Shen Qingzhuo leaned on the couch and read for a while. He was not sleepy at all, so he simply put on his clothes and got up.
He recalled that his little disciple looked unhappy during dinner and couldn’t help wondering, Was it because he was too strict in teaching during the day?
Although he thought he had shown great patience, but it was his first time being a tutor, and the student he was teaching had no basic knowledge, so it was inevitable that he would occasionally lose his sense of proportion.
Little disciple, don’t let him discourage your enthusiasm for learning.
After thinking it over, Shen Qingzhuo picked up the crystal osmanthus cake on the table, wrapped it in layers of oil paper, and planned to coax his little disciple.
Unexpectedly, when he passed by an abandoned garden, he unexpectedly found a young eunuch running into the garden in a panic.
Shen Qingzhuo subconsciously turned sideways to hide himself but heard the young eunuch shouting, “Your Highness the Fourth Prince! Your Highness the Seventh Prince! The servant begged you two Highnesses, stop fighting!”
The Seventh Prince?
His heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward and shouted, “Stop!”
The young eunuch hurriedly stopped and saw the person who was talking in the moonlight. He didn’t even bother to greet him and asked for help, “Young Master Shen, the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince are fighting! Please try to persuade the masters quickly!”
Without saying anything, Shen Qingzhuo walked into the garden first and called out loudly, “Xiao Shen! Xiao Shen, where are you?”
He searched around, and just as his anxious eyes locked onto the edge of the pond, he heard his little disciple’s cry for help: “Master, save me!”
Looking closely, he saw water splashing in the pond and two figures, one big and one small, struggling in the water.
Shen Qingzhuo’s heart suddenly rose to his throat, and he quickly took off his heavy fur collar coat. “Don’t be afraid, Master is here to save you!”
He jumped into the pond almost without hesitation, and in his haste he missed the look in the eyes of the little boy struggling in the water, who changed instantly after seeing him jump.
The water in the pool was so cold that it penetrated his bones. As soon as he got into the water, the piercing coldness ran through his limbs and penetrated into his bones.
Shen Qingzhuo knew that he had to fight quickly and decisively. Fortunately, the place where his little disciple fell into the water was very close to him. He swam over in a few seconds, picked up the struggling boy from behind, and used all his strength to send him to the shore.
In just a short moment, he climbed up all wet, while the Fourth Prince was still in the pond, and the flapping noises were getting quieter and quieter.
Shen Qingzhuo subconsciously wanted to go back into the water and rescue the person. He glanced at his little disciple on the ground and found that his eyes were closed, his thin face was pale, and there was not a trace of life at all.
“What are you standing there for?” He immediately changed his mind and sternly reprimanded the young eunuch who followed him, “Quickly find a piece of wood and save your Highness!”
The frightened little eunuch suddenly woke up as if from a dream and hurriedly lowered his head to look around for useful branches and sticks.
Shen Qingzhuo remained calm and tried hard to recall the first aid knowledge his coach taught him when he was learning to swim. He picked up a small branch to support his upper and lower jaws, kneeled on one knee on the ground, placed the person face down on his lap, and patted his back rhythmically.
After patting back and forth a few times, Xiao Shen successfully coughed out the water that had choked into his throat.
Shen Qingzhuo immediately put him back on the ground and laid him flat. At this time, the young eunuch also found a long branch and said anxiously, “Young Master, the servant, the servant can’t swim.”
Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but gasp.
Xiao Shaoyuan had stopped struggling in the water, and the chance to save him was fleeting.
In a very short period of time, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and finally he jumped into the pond again, lifted the sinking Fourth Prince to the surface of the water, grabbed the driftwood handed to him by the young eunuch, and swam to the shore.
After diving into the water to rescue two people, Shen Qingzhuo sat on the ground exhausted and instructed the young eunuch: “Hurry up and find someone to rescue your Highness.”
“Yes!” The young eunuch ran away in a hurry. Shen Qingzhuo took a breath, changed to a kneeling position, and gave first aid to the unconscious Fourth Prince.
But with the medical standards of ancient times, even if the Fourth Prince was saved tonight, the brain damage would probably be irreversible.
A hoarse and weak voice sounded behind “Master.”
Shen Qingzhuo paused and looked back. “Are you alright?”
His little disciple, who was soaked all over, was looking at him timidly, with the fear of surviving a disaster still in his eyes. “Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother wants to kill me…”
Shen Qingzhuo frowned unconsciously and looked him up and down with a sharp gaze.
In the original book, the first person the little tyrant killed was the Fourth Prince. He lured him into the imperial garden without anyone noticing and pushed him into the pond to drown him.
How similar is it to this scene tonight?
