Zhou Danmo started bargaining shamelessly: from wanting to paint one portrait of Shen Ziqin, he now wanted to paint many, many more.
Shen Ziqin didn’t mind and agreed readily.
Zhou Danmo was so excited he wanted to swear brotherhood with Shen Ziqin on the spot, only to be ruthlessly stopped by Chu Zhao.
Everyone chatted around the table. Although Shen Ziqin mostly listened, he felt truly content-since transmigrating, he hadn’t had anyone to really talk to, so today was well worth it.
The only odd thing was the lunch menu.
Imagine sitting in a blooming garden, fragrant and beautiful, as servants elegantly bring out dish after dish-when suddenly a strong smell hits you. You look down and see-
Steamed salted fish, braised salted fish, pan-fried salted fish…
A salted fish convention?
Fortunately, Shen Ziqin wasn’t the only one stunned by the “banquet of salted fish.” The third prince’s fan tassel swayed wildly: “Why so much salted fish?”
Host Zhou Danmo explained, “A few days ago, I visited Sixth Highness’s residence and heard he’s recently obsessed with salted fish. But the prince’s kitchen hadn’t made any yet, so I gathered all kinds of salted fish for His Highness to enjoy!”
So that’s why, Shen Ziqin realized. “That’s why today’s couplet mentioned salted fish too.”
Wow, he’s so obsessed that even poetry and couplets are about salted fish?
That’s true love.
Chu Zhao: “I’m not-”
He stopped.
Because he realized, in despair, that if he explained he just wanted to be a salted fish, everyone would stare at him in horror: What, eating it isn’t enough, you want to become one?
A dignified prince obsessed with salted fish to the point of no return-is it the distortion of human nature or the fall of morality!
Chu Zhao swallowed his protest and smiled. “Yes, I like salted fish.”
The third prince, full of sympathy, put some fish on his plate: “Eating poorly while fighting on the front lines-look how much you’ve suffered, child.”
Zhou Danmo ladled a huge fish head for him, feeling sad for him: “Wuwu, Your Highness, eat more!”
Bai Junxing, as a courtier, couldn’t overstep by serving food, so he raised his cup: “Your Highness has fought to protect the people of Great Qi. I admire you-cheers.”
Shen Ziqin served him a bowl of milky white fish soup, steaming and fragrant.
Chu Zhao: “……”
Under everyone’s eager eyes, he withdrew the chopsticks he’d been about to use for the braised pork.
With so much hospitality, he had no choice but to eat the fish first.
Sigh, life really is lonely as snow.
The third prince, Chu Jinxu, saw Shen Ziqin’s actions and rolled his eyes: “Shen Shizi, my sixth brother is a year younger than you, so he’s surely less steady. If he ever slacks off, just keep him in line-teach him how to behave.”
It sounded like he was praising Shen Ziqin, but he was really putting in a good word for Chu Zhao. Shen Ziqin understood. “Your Highness is truly considerate-I still have much to learn.”
He almost forgot: he was twenty-one, Chu Zhao was twenty-indeed, a year younger.
Forced onto the battlefield as a teen, fighting for his life, with a father who could kill on a whim-this kid really hadn’t had it easy.
There was a hint of pity in Shen Ziqin’s gaze, but when it landed on Chu Zhao, he realized: the kid was a year younger, but half a head taller, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, full of presence and strength.
Looking at his own thin frame and weak constitution…
Prince Qin might accept care from those close to him, but he didn’t need pity from above.
Realizing this, Shen Ziqin quickly withdrew the look, feeling guilty, and offered Chu Zhao another bowl of soup to make up for it.
The third prince and Zhou Danmo followed suit, filling Chu Zhao’s bowl with fish.
Chu Zhao: …
His chopsticks had just reached for the braised pork.
By the end of lunch, Chu Zhao set down his overly salty chopsticks in a daze. “Danmo, your cook is good, but after this meal, I don’t want to see salted fish for a while.”
Zhou Danmo: “I was afraid you hadn’t had enough-was planning to send more to your place.”
