The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 139 Blessed But Don't Realize It!
However, there was one thing Tang Shen guessed wrong: Wang Zifeng was indeed seriously ill.
Originally, he had caught a cold, and then he braved the wind and snow to personally go to the outskirts of the city to pick up Tang Shen. That night, Wang Zhen developed a high fever and fell into a deep sleep, unable to wake. Tang Shen hurriedly called for a doctor, who prescribed medicine, and Tang Shen stayed by his bedside for two nights.
Zhao Fu would never have imagined in his lifetime that by sending Tang Shen to Youzhou, he had hoped Tang Shen would help share Wang Zhen's burdens and handle the affairs with the Liao State properly. Instead, not only were the tasks not completed, but Wang Zifeng fell ill because of Tang Shen, and Tang Shen, in turn, delayed his own duties to care for him. No wonder office romances were discouraged in the modern world—it was entirely reasonable.
On the second night, Wang Zhen's fever gradually subsided. Tang Shen, having not slept for a full day and night, finally felt relieved and fell asleep by the bedside.
When Wang Zhen woke up, he saw his little junior brother sleeping soundly with his head resting on his hand.
He didn't wake Tang Shen but instead watched him with great interest for a long time. When Tang Shen woke up, he was startled to find Wang Zhen awake. After a moment of surprise, he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Quite well."
Tang Shen breathed a sigh of relief, "When did you wake up, Senior Brother?"
"About an hour ago."
Tang Shen was surprised, "That long? Why didn't you wake me?"
Wang Zhen's lips moved, but he didn't say anything.
Usually, when he teased his little junior brother, he never held back his words. Seeing Tang Shen either annoyed or anxious always delighted him. But when it came to genuine expressions of affection, he no longer spoke them aloud. How could he say that seeing Tang Shen worried and sleepless for his sake filled him with immense joy?
After a long pause, Wang Zhen said sincerely, "Jing Ze, I really like you so much."
Tang Shen's heart warmed, but he was also puzzled, "Why are you suddenly saying this?"
Wang Zhen, "I'm thirsty. Little Junior Brother, could you fetch me a cup of water?"
Tang Shen was utterly baffled but got up to get the water.
Why say this now?
Because in thirty years of life, I never imagined I could like someone this much.
When emotions run deep, they become hard to control. A thousand words ultimately boil down to one sentence: I truly like you so much.
Of course, there was plenty of sweetness and affection, but Tang Shen hadn't forgotten that he hadn't come to Youzhou just to date his boyfriend. He was here on official business. As soon as Wang Zifeng recovered, Tang Shen went to the Silver Pull Division to meet with Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze.
Last year, Tang Shen had sent the two to Youzhou to take charge of the Silver Pull Division. Now, half a year later, they had quietly settled in Youzhou. On the surface, they were officials of the Silver Pull Division, but privately, they had established channels to communicate regularly with Qiao Jiu in Xijin Prefecture. The two sides exchanged messages every half month, and in urgent situations, Qiao Jiu would return to Youzhou to discuss matters with Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze.
Seeing Tang Shen arrive, both men were delighted.
They welcomed Tang Shen inside.
"Youzhou's winters are bitterly cold. Jing Ze, why did you come here?" Mei Shengze handed Tang Shen a warming hand heater as he spoke. Although his official rank was lower than Tang Shen's, the two were old classmates and friends, so their relationship wasn't overly formal.
Wang Xiao, on the other hand, didn't engage in small talk. He stirred the charcoal in the brazier and then handed Tang Shen the intelligence report Qiao Jiu had sent just a few days earlier. "Daren, three days ago, Qiao Jiu sent a report saying the Liao Emperor is going to Xijin Prefecture for a hunt. The Liao Emperor's birthday has just passed, and with Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding dismissed from his post, the Grand Preceptor's faction has suffered a major blow. However, the Second Prince's faction hasn't gained much advantage either. Over the past few months, Yelü Ding has been frequently suppressing Yelü Shege."
