Author: hoenibean (Page 2 of 75)

Chapter 64 – The Agreement

January 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 64: The Agreement

 

In the end, the voice reverted to the calm and gentle tone Su Muluo remembered from his past.

 

“Even though you don’t remember anything, I still need to remind you—unlocking the final seal means that the Heavenly Law will instantly become aware of my existence. It will stop at nothing to eradicate me. At that time, you will also have to face it directly. If you don’t cooperate with me, you might also be destroyed by it.”

 

The voice continued, “This is very dangerous; as you would say, once the bow is drawn, there’s no turning back… So, will you accept?”

 

Su Muluo was silent for a few seconds after hearing this, then said, “Why would unlocking the seal make it aware of your existence?”

 

The voice responded, “The answer is also in your memory. Once you unlock it, you will understand.”

 

“…Alright,” Su Muluo knew he couldn’t delay any longer. He took a deep breath and said, “Help me unlock the seal.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a gentle force enveloping him. This power was completely different from the Heavenly Law’s harsh method of breaking his seal before. It brought no pain but instead made him feel as though he were soaking in a hot spring, providing an indescribable sense of comfort.

 

At the same time, countless scenes emerged before him. These were the last segments of his memory yet to be restored, revealing the ultimate truth.

 

—Time rewound to thousands of years ago, in a small building, Su Muluo, having discovered that his dragon was missing, heard that voice near his ear and was slightly stunned.

 

“Who are you?” After a brief moment of surprise, he immediately became vigilant, “Are you the Heavenly Law?”

 

“If I were the Heavenly Law, you might be in danger,” the voice said. “But fortunately, the current Heavenly Law cannot do anything to you because it has recently interfered with the world too much and is now being monitored by the rules.”

 

Su Muluo asked, “…What are you talking about? Who exactly are you?”

 

He looked around but couldn’t find any trace of a woman, and his dragon was nowhere to be seen, making him very anxious.

 

“Calm down. Your dragon hasn’t left you; it’s just that I’ve brought you to a separate space,” the voice, seeming to sense his anxiety, comforted him slowly. “Only here am I not detectable by the Heavenly Law, but we have only a short time, so let’s get straight to the point.”

 

“I need your help. Only with your aid can I kill the Heavenly Law.”

 

Su Muluo was slightly stunned but quickly regained his composure. “Why do you want to kill the Heavenly Law?”

 

“Because it wants to harm me, and I cannot die; otherwise, there will be no next Heavenly Law.” The voice spoke in an extremely calm tone, revealing a frightening fact. “You might not know, but the so-called Heavenly Law is actually just a world manager created by the rules, right?”

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

Not only did he not know, but he also couldn’t comprehend what this “being” was saying. He chose to remain silent and listen further.

 

“The rules are the source of this world. They created the world and the Heavenly Law,” the voice continued, clearly understanding the reason for his silence. “Compared to the Heavenly Law, the rules are the true sovereign. However, they have no specific form; they are merely a consciousness that, under normal circumstances, does not interfere with the world.”

 

“But the world needs someone to manage it, so the rules created the Heavenly Law to maintain the world’s balance and prevent it from being easily destroyed.”

 

“However, the Heavenly Law is not a single individual and does not exist forever. New Heavenly Laws are born to replace old ones at intervals, and the old Heavenly Law enters reincarnation, becoming a living, breathing person to personally experience the world… and then returns to the rules after several years.”

 

The voice paused and then said, “This would normally be fine, but for some unknown reason, the current Heavenly Law seems unwilling to enter reincarnation—it sees reincarnation as death. It doesn’t want to die but rather wants to keep its power as the Heavenly Law and live forever.”

 

“To achieve this, it needs more power and a new vessel, and it must also kill the next Heavenly Law that will replace it. Otherwise, when the time comes, it will still be replaced by the new Heavenly Law under the operation of the rules.”

 

By this point, Su Muluo had understood much. “You are the new Heavenly Law?”

 

“Yes,” the voice confirmed. “I am the unfortunate one targeted by it.”

 

Su Muluo frowned. “So… its destruction of the Phoenix and Dragon races was for power?”

 

His voice was as cold as ice when he spoke these words. The voice did not deny it. “Your two races are the most powerful in the current world. It can absorb a vast amount of life essence from you, which will aid in its departure from the rules… but there is an even more important reason, and that is you.”

 

Su Muluo’s expression darkened as he listened to the voice explain, “The rules created many things, but only two phoenixes: one is you, and the other is the original phoenix. Therefore, you are special. Even your body contains part of the power of the rules.”

 

“The Heavenly Law is dependent on the rules, like a seedling nurtured by soil. If it wants to break away from the rules, it must find new soil or a new host—and you are the only individual in this world capable of bearing the power of the Heavenly Law. In fact, you possess the Nirvana power granted by the rules, allowing you to exist and persist with the world.”

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

The woman said, “So the Heavenly Law targeted you right away, but it didn’t expect you would exhaust the power of Nirvana on behalf of the Phoenix Clan, willingly choosing death. It was then that it discovered your dragon, an equally unique entity that seems capable of becoming its host.”

 

Su Muluo, upon hearing about Long Ling, immediately asked, “Why? Was he also created by the rules?”

 

The woman fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Actually, I’m not sure what kind of entity he truly is, nor do I know where he came from… But I see seals on him. Those seals are extremely powerful, so powerful that I tremble when I try to probe them.”

 

“If the seals on him were lifted, he might become a being surpassing us. Clearly, the current Heavenly Law has realized this, which is why it’s so urgent to take away your dragon. Before the seal on your dragon is undone, it wants him to become its host.”

 

Su Muluo was completely taken aback by Long Ling’s mysterious identity and remained silent for a few moments before asking, “But… has he recently become very strange? Is it because of the influence of the Heavenly Law?”

 

“Yes,” the woman replied. “After all, the seal on your dragon hasn’t been undone yet, and its power still can’t match that of the Heavenly Law. It seems none of us can help him unlock those seals because they are incredibly strong.”

 

Su Muluo pondered silently. “So… could he be taken over by the Heavenly Law if this continues?”

 

“Very likely,” said the woman. “Not only that, once the old Heavenly Law has a host, it will be several times stronger than before. Right now, I still have some hiding place, but by then, I’m afraid I’ll be killed for sure.”

 

“Moreover, with a host, it can break free from the rules—before that, it could destroy both the Dragon and Phoenix clans to achieve its goals. Afterward, who knows what it might do in this world?”

 

Su Muluo asked, “Doesn’t the rules govern all of this?”

 

“The rules are just the rules. Once they created this world and established all its order, they turned into consciousness and no longer interfere in anything in the world.”

 

The woman sighed as she said this.

 

“Perhaps it will only come out when this world is truly about to be destroyed, but by then, everything will have already happened, which may be too late.”

 

Su Muluo fell into contemplation. The Heavenly Law wants a host and has already set its sights on Long Ling. Yet, no one can undo the seals on Long Ling—meaning, if he doesn’t do something, his dragon will eventually be controlled by the Heavenly Law.

 

“I understand,” Su Muluo said. “How can I help you then?”

 

After hearing this, the woman remained silent for a few seconds before slowly saying, “I need you to become my host and kill the Heavenly Law.”

 

Su Muluo was somewhat shocked. The woman continued, “Because of the existence of the rules, the Heavenly Law cannot kill each other unless they step outside the rules… Once the old Heavenly Law takes over the body of your dragon, it can break free from the rules and come after me.”

 

“But I won’t be without a chance to fight back, because under the rules, when the new Heavenly Law is supposed to replace the old, its power will be greater than the old Heavenly Law’s. At that time, I will be stronger than it and it won’t be able to kill me anymore.”

 

“However, even if I am stronger than it, without a host, I cannot kill it, just as it cannot kill me without a host… So I must have a host to bear my power.”

 

“And you are my only choice.”

 

Su Muluo remained silent after hearing this, but he already understood the woman’s intention.

 

The so-called host is the “knife” used by the Heavenly Law to commit murder. Only by obtaining this “knife” can they possess the ability to kill each other. Otherwise, no matter how strong they are, it would be futile, and they would remain bound by the rules.

 

But now, the old Heavenly Law is about to obtain its own “knife”. If it really succeeds, the new Heavenly Law will be killed by it, and Long Ling… will never return again.

 

“How can I be sure that you won’t end up like the old Heavenly Law?” After a long moment of contemplation, Su Muluo spoke again. “What if, after you kill the old Heavenly Law, you follow the same path as it?”

 

“If I really intended to do that, I wouldn’t need to explain myself to you at all; I’d just make a move directly,” the female voice responded calmly. “Although I can’t replace the old Heavenly Law just yet, I do have some power that can influence you in a similar manner.”

 

“Moreover, the reason your dragon was affected by the old Heavenly Law was not only because of the seal on it but also because it lost most of its power while saving you, was severely injured by that golden dragon, and was on the brink of death. That’s why the old Heavenly Law was able to take advantage of the situation.”

 

“Now your situation is the same as its—being severely injured and weakened. Although it’s somewhat difficult to occupy your body, it’s not impossible.”

 

Su Muluo gazed into the void, feeling as if a gentle gaze was watching him. He lowered his eyes slightly, and after a moment, he nodded and said, “I can agree to that.”

 

“But after becoming your host, will I be unable to return?”

 

“That depends on you,” the female voice replied gently. “Once you become my host, it means I will have fully occupied your body. Moreover, after killing the old Heavenly Law, I will become the new Heavenly Law with unparalleled power, which even I might not be able to fully control—”

 

“So, by then, even if I want to leave your body, some of my power will definitely remain within you. You must resist this power with your will, or your soul will be expelled from your body, forever drifting in the world, while your body becomes an unconscious vessel, essentially leading to a form of death.”

 

In reality, although she said this, she knew it was very difficult, and there was almost no chance of success… After all, resisting the Heavenly Law with a single person’s strength was inherently impossible.

 

She knew Su Muluo also understood her meaning. She initially thought that her words would scare or make the Phoenix before her hesitate, but to her surprise, Su Muluo’s face remained calm, his dark eyes as tranquil as a mirror-like lake. He said, “I understand.”

 

This was the result she expected and was not surprising.

 

As long as it could save his dragon, as long as it could prevent his dragon from becoming the host of the so-called old Heavenly Law, he was willing to give everything.

 

“So, how can I become your host?”

 

“Not yet. This is another thing I wanted to discuss with you,” the female voice said. “Now that you know of my existence, once we leave this space, I will seal your memory—because even if someone in the real world knows of my existence, even if it’s just in their memory and not spoken aloud, the old Heavenly Law could sense it.”

 

“So you must have your memory sealed. Afterwards, I will put you and your dragon into a state of slumber and you will be reborn into this world in a new form. Only in this way can we prevent the old Heavenly Law from tracking your presence and being able to control you again.”

 

Su Muluo asked, “How long will we be in slumber?”

 

“At least five thousand years,” the female voice replied.

 

Su Muluo: “……”

 

“After five thousand years, according to the rules, I will replace the old Heavenly Law and become the new Heavenly Law,” the female voice said softly. “Of course, by then, you and your dragon may have already hatched. Once you and your dragon are born, the old Heavenly Law will certainly take notice of you again, and I will find you to help you break the final seal.”

 

Su Muluo looked at the void before him and asked, “But what if during this time, it finds a new host?”

 

“It won’t,” the female voice assured. “Only you and your dragon can bear the power of the Heavenly Law. Apart from you, no one else. There is no third special existence.”

 

“So, it’s time for you to make your decision now.”

 

—As soon as these words were spoken, Su Muluo seemed to emerge abruptly from a deep pool. The small building and the white-haired, white-robed version of himself vanished, and the events from thousands of years ago shattered like bubbles. He returned to the reality of thousands of years later.

 

In reality, he still gazed into the void and, after a few seconds of silence, said, “So, thousands of years ago, I agreed.”

 

“Yes,” the female voice said. “After that, I sealed your memory and sent you back to reality. Though you lost part of your memory, you knew what you needed to do. After planning everything in advance, you and your dragon fell into a deep slumber.”

 

That was the truth from thousands of years ago, and once the truth was revealed, it was time to make a choice.

 

“At that time, you agreed to my terms. And now, it is the moment when I can replace the old Heavenly Law and when the old Heavenly Law is about to take your dragon’s body,” the female voice said softly and slowly. “So, I want to know what your choice is now.”

 

“—Only you can become my host, and only you can help me kill the Heavenly Law… So, are you willing?”

 

“……”

 

Hearing these words from the new Heavenly Law after thousands of years, Su Muluo ultimately gave the same answer as he did thousands of years ago:

 

“Alright.”

T/N: Second last chapter…! Don’t say I didn’t warn you! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

 

Chapter 53 – I was saved.

January 7, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Chapter 53 – I was saved.

 

At the same time, Rong Tang let go of Zhao Qi’s hand, and Zhao Qi gasped for breath, his voice hoarse as he said, “Rong Tang, have you gone mad?”

 

Rong Tang’s eyes were heavy, his expression no longer the calm indifference it used to be. With a wicked and frivolous tone, he said, “I told you, you made me this way.”

 

Zhao Qi felt like cursing his luck. It wasn’t him who had taken Rong Tang into the palace, nor was it him who had brought shame upon the Rong family, and it certainly wasn’t him who had ruined Rong Tang’s future. He believed he had been doing his best to make amends, and the dragon egg in his belly wasn’t something he had willingly carried. So why was he still being wronged and blamed for everything?

 

Rong Tang bent down, seemingly to kiss him, but he turned his face away, lips pressed tightly together.

 

Rong Tang whispered, “Your Majesty, open your mouth.”

 

Zhao Qi kept his mouth shut even tighter.

 

A hint of annoyance appeared in Rong Tang’s eyes as he suddenly grabbed Zhao Qi’s chin, forcing him to turn his face around. “If it were him, you’d obey without question, wouldn’t you?”

 

Zhao Qi didn’t know who Rong Tang was referring to as “him,” but he wasn’t in the mood to think about it. His guards should have been taken down by Rong Tang’s sleeping drug by now, and the only thing he could do was stall for time. Xiao Shiqing would definitely come looking for him if he didn’t return soon. Although he hadn’t left a specific address, he had mentioned he was going to see Rong Tang, so with Xiao Shiqing’s capabilities, he would surely find him.

 

Rong Tang saw through Zhao Qi’s distraction and squinted slightly. “Thinking about him? You’re in my bed, and you still dare to think about another man?”

 

Zhao Qi pulled his thoughts back and glared at Rong Tang, remaining silent.

 

Rong Tang stared into Zhao Qi’s eyes with an appreciative look and slowly smiled. For the first time, he saw something other than guilt in Zhao Qi’s eyes.

 

“Zhao Qi, do you hate me?”

 

“… What do you think?!”

 

“Hate me if you must. I hated you once too,” Rong Tang lay beside Zhao Qi, propping up his head with one hand while continuing to undo Zhao Qi’s clothes with the other. “But I never imagined back then that the distance between love and hate could be so short, so short that it could go from one end to the other in the blink of an eye.”

 

Zhao Qi could see it clearly now; Rong Tang had truly changed, had turned dark. He used to be terse with words, rarely speaking more than twenty words at a time, but now he could string together several sentences in one breath. But while he spoke, could he at least stop undressing him?

 

Seeing that Rong Tang had already removed his outer garment, Zhao Qi couldn’t take it anymore and said loudly, “If you want to sleep, just do it. Why all this nonsense?!”

