Chapter 72 – I am angry.
After opening his eyes, Zhao Qi was stunned for a long time before he remembered where he was.
Though it was summer, there was still a chill in the village’s early morning, though the bed was warm. Zhao Qi stiffly turned his head to look at the pillow—good, no one was there, it seems everything that happened last night was just a dream.
… Yeah, right.
This time he wasn’t drugged, nor was he drunk. He remembered every detail of last night clearly, remembered Xiao Shiqing’s hand from slightly cool to warm, remembered himself trembling in his arms endlessly, desperately holding back from making any sound, even remembering how he… lost control.
Covering his face with the blanket, Zhao Qi felt like his world view had been turned upside down. He had little education, but which boy would lose control like that? This isn’t logical!
At this moment, the dragon egg in his belly kicked under his skin, reminding Zhao Qi completely shriveled.
Alright, if even men can get pregnant and have children, then what’s the point of talking about logic?
Fortunately, Xiao Shiqing didn’t go all the way, leaving him a shred of dignity as a straight man (?).
”Awake?”
Upon hearing that voice, Zhao Qi buried his face deeper into the bedding. “Hmm.”
Xiao Shiqing said, “It’s time to eat.”
Zhao Qi remained silent.
Xiao Shiqing walked to the bedside and pulled away the blanket from his hand. “You’ll suffocate yourself like this.”
Zhao Qi lifted his head, meeting Xiao Shiqing’s deep gaze briefly before quickly looking away. “I’m not hungry.”
Xiao Shiqing insisted, “Even if you’re not hungry, you still need to eat.”
“I don’t want to get up.”
Xiao Shiqing didn’t force him further. He brought over a bowl of finely cooked millet porridge, took a sip himself, then offered it near Zhao Qi’s mouth. “Here.”
Zhao Qi pushed Xiao Shiqing’s hand away. “I said I don’t want to.”
Xiao Shiqing’s eyes narrowed slightly, tension growing between them. “What’s wrong with you?”
“You…” Zhao Qi blushed, “You know someone can hear us next door, yet you still insist.”
Xiao Shiqing chuckled. “Insist? Your Majesty seemed quite satisfied in my hands last night.”
“I was not comfortable at all!” Zhao Qi’s words were half-hearted; he did enjoy it, but this semi-coerced intimacy hurt his pride. Especially when Xiao Shiqing teased him so elegantly while he was completely undressed, whispering suggestive words that made him blush, and forcing him to look at those moist fingers… It was both embarrassing and strangely enjoyable, making resistance seem like playful foreplay.
Xiao Shiqing smiled faintly, and Zhao Qi, thinking he might get angry, cautiously retreated under the covers. Unexpectedly, Xiao Shiqing chuckled again. “The first time serving someone is inevitably awkward. Practice will make it better. Next time, I’ll ensure Your Majesty’s comfort.”
Zhao Qi exclaimed, “Next time?”
“For the ease of your future pregnancies, we should make this a regular occurrence.” Xiao Shiqing considered. “How about every three days?”
Zhao Qi shook his head vehemently. “No, I refuse!”
Xiao Shiqing’s tone softened, with a hint of coaxing. “Please, Your Majesty, it’s for your own good.”
“Do you call this good?”
After getting up, Zhao Qi wore a stern expression, especially towards Cheng Boyan, whom he looked at as if he had betrayed him.
“Why did you tell the Prime Minister about the midwifery?”
Cheng Boyan sighed bitterly. “The Prime Minister personally asked me, and I couldn’t lie.”
Zhao Qi was cold and ruthless. “You’ll lose your salary.”
The attendants and villagers accompanying them worked tirelessly for a day and night, finally clearing the road out of the village. Zhao Qi and his entourage, along with the recruited Yu Chenshui, began their journey back.
Throughout the journey, He Changzhou had been looking for an opportunity to speak with Zhao Qi. However, he was effectively “confined” by Xiao Shiqing, who stuck close by his side. Whenever He Changzhou approached Zhao Qi, Xiao Shiqing’s attendant would remind him aloud, “General, please don’t trouble my master.”
He Changzhou looked at Zhao Qi’s carriage from a distance, his expression deeply conflicted. Zhao Qiao yawned, riding up from behind. “General He, did you sleep well last night?”
