It was early summer, and the weather was not too hot, but it was not cold at all.
Shen Qingzhuo frowned slightly, walked to the bed, and reached out to touch his little disciple’s sweaty forehead.
When the cool palm touched the hot forehead, the youth hiding in the quilt couldn’t help but let out a comfortable hum: “Hmm…”
But the next moment, Xiao Shen’s body froze, and he quickly pulled up the edge of the quilt, completely hiding his round head.
Unexpectedly, he pulled too hard, and his feet at the end of the bed were exposed again.
Shen Qingzhuo looked at his little disciple, who was too busy with his head and feet, and asked with a smile, “What’s wrong? Why did you hide when you saw Master today?”
The youth wrapped in the quilt did not move.
Shen Qingzhuo pretended to be unhappy and raised his voice slightly. “So, you don’t want to see Master?”
“I’m not! No! How is it possible?” The youth denied three times in a muffled voice from under the quilt, and his tone was so firm that people had to believe him.
“Oh, I don’t seem to believe it?” Shen Qingzhuo said he didn’t believe it and turned around, “Since you don’t want to see Master, Master should leave then.”
“Master!” Xiao Shen was really anxious this time. He threw back the quilt and sat up. “Master, don’t leave!”
Shen Qingzhuo curled the corners of his lips slightly, turned around, and stopped smiling.
The youth sat on the messy bed. Perhaps he couldn’t breathe because of the quilt just now. His handsome face was flushed and very adorable. He looked at him with wet eyes, and his expression was filled with unspeakable grievance.
Shen Qingzhuo didn’t know why, but his little disciple always looked so aggrieved in front of him, like a puppy that was drenched by the rain.
He took a step forward, walked back to the bed, and stroked the youth’s sweat-soaked temples. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Being touched by the cold jade-like fingertips, the hazy and elusive shadows in his mind from last night suddenly became concrete. Xiao Shen couldn’t help but shudder and shake his head vigorously, trying to get rid of those images that made him blush.
Shen Qingzhuo: “But I just touched your forehead, and it didn’t seem to be hot. Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere else?”
Xiao Shen: “No.”
“What’s going on then?” It’s neither this nor that. His master was confused.
The youth stammered, “I, I…”
He didn’t dare to say anything. He didn’t dare to say what he did to his master in his dream last night, let alone say that there was a mess under him.
“Hey, isn’t this my handkerchief?” Just at this moment, Shen Qingzhuo discovered a corner of the handkerchief sticking out from the quilt.
Xiao Shen was already guilty of his crime, and upon hearing that, he hurriedly stuffed the handkerchief into the quilt and then tried to cover up his guilt by saying, “I didn’t do anything!”
Shen Qingzhuo blinked his eyelashes in confusion and a bad guess vaguely emerged in his mind.
His little disciple has always liked to act like a spoiled child and sleep with him, saying that he likes his body’s smell. Now he is holding his handkerchief to sleep…
Could it be that he thinks of him as his mother?
He knew of a phenomenon that some babies, after weaning, had to smell their mother’s clothes in order to fall asleep, which was a manifestation of extreme dependence on their mother’s scent.
He was just daydreaming when Xiao Shen took the initiative to ask, “Master came to see me so early in the morning. Is there any matter?”
“Ah.” Shen Qingzhuo temporarily dispelled the absurd thoughts in his mind and returned to the topic of today: “Didn’t you say that you wanted Master to teach you about the matter between men and women yesterday? Master made a rough preparation and wrote it down.”
When he mentioned this, the youth’s face was visibly hot. He hugged the quilt tightly in panic and stammered, “Isn’t it too, too fast?”
Shen Qingzhuo was somewhat puzzled and asked in confusion, “Is it? Master has always been a man of action.”
Xiao Shen took a deep breath and politely declined, “I have other plans today. Would Master mind finding another time?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “What are your plans?”
“Training in the martial arts arena, and also paying respects to the Empress Dowager.” Xiao Shen replied calmly.
“Fine.” Shen Qingzhuo didn’t ask further, “Then when you want to learn, tell Master.”
When children grow up, you have to let them go.
Apart from assigning homework to his little disciple and answering his questions every now and then, the rest of his time is left to his little disciple to arrange for himself.
“En.” Xiao Shen responded obediently, his dark eyes rolled around, and he secretly glanced at his master.
Shen Qingzhuo: “What again?”
