Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Wen Zuo quickly and deliberately put more distance between them, as if afraid the madness was contagious.

Was it an act? Or was he genuine?

Truthfully, Wen Zuo was just as shocked as he had been the night before.

Shen Zheng knew about the humiliation. Yet, his speech and demeanor now showed no trace of dullness or fear. Could he also be someone who had come back?

But would a fool become a deviant upon rebirth?

Why was Shen Zheng's rebirth unrelated to the solar eclipse? Besides himself, Xie Langyang, and Shen Zheng, were there others who had returned to this moment? Would others also have their minds remolded like Shen Zheng?

There were too many unanswered mysteries. Until he understood the pattern, Wen Zuo decided not to let Shen Zheng know that he too had been reborn.

After a long silence, Wen Zuo wrapped his fur robe tightly around himself. "What does Your Highness mean by this? Why would I want to humiliate you?"

Shen Zheng suddenly fixed him with a probing gaze, as if asking, 'Don't you know?' But it lasted only a brief moment before he withdrew it.

"Alright then. We doms aren't really used to this perspective anyway."

After saying that, he didn't press the issue. Instead, he quickly supported his numb legs and stood up from the cushion on his own.

Once he stood, Wen Zuo truly felt how tall he was.

Shen Zheng used to hunch his shoulders and stoop his back, for no good reason making himself seem shorter. Now, standing upright before him, the heritage inherited from the Marquis of Yongning was fully revealed.

The Marquis of Yongning originally hailed from the old northern frontier forces. His ancestors had intermarried with foreign peoples, and that bloodline, undiminished over generations, was concentrated entirely in Shen Zheng.

Thus, compared to the other princes, Shen Zheng's features were the most striking. His hairline at his temples slanted sharply, his nose bridge was high and straight, and his eyebrows seemed dipped in deep ink—thick, dark, and sharp. His black hair was tied with a simple jade crown, yet the ends still showed a slight, unruly curl.

He was truly handsome, but also truly thin.

His jawline was like a taut bowstring, leaving no room for excess flesh. His throat and neck were so thin one could see the blue veins and bones beneath the skin. Compared to the robust, dignified princes of the capital, a decade as a hostage had been like a carving knife, chiseling angular edges into his form.

But... what did 'dom' mean?

Tomb raiding?!

Shen Zheng's casual remark left Wen Zuo stunned. He hadn't expected this person to harbor such an unspeakable secret. For a moment, he even forgot the intimidation of Shen Zheng now standing.

So this was how the Nanping people humiliated the Da Qian prince. Those rumors about the servants' dirty work had a basis in truth—they truly aimed to damage the Yin virtue of the Shen imperial clan. How vicious!

No wonder Shen Zheng wasn't used to this perspective. It seemed he usually saw lying corpses, not standing living people.

Shen Zheng couldn't help but laugh. It was a rather amiable laugh, yet his eyes remained disconcertingly direct.

"Not exactly. I enjoy it myself."

Even with Wen Zuo's exceptional intellect, the sheer volume of information was too much. His brows knitted tightly together.

Perhaps prolonged suffering in a harsh environment could twist and pervert a person's psyche.

"A hobby?"

"You could say that."

"Does anyone else know?"

"In Da Qian, you seem to be the only one."

"Your Highness should refrain from such Yin-virtue-damaging, morality-sapping activities."

"What a pity..."

Shen Zheng doubled over, shoulders shaking with laughter.

"What is it?" Wen Zuo was baffled by his laughter.

Shen Zheng suddenly leaned in without warning, his rough fingers brushing against Wen Zuo's cheek. "I never imagined Master Wen could be so endearing."

Wen Zuo's hands were busy holding his fur robe, leaving none free to stop him, allowing the touch to land squarely.

The sensation of the fingers lingered on his cheek. Wen Zuo's mind exploded like fireworks, scattering the word 'endearing' everywhere. For a moment, he even forgot to push him away.

