Chapter 8 – I have someone to protect me.
When Zhao Qi saw the young man’s looks, he immediately knew he was an important secondary character in the book. Observing the young man’s attire, Zhao Qi began to form an idea.
Seeing Zhao Qi in a daze, the young man’s smile grew even brighter. “Why does Your Majesty keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?”
Standing in front of them, Xiao Shiqing looked down with a half-serious, half-joking tone. “Young General He, mind your words. Be careful not to become the second Rong Tang.”
The young man sneered, “As a martial artist who spends all his time out in the field, how could I catch the emperor’s eye?”
Xiao Shiqing’s words confirmed Zhao Qi’s guess. The young man in front of him was indeed He Changzhou, one of the major supporting characters in *The Great Jing Unbounded*. He Changzhou was the only son of General Fu Yuan, known for his brilliant military skills and intelligence. Not only was he skilled and brave, but he was also quite handsome. Unlike Xiao Shiqing’s elegant and refined demeanor or Rong Tang’s frosty clarity, He Changzhou was fiery and vibrant, full of youthful energy.
The He family was known for their loyalty and bravery. He Changzhou began following his father into battle at the age of fourteen, achieving numerous military merits. After King Huai Zhao Tong’s rebellion, He Changzhou led the He family army in fierce battles against the rebels for six months, successfully holding back the last line of defense in the south and even regaining several cities from the rebels. However, when the good news reached the capital, Xiao Shiqing intended to reward him, but the treacherous emperor secretly bypassed him and issued a massacre order to He Changzhou because the city’s citizens had welcomed the rebels with cheers during their siege.
He Changzhou refused to comply with the emperor’s order, which enraged the emperor. At the same time, a confidential report accusing He Changzhou of colluding with King Huai arrived. The emperor immediately dispatched assassins to the north to kill He Changzhou. When Xiao Shiqing learned of this, he did not intervene and coldly watched the emperor’s folly. In the end, the assassination failed, and He Changzhou, with his army, submitted to King Huai.
In short, another hero had been ruined by the treacherous emperor. To Zhao Qi, He Changzhou now appeared as the highest-grade equipment, like wearing resurrection armor.
Sitting on the ground, Zhao Qi looked up at He Changzhou and flattered him, “What’s wrong with being a martial artist? Martial artists are great, and they’re strong.”
Xiao Shiqing chuckled softly. “Indeed, strength makes many things easier.”
Zhao Qi wondered, “Is it just me, or does it seem like Xiao Shiqing is making a suggestive comment?”
“For example, helping the emperor up,” He Changzhou said, extending his hand to Zhao Qi.
Zhao Qi looked at his own dirty hands and discreetly wiped them on his clothes before taking He Changzhou’s hand. He Changzhou’s hand was warm with some calluses.
After helping Zhao Qi to his feet, He Changzhou released his hand and smelled the incense sachet he was holding. “This sachet smells quite nice. May I have it as a gift from Your Majesty?”
It was just an incense sachet. The noble ladies weren’t interested in it anyway, so giving it to He Changzhou as a gesture to improve their relationship was no big deal.
“Sure,” Zhao Qi said. “You can keep it.”
He Changzhou accepted the sachet. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi smiled at him. “What are you and Xiao Shiqing doing in the Peach Blossom Forest?”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “To see the Empress Dowager.”
“Mother is admiring the flowers in the pavilion. You…” Zhao Qi hesitated. “Forget it, I’ll go with you.”
It was impossible to select a consort now. The lady he was interested in avoided him like the plague, so there was no need to force the issue. Even though he had never been in love, he knew that forcing something that wasn’t meant to be was pointless.
The three of them returned to the pavilion. Empress Dowager Wen dismissed the formalities of Xiao Shiqing and He Changzhou and asked, “Qi’er, did you give away the sachet I gave you?”
Zhao Qi felt a bit embarrassed. “Mother, I’ll tell you about it later. You should discuss matters with the Prime Minister and the others first.”
