Chapter 75 – I talked to my brother for a chapter.
The eunuch relayed Xiao Shiqing’s words to Zhao Qi. Zhao Qi spat out the jujube pit in surprise, “Are you sure you didn’t mishear? Knowing the Prime Minister’s personality, he would normally coldly tell you to step aside and then barge in himself.”
The eunuch exclaimed, “The Emperor truly predicts accurately. Initially, the Prime Minister indeed intended that, but later, for some reason, he changed his mind and decided to wait outside until the Emperor was willing to see him.”
“… Xiao Shiqing actually did something unexpected and dropped his high-status image.” Zhao Qi paused for a moment, saying, “If the Prime Minister likes to wait, then let him wait.”
The eunuch agreed and withdrew, leaving Zhao Qi alone in the room, though his mood was far from calm.
Would Xiao Shiqing really wait outside? Could he possibly be free today? Unlikely. When was Xiao Prime Minister ever idle? Just a few days ago, despite his own medical condition, he expanded his domain. Yet now, there was no sign of him; just a heartless man who turned away when his duty called.
Fine then. Let’s see how long this heartless man can wait.
Zhao Qi climbed into bed with a heavy heart. Upon waking, the setting sun painted the sky in crimson, giving a surreal feeling of being in another world. Sitting on the bed, Zhao Qi pondered the meaning of life and summoned the eunuch, “How long have I been asleep?”
“Your Majesty, it’s been nearly two hours.”
Yawning, Zhao Qi asked, “Has the Prime Minister left?”
“Not yet, Your Majesty. He’s still waiting outside.”
Zhao Qi hesitated for a moment, feeling somewhat sorry—not for the heartless man but for the time wasted on him. Xiao Shiqing’s two hours could have been spent reviewing a stack of memorials, meeting officials, discussing important matters. Instead, it was being squandered on him. He was failing Da Jing and the common people.
Gritting his teeth, Zhao Qi slammed the table, startling the eunuch into bowing deeply before calmly saying, “Let him in.”
After Xiao Shiqing entered and respectfully saluted, Zhao Qi observed his lowered eyes and couldn’t help but sigh at his unwavering dignity. Even when bowing, Xiao Shiqing exuded a regal aura as if he were the one being honored.
In a lofty tone, Zhao Qi stated, “I heard the Prime Minister wishes to see me.”
“Not only that.”
“Oh?”
Xiao Shiqing continued, “He also wishes to see Your Majesty and the little princess.”
Without thinking, Zhao Qi placed his hand on his abdomen. “Both Your Majesty and the little princess have retired for the night. Brother… does the Prime Minister really need to waste time? Can’t he review some urgent memorials instead?”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “Your Majesty, how do you know I haven’t already?”
Looking to the eunuch, who leaned in and whispered, “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister indeed reviewed urgent memorials while waiting and discussed return plans with several ministers.”
… Well, Xiao Shiqing truly lived up to his reputation.
Xiao Shiqing said, “I have something to discuss privately with Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi didn’t immediately agree. With a third person present, even if it were just a young eunuch, he could maintain his imperial demeanor. But alone with Xiao Shiqing, his own mindset would inevitably change, no longer seeing himself as the Emperor.
Seeing Zhao Qi’s hesitation, Xiao Shiqing guessed his thoughts. “Since I promised Your Majesty, I won’t go back on my word,” he paused, adding, “unless I can’t resist.”
Rolling his eyes, Zhao Qi said, “Saying that is practically the same as not saying it. Forget it, you may leave.”
After the eunuch withdrew, Zhao Qi straightened his back. “Speak, Prime Minister.”
“Your Majesty, due to your health, I suggest that after returning to the capital, you reside temporarily in Xuchun Garden and only return to the palace after the princess is born.”
“How should I explain this to the Empress Mother?”
“Simply tell her the truth.”
“Absolutely not,” Zhao Qi said without hesitation. “The Empress Mother still intends to select a consort for me. Suddenly telling her she will be a grandmother would drive her mad.”
“What is Your Majesty’s suggestion, then?”
Zhao Qi had considered this matter. “Say that I am ill and need to recuperate in Xuchun Garden.”
Xiao Shiqing nodded, “Very well.”
Zhao Qi silently looked at Xiao Shiqing.
Xiao Shiqing corrected himself, “Your Majesty is wise.”
Continuing, Zhao Qi said, “After the princess is born, publicly announce that I had an affair with a palace maid who died in childbirth after giving birth to the princess, and then hand the princess over to the Empress Dowager for upbringing.” He felt strangely uneasy saying this, unwilling to meet Xiao Shiqing’s gaze.
Xiao Shiqing fell silent.
“This is the easiest solution,” Zhao Qi said firmly, for Xiao Shiqing’s benefit as well as his own.
Xiao Shiqing slowly smiled but his eyes held no warmth. “So, Your Majesty plans to invent a deceased woman to be the mother of the princess.”
“The Prime Minister’s words need not be so harsh.”
“Harsh?” Xiao Shiqing took a step forward. “Your Majesty, who do you think has said the harsher words?”
Familiar pressure caused Zhao Qi to instinctively retreat. “Don’t come closer.”
Xiao Shiqing didn’t advance further. He fixed his gaze on Zhao Qi, seemingly restraining himself. “Your Majesty,” his voice lowered, husky, “are you doing this on purpose?”
“What?”
“Intentionally making me uncomfortable,” Xiao Shiqing smiled wryly, “if that was your aim, you’ve found the right method.”
