Chapter 99: Shen Cangtian Leaves the Palace

At the King of Chu’s residence.

The morning light filtered hazily through the window paper into the study.

“Your Highness, you’re awake.”

Shen Yian opened his eyes at the sound.

Yin Hai handed him a handkerchief. “Your Highness, you… you’ve been crying…”

He didn’t know what His Highness had dreamed about, and he wouldn’t ask or guess. He only knew he should stay by His Highness’s side.

“Thank you.”

Taking the handkerchief, Shen Yian took a deep breath and gazed at the bronze mirror before him with a complex expression. 

The dream had ended, yet it was etched in his mind as vividly as a memory. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish whether it had been a dream or something that had actually happened.

“Has the day broken already?”

After a long pause, Shen Yian put away the mirror and stood up. Despite his experience in the dream, his state of mind remained unsettled. It seemed he had thought things too simple.

Never mind, he’d rest for a couple of days and then try other dreamscapes.

“Yes, Your Highness, day has broken,” Yin Hai nodded in response.

Stretching, Shen Yian walked towards his room with a slightly heavy head. The fleeting dream had taken a considerable toll on his mental energy; he’d probably need to sleep half a day to fully recover.

Carefully pushing open the door, Shen Yian found Ye Liyan sitting cross-legged on the bed. True qi circulated around her body, converging towards her dantian. Her nascent life-bound sword continuously emitted faint sword intent.

A few pieces of gauze clung to her red undershirt, accentuating her fine figure. Such an alluring scene jolted Shen Yian to alertness.

Standing in place, he concernedly examined her for a moment. After ensuring Ye Liyan’s cultivation was proceeding without issue, Shen Yian carefully walked to the empty bed on the other side, reserved for accompanying maids, and lay down.

Too lazy to remove his outer clothes, he closed his eyes as soon as he lay down. Drowsiness overwhelmed him, and he fell into a peaceful sleep.

At the Imperial Palace – the Heavenly Gate Pavilion.

“I cannot currently answer Your Majesty’s question,” Lu Wenxuan shook his head, indicating he couldn’t help.

“National Master, could this be some evil sorcery or witchcraft?” Shen Cangtian asked gravely. It wasn’t impossible for witchcraft to appear in the palace; there were many such examples passed down. Some concubines, in their desire for favor, would resort to unorthodox methods.

But that didn’t make sense either. If it was about gaining favor, why would they beat him?

“Your Majesty is protected by the true dragon and blessed with great fortune. No magic can harm you.” Lu Wenxuan flicked his whisk and moved a pawn forward one space on the chessboard.

He wasn’t trying to deceive Shen Cangtian—he wouldn’t dare to. This was indeed the truth.

Shen Cangtian’s expression darkened slightly as he continued to recall the scenes from his dream.

Jing’an Palace…

Why did he and that person go to Jing’an Palace?

Suddenly, he seemed to grasp a thread. Could it be related to the Sixth Son?

“It seems Your Majesty has figured it out.” Lu Wenxuan stood up and walked a few steps to the window, looking out beyond the Heavenly Gate Pavilion.

“I’ve got some idea,” Shen Cangtian nodded, pushing the general piece forward one space with his large hand, then picking up the teacup and draining it in one go.

“Your Majesty, today is a rare good day, why not go out and relax.” 

Lu Wenxuan stretched out his arm, and a house swallow landed on his fingertips, then flapped its wings and flew away.

“I understand,” Shen Cangtian set down his teacup and slowly stood up, asking, “This game is called chess? Was it invented by the Sixth Son?”

“His Highness didn’t specify, but it likely has some connection to him.”

“Hmm, it’s indeed a good thing. Simple rules yet all-encompassing. It should be promoted,” Shen Cangtian said, narrowing his eyes. He sensed a significant business opportunity.

Once chess became popular, it would require many craftsmen to make chess sets. Materials, lacquer, teaching… the whole process would generate considerable revenue, but most of it would be reaped by those noble families and merchants.

He recalled the “intellectual property rights” and “patent fees” the Sixth Son had mentioned before. Paying for the right to use a “patent”? It seemed feasible. He’d summon the Sixth Son to discuss it thoroughly when he had time.

Leaving the Heavenly Gate Pavilion, Shen Cangtian ordered, “Zhao Hai, go personally to the Martial Pavilion and inquire about what the Sixth Son took.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zhao Hai accepted the command and quickly walked towards the Martial Pavilion.

When Zhao Hai returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to report, Shen Cangtian had already changed into plain robes for his incognito visit.

“The sword technique [Splendid Blossoms] and Dream of Nanke, is that right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Shen Cangtian murmured with a smile, “Dream Of Nanke, what a good name.”

“If this old servant may be so bold to ask, is Your Majesty planning to leave the palace?” Zhao Hai asked carefully.

“Yes, I’ve already had a carriage prepared to go out of the city.”

“Then… this old servant will go change clothes right away.”

“Mm, go ahead,” Shen Cangtian nodded.

As the sun rose higher, an ordinary carriage left through a small gate of the imperial palace. The somewhat old axle kept making creaking noises, giving Shen Cangtian inside a headache. He specifically instructed Zhao Hai to send someone to buy two better carriages upon their return.

The carriage passed the South Market and arrived at the North Market. The lively sounds prompted Shen Cangtian to pull open the curtain and look outside. The streets were bustling with people, their faces beaming with smiles. The calls of vendors on both sides of the street were incessant, presenting a scene of prosperity.

Zhao Hai took the opportunity to flatter him, which Shen Cangtian found quite pleasing. After all, which emperor wouldn’t want the world under his rule to be prosperous and stable?

He wanted to build an unprecedentedly powerful Great Qing, to have his achievements surpass all previous Shen Family emperors in the history books, even overshadowing the founding emperor of the Shen Family. He wanted the whole world to know of Great Qing’s existence.

The sun is shining, and heaven blesses all nations!

The carriage left the city and headed straight for the imperial mausoleum.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped at a garden tomb.

Shen Cangtian personally carried many items as he stepped down from the carriage, with Zhao Hai following closely behind.

“Zhao Hai,” Shen Cangtian spoke after gently placing the items in front of the tombstone.

“This old servant is here!”

“Take them and move farther away. I want to spend some time alone talking with my beloved consort,” Shen Cangtian said in a deep voice as he sat cross-legged on the ground.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zhao Hai quickly retreated, leading the hidden Dragon Guards to disappear around the garden tomb.

As the surroundings quieted down, Shen Cangtian opened the food box and took out plates of exquisite dishes.

“Lan’er, I’ve come to see you. I’ve brought your favorite crystal pork hock. Knowing you like sweet things, I specifically had them make it sweet,” he said with reddened eyes and a smile. 

“Do you remember that year in Suzhou? You saved me, and then you escorted me all the way to Pingcang City. To repay you for saving my life, I said I’d take you to play on a flower boat.”

“You didn’t know what a flower boat was then, and eagerly went with me. When we got off the boat, you punched me so many times. I felt so wronged! Who knew you were a woman dressed as a man? It really infuriated me…”

“I say these same things every time I come. Are you tired of hearing them?” Shen Cangtian poured wine in front of the tombstone, his smile tinged with desolation and melancholy.

“Lan’er, I really miss you…”