 

Rong Tang chuckled lightly, “This is what the Emperor said.”

 

Zhao Qi tugged at the corner of his mouth, “I’m not some virtuous woman. I have three thousand concubines. I’ve slept with so many people before, but only you were left untouched. Today, I suppose it counts as an achievement.”

 

Rong Tang’s fingertips paused slightly, his tone cold as ice, “If that’s the case, I no longer need to show pity.”

 

“That’s right, come on. Don’t pity me just because I’m a delicate flower!”

 

“Shut up…” Rong Tang lowered his eyes and coughed lightly, “Ahem.”

 

Zhao Qi pressed on, “But let me tell you, if you really sleep with me, I’ll have paid off my debt to you. I won’t protect you anymore, nor will I protect the Rong family!”

 

Rong Tang gave a strange smile, “In the future, do you think there will be a future for you?”

 

Zhao Qi’s heart skipped a beat, “What do you mean?”

 

Rong Tang leaned in close to Zhao Qi’s ear and said, word by word:

 

“Since you can have children, why don’t you give me one too?”

 

… What the hell? Is he serious?

 

“Rong Tang,” Zhao Qi struggled to sit up, “Even though I forced you into the palace, as long as you don’t want it, I have never forced you! Why, now that the situation has reversed, can’t you let me go? You’ve read so many books, don’t you know what ‘do not impose on others what you do not desire’ means?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Zhao Qi was on the verge of breaking down, “Even if you get my body, you won’t get my heart!”

 

“The Emperor once said, if he can’t have the heart, the body will do.”

 

That was just a pretense; how could he take it seriously?

 

“Rong Tang, I beg you,” Zhao Qi’s voice began to break with tears, “I don’t like this. You must be acting out of impulse, making such irrational decisions. Let me go, and let yourself go too.”

 

Rong Tang murmured, “Let go of myself… How can I let go of myself when you’re the one who provoked me first? What right do you have to say no!” Rong Tang grew increasingly agitated, his thin chest heaving heavily, “Emotions are clearly a two-person affair. Why should I cherish them, while you dismiss them so easily? Tell me, why?”

 

Zhao Qi couldn’t take it anymore, “I didn’t provoke you! I’ve never liked you!”

 

Rong Tang’s eyes narrowed, “What… did you say?”

 

“I owe you nothing. My kindness, my attempts to make amends are because I’m a saint… No, a holy father. But actually, I didn’t need to do any of that.” Zhao Qi took a deep breath, “Rong Tang, you’ve hated the wrong person and loved the wrong person. If there hadn’t been so many entanglements from the past, someone as proud as you might not have even looked at me. It’s not too late to stop now. I guarantee you won’t die, the Rong family won’t die, and you can go back to who you were before—before entering the palace.”

 

Rong Tang obstinately said, “But I want you.”

 

So all his words were in vain?

 

“Even if you love someone else, I still want you.”

 

Zhao Qi grasped at straws, “Love someone else? Who do I love? I haven’t loved anyone.”

 

“Not? Then what about the child in your womb…”

 

Zhao Qi hurriedly defended himself, “That’s a mistake. I was drugged by someone, and that’s how this child came to be.”

 

Rong Tang looked down at him, “It was me.”

 

“What?”

 

“The person who drugged you with Changxiangsi,” Rong Tang said slowly, “was me.”

 

Zhao Qi stared at him in disbelief, “Impossible!”

 

“When Zhao Qiao gave me the Chang Xiangsi, I only used half.”

 

Zhao Qi lost his voice, “Why…”

 

“Why,” Rong Tang sneered, “Because I wanted to know who you would see after using Chang Xiangsi. At that time, you called my name. I thought it was mutual, but I didn’t expect…” Rong Tang paused, the madness in his eyes gradually fading, and the shadow of his former cold and aloof self seemed to return. “Xiao Shiqing said I wouldn’t dare to do anything to you. He was wrong—I dare.”

 

“But, I can’t bear to.”

 

Zhao Qi’s eyes widened in horror, “Rong Tang…”

 

Rong Tang began to cough violently, blood appearing in his mouth, “Go away. Leave my family alone, and we’ll be even.”

 

What kind of crazy twist is this? Did Rong Tang never plan to do anything to him from the start? What was all this for?

 

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was kicked open with a bang. The dark guards of the Tianji Camp burst in, with Fu Zi leading the charge. Before Zhao Qi could react, a long sword was pressed against Rong Tang’s neck, “Prime Minister, the Emperor is here.”

 

Xiao Shiqing walked in. His face looked more sullen than Zhao Qi had ever seen. When he saw Zhao Qi disheveled, his anger flared, and his gaze was as cold as hell.

 

Rong Tang seemed to have anticipated this moment. Facing the sword at his neck, he slowly closed his eyes.

 

Zhao Qi didn’t know where he found the strength, but he raised his hand to Xiao Shiqing and cried, “Brother Prime Minister… Wuwu…”

 

Hearing the word “brother,” Rong Tang’s face turned pale, his heart aching as if it were being sliced. It was even more painful than having a sword pointed at him.

 

Xiao Shiqing quickly walked to the bed, took Zhao Qi’s hand, and embraced him, “It’s alright now.”

 

Sensing the familiar scent of ink from Xiao Shiqing, Zhao Qi’s eyes grew warm, and he murmured, “Why did you come so late…”

 

Xiao Shiqing extended his other hand, covering Zhao Qi’s eyes, and said in a deep voice, “It’s my fault for being late.”

 

“Prime Minister,” Fu Zi asked, “How should we deal with Rong Tang?”

 

Xiao Shiqing looked at Rong Tang coldly and spat out two words, “Kill him.”

 

Zhao Qi’s heart jolted, “Brother?”

 

Xiao Shiqing gritted his teeth, “At this point, are you still pleading for him?”

 

Zhao Qi didn’t know how to answer. Rong Tang had indeed done things he could not tolerate or forgive, but to kill him outright seemed too…

 

Rong Tang opened his eyes, already resigned to his fate, “Do it.”

 

Zhao Qi panicked, “Hey—”

 

Rong Tang locked eyes with Zhao Qi and smiled, “If I die, you’ll never forget me for the rest of your life. Isn’t that satisfying?”

 

Xiao Shiqing sneered coldly, “So, should I spare your life then? However, imprisoning the emperor is a death sentence. Since you cannot die, let the Rong family take your place. How does that sound?”

 

Rong Tang replied indifferently, “The Prime Minister is welcome to do as he pleases.”

 

Zhao Qi: “!!!”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s voice turned icy, “Very well—bring them here.”

 

“Brother,” Zhao Qi clung to Xiao Shiqing, weakly pleading, “Please don’t kill the innocent.”

 

“Innocent?” Xiao Shiqing scoffed, “Are they innocent?”

 

Zhao Qi shook his head and asked, “What time is it now?”

 

Xiao Shiqing paused for a moment, “The hour of Hai 1Around 9-11PM in ancient china lingo.”

 

Zhao Qi said, “Rong Tang has already kept me imprisoned for two hours. If he truly intended to do something, he could have taken advantage of my unconsciousness, but he did not.”

 

“Even so, the Rong family must die.”

 

“But I promised him not to harm the Rong family,” Zhao Qi said feebly, “A monarch’s words are not to be taken lightly, Brother.”

 

Xiao Shiqing remained unmoved, “You promised him, but I did not. Fu Zi—”

 

Fu Zi replied, “This subordinate is here.”

 

“Wait,” Zhao Qi kept burrowing into Xiao Shiqing’s arms, speaking softly, “I beg you, Brother, don’t kill them. Consider it a blessing for the dragon egg…”

 

Xiao Shiqing frowned, “Dragon egg?”

 

Zhao Qi was exhausted, his eyelids heavy. He fought to stay awake and whispered, “Don’t kill them… otherwise, I will be angry with you. It’ll be hard to appease, and it will last a long time.”

 

Xiao Shiqing sighed quietly, “Don’t use that to threaten me, little fool.”

 

Zhao Qi smiled at Xiao Shiqing, “I have nothing else to threaten you with.” After speaking, he fell asleep in Xiao Shiqing’s arms.

 

Xiao Shiqing turned his gaze to Rong Tang, his eyes as sharp as blades, “What kind of medicine did you give him?”

 

Rong Tang replied calmly, “He will be fine.”

 

Xiao Shiqing took off his cloak and dr4p3d it over Zhao Qi, lifting him in his arms, “Return to the palace.”

 

Fu Zi asked, “Prime Minister, what about Rong Tang…”

 

“Keep him under house arrest here. Let him live.”

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

Chapter 63 – Very Rough

January 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 63: Very Rough

 

Su Muluo didn’t expect his dragon to run away just like that. He stood frozen in place for a moment before he finally came to his senses.

 

Meanwhile, the black dragon had already disappeared without a trace.

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

He stayed there for a while, still unable to believe that his dragon would abandon him and flee. He intended to chase after it, but seeing the barrier collapsing below and the golden dragon falling into the forest, with the people from the Abnormal Affairs Bureau in a panic, he decided to explain the situation to them first.

 

“Mr. Su!”

 

At this moment, the demons had already been cleared out by the Abnormal Affairs Bureau. Fan Huai, who had seen the black dragon leave earlier, now saw the corpse of the golden dragon. Despite having been through many hardships, he couldn’t help but be astonished.

 

“You and Lord Longling—”

 

“The golden dragon is dead. It was killed by him,” Su Muluo said briefly, as he was still hoping to find his dragon. “But something happened to him, so we will be leaving for a while.”

 

Fan Huai paused for a moment after hearing this, then said, “What do you plan to do with the golden dragon’s corpse? The Abnormal Affairs Bureau can temporarily keep it for you.”

 

In reality, even the corpse of the golden dragon was a priceless treasure. For the Abnormal Affairs Bureau, it was a huge temptation—but Fan Huai was also clear that this golden dragon did not belong to them, and now, in front of them, was someone who could kill dragons.

 

Su Muluo had no desire to see Fu Sha again and said coldly, “You can handle it however you like. I don’t need the corpse.”

 

Fan Huai was taken aback and was about to exclaim, “It’s too valuable!” when a black dragon descended from the sky. With precise accuracy, it scooped Su Muluo up with its claws.

 

Fan Huai: “…”

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

Su Muluo, who had just been thinking of finding his dragon, was surprised when it came back by itself. 

 

However, the way it returned… was rather unusual.

 

Su Muluo sat on the black dragon’s claw, which had just torn through the golden dragon’s toughest scales. Now, as it held him gently, there was an indescribable care and softness.

 

Yet, its eyes were still crimson red, and the dark flames on its body had not yet dissipated, making Su Muluo feel uneasy.

 

He asked, “Where are you taking me?”

 

The black dragon seemed not to hear him at all. It remained silent, only staring intently at him with its red dragon eyes, as if afraid that he might slip away.

 

Su Muluo stared back for a while and realized that communication was impossible. He sighed and stopped talking.

 

The black dragon transformed back to its original form with astonishing speed. Su Muluo had no idea how many kilometers they had traveled in just a few minutes. By the time he realized what was happening, the black dragon had brought him to a place—Suyuan.

 

The familiar small building came into view. Su Muluo was stunned. The black dragon, now possessed, should logically be in a completely chaotic state with no memory of the past. Yet, he didn’t expect his dragon to remember this place and bring him back.

 

The black dragon landed in front of the wooden building in Suyuan but did not revert to its original form. Instead, it looked around and then breathed out a stream of dragon breath at a rock wall.

 

The dragon breath created a narrow, inward-caving cave in the smooth rock wall, and then the black dragon grabbed Su Muluo and placed him inside the cave.

 

The cave floor was hard. Su Muluo didn’t want to stay there and was about to leave when the black dragon shrank in size and crawled into the cave, its tail blocking the entrance.

 

Its head rested in front of Su Muluo, its crimson eyes staring at him for a few seconds… before it licked him.

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

Su Muluo felt as though the dragon was licking a very tasty piece of meat, ready to swallow him whole at any moment.

 

So, without saying a word, he walked directly toward the cave entrance.

 

—But once again, he didn’t make it to the entrance. The beautiful phoenix was dragged back by his dragon, which coiled around him and pinned him to the deepest part of the cave.

 

…

 

When Su Muluo woke up again, he was dr4p3d in clothes, his sore and soft waist held tightly in a pair of strong arms. His back was pressed against a man’s chest, feeling the warmth from the other person.

 

He moved slightly, and Dragon Ling immediately tightened his embrace, possessive and domineering, like a ferocious dragon guarding its treasure.

 

Though Dragon Ling held him tightly, Su Muluo still made an effort to shift his position slowly, turning to face Dragon Ling.

 

—After the chaos, Dragon Ling’s eyes were still crimson red, with no trace of the dark gold color.

 

Su Muluo’s heart sank, knowing that if things continued this way, not only would his dragon dominate him, but it would also begin to destroy everything around them—from Suyuan to the human world.

 

The reason his dragon had become so severely demonized was likely due to something done by the Heavenly Law through Fu Sha during their battle.

 

Thinking of this, Su Muluo clutched the edge of Dragon Ling’s clothes, realizing he could no longer wait.

 

In the memories he had regained, he already knew how to unlock the seal on his body.

 

—When his dragon truly faced danger, and when he truly decided to sacrifice himself to protect his dragon, the seal on him would gradually lift.

 

Before the Golden Dragon used the power of the Heavenly Law to forcibly break his seal, he had dreamed about his past for two consecutive nights. During that time, the seal on him had already begun to loosen.

 

Now, most of his seals had been broken, leaving only the last one.

 

He knew how to break this final seal and was aware that once he did, he would learn all the truths… which also meant he would have to make some choices, including separating from his dragon.

 

Though he hadn’t yet obtained that memory, he had a vague premonition of such a result.

 

Long Ling’s crimson eyes remained fixed on Su Muluo, unblinking. After falling into demonic madness, he had grown fond of watching his Phoenix this way. Even without memories or thoughts, his subconscious knew this was his person, someone he had to hold onto tightly and never let go.

 

But Su Muluo did not meet his dragon’s gaze. Instead, he lowered his eyes and gently rested his forehead against his dragon’s.

 

He had clearly made up his mind and knew that this decision could save his dragon. Yet, when it came time to act, he hesitated.

 

He couldn’t bear it.

 

He couldn’t bear to part with his dragon, nor could he bear to leave the warmth and comfort of his dragon’s embrace.

 

He was even less willing to leave his dragon alone in the world to face days without him.

 

Without him… what would happen to his dragon?

 

Su Muluo buried his face deeply in Long Ling’s shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of his dragon. For a moment, he felt a sudden urge to cry.

 

Long Ling sensed the wetness on his shoulder and frowned slightly. He didn’t understand what this feeling was, but seeing the person in his arms with his head down, trembling slightly, seemed to be in discomfort…

 

At that moment, though he was not fully aware, he knew he needed to comfort this person, his precious one.

 

So Long Ling lowered his head, gently rubbing his chin through Su Muluo’s hair. He felt it wasn’t enough and leaned in to kiss the side of Su Muluo’s face.

 

This action made Su Muluo stiffen all over. He was elated, thinking Long Ling had returned to normal—only to lift his head and still see those cold crimson eyes.

 

“…”

 

All his joy was extinguished. After hope shattered, the thoughts of despair became even clearer.

