The next morning, Minister of Rites Meng Lang, holding a jade tablet and dressed in a brand-new deep red official robe, strode into the main hall of Chongzheng Palace.

Chongzheng Palace was where officials waited before court sessions. First- and second-rank officials gathered in the main hall, while third- and fourth-rank officials waited in the left and right side halls, respectively. As soon as Minister Meng entered, he saw someone he hadn’t seen in a long time. Seeing this person and recalling the upcoming negotiations with the Liao envoys at the guesthouse, Meng Lang felt a headache coming on.

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However, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue had always been grouped together. In Qinzheng Hall, the ministers of the two ministries shared a common office, and even during court sessions, Meng Lang had to stand next to Wang Zifeng!

Minister Meng pursed his lips and stepped forward with a smile, “When did Wang daren return?”

This was just a polite remark, something Meng Lang said casually. However, he didn’t expect Wang Zifeng to stand up, salute respectfully, and reply in a gentle voice, “Meng daren, I just returned yesterday morning.”

Meng Lang was both surprised and flattered. He scrutinized Wang Zhen.

What was going on with Wang Zifeng? Why had he suddenly become so polite and gentlemanly?

As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Meng Lang had no choice but to say, “It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed you, Wang daren.” The words sounded awkward—while the words expressed longing, the tone carried no hint of nostalgia, merely politeness.

Wang Zhen, however, replied, “Meng daren‘s kindness fills me with gratitude.”

Meng Lang: “…”

What was wrong with Wang Zifeng today? Why was he being so agreeable?

After all, Meng Lang was a second-rank official who had weathered the ups and downs of the court for many years. After a while, he tentatively asked, “Wang daren seems to be in a good mood today?”

Wang Zhen sighed, “Meng daren has noticed. Indeed, good fortune brings joy. Please forgive my lack of composure.”

Meng Lang: “???” Wang Zifeng, act normal!

By the time the morning court session began, Meng Lang finally understood what good fortune Wang Zifeng had encountered.

As soon as the court session began, the emperor issued an edict promoting Wang Zhen to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left, concurrently serving as Minister of Revenue and Commander of the Silver Pull Division, holding a first-rank position. When this decree was announced, Zichen Hall fell into silence. The officials bowed their heads, their expressions calm and unreadable. Tang Shen, standing at the back of the crowd, was deeply shocked. He couldn’t help but look up.

In the grand hall, no one moved a muscle. Even Wang Zhen’s uncle, Wang Quan, kept his eyes downcast, calmly staring at the golden bricks on the floor.

Wang Zhen stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the decree.

Next, Zhao Fu issued another edict, promoting Zhao Yun, the Minister of Personnel, to Senior Grand Secretary of the Right.

Zhao Fu smiled and said, “Ministers Wang and Zhao are both my trusted confidants, my right-hand men. With the Department of State Affairs in your hands, I am at ease.”

Wang Zhen and Zhao Yun stepped forward together, bowing and accepting the decree.

After the court session ended, the officials immediately crowded around to congratulate Wang Zhen and Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun, in his early fifties, was a jinshi from the previous dynasty and one of Zhao Fu’s old ministers. His promotion to first-rank, while somewhat unexpected, was justified given his lifelong dedication to Great Song. Wang Zhen, however, was a different story. The treasury’s current prosperity was largely due to his efforts as Minister of Revenue. The Silver Pull Division’s affairs had also been handled flawlessly. His promotion had been anticipated by many, but no one expected him to achieve first-rank before the age of thirty.

This was Zhao Fu’s answer.

After turning thirty, Wang Zhen’s promotion to first rank would have raised no eyebrows.

But achieving it before thirty was a sign of Zhao Fu’s favor and the emperor’s unparalleled trust.

However, even so, Zhao Fu had also promoted Zhao Yun, which was worth pondering.

Wang Zhen was the nephew of Right Prime Minister Wang Quan, while Zhao Yun was a close friend of Left Vice Prime Minister Chen Linghai.

After all the officials had finished offering their congratulations, Wang Zhen and Wang Quan walked together in Qinzheng Hall. The Right Prime Minister sighed, gazing at the increasingly vast sky, and remarked, “The winds of change in the court are becoming more unpredictable.”

On the same day, a secret letter was rushed to Shengjing and delivered to the Liao envoys’ guesthouse.

The Liao envoy, Xiao Zhang, received the letter and was visibly shaken. He hurriedly sought out Yelü Shege and showed him the letter. “Your Highness, what should we do? Yelü Qin daren has sent a letter from Xijin Prefecture. News of your departure from Liao has somehow leaked and is spreading like wildfire. Once it reaches Shangjing, Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding will surely seize this opportunity to demand an explanation for your whereabouts.”

Yelü Shege was stunned, “How could this happen?!”

Yelü Shege had been injured in a hunting accident a month ago and had gone to Xijin Prefecture to recuperate, using this as an excuse to avoid the scandal involving the Fourth Prince and Princess Anding. If news spread that he wasn’t in Xijin Prefecture, Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding would easily connect this to him. Although Yelü Ding had no love for the Fourth Prince and wouldn’t care if he died, if this incident could be used to gain leverage over Yelü Shege, he wouldn’t let it go easily.

Yelü Shege read Yelü Qin’s letter several times carefully. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was fierce. “I will return to Liao immediately.”

Xiao Zhang, “What about the matter of marrying another Song princess?”

Yelü Shege, “Let the matter go. It’s just one less pawn.”

Xiao Zhang nodded, “Yes, and not every Song princess is as foolish as Princess Anding. Your Highness only needed to make a few promises, and she was completely devoted, never realizing what was happening until her death.”

Yelü Shege smiled, “Xiao daren.”

Xiao Zhang felt a chill run down his spine and immediately knelt, “This subject misspoke. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Yelü Shege sighed regretfully, “Actually, Princess Anding wasn’t a bad girl. It’s just a pity she was a woman.” For a moment, Yelü Shege’s mind flashed with the image of a radiant face, and a surge of desire and possessiveness welled up within him. But he quickly suppressed it.

“My great task is not yet complete. How can I waste time on such trivial matters?”

Hearing this, Xiao Zhang felt a surge of admiration, secretly glad he had chosen the right master.

Yelü Shege, “This trip to the Song State hasn’t been without gains. The Song Emperor isn’t as incompetent as you all imagine. It’s just that he’s getting old and no longer needs to be closely guarded against. I hear he’s started believing in Buddhism this year, so his time is likely running out. But we still need to be cautious of his three princes and his trusted ministers.”

Xiao Zhang, “Before I return to Great Liao, I will gather as much information as possible.”

Yelü Shege, “Li Jingde goes without saying—he’s a major threat to our Great Liao. And then there’s Wang Zifeng. His Silver Pull Division is also suspicious.”

“This subject understands.”

That same day, Yelü Shege left Shengjing under cover of night, heading northwest.

Tang Shen had already informed Meng Lang about this matter, asking whether they should detain Yelü Shege or at least partially seal the city to prevent him from leaving easily, as Tang Shen had experienced in Xijin Prefecture. However, upon hearing this, Meng Lang was first shocked, then carefully questioned Tang Shen to confirm the accuracy of the information. After receiving confirmation, he instead said, “No need.”

Tang Shen was puzzled, but then he suddenly remembered something. “Daren, your foresight far surpasses mine.”

Letting Yelü Shege go had two advantages.

First, Yelü Shege was the backbone of the Liao envoys. Capturing him would be of no benefit to the Song Dynasty. Now that he was gone, the Liao envoy Xiao Zhang was no strategist and posed no threat. Without the resourceful Yelü Shege, Meng Lang would find it easy to deal with the remaining Liao envoys.

Second, this was related to Tang Shen. Meng Lang didn’t know that Tang Shen’s spy was planted within Yelü Shege’s ranks. If Yelü Shege was harmed by Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding and lost power in the Liao court, all the efforts Tang Shen and his allies had made would likely go to waste.

Tang Shen hadn’t thought of this at first, but now, suddenly enlightened, he realized that they had to let Yelü Shege go and ensure he returned safely to the Liao State.

After coming to this realization, Tang Shen glanced behind Meng Lang and noticed that the desk that had belonged to Wang Zhen was now empty. Surprised, he asked, “Will Wang daren no longer work in this room?”

Meng Lang, who was pondering how to deal with the Liao envoys, turned around and said, “Don’t you know, Tang daren, that your senior brother was promoted to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left overseeing the Department of State Affairs this morning, holding a first-rank position? From now on, he will have sole authority over the six ministries.”

Tang Shen, “Of course I know.”

Meng Lang, “First-rank officials in Qinzheng Hall have their own private offices. From now on, I’ll likely be sharing an office with Minister Yuan Mu of the Ministry of Works.”

Tang Shen chuckled awkwardly and took his leave.

Before he could leave Qinzheng Hall, a government worker approached him and asked respectfully, “Are you Tang Shen, Tang daren?”

Tang Shen was surprised, “Yes, I am.”

“This humble servant has been ordered by Wang xianggong to wait here for you. Wang xianggong noticed that you went to Meng daren‘s office and stayed for a long time, presumably discussing important matters. Coincidentally, the Ministry of Revenue had some urgent business to tend to, so Wang xianggong left first. He asked me to deliver this invitation to you.”

