In Mingyue Pavilion, various lamps were lit, casting shadows on the windows, capturing the soft light inside.
Within, Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao were engaged in pleasant conversation.
“So the original story’s protagonists are Lord Bai and Zhan Yan.” Chu Zhao was intrigued. “Tell me what embarrassing things Zhan Yan did so I can tease him about it.”
What a true friend and brother.
Chu Zhao now understood why Shen Ziqin paid so much attention to Bai Junxing-as a living protagonist, of course a reader would want to take a good look.
He had indeed misunderstood earlier. Since Shen Ziqin already knew Bai Junxing and Zhan Yan were a couple, he definitely couldn’t have feelings for Bai Junxing.
Looking carefully, Shen Ziqin and Bai Junxing were scholarly friends, a gentlemanly relationship. But with himself, Shen Ziqin had staked his life and future.
It couldn’t be more obvious who he liked, Chu Zhao thought modestly.
“There are too many stories in the original novel to cover in one day. Let’s focus on some key points,” Shen Ziqin counted on his fingers. “For instance, your sister isn’t actually your sister, but your brother.”
“Pfft, cough!” Chu Zhao choked on his wine, caught off guard. “What!?”
Shen Ziqin rarely saw him so shocked and couldn’t help smiling. “That’s right, I’m talking about Dongning.”
“Dressed as a girl?”
After brief surprise, Chu Zhao quickly accepted the fact: “Well, with that kind of father, it’s not far-fetched.”
Disguising a prince as a princess wasn’t a bad way to improve survival odds.
He was just concerned about the child’s mental health: “But won’t this cause gender identity issues later?”
Shen Ziqin thought for a moment: “From the original story, he seems fine. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Chu Zhao was relieved: “That’s good then.”
Shen Ziqin folded down a second finger: “Another example… after Emperor Cheng’an’s death, the second prince ascends the throne, but due to exhaustion, he passes away prematurely within a few years.”
Chu Zhao’s brow gradually furrowed.
Dongning might not have psychological issues, but Chu Zhaoyu genuinely had mental health problems.
“Second brother has a troubled heart,” Chu Zhao gripped his wine cup, his solemn expression reflected in the liquid. “When I arrived, the crown prince was already gone. I never met him, only heard from others how good he was and how close he was with second and third brother. Second brother still dwells on the crown prince’s death and… his legs.”
By the time Chu Zhao arrived, the second prince’s legs were already crippled. Chu Zhaoyu understood the emperor had gone mad and insisted on bringing his two brothers to live in his mother’s palace, protecting them as best he could with his broken body.
He cleared out rooms, disregarding protocol, so the three brothers could live in the same courtyard, with rooms side by side, sharing meals and everything else.
Shortly after Chu Zhao’s arrival, he faced several poisoning attempts and assassination attempts. Things improved once he was with Chu Zhaoyu. When he couldn’t sleep well at night, he would sometimes get up and sit in a daze, occasionally encountering Chu Zhaoyu wheeling himself out, secretly wiping away tears.
Chu Zhao would hide and hear Chu Zhaoyu sobbing quietly: “Brother, I’m afraid I can’t protect them…”
Thinking of this, Chu Zhao downed another cup of wine and said through the burning in his throat: “I suspect if it weren’t for his concern for me and third brother, he might have sought release long ago. When I was at the border, I wrote letters, and after returning to the capital, I often visited him. Third brother and I tried everything to make him happier, but we could both see his heart still ached.”
“He shouldn’t worry or labor too much, but it’s in his nature to care. Emperor Cheng’an’s threat to you all is his greatest burden. Beyond that, he worries about court intrigues affecting you and Prince An.” Shen Ziqin lowered his fingers. “I want to save you, and now I can also help share his burden.”
Shen Ziqin: “That’s why I need to go to Yuzhou too.”
Shen Ziqin wasn’t just making a long-winded argument-the conversation had naturally led to this point.
Chu Zhao: “Does the original story mention the situation in Yuzhou?”
“When Lord Bai goes to Yuzhou, he’ll uncover a major case that shocks the court. The Yuzhou bureaucracy is rotten to the core. In the original story, Wei Changhai escapes, but I’ve already drafted a plan to bring him to justice, to prevent further complications.”
Chu Zhao stared at him steadily: “Is it dangerous?”
Going to Yuzhou to personally confront people certainly carried risks, but looking into Chu Zhao’s eyes, Shen Ziqin remembered the “cherish life agreement” he’d just signed with Chu Zhao.
While copying books wasn’t a big deal, it was better to avoid it if possible.
Shen Ziqin swallowed his original words and changed his answer: “With Your Highness helping me, there’s no real danger.”
This answer was pleasing. Chu Zhao’s gaze softened: “Tell me about the situation in Yuzhou and your specific plans?”
Shen Ziqin then laid out the situation and his strategy in detail.
This should have felt exactly like presenting a plan to a boss, but because of their hidden thoughts, the atmosphere couldn’t be further from a workplace setting.
Shen Ziqin still had to keep a tight rein, preventing their good conversation from turning into a late-night emotional radio show.
Setting that aside, the two had an extremely enjoyable discussion.
True kindred spirits are hard to find-once you connect with someone, it’s impossible to stop talking.
As they chatted, they suddenly realized time had slipped away silently, and it was already bedtime.
Shen Ziqin was reluctant to end the conversation and recalled his college days: “When I first started university, before everyone knew each other well, we had dorm room talks at night to get acquainted. We’d chat until late, seemingly with endless things to say.”
“I never experienced dorm life,” Chu Zhao said. “I’d like to try it.”
Without thinking, Shen Ziqin replied: “Easy enough, you could stay here tonight, and we-”
Wait!
