Another would-be disciple

Xiao Yuanqi did not doubt Xiao Jinyi's words. He knew that if Xiao Jinyi dared to say it, he would do it. Their bond had never been a matter of one brother giving in to the other; they both cared deeply for each other.

"I know. But how could I bear to let my little brother brave a mountain of blades or a sea of fire?"

While the brothers were sharing their heartfelt feelings, the imperial physician arrived. Since Xiao Jinyi felt there was nothing seriously wrong with him, he wanted to send the physician away, but Xiao Yuanqi reached out to stop him.

"Don't rush. Since the physician is already here, we might as well have him check both our pulses before he leaves. We can't let him come all this way for nothing, can we?"

And so the brothers let Imperial Physician Feng take their pulses. Both were in good health, though Xiao Jinyi was somewhat unsettled.

"Your Highnesses are both in excellent health. Prince Jing is merely a little unsettled. Would you like me to prescribe a calming decoction?"

Imperial Physician Feng put away the pulse cushion on the table and bent forward to ask Xiao Jinyi. For another master, he might simply have prescribed the decoction, but he did not dare make that decision on Xiao Jinyi's behalf.

At that, Xiao Jinyi waved a hand. "No need. I've already calmed down. I don't need any medicine."

Imperial Physician Feng nodded. After taking his leave of the Crown Prince and Prince Jing, he picked up his medicine chest and returned to the Imperial Medical Academy.

The enormous weight hanging over Xiao Jinyi's heart was finally lifted. Meanwhile, Shen Shixu was getting something of a headache from his older brother's pestering. After so many years as brothers, he could tell at a glance that Shen Zexi had something to say to him, yet somehow could not get the words out.

Shen Zexi desperately wanted to tell him that he, Xiao Jinyi, and the others could hear Shen Shixu's thoughts, but his lips seemed glued shut. No matter how hard he tried, he could not open his mouth.

He was so anxious he was practically steaming. Seeing how miserable he looked, Shen Shixu tried to reassure him. "Brother, if you really can't say it, you don't have to. As long as it isn't a matter of life and death, it's nothing serious."

Since Shen Zexi could not get the words out no matter what he tried, he was already thinking of giving up. Shen Shixu's words merely hastened that decision.

Once he gave up, he recalled Xiao Jinyi's and Duke An's expressions. Both had looked perfectly composed, as though they had expected it all along.

It seemed they had either heard those thoughts before or heard someone else mention them.

In that case, the three of them probably were not the only ones who could hear them. There must have been many others, most likely the officials at court. Even the emperor had probably heard them.

If so many people had heard them and his younger brother was still fine, then surely his life was not in danger. Just as his brother had said, as long as it was not a matter of life and death, it was nothing serious.

Then he did not need to worry too much. Besides, judging by Duke An's dark expression before leaving, his younger brother's thoughts were most likely true.

Shen Zexi, who already loved hearing gossip about other people's lives, was terribly envious. His brother could learn all sorts of interesting things just sitting at home, without having to ask anyone. He wondered whether 011 had any brothers or sisters, and whether he could get one too.

Just as Shen Shixu was about to return to duty at the Court of Judicial Review, another knock sounded at the courtyard gate. Xiaoshi hurried over to open it. As soon as the gate swung open, he saw a young man in a plain dark-blue brocade robe standing outside, laden with packages of every size.

"Who are you looking for, young sir?"

Jiang Bin was carrying the apprenticeship gifts he and the Eldest Princess had picked out. Once he learned where Shen Shixu lived, he had rushed over without delay. In the past, when the arrogant and unruly young Master Jiang saw a servant coming to answer the door,

he would never have treated Xiaoshi kindly. He would only have snarled at him to fetch his master at once. But today, he had come to ask a favor. Besides, he truly wanted to turn over a new leaf, shed his reputation as a wastrel, and become a young man who strove to improve himself every day.

So he said in a very friendly tone, "Excuse me, young fellow. Is this the residence of Lord Shen, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?"

Seeing that he had brought gifts and was looking for his young master, Xiaoshi remembered what had happened earlier. The question slipped straight out of his mouth. "Are you here to become his disciple too?"

Jiang Bin froze for a moment, then understood: someone else had come seeking apprenticeship before him. "Yes, I've come to become his disciple. Is Lord Shen at home?"

Xiaoshi had merely blurted it out. He had not expected this richly dressed young gentleman to actually be seeking apprenticeship. He hurriedly called toward the house, "Young master, another would-be disciple is here! Come out and have a look!"

Hearing Xiaoshi's shout, Shen Shixu quickly came out of the house. Shen Zexi ran out with him, brimming with curiosity. Who else had come seeking apprenticeship?

When Shen Shixu saw Jiang Bin arriving with gifts, he frowned and wondered whether something was wrong with the man's head. He had just sent Jiang Bin's own father to prison that morning, and by noon Jiang Bin was here asking to become his disciple.

"You want to become my disciple?" Shen Shixu pointed at himself in astonishment. "Have you forgotten that I sent your own father to prison this morning? Before long, he'll be sent to the execution block. That makes me your father's killer, in a sense, yet you're saying you want to become my disciple? Is there something wrong with my ears, or have you gone mad?"

Shen Zexi had not expected this would-be disciple to have such a history with his younger brother. Now, not only did Shen Shixu doubt Jiang Bin's true motives, but Shen Zexi was beginning to suspect him as well.

Jiang Bin knew his actions looked suspicious. He set the gifts down on the ground, clasped his hands, and bowed to Shen Shixu. "I know you suspect me and think I want to stay close to you so I can take revenge. But my mother and I don't resent you at all. On the contrary, both of us are very grateful to you.

"If you hadn't exposed Jiang Xingbang's true colors this time, there's no telling how he might have harmed us in the future. This time, he wanted me to take the blame for him. Next time, he might have turned his wicked schemes on my mother. By sending him to prison, you indirectly saved us both. Of course we couldn't hate you.

"As for becoming your disciple, that was my own idea. I've always relied on my mother and Jiang Xingbang. Now that Jiang Xingbang is gone, I can't keep relying on my mother forever.

"I want to become someone my mother can depend on. After thinking it over, I realized you're the only person in the entire court who can teach me.

"First, I admire you. Second, you're exceptionally skilled at solving cases. Even if I learned only forty or fifty percent of what you know, it would be more than enough for me.

"So, Lord Shen, I beg you. Please accept me as your disciple."

Shen Shixu thought he seemed genuinely sincere, but still wanted to test him further, so he posed a question.

"I can accept you, but you'll only be my second disciple. You'll have a senior fellow disciple who's just five years old. Would you still be willing?"