Chapter 30

Chapter 30

On this otherwise ordinary day, the "Divine Game" from the Special Grace Banquet had already spread through every street and alley of the capital.

Emperor Shunyuan had proclaimed with his golden words that Da Qian would no longer have only Eight Schools of chess, but Nine Schools. The founder of the ninth, the Meng School, was none other than the Fifth Prince, Shen Zheng.

When the news first broke, the entire city was in an uproar. Countless self-important chess players in the capital, along with dignitaries, nobles, wealthy merchants, and local gentry who had traveled from various provinces, all scoffed in disbelief.

That the three sons of Nanping, merely nineteen years old, had defeated Da Qian's chess masters was absurd enough. But the Fifth Prince, who had been a hostage for ten years and was only eighteen this year, claiming to establish his own school? That was sheer fantasy.

No doubt the old emperor man was just saving face and boosting his own son's status!

"Tsk, this year's Spring Terrace Chess Association is truly a mess, utterly unspeakable," an old chess master lamented, slapping the table and shaking his head.

Someone nearby chimed in, "Exactly! The court has already sunk to such depths, with officials helping Nanping cheat. And now this 'Divine Game' emerges. Wonderful! Each one younger than the last. What face does our Da Qian have left?"

"Indeed. That the Fifth Prince, raised in the environment of Nanping, could conceive such a divine game—I don't believe it. It's probably another case of some grandmaster from the Eight Schools cheating for him."

"Shh, keep your voice down. Aren't you afraid the Five City Military Command will arrest you?"

"I can't swallow this anger! I'll say it: I heard this Fifth Prince was born dull-witted, which is why His Majesty disdained him and sent him away as a hostage. How can they now claim he's exceptionally talented?"

As the crowd argued heatedly, someone suddenly pointed toward the main hall of the chess house. "Wait, look over there!"

In the central halls of chess houses across the capital, enormous boards had been erected. The boards were light brown with deep red grid lines, and the pieces were each the size of a fist.

This was a century-old tradition of the chess houses. When a truly masterful game worthy of being passed down through generations appeared, this public board would be set up, inviting chess players from all over to view the game for free, ensuring its legacy.

As piece after piece was placed on the board, the black and white stones intertwined like battling dragons. The black stones were exhaustively calculated, while the white stones deployed with divine strategy. Upon the pristine board, it was as if a fierce and bloody clash of armies was unfolding.

Each time a white stone captured a black one, the audience below would wring their hands and sigh. When black stones broke through with forceful counterplays, they would applaud and praise, wiping cold sweat from their brows.

Finally, when the black stones lost by a narrow margin of two points, falling from the heavens, the spectators watched as if witnessing a great general in his twilight years, filled with solemn respect.

After a long silence, someone suddenly exclaimed loudly, "What a game! A marvelous match! Truly the number one game in all of Da Qian!"

"This single game alone is enough for us to study for a year. It's flawless; both the black and white players could be deified!"

Another chess player cried out in astonishment, "This game doesn't follow the styles of the Eight Schools. It truly stands as its own school. Whoever still says this is cheating—I dare say no one among the Eight Schools could have played this game!"

"Da Qian's chess players let their chess do the talking. Regardless of who this person is, how old they are, or what their status is, they deserve the title of 'Chess Sage,' peerless in their art!"

The chess house manager, beaming with pride, jumped onto a small platform and announced at the top of his voice the inside story from the Special Grace Banquet: "Do you all know? At the Special Grace Banquet, the Nanping envoy challenged us again, claiming the collusion case was false and seeking to overturn the verdict for the three sons of the Mu clan. It was the Fifth Prince who rose to the occasion and, in just one hour, played this earth-shattering game, leaving the Nanping envoy speechless and ashamed of his own inferiority!"

"There was such a thing? The Fifth Prince answered the call in a time of crisis, upholding the dignity of Da Qian's chess players!"

"Could it be that the Fifth Prince is truly wise like a fool? Heaven blesses Da Qian! First, his uncle Jun Dingyuan defeated Nanping, and now the Fifth Prince brings glory to our nation!"