 

Su Muluo stared intently at Long Ling, thinking that he had to take action.

 

If he waited any longer, his dragon might be devoured by the Heavenly Law. Their time… was only in this moment.

 

Su Muluo gently lifted his hand, covering Long Ling’s crimson eyes, and leaned closer, like a returning fledgling, lovingly and affectionately kissing Long Ling’s lips.

 

Long Ling didn’t understand and didn’t return the kiss. Su Muluo closed his eyes, a tear glistening in the corner of his eye, but he quickly wiped it away.

 

“It’s okay,” he said in a hoarse, quiet voice. “Maybe I will come back… and we can be together again.”

 

“For you, I will definitely come back.”

 

As Su Muluo spoke these words, another thought arose in his heart—he would not leave his dragon behind, even if breaking the seal came at a great cost… he would not let those costs become a reality.

 

He would come back and be with his dragon. The Heavenly Law should not think of stopping him, and no one else should either.

 

At the moment this decision was made, Su Muluo seemed to gain boundless strength. All fear and anxiety vanished. He looked at his dragon, wiped away his tears once more, and smiled slightly.

 

“I won’t let you go.” He said softly but firmly. “No one will take you from my side.”

 

After saying this, Su Muluo raised his hand, revealing a snow-white bone dagger.

 

It was a dagger made from Long Ling’s spine, a gift for his Phoenix who was cherished deeply.

 

Su Muluo kept one hand over Long Ling’s eyes, his soft face lovingly rubbing against him… Meanwhile, his other hand tightly grasped the dagger and, with unwavering resolve, plunged the bone dagger into his chest.

 

— His last seal was within his heart.

 

Blood stained his clothes, and the crimson spread gradually. Long Ling detected the smell of blood in the air and suddenly became agitated, grabbing Su Muluo’s wrist—

 

But it was too late.

 

At the moment the bone dagger pierced his heart, Su Muluo didn’t feel much pain. Instead, a surge of power flooded his body, as if years of shackles had been removed. He felt weightless and incredibly relieved.

 

At the same time, his soul floated out of his body, guided by a gentle force to another world.

 

This place was completely closed off from the outside, a pure white space. Initially, Su Muluo was dazed, but when he regained clarity, he heard a coquettish female voice.

 

“You’re finally here~” The voice said sweetly. “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

Wait, doesn’t that voice seem a bit off?

 

In his restored memories, the voice that said “I want to seek your help” was calm and gentle, right?

 

The owner of that voice seemed to sense his confusion and responded, “Oh, I don’t have a fixed gender or form, and my voice can change freely. I thought you would like this type, but it seems not.”

 

Then, in the next moment, the sweet girl’s voice transformed into a rough, deep male voice, with full resonance, saying, “How’s this voice!”

 

“How’s it!”

 

“How’s it!”

 

“Voice!”

 

And it even had an echo.

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

It didn’t seem too great.

T/N: Ack, the end is nigh! Mayday mayday! Warning warning! I repeat, our happy ending for our cutest moe couple in the world is near!!!

There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

 

Chapter 52 – I was arrested. 

January 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 52 – I was arrested. 

Rong Tang stared fixedly at Zhao Qi’s eyes. The blood at the corner of his mouth was shocking, making Zhao Qi’s heart ache with a dull, pervasive pain.

 

“Rong Tang, don’t be like this,” Zhao Qi said in a hoarse voice. “Please let the imperial physician examine you first.”

 

Cheng Boyan, having reviewed all the records from the Imperial Medical Academy and having a certain understanding of Rong Tang’s illness, advised, “Young Master Rong, your condition is most susceptible to anger and stress. You must calm down now; otherwise, the old illness might recur, with dire consequences.”

 

Calm down… How could he calm down?

 

The person he loved was pregnant with another man’s child.

 

Anger, humiliation, and regret drowned him all at once; he felt like he was going insane.

 

Rong Tang seemed not to hear Cheng Boyan’s words. He continued to grip Zhao Qi with unrelenting force, his jade-like hand straining with bulging veins. He repeated the earlier question, “Whose is it?”

 

Zhao Qi opened his lips, but the words “He Changzhou” were swallowed back down. He turned his face away and said, “Don’t ask; this is my own matter, unrelated to others.”

 

Rong Tang’s expression twisted into a snarl. “‘Unrelated to others’—are you saying it’s unrelated to me?”

 

Worried about Rong Tang’s health, Zhao Qi had no time to engage in this line of questioning. He signaled to Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan, who, understanding his intentions, approached Rong Tang from behind, trying to pull him away.

 

However, before they could touch him, they heard Rong Tang coldly command, “Get away.”

 

The two men halted, unsure of what to do, and looked at Zhao Qi. “Your Majesty, what should we—”

 

Zhao Qi grabbed Rong Tang’s hand that was clutching his collar, his tone urgent and frustrated. “Didn’t you hear what the physician said?! Calm down, or I will order the guards to take you away!”

 

“Why won’t you say,” Rong Tang pressed, “who is that man? Why won’t you say it? Are you unwilling to say, or…” Suddenly, as if realizing something, Rong Tang’s expression froze, and his voice grew softer, “Or are you afraid to say?”

 

Even Zhao Qi, as foolish as he might be, was still an emperor. Who else in the world could make a ruler submit to them, other than him?

 

—“I have never regarded him as an emperor. So the things you dare not do, I can.”

 

Rong Tang’s strength drained away little by little. He released Zhao Qi, casually wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and started to laugh.

 

His laughter was unbecoming and disheveled, his eyes reddened with tears.

 

But he still looked so handsome.

 

“If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have let you go that night…!” After saying this, Rong Tang seemed not to want to see Zhao Qi anymore and slowly closed his eyes.

 

“Rong Tang!”

 

“Young Master Rong!”

 

Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan quickly caught him. Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty, Young Master Rong has fainted!”

 

“Quickly, get him to bed!”

 

After examining Rong Tang’s pulse, Cheng Boyan’s expression grew serious. “Well…”

 

“Stop with the ‘well well well,’” Zhao Qi said anxiously. “What’s the situation?”

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Young Master Rong’s condition has worsened due to anger, affecting his heart pulse. The situation is not optimistic. I need to perform acupuncture. Your Majesty, please step outside.”

 

Though Zhao Qi wanted to stay by Rong Tang’s side, he had to follow medical advice. “Alright, you treat him well. I’ll wait outside.”

 

“Your Majesty,” Jiang Dehai said, holding the dragon boots, “Please put on your shoes first.”

 

Cheng Boyan performed acupuncture for an hour while Zhao Qi waited outside, deeply worried. He was already suffering from the torment of the dragon egg, and now had to worry about Rong Tang’s safety. With so many troubling issues converging, he felt as if his head was going to explode.

 

When it was time for dinner, the steward of the governor’s residence had prepared a menu and asked Jiang Dehai, “Master Jiang, these are famous dishes from Cangzhou. What do you think…?”

 

Just seeing the names of the dishes was impressive. Jiang Dehai shook his head and said, “The Emperor’s appetite has not been good lately. Have them make some porridge and prepare a few tangy and sweet appetizers instead.”

 

The steward was startled. “These are ordinary dishes; how can they be suitable for the Emperor?”

 

Jiang Dehai smiled, “No one knows the Emperor’s taste better than our household. Just prepare them as instructed.”

 

Soon, the governor’s residence staff delivered the porridge and appetizers. Jiang Dehai persuaded Zhao Qi to eat. Zhao Qi shook his head, indicating he had no appetite.

 

Jiang Dehai said, “Your Majesty has barely eaten all day. Even if you don’t consider yourself…”

 

Zhao Qi completed the sentence in unison with Jiang Dehai, “You still need to think about the baby in your belly.” It was a classic piece of advice for expectant mothers, even if it came late.

 

However, because of this child, his worldviews had been overturned, his life was in chaos, and he had lost the foundation of being a straight man. Now, Rong Tang had even vomited blood from anger. It wasn’t about having a baby; it was like facing tribulations.

 

“I won’t eat,” Zhao Qi said angrily. “Let him starve to death!”

 

“Who do you want to starve to death?” Xiao Shiqing walked in, looking at Zhao Qi with a face full of frustration. “Aren’t you in poor health? Why aren’t you resting in bed?”

 

Jiang Dehai explained, “Young Master Rong’s old illness has recurred, and His Majesty gave his bed to him.”

 

Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow with a meaningful look. “Again?”

 

Zhao Qi looked at Xiao Shiqing with a pitiful expression and complained, “Brother Prime Minister, the physician said Rong Tang’s condition is not optimistic. Do you think he will…”

 

Xiao Shiqing was silent for a moment, then patted Zhao Qi’s head. “He won’t.”

 

Zhao Qi looked up at him. “Really?”

 

“Yes.” Xiao Shiqing’s voice was gentle and low. “But have you eaten?”

 

Jiang Dehai hurriedly said, “Not yet. Prime Minister, please persuade the Emperor. His Majesty is feeling very unwell today and has barely eaten anything.”

 

Xiao Shiqing said, “Bring the dinner here.”

 

Seeing the table of “plain and simple food,” Xiao Shiqing’s eyes darkened. Jiang Dehai, fearing that he might get angry, proactively explained, “Your Majesty’s appetite is not good, so he can only eat light foods.”

 

Xiao Shiqing nodded. “Does His Majesty eat by himself, or should I feed him?”

 

Zhao Qi, distracted, replied, “I’ll eat by myself.”

 

Xiao Shiqing said, “Bring another set of chopsticks.”

 

Jiang Dehai asked, “Does the Prime Minister intend to dine with His Majesty?”

 

Xiao Shiqing sat down by the table. “Yes.”

 

“Brother…”

 

“Just eat your own.”

 

Xiao Shiqing accompanied Zhao Qi in eating porridge and talked about the situation in Cangzhou. “Cangzhou is blessed with outstanding people and a rich land. The people are well-fed and content, the streets are safe, and theft is rare.”

 

Zhao Qi took small sips of porridge. “That’s quite good.”

 

Xiao Shiqing, however, said, “Jiangxia is only a hundred miles from Cangzhou. The governor of Jiangxia has repeatedly reported that the disaster situation is urgent and the people are displaced. Yet, Cangzhou seems to be celebrating peacefully—do you think this is possible? What we see is all that the Cangzhou officials want us to see.”

 

When it came to state affairs, Zhao Qi had to focus. “But didn’t you say that Cangzhou’s terrain is slightly elevated and thus less affected by floods? The governor’s report also mentioned this.”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s voice turned cold. “Reports are perhaps one of the most unreliable things in the world.”

 

At this moment, Cheng Boyan finally came out, sweating and looking exhausted. “Your Majesty need not worry. Young Master Rong has escaped danger and will awaken soon.”

 

Zhao Qi was overjoyed. “I’ll go and see!”

 

Xiao Shiqing expressionlessly pulled him back. “Finish your porridge first.”

 

Xiao Shiqing suspected that the local officials in Cangzhou were deceiving the court and sent several people to investigate privately. Because of this, their stay in Cangzhou would be longer than initially planned.

 

Later, Zhao Qi met with the officials of Cangzhou, who all looked presentable and answered his questions fluently. They spoke authoritatively about their governance strategies. Zhao Qi gave them some face, verbally praising them and encouraging them to keep up the good work.

 

Rong Tang, who had been unconscious for two days, finally woke up. When Cheng Boyan reported this to Zhao Qi, Zhao Qi was staring at a mirror, looking worried.

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty.”

 

“You’re just in time,” Zhao Qi said. “Please check if my belly has grown.”

 

Cheng Boyan observed for a while and smiled. “Generally, a pregnancy only shows after four months. Your Majesty is less than three months along and has actually lost some weight due to morning sickness. It’s impossible for your belly to be noticeably large.”

 

Zhao Qi felt slightly relieved but remained anxious. “Four months isn’t far off. At this rate, by the time I reach Dongzhou, the dragon egg might already be ready for use.”

 

“What does Your Majesty mean?”

 

Zhao Qi thought for a moment and asked Jiang Dehai, “Where is Zhao Qiao? I haven’t seen him for a few days.”

 

Jiang Dehai hesitated. “Young Master Zhao said… he wanted to help Your Majesty investigate the Cangzhou brothel and see if it differs from the capital… so…”

 

Zhao Qi was angry. “Bring him back here at once. Have him pack his things and go to Dongzhou. And make sure the divine doctor is brought to me!”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of it right away.”

 

The route for the southern tour had already been decided. Finding the dragon boat was a simple task. It would be better for Zhao Qiao to leave earlier, as he would be faster than moving at a snail’s pace.

 

After the matter was settled, Zhao Qi asked, “How is Rong Tang?”

 

Cheng Boyan quickly said, “I almost forgot—Your Majesty, Young Master Rong has woken up.”

 

Zhao Qi sighed with relief. “I’ll go see him.”

 

At first, Zhao Qi walked briskly, but as he approached Rong Tang’s room, his steps slowed. As he was about to arrive, he simply stopped. “Minister…”

 

Cheng Boyan responded, “I am here.”

 

“Do you think it would be better if I didn’t see him?” Zhao Qi asked hesitantly. “He might have vomited blood due to anger at me. What if seeing me again triggers another attack of rage?”

 

“Your Majesty’s concern is valid. Shall we return then?”

 

Zhao Qi thought for a moment and decided, “Then I will sneak a look without him noticing.”

 

“Your Majesty is wise.”

 

At the door, Zhao Qi was surprised to find someone standing outside. The person had graying hair, a thin frame, and a face somewhat resembling Rong Tang’s.

 

“Who are you…”

 

The man, upon seeing Zhao Qi, knelt and greeted him calmly, “Commoner Rong Min pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

 

“You also have the surname Rong?” Zhao Qi asked. “Are you Rong Tang’s…”

 

“Replying to Your Majesty, I am Rong Tang’s father.”

 

Rong Min was originally a fourth-rank official in the capital. After his son was taken into the palace by the tyrannical emperor and forced into servitude, he was ridiculed by his peers. In anger, he resigned and returned to Cangzhou with his remaining family.

 

“Please rise quickly,” Zhao Qi said. “What brings you here?”

 

Rong Min replied, “My wife and I were sent by the Prime Minister to take care of our son.”

 

So it was Xiao Shiqing. “Has Rong Tang’s mother come as well?” Zhao Qi asked. “Where is she?”

 

“Replying to Your Majesty, she is inside the room talking with our son.”

 

Zhao Qi glanced at the slightly ajar door and heard the faint sound of a woman crying from within. “Then I won’t disturb your family reunion.”

 

Rong Min lowered his gaze. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

Zhao Qi nodded and was about to leave when Rong Min stopped him. “Your Majesty, my son is ill and unfit to serve you further. I humbly request Your Majesty’s permission for him to return home and rest.”

 

Perhaps it was best for Rong Tang to be with his family. Zhao Qi did not hesitate much and said, “Does your residence have a reliable doctor?”

 

Rong Min replied, “Yes, Your Majesty need not worry.”

 

“Alright, you may take him home.”

 

With Rong Tang returning home, Zhao Qi relieved one worry but felt no satisfaction in his heart. They might never meet again, and their parting was so unpleasant.

 

On the other hand, the hidden turmoil in Cangzhou under the facade of peace was gradually coming to light through Xiao Shiqing’s investigation.