Up in the teahouse.

Shen Chen's forehead burned with fever again. He sipped tea to cool himself off while keeping his eyes fixed on the gate of the Wen residence, unwilling to look away.

"Why isn't he out yet?" It was already long past the expected time.

Now Shen Chen was like a startled bird, both worried that someone else had won Wen Zuo's favor and concerned that Wen Zuo was deliberately toying with him, keeping him in suspense.

This time, Xie Langyang offered no words of comfort, as his own strength was nearly drained.

Looking at the familiar gate of the Wen residence and recalling the tragic scene of the family's extermination here a month ago, a dull ache rose again in his chest.

He had been too aloof, rarely visiting. When oil fires burned that gate and blood stained the stone steps that night, he deeply regretted not coming more often, why he had been so afraid of Gong Zhiyuan, and why he had always made Wen Zuo wait.

He had accompanied Wen Zuo when choosing the site for his residence. It wasn't close to the Vice Minister's residence—a half-hour walk, though riding a horse could shorten it considerably. Unfortunately, Wen Zuo couldn't ride.

Wen Zuo had been somewhat disappointed at the time. He had wanted to buy a place near Xie Langyang, but Xie Langyang didn't want him meeting his wife, lest it stir up jealousy.

In truth, Gong Yuwen was a considerate and understanding person. She had known from the start that Xie Langyang married her out of deference to his teacher. So, on their wedding night, she lifted her own veil, helped conceal the truth from Gong Zhiyuan, and gently accepted that Xie Langyang's heart belonged to another.

Unfortunately, Wen Zuo could be rather unreasonable at times, even fierce. Even knowing Gong Yuwen was innocent, he always adopted an eye-for-an-eye attitude, constantly talking about killing Gong Zhiyuan's entire family.

Xie Langyang was often exasperated by this and could only avoid having them meet.

Just then, a woman with a young child passed by the gate. The child pointed at the two majestic, spirited pixiu statues and said, "Mama, look, big dogs! Big dogs!"

The woman patted his little head, correcting him. "Silly child, those are qilin. High-ranking officials' gates always have stone qilin."

Xie Langyang didn't realize he was smiling.

He suddenly felt an impulse to shout from the teahouse balcony: Those aren't big dogs, nor are they qilin. They are pixiu. The pixiu he bought for Wen Zuo.

He had indeed advised Wen Zuo that, as the Hanlin Academy Director, placing two qilin or lion statues would be more fitting for his status.

According to Da Qian regulations, officials of the second rank and above could have lions at their gates.

But Wen Zuo didn't like that. He said pixiu had good symbolism—they only bring in wealth, never spend it, so he wouldn't have to worry about his old age.

Xie Langyang said helplessly, "You are, after all, the son of a wealthy local gentry family, raised in comfort since childhood. How come you love money like those from poor, humble households?"

At the time, Wen Zuo didn't reply, seeming somewhat uncomfortable, but Xie Langyang didn't press further. Instead, he personally commissioned those two pixiu statues for him.

But as he smiled, sorrow washed over him again. Wen Zuo had always worked hard to save for his retirement, believing he would live to a ripe old age, never knowing his life would end at twenty-seven.

If he had known their time together would be so brief, he would never have married Gong Yuwen, no matter how much more difficult it would have been, instead of pointlessly quarreling with Wen Zuo for so long.

Xie Langyang’s heart ached with bitterness. Just as he was about to take a sip of tea to soothe it, he saw the gate swing open from within.

Shen Chen exclaimed, “They’re coming out!”

A woman with broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and an imposing presence stepped out first. She extended her thick, bamboo-like arm and spoke in a resonant voice, “Esteemed officials, please. Though you’ve made the trip in vain, I hope you won’t take offense.”

The Crown Prince’s Chamberlain, with his high status and haughty demeanor, snorted coldly and simply whirled his sleeves before walking away.