He Changzhou glanced at him and asked back, “Did you sleep well?”
“Quite well.”
“Did you hear any noises?”
“Noises?” Zhao Qiao looked puzzled. “What noises?”
He Changzhou pursed his lips. “Nothing.” His hearing was superior to most; if Zhao Qiao hadn’t heard anything, he certainly had.
He heard indistinct voices, deliberately lowered, likely engaged in conversation. Even though he couldn’t make out the words, the mystery tortured him deeply. He couldn’t help but wonder what those two were doing, his heart feeling like it was being cut with a knife.
In truth, they had already done something long ago, He Changzhou thought wryly. The child in the emperor’s belly was the best proof.
Upon returning to Jiangxia, Yu Chenshui immediately took up his duties without rest, managing all water affairs along both banks of the Huai River. Thus, Zhao Qi’s southern inspection tour came to a close.
The day before leaving for the capital, Zhao Qi lounged in his mansion, boredly watching Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi tidying up. He extended his hand, asking Cheng Boyan to check his pulse.
Since returning from the village, Zhao Qi had become withdrawn, speaking less than usual and lacking in spirits. Jiang, Jin, and Cheng, the trio, observed with concern and inquired about his condition. Zhao Qi only gave them a melancholic glance, saying, “It’s nothing. I’m just being melodramatic. Don’t worry about me.”
The three exchanged looks.
Zhao Qi did feel strangely melodramatic. Wasn’t it just a bit of assistance during childbirth? Why was he feeling so down about it? And he admitted, being assisted during childbirth was quite enjoyable.
Could it be that he was really… leaning that way?
After Cheng Boyan checked his pulse, he said, “Your Majesty and the dragon egg are both doing well. The fetal position is normal, though the dragon egg is a bit large. Please, Your Majesty, restrain your diet and move around more in your daily life.”
Zhao Qi absentmindedly agreed.
Beside him, Meichuan added, “There’s no need to worry even if the fetus is large. As long as Your Majesty uses my Warm Jade technique to clear the birth canal…”
Zhao Qi’s eye twitched. “Shut up.”
Not only did Meichuan not shut up, but he also retorted, “If Your Majesty doesn’t trust me, why bring me here from afar?”
“Enough…” Zhao Qi sighed and waved his hand. “You all may leave.”
The group exchanged glances before withdrawing together.
Xiao Jinzi was puzzled. “What’s wrong with His Majesty?”
Jiang Dehai looked worried. “I’ve served His Majesty for over a decade, and I’ve never seen him so burdened.”
Xiao Jinzi agreed, “Yes, in the past, whatever His Majesty thought was written all over his face.”
Meichuan shrugged. “Pregnant spouses and pregnant women are alike—easily irritable and anxious. It’s a common condition. Comfort them a bit, go along with them, and they’ll be fine.”
Xiao Jinzi sighed helplessly. “But we’ve comforted him, gone along with him, and His Majesty’s still not in a good mood.”
“What use is our comforting?” Cheng Boyan said. “We need the other father of the dragon egg to comfort him.”
They all suddenly realized.
Jiang Dehai, determined to serve his master, declared, “I’ll go invite the Prime Minister!”
As Jiang Dehai left, Li Chisu arrived, requesting an audience with His Majesty.
Xiao Jinzi tactfully said, “Your Majesty is not in a good mood right now. Prince, please come back another day.”
”Another day?” Li Chisu chuckled, “Tomorrow, Your Majesty will return to the capital. There won’t be another day. Inform His Majesty for me, say… this might be our last meeting in years.”
Xiao Jinzi could only reply, “Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, Xiao Jinzi emerged from the room. “Your Highness, His Majesty said for you to scram… quickly return to your fief in the south and behave yourself. No need to come to the capital for duty on festive occasions anymore.”
Li Chisu sighed bitterly, “He won’t even see me for the last time. His Majesty truly dislikes me.” He paused, handing his folding fan to Xiao Jinzi. “Take this and give it to His Majesty.”
”This…”
”Tell His Majesty, ‘I look forward to meeting him again in the future.'”
Taking the fan, Xiao Jinzi went back inside to convey the message. Zhao Qi, without even glancing, casually replied, “Got it.”
