SBMT Chapter 80

Shen Ziqin had been moving back and forth in the camp, and Chu Zhao had just come from the battlefield. Both needed to bathe, so they decided to wash together.

 

The bathing conditions here couldn’t compare to their residence in the capital. Staying in a double bathtub wasn’t as comfortable as a pool.

 

Moreover, their pool at home had pipes, allowing hot and cold water to be used at any time.

 

Shen Ziqin sighed: “I miss our bathroom at home.”

 

Chu Zhao had lofty aspirations: “Sooner or later, I’ll promote the good design of having bathrooms in bedrooms.”

 

The two sat in the bathtub, with Shen Ziqin leaning against Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao scooped up a handful of water and poured it over Shen Ziqin’s arm. The glistening water droplets rolled down his porcelain-like skin, the mist creating a scene of incomparable beauty.

 

Shen Ziqin lazily leaned against Chu Zhao, pinching his knuckles, when he suddenly paused. His earlobes gradually turned red in the mist.

 

“You’re poking me,” Shen Ziqin said with red ears, somewhat incredulous. “You just came from the battlefield, and you still have energy?”

 

Chu Zhao embraced him from behind, sighing into his neck: “Seeing you gives me energy.”

 

Shen Ziqin: …Well, now he was poking even more.

 

He swallowed, his slender legs curling inward as the beautiful cat tried to ball himself up to escape: “But I have no energy, I don’t want to move.”

 

Chu Zhao chuckled softly: “I’ll take care of you. You don’t need to move. I’ll be gentle.”

 

Chu Zhao’s fingers reached around, lifting Shen Ziqin’s chin from behind, bringing his lips over.

 

The escape attempt failed; the cat ball was still opened up by him.

 

Water vapor filled the air, and heat quickly steamed a peach blossom flush onto his face. Shen Ziqin’s fingers resting on the edge trembled lightly, his porcelain-white skin reddened by the water, delicate enough to break at a touch.

 

Chu Zhao was indeed gentle, sufficiently tender.

 

Shen Ziqin felt like a small boat gently rocking on a lake, slowly drifting as waves rippled. His entire body was gradually immersed in comfort, his vision blurred with mist, steam rising like clouds, making his thoughts increasingly hazy.

 

Not knowing heaven was in the water while intoxicated, he felt so comfortable that he gradually surrendered, just wanting to fall asleep right there.

 

So the melodious sounds of pleasure gradually quieted, and when Chu Zhao finished attending to him, he discovered that Shen Ziqin had actually fallen asleep.

 

Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh ruefully. Holding him, he nuzzled against Shen Ziqin’s cheek.

 

There were still several buckets of clean hot and cold water in the bathroom. Chu Zhao changed the water and carefully washed him again. After drying him off and wrapping him in clothes, he carried him out.

 

Xiao Zhen, who had been waiting at the corner of the eaves for a long time, saw Chu Zhao carrying Shen Ziqin out and secretly pinched his own arm while tucking his sleeves:

 

Don’t let your smile spread too wide, hold it, hold it!

 

Chu Zhao lowered his voice: “You can go, no need to attend here.”

 

Xiao Zhen could barely contain his smile anymore and quickly acknowledged, walking away with joyful little steps.

 

After the thunderous gunfire and killing, Yueshan Pass’s night finally regained its peaceful appearance. Those who had gone to battle had returned home, and the mountains and rivers were all safe.

 

In dreams, there was no more fear and anxiety. The person beside the pillow could nestle together, sleeping well through the night.

 

The next day, as Shen Ziqin was about to wake up and open his eyes, he hazily snuggled toward the side. This time, he didn’t find emptiness but nestled into a warm embrace.

 

Shen Ziqin was momentarily surprised, then slowly looked up.

 

How rare-Chu Zhao was actually sleeping in, and even later than him. At this moment, his eyes were still closed, not awake.

 

Shen Ziqin’s misty sleepiness gradually dissipated. He blinked gently, looking at Chu Zhao’s sleeping face with curiosity.

 

Chu Zhao had probably been nudged by him just now, and in his sleep, he unconsciously raised his arm and pulled Shen Ziqin closer to himself.

 

This was a posture of comfort and protection.

 

Shen Ziqin: Could he be awake?

 

Thinking this, Shen Ziqin couldn’t help wanting to test him.

