Chapter 182 |
This chapter is dedicated to kofi donator, MermaidShashimi~
I dont know how to navigate ko-fi. I would really love to just put advance chapters there so that donators can read them in advance as an advantage -_-
"What explanation does Ah Yu want?" Shang Junlin understood clearly that last night's matter was his fault, and Shen Yu fell ill because of it.
"Physician Gu said that Your Majesty needs to restrain yourself, so for the next month, Your Majesty should really exercise restraint. I will have Mu Xi prepare another place for Your Majesty to sleep, but of course, if Your Majesty prefers to return to your own sleeping quarters, that is also possible."
"Are these the only two options?"
"Your Majesty's credibility with me has dropped to zero, so these are the only two options."
Shen Yu didn't want to be disturbed in the middle of the night again and thought it would be better to sleep separately.
However, Shang Junlin was displeased. He didn't want to be apart from Shen Yu, even if it was just for a day.
"I will not leave Yuzhang Palace." After a moment of silence, Shang Junlin spoke up.
Feeling drained, Shen Yu had Mu Xi prepare medicine, drank it, and slept a while longer.
Shang Junlin lay holding him for half an hour, then got up to handle state affairs in the outer chamber.
In the evening, Shen Yu was summoned by Shang Junlin to dine.
After drinking the medicine and sleeping, Shen Yu felt much better. The fever had subsided. Shang Junlin fetched a thick cloak and wrapped Shen Yu in it completely.
Dinner was laid out in the outer chamber, and Shang Junlin carried Shen Yu out.
Due to Shen Yu's health, the dinner was prepared with light flavors. The chefs at Yuzhang Palace were skilled, capable of making even simple dishes tantalizing.
The aroma teased Shen Yu's stomach, which rumbled loudly. He had only eaten a bowl of porridge all day and was famished.
Shang Junlin displayed unparalleled patience in attending to Shen Yu's needs. As the emperor, he willingly took care of these small matters for Shen Yu.
Shen Yu had grown accustomed to Shang Junlin's meticulous care. Leaning half against the man's shoulder, he enjoyed a satisfying meal.
Having slept a lot during the day, Shen Yu felt surprisingly energetic at night. Unable to sleep, he wrapped himself in a thick cloak and leaned on a soft couch, watching Shang Junlin review documents.
With King Yue captured, there were many follow-up matters for Shang Junlin to handle. In contrast, Shen Yu's life was relatively leisurely.
News of King Yue's defeat spread throughout Da Huan, and the various regional princes, sensing recent developments, sent numerous gifts to Shen Yu, hoping to gauge the emperor's sentiments.
Although they had not been involved in King Yue's rebellion, as fellow regional princes, they couldn't avoid some degree of connection. Now that King Yue was apprehended, they worried about potential repercussions for themselves.
Shang Junlin had long intended to reform the powers of the regional princes and reduce their control over their fiefs, but now was not an opportune time.
Shen Yu accompanied Shang Junlin to inspect the "gifts" sent by the regional princes. Initially delivered to a small estate outside the palace, the items were secretly transported by the Hidden Dragon Guards to the Yuzhang Palace.
Rows of crimson boxes were neatly arranged in the courtyard. Xiao<sup data-mfn="1">Little Meng-gonggong was overseeing the inventory. Upon seeing Shen Yu and Shang Junlin approach, he set aside his work and bowed respectfully.
Xiao Meng-gonggong, was the adopted son of Meng-gonggong. Initially chosen by Shen Yu for his cautious demeanor, he had proven himself reliable. The management of Yuzhang Palace was entrusted to him, sparing Shen Yu from unnecessary worries.
"No need for excessive courtesy. Are all the items here?" Shen Yu asked, observing the courtyard almost overflowing with boxes.
"Part of them has already been moved to the storage room. These are the ones yet to be inventoried," Xiao Meng-gonggong gestured to a young eunuch, who handed over the registry book to Shen Yu. "Your Excellency, please have a look."