Chu Zhao quickly said, “No need, really. I appreciate the thought, thank you.”
Having narrowly avoided his residence being flooded with salted fish, Chu Zhao sat a while longer, then stood up. “Shizi, let’s go-I’ll take you home.”
The prince’s carriage stopped at the Marquis of Yin Nan’s residence. Once Shen Ziqin was inside, the wheels soon rolled on again. Passing a deserted alley, the carriage stopped, and a figure slipped in.
It was the third prince, Chu Jinxu.
Decked out in jingling ornaments, even his fan tassel sounded like wind chimes. “So, did you reach an understanding?”
Chu Zhao nodded. “Yes.”
“Shen Shizi is a smart person. If he wants money, I can give it; if he wants to be cured, I can find the medicine. The emperor can’t easily win him over, and he has no feelings for the marquis’s household, so they can’t be used to threaten him.”
Chu Jinxu pointed out, “But what if Shen Shizi wants power?”
“The emperor trusts you for now, so you could help him get a minor post, but if he wants to climb higher, he’ll still have to rely on the emperor’s favor.” Chu Jinxu slowly folded his fan, casually staring at the gem on its tassel. “Power is a fine thing-especially for these noble sons. How many of them truly don’t understand that?”
Chu Zhao could answer most things, but not this one. As much as he liked Shen Ziqin, they hadn’t known each other long enough for him to be sure of all of Shen Ziqin’s ambitions.
“I don’t know,” this prince replied, but he didn’t look worried. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Besides, not everyone who seeks power sides with the emperor. Isn’t that why you’re working with Bai Junxing?”
Chu Jinxu chuckled. “He’s a real talent. Oh, and here’s some news for you-word from the palace. The old man wants you to stay in the capital and, after the wedding, take command of the Patrol Battalion.”
Aside from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the capital’s two main military forces were the Imperial Guards and the Patrol Battalion. The Imperial Guards protected the palace, the Patrol Battalion watched the surrounding areas, and leading the Patrol Battalion was a prime position.
But Chu Zhao’s expression darkened.
His lips moved several times, hesitating, then finally he couldn’t hold back: “I don’t know if I should say this.”
Chu Jinxu saw his face and knew he wanted to curse. “Go ahead-if it’s too filthy, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”
Chu Zhao let out a classic curse.
The last commander of the Patrol Battalion had been beheaded three months ago, and the deputy was acting in his place. Many people had their eyes on the position, especially the deputy, who was probably waiting to be promoted.
Now, the emperor was sending Chu Zhao in at this time. On the surface, it looked like a favor, but in reality, it was a warning to those getting restless below and also made Chu Zhao the target of everyone else’s ambitions-a perfect way to stabilize resentment.
Let the officials fight among themselves while the emperor sat back and relaxed.
He couldn’t govern, but he was a master at palace intrigue.
Chu Jinxu’s expression was shadowed. “The art of manipulation-our emperor, aside from chasing immortality, only keeps an eye on a handful of people.”
He cares nothing for the people, only for spirits and omens. Laughable and sad.
Chu Zhao clenched his fist. “I just wanted to get married and finally rest for a while.”
“Rest? Who doesn’t want that? At least you’ve got two months to relax.” Chu Jinxu patted his shoulder. “Message delivered, I’m off.”
Chu Zhao had eaten his fill of salted fish, but right now, he felt stuffed with anger at the damned emperor.
He took a deep breath-don’t get angry, anger only hurts yourself, and soon he’d have a real invalid to take care of.
Thinking it through, even if he did take over the Patrol Battalion and became a target, it might be a chance to solve things once and for all-not bad.
Chu Zhao’s mindset was truly good.
He casually lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, the sunlight flashing in his eyes, sharpening into a hidden edge.
The curtain fell, silent.
Two months wouldn’t be enough-he wanted a lifetime of peace. He’d had enough salted fish, but his desire to be a salted fish remained as strong as ever. Never forget your original intention.
*
When Shen Ziqin returned to the Marquis’s residence, to be honest, after a day out enjoying flowers and tea with good company, coming back to his little courtyard was such a stark contrast that the loneliness doubled.