Behind him, Prince Xian’s Chief Steward showed more tact. Stroking his goatee, he nodded to Jiang Mannv, shot a glare at the Chamberlain, and then headed in the opposite direction.

The steward from the Third Prince’s palace led a songstress with downcast eyes, looking back every few steps as if reluctant to leave. But seeing Jiang Mannv plant herself in the doorway, hands on her hips and face stern, he could only clasp his hands in resignation and depart with a sigh.

Just as Xie Langyang had predicted, Wen Zuo hadn’t chosen anyone, and all the gifts were returned untouched. It seemed he had no intention of getting involved in the struggles among the Eight Schools.

After finishing three pots of tea, Xie Langyang stood up. “Your Highness, allow me to escort you back to the palace. Concubine Yi must be worried.”

He had nearly called her the Empress Dowager, as he had in his previous life. But with Emperor Shunyuan still on the throne, that title was no longer appropriate.

Shen Chen’s stomach growled; he couldn’t hold out any longer. Tossing down a tip, he turned with Xie Langyang’s support. However, just as they reached the staircase, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Where is Shen Zheng?”

Xie Langyang was stunned; he had almost forgotten about the Fifth Prince.

Shen Chen suddenly turned his face, the muscles in his cheeks stiffening into an almost unnatural shape.

“Shen Zheng hasn’t come out yet.”

“Your Highness…”

“Do you think Wen Zuo is deliberately opposing me? Is he trying to protect Shen Zheng?”

“Your Highness…”

“Shen Zheng is the most crucial piece in the Spring Terrace Chess Association. If he doesn’t die, how can Jun Guangping, the Marquis of Yongning, and his son Jun Dingyuan pledge their unwavering loyalty to me?”

“Your Highness, you are also the Marquis of Yongning’s grandson,” Xie Langyang emphasized with a frown.

Shen Chen, feverish and lightheaded, struggled to control his emotions and retorted immediately, “That’s different! Even if Shen Zheng is a born incompetent, with him as the biological grandson, what place is there for an outsider like me?”

Creak—

The vermilion gate of the Wen residence opened once more. Shen Zheng strode out confidently, though his handsome, gaunt face bore a glaring slap mark that drew frequent glances from passersby.

Yet he showed no sign of embarrassment. He looked up at the sun in the sky, then wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand, the sting crawling up his right cheek.

He clicked his tongue. “Your master is unreasonable.”

After a pause, he added with a hint of helplessness, “He touched my chin first.”

Liu Qiying looked at his colorful, swollen cheek and couldn’t help but gloat, her voice tinged with mischief. “A rare opportunity, yet you’ve offended our Hanlin Academy Director. Don’t you regret it, Your Highness?”

What had just happened still struck her as unbelievable. In all her years, this was the first person who dared to flirt with Wen Zuo.

Shen Zheng tucked his hands into his sleeves, appearing perfectly composed. “It’s fine. He wasn’t planning to help me anyway.”

Liu Qiying thought to herself, *And how would you know that?*

“Our Director is inherently lazy and has no intention of meddling in affairs between princes.”

“Oh? That may not be the case.”

“Your Highness doesn’t believe me?”

“Whether I believe it or not is irrelevant; the facts speak for themselves.” Shen Zheng shifted the topic and sighed. “But to be honest, has your Director offended someone? The descriptions in the book don’t capture even a third of his charm.”

“Book?”

“*Qian History*.”

Liu Qiying raised an eyebrow, already guessing most of it. It must be one of those unofficial pamphlets circulating in the streets, filled with nonsense and wild fabrications about court officials and palace consorts. The authorities had banned them countless times, but they just wouldn’t disappear.

“Your Highness should read less of those miscellaneous books. They only lead to misunderstandings about our Director. Though his style is unique, his words sharp, and he may seem difficult to get along with—”

Liu Qiying’s voice carried obvious bias. At this point, it softened slightly. “But his heart is soft.”

