Volume Five: Those Years When I Was the Prime Minister
Soft-Hearted
The moment she stepped out of the tent, Sheng Tingwan let out a deep breath.
For some reason, she could still seem to feel the heat and strength of Wen Nuan’s embrace. Her breath, her fragrance, her skin, and her lips seemed to have planted themselves in her mind, taking root, sprouting, and flourishing.
Sheng Tingwan shook her head, trying to cast the vexing thoughts aside, and turned back toward her own tent.
As soon as she pulled open the flap, she saw Shen Zhijin sprawled brazenly across her bed, sleeping with swagger. An unknown liquid trickled from the corner of his mouth, and snores rose and fell. He was sleeping as soundly as could be.
Sheng Tingwan narrowed her eyes, walked over, and kicked the side of the bed. “Get up.”
Shen Zhijin’s nose twitched, but he showed no intention of getting up, continuing to sleep with his head under the covers.
“…” Sheng Tingwan ground her back teeth. “Shen Zhijin, get your ass up for Zhen!”
Roused by the noise, Shen Zhijin’s brow furrowed tightly. He mumbled, “Who is it? Are you tired of living, disturbing this young master’s sleep!?”
Sheng Tingwan laughed in anger, her voice sharp. “Shen Zhijin, who do you want dead?”
“This young master wants you dead!” Annoyed at being disturbed, Shen Zhijin shot up and cursed, “This young master thinks you don’t want to live any—”
He stared at the grave-faced Sheng Tingwan before him, his eyes widening. He quickly rolled off the bed and knelt on the ground, his attitude sincere. “This consort1 was wrong. This consort was muddle-headed from sleep. This consort was talking in his sleep, how could this consort dare wish for Your Majesty to die?”
Sheng Tingwan took a step forward and sat on the edge of the bed. “It seems Noble Consort2 Shen slept quite well last night?”
Shen Zhijin immediately shook his head. “No, this consort did not sleep well at all. Your Majesty did not return all night; this consort was extremely worried.”
“Heh, so worried you fell asleep, and even sleep-talked about killing Zhen. Noble Consort Shen’s heart is truly unfathomable,” Sheng Tingwan said mockingly.
“This consort was wrong, this consort knows he was wrong. I beg Your Majesty to be lenient,” Shen Zhijin pouted aggrievedly.
Sheng Tingwan shot him a glare. “Since you were a child, you’ve always been a master of cracking jokes and acting cute to get your way.”
Shen Zhijin knew Sheng Tingwan wasn’t truly angry and said with a grin, “Your Majesty understands this consort best, so you naturally know that this consort was worried about you.”
He looked at Sheng Tingwan and asked curiously, “Your Majesty, you didn’t return last night. Did you sleep in Lord Prime Minister Ling’s tent?”
A trace of panic flashed in Sheng Tingwan’s eyes. She quickly said, “How could that be? Zhen was discussing military matters with General Li all night. Why would I sleep in Ling Wen Nuan’s tent?!”
Seeing her sudden panic, Shen Zhijin asked suspiciously, “Really?”
“You dare to question Zhen?” Sheng Tingwan’s gaze turned dangerous.
Shen Zhijin immediately waved his hands. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Your Majesty’s words are golden mouth, jade words3; there are absolutely no lies.”
Sheng Tingwan snorted. “You know what’s good for you. If you…”
Just then, a call came from outside the tent.
“Your Majesty, this commoner, Ling Wen Nuan, requests an audience.”
Sheng Tingwan’s brow furrowed. She glanced at Shen Zhijin, then reached out, pulled him into her arms, and shot him a look. “Come in.”
Shen Zhijin’s body immediately went limp, and he collapsed into Sheng Tingwan’s embrace, deliberately avoiding looking at Ling Wen Nuan.
Wen Nuan walked into the tent. Seeing the two people embracing by the bed, she lowered her eyes. “This commoner, Ling Wen Nuan, pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
Although Sheng Tingwan had told her not to refer to herself as a commoner, Shen Zhijin was here, after all. The distinction between high and low status could not be forgotten.
