The palace corridors were deep, the halls majestic. This wasn’t Shen Ziqin’s first time entering the palace.
The first time he came, he had approached it with the mindset of a tourist in ancient times, treating it as a visit to a historical palace, enjoying the sights.
This time, he had no interest in appreciation.
Scenery always changes with one’s heart. When one is happy, even bare branches appear elegant as ink paintings; when one’s heart is cold, even blooming mountain flowers seem full of sorrow.
Shen Ziqin felt that the palace walls were very deep and long. Despite the emperor specifically arranging a sedan chair for him, it still seemed like a very long journey.
Entering the warm pavilion, Shen Ziqin glanced at the emperor’s complexion. Judging by appearances alone, he still looked healthy.
The emperor first made some bland small talk, then said: “I heard that your health was poor recently, extremely dangerous, and it was the Imperial Preceptor who brought you back.”
Emperor Cheng’an had indeed been surprised by Shen Ziqin’s sharp words in the warm pavilion earlier, but afterward hadn’t given it much thought.
Even a cornered rabbit will bite. At that time, everyone was anxious about the military situation, so Shen Ziqin showing a bit of temper was harmless.
After all, Shen Ziqin had previously cultivated an image of someone eager to serve Great Qi and the emperor.
Shen Ziqin maintained his persona and expressed gratitude: “Yes, I must thank Your Majesty and the Imperial Preceptor.”
“It’s nothing,” Emperor Cheng’an said with the appearance of a benevolent elder. “With Prince Qin about to depart for war, you’ll have nothing to do at the residence. Why not stay in the palace for a while? I’ll have the Imperial Preceptor continue to treat you properly. If your chronic illness can be cured, wouldn’t that be wonderful for everyone? It would also set Prince Qin’s mind at ease.”
Shen Ziqin inwardly scoffed: Set Prince Qin’s mind at ease? More like set your own mind at ease.
He knew that once he entered the palace today, the emperor had no intention of letting him leave easily.
Fortunately, he was mentally prepared.
Moreover, having the Imperial Preceptor treat his health was exactly what he wanted-it saved Shen Ziqin the effort of steering the conversation in that direction.
However, Shen Ziqin still needed to appear surprised on the surface. He started: “Your Majesty, is this… is this appropriate?”
Emperor Cheng’an fingered his prayer beads: “What’s inappropriate about it?”
Shen Ziqin appeared extremely awkward: “Your Majesty’s favor is great, and I’m deeply grateful for the Imperial Preceptor’s care, but would staying in the palace be overstepping boundaries?”
Emperor Cheng’an laughed: “We’re all family. What boundaries are there to overstep? Feel free to stay and focus on recovering. Let me think… you can stay in Xuanhua Palace. Later, I’ll have someone send word to the prince’s residence to dispatch three to five of your usual attendants. The palace has all the other staff and items you’ll need-you won’t be neglected.”
Emperor Cheng’an: “Someone come, escort Prince Qin’s consort to Xuanhua Palace.”
Shen Ziqin, seemingly moved by the emperor’s favor, bowed promptly and sincerely, bending deeply: “This subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!”
Eunuch Quan, smiling, brushed away some dust: “Consort, this way please.”
Shen Ziqin followed Eunuch Quan, with Bai Xiao behind him.
Dressed as a servant boy, Bai Xiao openly carried no weapons, but he had actually hidden weapons on his person that weren’t discovered when entering the palace.
Once inside the palace, Shen Ziqin’s safety primarily depended on him.
Eunuch Quan was leading the way when they were intercepted halfway to Xuanhua Palace.
The one blocking their path was the head matron from the Empress Dowager’s palace, Matron Zi.
“Oh my, Matron Zi,” Eunuch Quan’s face bloomed into a flower-though he usually maintained such a smile. “Are you going to relay a message from the Empress Dowager to His Majesty? Please go ahead, I won’t delay you.”
Matron Zi also gave a greeting: “Eunuch Quan, how courteous. I am here by the Empress Dowager’s order to welcome Prince Qin’s consort to stay at Cining Palace.”
Eunuch Quan’s expression froze: “This… Matron, but His Majesty has instructed that the consort is to go to Xuanhua Palace.”
The old fox knew this was another power struggle, but even when competing, everyone in the palace maintained smiles and spoke impeccably: “How could an outside man stay in the Empress Dowager’s palace? Besides, I heard the princess has just returned to the palace, so it would be even less appropriate for the consort to-”
Before he could finish, he saw Matron Zi suddenly curl her lips. Eunuch Quan’s heart sank, instantly realizing he had misspoken.
