Naturally, for You

The common folk were remarkably good at making up stories. Before long, what had happened at Red Sleeve Pavilion had spawned countless versions. One spread to ten, ten to a hundred, and the tale ran wild like an unbridled horse, growing ever more uncontrollable. It had already changed from "Zhao Zhichao forced Young Master Shen to dance and angered him into fainting on the spot" into "Zhao Zhichao tried to force Young Master Shen into bed, knocked him unconscious, and was about to succeed when His Highness the Crown Prince arrived to save the beauty."

A brazier filled with silver charcoal burned warmly in the room. Thick fur drapes hung over the windows, keeping out both cold and wind. Shen Tingjue lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his exposed wrist so slender and frail that it seemed as though it would break at a touch.

Steward Feng was frantic. Seeing Physician Zhang silently holding his young master's wrist and taking his pulse, he instinctively assumed that the longer it took, the worse things were. Tears nearly welled up in his old eyes as he paced anxiously in circles:

"What do we do? What do we do? Physician Zhang, is my young master about to die? Say something already!"

Physician Zhang looked up at him, his expression complicated. This was ridiculous. With that strong, powerful pulse, your young master could go three hundred rounds without a problem.

"Two needles will do. He won't die. Please stop circling in front of me, old sir. You're making me dizzy." Physician Zhang took out his silver needles and gave Shen Tingjue a round of acupuncture to invigorate his blood circulation, merely for show. He could not help feeling as though he was aiding a villain in wrongdoing.

Just as the needles were in place, the Chenghuan Emperor entered the room together with the Chancellor and his wife.

The Eldest Princess had heard the most outrageous version of the rumors outside on her way over. Her eyes had reddened with anxiety as she hurried to the bedside. "How is Xiao Jue?"

Physician Zhang removed the needles and began showing off his gift for talking nonsense with a straight face. "As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide and leaves like unraveling silk. Young Master Shen's previous injuries were especially severe, and his physical foundation has been damaged. He must recuperate properly for at least two or three years..."

Xiao Hanye stood to one side with his arms folded. After listening to Physician Zhang ramble on at length, he summed it up—Shen Tingjue was weak and delicate, and could neither be frightened nor angered. They simply had to wait on him as though he were an ancestor.

Zhao Zhichao belonged to the Fourth Prince's faction. When Consort Xian heard that Shen Tingjue had kicked Zhao Zhichao hard enough to break his ribs, she immediately followed the Chenghuan Emperor over under the pretense of concern, hoping to sound them out. Looking at Shen Tingjue lying in bed, she said meaningfully:

"Xiao Jue is so weak, yet he could kick General Zhao, who weighs over two hundred pounds, flying. How impressive."

Physician Zhang did not change expression. "Young Master Shen already has a foundation in martial arts, but his weak constitution limits him. Once that fierce burst of strength passes, he naturally cannot hold on any longer."

Wen Jingkong clapped his hands. "I know! It's like injuring the enemy by a thousand while harming yourself by eight hundred, right?"

Physician Zhang stroked his beard and nodded. "Exactly."

Consort Xian forced a false smile. "Physician Zhang has been tending to Xiao Jue's health, but I hear there has been no improvement in his memory. Your Majesty, Physician Dou has practiced medicine for over fifty years and is quite knowledgeable in this area. Why not summon him to take Xiao Jue's pulse? He could also help treat Xiao Jue's weak constitution and tendency to faint."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Tingjue slowly opened his eyes, looking sickly as he coughed harshly twice.

The Eldest Princess and the Chancellor immediately crowded around him.

Physician Zhang knowingly stepped aside, holding his medicine chest as he quietly watched Shen Tingjue perform.

The Chancellor helped Shen Tingjue sit up and tucked a bolster behind him. "How are you feeling? Does your head hurt, or does your chest hurt? Or does everything hurt?"

Shen Tingjue's ink-black hair fell loose around him, making his exquisite face seem even smaller. He looked heartbreakingly pitiful as he clutched the Chancellor's hand and called weakly, helplessly, "Father~"

The Chancellor's paternal instincts instantly surged forth. He wrapped an arm around Shen Tingjue's back and patted him gently. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Father is here. Rest assured, my son. That ugly bastard Zhao Zhichao—your father will impeach him to death. I'll have the Censorate dig up the sins of his ancestors for eighteen generations. I refuse to believe we can't find something to destroy him with!"

