Chapter 0183: A Tasteful Thing, Playing Along Xie Chengze
It was not yet spring, and the night was still chilly. Blown by the breeze on the rooftop, Xie Chengze’s drunkenness dissipated considerably.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, looking up at Sheng Shihai. “So Commandant Sheng is skilled in martial arts? I had never heard of it.”
“Just some basic lightness skill for self-defense,” Sheng Shihai replied with a smile, shaking his head as he sat down beside him. Seeing Xie Chengze reach for the jar of Blue Bridge Wind and Moon in his hand, he raised his arm to block him. “Your Highness, don’t be impatient.”
Placing the wine jar between them, Sheng Shihai retrieved two exquisite jade cups from his sleeve and handed one to Xie Chengze. “Fine wine deserves fine cups. Only then can moon-viewing be truly enjoyable.”
Xie Chengze took the jade cup, his fingers slowly caressing its surface. A sensation of delicate warmth arose, and he couldn’t help but marvel, “This cup is as translucent as ice, with an extraordinary texture. I never imagined Commandant Sheng would possess such a fine object in his home.”
“My ancestors, after all, produced a prime minister. Our family still has some heritage,” Sheng Shihai said lightly, skillfully glossing over the origin of the cup with a few words. “Your Highness, please.”
He lifted the wine jar and poured wine into the jade cup in Xie Chengze’s hand.
The amber liquid flowed into the jade cup, a deep red tinged with a bright orange-yellow hue. A faint floral fragrance wafted to the nose as Xie Chengze took a sip. The wine instantly moistened his palate, its harmonious blend of sweetness and acidity spreading between his teeth and down his throat, leaving a clean and lingering aftertaste.
“Why is it so sweet?” Xie Chengze complained slightly. “It’s not strong at all. How can it drown my sorrows?”
Sheng Shihai chuckled, unbothered by his disdain, and gently advised, “Drowning sorrows in wine only deepens them. Excessive drinking harms the body. Rather than indulging in cheap liquor, Second Prince, why not find someone to confide in? It’s better than wallowing alone and losing the heroic demeanor I witnessed in Liaozhou.”
Hearing that the Second Prince, who never indulged in wine or women, was now so thoroughly drunk, it seemed he had truly lost hope in the imperial family.
“Hah, easy for you to say. But who can truly understand my worries?” Xie Chengze scoffed softly, downing the wine in his cup in one gulp. Frustrated, he said, “Even if I followed Shen Yuan’s advice and weakened the Cao family’s power, what good did it do? My own influence was still wiped out cleanly by the other side. I don’t even know what to do next!”
“Oh?” Sheng Shihai seemed surprised. “So that’s what troubles Your Highness? How strange…”
Xie Chengze slowly lifted his eyelids and glanced at him. “What’s strange?”
“I thought Lord Shen…” Sheng Shihai hesitated, glancing at Xie Chengze before shaking his head. “It shouldn’t be. Everyone in the court knows Lord Shen is Your Highness’s man. He wouldn’t…”
Sheng Shihai’s evasive and halting manner immediately agitated Xie Chengze. Clutching the jade cup tightly, he said displeased, “What are you trying to say? What wouldn’t Shen Yuan do?”
“Ah, perhaps I misunderstood,” Sheng Shihai sighed. “Your Highness should know that to establish your own influence in the court, military power is essential. When I saw you on good terms with the Eldest Prince in Liaozhou, I thought Lord Shen had already advised you to win him over before the Crown Prince makes a move.”
Xie Chengze furrowed his brows and remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “He didn’t mention it.”
Sheng Shihai’s lips curved almost imperceptibly before he raised a hand to cover them, pondering, “Well, perhaps Lord Shen hasn’t had the chance to mention it while confined in prison. But now the Crown Prince’s influence is at its peak—if the opposition strikes first…”
Xie Chengze’s expression darkened slightly. “Though imprisoned, sending messages to me isn’t difficult for him. It can’t be a matter of lacking time.”
More likely, he deliberately withheld it.
“Could he harbor disloyalty toward me?” Xie Chengze’s brow furrowed tighter.
Sheng Shihai’s eyes flickered as he patted Xie Chengze’s shoulder reassuringly. “I merely speculate, Your Highness. Pray do not let my words sow discord between you and Lord Shen.”
Though wary of Shen Yuan potentially obstructing his path and thus intending to drive a wedge between them, he saw no conflict in using Shen Yuan to elevate Xie Chengze first. Approaching the eldest prince directly was too risky—Xie Chengze made a perfect bridge and stepping stone.
“But how do I persuade my elder brother to support me?” Xie Chengze frowned, his expression growing troubled again. “The Crown Prince clearly holds the advantage.”
“Set your mind at ease, Your Highness. The eldest prince would never support the Crown Prince—after all, the Cao family caused his mother’s death.” Sheng Shihai’s lips curled as he dropped this bombshell.
Xie Chengze jerked his head up. “Is this true?”
“Absolutely. The eldest prince’s mother was merely a palace maid who enlightened His Majesty, yet she bore him the first imperial son. How could the Cao family tolerate her existence?” Sheng Shihai smiled faintly. “Had she not hanged herself to protect the prince, he might not have survived to this day.”
“To think it was so…” Xie Chengze was profoundly shocked, learning this secret for the first time. “If my brother knew this, he’d never support the Crown Prince!”
“Indeed, Your Highness.” Sheng Shihai refilled Xie Chengze’s cup, his gaze growing increasingly profound and subtle. “With the eldest prince’s support, the Cao family will no longer be fearsome.”
Xie Chengze threw back the wine and nodded. “You’re right. What I must do now is win over my brother!”
“Fortunately, I have you, Commissioner Sheng.” Xie Chengze looked gratefully at Sheng Shihai, as if viewing him as a pillar of support. “When I achieve my great undertaking, I shall not treat you poorly!”
“Easing Your Highness’s worries is my duty.” Sheng Shihai smiled, raising his cup toward Xie Chengze. “Also, the dumplings you made were truly delicious.”
Xie Chengze’s brows curved as he concealed the cold amusement in his eyes.
This cunning bastard has decent taste.
——
Xie Shoujun currently resided in Wu De Hall. Having been sent to the border at age twelve, he had no established adult residence in the palace. Wu De Hall was merely temporarily designated as his lodging.
When Xie Chengze arrived, Xie Shoujun was practicing spear techniques in the courtyard. Dressed in simple black casual attire, his tall frame wielded a dark-tasseled spear with powerful arms, creating afterimages in the air. Each thrust tore through the atmosphere with heavy whistles—every movement brimming with strength and visual grandeur.
Only after finishing his practice did Xie Shoujun notice Xie Chengze’s prolonged wait. He hastily set aside his spear and approached the young man. “Why didn’t you announce your arrival? Are you cold? Come inside quickly.”
“No trouble, I was just thinking how Your Majesty’s spear technique has the power to sweep away thousands of troops, and became completely captivated.” Xie Chengze smiled obediently. “To develop such martial skill, Your Majesty must have endured much hardship?”
“Mm,” Xie Shoujun ruffled his hair, his eyes gentle and doting. “But hearing your praise makes all the hardship worthwhile.”
Ahem. This straightforward response truly took Xie Chengze by surprise. He raised a fist to cough lightly, blushing as he followed Xie Shoujun into the room.
There were few palace attendants in Wu De Hall. Emperor Jian had offered many rewards for his achievements, but Xie Shoujun had politely declined them all, preferring to remain independent. Thus, at this moment, he was personally pouring tea for Xie Chengze.