Tang Shen took the invitation, and the government worker bowed before leaving.

Tang Shen opened the invitation and found a dried peony tucked inside. Beneath the petals, Wang Zifeng’s elegant calligraphy was written in black ink on white paper:

“With this flower, I gift it to you. Let us meet at Liuqi.”

“Wang Zifeng.”

Tang Shen’s heart warmed, but then he cursed inwardly. How could Wang Zifeng be so bold? In broad daylight, in Qinzheng Hall, he dares to send me something like this? Isn’t he afraid of being discovered?

Tang Shen shook his head in irritation, carefully tucking the invitation into his robe. However, as he left, he didn’t notice someone who always seemed to cross paths with him watching from a distance. But before he could greet him, Tang Shen had already stepped out of Qinzheng Hall’s gates.

Yu Chaosheng entered Xu Bi’s office, bowed, and said, “Your student pays his respects, Sir. Just now, I saw Tang Shen, Tang daren in the courtyard and remembered what you once said—that your student and Tang Jingze seem to have some fateful connection. Every time he leaves, I always seem to arrive. I used to think it was just a joke, but now it seems there really is some coincidence.”

Xu Bi put down the memorial in his hand and smiled, “You and he do seem to share a deep connection. Now, one of you is the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, and the other is the Right Deputy Imperial Censor. Isn’t that fate?”

Yu Chaosheng, “At today’s morning court, I never expected His Majesty to promote Wang Zifeng to Senior Grand Secretary of the Left overseeing the Department of State Affairs.”

Xu Bi, “There were signs.”

“Sir?”

“You are now the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, subordinate to Wang Zifeng. As the acting head of the Silver Pull Division, do you understand what your duties truly entail?”

Yu Chaosheng pondered for a long time, “Please enlighten me, Sir.”

Xu Bi smiled, “How would I know? His Majesty has never allowed my people to interfere in this matter. However, the affairs of the world and the changes in the court are always predictable. Nothing happens without reason, and there are always signs. The Silver Pull Division emerged because the Revenue And Expenditure Department was abolished. So, what was the Revenue And Expenditure Department originally meant to do?”

Yu Chaosheng was shocked, “So that’s what the Silver Pull Division is about! Your student has learned much!”

The teacher and student chatted for a while longer before parting ways.

By evening, Tang Shen hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to take the invitation. Without changing out of his official robes, he followed the address on the invitation to a quiet and beautiful estate in the outskirts of the capital. Standing at the gate, Tang Shen looked at the unassuming entrance and exclaimed in surprise, “Is this where Senior Brother wants me to come?”

He looked up and saw the plaque: Liuqi Courtyard.

The characters on the plaque were written with the elegance of a bright moon and the swiftness of a shooting star—undoubtedly Wang Zifeng’s calligraphy.

Tang Shen stood at the gate for a moment before the door of Liuqi Courtyard opened from the inside. A servant ran out and said, “Greetings, Tang gongzi. Gongzi has been waiting for you for some time. Please follow me.”

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Tang Shen was led inside by the servant, but once he entered, the servant did not follow.

Tang Shen turned back in confusion.

The servant said, “I will take my leave here. Tang gongzi, please go ahead.”

With that, the door creaked shut behind Tang Shen.

Caught off guard, Tang Shen could only turn around and take in the serene and beautiful estate.

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Tang Shen fell silent for a moment, then said, “Thank you, Senior Brother, for giving me a ride.”

Wang Zhen replied, “It’s nothing.”

The sedan chair was quiet for a while, neither of them speaking. Finally, Tang Shen broke the silence, “Senior Brother, you’ve been in Jinling for quite some time. Did something important happen?”

At first, Tang Shen had thought Wang Zhen had returned to Jinling because he was angry with him, avoiding him. But after five or six days, he realized that Wang Zhen’s trip couldn’t have been solely because of that. It made sense for Wang Zifeng to return to Jinling, but it was impossible for him to stay away for over ten days just because of personal feelings.

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Wang Zhen glanced at Tang Shen. What he loved about Tang Shen was his intelligence and caution. He answered simply, “The Military Silver Exchange Bank in Gusu.”

Tang Shen was surprised, “So Senior Brother returned to Jinling for this matter?”

Wang Zhen countered, “If not for this, then for what?”

Tang Shen was left speechless.

He had thought Wang Zhen had returned to Jinling in a fit of anger because of his words. Now it seemed it had nothing to do with him at all. Wang Zhen had always planned to return to Jinling. He had used the pretext of visiting family to handle official business privately. That was his true purpose.

A bittersweet feeling welled up in Tang Shen’s heart. Wang Zhen hadn’t left because he was angry with him, which relieved Tang Shen. But if he hadn’t left because of him, then what had Tang Shen been thinking and feeling during those ten days in Shengjing? And what about what happened ten days ago… Had Wang Zifeng really not cared at all?

Tang Shen’s heart was in turmoil, but when it came to expressing his thoughts, he couldn’t find the words.

Wang Zhen lifted the sedan chair’s curtain, “It seems we’ve reached Caiqi Villa.”

Tang Shen, “Huh?”

“I remember when you first came to Shengjing five years ago, I often sent you pastries from Caiqi Villa. Back then, you were just a boy.” Wang Zhen looked at Tang Shen with gentle eyes, no longer filled with affection but more with tolerance and nostalgia. He said to the sedan bearers, “Go buy some pastries.”

The sedan chair stopped, and the bearers quickly returned with a package of warm pastries, handing them to Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen, “Do you still like pastries, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen instinctively replied, “Actually, I never really liked pastries.”

Wang Zhen was taken aback, “Is that so… Back then, I saw you eating quite a lot, so I thought you liked them.” He sealed the package again and chuckled lightly, “So it turns out you only ate them because I gave them to you. As the saying goes, ‘When an elder gives, one dare not refuse.’ You had no choice but to eat them every time?”

Tang Shen’s eyes widened. He suddenly realized he had said the wrong thing.

An ordinary person might not have read too much into Tang Shen’s words, but Wang Zhen immediately understood. Tang Shen had accepted all the pastries he had given him back then simply because he wanted to please Wang Zifeng and didn’t dare to reject his kindness. Wang Zhen was still giving Tang Shen face by attributing it to “an elder’s gift.”

Wang Zhen stored the pastries in a hidden compartment of the sedan chair and closed his eyes to rest, saying nothing more.

Outside the window, the snow fell heavier, and for some reason, the sedan bearers moved slower than usual.

Tang Shen’s heart was heavy. Finally, he couldn’t hold back and spoke, “Senior Brother…”

Wang Zhen acted as if he hadn’t heard.

“Senior Brother…”

Wang Zhen still didn’t open his eyes.

Tang Shen clenched his teeth and said, “Senior Brother Zi Feng!”

Wang Zhen opened his eyes, looking surprised, “What is it?”

Tang Shen, “Are you still angry with me?”

Wang Zhen’s elegant eyes widened in astonishment, “When was I ever angry with you?”

Tang Shen, “…Really?”

“Of course.”

The sedan chair continued forward, jolting slightly, causing the backs of their hands to brush against each other. Tang Shen’s body temperature was naturally higher, while Wang Zhen’s hand was slightly cold. The touch startled Tang Shen, but before he could react, Wang Zhen subtly moved his hand away.

Tang Shen’s heart plummeted into an icy abyss. It felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, chilling him to the bone in the midst of winter.

He suddenly realized something. Since returning from Jinling, Senior Brother had changed. It seemed… he no longer liked him.

Scenes from the past flashed before his eyes.

Five years ago, by the lotus pond, they had first met. Tang Shen had been eloquent and resourceful, doing everything he could to leave a deep impression on the other.

After that, it was this person who had guided him step by step in the treacherous world of officialdom, clearing the thorns from his path.

That was Wang Zifeng. How could he not know that Tang Shen had been using him all along?

He had known from the start.

From the very beginning, Tang Shen had intended to use Wang Zhen as a stepping stone to climb to great heights. However, fate had other plans. He came to respect and admire his senior brother, and he could no longer be that heartless, ungrateful person. He began to genuinely see Wang Zhen as his elder brother and close friend.

Who in this world had been kinder to him than Wang Zifeng?

At the Xuji Tower, it was this person who had said to him, “Comrades in the same school are called friends; those with the same aspirations are called companions.”

In Cizhou City, it was this person who, under the stars, had taken him in his arms and saved him from danger.

Wang Zifeng had once owned a painting he adored. He had treasured it, cherished it, and couldn’t bear to part with it. For many years, he had never made up his mind about the painting’s fate. Back then, Tang Shen had thought his senior brother was hiding some secret. Now he finally understood: he was that painting, and Wang Zhen was the one who was in love with the painting.

Wang Zhen had long harbored feelings for him, but this path ahead was fraught with difficulties. He couldn’t bear to drag Tang Shen into it, so he had endured for years, never revealing his true feelings.

For Tang Shen’s sake, he had endured for so long, yet Tang Shen had done nothing in return. Instead, he had repeatedly hurt this person’s heart.

Wang Zhen had asked him, “Did you see it? My sincere heart.”

