Chapter 18: Arrival at the Palace

Despite the domineering 'crown prince' title on him, Jun Qian was a good traveling companion. The first reason was: he actually invited Shen Ru into his more luxurious and larger carriage. Perhaps it was because he had noticed that Shen Ru didn't quite like Shen Yufei or he just wanted someone to talk with, but Shen Ru enjoyed this privilege with relish. Seeing Shen Yufei's frown every time Jun Qian called out to him was only a plus.

Secondly, Jun Qian was also a good conversation partner. By "conversation partner", he meant that he liked how blunt and rude he was. While they played Chinese chess, which Shen Ru had never won once, he would be silent. This silence wasn't one of awkwardness, however, it was relaxing and melancholic.

Then, when Shen Yufei gets rude to him or one of his servants gets too annoying, Jun Qian's sharp tongue activates, and, in modern terms, he "roasts" someone to the point of tears.

Of course, Shen Yufei couldn't bear to cry in front of them so he would quickly hide in his carriage every time Jun Qian's words made him question his three views.

There was just something appealing about seeing someone who looks so scholarly and elegant demolish someone in the next second.

Two days have passed since Jun Qian joined their ensemble. During these days, because of the sickly body that Shen Ru had transmigrated, he felt a bit under the weather, although thankfully it wasn't worse enough to warrant a delay in their trip.

Once, when it was reaching nighttime, the carriage was about to park near an inn when the coachman informed them, "Your Highnesses, a carriage is blocking the road."

Jun Qian frowned and poked his head out of the window. Then, he turned back to look at Shen Ru. "It's a carriage from the Fuyang Empire. Their fourth prince is one of Princess Bai Mei's suitors."

"…Could it be they know our identity?" Shen Ru asked.

"Considering that the Lixin Empire's carriages always have a golden snake insignia on them, they at least have some common sense to know my identity. Either that or they're blind and clueless. I can't the same say for your Shui Empire carriage, however."

Shen Ru's eyebrows twitched a few times. He didn't imagine that the day would come when the sharp tongue turned on him.

"You! Stop blocking the road!" they heard Shen Yufei's shout.

Shen Ru sighed. "Ben wang is sorry about this."

"May ben wang ask how he became the crown prince with that attitude and brain?" Jun Qian replied.

As expected, the fourth prince of the Fuyang Empire revealed his face through the windows and shouted back at Shen Yufei, "How about no!"

Jun Qian tsked. "As expected of Prince Long."

"You know him?" Shen Ru asked.

"I have met him before. He's Fu Jianhong, the fourth prince of the Fuyang Empire. The title given to him by their emperor is 'Prince Long'. I only have three words to describe him: childish, loud, and wild."

"Sounds like something out of a nightmare."

"Calling it a nightmare would be too otherworldly. Let's just call him the poster boy for a trip to the magistrate."

Out of respect for the serious expression on Jun Qian's face, Shen Ru restrained himself from laughing out loud.

While they were chatting, the two princes quarrelled with each other.

"I'm the crown prince of the Shui Empire!"

"Ben wang is the fourth prince of the Fuyang Empire!"

"You're just a fourth prince, I'm the crown prince!"

"Fuyang Empire is wealthier than the Shui Emperor!"

In no time, their ruckus attracted the attention of passing people. Jun Qian sighed and finally interrupted this farce of a showdown between the two superpowers, "Prince Long, you haven't changed."

When Fu Jianghong heard his voice, he immediately turned to Jun Qian and said, "Prince An, you're here!"

Jun Qian furrowed his eyebrows and told Shen Ru in a low voice, "Ben wang was wrong, he was just blind." Shen Ru couldn't help but chuckle in response, however, he reigned it in so much from the originally planned fits of laughter.

"Can you stop blocking our carriages? We're about enter the inn and retire for the day," Jun Qian patiently explained in front of this hooligan.

