Shen Qingzhuo quietly moved to the other side. He didn’t dare to beat his little disciple in front of everyone, so he could only quietly press the back of the rebellious hand and push it back.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Shen grabbed his hand with his palm and rubbed his thumb back and forth on the scar at the base of his thumb.
An indescribable electric current ran through his spine. Shen Qingzhuo suddenly straightened his back and pinched his little disciple lightly.
The two hands hidden under the tablecloth intertwined in one place, secretly competing fiercely, but on the surface, they all sat solemnly, making it difficult for outsiders to see any clues.
“The Crown Prince is very generous ah.” Emperor Guangxi replied calmly upon hearing the Crown Prince’s congratulatory gift.
Xiao Yichen suddenly felt something was wrong and quickly said, “Erchen thought that since it was the first birthday celebration for Seventh Brother, it should be grand. That’s why Erchen reluctantly gave his treasured possession to him as a gift.”
Consort Xian’s eyes turned, and she continued, “Chenqie remembered that Your Majesty has always admired Painting Master Su’s ink treasure and had ordered people to search for the lost ‘Ink Bamboo Painting’. I didn’t expect it to fall into His Highness the Crown Prince’s hands. It can be regarded as a kind of fate.”
Xiao Yichen’s heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself that something was wrong.
“Yes ah, Second Brother is really generous.” The Third Prince continued to add fuel to the fire, “Let’s just talk about the ‘Ink Bamboo Painting’ by the Painting Master of the previous dynasty, which has been lost for a long time and is priceless in the market. Second Brother, why don’t you tell us where you got this calligraphy of Painting Master from?”
Xiao Yichen glanced at him warningly and explained in a serious tone, “I got this painting by chance. Someone sold it as a fake at a low price, so I casually bought it. Later, after being appraised by a master, it turned out to be an authentic one.”
He originally planned to give Lao Qi silver and jade, but the Junior Preceptor said that he should not be so careless. The Eastern Palace has always been famous for its integrity and frugality. Rather than gold, silver, and jade, it would be more appropriate to give him calligraphy and an inkstone.
But he had his own plans in mind and finally compromised. He reluctantly sent a thousand taels of silver, a painting of “Ink Bamboo Painting” by the former dynasty’s painting master, and a fine Qingzhou red silk inkstone to Changle Palace.
Unexpectedly, this backfired, and today Lao San and his mother found an opportunity to take advantage of him.
“So, Emperor Father likes the calligraphy of Painting Master ah.” At this time, Xiao Shen, who was sitting upright, spoke up, “It just so happens that Erchen doesn’t have much taste for calligraphy and painting, so today he will borrow flowers to offer to Buddha and present this ‘Ink Bamboo Painting’ to Emperor Father, so that Erchen won’t waste it.”
Emperor Guangxi’s expression softened, and his tone became gentle: “It’s rare that you have such filial piety, so Emperor Father will accept it.”
Xiao Yichen lowered his head and almost broke his teeth.
With His Highness the Crown Prince’s experience as a lesson, the other palaces were much more cautious when presenting their congratulatory gifts.
Shen Qingzhuo had given up competing with his little disciple and allowed him to hold his hand. A patch of skin on his wrist was almost on fire from the rubbing.
“What about Qingzhuo?” After a round, Emperor Guangxi suddenly called out his name, “You are Lao Qi’s master. What gift have you prepared?”
Shen Qingzhuo took the opportunity to pull his hand away. Fortunately, this time his little disciple obediently loosened his grip.
He replied slowly, “In reply to Your Majesty, the humble minister is a layman, and he has given gold, silver, silk, and satin to His Highness the Seventh Prince.”
“It’s not vulgar, as long as it can be used, it’s a good gift.” Emperor Guangxi smiled with an ambiguous meaning: “But Zhen almost forgot that Qingzhuo is richer and more generous than Zhen.”
“Your Majesty, these words really embarrass the humble minister.” Shen Qingzhuo also smiled and said in a half-sincerity tone, “This is all from the humble minister’s daily frugality and the money he saved.”
Emperor Guangxi laughed: “Lao Qi, look how much your master loves you.”
Xiao Shen raised his eyes and said expressionlessly, “Emperor Father is right. Thanks Master for saving from between your teeth1It means to save money by reducing the cost of food. for my birthday gift.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
After some turbulence, Emperor Guangxi officially announced the start of the banquet, and everyone could finally start eating.
But Xiao Shen walked to the front of the hall with a wine glass and started a round of toasts.
The first cup was for his Emperor Father, the second cup was for his Imperial Grandmother, and for the third cup, Xiao Shen came to his master’s table and called out in a loud voice, “Master Shen.”
Shen Qingzhuo was concentrating on filling his stomach. When he heard the voice, he raised his eyes and was stunned.
“This glass of wine is for Master Shen.” His dark eyes stared at him without blinking. Xiao Shen raised his glass and said with a smile, “I will never forget your kindness in giving me a new life.”
The whispers in the hall gradually disappeared.