 

It turned out that the governor of Cangzhou, in a bid to gain favor and achieve merit, had relocated tens of thousands of the city’s inhabitants to the countryside. What Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing had seen as “common people” were actually soldiers disguised as civilians, and even the street vendors were prearranged by the governor. Furthermore, to make Cangzhou’s tax revenue appear impressive, the officials exploited the people in every possible way. The commoners, burdened by heavy taxes and natural disasters, were living in dire conditions.

 

When Zhao Qi learned of this, he angrily shouted that he wanted to behead the governor of Cangzhou. Xiao Shiqing said, “That’s not a good idea.”

 

Zhao Qi asked, “Why not?”

 

“Previously, when the governor reported the current state of Cangzhou, you not only praised him but also publicly commended him as a good and honest official during the court assembly.”

 

Zhao Qi fumed, “I was deceived by him!”

 

“However, now that those words have been spoken, if you arrest and punish him, it would mean admitting that you were deceived by a treacherous official. What would happen to the emperor’s authority then?”

 

“Can’t I correct my mistake?”

 

“You can, but you can’t avoid admitting your mistake.”

 

“Are we just going to let him go like this?!”

 

Xiao Shiqing replied calmly, “We should assassinate him.”

 

Zhao Qi was taken aback, “Now? We are still staying at someone’s home.”

 

“After we set off.”

 

While Xiao Shiqing was clearing the political scene, Zhao Qi received a letter from the Rong residence. Rong Tang wrote in the letter that he wanted to see Zhao Qi one more time before Zhao Qi left Cangzhou. Since Rong Tang was bedridden, he invited Zhao Qi to meet him at the Rong residence’s annex.

 

Jiang Dehai asked, “Your Majesty, do you want to go?”

 

“Yes,” Zhao Qi said, holding the letter. “This might be the last time.”

 

Some things needed to be clarified and settled cleanly.

 

Zhao Qi left a message for Xiao Shiqing and went to the address mentioned in the letter with Jiang Dehai and several guards. The annex of the Rong residence was located on the outskirts of Cangzhou, in a quiet and sparsely populated area, which was indeed suitable for recuperation.

 

A servant was waiting at the main gate and, upon seeing Zhao Qi, asked, “Are you Master Zhao?”

 

“Yes. Where is Rong Tang?”

 

The servant replied, “Young Master is inside. Please come in.”

 

Zhao Qi led his group into the courtyard and instructed, “You all wait here. Jiang Dehai, come with me.”

 

Jiang Dehai knocked on the door, “Young Master Rong, His Majesty has come to see you.”

 

As soon as the words were spoken, the door opened from the inside. Just as they stepped in and had not yet seen the interior, they suddenly heard the sound of the door being locked.

 

The two exchanged glances, and before they could react, a strange blue smoke slowly began to envelop them…

 

When Zhao Qi woke up again, he found himself lying on a soft bed, completely powerless, and the surroundings were unfamiliar.

 

He was stunned for a while. Just as he was about to call for help, a familiar coldness covered his mouth.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Zhao Qi’s eyes widened in shock. That voice was… Could it be this stimulating?!

 

Rong Tang, dressed in pure white, covered Zhao Qi’s mouth with his hand and leaned toward him with a jade-like face.

 

Seeing the shock in Zhao Qi’s eyes, Rong Tang smiled slightly, “You’re the one who turned me into this. Why are you still surprised?”

 

“Mm—”

 

Zhao Qi’s struggle seemed to excite Rong Tang even more. Rong Tang’s distinctly knuckled hand moved to Zhao Qi’s lower abdomen, “Here, carrying another man’s child…”

 

Zhao Qi: !!!

 

“It’s alright. I don’t mind,” Rong Tang said with a smile, gently undoing Zhao Qi’s belt.

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

Chapter 51 – I can't hide my dragon egg anymore!

December 31, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 51 – I can’t hide my dragon egg anymore!

Oh? The dragon egg’s mother has sent a letter?

 

Zhao Qi stretched out his hand impatiently, “Give it to me—”

 

Xiao Shiqing raised his hand to dodge, “In such a hurry?”

 

Xiao Shiqing was much taller than Zhao Qi, and he held the letter from He Changzhou high up, making it impossible for Zhao Qi to reach it. With so many people watching, he couldn’t just jump around like a monkey. Reluctantly, he called out, “Prime Minister…”

 

Although Zhao Qi didn’t say “brother,” his tone of complaint mixed with a hint of coquettishness was even harder to resist than calling him “brother.”

 

Xiao Shiqing leaned down, “What does His Majesty want to call me?”

 

“……” He knew he had to say “brother,” but look at all these people!

 

Zhao Qiao volunteered, “The answer is ‘Aiqing’—”

 

Zhao Qi shot him a cold glance, “You’ve already been silenced by the Anti-p0rnography Department. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll slap your face crooked.”

 

Zhao Qiao covered his mouth and stared with wide eyes, feeling wronged.

 

“Aiqing?” Xiao Shiqing chuckled lightly, “His Majesty has never called me that before.” He leaned in and whispered in Zhao Qi’s ear, “Call me that, and I’ll give you the letter.”

 

As long as it’s not “Husband,” it doesn’t matter what you call him; “My Lord” is nothing special. He often addresses attractive ministers like that. Zhao Qi said with satisfaction, “Can you give this letter to me?”

 

Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

 

Zhao Qi, with a tone he just used to address the “Prime Minister,” said, “My Lord—”

 

Xiao Shiqing seemed somewhat satisfied. Zhao Qi thought that now he would hand over the letter, but this person was really a dog. “General He is on the front lines and still remembers to write a letter to the Emperor. I’m very curious about what significant matters he mentioned. How about I read it to the Emperor?”

 

Since General He had important matters that shouldn’t be known by others, Zhao Qi was anxious when he thought about their complicated situation. “I can read it myself, no need to trouble you!”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s expression turned colder. “What if I insist on reading it?”

 

His cold demeanor made everyone present fall silent as if frozen. Zhao Qi stared at him, looking innocent, anxious, and bewildered.

 

Xiao Shiqing closed his eyes, unable to bear making Zhao Qi unhappy.

 

He shoved the letter into Zhao Qi’s arms. “Go ahead.”

 

Zhao Qi glanced at him quickly, took the letter, and said, “I’ll read it later.”

 

Xiao Shiqing: “…”

 

“Then I’ll be leaving first?”

 

Xiao Shiqing replied coldly, “The Emperor may do as he wishes.”

 

Fearing Xiao Shiqing would regret it, Zhao Qi hurriedly left with the letter. It was only at the door that he noticed Zhao Qiao had been following him the whole time. “Is there something else you need?”

 

Zhao Qiao smiled and said, “I’m just worried about General He’s safety, Your Majesty. Quickly see what he wrote in his letter.”

 

Zhao Qi turned his back and opened the letter.

 

General He’s handwriting was vigorous and wrote a lengthy message.

 

“Your Majesty, I’ve come to fight.”

 

I know.

 

“There isn’t much to fight; the Xixia army is just putting on a show and doesn’t dare to make a real move.”

 

Xiao Shiqing indeed predicted this correctly.

 

“I heard that the Emperor went on a southern tour. How have you been lately?”

 

Not good, not good at all. The dragon egg is causing distress.

 

“Since there’s no battle, the soldiers are quite idle. During the dark, windy nights, there were people engaging in improper conduct, which I caught red-handed.”

 

Why tell me this?

 

“Moreover, I also confiscated a few volumes of spring palace paintings from their camp, which were quite enlightening.”

 

???

 

“But Your Majesty need not worry. I haven’t let this delay important matters. Over this month, I have thoroughly surveyed the local terrain and even planned where to set up ambushes. If the Xixia dares to invade our territory again, I will make them regret coming into this world!”

 

Very good, the tone is finally normal.

 

“Your Majesty, since things are almost done, can I come back now?”

 

I’ll consider it.

 

“I have a premonition that the Prime Minister will find ways to prevent me from returning to Your Majesty’s side. Please don’t let him succeed. I ask Your Majesty to issue a secret order for me to return immediately to Your Majesty’s side. You can give the secret order to the Imperial Guards’ officer Shen Tai to deliver to me in Xizhou.”

 

General He actually wrote such things in the letter and isn’t afraid of Xiao Shiqing seeing it? Going to war seems to have made him dumb.

 

“One last thing, after being apart for several months, do you miss me?”

 

……

 

After reading the letter, Zhao Qi’s mood was somewhat mixed. He said, “Prepare the writing tools.”

 

Zhao Qiao asked, “Your Majesty, is General He well? How is the child in his womb?”

 

“Perfectly fine.”

 

Zhao Qiao said, “Your Majesty must be delighted! Since the Xixia war has eased, Your Majesty could let General He return to rest and wait until after the child is born.”

 

Zhao Qi picked up the pen and wrote the letter. “He should indeed come back.”

 

He should not bear the consequences of the trouble they caused alone; General He must also take responsibility.

 

Zhao Qi wrote an order for General He to return quickly and emphasized that he had very important matters to discuss.

 

After finishing the letter, Zhao Qi stamped it with his seal and handed it to Jiang Dehai. “Deliver this letter to Officer Shen Tai of the Imperial Guards and have him send it to Xizhou as quickly as possible.”

 

“Your servant will go immediately.”

 

As soon as Jiang Dehai left, Cheng Boyan arrived with some medicinal soup. “Your Majesty, please take this.”

 

Zhao Qi asked, “What is this?”

 

“Medicine for calming the fetus.”

 

Zhao Qi was speechless. “I seem to be here to deal with the dragon egg?”

 

Cheng Boyan advised, “Your Majesty, whether the dragon egg can be dealt with is still uncertain. Before that, you should protect the dragon egg in your womb; otherwise, if anything happens to the egg, it might affect you.”

 

Zhao Qi was persuaded and took the medicine, drinking it all.

 

The sky had completely darkened. Looking down from the boat, it was just a black expanse; dozens of boats slowly passed by, like scattered stars.

 

Xiao Shiqing stood at the bow, gazing into the distance with eyes as deep and dark as the river.

 

The Prime Minister was in a bad mood tonight, and everyone on the dragon boat was nervous, walking on thin ice.

 

Rong Tang approached but was stopped by the guards when he was still several steps away from Xiao Shiqing. Rong Tang stopped and said, “Prime Minister Xiao.”

 

Xiao Shiqing turned around and said, “Young Master Rong.” He raised his hand to signal the guards to step back.

 

Rong Tang approached and got straight to the point. “I received a secret letter from the Duke of Huai.”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s expression remained unchanged, showing no surprise.

 

“He learned that I am accompanying the Emperor south and asked me to use the Emperor’s seal to forge a pass to get back to the capital so that he could leave the capital.”

 

Xiao Shiqing said, “Since that’s the case, why tell me? Why not find an opportunity by the Emperor’s side?”

 

Rong Tang replied calmly, “When did Prime Minister Xiao become so talkative?”

 

Xiao Shiqing said nonchalantly, “When I’m with talkative people, naturally, I talk more.”

 

Rong Tang pursed his lips in silence. He knew exactly who the talkative person was.

 

Xiao Shiqing changed the subject, “Was the secret letter received the day the Emperor took you out of the palace?”

 

Rong Tang frowned and asked, “Were you monitoring the Emperor?”

 

“No, I’m monitoring Xu Zijing.”

 

Rong Tang clearly didn’t believe it. “Since you received the message days ago, have you delayed taking action to wait for me to mention this matter, or to wait for me to retrieve the emperor’s seal?”

 

“I am not you, how would I know what you would do?”

 

“However, no matter what choice I make, the Prime Minister probably has corresponding countermeasures.”

 

Xiao Shiqing nodded and said, “If you follow the letter’s instructions, I will kill you directly. The writer of the letter disregards your life and death, so as long as you’re not foolish, you should know what to do.”

 

“Killing me…” Rong Tang chuckled softly, “Does the Prime Minister think the emperor would agree to that?”

 

“When have I ever needed his approval to do things?”

 

Rong Tang asked, “Are you hiding all of this from him?”

 

Xiao Shiqing didn’t answer.

 

“Others say that Prime Minister Xiao has changed his nature and become a loyal minister who assists the emperor wholeheartedly,” Rong Tang said coldly, “But you haven’t changed at all. You manipulate him unscrupulously, deciding what he can and cannot know— you have never truly regarded him as the emperor.”

 

“You’re right,” Xiao Shiqing said with a half-smile, “I’ve never regarded him as the emperor. So, what you and others want to do but dare not do, I can accomplish.”

 

Rong Tang’s chest tightened. He said slowly, “Aren’t you afraid he will hate you in the future?”

 

“That will be a matter between him and me,” Xiao Shiqing said, “When we reach Cangzhou, you should return home from the boat and never let him see you again in this lifetime.”

 

Three days later, the ship docked at Cangzhou. The morning dock was shrouded in a light mist, and the Cangzhou governor had been waiting with a group of local officials for some time. Zhao Qi looked from a distance and said to Rong Tang behind him, “Rong Tang, we’re at your home now.”

 

Rong Tang looked at the familiar yet strange scenery, his lashes trembling slightly. “Mm.”

 

Xiao Shiqing glanced at the two of them and said, “Cangzhou is slightly elevated and less affected by floods. We’ll stay here for two days and leave the day after tomorrow.”

 

Zhao Qi had no objections. The dragon egg in his belly was growing strong, and he didn’t have much time to waste.

 

The ship was unsteady when it docked, causing Zhao Qi to feel dizzy and nauseous again. Rong Tang reached out to help him but was preempted by Xiao Shiqing.

 

Rong Tang withdrew his hand and slowly tightened his grip.

 

Zhao Qi, held by Xiao Shiqing, said with lingering fear, “Phew, that was close.”

 

Xiao Shiqing asked, “Feeling uncomfortable again?”

 

Zhao Qi forced a smile, “Just a little uncomfortable.”

 

Xiao Shiqing was still concerned. “You should go to the temporary palace to rest. I’ll handle things here.”

 

Zhao Qi’s churning stomach didn’t allow him to refuse. “Alright, please inform the Prime Minister and the Cangzhou officials that I’m feeling unwell today and will hear their reports in a couple of days.”

 

The Cangzhou governor had provided his residence as the temporary palace for the emperor. The governor’s residence was one of the finest in the area, and since the governor had made careful preparations, it was relatively comfortable.

 

Zhao Qi had been on the boat for so long that he felt unaccustomed to land. Moreover, his severe morning sickness left him feeling deflated, and the energy he had managed to regain was once again drained.

 

After drinking a bowl of nourishing soup, Zhao Qi began to feel drowsy. Cheng Boyan checked his pulse and said, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. Both you and the dragon egg are fine.” After waiting for a long time without response, he looked up and found that the emperor had fallen asleep.

 

Jiang Dehai exchanged a look with Cheng Boyan, and the two of them quietly left.

 

“The emperor has never suffered like this before,” Jiang Dehai sighed. “This old servant feels heartache seeing it.”

 

Cheng Boyan comforted him, “Lord Jiang, morning sickness is unavoidable. It will get better after these few days.”

 

As they turned around, they suddenly noticed someone standing behind them, startling them greatly.

 

Rong Tang looked at them with a relatively calm expression. “What illness does the emperor actually suffer from?”

 

The two of them secretly sighed in relief. Cheng Boyan cautiously replied, “The emperor is suffering from a loss of appetite due to acclimatization issues. A few days of rest will suffice.”