But the water had already been spilled, and there was no taking it back.
Sure enough, Matron Zi smiled: “How can the consort be considered an ‘outside’ man? Eunuch, your words are quite… unfortunate.”
Eunuch Quan’s scalp tightened, and Matron Zi gave him no further opportunity, addressing Shen Ziqin directly: “Consort, come with me. The Empress Dowager is thinking of you.”
Eunuch Quan hurriedly said: “His Majesty has already-”
“Regarding His Majesty, the Empress Dowager will speak to him herself. The consort has entered the palace, and the Empress Dowager misses him and wants him nearby to attend to her. Can’t she make this decision?”
Sometimes in handling matters, one must act first and report afterward, seizing the right moment. With Shen Ziqin now following her to Cining Palace, the matter would be settled. It was just a matter of living arrangements. The emperor’s forceful detention of him in the palace was already causing speculation. Would the emperor really come to Cining Palace to demand his return?
Shen Ziqin smiled gently at Matron Zi: “Thank you for leading the way, Matron. I’ll go pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.”
“Don’t say it’s a bother, it’s my duty. Your Highness, please follow me,” the maid replied.
Cining Palace was still filled with sandalwood fragrance. In such a vast palace, there was certainly a room for Shen Ziqin. Dongning was anxiously pacing in circles; when he saw Shen Ziqin arrive, he rushed over without caring about his image: “Royal sister-in-law, did he give you any trouble!”
Shen Ziqin smiled and hugged him: “No trouble.”
He then stepped back and bowed to the Empress Dowager: “Many thanks to Your Majesty for your help.”
The Empress Dowager let out a soft sigh.
She also wore a string of prayer beads on her wrist. The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes, gazing at the beads, but her expression seemed to look far away. After a moment, she spoke slowly, her voice steeped in the years: “His Majesty has been raised at my knee since he was ten. I treated him as my own son, taught him kindness and virtue. He was once so well-behaved, bringing joy to the late emperor and me.”
The emperor was not the Empress Dowager’s biological child, but she had no sons of her own and truly raised him as her own, giving him as much affection as a real mother would, regardless of any interests involved.
Whether their past mother-son affection was real or fake no longer mattered. If it was fake, it was all the more heartbreaking; if it was real, the years had worn it away.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes briefly, gently brushed her sleeve-though her clothes were spotless, it was as if she were dusting something away.
“If you ever need my help, just ask.”
Her words clearly carried a deeper meaning, not just about Shen Ziqin staying in the palace.
Shen Ziqin bowed his head and gave her a solemn bow once more-everything was understood without words.
Inside the palace, Shen Ziqin had secured his place with the Empress Dowager’s support. Outside, Chu Zhao also received news of Shen Ziqin entering the palace.
He was stunned at first, then immediately turned and strode toward the door.
Steward Meng was alarmed: “Your Highness, Your Highness! The marquis left you a message-please listen!”
No wonder he was afraid. The moment Chu Zhao turned, murderous intent exploded from him, the killing aura forged in blood and battle suddenly bursting forth. The lively expression he always wore before Shen Ziqin iced over, chilling to the bone.
And as Prince Qin turned, his hand was on his sword hilt.
He gripped it so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He looked as if he was about to storm the palace and cut down Emperor Cheng’an on the spot.
The words “Shen Ziqin” successfully pinned Chu Zhao in place.
Steward Meng hurriedly said: “The marquis said that entering the palace actually makes things more convenient for him-that this is an opportunity. He told you not to worry, to focus on your campaign, and that he’ll take care of everything that needs to be swept away, waiting for your return.”
After saying this, Steward Meng anxiously watched Chu Zhao’s expression. Chu Zhao’s face did not relax, but he didn’t storm out either.
Chu Zhao stood where he was, closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths.
He knew-he knew he couldn’t really charge into the palace at this moment. That earlier turn was just a rush of blood to the head. Even if he were allowed to go, he would calm down and not do anything foolish.
Reason was one thing, but it didn’t stop him from burning with anger and feeling terrible.
Ziqin being taken to the palace was meant to restrain him. The emperor had no reason to harm Ziqin, but when Chu Zhao heard he’d been taken away, it was like a dragon’s reverse scale had been touched.
One touch, and it was thunderous fury.
After several deep breaths, Chu Zhao cursed Emperor Cheng’an and his entire family tree.
Even when angry or on the most dangerous battlefield, the prince had never cursed so foully-he’d never involved people’s families before, since relatives were innocent.
But this time, he was truly furious and didn’t care.
Steward Meng wisely pretended not to hear that those were his ancestors too.
Chu Zhao, hand still on his sword, turned back.