The manager then added mysteriously, "The Fifth Prince said that two non-human entities played against each other in his mind, leaving behind this game. The Directorate of Astronomy immediately observed the celestial phenomena and found that the Fifth Prince's spiritual apertures had returned to their rightful places, protected by divine beings!"

"No wonder! Without divine protection, how could one play such a game?"

"The Fifth Prince is truly chosen by heaven. As the saying goes, 'When heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve, exhausts their muscles and bones.' So, the Fifth Prince endured ten years of hardship before astonishing the world with a single feat."

"Brother, you mustn't speak carelessly. If this spreads, people might say you harbor ill intentions."

"The celestial signs are clear. Can we possibly stop the murmurs of the masses?"

...

Even Shen Zheng himself was unaware that he had already become the Chess Sage in the hearts of the people—the one who supported the collapsing edifice and turned the tide in desperate times.

At this moment, he was nervously preparing for his first-ever court audience.

Logically, as a prince bearing the title of hostage, his very existence was a slap in Emperor Shunyuan's face. The emperor would certainly not want to see him again, let alone in the court.

But now things were different. He was a meritorious subject who had endured humiliation for the sake of Da Qian, a hero protected by divine beings who had crushed Nanping. The more Emperor Shunyuan looked at him, the more he felt his own face glowing with pride.

However, this honor of attending court had come a bit too early. Shen Zheng hadn't yet learned all the tedious rules and rituals of court proceedings.

Once again, he felt as if he were defending a thesis, spouting nonsense before industry giants.

Inside the Wuying Hall, the officials had arrived early. Emperor Shunyuan had not yet appeared. Shen Zheng stood among the cluster of princes, feeling utterly bored.

So, he decided to strike up a conversation.

He took a few steps forward and lightly tapped the broad, sturdy back of the person standing firmly like Mount Tai in front of him. "I was seated too far away during the Special Grace Banquet to get a good look. Elder Brother, you stand eight feet tall, with a leopard's head and ring-like eyes, majestic and extraordinary. You must be the Crown Prince, right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court officials fell silent as if their throats had been squeezed. They stopped their idle chatter, ceased adjusting their court robes, and their eyes and brows took on a hint of amusement, eager to watch the drama unfold.

Prince Xian hadn't paid much attention to his fifth brother, whom he hadn't seen in ten years. Who would have thought he would shine so brilliantly at the Special Grace Banquet, greatly pleasing their father and earning continuous praise?

Prince Xian, holding a high position but relegated to a supporting role, felt somewhat bitter. But he was accustomed to being "virtuous," always maintaining an image of tolerance and magnanimity. Unlike the Crown Prince, who had just stepped out of the Hall of Preserving Harmony and started cursing with his Crown Prince Faction.

Who would have thought that today, Shen Zheng would shower him with praise right off the bat? Especially that line about resembling the Crown Prince—it pleased him immensely, making him feel light and euphoric.

Prince Xian chuckled softly and turned around. "It's been many years. No wonder Fifth Brother doesn't recognize me. I am your eldest brother."

Shen Zheng showed no embarrassment on his face; he had already guessed as much. "Oh, Eldest Brother! How are you, Eldest Brother?"

He nearly broke into song.

Prince Xian found this quite pleasing and reached out to pat Shen Zheng's shoulder, embodying the "virtuous" character to the fullest. "This elder brother is doing quite well, thank you for your concern, Fifth Brother. You've just returned. If you encounter any troubles in the capital in the future, feel free to come to me."

Shen Zheng, ever fluent with pretty words, immediately shifted the topic. "I'm new here. Yesterday, I heard that the study wall at my grandfather's residence has developed cracks and might need to be torn down and rebuilt. The old man has lived there for so many years; I want to properly renovate it. We'll need quite a bit of material. Will the Construction and Maintenance Bureau under the Ministry of Works approve it?"

The Da Qian Dynasty had strict regulations on the scale of construction for officials' residences. If a residence, even a princely mansion, exceeded the permitted scale, the Construction and Maintenance Bureau had the authority to forcibly demolish it.