Fu Jianhong immediately nodded and ordered the coachman to step to the side. While they entered the inn, they noticed that Fu Jianhong was following behind. At this point, Shen Yufei was so annoyed that he was about to vomit blood from anger. "Why are you here?!"

"What's it to you?" Fu Jianhong asked back.

Shen Yufei was silenced, not expecting to see someone with the same firepower as his. He had already gotten used to Shen Ru's silent nature and feigned ignorance. He managed to stutter out, "Y-You're obviously following us!"

"This is the best inn in this town, how dare you call ben wang a stalker? If you're asking ben wang, ben wang would say you're the stalker!"

"…I didn't call you a stalker—"

"Bah, you have disrespected ben wang!"

Shen Ru and Jun Qian tacitly left them to their own devices and went upstairs to head to their rooms. Along the way, Shen Ru said, "It seems like Prince Long has a good opinion of you."

"We were one-sided childhood friends. When we were children, he would follow ben wang around. Ben wang never shared his hobbies and interests so ben wang preferred to ignore him. We've only met once when we turned adults but he's always continued to be sticky to ben wang like a moth to a flame. It's only a matter of time before he gets burned," Jun Qian explained.

"…I think I understand why it was one-sided," Shen Ru remarked.

When Shen Ru left his room the next day, he found Jun Qian and Fu Jianhong conversing with each other in the main hall, while Shen Yufei was left alone with his servants fanning him.

"You're Prince Heng, the third prince of the Shui Empire, right?" Fu Jianhong excitedly asked him when he saw him. At first, Shen Ru was confused, but he then realized that 'Prince Heng' was the title that his imperial father had given him when he was first born.

Shen Ru nodded in response, about to say something when he was interrupted by Shen Yufei, "Xiao Ru, don't talk to him. He's just a good-for-nothing."

Although Shen Ru felt uncomfortable by being called 'Xiao Ru' by someone who obviously hated him, he replied with a small smile, "C'mon, don't call him that, Imperial Brother."

Fu Jianhong snorted in reply. "Prince Min, you're the good-for-nothing." 'Prince Min' was the title given by the emperor to Shen Yize, which Shen Yufei had taken now.

"No, I am not!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No!"

The good mood that Shen Ru had gained from the early morning quickly disappeared after hearing their nonsensical argument. During their quarrel, he seated himself beside Jun Qian and asked, "Is breakfast coming?"

"Ben wang reckons it'll be delayed. No one wants to get in between two mindless idiots."

Indeed, Jun Qian was right. The delay lasted until the two princes finally got tired of arguing. Almost immediately after they stopped, breakfast was served to them.

While they ate, Fu Jianhong said, "Ben wang forgot to ask this last night, but where are you three going? Ben wang doesn't remember the Shui and Lixin Empire having much of an alliance."

"It's for Princess Bai Mei of the Chuanli Empire's marriage," Jun Qian answered.

"Oh— wait, your old man actually put you up with this?!" Fu Jianhong was absolutely shocked.

This made Shen Ru think. Jun Qian was fairly young, about 20 this year, and he had a seemingly emotionless and distant personality, so why did he agree to court Bai Mei?

"It's confidential," was Jun Qian's answer.

"Let ben wang guess, your father gave this to you as a mission and you're just perfunctorily completing it?" Who knows if Fu Jianhong had a stroke of genius but Shen Ru actually agreed that his theory was likely.

"I'm not confirming things." Of course, Jun Qian didn't answer honestly. Confessing that he was being perfunctory would mean that he was treating the Chuanli Empire lightly.

Shen Ru was still agreeing more with the obsessive love theory though. A dog-blooded story was better and more interesting than a normal one. Maybe Bai Mei was even Jun Qian's unattainable white moonlight, and he would have a love square together with Jun Qian and Fu Jianhong soon.

Of course, Shen Ru would stay out of their mess completely. He'd rather just finish his mission and eat melon [1] off to the side.

