TPATTHU Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Why hasn’t This Prince Made an Entrance Yet?

Shen Zhejiang left the imperial study, walking quickly.

The Xiao family was truly sanctimonious. Ten years ago, they eradicated the Shen family, leaving only him, Shen Zhejiang, to perform a play of benevolence and morality for the people of the world, all to propagate how much the Xiao family loved its people like their own children.

Minister of War Wang Shouchi held great power and listened solely to the Wu Kun Emperor’s commands. The Emperor bestowed his eldest daughter to him in marriage, firstly to prevent his tarnished name from implicating Xiao Zhinian, and secondly to constrain his movements.

Frustration accumulated in his heart, and as he walked back the way he came, he suddenly felt a surge of rebellious Qi rising like a tidal wave.

“Cough! Cough cough!!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Shen Zhejiang supported himself against the vermilion palace wall with his palm, one hand covering his mouth as he coughed violently. His coughing seemed to shake his internal organs, and his face was extremely pained.

His light and frail body seemed as if it would dissipate in the next second.

Xiao Zhinian didn’t chase after him like he used to, sticking to his tail, and Shen Zhejiang actually felt a little unaccustomed.

Once he had coughed enough, he swallowed the bloody sweetness in his throat, his lips devoid of blood, and dragged his feet alone and dejectedly out of the palace.

—

Huai Wen stood on the stone steps in front of the door, anxiously peering at the streets and carriages. His master hadn’t returned for an entire night. If this continued, he would have to report it to the authorities and search for him.

Just then, he saw a swaying figure staggering towards him from afar, and his face lit up with joy.

“Master! You’re finally back!”

“Mm.”

Shen Zhejiang didn’t know if he had caught a cold on the way, but after walking such a distance, he was already drenched in a cold sweat. His almost pale face gave people the illusion that he was about to collapse from exhaustion.

Huai Wen was startled and asked in surprise, “Master, what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” Shen Zhejiang’s steps were unsteady, as if he were stepping on soft cotton with each step, but he was still stubborn as he instructed, “Prepare to go and, according to regulations, prepare the betrothal gifts, host the banquet, and ensure that all the six rites and three letters are in order.”

Huai Wen was even more horrified: “Whose betrothal gifts?! ”

Shen Zhejiang took a half-step into the courtyard gate, his eyes slightly darkened as he said, “Miss Wang Xiuyi, the eldest daughter of the Minister of War’s household.”

“Ah?”

Wait… Master was gone all night, how come he’s proposing marriage as soon as he gets back? And where did this Miss Wang come from?

He had never seen Master interact with her.

Huai Wen couldn’t figure it out, but then he thought, Master was almost thirty, and it was time for him to settle down and start a family. If it were anyone else, they would already have wives and concubines and children running all over the place.

Therefore, Huai Wen couldn’t help but feel emotional. Master, your wooden head has finally come to its senses!

Shen Zhejiang returned to his room, exhausted in body and mind, and collapsed on the bed, sleeping until he lost all track of time.

Nightmares followed.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The criminal Shen Zhiyuan colluded with Shen Wang to plot a rebellion. Immediately confiscate his family assets, imprison him, and await punishment. Considering his loyalty and dedication for over ten years, We grant a pardon, leaving one descendant of the Shen family alive.”

Hai Sanqing’s sharp and shrill voice cut through the sky. The imperial guards behind him filed in, surrounding the entire Shen residence. Cries of wailing resounded throughout the heavens.

In this fearful world, Shen Zhejiang alone was spared from death.

“My child! You must live well, don’t seek revenge, and don’t hold grudges. Your mother only hopes that you can be safe and sound and find a stable place to live in the future. Don’t return to the Capital City, do you remember?”

His mother held his hand, her hair disheveled, tears streaming down her face.

“Zhejiang, I know you have lofty ambitions and are determined to establish a path for the people, but I also have things that I must do. I have foreseen today’s outcome and have no regrets. This journey is forever, take care.”

His father stood with his hands behind his back between heaven and earth, and nodded slightly at him from afar.

“Father! Mother!”

Shen Zhejiang tried to chase after them, but the distance between them grew further and further, so far that he couldn’t reach them no matter what.

Black mist, born from who knows where, enveloped him at a speed visible to the naked eye, and darkness surrounded him.

Why?

Why leave him behind?

For ten years, he had been trapped in his dreams countless times. This question, like a haunting ghost, clung to him, no matter where he went, it wouldn’t go away.

The Xiao family’s greatest cruelty was leaving him alone in the world, tormenting him, and making him live with sin for all eternity.

“No! It wasn’t my father who did it! I must clear their names!”

Shen Zhejiang suddenly woke up.

“Knock, knock!”

A knock came from outside.

“What is it?”

Huai Wen reported, “Master, Han Zitang is here.”

Shen Zhejiang’s forehead was soaked with cold sweat. He raised his hand to wipe it away, his eyes drooping slightly. He turned over and sat up, saying, “Please come in.”

What is Zitang doing here at this hour?

Just as he was thinking, the visitor walked in hastily.

“Why did His Majesty suddenly issue an edict to bestow marriage upon you?”

Han Zitang cut straight to the point.

Shen Zhejiang raised his head to look at him, half-truthfully saying, “It’s nothing more than a constraint. He knows that I’m still investigating the old case from back then, so he’s arranged a spy.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“What else can I do?” Shen Zhejiang’s expression didn’t change. He pursed his lips and said the following words one by one, “Live harmoniously with Miss Wang and grow old together.”

Han Zitang was silent for a while, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. He took out a stack of paper money from his sleeve and said, “I don’t have much savings these years, but it’s enough for you to buy a peaceful residence in Jiangnan. With your talent and knowledge, it won’t be difficult to make a living. Zhejiang, leave the Capital City.”

Shen Zhejiang was slightly stunned and refused, “You’ve already helped me a lot, I can’t accept your kindness anymore.”

“It’s not kindness, actually I towards you…”

“Zitang, enough,” Shen Zhejiang interrupted him in time, “No matter what, the friendship between you and me will not diminish by half because of this matter.”

Friendship, and nothing more.

A trace of pain flashed across Han Zitang’s eyes. He said bitterly, “I was entrusted by your father to help you. If you need anything, just ask.”

Shen Zhejiang hummed in agreement: “On the ninth day of the third month, I will have a wedding with Miss Wang. Will you drink a cup of wine with me?”

“… Okay.”