Chapter 52 – I was arrested.
Rong Tang stared fixedly at Zhao Qi’s eyes. The blood at the corner of his mouth was shocking, making Zhao Qi’s heart ache with a dull, pervasive pain.
“Rong Tang, don’t be like this,” Zhao Qi said in a hoarse voice. “Please let the imperial physician examine you first.”
Cheng Boyan, having reviewed all the records from the Imperial Medical Academy and having a certain understanding of Rong Tang’s illness, advised, “Young Master Rong, your condition is most susceptible to anger and stress. You must calm down now; otherwise, the old illness might recur, with dire consequences.”
Calm down… How could he calm down?
The person he loved was pregnant with another man’s child.
Anger, humiliation, and regret drowned him all at once; he felt like he was going insane.
Rong Tang seemed not to hear Cheng Boyan’s words. He continued to grip Zhao Qi with unrelenting force, his jade-like hand straining with bulging veins. He repeated the earlier question, “Whose is it?”
Zhao Qi opened his lips, but the words “He Changzhou” were swallowed back down. He turned his face away and said, “Don’t ask; this is my own matter, unrelated to others.”
Rong Tang’s expression twisted into a snarl. “‘Unrelated to others’—are you saying it’s unrelated to me?”
Worried about Rong Tang’s health, Zhao Qi had no time to engage in this line of questioning. He signaled to Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan, who, understanding his intentions, approached Rong Tang from behind, trying to pull him away.
However, before they could touch him, they heard Rong Tang coldly command, “Get away.”
The two men halted, unsure of what to do, and looked at Zhao Qi. “Your Majesty, what should we—”
Zhao Qi grabbed Rong Tang’s hand that was clutching his collar, his tone urgent and frustrated. “Didn’t you hear what the physician said?! Calm down, or I will order the guards to take you away!”
“Why won’t you say,” Rong Tang pressed, “who is that man? Why won’t you say it? Are you unwilling to say, or…” Suddenly, as if realizing something, Rong Tang’s expression froze, and his voice grew softer, “Or are you afraid to say?”
Even Zhao Qi, as foolish as he might be, was still an emperor. Who else in the world could make a ruler submit to them, other than him?
—“I have never regarded him as an emperor. So the things you dare not do, I can.”
Rong Tang’s strength drained away little by little. He released Zhao Qi, casually wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and started to laugh.
His laughter was unbecoming and disheveled, his eyes reddened with tears.
But he still looked so handsome.
“If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have let you go that night…!” After saying this, Rong Tang seemed not to want to see Zhao Qi anymore and slowly closed his eyes.
“Rong Tang!”
“Young Master Rong!”
Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan quickly caught him. Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty, Young Master Rong has fainted!”
“Quickly, get him to bed!”
After examining Rong Tang’s pulse, Cheng Boyan’s expression grew serious. “Well…”
“Stop with the ‘well well well,’” Zhao Qi said anxiously. “What’s the situation?”
Cheng Boyan said, “Young Master Rong’s condition has worsened due to anger, affecting his heart pulse. The situation is not optimistic. I need to perform acupuncture. Your Majesty, please step outside.”
Though Zhao Qi wanted to stay by Rong Tang’s side, he had to follow medical advice. “Alright, you treat him well. I’ll wait outside.”
“Your Majesty,” Jiang Dehai said, holding the dragon boots, “Please put on your shoes first.”
Cheng Boyan performed acupuncture for an hour while Zhao Qi waited outside, deeply worried. He was already suffering from the torment of the dragon egg, and now had to worry about Rong Tang’s safety. With so many troubling issues converging, he felt as if his head was going to explode.
When it was time for dinner, the steward of the governor’s residence had prepared a menu and asked Jiang Dehai, “Master Jiang, these are famous dishes from Cangzhou. What do you think…?”
Just seeing the names of the dishes was impressive. Jiang Dehai shook his head and said, “The Emperor’s appetite has not been good lately. Have them make some porridge and prepare a few tangy and sweet appetizers instead.”
