Chapter 9: Let Some Blood In

 

Eastern Palace, Crown Prince’s Residence.

 

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, King of Chu, has mobilized 100 personal guards to the Duke of State’s residence.”

 

“Oh? Sixth Brother is really protective of his wife, isn’t he?” Lying on the couch, his long jet-black hair covered his white collarbone, and his golden clothes drooped casually. Shen Muchen yawned lazily.

 

“Yesterday, Fifth Brother went to the Duke of State’s residence, and the news about Ye Liyan came from his mouth, didn’t it?”

 

“Your Highness is omniscient.”

 

“Hehe.” Shen Muchen let out a slightly evil laugh.

 

It wasn’t that he was omniscient, but rather, he knew his brothers too well.

 

“Achan, have someone keep a close eye on the King of Chu’s residence. With most of the personal guards absent, someone might be getting anxious.”

 

The little eunuch was startled: “Your Highness, do you mean…”

 

“Rest assured, those people wouldn’t dare to attack a prince in Tianwu City, but the King of Chu’s residence might not be peaceful tonight.”

 

“Sixth Brother has been away for five years, and after returning, he has many more chips on his shoulders. These chips have piqued the interest of those people and made them fearful…”

 

“Now, those people are eager to know what these chips are.”

 

Shen Muchen shook his head and smiled.

 

“Don’t you want to know, too?”

 

“I do, but I’m not in a hurry. Someone will help us deliver the answer to our doorstep.”

 

“Let’s stop talking. It’s so boring.” Shen Muchen waved his hand.

 

After the little eunuch finished transmitting the message, Shen Muchen opened his eyes and gently patted the bed: “Achan, I want to rest early today.”

 

The little eunuch’s face turned red as he walked to the bed, slowly untied his clothes, and a white ribbon fell down, revealing his jade-like fair skin. His hairpin fell to the ground, and his soft black hair cascaded down his back. He placed his arm across his chest and carefully climbed onto the bed.

 

“Master… please be gentle with Qingchen.”

 

King of Chu’s Residence.

 

Shen Yian sat on the floor, supporting his chin with one hand, looking at the chessboard with some uncertainty, and asked, “Did I lose?”

 

“You won, Your Highness,” Fu Sheng closed his eyes slightly and nodded.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Shen Yian rubbed his eyebrows, looking helpless.

 

“This whirlpool has turned a circle, and it’s indeed turned back.”

 

Fu Sheng looked up at the darkening sky: “Does Your Highness need me to take action?”

 

“No need, I’ve already made arrangements.”

 

“Or rather, someone will come to help us.” Shen Yian smiled lightly.

 

“Let’s eat first, I might need to go to the palace later.”

 

“Is it because of the academy, Your Highness?” Fu Sheng asked curiously.

 

“Probably so.”

 

After dinner, Shen Yian did a set of the eighth set of radio gymnastics in the yard to stretch his muscles.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

Mendu rushed over, shouting loudly.

 

“Has it arrived?” Shen Yian asked nonchalantly.

 

“It has!”

 

“Where’s the horse?”

 

“I’ve already had someone lead it to the main gate.”

 

Shen Yian nodded, reiterating his instructions: “Everything will proceed according to plan.”

 

“Your Highness, what if they don’t come?” Mendu asked.

 

“Then wait for me to come back and go to sleep!”

 

“Ah! I understand!” Mendu laughed.

 

At the main gate of the palace, there was a group of guards with a red battle robe with silver dragon scales, and a horizontal sword at the waist – it was the attire of the palace guards.

 

When the guards saw Shen Yian, they quickly dismounted and saluted: “Your Highness, the King of Chu, His Majesty orders you to enter the palace immediately without delay.”

 

“Alright, I know. Let’s go.”

 

Shen Yian mounted his horse, clamped his legs, and shouted: “Ride!”

 

The horse and rider swiftly galloped out, leaving a trail of dust behind.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

The guards hastily mounted his horse and chased after them.

 

The palace was not far from the royal palace, and the two warhorses galloped quickly, soon entering the royal palace.

 

“Your Highness, the King of Chu, please follow me.”

 

After dismounting, a eunuch led the way to the imperial study.

 

“Eunuch Zhao.”