Digging a secret tunnel, no matter how short, would require a significant amount of materials, which would certainly draw the attention of the Ministry of Works. And the Minister of Works, Shang Zhiqin, was a member of the Virtuous Prince Faction.

Prince Xian laughed heartily. "It's commendable that Fifth Brother has such filial piety. What's so difficult about that? I'll have Minister Shang inform his subordinates. The Marquis's residence is decades old; it really should be renovated."

For such a small matter, Prince Xian was willing to do a favor.

Shen Zheng clasped his hands in pleasant surprise. "Thank you, Eldest Brother! You will always be my eldest brother."

Then his gaze shifted and landed on that arrogant, overbearing figure. "Then this one with large ears, a square face, a round belly, and a stout build, looking so hale and hearty—this must be the Crown Prince."

"Hale and hearty" was typically used to describe someone old but vigorous. Hearing this, members of the Virtuous Prince Faction in the court all raised their sleeves to cover their mouths, snickering quietly, unsure whether to blame the Fifth Prince for his poor choice of words or to blame the Crown Prince for looking so aged.

As for Crown Prince Shen Zhen, he looked as if someone had splashed a bowl of chili oil in his face. His face flushed crimson, and he gritted his teeth.

"Fifth Brother truly has a silver tongue."

"Not at all, not at all. If I had the Crown Prince's good fortune with food, I wouldn't be as skinny as a pole," Shen Zheng replied, bowing with clasped hands, a triple display of modesty.

Since he had just flattered Prince Xian, offending the Crown Prince didn't matter anymore.

The greatest taboo for a person is wanting to have it both ways. Trying to please everyone usually ends up pleasing no one at all.

Since the Crown Prince had just rolled his eyes so hard they nearly flipped to the back of his head, Shen Zheng decided to give as good as he got.

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to the Third Prince, Shen Ting. Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Shen Ting’s eyelids twitched.

He had been watching the commotion with cold detachment, but seeing Shen Zheng suddenly turn his focus toward him, he quickly forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Fifth Brother, I’m your third brother. I’m truly happy you’ve returned.”

Better to cut him off and stop this fool from spouting more nonsense.

Shen Zheng glanced down and noticed Shen Ting leaning on a cane. It wasn’t that one leg was shorter than the other; rather, his left leg was turned outward, with the knee bone visibly bent, creating the illusion of uneven length.

Suddenly, Shen Zheng clapped his hands as if struck by a realization. “Third Brother, this… this is a calcium deficiency!”

His words piqued the curiosity of the court. The Third Prince’s leg ailment was said to have resulted from his mother being frightened and crushed during pregnancy, but what did “calcium deficiency” mean?

“How old are you, Third Brother?” Shen Zheng asked with concern.

Shen Ting was momentarily stunned, wondering if there was some special knowledge from Nanping. Half-believing, he replied, “Twenty-six.”

The urgency in Shen Zheng’s eyes vanished instantly, and he said rather tactfully, “If you’re over eighteen, there’s no cure.”

“…”

A breath caught in Shen Ting’s chest, leaving him speechless. Even his cane trembled slightly.

With these three leading the way, the remaining princes became increasingly eager, each fearing they might become the next laughingstock in the court.

Shen He was the fairest-skinned among the princes, with sparse yet distinct eyebrows that swept diagonally toward his temples. He appeared carefree and untroubled.

Patting his belly in front of Shen Zheng, he said with a smile, “Fifth Brother, if you’re looking for good food, just ask your fourth brother. I may not know much else, but when it comes to the delicacies of the capital, I know them all like the back of my hand.”

Shen Chen stood at the end of the ranks, shorter in stature and somewhat reserved in demeanor. Fortunately, his features were delicate, and his eyes were exceptionally clear, like autumn waters brimming with sincerity.

“The day before yesterday, when Fifth Brother dealt a heavy blow to Nanping, I went back and told Concubine Yi about it. She even clapped her hands in delight. Over the years, she often prayed with Consort Liang, burning incense every day, hoping for your early return. Now, it seems their wish has finally come true.”

Shen Chen’s words were filled with warmth. It was well known that Concubine Yi and Consort Liang were sisters, so it was only natural for him to be closer to Shen Zheng.

