Shen Quebai had not lived at Jing Garden since he was seven, choosing instead to play out this amusing game of “you thought I was dead, and I let you continue thinking so” with the very people who had conspired to kill him. Jing Garden was remote, and the gate usually saw no visitors, yet today it was exceptionally lively.
A long, snake-like procession of carriages stopped outside the gate. Two young eunuchs in green robes stood guard, each holding an incense burner, burning incense meant to ward off evil. Inside the courtyard, two rows of eunuchs stood with bowed heads. Shen Quebai, dressed in humble attire, knelt on a cushion, head bowed respectfully, his vision filled only with the hem of a brilliant scarlet robe.
The imperial eunuch finished reciting the decree in a loud voice. Seeing Shen Quebai remained motionless, lost in a trance, he could not help but urge, “Fifth Young Master, please accept the decree.”
“…Master Eunuch, forgive this commoner’s ignorance,” Shen Quebai managed to snap out of it, looking up with two flickers of shock and confusion, “is this truly an imperial decree granting a marriage?”
A prince of the realm wanting to marry a male wife, and the Emperor had actually agreed—the eunuch didn’t mention that he himself had been so startled before the throne that he had tripped and fallen. Seeing the glimmer of tears in Shen Quebai’s eyes, he hurriedly said, “His Majesty and His Highness naturally know you are a man, and this is indeed an imperial decree granting a marriage.”
Shen Quebai closed his eyes, then raised his hands to receive the scroll, his voice trembling as he said, “This commoner… accepts the decree.”
His eyes fought to hold back tears, and his lips were pale, but his spine was as straight as a pine or bamboo, possessing a solemn resilience. The eunuch felt a pang of pity. He leaned over to help Shen Quebai up, his voice softening, “His Highness is of noble status and a favored courtier of the Son of Heaven from a young age; you couldn’t find a better husband even if you searched with a lantern. I see that the Fifth Young Master is handsome, dignified, and polite; you are a perfect match for His Highness. You will surely have a good life ahead.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Master Eunuch.” Shen Quebai forced a smile, “Please wait a moment, and allow me to return to my room for a short while.”
The eunuch smiled, “Of course, no rush.”
Shen Quebai turned and entered the house. The eunuch smoothed his scarlet sleeves and sighed to himself: such a flourishing young man, about to be broken in Xuandu.
Inside the house, there were several loud bangs and clatters, as if he were turning the place upside down.
A moment later, Shen Quebai returned and said to the eunuch, “The journey is long and arduous; you and your men have worked hard.” He handed over a silk pouch, his tone embarrassed, “Please consider this a small gift from me as a host, for you and your men to add an extra meal.”
The eunuch glanced at the money bag. He thought to himself that given Shen Quebai’s circumstances, this was likely all he possessed. Who in the palace didn’t know how to weigh the situation and distribute favors? Shen Quebai had been personally summoned back to the capital by the Emperor and betrothed to the Prince of Mingxuan; it looked like divine grace, but in reality, his future was uncertain. In his position, there was no need to seek such favor.
But the eunuch took the money bag anyway, saying, “The Fifth Young Master is a blessed person; this is a blessing bestowed upon us, so I shall thank you on behalf of these rascals. Oh, by the way—why is Nanny Gui not here?”
Shen Quebai’s hand, tucked into his sleeve, curled slightly. He said softly, “Nanny Gui passed away from illness long ago.”
The eunuch was surprised, “Did the Marquis’s estate not send another nanny?”
“I did not inform the estate. If I had, they would have felt obligated to send an old, senior nanny. The journey is so long, and this place is not as comfortable as the Marquis’s estate—why have an old woman come here to suffer?” Shen Quebai smiled apologetically, “Besides, I am not a three-year-old child; I can still take care of myself.”