 

Jiang Dehai said, “Young Master Rong, weren’t you supposed to return to Rong Mansion? How come…”

 

Rong Tang said, “I came to bid farewell to the emperor.”

 

“The emperor has just gone to sleep and we don’t know when he will wake up.”

 

Rong Tang said, “I just want to take a look at him and then leave.”

 

Jiang Dehai hesitated, “This…”

 

A weak voice came from inside the room. “Old Jiang, let Rong Tang in.”

 

“The emperor is awake.” Jiang Dehai opened the door. “Young Master Rong, please.”

 

Zhao Qi slept fitfully, waking at the slightest sound. Seeing Rong Tang approaching, he asked, “Rong Tang, are you leaving?”

 

Rong Tang’s nostrils twitched. Having spent almost a year steeped in medicinal herbs, he was particularly sensitive to their smell. The emperor was not drinking a digestive tonic but a nourishing supplement meant for recovering from major illnesses.

 

Rong Tang composed himself. “Rong Mansion is only three streets away from here.”

 

Zhao Qi nodded. “Then you should go quickly. I’ll just see you off here.”

 

Rong Tang gave a self-deprecating smile. “You think I want you to see me off just for that?”

 

Zhao Qi was taken aback, realizing that Rong Tang also needed to be seen to the door. “Wait a moment. I’ll change my clothes.” Zhao Qi struggled to sit up, his stomach churning again. He forced himself not to gag, though he couldn’t hide the discomfort on his face.

 

Rong Tang watched him impassively before suddenly grabbing Zhao Qi’s wrist.

 

Zhao Qi was momentarily stunned by Rong Tang’s actions, confused and helpless as he let Rong Tang hold his hand.

 

Suddenly, Rong Tang’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he had seen the most bizarre thing in the world. “You…”

 

Zhao Qi realized Rong Tang’s intention and abruptly pulled back his hand, feeling guilty. “I’m fine. Don’t think too much about it.”

 

Rong Tang retreated to a chair, pressing his hand to his chest as his breathing grew more rapid, as though he was struggling to breathe.

 

“Rong Tang!” Zhao Qi got out of bed and ran barefoot to Rong Tang’s side. “Are you having an episode?! Someone, Cheng Boyan, come quickly!”

 

Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan rushed in urgently, seeing Rong Tang clutching the emperor’s hand tightly, his eyes filled with intense love and hatred that seemed almost to tear him apart. Then, Rong Tang made a muffled sound, and dark red blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

 

Zhao Qi exclaimed in horror, “Rong Tang, you’re coughing up blood… Cheng Boyan, why are you still standing there? Hurry and save him!”

 

Rong Tang’s eyes were bloodshot, and his pale lips were stained red, giving him a somewhat demonic beauty. He roughly pulled Zhao Qi away and, with a mouthful of blood, he chanted as if possessed by some dark force. “Who… is it?”

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

Chapter 50 – I have always been very attached to my brother.

December 26, 2024 / / 2 Comments

Chapter 50 – I have always been very attached to my brother.

Zhao Qi and the others left the Spring Breeze Pavilion and merged into the crowd.

 

Zhao Qiao led the way at the front. Given the title “King of Troubles,” he was so pleased he could hardly contain himself, practically floating as he walked.

 

Rong Tang walked side by side with Zhao Qi. Despite his aloof demeanor, he still attracted the attention of many men and women. “Is the king’s title a serious matter? Is the emperor serious?”

 

Watching Zhao Qiao walk with a swagger, Zhao Qi couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, it’s serious.”

 

“Even so, the title should be drafted by the Ministry of Rites.”

 

“Trust me, no word suits him better than ‘Trouble’.”

 

“…As long as the emperor is happy.”

 

“Brother,” Zhao Qiao said, “there’s an opera house ahead. The lead performer is a famous actor in the capital, and I’ve heard many noblemen fight over him. Shall we take a look?”

 

“No,” Zhao Qi’s attention was caught by a snack stall on the street. “I want to eat candied hawthorns.”

 

Xiao Jinzi said, “Young Master, we shouldn’t eat random street food.”

 

Zhao Qi ignored Xiao Jinzi’s words. “I’ll buy two skewers. You wait here.”

 

Xiao Jinzi quickly followed him. “Young Master, wait for me—”

 

Zhao Qiao and Rong Tang were left behind. Not long ago, Zhao Qiao had tried to drug Rong Tang, but Rong Tang ended up taking the drug himself, causing Zhao Qiao to get a “beating.” Because of this, Zhao Qiao didn’t have a good impression of his brother’s male pet and took the opportunity to be sarcastic.

 

“The emperor brings Young Master Rong whenever he leaves the palace. It seems Young Master Rong holds some importance in his heart.”

 

Rong Tang, focused on Zhao Qi picking out candied hawthorns not far away, seemed not to hear him.

 

Zhao Qiao sighed theatrically. “Well, with his favorite not around, he can only bring the former favorite along.”

 

Rong Tang finally reacted a little. “What do you mean?”

 

Zhao Qiao gloated, “It means the emperor has someone he likes more now. Take care of yourself.”

 

Zhao Qiao waited for Rong Tang to ask who the person was, but Rong Tang only said indifferently, “Oh.”

 

Dissatisfied with Rong Tang’s reaction, Zhao Qiao continued, “The emperor really likes him. He even gave him very, very precious tonic.”

 

Rong Tang’s eyes flickered. “Tonic…”

 

“That’s right!”

 

Rong Tang suddenly thought of something and asked urgently, “If someone without feelings for the emperor takes the tonic, who will they see?”

 

Zhao Qiao was puzzled. “They won’t see the wrong person. Whoever is around is who they’ll see.”

 

Rong Tang’s breath caught, and his fingers hidden in his sleeves trembled uncontrollably. Zhao Qi’s past words echoed in his mind—

 

“All of this has nothing to do with romance. It comes from my guilt towards you.”

 

“I’m sure I don’t have those feelings for you.”

 

“My intention is to think of one person.”

 

…

 

Despite being in a bustling street, he couldn’t hear any noise; the people around him became mere shadows, with only that faint yellow figure being real.

 

He didn’t know how long had passed when the pain in his shoulder brought him back to reality—a passerby in plain clothes had bumped into him.

 

“What are you daydreaming about,” Zhao Qiao said. “You didn’t even notice getting bumped?”

 

Rong Tang looked at the note slipped into his hand, his eyes dark and unclear.

 

Zhao Qi returned with a skewer of candied hawthorns. Seeing Rong Tang’s expression, he asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

 

Rong Tang calmed himself. “Nothing, just a bit tired.”

 

“Then let’s go back to the palace. It’s about time.”

 

Rong Tang asked, “Are the candied hawthorns good?”

 

Zhao Qi licked one. “A bit sour.”

 

Rong Tang looked at the young man before him, feeling a sourness in his heart. “Next time, get something sweet.”

 

At the street corner, the man in plain clothes who had bumped into Rong Tang watched them leave and then turned into a teahouse where Xu Zijing had been waiting.

 

“Sir, the letter has been delivered.”

 

Xu Zijing nodded slightly. “Good, thank you for your hard work.”

 

“Sir, will Young Master Rong really help the prince?”

 

“The prince and Young Master Rong have known each other for years and have a deep bond. It’s worth a try.”

 

Although the man was worried, he couldn’t think of any other way. “I didn’t agree with the prince coming to the capital in the first place—it’s like walking into a lion’s den! Now Xiao Shiqing is using the prince’s remaining poison as an excuse to keep him in the capital. The generals in the northern territory have bad tempers and are clamoring to bring troops to the capital to rescue the prince…”

 

“Absolutely not!” Xu Zijing said. “You must leave the capital immediately and return to the northern territory. Don’t let them act rashly. It’s far from the time to raise an army. If there’s any unrest in the north, the prince’s life will be in danger!”

 

The man was unwilling. “Are we just going to watch the prince fall into the hands of the foolish emperor and treacherous minister?”

 

Xu Zijing stroked his beard. “Xiao Shiqing is cautious. As long as we maintain the status quo, he won’t harm the prince. Give me some more time, and I’ll find a way to bring the prince back.”

 

On the way back, Rong Tang didn’t say much. Zhao Qi was preoccupied with his own troubles and didn’t pay much attention to him.

 

The carriage stopped directly at the gate of Yonghua Palace. Zhao Qi said, “I’ll go in first.”

 

Rong Tang called out to him, “Your Majesty.”

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

Rong Tang had a thousand words in his eyes but only said, “Rest early.”

 

Each day grew hotter, and Zhao Qi’s “illness” not only didn’t improve but worsened.

 

“Ugh—” Zhao Qi vomited until he was dizzy and almost fainted, all thanks to the “Little He Changzhou” in his stomach.

 

Xiao Jinzi handed him a handkerchief. “How long will this go on? It’s only been a few days, and Your Majesty’s chin is already sharp.”

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Morning sickness is unavoidable. Your Majesty, please endure. It’ll be better in a month.”

 

Zhao Qi wiped his mouth and lay on the bed like a stranded fish, too tired to speak.

 

Jiang Dehai came in to report, “Your Majesty, the prime minister is here.”

 

Xiao Shiqing walked to the bedside, looking at the weak emperor. Zhao Qi managed a smile. “Brother is here.”

 

Xiao Shiqing narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Cheng Boyan.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

“Didn’t you say that as long as the emperor rests well, he would recover? Is this what you call recovery?” Xiao Shiqing bent down and touched Zhao Qi’s cheek.

 

Cheng Boyan was terrified. “This…”

 

“Prime Minister, it’s not the physician’s fault,” Zhao Qi said weakly. “Don’t blame him.”

 

Xiao Shiqing waved his hand, and Cheng Boyan and Xiao Jinzi exchanged a glance before bowing and leaving. Xiao Shiqing sat by the bed. “You shouldn’t go on the southern tour. Stay in the palace and recover.”

 

Zhao Qi blurted out, “No.”

 

“In your current state, how can you go?”

 

“I can go,” Zhao Qi struggled to sit up, his hand inadvertently landing on Xiao Shiqing’s leg. “I’m sick because I’ve been cooped up in the palace too long. If you don’t let me out, my condition will only worsen.”

 

Xiao Shiqing grabbed his wrist. “You really want to go?”

 

Zhao Qi nodded. “I can’t let you go alone. I can’t be separated from you.”

 

Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Why so clingy all of a sudden?”

 

Zhao Qi, feeling guilty, said, “I’ve always been like this.”

 

Xiao Shiqing indeed didn’t feel comfortable leaving the little emperor where he couldn’t see him. “Then get well soon,” Xiao Shiqing said, letting go of Zhao Qi’s hand and gently patting his abdomen. “Eat more and gain some weight.”

 

The casual movement made Zhao Qi’s abdomen instinctively tighten. “…Hmm.”

 

Zhao Qi was terrified that Xiao Shiqing would really leave him in the palace. He tried to overcome his nausea by eating more, forcing himself to eat and vomit, eat again, and eventually managed to gain a bit of weight.

 

The day before the southern inspection, Zhao Qi had lunch with Empress Dowager Wen. The Empress Dowager disliked the humid and hot climate of Huai Shui and had no intention of joining them. She advised Zhao Qi, “Qi’er, Huai Shui is full of miasma and mosquitoes. If you have nothing to do, just stay on the dragon boat or at the temporary palace. Leave the inspection of the disaster to the officials.”

 

Zhao Qi agreed, “Mother, you should also take care of your health. With the weather so hot, if you can’t stand it, you can go to Xuchun Garden to escape the heat.”

 

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, “I’m old now and too lazy to go anywhere. Speaking of Xuchun Garden, I just remembered someone.”

 

“Mother, are you referring to Sister Jiayan?”

 

The Empress Dowager nodded, “With the King of Zhao Nan about to leave the capital, Jiayan’s marriage to him has not yet been settled.”

 

A few days ago, Li Chisu had come to the palace to bid farewell. Zhao Qi was still ill, and it was Xiao Shiqing who saw him and approved his request to return to his fief.

 

Zhao Qi didn’t care much, “If there isn’t one, then there isn’t. Li Chisu is not suitable for Jiayan. Let him return and marry a girl from Nanzhou.”

 

The Empress Dowager glared at him, “You’re already learning to manage state affairs, but you still have such a big heart. In my opinion, we should do as we did with Huai Wang, find a reason to keep Li Chisu in the capital. Otherwise, just thinking about the thousands of elite troops in Nanzhou makes me lose my appetite.”

 

“Don’t worry, Mother. The Prime Minister said, ‘If urgent, bring them together; if slow, separate them.’ This means if Zhao Tong and Li Chisu are pressed too hard, Nanzhou and the Northern Borders might form an alliance to oppose the court. Conversely, if one side is allowed to relax, they will quietly watch the outcome and will not interfere in court or the other party’s affairs.”

 

The Empress Dowager was skeptical, “Did the Prime Minister really say this to you?”

 

“Yes,” Zhao Qi replied, “Otherwise, would it be me saying it? Mother, do you think I would come up with something like this?”

 

The Empress Dowager said, “That’s true. Fine, we’ll follow the Prime Minister’s advice.”

 

In July, Zhao Qi began his first southern inspection. The dragon boat, although not exactly as he imagined, was still exquisitely carved and very grand, more than twice the size of other boats.

 

For this southern inspection, Xiao Shiqing had brought along a group of trusted officials, while Zhao Qi brought only Zhao Qiao and Rong Tang, aside from his personal attendants.

 

The dragon boat sailed down the river, much faster than traveling by land, and had left the capital before sunset.

 

In the evening, with the heat dissipating considerably, Zhao Qi stepped out of the boat and enjoyed the breeze on the deck. The river wind was cool and refreshing.

 

Accompanying him, Zhao Qiao looked at the shimmering river surface and suddenly began to chuckle.

 

Zhao Qi looked disdainful, “What are you laughing about so vulgarly?”

 

Zhao Qiao laughed, “Has Your Majesty ever tried having fun with a beauty on the boat?”

 

Zhao Qi: “…”

 

A low laugh came from behind, “Does Young Master Zhao mean that the boat sways on the river while one has fun inside?” Xiao Shiqing approached them, “Your Majesty.”

 

Zhao Qiao exclaimed in surprise, “I didn’t expect the Prime Minister to be like-minded!”

 

Zhao Qi was a bit surprised, “Has the Prime Minister tried it?”

 

“No,” Xiao Shiqing paused, “Does Your Majesty want to try?”

 

Zhao Qi firmly denied, “Absolutely not!”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s lips curled up, and he seemed to be in a good mood.

 

“Then Your Majesty and the Prime Minister can take the opportunity to try it,” Zhao Qiao said mischievously, “It will save a lot of effort.”

 

Xiao Shiqing, intrigued, asked, “Why would it save effort?”

 

“Hahaha, Prime Minister, aren’t you pretending not to know!”

 

Zhao Qi realized that whenever straight men gathered, while dirty jokes might be delayed, they would never be absent.

 

Xiao Shiqing asked, “Your Majesty, are you thinking about something?”

 

Zhao Qi said seriously, “I’m thinking of establishing a special department called the ‘Anti-Vulgarity Department,’ specifically to crack down on people who speak filthy language. What do you think, Prime Minister?”

 

Xiao Shiqing: “…”

 

Zhao Qiao thought Zhao Qi was serious and risked offering advice, “Your Majesty, is this really necessary? Aren’t those who paint erotic pictures even worse?!”