 

But Chu Zhao had indeed been very tired for several days, having just returned from the battlefield. Shen Ziqin wanted to test him but didn’t want to wake him.

 

Shen Ziqin first carefully reached out and tapped Chu Zhao’s nose.

 

His jade-white fingertip was as light as a feather, and Chu Zhao didn’t move at all, still sleeping deeply.

 

Shen Ziqin lay in Chu Zhao’s warm embrace, comfortable everywhere, his whole body and mind relaxed. The tranquility after the storm made him feel even more at ease, and when comfortable, one’s courage tends to grow.

 

Shen Ziqin pressed his lips together, his gaze moving across Chu Zhao’s face, finally landing on his sharp, thin lips.

 

Shen Ziqin’s heart skipped a beat in the soft bedding.

 

He didn’t know if his heartbeat was so loud it would wake Chu Zhao, but unfortunately, this was the one thing he couldn’t control.

 

Shen Ziqin’s gaze wandered, and amid his deafening heartbeat, he raised his hand, touching his own lips.

 

Then he gently pressed his fingertip to Chu Zhao’s lips.

 

This time was longer than the nose tap, but still as light as a dragonfly touching water, leaving no trace.

 

The warm lips made Shen Ziqin withdraw his hand like he’d been shocked by electricity. He clutched his fingertip, looking at Chu Zhao’s still-sleeping form, unable to resist curving his lips, laughing silently in his heart.

 

His eyes held a quiet and beautiful smile as he asked himself what he was doing.

 

So childish.

 

And after having done everything that should be done, just secretly touching Chu Zhao’s lips while he slept-how could his heart be drumming like this?

 

Shen Ziqin, oh Shen Ziqin, you’re done for, truly love-struck.

 

Even as he told himself he was done for, his face showed the most moving smile. Such an expression could only bloom in a place wrapped in warmth; one smile was enough to let people know how well he was doing.

 

Chu Zhao still wasn’t awake. Could it be that today I’ll actually get up first?

 

Shen Ziqin could already imagine the scene of people’s jaws dropping when he walked out the door.

 

Thinking this, he tried to slowly withdraw from the embrace without waking Chu Zhao, but unexpectedly, this slight movement caused Chu Zhao to react.

 

Shen Ziqin’s movements were truly gentle, but as soon as he withdrew his hand, the sleeping Chu Zhao suddenly pressed over and, to Shen Ziqin’s astonishment, accurately kissed his lips.

 

Shen Ziqin: “Mmph!”

 

Shen Ziqin’s eyes widened.

 

Chu Zhao hadn’t even opened his eyes!

 

The half-asleep person kissed without any technique. His kiss was chaotic, making Shen Ziqin equally chaotic, until their breathing was completely disheveled. Then Chu Zhao, the culprit, lay back down.

 

Shen Ziqin’s white jade face was flushed like peach blossoms. Panting lightly in the soft bedding, Chu Zhao held him and patted him, murmuring: “…Stay and sleep with me a bit longer.”

 

Shen Ziqin couldn’t speak.

 

With ink-black hair like a waterfall, the beauty like jade, Shen Ziqin lay breathlessly on his back for a while before finally regaining his composure.

 

…Was this person actually asleep or not?!

 

In any case, that day at noon, they got up together.

 

In the end, Shen Ziqin couldn’t get up earlier than Chu Zhao and couldn’t achieve the feat of shocking the prince’s residence attendants and guards.

 

Shen Ziqin was disappointed, while Chu Zhao smiled contentedly.

 

This sleep had been so comfortable that both were refreshed and well-rested, and only then did they stroll to the garrison’s council hall.

 

After winning the battle, there was still aftermath to handle. The memorial requesting compensation for injured and fallen soldiers had already been written and awaited Chu Zhao’s review. Yuanwang Camp needed to be rebuilt-with the foundation in place, it was a moderate project. And then there was the matter of how to handle the prisoners.

 

General Qi handed over a letter: “Your Highness, this is a peace negotiation letter from the eight major tribes. They want to seek peace and exchange prisoners. The envoy came early this morning, but we didn’t disturb you.”

 

Nearby, representatives from several other passes and camps had also come to discuss this matter. Zhan Yan was among them, saying: “We should make them wait.”