Hearing her still call herself a commoner, Sheng Tingwan’s brow twitched slightly. She kept her arm around Shen Zhijin’s waist. “Is there something?”
Wen Nuan took something out from her robes. “Your Majesty’s brocade socks were left in this commoner’s tent.”
“…!!” Just as Shen Zhijin was about to turn his head to look, Sheng Tingwan’s hand clamped down on the back of his neck, preventing him from moving.
“…Dare to turn your head, and Zhen will snap your neck,” Sheng Tingwan threatened in a low voice.
Shen Zhijin immediately lay obediently in Sheng Tingwan’s arms, not daring to make a move.
Sheng Tingwan looked at the brocade socks in Wen Nuan’s hand. They were indeed her personal garments. She had left in such a hurry just now that she hadn’t even noticed she had put on her shoes barefoot.
“It’s just a pair of brocade socks. Throw them away. Did you really need to make a special trip to deliver them?” Sheng Tingwan suspected Wen Nuan was doing this on purpose.
Wen Nuan nodded. “They are Your Majesty’s personal garments, after all. This commoner would not dare to dispose of them casually and must naturally return them to their owner.”
“Zhen doesn’t want them. You can do whatever you want with them.”
Wen Nuan tucked the brocade socks back into her robes. “Very well. Then this commoner will take her leave. Your Majesty…” She glanced at Shen Zhijin in Sheng Tingwan’s arms and said pointedly, “Please, continue.”
Sheng Tingwan: “…”
She watched Wen Nuan’s departing figure. It was so carefree, as if she didn’t mind her intimacy with Shen Zhijin at all.
That’s right. Shen Zhijin was a gift from her to me. Why would Ling Wen Nuan care how I interact with him?
“Get off,” Sheng Tingwan said, her tone unpleasant.
Shen Zhijin obediently stood to the side. Seeing Sheng Tingwan’s dark expression, he thought to himself: How true that monarchs are the most heartless. She used me and then tossed me aside.
However—
Shen Zhijin’s gaze fell on Sheng Tingwan’s feet.
“What are you looking at?” Sheng Tingwan’s eyes narrowed.
Shen Zhijin immediately retracted his gaze and said calmly, “This consort wasn’t looking at anything. Does Your Majesty wish to have breakfast? This consort will go prepare it for you.”
Sheng Tingwan: “…Get lost.”
“Right away.” Shen Zhijin immediately bolted from the tent as if a vicious dog was chasing him.
Sheng Tingwan watched him leave, then took off her shoes. Staring at her bare feet, her mind drifted elsewhere.
Did Wen Nuan take my socks off for me personally?
Did her hands touch my feet?
Did she…
Sheng Tingwan shut her eyes in shame and frustration, violently shaking the wild thoughts from her head. She threw her head back and fell onto the bedding, letting out a low growl. Her heart was a tangled mess of regret and vexation.
There were only two men in the entire military camp: one was Military Doctor Fang, and the other was the Noble Consort Shen, brought by Her Majesty the Empress Regnant.
Therefore, when Shen Zhijin appeared in the cook tent4, everyone immediately knelt to kowtow.
Shen Zhijin raised a hand. “Rise. This One has come to fetch Her Majesty’s breakfast.”
An army cook said, “Reporting to Noble Consort Shen, Her Majesty the Empress Regnant’s and your breakfast have already been collected by Female Official Lu.”
Lu Yan5!?
Shen Zhijin nodded. “Alright, then you all carry on. This One will be leaving.”
“We respectfully see off Noble Consort Shen,” the crowd said deferentially.
Leaving the cook tent, he happened to pass the medical tent. Shen Zhijin glanced over, saw the figure of Fang Minghe, and with a glint in his eye, walked over.