“Master, I’m going to get up.” Xiao Shen replied.
“Just get up.” Shen Qingzhuo didn’t understand and joked, “Do you still want Master to help you change your clothes?”
The youth clenched his hands and quickly replied, “No need!”
Shen Qingzhuo sighed softly, turned around, and walked to the table, and couldn’t help muttering, “You, I don’t even know what you are thinking about in your little head all day long.”
Although in his heart, his little disciple was still the tiny little ball he had met for the first time, but from what happened yesterday, he also realized that fifteen years old was already the age to get married and have children in ancient times.
“No matter how old you are, Master will always be your master. Therefore, if you have any doubts, you can tell Master directly, and Master will definitely…” When Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyes again, he found that the youth had put on the outer robe and was busy tying the laces.
The words he wanted to say were stuck in his mouth. He was shocked by the youth’s terrifying speed in getting dressed.
“I’ll remember that, Master.” Xiao Shen raised his face and showed a gentle and lovely smile.
After putting on his coat to cover up the sticky mess under his body, he finally returned to normal.
“En, you’re good.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled with relief, “I haven’t had breakfast with you for a long time, and today just happened to be the day.”
At Chenshi17-9am, the carved dining table was filled with delicious delicacies.
Shen Qingzhuo scooped a spoonful of matsutake soup2It’s like mushroom herbal soup, blew it gently to cool it, and then put it into his mouth.
Xiao Shen sat opposite him, and as he ate, his eyes involuntarily glued to his master’s face.
His master was picky and had a poor appetite. He always ate like a cat, taking small bites, and he ate more elegantly and beautifully than anyone he had ever seen.
The hot steam from the soup made his master’s face slightly red. His red lips opened and closed, revealing his white teeth. Occasionally, he would spit out a little bit of his bright red tongue tip due to the heat.
Xiao Shen suddenly lowered his eyes and swallowed heavily.
Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong with him. Just by looking at his master like this, his heart began to pound so hard that it seemed like it would jump out of his chest.
He unconsciously hunched his back and put his strong legs together to avoid his master noticing that something was wrong.
“Why don’t you eat? Is it not to your liking?” Shen Qingzhuo was seven-tenths full and put down his chopsticks, only to find that his little disciple was still in a daze.
“Ah?” Xiao Shen came back to his senses. “No, I was just thinking about something.”
“Then that’s good.” Shen Qingzhuo took the wet towel from the maid, slowly wiped his slender, jade-like fingers, and ordered, “You all retreat first.”
The maidservant who was waiting on them responded, “Yes, Young Master.”
After dismissing the strangers, he asked, “The Empress Dowager has been summoning you frequently recently. Is there any progress?”
Xiao Shen replied truthfully: “The Empress Dowager was eager to cultivate a family relationship with me, so I cooperated with her and acted out a play of loving grandparent and filial grandchild.”
For some purpose, he subconsciously concealed the fact that the Empress Dowager asked him to associate with the Qi family.
“Very good, just act first.” Shen Qingzhuo nodded slightly and said with a smile, “After all, the Empress Dowager and us have the same goal, but different paths lead to the same destination. However, when you ascend to the throne of the supreme emperor position, we will cross the river and destroy the bridge, and what can the Empress Dowager do to me?”
Xiao Shen was startled and muttered to himself, “The Supreme Emperor position?”
“Otherwise?” Shen Qingzhuo raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at his little disciple with a smile. “Are you willing to leave the palace in a few years and become an idle prince and be controlled by your brother who ascended the throne for the rest of your life?”
Since ancient times, in order to reach the pinnacle of power, people have killed their fathers, brothers, wives, and children. Under the noble dragon throne, there is a stream of dirty blood that cannot be wiped away. But being born into a royal family means that one is destined to have no control over life and death from the moment they’re born.
Even if you don’t fight for power, you will be drawn into the whirlpool of power. Fighting for the throne is a life-and-death war. Throughout the dynasties, there were only a handful of princes and dukes who have lived safely for a hundred years.
Xiao Shen lowered his thick black eyelashes to hide the look in his eyes and replied softly, “Master wants me to ascend the throne?”
“Master will personally send you to sit on the throne.” Shen Qingzhuo put down the towel and calmly said, “You just need to learn how to be a wise ruler.”
When that day comes, he can retire with honor.
“Alright.” Xiao Shen responded solemnly, “If this is what Master wishes for.”
