Chu Zhao was just talking; he didn’t actually call the doctor.
Though they couldn’t do anything, they were now in a relationship where they could share a bed.
And this time, they could have just one blanket.
After washing up, they lay down-one blanket, two pillows, very close to each other.
Shen Ziqin lay down stiffly, with the beauty of early human attempts to control their limbs-clearly at a loss, but determined not to show any weakness.
Chu Zhao was also quite nervous.
After all, their relationship was different now that they had confessed. Moreover, the person beside him wasn’t a stranger but someone he liked. His heart was still pounding from Shen Ziqin’s brilliant move with the copied sentence.
He was restrained, as if facing a great enemy, more nervous than going into battle, not daring to cross any boundaries. But when he glanced at Shen Ziqin’s appearance, he couldn’t help but laugh.
When he laughed, Shen Ziqin’s ears turned even redder.
A beautiful blush spread across his face. Shen Ziqin couldn’t help but lightly kick Chu Zhao under the covers, saying with embarrassment: “…Stop laughing.”
But this kick made them both shiver.
After bathing, their skin was warm, though each had a different temperature. Shen Ziqin’s feet were slightly cooler compared to Chu Zhao’s. When they touched, their different temperatures collided, the sensation distinct.
The rounded toes brushed against him, like pearls rolling over, grinding slightly against his heart.
Shen Ziqin paused, slowly withdrew his foot, and curled up under the blanket, turning his back.
A moment later, he heard rustling behind him, felt someone’s breath clearly approaching, and his back pressed against something warm and solid.
Shen Ziqin’s breathing grew lighter, his heartbeat thunderous. The blush spread to the corners of his eyes, with tiny sparks of light secretly flickering in his eyes as he pressed his lips together.
It was nervousness, but also… secret anticipation and joy.
An arm reached over, pausing tentatively, then firmly wrapped around his waist, embracing him from behind.
Chu Zhao’s hand found its way to Shen Ziqin’s front, searching under the covers for his slender fingers, gently brushing them open one by one, interlocking their fingers.
Then he just held him like that, sighing contentedly.
That sigh was so hot it nearly melted Shen Ziqin. Blushing, he lowered his eyes, slowly tightening his fingers, also holding onto Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao nuzzled his hair: “Sleep.”
Shen Ziqin: “…Mm.”
That’s what they said, but after a while, both of their fingers couldn’t help but move slightly.
With this movement, they naturally discovered that neither was asleep.
The lights in the room were out, moonlight streaming in, casting silver light in the quiet, peaceful night. They had agreed to sleep, yet neither had fallen asleep. The bubble was quietly popped, and both softly laughed.
Then, whether it was someone’s hand that moved or someone’s head that tilted, they kissed again tenderly and affectionately in the moonlight, in the warm blanket.
In this strange and lonely world, they had found a safe haven where they could lean on each other, quietly resting together.
Shen Ziqin’s eyes misted over as he said softly: “…We really should sleep. You have a busy day tomorrow.”
Chu Zhao held him: “Mm, let’s sleep.”
They lay close together, falling asleep in happiness and contentment, sleeping well through the night.
Early the next morning, Chu Zhao awoke.
During their kissing before sleep last night, they had changed positions. Now Shen Ziqin was facing him, half-nestled in his embrace, sleeping sweetly.
Freshly awake in the early morning, feeling lazy and relaxed, Chu Zhao’s heart melted completely as his gaze traced Shen Ziqin’s features bit by bit.
Ah, he looked good from every angle.
Previously, when looking at Shen Ziqin’s face, at most he dared to pinch or poke it when he was asleep. But now things were different-he could directly kiss him.
Chu Zhao leaned in and planted a good morning kiss on Shen Ziqin’s smooth, beautiful forehead.
Like a dragonfly touching water, full of affection and cherishing, not disturbing Shen Ziqin’s peaceful sleep.
Chu Zhao slowly withdrew his arm from around Shen Ziqin. Lost in sweet dreams, Shen Ziqin was unaware but murmured and moved closer to Chu Zhao.
This small movement nearly melted Chu Zhao’s heart completely.
This was coquetry, clearly coquetry.
How endearing!
Chu Zhao couldn’t resist stealing another kiss, this time on the lips. Fighting the urge to wake him, he restrained himself to a brief caress before getting out of bed and taking a cold shower.
Without the cold shower, he couldn’t leave the room.
Afterward, he finished getting ready, resuming his imposing Prince Qin appearance. Before dawn had fully broken, he left the estate for Feng Mountain.
As usual, Shen Ziqin slept until he naturally woke.
The space beside him was empty; Chu Zhao must have left long ago, as there was no warmth left in the bedding.
