Chapter 24 – I will let Rongrong leave the palace tomorrow
On the second day, Li Chisu indeed entered the palace. What Zhao Qi didn’t expect was that his long-awaited original book’s protagonist, Zhao Tong, was also with him.
It was said that Zhao Tong arrived in the capital early that morning and went straight into the palace without even having a sip of water. At the palace gate, he coincidentally met Li Chisu, and together they requested an audience with the emperor.
When Xiao Shiqing heard this, he remarked with subtle intention, “They seem to have met quite fortuitously.”
Zhao Qi asked, “Does the Prime Minister bro mean that they intentionally came together?”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “Prince Huai probably fears that he might be troublesome to you and the Empress Dowager if he entered the palace alone. Therefore, he deliberately waited for Prince Zhaonan to enter with him. With Prince Zhaonan present, your attention on him would naturally be limited.”
This indeed seemed to fit Zhao Tong’s style, being cautious and calculating every step.
A eunuch came to report, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister. Prince Huai and Prince Zhaonan are currently paying their respects to the Empress Dowager in the Cian Palace. The Empress Dowager will host a banquet there to welcome the two princes and requests your presence along with the Prime Minister.”
Xiao Shiqing lightly pushed Zhao Qi’s back, “Let’s go.”
“Prime Minister, please go ahead,” Zhao Qi said, “I still have something to do.”
“What is it?”
Zhao Qi looked a bit embarrassed, “Brother, don’t you remember? Li Chisu has seen me at Chunfeng Pavilion.”
Xiao Shiqing was momentarily speechless.
“Although there’s a difference before and after I put on makeup, it’s still better to disguise myself just in case.”
Xiao Shiqing looked at him, “How do you plan to disguise yourself?”
In the Cian Palace, Li Chisu presented the Empress Dowager with gifts from Nanzhou—ten pots of rare-colored, uniquely-shaped peonies.
“These flowers are really beautiful,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile, “They come in various colors. I’ve never seen green peonies before.”
Li Chisu smiled, “I heard from my father that the Empress Dowager enjoys arranging flowers in her spare time. Hence, I spent several years finding these ten pots of peonies.”
The Empress Dowager nodded, “Prince Zhaonan has gone to great lengths.”
While they were speaking, Zhao Tong stood quietly aside, always maintaining a gracious and suitable smile.
Yun Xiu approached and said, “Empress Dowager, the Emperor and the Prime Minister have arrived.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Li Chisu, “At last, they have arrived.”
When Zhao Qi entered the hall, he saw two men standing behind the Empress Dowager—one was the Li Chisu he had met before, whose dark green imperial robe did not seem solemn or restrained at all but instead highlighted his charm and grace; the other was Zhao Qi’s rival, Zhao Tong.
As the original book’s protagonist, Zhao Tong was indeed good-looking, with refined and elegant features that were pleasing to the eye, making it no wonder he could win so many hearts.
Both Zhao Tong and Li Chisu knelt and saluted. Zhao Qi maintained a stern expression, “Rise.”
“Your Majesty…” The Empress Dowager stared at Zhao Qi’s face, “Why have you suddenly grown a beard?”
Xiao Shiqing let out a very faint laugh. Zhao Qi touched the newly attached beard, “I thought this would give me a more masculine look.”
The Empress Dowager appeared very confused, “But you didn’t have this when you came to pay your respects to me yesterday…”
Zhao Qi quickly changed the subject, “Oh, where did these flowers come from? And what about the vegetable pot—will it be stir-fried for the banquet later?”
The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but smile, “Your Majesty, these are peonies.”
“Ah?” Zhao Qi said in disbelief, “There are green flowers too?”
Li Chisu smiled with a hint of confusion in his eyes as he looked at Zhao Qi. This was likely his first time seeing the emperor as an adult, yet he felt an inexplicable familiarity.
Ignoring the two strips of beard, the young emperor was quite delicate and attractive, his complexion pale from years of luxury; with the addition of the beard, he seemed somewhat quirky.
In summary, the emperor was a little beauty. And he could remember the face of anyone who was beautiful.
Seeing Li Chisu staring at Zhao Qi without blinking, Xiao Shiqing said, “I’ve heard that Prince Zhaonan has seen all the beauties in the world. I wonder, how do the beauties of the capital compare to those of Nanzhou?”