 

Chu Zhao and Shen Ziqin sat with their heads close together. They shared the seat of honor, examining the letter together. The commanders below, watching this scene, found it truly refreshing.

 

Previously, when Chu Zhao sat alone in the high position, he was majestic and imposing. Now, with a consort as beautiful as a celestial being added, the lion had suddenly retracted his claws and fangs.

 

The mighty lion had returned to his den, curling up his body and swishing his tail to allow his precious and beautiful cat to lean comfortably against him.

 

During today’s council, Military Supervisor Zhou Danmo had brush and ink at hand.

 

So he quietly went swish-swish-swish, rapidly sketching the scene.

 

He had been holding back for so long, and finally had the opportunity to draw from life!

 

After reading the letter, Chu Zhao said: “We can agree to peace. The eight major tribes will increase their annual tribute by twenty percent, and use the heads of the White Wolf tribe leader and heir to exchange for their prisoners… What’s with those looks?”

 

The officers instantly withdrew their teasing glances toward the high seat, all sitting up straight and serious: “Ahem, nothing. We just wondered if they would accept the twenty percent increase.”

 

The annual tribute from the eight tribes was not small. Having just paid their tribute recently and then suffering defeat, adding another twenty percent would truly be asking for their lives.

 

Chu Zhao certainly didn’t believe their evasiveness. They shouldn’t think he hadn’t noticed their winks and nudges just because they withdrew quickly: “We’re discussing serious matters, be proper.”

 

“Proposing a twenty percent increase in tribute gives them room to negotiate,” Shen Ziqin put down the letter. “After a defeat, they must cede territory, pay reparations, and send hostages. If they want peace, they should at least choose two of these to show sincerity.”

 

Chu Zhao loved how Shen Ziqin understood him so well. Continuing from Shen Ziqin’s words, he said: “When they negotiate terms, we can reduce the twenty percent tribute to ten percent, but in exchange for the Eagle tribe’s grasslands.”

 

This had been Chu Zhao’s goal from the beginning.

 

If you tell them all eight tribes must pay twenty percent more tribute, they’ll wail and protest. But if you then seize the opportunity to say ten percent tribute plus the Eagle tribe’s grasslands, their crying will stop.

 

They’ll think, well, that seems acceptable.

 

Moreover, although some hard-liners remained among the eight tribes, to reduce the tribute by ten percent, other tribes would certainly pressure the Eagle tribe to be generous, forcing them to give up their grasslands.

 

Their newly formed alliance would not only break apart but would do so in a particularly ugly manner.

 

The officers below only needed to think for a moment to realize how brilliant this plan was.

 

Zhan Yan struck his palm with his fist: “An excellent plan!”

 

Shen Ziqin: “As for the White Wolf tribe, I’ve heard the leader has many sons. We can spread the message that we’ll only recognize as the next leader someone who truly submits to Great Qi.”

 

This was also hinting that whoever was willing to submit would receive their support.

 

Shen Ziqin said calmly: “As for the heads of the current leader and heir, surely someone among them would be eager to present them.”

 

Defeating them from within without bloodshed, without sacrificing their own soldiers-this was a scholar’s way of conquest.

 

The men below felt a chill down their necks from the consort’s serene celestial bearing, and quietly swallowed.

 

The consort was formidable.

 

No wonder Prince Qin was so devoted to him!

 

Chu Zhao tapped the table with one hand: “If they don’t agree, we’ll send troops ourselves. Don’t withdraw the defensive lines for now. Keep troops at Tianque Pass and Mingsha Pass, and push forward to put pressure on them. The barbarians attacked our territory first, so it’s perfectly reasonable for us to counterattack while we have the advantage.”

 

They couldn’t just run away safely after attacking.

 

The Tianque Pass commander and Zhan Yan from Mingsha Pass accepted the order: “Yes!”

 

With the peace negotiations mostly settled and the military report about to be sent to the court, Zhan Yan rubbed his chin: “But peace talks still require a civil official from the court. I wonder who they’ll choose as the chief envoy.”

 

“Ah, about that.”

 

Shen Ziqin: “When I came, I also carried another edict stating that if this battle was won and the enemy sued for peace, whether to continue fighting or make peace would be decided by me in consultation with Prince Qin.”

 

He swept his sleeve and smiled slightly: “So, humble as I am, I am also the peace envoy.”

 

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