Shen Ziqin lay with his eyes open, looking at the extra pillow beside him, unable to resist reaching out to touch it.
From now on, unless there were special circumstances, they would definitely sleep together.
Thinking of this, Shen Ziqin’s cheeks flushed again.
His eyes held a hint of joy, a peaceful contentment. Was this the feeling that true family brings?
Warmth, security, making one’s heart full of happiness just thinking about it-not mutual hatred, not suffocating shadows in a cramped house.
In literature, they say that once someone accustomed to darkness sees light, they can never again tolerate living only in the night. At the time, he had thought this was artistic exaggeration.
He had never craved tenderness, but after truly experiencing it, he realized what kind of life he had been living before.
People cannot imagine emotions they’ve never experienced. Only after tasting them do you know that tears are salty and laughter is sweet.
Shen Ziqin thought that he had been shallow before. Chu Zhao was so good; he truly couldn’t bear to let go now.
Shen Ziqin lay quietly for a while, then got up with a faint smile in his eyes. Outside the window, the daylight was perfect-it was good weather.
Everyone at the estate knew that the prince and marquis had spent the night together, and they were no longer surprised.
As for not changing the bedding because nothing had happened, that was normal too. The marquis had been slightly under the weather yesterday, and with Yuzhou’s affairs unfinished, they were busy.
The young couple would have plenty of opportunities for intimacy-it didn’t have to be every day, right?
Understandable, understandable.
Shen Ziqin’s cold was completely better. After breakfast, he decided to take Dongning to visit the Yuzhou government office.
If Dongning wanted to see the common people of Great Qi, he couldn’t only see the prosperity of the capital.
With Chu Zhao’s arrival and the detention of several key officials, the Yuzhou bureaucracy was in panic. But with the imperial sword at their necks, the remaining officials actually worked more diligently than usual. Under Bai Junxing’s coordination, internal affairs continued normally without major disruptions.
The news that Magistrate Cao and others had been arrested by Prince Qin spread quickly among the people, who clapped their hands and cheered in approval.
Magistrate Cao had previously colluded with bandits and kept some martial artists on his payroll, tightly controlling all information in Yuzhou. Now that he had fallen, the grievances he had suppressed would surface. Many who had been enduring hopelessly finally saw hope and came to the government office with evidence to file complaints.
The sound of drums for grievance reporting never stopped. Bai Junxing personally sat in the main hall to receive their petitions.
Shen Ziqin and Dongning listened from a side room. Dongning’s expression changed from shock to anger, and when he grew angry, his delicate features showed a barely perceptible sharpness.
“How dare they! These vermin harm the country and the people!”
Dongning’s eyes reddened as he listened to the tearful words in the hall.
“When you read about other countries in history books, it feels distant,” Shen Ziqin sighed, just as he had felt little reality when first arriving in Great Qi. “These are the subjects of Great Qi. They support the imperial family, so the imperial family should protect them.”
Expecting to change the feudal system in one or two generations would be a fantasy, but the march of history always moves forward. He could first teach the current imperial family to be benevolent toward the people, which would surely have an effect.
Book learning proves shallow in the end-Dongning deeply understood this principle now.
Bai Junxing collected more evidence of Yuzhou officials’ crimes, then closed the court and brought the documents to the side room where Shen Ziqin was. Shen Ziqin personally poured him a cup of tea: “You’ve worked hard these past few days.”
Bai Junxing drank the tea and shook his head: “Compared to the suffering of Yuzhou’s people, what hardship have I endured?”
He continued: “Thanks to you and the prince’s decisive action. Otherwise, who knows how long they would have continued to roam free.”
“It was just an unorthodox approach that happened to work.”
If Shen Ziqin hadn’t known the original story and the complex web hidden in darkness, he couldn’t have come up with these methods.
Shen Ziqin: “Has Cao said anything?”
Bai Junxing shook his head gravely: “With irrefutable evidence, he can’t defend himself, but he only says he did everything himself… How could that be possible? The collected taxes and sold grain don’t match the amounts in his storehouse. Where did the extra silver go? If there were no officials in the capital protecting him, his deeds would have been exposed long ago, and he would have lost his head seven or eight times over.”
In the original story, Magistrate Cao never implicated Wei Changhai, so although the Grand Secretary’s faction was severely weakened, Wei Changhai himself escaped unscathed.
But that was all right-Shen Ziqin could make him talk.
“I’m waiting for some news, then I’ll go see him,” Shen Ziqin said.
Bai Junxing was curious: “What news?”
