Chapter 58 – I slept with my brother?!
He Changzhou proved through his actions that he wasn’t done yet. He chattered incessantly by Zhao Qi’s ear. Zhao Qi was not annoyed, and in fact, it was thanks to this constant chatter that he was somewhat relieved from his discomfort, which he wasn’t sure was due to seasickness, morning sickness, or something brought on by Rong Tang.
“Why are you so fixated on the name ‘Zhao Yun’? Do you greatly admire Changshan Zhao Zilong?”
He Changzhou’s eyes revealed a trace of fervor as he said, “Yes, my goal since childhood has been to become a hero like him.”
Zhao Qi responded grumpily, “It’s better if you don’t become him.”
“Why not?”
“If you were Zhao Zilong, then I’d be your lord, and that would make me Liu Xuande. That means my son…” Zhao Qi cast him a sidelong glance, “What, do you want to replicate the seven assaults and seven rescues at Changban Slope to save the young lord?”
He Changzhou honestly said, “I do, but I’m afraid I might not get that chance. Besides, the emperor’s son isn’t just any young lord; he’s my son as well.”
Zhao Qi covered his lips with his hand and said expressionlessly, “No, he isn’t.”
Even with his mouth covered, He Changzhou insisted, “He could be.”
Zhao Qi was at a loss. It was the first time he had met someone so eager to become a father. He Changzhou was still too young and lacked the hard knocks from society.
“Don’t talk about this child. Even if I were to have one, you’d only be a godfather at most.”
He Changzhou said, “Being a godfather isn’t bad either.”
Zhao Qi spoke earnestly, “Changzhou, as men, it’s a great disgrace to have another man raise a child. You’re my friend, and I won’t allow you to do that. Just give up on this idea.”
He Changzhou thought for a moment and said, “I think it’s okay.”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter. What matters is mine,” Zhao Qi said firmly. “I can’t accept my friend having a vast grassland on his head—even if it’s a grassland I planted!”
He Changzhou didn’t understand Zhao Qi’s meaning, “Grassland?”
Zhao Qi waved his hand and concluded, “I’ve made up my mind. There’s no need to persuade me further. If you say one more word, I’ll throw you into the river to feed the fish.”
He Changzhou smiled and replied, “Alright, I won’t talk about the child anymore.”
Zhao Qi nodded in satisfaction.
“Let’s move on to the next topic.”
Zhao Qi: “???”
“I know how to make His Majesty pregnant,” He Changzhou said with great anticipation, eager to try, “Shall I give it a try?”
“…Someone, throw He Changzhou into the river to feed the fish!”
And so, He Changzhou was thrown into the river—
Of course, this was impossible. After summer began, there were continuous heavy rains in the Huai River area. The water level in the river was high and the current was swift. If someone were thrown in, even with full swimming skills, they’d still meet their end.
The second stop of the southern tour was Jiangxia, the area hardest hit by the disaster. As the dragon boat entered Jiangxia, it encountered a new round of heavy rain.
The sky was gray and overcast, and the daylight was as dark as night. Heavy rain poured down, even heavier than the day when Bai Yiping was beaten. The strong wind howled, and the river was raging with waves. Even a dragon boat several times larger than usual had trouble maintaining stability in such conditions.
Zhao Qi found himself both amused and helpless, as not only was he affected, but everyone on the boat was also experiencing seasickness to varying degrees and began vomiting.
Xiao Jinzi was throwing up from morning till night, unable to stop, his condition so bad that he lay in bed but had to get up frequently to vomit. He Chaozhou, who was usually physically robust, was feeling it the worst. He stayed in his room, quietly experiencing the turmoil in his stomach and had no energy to bother Zhao Qi. In comparison, Zhao Qi’s symptoms were relatively mild.
Cheng Boyan had prepared some dried tangerine peel and distributed it to everyone, which could somewhat alleviate seasickness.
Zhao Qi increasingly felt that Cheng Boyan was reliable, and he said gratefully, “My minister, I am very grateful for your help.”
Cheng Boyan replied, “It is an honor to relieve the Emperor’s worries. By the way, Your Majesty, you have been pregnant for over three months now.”
“Seems like it.”