The others in the tent saw a beautiful and graceful man walk in and immediately knelt. “Kowtowing to Noble Consort Shen.”
Fang Minghe turned, saw Shen Zhijin, and immediately knelt. “This official, Fang Minghe, kowtows to Noble Consort Shen.”
“Rise. This One just came over to see Military Doctor Fang. You all carry on with what you were doing.” Shen Zhijin walked up to Fang Minghe and smiled. “I hear that Military Doctor Fang comes from a family of divine healers, and that your grandmother is Fang Qiuping6, correct?”
Fang Minghe nodded. “In response to Noble Consort Shen, yes.”
“The divine healer Fang Qiuping, whose medical skills are exquisite, able to bring the dying back to life. It is rumored she can even save the dead. I wonder if Military Doctor Fang’s skills are as formidable as your grandmother’s?”
Fang Minghe shook his head. “Grandmother can grow flesh on dry bone and bring back the touch of spring7; she is without equal in this world. Minghe naturally cannot compare.”
“Military Doctor Fang is too modest. This One feels you will surely become as formidable as your grandmother, it just requires some time. Besides, you are still very young, there is no rush.”
Fang Minghe didn’t understand the meaning behind Shen Zhijin’s words or his sudden show of goodwill and could only remain silent. “Many thanks for Noble Consort Shen’s praise. This official will certainly work harder, so as not to disappoint Noble Consort Shen’s expectations.”
Shen Zhijin patted Fang Minghe’s shoulder, leaned in a few steps, and said in a low voice, “This One greatly admires Military Doctor Fang. I just don’t know how Military Doctor Fang views This One?”
Fang Minghe’s brow furrowed slightly. “Noble Consort Shen is naturally excellent in every way.”
“Then does Military Doctor Fang like making friends with such a person?”
“…Naturally, I would be delighted,” Fang Minghe said, hesitating.
Shen Zhijin smiled. “Well, since Military Doctor Fang likes being friends with This One, from now on, we are friends.”
Fang Minghe: “…..”
As if he couldn’t see the conflict and confusion on Fang Minghe’s face, Shen Zhijin leaned in a few more steps and asked in a voice no one else could hear, “Military Doctor Fang, This One has a small doubt he’d like Military Doctor Fang to clear up.”
Fang Minghe: “…Noble Consort Shen, please feel free to speak.”
“Last night, what were you and Lord Prime Minister Ling doing in the tent?” Shen Zhijin asked curiously.
“…” Fang Minghe instantly understood and said helplessly, “Last night, this official and Lord Prime Minister Ling were playing chess. We did nothing else that would cross any lines.”
Shen Zhijin’s brow wrinkled. “Just playing chess?”
“Yes, just playing chess.”
“Then what were you screaming about last night?” Shen Zhijin remembered hearing a shriek from Lord Prime Minister Ling’s tent last night.
Fang Minghe said awkwardly, “Last night, I got too excited during the game. In my excitement, I accidentally knocked over the teapot, and it shattered all over the floor. It startled me.”
“Is that… all?”
Fang Minghe said seriously, “That is all.”
Shen Zhijin’s interest instantly waned. He sighed, “And here I thought Lord Prime Minister Ling had taken a fancy to you.”
“…” Fang Minghe’s expression was strange. “This official, with his humble, willow-like form8, how could I possibly earn Lord Prime Minister Ling’s favor?”
Shen Zhijin sized up Fang Minghe. “Although you’re not as beautiful as I am, you are still quite handsome and pleasant. There’s no need to be so self-deprecating.”
Fang Minghe: “….”
I’m so tired.
Can anyone save me?
Just then, a soldier ran into the medical tent, shouting, “Military Doctor Fang, General Li is calling for you to change her dressing.”
Fang Minghe shot the soldier a grateful look and immediately nodded. “Alright, I’ll go right away.” He looked at Shen Zhijin apologetically. “Noble Consort Shen, General Li needs me to change her dressing, so this official will first…”
Shen Zhijin waved his hand. “Go on, we’ll chat next time.”