Li Chisu shifted his gaze from Zhao Qi, “Naturally, each has its own merits. The girls from Nanzhou are lively and cheerful, while those from the capital are gentle and considerate. I like both.” He added, “By the way, I’ve also heard that Prime Minister Xiao is renowned for his extraordinary grace and is considered the most handsome man in Dajing. It’s a privilege to meet you today. Truly, you are exceptional and make one feel inadequate.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled faintly, “Likewise.”
Zhao Qi stifled a laugh. Compliments for commercial purposes could be seen anytime.
Zhao Tong looked at Xiao Shiqing with an expression of wanting to say something but holding back, “Has the Prime Minister been well this year?”
Xiao Shiqing replied nonchalantly, “Yes.”
Zhao Tong smiled warmly, “Then I can be at ease.”
“Why does Prince Huai only ask about the Prime Minister’s well-being and not mine?” Zhao Qi said jokingly, “Could it be that the Prime Minister is more important to you than I am?”
Zhao Tong lowered his eyes, “I wouldn’t dare. I always wish for Your Majesty’s peace and safety from afar in the Northern Border.”
This answer had no flaws. But Zhao Qi knew well that Zhao Tong was actually hoping for him to fall soon while in his fief.
The Empress Dowager said, “Since everyone is here, let’s start the banquet. We are all family, so there’s no need for formalities. Just treat it like a regular family dinner.”
This “family dinner” seemed to be quite pleasant on the surface. As Xiao Shiqing had said, with Li Chisu present, the Empress Dowager’s attention would not be on Zhao Tong. Although Zhao Tong was at the table, he seemed like an invisible person, which was the effect he wanted.
During the meal, the Empress Dowager mentioned the bond of brotherhood between the late Emperor Gaozu and the old Prince Zhaonan, jokingly saying, “Prince Zhaonan is young in age but high in seniority. If we take it seriously, the Emperor would have to call you ‘little uncle.’”
Zhao Qi choked on his wine, “Mother!”
Li Chisu found Zhao Qi’s reaction amusing, “If I could hear the Emperor call me ‘little uncle,’ I would die without regret.”
Xiao Shiqing said：“The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, and with anyone, it must always be a matter of ruler and subject.”
Zhao Qi suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He felt a bit grateful that Xiao Shiqing spoke up for him, but who was the one forcing him to call him “brother,” and still had the nerve to talk about “ruler and subject” principles? The double standards never cease.
Li Chisu drank a cup of wine, his drunkenness in his eyes unclear whether it was real or feigned. “Will the Prime Minister uphold the gentlemanly manners before the Emperor?”
Even Zhao Qi could hear the implication in these words, suggesting that Xiao Shiqing was overstepping his bounds, let alone the others at the table.
Xiao Shiqing’s expression was inscrutable, and he countered, “What does King Zhaonan think?”
Li Chisu laughed, “This king has been in the southern province for many years. How would I know about the Prime Minister and the Emperor’s matters?”
“Since King Zhaonan knows that this is a matter between me and the Emperor, why ask?”
Though it was their first meeting, it felt as though their energies were mismatched, with every sentence carrying hidden meanings, which left Zhao Qi feeling somewhat exhausted, as if watching a palace drama.
Empress Dowager Wen set down her silver chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. “Why bring up such things? King Zhaonan, I remember you are about twenty-six or twenty-seven, aren’t you?”
Zhao Qi straightened up. According to custom, once the Empress Dowager mentioned age, she was likely to bring up marriage soon.
“Replying to the Empress Dowager, I am twenty-seven this year.”
“You’re no longer young. Other nobles of your age already have a complete family, but you don’t even have a proper wife.”
Li Chisu had come prepared and continued with Empress Dowager Wen’s lead, “I have yet to meet someone I like, which is why it has been delayed until now. However, just a few days ago, I finally met someone I am fond of…”
Seeing that Li Chisu was truly about to request a marriage arrangement, Zhao Qi hurriedly interjected, “Prince Huai!”
Zhao Tong was confused as to why he was suddenly mentioned. “Your Majesty?”
“I heard that the northern borders are freezing cold, with snow falling for half the year. You’ve been there for such a long time. How is your health?”
Zhao Tong replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, I am well.”
Empress Dowager Wen asked, “Has there been any progress with your illness?”
Years ago, Zhao Tong had claimed to suffer from impotence to survive under the dog emperor and Empress Dowager Wen. Many people knew of this, but only Zhao Qi knew he was lying.