Shen Ziqin wasn’t someone who couldn’t handle solitude, but the Marquis’s residence and its people were just so unpleasant-anywhere else wouldn’t feel as bad.
He sat in his room for a while and regretted not buying a storybook while he was out-at least he’d have something to pass the time.
Instead, he was left squishing a rubber doll for entertainment.
He muttered to himself, “At least if I had a storybook…”
Bored out of his mind, he decided he’d go buy some books and little trinkets tomorrow. After all, in a new world, you had to find new hobbies, add some fun, and enjoy life.
After a few cups of tea, he got up for a quick break, and when he returned, he found a book had appeared on his previously empty desk.
Shen Ziqin: !
The cover showed two men-one dressed as a scholar, the other with fox ears and a tail. The title: “Midnight Fox’s Song.”
A mysterious supernatural storybook appearing out of nowhere in an empty room? Creepy enough to fill three episodes of a science show.
Shen Ziqin was startled, a chill running from his feet to his scalp. All the servants had been sent away, so it couldn’t be one of them overhearing his muttering and instantly delivering a book.
Though startled, Shen Ziqin believed in science, and his mind raced under the shock.
With his good memory, he immediately recalled the laughter that had echoed through his courtyard that morning.
If it was a spy targeting the Marquis’s house, one slip-up was unprofessional-but to openly leave a storybook on his desk…
Shen Ziqin pushed open the window, looked all around, and called out, “Whoever left a storybook in my room, could you show yourself?”
The wind rustled the trees in the courtyard. It was silent. No reply.
Shen Ziqin patiently stood still.
After a moment, at last, a figure flashed and landed before him, scratching his head awkwardly.
The moment he appeared, Shen Ziqin’s heart jumped to his throat-but when he saw the face, it settled back down.
Wasn’t this the white-haired boy who always followed Chu Zhao?
The boy scratched his head and bowed. “Consort-er, no, Shizi, I’m Bai Xiao, a guard from Prince Qin’s household. His Highness sent me to protect you. The storybook on your desk is for you.”
Wow, what kind of bodyguard eavesdrops from rooftops and carries storybooks around?
Shen Ziqin asked, “That was you this morning too?”
Bai Xiao looked embarrassed. “Yes.”
He’d been caught and punished with no sweets, but now that His Highness said he and Shizi had reached an understanding, it was fine for Shizi to know he existed.
Shen Ziqin figured, with the boy’s skills, if he hadn’t laughed out loud this morning, no one would have noticed him-so Bai Xiao had probably been secretly following him for days already.
Besides protection, it was probably also that Chu Zhao wanted to gather information about him. Shen Ziqin didn’t mind; after all, he also wanted to know what kind of person Chu Zhao was in advance, but with no money or connections, he couldn’t manage it himself.
The fact that Bai Xiao dared to reveal himself directly was a sign of Chu Zhao’s sincerity.
The kid was quite cute, so Shen Ziqin reached out and ruffled his hair. “Thanks for the storybook.”
Bai Xiao grinned.
Shen Ziqin had Bai Xiao sit down, and Bai Xiao eagerly introduced, “This is a really popular storybook right now-it sells very well.”
Even though no one else was around, he still lowered his voice: “I’ll tell you a secret-the story was written by Lord Bai, and the illustrations are by Young Lord Zhou.”
Shen Ziqin’s frail body jolted. “Which Lord Bai?”
Bai Xiao replied, “Lord Bai Junxing.”
The original novel never mentioned the protagonist had this kind of hobby!
Shen Ziqin immediately perked up. “Then I have to read it carefully.”
With Lord Bai’s literary talent, the story was sure to be full of twists and excitement. And before even opening the book, the beautiful characters on the cover already showed Young Lord Zhou’s excellent artistry.
Shen Ziqin carefully held the storybook, ready to read, but as he got closer, he noticed a small line on the cover: “15+.”
In Great Qi, people could marry at fifteen, so “15+” was equivalent to “18+” in modern terms.
Shen Ziqin paused, then looked meaningfully at Bai Xiao. “Are you already fifteen?”