Shen Yu took the book. "You may continue with your tasks. The Emperor and I will inspect casually."
Understanding that the two preferred privacy, Xiao Meng-gonggong tactfully withdrew with his attendants to the side, leaving them undisturbed to proceed with their inspection.
Shen Yu glanced through the book. "They certainly spared no expense."
Every item sent was exquisite and invaluable.
Shang Junlin casually opened a nearby box, revealing dazzling gemstones that caught Shen Yu's eye. He picked up a crimson-colored one and examined it in his hand.
"It seems the aid for Subei is of little significance to them," Shang Junlin remarked, his gaze on the gemstone in Shen Yu's hand.
Shen Yu's hand, fair and slender, was flawless in every aspect. Holding the blood-red gemstone, his skin appeared even more radiant and flawless than the gem itself, captivating to behold.
Shang Junlin's eyes darkened subtly.
Because of the unpleasantness he caused Shen Yu last time, Shang Junlin was prevented from getting close to him for a long time. If he hadn't exerted all his effort, he might not have been allowed into Shen Yu's sleeping chamber now.
Even once inside, it didn't make much difference. Shen Yu refused to share the bed, so Shang Junlin had ordered servants to place a small cot nearby, where he slept at night.
After playing with the gemstone for a while, Shen Yu lost interest and placed it back. "The princes' tax revenues from their fiefdoms and other earnings all go directly to them. Besides the court's subsidies, the tributes from below, it's normal for them to send so many fine goods."
"I know," Shang Junlin opened another box, each filled with priceless treasures. "The court spends a fortune each year to sustain these ambitions."
"Now, these items are back in Your Majesty's hands, aren't they?" Shen Yu walked over and took Shang Junlin's hand.
"You're right, Ah Yu. Do you like these items?" Shang Junlin asked, gently squeezing Shen Yu's fingers.
"Of course, I do," Shen Yu smiled softly. "I've already had half of Your Majesty's share sent to your private treasury."
"If you like them, they can all stay with you," Shang Junlin caressed Shen Yu's hand.
Shen Yu shook his head. "Liking them is one thing. I can't possibly use all of these. Giving half to Your Majesty is my intention. You've given me so much, and I want to do something for you."
Just as he knew Shang Junlin wouldn't lack for these treasures, he gave freely.
"I heard Your Majesty dismissed the Zhenbei Marquis?" Shen Yu mentioned, the news having come from Mu Xi. That day, the Zhenbei Marquis's words had struck a nerve with Shang Junlin, and Shen Yu knew he would take action, but he hadn't expected Shang Junlin to dismiss the man outright.
"He deserved it for trying to drive a wedge between us," Shang Junlin admitted openly.
Shen Yu leaned closer to Shang Junlin, looking up into his eyes. "Why didn't Your Majesty tell me? Were you afraid I would be angry?"
Shang Junlin gazed steadily at him for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Would Ah Yu be angry?"
"What does Your Majesty think? However you put it, the Zhenbei Marquis is my biological father. Your Majesty dismissed him so easily..."
Shang Junlin reached up to caress Shen Yu's cheek. "Ah Yu doesn't seem angry now."
"Indeed, Your Majesty's punishment was fair. Though he's my biological father, what does it matter? If not for the unbreakable blood tie, I'd have cut off that half-blood long ago."
Shang Junlin sighed softly and pulled Shen Yu into his embrace. "From now on, I'll always be here."
A smile spread across Shen Yu's eyes as he wrapped his arms around Shang Junlin's waist. "Your Majesty, don't forget these promises."
"I won't forget," Shang Junlin vowed. Never.
This year, the Zhenbei Marquis has had a difficult time. First, his favored illegitimate son was penalized, and later he was dismissed from office due to improper behavior. While others were happily preparing for the New Year, the atmosphere at Zhenbei Marquis's residence was gloomy and desolate.
