SBMT Chapter 54

Shen Ziqin’s breakfast table included red bean and barley porridge, which looked very festive.

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t know this was specially prepared by the kitchen for celebration; he just treated it as an ordinary dish.

 

Xiao Zhen seemed completely unconcerned about the evidence he’d discovered that morning, though when he looked at Shen Ziqin, he couldn’t stop smiling-but then again, Xiao Zhen usually smiled a lot anyway.

 

Good-as long as no one felt awkward, Shen Ziqin would let himself off the hook too.

 

After breakfast, on this clear, beautiful day, Shen Ziqin spent time in a small pavilion in the prince’s garden, opening the storybook.

 

Shen Ziqin had told Chu Zhao all about the Yuzhou plan. Although the two transmigrators had successfully joined forces, to avoid arousing suspicion, the first move against Yuzhou still needed to come from Bai Junxing.

 

With Bai Junxing’s abilities, it wouldn’t be long before his letter arrived.

 

During this waiting period, Shen Ziqin was relatively free.

 

After the Deputy Grand Secretary’s downfall, Emperor Cheng’an promoted new officials while giving Chu Zhaoyu some advantages, letting him serve as a temporary counterbalance. The prince, once considered just a puppet tool by powerful ministers, finally had some real power on the surface.

 

And Shen Ziqin, not only the Prince Qin’s consort but also close to Chu Zhaoyu, though still claiming illness and staying home most of the time, saw his status rise with the tide. The visiting cards and invitations sent to him became more and more numerous.

 

Shen Ziqin wasn’t interested in most of them.

 

Some invitation cards seemed to be for entertainment, but their underlying intentions were too obvious-attending would mean getting involved in intrigue, not simply having fun.

 

Better to stay home and read.

 

In Shen Ziqin’s hand was the storybook Chu Zhao had left yesterday.

 

Zhou Danmo and Bai Junxing’s latest work-the cover had no “15+” warning and looked quite normal.

 

Unaware of the danger, Shen Ziqin opened the book.

 

The first thing he saw was an illustration, beautifully drawn, but in a style somewhat different from Zhou Danmo’s usual work.

 

Everyone knew Zhou Danmo loved drawing beautiful people and was obsessed with faces. Whenever he drew, he would always show the face clearly and beautifully, but this time his style was more impressionistic.

 

The background was exquisite, but the people were partially hidden, like holding a pipa to cover half the face-there were no complete frontal views.

 

Changed his style? Shen Ziqin thought. Still, it looked good; the artistry was excellent.

 

Then he turned to the main text.

 

It was a love story, with two main characters named Shen Xiaojin and Lin Zhao.

 

Up to this point, Shen Ziqin hadn’t noticed anything wrong, but as he continued reading, he detected the issue.

 

Shen Xiaojin was born into a wealthy family but wasn’t loved by his father and stepmother. He had a difficult older brother, poor health, and struggled in the vast mansion.

 

His father and stepmother, to avoid giving him a share of the family property, betrothed him to a man named Lin Zhao.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Hmm…”

 

Lin Zhao was a merchant’s son, rumored to have a violent temper. But on their wedding day, he flew into a rage to protect his beloved, treated Shen Xiaojin extremely well, kicked Shen Xiaojin’s older brother, and personally carried him out.

 

Shen Ziqin: …Not sure yet, let me read more.

 

On their wedding night, they were passionate, but since it wasn’t rated “15+,” the specific process was briefly mentioned. The next day, Shen Xiaojin fell ill.

 

Shen Ziqin gripped the pages a little tighter.

 

Skipping various scenes of loving indulgence, after Shen Xiaojin recovered, Lin Zhao took him to a friend’s gathering where they each composed poems.

 

This timeline didn’t match Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao’s, but, but!

 

Here came the key point.

 

The two poems in the book weren’t exactly the same as the ones Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao had left at the Duke Dingguo’s mansion, but they preserved the words “salted fish” and “tired,” making it unmistakably obvious.

 

By now, Shen Ziqin was completely certain that this story was based on him and Chu Zhao!

 

Shen Xiaojin, Lin Zhao-so the names were actually based on them.

 

Wait, Lord Bai, how could you join Young Master Zhou in this nonsense!

 

And it’s not even accurate.

 

He never nestled in Chu Zhao’s arms earnestly or anything like that-the imagination was too excessive.

 

Probably afraid that others might guess the real models-after all, Emperor Cheng’an was still alive-the later plot was purely fictional, sending the two characters straight into some peach blossom paradise where a new story unfolded.