Zhao Tong lowered his head, “Replying to the Empress Dowager, it is still the same.”
“Is that so,” Empress Dowager Wen smiled ambiguously, “Tomorrow, let the imperial physician have a look at you.”
Zhao Tong restrained himself, “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
“However, this matter cannot be forced. After all, it’s not life-threatening, so don’t worry too much.” Now that her son’s condition was better, Empress Dowager Wen was more relaxed. “What were we talking about? Oh, the wife of King Zhaonan…”
Zhao Qi interjected again, “King Zhaonan, I’d like to offer you a toast. Thank you for bringing flowers… flowers for the Empress Dowager from the southern province.”
Li Chisu looked at the little emperor’s tilted mustache and smiled, “It should be me toasting the Emperor.”
Xiao Shiqing also personally poured a cup of wine and signaled to a eunuch standing by, “Give this wine to the Emperor and tell him it’s from me.”
The eunuch did as instructed, and Zhao Qi, without much thought, took the cup and drank a small sip. Empress Dowager Wen, sitting next to him, noticed a change in her expression—this cup had been used by Xiao Shiqing.
Empress Dowager Wen lost interest in discussing Li Chisu’s marriage, and Li Chisu did not bring it up again. Zhao Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
After the banquet, everyone went their separate ways.
A palace eunuch led Zhao Tong out of the palace, and Zhao Tong suddenly stopped and said, “Eunuch.”
“Your Highness?”
“Eunuch, I want to go to Changxi Palace to retrieve a relic of my mother,” Zhao Tong handed the eunuch a heavy silver ingot. “Please, make an exception.”
The eunuch hesitated, “Your Highness, it’s so late, and we are in the inner palace.”
Zhao Tong added another silver ingot and smiled, “Just to retrieve one item. It will be quick.”
Two silver ingots were enough for an ordinary person’s lifetime, and the eunuch couldn’t resist the temptation. “Then please hurry.”
“I will.”
Having grown up in the palace, Zhao Tong was very familiar with the palace routes even after a year away. He quickly arrived at his destination.
In the moonlight, a person stood by the window, with ink-black hair and snow-white robes. Zhao Tong blurted out the person’s name, “Rong Tang!”
Rong Tang paused slightly, then slowly turned around. “Your Majesty?”
In the instant their eyes met, both were stunned. Zhao Tong asked, “What did you call me?”
“I thought it was…” Rong Tang paused and didn’t continue. During the Wanshou Festival, all the regional princes had to return to the capital to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. He knew Zhao Tong would return and guessed he would find a way to see him. “Your Highness, you’re back.”
“Yes, I’m back.” Zhao Tong stared intently at Rong Tang. “You’ve suffered this year.”
Rong Tang looked at him quietly, without speaking.
“I don’t have time to talk much right now.” Zhao Tong spoke rapidly. “But you have to believe me, I am finding a way to rescue you.”
“Have you come up with a plan?”
Zhao Tong hesitated for a moment and said, “I have.” In his expectation, when they met, Rong Tang would at least be moved, even if not losing control. But Rong Tang was so calm that Zhao Tong was uncertain whether to share his grand plan with him.
Rong Tang asked, “What is it?”
Zhao Tong thought for a moment and said tactfully, “Rong Tang, Zhao Qi loves you to the core. He will never let you go. As long as he sits on the dragon throne, you will forever be his prisoner.”
“Hmm.”
Zhao Tong believed he had been very clear, and someone as intelligent as Rong Tang couldn’t have failed to understand. “So what do you think?”
Rong Tang’s gaze moved past Zhao Tong’s shoulder, landing on the windowsill.
Not long ago, Zhao Qi had placed a blooming peach blossom there.
Rong Tang remained silent for a long time, and Zhao Tong grew anxious. “Rong Tang, will you help me?”
Rong Tang withdrew his gaze. “If your plan is to usurp the throne, then I am willing.”
Zhao Tong couldn’t hide his excitement. “I knew…”
“—willing to be his prisoner.”
Zhao Tong’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Rong Tang.
Hiding in the corner, Zhao Qi, who had heard everything clearly, was so moved he almost cried.
Listen, listen! Rong Tang doesn’t want his life!!! My little peach blossom, my little peach, and my little candied fruit weren’t given in vain!!!
“Rong Rong, wait for me! I will release you from the palace tomorrow!”
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