The Cannon Fodder Awakens, Training the Cold and Proud Protagonist into a Submissive Dog - Chapter 5

Early in the morning, the Zijin Palace was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance, mixed with the sweet and refreshing aroma of the morning meal.

After finishing his breakfast, Shen Chaoqing’s gaze fell upon the newly served bowl of medicinal soup by the table. He picked it up with hesitation and took a small sip, discovering to his surprise that the nauseating bitterness had been reduced by more than half, replaced instead by a lingering, subtle sweetness.

As expected of Imperial Physician Su, his efficiency was remarkably fast. For once, he mentally logged a merit point for Su Chengjin.

Standing nearby with heavy dark circles under his eyes, Fu An said, “As long as Your Majesty enjoys it.”

It was obvious he had stayed up late last night working with Su Chengjin to modify the prescription. This old servant was utterly loyal, following every single command without question, and had even tried to stand in front of him until the very end, only to be stabbed to death by Xiao Huaiyan.

It was a pity that he had always been overshadowed by Wuhuo and rarely got the chance to serve closely before him. Now that Wuhuo had been severely beaten, Fu An naturally stepped up to take his place.

In Shen Chaoqing’s view, this person was usable.

“Old fellow,” Shen Chaoqing chuckled softly, continuing to sip his medicinal soup, “both you and Su Chengjin are awarded fifty taels of gold.”

Overjoyed, Fu An dropped to his knees to express his gratitude.

Although tyrannical, Shen Chaoqing never begrudged his subordinates rewards; the servants in the Zijin Palace had always been rolling in wealth. As long as one served their master diligently and avoided displeasing him, boundless fortunes lay ahead.

Shen Chaoqing drained the medicinal soup in one breath and popped a candied plum into his mouth. Finding it not quite enough, he grabbed several more and held them in his palm.

“Hold court.”

During the morning assembly in the Golden Hall, someone brought up last night’s assassination attempt.

“Your Majesty, this old minister heard that there were petty villains assassinating within the palace last night. Is the imperial dragon constitution still well? Truly alarming to hear!” Zheng Guanlan stepped out from the ranks.

As the imperial tutor who had also served three generations of emperors, he held immense power and prestige with disciples spread all across the world. It was entirely fitting for him to make the inquiry.

Seated securely upon the dragon throne, Shen Chaoqing wore a languid expression. “Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I am completely well; those were merely a few clowns playing at being clever, and they have already been dealt with.”

Zheng Guanlan relaxed slightly before furrowing his brows to press further: “This old minister also heard… that they were people from Liao?”

Shen Chaoqing swept an indifferent gaze across the ministers below, his voice steady and calm: “They were not people from Liao. Last night, the commander of the imperial guards investigated and confirmed that they were merely scoundrels disguised in the likeness of Liao folk, attempting an assassination to frame others and disrupt the alliance between our two nations.”

Every single one of the assassins had been cleanly disposed of, and all evidence pointed to a single place Liao. Even if the investigation continued, it would never lead back to the Empress Dowager. It was far better to close the case early and await a better opportunity.

With his profound astuteness, Zheng Guanlan immediately understood the hidden implications and the emperor’s stance of not wishing to probe deeply. He bowed and said, “So that is how it is. Your Majesty is truly wise.” He paused in contemplation before shifting the topic, his tone turning heavy: “However, this old minister also heard another matter… that Your Majesty has kept that Liao prince by your side to serve the ink brush?”

“Indeed, that is true.” Shen Chaoqing tapped his fingertips lightly against the dragon throne’s armrest. “Does Teacher have any objections?”

Zheng Guanlan’s white eyebrows knitted tightly together, his words earnest and sincere: “Your Majesty! Xiao Huaiyan is the crown prince of a foreign land who has marched into battle alongside his uncle since childhood; his wolfish ambitions are glaringly obvious! To keep him by your side is no different from embracing a venomous snake and nurturing a tiger that will eventually devour you! This old minister earnestly implores Your Majesty…”

“Grand Tutor Zheng speaks erroneously!”

Before Zheng Guanlan could finish, Marquis of Jing’an Li Miaoze loudly interrupted, stepping out with a salute and wearing a complacent, slightly dismissive smile: “His Majesty is the True Dragon of Heaven, blessed with boundless fortune; how could he possibly fear a mere political hostage? Even if that Xiao Huaiyan were once a savage wolf, now that his teeth have been pulled and his claws clipped, he is nothing more than a somewhat docile big cat—what is there to fear? For Your Majesty to keep him close by to relieve boredom is his supreme fortune!”

