Chapter 119

Shen Yu remembered what Emperor Tongxu had said about the five evils, and his evaluation of his sons.

The eunuch power struggle had been resolved, the corrupt officials he wanted to eliminate he dared not, there was internal party strife…

A flash of inspiration came to her, and she murmured, “Fratricide.”

Xie Tingzhou said, “The only thing that could be ranked above corrupt officials is fratricide. He clearly knows that he doesn’t have much time left. There aren’t many of his sons who are capable.”

“I remember now.” Shen Yu said, “Ge Liangji once told me something. He said that maybe I was wrong from the beginning. They didn’t kill my father because he was too powerful or because of a personal vendetta. They did it to protect themselves.”

Prince, succession, power struggle, self-preservation. Shen Yu connected these words one by one.

In the struggle for the throne, the winner wears the yellow robe, the loser is crushed.

Shen Zhong’an had an army of 100,000. He must have been a target for the princes to try to win over.

Under what circumstances could it be called self-preservation?

It would be if they knew that Shen Zhong’an had become a major obstacle to their ascension to the throne and had to be eliminated.

The more Shen Yu thought about it, the more frightened she became. The hand clutching the blanket trembled.

Xie Tingzhou held her hand, “Shen Yu, look at me.”

Shen Yu looked up at Xie Tingzhou, her eyes bloodshot, “They are so ruthless. For a throne, they…”

Xie Tingzhou comforted her, “That’s how the royal family is. How many princes have died in the struggle for the throne? They can even kill their own parents and brothers. Who is there that they can’t abandon?”

His voice gradually softened. He suddenly gave a wry smile, “Don’t even talk about the royal family, even kings, princes, and generals are the same.”

Shen Yu noticed the disappointment in his words and stared intently at his face.

Half of Xie Tingzhou’s face was hidden in the candlelight. His profile was hard, and a shadow of gloom gradually appeared between his brows.

He stared into the void for a while, then his gaze shifted and landed on Shen Yu’s worried face.

The gloom that had been surging in his chest silently retreated because of her gaze.

“Worried about me?” He asked.

Shen Yu paused for a moment and nodded honestly, “Are you, are you sad about something?”

“Yes.” Xie Tingzhou said, “But when you look at me like this, I suddenly don’t feel sad anymore.”

His voice was low and deep, and very pleasant, full of a seductive quality.

Xie Tingzhou cleared his throat, his eyes deepening, “Then… hug me.”

“Okay?”

His eyes were deep, but they didn’t contain any desire. Powerful and gentle Xie Tingzhou, for the first time, showed a fragile expression like this.

Shen Yu’s heart softened, and she felt sorry for him.

She slowly reached out, her fingers tracing his arm, then his shoulder…

Before she could hug him, he had already wrapped his strong arms around her.

The sound of the gongs outside was frequent and urgent. It was already the last watch.

Lights were lit outside. The screen was semi-transparent, and Xie Tingzhou’s shadow as he changed clothes fell on the screen.

Shen Yu lay on her side on the couch, staring at Xie Tingzhou’s silhouette on the screen.

After putting on his clothes, Xie Tingzhou came back around.

Shen Yu saw his court dress and sat up, “Are you going to court?”

Xie Tingzhou held a nominal, powerless position. He didn’t usually need to go to court.

Xie Tingzhou “hmm”ed, “Ge Liangji was executed yesterday, and there was an incident in the palace. I need to go see what’s happening.”

Shen Yu nodded, “Then I’ll go back to Lumingxuan.”

“Don’t rush.” Xie Tingzhou stopped her, “The doctor will come to check your pulse in the morning. I don’t know if the incense smoke from yesterday has damaged your body. Sleep a little longer. It’s still early. I’ll go first.”

As he reached the door, he turned back. She was sitting on the edge of the couch in her nightgown. Seeing him turn back, she smiled at him.

Xie Tingzhou suddenly felt a certain feeling, like an ordinary couple, the husband leaving for work in the morning and the wife seeing him off.

She would see him off when he left and wait for him when he returned.

He returned a smile and turned to leave.

If every day was like this, Shengjing wouldn’t be so boring after all.

…

Shen Yu had slept for a whole day, but she couldn’t sleep at all. The scent on the couch made her feel at ease. She didn’t get up until Chen. She got up and washed up.

The doctor came to check her pulse and said that she was fine. The incense smoke was harmless to people and had a calming effect. It was just a bit strong.

A maidservant came in to set the breakfast. Shen Yu was eating when she looked up and saw Changliu peeking in at the doorway.

“What are you standing there for? Come in.”

Changliu came in with his hands behind his back. He looked at Shen Yu and then peeked into the inner room, asking in confusion, “Last night, did you sleep with our Highness?”

Shen Yu was drinking porridge. When he asked that, she almost spit it out.

She managed to swallow it, but she choked and coughed.

Changliu was startled and quickly poured her a cup of water, “Don’t scare me. His Highness told me not to disturb you. If you cough yourself to death, His Highness will punish me.”

“It’s more than just punishment.” Zhong Bo walked in, putting down some things, “His Highness will skin you alive.”

Changliu touched his neck and looked Shen Yu up and down, “What kind of magic potion did you give His Highness? I used to be the most favored in the Prince’s Mansion.”

Shen Yu laughed dryly, “You still are.”

Zhong Bo lifted the lid and placed a bowl of red date bird’s nest in front of Shen Yu, “Drink it while it’s hot. You need to drink a bowl every day. It nourishes yin and replenishes kidney energy. It’s good for your body.”

Shen Yu’s head started to ache when she heard the words “nourishes yin and replenishes kidney energy.” Luckily, Changliu didn’t understand. He quickly said, “Why don’t you give me some?”

“What are you, a little kid, eating this?”

Changliu pointed at Shen Yu and then at himself, “He’s only a year older than me. He’s not a little kid?”

“When you’re older than her, then you can have some.” Zhong Bo said perfunctorily, then smiled at Shen Yu, “How is it? Do you like it? If you don’t, I’ll ask the kitchen to change the recipe.”

Changliu turned around, sat on a chair, and sulked.

“It’s good, it’s good.” Shen Yu laughed dryly.

“That’s good.” Zhong Bo said, then stole a glance at Shen Yu and suddenly sighed with a heavy heart.

Shen Yu said, “Is something wrong, Zhong Bo?”

Zhong Bo said solemnly, “His Highness went to the palace today. I don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

Shen Yu put down her spoon, “What happened?”

“Didn’t His Highness tell you not to talk about it?” Changliu turned around and asked.

“Shut up.” Zhong Bo stuffed a piece of pastry into Changliu’s mouth and then said to Shen Yu solemnly, “You don’t know. To get you back yesterday, His Highness brought troops to surround Jiang Mansion. What kind of place is Jiang Mansion? It’s the head of the four great families. Their ancestors produced a Grand Tutor, two Chief Ministers, three Ministers, and countless other officials.”

Zhong Bo tried to make it sound as serious as possible.

Shen Yu was secretly startled. She only knew that Xie Tingzhou had rescued her, but she had forgotten to ask him how he did it. She didn’t expect it to be such a big deal.

Zhong Bo said, “Our Highness is great in every way, but he likes to punish himself. He brings good news but not bad news.”

Shen Yu couldn’t eat anymore. No wonder Xie Tingzhou had to go to the palace early in the morning.

“Will something happen?”

“I don’t know.” Zhong Bo said, “But if you go to the palace gate and wait, you’ll definitely be the first to know.”

Changliu was about to speak, but he saw Zhong Bo wink at him.