Bai Xiao’s face changed dramatically: Oh no!
“I’m almost fifteen, just two years to go, just two years!” Bai Xiao’s panicked voice got quieter under Shen Ziqin’s silent gaze, until he finally gave up, put his hands together, and pleaded honestly, “This is the only 15+ one I bought, really… I was wrong! Please don’t tell the prince!”
The kid’s wide, earnest eyes were just like a guilty little puppy-so cute that Shen Ziqin couldn’t help but laugh. “Just this one, really?”
Bai Xiao nodded furiously. “Yes, yes!”
Too adorable. Shen Ziqin laughed. “Alright, I won’t tell him.”
Bai Xiao let out a huge sigh of relief.
His expressions were so vivid and fun that Shen Ziqin couldn’t resist teasing, “Are you really that scared of him?”
Bai Xiao shook his head instinctively, then hesitated and gave a tiny nod.
He held up two fingers, leaving only a tiny gap. “Just a little bit.”
“Looks like he treats you well.”
Bai Xiao’s eyes sparkled. “Of course! I was born with white hair, and everyone-including my parents-thought I was unlucky. The prince was the first to tell me not to mind it.”
“When the prince passed by on a campaign, he said that to me and took me away from the town. That’s why I am who I am now.”
“He’s a really, really good person,” Bai Xiao said seriously. “Shizi, when you enter the prince’s residence, he’ll treat you well too.”
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then Bai Xiao’s were bright and clear-his words had a kind of magic that made them easy to believe.
Shen Ziqin didn’t say whether he believed it or not, just smiled slightly. “Your white hair is beautiful. If anyone insults you for it, just scold them back.”
Being praised for his hair by someone who looked like a celestial being! Bai Xiao was delighted, feeling he’d made the right judgment-Shen Shizi was beautiful and kind-hearted, also a good person.
Shen Ziqin didn’t realize how quickly Bai Xiao’s affection for him was growing, and took the opportunity to continue, “Tell me more about what kind of person the prince is.”
Since Chu Zhao used his guard to gather information about him, it was only fair for him to learn about Chu Zhao in return.
Mentioning Chu Zhao, Bai Xiao instantly launched into a stream of praise-brave, clever, invincible, a master strategist-almost to the point of worship.
The only flaw he could think of was: “Maybe the prince is too smart sometimes, and I can’t always understand what he says.”
After all the compliments, Shen Ziqin finally asked, “Does your prince have anyone he likes?”
Even though Chu Zhao had told him he wasn’t interested in romance, what if he was just being polite or shy and actually liked someone? If he knew in advance, Shen Ziqin could avoid being a third wheel.
Bai Xiao answered confidently, “Nope! I’ve been by the prince’s side for years, I can guarantee it.”
“I see,” Shen Ziqin thought for a moment. “I’ll keep your storybook secret-help me out too. If you find out the prince likes someone, can you tell me?”
“Sure!” Bai Xiao agreed enthusiastically, but all the storybook scenarios he’d read started spinning in his mind. He quietly lowered his voice. “Shizi, do you like the prince? Are you jealous?”
Even though the prince said they weren’t a real couple, if Shizi and the prince liked each other, wouldn’t that be perfect? He could help!
Shen Ziqin saw from his eyes that Bai Xiao was overthinking, so he patted his fluffy head affectionately. “No, I just want to avoid misunderstandings and help if the prince has someone he likes.”
“Ah…” Bai Xiao was disappointed.
Shen Ziqin said, “Don’t be. See, you and I can help him together in the future. With more people, he’ll definitely catch up to the one he likes.”
Bai Xiao thought about it and agreed-more people, more strength! The prince’s love life was sure to succeed!
He held out his pinky for a promise. “It’s a deal. If I find out the prince likes someone, I’ll tell you first.”
Shen Ziqin hooked his pinky and shook it. “Deal.”
The two of them made their secret pact, and far away in the prince’s residence, Chu Zhao suddenly sneezed.
Chu Zhao: “Achoo!”
Is someone talking bad about this prince behind his back?
