Emperor Shunyuan had only just retired for the night when a eunuch hurried in to report that the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince had come to blows at Qianying Gate.
He had no choice but to rise again. His face was as dark as the bottom of a wok, and clutching a handkerchief, he coughed violently several times.
“Place these two unfilial sons under house arrest in the rear chambers for three months. Have the eunuchs supervise them, and do not allow them to have contact with anyone!”
He did not need to ask what had caused the fight. It was obvious even to someone thinking with his toes that it had been provoked by the trick just now.
The Sixth Prince was devious, while the Third Prince was savage by nature. Neither of them was innocent.
The young eunuch who had delivered the report hesitated before lowering his voice. “Your Majesty, both Princes were injured. The Sixth Prince is more seriously hurt—one of his teeth was even knocked out. Should we have the Imperial Physicians examine him first?”
Emperor Shunyuan impatiently waved his hand. “Tell the Imperial Physicians to go to the rear chambers. Don’t come bother Me!”
“Also, Consort Yi is kneeling outside, requesting an audience.”
“I will not see her!” Emperor Shunyuan abruptly closed his eyes and lay back down, his voice filled with disgust. “Tell her to leave at once!”
Liu Quan narrowed his eyes slightly and gave the reporting eunuch a look. The eunuch understood immediately and hurried away.
Meanwhile, Shen Ting had acted on a surge of emotion and beaten Shen Chen. Now that he had vented his anger, he gradually calmed down. Upon hearing Emperor Shunyuan’s punishment, he felt somewhat regretful.
Three months of confinement in the rear chambers, without receiving any news from the outside world—wouldn’t that drive a person mad?
Shen Chen, on the other hand, was utterly frantic.
He had been secretly plotting to seize the throne and needed to keep a constant eye on the movements of the court. Moreover, Emperor Shunyuan had less than a year left to live, making every single day extraordinarily important. How could he afford to be cut off from the world for three months? By the time he was released, all the opportunities would be gone!
“Wanna see Emperor! Wanna see Emperor!” he shouted, the missing tooth causing his words to whistle.
Several Imperial Guards stepped forward and, without giving him a chance to resist, hoisted him up and dragged him all the way to the abandoned rear chambers beside the Western Six Palaces.
Along the way, Shen Chen’s veins bulged with rage. Tugging at the limping Shen Ting beside him, he shouted, “This whole scheme was obviously cooked up by Wen Zhuo! You idiot! We fought each other like snipe and clam while Shen Zheng sat back and profited!”
Shen Ting cast a contemptuous glance at the black gap where Shen Chen’s front tooth had been and gave a cold laugh. “You actually have the nerve to make such a clumsy accusation? Let me tell you this: if Director Wen hadn’t seen through your scheme today, I really would have fallen victim to you! If you hadn’t been so eager to act, I might truly have suspected Fifth Brother, just as Daoist Sweeping Images claimed!”
“He saw through the scheme because it was his scheme! That Daoist Sweeping Images was someone he found!” Shen Chen was so furious that his vision swam. He no longer cared whether this was his current life or his previous one, and nearly blurted out everything that had happened.
Shen Ting’s smile grew even colder. “Are you saying that Wen Wanshan controlled your mouth and forced you to attack in public, then forced a Daoist you had never even met to frame Fifth Brother, only to personally expose the scheme afterward and rescue me from disaster? Does he have so much free time that he has nothing better to do?”
“He wanted us to turn against each other and destroy one another!” Shen Chen’s eyes bulged as he stamped his feet repeatedly.
Shen Ting spat on the ground, his face full of disdain. “Beating you is exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to beat you to death today! What does that have to do with Director Wen?”
Shen Chen rolled his eyes. Before he could catch his breath, he fainted dead away.
Gong Zhiyuan rose early the next morning, refreshed and in high spirits.
He had arranged to go to the Grand Secretariat with Luo Mingpu and Liu Chenming. They planned to join forces that very day to force the troublesome Gu Weizhi out, and, while they were at it, draw Liu Chenming completely into Shen Chen’s faction—just as the three of them had once served the Crown Prince together.
Yet the moment he arrived at the Grand Secretariat, he heard that the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince had come to blows at Qianying Gate the previous night. Both had been placed under house arrest by Emperor Shunyuan in the rear chambers and were forbidden to leave the compound for three months.
Gong Zhiyuan: “…”
The good spirits vanished from his face in an instant, leaving behind nothing but gloom.