The steward was startled. “These are ordinary dishes; how can they be suitable for the Emperor?”
Jiang Dehai smiled, “No one knows the Emperor’s taste better than our household. Just prepare them as instructed.”
Soon, the governor’s residence staff delivered the porridge and appetizers. Jiang Dehai persuaded Zhao Qi to eat. Zhao Qi shook his head, indicating he had no appetite.
Jiang Dehai said, “Your Majesty has barely eaten all day. Even if you don’t consider yourself…”
Zhao Qi completed the sentence in unison with Jiang Dehai, “You still need to think about the baby in your belly.” It was a classic piece of advice for expectant mothers, even if it came late.
However, because of this child, his worldviews had been overturned, his life was in chaos, and he had lost the foundation of being a straight man. Now, Rong Tang had even vomited blood from anger. It wasn’t about having a baby; it was like facing tribulations.
“I won’t eat,” Zhao Qi said angrily. “Let him starve to death!”
“Who do you want to starve to death?” Xiao Shiqing walked in, looking at Zhao Qi with a face full of frustration. “Aren’t you in poor health? Why aren’t you resting in bed?”
Jiang Dehai explained, “Young Master Rong’s old illness has recurred, and His Majesty gave his bed to him.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow with a meaningful look. “Again?”
Zhao Qi looked at Xiao Shiqing with a pitiful expression and complained, “Brother Prime Minister, the physician said Rong Tang’s condition is not optimistic. Do you think he will…”
Xiao Shiqing was silent for a moment, then patted Zhao Qi’s head. “He won’t.”
Zhao Qi looked up at him. “Really?”
“Yes.” Xiao Shiqing’s voice was gentle and low. “But have you eaten?”
Jiang Dehai hurriedly said, “Not yet. Prime Minister, please persuade the Emperor. His Majesty is feeling very unwell today and has barely eaten anything.”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Bring the dinner here.”
Seeing the table of “plain and simple food,” Xiao Shiqing’s eyes darkened. Jiang Dehai, fearing that he might get angry, proactively explained, “Your Majesty’s appetite is not good, so he can only eat light foods.”
Xiao Shiqing nodded. “Does His Majesty eat by himself, or should I feed him?”
Zhao Qi, distracted, replied, “I’ll eat by myself.”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Bring another set of chopsticks.”
Jiang Dehai asked, “Does the Prime Minister intend to dine with His Majesty?”
Xiao Shiqing sat down by the table. “Yes.”
“Brother…”
“Just eat your own.”
Xiao Shiqing accompanied Zhao Qi in eating porridge and talked about the situation in Cangzhou. “Cangzhou is blessed with outstanding people and a rich land. The people are well-fed and content, the streets are safe, and theft is rare.”
Zhao Qi took small sips of porridge. “That’s quite good.”
Xiao Shiqing, however, said, “Jiangxia is only a hundred miles from Cangzhou. The governor of Jiangxia has repeatedly reported that the disaster situation is urgent and the people are displaced. Yet, Cangzhou seems to be celebrating peacefully—do you think this is possible? What we see is all that the Cangzhou officials want us to see.”
When it came to state affairs, Zhao Qi had to focus. “But didn’t you say that Cangzhou’s terrain is slightly elevated and thus less affected by floods? The governor’s report also mentioned this.”
Xiao Shiqing’s voice turned cold. “Reports are perhaps one of the most unreliable things in the world.”
At this moment, Cheng Boyan finally came out, sweating and looking exhausted. “Your Majesty need not worry. Young Master Rong has escaped danger and will awaken soon.”
Zhao Qi was overjoyed. “I’ll go and see!”
Xiao Shiqing expressionlessly pulled him back. “Finish your porridge first.”
Xiao Shiqing suspected that the local officials in Cangzhou were deceiving the court and sent several people to investigate privately. Because of this, their stay in Cangzhou would be longer than initially planned.
