SBMT Chapter 9

The dignified Prince Qin lowered himself in front of Shen Ziqin, not hesitating at all.

 

The ceremonial officer was shocked, throwing himself forward with arms outstretched. “You can’t!”

 

Shen Ziqin was still dazed, but Chu Zhao’s whirlwind action startled him, and he instinctively leaned forward with a “plop.”

 

The ceremonial officer: “…”

 

His hand just brushed Shen Ziqin’s sleeve-he waved his sleeve, not even taking a cloud with him.

 

The ceremonial officer was dumbfounded, while the eunuch simply smiled and pulled the stunned officer back. “It’s fine, it’s fine. The auspicious hour is here, the newlyweds should go out. What are you standing around for? Play the music!”

 

After all, the emperor only cared about the result. Chu Zhao had already kicked the door in-one broken rule or two, it didn’t matter anymore.

 

The ceremonial officer still wanted to object, but his teammate quickly covered his mouth.

 

The rest of the ceremonial officers were more perceptive, and immediately had the wedding procession continue with music and dancing.

 

If the ceremonial officer hadn’t rushed to stop them, Shen Ziqin wouldn’t have gotten on Chu Zhao’s back so quickly. Once he was there, he curled his fingers in realization.

 

Since he couldn’t get down now, Shen Ziqin pursed his lips, trying to ease his own embarrassment. “I might be a bit heavy.”

 

“Nonsense,” Chu Zhao stood up easily with him on his back. “You’re so light, you should eat more from now on.”

 

With his feet suddenly off the ground, Shen Ziqin’s heart jumped, and he quickly steadied himself on Chu Zhao’s shoulders.

 

Chu Zhao carried him toward the door. Outside, the festive music crashed into Shen Ziqin’s ears, firecrackers exploded, and the scene was lively. But as they got closer to the door and the noise, Shen Ziqin felt more and more like it was all unreal.

 

It was as if the celebration belonged to everyone else, and none of it had anything to do with him.

 

No one had ever carried him before, and he’d never entrusted his weight to anyone. Leaning completely on Chu Zhao’s back, his heart just couldn’t calm down.

 

Shen Ziqin lacked a sense of security, but he never showed it-only he knew it himself.

 

The more lively the surroundings became, the more out of place Shen Ziqin felt. Today he was supposed to be the main character, yet he didn’t feel like the joyful music was played for him.

 

His hand unconsciously tightened on Chu Zhao’s shoulder.

 

Chu Zhao noticed.

 

He didn’t turn his head, but amid the clamor of drums and gongs, he spoke in a voice only Shen Ziqin and he could hear: “Don’t be afraid.”

 

Shen Ziqin snapped back to himself, lowered his head, and avoided looking at the crowd. Even if it was just a way to escape, his mouth was still stubborn: “I’m not afraid.”

 

Chu Zhao chuckled softly.

 

As they crossed the Marquis’s threshold, the crackling of firecrackers made Shen Ziqin shrink back, but Chu Zhao lifted his head and, brighter than the daylight, sang out a blessing: “May you avoid misfortune and have a smooth road ahead-”

 

He carried Shen Ziqin out of the Marquis’s residence.

 

Chu Zhao’s clear voice soared above the chaos, drifting high and far, passing beyond the shadow of the Marquis’s gate. Light flickered, and as Shen Ziqin looked up, his vision wavered.

 

Ten miles of wedding finery filled the world, the glow of sunset painted the sky.

 

Shen Ziqin’s eyes widened slightly.

 

The cage called the Marquis’s residence was left behind, dull and lifeless. The bustle he’d thought had nothing to do with him now seemed to be cheering for his escape.

 

In an instant, he went from an outsider to someone truly part of the moment.

 

…How strange.

 

Was it because Chu Zhao’s voice was so moving?

 

Shen Ziqin gradually relaxed, and even smiled in spite of himself.

 

Though the marriage was just for show, at least he was no longer trapped in the Marquis’s house, so today really did deserve celebration.

 

Shen Ziqin’s transmigration had been a disaster from the start: a powerless, unloved heir, sickly and forced into marriage, with no golden finger-no matter how you looked at it, it was miserable.

 

But luckily, he’d met Chu Zhao.

 

A clear stream in a muddy torrent-because of Chu Zhao, Shen Ziqin’s start was only “hard mode,” not “hell mode.”

 

In a lull between the music, Shen Ziqin softly said, “Thank you.”

 

Chu Zhao heard him perfectly.

