Chapter 28 – I hope you are well.
Xiao Shiqing was momentarily dazed, and it wasn’t until Zhao Qi had dragged him a few steps that he finally slowed down. “Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi, realizing suddenly that he couldn’t drag Xiao Shiqing any further, exerted all his strength and didn’t forget to call for help, “Protect the Emperor! There’s an assassin! Someone come quickly—”
Xiao Shiqing halted his steps. “Zhao Qi, calm down.”
“How can I stay calm when my life is at stake—”
Xiao Shiqing pulled Zhao Qi back to his side, his tone unusually patient. “Qi’er, that’s just a shadow guard, not an assassin.”
Zhao Qi was confused, his head full of question marks. “Huh?”
Xiao Shiqing nodded slightly towards the shadow guard. The guard approached them and knelt before Zhao Qi, saying, “This subordinate of the Heavenly Machine Camp pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi blinked and slowly let go of Xiao Shiqing’s hand.
He was aware of the Heavenly Machine Camp, established by Emperor Jing Gaizu. The people in the camp were top-notch shadow guards of the Great Jing, responsible not only for protecting the royal family but also for collecting intelligence, tracking, and assassination. Originally, the Heavenly Machine Camp directly took orders from the Emperor, but when the late Emperor passed away and the dog Emperor was still young, the late Emperor transferred the command of the camp to Empress Dowager Wen. Later, Empress Dowager Wen, in an attempt to win over the Xiao family, voluntarily relinquished the command. Now, the Heavenly Machine Camp, like half of the Great Jing’s territory, is under the Xiao family’s control.
Zhao Qi realized he had made a big mistake, but he firmly believed that as long as he could deflect the blame quickly enough, the embarrassment wouldn’t catch up with him. “So it’s people from the Heavenly Machine Camp,” Zhao Qi said nonchalantly, “Why are you dressed like assassins then?”
Fuzi replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, I am wearing the standard night attire of the Heavenly Machine Camp, which is used for concealing our presence during the night.”
Zhao Qi asked, “So what do you wear during the day?”
Fuzi replied, “It depends on the situation.”
“Oh, I see. It must be quite tough for you,” Zhao Qi said seriously. “But my safety is the top priority for the Great Jing, so you must protect me well.”
Fuzi responded, “This subordinate will follow Your Majesty’s orders.”
Xiao Shiqing watched Zhao Qi’s clumsy attempt to change the topic with a silent smile. He said, “This matter is resolved now. You can leave.”
“Your subordinate takes his leave.” Fuzi retreated into the darkness and vanished silently.
Zhao Qi was dumbfounded, “Such a skillful disappearance, no wonder they’re shadow guards.” Meeting Xiao Shiqing’s amused gaze, Zhao Qi rubbed his nose and asked, “Since there’s no problem, can I go to bed now?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Why do you shout for protection at the slightest disturbance? Are you so afraid of death?”
Zhao Qi nodded repeatedly. That was obvious.
“Aren’t you afraid of death, yet you came back to save me?”
Without hesitation, Zhao Qi replied, “I wasn’t thinking about that at the time.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “You didn’t think about what would happen to me?”
“Of course not!”
“If something were to happen to me, you would take sole command of the country.”
Although Xiao Shiqing said that, Zhao Qi knew very well his own limitations. He had only scratched the surface of statecraft and governance. If he had to take over, not only would he be overwhelmed, but he might also end up causing chaos.
“I never thought that,” Zhao Qi said. “I hope you stay well.”
Xiao Shiqing looked at him, “Really no such thoughts at all?”
…Since you asked like this, how could I say otherwise?
“No, none at all.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled slightly, “Don’t be afraid.”
“Huh?”
“With me here, you won’t die.”
Zhao Qi was overjoyed, feeling as though his health bar had instantly maxed out. “Then can I remain Emperor forever?”
Xiao Shiqing did not answer immediately. He looked at the little emperor’s bright, clear eyes and after a moment of silence, said, “Yes.”
As the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival approached, the weather grew warmer, and the health of those who had been ill improved.
Rong Tang had been unconscious for three days but finally woke up. Zhao Qi rushed over as soon as he heard the news.
Rong Tang was lying half-reclined on the bed when Zhao Qi, dressed in his dragon robe from the morning court, burst in and stopped just a few steps away from the dragon bed.
The two looked at each other. Zhao Qi was unsure how to face Rong Tang and fiddled with his fingers, saying, “You…”
Rong Tang lightly patted the edge of the bed, “Come over.”
