In the following days, beneath the calm surface maintained by the former dynasty and the harem, the undercurrents became increasingly turbulent.
Shen Qingzhuo was maneuvering between the Crown Prince’s party and the Third Prince’s party while dealing with Emperor Guangxi’s occasional scrutiny and interrogation. At the same time, Beizhen Fushi’s secret investigation had never stopped.
Lord Shen was overwhelmed and busy for a while. He happened to look through the calendar and suddenly remembered that his little disciple’s birthday was approaching.
He was just preparing to find an opportunity to hint something to Emperor Guangxi, but he didn’t expect that something happened in Changshou Palace first.
The Princes of Dayong have always celebrated their birthdays with great ceremonies, especially His Highness the Crown Prince. Every year on his birthday, a grand banquet would be held for all the officials to show the royal grace. For other Princes, family banquets would be held, and their birthdays would also be celebrated with great fanfare.
Only the Seventh Prince, Xiao Shen, has been kept in the cold palace since he was born. Even his mother doesn’t remember his birthday, let alone others?
“Shen’er has lived in the cold palace for fifteen years, and no one has ever celebrated his birthday. Since he has moved out this year, he should follow the rules.” The Empress Dowager wiped the corners of her lips with a handkerchief and seemed to sigh, “Otherwise, that child will be too pitiful.”
Emperor Guangxi sat on a chair, it’s hard to tell whether he’s happy or angry. “Empress Mother is so kind. Let’s do everything according to Empress Mother’s instructions.”
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor lovingly and asked, “Your Majesty, how are you these days?”
“Thanks for your concern, Empress Mother.” Emperor Guangxi straightened his back secretly and replied in a low voice, “Erchen feels very well. It seems that he will be able to fully recover in the near future.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with a hint of strangeness, but it disappeared in an instant and then turned into a look of relief. “That’s great, Aijia finally relieved.”
The maidservant beside the Empress Dowager took the opportunity to take credit, saying, “Niangniang has been reciting Buddhist scriptures devoutly every day to pray for Your Majesty’s blessing. It seems that it has also played a role.”
“Empress Mother is tired. Erchen is deeply touched.” Emperor Guangxi sneered secretly but put on a serious expression. “Later, Erchen will send someone to send a thousand-year-old ginseng to nourish Empress Mother’s body.”
The mother and son each had their own ulterior motives and were hypocritically interacting with each other. After a while, Emperor Guangxi asked to leave.
After riding the dragon chariot back to the Zichen Palace, Emperor Guangxi thought with a gloomy face for a momen, then called Eunuch Su and asked, “Su Huai’an, Lao Qi’s birthday is coming soon. What do you think Zhen should give him as a gift?”
Eunuch Su quickly replied, “As long as it is a birthday gift given by Your Majesty, His Highness the Seventh Prince will definitely like it.”
The emperor’s grace is so great, who dares to criticize the things he bestows upon them?
Emperor Guangxi narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, “Su Huai’an, in your opinion, what is the Seventh Prince’s character?”
Eunuch Su perked up and replied cautiously, “His Highness the Seventh Prince is very filial.”
“Hehe…” Emperor Guangxi laughed with an ambiguous tone, “Not to mention anything else, compared to his brothers, Lao Qi makes Zhen less worried.”
Eunuch Su nodded repeatedly.
“Since Empress Mother has proposed to celebrate Lao Qi’s birthday, Zhen naturally cannot let him be looked down upon.” Emperor Guangxi leaned back on the couch, his face showing obvious fatigue. “Open the Treasury and prepare the gold, silver, and jewels. In addition, bring out the precious horse that were tributed by foreign countries last year as a birthday gift to the Seventh Prince.”
Eunuch Su was startled but quickly came to his senses and replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
If moving from the cold palace to the Changle Palace just reminded people of the existence of the Seventh Prince, then on this birthday, everyone finally realized that the Seventh Prince was going to return to his original position.
The birthday gift from the Empress Dowager’s palace was delivered to Changle Palace first, followed closely by Consort Xian and the Third Prince. Seeing this, other palaces also sent valuable gifts, and even the Eastern Palace sent a birthday gift in time.
Even though His Highness the Crown Prince was reluctant in his heart, but there were countless eyes in the palace staring at the Eastern Palace, so he had to do this to save face.
But the Crown Prince’s mind was full of calculations. He would definitely not suffer any loss because his own birthday would be just half a month after the Seventh Prince’s birthday.
At that time, what should be returned will definitely be returned.
So, within just a few days, Changle Palace was filled with precious porcelain, bonsai, jade, calligraphy and paintings, silk, and satin, including a large box of gold, silver, and jewelry gifted by Emperor Guangxi.
