SBMT Chapter 85 Extra 4

The next day, Shen Ziqin got up from bed with an indomitable spirit despite his physical weakness.

 

He was indeed aching all over, but if he endured it, it wasn’t impossible to go out.

 

Marquis Yin’nan had spent the whole night pondering the emperor’s thoughts, hadn’t slept well at all, and anxiously brought his son before the emperor.

 

Emperor Cheng’an looked over Young Master Shen.

 

Though wrapped in a cloak, he could still see the child was thin and weak, with a pale, sickly complexion—truly a sickly child.

 

But he was indeed very good-looking, his face wrapped in a circle of fluffy collar, like a little immortal child.

 

The Marquis Yin’nan title had been passed down to this generation with only an empty noble reputation that sounded good but had mediocre family wealth. Marquis Yin’nan himself had no great abilities and couldn’t get ahead in official circles.

 

Such a family background that looked acceptable but actually couldn’t provide help was quite suitable for Chu Zhao.

 

Just as Emperor Cheng’an was thinking, a eunuch outside announced: “The Empress Dowager arrives!”

 

The Empress Dowager not only came but also brought Chu Zhao, who had been ordered by Emperor Cheng’an to reflect behind closed doors.

 

Shen Ziqin had been drowsy listening to Emperor Cheng’an and Marquis Yin’nan’s repetitive talk in the warm pavilion, but when he looked up and saw Chu Zhao, he shook his head and finally had light in his eyes.

 

Chu Zhao also went straight to him, seeing his listless complexion and immediately frowning with heartache: “You’re having an episode?”

 

Shen Ziqin hummed softly.

 

Seeing Chu Zhao, his body didn’t hurt as much anymore.

 

“I heard that Pingyang’s child entered the palace, and thinking it had been long since I’d seen him, I came to look as well.” The Empress Dowager gestured to Shen Ziqin. “Good child, come let me see you.”

 

Shen Ziqin squeezed Chu Zhao’s hand, then bowed to the Empress Dowager, obedient and well-behaved: “Ziqin greets the Empress Dowager.”

 

“Good child.” The Empress Dowager looked him over carefully. “Why are you so thin and weak? How is Marquis Yin’nan raising this child?”

 

Marquis Yin’nan broke out in a cold sweat and was about to laugh it off, when he saw Shen Ziqin clutch his cloak with small hands, his voice choking as he spoke: “Replying to the Empress Dowager, the marquis residence, the marquis residence…”

 

Shen Ziqin hesitated for a long while, gradually reddening his eyes. The others were stunned—Young Master Shen’s acting was perfectly controlled. He didn’t cry loudly or make a scene, but sniffled and sobbed, hiding endless grievances in his intermittent voice. Not only could this draw attention, but it also let people perceive vivid bitterness and suffering.

 

The Empress Dowager’s expression also changed: “Tell me, what about the marquis residence?”

 

Marquis Yin’nan hurriedly said: “Empress Dowager, this subject—”

 

“The marquis residence is no longer my home, wuu wuu wuu!”

 

Shen Ziqin had been building up for a while and released his ultimate move at the most appropriate moment, forcibly interrupting Marquis Yin’nan’s words and beginning to sob softly, performing the image of an obedient, sensible child who had suffered endless grievances to perfection.

 

Not to mention the child looked so pitiful and heart-wrenching.

 

Shen Ziqin made thunder without rain—whimpering without tears on his face, but because his body was actually in pain, holding back also made his eyes red, so it wasn’t out of character.

 

“Father doesn’t love me, the room is so cold, the servants, the servants won’t even add charcoal for me. I, I also heard father wants to elevate his concubine to legitimate wife, and in the future wants the illegitimate brother to be the heir, wuu, wuu wuu wuu!”

 

It was truly heartbreaking to hear, bringing tears to all who listened.

 

The Empress Dowager was furious: “Marquis Yin’nan! I told you to treat Pingyang’s child well, and this is how you treat him?!”

