TPSC 15

Chapter 15

Ask him about it and the answer is regret.

Ying San had a bun clamped in his mouth and four more in his hands as he walked over. He stuffed the buns into Ying Er’s hands, then finally freed his own to take the bun out of his mouth.

Ying San leaned in toward Shen Yin, smiling obsequiously. “Boss, thanks for treating us.”

Shen Yin glanced at him, then reached over and took two buns from Ying Er’s hands. He lifted his eyes and looked at Ying Er. “If I remember correctly, you like pancakes, right?”

“I bought some too. Go eat those.”

With that, Shen Yin lowered his head and took a bite of the bun.

After a moment, he turned his head to glance at Ying San, frowning. “These buns aren’t that good. Where did you buy that spicy meat bun with chili last time? That one was good.”

At that, Ying San raised his brows. “Boss, you mean that one? That wasn’t bought, it was—”

Before he could finish, he got kicked in the backside.

Ying Er walked over holding two meat pancakes. “Boss, do you want one?”

Shen Yin shook his head. “No. I’m resting today. If there’s anything else you want to eat, tell me—I’ll go out again later.”

At this, Ying San instantly pulled his hand away from rubbing his backside and leaned his elbow on Shen Yin’s knee. “Boss, Old Li’s eggplant stuffed with meat in the south of the city, and Old Wang’s fried dough twists—they’re both really good.”

After speaking, Ying San looked up with pitiful eyes. “Boss~”

Shen Yin rolled his eyes and smacked him on the head. “The moment food comes up, your eyes shine brighter than Ultraman’s.”

Ying San scratched his head. “Boss, what’s Ultraman?”

Shen Yin smacked him again. “Not important. If you want to eat it, I’ll go out later.”

Ying San’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Thank you, Boss.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he got kicked again and yelped, “Ow!”

“Ying Er, what’s your problem? Why are you always going after my butt?”

Ying Er stood beside Shen Yin, one hand on the back of Shen Yin’s chair while eating his pancake. “Boss is injured. Let him rest properly, okay?”

“All you ever think about is eating.”

Ying San pouted. “Hmph, like you’re the only one who cares about Boss.”

At that, a trace of panic flashed across Ying Er’s face, and he was about to kick him again—

But Shen Yin waved his hand. “Alright, I’m fine. Once you finish eating, go take care of your tasks.”

“Yes,” Ying Er replied, lowering his head slightly.

Ying San also dropped his carefree attitude and obediently acknowledged.

—

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s study.

Chu Mo Li leaned back in his chair, eyes lowered as he looked at the slip of paper in his hand.

Below him, a blue-clothed youth sat cross-legged on a chair, with two plates of assorted pastries beside him.

The youth stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth and looked up. “Master, we’ve figured out the intentions of the Nanliu envoys. But that coded letter you gave me earlier—it’s not written in Nanliu, Chengzhou, or Mobei language.”

“It’s encrypted. Without the cipher key, I can’t decode it.”

After saying that, Ru Yun shoved another pastry into his mouth and continued speaking unclearly, “You told me to check out the Nanliu envoys’ background, but I think the key might be on them.”

Chu Mo Li raised his eyes and shot him an unfriendly look. “I suggest you finish eating before speaking.”

Ru Yun pouted. “Fine, fine. I’ve already said what I needed to anyway.”

Chu Mo Li set down the paper, resting his arm on the chair’s armrest, tapping his temple lightly with his finger. “Tomorrow is the day the envoys will have an audience with the Emperor. It’s too late to send someone now.”

Ru Yun nodded. “Master, tomorrow is also the Emperor’s birthday celebration. Have you decided what to give him?”

Hearing this, Chu Mo Li stood up, took a painting off the wall behind him, rolled it up casually, and tossed it to Ru Yun.

Ru Yun hurriedly stood up and caught it.

Unrolling it, he looked confused. “Master, this doesn’t look like a famous painting.”

Chu Mo Li walked forward. “Of course not. I painted it myself.”

“…Huh?” Ru Yun widened his eyes. Giving this for the Emperor’s birthday didn’t seem appropriate at all.

“Anyway, he doesn’t like me. No matter what I give him, he won’t take a second look. Why waste money? I might as well save it and buy buns for my little shadow guard.”

As he spoke, Chu Mo Li reached the doorway and suddenly turned back. “Make sure you package it nicely. At least make it look presentable.”

Ru Yun’s mouth twitched. “Yes.”

—

Shadow Guard Camp

It was almost noon. The shadow guards had all gone out on their respective missions. Even the chief, Shen Feng, was nowhere to be seen.

The entire camp was empty, with only Shen Yin left, lying lazily on a rocking chair, basking in the sun.

In truth, it was rare for the entire camp to be dispatched at once. Usually, they rotated shifts.

Their master, the Crown Prince, had never been favored since childhood, yet he was highly ambitious. An unfavored but ambitious crown prince who wished to understand court affairs and stir the political waters naturally needed shadow guards to secretly gather intelligence.

It was only because tomorrow was the Emperor’s birthday celebration that the entire camp had been deployed.

Normally, shadow guards would simply inform the chief of the mission they wanted to take. Once approved, they would leave—often not returning for ten days or even half a month. This was the first time everyone had been gathered like this.

Shen Yin lay on the rocking chair as sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows across his body.

Gradually, drowsiness overtook him.

“Ha…” Shen Yin yawned, raising his hand. Just as he was about to close his eyes for a nap, he heard someone approaching from behind.