 

Zhao Qi contemplated, “Then I can set up another department to address this issue… called the ‘General Administration of Broadcasting and Television.’”

 

A palace servant approached with an urgent dispatch, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister, this is an urgent report from Xizhou.”

 

Xiao Shiqing took a look and said, “The Western Xia has withdrawn its troops.”

 

“That’s great news,” Zhao Qi said excitedly, “Much faster than I imagined.”

 

Zhao Qiao, remembering the pregnant soldier on the battlefield, asked, “Then General He can return to court now, right?”

 

“Hmm? This is…” Xiao Shiqing pulled out an envelope from the documents, his eyes narrowing slightly, “A letter from He Changzhou to the Emperor.”

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

Chapter 62 – Turning and Running

December 25, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 62: Turning and Running

 

As Su Muluo was deeply immersed in memories, he felt a force controlling him, forcefully prying open the memories he had previously sealed… The events of thousands of years ago surged back, causing him to tremble all over from the pain as if his brain was about to explode, compelled to accept the suddenly flooding memories.

 

However, when a gentle female voice from the memories echoed in his ear, it was as if the power of Heavenly Law was instantly blocked out. All the memories receded, and his mind became clear once more. Su Muluo abruptly opened his eyes.

 

Heavenly Law had forcibly unsealed all the seals he had placed on himself thousands of years ago—except for the last one.

 

That last seal was like an indestructible lock, even blocking the power of Heavenly Law.

 

Returning to reality, Su Muluo found himself protected by a barrier, while his dragon was still engaged in a battle with a golden dragon.

 

The golden dragon was Fu Sha, the dragon clan leader from thousands of years ago. Su Muluo didn’t know how he had escaped the thunderstorm of that time, but he saw his demonic power surge several times over, majestic and unstoppable. In contrast, the black dragon was wrapped in black mist and was clearly at a disadvantage.

 

Seeing the black mist continuously emanating from the black dragon, Su Muluo’s heart skipped a beat.

 

The state of his dragon… was not right.

 

On the other side, the golden dragon seized the moment and suddenly clawed at the black dragon’s reverse scale beneath its neck. At that moment, a clear and melodious phoenix cry rang out. White feathers cut through the sky, and with the force of thunder, they instantly severed the golden dragon’s claws!

 

The golden dragon roared in pain and quickly retreated. But soon, its severed claws grew back.

 

It transformed back into its human form, looking at Su Muluo in the sky with a surprised expression on its face.

 

“You actually withstood that kind of power,” Fu Sha frowned and said, “It’s a pity I couldn’t deal with you.”

 

He knew Su Muluo had many seals on him, and unsealing them would restore some of his power and memories. However, unsealing was also when Su Muluo was at his weakest. If one took advantage of that time, they might be able to kill this phoenix and seize its Nirvana power.

 

Thinking of this, Fu Sha’s eyes showed a hint of unwillingness.

 

Heavenly Law couldn’t interfere too much with the world, so the help it could provide was limited. The earlier moment had been his best chance to eliminate Su Muluo, but it was thwarted by the black dragon. Just as he was about to use the power of Heavenly Law to deal with the black dragon, Su Muluo came to its rescue!

 

It had been like this thousands of years ago, and it was still like this now. As long as these two were together, they would ruin his plans!

 

While Fu Sha was angry, Su Muluo ignored him and looked at the black dragon beside him.

 

For some reason, the black dragon had not returned to its original form, and the black mist had not dissipated. Seeing the phoenix’s gaze, it lowered its head and gently nuzzled against him.

 

Its dark golden eyes held a tender smile, probably trying to reassure its phoenix that it was fine.

 

Su Muluo felt slightly relieved and then looked at Fu Sha, asking, “How did you survive back then?”

 

Mentioning this, Fu Sha’s lips curved into a cold, self-satisfied smile.

 

“It’s simple; I owe it all to this black dragon,” he said. “The power contained in its dragon bones was too strong, so I borrowed that power and, when my clan was completely unprepared… I killed them.”

 

Su Muluo and the black dragon’s expressions changed drastically upon hearing this. Fu Sha, on the other hand, seemed pleased with their reaction and continued nonchalantly, “After all, they were going to die under the heavenly thunder anyway. I might as well act first and spare them some suffering.”

 

“…” Su Muluo’s gaze turned icy, his tone laced with frost, “You are not fit to be their clan leader.”

 

“Fit or not, I am the strongest in the dragon clan. If I don’t become the clan leader, who else could?” Fu Sha replied. “And clearly, Heavenly Law also approves of this method. So, when the heavenly thunder struck, and I stood amidst the bones of my clan, the thunder didn’t strike me… Hahaha!”

 

Afterward, Fu Sha survived. But soon, he discovered an inerasable miasma on him, which seemed to be the resentment and hatred of his clan, tormenting him relentlessly. To remove this miasma, he had to sleep for thousands of years—until several decades ago, when the miasma finally dissipated, and he finally woke up.

 

However, he didn’t see it as his retribution. Compared to surviving, what was a few thousand years of sleep?

 

“By the way, Phoenix, do you know about the records among the human cultivators that dragons and phoenixes are irreconcilable enemies?” Fu Sha said. “That was also my doing.”

 

“After I found that you and that black dragon had disappeared, I went to the human realm and destroyed all the pavilions and temples built for your phoenix clan. So, from that time on, they believed that dragons and phoenixes were incompatible. Hahahaha!”

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

If Su Muluo had thought that Fu Sha was insane for killing his own kin, hearing this second half of the sentence made him wonder if this person was mentally unstable.

 

“Do as you wish,” Su Muluo said, “but our matter must be settled today.”

 

As soon as the words left his mouth, a phoenix, pure white and indescribably beautiful, appeared in the sky.

 

This phoenix had feathers as long and exquisite as jade carvings, with its magnificent tail feathers adorned with tiny golden sparks. Its eyes were as clear and transparent as the most precious rubies, and its entire body was enveloped in a stunningly beautiful pale white glow—a beauty so breathtaking that even the heavens would bow to it.

 

The Black Dragon’s gaze froze. Not just him, but even Fu Sha’s expression stiffened. However, when the phoenix, accompanied by thunder and storm, charged toward him, he quickly reacted and transformed into a golden dragon to counter it.

 

The battle in the sky did not affect the people below who were still fighting the demons, because Su Muluo and Long Ling had intentionally set up a barrier to prevent them from seeing the scene above or being affected by the aftermath of their battle.

 

But soon, a sudden change occurred. The people and demons fighting below felt the earth shaking continuously. The deep mountains within a hundred miles seemed to be struck by a giant, groaning under the immense pressure.

 

Fan Huai steadied his swaying body and strained to look up—there was a huge barrier in the sky, but now, that barrier was covered with fine cracks and was splitting apart at an alarming speed.

 

Fan Huai’s heart sank. Could it be that Mr. Su was struggling against that golden dragon?!

 

Where was Lord Long Ling?

 

As Fan Huai was deeply worried, Su Muluo, inside the barrier, had transformed back into his human form, his face full of astonishment.

 

The reason the barrier was shaking was not because they were at a disadvantage against Fu Sha, as Fan Huai thought, but because his dragon’s demonic power had suddenly surged, directly defeating Fu Sha.

 

The Black Dragon emitted a menacing black flame, pinning the golden dragon beneath its claws. The raging black flames spread uncontrollably, and at that moment, its eyes turned from dark gold to blood red, the color of blood.

 

The fierce black flames nearly consumed the entire sky. Su Muluo’s pupils constricted, and a terrible premonition surged in his heart. He said, “Long Ling—!”

 

Before he could finish, the Black Dragon lowered its head and bit down on the golden dragon’s neck!

 

The golden dragon roared in agony, its entire body writhing in an attempt to break free from the Black Dragon’s grasp, but it was pierced through the abdomen by the Black Dragon’s claws, pinned firmly against the stone wall.

 

Blood splattered everywhere, and large chunks of scales fell off. The golden dragon’s cries were increasingly heart-wrenching, and its only movable tail thrashed violently, shattering rocks and causing the ground to collapse… but it was all in vain.

 

The golden dragon was torn apart by the Black Dragon, its neck bitten off, and after enduring a prolonged period of mournful screams… it died.

 

Su Muluo watched all this unfold, his heart sinking further.

 

He had no intention of stopping Long Ling, because Fu Sha had once taken Long Ling’s spine, nearly killing him, and had killed all his kin—this golden dragon had brought its fate upon itself.

 

However, Long Ling’s state was deeply unsettling, especially those blood-red eyes and the overwhelming aura of killing intent—just like when he had gone mad thousands of years ago.

 

At this moment, still in his dragon form, Long Ling dealt with the golden dragon, letting out a sigh as blood dripped from his chin, staining his pitch-black scales.

 

His blood-red eyes were cold as he turned directly toward Su Muluo, fixing a relentless gaze on him.

 

Su Muluo looked into the eyes of his dragon without fear. He gently extended his hand and said, “Long Ling, come here.”

 

He remembered that Long Ling had shown similar signs of madness some time ago, but his dragon had managed to temporarily alleviate the madness by sealing away memories… So why was he falling into madness again now?

 

Was it because of the battle with the golden dragon? The golden dragon had heavenly power, which might have harmed his dragon?

 

Su Muluo was filled with worry but maintained a gentle expression as he said, “Can you come back to me?”

 

Though he had regained some memories, he still couldn’t recall the most crucial part. He only remembered that when Long Ling went mad thousands of years ago, he didn’t attack him. At that time, Su Muluo had confined himself with Long Ling to protect his dragon.

 

Now, he intended to do the same—at least calm his dragon down first… then break the final seal.

 

No matter what, he had to protect his dragon.

 

With his resolve firm, Su Muluo watched as the Black Dragon, after staring at him for a moment from a distance, suddenly flicked its tail—

 

And ran away.

 

Su Muluo: “…”

 

Su Muluo: “???”

T/N: Hello hello! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

 

Chapter 49 – I will make you a lord.

December 24, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 49 – I will make you a lord.

Rong Tang’s words were so earnest that if Zhao Qi didn’t agree, it would seem quite unkind.

 

In truth, Zhao Qi had always felt like Rong Tang had a special advantage with him—a guilt trip. There were only two people in the world he couldn’t refuse: one was Xiao Shiqing, whom he didn’t dare refuse; the other was Rong Tang, whom he couldn’t bear to refuse.

 

“Alright, I’ll take you out of the palace with me. But it’s chaotic outside, you must stay close to me,” Zhao Qi said, as if he were instructing a three-year-old child.

 

Rong Tang smiled faintly, “I will stick closely to you.”

 

Zhao Qi changed into casual clothes, took Rong Tang and Xiao Jinzi, and left the palace by carriage.

 

Xiao Jinzi asked, “Your Majesty, where are we going to find the Fourth Young Master Zhao?”

 

“To a place I’ve nailed to the pillar of shame,” Zhao Qi said with deep pain, “Spring Breeze Pavilion.”

 

Rong Tang frowned, “A brothel?”

 

“Yes! That’s why I didn’t want you to come. In a moment, Xiao Jinzi and I will go in to find someone, and you wait for us in the carriage.”

 

“It doesn’t matter, I happen to want to see it.” Rong Tang opened the window and looked outside. They had already reached the busiest part of the capital. The streets were bustling with people, and the shops along the roadside were filled with the sounds of hawkers. He watched for a while and said, “This scene is no different from a year ago.” Only now, instead of his younger brother, it was his older brother accompanying him.

 

Rong Tang, who had been confined to the palace for a long time, showed less of his usual coldness. Zhao Qi, enduring the discomfort in his stomach, said, “There are many fun and delicious things on this street. After we handle the business, I’ll accompany you around.”

 

“The business between you and Fourth Young Master Zhao…” Rong Tang smiled and, seeing Zhao Qi’s pale face, asked, “Are you feeling unwell, Your Majesty?”

 

“Yes.” Zhao Qi covered his mouth with his hand, trying not to vomit, “I’m a bit carsick.”

 

“Carsick?” Rong Tang asked, “Did this happen before?”

 

Zhao Qi knew he wasn’t truly carsick but was suffering because of the dragon egg in his belly. “It happened before, but not as severe as today.”

 

Rong Tang looked at his furrowed brow, showing some concern, “I’ve heard that your southern tour will be by water. If you get seasick, you’ll suffer a lot.”

 

Zhao Qi replied, “We’ll see. I might not be able to go on the southern tour.”

 

Rong Tang was taken aback, “What do you mean?”

 

Zhao Qi vaguely said, “I’m not feeling well. If I don’t recover by next month, I’ll stay in the palace to recuperate. But don’t worry, I’ll arrange for someone else to take you back to Cangzhou.”

 

Rong Tang didn’t hesitate, “I don’t want anyone else.”

 

“This…” Zhao Qi had no response. It seemed Rong Tang hadn’t given up on him yet. Even though he had already rejected him clearly, did he have to say he was carrying another man’s child for Rong Tang to give up?

 

Someone like Rong Tang, who was so upright, would definitely lose all goodwill towards him if he knew about Zhao Qi’s drunken mistake with He Changzhou, which resulted in a dragon egg. This might indeed be a way out.

 

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jinzi’s voice came from outside the carriage, “We’ve arrived at Spring Breeze Pavilion.”

 

Rong Tang got off the carriage first and turned to help Zhao Qi down.

 

Xiao Jinzi reminded, “Your Majesty, the carriage is high, be careful.”

 

“Yes.” Zhao Qi held Rong Tang’s wrist with one hand and protected his stomach with the other, suddenly feeling a jolt—what was wrong with him? Why was he protecting his stomach, which only had an undeveloped egg inside? Why was he acting so delicate? This wasn’t him!

 

Zhao Qi’s face turned pale, and he fell into deep self-doubt. He finally decided to blame Xiao Jinzi, “Nonsense, there’s nothing in my stomach to protect!”

 

Rong Tang said, “He didn’t tell you to protect your stomach.”

 

Zhao Qi: “…”

 

Xiao Jinzi timidly said, “Yes, I only asked Your Majesty to be careful.”

 

Zhao Qi, feeling embarrassed but defiant, said, “You remembered it wrong.”

 

As soon as they got off the carriage, they were immediately noticed by the hostess of Spring Breeze Pavilion. The young man in yellow looked pampered, with skin even fairer than the girls in the pavilion; the young man in white was a rare sight, with an ethereal and refined demeanor.

 

The hostess greeted them enthusiastically, “Welcome, sirs! Spring Breeze Pavilion offers the best wine, food, and girls, all at your service.”

 

Zhao Qi signaled to Xiao Jinzi, who handed a few gold ingots to the hostess, “Please make the arrangements.”

 

The hostess was overjoyed and said repeatedly, “Of course, of course, I’ll have the girls show their best skills.”

 

The three entered Spring Breeze Pavilion, and Zhao Qi was worried by the crowd, “How are we supposed to find someone in this sea of people?”

 

Just then, a familiar voice echoed through the hall, “All drinks tonight are on me, Young Master Zhao!”

 

Xiao Jinzi said, “Young Master, we found him!”

 

Zhao Qi: “…”

 

Zhao Qiao’s words lit up the whole hall, causing a stir. Guests toasted him, and the girls showered him with flowers. Zhao Qi made a vomiting gesture—this time, he really felt like throwing up.

 

“Rong Tang, find a private room to sit in. I’ll be back soon.”

 

Rong Tang nodded, “Alright.”