"Ai, you're too boring, Prince An," Fu Jianhong disappointedly said. "Since we're all going to Chuanli Empire, though, can ben wang stay with you guys?"

Before Jun Qian could reply, Shen Yufei complained, "I am definitely not going with you!"

This time, Shen Ru spoke with a smile, "C'mon, Imperial Brother, wouldn't it be too impolite to refuse Prince Long? You don't need to stay on the same carriage as him, it would be more convenient if we went together."

As expected, Shen Yufei had to back down when the sibling card was played. Ha, serves him right for calling him 'Xiao Ru' before. "…Fine."

And just like that, Fu Jianhong joined their group. Fortunately, there was no disturbance on the rest of the journey. After three days, they arrived safely at the gates of the capital of the Chuanli Empire.

Fu Jianhong couldn't help but whistle at the bustling scene of the capital. "Wow, the rumors were right, they really have many beautiful women."

Shen Yufei snorted. "Pervert."

"C'mon, can you, as a man, tell me that you really can't appreciate beautiful women? Either you're lying or you're Jun Qian."

"How did ben wang get into the equation?" Jun Qian deadpanned.

Faced with his serious stare, Fu Jianhong backtracked a bit and hastily stuttered, "N-Nothing! Ben wang didn't say anything at all." Then, he elbowed Shen Ru. "Right, Prince Heng?"

Shen Ru had no choice but to give in. "Yes."

Jun Qian frowned. "Don't bring him down with you."

Fu Jianhong raised his hands up in the air. "Understood, understood!"

Shen Yufei humphed. "A good-for-nothing."

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When they arrived at the palace, a crowd of maidservants and eunuchs immediately rushed to receive them. The eunuchs confirmed their identities through their tokens, while the maidservants held their luggage and led them to their temporary residences.

"Ben wang will see you later!" Fu Jianhong bid them goodbye and followed the maidservants.

"Ben wang will leave you for now, I hope you survive," Jun Qian's goodbye was more ominous.

As Shen Ru and Shen Yufei followed the maidservants, Shen Yufei asked him, "What did that Jun person mean by 'survive'?"

Shen Ru's small smile twitched. "I don't know either."

It's you, idiot.

While on the way to their rooms, Shen Yufei seamlessly chatted with the maidservants. It was obvious that he specifically chose the most beautiful and delicate-looking of them and chatted with her about the capital. Shen Ru inwardly smirked at this. Just earlier, you were chiding Fu Jianhong for being appreciative of beautiful women. Now, you're even flirting with someone. Who is worse between the both of you?

Before they can enter their rooms, a eunuch informed them, "The emperor will meet with you in two days. Meals will be served at chen [2], wu [3], and xu [4]. If you have any concerns or orders, you can talk to the maidservants."

Shen Ru nodded, thanked him, and entered his room.

Now that he was alone, he could start enacting the first part of the plan. Unlike the two days deadline that the eunuch had given them, Shen Yufei actually met Bai Mei tomorrow morning. After bribing a maid to find out the places Bai Mei usually stayed, he staged an accidental encounter with her.

Although Shen Ru probably couldn't change this fated event, he still had ways to make things difficult for Shen Yufei.

…And that started with Fu Jianhong.

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On the next day, after Shen Ru ate his breakfast, he first visited Jun Qian's residence. Although Jun Qian wasn't really needed for today, he really appreciated his sharp tongue. It could serve him well in embarrassing Shen Yufei in front of the princess.

Shen Ru, however, was surprised when he stumbled upon Fu Jianhong in front of Jun Qian's residence. Fu Jianhong smiled brilliantly and said, "Oi, aren't you the little prince that was following Prince An?"

Shen Ru chuckled and nodded. "Did you come visit His Highness too?"

"Ben wang is not really good at directions so ben wang was planning to ask for help from him in exploring the palace."

Shen Ru's eyes gleamed at that. This was the perfect excuse, god bless Fu Jianhong. "Ben wang was planning to do the same."

"Then, let's find Prince An!"

