Chapter 46 – I vomited, I actually vomited! Send me the doctor!
Under several machinations by Xiao Shiqing, even though Zhao Tong was not the murderer of the Western Xia prince, he was made to appear so. Xiao Shiqing intended to use Zhao Tong as a scapegoat, handing him over to Western Xia for punishment. This plan would rid Xiao Shiqing of Zhao Tong without any effort and put him in a position of moral superiority, effectively killing two birds with one stone. However, now that Zhao Tong has been poisoned in the same manner as the Western Xia prince, his innocence is naturally proven.
Chen Li, a close and talented minister of Xiao Shiqing, quickly understood the situation after the initial shock. He sighed, shaking his head, “Who would have thought that King Huai would go to such lengths? Isn’t he afraid of dying from his own scheme?”
Hearing this, Zhao Qi finally caught on. “You mean King Huai poisoned himself?”
Chen Li stroked his beard, “Your Majesty, think about it. Even if we handed King Huai over to Western Xia, would they believe us? If I were King Huai, I would make sure Western Xia knows about the longstanding discord between Your Majesty and King Huai. Western Xia would then think that the court is using them to get rid of King Huai.”
Zhao Qi felt his hair falling out from the stress. “Tomorrow is the seventh day, and the Western Xia envoys will surely come to demand an explanation. The Western Xia army is already eyeing the western border. Prime Minister, what should we do?”
“Your Majesty need not worry,” Xiao Shiqing replied calmly. “Within today, King Huai will surely find the ‘real culprit’ for us.”
Even Chen Li didn’t understand Xiao Shiqing’s words, let alone Zhao Qi. However, Zhao Qi trusted Xiao Shiqing’s intelligence. Since he had said so, Zhao Qi decided to wait patiently for news.
By noon, news came from King Huai’s residence that the poisoner had been captured.
The culprit was a servant who had been serving Zhao Tong closely. He had been punished publicly by Zhao Tong for spilling tea recently and had harbored a grudge, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate.
On the day of the palace banquet, this servant followed Zhao Tong into the palace. When Zhao Tong asked for two cups of sobering tea, the servant took the opportunity to add the poison Fenggui Lu into the tea. However, Zhao Tong did not drink the tea and had it sent back untouched. Coincidentally, the Western Xia prince, who was sobering up in the imperial garden, saw the maid carrying the tea and asked for a cup, leading to his death.
Afterwards, seeing that Zhao Tong was unharmed, the servant tried again and succeeded in poisoning him. After Zhao Tong fell ill, the steward of King Huai’s residence found the unused Fenggui Lu in the servant’s quarters. Under severe interrogation, the servant confessed everything.
“During King Huai’s critical condition, he ordered us to capture the culprit and bring him to the palace for Your Majesty and the Prime Minister to decide his fate,” said Xu Zijin, a retainer of Zhao Tong from King Huai’s residence.
Xiao Shiqing and Chen Li had never heard of this man before, but Zhao Qi recognized the name Xu Zijin from the original story. Xu Zijin was resourceful and far-sighted. After Zhao Tong raised an army, he was made the military advisor, commanding the troops. Without his help, it would have taken Zhao Tong at least ten more years to achieve his ambitions.
Xu Zijin, now in his forties, stood in the hall with an air of transcendence. Despite meeting the emperor and his ministers for the first time, he remained calm and composed. Even Xiao Shiqing, who usually regarded others with disdain, looked at him with interest.
Chen Li questioned, “Fenggui Lu is a secret court poison. How did a mere servant of King Huai’s residence obtain it?”
“Your Excellency, when King Huai left for his fiefdom, Empress Dowager Wen was worried about his health and sent ten palace maids and eunuchs to take care of him. This servant was one of them. As for Fenggui Lu,” Xu Zijin paused, “he acquired it during that time.”
Xu Zijin’s ambiguous words made it clear to everyone present, including Zhao Qi, why the servant had the poison. Empress Dowager Wen had sent people to monitor Zhao Tong, ready to poison him if he ever plotted against the throne.
Although the servant was from King Huai’s residence, he was actually sent by Empress Dowager Wen and used the court’s secret poison. By presenting the servant, King Huai was redirecting Western Xia’s anger towards the court once again.