“Who could have imagined that such a perfectly ordinary night would bring about such a horrifying incident?” Gu Weizhi exclaimed. He had just finished a bowl of millet porridge brought by his attendant, eating it with pickled radish until his stomach felt warm and his entire body relaxed.
Shang Zhiqin stood to one side, snickering incessantly, looking as though he were thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
After Prince Xian’s downfall, he had grown completely disheartened and long since abandoned any ambition to rise higher. He was merely doing his work one day at a time.
That did not stop him from enjoying the misfortunes of the former Crown Prince’s faction, however. The more miserable Gong Zhiyuan and Luo Mingpu were, the happier he became. Upon hearing that Gong Zhiyuan’s second card had also been knocked out of play, he was practically delighted enough to embrace Emperor Shunyuan and kiss him on the spot.
Luo Mingpu paced anxiously back and forth, repeatedly asking, “What on earth happened? How did the two Princes end up fighting?”
Gong Zhiyuan did not know the exact reason either. There were too many secrets between Shen Chen and Xie Langyang, and they had never shared them with him. He was no longer a core member of their faction vying for the throne.
“We’ll go ask Xie Langyang what happened!” Gong Zhiyuan steadied himself and was about to take Luo Mingpu and Liu Chenming to the Xie residence.
However, after taking two steps forward, he realized that Liu Chenming had not followed.
Gong Zhiyuan spun around and saw Liu Chenming sitting as though his buttocks had been glued to the chair. He held a memorial in his hands and had buried his face behind it, looking entirely uninvolved.
“Minister Liu,” Gong Zhiyuan called in a low voice, restrained anger coloring his tone.
Liu Chenming thought to himself, What kind of useless choice did I make? And he still expects me to protect him? There’s clearly no hope for him. Good thing I never agreed outright back then.
He raised his head, plastered on a false smile, and played dumb. “Chief Grand Secretary, disputes between Princes are not something this humble official should involve himself in. I’ve recently embraced a more detached way of life and visited Tanzhe Temple several times. I’ve come to see things differently. From now on, I’ll simply fulfill the duties of the Ministry of Rites. That will be enough for me.”
Gong Zhiyuan immediately understood. Liu Chenming had decided that Shen Chen was not worth backing and was tactfully refusing, trying to sever his ties with him.
In truth, Gong Zhiyuan had already sensed that he might not be able to win Liu Chenming over when Liu Chenming first began hesitating. But now that he had to face the result, he still felt a painful pang of disappointment.
Gong Zhiyuan drew a deep breath and could only say coldly, “Since that is the case, I will not force you. Minister Liu, take care of yourself. Minister Luo, let us go.”
Xie Langyang had not slept a wink the entire night. He arrived at the imperial city early that morning, and just outside the Grand Secretariat, he ran straight into Gong Zhiyuan and Luo Mingpu, who were hurrying along.
He immediately learned from them that Shen Chen had been placed under house arrest.
Xie Langyang was stunned. He had not expected the consequences to be so severe. “How could His Majesty be so heartless? He simply locked him away!”
Gong Zhiyuan’s face was dark, and he lowered his voice. “The palace has sealed the news tightly. Right now, I only want to know why they fought.”
Looking at the expressions of Gong Zhiyuan and Luo Mingpu, Xie Langyang knew that the two men would not be satisfied unless he gave them at least a general explanation.
After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and told them what had happened: how he had invited Zhang Deyuan to the Long River, and together they had devised a scheme to have Shen Ting summon the spirit of the deceased Consort Chen to entertain the Emperor.
“But something went wrong. Wen Zhuo saw through it ahead of time, so the Third Prince turned the tables and used the Sixth Prince’s own scheme against him!” Xie Langyang’s voice was filled with helplessness and frustration.
After hearing this, Gong Zhiyuan fell silent for a long while. At last, he said in disbelief, “That is indeed an ingenious plan. But how did Wen Zhuo learn of it? Has someone infiltrated the Third Prince’s side and yours so thoroughly that you’re both riddled with spies, or has Wen Zhuo truly become a god who knows everything?”
Xie Langyang’s gaze darted away. He could only shake his head bitterly.
He certainly could not say that Wen Zhuo had come up with this plan in his previous life.
Gong Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes. “Is there something else you and the Third Prince are hiding from me?”
Xie Langyang did not dare meet his gaze. He hurriedly bowed and said, “Teacher, at the next court assembly, please do everything you can to beg His Majesty to release the Sixth Prince. This is a critical moment. He absolutely cannot remain confined in the rear annex!”
Gong Zhiyuan suddenly let out a cold laugh. “You expect this old man to risk what little reputation he has left to help you, yet you keep things from me. Do you not trust me, or are you still resentful that I once assisted the former Crown Prince?”
