Chapter 0167: I Understand, I Understand Li Dongyao; Shen Yuan Demands a Gift

“Chengze!” Emperor Jian looked at the little white tiger, then at the wrist-mounted crossbow, his eyes filled with envy. He turned to Xie Chengze with an expectant expression. “Where is my New Year’s gift?”

Xie Chengze stared at the emperor in shock, his voice cracking with indignation. “What did you say?”

“Your New Year’s gift? Isn’t this Ice Sculpture Festival the best New Year’s gift I could have given you? Still not satisfied? What else could you possibly want?”

“My brilliant, peerless intellect? Or this peerless, breathtaking beauty? Oh, wait, that won’t do. I’ve been working so hard for the past six months that I’ve lost clumps of hair and eyebrows. I’m too ugly to be called peerless anymore!”

Xie Chengze fumed, “And besides, Father, where is your New Year’s gift to me?”

The emperor, having been thoroughly berated: …

Having never considered that he might need to prepare a gift, the emperor guiltily averted his gaze and pretended to be hard of hearing. “Ahem, the wind is so strong today, my ears aren’t working properly. Rou Fei, would you care to join me for some ice skating later?”

Rou Fei: …Don’t use me as your shield!

Xie Chengze couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

This old man might not be much of a ruler, but he’s first-rate at playing dumb.

As he lowered his head to play with the little white tiger in his arms, Xie Chengze suddenly felt an intense gaze fixed upon him. He looked up and met a pair of eyes filled with complex emotions.

It was…

The Empress?

His eyes fell upon the golden phoenix robe she wore, and he recognized her identity.

Cao Qingran, daughter of the Cao family. In the original story, her presence was minimal, as she spent her days in quiet devotion and Buddhist prayers.

To be honest, having read some political intrigue novels, Xie Chengze knew full well that characters who spent their time in prayer and meditation were often hiding blood-stained hands behind their serene facades. Yet, as the Empress, Cao Qingran had surprisingly little involvement in the plot, which was highly suspicious.

Was the author too lazy to write about her, or…

Had he missed some crucial details while reading?

When their eyes met, Cao Qingran’s gaze retracted as if it had touched a flame.

Her hands, hidden beneath the phoenix robe, clenched slightly. With her eyes downcast, she struggled to suppress the turbulent emotions swirling within her.

He…

He has truly returned.

The Second Prince of the past would never have been so clever and captivating, always drawing everyone’s attention and making them adore him.

Cao Qingran smiled bitterly. Hua Ning, even after years of his soul being absent, your son remains as astute and enviable as ever. The moment he returned, he became the center of the court, overshadowing the Crown Prince completely.

If you were still alive, you would be overjoyed.

Unfortunately, you cannot see it.

Her heart ached with a strange mix of pain and satisfaction. Her nose tingled with unshed tears, yet the corners of her lips curled into a bitterly mocking smile, as if she were mocking herself, or perhaps Hua Ning.

…

When the day’s events finally concluded, Xie Chengze began to settle accounts.

Not financial accounts, but personal ones.

“Why didn’t you stick to the script we agreed upon?”

Xie Chengze sat stiffly on a wooden chair, his expression cold. Before him, Li Dongyao knelt on his left, and Shen Yuan knelt on his right.

Shen Yuan knelt properly, his handsome, unruly face the picture of innocence, as if the mistake had nothing to do with him. “Yes, Governor Li, why didn’t you stick to the script we agreed upon?”

“Your Highness, please forgive me!” Li Dongyao threw himself to the ground, crying out in protest. “It was Lord Shen who previously instructed me to praise you lavishly! Thus, I pondered day and night until I finally conceived this tale of the Five Immortals and the return to the Heavenly Court! I believed this would be more effective in deceiving the common folk than the original script, so I took the liberty to change the narrative!”

“Then why didn’t you consult me beforehand!” Xie Chengze slammed his teacdown like a magistrate’s gavel.