He wished nothing more than for Xiao Huaiyan to stand right before the emperor’s eyes every single day, hoping that one day the captive would foolishly provoke the imperial wrath and be executed on the spot by Shen Chaoqing, saving everyone the trouble.

Zheng Guanlan’s beard trembled with fury at Li Miaoze’s sophistry: “Marquis of Jing’an! This is no child’s play! Even a cornered beast has its day of retaliation! His Majesty’s safety concerns the very foundation of the state; how can we permit the slightest gamble?!”

“Grand Tutor Zheng is worrying excessively!”

“The Marquis of Jing’an is the one disregarding His Majesty’s safety!”

The two of them argued back and forth on the floor of the Golden Hall, refusing to yield an inch, prompting whispers to ripple through the assembly of officials.

Coldly observing the dispute unfolding below, Shen Chaoqing found it both tedious and noisy. Suddenly, he raised his hand and gave a gentle wave.

The hall instantly fell silent.

Every eye focused upon the imperial throne.

The young emperor leaned forward slightly, the corners of his lips curling into an ambiguous, light smile.

“The two beloved ministers need not argue any further.”

He paused, his voice not loud, yet clearly carrying to every corner of the vast hall.

“I am keeping him by my side simply because…”

“Prince Xiao possesses striking features, and I wish to… grow closer to him.”

Zheng Guanlan and Li Miaoze, who had just been arguing until their faces turned purple, froze in place as though simultaneously seized by the throat, the color draining instantly from their complexions. Zheng Guanlan, in particular, saw his aged face flush crimson, turn ashen-blue, and finally go completely pale, his lips trembling without managing to spit out a single syllable, as though he had heard something capable of subverting everything he had learned in life.

Even Fu An, who had been standing respectfully in attendance beside the imperial throne, abruptly lifted his head, his pupils contracting as he stared in sheer disbelief at his own sovereign.

After Xiao Huaiyan was reduced to such a state last night, how on earth could anyone find him striking?

Acting as though he had failed to notice the colorful and exceptionally dramatic expressions on the faces of his officials below, Shen Chaoqing unconcernedly announced: “Court is dismissed.”

With that, ignoring everyone’s reactions, he stood up, flicked his sleeves, and departed, leaving behind a hall full of dumbfounded ministers drifting in a daze.

Returning to the Zijin Palace, just as Shen Chaoqing finished changing out of his court robes, Fu An stepped forward cautiously and reported in a low voice: “Your Majesty, both Prince Xiao and Wuhuo have received their medicines and are settled. Would Your Majesty… wish to summon Prince Xiao here to serve the ink brush?”

Shen Chaoqing paused his movements, slightly surprised. “He can already stand up?”

Had his blows been that light yesterday? That fellow had taken a full beating of whips and even had his hand bones crushed.

Seeming to perceive his confusion, Fu An donned his customary slightly fawning smile and added in a gentle tone: “Prince Xiao… his physical constitution happens to be somewhat sturdier than an ordinary person’s.”

Hearing this, a fleeting trace of faint surprise crossed Shen Chaoqing’s eyes, which quickly deepened into a much stronger surge of intrigue.

“Oh?” His voice curved upward slightly as he turned and walked behind his desk to sit down. “Then bring him up for me to take a look.”

The warm pavilion was heated thoroughly by charcoal fires. Wearing a sky-blue robe, Shen Chaoqing sat behind the sandalwood desk, lifting a brush dipped in ink to review memorial documents.

When Xiao Huaiyan entered the hall, he had already changed into a dark-colored garment. Once cleaned up, his facial features stood out much clearer, and the distinguished aura of imperial royalty could no longer be concealed.

His left hand was wrapped thickly in linen cloth, the oozing blood stains dried into a hard crust. The imperial physician had clearly treated him perfunctorily; the whip scar on his right cheek was only clumsily smeared with a layer of yellowish-brown ointment, the swelling still unreduced.

Even so, one could still discern his deep, dark eyes, prominent nose bridge, and exceptionally thin lips. Once those scars faded, it was impossible to imagine what a cold, handsome face lay underneath.

Smiling amiably, Shen Chaoqing propped up his chin. “Do you know how to serve others?”