Chapter 74 – I have banished my brother, the Prime Minister, to the cold palace.
Xiao Shiqing’s words could be said to hit the nail on the head.
In other matters, Zhao Qi always trusted him deeply, and he believed that every decision Xiao Shiqing made was beneficial to the country’s overall situation. But when Xiao Shiqing said he liked him very much… to this, he could only respond with a simple “oh.”
Zhao Qi believed in He Changzhou’s liking for him, believed in Rong Tang’s obsession with him, and even believed in Li Chisu’s interest in him, but he did not believe in Xiao Shiqing.
Perhaps Xiao Shiqing did have a bit of liking for him, this kind of liking was probably like the liking a master has for a pet, providing good food and drink, teasing when bored, patting… no, Xiao Shiqing hadn’t really kissed him yet.
Zhao Qi said indifferently, “I believe, I believe you. Are you satisfied? Can I go to bed now?”
Xiao Shiqing unexpectedly grabbed Zhao Qi’s wrist, “Don’t lie to me—tell me why you don’t believe me.”
“Do you really want to hear?” Zhao Qi asked coldly.
“Mm.”
Zhao Qi said coldly,
Zhao Qi also felt inexplicably gloomy. Many small things that he used to overlook were gradually magnified these past few days, making him, who had been content, feel disillusioned with the world. He had considered that it might be the hormones during pregnancy affecting him, but it definitely had something to do with the dog of a man in front of him.
He pondered Xiao Shiqing’s question. If Xiao Shiqing respected him as he would an Emperor, would he be happy?
Imagine this: Xiao Shiqing is extremely deferential, bowing and kneeling in utmost reverence, trembling with fear—”Oh my, can’t he be less thrilled about this!”
Zhao Qi maintains his composure and says, “You can try.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Zhao Qi: “…” Why did you bother asking then?
“Since I desire you, regardless of whether you become an emperor, I will do things for you that ministers cannot do for their monarch.” Xiao Shiqing’s gaze lingers briefly on Zhao Qi’s lips. “But if this can ease your worries, I will try.”
“At least it will make me happier than now.”
Xiao Shiqing smiles wryly, “Then what does Your Majesty wish me to do, just command me.”
The situation came too suddenly, Zhao Qi can’t believe it’s true. “Can you really order anything?”
“If the sovereign desires my life, I must give it.” Xiao Shiqing chuckles softly, “I have already given my life to Your Majesty.”
Xiao Shiqing is typically indifferent and unfeeling, but with this smile, his charm rivals that of Li Chisu who has roamed the flower fields for years.
It’s not that men are too arrogant, it’s that it’s scary when an arrogant man is handsome and knows how to flirt.
If Zhao Qi wasn’t barely a straight guy, he might have been fooled.
“Why would I want your life, I can’t eat it.” Zhao Qi didn’t give Xiao Shiqing any face, “You may leave, I want to sleep.”
“Does Your Majesty really not need me to attend to your rest?”
“Look at you,” Zhao Qi said disappointedly, “which minister speaks to an emperor like this? On the first day of challenging my imperial authority, you have already failed.”
Xiao Shiqing felt a pang in his chest as he glanced at Zhao Qi’s belly, then bowed and said, “I take my leave.”
Jiang Dehai waits outside and is surprised to see Xiao Shiqing coming out. “Prime Minister, where are you going? Aren’t you staying to accompany His Majesty?”
Xiao Shiqing self-mockingly replied, “His Majesty doesn’t want me anymore.”
Jiang Dehai thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Did these words, commonly spoken by this resentful person, really come from the mouth of the Prime Minister?
Xiao Shiqing looked back at the tightly closed door and said, “I will stay at the mansion tonight. If there’s any change with His Majesty, inform me immediately.”
Jiang Dehai agreed, “Yes.”
Early the next morning, everything was ready for their return to the capital, and Xiao Shiqing personally came to invite Zhao Qi.
When he arrived, Zhao Qi was still asleep. Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi knelt by the bed, coaxing him softly to wake up.
“Your Majesty, we are ready to return to the capital. The carriages are prepared, and everyone is waiting for Your Majesty.”
With his eyes closed, Zhao Qi murmured something and turned over to sleep again.
Xiao Shiqing signaled with his eyes. Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi tactfully withdrew, making space at the bedside.
“Your Majesty.”