“How thoughtful, Bitch.” Shen Zheng said with a half-smile. If he didn’t know that Shen Chen secretly wished him dead and had taken his place, he might have mistaken him for a genuinely good younger brother.

Shen Chen looked puzzled. “Fifth Brother, what does ‘Bitch’ mean?”

Shen Zheng replied, “‘The green pond ripples with spring’s hue, where fine birds rest as evening dew.’ It’s a compliment.”

Shen Chen smiled sweetly and bowed in thanks. “Thank you, Fifth Brother. It’s quite poetic and sounds very pleasant.”

Wen Zuo, dressed in a bright crimson court robe, entered Wuying Hall just as Shen Zheng was putting on his act.

At that moment, most of the officials in the hall were sizing up the Fifth Prince, so Wen Zuo could openly observe him as well.

It had to be said that among the princes, Shen Zheng’s demeanor and posture were undoubtedly the most outstanding.

In the past, his timidity had diminished much of his dashing air, but now, brimming with confidence, he looked truly pleasing to the eye.

It was just that his daily routine of swallowing eggs and lifting stones had made him much more solidly built than when they first met. Sharing a sedan chair with him was now quite cramped, and he had no choice but to be held.

Perhaps they should switch to a more spacious sedan chair someday.

As Wen Zuo lost himself in these random thoughts, Xie Langyang felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

He had already removed the silk cord from his waist, and now he was dressed plainly, just as he had been when they first met.

Yet since entering the hall, Wen Zuo’s gaze had been fixed on Shen Zheng, not once glancing in his direction, nor caring whether he wore gifts from others.

Shortly after, a voice intoned from outside the hall, and Eunuch Liu Qian helped Emperor Shunyuan inside.

The Emperor had drunk too much wine the day before yesterday, and his legs had grown increasingly unsteady and feeble, numb and powerless. He leaned heavily on Liu Quan just to walk.

The hall fell silent instantly as all the officials bowed in respect.

Emperor Shunyuan pinched the bridge of his nose, scanning the crowd before speaking slowly but with authority. “The court today seems much more spacious than before, and it’s quite pleasing to the eye. A few days ago, I ordered recommendations for officials, but some acted with ulterior motives, recommending either their own protégés or former advisors. Is this an attempt to form cliques and covet imperial power?”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince and the Virtuous Prince Faction flinched and hurriedly knelt, pleading, “We dare not, Your Majesty! We have no such intentions!”

Emperor Shunyuan snorted coldly. “In this regard, you should learn from Wen Wanshan. He handled the Spring Terrace Chess Association case diligently, even falling ill from exhaustion. When I asked him to recommend talents, he suggested only learned scholars who had been overlooked. These people had no prior connection to him and had never visited the Hanlin Academy. As for his former subordinate, Gu Weizhi, it was Xue Chongnian who recognized his talent and recommended him. I see that Gu Weizhi has indeed achieved merit in Bozhou and is a promising talent. Wanshan—”

Emperor Shunyuan’s tone shifted, becoming earnest. “I must also say a few words to you. When recommending the worthy, one should not avoid those close to them. You shouldn’t have overlooked your old acquaintances.”

Wen Zuo lowered his eyes, knelt, and replied with a hint of shame in his voice. “Your servant thought Your Majesty intended to recommend officials in the capital and overlooked talented individuals from other regions. In this regard, I am not as thorough in my considerations as Minister Xue.”

Xue Chongnian quickly stepped forward, waving his hands repeatedly. “No, no, no. It was merely a sudden inspiration on my part. I felt that Lord Gu had contributed to the state and deserved to be promoted. It wasn’t that I thought more deeply than Master Wen.”

Emperor Shunyuan hadn’t intended to criticize Wen Zuo harshly. This detached manner toward his former subordinates was actually reassuring.

But seeing Wen Zuo still hanging his head as if genuinely remorseful, the Emperor’s heart softened.