 

Zhao Qiao seemed to have drunk quite a bit, his face flushed, partly from alcohol, partly from the girls’ kisses. Several servants were trying to pull him back, “Young Master, please come back to the mansion. Someone from the palace has come to take you to see His Majesty!”

 

Zhao Qiao blew into the wine jug, swaying, “Nonsense! I’ve fallen out of favor, His Majesty won’t see me. He doesn’t want me anymore, boohoo…”

 

When did I ever favor you? Zhao Qi thought.

 

Xiao Jinzi pushed through the crowd, and Zhao Qi approached Zhao Qiao, “Xiao Qiao.”

 

Hearing Zhao Qi’s voice, Zhao Qiao was stunned, “Your Maj…”

 

“Ahem, it’s me.”

 

Zhao Qiao rubbed his eyes frantically. When he finally saw clearly, his eyes filled with tears, and he wailed, throwing himself at Zhao Qi.

 

Zhao Qi stood still, Xiao Jinzi rushed up to shield him, and Zhao Qiao ended up hugging Xiao Jinzi.

 

“I’m not dreaming, am I? His Majesty finally came, I’ve waited so long for you!”

 

So Xiao Qiao was still a big fan of his brother. Zhao Qi patted Zhao Qiao’s shoulder, “Stop crying, sober up, I have important matters to discuss with you.”

 

Zhao Qiao looked at Zhao Qi, then at Xiao Jinzi in his arms, confused, “I’m a bit dizzy…”

 

Zhao Qi slapped Zhao Qiao’s face, “Still dizzy?”

 

Zhao Qiao, holding his face, wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, “No, no more.”

 

They found a quiet place to sit down, and Zhao Qiao eagerly poured wine for Zhao Qi, “Brother, this wine is a new product from Spring Breeze Pavilion, try it.”

 

“I’m not trying, get lost.”

 

Zhao Qiao, looking submissive, smiled ingratiatingly, “His Majesty is still angry with me.”

 

The earlier slap had eased most of Zhao Qi’s anger, and he decided to hold back the rest, “I don’t have time for nonsense. I need to ask you, the fertility drug you gave me last time…”

 

“Chang Xiang Si No. 2?” Zhao Qiao asked excitedly, “Did His Majesty use it?”

 

Zhao Qi’s face turned sour, “Yes.”

 

“Is it effective?!”

 

Zhao Qi’s expression soured even more, “Yes.”

 

Zhao Qiao grinned wickedly, “It must have been used on Rong Tang.”

 

“No.”

 

Zhao Qiao was surprised, “Then who…”

 

Zhao Qi lied, “A friend of mine.”

 

“His Majesty’s friend?” Everyone knew the current emperor had only one friend. Zhao Qiao was so shocked he almost jumped, his legs lifted high, and he stuttered, “He He He He…”

 

Zhao Qi mimicked Zhao Qiao’s actions, “How, how, how do you know it’s him?”

 

Previously it was Rong Tang, and now it’s He Changzhou. This is really… so enviable!

 

Zhao Qiao, red-eyed with jealousy, didn’t forget to flatter him, “Even Young General He, such a young hero, is willing to submit to the Emperor. Truly, the Emperor is unparalleled, loved by all. However, I heard that Young General He has gone to the Western Xia frontlines? On the battlefield, swords and knives have no eyes. If he, a pregnant man, gets injured, what will happen to the baby?”

 

“…Yes, that’s exactly it!” Zhao Qi, with a sense of vengeance, slandered He Changzhou, “So it’s difficult. After discussing with Changzhou, we decided to prioritize national affairs.”

 

Xiao Jinzi desperately held back his laughter, his face twitching.

 

Zhao Qiao asked, “Then what is the Emperor’s intention?”

 

Zhao Qi looked sorrowful, “This child, we don’t want it.”

 

Zhao Qiao was stunned, “Emperor, that is your bloodline!”

 

“It’s fine, there will be more bloodlines in the future,” Zhao Qi said, “Tell me, is there any way to get rid of the child in Changzhou’s belly without harming him?”

 

“Your Majesty, I don’t know.”

 

“Don’t know?!” Zhao Qi grabbed Zhao Tong’s collar, “Say it again, and I’ll kill you!”

 

“Please spare me, Your Majesty! I truly don’t know, but there is one person who surely does.”

 

“Who?”

 

“A miraculous doctor from Dongzhou, named Mei, who has spent most of his life studying Eastern mysticism and once served the Eastern courts for many years.”

 

A glimmer of hope lit up in Zhao Qi’s heart, “Where is he now?”

 

“In Dongzhou.”

 

Zhao Qi sighed, “…Oh.”

 

“If the Emperor wishes to see him, I can immediately go to Dongzhou to bring him here?”

 

Zhao Qi replied coldly, “Dongzhou is far from the capital. A round trip would take at least two months. By the time you bring him, He Changzhou’s belly would already be big.”

 

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Jinzi said softly, “if I remember correctly, Dongzhou is only a few days’ journey from Huai River. The Emperor can visit Dongzhou while on a southern tour.”

 

“No, no, no,” Zhao Qi wagged his finger, “we’ll visit Dongzhou and tour the south along the way. Xiao Qiao, prepare yourself to accompany me to Jiangnan next month.”

 

Zhao Qiao was overjoyed, “I will serve the Emperor with all my heart!”

 

“I beg you not to.” Whenever the two of them were together, nothing good ever happened.

 

After finishing business, Zhao Qi went to the elegant room to find Rong Tang. The room was surrounded by a group of chattering women.

 

“When did such a god-like young master appear in the capital? He’s not inferior to the charming Young Master Li at all.”

 

“I think Young Master Li is better, gentle and considerate, he understands girls the best. Although this one is peerlessly handsome, his personality is too cold. Sister Rumeng just spoke a lot, and he didn’t respond at all.”

 

“But Young Master Li has too many beauties around him, it’s hard to control. I’d choose the god-like young master.”

 

“You are all lowly, worrying about the Emperor’s business. As if they can choose you…”

 

Zhao Qi roughly knew who they were referring to as “Young Master Li” and couldn’t help but interject, “Definitely choose the god-like young master. What is Young Master Li compared to him? There’s no comparison at all.”

 

The girls, both shy and surprised, covered their faces and dispersed, saving Zhao Qi and Rong Tang the trouble of chasing them away.

 

Zhao Qi pushed the door open and saw Rong Tang standing by the window, with the lights of the capital behind him. His white clothes contrasted beautifully with the scene. Hearing the door open, he turned to Zhao Qi.

 

“Are you done?”

 

“Hmm,” Zhao Qi said, “It’s still early. Shall we go for a walk outside before returning to the palace?”

 

“I’ll take you!” Zhao Qiao popped out from behind Zhao Qi, “When it comes to fun places in the capital, no one knows better than me.”

 

Rong Tang frowned imperceptibly.

 

Zhao Qi asked, “By the way, were you serious about covering the entire bill for the guests just now?”

 

“Of course,” Zhao Qiao boasted, “It’s only a few thousand taels of silver, I can afford it!”

 

Zhao Qi thought for a moment and asked, “Xiao Qiao, do you want to be ennobled?”

 

Zhao Qiao honestly replied, “I do, but my father has already named my elder brother as heir.”

 

“No worries, I can ennoble you now. How about the title ‘Bi’ (逼, meaning ‘forceful’)?”

 

Zhao Qiao’s eyes widened, filled with excitement, “Emperor, are you serious?”

 

“A monarch does not jest,” Zhao Qi laughed, “From now on, you are the Bi Lord of Great Jing.”

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

Chapter 61 – Help

December 23, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 61: Help

 

Su Muluo froze as he met Long Ling’s crimson-red eyes.

 

What’s happening?

 

What happened to his dragon?

 

At that moment, he couldn’t even speak, as if the long-awaited joy had been shattered by a heavy blow. Especially when he saw Long Ling’s gaze was indifferent and cold, his heart felt as if it had been gouged out by a sharp blade—after enduring a series of blows recently, he had become numb even to the taste of despair.

 

He stared at Long Ling, motionless, even losing the strength to break free from his restraints.

 

Long Ling then leaned down, his eyes still red, expressionless as he lowered his head… and sniffed Su Muluo’s scent.

 

Seeing this action, Su Muluo thought that Long Ling might still have some clarity. His eyes brightened again as he said, “You—”

 

He wanted to ask Long Ling what was wrong, why it seemed like he didn’t recognize him, but before he could finish his question, Long Ling grabbed his chin and kissed his lips.

 

Su Muluo: “……”

 

Long Ling’s fingers gripped his chin tightly, as if afraid he might escape, trying to confine him this way—Su Muluo’s hands were already tied to the headboard, and he couldn’t move at all, only managing to tilt his head back slightly to endure the kiss.

 

Although they had kissed before, this kiss was completely different from the previous ones—while their previous kisses were eager yet filled with affection and longing, this one only made Su Muluo feel suffocated by its oppressive force.

 

“Long Ling… cough, cough cough!”

 

It was only when Su Muluo couldn’t bear it any longer and called out Long Ling’s name, turning his face and coughing violently, that Long Ling finally released him. However, he didn’t get up but remained on top of Su Muluo, staring at him unblinkingly.

 

Meeting Long Ling’s gaze, Su Muluo felt those crimson-red eyes were like an abyss, instantly chilling and dangerous… His heart sank heavily, and he trembled as he asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

 

“……”

 

Long Ling still didn’t answer, only raising his hand to cover Su Muluo’s eyes.

 

What happened next, Su Muluo didn’t really refuse.

 

His body was too weak; the blood he had lost was enough to deplete him entirely, so this faint resistance was ineffective against Long Ling.

 

Moreover, he had a nagging feeling that Long Ling was not acting out of desire… but rather from an almost instinctual need.

 

Like a fish craving water or trees relying on the earth, his dragon also needed him.

 

But Su Muluo’s physical condition was still too poor to last much longer, so in the end, he lost consciousness amidst the chaos.

 

He didn’t know how long it had been, but when he awoke again, the morning light was faint, and it was already dawn.

 

When Su Muluo woke up this time, he found that his headache had subsided, and his body seemed to have recovered considerably. Even the strength he had previously lost to save Long Ling had been regained.

 

He was a bit surprised and, when he tried to get up, he was tightly held by someone behind him.

 

Long Ling embraced Su Muluo, burying his face between his slender back and murmured a hoarse “Phoenix.”

 

At this moment, Su Muluo’s hands were no longer bound, and he was dressed in a clean, soft white shirt. He wanted to turn around to see his dragon, but Long Ling’s tight embrace made it impossible to turn.

 

So Su Muluo could only speak gently, “Are you awake now?”

 

“……”

 

Long Ling didn’t respond.

 

When the Bone Devouring Demonic Beast attacked him, he was already on the brink of death, having lost all consciousness.

 

What happened afterward was only a vague memory to him now. But he knew it was his Phoenix who saved him, and that he had even…

 

For a moment, Long Ling’s arms around Su Muluo’s waist trembled. He wasn’t afraid of being hit or scolded by the Phoenix, but he was terrified that his Phoenix might despise him, ignore him… or even leave him.

 

If the Phoenix really didn’t want him anymore… then even if it made the Phoenix unhappy, he would still want to keep the Phoenix by his side.

 

He couldn’t lose the Phoenix.

 

Thinking of this, Long Ling hugged Su Muluo even tighter.

 

Su Muluo: “……”

 

He coughed lightly and said, “You’re hurting me.”

 

Only then did Long Ling seem to snap back to reality and loosen his grip a bit, but he still held onto his Phoenix’s waist without letting go.

 

Su Muluo turned around and saw that the crimson hue in Long Ling’s eyes had faded, returning to its dark golden color. He let out a silent sigh of relief.

 

Moreover, both he and his dragon seemed to be in much better condition. The recovery was happening faster than during the months of rest he had previously taken.

 

—Upon realizing this, a thought suddenly crossed Su Muluo’s mind.

 

Could it be that because he and Long Ling’s souls were bound together, their intimate actions… also helped them recover more quickly?

 

“……”

 

Su Muluo was silent for a moment and then suddenly buried his face into Long Ling’s shoulder.

 

Long Ling: “!”

 

He never expected the Phoenix to make such a move—seeing the Phoenix staring at him in silence earlier, his heart had been filled with indescribable anxiety, fearing that the Phoenix might truly be displeased and leave him.

 

But now, the Phoenix not only showed no sign of displeasure but seemed to have… become a bit shy?

 

This was an unexpected joy for Long Ling. He couldn’t help but nuzzle against his Phoenix and cautiously asked, “Phoenix… aren’t you unhappy?”

 

Just as he thought, Su Muluo shook his head.

 

This simple gesture made Long Ling’s heart feel as if it were filled with melted honey, experiencing a touch of sweetness after so many days of suffering.

 

He hugged his Phoenix again, this time controlling his strength so that he didn’t hurt Su Muluo, but still managed to feel his Phoenix’s presence and warmth more deeply.

 

Su Muluo stayed quietly in his embrace. After a while, he heard Long Ling ask, “How did the Phoenix save me? And why did I… do that to the Phoenix?”

 

Su Muluo listened and then, after a few seconds of silence, explained everything he had seen: the eye he had seen, how he had shared half of his soul with Long Ling, and the crimson-red eyes of Long Ling after he woke up.

 

Long Ling was initially puzzled, then heartbroken. When he learned the reason behind his forceful actions toward the Phoenix, he frowned deeply.

 

“I… have no memory,” he said with self-reproach and guilt. “I couldn’t control myself at that time… I didn’t really want to force the Phoenix…”

 

Su Muluo interrupted him, saying, “It wasn’t forceful.”

 

Seeing the fear in Long Ling’s eyes, Su Muluo patted his dragon’s head and said, “At that time, I was willing.”

 

Long Ling fell silent, and after a few seconds, buried his face into Su Muluo’s shoulder.

 

Although he didn’t speak, Su Muluo felt as if bubbles of joy were bubbling up from the dragon, making him unable to stop himself from smiling slightly—this was the first smile Su Muluo had had in a long time.

 

However, he still had doubts lingering in his mind that remained unresolved. To his dragon, he said, “I suspect that eye… might be the Heavenly Law.”

 

Long Ling was surprised. “The Heavenly Law?”

 

Su Muluo nodded and said, “Before the Heavenly Thunder descended, the elder had once sought me out…”

 

When mentioning the elder, his voice faltered slightly, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, “At that time, he mentioned the Heavenly Law to me and said that the Heavenly Law is irreversible, and that there might only be a chance for change after several thousand years.”

 

Perhaps the elder had already sensed that the Heavenly Law was about to destroy the future of the Phoenix clan and knew they were powerless to turn it around, which is why he left Su Muluo with that statement.

 

“Several thousand years… that’s too long,” Long Ling said with a frown. “Do the Phoenixes know what that chance for change is?”

 

Su Muluo shook his head. “He didn’t tell me, but since he told me this, it means that the chance for change should be favorable to us.”

 

But that eye had already set its sights on Long Ling. If it truly is the Heavenly Law, who knows what it might do to Long Ling in these several thousand years?

 

Thinking of this, Su Muluo couldn’t help but worry, subconsciously clutching the hem of Long Ling’s clothes.

 

Long Ling looked at him, resting his forehead against Su Muluo’s. “Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of it. Even if it does want to do something to me, I won’t let it succeed.”

 

Su Muluo met his gaze, and after a few seconds, asked, “Can it… be killed?”