Later, Zhao Qi met with the officials of Cangzhou, who all looked presentable and answered his questions fluently. They spoke authoritatively about their governance strategies. Zhao Qi gave them some face, verbally praising them and encouraging them to keep up the good work.
Rong Tang, who had been unconscious for two days, finally woke up. When Cheng Boyan reported this to Zhao Qi, Zhao Qi was staring at a mirror, looking worried.
Cheng Boyan said, “Your Majesty.”
“You’re just in time,” Zhao Qi said. “Please check if my belly has grown.”
Cheng Boyan observed for a while and smiled. “Generally, a pregnancy only shows after four months. Your Majesty is less than three months along and has actually lost some weight due to morning sickness. It’s impossible for your belly to be noticeably large.”
Zhao Qi felt slightly relieved but remained anxious. “Four months isn’t far off. At this rate, by the time I reach Dongzhou, the dragon egg might already be ready for use.”
“What does Your Majesty mean?”
Zhao Qi thought for a moment and asked Jiang Dehai, “Where is Zhao Qiao? I haven’t seen him for a few days.”
Jiang Dehai hesitated. “Young Master Zhao said… he wanted to help Your Majesty investigate the Cangzhou brothel and see if it differs from the capital… so…”
Zhao Qi was angry. “Bring him back here at once. Have him pack his things and go to Dongzhou. And make sure the divine doctor is brought to me!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of it right away.”
The route for the southern tour had already been decided. Finding the dragon boat was a simple task. It would be better for Zhao Qiao to leave earlier, as he would be faster than moving at a snail’s pace.
After the matter was settled, Zhao Qi asked, “How is Rong Tang?”
Cheng Boyan quickly said, “I almost forgot—Your Majesty, Young Master Rong has woken up.”
Zhao Qi sighed with relief. “I’ll go see him.”
At first, Zhao Qi walked briskly, but as he approached Rong Tang’s room, his steps slowed. As he was about to arrive, he simply stopped. “Minister…”
Cheng Boyan responded, “I am here.”
“Do you think it would be better if I didn’t see him?” Zhao Qi asked hesitantly. “He might have vomited blood due to anger at me. What if seeing me again triggers another attack of rage?”
“Your Majesty’s concern is valid. Shall we return then?”
Zhao Qi thought for a moment and decided, “Then I will sneak a look without him noticing.”
“Your Majesty is wise.”
At the door, Zhao Qi was surprised to find someone standing outside. The person had graying hair, a thin frame, and a face somewhat resembling Rong Tang’s.
“Who are you…”
The man, upon seeing Zhao Qi, knelt and greeted him calmly, “Commoner Rong Min pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
“You also have the surname Rong?” Zhao Qi asked. “Are you Rong Tang’s…”
“Replying to Your Majesty, I am Rong Tang’s father.”
Rong Min was originally a fourth-rank official in the capital. After his son was taken into the palace by the tyrannical emperor and forced into servitude, he was ridiculed by his peers. In anger, he resigned and returned to Cangzhou with his remaining family.
“Please rise quickly,” Zhao Qi said. “What brings you here?”
Rong Min replied, “My wife and I were sent by the Prime Minister to take care of our son.”
So it was Xiao Shiqing. “Has Rong Tang’s mother come as well?” Zhao Qi asked. “Where is she?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, she is inside the room talking with our son.”
Zhao Qi glanced at the slightly ajar door and heard the faint sound of a woman crying from within. “Then I won’t disturb your family reunion.”
Rong Min lowered his gaze. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi nodded and was about to leave when Rong Min stopped him. “Your Majesty, my son is ill and unfit to serve you further. I humbly request Your Majesty’s permission for him to return home and rest.”
Perhaps it was best for Rong Tang to be with his family. Zhao Qi did not hesitate much and said, “Does your residence have a reliable doctor?”
Rong Min replied, “Yes, Your Majesty need not worry.”