“I’m not blaming you. Rise. Hmm… Master Wen has done well in recommending talents. As a reward, he shall receive a set of official kiln jade ware, two sets each of the Four Treasures of the Study, five catties of Longjing tea harvested before the rains, and ten bolts of Yun brocade silk.”

The Ministry of Revenue officials hurriedly recorded the rewards, which, when tallied, turned out to be several times more generous than what Xue Chongnian, who had actually recommended Gu Weizhi, received.

Yet Xue Chongnian harbored no resentment. Instead, he worried inwardly—had the Emperor’s earlier praise of one at the expense of another made Wen Zuo uncomfortable?

Watching this scene, Shen Chen seized the moment when no one was looking to roll his eyes dramatically.

Xue Chongnian was also a fool, helping someone count money even after being sold out.

He didn’t need to investigate to know that Gu Weizhi must have been recommended by Wen Zuo. Wen Zuo had simply manipulated Xue Chongnian to play the role of a lone minister in front of the Emperor.

“With this matter settled and the war concluded, order Jun Dingyuan to return triumphantly to the court. When the time comes, all ministers and I shall welcome the meritorious hero on the imperial palace’s main street!”

With these final words, Emperor Shunyuan adjourned the court and retired to rest.

Once the Emperor left, the officials bowed and gradually dispersed from Wuying Hall.

Wen Zuo brushed the dust off his knees, the earlier remorse completely gone. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Xie Langyang looking distracted and troubled, and he knew Shen Chen had once again assigned him some task that went against his conscience.

Suddenly, an idea struck Wen Zuo. Taking advantage of Xie Langyang’s presence, he walked directly toward Shen Chen, who was about to leave. “Sixth Prince, wait a moment.”

Hearing the voice, Shen Chen stiffened slightly. His expression shifted several times before settling into an innocent smile as he turned around. “Master Wen?”

Xie Langyang’s heart tightened, and he quickly focused his gaze.

In the court, no one knew of the entanglements and secrets among the three of them. Now, facing each other, the atmosphere grew tense instantly.

Wen Zuo smiled at Shen Chen. “So the Sixth Prince is already able to attend court again.”

Shen Chen blinked his round eyes and replied shyly, “Thanks to His Majesty’s grace and the Hanlin Academy Director’s concern, I was permitted to do so at the banquet that day.”

He still had to pretend he hadn’t been reborn, lulling Wen Zuo into lowering his guard, so he maintained an attitude of great respect toward him.

But Wen Zuo raised an eyebrow and said, “This Director never concerned himself with you. That day, Secretary Xie pleaded on your behalf, and I rejected it. I hope the Sixth Prince won’t hold a grudge.”

Wen Zuo nodded. "Since Your Highness understands the greater good so well, I am relieved. Throughout history, affairs between men have often been insincere, breaking alliances and violating vows—utterly untrustworthy. Our dynasty's restoration of order and rectification of wrongs has been arduous. I hope Your Highness will refrain from such reckless words in the future, lest they disrupt the moral fabric of Da Qian and cause you to lose His Majesty's favor."

Shen Chen gritted his teeth until they ached and forced out the words, "My thanks for the reminder, Director."

This remark was like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Xie Langyang's heart and leaving him in agony.

He knew Wen Zuo's words were meant for him—a mockery, a taunt, for betraying a sincere heart.

But now he wanted to make amends. He had already realized the mistakes he had failed to notice in his previous life and had felt the heart-wrenching agony of Wen Zuo's imprisonment.

Xie Langyang couldn't help but step forward, his voice hoarse. "Wanshan... I..."

Wen Zuo glanced at Shen Chen, then at Xie Langyang, and let out a derisive laugh. Suddenly, he asked, "That day on the Imperial Palace Long Street, did Your Highness also return?"

His voice was soft, yet it struck like thunder in the air, causing Xie Langyang's expression to change in an instant and Shen Chen's blood to run cold.

But Shen Chen reacted swiftly, pretending to be confused. "What did the Director just say? I didn't hear clearly."

Xie Langyang took several deep breaths, his gaze anxiously darting between Shen Chen and Wen Zuo. Finally, he shook his head with difficulty. "...No, Wanshan. Why would you bring that up here of all places!"

