SBMT Chapter 67

Wei Changhai’s imprisonment was no small matter. His faction would also be thoroughly investigated, and officials who had previously associated with them were all fearful, becoming extremely cautious in both actions and words.

 

Another major case for the Three Judicial Offices to review. Emperor Cheng’an rested for a day before ordering his subordinates to supervise the proceedings.

 

With the Deputy Grand Secretary’s faction recently purged, most of the newly promoted officials were from the previously suppressed princes’ faction, while a small portion of unaffiliated individuals hadn’t yet established their footing. Therefore, this investigation was clearly led by the Court of Judicial Review where the second prince served, with others in supporting roles.

 

While Emperor Cheng’an was still bedridden, Chu Zhaoyu had visited him, wheeling himself in with his usual respectful and gentle demeanor.

 

He also conveyed the false concern of his two brothers.

 

It was right not to let Chu Zhao and Chu Jinxu appear. Their father-son relationship was distant anyway-if they didn’t come to inquire about their father’s illness, they would just be reprimanded and lightly punished afterward. If they had come, the situation might have become uncontrollable.

 

The sick tend to overthink. When Emperor Cheng’an was ill in bed, physically and mentally exhausted and in decline, seeing his sons in their prime would not bring him comfort.

 

He would only feel his paternal and imperial authority threatened.

 

But Chu Zhaoyu was just right, because his crippled and weak condition wouldn’t make Emperor Cheng’an uncomfortable.

 

He would also be willing to help with tasks.

 

Chu Zhaoyu naturally appeared obedient, answering without error.

 

With such a major event at court, Shen Ziqin actually wanted to attend court to hear about it firsthand.

 

But that wasn’t possible. He needed to play the role of the delicate consort who had been frightened in Yuzhou and fallen seriously ill. So after returning to the capital, he didn’t leave the residence, staying within the prince’s mansion and hearing news from Chu Zhao.

 

Fortunately, the residence was large enough that he didn’t feel confined.

 

And when Chu Zhao wasn’t around, there were visitors.

 

Young Master Zhou, as a staunch member of the princes’ faction, was trustworthy and came specifically to keep Prince Qin’s consort company, to entertain him, and secretly… to gather material for his storybooks.

 

Previously, Chu Zhao had asked him to recall his storybooks. Though only a small inventory of unsold books remained, he had dutifully collected them. Chu Zhao had returned his beauty paintings, but Zhou had forgotten the pain once healed-his desire to write storybooks remained alive, stirring with anticipation.

 

“Look, my new hero-rescues-beauty painting!”

 

Zhou Danmo proudly displayed his work, unrolling the scroll. As always, it was beautifully drawn, but the scene of Chu Zhao carrying him and charging single-handedly through flashing swords bore no relation to reality-pure imagination.

 

“Such a wonderful scene, such a great story, yet unable to be shared with others-what a pity,” Zhou Danmo sighed. “Consort, why don’t you whisper in the prince’s ear and persuade him to let us continue writing?”

 

Shen Ziqin nearly choked at the phrase “whisper in his ear,” but then realized that he actually could influence him now, so he swallowed his words.

 

Even without mentioning pillow talk, Shen Ziqin had something to discuss with Zhou Danmo.

 

“Your previous storybook was too obvious, using the imperial family as models and mentioning their family members. You’re really bold-aren’t you afraid of the one on the dragon throne finding out? Chu Zhao asking you to recall them quickly was actually for your own good.”

 

Zhou Danmo was taken aback: “I didn’t dare write much about the two protagonists’ families. I thought it was subtle enough?”

 

“I can only say it’s fortunate that the previous storybook wasn’t printed in large quantities,” Shen Ziqin said. “Otherwise, if it had become widely circulated and word reached the palace, that person doesn’t have a generous heart.”

 

Zhou Danmo felt a chill and his head drooped.

 

Shen Ziqin said leisurely: “But now you can write.”

 

Zhou Danmo’s drooping head suddenly lifted.