After a series of knocks, Jun Qian opened the door and appeared in front of them. His elegant and refined scholar demeanor would've remained if not for the irritated frown on his face. He asked hoarsely, "What?"

Like the blind fool he was, Fu Jianhong began talking, "Prince An! Haven't you been here before? You can be our tour guide, ben wang almost got lost here on the way!"

Jun Qian sighed and asked, "What is the time?"

"It's half a shichen [5] after chen [2]," Fu Jianhong immediately recited.

"Do you know how ben wang gets when it's early?"

"Um…no?" Fu Jianhong was clueless. Seeing this response, Jun Qian's frown deepened even further.

Shen Ru tried to mediate things with a smile, "Your Highness, not a morning person, I'm guessing?"

Jun Qian's expression recovered a little. "No need to call me 'your highness', just use 'Prince An' like Prince Long. You're exploring the palace today?"

Shen Ru nodded. "Yes."

Fu Jianhong complained, "Hey, why are you using a softer tone for him than your childhood friend?"

Jun Qian ignored his retort and said, "Ben wang can tour you through the palace, there might be some places where we aren't allowed though."

Although Fu Jianhong had a strange and inexplicable feeling in his gut, seeing that Jun Qian had already agreed to them, he simply threw these thoughts away and followed along with a smile.

Shen Ru's gleamed as he led them to the spot where Shen Yufei and Bai Mei's meeting place. In the original plot, when Shen Yufei stumbled upon Bai Mei playing the zither in the gardens, he pretended to not recognize her and commented on her technical skill. It made him sound like a zither expert when in reality, these empty words were just what he was taught on how to flatter young ladies.

As expected, when they arrived in the garden area filled with peony flowers that were described in the plot, they caught sight of a jaw-dropping woman that was the definition of beauty and purity flicking the zithers with her slender and graceful fingers. If we're using the basic language of harem novels, she would be a peerless jade beauty with skin as smooth as jade, pale like snow.

Oh, and don't forget the twin peaks [6].

"Your zither is very skilled. While I was listening to you, I could really feel the emotions of melancholy. It is very different from the rigid and traditional way of elders in playing the zither," they could hear Shen Yufei praise Bai Mei with an "enlightened" expression on his face.

Bai Mei smiled and blushed at his compliments. "I purposefully broke away from the traditional way of playing. I believe emotions are better than technical skill."

Shen Yufei nodded as if he was contemplating something. "When you realize that everything does not need to have its rules, that is when you can advance by leaps and bounds."

Bai Mei was even more dazzled by this "enlightened" appearance. "I…I never thought that I would meet someone who thinks like this!"

Before Shen Yufei could make the poor girl fall even deeper with him, Fu Jianhong interrupted the scene without Shen Ru even pushing him to do so. "Oi, Prince Min, you were flirting with a maid earlier, now you have another one?"

Both turned around to look at their way. Bai Mei was confused and stared questioningly at Shen Yufei. Shen Yufei nervously coughed and smiled as elegantly as possible. "What are you talking about? Did you mistake me for someone else?"

"What 'mistook you for someone else'? You traveled here with Laozi, ben wang can't believe you would be an idiot and try to pretend that you don't know. It really exposes your guilty conscience." Fu Jianhong snorted.

Before Shen Ru can eat more melons, however, Jun Qian interrupted the two bumbling idiots, "Princess Hua." It was Bai Mei's title.

"W-Wait, what?!" It was Fu Jianhong's turn to be surprised.

Bai Mei smiled at Jun Qian and waved. "Prince an."

Seeing as Fu Jianhong was surprised, Shen Yufei figured he should do the same. He dramatically gasped and did a 90-degree bow to Bai Mei. "Y-Your Highness, it was my mistake not to recognize you!"

Although Bai Mei was visibly smiling, Shen Ru knew that she wasn't too approving of Shen Yufei anymore. "As the crown prince of the Shui Empire, you don't need to bow to ben gong. Calling ben gong by her honorific is enough. Even if you are a suitor of ben gong, you still have some self-respect."

