chapter 74

Chapter 74: Winter Days

Shen He was resolved to slack off, not wanting to attend this prestigious university or aspire to be the top scholar.

If he became the top scholar, how could he ever leave the capital?

Such a thought seemed improbable.

He wasn't willing to bear that burden.

But placating Master Song wasn't an easy task.

Fortunately, discussions about him entering the Imperial Academy wouldn't occur until after the New Year.

Currently, as the young master Shen who just secured the title of the "Little Third Scholar", he was still a cherished and rare gem to many.

With Shen He frequently heading outside the palace, those in the Eastern Palace assumed that he had been overly diligent in his studies prior to the examinations and now just wished to relax, so they let him be.

Seizing this opportunity, Shen He focused on their business venture.

His younger cousins would be taking their exams next autumn. If successful, they'd proceed to the spring exams, all the way to the final palace examination.

Their preparation was even more intense than preparing for modern university entrance exams.

While the three cousins were stealing moments from their busy schedules to manage affairs, Shen He, with time on his hands, felt he should shoulder the responsibility of growing their enterprise.

One afternoon, Shen He emerged from the Qixia Palace.

He was holding a food box, a gift from Consort Liu Xuan, insisting he should try its contents when he returned home.

Shen He, with a gleeful expression, affectionately teased his aunt, having his face playfully pinched in response. Consort Liu Xuan waved him off, swatting as if driving away a pesky mosquito, "Alright, off you go. I know how restless young men like you can be, always wanting to be outside. I've heard you leave the palace daily, and I almost thought you must've met a special young lady outside, given your eagerness."

Shen He now stood a head taller than Consort Liu Xuan.

To make it easier for Consort Liu Xuan to pinch his cheeks, he had to obediently lower his head, offering up the soft, baby-fat filled cheeks to his dear aunt.

In mock grievance, he covered his cheeks, "It's not me, it's you who's always hinting about a girl I might be smitten with. The Crown Prince keeps his eyes on me every day, expecting me to become the top scholar. With all the studying, how would I even have the time for romantic distractions?"

Consort Liu Xuan laughed heartily, "Oh, our 'Little Third Scholar'. Perhaps you're destined to become a young top scholar even before reaching manhood."

Shen He firmly dismissed his aunt's impossible fantasy, "Whether I'll become the top scholar is still uncertain. Anyway, I've told the Crown Prince that if I don't, I'll keep trying year after year, even if it means he has to change the examination laws for me."

Consort Liu Xuan, almost moved to tears by laughter, said, "Alright, keep taking the exams. Even if you become an elderly top scholar, you're still a top scholar, right?"

After exchanging a few more playful words, Consort Liu Xuan waved her hand, "I'm a bit tired and need a short rest. You go ahead and have fun outside."

Shen He instinctively wanted to step forward and hug his aunt, but he halted mid-step, remembering he wasn't a child anymore and should maintain some distance.

Growing up, he was always treated as younger than his age by his elders. After years of such treatment, breaking these habits within a year or two was challenging.

He hesitated momentarily, yet his face still beamed with joy. Retreating, he waved to his aunt, "Goodbye, auntie! I'll visit again soon and bring you some nice gifts!"

With that, he quickly hopped over the threshold of the Qixia Palace, his footsteps fading.

Consort Liu Xuan was supported by her attendant, Que Zhi.

She stood there for a moment, her face still painted with joy, murmuring with a chuckle, "That mischievous boy..."

Although time had been kind to this beauty, age had begun to show its signs.

Now past forty, fine wrinkles formed at the corners of Consort Liu Xuan's eyes, stretching ever so slightly when she smiled.

She laughed for a good while, and Que Zhi joined in, "It's lovely to see the young master like this. Energetic yet mature, and now with the title of the 'Little Third Scholar'. I heard he taught many nobles a lesson at the Linjiang Pavilion, indirectly aiding the Crown Prince. Much of the prince's gains are thanks to our young master, aren’t they?"

Over the years, Consort Liu Xuan's opinion of Qi Zhuoyun had changed.

The past confrontations with the previous empress seemed like distant memories now. With time having passed, she had no reason to hold onto old grudges.

With Shen He serving as a bridge between them, Consort Liu Xuan couldn't ignore Qi Zhuoyun, the Crown Prince, and neither could the Liu family.

Mentioning past political matters, Consort Liu Xuan rubbed her temples, leaning back on her cushion, "I hope that once he ascends the throne, he remembers Shen He's kindness."

Watching Shen He grow taller and mature every day, she felt the reality of this boy approaching manhood.

If only, just if, she had her own children, she wouldn't rely on the Crown Prince and wouldn't put Shen He's future in the hands of someone without blood ties to him.

Even among the heavenly royal lineage, fathers and sons, brothers, and close kin can be slain if deemed necessary. No matter how deep the bond, it is never truly secure if any member of the royal family feels their power is threatened.

