That cold and disgusted gaze seemed like it was just an illusion. Very soon, a gentle smile appeared on the prince regent's face, "Where was Your Majesty heading off to in such a hurry?"
It was the shadow Emperor.
At their first confrontation, Chi Zhao immediately gave the other party such a label. After that, he continued to act like he didn't know anything and answered obediently, "To practice calligraphy. Hong Lei said that if I don't practice calligraphy, Imperial Uncle will not be pleased."
Hong Lei was the name of the palace maid. Upon hearing this line, Shen Wumian smiled faintly, "Then please allow this one to accompany Your Majesty."
There was no mention of the palace maid's wrongdoings. It appeared that he was very satisfied with the palace maid's actions.
Chi Zhao was silent for a moment. He then obediently agreed.
Although he had said that he would accompany him to practice calligraphy, in fact, Shen Wumian didn't pay any attention to Chi Zhao after they arrived at the study and just let him stand at the desk, writing pages one after another as he held a book, reading silently.
Without his orders to stop, Chi Zhao didn't dare stop writing and could only muster on. After persisting for a while, Chi Zhao could tell that this wasn't practicing calligraphy, it was clearly an excuse to torture him.
When they first came to the study, the sun was still high, but it was early afternoon. The sun slowly went down little by little and, after who knows how long, the candles in the room were already lit. Chi Zhao could hardly feel his legs. At this moment, Shen Wumian finally closed his book and slowly raised his head to look seemingly benevolently at Chi Zhao, "It's getting late. Your Majesty should go back to rest."
Although he said this, Chi Zhao didn't move. Shen Wumian frowned imperceptibly and then restored his expression before approaching Chi Zhao. It wasn't that Chi Zhao didn't hear him nor was he deliberately being difficult, his legs were just too tired and shaky. He quietly moved it around before slowly lowering his stiff arm.
Seeing Shen Wumian approach him, Chi Zhao pursed his lips and raised his eyes.
It was still the same line. Chi Zhao had never suffered in life. Even after experiencing three worlds now, he had always lived a life with good food and clothes on his back. Everyone around him spoiled him. Even if someone tried to wrong him, they would soon be dealt with by his husband, so he naturally never had to suffer.
Today, Chi Zhao stood there for six hours straight, mechanically writing word after word. His body had its own memory so even if Chi Zhao didn't know how, he was able to fluently write at a level the original owner could. If it was purely a case of a teacher teaching a student, Chi Zhao wouldn't have an issue with it even if he had to stand there for eight or ten hours. After all, that was how it should be.
However, Shen Wumian was different. He didn't do this for the Emperor to practice calligraphy. He just wanted to see the Emperor suffer.
Chi Zhao felt a bit wronged inside. His expression became a little glum. When he raised his eyes to look at Shen Wumian, his eyes seemed to be reproaching Shen Wumian, saying that he shouldn't treat him like this.
Shen Wumian had the urge to sneer. I shouldn't do this? Have you ever thought about whether you should or shouldn't do it when you quietly stayed by my side while secretly plotting my death?
Please read this from kk translates
Thinking this, Shen Wumian's eyes turned two degrees more hostile. He turned around to prevent Chi Zhao from noticing and commanded with a calm voice, "It's late. His Majesty isn't in a state to eat. Get a bowl of tonic sent over."
"Yes."
Chi Zhao: "....."
Damn you! As soon as I show defiance you send over a bowl of poison!
And wasn't it supposed to be only one bowl a day? Why was he treated like this as soon as he arrived? What did he do wrong?!
After sorting out his emotions, Shen Wumian turned back and continued to look at Chi Zhao gently, "After drinking the tonic, go to sleep. If Your Majesty finds the tonic too bitter, this official will ask them to send over some delicious candied fruit or snacks. What does Your Majesty think?"
It's futile. No amount of candied fruit can conceal the fact that he was about to drink another bowl of poison.
It was too miserable.
Chi Zhao lowered his eyes and sighed at the thought of his increasingly bitter life. He then nodded and said in a small voice, "I'll do as Imperial Uncle says."
Chen Yi didn't like to drink medicine. Shen Wumian had known about this already. When he was a child, he had caught a cold and the physicians were all anxious because Chen Yi was reluctant to drink the medicine. Even if it was forcefully poured into his mouth, he would vomit it back out.
The bowl of tonic at noon today was the first time Shen Wumian sent it. He sat in the discussion hall, looking as if he was listening but in fact, he had been waiting, waiting for Hong Lei to find him and report that Chen Yi refused to take the medicine.
But he waited and waited, and Hong Lei never came. He couldn't sit still. He thought that something may have happened, so he went to take a look himself. Unexpectedly, Chen Yi had obediently drank it all and he not only drank it, he didn't even ask what kind of medicine it was.
