The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

“Go on, Your Majesty.” Shen Yu didn’t let up.

“Noble monarch, worry about your own affairs.” Shang JunLin’s tone was a little unpleasant. “Things you should not meddle in…”

“I see.” As if overflowing with obedience, Shen Yu ended the topic.

The atmosphere suddenly quieted down. Shang JunLin didn’t know why Shen Yu didn’t continue, or why something he’d obviously asked for made him feel even worse.

In winter, the grounds of the imperial palace never looked bare or grim but possessed their own distinctive splendor. Cold-resistant flowers as well as plants sent from the south grew freely, and not far away were beautiful red plum blossoms in full bloom. Thanks to the colorful decoration, winter in the palace had a unique beauty.

The two walked forward in silence. Shen Yu’s eyes were full of the scenery around him. He was usually forced to stay indoors during the winter because of his health. After the slightest exposure to wind, he would need to stay in bed for ten days to half a month. If not for Imperial Physician Gu looking after his health this winter, Shen Yu wouldn’t be able to walk outside without any worries like today.

A light snow had fallen the previous night, and the places without footprints were covered with a perfect, thin layer of white. Shen Yu looked around as he walked, not noticing that the man beside him was looking at him.

“This emperor doesn’t speak because I am the emperor. This emperor doesn’t need to explain my actions to others.”

When the indifferent voice spoke, Shen Yu paused his footsteps. He realized His Majesty seemed to be answering his question from before.

Shen Yu turned sideways to look at Shang JunLin. “But if Your Majesty doesn’t speak, they might speculate and misunderstand Your Majesty’s real intentions.”

“The noble monarch seems very concerned about this emperor’s reputation.” Shang JunLin spoke as though stating a fact.

“I’m one with Your Majesty now. Your Majesty is my husband. Isn’t it normal to care about my husband’s reputation?”

“Is that really what you’re thinking?” Uncertain, Shang JunLin gave him a searching look.

Shen Yu was afraid of the cold. Whenever he went out he had to wear heavy layers, but even if dressed warmly he didn’t look bloated, and it couldn’t obscure his transparent temperament. The young man’s eyes were clear and his face was open, as if he sincerely meant what he said.

“Does Your Majesty think I mean something else?” Shen Yu tilted his head. “Well… In fact, I hope Your Majesty understands that I don’t like what those people said, but I don’t really want them to die.”

Shen Yu’s eyes darkened. In his previous life, the King of Yue and the others relied on conspiracy and intrigue to seize what they wanted. To be honest, Shen Yu didn’t care who’d eventually end up with the throne, but as long as he was alive, the King of Yue would never get what he wanted.

After a long time outside, Shen Yu’s face was red with cold. Shang JunLin reached out and lightly touched his face. “This emperor feels your heart.”

Shen Yu: ? ? ?

Wait, how can you feel my heart?

“The noble monarch need not feel embarrassed. This emperor already knows how you feel about me…” Realizing this information was secretly gathered by the Hidden Dragon Guard, Shang JunLin quickly changed the subject. “This emperor will comply with the noble monarch’s request.”

The rest of the way back to Yuzhang Palace, Shen Yu was confused by Shang JunLin’s attitude. That was also why he forgot to ask Shang JunLin about the return of the vassal kings to the capital.

“Forget it, I’ll ask next time,” Shen Yu told himself.

“Noble monarch, this is the revised protocol for the palace banquet. Please have a look.”

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Shen Yu took it, looked through it carefully, and said, “Send it back and tell them to follow the arrangements as written.”

“Very well.”

After the palace servant withdrew, Shen Yu stood at the window and stared into the distance.

Yuzhang Palace wasn’t far from the emperor’s bedchambers. Shen Yu didn’t know what the original designer of Yuzhang Palace intended, but from Shen Yu’s current position, he could just make out a corner of the emperor’s room. He couldn’t see his figure specifically, but a hint was enough to bring him to mind.

After standing for a while, Shen Yu felt a little cold. He paced back to the table and sat down. In his previous life, Shen QingRan was never sealed as a noble monarch, nor did he attend the palace banquet. Shen Yu hadn’t been able to attend it either and didn’t know what happened there.

The protocol for the palace banquet was formal and cumbersome. Fortunately, Shen Yu experienced similar occasions in his previous life and was helped by old servants who were familiar with the process. It wasn’t difficult to manage.

As the emperor’s birthday approached, the news announced by Fang Jun grew more and more shocking. This time, at the emperor’s direction, the details weren’t concealed. The people and the officials heard the news at almost the same time.

When the officials heard it, their first reaction was disbelief. Imperial Censor Zhang had skillfully managed his reputation, and everyone in the capital had a good impression of him. After suddenly learning he’d done so much in secret, they refused to believe it.

However, the evidence provided by the imperial court was overwhelming. The facts might be shocking, but everything was laid out before them. They had no choice but to accept the truth.

“So Imperial Censor Zhang was arrested not because he irritated that person, but because his behavior was unpardonable?”

“But… In that case, why not announce his crimes at the very beginning?”

“That person must have his reasons. Think about it. After Imperial Censor Zhang was imprisoned, didn’t they arrest several of his accomplices?”

“That’s true. Thanks to His Majesty’s great wisdom and skill, he anticipated someone would try to break into the prison and set a snare to catch everyone.”

The crowd eagerly traded gossip. A few people who were quietly guiding the direction of the conversation looked at each other and turned to leave.

These people were working under Shen Yu’s orders. Although he was in the imperial palace, there were few restrictions on his activities, and he had his own secret network. It wasn’t as large as in his previous life, but it wasn’t hard to do small things in the capital.

“Young master, the thing you ordered is done,” Mu Xi whispered as she poured tea for Shen Yu.

“How is the situation outside?” Shen Yu picked up the teacup and took a sip.