Tang Shen’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

He had seen it long ago. For the past five years, day and night, he had seen Wang Zifeng’s sincere heart and how well he had treated him!

“Senior Brother…”

Wang Zhen still had his eyes closed and didn’t respond.

Tang Shen called out urgently, “Senior Brother!”

Wang Zhen was inwardly planning to open his eyes after one more call. He believed in moderation—teasing too much would backfire. He needed to proceed carefully.

Tang Shen whispered, “Wang Zifeng…”

Wang Zhen was slightly surprised. He sensed that he might have teased a bit too much this time. Just as he was about to open his eyes, a warm touch pressed against his cheek. All thoughts of strategy and planning vanished in an instant. Wang Zhen’s eyes flew open to see Tang Shen avoiding his gaze, lips tightly pressed, fingers clenched in his sleeves.

The moment Tang Shen kissed him, he regretted it.

If Wang Zhen really didn’t like him anymore, this would only shatter the delicate balance between them.

Sure enough, after being kissed, Wang Zhen didn’t show any signs of joy. He looked at Tang Shen expressionlessly. Tang Shen’s heart sank. He clenched his teeth and explained, “Senior Brother, don’t take it to heart. I was too impulsive. I… I didn’t expect this. Please don’t dwell on it.”

“Don’t take it to heart?”

Tang Shen, “Yes, Senior Brother, please don’t be angry…”

Wang Zhen suddenly laughed. He said joyfully, “Don’t take it to heart? How can I not take it to heart!”

“Tang Jingze, you’re mine now.”

Tang Shen looked up at Wang Zhen in shock, but before he could see clearly, a scorching kiss descended, silencing all his words.

Almost without any surprise, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Wang Zhen caressed Tang Shen’s lips while kissing him gently. He did it so effortlessly, so smoothly, it was almost infuriating. Tang Shen’s body stiffened, unsure of how to respond.

Finally, Wang Zhen released him but continued to stroke his lips with his fingers.

“I’m so happy.”

Tang Shen’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Wang Zhen said sincerely, “I had already given up hope, no longer daring to ask for more. I never expected you to say such things, to do such things… Jing Ze, how could I resist? Yes, I couldn’t resist.” After justifying himself, Wang Zhen leaned in to kiss him again, but a hand suddenly blocked his path.

Wang Zhen was slightly surprised, then he kissed Tang Shen’s palm instead. He looked up, “En?”

After the initial shock, Tang Shen’s sharp mind finally started working again.

He had only said one sentence, and Wang Zifeng had reacted like this, leaving no room for argument. How could this be the behavior of someone who didn’t like him? How could this be the same cold, indifferent person from before?

Tang Shen’s teeth ached with frustration. He glared at the man before him and asked, “Senior Brother, I suddenly have some questions. Could you answer them for me?”

Wang Zhen, “Oh? What questions?”

“Why were you so cold to me today?”

Wang Zhen looked astonished, “Cold? Was I? Why do you say that, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen: “…”

“Earlier, Senior Brother said you had given up hope and didn’t want to talk about…” Tang Shen paused, then continued, “Didn’t want to talk about us anymore.”

Wang Zhen sighed, his gaze sincere, “Yes, but I never expected that you also had feelings for me.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Tang Shen, “Then let me ask another question. Senior Brother said today that you gave me a ride because the snow was heavy and it was on your way?”

Wang Zhen’s smiling eyes rested on Tang Shen. He seemed to know what Tang Shen was going to say next, but he didn’t mind. Instead, he gently responded, “En.”

Tang Shen said indignantly, “On your way? Senior Brother, you probably don’t know this, but before I saw you, I had just come from the Ministry of Revenue. The officials there said you had gone to the palace! How could you be on your way? How could you go from the palace to the Censorate to give me a ride?”

Wang Zhen said delightedly, “Little Junior Brother, you went to the Ministry of Revenue? Were you looking for me?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Tang Shen, flustered and angry, exclaimed, “Wang Zifeng!!!”

Wang Zhen hugged him and laughed heartily, completely shedding the graceful demeanor of a nobleman. Even his brows and hair were filled with joy, an irrepressible joy. Unfortunately, Wang Zhen’s joy didn’t last long. No matter how slowly the sedan chair moved, it would eventually reach its destination.

Tang Shen broke free from his embrace and quickly got out of the sedan chair to head home. After taking just one step, he heard Wang Zhen’s voice behind him, “Little Junior Brother.”

Tang Shen turned around to see Wang Zhen holding the sedan chair’s curtain with one hand, looking at him with a gentle smile.

“Did you see the peony I gave you?”

Tang Shen was stunned.

Zhen and Wei, flowing wide and clear; men and women, holding orchids fair…

So the scholars and maidens, make sport together…

Gifting each other peonies.

Wang Zhen smiled leisurely. This time, he didn’t hide it from Tang Shen. Right in front of him, he said to the sedan bearers, “No need to walk so slowly anymore. Just go at a normal pace.”

The sedan bearers: “Yes.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Wang Zifeng, happy and carefree, drifted away. Tang Shen returned home in a daze. An hour later, Tang Shen looked up at the sky and sighed, “Wang Zifeng, Wang Zifeng, how could I have fallen for your tricks!”

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Tang Shen’s actions had proven a universal truth to the masses: Not a single punctuation mark in Wang Zifeng’s words could be trusted!

AN: Little Tang Lang: This is too much! Wang Zifeng, you’re too much!

Old Wang: To be honest, today’s events weren’t part of my plan. It’s because you love me too much, little Junior Brother.

Little Tang Lang: ???? I love you too much????

Old Wang [regretfully]: Yes, so I hadn’t even used many of my tactics before you willingly took the bait.

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The next day, Tang Shen saw Li Jingde among the officials receiving the Liao envoys.

General Li had once again shaved off his thick beard and was now dressed in the attire of a civil official, hiding behind Meng Lang. When he saw Tang Shen, he gave him a meaningful look but did not deliberately engage him in conversation.

Tang Shen sighed inwardly—look at Li Jingde, now he, too, had his own schemes! Whether it was being used by Tang Shen or being used by Meng Lang, in the end, he was still being used. The difference was that he could always find an excuse to pull a sack over Minister Lang’s head and give him a good beating, but he couldn’t do the same to Tang Shen. So this time, he went straight to Meng Lang instead of trying to get through Tang Shen.

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That day, negotiations between the envoys once again ended in discord.

After court, Tang Shen visited Su Wenyun again. This time, he recalled the distinctive features of the young Liao official, “His earlobes are thin, his left eye is slightly larger than his right, and he has a small black mole on his right cheek.”

Su Wenyun gave him a sidelong glance. “Tang daren may have an eidetic memory, but I do not.”

In other words, he had only seen Yelü Shege once in Xijin Prefecture—how could he remember so clearly?

Tang Shen realized his approach was lacking in consideration. He was just pondering how to confirm the man’s identity—should he take the risk of bringing Su Wenyun to see him in person? But before he could decide, Su Wenyun sneered and said, “Of course, Yelü Shege does have a small black mole on his right cheek.”

Tang Shen was startled. “But, Su daren, you just said you didn’t have an eidetic memory?”

Su Wenyun replied matter-of-factly, “So what? I may not have an eidetic memory, but I can certainly remember if Yelü Shege has a mole on his face.”

Tang Shen: “…”

This man was truly insufferable!

Now that he had confirmed the man was indeed Yelü Shege, Tang Shen quietly devised a plan.

He sought out Li Jingde privately and said bluntly, “Among the Liao envoys, one is actually the Second Prince of Liao, Yelü Shege.”

Li Jingde was shocked, rubbing his freshly shaved chin. “Really?”

Tang Shen nodded. “Yes. But before we continue, may I ask, General, why have you returned to the capital this time?”

Li Jingde hesitated for a moment before replying, “My return to Shengjing is actually unrelated to the arrival of the Liao envoys. It’s a personal matter, and it doesn’t concern you, Tang daren. There’s no need for you to ask. However, since I happened to encounter these shameless Liao officials, I decided to stay a few more days. Once they leave, I’ll return to Youzhou.”

So Li Jingde had other business in the capital?

Tang Shen was momentarily suspicious but then saluted and said, “From what you’re saying, General, it seems you’ve already accomplished what you came to do. Now you’re staying only for these envoys. In that case, I have a plan…”

That night, Tang Shen quietly entered the palace and met with the emperor in Funing Palace.

Zhao Fu looked much better. He sat on a soft couch, sipping bird’s nest porridge as he listened to Tang Shen’s report. When Tang Shen finished speaking, Zhao Fu took another sip of porridge, then gently placed his jade bowl on the yellow pearwood table. The delicate white jade bowl made a crisp sound as it touched the surface.

Zhao Fu sighed. “It seems the Liao people always like to send envoys during the coldest months of winter.”

Tang Shen lowered his head and replied calmly, “Liao is in the north. Once winter sets in, the land freezes three feet deep, making travel difficult. Our Great Song controls the Central Plains, vast and rich, with varied winter landscapes. It’s understandable that the Liao people would admire it.”

Hearing this, Zhao Fu burst into laughter.

As Tang Shen was leaving the palace, he was stopped at the palace gates.

He halted and saluted respectfully. “Greetings, Li daren.”