Including Emperor Guangxi, everyone thought that the Seventh Prince was trying to embarrass Young Master Shen, and his words were full of weirdness.
However, only Shen Qingzhuo himself knew the seriousness and earnestness hidden in the youth’s eyes.
He used a weird disguise to tell everyone at his first birthday banquet as to how important his master was to him.
Shen Qingzhuo blinked his eyelashes and quickly reacted. He picked up the wine glass, stood up, and drank it all in one gulp. Then he calmly replied, “Your Highness the Seventh Prince is too polite.”
Xiao Shen also raised his lower jaw and drank together.
“Alright, go back to your seat.” Emperor Guangxi said in a calm voice, breaking the strange atmosphere in the hall and giving Shen Qing an opportunity to step down.
***
About half an hour later, Emperor Guangxi rode back to the palace first.
As soon as the emperor left, the consorts in the palaces could no longer sit still. They were too lazy to continue to flatter in vain, so, led by Consort Yuan, all the consorts and maids bid farewell to the Empress Dowager one by one.
Before Consort Yuan left, her cold and indifferent gaze accidentally fell on Lord Shen’s face, and with a touch, she left Changshou Palace without a trace.
And Shen Qingzhuo sat on the chair, taking a glance out of the corner of his eye at his little disciple, who was performing a show of brotherhood with the Third Prince.
He drank several glasses of wine tonight, his fair and tender cheeks turning red, even his ears and neck turning red. He was warmly grabbed by the Third Prince’s shoulder, and the two brothers seemed to be whispering something.
His Highness the Crown Prince’s face darkened, but he couldn’t say much in front of the Empress Dowager. He simply grabbed Xiao Shen’s arm and said, “Lao Qi, Second Imperial Brother has something to say to you.”
“Second Imperial Brother, is there anything else you want to say that you have to avoid me? “The Third Prince didn’t let go and said with a smirk, “Emperor Father said that we brothers should be affectionate.”
“Second Brother, Third Brother, stop quarreling!” Xiao Shen stuck out his tongue and shouted with a silly smile, “You are all my brothers!”
The Fifth Prince leaned forward and asked, “What about me?”
Xiao Shen couldn’t help but burst into laughter: “All of you are, all of you are…”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
Good guy, you have quite a lot of good brothers?
“Shen’er.” Seeing that the scene was becoming increasingly chaotic, the Empress Dowager raised her voice and called out.
“Ai! Grandmother!” Xiao Shen immediately broke away from his two brothers, staggered to the Empress Dowager, and knelt down to salute, “Thank you, Grandmother, for organizing my, my birthday banquet! Grandson is at where he is today, all, all thanks to Grandmother!”
“Good child, as long as you are happy, all of Grandmother’s efforts will not be in vain.” The Empress Dowager looked at him kindly and said, “You are drunk, go back and rest early.”
After all, the Empress Dowager was old and could not stand the continued noise. The remaining princes bowed and left one after another. Shen Qingzhuo took advantage of the situation and also left the hall.
The Seventh Prince was so drunk that he was staggering from side to side, but he refused to be supported by others. He could only watch helplessly as his little disciple stumbled with every step he took, his heart almost in his throat.
“Seventh Brother, let Third Imperial Brother take you back.” Xiao Hongyao stopped the Seventh Prince, who was falling to the ground in time, and said with hypocritical concern.
Xiao Jingrui, who was standing aside, grabbed his other arm and said, “Yes, it’s very dangerous for you to go back like this. Let me and Third Brother take you back!”
His Highness the Crown Prince stood not far away, his face gloomy, and soon turned his gaze to Shen Qingzhuo.
“Your Highness.” Shen Qingzhuo noticed his gaze and asked calmly, “What does Your Highness want?”
Since their last secret talk, Beizhen Fushi’s investigation into Grand Tutor Cao is still ongoing, but it is more like a formality and has not found anything useful.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yichen forced a smile: “Nothing, Gu just suddenly remembered that he didn’t have a drink with Lord Shen tonight.”
Shen Qingzhuo bowed and apologized: “It was Qingzhuo’s negligence. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
“No problem.” Xiao Yichen narrowed his eyes. “In a few days, it won’t be too late for Gu to have a few drinks with Lord Shen alone at Gu’s birthday banquet.”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled slightly: “Alright.”
“What kind of gift will Lord Shen give Gu then?” Xiao Yichen said meaningfully, “Gu looking forward to it very much.”
Shen Qingzhuo’s smile deepened: “Your Highness, please rest assured. This will be—a great gift that you will never forget.”
However, whether His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is fortunate enough to receive this great gift or not is another question.
Xiao Yichen was about to make another statement but was interrupted by a drunken voice: “I don’t need you guys to send me off! I can do it myself!”
Shen Qingzhuo subconsciously looked towards the source of the sound, only to see his little disciple pushing the two princes away and staggering towards the palace path.
There was a flash of malice in His Highness the Crown Prince’s eyes. This little beast was so drunk but still refused to let anyone send him off. It would be best if he fell to his death on the way, so that he wouldn’t have to continue acting in front of his Emperor Father and the Imperial Grandmother.