Following the order from the prince regent, an eunuch soon returned with a fresh bowl of tonic. Chen Yi was still standing behind the table. The eunuch bowed and presented the bowl to Chen Yi who looked at it for a moment before picking it up.
Shen Wumian watched very carefully, so he saw the resistance and fear in Chen Yi's eyes when he picked up the bowl of tonic. The Emperor was still the Emperor, he still didn't like to take his medicine. Chen Yi however soon brought the bowl to his lips and, without his urging, he drank it all in one go.
The concoction was too bitter. Chen Yi's palm-sized face wrinkled up into a bun. He quickly picked up a cup of tea and also drank it in one go to cover up the bitter taste.
....
It was the same as before.
It was the same as before when he had mistaken him for Shen Sixteen.
At that time, he was just this obedient. No matter what he did, he would always look at him with a look of endless admiration and longing. His eyes were bright, like they could really emit light. When he looked at him like this, Shen Wumian would always feel as if he was the other person's entire world.
At that time, Shen Wumian was deceived by this look of his. The Shen Wumian now only hoped that Chen Yi could continue looking at him like this so that after he discovers the truth later on, his expression and reaction would be particularly gratifying.
He looked at Chen Yi. Chen Yi was also looking at him. Chen Yi blinked his innocent eyes a few times and asked, "Imperial Uncle, are you leaving?"
Shen Wumian returned from his thoughts. He nodded slightly.
Chen Yi let out a small 'ah', as if he was very disappointed. He however soon regained his spirits and revealed an understanding smile, "Then Zhen will send Imperial Uncle out. The palace looks quite different at night. On your way out, Imperial Uncle can stop and enjoy this sight."
Chi Zhao didn't think that there was anything wrong with what he said but after hearing his words, Shen Wumian's expression changed slightly. He was silent for a moment before he smiled faintly, "This official obeys."
The two went out as the system called out in Chi Zhao's mind.
[Why did you say that?!]
Chi Zhao was taken aback by it's sudden outburst. He didn't understand what he did wrong, "Didn't you say that I just needed to treat him well?"
[I asked you to treat him well, not flirt with him. What you said just now wasn't that the moon is pretty tonight, it's that you wanted to have nightly activities with him! The ancients have always been implicit with their words and asking someone to go moon watching is equivalent to asking them to roll around naked with you!]
…..That sounded too exaggerated.
After hearing the system's words, Chi Zhao was a little hesitant. Shen Wumian noticed that Chi Zhao's pace had slowed down but he didn't say anything and similarly slowed down.
From the study to Chengtian Gate, it was only two miles in total. It may seem far, but it only took about the time one would take to finish a cup of tea to reach it. The young Emperor had slowed down clearly so that he could spend more time with him.
Shen Wumian felt that he had already seen through Chi Zhao's thoughts while Chi Zhao and the system were still arguing about the boundaries of 'flirting'.
After being educated by the system, Chi Zhao felt that the system's words made sense. The protagonist had fallen for him every time. Although it seemed unlikely this time, but just in case, what if the protagonist does it again? They must take precautions before it happens.
Chi Zhao humbly accepted the system's education and expressed that he would never say anything suggestive again.
…..The problem was that he had no idea something like that was suggestive in the first place!
Waking up early the next morning, Chi Zhao allowed the palace maid to help dress him as he deliberated over the happenings last night.
Please read this from kk translates
Although Chen Yi was not yet in power, he was already fourteen years old. When he was in court, he would sit on the throne listening to various matters reported by the officials. It stands to reason that in ancient times, a fourteen-year-old was old enough to be independent. In particular, Chen Yi had already become the Emperor four years ago. The prince regent and the officials should have already taught him how to govern the country during those years.
Before Shen Wumian's rebirth, he had found two educators for Chen Yi to teach him various knowledge. At the same time, he also learnt a lot of bad things including the act of poisoning someone.
So this time, Shen Wumian immediately removed the two from their positions and made himself the one responsible for Chen Yi's education. Chen Yi was naturally very happy. Regardless of the other official's objections, he directly agreed to it.
Chi Zhao was silent. Wasn't this a case of the landlord's foolish son counting the money even after being sold out?
When he reached the main hall, Chi Zhao for the first time saw the throne from such a close proximity. When he saw the throne in the past, it was when he visited the Forbidden City and he was separated from it by a railing and a sea of people, so he wasn't even able to take a good look at it.
This time, he finally saw the real one.
Chi Zhao carefully sat himself down on the throne, feeling very refreshed.
Haha, I am now a person who has sat on a throne!
System: "....."