“Nothing is more important than selecting a consort,” Empress Dowager Wen urged. “Quickly tell me who you gave the sachet to. Who will be the future daughter-in-law of the Empress Dowager?”
Zhao Qi subtly hinted, “Mother, please stop.”
Xiao Shiqing, sipping his tea as if watching a show, commented, “In my opinion, the Empress Dowager’s future daughter-in-law has the surname He.”
“He?” Empress Dowager Wen looked puzzled at Yunxiu. “Is there a noble lady with the surname He who entered the palace today?”
Zhao Qi cast a resentful glance at Xiao Shiqing and was about to explain when He Changzhou stepped forward. “Is this the sachet the Empress Dowager is referring to?”
“Yes,” Empress Dowager Wen was even more surprised. “How did this sachet…”
Zhao Qi said, “Mother, I gave it to Young General He.”
Empress Dowager Wen’s eyes widened in shock. “Qi’er, you…” She looked to Xiao Shiqing for help. “Prime Minister, is this what I think it means?”
Xiao Shiqing raised his eyebrows and said nothing. Empress Dowager Wen took his silence as confirmation and looked extremely astonished. “Emperor, are you deliberately toying with me?! One Rong Tang isn’t enough; now you even have those feelings for Young General He!”
“It’s not contradictory,” Xiao Shiqing said casually. “The Emperor can make Young General He the Empress and appoint Young Master Rong as a noble consort. It’s a win-win situation.”
Zhao Qi couldn’t stand Xiao Shiqing’s mischievous attitude and shot back, “Why not also make the Prime Minister a consort while you’re at it? That would be the perfect solution.”
Xiao Shiqing narrowed his eyes dangerously, and the cold aura from him made Zhao Qi instinctively shrink back. However, He Changzhou was unperturbed and followed along with Zhao Qi’s jest. “With the Prime Minister around, how could I become Empress? Just look at the Prime Minister’s demeanor—he’s clearly suited to be the Empress.”
Xiao Shiqing laughed coldly. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Zhao Qi was utterly speechless. He wished they would just behave and be quiet.
Empress Dowager Wen took a sharp breath and held her forehead. “I can’t take it anymore. I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”
Fearing she might faint from the stress, Zhao Qi quickly said, “Mother, you’ve misunderstood. Young General He only said he liked the sachet, so I gave it to him.”
He Changzhou looked at the sachet in his hand and then at Zhao Qi, seemingly thoughtful. “So this was meant for the future Empress. I didn’t realize the Emperor would give it to me…”
“…Please don’t add to the confusion.”
Zhao Qi managed to convince Empress Dowager Wen that his relationship with He Changzhou and Xiao Shiqing was purely that of a ruler and his subjects. Empress Dowager Wen, still in shock, needed two cups of tea to calm down. While Yunxiu helped her recover, she said, “I’m quite scared of you all now.”
Yunxiu reminded her, “Empress Dowager, the noble ladies are still waiting in the woods. What should we do?”
Empress Dowager Wen closed her eyes and said, “Let them go home for today. Just tell them that I’m unwell and will invite them back another day to appreciate the flowers.”
Thus, Zhao Qi’s first matchmaking attempt ended in failure. Afterwards, Empress Dowager Wen and Xiao Shiqing, along with He Changzhou, discussed serious matters.
“In three days, the Emperor and I will set off for Muyang Mountain, where we will fast and pray for the prosperity of Great Jing. Young General He, you will be responsible for ensuring safety on the road and at the mountain.”
He Changzhou’s expression became serious. “This official takes the command.”
Empress Dowager Wen nodded and turned to Xiao Shiqing. “During this period, please, Prime Minister, stay in the capital and oversee the state affairs.”
Xiao Shiqing bowed his head. “Understood.”
“That’s all for now. You both may go,” Empress Dowager Wen said, holding her chest. “I need to return to Ci’an Palace to rest.”
After seeing off the Empress Dowager, Zhao Qi turned to He Changzhou with a serious face. “Young General He, you must protect me well. There are too many people who want me dead, and they might take advantage of my absence from the palace. You need to be fully prepared.”