The man before him was none other than Li Xiaoren, the Chief Astronomer of the Astronomical Bureau.

As a third-rank official, Li Xiaoren outranked Tang Shen, who held a nominal fourth-rank title with actual third-rank authority. Li Xiaoren returned the greeting and then scrutinized Tang Shen with his beady eyes, smiling. “Tang daren, did you just come from His Majesty’s chambers?”

“Indeed.”

Li Xiaoren put on a concerned expression. “His Majesty’s recent cold has had me deeply worried. Fortunately, as the Son of Heaven, he is blessed by divine protection and has recovered swiftly.” Then, after a brief pause, he asked, “It has been a long time since I’ve seen Wang daren. Has he not returned from Jinling yet?”

For a moment, Tang Shen’s body tensed. He answered, “Not yet.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Li Xiaoren’s face, but he quickly resumed his conversation with Tang Shen. Originally just a Taoist priest from Qingyun Temple in Huaizhi Mountain, Li Xiaoren had risen to power through the emperor’s favor. Though he was barely literate, he was a master of flattery.

Since he seemed eager to establish rapport, Tang Shen saw an opportunity as well.

The two chatted for some time, and then a round-faced monk in a simple robe approached, led by a eunuch. Li Xiaoren immediately fell silent. When the monk reached them, he saluted calmly to both Li Xiaoren and Tang Shen. “Taoist Li.” He then turned to Tang Shen.

Tang Shen nodded slightly. “I am Tang Shen, Court Gentleman Consultant of the Imperial Censorate.”

The monk had a kind face and a serene voice. “Tang daren.”

Tang Shen returned the greeting. “Master Shanting.”

Shanting’s gaze lingered briefly on Tang Shen’s eyes. Tang Shen thought he was about to say something but, instead, the monk turned to Li Xiaoren and asked, “Taoist Li, are you also heading to Funing Palace to pray for His Majesty’s health?”

Li Xiaoren replied with a forced smile, “Indeed.”

“Then let us go together.”

Li Xiaoren pretended to be pleased. “That would be wonderful.”

With that, the two bid farewell to Tang Shen and proceeded to Funing Palace.

The next day, when Tang Shen visited the diplomatic residence again, Li Jingde was absent. Without his support, Meng Lang immediately became hesitant and found an excuse to postpone the discussions until the next day.

Meanwhile, Li Jingde was already on horseback, riding swiftly back to Youzhou.

Upon arriving in Youzhou, he did not go to the northwest military camp but headed straight to the Silver Pull Division, summoning Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao felt a sudden chill—he hadn’t offended this fearsome general, had he?

Li Jingde casually scratched his ear and asked, “I heard from Tang daren that the affairs of the Silver Pull Division are all under your management?”

Wang Xiao was instantly alarmed. He didn’t know how to respond.

Li Jingde wasn’t a Silver Pull Division official—he was the Marshal of the Western Expedition. Could Wang Xiao even discuss the empire’s secret agents in Liao? And just how much did Li Jingde already know?

Seeing Wang Xiao’s hesitation, Li Jingde slammed the table, feigning anger. “Do you think I would lie to you? Of course, Tang daren personally told me!”

Wang Xiao, “…Yes, this lower official is in charge.”

Li Jingde cut straight to the point. “Where is the Second Prince of Liao now?”

Wang Xiao thought to himself, General Li actually knows about their biggest spy planted in the Liao State—Xiao Zhen, the Left Minister under the command of the Liao Second Prince, Yelü Shege. It seems Li Jingde truly knows the inside story.

So he said, “Yelü Shege should be in Nanjing’s Xijin Prefecture.”

“He’s gone to Shengjing!”

“What?!”

Li Jingde’s eyes narrowed, and he beckoned Wang Xiao closer, whispering, “Even Xiao Zhen doesn’t know about this. It seems this is a secret operation, unknown to others. Yelü Shege sneaking into Shengjing must have some ulterior motive. Those Liao princes are fiercely competing, even using our Princess Anding as a pawn and getting her killed. Why not play along with their schemes? In that case, why not leak Yelü Shege’s whereabouts? Who in the Liao State hates Yelü Shege the most? It’s Yelü Yin, the former Grand Protector who was dismissed from office, and behind him, the third prince Yelü Han and Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding. Wang daren, do you know what to do now?”

Wang Xiao looked at Li Jingde in surprise. He hadn’t expected General Li to be both brave and resourceful, capable of turning the situation to their advantage with such a plan.

Wang Xiao immediately replied, “This lower official understands!”

Li Jingde nodded in satisfaction.

In Shengjing, Yelü Shege was in the guesthouse, secretly plotting with the Liao envoy Xiao Zhang. Unbeknownst to him, a secret letter had already been sent to Xijin Prefecture in the Liao State, hidden in a shipment of tea, and delivered to his subordinate, Left Minister Xiao Zhen.

Three days later, news of Yelü Shege’s absence from Xijin Prefecture spread throughout Nanjing, though no one knew where the rumor originated.

Xiao Zhen, panic-stricken, hurriedly sought out Yelü Qin to inform him. “Yelü daren, is it true that the Second Prince is not in Xijin Prefecture? Wasn’t he recovering from a hunting injury at your residence?”

Yelü Qin was equally shocked upon hearing this. “How could such rumors spread?”

Xiao Zhen exclaimed, “So the Second Prince really isn’t in Xijin Prefecture?”

Yelü Qin urgently replied, “No, he’s not! This is bad. His Highness came to Xijin Prefecture a month ago to recover from his injury, using it as an excuse to leave the capital and avoid the scandal involving the Fourth Prince and Princess Anding. Now that this news has reached Shangjing, even if His Majesty doesn’t inquire, Yelü Han and Yelü Ding will seize this opportunity to question the Second Prince’s whereabouts. This is critical. You’ve done well. I’ll go find the Second Prince immediately.”

Xiao Zhen anxiously said, “We mustn’t ruin the Second Prince’s plans!”

On the 27th of October, the first snow of the year fell in Shengjing.

The Liao envoys remained in the guesthouse, demanding an explanation from the Song Dynasty.

Tang Shen stepped out of the Censorate, opening his oil-paper umbrella, ready to step into the snow. Just then, the sedan chair of Imperial Counsellor Liu Dushan emerged from the gate. As a third-ranking official, Liu Dushan was Tang Shen’s superior. Tang Shen immediately stopped and saluted slightly in respect.

Liu Dushan noticed Tang Shen through the sedan chair’s curtain and called out, “Halt the chair.”

Tang Shen looked at him in surprise as Liu Dushan lifted the curtain and smiled, “Tang daren, are you heading home?”

Tang Shen replied, “Yes, daren.”

Liu Dushan glanced at the falling snow and remarked, “The snow is quite heavy. Why isn’t Tang daren taking a sedan chair?”

Tang Shen smiled wryly, “Daren must be teasing me. According to Song law, only third-ranking officials are allowed to use official sedan chairs.”

Liu Dushan was momentarily taken aback. “Ah, I forgot.”

It wasn’t entirely Liu Dushan’s fault. Everyone in the court knew that Tang Shen, despite holding a fourth-rank position, wielded the authority of a third-rank official. Due to his young age, Zhao Fu wouldn’t promote him too quickly, so he deliberately sent Yu Chaosheng to serve as the Left Deputy Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division, placing him on equal footing with Tang Shen and subtly elevating his status.

Liu Dushan said, “The Censorate and the Ministry of Revenue are quite close. Perhaps Tang daren could wait and return with Wang daren?”

Tang Shen was startled. “Senior Brother is back?!”

Liu Dushan smiled. Indeed, Tang Shen and Wang Zifeng were very close, as Tang Shen had instinctively referred to the other as “Senior Brother.”

Liu Dushan continued, “This official went to Qinzheng Hall at noon today and happened to run into Wang daren. It seems he just returned from Jinling Prefecture. The snow is heavy, so Minister Tang could also go directly to the Ministry of Revenue to find Wang daren.”

Tang Shen saluted in gratitude. Liu Dushan closed the sedan chair’s curtain and departed.

The snow fell heavily from the sky, and the biting cold wind cut through the air. Yet, Tang Shen’s heart burned with anticipation. He tightly gripped the umbrella handle, pondering for a long time in the snow. Finally, he made up his mind, turned around, and headed toward the Ministry of Revenue. Summoning great courage, he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, only to be told by a government worker, “The Minister left for the palace half an hour ago and hasn’t returned yet. It’s already past office hours, so the Minister might not come back to the Ministry today.”

The fiery anticipation in Tang Shen’s heart was instantly extinguished by the heavy snow.

He softly muttered, “Oh,” and silently turned back, holding his oil-paper umbrella.

The snow fell gently, softly landing on the umbrella, silent and serene. As Tang Shen approached the Censorate, he noticed a sedan chair parked at the entrance from a distance. He glanced at it briefly before lowering his gaze to the accumulating snow on the ground, feeling both calm and desolate.

As he reached the Censorate’s gate, a clear, gentle voice called out. Tang Shen’s heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he thought he had misheard and continued walking.

Until the voice, filled with amusement, called again, “Little Junior Brother.”