Xie Langyang bent even lower, nearly touching the floor with his forehead. “Teacher, you misunderstand. One day, I will tell you everything from beginning to end. But right now, with Shen Zheng heading to Jinhai to handle the sea transport, this is our last opportunity.”
Gong Zhiyuan did not press him further. His shrewd, calculating eyes remained fixed on Xie Langyang for a long time.
—
The waters flowing from Qingping Mountain had ceased, and the muddy waves of the Dragon River were gradually settling. At last, the river stopped rising.
The fire-sacrifice ritual had come to an end, and all eighteen ceremonial flames in the capital had been extinguished. As the uproar subsided, the banks of the Dragon River once again returned to their former quiet.
Mo Shu gathered an elite force at the Ministry of War and hurried to Songzhou, where a rebellion had broken out.
It was also time for Shen Zheng to set out for Jinhai.
On the night before his departure, Shen Zheng first went to bid farewell to Noble Consort Liang. He then took his luggage and made his way to the Wen residence.
It was once again the season when crisp pears hung heavily from the trees. The inner courtyard was lush with foliage, its bright green fruit bending the branches beneath their weight.
Liu Qiying was standing on a bamboo ladder, silver shears in hand, cutting down the ripe pears and tossing them into the bamboo basket below.
When she caught sight of Shen Zheng entering the courtyard, she did not climb down to offer her respects. Instead, she leaned forward with a smile and teased, “Your Highness isn’t planning to leave again tonight, are you? I suppose I’ll have to change the menu and put away the candied fruit, pear jam, and iced pear candies.”
Shen Zheng smiled and played along. “Oh? It seems Teacher has been eating far too many sweets lately. Understood. I’ll be sure to give you a glowing report.”
With that, Shen Zheng entered Wen Zhuo’s bedchamber with great enthusiasm.
Nearby, Jiang Mannü scratched her head, her face full of confusion. In a tactful tone, she said, “A-Liu, how can you lie? The Director has plainly not been eating very much lately.”
Liu Qiying pinched off a fresh green pear leaf and flicked it onto her head. Laughing, she said, “Silly girl. Do you really think His Highness will take me seriously?”
Shen Zheng lifted the curtain and entered the room. There he saw Wen Zhuo reclining lazily against the pillows, one arm resting outside the covers and a book loosely held in his hand.
The pages had been turned only about a third of the way, yet he was already sleeping soundly.
How boring must a book be for someone to fall asleep reading it?
Shen Zheng lightened his steps and walked over. Gently, he eased the book from Wen Zhuo’s fingers and glanced at the cover. Several crudely printed characters read: The Secret Guide to Unearthing Treasures from the Southern Screen Tombs.
Shen Zheng: “…”
The cat couldn’t possibly be reading this just to find something in common with him, could he?
The movement caused Wen Zhuo’s eyelids to tremble faintly. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
His eyes were still clouded with the confusion of awakening. Only after they gradually focused could he make out Shen Zheng’s figure. He instinctively reached out, his hand hovering as it grasped weakly toward Shen Zheng’s shoulder.
His voice was hoarse. “What time is it? Have you come to bid me farewell?”
Wen Zhuo had known for some time that Shen Zheng would be leaving the capital the next day. This time, he would be unable to accompany him.
Shen Zheng bent over, bracing one arm against the bed beside Wen Zhuo and enclosing him beneath his body. He smiled brightly. “Liu Qiying told me that Teacher has been eating an awful lot of candied fruit and iced pear candies lately, and hasn’t been eating his lunch or dinner properly.”
Wen Zhuo’s eyes flew open, his drowsiness vanishing in an instant.
Seeing how abruptly he had woken, Shen Zheng let out a low laugh. He lowered his head and kissed Wen Zhuo on the lips. Then he did not pull away, instead rubbing the warm curve of his lower lip as he murmured, “Teacher has been neglecting his health again. How should I punish you?”
Wen Zhuo was stunned for only a moment. When he saw the amusement gathering in Shen Zheng’s eyes, he immediately understood. Shen Zheng was deliberately making an issue of it, using it as an excuse to indulge in tenderness.
So rather than retreating, Wen Zhuo lifted his arms and hooked them around Shen Zheng’s neck, pulling him closer.
His loose sleeve slipped down his arm, exposing skin as pale as frost-covered snow. He raised his eyes and met Shen Zheng’s deep gaze.
In a soft voice, he asked, “And how does Your Highness intend to punish me?”