Li Dongyao trembled. “Because this humble official thought Your Highness was too modest and would certainly refuse! But how can one achieve great deeds without revealing one’s brilliance? The allegiance of the people is crucial—Your Highness should seize this opportunity to secure the support of Liaozhou’s populace, so when the time comes to recruit troops and purchase horses…”

“Wait, wait, wait?” Xie Chengze grew increasingly bewildered. “What great deeds? What recruiting troops and purchasing horses?”

He instinctively glanced at Shen Yuan, only to see him slightly turn away, shoulders shaking once more.

Xie Chengze: ?

“Of course, ascending the throne!” Li Dongyao declared matter-of-factly. “Second Prince, rest assured! From now on, this humble official will be your vanguard, striving to secure the Crown Prince’s position for you, and eventually the highest seat!”

Xie Chengze: ???

“Who wants to ascend the throne!” Xie Chengze weakly roared. “I’d have to be insane to want to be emperor!”

“Ah?” Li Dongyao looked up in confusion. “Then why have you done so many practical deeds, and even ordered this official to tell the Emperor, all the officials, and the people that you’re a heaven-sent blessing? Wasn’t it to build your reputation among the populace, so you’d have their support when you ascend the throne in the future?”

“No…” Xie Chengze covered his face in exhaustion. “You… stop talking.”

His heart felt so weary.

“I understand, I understand.” Li Dongyao showed a knowing expression. “Scheming for the Crown Prince’s position must never be spoken of openly. We’ll discuss it privately.”

“Pfft…” Shen Yuan’s laughter became more audible nearby.

Xie Chengze couldn’t resist kicking him, then said to Li Dongyao, “You may leave now. Remember—no wild talk! This prince has absolutely no designs on the Crown Prince’s position!”

“Understood, understood~” Li Dongyao smiled as if he understood nothing at all.

Xie Chengze felt even more frustrated. Watching Li Dongyao depart, he immediately glared at Shen Yuan. “Shen Yuan! Was this your doing?”

“What does this have to do with me? Your Highness must not wrongfully accuse me!” Shen Yuan turned back, his dark eyes blooming with laughter like spring flowers. He stated solemnly, “I merely said the Second Prince has always enjoyed being showered with praise, and Prefect Li should offer more flattering words. Your Highness was present and clearly heard it.”

Xie Chengze eyed him suspiciously. “Why do I find that so hard to believe?”

“However, I do know why Prefect Li would act this way.” Shen Yuan finally composed himself after laughing. “Would Your Highness like to know?”

“Speak quickly.” Xie Chengze urged, gently nudging the man’s knee with his foot while adding, “Get up now.”

The floor must be cold to kneel on.

Shen Yuan rose slowly but didn’t immediately reveal the answer. Instead, he poured himself a cup of warm tea before speaking leisurely. “Before that, I have one more question.”

“What?” Xie Chengze looked up, his clear eyes meeting the man’s thoroughly amused gaze.

He had a bad feeling.

This damned minister was definitely brewing some major scheme.

Just as he was about to say “Why don’t you shut up,” the man’s figure closed in, speaking slowly, “Since the Fourth Prince has received a New Year’s gift, what about your subject’s?”

Xie Chengze: …

“That’s only because Xiao Miao gave me a gift, so I…”

“Your subject has also prepared a New Year’s gift for Your Highness.” Shen Yuan leaned down, his tall shadow enveloping Xie Chengze entirely. With lowered eyes, he casually drew a small box from his sleeve, saying in a wounded tone, “It seems Your Highness hasn’t been thinking of your subject at all.”

Xie Chengze: …

Xie Chengze always valued fairness in handling matters, and the same applied to friendships. Shen Yuan had specifically prepared a gift for him, yet he himself hadn’t given it any thought. This stirred a faint sense of guilt and remorse in Xie Chengze.

How awful of him! Shen Yuan had been thinking of him, yet he hadn’t considered Shen Yuan!

“Alright then!” In the cramped space between the wooden chair and the man leaning over him, Xie Chengze cleared his throat lightly, gripping the armrests tightly. “Actually… I did prepare a gift for you. It’s just that… I need to make it on the spot.”

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Wait here!” With those words, Xie Chengze swiftly slipped out of the man’s confinement and dashed toward the door. “I’ll be right back!”