Mei Shengze added, "The Liao State is not like the Great Song. The Liao Emperor fought on the battlefield in his youth and is domineering and decisive. But over the past decade or so, the other tribes have gradually grown stronger. The Liao Emperor, having suffered various injuries in his youth, has found it increasingly difficult to manage court affairs as he ages. Therefore, the Liao Emperor's preferred successor is the Second Prince, Yelü Shege, but Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding supports the Third Prince. This hunt in Xijin Prefecture will be hosted by the Second Prince."
Tang Shen nodded slightly, "How is the Liao Emperor's current condition?"
Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze exchanged a glance.
Tang Shen frowned, "The Liao Emperor's health has been deteriorating. You must know this. Even if Yelü Ding holds immense power, he wouldn't dare to overstep the Liao Emperor. The Liao Emperor favors the Second Prince as his successor, and Xiao Zhen, being part of the Second Prince's faction, is naturally aligned with the Liao Emperor. The Liao Emperor is the one we should truly be trying to get close to."
Wang Xiao said, "I will immediately write a secret letter and send it to Qiao Jiu."
The three of them chatted for a while longer before turning to more personal matters.
Wang Xiao had come to Youzhou last year and had settled down there. He was a distant relative of Wang Zhen, and last year, when Wang Xiao went to Ningzhou to oversee the repair of official roads, he had received a letter of recommendation from Wang Zhen, which made his work in Ningzhou go much more smoothly. Now that Wang Zhen was also in Youzhou, Wang Xiao had naturally visited him early on and had heard about Wang Zhen's cold.
Wang Xiao, "Is Wang xianggong's health better now?"
Tang Shen, "Senior Brother is fine."
Wang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear."
Mei Shengze said, "Jing Ze, you know this. You didn't spend much time at the Imperial Academy, so you're not very familiar with the teachers. I'm old friends with Teacher Xu, and he has always looked out for me. A few days ago, he wrote me a letter mentioning Liu Fang."
Tang Shen, "Liu Fang?" After thinking for a moment, he recalled the name from the depths of his memory.
Six years ago, when Tang Shen was still studying at the Imperial Academy, Liu Fang was one of the most outstanding students. That year, when the emperor visited the academy, Tang Shen took first place, and Liu Fang came in second. Later, they both passed the imperial examination and became jinshi in the same year.
Mei Shengze, "That's the Liu Fang I'm talking about. It's truly lamentable. You might not know this, but after Liu Fang passed the imperial examination, he didn't stay in Shengjing for long. He went to Yangzhou to take up an official post. If it were just that, it wouldn't be a big deal, but over the years, he gradually became part of the Ji faction. He should have been thriving, but who could have expected..." Mei Shengze paused before continuing, "Who could have expected what happened in the first month of this year? Liu Fang was implicated, dismissed from his post, and stripped of his rank. What kind of person he was, you might not know, but I do. At the Imperial Academy, he was always arrogant and ambitious, aiming for the top three in the exams. Now, as a disgraced official stripped of his rank, how could he bear it?"
Tang Shen had already guessed what was coming next, "What happened to Liu Fang?"
Mei Shengze sighed, "Teacher Xu had just attended his funeral before writing me this letter. He hanged himself!"
Tang Shen let out a long sigh, feeling greatly affected.
With Prime Minister Ji's downfall, the situation seemed calm on the surface. The emperor hadn't drastically reshuffled the court, only promoting Right Vice Prime Minister Xu to stabilize the overall situation. But beneath this apparent calm, how many officials had been destroyed by this storm? It was impossible to know.
Liu Fang was just one shadow among the countless officials affected. How many others like him were there?
In the evening, Tang Shen returned to the residence. As soon as he entered, he saw a middle-aged man in official robes leaving. The two crossed paths, and the man immediately bowed, "This lower official, Lin Xu, greets Tang daren."
Tang Shen nodded slightly.
The two didn't speak further, and Tang Shen walked through the gate. After searching for a while, he finally found Wang Zhen in the study.