Shen Ziqin had just opened his mouth when a guard from the prince’s residence hurried over and saluted him: “Marquis, great victory at Feng Mountain! The prince has captured the bandit leader alive and is now handling the aftermath. He’ll return soon.”
Shen Ziqin sighed in relief and smiled at Bai Junxing: “This news.”
Bai Junxing thought he understood: “Is it because the Feng Mountain bandit leader might have more evidence that can be used to make him talk?”
Shen Ziqin didn’t explain, allowing Bai Junxing to misunderstand.
In reality, he was simply concerned about Chu Zhao out of personal feelings.
He knew Chu Zhao was an invincible general, but that didn’t prevent Shen Ziqin from feeling worry and tension when he knew Chu Zhao was going into real battle with real weapons.
He trusted him, but without news, he couldn’t help feeling restless.
Shen Ziqin now understood how Chu Zhao had felt when he learned that Shen Ziqin had gone to stay in the bandit hideout.
Others waited for Chu Zhao to defeat the enemy and bring back victory, but Shen Ziqin was simply worried about him.
Now that he had received news about Chu Zhao, Shen Ziqin could go see Magistrate Cao with peace of mind.
Life in prison was certainly miserable. The environment was dark and damp, with just a bit of pale, cold light filtering through the window, making it feel even colder.
Shen Ziqin, accompanied by guards from the prince’s residence, entered the prison and was immediately hit by the cold air, causing him to pull his clothes tighter around himself.
Magistrate Cao had been stripped of his official robes and sat on a straw mat in prison clothes. His back was still straight, but the man had visibly declined, with little spirit left.
Shen Ziqin: “Magistrate Cao.”
Cao’s eyeballs moved slightly, slowly turning toward Shen Ziqin. Though Shen Ziqin addressed him by his official title in a calm tone, to Cao it felt like mockery.
“Prince Qin’s consort,” Cao said. “What you’ve discovered and can prove with evidence, I have nothing to say about. You’ve made a special trip here, surely not just to laugh at me.”
“I have no interest in your humiliation,” Shen Ziqin didn’t want to waste time beating around the bush in this filthy place. “Your relationship with Grand Secretary Wei is obvious to anyone with eyes, but we’re still missing something to prove it conclusively.”
Magistrate Cao: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He maintained an attitude of indifference, as if Shen Ziqin’s words meant nothing to him.
“You know you can’t escape your fate, but you’re hoping Grand Secretary Wei can protect your clan, saving what can be saved. So you don’t dare and aren’t willing to betray him.”
Shen Ziqin’s fine clothes looked out of place in the dark dungeon. Through the iron bars, his voice was as pleasant as ever, but to Magistrate Cao’s ears, it wasn’t like flowing water.
It was a bone-chilling death warrant.
“The situation in the capital has changed. Wei Changhai can barely protect himself, let alone have time to look after your clan. I could promise you some benefits, since your clan is extensive and some are innocent, but I know a simpler, easier way.”
Shen Ziqin blinked lightly. He was handsome, without any sharpness or intense killing intent. Due to his slender build, at first glance, no one would consider him dangerous.
But many had already suffered at his hands, and some had experienced his methods beneath his calm demeanor.
Flying Tiger’s claim that Shen Ziqin was scary wasn’t without reason.
Shen Ziqin spoke in an even tone, even with a hint of casualness, as if just chatting: “In Liucheng, Wuzhou, there’s a Madam Huang who runs a famous tavern.”
This simple sentence instantly changed Magistrate Cao’s expression. He nearly rolled off the straw mat in shock but managed to control himself, looking at Shen Ziqin with alarm and uncertainty.
Shen Ziqin stood, looking down at the half-crouching Magistrate Cao: “She has two children who look exactly like you. This is what the brothers who buy wine there have reported. They’re still at Madam Huang’s tavern now.”
Magistrate Cao understood the implication and crawled toward the prison door, incredulous: “You, you-”
How had he discovered this! Even his wife didn’t know; he had kept it tightly concealed.
If he didn’t speak up, would Shen Ziqin’s men kill Madam Huang and his sons?!
“People say you and your wife have a harmonious relationship, but in reality, there’s little affection between you-it’s just for mutual benefit. The things you cherish most are kept farthest away, like Madam Huang and your two sons.”
Shen Ziqin watched Magistrate Cao’s expression. This man had caused countless families to be broken and lives to be lost. He wouldn’t feel remorse; only when a knife was at his vulnerable spot would he truly feel pain.
Shen Ziqin’s lips curled in a half-mocking smile: “The brothers are still at the tavern, waiting for news from Yuzhou.”
“Magistrate Cao,” Shen Ziqin’s voice was measured, “are you ready to talk now?”
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(advanced chapters available on kofi)