“Alright, you may take him home.”
With Rong Tang returning home, Zhao Qi relieved one worry but felt no satisfaction in his heart. They might never meet again, and their parting was so unpleasant.
On the other hand, the hidden turmoil in Cangzhou under the facade of peace was gradually coming to light through Xiao Shiqing’s investigation.
It turned out that the governor of Cangzhou, in a bid to gain favor and achieve merit, had relocated tens of thousands of the city’s inhabitants to the countryside. What Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing had seen as “common people” were actually soldiers disguised as civilians, and even the street vendors were prearranged by the governor. Furthermore, to make Cangzhou’s tax revenue appear impressive, the officials exploited the people in every possible way. The commoners, burdened by heavy taxes and natural disasters, were living in dire conditions.
When Zhao Qi learned of this, he angrily shouted that he wanted to behead the governor of Cangzhou. Xiao Shiqing said, “That’s not a good idea.”
Zhao Qi asked, “Why not?”
“Previously, when the governor reported the current state of Cangzhou, you not only praised him but also publicly commended him as a good and honest official during the court assembly.”
Zhao Qi fumed, “I was deceived by him!”
“However, now that those words have been spoken, if you arrest and punish him, it would mean admitting that you were deceived by a treacherous official. What would happen to the emperor’s authority then?”
“Can’t I correct my mistake?”
“You can, but you can’t avoid admitting your mistake.”
“Are we just going to let him go like this?!”
Xiao Shiqing replied calmly, “We should assassinate him.”
Zhao Qi was taken aback, “Now? We are still staying at someone’s home.”
“After we set off.”
While Xiao Shiqing was clearing the political scene, Zhao Qi received a letter from the Rong residence. Rong Tang wrote in the letter that he wanted to see Zhao Qi one more time before Zhao Qi left Cangzhou. Since Rong Tang was bedridden, he invited Zhao Qi to meet him at the Rong residence’s annex.
Jiang Dehai asked, “Your Majesty, do you want to go?”
“Yes,” Zhao Qi said, holding the letter. “This might be the last time.”
Some things needed to be clarified and settled cleanly.
Zhao Qi left a message for Xiao Shiqing and went to the address mentioned in the letter with Jiang Dehai and several guards. The annex of the Rong residence was located on the outskirts of Cangzhou, in a quiet and sparsely populated area, which was indeed suitable for recuperation.
A servant was waiting at the main gate and, upon seeing Zhao Qi, asked, “Are you Master Zhao?”
“Yes. Where is Rong Tang?”
The servant replied, “Young Master is inside. Please come in.”
Zhao Qi led his group into the courtyard and instructed, “You all wait here. Jiang Dehai, come with me.”
Jiang Dehai knocked on the door, “Young Master Rong, His Majesty has come to see you.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the door opened from the inside. Just as they stepped in and had not yet seen the interior, they suddenly heard the sound of the door being locked.
The two exchanged glances, and before they could react, a strange blue smoke slowly began to envelop them…
When Zhao Qi woke up again, he found himself lying on a soft bed, completely powerless, and the surroundings were unfamiliar.
He was stunned for a while. Just as he was about to call for help, a familiar coldness covered his mouth.
“Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi’s eyes widened in shock. That voice was… Could it be this stimulating?!
Rong Tang, dressed in pure white, covered Zhao Qi’s mouth with his hand and leaned toward him with a jade-like face.
Seeing the shock in Zhao Qi’s eyes, Rong Tang smiled slightly, “You’re the one who turned me into this. Why are you still surprised?”
“Mm—”
Zhao Qi’s struggle seemed to excite Rong Tang even more. Rong Tang’s distinctly knuckled hand moved to Zhao Qi’s lower abdomen, “Here, carrying another man’s child…”
Zhao Qi: !!!
“It’s alright. I don’t mind,” Rong Tang said with a smile, gently undoing Zhao Qi’s belt.
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