Hearing his voice, Zhao Qi’s ears twitched, and his belly also moved. He had fallen asleep late last night, and although he wasn’t fully awake, the dragon egg in his belly was already awake, kicking and restless, not letting this future dad continue sleeping.
Zhao Qi opened his eyes and saw Xiao Shiqing’s face. He sleepily called out, “Brother?”
Xiao Shiqing’s heart almost melted at being called that. “If you don’t want to get up, shall I carry you to the carriage to sleep?”
The haziness in Zhao Qi’s eyes gradually faded, and his mind cleared. He stopped calling “brother” as if he had changed into someone else. “Why is the Prime Minister here? Did I summon the Prime Minister?”
“…No.”
Xiao Shiqing’s resigned demeanor made Zhao Qi unable to resist pushing further, “I didn’t summon you, and you didn’t seek an audience with me. You’re standing by my bedside so openly, is this how the relationship between ruler and subject should be?”
“…It’s not.”
Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi watched in astonishment, wearing expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Zhao Qi turned his attention to them. “And you two, how do you serve? You let anyone in so casually? Get out… no, leave.”
Jiang and Xiao exchanged looks, seeking help from Xiao Shiqing, but their Prime Minister was struggling himself.
“Your Majesty, you need someone to help you with grooming and dressing.” Xiao Shiqing coaxed him, “I’ll leave, let them stay.”
“I don’t.” Zhao Qi instinctively touched his belly, a habit he had developed recently. “Get someone else to serve me. I don’t need a eunuch who only listens to the Prime Minister’s commands.”
Xiao Shiqing squinted.
“Your Majesty!” Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi knelt down, tears streaming, “We are loyal to Your Majesty, absolutely loyal!”
Zhao Qi commanded imperiously, “You’ve hidden something from me, and I know it. From now on, you two are no longer my favorite eunuchs.”
“Please, Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty can take our lives, but please don’t dislike us!”
The two sobbed as if mourning their parents, which made Zhao Qi feel a little guilty.
No! He couldn’t be soft-hearted again! Finally, with such an opportunity, he wanted everyone to know: he, Zhao Qi, was fierce and not to be trifled with!
“I order you both to leave immediately. Are you defying my order?!”
“Your Majesty, please calm down.” Xiao Shiqing walked out first, and Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi wiped their tears as they followed.
“Prime Minister, may I ask, did you really appease His Majesty yesterday?” Jiang Dehai lamented, “His Majesty seems even more severe today.”
“He’s venting his frustrations, it’s better than bottling them up.” Xiao Shiqing rubbed his brow; he wasn’t used to being treated like this by the young emperor. In the past, he would have had to discipline the young emperor properly, but now, for the sake of soothing this treasure… this darling, he had to suppress his nature.
“Gonggong,” Xiao Jinzi choked up, “His Majesty said we hid something from the Prime Minister. What could it be?”
Xiao Shiqing found this matter suspicious as well, but before he could think more, he said, “Find two reliable attendants for His Majesty.”
As the three stood “punishingly” at the door, Zhao Qiao happened to come to see Zhao Qi. He saw Xiao Shiqing and asked, “Oh, Prime Minister, what are you doing here?”
“Awaiting your chariot.”
Zhao Qi chuckled, “When did the Prime Minister learn to wait upon a chariot? Seeing the Emperor isn’t something one can do just because they wish.”
Xiao Shiqing casually glanced at Zhao Qi, who immediately turned serious, “Prime Minister, take your time. This humble official will go see the Emperor first.”
Seeing that Zhao Qi had nothing else to discuss but was here to bid farewell, he couldn’t help but remark on how much Zhao Qi had gained weight, looking at his belly, resembling someone four or five months pregnant.
“You may leave,” Zhao Qi said.
Zhao Qi choked back tears, “Brother, who knows when I’ll see the Emperor again. I’ll leave Dr. Meichuan with the Emperor, so whenever he sees him, he’ll think of me.”
Zhao Qi could tell Zhao Qi was reluctant to leave, so he reluctantly encouraged him, “Return honestly to Dongzhou. Don’t wander around outside.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to return to Dongzhou so soon,” Zhao Qi lamented.
“Then where will you go?”
“I must make a trip to Dongying. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager of Dongying will send someone to capture me and lock me up in the Dongying Palace.”
Thinking of his cousin’s unusual relationship with the Empress Dowager of Dongying, Zhao Qi sighed, “Is it fun to have an affair with a widow?”
