Shen Yaojin, sitting on the ground, whimpered, his sobs turning into continuous low cries, as if afraid the young man before him would strike again. He bit the back of his hand, desperately trying to stifle his sobs.
His eyes, as clean as a child's, were filled with fear and dread.
What good was being favored by the Emperor? It only meant more ostracism and bullying. In the imperial palace, those without self-preservation or backing were destined to be trampled upon.
The pent-up frustration vented, Shen Yue's expression returned to its usual blankness. Perhaps seeing Shen Yaojin sitting on the ground was too pitiable, a slight curve touched the corner of her lips. Her tears were vibrant, but her gaze was cold.
"Get up."
Shen Yaojin pouted, his eyes brimming with tears, and crawled up in a wronged manner.
In fact, Shen Yaojin and Shen Yue were of the same age, with Shen Yue being only a few months older. Shen Yaojin was tall and robust, with a clear and handsome face. If not for the foolishness evident in his clear eyes, he would have appeared to be a graceful, jade-like young man.
At this moment, his eyes were red, and he timidly clutched the hem of his clothes, looking up at the young man who was a head shorter than him, appearing particularly pitiable.
But unfortunately, the Fourth Prince was not one to pity the delicate and fair.
She slowly raised her hand. Shen Yaojin thought Shen Yue was about to hit him again, so he reflexively closed his eyes in fear and panic, covering his head with his hands, whimpering, "Wuwu, brother, don't hit me, it hurts."
That fair and beautiful hand paused in mid-air, then roughly cupped the fool's chin. Shen Yaojin squeezed his eyes shut tightly. The expected pain did not come. Soft, cool fingertips gently brushed across his cheek, like a faint, cool breeze, unexpectedly gentle.
He carefully opened a sliver of his eyes, revealing a pale face and eyes as vibrant as crabapples.
Although cold, they were not piercing.
"Does it hurt?"
Her voice, opulent and luxurious, seemed soft when slightly lowered.
Shen Yaojin's eyes welled up with heat, and his nose tingled. He instantly felt an overwhelming sadness, his throat aching as he spoke.
His clear, black-and-white eyes were exceptionally pure. "It hurts, it hurts a lot. I want brother to blow on it."
This fool did not hold grudges at all. Moments ago, he was almost choked to death by Shen Yue, cursing him as a bad person. Yet, Shen Yue hadn't even consoled him, and the fool was already tearfully begging for comfort.
Shen Yue never paid attention to a fool who posed no threat, treating him as one would a dog.
"Since you know it hurts, don't come near me again, idiot."
Not receiving Shen Yue's soothing breath, Shen Yaojin became even more disappointed and sad, staring at his toes.
Shen Yue's fingers were stained with wet tears. He disdainfully wiped them on the other's clothes, then left without even looking at the fool, not looking back.
Chunyu, who had been standing nearby, holding her breath, sighed in relief and stepped forward to examine the injury on Shen Yaojin's neck. A ring of bruises was visible, causing her great distress.
She felt indignant. Everyone in the palace took advantage of Shen Yaojin's foolishness and inability to report them, becoming more and more excessive. To dare attack him so openly in front of everyone was truly going too far!
Shen Yaojin turned away with a dejected expression, his back to Chunyu.
Seeing this, Chunyu couldn't help but laugh and cry. "Seventh Highness, please don't be mischievous anymore. Come with this servant to have your wounds treated."
The fool was crying again, sobbing, "Before, brother would blow on it."
Before, his brother didn't bully him like this. Before, his brother would put candy in his hand every day. When he fell, his brother would comfort him very gently, saying, "Blow, blow, the hurt will fly away, and it won't hurt after one blow."
He was truly angry. After his brother blew on the wound, it really did hurt less.
Chunyu's expression became complex. She gently comforted the pitiable crying Shen Yaojin, sighing inwardly.
Yes, the Fourth Prince of the past, unlike now, was not so moody, violent, and cold.
—
The study was brightly lit by candles.
A sword placed on the sandalwood table gleamed with a cold light. The person before the desk held a brush, their long, dense eyelashes casting a shadow beneath their eyes.
"Your Highness Fourth Prince, Master Shi Wei requests an audience."
Shen Yue did not even look up and said faintly, "Let him in."
Shi Wei was a scholar who had recently passed the imperial examinations as the third-ranked candidate. He was a rare ambitious scholar in the Great Qing court. In just one year, he had risen to the rank of Shaoqing, a fifth-rank official, and this promotion was undoubtedly thanks to Shen Yue.
The two were, in a way, in league with each other. Shi Wei appeared refined and educated, but in reality, he was merely outwardly beautiful and inwardly corrupt.
Shi Wei's ending was not much better than Shen Yue's, and his eventual tragic fate was also due to his greed.
He was ultimately known as a treacherous official.
Shen Yue intended to recruit him, and Shi Wei was also very ambitious, so he naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity Shen Yue offered. Without much persuasion, he willingly came forward.
Shi Wei's position in the court was not yet stable, and he came to discuss matters with Shen Yue.
However, his eagerness was somewhat ungraceful.
Suppressing the coldness churning in her eyes, she paused her brushstroke, staining the white paper with ink. She removed the paper and slightly raised her gaze. Her eyebrows were like paintings, her skin more delicate and smooth than lamb fat jade, her lips beautiful and blood-red, and a tear mole at the corner of her eye.
"What are you rushing for? I won't go back on my promise to you."
Shi Wei knew his words were too direct. Meeting the gaze filled with pressure, he felt a chill run down his spine. "Your Highness Fourth Prince, this subject is also considering your interests. After all, the Crown Prince is watching with covetous eyes. It is difficult for me to act freely when I am hesitant."
Shen Yue knew, of course, that her greatest enemy was the Crown Prince. She lowered her eyes slightly, saying no more, but her mind was already calculating.
The two talked all night. When Shen Yue rubbed her forehead, Shi Wei, seeing this, wisely took his leave.
Fu An silently stepped forward and gently massaged Shen Yue's temples.
The pressure was just right, neither too light nor too heavy, relieving the throbbing pain in her head and smoothing her tightly furrowed brows.
"Your Highness, it is very late. You should rest."
She let out a soft hum. After bathing, Shen Yue went to bed, only to have to get up before dawn to attend the morning court.
And she had to maintain her persona, not even daring to yawn.
The Crown Prince stood beside her. The two glared at each other, and with so many people present, they couldn't say much. They simply couldn't stand the sight of each other and didn't even want to spare a second glance.
Shen Yue truly didn't understand why so many people were obsessed with the throne. It was tiring, brought tears, and sitting for too long shortened one's life.
System: [People strive for progress, just as water flows downwards. This is the rule of society.]
Shen Yue: [Ah, I know. It's all thanks to you~]
In any case, Shen Yue couldn't understand it. The densely packed words on the memorials gave her a headache, and there were even some rare characters she didn't understand. But that was fine, she had the system's cheat.
The morning court was merely a battle of words. Shen Yue quietly listened as they argued until their faces were red, while the Emperor sat on his throne, his expression inscrutable.
—
The flowers in the imperial garden had bloomed, a riot of colors, competing in beauty and exuding fragrance.
Several princes were playing, with the Crown Prince at the center of their attention, his face still a little pale and his expression somewhat cold.