In the twenty-sixth year of Guangxi, the spring was chilly.
At noon, the lazy sunlight shines through the lush branches and falls on the young man under the tree, casting a warm halo around him.
His slender arms were resting on the back of his head, and his face was covered with an open book, so his features could not be seen clearly, but just by looking at his graceful figure, one could vaguely get a glimpse of his elegant and gracious nature.
“Master!” A clear and bright voice came from afar, awakening the sleeping beauty from his dream.
Before seeing the person, he heard his voice first.
Shen Qingzhuo slowly raised his hand, opened the book covering his face, and looked sideways at the source of the sound.
The youth ran towards him towards, his black hair tied up high with a sky-blue headband, wearing a neat black suit, with only a simple white jade pendant adorning his thin waist.
His eyes were like dots of lacquer, his temples were as sharp as if cut by a knife, his nose was as straight as a distant mountain, his thin lips were pale in color, and his handsome face was rosy with sweat.
The fifteen-year-old youth was still childish, but his deep features have begun to show. He is handsome and tall, like a young poplar growing towards the sun, and he exudes vigor and vitality.
“Master!” Xiao Shen ran to his master quickly and stopped in time, his breath was only slightly disordered.
Shen Qingzhuo half-raised himself: “What’s the matter? Why are you running so fast?”
“I broke the record today!” Xiao Shen bent down and squatted on the side of the recliner, his dark eyes filled with sparkling anticipation, like a dog wagging its tail for praise.
The youth’s height is actually almost catching up with his master’s, but because his legs are so ridiculously long, he still looks like a ball even when squatting on the ground, which is very adorable.
Shen Qingzhuo laughed. As he wished, he stroked the top of the youth’s head with his palm and praised him, “Xiao Qi is awesome.”
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
The youth squatting beside him now has undergone a complete transformation compared to the skinny kid three years ago.
In the past few years, he has formulated an extremely strict study plan for Xiao Shen, strictly implementing the work schedule of six days on and one day off, and holidays such as birthdays, New Year’s Eve, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival are not counted.
In addition to traditional compulsory courses such as the Four Books and Five Classics, history, and military strategy, he also tailored a plan for his little disciple to strengthen his body.
When a child gets the nutrition he needs for growth, he will be like a sapling growing in the wind, growing a little taller every once in a while.
But he was unable to teach his little disciple the art of riding and shooting, so he had to train Xiao Shen according to modern fitness methods.
Running trains endurance, weightlifting trains arm strength, and horse stance trains leg strength. He also specially made a simple sandbag and asked Xiao Shen to punch for half an hour every day to train his whole body muscles and agility.
And his little disciple also carefully abided by the promise made on New Year’s Eve, listened to his master, never complained no matter how hard or tired he was, and continued to persevere with gritted teeth.
But every time he completes a task beyond the target, he will act like a spoiled child and ask for treats from his master.
Shen Qingzhuo smiled and scratched the soft flesh under the puppy’s jaw. “Now, what do you want to ask from Master this time?”
Xiao Shen raised his face and rubbed his master’s cool fingertips comfortably. “For dinner today, I want to eat the dumplings made by Master.”
Shen Qingzhuo was slightly surprised: “Dumplings made by me? Fortunately, you don’t dislike it.”
On New Year’s Eve last year, he suddenly had the urge to cook and make dumplings himself. However, as he was not very skilled, the dumplings he made were of strange shapes.
Unexpectedly, his little disciple was very satisfied with the meal and kept thinking about it.
“En, en.” Xiao Shen shook his head like a rattle. “The dumplings made by Master are the best in the world.”
“Your mouth is so sweet, but unfortunately, Master really can’t do it tonight.” Shen Qingzhuo chuckled helplessly and retracted his fingers. “The Empress Dowager sent someone to convey her order, ordering me to go to Changshou Palace during dinner.”
“Empress Dowager?” Xiao Shen frowned slightly. “Why did the Empress Dowager summon you?”
Shen Qingzhuo lay back on the bench. “Guess?”
Xiao Shen thought for a moment and replied, “She wants to confirm my current situation.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “En, continue.”
His handsome eyes lowered, instantly appearing a little fiercer. Xiao Shen sneered softly and said, “Emperor Father’s health is getting worse and worse, and grandmother can’t wait to pick out the most suitable candidate to be a puppet from among us brothers.”
In the cold winter of the previous year, Emperor Guangxi accidentally caught a cold and unexpectedly has been bedridden ever since, and his health was much worse than before.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has already cultivated his own power in the court. The other princes and their mothers all more or less have some support. Only you are the youngest and are isolated and helpless in the palace. At present, you are the most suitable candidate, but…” Shen Qingzhuo paused slightly. “When the child in Concubine Yuan’s belly is born, if it is a little prince, the situation will change again.”
Xiao Shen curled his lips and said, “So, it is true that the prince in swaddling clothes is more obedient.”
However, it remains unknown whether Concubine Yuan can successfully give birth to the eighth prince or not.
“Then we have to see if Concubine Yuan is capable of keeping the child or not.” Shen Qingzhuo closed his eyes and said leisurely, “No rush, Master will go and test Empress Dowager’s attitude tonight.”
Various factions in the court have been undercurrents, especially after Emperor Guangxi fell ill. The evil spirits on all sides have been ready to make a move.
According to the development in the original book, there will be an assassination attempt on Concubine Yuan during the spring hunt a few days later, and both the former court and the harem will be in chaos.
But for them, it is a golden opportunity.
In Changshou Palace.
The elegant and graceful Empress Dowager sat in the main seat and said lovingly, “Zhuo’er looks more and more like your mother.”