“Master, I’m so scared.” A layer of steam gradually welled up in his dark eyes. His slightly hoarse voice contained a slight tremor, and Xiao Shen said incoherently, “I thought I was going to die. I thought I would never see Master again.”
After saying that, he actually threw himself into his master’s arms.
Shen Qingzhuo’s body frozen.
His hand froze in mid-air for a moment, then slowly fell onto the trembling back in his arms, stroking it gently as if to comfort him, like stroking the fur of a frightened puppy.
His little disciple looked so frightened that it didn’t seem fake.
Moreover, he is only twelve years old now, and there are still four years before he turns sixteen. It doesn’t make sense for him to kill someone at such a young age.
However, from the angle that his master couldn’t see, the little wolf cub buried in his arms had a gentle and satisfied smile on his lips, without any panic or anxiety at all.
He finally realized that his master was the kind of person who would only respond to soft words and not hard words.
The Jinyiwei1Embroidered Uniform Guard (the imperial secret guards that served the emperors of the Ming dynasty.)) arrived very quickly and carried the Fourth Prince back to Jinhua Palace quickly.
The two Princes fell into the water together. The matter was of great importance and even alarmed Emperor Guangxi, who had not yet gone to bed.
Shen Qingzhuo hurried back to the palace, changed his wet clothes, and took the Seventh Prince to Jinhua Palace to apologize.
Inside the Jinhua Palace, the imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs were busy as one. Concubine Shu was leaning in Emperor Guangxi’s arms, wiping her tears, looking so weak that it seemed as if she would faint at any moment.
Shen Qingzhuo knelt down and said, “The humble minister greets His Majesty and Niangniang2Niangniang is a term for use when addressing an empress, concubine, or consort..”
Xiao Shen kneeled silently behind him.
“Qingzhuo, what on earth is going on?” Emperor Guangxi frowned. “Why did Yuan’er fall into the water for no reason?”
“Answer Your Majesty, the minister also just happened to pass by. We still need to ask the young eunuch next to His Highness the Fourth Prince about the details of what happened at that time.” Shen Qingzhuo gestured to the guards behind him, “Bring the person up.”
The young eunuch walked into the inner hall, trembling with fear. When he saw Emperor Guangxi and Concubine Shu, his legs went weak and he kneeled down.
Shen Qingzhuo: “Just say everything you saw tonight.”
The young eunuch swallowed his saliva and said, “Tonight, His Highness the Fourth Prince drank wine in His Highness the Crown Prince’s palace. On his way back to the palace, he passed by the plum garden and happened to meet His Highness the Seventh Prince. He then stepped forward to stop the Seventh Prince and said… said…”
Emperor Guangxi narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “What did he say?”
The young eunuch trembled and said, “His Highness the Fourth Prince said that His Highness the Seventh Prince is a thief and is not worthy of being a prince.”
Emperor Guangxi: “Continue.”
The young eunuch: “The two Highnesses started arguing, and His Highness the Fourth Prince slapped His Highness the Seventh Prince several times…”
“How dare you, a servant, speak so recklessly!” The tearful Concubine Shu stood up straight in agitation. “The Prince has always been gentle and polite. How could he do such a thing?”
“The servant dares not lie!” The young eunuch kowtowed hurriedly, “Your Majesty, the servant saw everything he said with his own eyes!”
Shen Qingzhuo said calmly, “Concubine Shu, why don’t you listen to what he has to say first?”
The young eunuch continued bravely, “The Seventh Prince ran away, and the Fourth Prince also chased after him. The servant followed the two Highnesses and ran out of the garden, where the servant happened to meet Young Master Shen.”
“It’s the minister’s birthday today, and he ate too much at dinner, so the minister wants to go out for a walk to help digest the food.” Shen Qingzhuo took over the conversation. “When the minister stepped into the garden, the minister saw the two Highnesses splashing in the water, so the minister jumped in immediately, cough, cough…”
The second half of the sentence was interrupted by a heart-wrenching cough.
His silky black hair was wet and half draped over his shoulders, making his face look even paler. His waist, covered by the cloak, was so thin and fragile that it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow it down.
Emperor Guangxi said nothing, his unfathomable gaze cast on the Seventh Prince, who was kneeling quietly with his head bowed.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty must not trust this servant’s words!” Concubine Shu beat her chest and cried pitifully, “My son, my poor son is in danger of life and death. Your Majesty must find out the truth ah.”
After a while, Emperor Guangxi pushed Concubine Shu away and said, “So, tonight’s incident was caused by the Fourth Prince?”
The young eunuch dared not say a word.
Emperor Guangxi: “It seems that Zhen failed to discipline the two Princes properly, which led to such a ridiculous incident!”
The emperor was furious, and people in the hall immediately knelt on the floor. Even Concubine Shu’s sobs became cautious.