 

“I told you, you helped me, so of course I should take care of you too.” Chu Zhao’s brows were relaxed. “Today is a good day. There’s no reason for us to frown over people who don’t matter, right?”

 

Goodness, he’d just written off the entire Shen family as “people who don’t matter.”

 

But Shen Ziqin liked it.

 

Their red robes overlapped, drawing graceful arcs in the air. Red brighter than fire, gold threads shining, the two of them joined the wedding procession and strode away.

 

Chu Zhao moved so quickly that no one in the Marquis’s residence dared stop them. Before anyone could react, the wedding procession was already far down the road.

 

When the bustle faded, all that was left at the Marquis’s gate was a carpet of red paper, which the wind whipped up and slapped right into Shen Minghong’s face.

 

The red paper tails spun in the breeze, gleefully mocking the fool.

 

Shen Minghong stood stunned for a long moment before angrily yanking the paper away.

 

Even a piece of Shen Ziqin’s discarded paper dared to bully him!

 

Madam Luo looked about to faint, clutching the Marquis’s hand and sobbing, “My lord!”

 

Shen Minghong: “Father!”

 

The Marquis’s ears buzzed, his head pounding.

 

Why shout? They’re gone-what, do you expect them to come back and do it all over again?

 

But by acting as he did, Shen Ziqin had trampled all over the Marquis’s dignity, and of course the Marquis was furious.

 

“After some time, I’ll petition the emperor to change the heir,” the Marquis muttered, rubbing his brow. “Enough noise, my head hurts.”

 

Madam Luo, supported by Shen Minghong, was anxious: “Shouldn’t we do it right away?”

 

“Prince Qin just got married, the emperor is overjoyed, so for now the court will side with the prince’s house. I’ll wait for the right moment to submit my request.” The Marquis looked at the red paper everywhere, flicked his sleeves, and vented his anger on the servants. “Are you all stupid? Clean this up, now!”

 

Seeing the master was angry, the servants didn’t dare make a sound and hurried to work.

 

The sound of sweeping filled the courtyard, no one speaking, a strange unease settling in.

 

In stark contrast to the now-deserted Marquis’s residence was the Prince Qin’s household.

 

There, people delivering gifts were everywhere, porters carrying boxes back and forth, the place bustling with noise.

 

According to Great Qi custom, after entering the prince’s residence, Shen Ziqin would sign the marriage contract, and his name would be engraved on a jade tablet and entered into the royal genealogy-there was no bowing ceremony.

 

Since both Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao were men, they had to greet guests together in the front hall.

 

Soon, Shen Ziqin noticed that although many came with gifts, most were just servants delivering items and lists, leaving immediately after. Very few actually stayed for the banquet.

 

Whatever the court officials’ reasons-whether they were watching or looking down on them-for a prince, such a coldly attended wedding was a real humiliation, and quite painful.

 

Shen Ziqin immediately glanced at Chu Zhao.

 

If Chu Zhao was upset or angry, as his new partner, Shen Ziqin would have to offer some comfort.

 

But Chu Zhao was smiling as usual. Shen Ziqin wasn’t sure if it was forced, so he carefully chose his words: “Your Highness, are today’s guests mostly close friends?”

 

“Hmm? Not necessarily. Most who came today are on good terms, but a few have their own motives, hoping to get something out of the ‘Prince Qin’ title.”

 

As Chu Zhao spoke, he met Shen Ziqin’s eyes, then glanced at the nearly empty hall and suddenly understood.

 

“Are you thinking there are too few guests?”

 

Shen Ziqin stated his own view first: “Actually, I think fewer people is better-less noisy.”

 

Chu Zhao clapped his hands: “What a coincidence, I think the same.”

 

“And look,” Chu Zhao lifted his chin, arms crossed, smiling with satisfaction, “the gifts are delivered, but they don’t stay for the banquet. The prince’s house is making a killing[mfn]To earn a lot, profit greatly[/mfn].”

 

Just then, the steward Meng Lao came over and almost fainted at Chu Zhao’s words: What are you saying!

 

Even though the inner circle knew the marriage was just for show, Shen Ziqin would be living here from now on-if he heard this, he might think Chu Zhao was a stingy, miserly master!

 

Steward Meng was not happy to let others misunderstand his prince and was ready to salvage Chu Zhao’s reputation.

 

Steward Meng cleared his throat: “Shi-”

 

Shen Ziqin interjected, “Brilliant! What the prince said makes perfect sense!”

 

Meng had just started to speak, but Shen Ziqin’s comment cut him off so abruptly he nearly bit his tongue.

 

Meng: Huh?

 

Why was Shen Ziqin’s reaction completely different from what he’d expected?