Zhao Qi hesitated.
Rong Tang said indifferently, “What does Your Majesty think I can still do in my current state?”
Zhao Qi quickly moved closer, “I didn’t mean that. I was worried you might not want to see me.”
Rong Tang cleared his throat lightly, “No, I don’t.”
“What?”
“No, I don’t mind seeing you.”
Zhao Qi said, “Oh,” and decided to say something cheerful to Rong Tang. “Do you remember what I said before?”
Rong Tang remained silent.
“I said I would cure your body, release you from the palace, and compensate your family.”
Rong Tang’s previously calm expression shifted slightly, “Why?”
Zhao Qi lowered his eyes and spoke honestly, “It’s what I owe you.”
“You owe me…” Rong Tang’s voice grew cold, his jade-like face turning icy, “So now, are you trying to settle the score?”
Zhao Qi was at a loss for how to answer. The things the dog Emperor owed Rong Tang couldn’t be repaid simply with these gestures. Settling the score wasn’t so easy.
“Do you want anything else?” Zhao Qi asked, “Say it out loud. I’ll give you whatever I can.”
Rong Tang gazed at him for a long time, “Back then, why did you hide?”
“At that time, you had taken the medicine, and your actions were not your true intention. I couldn’t take advantage of you.”
Rong Tang interrupted, “What if I said I was willing?”
Zhao Qi was confused, “That medicine, you really took it willingly?”
“Yes.”
Now Zhao Qi was even more puzzled, “Why?”
Rong Tang closed his eyes, “I wanted an answer.”
Zhao Qi still didn’t understand what Rong Tang was talking about. Rong Tang’s thoughts were too heavy, so heavy that his body couldn’t bear them. The imperial physician had specifically mentioned that to recover, Rong Tang needed to open his heart and let go of his obsessions; otherwise, even the best medicine wouldn’t help much.
“What’s most important now is for you to focus on recovering. Don’t think too much about other things,” Zhao Qi said. “I won’t disturb you further. If you have any requests, just send Jinling to relay them. I’ll do my best to fulfill them.”
Rong Tang opened his eyes and gave a faint smile, full of harshness and sarcasm, “Want to leave?”
“…” Why stay here if not to leave? Staring at Rong Tang, unable to say a word?
Rong Tang suddenly grabbed Zhao Qi’s arm with a hint of ferocity on his face, “You were the one who invited me first. How can you just leave now—”
Rong Tang seemed to use up his last bit of strength in his grip, and Zhao Qi felt some pain. Watching Rong Tang’s pale face and his chest heaving violently, Zhao Qi feared he might cough up blood from the agitation and quickly said, “I’m not leaving, I’m not leaving! Just calm down first!”
Rong Tang, with blood in his mouth, said, “Look at me.”
“Jinling, quickly get the imperial physician—”
Rong Tang shouted, “I told you to look at me!”
Zhao Qi turned back and stared at Rong Tang without blinking. Rong Tang suddenly smiled, “It’s this kind of look, a look with nothing but guilt and pity…”
Zhao Qi was stunned, “Rong Tang…”
Rong Tang started coughing violently, unable to stop. Zhao Qi hurriedly helped him with his breathing, seeing blood trickle from the corner of his mouth, his voice trembling, “Damn, Rong Tang! Don’t scare me… Where’s the imperial physician! Get the imperial physician quickly!”
Rong Tang closed his eyes tightly, still holding onto Zhao Qi’s wrist, “What you owe me, I will… definitely get it back…”
In the end, although Rong Tang didn’t faint, the vitality he had worked hard to restore was once again depleted. Zhao Qi was genuinely frightened by Rong Tang. Even though he was worried about him, he didn’t dare to visit, fearing that a slip of the tongue might cause Rong Tang to bleed from anger.
Due to Rong Tang’s illness, Zhao Qi’s mood had been quite low these days. When he went to accompany Empress Dowager Wen for a meal, he spoke much less. Empress Dowager Wen noticed this and asked, “Qi’er, do you have something troubling you?”
Zhao Qi forced a smile and replied, “It’s nothing, Mother. I’m just a bit tired.”
Empress Dowager Wen had heard about Rong Tang’s illness in Yonghua Palace. She didn’t press the matter but said, “There’s been a lot of state affairs recently. Your diligence is commendable, but you also need to balance work and rest.”
“Mm, I understand.”