Stripped of his title, in court, Shang Junlin conspicuously displayed his displeasure towards the Zhenbei Marquis. Many officials who had previously aligned themselves with the Marquis due to his association with Shen Yu began to distance themselves.
What do officials fear the most?
To fall out of favor with those in power.
These officials had initially sought favor with the Marquis due to the Emperor's favor towards Shen Yu, attempting to gain advantages for themselves. Now that the Emperor has turned against the Zhenbei Marquis, they naturally chose to distance themselves.
From bustling to deserted, it only took a moment.
The Zhenbei Marquis was ordered to reflect at home. Unwilling to accept the current situation, he tried every means to meet Shen Yu. Since the issue originated because of Shen Yu, it should be Shen Yu who resolves it.
Shen Qingran's engagement plans were also ruined. Those who had agreed to marry into the Zhenbei Marquis's family did so for the benefits it represented. Now that the Zhenbei Marquis has lost his title and fallen out of favor with both the Emperor and Shang Junlin, they could no longer see the benefits of this marriage alliance.
Having their engagements canceled in succession, though done in a tactful manner, infuriated the Zhenbei Marquis. He knew exactly what these people were thinking—they saw him as having lost power, and this transaction was no longer profitable. Initially, they thought they could have their daughters bear children to be adopted by Shang Junlin, which they assumed was approved by him. Little did they know, he never agreed to it himself, and their hopes were in vain.
Shen Qingran learned about this from the servants and couldn't help but sneer.
It was clear to Shen Yu that there was resentment towards the Zhenbei Marquis's residence. The Zhenbei Marquis had delusions of using a child to bind the two sides together—it was simply wishful thinking.
Shen Yu wasn't someone easily manipulated.
"All these engagements have been canceled?" Shen Yu finished painting a red plum blossom and set down his brush.
"Yes, at your command, I instructed the servants to deliver the message to these families. They have all chosen not to involve themselves in this affair."
After learning about the dismissal of the Zhenbei Marquis, Shen Yu sent people to visit those families who had sought alliances with the Zhenbei Marquis's household. These women were only involved because of him, and Shen Yu couldn't just ignore the situation.
He had done what he needed to do, reminded those who needed to be reminded, and if some still chose to proceed, it was their own decision. Shen Yu wouldn't inquire further.
"How is the situation at the Zhenbei Marquis's residence?"
"It's very calm. The Zhenbei Marquis spends his days discussing matters with his close aides. He rarely leaves the mansion, and the Second Young Master has also kept a low profile recently."
"Does Shen Qingran know about the arrest of King Yue?"
"I... I'm not sure."
"Send someone to find out. If he doesn't know, inform him of the news."
Shen Yu was quite curious whether in this lifetime, King Yue's current plight would lead to sparks flying between them like in their past life.
"Yes." Though unsure why Shen Yu insisted on letting Shen Qingran know about this matter, Mu Xi still followed the order.
"Where is His Majesty now?"
Recently, Shang Junlin had been busy non-stop. Sometimes, Shen Yu wouldn't see him for an entire day, and by the time he went to bed at night, Shang Junlin might still not have returned. When he woke up in the morning, Shang Junlin had already gone to court.
"He should be in the study hall handling affairs."
Glancing at the sky, nearing dinner time, Shen Yu had some meals prepared by the small kitchen and took Mu Xi to the study hall.
A few days ago, Meng-gonggong quietly complained to him, saying that His Majesty, when busy, even forgot about lunch and dinner.
Meng-gonggong stood at the door of the study hall and immediately saw Shen Yu walking over. He hurried forward and greeted him, "Why has Your Excellency come?"
"To deliver dinner to His Majesty." Shen Yu walked into the study hall without anyone daring to stop him.
Shang Junlin had once said that Shen Yu could freely enter and leave any place in the palace.
Shang Junlin was reviewing documents. Upon hearing footsteps, he looked up, "Ah Yu?"