This wasn’t fear of the Marquis’s estate feeling obligated; it was knowing full well they wouldn’t care, so he couldn’t be bothered to waste his breath. The eunuch’s thoughts shifted. He said calmly, “Then I shall wait at the prefectural government office. Please pack your things, and I will come to pick you up this evening.”
Shen Quebai bowed, “Go slowly.”
The eunuch returned the bow and turned to leave. His party followed him out of the small courtyard, and the gate closed softly. The sound of carriages moving away echoed through the air. Shen Quebai stood on the steps, his expression calm, though his eyes remained stained a faint red.
After standing still for a while, he returned to the room. The window rattled with a clank, and Hua Wu vaulted inside. She was usually gentle, but now her voice was sharp, “Has Zhu Hexing gone mad? To marry a man as his Princess? And Emperor Jing’an, has his brain been rotted by illness too!”
Shen Quebai untied the gourd at his waist, popped the cork, and took a sip of lychee wine, saying, “It is said that the founding ancestor of the Great Liang took a male Empress, kept his harem empty, and lived out his days in loving companionship.”
“Is that the same thing? That was giving his beloved a position of honor; Zhu Hexing is just… just…” Hua Wu couldn’t see through Zhu Hexing’s motives, pacing around like a headless fly, the veins on her fair neck bulging, “Could it be that Zhu Hexing truly favors the ‘Southern Wind’ (same-sex love)? But why marry you”
“Wait.” Shen Quebai heard something profound, his eyes widening slightly, “What do you mean by ‘truly’?”
Hua Wu said, “Zhu Hexing has turned twenty and still has no wives or concubines, nor has he had any romantic affairs with any young ladies. Even the servants in his household are all men.”
“So rumors say he favors the Southern Wind?” Shen Quebai found it funny. With Zhu Hexing’s alluring skin, black heart, and acerbic tongue, saying his bed was empty because he liked men was less plausible than saying he simply hadn’t found anyone he deemed worthy.
“If he liked men, he should have a ‘bosom friend’ by now,” Shen Quebai asked with his eyes: Does he have one?
“Rumor has it he does.” Hua Wu’s tone grew weaker, “Zhu Hexing is not the biological nephew of Emperor Jing’an. It is said that every time the Emperor summons Zhu Hexing into the palace, it is in his sleeping quarters. Often, they stay for half a day, and no one is allowed to serve inside. They often travel alone, and Zhu Hexing has even slept on the Emperor’s small daybed. The eunuch who leaked that news disappeared that very day. Isn’t this just a case of ‘protesting too much’ or ‘hiding something'”
“Pfft!” Shen Quebai spat out a mouthful of iced drink, his face turning a faint red, “Perverted!”
Hua Wu clapped, “Exactly! Perverted! The Imperial family knows how to play!”
“I mean, the people who think that way are perverted.” Shen Quebai put the cap back on his jade bottle, “Emperor Jing’an raised Zhu Hexing from childhood; naturally, they are close. Is it not normal for them to meet and play together? One is the Emperor, the other a Prince and Commander of the Xuan Yi Guard; naturally, they must avoid people when discussing state affairs. As for sleeping on a daybed…”
He spread his hands, “Why couldn’t he? Sleeping on the Dragon Bed would also be acceptable.”
“I cannot refute that.” Hua Wu scratched her head, “But why on earth does he want to marry you?”
Zhu Hexing’s status was noble; his Princess must be a lady from a high-ranking family. If this marriage was the Emperor’s intention, it was an insult to the Prince of Mingxuan’s estate and the Zhu clan. But if it were Zhu Hexing’s own idea… his status was special, and his marriage must involve a careful weighing of power and interests. Why did the Emperor agree?
“I suddenly have a theory.” Hua Wu said.
Shen Quebai replied, “I’m all ears.”
