Chapter 69 – Whose token should I turn over tonight?
Xiao Shiqing said, “You’ve misunderstood. I didn’t intend to buy.”
That’s good then.
“But after returning to the palace, we can have the Tailor Bureau make one according to it.”
Zhao Qi: “……”
To prevent the little princess from being “harmed,” Zhao Qi quickly pulled Xiao Shiqing away.
Zhao Qi, with a normally pregnant belly of five months, walked and soon started sweating. Just as they passed a stall selling ice noodles, he generously bought a few bowls and treated Xiao Shiqing and Fu Zi who followed them to eat.
“Master, please wait. Let me try it first for you.”
Zhao Qi glanced at the bowl of ice powder in front of him. “Indeed, this ice powder is refreshing, cooling, and helps relieve heat. With the addition of brown sugar and sesame seeds, it’s sweet but not cloying. Truly essential for home and travel—a perfect treat that could silence any critic. Why don’t you try it for me?”
Fu Zi replied hesitantly, “I suddenly feel a bit melancholic, what’s going on?”
After confirming the ice powder was fine, Zhao Qi enthusiastically dug in.
Xiao Shiqing couldn’t indulge in such simple pleasures amidst the bustling streets like Zhao Qi did. Halfway through his meal, Zhao Qi noticed Xiao Shiqing hadn’t touched his bowl and asked, “Brother, not to your liking? Give me face and taste it, the flavor is quite good.”
“No need, I don’t like sweet things.”
“Let me feed you—”
They both spoke at the same time. Before the words could settle, Zhao Qi’s spoon was already at Xiao Shiqing’s lips.
Xiao Shiqing: “…”
This was awkward. Zhao Qi hesitated with the spoon in hand. “If you don’t like it, there’s no need to force yourself.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow, grabbed Zhao Qi’s wrist, and with his hand guided the ice powder into his mouth. “It’s indeed sweet.”
“It’s a pity you don’t like it.” Zhao Qi smiled. “I hope Princess doesn’t take after you, life would be so much less enjoyable without a taste for sweets.”
“It’s not necessarily true.” Xiao Shiqing continued calmly, discussing state affairs with ministers just as he always did, “I have many other pleasures.”
“Such as?”
“Such as raising dragons, feeding dragons, or…” Xiao Shiqing’s tone remained unchanged, “sleeping on a dragon bed.”
Zhao Qi’s ears burned. “Anything else?”
“Not at the moment.” Xiao Shiqing glanced at his stomach. “But who knows what the future holds.”
Trembling slightly with the spoon in hand, Zhao Qi said seriously, “It sounds like all your pleasures involve me?”
Xiao Shiqing did not deny it.
“Then you better protect me,” Zhao Qi said earnestly. “Otherwise, without me, you’d be terribly bored.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t let myself get bored,” Xiao Shiqing said. “Nor will I be without you.”
Back at the inn, they were informed that the Prime Minister had sought the expertise of a scholar named Yu Chenshui from Jiangxia, who had returned from an outing late last night. Upon hearing this, Prince Zhaonan immediately set off for Wubang Mountain. Shortly after their departure, Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing returned.
Zhao Qi asked, “Brother, do you think Li Chisu can persuade this expert to come down from the mountain?”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “Unlikely.”
“Oh? Are you sure?!”
“If Yu Chenshui wanted to descend, he would not have waited until now.”
“Then why did you let Li Chisu go for nothing?”
Xiao Shiqing replied calmly, “It’s better than him wandering around you.”
“… So the Prime Minister is settling personal scores.”
“And it might not be for nothing,” Xiao Shiqing pondered for a moment. “Tomorrow, I’ll personally visit Wubang Mountain.”
Zhao Qi said, “Then I…”
Xiao Shiqing didn’t let Zhao Qi finish his sentence. “No.”
“Why?”
“Firstly, the mountain roads are rugged; secondly, as the sovereign of a country, you should maintain the dignity of the emperor and need not personally show respect to scholars like this.”
“But since you’re going yourself, what’s the difference if I go?”
Zhao Qi was somewhat helpless. “But I know you won’t listen to me, so I’ll…”
“Rest well today,” Xiao Shiqing suddenly changed his tone. “I’ll take you tomorrow.”
Xiao Shiqing’s unexpected compliance left Zhao Qi momentarily unsettled before he replied, “Oh…”
Deep in thought, Zhao Qi returned to his room. Seeing this, Jiang Dehai asked, “What’s wrong with His Majesty?”
Scratching his head, Zhao Qi said, “Is the Prime Minister under some kind of spell from his brother?”
The next day, Xiao Shiqing indeed took Zhao Qi in a carriage to Wubang Mountain on the outskirts of Jiangxia City, where it was said that Yu Chenshui lived in a village at the foot of the mountain. For this trip, Xiao Shiqing also brought Cheng Boyan along to ensure Zhao Qi’s comfort. Zhao Qi, in turn, brought He Changzhou and Zhao Qiao.
