TPATTHU Chapter 67
by VolareShen Zhejiang forcefully slapped away Xiao Zhinian’s wolfish paw, which was trying to get frisky in broad daylight.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt something was off.
What he just said was ambiguous. Wanting or not wanting was one thing, but the prerequisite was being able to or not being able to. Men inherently lacked the ability to bear children…
Sure enough, when he looked up, he saw Xiao Zhinian’s face beaming with a smile, as if he had set a trap, and he had blundered right into it.
“So, what you’re saying is, Teacher is at least a little willing. Teacher is so good-looking, the child born between us would definitely be excellent too,” Xiao Zhinian glanced at the purplish hickeys on Shen Zhejiang’s neck, half-hidden beneath his clothes, which he had bitten when he was aroused and couldn’t resist. He pressed his face against them again, kissing them lightly with affection. “Teacher, don’t worry, I wouldn’t want you to suffer that kind of pain.”
Shen Zhejiang sighed inwardly, “…Change your clothes, let’s eat.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Zhinian returned late from court, and Shen Zhejiang also woke up late. Their agreed-upon breakfast together had become lunch.
The dishes on the table were mostly arranged according to Shen Zhejiang’s taste: four dishes and a soup, plus two bowls of white rice—a regular and simple meal.
Xiao Zhinian first served Shen Zhejiang a bowl of soup, and then filled one for himself. He took a sip, then put it down, smiling as he said, “The imperial chefs in the palace are far inferior to Teacher’s skills.”
Shen Zhejiang scolded, “Smooth-tongued.”
“These sweet words, I only say to Teacher alone.”
“…”
Shen Zhejiang didn’t speak, only lowered his head to drink the soup, subtly concealing a hint of a smile that flashed across his eyes.
After a few more playful words, Xiao Zhinian straightened his face and said, “Today, some ministers in court brought up the matter of dealing with Xiao Jing. The crime has been decided, and he will be executed on the seventh day of next month. No one objected.”
Shen Zhejiang was surprised that he would proactively mention matters of the court, but upon hearing that Xiao Jing was to be executed, his eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly. “The crime of treason—this is what he deserves.”
Xiao Zhinian added food to Shen Zhejiang’s bowl, saying, “Wouldn’t this sentence be too harsh? After all, he is still my uncle.”
Since ancient times, emperors have often been unfeeling.
Shen Zhejiang thought for a moment, then finally changed his mind, “If you don’t eradicate the weeds, they will grow back in the spring breeze. Cutting them off at the root is the best approach.”
Xiao Zhinian nodded as if he understood, “My Royal Uncle Shen used to be quite the womanizer in his early years. Although he never married, I don’t know if he left behind any illegitimate children. Do you think we should send people to search for them, Teacher?”
“Mm.”
Later, Xiao Zhinian mentioned several other matters of the court to Shen Zhejiang. Shen Zhejiang either nodded or shook his head. In reality, he had other things hidden in his heart.
“The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived!”
A sharp voice broke the tranquility of the meal, suddenly stirring up a storm.
Xiao Zhinian exclaimed, “Why would Royal Grandmother come at this time?!”
Shen Zhejiang was also startled, feeling the panic of being caught in a secret rendezvous by the other party’s elder.
If the Grand Empress Dowager discovered him in Xiao Zhinian’s bedroom, he didn’t know what she would think. The Grand Empress Dowager valued the imperial family’s reputation and probably wouldn’t agree to his union with Xiao Zhinian.
She might even expel him from the palace.
At this thought, his eyes darkened slightly.
“I’ll hide inside first. You deal with the Grand Empress Dowager first.”
Having said that, without giving Xiao Zhinian a chance to hesitate, he turned and went into the inner room.
The implication was that he was entrusting Xiao Zhinian not to reveal his whereabouts.
Xiao Zhinian had no choice but to bite the bullet and go along with it. “Liu Bao, clear away the dishes! Quick!”
Just then, the Grand Empress Dowager Liang, supported by palace servants, stepped across the threshold. Her hair was as white as frost, her appearance was dignified, but her face was kind and benevolent. Looking at her appearance was like looking at her heart; one could tell at a glance that she was a good person.
“Royal Grandmother!”
Xiao Zhinian immediately broke into his usual brilliant smile, hiding his nervousness behind it. While gesturing with his hand behind his back for Liu Bao to quickly clear the table, he walked quickly toward the Grand Empress Dowager.
The Grand Empress Dowager doted on this grandson very much. Seeing Xiao Zhinian walking so hastily, losing his composure, she said slowly, “You are about to be an emperor, how can you still be so impetuous?”
Be an emperor?
Xiao Zhinian’s expression froze, but he quickly put on a smile again, his tone unnatural. “Royal Grandmother, what are you joking about?”
He was innocent and pure, had never touched anyone except Shen Zhejiang. If Shen Zhejiang heard this, wouldn’t he kick him out?
He didn’t know where the Grand Empress Dowager had gotten this hearsay from some gossipy person, but she was actually making things up about him like this. When he found out, he would definitely punish them severely.
He gnashed his teeth and thought to himself.
Shen Zhejiang, hiding behind the wardrobe: “…”
Meanwhile, the Grand Empress Dowager Liang opened her eyes slightly and looked around, not seeing the person she expected to see. Just then, she noticed Liu Bao hurrying past her with two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks, and she was certain of her suspicions.
Prime Minister Hu hadn’t lied to her after all. Otherwise, he would be in trouble.
The Grand Empress Dowager patted the back of Xiao Zhinian’s hand and said, “Nian’er, Royal Grandmother has been there before, and Royal Grandmother understands your affairs. I don’t blame you young people, your bodies are full of vigor. Quickly call your granddaughter-in-law out so Royal Grandmother can take a look!”
As she spoke, she was about to walk toward the inner room. Shen Zhejiang concealed himself even further, slowing his breathing as much as possible.
Xiao Zhinian reacted extremely quickly, immediately grabbing the Grand Empress Dowager’s arm, smiling as he forcefully turned her steps toward the table and chairs. “Royal Grandmother, don’t make fun of me. Where did a woman come from? There’s only me in my bedroom. Royal Grandmother, don’t listen to the servants’ nonsense.”
Indeed, it wasn’t a woman.
He wasn’t lying.
The Grand Empress Dowager still thought he was just shy and said kindly, “Royal Grandmother heard it all from Prime Minister Hu. He saw you bring back a woman from the common people.”
Ever since Wu Kun Emperor passed away, Xiao Zhinian was the only remaining descendant in the palace. Yet Xiao Zhinian refused to establish an empress or take concubines no matter what. How could the Grand Empress Dowager not be worried?
If she hadn’t gotten wind of this from Prime Minister Hu, she would still be in a frenzy of worry, almost thinking that this little grandson of hers didn’t like women, but preferred men.
Thank goodness, that wasn’t the case.
She had worried for nothing.
“…”
The corners of Xiao Zhinian’s mouth twitched. For some reason, he felt a bit amused and a bit annoyed.
This Prime Minister Hu was so old that he could barely walk, yet his eyesight was still so good that he even saw the person he brought back. Fortunately, he didn’t see that it was Shen Zhejiang.
The key was that he had reported this to the Grand Empress Dowager! It seemed he had to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson!
The Grand Empress Dowager insisted on finding the “granddaughter-in-law” she spoke of. She raised her hand, and the palace servants immediately placed their arms for support, helping her to stand up. “Royal Grandmother won’t say any more to you. I came today to see the person. Lan Shu, help me inside.”
Hearing the increasingly close sound, Shen Zhejiang couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten. He didn’t even know when he had grabbed the curtain by the bed.