Chen Li was at a loss for words and turned to Xiao Shiqing. “Prime Minister, what do you think?”
Xiao Shiqing smiled and asked, “How is King Huai’s condition now?”
Xu Zijin replied, “Prime Minister, King Huai is unconscious and on the verge of death.”
Xiao Shiqing nodded slightly. “Then we’ll wait until he wakes up, and the Emperor can punish him for his negligence.”
Zhao Qi had his doubts, but couldn’t question further in front of Xu Zijin. “And what about Western Xia?”
Xiao Shiqing replied nonchalantly, “Didn’t King Huai bring us the culprit? We’ll hand him over to Western Xia.”
Xu Zijin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Majesty is wise, Prime Minister is wise.”
After Xu Zijin left, Zhao Qi anxiously asked, “Prime Minister, you don’t really believe his story, do you?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Tomorrow is the seventh day. If we don’t hand over a culprit by then, the Western Xia king will be furious, and the people at the western border will suffer more than just losing their money and grain. Your Majesty should consider the bigger picture.”
Zhao Qi, frustrated, exclaimed, “Argh, this is killing me!”
Xiao Shiqing patted Zhao Qi’s “pufferfish head” and said, “Don’t worry, who will have the last laugh is still uncertain.”
Chen Li added, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister, Xu Zijin is exceptionally talented and courageous. If he stays by King Huai’s side, he will become a great threat.”
“Find a way to make him work for me, then.”
“I doubt it,” Zhao Qi said. Zhao Tong is very skilled at winning people over; his advisors and generals are all fiercely loyal to him.
Xiao Shiqing said casually, “Let’s try first. If it doesn’t work, we kill him.”
…My Prime Minister brother is really ruthless.
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Your Majesty, do you still have the tiger tally I gave you?”
“No, I ate it,” Zhao Qi replied.
Xiao Shiqing: “…”
“I’m just kidding,” Zhao Qi said. “I’ve kept it safe.”
“Bring it here.”
Zhao Qi ordered Jiang Dehai to fetch the tiger tally and asked, “Is the Prime Minister planning to use the troops?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “I want to mobilize fifty thousand elite soldiers from the Western District to the Xixia border.”
Zhao Qi was puzzled, “But didn’t you say yesterday that it wasn’t the right time for battle?”
“The Xixia’s troop movements are just a show of force. Our army has no battles to fight.”
Zhao Qi was even more confused, “Then why…”
“Aren’t you feeling stifled?” Xiao Shiqing said. “If Xixia can show off their national power, so can we.”
Zhao Qi understood now. It was like a military parade. No actual fighting, but they had to show their strength.
Chen Li asked, “Who will the Prime Minister appoint as the commander?”
“He Changzhou.”
Zhao Qi was shocked, “Changzhou?”
Xiao Shiqing remained calm, “What, can’t you bear to let him go, Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi shook his head, “The Prime Minister is mobilizing troops from the Western District, which is closest to the Xizhou border. Why appoint a commander from the capital?”
Chen Li smiled, “I have some idea of the Prime Minister’s intentions.”
Xiao Shiqing: “Let’s hear it.”
“When the founding emperor conquered the Chen Kingdom, Xixia had no choice but to submit to Great Jing and become our vassal. Over the decades, Xixia’s national strength, population, and military power have grown. They are no longer willing to remain under Great Jing. From the case of their crown prince, it’s clear that Great Jing and Xixia will inevitably clash. General He is a young hero and will be our future commander-in-chief. A good commander must know both himself and the enemy to be unbeatable. The Prime Minister wants to use this opportunity to let General He personally scout the route to Xizhou, study the terrain and climate, and prepare for the future.”
Zhao Qi asked, “Prime Minister, is Minister Chen right?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “More or less.”
Zhao Qi praised, “I didn’t expect you to be so clever, Minister Chen.”
Chen Li humbly replied, “I don’t deserve such praise.”
“Then why did you make such a mess of the Muyang Temple case?”
Chen Li was at a loss for words, “This…”
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Shiqing suddenly asked, “what is the password for entering Yonghua Palace?”
“I’ll tell you, but you mustn’t tell anyone else,” Zhao Qi whispered, “A friend from afar must be punished, no matter how far away.”
