Chapter 37 – Am I still your puppet emperor?
Zhao Qi took the sunken wooden box and didn’t open it immediately. Instead, he weighed it in his hand. “Seems like it’s something small?”
Xiao Shiqing remained noncommittal.
Zhao Qi opened the wooden box to find half of a token shaped like a crouching tiger inside. His mouth gaped in astonishment. “Could this be the legendary… Tiger Token?”
“Why do you say ‘legendary’?” Xiao Shiqing replied. “The Tiger Token has existed since ancient times. It’s split in two halves: one given to the generals, the other kept by the emperor. Only when both halves are combined can the bearer command troops. Due to certain circumstances, both halves were in my possession. Returning half to you now is returning it to its rightful owner.”
Zhao Qi held the half Tiger Token in his palm. The touch of the bronze was cool, gradually sobering him. “The other half is still with my brother?”
“Yes.”
This birthday gift was something Zhao Qi had never expected. He had thought Xiao Shiqing would casually give him some exotic treasure, but instead, he gave him… half of the country.
Suddenly, Zhao Qi felt the weight of bronze in his hand. Was Xiao Shiqing testing him, or did he genuinely intend to give him the Tiger Token?
Last time, when Xiao Shiqing had proposed letting Zhao Qi take over the government, Zhao Qi was certain it was the former. But this time, he wasn’t so sure. After these days of interaction, he could feel Xiao Shiqing was truly teaching and assisting him. Ignoring Xiao Shiqing’s playful teasing in private, Zhao Qi was even considering giving him a banner that read “loyal minister and good general.”
Zhao Qi hesitated to respond, and Xiao Shiqing seemed displeased. “Your Majesty doesn’t seem to like my gift.”
Zhao Qi scratched his head. “Brother’s gift is too precious.”
“I’m only asking if you like it or not.”
Seeing Xiao Shiqing growing impatient, Zhao Qi dared not say he didn’t like it. “I like it,” he hesitated, “but does Brother really want to return half of the military power to me?”
Xiao Shiqing looked at him. “What exactly do you want to say?”
Gathering his courage, Zhao Qi said, “Don’t you see me as a puppet emperor anymore?”
Xiao Shiqing fell silent.
Feeling uneasy, Zhao Qi asked, “Brother?”
Suddenly, Xiao Shiqing smiled. “A puppet? At this point, you still think I see you as a puppet?”
Zhao Qi blinked. “I’m not sure, that’s why I asked Brother.”
Xiao Shiqing closed his eyes as if slightly annoyed. “Yes, I see you as a puppet. I’m wasting time on a puppet every day. I think it’s not right to hold military power alone, so I gave half of it to you—a satisfactory answer, Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi could tell Xiao Shiqing was angry but didn’t know why. This man’s thoughts were too difficult to gauge.
“Your Majesty… satisfied?” Faced with Xiao Shiqing’s piercing gaze, Zhao Qi quickly changed his tune. “Not satisfied. I’m not satisfied!”
Xiao Shiqing didn’t bother to argue further. “Keep the Tiger Token.”
“Wait,” Zhao Qi said, “So in the future, we can only command the troops when we combine our halves of the token?”
Xiao Shiqing paused. “Yes.”
Zhao Qi slowly closed his palm around the half token. Whatever, since Xiao Shiqing had given it to him so insistently, he wouldn’t refuse it for nothing.
“Thank you, Brother,” Zhao Qi said, “I will take good care of this half Tiger Token.”
Xiao Shiqing’s expression softened slightly. “You better.”
“Oh, by the way, there’s something else I want to discuss with Brother.”
“Speak.”
Zhao Qi said, “Haiyan Hall isn’t really my sleeping palace. I can’t keep staying there. I want to move back to Yonghua Palace.”
Xiao Shiqing’s gaze locked onto Zhao Qi’s face, a smile playing at his lips. “Does Your Majesty want to return to Yonghua Palace, or do you want to see someone in Yonghua Palace?”
“The people in Yonghua Palace… Brother means Rong Tang?” Zhao Qi asked naturally, “Rong Tang’s recovery is almost complete, so he’ll definitely move back to Tipsy Book Pavilion.”
“Oh, is that so,” Xiao Shiqing said lightly, “Did he tell you that himself?”
Zhao Qi was puzzled. “Is there a need for him to say?”
“That’s not necessarily true,” Xiao Shiqing said, “When he moves out, you can move back in. It’s late now, time to sleep.”
“Oh,” Zhao Qi lay back down. Xiao Shiqing remained seated beside his bed, showing no intention to leave. Zhao Qi asked, “Brother, aren’t you leaving?”
Xiao Shiqing adjusted the covers slightly. “I’ll leave after you fall asleep.”
“…,” Zhao Qi thought Xiao Shiqing staring at him like this would keep him awake, but he soon felt drowsy. Xiao Shiqing’s faint ink fragrance inexplicably brought peace, and with his presence, Zhao Qi gradually drifted into dreams.
The next day, Zhao Qi ordered Jiang Dehai to tidy up and prepare to return to Yonghua Palace. “Oh, and have someone redecorate Zuishu Pavilion. Check what’s missing and replenish whatever is needed.”
In the evening, Zhao Qi returned to Yonghua Palace and unexpectedly found lights on in the side hall. He asked, “Who’s in there?”
Xiao Jinzi replied, “Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Lord Rong is still here at Yonghua Palace.”
Zhao Qi paused, “He hasn’t left yet?”
Jiang Dehai asked, “Should I chase him away, Your Majesty?”
“How can you use such words as ‘chase’?” Zhao Qi corrected, “I want to invite him back to Zuishu Pavilion.”
“Shall I go and invite him now?” Jiang Dehai asked.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Qi said, “I remember Prime Minister Xiao returned to his residence tonight, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s talk to him tomorrow. It’s too late today; let’s not disturb him.”