 

Marquis Yin’nan immediately knelt down: “Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. How could I possibly do such things? A few days ago, because Ziqin wasn’t studying well, I scolded him a few times. This child is still sulking with me and speaking nonsense even before Your Majesty. Ziqin, you… sigh!”

 

Marquis Yin’nan’s vision was limited, but his reaction to household matters was quite quick. Shen Ziqin’s words naturally had exaggerated elements. Marquis Yin’nan quickly turned the tables, and was shocked: who had leaked his intention to elevate his concubine to Shen Ziqin?

 

Hearing this, Shen Ziqin managed to squeeze out some tears that clung to his dark eyelashes. The jade-snow child’s face was full of wronged pain: “I didn’t! Ziqin has been sick these days and hasn’t been studying at all. Empress Dowager, I have no relatives left. I don’t want to return to the marquis residence, wuu wuu wuu!”

 

I’m the professional at playing pitiful!

 

The little bundle cried with hiccups. Chu Zhao stepped forward to hug him and spat at Marquis Yin’nan: “How can you splash such slanderous words on the young master? Is this how you act as a father? Ziqin is still sick—how could he lie!”

 

Shen Ziqin was truly aching all over. Being held by Chu Zhao like this, the little sun’s warm temperature came through. Shen Ziqin sobbed and trembled, his mind beginning to blur, and he couldn’t help but frantically reach out to grab Chu Zhao.

 

When he finally caught Chu Zhao’s arm, his heart relaxed, but his vision also darkened. He collapsed into Chu Zhao’s embrace and fainted.

 

Chu Zhao was stunned and immediately held Shen Ziqin tightly, crying out: “Ziqin, Ziqin? Summon the imperial physician, quickly!!”

 

Marquis Yin’nan’s opportunity to continue arguing was interrupted by Shen Ziqin’s divine intervention. Moreover, this time Shen Ziqin wasn’t pretending to faint—he had really fainted. The warm pavilion instantly became chaotic, with everyone revolving around the pitiful child, Young Master Shen.

 

When Shen Ziqin woke up again, it was dark outside—already midnight, with light snow falling. He had actually slept for a whole day.

 

The room was warm with underfloor heating. No incense was lit, but the bed curtains carried a faint fragrance, and… Shen Ziqin turned his head to find another person lying beside him.

 

It was Chu Zhao.

 

In the dead of night, most people were fast asleep, but Shen Ziqin had only moved slightly when Chu Zhao woke up.

 

He opened his eyes, and within two breaths they were completely clear, though his voice still carried the low hoarseness of just waking: “You’re awake. How do you feel? Are you still uncomfortable?”

 

He was actually still uncomfortable, but Shen Ziqin shook his head, turned over, and burrowed into Chu Zhao’s embrace.

 

Child Chu Zhao didn’t have the solid arms of an adult, but his embrace was still warm, and it was just right for holding another small Shen Ziqin.

 

This was Jingming Pavilion in the Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace, free from the emperor’s ears and eyes, so they could speak freely. Chu Zhao held Shen Ziqin and stroked his back. After a moment, he said softly: “From the emperor’s attitude today, once you’re better, he’ll have us engaged. He also sent over many medicinal materials today—he’s never kind without reason.”

 

Shen Ziqin hummed in acknowledgment, knowing this was because the emperor found him agreeable and felt he had solved a big problem.

 

After the imperial marriage decree, he could not only feel at ease about this son but also use him well, treating Chu Zhao as an imperial tool. Shen Ziqin had truly been a great help.

 

Although if this sickly child died, the emperor could choose another man, Shen Ziqin was particularly suitable and was what Chu Zhao himself had requested. Emperor Cheng’an now genuinely hoped Shen Ziqin could live a bit longer.

 

Shen Ziqin was still ill and had just woken up, his voice weak as a thread, speaking very slowly. But Chu Zhao didn’t rush him—Shen Ziqin spoke softly, and he listened patiently.