Wang Zifeng was someone who never mistreated himself. Even in the remote Youzhou, his study was filled with the faint scent of incense. It wasn't an expensive or rare fragrance, but the smoke curled gently. On the wall hung several ink paintings of chrysanthemums, which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be Wang Zifeng's own work. These paintings were now priceless, as Wang Zhen was personally named "the unparalleled top scholar" by Zhao Fu and was renowned throughout the land.
Seeing Tang Shen arrive, Wang Zhen beckoned, "Jing Ze."
Tang Shen walked over, "Was Lin Xu here to see you just now, Senior Brother? Was it something important?"
Wang Zhen, "Nothing major. Sit."
Tang Shen sat down, and Wang Zhen suddenly began setting up a chessboard.
Tang Shen: "..."
"...Chess?"
Wang Zhen, while arranging the pieces, looked up at Tang Shen and let out a soft "Hmm," his voice tinged with amusement and a hint of deliberate confusion to continue the conversation with an explanation.
Tang Shen said helplessly, "It's been so long since we last played chess, Senior Brother!"
Wang Zhen feigned surprise, "Has it?"
Tang Shen, "At least... half a year?"
Wang Zhen said self-reproachfully, "So you enjoy playing chess with me this much. I hadn't realized. Don't worry, from now on, I'll play a game with you every day."
Tang Shen: "..."
Who wants to play chess with you?!
Tang Shen didn't consider himself a masochist. Why would he play chess with Wang Zhen and let himself be utterly trounced? Instinctively, he wanted to refuse, but Wang Zhen had already set up the board and handed him the box of black pieces. Who could refuse Wang Zifeng? Tang Shen naturally took the box, only to regret it immediately afterward.
Holding the box, Tang Shen said honestly, "It's not like I can beat you."
Wang Zhen smiled, "What did you just say, little Junior Brother?"
Tang Shen: "..."
Do you really need to hear it again?
Tang Shen expressionlessly tossed the box aside, "I can't beat you. I won't play."
Wang Zhen laughed heartily for a while, then took Tang Shen's hand and placed the box back in his palm. "The world is like a game of chess. How do you know you can't beat me if you haven't even tried? At the very least, you've already won one thing—you've won me over. Look, Jing Ze, isn't this the most brilliant move you've ever made?"
Tang Shen, both amused and exasperated by his teasing, said, "Who wants to win you over? What good is having you in my hands?"
Wang Zhen sighed earnestly, "Those who have don't know how to cherish. You're truly blessed but don't realize it!"
Tang Shen ignored him.
Who ever heard of someone praising themselves so shamelessly!
In the end, Tang Shen still played chess with Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen was exceptionally skilled at chess. In his life, Tang Shen had only played chess with three people: Liang Song, Fu Xiru, and Wang Zifeng. Among them, Fu Xiru was the worst, followed by Liang Song, and Wang Zhen was the best. However, even Fu Xiru could beat Tang Shen five times over.
Tang Shen played absentmindedly, not expecting to win, but Wang Zhen deliberately fed him pieces, creating the illusion of an evenly matched game.
Tang Shen became interested. After playing for a while, just as he thought he might win, Wang Zhen delivered a decisive move, cutting off his momentum.
Tang Shen threw down his piece, "I'm done!"
Wang Zhen laughed, "You quit just because you lost?"
Tang Shen said matter-of-factly, "Who would keep playing after losing?"
Wang Zhen looked at him deeply, about to speak, but Tang Shen cut him off, "Don't say it. I've grown bold with favoritism."
Wang Zhen was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. He stood up, hugged Tang Shen, and kissed him. Tang Shen was caught off guard, and by the time he realized what had happened, his ears turned slightly red. Just as he was about to protest in embarrassment, Wang Zhen said, "On that cold night in the first month, did you stay up all night?"
Tang Shen was taken aback. He composed himself and looked up, "Uncle said he didn't understand, and neither do I. But Senior Brother... do you understand?"