Facing Xiao Shiqing’s subtle gaze, He Changzhou explained, “The Prime Minister said the mountain roads are too rugged. In case Your Majesty gets tired, I can carry you.”
Zhao Qiao added, “And if Your Majesty gets bored, I can chat with you to pass the time.”
Zhao Qi shrugged. “They’re just idle. But it’s okay to bring them along, right?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “… As you wish.”
Cheng Boyan chuckled, “Your Majesty seems particularly keen on outings lately.”
“You were the one who told me to get out more,” Zhao Qi replied. He’d rather exhaust himself than try Mei Chuan’s suggested method.
“In that case, is Your Majesty planning to hatch dragon eggs?”
“Well…” Zhao Qi appeared pensive. “I haven’t decided yet.”
Cheng Boyan said, “…” Whatever His Majesty says goes.
The carriage stopped at a narrow wooden bridge. Unable to pass, everyone got out. Zhao Qi breathed in the fresh air and sighed, “Surrounded by green hills, flowing water, this place is truly suitable for seclusion.”
Zhao Qiao grinned, “Your Majesty, why the sudden jest with your humble subjects?”
Perplexed, Zhao Qi said, “Did I jest with you?”
“Didn’t Your Majesty just mention ‘flowing water’?”
Zhao Qi threatened, “Do you want a dunk in the water?” How could he have such a shameless brother?!
Everyone laughed at this, and Xiao Shiqing inexplicably glanced at Zhao Qi.
After a brief thought, He Changzhou said calmly, “I think I understand. Your Majesty, would you like me to explain it to you?”
With a straight face, Zhao Qi replied, “No thanks.”
They crossed the bridge on foot and walked through a dense forest until suddenly the scenery opened up.
The village had a secluded paradise-like atmosphere. Situated on higher ground, it had been spared from flooding, with spacious land and well-built houses. The villagers were self-sufficient, rarely visited by outsiders. Zhao Qi and his entourage attracted all eyes as soon as they arrived.
The white-haired old man asked, “Are you guests here to see Master Yu?”
Zhao Qiaoqi replied, “How did you know?”
The old man chuckled, “Yesterday, a remarkable young man came looking for him here. Master Yu’s thatched house is east of the village. You’ll find it when you go.”
Following the old man’s directions, they faintly smelled tea in the air. After a few more steps, they saw a thatched house that looked like it could collapse at any moment. Two people were sitting in front of the house, playing chess, with a kettle of tea brewing beside them. One was dressed in red, handsome and smiling without speaking, clearly Li Chisu; the other wore coarse linen clothes, looking around forty or fifty years old, with dark skin, not much different from ordinary villagers.
Seeing them, Li Chisu exclaimed in surprise, “Master has another distinguished guest.”
Yu Chenshui, focused on the chessboard, casually said, “How distinguished? More distinguished than you?”
“More than anyone.” Li Chisu placed down his chess piece, stood up and bowed, “I pay my respects…”
Xiao Shiqing didn’t want Zhao Qi’s identity exposed, warning Li Chisu with a glance. Li Chisu immediately understood, changing his address, “Prime Minister.”
“Hey, what are you doing?” Yu Chenshui seemed not to hear Li Chisu’s words, discontentedly saying, “Finish the game first!”
Zhao Qi sighed, “To see the emperor so calmly, he truly lives up to his reputation as a great man!”
Xiao Shiqing sneered, saying, “Take him down.”
Fu Zi responded, “Yes.”
Zhao Qi: “???” Wait, aren’t they supposed to recreate the story of Liu Bei’s three visits to the thatched cottage? The script seems off.
Fu Zi moved swiftly; in the blink of an eye, he tied Yu Chenshui securely. Yu Chenshui protested, “Let’s talk it out. Why tie me up? Chisu, what’s going on here?!”
Li Chisu said, “Prime Minister, Yu Chenshui often roams the mountains and means no offense. Please forgive him.”
Zhao Qi tugged at Xiao Shiqing’s sleeve sympathetically, saying, “Brother, weren’t we here to invite him down from the mountain?”
“To deal with such self-righteous people, what use is there?” Xiao Shiqing said, “The lord of Zhaonan was invited, did he agree?”
Yu Chenshui arrogantly said, “I am used to being a wanderer. Without a wise master, I won’t come down from the mountain. It’s useless to take my people!”
Zhao Qi and Zhao Qiaoqi exchanged a glance, silently communicating.
Zhao Qiaoqi: This person has a backbone throughout his life, just like the righteous and noble characters in the story!
Zhao Qi: I feel the same way! I must use my sense of righteousness and kindness to move him, to ask him to come down from the mountain and save the people of Jiangxia from fire and water!
Xiao Shiqing calmly said, “If you don’t come down, I’ll kill you.”
Everyone: …
Yu Chenshui was also stunned, “You…”
Xiao Shiqing continued, “If you come down and can’t control the water, I’ll still kill you.”
“Aren’t you afraid of criticism from the world? In the future, where will wise men dare to join the court?”
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