Tang Shen abruptly turned around. In the vast, white snow, Wang Zifeng stood beside a sedan chair, draped in a snow-white fox fur cloak, smiling at him. Snowflakes settled on his jet-black hair like delicate ornaments, making him appear both cold and radiant, a striking contrast of black and white.

Tang Shen stood frozen, staring at Wang Zhen in the distance.

Seeing him like this, Wang Zhen sighed inwardly. How could he bear to see him distressed?

He reached out his hand and said softly, “Come here, Jing Ze.”

Tang Shen stood still, as if he hadn’t heard, and didn’t move.

Wang Zhen gazed at him with a quiet intensity. After a long while, he finally conceded. He let out a long sigh, then stepped forward and took Tang Shen’s hand, holding the umbrella for him as he led him into the sedan chair.

The warm air inside the sedan chair jolted Tang Shen awake. He realized he was now sitting beside Wang Zhen, their hands still clasped in the confined space.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen instinctively tried to pull away. “Senior Brother…” His voice trailed off as he realized Wang Zhen had already released his hand without any resistance.

Tang Shen slowly looked up at Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen smiled at him, as gentle as ever, and said softly, “I happened to pass by the Censorate. The snow is heavy, so I thought I’d give you a ride.”

AN: Little Tang Lang: Has my senior brother… stopped liking me?

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At the end of October, Zhao Fu fell ill again, suspending the morning court sessions.

Li Xiaoren, the Chief Astronomer of the Astronomical Bureau, and the monk Shanting prayed daily for the emperor’s health in Funing Palace. Throughout the palace, one could see Taoist priests in their robes and bald-headed monks in their cassocks.

This time, Zhao Fu’s illness struck fiercely. Apart from a few top-ranking officials, no other officials were granted an audience. Not even Tang Shen or Su Wenyun could see Zhao Fu.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

One day, Tang Shen returned home from the Censorate to find Accountant Lin, Yao San, and Tang Huang going over the account books.

Upon seeing Tang Shen, the three immediately handed him the books. Tang Shen flipped through them casually and was surprised to find that this quarter’s profits had increased by nearly twenty percent compared to usual. He called Tang Huang into the study and, after careful questioning, learned that the additional profit wasn’t due to increased revenue but rather reduced costs.

“I’ve been thinking, our biggest business is Baibao Pavilion. Now, the Xixia Pavilion has opened branches in Gusu, Jinling, and even Shengjing, with another branch in the capital. But Baibao Pavilion is different—it’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Only in Shengjing can we attract so many customers. To reduce costs, I thought about hiring more people.”

Tang Shen already understood what his sister had done but still asked, “Wouldn’t hiring more people increase labor costs?”

Tang Huang replied, “But efficiency would also improve.” She brought out an abacus, clicking the beads to demonstrate, “Take the glass workshop, for example. We’ve already tried to divide the labor among the craftsmen. But if one craftsman handles all the raw material preparation, he can only produce one barrel of material a day. If we assign one craftsman to grind the inkstone, another to mix the materials, and a third to check the proportions, the three of them can produce three barrels of material a day. The profit from this far outweighs the wages paid to the three craftsmen.”

At sixteen, Tang Huang had grown into a young woman, no longer resembling the fierce girl from Zhao Family Village who jealously protected her fruit juice and chased away thugs. Yet, as Tang Shen looked at his sister, he felt she had become even stronger.

After a long silence, Tang Shen asked, “Did Brother Yao find what I asked him to look for earlier?”

Tang Huang sighed, “No. It’s probably gone in the Song Dynasty, or no one has discovered it yet. We’ll have to look in the Liao State.”

The siblings chatted for a while longer before bidding each other goodnight and parting ways.

Naturally, Tang Shen didn’t tell Tang Huang about the spies he had planted in the Liao State. This wasn’t exactly using public resources for private gain. Qiao Jiu was a merchant, and having him search for something in the Liao State wasn’t difficult, but Tang Shen decided against it.

However, Tang Shen didn’t expect that the very night he discussed the Liao State with Tang Huang, an urgent secret report would arrive in Shengjing the next morning.

The courier had exhausted two fast horses, delivering the secret report to the palace in a state of exhaustion. That afternoon, Tang Shen and Su Wenyun received a confidential letter from Wang Xiao. The letter contained only a brief sentence, but upon reading it, both were shocked and incredulous, exchanging uneasy glances.

The next day, the matter could no longer be concealed.

Three days prior, in the Liao capital of Shangjing, Princess Anding was caught in an affair with the Liao Emperor’s fourth son, Yelü Longzhen, by the emperor himself. Yelü Longzhen was exiled from the palace, while Princess Anding was whipped a hundred times and beaten to death. The Liao Emperor then turned his wrath on the Song Dynasty, sending an envoy who would soon arrive in Shengjing.

Princess Anding was the princess Zhao Fu had sent to the Liao State for a political marriage a year earlier.

The Ninth Prince had passed away many years ago, and the princess from his household had long been neglected by Zhao Fu. The only time Zhao Fu remembered her was when he sent her to the Liao State for the marriage alliance. He bestowed upon her the title “Princess Anding,” but this time, there was no peace to be found—she had caused a major scandal.

Zhao Fu was still ill and unable to attend court, but he summoned several high-ranking officials to Funing Palace for a lengthy discussion.

Left Prime Minister Ji Wengji stepped out of the Funing Palace gates, pausing to gaze at the vast blue sky. Right Prime Minister Wang Quan walked past him, stopping to ask, “What are you looking at, Prime Minister Ji?”

Ji Wengji averted his gaze, “Just looking around, nothing important, Prime Minister Wang.”

Behind them, Chen Linghai, Xu Bi, and others also exited the palace.

Ji Wengji let out a long sigh and left with a flick of his sleeve.

That night, Tang Shen and Su Wenyun entered the palace together to report the truth about Princess Anding’s scandal in the Liao imperial harem.

Zhao Fu lay on his pillow, his eyes slightly closed, listening to Tang Shen’s report.

After Tang Shen finished, Zhao Fu spoke in a low, weak voice, “According to Jing Ze, this niece of mine may not have actually done anything. A false accusation is easy to make—she was merely a pretext for someone to eliminate the Liao Fourth Prince?”

Tang Shen remained silent.

Zhao Fu asked, “Fei Ran, what do you think?”

Su Wenyun lowered his peach-blossom eyes, bowed, and said bluntly, “Princess Anding was a princess of Great Song. Whether she truly committed any wrongdoing is known only to the deceased princess, her executed maid, and the Fourth Prince of Liao, who has been stripped of his title. The truth no longer matters. What is crucial is the arrival of the Liao envoy in two days.”

Zhao Fu’s eyes drooped, and he said softly, “The Liao Emperor has only four sons. Now that one is gone, only three remain. Just like me.”

Tang Shen and Su Wenyun bowed their heads in silence.

Two days later, the Liao envoy arrived in the capital.

Zhao Fu was still unable to attend court, so the task of receiving the Liao envoy fell once again to the Minister of Rites, Meng Lang. Fortunately, the Liao Emperor had not sent a prince this time, so the three Song princes, who were not in the capital, did not need to return to receive the envoy.

Tang Shen was naturally assigned by Zhao Fu to join the envoy’s reception team, while Su Wenyun, having previously been exposed in the Liao State, feigned illness and stayed home, no longer leaving his residence.

This time, the Liao envoy was even more arrogant than the previous year.

A year ago, the Liao State, relying on its military strength, had attacked Youzhou City and then blamed the Song Dynasty for it. That time, their actions were unjustified. Now, with the scandal of Princess Anding, the Liao Emperor was furious. As soon as the Liao envoys saw Meng Lang, they berated him, “Is this how you Song people apologize? No wonder you have such a licentious princess! The behavior of Song people is disgraceful!”

Every Song official present was shocked and angered by these words, but the Liao envoys were so arrogant that even Meng Lang could do nothing about them.

Meng Lang tried his best to placate the envoys, waiting for Zhao Fu’s health to improve so he could seek guidance on how to handle the situation.

After seeing off the cursing Liao envoys, Meng Lang returned to Qinzheng Hall, sighing, “What are we to do?”

Tang Shen followed behind him, keeping his head down, equally helpless.

The next day, Tang Shen found some free time and accompanied Meng Lang to the guesthouse to receive the Liao envoys.

This time, the Liao envoy was not Yelü Qin but another tall, thin Southern official named Xiao Zhang. Xiao Zhang spoke harshly to Meng Lang, showing no respect for the second-rank official. Meng Lang, already seething with anger, finally responded with a smile, “May I ask, where is our Great Song’s Princess Anding now?”

Xiao Zhang was taken aback, “That adulterous princess was naturally beaten to death by our Liao Emperor and thrown out of the palace.”

Meng Lang stepped forward, furious, “A princess of Great Song cannot be dealt with so casually! Even if she married into the Liao State and committed a grave crime, she should have been handed over to our Ministry of Justice for trial. At the very least, where is her body? No one has seen her alive or dead. The Liao Emperor’s claim that ‘the princess committed adultery in the harem’ is a flimsy excuse. There is no justice in this!”

Xiao Zhang, “You…!”

Meng Lang said, “I will take my leave now. I hope the Liao envoy can provide a detailed explanation tomorrow.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

The Song officials followed Meng Lang out of the guesthouse, glaring at the Liao envoys as they left, venting their anger.

