“Ah, why did you have to provoke Zui Xing Lai?”
Inside Chuigong Hall, Zhao Zhen held the tear-streaked Consort Zhang and sighed helplessly.
That boy was a born troublemaker, stubborn as a mule, only to be handled with care.
He showed some respect only to his birth mother, Consort Miao. As for everyone else, including his own father the emperor, he would argue at the slightest disagreement.
Though young, the boy had a knack for seizing the moral high ground, leaving others not only speechless but even convinced by his arguments.
Consort Zhang’s defeat was to be expected.
After promising to promote her uncle Zhang Yaozuo to the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Judge, Zhao Zhen finally managed to soothe the beauty in his arms, earning a gentle and sweet smile.
As usual, it was his trusted confidant Zhang Maoze who escorted her out.
Fate, however, had other plans. Zhang Maoze, who wished he could disappear, once again found himself caught by the scruff of his neck—this time by Zhao Zhen himself.
“Why didn’t you bring Zui Xing Lai?” Zhao Zhen’s eyes were fixed on the Zuo Memorial, but his words struck Zhang Maoze’s heart.
Zhang Maoze lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest, and replied respectfully, “Didn’t Guanjia instruct this servant to see what the Second Prince was doing?”
Fetching the boy, then, was not a necessity.
Zhao Zhen sneered.
There were no fools in the palace, let alone among his confidants.
But the Song dynasty did not make a habit of executing officials, and this was a eunuch he had long relied on. Moreover, his intention was to avoid conflict between father and son, so Zhao Zhen chose to turn a blind eye.
He posed his second question: “When Zui Xing Lai was arguing with Consort Zhang, did the Empress speak? If so, what did she say?”
Sweat beaded on Zhang Maoze’s forehead.
Zhao Xin remained unaware of the exchange between the emperor and his official in Chuigong Hall.
His only concern at the moment was whether the Imperial City Surveillance Agency could work faster. Any further delay, and even if the market hadn’t dispersed, he’d miss out on the good finds.
In his previous life, Zhao Xin had accompanied his eldest niece while watching TV dramas and incidentally learned that the Imperial City Surveillance Agency was the Song dynasty’s equivalent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Now, seeing it for himself, he thought, well, this was purely a gatekeeping unit.
And as for their attire resembling the Embroidered Uniform Guard—it was enough to make him laugh.
The Ming dynasty’s Embroidered Uniform Guard had their iconic flying fish robes, while the Imperial City Surveillance Agency looked no different from the palace guards.
Coupled with the low status of soldiers in the Song dynasty, Zhao Xin couldn’t detect even a hint of the elite spirit expected of the emperor’s personal guard. Instead, they reminded him of toll booth workers from his previous life—mechanical, numb, with formulaic smiles.
Zhao Xin’s words and actions were now under close scrutiny, and this moment was no exception.
A fair-faced, handsome, and refined-looking boy of about eight or nine rode a small pony up to his carriage and said, “Your Highness, there’s no need to be anxious. Dongjing City has a population of over a million, and Sweetwater Alley bustles day and night. There will be plenty of opportunities for Your Highness to observe the ways of the world.”
Someone who could so easily approach Zhao Xin’s carriage was clearly no ordinary person. Zhao Xin grinned and replied, “Cousin, you’re right to admonish me. I was too impatient.”
The one who had ridden over to speak with Zhao Xin was none other than Empress Cao’s nephew, Zhao Xin’s designated Imperial Study Companion, Cao Ping.
The Cao family had served as military officers for generations. Cao Ping’s great-grandfather was Cao Bin, hailed as the finest general of the Song dynasty, which elevated the Cao family to the pinnacle of Military Nobility.
However, by Cao Ping’s generation, perhaps influenced by the prevailing trend that favored scholars, his appearance, demeanor, and attire were now indistinguishable from those of ordinary scholarly families.
If there was any difference, it was that he still rode a horse for daily travel.
This was something that most scholars in the Great Song Dynasty, as well as the vast majority of low- to mid-ranking military officers, could not do.
After all, the two best horse-breeding lands were now in the hands of the Liao and Xia states, respectively.
This directly led to a severe shortage of horses throughout the Great Song Dynasty, to an almost absurd degree. The fact that Cao Ping could ride a small, short horse already put him ahead of ninety percent of the population.
Without exaggeration, just by virtue of this horse, passersby would immediately recognize him as a nobleman.
