TPATTHU Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Separated

SixBao didn’t know what Han Zitang had said to His Highness.

In short, from that day on, His Highness seemed to have transformed into a different person. He stopped drinking, dismissed the people around him, and became much more calm and collected.

The books that he used to prop up table legs were taken out again, neatly arranged on the desk.

Piled up like mountains were also stacks of memorials awaiting his review.

Due to long-term overwork and grief, Wu Kun Emperor fell ill, confined to his bed, and the responsibility of overseeing the state fell on Xiao Zhinian’s shoulders alone.

Xiao Zhinian quickly threw the Jiangnan grain merchants who were taking advantage of the situation by hoarding and reselling grain at high prices into prison. All the remaining grain was used to replenish the national treasury and distributed to various states to help the people, which temporarily solved the urgent crisis.

When spring arrived next year, the ice and snow melted, and this calamity would finally pass.

The people were still frightened, but also fortunate to have survived the disaster. Everyone changed their previous opinions and praised the Crown Prince for having the qualities of an enlightened ruler.

However, at this moment, this imperial heir, whose good name had spread throughout the city, was holding a wooden box, leaning against a flowering tree with its blossoms in full bloom, lost in thought.

The wind swept through, and gentle, snow-white petals rustled down, covering the letter paper in Xiao Zhinian’s hand, which was crumpled with countless tiny creases.

“Your subject Shen Zhejiang bows and greets you. Seeing these words is like meeting in person. The Shen family was at fault back then. Today, your subject has long anticipated this and has no complaints. Your subject has lived a desolate life and has no more hope. I only hope that Your Highness is diligent. I bow my head three times.”

Diligent…

Xiao Zhinian looked up at the dazzling flowers above his head. Through the sparse shadows, piercing sunlight fell.

Can teacher see it?

This prince will, as teacher wished, be an enlightened ruler who loves his people like his own children.

–

Three years later.

Northern Border, Luo City.

The sky was not yet bright. With a “creak,” an old wooden door in the depths of a remote alley opened.

A pair of spotless green cloth shoes stepped out.

“Teacher!”

Shen Zhejiang’s heart suddenly tightened. He looked up to find the source of the sound and saw a seven- or eight-year-old child running towards him with a grin.

The child stopped in front of him, but because he had been running too fast, he couldn’t stop and bumped into Shen Zhejiang’s legs.

“Ouch! That hurts!”

The child said, rubbing his head.

Shen Zhejiang steadied him and made him stand up straight, his face stern. “Acting so rashly, what kind of behavior is that?”

“It’s just that I haven’t seen Teacher come to lecture us these past few days. I was worried and was about to come looking for you when I saw you!”

His tone was aggrieved.

This child’s name was Zhao Xiaosi. His family was a well-known wealthy family in Luo City. Although the northern desert was filled with wind and sand, he had still grown into a cute child with bright eyes and white teeth.

Shen Zhejiang looked down at him and suddenly thought of some old events in the Capital City. He couldn’t bring himself to say harsh words, only saying, “It’s nothing. I recently caught a cold, but I’ve recovered.”

The child sighed to himself, with a hint of resentment, “Teacher’s foundation is really poor. No wonder you haven’t found a wife all these years. It’s a pity.”

“…” Shen Zhejiang pretended not to hear. He turned around, locked the wooden door, and tapped Zhao Xiaosi’s head with the yellowed pages of the book in his hand. “Let’s go, to the school.”

The two, one big and one small, walked along the alley.

Since Shen Zhejiang had been sent to the execution ground, he hadn’t expected to survive. But he didn’t know what method Han Zitang had used to deceive everyone and save his life.

“I’ll say it again, Zhejiang, leave the Capital City. No matter what happens, don’t come back.”

Leave the Capital City and forgive himself.

Yes, let go of the past.

So Shen Zhejiang came to the northern border, thousands of miles away from the Capital City. Here, there was no Shen family, no Xiao family, only the lone smoke rising straight in the desert and the desolate sound of the Qiang flute in the vast yellow sand.

He witnessed scenery different from his previous twenty-odd years, and realized that he was still a frog in a well. He tried to forget the unbearable and painful past and move forward.

“Teacher, my father said that a big shot will be coming to Luo City today and told me not to make a fuss.”

Shen Zhejiang had no intention of inquiring. He smiled and casually replied, “Is that so? Who is it?”

Zhao Xiaosi tilted his head, thinking, “I heard they’re from the Capital City. I don’t know.”

The Capital City ah…

Shen Zhejiang’s gaze passed over the tea stalls being set up at the end of the street and looked towards the crab-blue sky.

What haunted his dreams and what he still couldn’t forget was that young man. Now, he should have grown into a fine young man, right?

“Alright, it’s time to start the lesson.”

Shen Zhejiang withdrew his gaze, led Zhao Xiaosi into the school, and opened the first page of the book.