Chapter 50 – I have always been very attached to my brother.
Zhao Qi and the others left the Spring Breeze Pavilion and merged into the crowd.
Zhao Qiao led the way at the front. Given the title “King of Troubles,” he was so pleased he could hardly contain himself, practically floating as he walked.
Rong Tang walked side by side with Zhao Qi. Despite his aloof demeanor, he still attracted the attention of many men and women. “Is the king’s title a serious matter? Is the emperor serious?”
Watching Zhao Qiao walk with a swagger, Zhao Qi couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, it’s serious.”
“Even so, the title should be drafted by the Ministry of Rites.”
“Trust me, no word suits him better than ‘Trouble’.”
“…As long as the emperor is happy.”
“Brother,” Zhao Qiao said, “there’s an opera house ahead. The lead performer is a famous actor in the capital, and I’ve heard many noblemen fight over him. Shall we take a look?”
“No,” Zhao Qi’s attention was caught by a snack stall on the street. “I want to eat candied hawthorns.”
Xiao Jinzi said, “Young Master, we shouldn’t eat random street food.”
Zhao Qi ignored Xiao Jinzi’s words. “I’ll buy two skewers. You wait here.”
Xiao Jinzi quickly followed him. “Young Master, wait for me—”
Zhao Qiao and Rong Tang were left behind. Not long ago, Zhao Qiao had tried to drug Rong Tang, but Rong Tang ended up taking the drug himself, causing Zhao Qiao to get a “beating.” Because of this, Zhao Qiao didn’t have a good impression of his brother’s male pet and took the opportunity to be sarcastic.
“The emperor brings Young Master Rong whenever he leaves the palace. It seems Young Master Rong holds some importance in his heart.”
Rong Tang, focused on Zhao Qi picking out candied hawthorns not far away, seemed not to hear him.
Zhao Qiao sighed theatrically. “Well, with his favorite not around, he can only bring the former favorite along.”
Rong Tang finally reacted a little. “What do you mean?”
Zhao Qiao gloated, “It means the emperor has someone he likes more now. Take care of yourself.”
Zhao Qiao waited for Rong Tang to ask who the person was, but Rong Tang only said indifferently, “Oh.”
Dissatisfied with Rong Tang’s reaction, Zhao Qiao continued, “The emperor really likes him. He even gave him very, very precious tonic.”
Rong Tang’s eyes flickered. “Tonic…”
“That’s right!”
Rong Tang suddenly thought of something and asked urgently, “If someone without feelings for the emperor takes the tonic, who will they see?”
Zhao Qiao was puzzled. “They won’t see the wrong person. Whoever is around is who they’ll see.”
Rong Tang’s breath caught, and his fingers hidden in his sleeves trembled uncontrollably. Zhao Qi’s past words echoed in his mind—
“All of this has nothing to do with romance. It comes from my guilt towards you.”
“I’m sure I don’t have those feelings for you.”
“My intention is to think of one person.”
…
Despite being in a bustling street, he couldn’t hear any noise; the people around him became mere shadows, with only that faint yellow figure being real.
He didn’t know how long had passed when the pain in his shoulder brought him back to reality—a passerby in plain clothes had bumped into him.
“What are you daydreaming about,” Zhao Qiao said. “You didn’t even notice getting bumped?”
Rong Tang looked at the note slipped into his hand, his eyes dark and unclear.
Zhao Qi returned with a skewer of candied hawthorns. Seeing Rong Tang’s expression, he asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
Rong Tang calmed himself. “Nothing, just a bit tired.”
“Then let’s go back to the palace. It’s about time.”
Rong Tang asked, “Are the candied hawthorns good?”
Zhao Qi licked one. “A bit sour.”
Rong Tang looked at the young man before him, feeling a sourness in his heart. “Next time, get something sweet.”
At the street corner, the man in plain clothes who had bumped into Rong Tang watched them leave and then turned into a teahouse where Xu Zijing had been waiting.
“Sir, the letter has been delivered.”
Xu Zijing nodded slightly. “Good, thank you for your hard work.”
“Sir, will Young Master Rong really help the prince?”
“The prince and Young Master Rong have known each other for years and have a deep bond. It’s worth a try.”