Tang Shen also pretended to feel vindicated, scanning the dozen or so Liao envoys in the guesthouse. Suddenly, his gaze paused on a young man standing behind Xiao Zhang. After Meng Lang left, Xiao Zhang leaned over and whispered something in the young man’s ear.

This wasn’t particularly unusual, but Tang Shen felt that Xiao Zhang seemed to be seeking the young man’s opinion.

The scene felt familiar. Tang Shen pondered it after returning home, and suddenly it hit him—

Half a year ago, when he had secretly gone to the Liao State, wasn’t this exactly how Qiao Jiu had spoken to him?

Tang Shen immediately had a thought. Under the cover of night, he quietly went to Su Wenyun’s residence. Su Wenyun, upon seeing him, teased, “Tang daren gracing my humble abode truly brings it honor. To what do I owe this visit?”

Tang Shen got straight to the point, describing the young man he had seen at the guesthouse and sharing his suspicions.

Su Wenyun’s expression changed. After a moment of thought, he asked, “The Liao State rarely has young high-ranking officials. Xiao Zhang is already a third-ranking official in the Liao court. Anyone above him is at least thirty years old. This person is definitely not a Liao official.”

The two exchanged glances.

Tang Shen, “Which prince is it?”

Su Wenyun, “Describe his appearance.”

Tang Shen, “Fair-skinned, handsome, not as burly and muscular as other Liao officials, more like a scholar from our Great Song. However, his demeanor was sinister, with a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes, suggesting he has blood on his hands.”

Su Wenyun was momentarily stunned, then sneered, “This person is almost certainly the Liao State’s Second Prince, Yelü Shege!”

Tang Shen quickly asked, “Why would he come here?”

Su Wenyun pondered for a long time before looking up and asking, “You mentioned earlier that the Liao envoy came to the capital to condemn the Great Song for sending Princess Anding to the Liao State. Besides that, did they make any other demands?”

“Nothing more than ceding territory and paying reparations. Ceding territory is out of the question, and the reparations are still under discussion. Apart from that…” Tang Shen paused, “The Liao State also wants to marry another princess!”

Could Yelü Shege’s secret visit to Shengjing be related to the princess the Liao Emperor wants to marry?

Tang Shen was baffled, and Su Wenyun couldn’t figure it out either.

As Tang Shen was leaving, Su Wenyun said, “By the way, Tang daren, did Minister Meng show great courage at the guesthouse today, no longer fearing the Liao envoys?”

Tang Shen was startled. During their conversation, he hadn’t mentioned what had happened at the guesthouse earlier.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen remained silent, but Su Wenyun, seeing his expression, already knew the answer. He scoffed, “Aren’t you curious why?”

Tang Shen, “Why?”

“A year ago, Meng Lang suddenly gained confidence because someone secretly returned to Shengjing to back him up. What else could it be now?” Su Wenyun snorted, “A certain someone has secretly snuck back again.”

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Feng Bi led Wang Zhen all the way to the door of Tang Shen’s bedroom.

Fortunately, the young page boy was still sensible. Although he dared not refuse to lead the way under Wang Zhen’s authority, when he reached the door, he knocked and alerted Tang Shen, “Gongzi, Wang daren is here. We’re coming in.”

As soon as the door was pushed open, sunlight poured into the room, accompanied by a faint mist of incense. The room was filled with thick smoke from heavily scented candles, which were prone to producing smoke. Feng Bi was momentarily stunned. Just a quarter of an hour ago, the room had been empty. How had it become so smoky in such a short time? What was his gongzi up to?

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Tang Shen lay in bed, coughing heavily. “Come in.”

Feng Bi bowed and stepped aside to let Wang Zhen enter.

Wang Zhen stood at the door, looking at the thick smoke in the room. He smiled slightly, then stepped inside.

The room was eerily quiet, except for Tang Shen’s occasional coughs. The room wasn’t large, but the white smoke obscured everything, making it seem vast and ethereal. Wang Zhen followed the sound to Tang Shen’s bedside. He looked down and saw Tang Shen’s flushed face, his hand covering his mouth as he tried to suppress a cough. Then, with a violent cough, Tang Shen removed his hand, revealing a palm stained with bright red.

Wang Zhen was momentarily panicked, taking a step forward anxiously before suddenly stopping.

He stared directly into Tang Shen’s clear eyes, feeling both amused and helpless.

Tang Shen struggled to sit up. “I caught a cold and suddenly fell very ill. I won’t get up to greet you, Senior Brother. Please leave quickly so I don’t pass my illness to you.”

Wang Zhen spoke sincerely, “What are you saying, little Junior Brother? We’re both away from home, and we’re fellow disciples. As your elder, how can I not care for you when you’re sick?”

Tang Shen thought to himself: You’re my elder? But you clearly don’t want to be just my elder.

Wang Zhen sat by the bed, observing the color on Tang Shen’s face and the red stain on his palm.

Tang Shen didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, afraid that Wang Zhen would notice something amiss. He had filled the room with smoke to obscure the details and hide the fact that he was feigning illness. But what he didn’t know was that holding his breath and no longer coughing created a stark contrast to his earlier fit of coughing.

After a long while, Wang Zhen reached out his hand.

Tang Shen’s heart skipped a beat.

Wang Zhen caressed Tang Shen’s cheek, his fingers gently tracing the contours.

Tang Shen’s heart raced under the touch, and even without the rouge, his face would have been flushed. After a moment, Wang Zhen looked at his fingertips, then showed them to Tang Shen, smiling. “It’s red.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Wang Zhen put on a concerned expression and earnestly explained, “Could it be that you accidentally smeared blood on your face when you coughed earlier?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Please, stop talking!

The saying “covering one’s ears while stealing a bell” came to mind. After his little scheme was exposed, Tang Shen simply closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything. Wang Zhen watched him silently, then continued to smile as he gently caressed Tang Shen’s face. From his delicate brows to his small, tender earlobes, and then to his lips. As soon as Wang Zhen’s finger lightly touched his lips, Tang Shen turned his head away, avoiding the touch and leaving Wang Zhen’s hand hanging in mid-air.

Wang Zhen was momentarily stunned. After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.

“Little Junior Brother.”

Tang Shen didn’t dare to respond.

Wang Zhen called again, “Little Junior Brother.”

Tang Shen still didn’t speak.

After a while, Wang Zhen’s voice deepened, “Tang Jingze.”

Tang Shen’s heart tightened. He felt an intense gaze on him and opened his eyes to see Wang Zhen looking at him calmly, his eyes serene and unreadable. In that moment, Tang Shen’s heart ached sharply. He had avoided this for so many days, hidden for so long, but he still couldn’t escape it.

Tang Shen whispered, “En…”

Wang Zhen, “Do you see it?”

Tang Shen, “What?”

Wang Zhen said mildly, “My sincere heart.”

Tang Shen’s pupils contracted. He opened his mouth but found himself speechless.

Seeing Tang Shen’s expression, Wang Zhen understood everything. He laughed at himself and said, “You naturally understand. Like when we first met, you knew who I was but pretended not to.” He pressed his hand against Tang Shen’s chest, and through the thin blanket, Tang Shen felt as if his heartbeat had stopped. “Are you afraid of me?”

Tang Shen couldn’t utter a single word.

Wang Zhen, “Or are you afraid of yourself?!”

The deepest part of his heart had been ruthlessly exposed. Tang Shen trembled all over. “Senior Brother!”

Wang Zhen pressed his index finger against Tang Shen’s lips and softly said, “Shh. You don’t need to say anything. I already understand everything. Your answer has been clear to me all along, but I didn’t dare to believe it, nor did I want to.” Wang Zhen smiled gently, but no one could say he was happy. He tried to speak in a cheerful tone, “How could I ever force you?”

Tang Shen felt his scalp tingle under Wang Zhen’s gaze. He desperately wanted to say, “Senior Brother, I’m not like that,” but the words wouldn’t come out. Wang Zhen’s finger on his lips felt like the Five-Finger Mountain pressing down on the Monkey King, burning his heart and making his eyes red.

Wang Zhen sighed softly. With the finger stained by rouge, he gently traced Tang Shen’s eyebrows. His movements were tender and lingering, like a husband painting his wife’s eyebrows.

“After finishing her makeup, she whispers to her husband, ‘Are the depths of my brows in fashion?'”

“Since you’re sick, rest well and don’t overexert yourself.”

Wang Zhen stood up and left. Tang Shen lay in bed for a while, then suddenly got up and rushed out the door, wanting to chase after Wang Zhen. But Wang Zhen moved too quickly this time. Tang Shen hesitated for just a moment, and Wang Zhen’s sedan chair was already out of sight. Tang Shen stood at the door, staring blankly at the empty alley. He even thought about going to the Minister Residence right then to tell Wang Zhen that even if they couldn’t be together, he still respected and admired Wang Zifeng more than anyone.

But Tang Shen didn’t dare to go.

The next day, before the morning court session, Tang Shen quietly went to the palace where high-ranking officials gathered. He craned his neck, looking for Wang Zhen, but several ministers filed out, and Wang Zhen was nowhere to be seen. After the court session ended, Tang Shen searched again but still couldn’t find Wang Zhen.