“Wasn’t Zhao Qiao often coming to the palace to keep you company before? Why haven’t I seen him recently?”
Zhao Qi lazily said, “Oh, him. He did something wrong and I’ve put him under house arrest.”
Empress Dowager Wen smiled, “I was wondering why he had his mother send a message.”
Zhao Qi asked, “Oh?”
“Today, the Ninth Prince’s consort came to the palace to pay her respects and brought a letter with her. It’s from Zhao Qiao, asking me to deliver it to you.” Empress Dowager Wen nodded slightly to someone behind her, and Yunxiu brought forward the letter. “Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi immediately opened the letter and began reading.
To be honest, Zhao Qiao’s letter gave him a tremendous boost of confidence. He had thought his own handwriting was atrocious, but compared to Zhao Qiao’s… please call him a great calligrapher, thank you.
As Zhao Qi read the letter, his frown didn’t ease. In the letter, Zhao Qiao first sincerely apologized, then lamented about how miserable he was being confined at home, and finally mentioned that he had come up with a plan to resolve the issue with Li Chisu. He earnestly requested a meeting with Zhao Qi, hoping for a chance to make amends.
Empress Dowager Wen asked, “Qi’er, what does the letter say?”
“Nothing much. He was just apologizing to me.” Zhao Qi thought for a moment and said, “Mother, I want to leave the palace for a while.”
“Leave the palace?”
“Mm, just to clear my mind. And to see if Zhao Qiao really is as miserable at home as he says.”
Empress Dowager Wen, who always indulged Zhao Qi, said, “If you want to go, then go. It’s better to be outside the palace than inside. Just bring more people with you.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I value my life very much. If possible, I’d bring all the secret guards from the Tianji Camp with me.”
Empress Dowager Wen chuckled at her son’s words, “You…”
This time, Zhao Qi was more prudent. Before leaving the palace, he specifically informed Xiao Shiqing. After telling him, Xiao Shiqing didn’t respond, so Zhao Qi had to ask again, “Brother, can I leave the palace? I promise I’m just going to the Ninth Prince’s residence. I swear I won’t go to Chunfeng Pavilion again.”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “What do you think?”
“I think I can.” Zhao Qi said, “But I’m afraid you might not agree. I need you to decide.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “When will you be back?”
“Before sunset.” Zhao Qi said eagerly, “Does this mean you agree, brother?”
Xiao Shiqing replied with an “mm,” “If you don’t return to the palace before sunset, I’ll come to get you myself. Remember that?”
Zhao Qi said, “…I’ll remember.”
Zhao Qi left the palace with Jiang Dehai and a few guards and went directly to the Ninth Prince’s residence. He had Jiang Dehai knock on the door and claim that they were friends of Zhao Qiao coming to visit him.
Although Zhao Qiao had been under house arrest recently, his circle of friends still visited him frequently. When the servant reported their arrival, Zhao Qiao thought it was another drinking buddy and instructed the servant to bring them directly to the courtyard.
Thus, Zhao Qi followed the servant to Zhao Qiao’s courtyard. Before they even entered, they heard sounds of laughter and merriment. When they walked in, they first saw several beautiful musicians holding pipa instruments. Zhao Qiao was lounging on a couch, leering at the female musicians with an eager gaze, and there was a beautiful woman beside him, helping him with his legs.
In addition, there was a handsome young man sitting opposite him. The young man had a charming look in his eyes, wore green clothes, and held a jade fan lightly, clearly a skilled flirt.
Zhao Qi nearly spat out a mouthful of blood—when did Zhao Qiao start associating with Li Chisu?!
Seeing the cozy scene between the two, Zhao Qi gritted his teeth and thought: Good job, Zhao Qiao. After just a few days apart, you’ve already betrayed your own family. You really don’t deserve to carry the Zhao surname!
The servant noticed Zhao Qi’s sudden hesitation and asked, “Young Master?”
Zhao Qi snapped out of his daze, took a jade pendant from his waist, and said, “Take me to an unoccupied side room, and give this to your young master. Ask him to come see me.”
When Zhao Qiao saw the jade pendant, he was so shocked that he sobered up from his drunken state. He told Li Chisu he needed to use the restroom and hurriedly went to the side room. Facing Zhao Qi’s menacing gaze, Zhao Qiao kneeled and exclaimed, “Your Majesty! I’m innocent! Li Chisu dragged me here!”
Zhao Qi sneered coldly, “You didn’t want him to drag you? Do you think he’s Zhong Kui?”
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