“Very well, this official will take his leave.” Fang Minghe quickly turned and left.
He really didn’t want to chat.
Bored, Shen Zhijin walked out of the medical tent and slowly headed back. As he passed Ling Wen Nuan’s tent, he casually glanced inside and accidentally met Ling Wen Nuan’s gaze.
Just as he was about to pretend he hadn’t seen anything and turn to leave, he saw Ling Wen Nuan rise and walk toward him.
Shen Zhijin stood frozen in place, not daring to move. The moment Ling Wen Nuan stood before him, he gave a slight bow to salute. “Zhijin has seen Lord Prime Minister Ling.”
“There’s no need,” Wen Nuan stopped Shen Zhijin’s salute. “You are now Noble Consort Shen, while I am but a commoner. It should be I who salutes you.”
She lifted the hem of her robes, about to kowtow, but Shen Zhijin’s pupils dilated in fright. He shot out a hand to grab Wen Nuan’s arm, shaking his head. “No, no need, Lord Prime Minister, you don’t need to salute me.”
He couldn’t possibly accept a salute from Ling Wen Nuan.
The two stood there, staring at each other. Shen Zhijin glanced toward Sheng Tingwan’s tent, and just then, his stomach suddenly rumbled.
He licked his dry lips in embarrassment. “Has the Lord Prime Minister eaten this morning?”
Wen Nuan shook her head. “Not yet.”
Shen Zhijin made a polite offer. “How about… we eat together?”
Wen Nuan smiled slightly. “Noble Consort Shen’s kind invitation is hard to refuse. Let’s eat together, then.”
Seeing Wen Nuan walk toward Sheng Tingwan’s tent as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the smile on Shen Zhijin’s face froze. He thought to himself: I’m doomed.
Lu Yan had just placed the food brought from the cook tent on the table. She said softly, “Your Majesty, the meal is ready.”
Sheng Tingwan rose and walked to the table. She sat down, puzzled. “Didn’t Shen Zhijin say he was going to get the food? How come you brought it back? Where is he?”
He couldn’t have run off somewhere to fool around again, could he!?
A man running amok in a military camp full of women, he’s becoming more and more improper.
If it weren’t for Ling Wen Nuan, I shouldn’t have brought him out here.
He can’t stay out of trouble for even a moment.
“This servant did not see Noble Consort Shen. I suppose we must have missed each other,” Lu Yan said. Hearing footsteps outside the tent, she immediately went to pull open the flap. “I imagine Noble Consort Shen has retur—”
Lu Yan stared in shock at the woman walking into the tent and immediately knelt to kowtow. “This servant… pays respects to… Lord Prime Minister Ling.”
“I’ve already said I am a commoner, there is no need to bow to me.” Wen Nuan pulled Lu Yan up. “You’re too kind.”
Lu Yan nodded, glanced at the regretful-looking Noble Consort behind her, and silently fell quiet.
Sheng Tingwan stared in astonishment as Wen Nuan walked in. “Why are you here?” she exclaimed.
Wen Nuan smiled slightly. “Noble Consort Shen invited this commoner to share breakfast. The invitation was so kind, it was hard to refuse, so this commoner came.”
Sheng Tingwan looked at Shen Zhijin, her eyes glinting with murderous intent. “Is that so? My good Noble Consort.”
Shen Zhijin felt like he was better off dead. His lips trembled. “…This… this consort just saw… that the Lord Prime Minister had no food to eat, so… so I invited her to eat with us.”
No food to eat?
Sheng Tingwan’s brow furrowed. She looked at Wen Nuan. “Did the cook tent not send you food?”
Wen Nuan looked somewhat aggrieved. “A mere commoner, naturally no one cares.”
“….” Sheng Tingwan’s brow furrowed even tighter. She shot a fierce glare at Shen Zhijin. “Then sit down and eat with us.”