Although the man was worried, he couldn’t think of any other way. “I didn’t agree with the prince coming to the capital in the first place—it’s like walking into a lion’s den! Now Xiao Shiqing is using the prince’s remaining poison as an excuse to keep him in the capital. The generals in the northern territory have bad tempers and are clamoring to bring troops to the capital to rescue the prince…”
“Absolutely not!” Xu Zijing said. “You must leave the capital immediately and return to the northern territory. Don’t let them act rashly. It’s far from the time to raise an army. If there’s any unrest in the north, the prince’s life will be in danger!”
The man was unwilling. “Are we just going to watch the prince fall into the hands of the foolish emperor and treacherous minister?”
Xu Zijing stroked his beard. “Xiao Shiqing is cautious. As long as we maintain the status quo, he won’t harm the prince. Give me some more time, and I’ll find a way to bring the prince back.”
On the way back, Rong Tang didn’t say much. Zhao Qi was preoccupied with his own troubles and didn’t pay much attention to him.
The carriage stopped directly at the gate of Yonghua Palace. Zhao Qi said, “I’ll go in first.”
Rong Tang called out to him, “Your Majesty.”
“What’s the matter?”
Rong Tang had a thousand words in his eyes but only said, “Rest early.”
Each day grew hotter, and Zhao Qi’s “illness” not only didn’t improve but worsened.
“Ugh—” Zhao Qi vomited until he was dizzy and almost fainted, all thanks to the “Little He Changzhou” in his stomach.
Xiao Jinzi handed him a handkerchief. “How long will this go on? It’s only been a few days, and Your Majesty’s chin is already sharp.”
Cheng Boyan said, “Morning sickness is unavoidable. Your Majesty, please endure. It’ll be better in a month.”
Zhao Qi wiped his mouth and lay on the bed like a stranded fish, too tired to speak.
Jiang Dehai came in to report, “Your Majesty, the prime minister is here.”
Xiao Shiqing walked to the bedside, looking at the weak emperor. Zhao Qi managed a smile. “Brother is here.”
Xiao Shiqing narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Cheng Boyan.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Didn’t you say that as long as the emperor rests well, he would recover? Is this what you call recovery?” Xiao Shiqing bent down and touched Zhao Qi’s cheek.
Cheng Boyan was terrified. “This…”
“Prime Minister, it’s not the physician’s fault,” Zhao Qi said weakly. “Don’t blame him.”
Xiao Shiqing waved his hand, and Cheng Boyan and Xiao Jinzi exchanged a glance before bowing and leaving. Xiao Shiqing sat by the bed. “You shouldn’t go on the southern tour. Stay in the palace and recover.”
Zhao Qi blurted out, “No.”
“In your current state, how can you go?”
“I can go,” Zhao Qi struggled to sit up, his hand inadvertently landing on Xiao Shiqing’s leg. “I’m sick because I’ve been cooped up in the palace too long. If you don’t let me out, my condition will only worsen.”
Xiao Shiqing grabbed his wrist. “You really want to go?”
Zhao Qi nodded. “I can’t let you go alone. I can’t be separated from you.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Why so clingy all of a sudden?”
Zhao Qi, feeling guilty, said, “I’ve always been like this.”
Xiao Shiqing indeed didn’t feel comfortable leaving the little emperor where he couldn’t see him. “Then get well soon,” Xiao Shiqing said, letting go of Zhao Qi’s hand and gently patting his abdomen. “Eat more and gain some weight.”
The casual movement made Zhao Qi’s abdomen instinctively tighten. “…Hmm.”
Zhao Qi was terrified that Xiao Shiqing would really leave him in the palace. He tried to overcome his nausea by eating more, forcing himself to eat and vomit, eat again, and eventually managed to gain a bit of weight.
The day before the southern inspection, Zhao Qi had lunch with Empress Dowager Wen. The Empress Dowager disliked the humid and hot climate of Huai Shui and had no intention of joining them. She advised Zhao Qi, “Qi’er, Huai Shui is full of miasma and mosquitoes. If you have nothing to do, just stay on the dragon boat or at the temporary palace. Leave the inspection of the disaster to the officials.”
Zhao Qi agreed, “Mother, you should also take care of your health. With the weather so hot, if you can’t stand it, you can go to Xuchun Garden to escape the heat.”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, “I’m old now and too lazy to go anywhere. Speaking of Xuchun Garden, I just remembered someone.”
“Mother, are you referring to Sister Jiayan?”
