Volume 1, Chapter 16: The Request (2)

The next day, as Shen Ran was having his evening meal, Yuanbao entered to report, "Your Majesty, Zhao Yuanzhuo has arrived."

Shen Ran nodded slightly. "Very well, send him in."

Yuanbao acknowledged the order and went out to relay the command. Moments later, Zhao Yuanzhuo entered, accompanied by an attendant. He knelt and bowed, saying in a low voice, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Shen Ran gave a faint "hmm" but did not bid him rise. Instead, he asked, "Do you know why I summoned you at this hour?"

The youth’s dark, thick lashes trembled slightly. Lowering his eyes, Zhao Yuanzhuo replied respectfully, "I would not dare to speculate on Your Majesty’s sacred will."

"Is that so? It has only been two days, yet you seem much more sensible than before."

Shen Ran sipped his soup unhurriedly, then set down his spoon and said lazily, "After I left yesterday, what did you say to the Empress?"

Zhao Yuanzhuo’s expression remained unchanged. "I thanked Her Majesty the Empress for her grace."

Shen Ran chuckled. "Is that all?"

Zhao Yuanzhuo continued, "I also requested that Her Majesty maintain a distance from me, so as to avoid any suspicion from Your Majesty and prevent unnecessary trouble."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Shen Ran’s face became difficult to contain. "You are quite candid; you even dare to say such things directly to me. Zhao Yuanzhuo, do not think that just because you have the Empress’s protection, you can rest easy from now on. Since I had the power to make you a guard, I naturally have the means to send you back to being a eunuch."

"Precisely because of that..." Zhao Yuanzhuo said calmly, "Since Your Majesty has already asked, if I were to stammer and say nothing, I would truly be digging my own grave."

Shen Ran laughed again. "Zhao Yuanzhuo, being clever is a good thing, but being too overtly clever is not."

Zhao Yuanzhuo shook his head. "It is not cleverness, but honesty. As Your Majesty said, my life, death, honor, and disgrace are now entirely in your hands, so I dare not harbor the slightest deception."

Shen Ran asked slowly, "No divided loyalties?"

Zhao Yuanzhuo replied in a low voice, "I harbor resentment, but no divided loyalties. My father and brothers were all loyal subjects who loved their country; I would never dare to defy that."

Silence hung over them for a long while before a calm voice commanded, "Look up."

Zhao Yuanzhuo obeyed. However, as their eyes met, neither could discern the emotions of the other.

Shen Ran possessed eyes that seemed to smile even when they did not, filled with a lingering charm; he remained smiling even when angry, and his smiles were even more enigmatic. If he so chose, he could keep his thoughts hidden from everyone. Surprisingly, Zhao Yuanzhuo also managed to keep his secrets from being read. When they first met, the youth’s eyes were filled with humiliation, but now that hatred and shame had vanished, leaving them clear and bottomless.

Shen Ran was wary of Zhao Yuanzhuo, but the words he had spoken in the Imperial Study that day were not false—when one has the ability and status, one may act on one's grievances, but when one lacks the power, one should not wear their emotions on their face, lest they invite further humiliation. He hadn't truly expected Zhao Yuanzhuo to take it to heart. Pampered youths always possessed an irrepressible arrogance, much like his imperial brothers, who were long since cold in their graves. Yet, to his surprise, this youth was putting the lesson to good use. It earned him a measure of respect.

"Very well, I shall take your words at face value." Shen Ran curled his lips slightly. "Rise. A reward for you." He gestured to a cup of wine on the table. Consider it... giving Zhao Yuanzhuo a chance, and perhaps giving his own younger self a chance as well.

Zhao Yuanzhuo rose without changing his expression and drank it.

Shen Ran then said, "There is another matter. Yesterday, the Empress expressed her hope that I would allow Zhao Qinglan to leave the Ministry of Rites. What do you think?"

At the mention of Zhao Qinglan, the calm on Zhao Yuanzhuo’s face finally cracked. One must lower one's head when under the eaves of another. Shen Ran was the Emperor, the master of all; if he could not kill him, cursing him as a "doltish ruler" a thousand times would be useless. It would not clear his father and brothers of the charge of treason, and it would only implicate Xue Wu and the Xue family, who were devoted to him. Yet, while he could humble himself and pretend he was already dead, he could not bear for his sister to fall into the same plight.

It was a difficult question to answer. If he said it was up to Shen Ran, Shen Ran would suspect him of lying; but if he spoke his mind and was refused again, there would be no room for negotiation. However, since Shen Ran had asked, there was a high probability he would agree.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yuanzhuo knelt again. "I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy, and I thank Her Majesty the Empress for her grace."

"Is that all?" Shen Ran tilted his head and finished his wine, asking carelessly, "Will you not take this opportunity to pledge your loyalty?"

Zhao Yuanzhuo replied in a low voice, "I am naturally loyal to Your Majesty, but not because of this matter."

"Well said." Shen Ran sighed with a faint smile. "Go quietly, change your clothes, and follow me out of the palace in half an hour. As for Wu, think of a reason yourself; just ensure you don't worry her."

Zhao Yuanzhuo did not ask for the reason; he simply prostrated himself and said respectfully, "Yes."

...

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"This must not be! This absolutely must not be!" Yuanbao was nearly frightened to death by Shen Ran’s constant whims. "You were just assassinated a few days ago, your wounds haven't even healed, and the mystery of the assassins remains unsolved! How can you leave the palace again at such a critical juncture? And to bring Zhao Yuanzhuo along! If he harbors ill intent, what are we to do then?"

Whenever Yuanbao’s voice rose, it became shrill and thin, making Shen Ran’s ears ring. He frowned and placed his teacup on the table with a firm, controlled motion. It was not a loud noise, just a sharp "clack," but it made Yuanbao tremble violently. He threw himself on the ground, kowtowing like a pestle pounding garlic. "Your Majesty, forgive me! Your Majesty, forgive me!" His voice grew even more high-pitched.

Shen Ran: "..."

Yuanbao, like Wenxi, had served him since childhood. He was older than Wenxi, yet lacked his composure. He was quick to bully others by abusing his authority as the Chief Eunuch, yet he was cowardly and timid in front of Shen Ran. His only virtue was his loyalty; he followed Shen Ran everywhere and was extremely concerned for his safety. Although Shen Ran often felt that this was largely because Yuanbao feared losing his patron, he turned a blind eye to his petty misdeeds out of their childhood bond.

Shen Ran waved a hand. "Enough, stop howling. Get up and speak. I have further instructions for you; if you delay my affairs, watch your skin."

Hearing this, Yuanbao hurriedly covered his mouth and stood up, trembling. He pinched his fingers into an orchid gesture and squeaked, "Yo... Your Majesty."

Under the flickering lamplight, his oily face shone so brightly it could have been used to fry a dish.

Shen Ran: "..."

He never should have named him Yuanbao; he should have called him the "Living Treasure."

Shen Ran said, "To prevent anyone in the palace from spying, you need not follow me out this time. Send someone to summon Li Jiuxiao; have him serve as my attendant as usual."