“Ziqin will most likely be kept in the palace. Soon, the palace may send someone with news. Call Xiao Zhen, and have several guards dress as servants, then follow into the palace. How many can go will depend on how many the old man allows.”
Chu Zhao truly understood Emperor Cheng’an. He was not one to be blinded by emotion. Since Ziqin entering the palace was a done deal, there was no use in getting angry-he would do everything he could.
“Have them pack things Ziqin is used to. Once there, be alert in all matters. All personal items must be watched by our own people-don’t trust the eunuchs and maids sent over.”
Steward Meng listened carefully.
Chu Zhao: “The Empress Dowager should look after him… Where’s Dongning?”
Steward Meng: “The princess returned to the palace first, even before the marquis. Also, Bai Xiao has disguised himself as a servant and gone in with the marquis.”
Chu Zhao’s expression eased a little: “Ziqin didn’t dote on Dongning for nothing.”
He appeared calm and methodical, as if his anger had passed, and continued: “Also, inform my second brother. I’m leaving the capital tomorrow, and this capital…”
At this point, Chu Zhao couldn’t continue. After a while, he wiped his face and muttered under his breath, “Damn.”
He was to leave the capital tomorrow. He’d wanted to say a proper goodbye to Ziqin, but the emperor had detained him.
Chu Zhao looked up, his gaze icy as he stared at the sky.
Emperor Cheng’an, that old bastard.
Tomorrow he would march out, and he didn’t know if Ziqin would be able to persuade the old man to let him out of the palace to see him off.
Ziqin would surely try, he knew.
Not long after, someone from the palace did come-Shen Ziqin was to remain in the palace.
Chu Zhao tossed and turned in the residence, sleepless all night.
The next morning he had to leave early, without the honor of the emperor and all the officials seeing him off. When he left the city, the sky was just lightening. He rode slowly, face calm but heart anxious.
Until-he saw Shen Ziqin by the roadside.
Shen Ziqin stood by the carriage from the palace, waiting in the morning mist, looking out for him.
Their eyes met, and both brightened instantly.
Chu Zhao immediately spurred his horse: “Hyah!”
As the horse drew near, its hooves clattered, shattering the morning calm. Chu Zhao dismounted in a single leap, hurried forward three steps, and then suddenly stopped.
They had endless things to say, but couldn’t express them all at this moment, not only because time was insufficient, but also because of the eunuchs and imperial guards following behind Shen Ziqin.
Chu Zhao raised his hand and gently brushed away a drop of mist that had condensed on Shen Ziqin’s falling hair.
Normally at this hour, his consort would still be sleeping, curled up in his arms, quiet and obedient. If he had a pleasant dream, he might even murmur and nestle closer, his eyes carrying the most serene smile.
“Why didn’t you wait in the carriage?” he asked hoarsely.
Shen Ziqin smiled: “Afraid I’d miss you.”
He simply wanted to see him a little longer, just a little longer.
His eyes seemed misty, rippling like water. Chu Zhao, moved by his smile, felt a surge of parting sorrow and a tightness in his heart. He raised his hand and embraced Shen Ziqin tightly.
Shen Ziqin also forcefully nestled himself into Chu Zhao’s embrace.
“The journey ahead is long. I wish Prince Qin victory in every battle,” Shen Ziqin said. “May you succeed in all endeavors.”
Chu Zhao held the back of Shen Ziqin’s head, protecting his treasure: “Take care of yourself. Nothing is more important than you.”
The mist in Shen Ziqin’s eyes was about to overflow, but he still smiled: “I will.”
He had come specially to see his prince off, and couldn’t show a worried face.
Only after they reluctantly parted, after Chu Zhao looked back three times for every step on horseback, after his silhouette finally disappeared into the distance and could no longer be seen-
Only then did Shen Ziqin’s smile slowly fade.
He raised his hand, gently blew on it, and covered his fingertips that had been chilled in the mist.
But the watery look in Shen Ziqin’s eyes had dissipated, crystallizing into ice.
Facing the eunuchs, his expression languid, when a palace eunuch reached out to help him into the carriage, Shen Ziqin gave him a cold glance: “No need.”
He was accustomed to Chu Zhao’s assistance, but not that of others.
The eunuch reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Before Shen Ziqin lowered the curtain, his voice carried out: “Perhaps from standing in the mist too long, I’m feeling somewhat unwell. Please trouble yourself to announce when we return to the palace, and invite the Imperial Preceptor to examine me.”
“Didn’t His Majesty personally say that the Imperial Preceptor should help improve my health?”
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(advanced chapters available on kofi)