 

“Because of Wei Changhai’s matter, he temporarily can’t spare much attention,” Shen Ziqin smiled. “Besides, I have a favor to ask of you.”

 

As long as he could write his beloved storybooks, anything was negotiable. Zhou Danmo perked up: “Whatever it is, just say it!”

 

Shen Ziqin: “You want to create a series, right? In the next book, make Lin Zhao’s character richer, write more about his virtues, don’t just focus on romance. Especially write about how he treats people and his contributions to his community. In the illustrations, don’t make him look too fierce.”

 

Zhou Danmo sensed his meaning: “You want to…”

 

“Yes,” Shen Ziqin nodded. “There have been too many rumors and slander about Chu Zhao. It’s time to correct them.”

 

Zhou Danmo and Bai Junxing’s storybooks had always been popular. For the common people, folk stories had great influence and spread widely. When Emperor Cheng’an smeared Chu Zhao, he had created many narratives that spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, becoming increasingly outrageous.

 

“That’s easy!” Zhou Danmo patted his chest. “I’ve long been tired of hearing those fabrications.”

 

He cautiously asked: “So how far can we go now?”

 

“Still don’t let Lin Zhao’s father appear. Pretend he doesn’t exist.”

 

Zhou Danmo nodded: “I understand.”

 

Zhou Danmo stayed for a short while in the afternoon but didn’t stay for dinner. Having gotten the answer he wanted, he left satisfied.

 

Chu Zhao had also been busy these days. As the investigation deepened and more officials were imprisoned, arresting people was physical work-they couldn’t send civil officials to do it.

 

Some had reported sick in advance, hoping to flee with their families. Honestly, sending family members away first while staying behind to face justice still left room for maneuver, but trying to flee themselves? What were they thinking?

 

When Chu Zhao caught these people at the city gate, he couldn’t help but laugh at them.

 

When he returned home, he shared these amusing stories with Shen Ziqin to make him happy too.

 

After laughing at their stupidity, thinking about what they had done before made it hard to keep laughing.

 

“Besides the Yuzhou officials who will definitely receive the death penalty, there are more than a dozen other officials whose heads absolutely cannot be saved,” Chu Zhao said. “And some relatives who colluded with them-without counting carefully, the executioners at the palace gate will have to chop until their arms are sore.”

 

Shen Ziqin: “They all deserve their punishment.”

 

“Who would disagree?”

 

Shen Ziqin: “By the way, Young Master Zhou came today and asked me to whisper in your ear.”

 

Chu Zhao: “Cough, cough, cough!”

 

He said hoarsely: “…What kind of whispering?”

 

“Pillow talk.” Shen Ziqin smiled brightly. “What’s wrong, am I not allowed to?”

 

“Ahem.” Chu Zhao cleared his choked throat. “Of course you can. What does he want-to continue writing storybooks?”

 

Shen Ziqin nodded: “I mainly want to use the storybooks to rebuild your reputation.”

 

Chu Zhao immediately understood Shen Ziqin’s intention. His eyes deepened with emotion, his heart deeply moved.

 

Chu Zhao: “Come here, let me hug you.”

 

Shen Ziqin obligingly moved over.

 

Chu Zhao embraced him, resting his chin on Shen Ziqin’s shoulder, exhaling: “I don’t even care anymore. I was thinking, whatever happens, happens.”

 

Shen Ziqin: “But how-”

 

“Now I find that having someone care on my behalf feels really good,” Chu Zhao added.

 

Shen Ziqin closed his lips and softly acknowledged with a sound, also leaning on Chu Zhao’s shoulder. Having someone care about you indeed felt good-he had already experienced this from Chu Zhao.

 

Chu Zhao held him, feeling content. Since they had opened up to each other, Shen Ziqin had become less reserved with his words, including the words of love that Chu Zhao had thought he would have to wait a long time for-Shen Ziqin had written them for him.

 

“You can even whisper in my ear now. Look how shy you were before-liking me for so long but never daring to speak up.”

 

Was it really so long? Shen Ziqin began to reflect.

