SFS Chapter 365 I Want to Wear It for You
Chapter 365 I Want to Wear It for You
Just then, steady footsteps came from the doorway.
Shen Qingtan looked up and saw Zhao Yi enter the house amidst the wind and snow, take off his cloak at the door, and hand it to Jiang Chao behind him.
Jiang Chao, holding the cloak, hung it on the wooden frame, then tactfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.
"You're back." Shen Qingtan went to greet him, took a handkerchief to brush the fine snow off his hair, and said softly, "The Lin family has fallen."
After Shen Qingtan tidied his hair, Zhao Yi went to the basin stand to wash his hands.
He said calmly, "With the indulgence of the Northern Qi Emperor, the Lin family's influence in the court has become deeply entrenched, occupying many important positions. Now that the Lin family has fallen, many official positions have been vacated, and I'm afraid that the Prince Xian and the Prince Qi will once again start a bloody storm in their struggle for power."
Shen Qingtan smiled, having also noticed this when she heard the news of the Lin family's downfall.
She rolled up his sleeves, her hand pausing slightly as she caught a glimpse of the undergarment he was wearing—the very one she had made for him shortly after their marriage.
The fabric at the cuffs was slightly worn and frayed, indicating that he wore this garment frequently.
Liu's mother once said that Zhao Yi was extremely particular about the things he used, especially his clothes. The robe he wore the longest was only for one season.
Some robes were even worn only a few times before being never worn again.
She suppressed her thoughts and pretended not to notice: "Leaving aside other vacancies, just Lin Yi's official position alone would cause the Prince Xian and the Prince Qi to fight to the death."
The Grand Tutor was in charge of the Grand Tutor's Office, the Left Spring Palace, the Bureau of Classics, and other political affairs. He also tutored the Crown Prince and could be considered part of the Crown Prince's faction, enjoying the Emperor's great trust.
The Junior Chamberlain assists the Chamberlain and serves as the deputy head of the Chamberlain's office.
The Great Zhou Dynasty did not establish a crown prince. Emperor Jing'an treated everyone equally, with both Prince Yu and Prince Rui having a junior tutor who enjoyed the same educational treatment as the crown prince.
The Northern Qi dynasty also did not establish a crown prince, but the Northern Qi emperor did not appoint a junior tutor to the prince's residence.
He expressed his high regard for the King of Qi and his intention to make him the crown prince.
However, Lin Yi was demoted to Junior Chamberlain, and his attitude was somewhat subtle, as if he was hinting at something.
Moreover, the Northern Qi emperor also appointed Lin Yi as the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.
In the eyes of King Qi and King Xian, whoever's person can sit in the position of Junior Chamberlain means who the Northern Qi Emperor prefers to be the crown prince.
“The Emperor of Northern Qi will not allow any of their people to serve as Junior Chamberlain,” Zhao Yi said gently. “The Emperor of Northern Qi is well aware that the Prince Xian and the Prince Qi are vying for the throne, but as long as it’s not out in the open, he will turn a blind eye.”
"Now that the Prince of Qi has openly exposed the Lin family's violation of the laws of Northern Qi, no matter what the reason, it will displease the Emperor of Northern Qi. This is because the Prince of Qi is impatient and intends to break the previous balance; he is no longer satisfied with the status quo."
"The Northern Qi Emperor was wary that making the Prince of Qi the crown prince too early would jeopardize his position, which is why he wanted to use the Prince of Xian to check the Prince of Qi. Now that the Lin family has fallen, the Prince of Xian's power has been weakened, and he is at a disadvantage against the Prince of Qi."
"If the Northern Qi emperor were to appoint another of the Prince of Qi's men as Junior Chamberlain, it would be sending a signal to the outside world that he intends to make the Prince of Qi the crown prince. This might weaken some of the Prince of Xian's power, making it impossible for the Prince of Xian to contend with the Prince of Qi."