After saying that, he paused, then gripped Shen Tingjue's hand with overflowing dominance. "When the time comes, Father will put a sack over that bastard's head and drag him before you. Skin him, pull out his tendons, fry him, braise him, stew him, stir-fry him—whatever you want."

The Chenghuan Emperor coughed twice.

The Chancellor turned his head, his urge to protect his son burning fiercely. "Regarding Zhao Zhichao, this old minister hopes Your Majesty will punish him severely. Otherwise, this old minister will bring all the censors to the Imperial Study every day to impeach him—to impeach him to death!"

When a scholar became enraged, Mi Heng beat the drum. The people of the Censorate were the most troublesome bunch of all. After only a few words, their beards would bristle, and they would threaten to die by smashing themselves into pillars.

The Chenghuan Emperor rubbed his brow. "Rest assured, my dear minister. Even if you had not said so, I would not spare Zhao Zhichao lightly."

Consort Xian clenched her handkerchief. She was absolutely certain Shen Tingjue was pretending and wanted to bring up summoning Physician Dou again, but Shen Tingjue had already lain back down, clutching his chest as he said weakly:

"I heard that Your Highness Consort Xian has the finest Golden Silk Snow Swallow in her palace. I suddenly want some so badly. Your Highness is generous and kind, so surely you would be willing to give me some Golden Silk Snow Swallow, right? If I cannot eat it right now, I fear I may die. Cough, cough—"

"Eat it. You can have it all." Without even thinking, the Chenghuan Emperor said, "Forget Golden Silk Snow Swallow. As long as you can recover, ask Consort Xian for whatever you want."

Whether Consort Xian felt heartache over it was her business. He certainly did not.

Consort Xian's face immediately turned green. ...What? What did he mean, ask me for whatever you want? And that Golden Silk Snow Swallow had cost her a fortune—it was for nourishing her complexion!

Shen Tingjue blinked and smiled weakly. "How could I possibly accept that? I only want the Golden Silk Snow Swallow. I want it now, and I want a huge bowl!"

The Chenghuan Emperor immediately summoned the chief palace eunuch and ordered Consort Xian to hurry back to her palace with him to retrieve it. She was to give over as much as she had and was not allowed to hide any away.

Consort Xian's vision went dark. Her head spun, her chest hurt, and she felt as though she were the one about to faint.

Shen Tingjue watched her leave on unsteady feet, secretly pleased.

Hmph! You dared think of bringing in another physician to expose me, so don't blame me for being rude!

The chief palace eunuch soon returned with the Golden Silk Snow Swallow. Steward Feng hurriedly took it to the kitchen to simmer, then brought back a huge steaming bowl. "Young Master, eat it while it's hot. If it's not enough, this old servant will make more."

Having obtained such a good thing, Shen Tingjue naturally did not forget to share it with the person he loved. He practically forced Xiao Hanye to take two bites.

Only the two of them remained in the room now. Xiao Hanye finally found the chance to ask, "Why did you frame Zhao Zhichao?"

Shen Tingjue happily sipped his Golden Silk Snow Swallow. Stolen things really did taste better. He narrowed his eyes in complete satisfaction. "Isn't it obvious? Naturally, it was for you."

Xiao Hanye: "???"

Seizing the chance, Shen Tingjue laid bare his feelings. "Your Highness's enemies are my enemies. Haven't you always wanted to weaken the aristocratic families? Of course I had to help you. Zhao Zhichao happened to come looking to die, so I simply took the opportunity to deal with him."

Xiao Hanye frowned.

Shen Tingjue set down the bowl and grasped his hand, his gaze firm and affectionate. "Don't worry. I will work hard to become your virtuous helpmate."

Xiao Hanye: "..."

Shen Tingjue looked displeased. "You don't seem touched at all?"

"Touched." Xiao Hanye said emotionlessly, "Touched to death."

Shen Tingjue chuckled. "Forget dying. Your Highness can just take a bath with me. I'll have the steward heat the water!"

Xiao Hanye immediately rose to his feet. "Farewell."

Clutching his chest, Shen Tingjue cried out dramatically, "Ah—, you've upset me."