Cao Ping, who looked like a scholar, also behaved with the character and conduct of one. Zhao Xin’s greeting of “brother” nearly caused him to fall right off his horse.
He then blurted out a series of clearly unthinking words: “I—no, Your Highness, you truly humble your servant!
“I have inherited the legacy of my father and ancestors, and I am fortunate to have earned Your Highness’s appreciation. By Guanjia’s grace, I was appointed as Your Highness’s Imperial Study Companion, for which I am already deeply grateful and at a loss for words.
“My father often reminds me that loyalty to the sovereign is paramount. How could I possibly accept the title of ‘cousin’ from Your Highness, which would disrupt the proper order of respect and hierarchy?”
Seeing that Cao Ping was about to dismount and apologize, Zhao Xin panicked as well. He quickly jumped down from the carriage and, before Cao Ping could kneel, supported him, sighing helplessly: “You truly live up to the legacy of the Duke of Lu, upholding the family tradition of reverence and humility.”
Cao Ping’s expression remained tense, without a hint of a smile.
Zhao Xin had no choice but to explain: “Father has permitted me to leave the palace three times a month to observe the world. You will surely accompany me on these outings. Will you still address me as ‘Your Highness’ then? Besides, considering our connection through my mother, what’s wrong with me calling you ‘cousin’?”
Cao Ping was somewhat persuaded by Zhao Xin’s words, and his expression softened slightly. However, he still insisted: “Propriety must not be abandoned. I shall only accept such presumptuous words when we are outside the palace.”
Zhao Xin had already formed a basic impression of Cao Ping’s character, thinking to himself that the System’s search result describing him as a lover of literature and history was somewhat conservative.
This was clearly the makings of a virtuous advisor—gentle, courteous, knowing when to advance or retreat, and steadfast in upholding principles.
In the historical timeline of his previous life, Cao Ping was likely held back by his dual identity as Imperial Consort Kin and military officer, which prevented him from achieving greater fame.
He just didn’t know how Cao Ping’s archery skills were progressing now. The information retrieved by the System told him that Cao Ping was exceptionally skilled in archery.
He could shoot equally well with both hands and could hit targets even in the dark or with candles extinguished. When accompanying Khitan envoys for archery, he once hit two targets simultaneously.
However, when Zhao Xin supported him earlier, he felt the firm muscles on Cao Ping’s forearm, suggesting that the family’s martial skills had not been neglected.
In any case, the more Zhao Xin looked at Cao Ping, the more he liked him, and the happier he became. By the end, his mouth was stretched into a wide grin, revealing rows of small, milky-white teeth.
Cao Ping, unaware of the reason for this, felt goosebumps all over from Zhao Xin’s laughter. Fortunately, the Imperial City Surveillance Agency had finished inspecting the carriage, and a leading officer came over to report to Zhao Xin, rescuing Cao Ping from the awkward situation.
The officer, who was lean and agile, said: “Your Highness, the carriage and attendants have all been inspected and are without issue. Please board the carriage. I will lead two squads to accompany and protect you.”
Zhao Xin was stunned. Two squads meant twenty people—almost half a platoon. What was the point of disguising himself as a commoner then?
Noticing his astonishment, the officer hurriedly said, “Your Highness, rest assured, apart from me, the others are following in secret. We are all accustomed to such matters and will certainly not hinder Your Highness’s affairs.”
Good heavens, it really is a secret service agency similar to the Imperial Guards. How come it has no fame in history?
“However…” After finishing his words, the officer did not leave, his eyes flickering.
Zhao Xin had just relaxed when the officer’s words made him tense again, and he looked at him curiously.
Cao Ping acted as his mouthpiece, scolding, “You fool, if you have something to say, say it quickly. His Highness is benevolent and kind, how could he blame you? If you keep hesitating and delay His Highness’s affairs…”
The officer panicked, his waist immediately slumping as he quickly said, “I would never dare to hinder Your Highness’s affairs. It’s just that I heard Your Highness wishes to go into the city to observe the lives of the common people?”
“Exactly.”
“Then I boldly advise that Your Highness and Young Master Cao should change into different clothes. Hmm…” After a pause, he continued, “Young Master Cao should also avoid riding a horse.”
Zhao Xin was taken aback, then tugged at his sleeves and shook his head with a bitter smile.
This wretched feudal society, this wretched class system, had unknowingly corrupted him so deeply.
Before this officer reminded him, he hadn’t realized at all that there was anything wrong with his luxurious attire and jade ornaments.