Wen Nuan’s smile bloomed. “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Sheng Tingwan looked at Shen Zhijin, who was standing to the side, and narrowed her eyes. “What is Noble Consort Shen thinking, standing there instead of coming to eat?”
She truly wanted to rip Shen Zhijin’s head off to see what was inside.
Shen Zhijin’s body trembled. He immediately walked over, about to sit down.
“Is Noble Consort Shen sitting in the wrong place?” Sheng Tingwan glanced pointedly at Wen Nuan, her eyes threatening, though her face wore a smile. “What? Now that there’s an outsider present, you won’t sit in Zhen’s lap anymore?”
Shen Zhijin tensed his buttocks, walked tremblingly to Sheng Tingwan’s side, and sat lightly on her lap. He said shyly, “Oh… really, this consort is just… too shy. After all, the Lord Prime Minister is here, this consort doesn’t dare be too presumptuous.”
“How could it be presumptuous?” Sheng Tingwan pinched the soft flesh of Shen Zhijin’s waist and smiled faintly. “This is how it should be between close loved ones. Why would Noble Consort Shen think it presumptuous? What do you say, Ling Wen Nuan?”
Wen Nuan smiled gracefully, her tone light. “Your Majesty and Noble Consort Shen are a match made in heaven, with a love stronger than gold. It truly makes this commoner envious.”
“….” Sheng Tingwan felt a stuffiness in her chest.
Envious?
What is there to be envious of?
What is there to envy about me and Shen Zhijin being outwardly compatible but inwardly divided!?
A match made in heaven?
A love stronger than gold?
She and Shen Zhijin were like enemies meeting, unable to stand the sight of each other.
Shen Zhijin struggled to escape Sheng Tingwan’s hand, which was pinching harder and harder. He thought with a pained heart: You can’t take your anger out on me all the time just because you’re upset!
The three of them ate the meal, calm on the surface, but with turbulent waves underneath.
After finishing her meal, Wen Nuan put down her chopsticks.
Sheng Tingwan saw she hadn’t eaten much. “What? Is the food not to your taste?”
“It’s passable,” Wen Nuan said. This was Xizhou, after all, a bitter and cold land. To have a hot meal was a rarity.
She looked at Sheng Tingwan and sighed softly. “This commoner just misses the food from her hometown.”
Hometown food?
Isn’t that just food from the capital?
“What do you want to eat?”
Wen Nuan looked at Sheng Tingwan. “This commoner wants to eat sweet and sour pork ribs.”
“….” A flicker of something passed through Sheng Tingwan’s eyes. “This is Xizhou. Where would we get sweet and sour pork ribs? You’d have better luck dreaming about it.”
Wen Nuan lowered her head. “Alright.”
Seeing her dejected look, Sheng Tingwan’s heart clenched. She turned her head away. Out of sight, out of mind.
Wen Nuan left after finishing her meal.
Sheng Tingwan released Shen Zhijin. He rubbed his waist, wincing in pain but not daring to cry out. He could only run to the medical tent to find Fang Minghe and ask him to check if his waist was okay.
The tent was quiet for a long while.
“Lu Yan?”
“This servant is here,” Lu Yan said.
“Go to the cook tent and see if there are any decent ribs.”
Lu Yan paused. “Your Majesty, are you…?”
Sheng Tingwan sighed and rolled up her sleeves. “She wants it.”
“Yes.” Lu Yan turned and left the tent.
As night fell, just as Wen Nuan was about to go to the cook tent to find something to eat, she saw an army cook walking over with a plate of food and a bowl of rice.
“Lord Prime Minister, please enjoy your meal.” The army cook put down the food and left.
Wen Nuan looked at the familiar sweet and sour tenderloin9. The taste was just as she remembered, with the sweetness more pronounced than the sourness.
“She” still loved sweet food as much as ever, and “she” had gotten her to love it a bit more, too.
Wen Nuan chuckled softly. “…So soft-hearted.”
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