 

Chu Zhao looked nostalgic: “You were clearly the one who liked me first. I gave so many hints, but you avoided them all.”

 

Shen Ziqin was startled.

 

“Wait.”

 

He pulled away from Chu Zhao’s embrace, looking at him in confusion: “Weren’t you the one who liked me first?”

 

Chu Zhao also froze: “?”

 

They both saw the same surprise in each other’s eyes.

 

Shen Ziqin: “…”

 

Chu Zhao: “…”

 

Something seemed off!

 

Chu Zhao was incredulous: “You liked me first. You were willing to risk your life and everything for me, but I clearly hadn’t done much for you yet.”

 

Shen Ziqin was equally bewildered: “You clearly liked me first. Your kindness to me is countless-how can you say you hadn’t done much?”

 

Two academic geniuses had worked on the same problem. Though the result was the same, at this moment, they discovered that their solution processes were different.

 

Chu Zhao stiffly tugged at the corner of his mouth: “It’s fine, I know you’re embarrassed. I understand, but you can admit it now.”

 

Shen Ziqin also forced a similar smile: “I know Your Highness is stubborn and proud, but only the two of us know about this-you don’t need to be so reluctant to admit it.”

 

After saying this, they looked at each other, sparks and lightning in their gazes, igniting an inexplicable competitive spirit.

 

Shen Ziqin: “It was you.”

 

Chu Zhao: “It was you.”

 

“You.”

 

“You.”

 

Chu Zhao: “If you don’t admit it, I’ll kiss you.”

 

Shen Ziqin directly kissed him on the lips: “Even if you kiss me, you were still the first to fall in love.”

 

Chu Zhao pulled Shen Ziqin’s head toward him, held his waist, and kissed him until his face flushed like peach blossoms, leaving him breathless.

 

Chu Zhao: “If you still won’t admit it, I’ll continue kissing you until you can’t speak.”

 

Shen Ziqin refused to yield. Taking a deep breath, he cupped Chu Zhao’s face and fiercely kissed him back.

 

A moment later-

 

Shen Ziqin had turned to water, soft in Chu Zhao’s arms.

 

The fact proved that scholars couldn’t compete with martial artists in lung capacity.

 

But even if he couldn’t win, with his last breath, Shen Ziqin, with reddened eyes, tremblingly said that sentence-

 

“You were the first… mmph!”

 

Chu Zhao’s breathing had also become rough, but he could still continue. This time he kissed Shen Ziqin until he was dizzy, his eyes glistening with moisture.

 

Initially, Shen Ziqin had been sitting, but now he was lying powerlessly in Chu Zhao’s arms, being held by him.

 

Both were panting heavily in the room.

 

Chu Zhao panted: “I think, we shouldn’t be arguing about this right now.”

 

Shen Ziqin also panted: “I, agree, huff…”

 

They each calmed their breathing. A moment later, looking at each other again, neither could help but burst into laughter.

 

Chu Zhao laughed and pulled Shen Ziqin close. Shen Ziqin hooked his arm, and they pressed their foreheads together, nuzzling each other until both their hair was disheveled.

 

Chu Zhao chuckled: “Let me ask differently-when did you start liking me, hmm?”

 

Shen Ziqin’s eyes were like autumn lotus pools: “I don’t know… thinking carefully, I really don’t know when it began.”

 

They hadn’t fallen in love at first sight. The moment of realization was built on a foundation of steady, flowing emotions, gradually sinking without awareness. Perhaps they themselves didn’t know the exact moment their hearts first stirred.

 

Chu Zhao hugged him and swayed gently: “Me too. Regardless of who was first, you’re mine now.”

 

Shen Ziqin gently traced Chu Zhao’s defined jawline: “And you’re mine.”

 

Chu Zhao: “One more kiss?”

 

Shen Ziqin exhaled softly: “Come on.”

 

Their separate breaths intertwined once more.

 

With a beloved by one’s side, what matters isn’t who’s superior, but sharing each day together. Who was first really doesn’t matter anymore.

 

It’s more important to kiss to one’s heart’s content first.

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)