, so aren’t you illit-”

 

Chu Zhao, also excited and unsure where to begin, immediately came to his senses and quickly cut him off: “I’m not illiterate!”

 

Shen Ziqin closed his mouth, looking at him gently.

 

Chu Zhao took a deep breath, unwilling to let this misunderstanding stand: “Really, I received gifted education. I was thirteen when I came here, already a graduate student. If I hadn’t transmigrated, I’d be working on my doctorate.”

 

A living academic genius!

 

Shen Ziqin was filled with respect, but also noticed another key point: “You were only thirteen when you came here?”

 

“Yes.” Chu Zhao pointed at himself. “I was thirteen when I came from the modern world, and this body was also thirteen at the time.”

 

So Chu Zhao had already been living in Great Qi for seven years!

 

Shen Ziqin was shocked: “I just arrived recently, only ten days before the imperial marriage decree was issued. What year was it in the modern world when you came?”

 

Chu Zhao mentioned a year, and Shen Ziqin also gave a number. When they compared, they discovered it was the same year!

 

How strange-they had both come from the same year, yet one had been here for seven years while the other had just arrived. Time and space had shifted, allowing them to meet only now.

 

Shen Ziqin pressed his lips together: “These years must have been… very difficult for you?”

 

Shen Ziqin was already an adult, but when Chu Zhao first arrived, he was just a child.

 

Chu Zhao smiled: “I rarely think about what life was like before, because no one could understand that loneliness-not even my second and third brothers. I couldn’t tell them I wasn’t originally from this world.”

 

But now, he suddenly had someone who understood him completely, inside and out-someone he didn’t need to hide anything from.

 

After the initial shock of discovering another transmigrator, Chu Zhao felt happy.

 

If they had met earlier and recognized their kindred spirits, perhaps those early days wouldn’t have been so difficult.

 

“Your Highness, you… wait, I just realized something,” Shen Ziqin cut off the emotional words he was about to say. “So the so-called ‘old doctor’ from the military camp, the penicillin and other new medicines in circulation, and the glass and rubber items-they’re all…?”

 

Chu Zhao nodded: “Yes, I made them all. The ‘old doctor’ was just a front because that was the hardest thing to hide. I had to create a story to prevent the emperor from becoming suspicious.”

 

No wonder-it all made sense now.

 

Why the original story never mentioned Chu Zhao fighting for power, yet the current Chu Zhao was actively engaging in political struggles with his brothers-it was because Chu Zhao, like him, was a transmigrator.

 

And a very capable genius at that.

 

So the smooth progress of official matters had this reason behind it, though it was clear Chu Zhao wasn’t particularly skilled at court intrigue. That was normal-everyone has different strengths, and not everyone with a script can achieve a happy ending.

 

This made things much easier, and he no longer had to worry about creating suspicion by revealing future events. He could freely share all his plans with Chu Zhao.

 

Just like Chu Zhao, Shen Ziqin was delighted. When he thought the “old doctor” might be a transmigrator, he had immediately sought information-let alone now, with a transmigrator right before his eyes.

 

And such a compatible companion at that.

 

Why do fellow countrymen tear up when they meet?

 

Answer: Tears of joy.

 

Though they didn’t cry, they were truly happy.

 

Shen Ziqin let out a gentle breath, relaxed his shoulders, and smiled: “So you and the other princes have been preparing for a while. I was worried you might be like in the original story-not fighting for anything and heading down a dangerous path.”

 

Unexpectedly, Chu Zhao was startled: “What original story?”

 

Shen Ziqin’s partially relaxed shoulders tensed up again.

 

Shen Ziqin: ?

 

He was also stunned: “We’re in a book, of course there’s…” He watched Chu Zhao’s expression change several times, then swallowed, lowering his voice. “You didn’t know?”

 

The carriage’s smooth wheels stopped; the gates of Prince Qin’s residence beckoned.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao stumbled out of the carriage, their symptoms even more severe than at the restaurant.

 

Chu Zhao stared at the sky, mumbling: “So the world is just a giant novel…”

 

What kind of nonsense is “giant novel”?

 

Shen Ziqin looked at the ground, his voice buzzing: “So the script cheat was only given to me…”

 

Seeing their expressions, Bai Xiao worriedly tugged at Hei Ying’s sleeve: “Brother Hei Ying, why do the prince and marquis look like they’re possessed?”

 

The child had read many storybooks and respected spirits, so his thoughts went in that direction, which was frightening.

 

Hei Ying covered his mouth: “Don’t talk nonsense.”

 

Bai Xiao pulled Hei Ying’s hand away: “But they’ve been like this since leaving Jinxiu Pavilion, saying things we can’t understand, and their expressions are wrong!”

 

Like they’ve lost their souls!

 

Xiao Zhen whispered beside them: “Although we can’t understand, I think the prince and marquis understand each other.”

 

If they understand each other, then there’s no problem.

 

Xiao Zhen thought: This must be a little secret between the couple!

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao, one looking at the ground and one at the sky, finished their daze and met each other’s eyes.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Shall we continue talking?”

 

Chu Zhao decisively: “Let’s talk!”

 

With perfect understanding, they entered Mingyue Pavilion. After some thought, Chu Zhao had Xiao Zhen bring a pot of wine, then dismissed everyone around them.

 

Chu Zhao downed a cup silently, the alcohol sliding down his throat with his emotions, helping him calm down considerably.

 

“So according to what you just said, we’ve transmigrated into a novel, and in the original story, Prince Qin dies in the power struggle between the Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Secretary.”

 

Chu Zhao had always thought he’d just transmigrated to some strange ancient time-turns out he’d transmigrated into a book.