 

Before this, he was unaware of the existence of the Heavenly Law, only thinking that since it was the Heavenly Law, it should be impartial, a worldly rule without personal emotions.

 

But that eye had told him that the Heavenly Law might also have its own desires and might not be just—if it were just, why would it destroy the Phoenix clan without reason and also destroy the Dragon clan?

 

The Heavenly Law has blood on its hands from his kin… he wanted revenge.

 

Long Ling’s gaze sharpened at Su Muluo’s words, and he said softly, “I don’t know, but… why not give it a try?”

 

The two of them looked at each other and didn’t say anything more, but they understood each other’s meaning.

 

In the days that followed, Su Muluo and Long Ling remained vigilant for the appearance of the Heavenly Law and also noticed some subtle changes in their bodies.

 

Because Su Muluo and Long Ling shared their souls, there was a certain connection between them—Su Muluo, having lost half his soul, frequently experienced instability, but when Long Ling was close to him, this instability would disappear.

 

However, despite this, their peace didn’t last long, as Long Ling soon exhibited that previous state of having crimson eyes and being like a different person.

 

At first, he would just confine Su Muluo by his side, and Su Muluo complied, but later, he began to show tendencies of destruction… One day, upon waking, Su Muluo suddenly found the area around the small building in ruins, as if swept by a great force. Looking up, he saw a black dragon roaring, its dragon breath flattening a mountain peak.

 

Although Long Ling quickly returned to calm this time, his tendency to destroy everything around him became increasingly severe. Although he had not yet harmed anyone, if this continued, it seemed only a matter of time before he would.

 

This left Su Muluo deeply worried. He set up a barrier to confine Long Ling and himself in the small building, guarding his dragon day and night without leaving his side.

 

Although Long Ling lost consciousness, he did not harm Su Muluo. Confined by the barrier, he indeed stayed quietly in the small building for a while… but soon, he lost control again.

 

One night, Su Muluo awoke from a dream to find his dragon missing, his heart suddenly gripped with fear.

 

He immediately got up to search for Long Ling, but at that moment, he heard a voice.

 

“I heard you want to kill the Heavenly Law?”

 

It was a female voice, though lacking emotion, it had a gentle calmness.

 

“If possible… I would like to seek your help.”

T/N: Hello hello! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

 

Chapter 48 – I am in a difficult situation.

December 19, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 48 – I am in a difficult situation.

He read “The Boundless Great Jing” from beginning to end, not missing a single word. The book clearly told a story of chaotic times, with heroes rising, scheming against each other, and the victor becoming king. The romantic subplot was very subtle, let alone a bizarre plot about men giving birth.

 

Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! The author didn’t even warn about male pregnancy in the book! What a terrible review!

 

Thinking of this, Zhao Qi suddenly remembered something. Before he transmigrated into the book, he had discussed “The Boundless Great Jing” with a girl. She asked him if he was reading the abridged or unabridged version and strongly recommended the unabridged version, saying it had more romantic and passionate scenes, including the popular storyline of having and raising children.

 

When he asked who had the child, the girl gave him a mysterious look and told him to read carefully.

 

At the time, Zhao Qi didn’t understand, but now, he thought he finally got what she meant.

 

Could it be that he read the abridged version but transmigrated into the unabridged version where men can get pregnant?!

 

Heavens, earth, please take me away. I can’t handle this kind of humiliation!

 

“Your Majesty, please don’t be angry,” Cheng Boyan supported Zhao Qi’s arm and said, “Otherwise, if the fetus is affected, both you and the dragon seed will be in danger.”

 

Upon hearing the word “fetus,” Zhao Qi’s mind buzzed. He couldn’t catch his breath and almost fainted again.

 

Xiao Jinzi hurriedly brought tea, “Your Majesty, have some tea to calm down.”

 

Cheng Boyan helped Zhao Qi regulate his breathing while Xiao Jinzi fed him tea, and Jiang Dehai fanned him with a silk fan. After all the fuss, Zhao Qi barely managed to stay conscious.

 

“My dear minister,” Zhao Qi clung to his last hope, “Do you think it’s possible that I just have symptoms that resemble pregnancy but am actually just damp?”

 

Cheng Boyan couldn’t bear to say it, “Your Majesty, though I’m not very experienced, I can still determine if it’s a happy pulse.”

 

Zhao Qi retorted angrily, “But don’t you think it’s too absurd for a man to be pregnant?!”

 

“Your Majesty, it’s indeed rare in the world, but it’s not without precedent,” Cheng Boyan replied. “In ‘Travels in the East,’ it mentions that the Eastern Royal Family has a secret medicine that can make men…”

 

“Enough, stop talking,” Zhao Qi was utterly hopeless. Are the people from the East too idle, creating such a harmful medicine, harming both others and themselves?

 

Cheng Boyan continued, “Your Majesty, if you knew about the existence and effects of this medicine, why did you take it?”

 

“I did not!”

 

Jiang Dehai speculated, “Your Majesty, could it be the work of the one who stole the medicine?”

 

Xiao Jinzi nodded in agreement, “It must be, it must be!”

 

Zhao Qi was on the verge of tears. He could understand being drugged with an aphrodisiac, but what’s the point of a pregnancy drug?

 

“Find out who did this!” Zhao Qi ordered. “Then capture them and tear them apart along with He Changzhou!”

 

What, you say I decided not to tear He Changzhou apart before? Sorry, I’ve changed my mind. Who would have thought that the usually shy He Changzhou could have such a powerful move?

 

“Your Majesty, forgive me for being blunt,” Cheng Boyan spoke fearlessly, trusting that Zhao Qi wasn’t a tyrant who would randomly take people’s heads, “The Eastern secret medicine only makes men capable of conceiving. To truly get pregnant, you still need to…”

 

The phrase “cloud and rain” made Zhao Qi explode on the spot, “I don’t need you to remind me!”

 

Cheng Boyan wisely shut his mouth. He couldn’t imagine who would dare make the emperor pregnant and didn’t want to think about it.

 

At this moment, the eunuch’s announcement came from outside: “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is here.”

 

Upon hearing that Xiao Shiqing was coming, Zhao Qi’s nose twitched, and grievance surged in his heart. Although he didn’t want to admit it, he instinctively wanted to rely on Xiao Shiqing whenever he encountered difficulties.

 

Zhao Qi suddenly stood up, muttering, “Brother! Brother, I have a dragon egg, what should I do, waah—”

 

Jiang Dehai quickly pulled Zhao Qi back, “Your Majesty, do you really want to tell the Prime Minister about this? Please think carefully.”

 

Zhao Qi calmed down a bit. Firstly, if it got out that as the emperor he was slept with by his brother, his face—no, his imperial dignity would be ruined. Secondly, a man’s pregnancy was already unheard of in Great Jing, let alone the emperor’s. He could never figure out Xiao Shiqing’s thoughts, and recently Xiao had been using him. If Xiao knew about his pregnancy, he didn’t know how Xiao would react. Instead of taking a risk, it was better to maintain the current situation.

 

Zhao Qi hurriedly said, “Only the four of us know about this dragon egg, understand?”

 

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will keep it a secret.”

 

Xiao Shiqing entered the room, seeing the chaos among the four, and asked, “What’s going on?”

 

Zhao Qi forced a smile, “The imperial physician was taking my pulse.”

 

Before Xiao Shiqing could ask, Cheng Boyan said proactively, “Your Majesty’s luck is immense, and the illness has improved. However, to prevent a relapse, you must continue taking the medicine.”

 

“Got it,” Xiao Shiqing said, “Everyone, leave.”

 

They were all worried about Zhao Qi, but they couldn’t disobey the Prime Minister’s orders and had to leave reluctantly.

 

Xiao Shiqing noticed the redness around Zhao Qi’s eyes and frowned slightly, “Have you been crying?”

 

Zhao Qi bit his lip, trying to appear normal, “Just yawning.”

 

Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow, “So you’re tired.”

 

Zhao Qi wasn’t sleepy at all but still nodded.

 

Xiao Shiqing’s lips curved slightly, “The emperor really does want to sleep whenever he sees me.”

 

Zhao Qi’s mind was in turmoil, unable to think clearly, so he just kept nodding, “Yes, yes.”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s smile deepened, gently guiding Zhao Qi to lie down, “Then, sleep.”

 

Zhao Qi was pushed down, Xiao Shiqing’s handsome face right above him.

 

“What are you looking at?” Xiao Shiqing asked.

 

Zhao Qi seemed to be talking to himself, “Brother, do you think I’m still a man?”

 

Xiao Shiqing’s gaze lowered, “Is the dragon pulse problematic?”

 

“…Alright, I must be crazy to talk to Xiao Shiqing about this.”

 

“Want me to check?”

 

Zhao Qi silently turned over, protecting his dragon pulse and presenting a desolate back to Xiao Shiqing.

 

“Why didn’t you ask me why I came to see you today?”

 

Zhao Qi mumbled, “Didn’t you come to see me?”

 

Xiao Shiqing chuckled, “Do you believe it this time?”

 

“…I believe it.”

 

The matter of the dragon egg was too overwhelming. The four insiders stayed up all night, gathering in Yonghua Palace the next morning to discuss a plan.

 

Zhao Qi hardly ate the whole day. Jiang Dehai had the imperial kitchen prepare millet porridge with some sour pickles, which Zhao Qi barely managed to eat a few mouthfuls of.

 

“I thought about it all night and still believe this dragon egg shouldn’t stay.”

 

“Your Majesty—”

 

Zhao Qi raised his hand to stop him, “Listen to me first. First, the risk of a man giving birth is too high. The imperial physicians have no experience taking care of a pregnant man or delivering a baby. If something goes wrong, both the dragon egg and I will be doomed.”

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty, ‘Travels in the East’ details the process of male childbirth. I can…”

 

Zhao Qi covered Cheng Boyan’s mouth, expressionless, “No, you cannot.”

 

Jiang Dehai asked, “Your Majesty, what is the second reason?”

 

“Second, the child’s father…or mother and I are not in that kind of relationship.”

 

Xiao Jinzi was curious, “What kind of relationship?”

 

Zhao Qi didn’t know how to describe it, “Anyway, the dragon egg can’t be born into a complete family. Instead of making it suffer, it’s better not to have it at all. Third, and most importantly, I’m afraid of pain.”

 

The three looked at each other.

 

Cheng Boyan mumbled, Zhao Qi released him, and he said, “There’s no need to discuss this further. My decision is made. Boyan, prepare to remove the dragon egg from my belly.”

 

“But Your Majesty,” Cheng Boyan spread his hands, “I don’t know how.”

 

Zhao Qi: “???” Are you kidding me?

 

“‘Travels in the East’ explains how to deliver a baby, but not how to induce a miscarriage.”

 

Zhao Qi pulled out some random knowledge, “Then use musk, safflower, and motherwort, a whole set of herbs!”

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty, the medicine you mentioned is only effective for women; it won’t work on men.”

 

Zhao Qi took a deep breath and held his forehead with both hands. “I’m feeling a bit dizzy…”

 

The three of them quickly steadied Zhao Qi. Jiang Dehai’s face was filled with undisguised concern. “Your Majesty, please take care of your health.”

 

Zhao Qi weakly replied, “It’s hopeless…”

 

Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty, I have an idea.”

 

Zhao Qi quickly responded, “Speak up!”

 

“This medicine was offered to Your Majesty by the fourth young master Zhao. Why not ask him? He might have a solution.”

 

Zhao Qi suddenly remembered. He had been so overwhelmed by the blow that he forgot to confront Zhao Qiao, the one who started it all. Zhao Qiao often visited Japan and had some strange connection with the Empress Dowager there. He had also seen pregnant men, so he might indeed have a way.

 

“Hurry, summon Zhao Qiao!”

 

“I will go at once!”

 

Zhao Qi was pacing anxiously in his palace, waiting for Zhao Qiao. Instead, Rong Tang arrived.

 

Rong Tang rarely came to him voluntarily, so Zhao Qi thought something must have happened. But whatever it was, he had no mood to deal with it.

 

“Rong Tang,” Zhao Qi slumped on the soft couch, “My head hurts terribly. Let’s talk another day if there’s anything important.”

 

Rong Tang asked, “Is Your Majesty really ill?”

 

Zhao Qi covered his face. “Yes.”

 

“What illness?”

 

If I told you, you’d be scared to death. I’m pregnant. “Just some gastrointestinal heat and Qi and blood deficiency…”

 

Rong Tang leaned closer, his cool hand touching Zhao Qi’s forehead, and the hair hanging down his chest brushed Zhao Qi’s cheek, tickling him slightly.

 

“Your Majesty, give me your hand.”

 

Without thinking, Zhao Qi extended his hand while asking, “What are you going to do?”

 

“I know a little about medicine.”

 

Zhao Qi quickly withdrew his hand, leaving only a blur in Rong Tang’s view. His hand was empty.

 

“No need to trouble yourself,” Zhao Qi said, “The imperial physician has already seen me. I’m fine.”

 

Fortunately, Rong Tang didn’t insist. “That’s good then.”

 

Rong Tang, always taciturn, now quietly stayed by Zhao Qi’s side. After a long while, he said, “I heard the various royal relatives who came for the Longevity Festival have started leaving the capital.”

 

“Some have left,” Zhao Qi replied, “Are you asking about Prince Huai?”

 

Rong Tang neither confirmed nor denied it.

 

“Prince Huai’s poison is not yet cleared; he’s still recuperating in the capital.”

 

Rong Tang nodded. “Yes.” After a moment of hesitation, he added, “Prince Huai has ambitions for the throne. Your Majesty should be wary of him.”

 

Zhao Qi was a bit surprised. Although Rong Tang had rejected Zhao Tong twice, he had always kept Zhao Tong’s rebellious intentions somewhat hidden. Now, saying this, was he completely abandoning Zhao Tong and siding with Zhao Qi?

 

If he weren’t so troubled by the matter of the dragon egg, Zhao Qi would have been deeply moved.

 

“I understand,” Zhao Qi said, “Don’t worry, I’m aware.”

 

As they were speaking, Jiang Dehai returned, but Zhao Qi’s eagerly awaited Zhao Qiao was not with him. Seeing Rong Tang there, Jiang Dehai chose his words carefully. “Your Majesty, I went to Prince Jiu’s residence to find him, but they said the fourth young master hasn’t returned for half a month. He’s probably lingering in some place of pleasure.”

 

Zhao Qi was exasperated. “Truly my good brother.”

 

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. The people at the residence are searching for him. As soon as they find him, they’ll bring him to the palace.”

 

“No need,” Zhao Qi said, having a good idea where Zhao Qiao might be. “I’ll go find him myself.”

 

Xiao Jinzi asked, “Your Majesty is going out of the palace?”

 

“Yes, quickly help me change.”

 

Rong Tang said, “I’ll go with Your Majesty.”

 

Zhao Qi was taken aback. “Huh? You’re going too?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Zhao Qi quickly refused. “Rong Tang, I’m going to handle official business.”

 

Rong Tang looked at him. “I haven’t left the palace for a year. I want to go out and see—together with you.”

 

“But…”

 

“Handle your business. I won’t disturb you.”

 

Zhao Qi said seriously, “No, you absolutely can’t go to a place like that—it will taint you.”

 

Rong Tang smiled faintly. “I’ve long been ‘tainted.’ What is there to fear?”

T/N: There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

 

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