 

Not only did Shen Ziqin not form a bad impression of Chu Zhao, he even quietly gave a thumbs-up in praise: “Looking at things from another angle really makes everything clear.”

 

Chu Zhao, looking very pleased, grinned: “Right? When you have time, go take a look-if you see anything you like, just take it for your own courtyard.”

 

Shen Ziqin was tempted but still polite: “How could I accept that?”

 

Chu Zhao was generous: “A wedding gift is for both of us. Without you, I couldn’t have held such a grand wedding and made all that money off them.”

 

It was logical and convincing, so Shen Ziqin didn’t stand on ceremony: “Then thank you, Your Highness.”

 

Indeed, he was one of the newlyweds, so he deserved a share of the gifts. Chu Zhao could have just put everything in the prince’s storeroom, but not only did he not do that, he let Shen Ziqin take whatever he wanted. Shen Ziqin’s impression of him soared.

 

The two happily finalized their “loot split,” and only then did Chu Zhao notice Steward Meng had been standing silently to the side for a long time. He finally turned and asked with concern, “Meng Lao, what’s wrong?”

 

Steward Meng picked his jaw up off the floor. “…I had something to say, but now it’s gone.”

 

Chu Zhao didn’t understand: “As long as it’s resolved, that’s good.”

 

Steward Meng was left speechless.

 

He should have been happy that Shen Ziqin and the prince got along, but their shared outlook was so out of the ordinary that he was left at a loss for words.

 

He couldn’t help but worry-a prince with wild ideas was already enough to give him heart palpitations. If the prince really found a kindred spirit, would the whole household be turned upside down?

 

With a heavy heart, Steward Meng went back to work.

 

Chu Zhao glanced at the sun’s position and said to Shen Ziqin, “If you’re tired, go sit down and rest.”

 

Shen Ziqin immediately stood up straighter: “I’m fine.”

 

He was determined to change Chu Zhao’s opinion and prove with his actions that he really wasn’t that fragile. Standing for a while was nothing.

 

Just then, Zhou Danmo and Bai Junxing arrived, one after the other. Zhou Danmo stared at the two of them in wedding attire, eyes wide, circling them several times and muttering to himself.

 

“I knew you two would look good in wedding clothes, but!” he emphasized, “I didn’t expect you’d look this good!”

 

He looked at Shen Ziqin first: “Jade-like beauty, as fresh as spring willows and the moon.”

 

Then at Chu Zhao: “Handsome and extraordinary, bright as a star in the sky.”

 

Finally, he snapped open his folding fan in front of them, revealing bold characters: “Unparalleled Beauties!”

 

Shen Ziqin/Chu Zhao: “……”

 

Shen Ziqin didn’t get it-he was shocked.

 

Maybe that’s why Zhou Danmo could draw with such genuine feeling. He really was a great artist of the ancient world.

 

Zhou Danmo exclaimed, “Ah, my inspiration is overflowing, I can’t control it. Clear the table, bring me paper and ink, I have to paint now!”

 

Chu Zhao calmly closed the fan Zhou Danmo had nearly pressed into his face, completely used to this: “Someone, bring a table for the young lord so he can paint.”

 

Steward Meng seemed unfazed, handling it smoothly: “Young lord, this way please.”

 

As a fellow “producer,” Bai Junxing was much more normal. His wedding gift was a pair of jade hairpins and a calligraphy scroll by a famous master-very sincere.

 

Actually, Bai Junxing himself was a renowned calligrapher. After becoming top scholar, he was already gaining fame, and in the future, his writing would be worth its weight in gold-perfect for collecting, admiring, or even as an investment.

 

Of all the famous masters, Shen Ziqin most wanted a piece of Bai Junxing’s calligraphy-not to sell, but to frame and admire.

 

After all, he was the protagonist Shen Ziqin admired.

 

Shen Ziqin tested the waters by asking, and Bai Junxing, surprised but smiling, agreed: “Sure, I’ll write something properly for you and send it to the residence another day.”

 

Shen Ziqin was delighted: “Thank you.”

 

The two chatted happily, while Chu Zhao thought on the side: As expected, Shen Shizi is interested in Bai Junxing-he’s already asking for his writing.

 

But with Lord Bai’s character, he’d never get involved with a married man. For now, they couldn’t tell outsiders about the fake marriage, but that was fine. If Shen Shizi really fell for him, Chu Zhao could check that Lord Bai was truly trustworthy before saying anything.

 

In any case, it wouldn’t stop the heir from pursuing his own happiness.

 

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