...Thinking of all this, Empress Liuxuan furrowed her brows, deeply concerned for her young nephew.

Her younger sister, brave as she was, dared to entrust her child to the crown prince. I wonder if she ever considered how emperors have traditionally treated powerful ministers.

Especially those ministers who were once deeply favored.

*

Shen He's daily trips outside the palace were no secret to Qi Zhuoyun.

He didn't interfere, as long as his own were not oppressed.

As for oppressing others, if Hehe were to learn such behavior, it might not be a bad thing.

Time flew by, and as winter arrived, the first heavy snowfall of the season blanketed the capital. The temperature dropped sharply, and a biting wind seemed to cut through the bones.

Shen He, bundled up warmly in his leather hat and thick cloak with a gray rabbit fur collar, refrained from venturing out into the heavy snow.

After the snowfall ceased, everything outside was dazzlingly white, a sight to blind the eyes.

Shen He never tired of playing in the snow year after year. Seeing the thick layer on the ground, he was instantly overjoyed. Lifting the curtain, he dashed out, his bottom up in the air as he plunged headfirst into the snowdrifts.

This year, Shen He was particularly proud!

Just a few days earlier, he'd measured himself. The mark indicating his height was almost a full head taller than the previous year!

With increased height, shouldn't the snowmen be larger too?

With a face full of glee, Shen He rolled a giant snowball, almost half his height, before finally being content. He then rushed back inside, squatting in front of a charcoal brazier, warming his rosy hands.

Lianqiao and Heling were also huddled around the brazier, where sweet potatoes and chestnuts were roasting.

Seeing Shen He burst in so hurriedly, the two couldn't help but laugh.

Heling, using tongs, picked up a sweet potato with its skin soft and sagging. Peeling it back revealed its golden-yellow flesh. She placed it on the ground, turning over the larger ones to ensure even roasting.

Shen He didn't mind the ash-covered yam. Relying on his cold hands, he wasn't afraid of the heat as he juggled the hot yam between his hands, performing his own little juggling act.

Lianqiao and Heling laughed at Shen He's amusing antics, "Young Master, it's hot! Let it cool for a moment, and soon it'll be ready to eat."

Despite the heat making him grimace, Shen He stubbornly held on, retorting, "It's fine, it'll cool down in no time!"

After saying that, he blew on it forcefully a couple of times.

After juggling it back and forth like that, it indeed became less scorching.

He peeled off the soft skin to reveal the perfectly roasted inside.

The sweet aroma filled the room.

The young lad's eyes lit up instantly. He took a big bite, savoring the sweet and soft taste on his tongue. Almost without chewing, he swallowed the warm bite, feeling the warmth spread throughout his body.

He quickly finished the small yam.

Without waiting for Lianqiao to fetch him another, he darted out again, casually rubbing off the ash with snow, and continued with his grand snowman-making plan.

When Qi Zhuoyun arrived, he saw Shen He bent over, pushing his giant snowball forward.

The cloak hung loosely on him, its light grey furry collar covering half of the boy's face, revealing only the area from his nose to his eyebrows, the latter concealed by the hat.

His nose was reddened by the cold wind.

His cheeks looked rosy against his pale complexion.

Shen He had a fair complexion, and compared to others, Qi Zhuoyun was also on the paler side. However, when their hands were placed side by side, Shen He's skin appeared even more delicate, while Qi Zhuoyun's looked slightly darker.

In the past, when Qi Zhuoyun saw Shen He's porcelain-like complexion, he found it endearing. He'd think of letting the boy ride horses and practice archery, not to make him formidable, but for his health and strength.

Now, with mixed feelings, observing the boy's fair skin made Qi Zhuoyun's gaze more intense and inscrutable.

He walked on the crunching snow beneath his feet.

Hearing the sound, Shen He called out without turning back, "Brother, fetch me a carrot! The head chef knows the kind I want. And get the carrot top too! It'll be the snowman's hair, hehe."

Qi Zhuoyun paused for a moment.

He smiled, replying, "Alright."

Without hesitation, he turned and headed directly to the kitchen to fetch a carrot for Shen He.

Seeing the prince personally come over, the head chef was quite startled. Yet, his skills in carving the carrot remained adept as ever. Over the years, he had often prepared various oddities for young Master Shen.

Qi Zhuoyun returned to Shen He's side, treading on the snow, holding the sharpened carrot and its leafy top in hand.

The young lad had already placed a smaller snowball on top, forming the torso, and was diligently shaping the head of the snowman.

Having bent over for an extended period, his head felt heavy with blood. Raising it quickly, he felt a little dizzy.

Shen He's vision dimmed and, stumbling, he took a step back.

Panic surged within him. "Oh no! I'm about to perform an ungraceful fall! My honorable reputation, all ruined in an instant!"