Wen Zuo smiled, his expression carrying a hint of defiant audacity. Since Shen Chen claimed not to have heard, he leaned closer, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"I once taught you that the essence of strategy is to keep your opponent guessing and capitalize on their missteps. Now, there are two possibilities. First, you have returned, but you convinced Xie Langyang to keep it from me and act. Second, you are unaware, but Xie Langyang told you everything. But in truth, whether you returned or not, whether you are acting or not, it doesn't matter. Because every step you can think of is merely a choice I have given you. From today onward, no matter how you struggle, you will only end up in eternal ruin."

Xie Langyang stood there, stunned. He never imagined Wen Zuo would dare to expose the matter of rebirth so directly!

The muscles on Shen Chen's face twitched. At first, he feigned confusion and shock, even preparing a set of excuses as Wen Zuo began speaking.

But by the time Wen Zuo finished, all expression had vanished from his face. He simply stared coldly at his former mentor and current nemesis.

His earlier friendly smile and innocent pretense now seemed like a colossal joke.

What he thought was seizing the initiative was, in Wen Zuo's eyes, nothing but a clumsy performance.

"Indeed," Wen Zuo said, seeing Shen Chen's eyes revert to their cold, calculating gaze. He knew his guess was correct. "It truly fits the saying: times change, and karma comes full circle."

Shen Chen gave a cold smile, clasped his hands behind his back, and left behind a sinister remark. "Just you wait, Master Wen."

With that, he turned and strode away.

Xie Langyang was both shocked and panicked. He grabbed Wen Zuo's sleeve, his voice urgent and hushed. "I have already begged His Highness to allow you to return home safely this time. Why must you still confront him head-on?"

Wen Zuo abruptly shook off his hand, his tone full of mockery. "What sweet dream is Secretary Xie having? I, Wen, hold the highest office. I do not need his permission."

Xie Langyang's palm was empty, and so was his heart. Finally, he fell silent.

He thought to himself, Wanshan doesn't know that Shen Chen is already planning to move against Jun Dingyuan.

In today's court session, Shen Zheng's unrestrained words had already offended the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince would surely pursue the Jun family relentlessly.

The Third Prince's foundation was far weaker than the Crown Prince's. In this lifetime, the Jun family might not escape danger as narrowly as they did in the previous one.

Shen Chen had likely already factored this into his plans.

So be it. Once this matter is settled and the Fifth Prince no longer has any chance of inheriting the throne, he would talk properly with Wen Zuo then.

With a heart full of despair, Xie Langyang turned and left.

Having tricked Shen Chen into revealing his true colors and knowing that the ungrateful wretch would be fuming with rage, Wen Zuo felt immensely pleased, a smile lingering in his eyes.

But as he slightly turned his head, he noticed Shen Zheng gazing at him intently and quietly.

By now, the Wuying Hall was almost empty, but it was still not the place for conversation. Although Wen Zuo sensed something amiss in Shen Zheng's expression, he could only withdraw his gaze, steady himself, and walk out.

Just as he stepped out of the Imperial Palace Long Street and boarded his sedan chair outside the palace gates, the curtain was lifted, and Shen Zheng stepped inside.

A few sedan chairs had just departed, and Wen Zuo wasn't sure if anyone had noticed. Startled, he quickly lifted the curtain to look around. Seeing no one peeking, he relaxed slightly.

"Why has Your Highness followed me?"

Shen Zheng's expression remained calm, but it was a calm tinged with sorrow. He didn't squeeze close or embrace him as he usually did. Instead, he simply asked with a smile, "Was what Teacher said earlier truly sincere?"

Wen Zuo could tell he didn't want to smile; there was no warmth in his eyes.

"What?"

"Throughout history, affairs between men have often been insincere, breaking alliances and violating vows—utterly untrustworthy." Shen Zheng repeated the earlier words verbatim, staring into his eyes.

Relieved that Shen Zheng hadn't heard the later remarks, Wen Zuo replied, "Naturally. Such behavior violates court principles and defies ethics."

Shen Zheng's eyelashes suddenly lowered. After a long pause, he said softly, "Alright."