”What about this fan…”
”It’s probably valuable. Take it back to the palace and store it in the treasury.”
Xiao Jinzi nodded obediently. “Your Majesty, it’s time for dinner. Shall I fetch the meal?”
No matter how frustrated, one must eat. Zhao Qi nodded. “Yes.”
The eunuch brought the meal and placed it on the table. Zhao Qi glanced at it, unsatisfied. “Why is there so little? Not even enough to fill a gap in my teeth.”
Xiao Jinzi explained, “Your Majesty, this is the portion prescribed by Physician Cheng.”
Zhao Qi’s already bad mood worsened. He picked up his chopsticks. “The mortal world is not worth it.”
Suddenly, the eunuch spoke up, “Shall I bring something delicious for Your Majesty?”
The familiar voice startled Zhao Qi so much that he dropped his chopsticks. He stared at the eunuch, testingly saying, “Changzhou?”
He Qi Changzhou raised his head and smiled at him. “Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi scrutinized the young man before him. “Why are you dressed like this?”
”I have to, to get close to Your Majesty,” He Qi Changzhou said, “I’ve been confined by the Prime Minister.”
No wonder he hadn’t seen He Qi Changzhou around him recently.
Xiao Jinzi tactfully interjected, “I’ll guard the door for Your Majesty.”
He Qi Changzhou smiled faintly, kneeling on one knee and looking up at Zhao Qi. “Is Your Majesty angry with me?”
Zhao Qi remained impassive. “Not particularly.”
He Qi Changzhou’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
”Anyway, I’m numb to it.”
He Qi Changzhou hesitated, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. It’s my fault.”
Zhao Qi mocked, “You’re not wrong. How could you be wrong? It’s all my fault.”
”???” Wait… buddy, you’re even more straightforward than me. Are you sure you’re not the one with a secret passion?
Zhao Qi chuckled in annoyance, “Let’s just be polite, shall we? Are you serious?”
He Qi Changzhou was confused. “So whose fault is it in the end?”
Zhao Qi took a deep breath. “What do you want? If there’s something, report it; if there’s nothing, withdraw.”
”I want to explain to Your Majesty.”
”You explain, I’ll listen.”
”I actually don’t know how to explain,” He Qi Changzhou pondered, “It was as if I was possessed. When I saw Your Majesty, I couldn’t help myself…”
”Am I that charming?”
He Qi Changzhou shook his head, “Not just because of Your Majesty. I… I did it intentionally for the Prime Minister to see.”
”Huh?” This answer caught Zhao Qi off guard. “Why?”
He Qi Changzhou chuckled softly, “I just wanted him to taste that feeling.”
Zhao Qi was bewildered, suddenly feeling a bit estranged from the He Qi Changzhou before him.
”I couldn’t restrain my feelings for Your Majesty, but I also used Your Majesty to provoke the Prime Minister, to avenge the past.” He Qi Changzhou’s clear eyes met Zhao Qi’s, “Your Majesty, am I a bad person?”
Zhao Qi seized on the main point, “What past grievances do you have with him?”
He Qi Changzhou hesitated, unsure whether to speak. “He… “
Zhao Qi urged, “What’s wrong with him?”
He Qi Changzhou looked away, “It’s nothing.”
”I hate people who only speak half-heartedly,” Zhao Qi said impatiently, “Either don’t say it, or finish your words—do you want me to dislike you?”
He Qi Changzhou would rather die on the battlefield than be disliked by the person he liked. He said solemnly, “He once mocked Your Majesty in front of me and others.”
Zhao Qi was puzzled, “When did this happen? Why don’t I remember anything?”
”When Your Majesty was drunk in the palace.”
”Who else was there?”
He Qi Changzhou recalled, “Xiao Jinzi and Grand Secretary Jiang.”
Oh, they were the two people he trusted most. They all knew about it, but none of them had told him.
Seeing Zhao Qi’s expression not quite right, He Qi Changzhou raised his hand, wanting to touch Zhao Qi’s face. But when he was about to touch him, he stopped. “Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi blinked, “I’m fine.”
”You don’t seem fine, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi forced a smile, “Well, I’m indeed… a little angry.”
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