“I… I’m serious.” Zhao Qi squeezed his fingers nervously. “I can’t tell the Empress Mother or the little princess the truth. They couldn’t bear it.”
“And what about me?” Xiao Shiqing asked. “Have you considered whether I can bear it?”
Zhao Qi blurted out, “You’re Xiao Shiqing.”
As strong and imposing as Xiao Shiqing was, what couldn’t he bear?
Xiao Shiqing gave a cold laugh. “I am Xiao Shiqing, so I can accept anything, including facing my own flesh and blood without them knowing, and letting the princess accept a non-existent woman as her mother. I am Xiao Shiqing, I need no protection, and He Changzhou, Rong Tang, they are weak, so you protect them. Even if you choose me, you will never stand with me, do you? “
Zhao Qi frowned. They were discussing the princess’s matter. How did they suddenly bring it up to He Changzhou and Rong Tang.
“But you really don’t need my protection and bias.”
“I don’t need it, but I want it,” Xiao Shiqing said, “I’ve always wanted it.”
Zhao Qi still didn’t quite understand what Xiao Shiqing meant, but compared to the issue of favoritism, he was more concerned about the little princess. “So what do you want? To send the little princess to the Xiang residence and make her your own daughter?”
Xiao Shiqing met Zhao Qi’s gaze and said calmly, “The child is yours, so she can bear your surname and be raised in the palace. But I will tell her that her father is actually her mother. Her real father is me—whether she accepts it or not, that is the truth.”
Zhao Qi was enraged. “Are you going to defy the imperial decree again?”
Xiao Shiqing’s gaze darkened. “I can comply with other matters, but this…”
“Oh really? You comply with everything else?” Zhao Qi stood up. “Did you follow my order to release He Changzhou?”
Xiao Shiqing fell silent for a few moments, his eyes gradually showing displeasure. “Zhao Qi, what exactly are you making a fuss about?”
“Hah.” Zhao Qi sneered, his eyes turning red. “You can’t keep up the pretense anymore, can you?”
Xiao Shiqing was taken aback, then sighed lightly. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Zhao Qi’s waist, and sat down on the chair, pulling Zhao Qi onto his lap. “These past few days have been really tough. Let me take a moment to calm down before we continue this argument, okay?”
Zhao Qi froze instantly at the term “baby.”
Xiao Shiqing buried his head in Zhao Qi’s collarbone. Although Zhao Qi couldn’t see his expression, he felt like he was witnessing a rare moment of Xiao Shiqing’s vulnerability.
“You want me to treat you as the Emperor. Maybe I can’t be as respectful as an ordinary minister, but I’ve tried my best. He Changzhou embraced you and kissed you. I can hardly contain my anger and have already made the greatest concession by placing him under house arrest. As for the little princess, she’s our child. Not allowing me to recognize her, I truly… cannot do it.”
Zhao Qi was both furious and incredulous. Xiao Shiqing, the esteemed Prime Minister of Da Jing, who held immense power, was actually clinging to him in a pitiful manner? This character is breaking down—could he have been transmigrated as well?
“You’re talking nonsense.” Zhao Qi, surprised to find his voice hoarse, said, “I’m not your baby, and you don’t really like me.”
Xiao Shiqing was silent, his arms around Zhao Qi’s waist tightening slightly.
“I have evidence that proves you don’t like me.”
“Speak.”
“When I still liked Rong Tang, you advised me that as a monarch, it’s okay to have emotions occasionally, but I should stay clear-headed. Since you advised me like that, you must think the same way.”
Xiao Shiqing hesitated. “Yes, but at that time, I had not…”
Zhao Qi interrupted him. “So, even if you do like me, it’s a clear-headed kind of liking, the type where you can withdraw at any time. That’s the first point. Second, you’ve been marginalizing me, using me, ignoring my opinions, occasionally mocking me, and forcing me. How does this count as liking?!” Zhao Qi grew more agitated. “You kissed me in front of He Changzhou and the others just to show off and provoke him. Did you ever consider my feelings?!”
Xiao Shiqing was silent for a moment, then released his hold. “So you know.”
“If it hadn’t been for that incident, He Changzhou might not have forcefully kissed me.” Zhao Qi brought up every grievance, listing out Xiao Shiqing’s actions. “And that time in the village, I said no, but you insisted… You knew He Changzhou and Zhao Qiao were right next door…”
Xiao Shiqing was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to find an excuse for himself. He simply said, “At those times, I was very angry.”
Tears rolled down Zhao Qi’s face as he accused, “So it’s okay to treat me like this just because you’re angry? You bastard, how dare you still say you treat me as a treasure? Is this how you treat a treasure? And the treasure is even carrying your child, you bastard!”
Xiao Shiqing suddenly realized. “You’ve been sullen lately because of this matter?”
Zhao Qi’s eyes were filled with tears. “No! I’m lamenting how I’ve lived so stifled!”
Seeing Zhao Qi’s emotions on the verge of collapse, Xiao Shiqing felt a deep pang in his heart, his emotions churning. “Alright, stop crying. It’s my fault for not keeping you hidden and safe from others.”
Zhao Qi shook his head. “Now that you’re apologizing, you’ll still treat me the same way in the future.”
Xiao Shiqing embraced him again, kissing the wet corner of his eye. “No, I won’t do anything that makes you unhappy again.”
Zhao Qi felt a burning sensation where he was kissed, and his body trembled. He looked at Xiao Shiqing’s profound eyes, feeling a bit dazed.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Shiqing asked. “There are no others here. Can’t I hold you or kiss you?”
Zhao Qi glanced down at his heart’s position and muttered, “Damn it.”
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