 

In a way, this strangely fit their personas, since both he and Chu Zhao were transmigrators.

 

If he didn’t know who Shen Xiaojin and Lin Zhao were supposed to be, Shen Ziqin might have enjoyed reading on. But once he knew it was about himself, seeing the two characters confessing their love and being affectionate made Shen Ziqin feel completely uncomfortable.

 

Because it was too easy to imagine Chu Zhao’s face.

 

Chu Zhao holding his hand, speaking words of love gently yet firmly…

 

Shen Ziqin:

 

Ahem!

 

He abruptly closed the book and took a deep breath. He couldn’t continue reading this.

 

Speaking of which, had Chu Zhao read it? What would he think?

 

Young Master Zhou truly isn’t afraid of Prince Qin using him for blade practice.

 

No wonder he didn’t dare draw the faces in detail-it’s clear they’re not being too blatant yet. Only those who attended the flower-viewing banquet at Duke Dingguo’s mansion and heard those two poems would make the connection to Prince Qin and his consort if they bought the book. But there wouldn’t be many such people, and these noble children, even if they recognized the characters, wouldn’t go around shouting about it.

 

“Marquis.”

 

Steward Meng’s voice startled Shen Ziqin from his thoughts, nearly making him instinctively hide the book. Fortunately, he quickly steadied himself, though his fingers curled slightly.

 

Shen Ziqin responded as usual: “Meng, what is it?”

 

Steward Meng: “An edict from the palace. Tomorrow the Empress Dowager will visit White Dragon Temple to worship Buddha and wants to bring you and Princess Dongning along.”

 

White Dragon Temple was in the western part of the city. Many high monks had come from there, and the temple was very popular. The masters there were occasionally invited to the palace to preach, making it quite famous.

 

Shen Ziqin: “All right, I understand. The prince… ” Shen Ziqin paused, awkwardly correcting himself, “I’ll tell Chu Zhao when he returns.”

 

Hearing the change in how Shen Ziqin addressed the prince, Steward Meng smiled knowingly: “Yes.”

 

My, these genuine lovebirds are different indeed-look, they’re even calling each other by name now.

 

Shen Ziqin felt that today, whether it was Xiao Zhen or Steward Meng, everyone seemed to be smiling… particularly benevolently.

 

After Steward Meng left, Bai Xiao flipped down from above, his eyes also smiling.

 

Fortunately, this child’s face showed no trace of benevolence, otherwise Shen Ziqin would have grown suspicious.

 

Bai Xiao had been instructed by Hei Ying not to pester Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao about last night-children shouldn’t pry. But regardless, the prince had slept in the same room as the marquis!

 

Since it wasn’t like their wedding night when they needed to put on a show, if it wasn’t pretend, then it must be real.

 

The prince and marquis had finally gotten together!

 

Bai Xiao giggled: “Marquis, I know who the prince likes now!”

 

Shen Ziqin’s internal alarm went off: “I-”

 

“Yes, it’s you, Marquis!” Bai Xiao clapped his hands. “The truth is revealed!”

 

Shen Ziqin: …That’s not what I meant.

 

But what Bai Xiao said wasn’t wrong-this was something he already knew.

 

Shen Ziqin cleared his throat and raised a finger: “Shh, it’s enough that we know. Don’t mention it in front of others.”

 

Bai Xiao thought that everyone in the prince’s residence probably already knew, but he was still obedient, nodding vigorously: “Mm-hmm!”

 

He noticed the book Shen Ziqin was holding down: “Oh, is that a new storybook? Are you done reading it? Can I see?”

 

Shen Ziqin quickly put the book away and pushed the preserved fruits on the table toward him: “This isn’t suitable for you. I’ll find you other books later. Have some candy.”

 

Bai Xiao: “Oh, okay.”

 

With candy to eat, Bai Xiao was easily placated. Shen Ziqin secretly sighed in relief.

 

 

In the afternoon, Chu Zhao returned, and after Shen Ziqin told him about the Buddha worship, he decided to consult with Chu Zhao: “Has Young Master Zhou’s new storybook already been put on sale? If not, could we stop it?”

 

The book was in Chu Zhao’s possession, so he would find out sooner or later.

 

Chu Zhao hadn’t read it yet: “Hmm? What’s wrong?”

 

Shen Ziqin found it difficult to explain: “The content isn’t quite appropriate.”

 

Chu Zhao’s curiosity was piqued: “I don’t know. I’ll send someone to ask.”

 

What did they write? He would check the book when he returned to his quarters.