The only thing the Emperor had to do today was to discuss how to deal with the general of Yingyang Mansion.
Half a month ago, someone had suddenly impeached Yingyang Mansion and Shen Wumian handled the matter personally. After only half a month, he found more than twenty crimes both large and small and sent everyone there to prison.
In fact, everyone knew that Yingyang Mansion was hindering the prince regent's plans and the person who impeached them was the prince regent's person. Those crimes were as if they were prepared in advance and everything happened too quickly. Before anyone could decide which side they would stand on, Yingyang Mansion fell.
As a result, everyone began to discuss how to deal with the former Yingyang Mansion general, Pang Zhuo.
A certain official stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this official believes that Pang Zhuo should be beheaded!"
Another official stood up, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! That great man has made great contributions. Although he has made mistakes, but his merits outweigh that and he shouldn't be sentenced to death. If you sentence such a figure to die, it will make the other generals lose their favour!"
"Bah! Not punishing him will incur the common people's wrath. Lord Zhang, I hope Pang Zhuo didn't give you any benefits and that's why you're speaking up for him?"
"Y-y-y-you….Don't slander people! This one is only speaking the truth!"
"Since you're speaking the truth, Lord Zhang should understand that Pang Zhuo's mistakes are unforgiveable! Your Majesty, this official believes that Pang Zhuo should be given the dismemberment punishment!"
"Your Majesty! Please think twice Your Majesty!"
"If Pang Zhuo doesn't die, Chen Empire will not be happy. If Your Majesty does not sentence Pang Zhuo to death, this official...this official will kill himself right here, right now!"
"Ahhhhhh Lord Wang is again trying to kill himself. Stop him!"
Chi Zhao: "...."
Was this really the legendary Imperial Court? Why did it feel like he was at a vegetable market?
The officials below were arguing over each other and there even several whose necks were flushed red and about to throw out their fists. That official who declared that he would kill himself made running gesture and got ready to ram his head against the pillar while several officials around him skilfully stopped him and worked hard persuading him to stop.
Although these people were calling out Your Majesty here and there, in fact, no one looked at Chi Zhao. Everyone was instead paying attention to Shen Wumian who sat on the bottom left of Chi Zhao. Shen Wumian was even more amusing. He just closed his eyes and acted like he heard nothing, letting everyone continue quarrelling.
At this moment, a official standing at the front spoke.
He appeared to be at least fifty years old and his hair was already turning grey. He bowed slightly and said to Chi Zhao, "The officials are arguing non-step. This old official bravely asks if Your Majesty has already made a decision?"
So many people had called Your Majesty, but no one really cared about the Emperor's opinion until this old man spoke up. Chi Zhao gave him a surprised look and was reminded by the system that this person was Lord Wei, one of the prince regent's officials.
Chi Zhao couldn't figure out what the other party wanted. Wasn't he just watching the show? But now he was asked to express his opinion? Was this old man trying to dig a pit for him?
In fact, Chi Zhao had wronged him. Lord Wei was a royalist and he had said that because he wanted to use this opportunity to give the Emperor a chance to participate in government matters.
Hearing the question, Shen Wumian also opened his eyes. He looked at Chi Zhao with dark eyes which seemed to hold no emotions. The latter felt pressured by this look of his and didn't know how to answer.
....That's right, this old man is definitely digging a pit for me!
As soon as Shen Wumian was reborn, he decisively struck down Yingyang Mansion. Others might not understand the prince regent's intentions as he had always assisted the Emperor wholeheartedly but Chi Zhao, who had an insight into the plot, knew that he just wanted to regain military power.
If Pang Zhuo lived, his old subordinates would not return so Pang Zhuo must die.
Although he knew this, Chi Zhao wouldn't foolishly say it. Regardless of what he says, they were just his thoughts and as a puppet Emperor, he couldn't voice his own thoughts. If Shen Wumian were to find out that he had an intention of being involved with politics, perhaps he won't even be given a three-year grant in life and would be executed on the spot.
Carrying such a thought, Chi Zhao made a decision. He looked at the officials, "It is an important court matter. Zhen knows little about it and is still learning. With regard to this matter, I still want to hear the views expressed by the officials."
After he was done, it was silent for a moment before again turning into vegetable market 2.0.
...…
Although he felt like his eardrums were about to burst, there were two people who turned a deaf ear to everything. One was the prime minister Lord Wei who looked at the Emperor in disappointment, thinking that the Emperor must've been taught poorly by Shen Wumian and the other was Shen Wumian who quietly watched Chi Zhao expressionlessly.
Chi Zhao now had the ability to read the subtle nuances so he could clearly see two words on Shen Wumian's face.
Hypocrite, vile.
Chi Zhao: "...….."