Chapter Six: Young Master Shen

No matter the country, the halls of power always seemed splendid, and Yan Kingdom was no exception.

The grand hall gleamed with golden splendor; glazed tiles sparkled under the sunlight. Inside, silence reigned. The white jade floor reflected the varied expressions of the civil and military officials—some indifferent, some anxious, others tense.

“Prince Shen Xunqing requests an audience,” announced a eunuch outside in a sharp voice. Heads turned in unison, and the officials’ differing expressions instantly unified into one: faces twisted with contempt and derision.

Shen Xunqing met their gazes without wavering and strode directly to the center of the hall. He raised his eyes to the Yan Emperor and said calmly, “Shen Xunqing pays respects to Your Majesty.”

He neither bowed nor knelt. The hall was so silent that even the sound of a needle dropping seemed audible.

“How dare you! You don’t even bow before the Emperor!” a civil official shouted, pointing at Shen Xunqing.

Only then did the Yan Emperor lift his head, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth, eyes slightly narrowed. “What nonsense is this clamoring? A mere civil official dares to shout at a member of the royal family! Drag this nuisance out at once!”

The official’s face turned pale. Guards hurriedly dragged him away. He trembled, mouth opening as if to speak, but catching the Emperor’s and ministers’ stern looks, he fell silent. Everyone knew the Emperor loathed disturbances in the hall.

The official understood that if he made another sound, he might not leave alive. Shen Xunqing, despite his flaws, was still a foreign prince—not to mention he held no real power, so the official had overstepped gravely.

The Emperor chuckled softly before saying, “Bring him here. Let him sit. The young master of the Shen family has always been frail, so spare him the formalities.”

Shen Xunqing turned and sat down with an indifferent air, looking at the Emperor. “Shen Xunqing thanks Your Majesty for your understanding. May I ask the purpose of this summons?”

The Emperor spoke plainly, as if discussing everyday matters. “In a few days, the imperial examinations will be held. Yet a sudden drought has struck the northwest, and all the silver from the treasury has been diverted to disaster relief. As a result, not a single coin remains for the exam funds…”

He laid out the predicament in detail, intending to officially transfer the Shen family’s business—long managed under royal supervision—to imperial ownership. Shen Xunqing lowered his gaze, silent. When the Emperor finished, he asked knowingly, “Your Majesty, what would you have me do?”

The Emperor’s expression was one of satisfaction. “True to the Shen family’s lineage, I hope you will donate your family’s assets—naturally, in your name.”

Shen Xunqing nodded. “It is my privilege to ease Your Majesty’s burdens.”

The Emperor smiled contentedly. “Excellent. Since all is settled, the court is adjourned.”

“Farewell, Your Majesty!” the ministers chorused.

Most officials left in small groups, but Shen Xunqing lingered at the rear, his impassive features betraying no emotion, yet the oppressive aura around him was palpable. Such a trivial matter had spoiled his mood for the day.

He glanced up at the warm sun hanging high in the sky and felt nothing but bitter irony.

“Brother Xunqing! Brother Xunqing! Wait for me!” a coquettish voice called behind him. Shen Xunqing quickened his pace.

Yan Qianqian, clutching her skirts, chased after him, panting. “You old ghost, stand still!”

From a nearby tower, two men, both handsome and dignified with similarly refined features and elegant attire, quietly observed the scene below. They were the Crown Prince and the Second Prince of Yan.

“Brother, why do you think Sixth Sister has been so clingy to that Shen family boy since childhood?” the Second Prince asked, puzzled.

The Crown Prince smiled meaningfully. “Who can say? Not just Sixth Sister—our father is the same.”

“Father? What has Father done?” the Second Prince pressed on, still unable to grasp all his elder brother’s words despite trailing behind him.

The Crown Prince chuckled, his expression mirroring the Emperor’s. “Father has just issued two imperial edicts to that Shen family lad…”

Meanwhile, Yan Qianqian, out of breath and unable to catch up, stopped. “I say, you old ghost, I’m a flower of unmatched beauty chasing after you—don’t you have any chivalry left for a damsel in distress?” She stamped her foot, voice tinged with grievance. “I came all the way to the mortal realm for you! It’s my first time this far from home!”

Shen Xunqing turned, surprised. “When has the Demon Realm ever had genders?” He added, “If you wish to pursue me, that is your affair. For the sake of the Demon Flame, I shall not object. But if you delay my matters, consider this: does your father’s Demon Realm truly possess the capacity to withstand my wrath?”

With that, Shen Xunqing strode off.

Yan Qianqian stood frozen, eyes wide. After a moment, she blushed deeply. Pursuing the one she loved was her own choice—what did the Demon Realm have to do with it? She snorted coldly. “We are in the mortal realm now. I am a princess of a kingdom, and you, old ghost, are but a commoner. I refuse to believe I cannot have my wish!”

Shen Xunqing returned by carriage. Sure enough, the imperial edicts had arrived. Without even glancing at the golden scroll, he asked, “What do they say?”

The black slave responded gravely, “First, in gratitude for the Shen family’s donation, His Majesty has conferred upon you the title of Prince. Starting tomorrow, you are to attend court daily. Second, you are appointed as the invigilator for the imperial examinations.”

Shen Xunqing frowned. “What time is it now?”

“Past noon, roughly three quarters past,” the slave replied.

Shen Xunqing went to his chamber and changed out of his official robes, instructing the black slave, “I’ll go out for a walk alone. You remain here.”

“Yes, sir,” came the reply.

Shortly after Shen Xunqing left, a small girl in pink appeared before the black slave, bowing shyly. “Is the master here?”

The slave glanced over and sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Bring her back. The master is out!” He thought to himself: just amusing this little heavenly fox, yet she takes it seriously. The royal bloodline of the fox tribe is truly at risk!

Alone, Shen Xunqing walked the bustling street until he stopped some ten meters from Yu Huan. She sat at a table, attentively listening to a blushing young woman speaking, while helping her write a letter.

A long queue stretched ahead, mostly women. Almost instinctively, Shen Xunqing stepped forward, palm striking the roughly hewn wooden table softly. “Yu Huan, do you need any help?”

His appearance seemed only to lengthen the line, and some people unwilling to queue formed a circle around them.

Yu Huan’s delicate eyelashes fluttered as she looked up and smiled. “Young Master Shen, how could I trouble you?”

The title “Young Master Shen” sparked a gleam in Shen Xunqing’s eyes. Their gazes met—familiar yet strange—and his heart sank just a little.