“Someone come.” After Emperor Guangxi paced back and forth, his voice suddenly turned cold, “Drag this disloyal, unprotective dog slave away and beat him to death!”
“Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!” The young eunuch was pinned down by the guards who rushed over. He kowtowed and begged for mercy, but he still couldn’t escape being dragged away.
“Save me! Young Master, save me! I am innocent!” The young eunuch struggled desperately, but his miserable cry for help became increasingly distant.
Shen Qingzhuo knelt on the ground, his hands hidden in his wide sleeves clenched into fists, his neatly trimmed nails deeply embedded in his palms.
It was not until this moment that he finally realized firsthand that in this palace, human life was as worthless as grass.
No matter if it is the young eunuch, the Seventh Prince, or Young Master Shen, as long as the emperor says a word, their lives could be in danger.
Emperor Guangxi sat back in his chair, his tone mixed with emotion: “Young Master Shen, you saved the two Princes tonight, what should Zhen reward you with?”
“It is the humble minister’s responsibility, so I dare not ask for a reward.” Shen Qingzhuo tried to maintain a normal and slow tone: “The most urgent task is to cure His Highness the Fourth Prince as soon as possible.”
Thinking of the half-dead Fourth Prince, Emperor Guangxi’s face darkened, and he turned to look at the Seventh Prince: “You, why are you wandering around the palace in the middle of the night?”
Xiao Shen lowered his eyes and replied motionlessly: “Mother Concubine said she wanted to see plum blossoms, so Erchen3I, used by the prince. went to the plum garden to pick a few for her.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Emperor Guangxi’s expression changed.
Emperor Guangxi seemed unwilling to talk more about the former imperial concubine in the cold palace. He waved his hand wearily and said, “Alright, stop standing here.”
“Your Majesty, the prince is still in a coma. Are we going to end this matter so hastily?” Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu started to cry again.
Emperor Guangxi frowned slightly in impatience and was about to say something when a clear voice sounded from the hall.
“Regardless of who is right or wrong about what happened tonight, as the tutor of His Highness the Seventh Prince, the minister cannot escape the blame.” Shen Qingzhuo bowed respectfully. “The minister asked to be confined to his room to reflect on his mistakes.”
Emperor Guangxi looked him over and finally said, “Your merits and demerits offset each other, so Zhen will not punish you. From today on, the Seventh Prince will be confined to the cold palace and reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors!”
After tossing and turning for most of the night, he returned to the cold palace again. It was almost midnight.
Shen Qingzhuo stood outside the palace gate and said calmly, “Don’t go out until the confinement is lifted.”
Xiao Shen’s eyes tightened. “What about the study?”
“There is a long way to go, there is no need to rush.” Shen Qingzhuo took off his cloak and put it on his shoulders. “I took the initiative to ask His Majesty for confinement. Do you blame me?”
Xiao Shen stared at him and shook his head slowly.
“If the Fourth Prince doesn’t wake up, Concubine Shu will never let you go easily.” Shen Qingzhuo sighed softly, “The confinement is to protect you, but it is also a punishment.”
“Punishment?” Xiao Shen frowned, a puzzled look on his face.
“If you can’t be patient, you will ruin big plans.” Shen Qingzhuo let go of his hand and asked sternly, “If I hadn’t happened to pass by tonight, what would have happened?”
Xiao Shen quietly lowered his eyelashes to hide the vicious look that flashed across his eyes.
If his master had not passed by tonight, he would have already killed Xiao Shaoyuan without anyone noticing, and no one would have suspected him either.
Seeing his little disciple looking dejected, Shen Qingzhuo slowed down his tone again: “Alright, go back to sleep first. Master will think of a solution for the study.”
“Wait a minute!” Xiao Shen suddenly raised his head and said, “Master, wait a moment.”
After saying that, he turned around and ran into the hall.
Shen Qingzhuo waited there in confusion. Not long after, he saw his little disciple running out again with a few plum blossoms in his hand.
“Master.” Xiao Shen panted softly, carefully holding the plum blossoms in front of him, not knowing where to start, just looking at him with a pair of wet puppy eyes.
After half a night of tossing and turning, the red plum blossoms were not as bright as they were at the beginning, but the delicate petals are covered with water drops, which makes it look watery.
“This is…” His eyes fell on the delicate but not bright red plum blossoms. A light flashed through Shen Qingzhuo’s mind, and he finally pieced together the cause and effect.
All of a sudden, a sour and soft emotion welled up in his heart. He didn’t expect that he would be moved by a twelve-year-old child.
“I wish Master…” Xiao Shen pinched his earlobe awkwardly and said in a clear voice, “To be as blessed as vast as the East Sea and live as long as the South Mountain!”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
The author has something to say:
Young Master Shen: Dear disciple, Master is celebrating his 19th birthday, not his 90th birthday…