If being the emperor is what he wants, then he will do whatever it takes to ascend the throne.
“Let’s stop here today. Master has to go to Beizhen Fushi to do some work.” Shen Qingzhuo stood up and reminded him, “Don’t fall behind in your studies. Master will be checking up on you at any time.”
Xiao Shen promised solemnly, “I won’t fall behind in my studies. Master, feel free to check me if you want.”
Shen Qingzhuo patted his head approvingly, “Good disciple.”
Xiao Shen stood at the entrance of the hall. He waited until the familiar figure completely disappeared from his sight before turning around, and the smile on his lips disappeared.
The youth’s facial features became increasingly sharp, and his outlines became clearer and clearer. When he smiled and acted cute, he still looked a bit childish, but once his face was expressionless, he revealed his innate nobility.
“You, come here.” He casually pointed at a young eunuch.
“Your Highness.” The young eunuch quickly bent over and followed him, “What does Your Highness need?”
Xiao Shen sat back in his chair and said nonchalantly, “Go find me some books.”
Young eunuch: “May the servant ask what books Your Highness would like?”
“A book that describes love affairs between men and women.” Xiao Shen took a sip of tea and said calmly, “It would be best if it has pictures, so the images are more vivid.”
The young eunuch blurted out, “Erotic picture books?”
Xiao Shen narrowed his eyes and said, “Bring me everything you can collect.”
The young eunuch thought that he had done something wrong and displeased his Highness, but he did not expect that his Highness summoned him for such a romantic matter. He could not help but breathe a sigh of relief and replied, “Your Highness doesn’t know that this kind of book is listed as a banned book in the palace.”
Xiao Shen sneered: “They want me to grow and reproduce, but they also list the erotic picture books as banned books. How hypocritical.”
Could it be that those books were more immoral than the maid who stripped him of his clothes in broad daylight?
The young eunuch nodded in agreement and did not dare to speak loudly.
“No matter what kind of banned book it is, I will give you one day to find it.” Xiao Shen raised his eyes and said in a cold tone, “Otherwise…”
The rest of the sentence did not need to be explained. The young eunuch knelt on the ground and replied tremblingly, “Yes, Your Highness.”
For several days, Shen Qingzhuo was very busy.
The case of the minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lian Zhong’s favoritism and fraud in the imperial examination involved a wide range of people. The more he investigated, the more dirty things he found hidden in the dark.
The imperial examination system was one of the important ways for the Dayong Dynasty to select talents. Compared with the hereditary system, the recommendation system, and the donation system of buying an official position with money, it was relatively fair and just.
At the same time, the imperial examination system also enabled social class mobility. The saying “a noble son emerges from a poor family” meant that students from poor families could pass the imperial examination and become officials in the court, thus having the opportunity to participate in politics.
For the rulers of Dayong, the new scholars selected through the imperial examinations were also an important force to balance and curb the aristocratic families.
However, several generations of poverty laid the foundation. Even if the poor students passed the imperial examination, once they entered the court, new and complex family forces would be formed in two or three generations at most. The court needed to constantly absorb fresh blood through the imperial examination.
Therefore, Emperor Guangxi was very annoyed about the case of fraud in the palace examination this year and ordered the Beizhen Fushi to investigate thoroughly. All the people involved in the case were arrested by the Jinyiwei and thrown into the imperial prison, where they were severely interrogated and tortured. They vowed to catch all the officials who dared to interfere in the imperial examination.
After staying up all night for three consecutive nights, Shen Qingzhuo finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He handed over the next interrogation to Wei Changping and went back to Jiyue Pavilion to rest.
When he first came to this world, the original owner was extremely weak. After several years of recuperation, although he was no longer easily infected with a cold and bedridden, but he was still not as strong as an ordinary person.
He vaguely felt that something seemed to be wrong, but after repeated examinations by the imperial physician, he only came to the conclusion that the patient was frail, so he let it go for the time being.
The summer night breeze blows by, bringing a hint of coolness.
Shen Qingzhuo was walking on the palace road when a young eunuch came towards him. Without saying a word, he handed him a letter with both hands.
He took the letter, opened it, glanced at it, and understood.
During this period, while he was busy with official duties, he was also patiently waiting for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to think it over.
The letter arrived faster than he had imagined.
The eunuch left in a hurry. Shen Qingzhuo tore the letter into pieces bit by bit, then put it into his sleeve and turned around to go to the other side.