“Not bad,” Zhao Qi smirked.
Zhao Qi rubbed his forehead and waved, “Goodbye.”
Upon seeing Xiao Shiqing still waiting outside when he exited, Zhao Qi couldn’t help but mock, “Oh, still waiting? Prime Minister Xiao is indeed something. Even waiting looks like kneeling by the bed. Hahaha…”
Zhao Qi teased and quickly ran off, not giving Xiao Shiqing a chance to retaliate.
Xiao Shiqing watched his figure disappear and pondered, asking Jiang Dehai, “Am I kneeling by the bed?”
Jiang Dehai quietly replied, “Forgive my blunt words, but judging by the Emperor’s demeanor, it’s not about making you kneel by the bed, but about banishing you to a cold palace!”
Before Xiao Shiqing could digest being banished to a cold palace, the door opened, and Zhao Qi, now dressed, walked out without even looking at Xiao Shiqing, saying, “It’s time to depart.”
Zhao Qi traveled by carriage to Jiangxia Ferry, then transferred to a dragon boat, retracing his route south along the waterway.
Several consecutive sunny days made the Huai River calm. Zhao Qi looked at his round belly and worried. For now, he could still use gaining weight as an excuse, but in a month or two, that excuse would no longer hold. After returning to the palace, how would he attend court, manage state affairs, and explain to Empress Wen?
After lunch, Meichuan and Cheng Boyan came as usual to check his pulse. Before entering, Cheng Boyan was intercepted by Jiang Dehai and Xiaojinzi, who earnestly asked him to speak well of Zhao Qi in front of the Emperor.
Cheng Boyan asked, “The Emperor doesn’t look well. Did he not rest well last night?”
Zhao Qi lazily replied, “Hmm.”
“Your Majesty, pregnancy is not ordinary. Your Majesty should rest quietly and avoid excessive worry.”
Zhao Qi smiled, “That’s why I’ve driven away everyone who worries me.”
Cheng Boyan’s attempt to speak well was blocked.
Meichuan asked, “Has Your Majesty used the warm jade these days?”
Zhao Qi was exasperated, “Can you not mention that?”
Meichuan said seriously, “Since Your Majesty is determined to bear a princess, please take this matter seriously. Otherwise, there’s a risk of difficult labor in the future, endangering both Your Majesty and the princess.”
Meichuan’s words made Zhao Qi uneasy. He feared pain and death. If he had to expand the birth canal to ensure the safety of father and daughter, then he…
“I understand,” Zhao Qi covered his face, “I need to think carefully about this. You may leave.”
Cheng Boyan hesitated for a moment, “It’s easy for one to be restless. Your Majesty, it’s better to have Jiang Gonggong and the others accompany you.”
With no one around, it was indeed quiet. Zhao Qi suddenly thought of someone and asked, “I haven’t seen He Changzhou for a long time—did he board the ship?”
Cheng Boyan replied, “As far as I know, General He Changzhou has been restricted by the Prime Minister and cannot meet the Emperor.”
Zhao Qi vaguely remembered this incident and said, “Go and convey my order to lift He Changzhou’s restriction.”
“But… will the Prime Minister agree?”
“I don’t care if he agrees or not. Just go and convey my order.”
Cheng Boyan conveyed Zhao Qi’s decree to Fu Zi, who then turned to Xiao Shiqing for instructions, “Prime Minister, should General He Changzhou’s restriction be lifted?”
Xiao Shiqing’s face was cold. He could comply with Zhao Qi on other matters, but he couldn’t tolerate another man coveting the young Emperor. What’s this? He had just entered the cold palace, and someone was already eager to get out? How audacious.
“Do not lift it.”
“But regarding the Emperor…”
Xiao Shiqing said, “I will speak with the Emperor myself.”
Xiao Shiqing did not barge into Zhao Qi’s bedchamber but had an attendant announce his presence first.
The attendant nervously reported back, “Prime… Prime Minister, the Emperor says he wants to nap and sees no one. He also said, if you came about General He Changzhou, it’s unnecessary for the Prime Minister to visit.”
This was the first time Xiao Shiqing had been shut out in his life. He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Step aside.”
The attendant didn’t dare to make a sound and quickly moved aside.
Xiao Shiqing remained motionless.
The attendant misunderstood and hurried to open the door for him.
“No need,” Xiao Shiqing admitted defeat, “Tell him I’ll wait here until he wakes up.”
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