“As you command.”
After Zhao Qi left, Xiao Jinzi couldn’t help but comment, “Grand Tutor, don’t you think our Emperor behaves like someone sneaking around with a favored concubine behind the Empress’s back?”
Jiang Dehai glared at him, “Tsk, you’re getting more talkative. You might as well stop being called ‘Xiao Jinzi’ and be called ‘Xiao Duozi’ instead. Now go and do your work!”
The next day, Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi went together to invite Rong Tang back to Zuishu Pavilion. Rong Tang replied calmly, “Is this His Majesty’s wish or Prime Minister Xiao’s?”
Jiang Dehai cautiously answered, “This servant doesn’t know.”
Rong Tang glanced towards Zhao Qi’s sleeping quarters and smiled faintly, “I understand. Grand Tutor, rest assured, I won’t make things difficult for His Majesty.” Once he decided on something, patience was the least of his lacking qualities.
If Xiao Shiqing could patiently wait, so could he.
After some twists and turns, Zhao Qi finally returned to living alone. Jiang Dehai couldn’t help but sigh, “It’s only when Prime Minister Xiao and Lord Rong both step back that His Majesty finds these moments of peace.”
Xiao Jinzi remarked, “Grand Tutor, Prime Minister Xiao doesn’t seem like someone who would step back.”
Jiang Dehai calmly replied, “You have a point. He retreats to advance, biding his time.”
News of the Crown Prince of Western Xia quickly spread to their homeland, where it was said the Western Xia King was furious, threatening to cease allegiance to Great Jing if there was no resolution within seven days. Meanwhile, ten thousand troops from Western Xia were rushing towards the border between the two nations, ready to camp and prepare for action.
With the backing of their homeland, Western Xia envoys in the capital became increasingly arrogant, moving about the Imperial Palace as if it were uninhabited, pressing their demands multiple times a day. Particularly upon learning the Western Xia Crown Prince had fallen victim to a secret poison from the Great Jing court, they became even more brazen, spouting reckless threats. Initially, Zhao Qi could maintain a cordial demeanor towards them, but eventually grew tired and simply began to mimic Xiao Shiqing, refusing to see them—no matter how loud they protested.
During morning court, officials engaged in heated debates over this case. Leaving aside whether they could identify the true culprit within seven days, many military officials were displeased with Western Xia’s actions. From their perspective, Western Xia was merely a minor vassal state of Great Jing, with thirty thousand Forbidden Army soldiers stationed solely for the protection of the capital. To them, Western Xia’s ten thousand troops seemed audacious. Conversely, most civilian officials believed Great Jing was at fault in this matter; with the kingdom plagued by natural disasters and frequent flooding in the south, empty treasuries, and avoidable military conflicts, it was imperative to capture and deliver the true murderer of the Western Xia Crown Prince to Western Xia for punishment, regardless of who it was.
Zhao Qi listened attentively. When he heard the phrase “frequent flooding,” he was momentarily distracted, his face flushing. He felt like he would never be able to face those three words directly again—it was all the fault of that damned bastard!
In the end, Xiao Shiqing spoke up to end the debate between the two sides. “The investigation will continue, while we prepare for military action to be safe.”
With the situation unstable, Zhao Qi reluctantly set aside the search for the bastard and devoted himself wholeheartedly to state affairs.
“Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi looked up to meet a pair of striking brows and eyes, smiling, “Changzhou, why are you here?”
He Changzhou placed both hands behind his back and walked briskly towards Zhao Qi. “I’ve brought some food for Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi sniffed, “Wow, smells like lamb?”
“Is Your Majesty a dog?” He Changzhou presented a golden-brown roasted leg of lamb. “I slaughtered it just an hour ago and roasted it immediately for Your Majesty—here.”
Zhao Qi took the leg of lamb and took a big bite, looking satisfied. “Poor little lamb. But aren’t you supposed to be busy with military preparations? Yet you have the leisure to roast lamb for me.”
He Changzhou casually picked up an ink stick from the table and began grinding ink for Zhao Qi. “Your Majesty, we haven’t seen each other in a while.”
“We saw each other at court, didn’t we?”
“That doesn’t count.” He Changzhou lowered his gaze. “Your Majesty hasn’t noticed that I haven’t been visiting you recently.”
Zhao Qi thought about it and realized there might be some truth to that. He had noticed that He Changzhou used to visit the palace frequently, but lately, he had been coming less often. Zhao Qi belatedly realized that even at court, He Changzhou would deliberately avoid making eye contact with him, as if avoiding him altogether.
With a self-deprecating smile, He Changzhou said, “Your Majesty indeed didn’t notice. It seems I’m just an insignificant presence to Your Majesty.”
What was with this complaining tone? If one didn’t know better, they would think he had abandoned He Changzhou after using him.
“Sigh, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, and you know that.”
He Changzhou nodded, “I know. That’s why I’m here to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
“Oh? How so?”
He Changzhou said, “I’m willing to lead troops to Western Xia and confront their army to assert our national prestige.”
Frowning, Zhao Qi said, “We’re not at the point of war yet. Even if we were, there’s no need for you to rush over thousands of miles. Those frontier officials aren’t just sitting around.”
He Changzhou smiled, “I’ve been feeling very frustrated lately and wanted to leave the capital, get away. Please agree, Your Majesty.”
“What are you frustrated about?”
He Changzhou looked at Zhao Qi deeply, “Frustrated with Your Majesty.”
“Ah?” Zhao Qi was taken aback and shouldered a heavy burden unexpectedly. “How have I troubled you?”
“You, Your Majesty, have made it so I can’t sleep through the night. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Your Majesty’s face from that night.”
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