“After three months of pregnancy, a woman’s belly will gradually become noticeable; by the fourth month, fetal movement will be felt. According to ‘Travel Diary of the Eastern Islands,’ male pregnancies differ from female ones in that morning sickness, visible pregnancy, and fetal movement will occur earlier than in women.”
Zhao Qi looked down at his belly in alarm and asked, “You mean my belly will start showing soon?”
Cheng Boyan nodded, “It is summer now, and clothing is minimal. If Your Majesty starts showing, it will be difficult to hide the dragon egg.”
Zhao Qi rubbed his forehead anxiously, “What should we do then—has there been any news from Zhao Qiao?”
Jiang Dehai said, “If Young Master Zhao does not rest and continues traveling through the night, he should arrive in Dongzhou in about three to four days. I believe that in a few days, Young Master Zhao will bring the Eastern Island’s divine doctor before Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi patted his belly and sighed, “Let’s hope so.”
“Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking candidly,” Jiang Dehai said, “Have you not considered finding the other father of the dragon egg?”
Mentioning this made Zhao Qi very upset, “No need to find him. I have a clear idea.”
Jiang Dehai asked, “Do you suspect it is Prince Zhao Nan?”
Zhao Qi’s face soured, “Who else could it be?!”
Gong Gong, who had witnessed Prime Minister Xiao kiss the Emperor publicly, cautiously hinted, “Well, who can say for sure.”
Zhao Qi analyzed the situation and frowned, “Prime Minister Xiao should… shouldn’t be the one, right?” Xiao Shiqing didn’t seem like someone who would take such actions against him.
Jiang Dehai boldly advised, “Your Majesty, I think you should find out who the father of the dragon egg is before making a decision. If… I mean if the dragon egg really belongs to the Prime Minister, would you… keep the baby or not?”
Zhao Qi had always thought the dragon egg was He Chaozhou’s until recently when he realized he might be mistaken. He hadn’t considered this problem before. If Xiao Shiqing was indeed the other father of the dragon egg, the person who had separated his legs that night, then… his worldview would be completely overturned! How could he face Xiao Shiqing in the future, or govern the world together with him!
Zhao Qi’s expression was unpredictable, “I refuse to answer that question. I’m going to sleep!”
The boat rocked too violently for Xiao Shiqing to be in the mood to review memorials. He stood by the window, looking at the storm outside, and asked the person behind him, “How long until we reach Jiangxia?”
Fu Zi said, “If the rain does not lessen, it may take another night.”
“Is there any news from Zhang Taiyi?”
“Prime Minister, I have sent someone to Qi Lin, Zhang Taiyi’s hometown, through the night. They should be able to bring him before you soon.”
Xiao Shiqing casually replied, “So, I still have to wait for several more days?”
Fu Zi hesitated before continuing, “There is also Cheng Boyan’s prescription. I consulted several local famous doctors, and they all said they had never seen such a prescription. Some doctors said it resembles the medicine used to stabilize pregnancy in women, but there are ingredients that should not be used for pregnant women, so… I apologize for the mishap and ask the Prime Minister to punish me.”
Stabilizing pregnancy medicine, pregnant women, ten months, loss of appetite, fatigue, drowsiness…
A wild thought flashed through Xiao Shiqing’s mind. It was so absurd that he laughed at himself.
Fu Zi was confused by Xiao Shiqing’s ambiguous smile, “Prime Minister?”
“Fu Zi.”
“Here.”
“Do you think there are men who also…” Xiao Shiqing paused, “Forget it, you can go now.”
As night fell, the rain not only showed no sign of easing but grew even heavier. The wind and thunder combined, making it sound as if someone was undergoing a tribulation.
Under such conditions, it was impossible to sleep properly. Zhao Qi had taught Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan to play “Landlord.” When Xiao Shiqing arrived, Zhao Qi was grandly throwing down a few cards, “Crushed—”
“Big one!”
“Can’t afford it.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “It’s so late, why are you still awake?”
Jiang Dehai and Cheng Boyan quickly stood up and saluted, “Greetings, Prime Minister.”
“Prime Minister is here,” Zhao Qi smiled, “I asked them to keep me company.”
Xiao Shiqing waved for them to leave, “The Emperor should go to bed.”
“How can I sleep with the boat rocking so much? Even if I get into bed, I’ll just be thrown out.”