 

After Chu Zhao stayed over last night, everyone thought the couple would continue their romance, and they were full of anticipation.

 

The guards, who had their training doubled today, clearly knew how to find joy in hardship. Since their training had already doubled, they might as well enjoy the gossip to the fullest!

 

After dinner, the prince and marquis got up, and now they would-

 

Just nod to each other, with Shen Ziqin heading into the courtyard and Chu Zhao heading out.

 

The guards: ??

 

Wait, why is the prince going back to his own courtyard?

 

Guard A: “Is he really this restrained? Don’t they say once you’ve tasted the sweetness…”

 

Guard B: “Nonsense, that’s the prince we’re talking about. Besides, the marquis has to worship Buddha tomorrow. How could he bear to tire him out?”

 

Guard C: “Exactly, so I won. Hand it over!”

 

Chu Zhao returned to his own courtyard and looked at the quiet room, feeling strangely empty inside, missing the scene from last night.

 

The feeling of having a kindred spirit to talk to at night was surprisingly unforgettable.

 

Come to think of it, according to Shen Ziqin’s plan for the Yuzhou mission, Shen Ziqin would go first, and he would arrive later.

 

Calculating the time in between, they might be separated for ten to fifteen days.

 

Since their marriage, he and Shen Ziqin had never been apart for so long. Not seeing Shen Ziqin for ten to fifteen days… just thinking about it made Chu Zhao’s heart ache with bitterness.

 

Bitter and astringent, a taste he had never experienced before.

 

But the name “Shen Ziqin” itself was sweet, so when mixed together, it truly created a flavor only he could understand.

 

It was quite a unique experience.

 

Chu Zhao stood quietly in his room with lowered eyes for a while, then finally sat down and picked up the storybook Zhou Danmo had given him.

 

Ziqin said the content was inappropriate; let’s see what kind of inappropriate it was.

 

At first, while flipping through the book, Chu Zhao’s expression remained normal.

 

A moment later, suspicion arose, and he began turning the pages faster.

 

After the rapid “rustle, rustle” of turning pages, Chu Zhao slammed the book down with a “bang,” nearly giving the thin book the impact of a brick.

 

“Zhou. Dan. Mo.”

 

Chu Zhao smiled coldly: “Good, very good.”

 

Halfway through his cold smile, remembering that Shen Ziqin had already read this book, Chu Zhao paused, his expression blank, completely freezing into an icy face.

 

He whistled: “Hei Ying.”

 

Hei Ying appeared promptly: “At your service.”

 

“Go to the Duke’s mansion and ask Zhou Danmo if this book has already been mass-printed and is being sold.”

 

Hei Ying glanced at the book cover: “Your Highness, I know about this.”

 

Chu Zhao looked at him with a sense of foreboding.

 

Sure enough, Hei Ying said: “Today while running errands, I already saw this book outside. It’s in all the major bookstores in the capital, and probably at small book stalls too. Young Master Zhou and Lord Bai’s pen names have always had a good reputation, and their books are usually sold out as soon as they’re released.”

 

 

Chu Zhao: “…”

 

Prince Qin’s imposing presence was formidable: “I’ve been too lenient with him. Give him an inch, and he dares to open a dye shop right at my doorstep.”

 

Hei Ying: “Your Highness, shall we still go to the Duke’s mansion?”

 

“Yes.” Chu Zhao was utterly merciless. “Go and confiscate all the beauty paintings from his room and bring them back. Tell him the hostages are in my hands, and he should tell the bookstore to withdraw the storybooks immediately.”

 

Although he didn’t know how many had been sold, they should save what they could.

 

Hei Ying was a professional. He saluted: “Yes, sir!”

 

After Hei Ying left, Chu Zhao took a deep breath, his gaze falling back on the storybook.

 

It wasn’t accurate at all. When had Shen Ziqin ever nestled softly in his arms? He would only burrow into his blankets.

 

Nor had he ever gazed at him with autumn-water eyes, shyly yet boldly taking his hand, slowly leaning in-

 

Chu Zhao: “Ahem!”

 

Stop right there.

 

Pure fiction, and far too exaggerated!

 

How could such a storybook be allowed to circulate?

 

Indeed, he must firmly reject the publication of this outrageous storybook to prevent wasting the people’s precious silver and time.

 

Chu Zhao sat with righteous indignation, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his aura imposing.

 

A moment later, the righteous Prince Qin, expressionless, opened the storybook again.

 

…After all, it was free. He would look again to see just how outrageous the rest of it was.

 

Yes, absolutely no other reason.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)