“Master.” A low and cold voice sounded in the darkness. The secret guard dressed in all black seemed to blend into the night.
Shen Qingzhuo’s cold voice drifted in the night wind. “I’m going to meet someone, just follow me from a distance.”
The dark guard: “Yes, Master.”
Soon, Shen Qingzhuo arrived at the place designated by His Highness the Crown Prince.
In the deserted garden, Xiao Yichen was standing in front of the pond, waiting for him.
“It’s a dark and windy night, a time for murder and arson.” He smiled from afar, “The place chosen by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is wonderful.”
Xiao Yichen sneered: “When did Qingzhuo become so cowardly?”
Shen Qingzhuo just smiled without saying anything, with a hint of cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Since His Highness the Crown Prince asked him to come here to talk privately, he must have kept it a secret from everyone.
It was a dark and windy night, and this was the perfect place for him to kill someone.
As long as he calls out to the secret guard hiding in the night, he can solve this biggest trouble without anyone noticing tonight.
But…
Unfortunately, he can’t do that for the time being.
“Say, what information did you find out?” Xiao Yichen took two steps closer, “Stop being so mysterious.”
Shen Qingzhuo didn’t beat around the bush either and got straight to the point: “When Concubine Li fell into the water, His Majesty handed the case over to the Jinyiwei to investigate. In fact, the Jinyiwei found a piece of physical evidence at the scene.”
Xiao Yichen frowned: “Impossible. If there is physical evidence, why didn’t they continue the investigation?”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled and asked, “Right, Your Highness, why do you think this is the case?”
“Could it be…” Xiao Yichen frowned deeper and deeper. “To protect Concubine Zhao?”
“Yes and no.” Shen Qingzhuo took out a jade pendant from his sleeve and said, “Your Highness guessed half of it right.”
Xiao Yichen’s eyes tightened, and he raised his hand to snatch the jade pendant away. “What is this?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “This is the evidence that the Jinyiwei found back then.”
Xiao Yichen looked at the jade pendant in the moonlight and said, “This jade pendant is extremely ordinary, you can’t tell anything from it.”
“Your Highness, please take a closer look.” Shen Qingzhuo reminded, “Are you not familiar with the patterns engraved on this jade pendant?”
Xiao Yichen looked at it, and his expression suddenly changed.
According to the custom of Dayong, corresponding patterns would be engraved on objects in each palace as a mark. Only the Empress’s palace could be engraved with dragon and phoenix patterns, and the pattern on this jade pendant was clearly the auspicious dragon and phoenix.
“Impossible.” He squeezed the jade pendant tightly and took a step forward. “Where did you get this jade pendant from?”
The secret guard hidden in the dark moved, and the sword on his waist silently came out of the sheath.
Shen Qingzhuo made a gesture with his back to him, and he sheathed the sword again.
“Your Highness, I have delivered the things. Whether you believe it or not, whether you investigate or not, and how to investigate in the future, it is all up to you to decide.” Shen Qingzhuo’s face was calm, and his tone was frank. “I said at the beginning that if we investigate this old case, the result may not be what Your Highness expects. But tonight, it was Your Highness who asked me to come here.”
Xiao Yichen’s breathing became heavier, and he looked at him with fierce and gloomy eyes.
“The minister is now in charge of the Beizhen Fushi, and I have a heavy burden on my shoulders. I cannot help Your Highness with your worries. I hope Your Highness will understand.” Shen Qingzhuo took two steps back and bowed, saying, “Tonight, just pretend that the minister has never appeared.”
After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave.
“Shen Qingzhuo!” Xiao Yichen suddenly called out in a low voice, calling him, but there was no further news.
Shen Qingzhuo paused slightly and softly said, “Your Highness, Qingzhuo has never forgotten the three years he spent in the Eastern Palace.”
Xiao Yichen: “What a pity.”
“Your Highness, Qingzhuo was just a small Zhenfu envoy. I am extremely nervous and cautious when serving His Majesty.” Shen Qingzhuo seemed to sigh, “Your enemy has never been me.”
The moonlight was like water, and Xiao Yichen stood there with a complicated expression, looking at the jade pendant in his hand with a dark and unclear look.
After such a delay, when Shen Qingzhuo actually stepped into Jiyue Pavilion, it was already past Xushi37-9pm.