 

“Once the emperor relaxes his guard against you, you can start making early contact with those under the marshal. For the Crown Prince and Second Prince, some information must be revealed by adults for them to ‘discover’ themselves—only then will they believe it.”

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao were both still young. How deranged Emperor Cheng’an was couldn’t be conveyed just by two children’s words, but guiding them to discover it themselves—truth obtained this way would definitely be very convincing.

 

After speaking, Shen Ziqin coughed softly twice. He couldn’t help pressing his chest, and Chu Zhao suddenly sat up: “I’ll call the imperial physician—”

 

“No, don’t.” Shen Ziqin weakly tugged at his sleeve, making him lie back down. “This body is like this now. It’s much better.”

 

Chu Zhao wasn’t entirely reassured, but Shen Ziqin’s cough wasn’t severe, he had no fever, and his small hands that had been ice-cold during the day had been warmed by him and the bedding, showing some color.

 

“Really.” Young Master Shen said softly, “Just hold me and it’ll be fine.”

 

Chu Zhao’s heart ached terribly. He lay back down and held him in his arms.

 

“Use the palace’s medicinal materials freely. While the dog emperor is being generous, quickly build up your health.” Chu Zhao touched his face. “Although it’s nice to see your cute childhood appearance, I don’t want you to suffer—it’s too painful.”

 

Seeing Shen Ziqin suffer made Chu Zhao suffer even more. He had stayed by his side all day refusing to leave, and wanted to stay the night to accompany him. The Empress Dowager, Crown Prince, and Second Prince were all somewhat surprised and began to re-examine Chu Zhao’s words.

 

This boy didn’t seem to be casually saying he would marry someone in the future, but had truly set his heart on Young Master Shen.

 

Moreover, during the day when Shen Ziqin had grabbed Chu Zhao and fainted in his arms, everyone present had seen it.

 

Shen Ziqin looked up at Chu Zhao and smiled: “Being able to see your childhood appearance, I’m not at a loss.”

 

Shen Ziqin as a child was a jade-snow doll, beautiful and cute. Chu Zhao was like a little sun with eyes like morning stars. His features already showed the outline of his future handsomeness—also very good-looking.

 

Standing together, they were like a pair of golden boy and jade girl, particularly pleasing to the eye.

 

Chu Zhao tucked in the blanket, ensuring Shen Ziqin was wrapped airtight: “About the engagement, the Empress Dowager will definitely ask for your wishes.”

 

“I’ll tell her I’m willing.”

 

“The Empress Dowager wants to bring you to Cining Palace, not return to the marquis residence. She’ll raise you. Although I’d rather bring you to my palace so we could live together…”

 

Chu Zhao’s voice stopped because Shen Ziqin, nestled in his arms, had fallen asleep again.

 

Chu Zhao exhaled and touched Young Master Shen’s little face with his hand.

 

The grown-up Shen Ziqin was stunningly beautiful, and as a child he was an adorable snow-white dumpling that everyone loved upon seeing. When Chu Zhao hurriedly ran out of the palace, climbed over the marquis residence’s wall, and suddenly saw such a little immortal child, he was caught off guard and nearly lost his footing, almost tumbling ungracefully from the wall.

 

The little prince gazed at the little fairy in the courtyard through the falling snow, and even the snow softened its steps, gently landing on their shoulders.

 

But seeing Shen Ziqin’s pale, sickly complexion again, Chu Zhao lost all his good mood.

 

The emperor was no good, and the Marquis Yin’nan residence was also a bunch of bastards.

 

According to Shen Ziqin himself, his soul was still repairing the sick body, but he would still have to suffer for a long time. Since they had met early this time, Chu Zhao would never leave Shen Ziqin alone in the Marquis Yin’nan residence.

 

Not even for a few more days.

 

He wanted to bring Shen Ziqin to his side and take good care of him. The promised luxurious upbringing for the child couldn’t be lacking in any way.