However, Xiao Shen had little interest in these things. The only thing that could arouse his interest was the handsome and strong precious horse.
As soon as he saw it, he couldn’t help but picture the scene of him riding this precious horse and galloping freely across the world in his mind. It would be best if he could hold his master in his arms and take his master to appreciate the beautiful scenery of the country.
Although his master has horse sickness, but as long as he protected his master, his master would not be afraid…
“Not bad ah, the harvest is quite rich.” Shen Qingzhuo walked around the room and said, “It’s much richer than the birthday gift that Master received.”
Xiao Shen came out of his wild imagination and immediately replied, “Master, take whatever you like.”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled and shook his head. “This is your birthday gift, how can Master just take it casually?”
“My things belong to Master.” Xiao Shen replied seriously, “If it weren’t for Master, how could I be where I am today?”
Before he was twelve years old, he had never had the concept of celebrating his birthday until his master came. Every year on his birthday, he would give him a small gift with special meaning and would also cook for him himself, making him a dessert that was said to be called “cake.”
In the first year, his master was alone in the small kitchen for a long time. He couldn’t help his curiosity and sneaked in. He found his master standing in front of the stove with his hands on his waist and an unconvinced look on his face. When he turned around, he saw white flour on the tip of his straight nose, which made him look so cute.
That day, after trying again and again, his master finally made a white and plump cake. Although the taste was a bit strange, but he felt that this was the most delicious dessert in the world from the bottom of his heart.
His master said that in his hometown, there is a custom of eating birthday cakes and putting a candle on the cake. After making a wish silently in the heart, blow out the candle, and the wish will come true.
At first he did not believe it, but he did not want to disappoint his master’s kindness. From his birthday the following year, he began to make a wish sincerely in his heart.
Therefore, the mountains of birthday gifts in front of him were far less joyful to him than a piece of cake from his master.
“What birthday gift will Master give me this year?” Xiao Shen walked over and hugged his master’s arm clingingly.
Shen Qingzhuo joked: “You have received so many gold, silver, and jade items, but you still need a birthday gift for Master ah?”
“How can they be the same?” Xiao Shen said in a serious tone, “As long as it is a gift from Master, even if it is just a strand of hair, it is more valuable than a mountain of gold and silver given by others.”
Shen Qingzhuo had a thought, and he asked with a smile, “Dear disciple, are you having a problem with Master’s hair?”
“Aiya, Master, tell me quickly!” Xiao Shen crossed his arms and staggered, acting coquettishly. “I’m so curious.”
“If your birthday gift is revealed in advance, then what’s the surprise?” Shen Qingzhuo flicked his little disciple’s forehead with his finger. “Stay expectant, alright?”
“Well then…” Xiao Shen pursed his lips, then smiled again. “Then I will start looking forward to it from now on!”
Shen Qingzhuo nodded and glanced at the hourglass again, “It’s about time, Master has to go back.”
“Ah?” Xiao Shen tightened his fingers subconsciously, “Aren’t Master staying for dinner?”
Shen Qingzhuo replied, “No, I have to leave the palace later.”
Xiao Shen’s eyes widened in surprise: “Leaving the palace? For what? Is Master going alone?”
“Don’t worry, Master and Kong Qianhu are leaving the palace together, it’s safe.” Shen Qingzhuo pulled out his arm, turned around, and was about to walk out.
“Wait!” Xiao Shen hurriedly grabbed his master’s clothes. “Is Master going to Zuixiang Fang again?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
“I guessed it right!” Xiao Shen immediately shouted, “Master is going to visit the brothel behind my back again!”
“Tsk…” Shen Qingzhuo raised his index finger to his lower lip and replied in a low voice, “This is not something glorious. Do you want to make it known to the whole world?”
Xiao Shen readily shut his mouth and continued to silently accuse his master with his eyes.
“We go to gather information, not visit brothels.” Shen Qingzhuo corrected helplessly, “How can Master have the time to visit pr*stitutes?”
“Then…” His obsidian eyes turned left and right, and Xiao Shen proposed a condition: “Master, take me with you too!”
Shen Qingzhuo frowned slightly. “Why are you joining in the fun?”
Xiao Shen said confidently, “Master said that you would find a chance to take me to the night market last time when we are in the carriage. Now is the best day, let’s do it today!”
Shen Qingzhu thought this was nonsense and was about to reject his little disciple, but then he heard him pleading, “My birthday is coming soon, Master, please fulfill my small wish, alright?”
The youth clasped his hands together and blinked his innocent puppy eyes, with bright expectation flashing in his eyes.
Who can resist a cute and adorable puppy?