The Empress Dowager nodded, “With the King of Zhao Nan about to leave the capital, Jiayan’s marriage to him has not yet been settled.”
A few days ago, Li Chisu had come to the palace to bid farewell. Zhao Qi was still ill, and it was Xiao Shiqing who saw him and approved his request to return to his fief.
Zhao Qi didn’t care much, “If there isn’t one, then there isn’t. Li Chisu is not suitable for Jiayan. Let him return and marry a girl from Nanzhou.”
The Empress Dowager glared at him, “You’re already learning to manage state affairs, but you still have such a big heart. In my opinion, we should do as we did with Huai Wang, find a reason to keep Li Chisu in the capital. Otherwise, just thinking about the thousands of elite troops in Nanzhou makes me lose my appetite.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. The Prime Minister said, ‘If urgent, bring them together; if slow, separate them.’ This means if Zhao Tong and Li Chisu are pressed too hard, Nanzhou and the Northern Borders might form an alliance to oppose the court. Conversely, if one side is allowed to relax, they will quietly watch the outcome and will not interfere in court or the other party’s affairs.”
The Empress Dowager was skeptical, “Did the Prime Minister really say this to you?”
“Yes,” Zhao Qi replied, “Otherwise, would it be me saying it? Mother, do you think I would come up with something like this?”
The Empress Dowager said, “That’s true. Fine, we’ll follow the Prime Minister’s advice.”
In July, Zhao Qi began his first southern inspection. The dragon boat, although not exactly as he imagined, was still exquisitely carved and very grand, more than twice the size of other boats.
For this southern inspection, Xiao Shiqing had brought along a group of trusted officials, while Zhao Qi brought only Zhao Qiao and Rong Tang, aside from his personal attendants.
The dragon boat sailed down the river, much faster than traveling by land, and had left the capital before sunset.
In the evening, with the heat dissipating considerably, Zhao Qi stepped out of the boat and enjoyed the breeze on the deck. The river wind was cool and refreshing.
Accompanying him, Zhao Qiao looked at the shimmering river surface and suddenly began to chuckle.
Zhao Qi looked disdainful, “What are you laughing about so vulgarly?”
Zhao Qiao laughed, “Has Your Majesty ever tried having fun with a beauty on the boat?”
Zhao Qi: “…”
A low laugh came from behind, “Does Young Master Zhao mean that the boat sways on the river while one has fun inside?” Xiao Shiqing approached them, “Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qiao exclaimed in surprise, “I didn’t expect the Prime Minister to be like-minded!”
Zhao Qi was a bit surprised, “Has the Prime Minister tried it?”
“No,” Xiao Shiqing paused, “Does Your Majesty want to try?”
Zhao Qi firmly denied, “Absolutely not!”
Xiao Shiqing’s lips curled up, and he seemed to be in a good mood.
“Then Your Majesty and the Prime Minister can take the opportunity to try it,” Zhao Qiao said mischievously, “It will save a lot of effort.”
Xiao Shiqing, intrigued, asked, “Why would it save effort?”
“Hahaha, Prime Minister, aren’t you pretending not to know!”
Zhao Qi realized that whenever straight men gathered, while dirty jokes might be delayed, they would never be absent.
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Your Majesty, are you thinking about something?”
Zhao Qi said seriously, “I’m thinking of establishing a special department called the ‘Anti-Vulgarity Department,’ specifically to crack down on people who speak filthy language. What do you think, Prime Minister?”
Xiao Shiqing: “…”
Zhao Qiao thought Zhao Qi was serious and risked offering advice, “Your Majesty, is this really necessary? Aren’t those who paint erotic pictures even worse?!”
Zhao Qi contemplated, “Then I can set up another department to address this issue… called the ‘General Administration of Broadcasting and Television.’”
A palace servant approached with an urgent dispatch, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister, this is an urgent report from Xizhou.”
Xiao Shiqing took a look and said, “The Western Xia has withdrawn its troops.”
“That’s great news,” Zhao Qi said excitedly, “Much faster than I imagined.”
Zhao Qiao, remembering the pregnant soldier on the battlefield, asked, “Then General He can return to court now, right?”
“Hmm? This is…” Xiao Shiqing pulled out an envelope from the documents, his eyes narrowing slightly, “A letter from He Changzhou to the Emperor.”
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~
If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!
I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!
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