 

Two small people warmed each other in the snowy weather, sleeping in each other’s arms as the snow fell silently.

 

When another snowfall stopped, Shen Ziqin’s illness finally passed.

 

Fox fur coats and the finest medicinal materials were all sent from the palace. With Shen Ziqin’s performance before the Empress Dowager, Marquis Yin’nan could forget about elevating his concubine this time.

 

Emperor Cheng’an issued an edict, arranging the engagement between Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao, and Shen Ziqin was also brought to the palace to be raised by the Empress Dowager.

 

When Shen Ziqin could get out of bed, wrapped in a cloak with a circle of soft white fur around the collar, a fluffy little bundle, he was led by Chu Zhao’s hand to admire the scenery after the snow.

 

This time, they could accompany each other as they grew up.

 

*

 

After the engagement, Emperor Cheng’an indeed felt at ease about Chu Zhao. If it wouldn’t cause nationwide criticism to assign men to all his sons, Emperor Cheng’an would really want to do so.

 

Shen Ziqin was raised better and better in the Empress Dowager’s palace, a precious and beautiful little child.

 

It was also convenient for him to see Chu Zhao—either Chu Zhao would run to him, or he would go see Chu Zhao. In any case, they were inseparable. Outsiders thought these two children had a good childhood friendship, but they didn’t know that behind closed doors they were still plotting great matters.

 

Chu Zhao made early contact with people under his maternal grandfather, the Grand Marshal. Although the marshal didn’t have many people in the capital, it was enough for certain matters.

 

Under Shen Ziqin’s strategic planning and quiet manipulation, information was continuously delivered bit by bit to Crown Prince Chu Tan.

 

Chu Tan connected the scattered information into facts: the emperor really intended to move against him.

 

After sitting alone for several nights, the Crown Prince invited all his brothers for a meal under the pretext of having new toys that children would like.

 

Shen Ziqin was also in attendance.

 

What they discussed that night was known only to them and their trusted confidants. Not long after, the Crown Prince had an accident during a hunt, reportedly hitting his head and leaving him with aftereffects.

 

This head ailment was no different from normal when not acting up, but once it flared, he would easily forget things, become mentally confused, and unable to concentrate. As a result, the Crown Prince botched several matters.

 

The court was in an uproar—how could a crown prince in such condition inherit the throne in the future?

 

The Crown Prince himself seemed panicked and confused, requesting punishment from Emperor Cheng’an.

 

Although Emperor Cheng’an punished him, the punishment wasn’t severe, and he had people quickly examine the Crown Prince’s head ailment.

 

“Can the Crown Prince’s head ailment truly not be cured?”

 

The imperial physician wiped his sweat: “Replying to Your Majesty, head ailments have been difficult cases since ancient times, hard to determine definitively. The Crown Prince’s condition might improve, or it might… accompany him for life.”

 

Emperor Cheng’an pondered without speaking.

 

There were already faint voices of dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince in the court. Hearing this, he didn’t directly scold the Crown Prince as before.

 

He had wondered whether the Crown Prince might be deceiving him, but thinking it over, Chu Tan was already Crown Prince and had brotherly relationships with his siblings. He himself had only lightly punished him a few times before—Chu Tan really had no need to damage his own reputation to deceive him.

 

After all, having such an illness could result in being deposed.

 

He heard that he now delegated many matters to his staff, fearing he might forget important business during his episodes and delay official duties.

 

This meant he could still work, but couldn’t handle great responsibilities alone.

 

Such a Crown Prince actually put Emperor Cheng’an at ease.

 

His own plans to move against him were very secretive—the Crown Prince couldn’t possibly discover them. Now it seemed the death trap prepared for the Crown Prince was unnecessary, saving him effort.

 

Emperor Cheng’an thus became pleasant toward the Crown Prince again and had court officials show him consideration.

 

Though Chu Tan responded with smiles, his heart was desolate.