Tang Shen wondered, did Senior Brother take leave and not attend court today?

After the morning court session, Tang Shen didn’t go to the Censorate but instead went to Qinzheng Hall. He hesitated at the door for a long time before finally knocking and entering. This room was shared by Wang Zhen and the Minister of Rites, Meng Lang. Wang Zhen’s seat was empty, but Meng Lang was inside. Seeing Tang Shen, Meng Lang was surprised. “Tang daren? I recall you’re not assigned to Qinzheng Hall now.” Then, his eyes flickered. “Are you here to see Wang daren?”

Tang Shen forced himself to say, “Yes, this lower official has something to discuss with the Minister of Revenue.”

Meng Lang, unaware of the recent complications between the two fellow disciples, laughed heartily. “What bad timing! Didn’t you know? Last night, Wang daren submitted a request to the palace, apparently he is returning home to visit his family. He left the city last night.”

Tang Shen, “What?!”

Tang Shen went to the Ministry of Revenue and the Minister Residence, but the answer was the same.

Wang Zhen had truly left the capital and returned to Jinling!

Tang Shen collapsed into a chair, dumbfounded.

“He’s angry with me. He must be angry with me.”

“But I didn’t do anything wrong. Should I really be with him? But… but that shouldn’t be!”

A day later, Tang Shen thought to himself, I didn’t do anything wrong. I just couldn’t bear to reject Senior Brother to his face.

Another day passed, and Tang Shen thought again: No, I was wrong. No matter what, I shouldn’t have feigned illness to deceive him, or used rouge to fake blood. He must have been heartbroken when he saw that.

Three days later, Tang Shen had an epiphany: He has been so good to me. He knew I was investigating Mr. Liang’s death and the palace coup thirty-one years ago, but instead of exposing or stopping me, he helped me. He told our teacher that he wanted to clear the obstacles ahead of me and remove the worries behind me. Yet, I ungratefully deceived him.

“Senior Brother…”

“Wang Zifeng!”

In Jinling, Jiangnan, the Wang family of Langya.

Since Wang Zhen topped the imperial examinations twelve years ago and became an official in the capital, he rarely returned to Jinling except during the New Year, and even then, he never stayed long. The children of the Wang family, far from reproach, had grown accustomed to playing around, doing just enough to get by with their studies, as the two powerful officials in the family, Wang Quan and Wang Zhen, were rarely home.

But now, Wang Zhen had suddenly returned.

The Wang children all wore bitter expressions, dressed in their crow black robes. They were punished with extra homework if they misspoke during meals, their lives had truly become miserable.

Wang Hui, Wang Zhen’s fourth uncle, brought a pot of fine Biluochun tea to Wang Zhen’s courtyard. The uncle and nephew chatted over tea.

Wang Hui, knowing he was just a merchant and no match for the cunning of officials, got straight to the point, “Zi Feng, you’ve been home for five days. Aren’t you going back to the capital? Is there nothing urgent in the court?” If you don’t go back, not only will the children suffer, but even I, your uncle, won’t have a comfortable life!

Wang Zhen, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been home. Do you think I’ve stayed too long, Fourth Uncle?” He put on a hurt expression.

Wang Hui cursed inwardly, “Yeah, right, you’re such a good actor,” but outwardly he said, “Of course not. It’s just that you’re usually so busy with official duties. How do you have time to rest at home for so long this time?”

“I’m not entirely resting.”

Wang Hui was puzzled. “Oh?”

Wang Zhen uttered simply, “Gusu.”

Wang Hui immediately understood. He lowered his voice and whispered, “Is your return related to what the Second Prince is trying to do in Gusu?” Wang Hui knew a thing or two about the Military Silver Exchange Bank, so he quickly made the connection.

Wang Zhen smiled leisurely but didn’t answer.

Wang Hui now understood the real reason for Wang Zhen’s return. On the surface, it was a family visit, but in reality, he was arranging matters in Gusu. Well, in that case, he couldn’t rush Wang Zhen to leave. The children would just have to suffer a bit longer.

Wang Hui then thought of something. “By the way, how are things with that Tang Jingze? It’s been two years, and there’s still no progress.” This isn’t like you.

Wang Zhen’s hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly. He lowered his eyes and said, “This trip home is also related to him.”

Wang Hui, “Huh?”

Wang Zhen, “If it’s always sweet and affectionate, how can there be contrast? How can he realize how important I am to him?”

Wang Hui, being a shrewd man, especially in matters of love, immediately understood. He laughed and said, “Zi Feng, you’re not wrong, but could you really bear to do this? Your little junior brother is far away in the capital, probably missing you so much that he can’t eat or sleep, wishing he could fly to Jinling to find you. Can you bear to see him like this?”

Wang Zhen let out a long sigh and set down his teacup.

“Whether I’m willing or not, whether I can bear it or not, what does it matter? He clearly has feelings for me. I can see the affection in his eyes, but he just can’t figure it out and refuses to admit it.”

Seeing Wang Zhen express his emotions so openly was a rare sight. Wang Hui was thrilled and couldn’t help but stare.

Wang Zhen glanced sideways at him and said gently, “Fourth Uncle.”

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Wang Hui shrank back, coughed, and stood up. “I just remembered there’s something I need to attend to at the shop. I’ll take my leave.” As he reached the courtyard gate, Wang Zhen called out to him again. Wang Hui turned back. “Yes? Is there something else, Zi Feng?”

Wang Zhen paused, then said, “I’ll return to the capital in ten days.”

Wang Hui was stunned. “Alright.”

After leaving Wang Zhen’s courtyard, Wang Hui couldn’t help but sigh. “You say you’re willing, that you can bear it? But in the end, you still can’t bear to see him distressed!”

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Tang Shen returned from his search for the book, but Fu Wei neither saw the book nor the page boy Wen Shu. He asked, “Has that little boy gone off to play again?”

Tang Shen smiled and defended Wen Shu, “Sir, you guessed wrong. We searched for a long time but couldn’t find it. Wen Shu then called for Fu Qin, and only then did we learn that the book had been moved from your study a few days ago when you were admiring the flowers. It was placed in the garden. So Wen Shu and Fu Qin went to look for it, and I came back first.”

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Not long after, Wen Shu and Fu Qin indeed returned with the book.

Fu Wei opened the poetry collection and, after discussing it with his two students, he pointed at Wang Zhen and said to Tang Shen, “Your senior brother just said he’s drunk.”

Wang Zhen, holding a wine cup, continued to drink one cup after another, as if he hadn’t heard Fu Wei’s words.

Tang Shen, “Senior Brother is drunk?”

Wang Zhen looked at him and smiled softly.

Fu Wei waved his sleeve and said, “Enough, enough, let’s end it here for today. You help your senior brother back and take him home. I don’t want the news of the Minister of Revenue being drunk on the streets to spread all over Shengjing City tomorrow. I can’t bear the embarrassment!”

Tang Shen immediately stepped forward, supporting Wang Zhen’s arm, and led him out of the Fu Residence.

Wang Zhen seemed truly drunk. As soon as he got into the carriage, he closed his eyes, his head tilted slightly, and soon rested on Tang Shen’s shoulder. Tang Shen’s body stiffened for a moment, but then he lifted the carriage curtain and said to the driver, “Go to the Minister Residence first.”

Throughout the journey, Wang Zhen remained asleep with his eyes closed, and Tang Shen dared not move, afraid of waking him. When they were almost at the Minister Residence, the steward was already waiting outside.

Tang Shen, “Senior Brother seems drunk, so I brought him back.”

The steward was shocked, glancing in surprise at Wang Zhen resting on Tang Shen’s shoulder, then at Tang Shen. He slowly bowed and said, “Thank you, Tang gongzi.” The steward quickly had someone help Wang Zhen inside, and Tang Shen then got back into the carriage to go home.

However, he didn’t know that as soon as the Minister Residence gate closed behind him, Wang Zhen, who had been “unconscious from drunkenness,” suddenly opened his eyes and stood up straight.

Seeing this, the steward thought to himself, “As expected.”

The steward had been taking care of Wang Zhen for over ten years, ever since Wang Zhen came to Shengjing. He had never seen Wang Zhen drunk. Firstly, Wang Zhen had a good tolerance for alcohol and rarely got drunk; secondly, given Wang Zhen’s cautious nature and character, he disliked losing control. Being drunk was something Wang Zhen would never allow himself.

Wang Zhen reached into his robe and pulled out a thin music score. This was what Tang Shen had quickly slipped into his robe while he was asleep in the carriage. It must have been a gift for his twenty-ninth birthday.

The music score was a rare manuscript from the previous dynasty, extremely valuable. Wang Zhen stared at it for a while, then sighed wistfully. He said, “Prepare some sobering soup.”

The steward was surprised: “Gongzi is drunk?” It didn’t seem so; his eyes were clear, and he walked steadily.

Wang Zhen shook his head and smiled softly.

“It’s not the wine that intoxicates; it’s the person who gets themselves drunk.”

On the other side, after Tang Shen returned home, his page boy Feng Bi had been waiting for him with a lamp. Since Tang Shen had to attend the morning court the next day, he always went to bed before xu shi (7-9 PM). Feng Bi noticed the smell of alcohol on Tang Shen and thoughtfully asked, “Gongzi, would you like some sobering soup?”