Chen Li: “…”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “As expected of Your Majesty.”
The military order was immediately dispatched to all departments, and He Changzhou had to leave the capital for Xizhou the next day.
That night, just as Zhao Qi was about to sleep, Xiao Jinzi came to report, “General He is at the palace gate, requesting an audience. Should Your Majesty see him?”
Zhao Qi thought for a moment, “Help me change clothes.”
At the palace gate, He Changzhou sat on his horse, sword at his waist, posture erect. He looked expectantly at the red walls and green tiles within.
He waited for half an hour, but instead of the eunuch announcing his arrival, he saw—
“Your Majesty?!” He Changzhou dismounted and ran towards Zhao Qi.
Zhao Qi looked at the lively young man, feeling as complicated as he did about the Xixia crown prince’s case.
This was the person who had slept with him and wasted his feelings. He should slap him so hard he’d stick to the palace wall and never come off.
But He Changzhou was a pillar of Great Jing, and so handsome. As a wise ruler, Zhao Qi decided to let him off for now and deal with him when he returned from Xixia.
In the moonlight, He Changzhou’s eyes sparkled like stars. He looked at Zhao Qi without blinking, “Why did Your Majesty come personally?”
Zhao Qi kept a straight face, “I’m here to see you off.”
He Changzhou seemed very happy, “Your Majesty is not angry with me anymore?”
Zhao Qi pointed to his face, “Do I look like I’m not angry?”
He Changzhou just smiled.
Zhao Qi glanced at the horse behind He Changzhou, “Is this your horse?”
“Yes, its name is Xiao Hei.”
“…Seems you name things at the same level as I do. How does Xiao Hei compare to Maybe?”
He Changzhou said, “Maybe is like the legendary Red Hare horse, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. Xiao Hei can’t compare.”
“Then I’ll lend you Maybe. Ride it to Xixia.”
He Changzhou smiled, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi couldn’t help but say, “Stop smiling. If you keep smiling like that, people will think I’ve sent an idiot to the front lines.”
“Okay, I won’t smile.” He Changzhou stopped smiling, “From now on, I’ll only smile for Your Majesty.”
At this point, Zhao Qi couldn’t even get angry. He patted He Changzhou’s shoulder, “Brother, do well. Bring back some heads for me.”
He Changzhou solemnly cupped his fists, “I will obey.”
Zhao Qi nodded, “Alright, I’m leaving. Be careful on the road.”
He Changzhou called out to him, “Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“I’ll be gone for at least a month, maybe six months.” He Changzhou said shyly, “Can I hug Your Majesty before I go?”
Zhao Qi hesitated. Before, he would have hugged his good brother without hesitation. But now, after sharing a bed and confessing their feelings, such intimacy might not be appropriate.
Before Zhao Qi could respond, He Changzhou suddenly reached out and pulled him into an embrace.
Smelling the familiar scent of grass on He Changzhou, Zhao Qi resisted the urge to struggle.
Fortunately, He Changzhou soon let go, “Your Majesty, wait for my return.”
Zhao Qi didn’t give him any face, “I won’t wait. Now scram.”
He Changzhou burst into laughter, whipped his horse, grabbed the reins, and took one last look at Zhao Qi before galloping away, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
The next day, Chen Li reported the “real culprit” to the Western Xia envoys, detailing the “truth.” The Western Xia envoys had waited for seven days, only to be met with an insignificant servant, which infuriated them. They declared that this matter was far from over and demanded an audience with the Prime Minister and the Emperor. If not granted, they threatened to lead Western Xia’s cavalry to flatten Xi Zhou and march south.
However, no matter how much they raged, Xiao Shiqing and Zhao Qi ignored them, refusing to meet. After days of causing a commotion, the envoys received news that a 50,000-strong Great Jing army was pressing the border. They immediately quieted down and left in anger, taking the “culprit” with them.
One major issue weighing on Zhao Qi’s mind was finally half-resolved. As for the remaining half, it still lay in the Prince of Huai’s mansion in the capital.
After being in a coma for several days, Zhao Tong finally awoke. The imperial physician said he was no longer in mortal danger but needed good care to gradually expel the remaining poison.