Shen Ru almost said 'damn' out loud like that. Were Bai Mei and Jun Qian perhaps friends?

Noticing Shen Ru's gaze, Bai Mei replied, "Prince An usually visits the palace because both Chuanli and Lixin are in an alliance."

"Sorry about what happened just now, your highness Bai Mei. Ben wang considers himself a gentleman so ben wang can't hold back after seeing Shen Yufei," Fu Jianhong explained.

Bai Mei's eyes gleamed and she raised an eyebrow at Shen Yufei. "You're Prince Min, the crown prince of the Shui Empire?"

Shen Yufei nodded.

"Well then, ben gong will see you in a few days. Ben gong will be leaving now, ben gong still has to do poem writing. Goodbye."

Just like that, Shen Yufei's opportunity to have Bai Mei's falling into his hands was destroyed. As Bai Mei was leaving, Shen Yufei's looked hesitant and he even began to reach out his hand to grab her wrist. Shen Ru's eyes were practically shining for a chance to eat another melon. Unfortunately, Shen Yufei understandably realized that doing such a thing would be dumb, and then reluctantly pulled back his hand.

When Bai Mei was out of earshot, Fu Jianhong spoke, "Shen Yufei, aren't you the crown prince of your empire? Why didn't you recognize First Princess Bai Mei? Considering that the Chuanli Empire and Shui Empire are allied, I would've thought you would know her."

Shen Yufei sneered, "You didn't recognize her too, did you?"

"Well, that's because ben gong [7] is a fourth prince, ben gong doesn't need to know about political matters, unlike you."

"Then, you admit that you're just a lowly fourth prince?"

"Looks like you really need a beating."

Before the argument can escalate into a physical fight, Shen Ru cut in, "Imperial Brother, ben wang didn't realize that you know the zither well. Didn't you refuse to learn musical instruments when you were a child?"

Shen Yufei sucked in a breath of cold air and began making excuses, "That's…That's because I hear many musicians in town. Even though I do not play the zither, I still know how to recognize good playing."

"Seems more like you just wanted to flatter and flirt with Princess Hua," Fu Jianhong remarked.

Shen Ru almost laughed out loud, while Shen Yufei looked horrified. "I-I wasn't!"

"No matter the reason why you approached Princess Hua, it's nonsensical that you didn't recognize her. Her clothes were different from the uniforms of the maids and were luxurious. Common sense dictates that, based on her clothes, she would be an important guest in the palace or even a princess," Jun Qian said.

Shen Ru gave Jun Qian a clap inside his mind. He was really the gift that keeps on giving.

Faced with a logical explanation for his actions, Shen Yufei was stunned into silence. When Shen Ru thought that he was going to spout out excuses again, he just turned around and ran in the other direction.

Fu Jianhong called out to him while laughing, "Coward!"

"It seems that the famed Prince Min is just this and nothing more," Jun Qian remarked. "What a disappointment. Because of his reputation, ben wang wanted to match against him in Chinese chess."

"Prince Heng, how did you even manage to put up with this brother of yours?" Fu Jianhong wondered.

Shen Ru chuckled. "I don't."

After all, he had only known him for a week and a half at most.

"He's really strange, though. Ben wang has noticed this from the start, he hasn't been using honorifics for himself. Considering he's arrogant, ben wang expected that he would call himself 'ben wang' at every turn," Fu Jianhong said.

Jun Qian nodded. "Ben wang thinks the same. There's something about Prince Min that bothers me."

A smile subtly formed on Shen Ru's face. Just like a fake jade, it will be exposed sooner or later.

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Footnotes:

[1] Listening and engaging in gossip

[2] 7:00 AM

[3] 11:00 AM

[4] 7:00 PM

[5] A shichen is two hours

[6] Chinese novel nickname for breasts

[7] This palace (used by consorts or princesses)