chapter: 5

Divorce? Jing Shao was stunned, after recovering from the shock he sneered, "You're a man, divorcing you doesn't really affect your reputation. Nevertheless, as a divorced man, you will not be allowed to pass the entrance examination. Even if I let you go, in this lifetime you are destined to miss the imperial examination."

"Then what do you want?" Mu Han Zhang sat up and looked at him coldly. If this person wanted to keep him here to be tormented, he would definitely not endure this abuse.

"I can't inherit the throne, and you can't participate in the civil examinations, therefore we are even." Jing Shao said with a slightly self-righteous magnetic voice.

"… Ah ?" Mu Han Zhang was stunned for a long time, in the originally cold face of Jun Qing appeared a crack, quite a silly expression, his mouth half open. It felt as if he had been choked and then thrown into the air, only to land on a soft cushion in the end.

Jing Shao saw his stupefied expression and thought it was funny, he wanted to try reaching out to poke it, but a voice from the outside called, "Your highness, his highness's medicine is ready."

Jing Shao frowned and allowed Meng Xi to bring in the medicine. Mu Han Zhang reigned in his expression and lowered his head, not saying a thing. Meng Xi took a quick glimpse of at his complexion, smiled and walked over to the bedside.

"Your highness, please allow this servant to serve his highness the medicine" Meng Xi carried the medicine, embarrassedly looked over to the bedside, where Jing Shao was motionless.

Jing Shao took the medicine bowl and moved his hand to signal for Meng Xi to retreat, turning his face towards the door, "Dou Fu !"

"Here." Dou Fu smiled and revealed his head through the small space between the doors.

"Guard outside the door." Jing Shao saw his appearance and thought it was somewhat funny, Dou Fu was already this age but still behaved like a child.

"Yes." Dou Fu naturally understood what the prince meant. He dismissed the rest of the servants to go do other work and ordered for guards to stand at each corner of the resident, while he himself, guarded in front of the door, basked in sunlight and smiling, making sure that no one could lean against the walls and hear what his highnesses were saying.

"You didn't listen to everything I had to say," Jing Shao held the medicine in his palm and stirred it, "those are words said by outsiders. My abilities, I know them well, even if I marry the Queen Mother of the West I would not be able to sit in that position."

"Your highness, why do you say such a thing?" Mu Han Zhang licked his lips, listening to Jing Shao speak in this tone so openly, his expression didn't seem to be faked, could he really have doubted that person wrongly?

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Jing Shao handed the medicine bowl to him, "I entered the military camp at age fourteen and have been on the battlefield for so many years now. I have gone through many challenging experiences and have become well versed in the art of warfare but I know nothing of governing a country. Look at me, I can not even draw an imperial physician to my side. Even this is already difficult, how can I compete for the throne?"

Mu Han Zhang took the bowl of medicine that was in front of him. So it turns out that he was bribing the imperial physician in front of him just for the sake of showing him an example.

"Although I understand it myself, who can say this? Take today's meeting for example, if I had helped you while we were in the palace, Imperial Father would have thought that although I appeared innocent on the surface, I am full of schemes. It would have caused even more trouble later." After saying this, Jing Shao could not help but sigh, if he had not been so outrightly defiant, Imperial Father wouldn't have had a to restrain him like this.

Mu Han Zhang held the bowl of pitch black medicine and downed it in one gulp, only tasting the bitterness of it at the root of his tongue. So it turns out that even the princes and the imperial grandsons had their own difficulties.

Just as soon as he finished putting down the bowl of medicine, a candied fruit was stuffed into his mouth. Mu Han Zhang raised his head to see, just barely catching that person's smile as that person wiped away the dregs of medicine at the corners of his mouth. Jing Shao was born beautiful and and extraordinary, it was only that he normally did not like to smile, now seeing it like this, he was especially good-looking.

He had heard the Cheng Wang was irritable, easily angered, and taciturn but since last night, from the beginning, this person had smiled at him many times. Mu Han Zhang gave a light sigh, maybe he should trust him… After all, he was genuine had had nothing to conspire.