“Zhu Hexing has turned twenty, and his family must be scouting for marriage prospects. He doesn’t want to marry a wife who brings political baggage, so he thought of you. Although your status isn’t a match, you cannot bear heirs, so the future heir to the Prince’s estate will naturally have nothing to do with you. You are a discarded son of the Marquis’s estate; slapping the Marquis’s face with this is like a mosquito bite it makes no loud sound, and Zhu Hexing hasn’t offended any high-ranking officials.” Hua Wu exhaled and folded her hands, “What’s even better is that you have no backing at home; in the future, if he wants to do something, or if he wants to take in a hundred and eighty beautiful concubines, he won’t have to worry about the face of your family.”
Shen Quebai stroked the bottle, “It makes sense, but not entirely.”
Hua Wu asked, “Hmm?”
“Not marrying is always better than marrying the wrong person. If the Emperor could agree to the latter, why wouldn’t he agree to the former?” Shen Quebai recalled the image of Zhu Hexing, whispering, “Zhu Hexing is a bit mad, but he hasn’t lost his mind. Perhaps we think too deeply while he is merely acting on a whim, or perhaps we think shallowly while he is brewing a belly full of schemes. Guessing his thoughts is truly difficult, so… let us not guess at all.”
Hua Wu looked at him, puzzled.
Shen Quebai said, “Regardless, Shen the Fifth is but a pawn in this marriage. Whether it is useful or how it is to be used is entirely up to Zhu Hexing.”
Zhu Hexing’s shocking move had disrupted Shen Quebai’s plans, but since things had reached this point, regret was useless; it was better to follow the current and change course. “If Zhu Hexing wants to use me as a pawn, I shall comply.” He lowered his eyes, “A pawn, when meeting the right player, can reach the place it wants to go. The player thinks he is one move ahead, not knowing the pawn is also fulfilling its own wishes.”
As he spoke, Shen Quebai looked at Hua Wu, “You stay in Chaotian City.”
Hua Wu replied, “You are returning to Xuandu and entering the tiger’s den that is the Prince of Mingxuan’s estate; I am worried.”
Shen Quebai said, “I have my own people in Xuandu; I am not isolated or helpless. That place is not like Chaotian City…”
“That is exactly why I must follow you; the dark stakes in Xuandu don’t know you as well as I do.” Hua Wu crouched before Shen Quebai to look into his eyes, but they were so moist, like layers of rouge-mist, that she couldn’t see clearly. She pressed her lips together and said, “It has been so many years. I have vaguely guessed your purpose, yet I dared not be certain, which often made me feel dazed. But it does not matter. We have known each other for ten years; I trust you and I submit to you. Whatever you want to do, I am with you.”
Shen Quebai looked at her for a long time, then reached out to help her up, “Sister trusts me, and I trust Sister.” He paused and said softly, “Without a blade in hand, I was once fish on a cutting board. Uncle Xuan was right; it has been twelve years. My nightmares remain, and my old grudges are unavenged.”
Blow after blow of the stick had fallen; the elderly woman’s bloated, ruined corpse had been soaked in the septic tank; the ice lake was a pile of icicles that pierced flesh and bone. The snow that winter had not been white.
Shen Quebai would always remember that day.
“They said my life was cheap, and Nanny Gui, who had taken care of me for seven years, also suffered a cheap fate, dying so painfully.” Shen Quebai whispered, “I will crush their noble skulls; I promise.”
“I know you don’t just want revenge, otherwise you wouldn’t have made a move against Zhu Hexing.” Hua Wu stroked the silk ribbon at her waist, “So I will continue to work hard to earn you a future.”
Shen Quebai was startled, then smiled, “Sister understands me.”
Having received the answer, Hua Wu’s heart relaxed, then her expression changed instantly, and she mocked, “But don’t forget, you are not going to Xuandu to be a little dragon playing in the waves; you are entering a tiger’s den.”
“Whether it is a sheep entering a tiger’s den or pulling teeth from a tiger, only time will tell.” Shen Quebai extended a finger to push the imperial decree on the table, and it spread out across the surface. His tone was intimate, “Killing a husband in his sleep is also a form of romantic passion.”