Shen Qingzhuo sighed lightly. “The last time I took you out, it was already very dangerous. At this juncture, Master really doesn’t want to take the risk.”
The light in Xiao Shen’s eyes suddenly went out, and he lowered his clasped hands. He said in a disappointed tone, “Alright, then I won’t cause any more trouble for Master.”
“But…” Shen Qingzhuo changed the subject, “As long as you dress up, no one will recognize you.”
“Ah? Really?” The depressed dog suddenly jumped up excitedly and threw himself into his master’s arms. “Master is the best! I like Master the most!”
“Master also knows that.” Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but raise the corners of his lips and said, “Come to Jiyue Pavilion with me first.”
***
When the two returned to Jiuyue Pavilion, Shen Qingzhuo immediately called out the secret guard.
“Master.” At almost the same time, the secret guard appeared in the hall silently.
Shen Qingzhuo ordered: “We will be leaving the palace to handle some business later. Help the Seventh Prince change his appearance. It will be a good opportunity for you to show off your skills.”
He has always been curious about the secret guard’s disguise skills, and this time he can take a look at the magic.
The secret guard took a look at the Seventh Prince and asked, “What does Master want the Seventh Prince to become?”
Shen Qingzhuo thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have any special requirements. As long as others can’t recognize him as the Seventh Prince, you can do whatever you want.”
“No!” Xiao Shen couldn’t help but interrupt and ordered the secret guard, “Don’t draw me too ugly, especially not as ugly as you!”
The secret guard: “……”
“I can’t tell ah, Xiao Qi, you are even obsessed with looks?” Shen Qingzhuo smiled teasingly and glanced outside inadvertently. A palace maid in a light pink palace dress happened to walk by.
In an instant, a flash of inspiration came into his mind, and then a bold idea emerged.
Half an hour later, Shen Qingzhuo arrived at the agreed location on time.
Kong Shang bowed and said, “My Lord.”
“En.” Shen Qingzhuo responded calmly, “Let’s go.”
Kong Shang couldn’t help but glance at the maid behind Lord Shen and ask hesitantly, “Is My Lord… bringing a personal maid with?”
They were out on business, and it would definitely be inconvenient to bring a maid with them.
“Maid?” Shen Qingzhuo suppressed his smile, “Why don’t you take a closer look?”
Kong Shang didn’t understand what was going on. He blankly looked at the palace maid, who was silent, and lowered her head.
This little palace maid had a slender figure and was actually a little taller than Lord Shen. However, she looked elegant and appropriate in her pink palace dress. Her face was as white as powder, her lips were as red as rouge, and her facial features were good-looking and neutral. She was distinctive and, at the same time, exuded a kind of youthful elegance. She was indeed very special.
The next moment, the palace maid raised her face, and Kong Qianhu’s figure was reflected in her dark and cold pupils.
Kong Shang was shocked, and he actually felt that the look was a little familiar.
“This…” In the hot summer, a cool breeze inexplicably came from behind Kong Qianhu. “This lady, may I ask what your name is?”
That palace maid opened her red lips and said, “Kong Qianhu, don’t you recognize this highness anymore?”
With just one sentence, Kong Qianhu was like being struck by lightning and was burned to a crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
He took several steps back, his raised fingers trembling as if he were having an epileptic seizure. “Your, Your, Your, Your… Your Highness!”
“Hahahahahahahahahahaha!” Shen Qingzhuo, who had been holding back his laughter the whole time, finally broke through and laughed out loud, holding his waist.
Xiao Shen was wearing a beautiful face without any expression and said in a very resentful tone, “Master…”
“Hahahaha, cough, cough, cough…” Shen Qingzhuo laughed so hard that his whole body was shaking. He tried to regain his serious expression but unfortunately failed. His fair face turned red from laughing, and his complexion was as rosy as a peach or plum.
“Master!” This time, the youth’s voice sounded a little angry.
“Cough, cough…” Shen Qingzhuo was afraid that his disciple would get angry on the spot, so he racked his brains to comfort him. “This shows that your disguise was very successful ah. Even Kong Qianhu was fooled…”
Kong Qianhu: “!”
His face was full of fear, which formed a sharp contrast with Lord Shen’s smiling face.
The author has something to say:
The Master: I have wanted to dress my little disciple as a girl for a long time, and today I finally have the opportunity to make it happen!
The Wolf Cub: Does Master like women clothing so much? Then in the future I will definitely wear this pink palace dress and hardly…
The Mother: Cross-dressing play arrangement!
T/N: I saw you guys worried about Junior Preceptor Pei, don’t worry he’ll be fine, only the Crown Prince is beyond save lol