 

Shen Ziqin took the wine pot and filled Chu Zhao’s cup a second time: “Yes, but now the Deputy Grand Secretary is gone. Once the Grand Secretary is taken down too, you’ll be safe.”

 

Chu Zhao held his second cup without drinking immediately: “So you became my strategist to save my life.”

 

Shen Ziqin had nothing to hide anymore: “Yes, only this way could I properly repay you.”

 

“You’re so clever that even without me, you would have eventually escaped from the Marquis of Yin Nan’s household. My kindness to you can’t compare to saving my life.”

 

Shen Ziqin thought Chu Zhao was going to say something about not needing repayment, but instead, Chu Zhao raised his cup: “Now I’m indebted to you.”

 

In the original story, Prince Qin died at the hands of the Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Secretary. Now, thanks to Shen Ziqin’s planning, the Deputy Grand Secretary was gone early-the plot had already been changed.

 

Chu Zhao’s eyes held a gentle smile, making Shen Ziqin’s cheeks flush. He quickly put down the wine pot and picked up his teacup to calm his racing heart: “There’s no need to talk about debt.”

 

“You’re allowed to repay me, but I can’t be indebted to you? Little Marquis, that’s not fair.”

 

Chu Zhao clinked his cup against Shen Ziqin’s: “If you have any wish, you can tell me. I’ll help you fulfill it.”

 

No wonder he and Shen Ziqin had hit it off immediately-it wasn’t just their compatible temperaments, but also because they were both good seeds nurtured in the light of socialism.

 

They were ordinary people, yet special-carrying secrets they dared not tell others, holding thoughts out of step with their era. Sometimes standing in a bustling crowd, they felt alone, as if in a dream.

 

But they were so lucky to have found each other.

 

He found being with Shen Ziqin incredibly comfortable, felt that as long as Shen Ziqin was around, even monotonous days became interesting. After all, even in modern society with so many people, not everyone shares the same values or gets along well.

 

Yet he and Shen Ziqin were clearly drawn to each other.

 

If this wasn’t fate, what was?

 

And Shen Ziqin truly cared little for fame and fortune-he’d entered officialdom just to save him.

 

He likes me so much, I could fulfill any wish for him.

 

Whether he wants something material, or… to confess to me.

 

Chu Zhao thought to himself: I could agree to anything.

 

He looked at Shen Ziqin, waiting for him to make a wish.

 

But Shen Ziqin just held his teacup: “Hmm, I don’t really have any wishes right now?”

 

He’d already saved enough money for a comfortable retirement, his health had improved, and he wanted for nothing.

 

Besides, if Chu Zhao kept looking at him like that, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

 

How could someone appear to be calmly watching another person, yet have such burning flames in their eyes?

 

Gentle yet passionate, overwhelming yet softly enveloping him.

 

This wasn’t waiting for a wish-clearly Chu Zhao had something he was eager to say.

 

Shen Ziqin grew nervous: Even if we’re from the same place, I’m not that kind of person. Just because you like me doesn’t mean I definitely like… like…

 

Strangely, Shen Ziqin couldn’t finish the thought.

 

Half his brain was rejecting the idea, but his heart and the other half had betrayed him, happily jumping around, making him blush at the thought of Chu Zhao confessing.

 

Shen Ziqin’s gaze began to wander, his fingers curled, and he leaned back slightly.

 

Seeing his reaction, Chu Zhao knew: He’s clearly shy.

 

Shen Ziqin must have understood his meaning but was too embarrassed to speak.

 

The answer was obvious-the timing wasn’t right yet; he needed to be even better to Shen Ziqin.

 

Though Shen Ziqin’s shyness was incredibly endearing, since he couldn’t bring himself to confess at the moment, Chu Zhao felt disappointed but wouldn’t pressure him.

 

Chu Zhao withdrew his cup, took a small sip, and changed the subject: “Then I’ll keep it in mind. Tell me when you have a wish. Now, tell me more about the original story-I’m quite curious.”

 

Seeing the topic shift, Shen Ziqin immediately agreed: “Sure!”

 

Chu Zhao rested his cheek on his hand, smiling: “Thinking about it, even before I knew you were a transmigrator, I always found talking with you most interesting.”

 

Shen Ziqin smiled too: “Me too! Conversations with Your Highness are so engaging!”

 

And we’re so in sync!

 

Chu Zhao: “Given our relationship, don’t keep calling me ‘Your Highness’-it’s too formal. Call me by my name.”

 

Shen Ziqin paused. He was so used to saying “Your Highness” that changing suddenly felt a bit awkward.

 

But they were both modern people-why follow feudal customs? Using names showed equality and closeness.

 

After only half a second’s hesitation, Shen Ziqin nodded: “Alright, Chu-ahem, Chu Zhao.”

 

Though he decided quickly, actually saying the name created a strange feeling.

 

Something in his heart gently stirred.

 

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony either and will use your name,” Chu Zhao said it very naturally, making it sound beautiful, “Ziqin.”

 

…Shouldn’t he use both my surname and given name? Why drop the surname?

 

Shen Ziqin thought: I suspect he’s flirting with me, and I have evidence.

 

This was bad. Shen Ziqin suddenly realized that Chu Zhao already liked him, and now, discovering they were both transmigrators, his sense of connection would increase dramatically-wouldn’t he like him even more?

 

After maintaining boundaries for a month, instead of pushing him away, he’d shortened the distance.

 

Even more troubling was his own reaction.

 

Earlier, his heartstrings had merely been plucked gently, but when Chu Zhao’s name fell, they were caught off guard, wildly vibrating, performing an impromptu dance.

 

Wait, what are you so happy about!?

 

#

 

---

 

(advanced chapters available on kofi)