Cao Ping, being more attentive, asked, “Where will we get the clothes to change into?”
“Young Master Cao, don’t worry. Dongjing City is not short of second-hand clothing shops that also rent out garments. When the brothers in the agency reach marriageable age, they always go a few times and have many familiar places. We can rent two sets of clean clothes then.
“As for your horse, we can temporarily leave it in the agency for care. You can send someone from your residence to retrieve it later.”
His words flowed smoothly and fluently, clearly having been thought over for a long time.
Zhao Xin decisively made the decision, “Good, then we’ll do as you suggest. By the way, what is your name?”
The officer’s face lit up with joy as he hurriedly replied, “My humble name is Liang He.”
“Liang He?” Zhao Xin watched the officer’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but curl his lips in speechlessness.
With his long arms, slender waist, and spindly legs, he should be called Liang Ape rather than Liang He. What kind of crane is this?
Although his physique and name were a severe mismatch, Liang He truly lived up to being a seasoned officer of the Imperial City Surveillance Agency, arranging everything perfectly.
After leaving the second-hand clothing shop, not only had Zhao Xin and Cao Ping changed their outfits and transformed their appearances, but even the carriage had been replaced with an inconspicuous gray-canopied, green-topped model, showcasing a level of professionalism that was truly top-notch.
Moreover, along the way, Liang He drove the carriage while telling them stories, his wealth of knowledge opening the eyes of the two noble young masters who had grown up in sheltered environments.
Zhao Xin even began to suspect that this thick-browed, big-eyed fellow knew exactly how many sewers there were in all of Dongjing City and how many rats were hiding inside.
But Liang He clearly knew his limits, only sharing harmless tales of the common folk along the journey.
“Whoa—young masters, the market is just ahead. It’s too crowded for the carriage to pass through, so we’ll have to walk.”
Zhao Xin naturally had no objections. Being young, short-legged, and of noble status, he was rightfully carried on Liang He’s shoulders, while Cao Ping walked alongside Liang He, looking very much like a father taking his two sons to the market.
In Zhao Xin’s eyes, the market he saw now was not much different from the rural markets he had experienced in his later life.
The place was bustling with people, and the goods for sale were varied, seemingly encompassing everything imaginable, with the sounds of haggling never ceasing.
But upon closer inspection, one could see that many people were sallow and emaciated, clearly malnourished.
Many wore dirty robes, likely because they had no spare clothes to change into, while others huddled and shivered to fend off the bitter cold.
The ground was uneven, with puddles of water in many places that had frozen into a thin layer of ice, not to mention the various kinds of garbage carelessly discarded by those who paid no heed to cleanliness.
Liang He noticed his mood and helped explain, “This is the large market held every ten days. Many farmers from the outskirts come into the city. They are ignorant and lack manners. The gatherings at the Great Xiangguo Temple are much better.”
Zhao Xin pursed his lips, said nothing, and quietly suppressed his emotions.
Believing himself to be a man of his word, Zhao Xin directed Liang He to take him to the area where various small trinkets were sold.
But once they arrived, he found himself at a loss.
These wooden carvings, clay sculptures, straw weavings, and bamboo crafts all looked quite nice, so what exactly did his sister mean by “lacking in artifice” and “more refined” trinkets?
Zhao Xin was certain that if he bought something unsatisfactory, his sister would surely nag him thirty times a day.
So, could someone please tell him what was currently fashionable in Dongjing City? Following the trend should at least keep him from making a big mistake.
Those who did business in the market had sharp eyes. The stall owner immediately recognized Zhao Xin as a genuine customer and spared no effort in promoting his wares.
In the end, it was Cao Ping, ever loyal to his lord, who shouldered the burden. Zhao Xin couldn’t tell what criteria Cao Ping used to make his selections, but from the pained look in the stall owner’s eyes, he knew Cao Ping had chosen well.
Although Liang He had disguised Zhao Xin and Cao Ping, they still appeared to be from moderately well-off families, and their demeanor and bearing were impossible to fake.
Cao Ping was refined and polite, speaking with confidence. Zhao Xin was fair-skinned and rosy-cheeked, clearly well-fed and cared for.
Coupled with their unrestrained buying spree and complete refusal to haggle, they quickly attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.
“Young master! Please, have mercy! For the sake of my daughter and me, take pity and buy this child! In the future, whether as a maid or a concubine, serving tea and water would be her fortune!”
Cao Ping looked at the woman clutching his leg and weeping, utterly at a loss for what to do.