Shen Qingzhuo pursed his lips and smiled: “His Majesty also said this.”
The original owner’s mother was the Empress Dowager’s niece. She was named Princess Lanyang by the late Emperor and then married to Youbei and became Princess Zhenbei. In essence, it was just a royal marriage to stabilize Youbei.
The Empress Dowager smiled again and said, “It’s rare that you have the same temperament as your mother, you are gentle and sensible.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “Thanks Empress Dowager Niangniang for her compliment.”
“That’s why Aijia felt relieved when His Majesty handed Shen’er to you.” The Empress Dowager sighed softly, “This little grandson of Aijia has never been loved by his Emperor Father, and he has suffered a lot over the years.”
Shen Qingzhuo comforted her, “With Niangniang’s concern, I’m sure His Highness the Seventh Prince won’t feel bitter anymore.”
The Empress Dowager paused and asked, “Zhuo’er, you have been with Shen’er for three years already. What do you think of the Seventh Prince’s knowledge and character?”
Shen Qingzhuo said hesitantly, “The minister dares not say that.”
“You can speak freely.” The Empress Dowager encouraged gently, “Today Aijia is only speaking to you privately, so don’t be restrained.”
Shen Qingzhuo took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and slowly replied, “Back then, His Majesty ordered me to be His Highness’s tutor, only to teach His Highness the Seventh Prince filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and other principles, and did not make any other requirements.”
The Empress Dowager wiped the corners of her lips with a handkerchief without making a sound. “What did His Majesty say?”
“His Majesty said that His Highness the Crown Prince is both intelligent and brave, and His Highness the Third Prince is proficient in both civil and military tactics. It is not His Highness the Seventh Prince’s turn to take over. When he is old enough, he can be sent out of the palace to be an idle prince.” Shen Qingzhuo nodded and lowered his eyes. “What’s more, His Highness the Seventh Prince was someone who does not fight or compete. If he himself does not want to learn, the minister cannot force him either.”
The Empress Dowager looked at him calmly. After a while, she sighed and said, “Aijia understands.”
“The minister is ashamed.” Shen Qingzhuo said in a gloomy tone, “In fact, the minister has witnessed His Highness the Seventh Prince’s days in the cold palace in the past few years, and feel bad, but…”
“It’s not your fault.” The Empress Dowager said gently, “Aijia will persuade His Majesty to move Shen’er out of the cold palace first. How can a prince live in a place like that?”
Hearing this, Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but reveal a hint of joy: “Niangniang is kind. If he can really be moved out of the cold palace, His Highness the Seventh Prince will definitely be grateful to Niangniang for her kindness.”
When he returned to Jiyue Pavilion, the moon was already above the treetops.
Shen Qingzhuo pushed open the door to the inner hall, only to see a lamp lit on the table and a furry little head lying under the flickering candlelight.
Ever since he had the leverage over the eunuch Wang Gui and used Wang Gui to pass information that was beneficial to them back to the Eastern Palace, it became much easier for his little disciple to enter and exit Jiyue Pavilion.
“Master.” Xiao Shen, who was lying on the table, suddenly muttered something in a low voice.
“Did I wake you up?” Shen Qingzhuo came back to his senses and stepped into the inner room. “Why don’t you go back to sleep?”
“Hmm?” After this sound, Xiao Shen finally came to his senses and stood up from his chair. “Master, you’re back!”
Shen Qingzhuo walked to the table and poured a cup of tea. “Waiting for me again ah.”
Xiao Shen looked at him and said, “I can’t sleep if Master doesn’t come back.”
“I have good news.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled and tapped his little disciple’s forehead. “After a while, you will be able to move out of the cold palace.”
“Why?” Xiao Shen frowned, a reluctant look on his face.
“In the past few years, I have asked you to keep a low profile and stay indoors.” Shen Qingzhuo took a sip of hot tea and smiled meaningfully, “But now, it’s time to go out and stir up trouble.”
“I’ll listen to Master.” Xiao Shen replied softly, his burning gaze glued to that clear and beautiful face from beginning to end.
He really liked his master’s expression like this, superior and provocative, as if he was waiting for the show to begin and as if everything was under his control.
The restless tip of his tongue licked his upper jaw heavily. Xiao Shen suppressed all the emotions deep in his eyes, rushed over, and hugged his master’s slender waist. “Then, can I sleep with Master tonight?”
Shen Qingzhuo was knocked back by him, and the hot tea in his hand spilled a little. He couldn’t help but laugh and said, “How old are you? You still want to sleep with Master?”
“I don’t care.” Xiao Shen buried his face in the crook of his neck, rubbing it back and forth like a spoiled child, sniffing the familiar, rich, cold fragrance. “Last winter, I even warmed Master’s bed. Why can’t I do that anymore this year?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “Nonsense, it’s obvious that you are just greedy for Master’s warmth bed and refuse to leave.”
“Ao!” The little wolf cub started to act like a spoiled child, but he changed his words and said, “Then Master can warm the bed for me.”
“Xiao Qi, you are quite courageous ah.” Shen Qingzhuo pushed his itchy head and said, “Alright, let’s play a game. If you win, Master will let you stay in his warm bed.”
Hearing this, Xiao Shen immediately pulled his face out of the warm neck and asked, “Will you keep your word?”
Shen Qingzhuo nodded. “I’ll keep my word.”
It seems that it is necessary to let his little disciple receive a beating from him as a master tonight.
The author has something to say:
What bad intentions could the little wolf cub have? He just wanted to warm his master’s bed.