 

Shen Yian saw the old eunuch standing at the door of the imperial study and greeted him.

 

The chief eunuch, Zhao Hai!

 

“This old servant greets His Majesty the King of Chu.” Zhao Hai hurriedly saluted respectfully.

 

“How is Father’s mood today?” Shen Yian asked in a low voice, leaning in.

 

“Uh…this…old servant dare not speak out of turn…” Zhao Hai’s face turned pale.

 

“Eunuch Zhao, just nod if he’s in a good mood, and shake your head if he’s not.” Shen Yian pulled out a 500-tael silver note and stuffed it into Zhao Hai’s pocket.

 

“Your Highness, you can’t…”

 

“Just a small tip for tea.”

 

As the old man and the young man tussled, Emperor Wu’s voice came from the imperial study.

 

“Sixth Son!”

 

“I’m here, Father!”

 

Shen Yian quickly took two steps into imperial study and paid his respects.

 

Zhao Hai silently pocketed the silver note and quickly followed him in.

 

“Um.”

 

Emperor Wu’s upper body was already hidden behind the dragon-patterned screen on the desk.

 

“Why didn’t you go to the academy today?”

 

“I didn’t want to go, Father,” Shen Yian replied honestly.

 

“Why not?”

 

Emperor Wu’s expression changed slightly as he put down the document in his hand.

 

“I just didn’t want to go, Father.”

 

“Is it because of Mr. Zhou’s poor teaching?”

 

“Mr. Zhou’s teaching is excellent, but I just didn’t want to go.”

 

“Will you have any complaints if I deduct a month’s allowance?”

 

“I dare not, Father!” Shen Yian’s heart tightened.

 

It’s over. The old man is going to make him “bleed” again.

 

“I’ve heard that your Northern Commercial Association has been in close contact with the foreign merchants recently.”

 

“Reporting to Father, the horse market is about to open, and to ensure that we can purchase enough fine horses this year, I instructed the commercial association to contact the horse merchants early to discuss prices,” Shen Yian replied with some pain.

 

The Great Qing’s three major commercial associations, including the Northern Commercial Association founded by him, had the old man holding a 50% stake, and he didn’t need to do anything except wait for the dividends. Occasionally, the old man would also take a look at his share of the dividends, constantly “bleeding” him.

 

Currently, 60% of the Great Qing’s warhorses were provided by the Northern Commercial Association, including after-sales services.

 

“Um, you’re thinking ahead.”

 

“This is what I should do, Father!” Shen Yian’s mouth twitched slightly.

 

“Father, I have a request.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“Please help me choose an auspicious day for my wedding, Father.”

 

Emperor Wu’s face couldn’t help but reveal a hint of a smile: “You’re in such a hurry?”

 

“There have been many rumors and gossip lately, and I’m afraid of unexpected changes.”

 

“When I first saw Liyan, she was still a baby. Now she has grown into a graceful young lady. Time flies so fast.” Emperor Wu said with some nostalgia.

 

Shen Yian was taken aback. If he wasn’t mistaken, Ye Feng was once the old man’s personal bodyguard, right? The old man was still the crown prince back then, not yet emperor.

 

“Father, there is something I don’t understand.”

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“Father, it seems you’re not concerned about those rumors.”

 

“I am concerned, but I believe in you, because you won’t let Liyan suffer any injustice.”

 

Was the old man hinting at something?

 

“I will not disappoint your expectations, Father,” Shen Yian replied accordingly.

 

“You will definitely fulfill your mission. I have a document here that I want to test you with. If you answer poorly, I’ll deduct another month’s allowance.”

 

“I’ll do my best, Father!”

 

――――――

 

“Your Majesty, King of Chu has already left the palace.”

 

“Um, Zhao Hai, what do you think of the Sixth Son?”

 

Zhao Hai bowed his head: “Old servant dares to say, King of Chu has been intelligent and talented since childhood, with a broad range of knowledge and skills, and is well-versed in both literature and martial arts. He has the same aura as Your Majesty when you were young, which is a blessing for our Great Qing.”

 

“If we were to appoint a crown prince, do you think he’s suitable?”

 

Zhao Hai was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and bowed: “This old servant is terrified!”

 

Emperor Wu sighed: “Everything he does is too purposeful…”