The conversation had been flowing so well that Shen Ziqin spoke without thinking. Halfway through, he suddenly realized his mistake and immediately stopped.
But it was too late-the crucial words had already been said and couldn’t be taken back.
Shen Ziqin wailed internally: What was I thinking, inviting Chu Zhao to stay overnight when I know he likes me!!
It’s over, why can’t I take back what I said?!
On their wedding night, they could sleep in the same bed because their relationship was completely innocent. But things were different now. Once he became aware of Chu Zhao’s feelings, Shen Ziqin could no longer treat him like a log lying beside him.
Yes, Shen Ziqin’s thoughts were no longer innocent.
Chu Zhao’s mind wasn’t pure either.
Neither clean nor dirty, they could never return to how things were at the beginning!
Look at Chu Zhao-not only did he have a strong presence and eight-pack abs, but he was also secretly in love with him.
If they were to lie together again wearing only their undergarments…
Shen Ziqin shuddered.
He couldn’t even imagine such a scene!
Chu Zhao watched as Shen Ziqin’s words suddenly stopped halfway, his expression becoming quite fascinating.
Chu Zhao was amused.
He didn’t think Shen Ziqin was playing hard to get-he could tell that Shen Ziqin had spoken without thinking, only realizing afterward what he’d said.
The little marquis was bold in his actions, but when it came to Chu Zhao, he became so easily shy and hesitant.
Was this what they called “love breeds fear”? Because he cared, he was cautious.
Chu Zhao felt like kitten paws were scratching at his heart, both soft and intense. Seeing Shen Ziqin trapped by his own words, Chu Zhao decided to help him out.
Chu Zhao: “Sure, I’ll stay.”
Shen Ziqin’s body tensed like a startled cat.
Chu Zhao saw this and mentally petted the cat all over.
Cute. Want to pet.
While mentally petting the cat, Chu Zhao pointed to the couch in the room: “I can sleep there.”
He had no intention of making Shen Ziqin uncomfortable.
And Shen Ziqin-his brain, usually so clever with important matters, only now sluggishly realized: Of course, Chu Zhao could stay over without them having to squeeze together!
Why had his first thought been about sharing a bed, and why couldn’t he find a solution?
Shen Ziqin: …I’m really foolish, truly.
Shen Ziqin was deeply remorseful, seriously reflecting, then quickly said: “No, no, you take the bed, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“I’m the one who wanted to experience dorm life, so how could I let you sleep on the couch? Besides, I’m not picky about beds-I can sleep anywhere,” Chu Zhao said. “If you can’t sleep well on the couch, my conscience would bother me.”
That made some sense, but not much.
Shen Ziqin was about to say something else when Chu Zhao said: “Come on, just humor me. Otherwise, if we keep arguing, will we even get any sleep tonight, hmm?”
Chu Zhao’s final syllable was very soft, coaxing. His voice was naturally magnetic, and that “hmm” was like a hook, making Shen Ziqin’s ears tingle and his legs nearly give way.
The little marquis was secretly alarmed: …Chu Zhao’s flirting skills were quite formidable.
Seeing that Shen Ziqin had fallen silent, Chu Zhao happily settled the matter. He opened the door and said to Steward Meng waiting outside: “Meng, bring me a set of undergarments. I’ll be spending the night in Mingyue Pavilion.”
Steward Meng was shocked, and suddenly there was a commotion in the courtyard, as if dumplings were being dropped all over the ground-guards falling from their hiding places.
Chu Zhao: “…What are you all doing?”
The other guards jumped up, laughing awkwardly and saying it was nothing, quickly hiding back in the shadows, maintaining their posts as if nothing had happened.
Only Bai Xiao remained, staring in disbelief.
The prince was going to spend the night in the marquis’s bedroom!?
This would shock Bai Xiao for an entire year.
Bai Xiao’s dazed eyes gradually brightened as he began to understand everything. He bounced forward to say something to Chu Zhao, but halfway there, Hei Ying grabbed him by the neck of fate, covered his mouth, and dragged him back.
Bai Xiao: “Mmph!”
Hei Ying nodded to Chu Zhao: “It’s nothing. I’ll watch the kid. Please continue, Your Highness.”
Ever since discovering that Chu Zhao had no boundaries with Shen Ziqin, Hei Ying knew this day would come sooner or later.
What was that about having no interest in romance?
Men’s words, deceiver’s ghosts.
Hei Ying calmly asked: “Should the guards withdraw outside the courtyard?”
“Withdraw what? Just carry on as usual,” Chu Zhao said.
“Yes, sir.”
After answering, Hei Ying disappeared, dragging Bai Xiao with him.
Steward Meng recovered from his shock, his eyes full of joy: “Yes, Your Highness, right away.”
The prince was finally going to have a proper consort! How gratifying for this old servant.
And Xiao Zhen covered his mouth, nearly weeping with joy.
Sweet, so sweet.
The little marquis had fallen ill after the wedding, and his health hadn’t improved. The prince must have been concerned for his health, so they hadn’t shared a room. But now that the little marquis was better, well! What should happen would happen!
Xiao Zhen wiped away a tear: It hasn’t been easy!
Xiao Zhen pressed his hand to his heart and withdrew.
Inside the room, Shen Ziqin asked: “What happened outside just now? There was such a commotion.”
It sounded like a bunch of things had crashed to the ground.
Chu Zhao: “The guards slipped and fell into the courtyard.”
Shen Ziqin: “All of them slipped?”
“Mm.” Chu Zhao glanced at the seemingly empty courtyard. “Maybe they haven’t been training enough lately. Looks like they need more practice.”
The hidden guards felt a chill down their spines and dared not make a sound.
One shouldn’t casually eat the master’s melon, they thought, whimpering internally.
#
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