He walked towards the inner hall with a tired look, but saw a familiar figure flying straight towards him.
“Master!” Xiao Shen stopped right in front of his master, “You’re finally back!”
Shen Qingzhuo had been prepared to be knocked back by his little disciple, but when it didn’t go as he expected, he felt a little disappointed and asked with a chuckle, “Have you been waiting for a long time?”
“Not long.” Xiao Shen shook his head, his eyes fell on his master’s face, and suddenly he raised his handsome eyes. “Why is your face so pale, Master?”
“Really?” Shen Qingzhuo subconsciously raised his hand and touched his face, denying, “Master is just white, not pale.”
Xiao Shen looked at him doubtfully and couldn’t help but ask worriedly, “Is Master still very busy these days?”
This damn Beizhen Fushi has kept his master busy all day long, and the time he has to meet with him has been greatly reduced.
The only thing to be thankful for is that he also has the opportunity to do something, something that his master may not like.
“Let’s go in first.” Shen Qingzhuo raised his chin and asked as he walked, “Is dinner ready?”
“We have already had dinner.” The youth followed him obediently, “Master definitely haven’t eaten yet? I can have another meal with Master.”
“That’s also good.” Shen Qingzhuo smiled. “You are in the growth stage now. Eat more meals, and you will grow faster.”
After entering the hall, they washed their hands, and the palace servants served dinner in an orderly manner.
The busier Shen Qingzhuo was, the worse his appetite became. After a few bites, he didn’t want to eat anymore. With the patient coaxing of his little apprentice, he reluctantly drank a few more sips of soup.
“Master definitely has not eaten well.” Xiao Shen’s tone was slightly heavy, and he said in a rare, firm tone that could not be refused, “From now on, whenever I am free, I will come to accompany you for dinner.”
Shen Qingzhuo perfunctorily said, “It will be fine after these few busy days.”
“Hmph!” The youth crossed his arms angrily, his thin lips pursed out of habit, “Master is disobedient, not eating well, and didn’t rest well. You might as well not be the Zhenfu envoy!”
Shen Qingzhuo leaned back in his chair and said jokingly, “Good disciple, how about you become my master?”
Xiao Shen’s eyebrows twitched, but he didn’t dare to respond.
After resting for a while, Xiao Shen took the initiative to ask, “Master, when are you going to teach me about the matter between men and women?”
“Puff.” Shen Qingzhuo was sipping his hot tea and almost spit it out when he heard the words, “Cough, cough, why is it so sudden?”
“No ah, it’s been a long time since the last time.” Xiao Shen looked innocent. “It’s better to do it today than to wait for a better day!”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
Speechless as he was, he still had to fulfill his duty as an enlightenment teacher.
He returned to the bedroom, took out the relevant materials that he had prepared long ago, and then sat opposite his little disciple.
Xiao Shen sat in the chair obediently, his bright eyes flashing with a desire for knowledge. “Let’s start, Master!”
“En.” Shen Qingzhuo pondered for a moment, “It’s not Master’s turn to teach you these things, but since Master has promised you, Master will do his best.”
He himself had never received such education, but he had to teach his little disciple anyway.
“En, en!” Xiao Shen nodded repeatedly.
Shen Qingzhuo continued, “Passionate love between a man and a woman, to put it more elegantly, is to describe the mutual admiration and love between men and women.”
He decided to start from the shallower to the deeper, first explaining to his little disciple the beauty of love between men and women, and after laying a certain emotional foundation, then delving into the physical level.
“Master.” The youth put his chin on the book, rolled his beautiful eyes left and right, and stammered, “I want to ask questions.”
Shen Qingzhuo subconsciously raised his eyes and looked at him, “You ask.”
The master looked calm on the surface, but in fact he was not confident. What if the little disciple asked about something he didn’t know…
Xiao Shen straightened his back and looked at him intently: “Master, does it have to be a love affair between a man and a woman?”
Shen Qingzhuo didn’t understand for a moment: “Huh?”
Xiao Shen asked seriously, “Is it not alright for a man to be passionate with another man?”
Shen Qingzhuo’s pupils trembled: “?”
The author has something to say:
The Master: Theoretically, it is also possible. In ancient times, people called this the Longyang obsession…
The Wolf Cub: Oh yeah, actually, I have studied it thoroughly.
Please cherish the innocent puppy who was just beginning to develop feelings. Once he grows up, he will be very affectionate…