 

This was his father emperor… from now on, only His Majesty the Emperor and subject.

 

Not only the Crown Prince, but Chu Zhaoyu also began hiding his abilities according to plan.

 

Previously, Chu Zhaoyu had shown his talents, writing good essays and policy discussions. Sudden changes would arouse suspicion, so Chu Zhaoyu gradually wrote more clumsily in subsequent studies, choosing simple viewpoints, but his poetry and literature remained as good as before.

 

This way, it seemed that as he aged, Chu Zhaoyu’s talent for policy and practical matters gradually disappeared, leaving only his poetry still excellent, which wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

 

As for Third Prince Chu Jinxu, he hadn’t shown himself yet, so he could directly start acting like a wastrel, very convincingly.

 

Emperor Cheng’an sighed and occasionally scolded them, often telling his confidants that none of the current princes were capable of great responsibility, but he didn’t seem very angry.

 

The prince faction led by the Crown Prince thus successfully went into hiding and quietly developed.

 

They avoided the Crown Prince’s mortal danger and Chu Zhaoyu’s calamity.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao were very satisfied with this.

 

Not only could they secretly accomplish great things, but they also had leisure time to go out and play, trying things that would be too childish for adults but they hadn’t been able to try in their childhood.

 

This time the Crown Prince was alive, along with the officials he protected. The prince faction’s strength was quietly formidable, and with Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao as divine teammates holding the script, they gradually removed the Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Secretary, making them exit the stage early.

 

Then, in the year the Seventh Prince was born, the Crown Prince launched a palace coup, “requesting” Emperor Cheng’an to abdicate.

 

Shen Ziqin smiled as he played with little Dongning still in swaddling clothes: “You don’t have to wear girls’ clothes from childhood—you can grow up peacefully as yourself.”

 

Little Dongning grasped Shen Ziqin’s finger with his small hand, understanding nothing, just giggling.

 

At fifteen, Chu Zhao still went to the frontier to serve in the military. He was going to defend the border territories, and Shen Ziqin accompanied him.

 

This time, without Emperor Cheng’an causing trouble, whether it was pharmaceutical production, military equipment manufacturing, or technologies like rubber and glass, everything could receive official support from Chu Tan. Chu Zhao didn’t need to hide anything, money and resources were abundant, Great Qi’s technology developed rapidly, and the number of battlefield casualties visibly decreased.

 

The new emperor Chu Tan worked diligently to strengthen the country, appointed worthy ministers, and broadly accepted advice. Chu Zhaoyu and other good ministers had great room to excel, ushering in a golden age ahead of schedule.

 

Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao’s retirement naturally came earlier. Apart from occasionally helping with border inspections, Chu Zhao was completely a carefree idle prince.

 

Their wedding was extraordinarily grand. Shen Ziqin didn’t depart from Marquis Yin’nan’s residence, but was received from the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace to Prince Qin’s residence. Ten li of red makeup, an eight-bearer sedan chair, dowry gifts so numerous they were astounding—the ceremonial procession was magnificent and imposing.

 

This time he and Chu Zhao had grown up together, from childhood sweethearts to newlywed bliss. Both in brilliant red robes, amid everyone’s blessings, Shen Ziqin placed his hand in Chu Zhao’s palm.

 

Walking hand in hand with you, never parting until our hair turns white.

 

They had walked through youth and bustling prosperity together, and in all the years to come, they would traverse them together as well, their original hearts unchanged.

 

——End of Extras——

 

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T/N: Hey everyone!

 

Wow, what a journey this has been! To all of you who’ve been here since chapter one, following our boys through thick and thin – you’re absolutely amazing. Thank you for sticking with Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao through all their chaos, fluff, and everything in between. Thank you for reading and all the comments!

 

Time to let our two little idiots to live happily ever after in their little domestic bliss bubble!

 

Goodbye, you beautiful chaotic lovebirds!

 

Don’t forget to rate and comment on NU!

Check out my other translations here~