“It’s getting late. Qingzhuo will take his leave first.” Shen Qingzhuo retracted his gaze and took his leave calmly. “Your Highness the Crown Prince should also return to the palace and rest early.”
Having said that, without giving His Royal Highness the Crown Prince a chance to continue talking nonsense, he turned around and walked into the night.
***
Fortunately, the way back to Jiyue Pavilion and Changle Palace is in the same direction. Shen Qingzhuo followed his little disciple not too far away, feeling nervous all the way, always ready to rush forward to save the person.
But the more he walked, the more he felt something was wrong. His little disciple was actually walking on the road leading to the cold palace.
He couldn’t help but slow down his pace until his little disciple broke open the door of the cold palace. The “bang” sound scared him.
But Xiao Shen was unaware. After pushing open the door, he staggered towards the main hall and kicked the door open heavily.
Noble Consort Zhao, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, suddenly woke up from her dream and looked at the tall figure with his back to the moonlight with horror on her face, “You, you, you… who are you?”
Xiao Shen let out a strange laugh from his throat: “Mother Consort doesn’t recognize me again? Could it be that—”
He walked towards the bed step by step, and asked with a sigh, “I have been providing Mother Consort with good food and drink these days, why is Mother Consort’s condition getting worse?”
“It’s you…” Noble Consort Zhao relaxed, her mind was surprisingly clear, “What are you doing here?”
“It’s Son’s birthday, Mother’s suffering day.” Xiao Shen stopped in front of her and said in a sinister tone, “Today is Son’s birthday, so of course I will think of Mother Consort.”
Noble Consort Zhao scratched her messy hair in annoyance. After a long while, she replied harshly: “Don’t come. Just think of me as dead.”
She had been crazy for too long, and she always made meaningless screams, so much so that even when she spoke normally like this, her speech was a little incoherent.
Xiao Shen laughed again, but what he said was chilling: “Mother Consort, do you know? When I was young, I really hoped that you would die sooner.”
When he was bullied by the princes and looked down upon by the palace attendants, when he returned to the cold palace to seek comfort but only received a few hard slaps and countless vicious curses, on his birthday, his mother poisoned his food and wanted to die with him…
In those countless moments, he had thought resentfully, since having her is the same as not having, why didn’t his mother concubine just die?
He even almost took action. That night, he sat beside his mother consort, covered in wounds. Covered his mother consort’s face with a wet quilt while she was sleeping. In the end, he still fled in panic.
He remembered when his mother consort was not yet crazy, she would hold him on her lap and teach him to read, and would sing a sad but beautiful song to lull him to sleep. Even when she went completely crazy later, she would occasionally have a brief moment of clarity and would kneel in front of him and cry and say she was sorry.
Hearing her son’s wishes for her death, Noble Consort Zhao was shocked. She raised her head with a gleam in her eyes and looked at the strange yet familiar face. Her lips trembled. “You… just kill me.”
Xiao Shen stared at her with cold and lifeless eyes, like a wild wolf lurking in the dark night, without saying a word.
He used to be so lowly, just a little bit of warmth was enough to defeat him.
But now it’s different. He finally tasted the taste of wholehearted love, and he will no longer beg for mercy for a little bit of sweetness mixed with a knife ever again.
“As long as I don’t die, your Emperor Father, the Emperor, will not completely let go of his guard against you.” Noble Consort Zhao closed her murky eyes, her whole body like a dying withered tree. “These endless days in the cold palace, Mother Consort… also has had enough.”
Xiao Shen’s expression was cold and indifferent, as if he were a living dead person numb to all things in the world. His movements were extremely slow, slowly pulling out a shiny knife from his arms bit by bit.
“Xiao Qi!” In the next moment, a familiar voice came from outside the door, sounding full of tension and worry.
At almost the same moment, Xiao Shen swiftly withdrew his knife and turned around to look at the door.
Under the bright moonlight, Shen Qingzhuo stood at the entrance of the palace, seeming to have run all the way, panting heavily with his chest heaving up and down. “Xiao Qi, are you alright?”
His little disciple had been inside for too long, and he paced at the door anxiously, unable to help but recall the scene of rescuing the child from Noble Consort Zhao’s hands back then. In the end, he couldn’t help but run in.
Xiao Shen didn’t respond, but his eyes were visibly bloodshot and turning red, and then he walked towards the figure step by step.
These few short steps were as difficult for him as stepping out of a hell of corpses and a sea of fire and back into the bright and sunny world.
Before Shen Qingzhuo could catch his breath, he subconsciously spread out his arms and firmly caught the youth who fell into his arms.
Same as every time in the past.
“Master…” A low, hoarse voice with a hint of trembling crying tone, like a child who has suffered a great injustice and finally returns to the warmest and most trusting arms, and just wanting to cry loudly.
Shen Qingzhuo’s heart trembled slightly, and he raised his hands to tightly hold the youth in his arms.
The author has something to say:
The Master: Entanglement, does my little disciple think of me as his father or mother?
The Wolf Cub: ??? I treat you as my wife!