Xiao Shiqing, however, remarked, “Imperial Physician Zhang, you are mistaken. Feng Gui is highly toxic; if the residual poison is not cleared, the Prince of Huai’s condition could relapse at any time.”
Imperial Physician Zhang repeatedly agreed.
“Go and tell the Prince of Huai that the Emperor is deeply concerned about his illness and plans to keep him in the capital for a few more days until the residual poison is cleared. Only then can he return to the northern border.”
Imperial Physician Zhang asked, “May I ask, Prime Minister, when will the residual poison be cleared?”
Xiao Shiqing replied coldly, “When it’s time to be cleared, it will be cleared.”
Imperial Physician Zhang responded, “Understood, my lord.”
Zhao Qi also understood, “So, my brother plans to use this to detain Zhao Tong in the capital. I thought he would simply kill Zhao Tong to settle it once and for all.”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Do you think I don’t want to?”
“But…”
“Do you remember what Chen Li said last time?” Xiao Shiqing asked. “Zhao Tong has only been in charge of the northern border for a year, but he already has the people’s support. Killing him might cause a rebellion.”
Zhao Qi asked, “But isn’t there a 50,000-strong army stationed in the northern border?”
“Once there’s unrest, who can guarantee whether this army will quell the rebellion or assist it?”
Zhao Qi pondered, “That makes sense. By keeping Zhao Tong alive but not killing him, the northern border won’t act recklessly.”
This turn of events was unexpected for Zhao Qi. He originally thought that by reforming himself, Zhao Tong wouldn’t rebel like in the original story. War ultimately harms the common people, and Zhao Tong loves his people like his children and cares about the masses. How could he bear to rebel?
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Shiqing said, “Your Majesty, the disaster in Huai Shui cannot be delayed any longer. I plan to personally go to Huai Shui to oversee the flood control and disaster relief efforts.”
Zhao Qi blinked, “So, I’ll stay in the capital and handle state affairs?” The thought made him a bit excited and a bit scared. Without Xiao Shiqing around, he would have no one to restrain him and could do whatever he wanted. However, he would also lose a major support; if he encountered a tricky situation, he wouldn’t know whom to ask for help.
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow, “Your Majesty seems to like this arrangement?”
Zhao Qi vehemently denied, “No, no, that’s not it. Brother, don’t say that.”
Xiao Shiqing chuckled, “You will go with me.”
Zhao Qi sheepishly replied, “Oh.” Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, “Do we have to pass through Cangzhou to get to Huai Shui?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect,” Zhao Qi said happily, “I can take Rong Tang home along the way.”
Xiao Shiqing paused, “You want to send him out of the palace?”
“Yes, I promised him I wouldn’t keep him as a male concubine anymore.”
“And you are willing to let him go?”
“Yes, I am.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, seemingly in a good mood, “Then bring him along.”
The date for the southern tour was set for a month later, and the entire palace was busy preparing for it. As summer approached, it got hotter by the day. Zhao Qi, being a “delicate” modern person, dearly missed the days with air conditioning.
In the afternoon, the scorching sun baked the earth. Zhao Qi lay motionless on a bed with a cool mat, like a dried salted fish.
Jiang Dehai brought in a bowl of mung bean soup, “Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi lazily opened his eyes, “Hmm?”
“Drink some mung bean soup to cool off.”
Zhao Qi murmured, “I don’t want to move.”
“Shall I feed Your Majesty?”
Unwilling, Zhao Qi slowly sat up, “I’m old enough to drink soup by myself. Hand it over, I’ll drink it.”
Jiang Dehai looked uneasy, “Your Majesty doesn’t look well.”
“Ah, it’s the heat. It makes it hard to sleep and eat, which is why I hate summer.” Zhao Qi took a sip of the soup, and a sudden wave of nausea hit him. He tried to hold it back but couldn’t and vomited.
Jiang Dehai was terrified, “Your Majesty—”
Zhao Qi was even more shocked, “What the hell?! I just threw up!”
Previously, he had felt chest tightness and drowsiness, and now he was vomiting… Could he have a terminal illness?!
No, he didn’t want to die yet!
“Summon the imperial physician!” Zhao Qi shouted, “Quickly, summon the imperial physician!”
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~
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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!
If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield
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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