“…Yes.”

Soon, Feng Bi brought over the sobering soup that Aunt Yao had prepared earlier and placed it on the desk in the study. Tang Shen held a book in his right hand, staring at it intently. But after a long time, he hadn’t turned a single page. After a while, Feng Bi reminded him, “Gongzi, the soup will get cold.”

Tang Shen snapped out of his daze, softly acknowledging, and then reached for the sobering soup.

Feng Bi exclaimed, “Gongzi, that’s the brush holder, you’ve got the wrong thing.”

As if struck by a sudden realization, Tang Shen came to his senses. His hand trembled, and the porcelain brush holder fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. Feng Bi hurriedly cleaned up the mess, while Tang Shen opened his mouth but said nothing. After a moment, he said, “You can leave, Feng Bi.”

Feng Bi, puzzled, collected the broken pieces and left the study.

Tang Shen put down the book he had been staring at for half an hour without reading a single word. His fingers clenched tightly, then relaxed. He took a deep breath.

He had never thought…

That his senior brother had such feelings for him!

No, or rather, a month ago, that night at the Minister Residence, when Wang Zhen kissed his eyes through the back of his hand. Before that night, he had never entertained such thoughts, never dared to. After that night, he had begun to suspect, so he avoided Wang Zhen, dodged him. He deceived himself, telling himself that perhaps he was overthinking it, that such a thing couldn’t be possible.

But today, what he heard at the Fu Residence made it impossible for him to continue deceiving himself.

The reason Wang Zhen, nearing thirty, had never married wasn’t because he was impotent or couldn’t find a suitable woman, but because he liked men, because he hadn’t found the man who stirred his heart!

Tang Shen’s heart trembled violently, his mouth dry, his entire being shaken by this sudden realization.

Six months ago, in Youzhou, he had convinced Su Wenyun that Wang Zhen wasn’t a homosexual. But Su Wenyun didn’t know that at the same time, Tang Shen had also been convinced by the other’s words.

Tang Shen closed his eyes, refusing to think about it anymore. But as soon as he shut his eyes, all he could see was Wang Zhen.

Tang Shen picked up the bowl of sobering soup and drank it all in one go. Yet, he felt even more intoxicated, his mind foggy, but unable to sleep.

Another night passed with his eyes open until dawn.

The next day, after the morning court session, Tang Shen only worked for half a day before taking leave to rest at home.

During the morning court, he had glanced at Wang Zhen from afar. They no longer worked in the same office, so their chances of meeting were few. As long as they avoided each other during the morning court, nothing awkward would happen. Wang Zhen appeared calm and normal, seemingly unaware that Tang Shen had overheard those words the previous night.

After avoiding him for two days, in mid-October, Tang Shen received a letter from his hometown in Gusu.

The letter was from Tang Shen’s uncle, Tang juren. He first congratulated Tang Shen on his promotion, then mentioned some family matters. For example, Madam Tang had fallen seriously ill the previous month, but fortunately, a skilled doctor had cured her, so Tang Shen need not worry.

At the end of the letter, Tang juren wrote: “At the beginning of September, the Second Prince arrived in Gusu as the Defense Commissioner. The Governor held a banquet to welcome him, and I was honored to be among the guests. A few days ago, a strange new establishment called the Military Silver Exchange Bank was set up in Gusu. I thought it had nothing to do with the Tang family, but on the sixth, the Second Prince decided to expand the Military Silver Exchange Bank and invited all the local gentry and wealthy families in Gusu to oversee its operations.”

Reading this, Tang Shen was quite surprised.

Most people didn’t know what the Military Silver Exchange Bank was, and even Su Wenyun and Yu Chaosheng might not fully understand it, but Tang Shen did. Two years ago, powerful ministers had tried to promote “paper currency” under the guise of the Revenue And Expenditure Department, but it ended in disaster. The current Silver Pull Division, or the Military Silver Exchange Bank, was a new cover for the “paper currency” initiative.

The Military Silver Exchange Bank had been progressing smoothly, and all officials involved, including Wang Zhen and Tang Shen, had received the emperor’s praise. The next step for the Bank would be to truly implement “paper currency.” The timing and method would be carefully managed by Wang Zhen, who would find the most opportune moment to introduce it.

But why would the Second Prince, Zhao Shang, suddenly want to get involved in the Military Silver Exchange Bank?

Tang Shen was puzzled. A few days later, when he learned that the other two princes also wanted to take on some responsibilities and make achievements in their respective posts, he suddenly understood: Zhao Shang might not know what the Military Silver Exchange Bank was really about. He simply wanted to make a political achievement to impress the emperor and outshine his two brothers. That’s why he chose the Military Silver Exchange Bank.

This matter was neither too significant nor too trivial.

After all, Zhao Shang was a prince, not just a minor defense commissioner of Gusu. If he truly wanted to interfere with the Military Silver Exchange Bank, it was unlikely that anyone would dare to stop him. If Zhao Shang were to cause any trouble, it wouldn’t just be a matter of him losing his chance at the throne in the future; it would also ruin the elaborate plan that Wang Zhen had been setting up for two years.

Tang Shen knew that he should inform Wang Zhen about this and remind him to take some precautions. However, he was currently too afraid to see Wang Zhen. He couldn’t bring himself to reject his senior brother, but he also couldn’t accept the other’s feelings.

After much contemplation, Tang Shen came up with an idea.

He deliberately found out that Wang Zhen had been summoned to the palace by Zhao Fu on a certain day. So, after finishing his duties, Tang Shen hurried to Wang Zhen’s residence before he returned.

The steward said, “Tang gongzi, our young master hasn’t returned yet. Please wait in the flower hall.”

Tang Shen often visited Wang Zhen’s residence, and many times the two would simply share a meal together. Their residences were close, making it convenient for them to visit each other. It was common for Tang Shen to arrive while Wang Zhen was still out, so the steward didn’t think much of it and simply invited Tang Shen inside.

However, this time Tang Shen hesitated and said, “I have other matters to attend to today. Since my senior brother isn’t back yet, I won’t disturb him. I have a letter for him. Could you please deliver it for me?”

The steward was slightly surprised but took the letter.

An hour later, Wang Zhen returned home and heard about Tang Shen’s visit and his refusal to stay. He raised an eyebrow, opened the letter, and began to read. Seeing that Tang Shen had subtly informed him about the Second Prince’s apparent interest in interfering with the Military Silver Exchange Bank in Gusu, Wang Zhen was momentarily stunned. He stared at the letter for a long time without speaking.

After a while, he sighed and said, “He did this on purpose.”

The steward, standing nearby, was puzzled.

Wang Zhen asked, “When he visited today, was he wearing his official robes or casual clothes?”

The steward replied, “Official robes.”

Wang Zhen said, “You see, if he truly intended to visit, why would he come in his official robes? He had no intention of staying long; he just wanted to deliver the letter. He knew full well that I wouldn’t be home, so he prepared the letter in advance.” After a pause, Wang Zhen suddenly stood up, looking surprised. “Such an important matter shouldn’t have been conveyed through a letter alone. Even during the times he avoided me, he should have understood the urgency of the situation and not handled it so carelessly.”

After pacing back and forth in the hall, Wang Zhen said firmly, “He must have found out. He’s no longer doubting or guessing; he’s certain. How did he suddenly become so sure?”

After a long while, Wang Zhen laughed wryly and said, “So he heard everything that evening!”

The next day, just as Tang Shen returned home from his duties and was having dinner with Tang Huang, Feng Bi suddenly rushed in and said, “Gongzi, Wang daren is here.”

Tang Shen’s chopsticks clattered onto the table. “Which Wang daren?”

Feng Bi gave Tang Shen a strange look. “Wang Zhen, Wang daren.”

Tang Shen immediately said, “Tell him I’m sick and can’t receive guests!” But as soon as he finished speaking, he muttered to himself, “No, no one can fool Wang Zhen. He’s the master of deception. To fool him, I have to fool myself first. I really am sick. I’m very sick. I can barely get out of bed.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Shen dashed out of the hall and ran toward his room. Halfway there, he turned back and asked, “Tang Huang, where’s your rouge?”

Tang Huang, who had been stunned by Tang Shen’s sudden actions, finally stammered, “In… in my room?”

Tang Shen said, “Let me borrow it.”

Tang Huang exclaimed, “Eh?!”

Tang Shen rushed to his sister’s room at lightning speed, grabbed a box of rouge from her dressing table, and then ran back to his own room. He lay down on his bed and pulled the covers over himself.

Outside, Wang Zhen, dressed in a deep red official robe, leaned against his sedan chair, waiting quietly. He held a brocade folding fan in his hand, tapping it lightly against his palm, exuding an air of elegance and grace.

Feng Bi ran out and said, “Wang daren, my young master is sick and can’t receive guests.”

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Wang Zhen put on a concerned expression and said, “Little Junior Brother is sick? Then I must see him. Lead the way.”

Feng Bi initially wanted to say more, but when he looked up and saw Wang daren‘s gentle and serene smile, he closed his mouth and obediently led the way.

Gongzi, it’s not that Feng Bi is useless—anyone would have done the same!

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