Chapter 0019: The Greedy Yet Useless Second Prince, Cunningly Probing Xie Chengze
Though he had been tricked, Xie Chengze was still injured, and he, the “culprit minister,” ought to show some remorse.
Yet every time Shen Yuan attempted to speak to him, Xie Chengze would tilt his chin higher than a rooster’s, revealing the strikingly vivid bruise on his fair skin, repeatedly reminding Shen Yuan of his mistake.
Shen Yuan’s hair crown had no sharp edges, but Xie Chengze’s skin was simply too delicate—just a single collision had left a bruise that looked like it had drawn blood.
The culprit minister had grievances he couldn’t voice. Patiently, he sought several opportune moments to apologize, only to find Xie Chengze growing increasingly presumptuous, deliberately pretending not to hear him each time.
Shen Yuan felt he must be ill himself to still be indulging him, so he decided to ignore him altogether.
Unexpectedly, Xie Chengze switched to a new method of provocation. Whenever the carriage stopped to rest, he would deliberately step down and pass in front of Shen Yuan, pause for a moment to click his tongue twice, shake his head and sigh a few times, putting on an act of wanting to speak but hesitating before leaving. This drew sympathetic glances from the attendants and guards toward Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan had never seen someone so shameless.
Finally, on this night, Shen Yuan could bear it no longer. Standing outside the carriage, he said in a low voice, “Second Prince, may we speak alone?””
From inside the carriage came Xie Chengze’s lazy reply, “Come in.”
Without ceremony, Shen Yuan lifted the carriage curtain and entered.
Xie Chengze had already settled down for rest. A faint mosquito-repelling incense smoldered in the corner of the carriage. Dressed in thin white inner garments, he lay sideways on the cushioned seat, his loose black hair spread like silk across the luxurious padding. The sharp edges seemed softened, replaced by an elusive nobility.
Propping his head up with one hand, his smooth sleeve slipped down to reveal a slender yet substantial arm. His bright eyes sparkled with a mischievous clarity as he smiled and asked, “In the dead of night, what does Lord Shen wish to discuss?”
“Your Highness, just tell me directly what you want from me to atone for my offense.” The low carriage ceiling made standing impossible, forcing Shen Yuan to half-kneel reluctantly. The faint oil lamp light cast mottled shadows across his face, obscuring his true expression.
“Is my intention really that hard to guess?” Xie Chengze looked genuinely puzzled—if one ignored the mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Your Highness!” Shen Yuan’s patience finally snapped. A feeling of extreme frustration made him unable to control his tone as he said heavily, “This subject cannot guess! Please speak plainly!”
Xie Chengze couldn’t help but laugh.
In a way, perhaps Shen Taifu had placed too much emphasis on the virtues of wise rulers and loyal ministers, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, resulting in his teaching Shen Yuan to be somewhat stubborn and old-fashioned.
Shen Taifu believed those who recognized and corrected their mistakes should be forgiven—everyone makes errors, and as long as they reform and turn toward goodness, they should be treated equally, be they commoners or monarchs.
Shen Yuan certainly wanted to kill him, but he didn’t dare, nor could he. Not just because he couldn’t risk the dozens of lives in the Shen family, but more importantly, because in this lifetime, Xie Chengze hadn’t yet committed any heinous acts like murder and disposing of evidence.
Without crime, he remained a virtuous ruler, and as a subject, Shen Yuan was bound to loyalty.
Thus, the current Shen Yuan found himself so passive, freely toyed with in the palm of his hand.
After all, who would have thought that the future Powerful Minister who would strike fear into the hearts of all officials actually had the soul of an old-fashioned moralist?
“Lord Shen, you may rise. This prince is no longer angry.” Xie Chengze sat up and patted his shoulder with a light laugh. “It’s the first time I’ve heard Lord Shen refer to himself as ‘your subject’—quite a rarity.”
Shen Yuan’s posture stiffened imperceptibly.
His obscure gaze shot toward Xie Chengze, only to find the other’s expression flawlessly composed, as if he had merely made an offhand remark without any trace of displeasure or mockery.
He had been careless. In his previous life at this time, he had always referred to himself as “this junior official.” But now, due to his aversion toward Xie Chengze, he was unwilling to bow and declare himself a subject, hence his persistent use of “Shen” as self-address.