Xiao Shiqing glanced at Zhao Qi’s bed and smiled, “Is Your Majesty suggesting that I sleep with you?”
“…Huh?” I didn’t mean that, I’m not, don’t say that.
“Understood,” Xiao Shiqing said, “Come on.”
Zhao Qi’s face turned stiff, “Are you serious, brother?”
Xiao Shiqing explained, “The dragon boat is too unstable. If I hold you while you sleep, you might sleep more soundly.”
So that’s the case. “Let someone else do it,” Zhao Qi said, “I feel bad troubling the Prime Minister.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow, “Who do you want to do it instead?”
Zhao Qi was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to answer.
So, inexplicably, they ended up in a situation where they would be sleeping together.
Zhao Qi took off his outer clothing and secretly looked at his belly in the mirror. Whether it was his imagination or not, he felt it had gotten a bit bigger and even had a slight curve.
Xiao Shiqing observed him calmly and said, “You sleep on the inside.”
“Oh…” Zhao Qi climbed into bed first, neatly covering himself with the blanket and waiting for Xiao Shiqing to join him, like a dutiful wife waiting for her husband to come to bed.
Then Xiao Shiqing got into bed, wrapped his arms around Zhao Qi, pulling him close so that his chest was against Zhao Qi’s back, and asked in a low voice, “Is it still rocking?”
“…Not rocking anymore, Brother.” Although it was a bit awkward.
Being held by a man was one thing, but being held by a man in bed was almost contrary to his straight (male) principles.
…Though with his belly getting bigger, straight principles were the least of his concerns!
Zhao Qi reassured himself internally that there was a reason for this. Xiao Shiqing was holding him for protection, so it didn’t count.
Xiao Shiqing chuckled softly, his lips brushing against Zhao Qi’s ear, “Then sleep.”
Zhao Qi lay in Xiao Shiqing’s arms for a while, feeling uncomfortable all over. He said softly, “Brother.”
Xiao Shiqing responded with his eyes closed, “Hmm?”
“I want to turn over.”
“Go ahead.”
Zhao Qi complained softly, “But Brother is pressing down on my hair.”
Xiao Shiqing paused, lifted his head slightly, and freed Zhao Qi’s hair. Zhao Qi turned over and faced Xiao Shiqing.
Xiao Shiqing’s features were sharp and elegant, with a straight nose and a luxurious handsomeness that made Zhao Qi lose track of time simply by staring.
Xiao Shiqing slowly opened his eyes, “What else is there?”
Caught being caught sneaking a look, Zhao Qi felt a bit embarrassed, but just a bit. “I think Brother looks even better lately.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Was I not good-looking before?”
“Not really.” Perhaps because there were so many good-looking people around him, even Xiao Jinzi was quite handsome. Zhao Qi had always known Xiao Shiqing was good-looking, but he also thought other people were similarly attractive in their own ways. It wasn’t fair to compare them all. Since Xiao Shiqing had rescued him from the small dark room, Zhao Qi had suddenly realized how exceptional Xiao Shiqing looked, clearly on a different level from others. “You look even better now.”
Xiao Shiqing reached up and tucked Zhao Qi’s stray hair behind his ear, “And you…”
At that moment, the boat rocked suddenly, and Zhao Qi, startled, bumped into Xiao Shiqing’s arms.
Just as he was about to lift his head, Xiao Shiqing pressed it back down.
Zhao Qi tried again, “Brother…”
Xiao Shiqing pressed him back down, “Just sleep like this.”
Zhao Qi yielded and closed his eyes.
Outside, the heavy rain poured, thunder rumbled, and the wind continued to howl. Listening to Xiao Shiqing’s strong heartbeat, Zhao Qi gradually fell asleep.
Even in sleep, Zhao Qi wasn’t still. He turned and twisted, eventually ending up facing away from Xiao Shiqing.
Xiao Shiqing held him from behind, his hands resting on Zhao Qi’s small belly, and frowned slightly.
He remembered that the little emperor’s abdomen was flat and had no excess flesh. How come now…
Was it from gaining weight, or…
Suddenly, he felt a movement under his palm.
Xiao Shiqing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his hand.
The little emperor remained asleep, his eyelashes gently lowered, looking as innocent as ever, completely unaware.
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