Shen Zheng felt a surge of admiration from the depths of his being. “Wow, your filter is thick. If your Director is considered soft-hearted, then diamonds could be called Microsoft.”

“I meant that literally, not Microsoft,” he added.

Jiang Mannv leaned close to Liu Qiying, her voice hushed and anxious. “What’s *Qian History*? What’s a filter? What are diamonds? What’s ‘Mai Kousousousou’? Is he praising our master?”

Liu Qiying had no idea what Shen Zheng was talking about, but she could see the mockery on his face. She put on a cold expression. “Your Highness, take care. We won’t see you off.”

At this, Shen Zheng’s mockery vanished. A hint of difficulty appeared between his brows. “May I ask where I should go?”

Jiang Mannv spoke bluntly, “Go back to where you came from.”

Shen Zheng said, “What if I said I came from Tsinghua? Would you believe me?”

Liu Qiying stared at him, expressionless. “Since Your Highness knows it’s the Tsinghua Lodge, why ask?”

Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly. “Your Da Qian’s lodge is really called that?”

Across the street, Shen Chen leaned anxiously against the windowsill.

His eyes ached from staring. Suddenly, he exclaimed in a low voice, “Minister Xie! Did you see Fifth Brother’s face?”

Xie Langyang had seen it clearly, but Shen Chen’s excitement felt like a heavy stone pressing on his heart.

He had always said that Wen Zuo was partly to blame for the Fifth Prince’s death.

But just now, Shen Chen had revealed his ferocity, saying that if Shen Zheng didn’t die…

Before, he had thought Wen Zuo’s methods were too ruthless, while Shen Chen still harbored some brotherly affection. Now, it seemed Shen Chen was the most eager of all, and his earlier youthful panic and confusion might have been an act.

Xie Langyang’s voice was somber. “Yes, I saw. Wen Zuo has no intention of helping him.”

Shen Chen’s tense nerves finally relaxed.

He leaned back, collapsing into his chair, a hint of laughter in his tone. “This is just like before. Wen Zuo slapped Shen Zheng for me—”

Suddenly, Shen Chen’s expression changed, and he said strangely, “Wait, that’s not right.”

In front of the residence, Jiang Mannv took off running, her steps swift as if riding on wind and fire wheels, darting back into the inner courtyard in a flash.

Standing before Wen Zuo, she wasn’t out of breath and reported loudly, “Master, the Fifth Prince wants us to escort him. He just returned to the capital and doesn’t remember the way to the Tsinghua Lodge.”

Wen Zuo said seven words coolly, "Still a fool after all."

Jiang Mannv lifted her eyelids, surreptitiously like a thief, quickly scanning Wen Zuo's expression, and added in a low voice, "He seemed to have praised you, so maybe we should see him off?"

Just now, Shen Zheng frantically rummaged through his pockets and finally dug out a sandalwood bracelet from Nanping. Though not expensive, it was novel in style, and he handed it over without a hint of reluctance. As the saying goes, it never hurts to be polite.

"Now you're learning to be clever with your words." Wen Zuo waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to mention this person anymore. "Do as you please."

After Jiang Mannv received the order and ran off, the flower hall held only Wen Zuo once more.

He paced around the square pavilion twice, then suddenly kicked away the cushion Shen Zheng had been kneeling on, sending it flying.

Cute?

Absurd!

This word was rarely used to describe men, and even rarer to describe him.

Because he was not cute. His heart was dark, his methods despicable, and his nature fundamentally malicious. So when Shen Chen demanded it, he could become a contemptible treacherous minister without compunction.

Rather than saying Shen Chen dragged him into the mire, it was more accurate to say they were birds of a feather. After all, Xie Langyang wouldn't help Shen Chen commit those evil deeds.

That scoundrel Shen Zheng, his behavior was so frivolous. Disqualified! He must be disqualified!

Wen Zuo scowled, giving his reddened ear an irritated flick.