“By bullying Teacher, of course.” Shen Zheng was frank and composed, as though he had said something perfectly restrained and modest.
Wen Zhuo’s face was as thin as paper, and the words made his entire body burn red. Yet he did not resist in the slightest. Instead, he buried his face against Shen Zheng’s neck, his hurried breaths scattering over the skin.
The amusement in Shen Zheng’s eyes deepened. His fingers slipped boldly into Wen Zhuo’s collar, deftly loosening each tie and pulling aside the thin undergarment to reveal one crimson point.
Wen Zhuo shuddered violently and instinctively tried to evade him, but it was already too late. Shen Zheng caught hold of him and drew him forward, forcing his body closer against his palm.
“Your Highness…”
“Mm, I’m listening, Wanshan. Keep your voice down. Liu Qiying and the others are still in the inner courtyard.” Shen Zheng spoke slowly and answered every question. If one did not see what his hands were doing, one might have taken him for some impeccably mannered gentleman.
“Close the book. The sage mustn’t see it…”
“What sage? Anyone who writes The Secret Guide to Unearthing Treasures from the Southern Screen Tombs can hardly be called a sage.” Though Shen Zheng said this, he still calmly closed the book.
His own clothes remained perfectly neat. Not a single crease marred his robes, and the leather belt around his waist had not slipped even half an inch. Wen Zhuo, however, was not so fortunate.
His clothing had come undone above and below, leaving him barely able to support himself. He could only let Shen Zheng manipulate him as he pleased. In return, he helplessly left deep and shallow bite marks through the fabric on Shen Zheng’s neck, collarbone, chest, and shoulders.
By the end, the collar of Wen Zhuo’s thin robe had slipped all the way to his waist, leaving the supple lines of his back completely exposed beneath the glow of the setting sun.
Shen Zheng deliberately brushed aside his loose dark hair, allowing the afterglow to fall over him more clearly. Every bead of sweat sliding down Wen Zhuo’s back, every damp mark, was laid bare.
Wen Zhuo held Shen Zheng tightly, his knuckles already white. He had never worn so little in front of Shen Zheng before. The exposure filled him with unbearable shame, yet that shame was mixed with a reckless, all-consuming pleasure.
“I really hate to leave you.” Shen Zheng lowered his head and kissed Wen Zhuo’s sweat-dampened temple. “Fortunately, Shen Chen has been confined to the rear annex and won’t be able to cause trouble for the time being. Jinhai is close. I’ll do my best to return within three months. Wait for me, Teacher.”
As he spoke, he withdrew his thoroughly soaked fingers and traced slow circles over the small of Wen Zhuo’s back, making the person in his arms tremble again.
“Your Highness, don’t you want to?” Wen Zhuo did not lift his head. His face remained buried against Shen Zheng’s neck, but his hand groped its way over and lightly touched the place where Shen Zheng’s large birthmark began.
The setting sun was clearly blazing, as though the light of the Buddha itself were pouring down, leaving nowhere for all his disheveledness to hide. But he did not care about the shame, nor the pain he might have to endure. He was unwilling to give in and insisted on one last indulgence.
During the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice, he had foreseen that Shen Chen’s scheme would come to nothing and that Shen Chen would fall out with Shen Ting. What he had not foreseen was that Shen Ting would completely lose control, come to blows with Shen Chen, and ultimately send them both crashing into the rear chambers.
Gong Zhiyuan took the lead, with Luo Mingpu and Xie Langyang voicing their support, followed by several other officials who all stepped forward to plead for Shen Ting and Shen Chen, hoping Emperor Shunyuan would release them.
Emperor Shunyuan refused.
It represented a certain subtle attitude.
Shen Zheng would be away from the capital for roughly three months, and Shen Ting and Shen Chen would therefore be confined for three months as well. Emperor Shunyuan meant to ensure that, during this period, no one could interfere with Shen Zheng’s efforts to advance the maritime trade.
Everything in court would remain as it was, awaiting Shen Zheng’s return.
Jun Dingyuan, Mo Shu, and Gu Weizhi understood this. They could not help but reveal relieved expressions in court.
Only Wen Zhuo remained weighed down by worry.
He knew this meant that the Sixth Prince’s faction had truly reached the end of the road, and that the “Rhapsody of Wanshan,” a piece capable of stirring up earth-shaking waves, would soon be brought to light.
He was not certain how Emperor Shunyuan would react after reading the rhapsody, nor was he certain what his own circumstances would be in the future. So, before that happened, he wanted to experience Shen Zheng more fully and more deeply—to carve this man completely into his very bones and blood.