"If your highness wishes to win over Jiang-taiyi it is not completely impossible…" Mu Han Zhang said while eating the candied fruit.

"Oh?" Jing Shao looked at him with interest.

Mu Han Zhang felt tired and without asking, leaned onto the big pillow on the bed: "Simply have Jiang-taiyi's son enlist in one of the troops under your highness's command and then plan for him to making a big or small mistake. The old fellow will certainly come to beg your highness."

"Jun Qing…" Jing Shao looked at him with pleasant surprise. He wasn't very familiar with the connections of those in the imperial physician courtyard, calling on Jiang Huan had only been because he was well known for being slippery and private. Today, he was given such an advantage, from now on he would remember to yield to Jun Qing and take care of him. If he had such an ability, he would be able to draw anyone over to his side. This was certainly an unexpected joy.

Jing Shao adruptly threw himself onto Jun Qing for a hug, "You really are a military strategist. Like this, I can gain followers without having to spend much effort." Mu Han Zhang scheming for him, and allowing him to explain himself, meant that he had already accepted him.

"Ke ke, your highness!" Having a heavy person dropped on top of him out of the blue, Mu Han Zhang couldn't breathe properly for some time.

"Haha, you shouldn't sit up, quickly lie down so you can break your fever"  Jing Shao said happily, immediately moving to stuff him back into the quilt and wrap the quilts around him before settling at his side, putting Jun Qing into his embrace.

Mu Han Zhang was dumbfounded for only a moment but by the time he managed a reaction, he was already wrapped like a silkworm cocoon, it was just that there was an extra octopus encompassing him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Indeed, this person did have a quick temper.

With his face pressed into Jing Shao's chest, Mu Han Zhang could only helplessly adjust his position, putting a little of distance between them.

"Jun Qing, in the future if anything happens, I will tell you… If you have any opinions or ideas you must also tell me, this way we can avoid having any quarrels." Jing Qing lifted his hand and pulled down the headband from the person in the middle of his embrace, stroking the top of his head gently.

"Nn." Mu Han Zhang responded vaguely with a muffle, his consciousness was relaxed and he somewhat drowsy.

"Jun Qing, during the wedding night, I was really unhappy and drank too much. I thought that since everyone didn't believe in me, then I should just let everyone believe that I am no good. "  Jing Shao narrowed his eyes, indeed this is what he thought when he had woken up. But after pondering it over, and knowing what will happen in the future… Winning that position was not impossible. "But when I woke up and saw you, I changed my mind."

Mu Han Zhang did not answer, he only listened attentively.

Jing Shao saw that there was no sound from the person in his embrace and thinking that he was asleep, gently touched that person's hair: "I think it is better just to have a good life with you. Whether people believe in me or not, it is not important. In the future, I will protect you and not let you suffer even a little wrong…" Towards the person in his embrace, he was still unsure of how he felt. He only knew that this person was the only one who was willing to accompany him through everything, even death. Reborn in this lifetime, he harbored suspicions towards everyone at every step, and with every step there was only murderous intentions… Only him, this person was his redemption. He would embrace him tightly and never let go !

The whisper that was said was seemingly gentle, as if Jing Shao was saying it to himself. Unknowingly, he tightened his embrace towards the person in the middle of his chest, and made a soft smile.

When Mu Han Zhang broke his fever, it was already past noon. Jing Shao had sent Dou Fu to personally deliver a message to the second prince's manor, telling his older brother that he was at fault for not visiting and may instead visit later that night. Although the imperial family was large and had many people, their circumstance was special, as they were newly married, they didn't need to pay a courtesy to that many people. At any rate, his personal relationship with his brother had always been not very good. Might as well just pay a courtesy visit to his older brother's family later. Now that it was afternoon, it was inappropriate to go at this time. Instead, he simply changed his clothes and had lunch with his wife 'til his heart's content.