"The crimes committed by the Lin family have given the Emperor of Northern Qi a sense of crisis that is beyond his control. If he were to elevate the Prince Xian further, he fears that the Prince Xian might one day force him to abdicate."
At this point, Zhao Yi said in a low voice, "The Northern Qi Emperor will appoint the Prince Xian and someone outside the Prince Qi's faction as Junior Chamberlain."
“No matter how the Northern Qi Emperor reacts, it will be advantageous to us,” Shen Qingtan said with a smile. “If we profit from this matter, it will pose a great threat to the Prince Xian and the Prince Qi.”
“If they regard us as enemies and attack us, we can bring this matter out into the open and take the opportunity to request that the Princess Protectorate be brought back to the Great Zhou.”
"If the Emperor of Northern Qi wants to stop us, he will have to punish the two princes and give us and Great Zhou an explanation. The Empress and Consort Shu will also help us return to Great Zhou in order to protect them."
Seeing that he had washed his hands, Shen Qingtan handed him a handkerchief: "Besides, the Northern Qi Emperor only has these two princes to his name. He wouldn't punish the Xian Prince and the Qi Prince for our sake, and in the end, he would let us return to the Great Zhou, would he?"
Looking into her clear, bright eyes, Zhao Yi said softly, "I hope so."
Shen Qingtan stopped talking and turned her gaze to the small table, on which were the paper-cut window decorations she had made.
The Lunar New Year is just a few days away.
She and her cousin made a promise to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival together next year.
So they will have to set off back to Da Zhou before June.
Six months, there are still six months left.
Zhao Yi followed Shen Qingtan's gaze and saw several intricately patterned paper-cut window decorations placed on the daybed, which were both exquisite and festive.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the robe beside the thin blanket, with a soft pillow pressing on it, revealing only half of the sky-blue fabric.
His brow twitched slightly. He draped the handkerchief over the edge of the basin and walked toward the couch. He casually picked up the neatly folded robes, only to discover that they were several newly made garments.
A bottom garment, an outer robe, and a pair of silk stockings.
Zhao Yi looked at Shen Qingtan in surprise: "Made for me?"
“The New Year is coming soon, I’ll make you a new outfit.” Shen Qingtan looked at the smile in his eyes and couldn’t help but smile as well. “Try it on later and see if it fits. If it doesn’t fit, we can alter it.”
Zhao Yi was in a cold room, but her heart was burning hot, as if even the chilly winter day was filled with warmth.
Shen Qingtan only made him an undergarment and embroidered a sachet.
She often wore her undergarments and never left her sachet.
When the couple were separated, the sachets she embroidered became his way of comforting his longing for her.
Shen Qingtan made him clothes inside and out, which was an unexpected joy for him, and the only thing that made him happy since he came to Northern Qi.
Zhao Yi gently stroked the cloud pattern embroidered on the fabric with her fingertips; every stitch contained her heartfelt sentiments.
His eyes were filled with warmth: "I know it fits perfectly without even trying it on."
He paused for a moment, then added, "However, I want to wear it so you can see."
Shen Qingtan was taken aback, then remembered what her fourth aunt had said.
She said that no matter how calm and composed a man is on the outside, when he receives a gift from someone he cares about, he will be as happy as a child inside, and he will be eager to try it out or admire it.
When Shen Qingtan heard this, she couldn't help but recall Zhao Yi's reaction to receiving gifts. He always had a lukewarm reaction, so she thought he was an exception.
Now, seeing the warm smile on Zhao Yi's face, she realized that what her fourth aunt had said made sense.
After all, Zhao Yi is very reserved; he is very emotional, but he will only show a fraction of it on his face.
"Go ahead." Shen Qingtan didn't expose him. Just as she was about to go to the inner room with Zhao Yi to change her clothes, she heard Liu Yue's voice from outside the door: "Your Highness, Yan Yi from the Imperial Tutor's side has arrived."