“Everything is as usual, except…” Mu Xi’s face changed expression. “The second young master broke his leg. Somehow he angered the lord marquis, and in a fit of anger the marquis ordered him to be imprisoned.”

Shen Yu suddenly thought of the day Shang JunLin asked him if he wanted to take revenge. Shen Yu intuitively felt Shen QingRan’s misfortune was connected to it, but would the emperor of an entire country really trouble himself with such a trivial matter?

Shen Yu’s mood was complicated. He put down his tea cup and asked, “Do you know how Shen QingRan fell?”

Mu Xi shook her head. “Our people don’t know the reason. This slave will tell them to investigate carefully.”

“No need.” Shen Yu rubbed the side of the cup. If it was really done by Shang JunLin, they might not find anything even if they investigated.

“Well… I’m his older brother, after all, and I just heard my little brother broke his leg. Shouldn’t I send someone there to wish him well?”

“If the young master does so, the lord marquis and the second young master will rejoice.” A wry look flashed in Mu Xi’s eyes. Shen Yu had been away from the marquis’ residence a long time and never sent anyone back. The Zhenbei Marquis would certainly welcome it. As for the second young master, he would have to pretend to be happy no matter how unhappy he felt.

Because Madam Ru was so highly favored, when they still lived in the marquis’ residence, the second young master frequently bullied her young master and even robbed him of his share of things. Mu Xi had never forgotten it.

“Then you can make the arrangements.” We mustn’t let the Zhenbei Marquis forget about the legitimate eldest son he sent to the palace. Shen Yu didn’t like thinking about the Zhenbei Marquis, Madam Ru, and her son enjoying themselves like a happy family of three now that he was out of the way.

“Yes.” Countless ways to embarrass the people of the marquis’ residence flashed through Mu Xi’s mind, and she began to review them one by one. She needed something that would not only turn those people’s stomachs, but also make sure others couldn’t criticize the noble monarch.

“Why didn’t Imperial Physician Gu come today?” Shen Yu suddenly remembered he hadn’t seen the physician in a while.

“Imperial Physician Gu took a leave of absence a few days ago. He said his family’s child made some trouble and he had to deal with it.” Mu Xi brought in the heated-up medicine. “Imperial Physician Gu prepared the ingredients for the young master’s medicine and also left a token. If the young master needs anything, you can call for him at any time.”

“How…” Shen Yu remembered that a while ago, Mu Xi was frightened by Shang JunLin, and he deliberately gave her a day off. Imperial Physician Gu hadn’t visited Yuzhang Palace since then. Whatever happened must have been around the same time.

Mu Xi’s words confirmed his guess.

“It’s this slave’s fault. This slave wanted to find time to discuss it with the noble monarch, but…” But somehow in these past few days, His Majesty visited Yuzhang Palace whenever he was free, and Mu Xi was afraid he’d overhear them again. She hadn’t found a chance to talk to Shen Yu.

“It’s fine. Did Imperial Physician Gu say where to look for him?”

“A medicine shop on Xi Street in the capital.”

Shen Yu’s knowledge about Imperial Physician Gu came from the man he met in his previous life. He didn’t know exactly when Imperial Physician Gu was convicted. He asked Mu Xi about him because he was worried he didn’t know enough, and Imperial Physician Gu might end up suffering the same fate as in his previous life.

Shen Yu didn’t know it, but at the exact same moment, Imperial Physician Gu was worried too.

In a small, secluded courtyard, a young man in a black soldier uniform was practicing his swordsmanship. A man in pale blue robes and a gentle expression watched the young man in the courtyard and felt relieved.

“Ge!” When the young man noticed the presence of Imperial Physician Gu, he put away his sword and ran over.

Imperial Physician Gu touched the boy’s sweaty temple and said, “I have to return to work tomorrow. Stay at home and don’t cause trouble.”

“Are you going to look after that noble monarch or whoever again?” The youth pouted.

“Don’t be rude. The noble monarch is my benefactor. You should respect him as well.” Knowing the child was stubborn, Imperial Physician Gu told him about what happened at the palace recently.

“I didn’t know you were in such a dangerous situation,” the young man said in a muffled voice. Worried, he hugged the other man’s waist. “I, Gu Huai, will also consider Noble Monarch Shen my benefactor from now on.”

But when Imperial Physician Gu wasn’t looking, Gu Huai’s eyes were dark.

At noon, the imperial chef in the palace made a new dessert. The white cakes were decorated with colorful plum blossoms, enticing and sweet without being oily. Shen Yu couldn’t resist eating a few more. Later he felt a little full and walked around outside.

When Shang JunLin arrived, what he saw was Shen Yu strolling around lazily. He went over to Shen Yu and wrapped his arms around him. Shen Yu leaned on him, letting the emperor support him with his strength.

Shang JunLin: “When you’re tired, go in and rest.”

Shen Yu shook his head. “I just ate and I need to walk around a little.”

“So that’s the matter with you.” Shang JunLin had a smile in his eyes. “Why did you eat so much?”

“It’s all because of the new imperial chef sent by Your Majesty. The dessert he made was too delicious,” Shen Yu pretended to complain.

“Then I should transfer him away?” Shang JunLin lowered his head and leaned closer.

“No, whatever you give me is mine…” Shen Yu turned back in a hurry, but his voice suddenly stopped.

—His lips touched the sharp line of Shang JunLin’s jaw.

Both of them froze.

TL Notes:

I don’t like what those people said – from 我看不惯他们的作为  – “I don’t like what they did/are doing/their actions” – Slight change due to vagueness

Ge – 哥 – elder brother – A common way to address an older man of the same generation as you

Transliterated names, places, and titles—new in this chapter:

Xi Street – 西街 – West Street

Gu Huai – 顾淮