Who would have guessed that just as the food was being taken away, Dou Fu came to announce that the second prince and his consort had come? Jing Shao heard this and right away, put down his tea cup and headed out.

"Your highness!" Mu Hanzhang pulled him back, "Change your clothes before you go out."

"Oh!" Jing Shao smacked his forehead. He forgot that his sister-in-law would also be there, if he appeared wearing this it would be improper. Like this, he hurriedly changed his clothes. He didn't think that he would meet his brother so soon after waking up. There were so many things he wanted to say, this time around he could not be so muddleheaded.

"Your highness, I will not go." Mu Hanzhang pulled back the hand that Jing Shao was holding.

"What's wrong?" Since it was a formal visit, even if the person is his elder brother, he still had to follow tradition by greeting him and serving tea. In addition, they should also prepare a first meeting gift. Jing Shao stopped in his tracks to look at him.

Mu Hanzhang licked his lips, "Your highness did not go to the second prince's manor because I was sick. Although he is your brother, it is still better to avoid a misunderstanding because of this minor incident."

"Ehhh?" Jing Shao was dumbfounded for a long time. It took a moment for him to realize that Jun Qing was afraid that his older brother would see that he (Jun Qing) was well, and think that Jing Shao intentionally did not go over to the second prince's manor, thus hurting the brothers' amicable relationship. He couldn't help but smile. He held Mu Hanzhang's waist and pulled him close, laughing, "In the future, if Jun Qing has something to say then just be straightforward. My brain isn't very good."

Mu Hanzhang took a quick look at him and softly replied, "In the future I will remember it. Your highness should go quickly." He was aware that the relationship between Jing Shao and his brother of the same mother was extraordinary. If he has said those words straightforwardly, there would be suspicions that he was trying to sow discord between them. Since he was an outsider who had just crossed the into the familial boundary, it would be better for him to be careful with that he said.

"Jun Qing, are you remembering to speak straightforwardly with me, or are you noting down that my brain doesn't function well?" Seeing that he answered so quickly, Jing Shao couldn't help but tease him.

"All remembered." Mu Hanzhang's expression didn't change, it was still as indifferent as before.

Jing Shao, seeing his (Jun Qing) calm-even-in-a-perilous-situation expression, thought that he was remarkably good looking. After looking around and seeing that no one was paying attentions, he stole a kiss on the cheek and quickly went out the door.

Mu Hanzhang watched Jing Shao's departing figure, and slowly wiped where he had been kissed on the cheek. The corner of his lips couldn't help but curve upwards.

Because the second prince's visit was so sudden, Jing Shao didn't have time to go welcome him. Duo Fu conveniently directed the group of people into Ting Feng Pavilion to have tea.  Ting Feng Pavilion was where Jing Shao normally studied or strolled about, it was considered to a part of the inner courtyard and was only used to receive close guests. The structure of the prince's manor was as such: the courtyard in front was the outer courtyard, passing there, was a flower garden, where Ting Feng Pavilion was located. Behind that, the place was further divided into the east resident and west resident. Jing Shao lived in the east resident, while the womenfolk resided in the west resident.

The tea room was decorated elegantly. The exquisite tables and chairs, many of them were made in the Jiangnan style. On all four sides, excluding the pillars, the walls were carved decoratively. In the winter, when they huddle up unto a small circle, it would be quite warm. In the summer, they could conveniently remove the walls to allow for ventilation. On the flower shelves were seasonal flowers and plants. A few had thin vines which wrapped around the pillars. At this time, the soft green buds were already blooming with hints of yellow, filling the place with life.

In the tea room, the man sitting at the head seat was dressed in a dark yellow outfit, reserved for princes. His figure was slender; he had an elegant and handsome appearance. Just by sitting there, he had a powerful, but not oppressive, dignified air. Using the five senses, he and Jing Shao were about seventy percent similar, it was only that Jing Shao was three-tenths less austere, and a bit more calm. This person was Jing Shao' older brother of the same mother, Empress Yuan's eldest son, Jing Chen.