It seemed Xie Chengze had become much more perceptive after his rebirth.
“If the Second Prince enjoys hearing it, this subject will naturally address himself as such from now on.” Shen Yuan rose, unwilling to remain any longer. “Since the Second Prince’s anger has subsided, this subject shall not disturb your nightly rest.”
With those words, he turned and descended from the carriage.
In the following days, Xie Chengze indeed returned to his former self, no longer deliberately engaging him in conversation. Shen Yuan likewise ceased lingering near the carriage, frequently leaving the procession to scout ahead, his figure rarely seen.
Several days later, the traveling party once again entered a county town along their route to procure water and provisions for the coming journey.
The physician accompanying the convoy had gone with Zhu Xiaobiao to seek out an apothecary. Although the physician carried some medicinal herbs, most were for treating fevers and healing wounds. To alleviate Zhu Xiaobiao’s withdrawal symptoms, they needed to purchase additional remedies from the county’s apothecary.
Xie Chengze planned to stroll through the market streets.
Upon entering the city, Shen Yuan immediately sensed something amiss.
In his previous life, when he traveled to Yi Province with the Crown Prince, concerned about the severe famine there, they had practically galloped through the nights and thus never entered Cangfu County.
But during his childhood travels across mountains and rivers with Shen Taifu, he had visited Cangfu County. Renowned for its beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, the county’s unique topography of mountains and waterways created exceptionally cool summers, attracting wealthy gentry from the south for seasonal retreats. Local commerce had flourished with their seasonal residence.
Back then, the streets teemed with bustling crowds and enthusiastic vendor calls, vividly demonstrating Cangfu County’s prosperity. Now however, the county clearly lacked the bustling vitality of Zhuolu County. The common people attended to their businesses with detached airs, while numerous ragged beggars lining the streets sat holding broken bowls, their eyes shrewdly and covertly assessing passersby.
The former prosperity had vanished without trace.
With a single glance, Shen Yuan understood the situation perfectly.
A county’s decline and regression mostly resulted from the magistrate and prefect turning a blind eye through willful negligence.
Had the Crown Prince been present, he would have undoubtedly seen through the situation immediately—sealing the county office, adjudicating the magistrate, and appointing competent leadership to restore vitality and order for Cangfu County’s people.
But as for Xie Chengze…
Shen Yuan couldn’t help glancing at Xie Chengze beside him.
Having survived on dry rations throughout the journey, Xie Chengze now only wanted to visit a proper restaurant to satisfy his cravings. His face displayed pure gluttonous anticipation, as if completely oblivious to Cangfu County’s problems. Rubbing his hands excitedly, he chirped, “Xiao Miao, your second brother will take you for a proper feast to sample local delicacies!”
“Great! Whatever Second Brother says!” agreed the equally oblivious second glutton, nodding like a pecking chick.
Shen Yuan massaged his forehead in frustration.
He began to doubt whether Xie Chengze, upon reaching Yi Province, would cooperate with his plans to purge corrupt officials as the Crown Prince would have done.
The three of them walked toward the city center. Their appearances and attire were so striking that they drew many covert, awestruck glances from the common folk. Xie Chengze spotted a building that looked like a tavern and was about to head over when suddenly two young beggars, tripped by something while running, stumbled and crashed into him.
Xie Chengze swiftly caught them, but the two little beggars didn’t even offer thanks and immediately tried to dart away.
However, as soon as they took a step, Shen Yuan grabbed them by the collars.
“Hand it over,” Shen Yuan said coolly, lifting the two young beggars off their feet.
“Let go of us!” The beggars struggled, their toes barely touching the ground, unable to steady themselves. They protested angrily, “Why are you grabbing us? We just bumped into you!”
“Return the money pouch you stole from him,” Shen Yuan repeated, his tone sharper this time. “I’m only giving you one chance.”
“We didn’t steal anything!the beggars insisted stubbornly, their eyes reddening with grievance. “Let us go! Help! Someone’s bullying children!”
Xie Zimiao glanced at Xie Chengze and asked, “Second Brother, is your money pouch still there?”
Xie Chengze patted his waist and replied calmly, “It’s still there.”
Shen Yuan abruptly turned to look at Xie Chengze, then frowned. “Is the silver still inside? Nothing missing?”
Xie Chengze checked again and confirmed, “Yes.”
That’s impossible.