Xiao Shiqing remarked, “You certainly have self-awareness.”
Zhao Qi responded confidently, “Of course.”
He Changzhou looked down at Zhao Qi. “Is the Emperor very afraid?”
“Of course. Who isn’t afraid of death?”
He Changzhou patted Zhao Qi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect the Emperor.”
Zhao Qi immediately brightened up. “Prime Minister, look! Young General He is truly a loyal subject. He says he will protect me!” This was so rare. Apart from Empress Dowager Wen, someone in the palace was actually showing him goodwill. After being unloved and resented for so long, Zhao Qi was genuinely excited to have someone who didn’t despise him.
Xiao Shiqing smiled. “With He Changzhou protecting the Emperor, the Emperor won’t need me. So next time you’re drunk, remember to get someone else to hold you.”
“Huh?”
Xiao Shiqing stood up, his expression unreadable. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
Zhao Qi and He Changzhou exchanged puzzled glances, feeling like they were in a state of confusion.
“What does the Prime Minister mean by that?” Zhao Qi asked.
“I don’t know,” He Changzhou said nonchalantly. “I can never guess the thoughts of those scholars.”
“Then I won’t guess. He Changzhou, I permit you to come and go freely in the palace, to protect my safety—uh, I have that right, don’t I?” Zhao Qi asked with a hint of uncertainty.
He Changzhou laughed heartily, “Your Majesty, you’re a bit cute.”
Zhao Qi felt complicated emotions. He actually found the dog emperor cute, so this young general must be blind. “Don’t you know what I did before?”
“What things?” He Changzhou replied, “My father sent me to practice martial arts in the mountains when I was five. At fourteen, I went straight to the northwest army camp. I don’t know much about the affairs in the capital.”
“I see, no wonder he holds no ill will towards the dog emperor.”
“Oh, if it’s about Young Master Rong, I do know a little.”
“…” Alright, maybe he got too happy too early.
“Your Majesty must like Young Master Rong a lot.”
“Eh? Yes, yes I do.”
He Changzhou sat on a stone bench, his long legs casually sprawled out. He picked up an orange from the table and started peeling it. “I can understand what you’re doing. When you like someone, you’ll go to great lengths to keep them by your side. Since you can’t get his heart, having his presence is not bad either.”
Zhao Qi was a bit surprised, “You think quite openly.”
“Your Majesty is a sovereign; all men and women in the world belong to you, including Rong Tang.”
“Exactly.”
He Changzhou peeled an orange and put half of it into his mouth. “Hmm, quite sweet.” He handed the rest to Zhao Qi, “Your Majesty, would you like to try?”
Zhao Qi took the orange and tasted a segment, smiling, “It is indeed sweet.”
A warm breeze blew by, carrying a faint peach blossom scent. Zhao Qi enjoyed the orange, feeling quite happy with the company of a not-unpleasant young general. Thinking of Rong Tang no longer felt so depressing.
Since the last time he almost had his dragon egg crushed by Rong Tang, Zhao Qi had not visited the Drunken Book Study again. He only learned from Jiang Dehai that Rong Tang’s health was fluctuating. No amount of medicine seemed to help; as soon as the weather turned a bit cooler, he had to stay in bed for several days.
He didn’t dare to see Rong Tang again, but sending a gift to wish him a speedy recovery was still acceptable.
He Changzhou looked at the peach blossom forest in the distance and said, “The peach blossoms are really beautiful.”
Zhao Qi followed his gaze, “Yes.”
The spring evening still carried a chill. Rong Tang had gone to bed early, coughing intermittently and unable to sleep. He simply got out of bed, put on a fox fur coat, and went to the window, lighting a lamp and opening the window.
A branch of pink and white peach blossoms lay quietly by his window.
Rong Tang coughed lightly, glanced around, and saw no one. He picked up a broken branch. His jade-like face was pale, and the petals were delicate—human-faced peach blossoms.
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
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
