Chapter 86 – My mother miscalculated, this chapter is not the end
Inside the Hall of Longevity, all the royal family members and high-ranking officials had arrived for the feast, including Empress Dowager Wen, but the Emperor was still nowhere to be seen.
The crowd dared not speak openly, whispering to each other in hushed tones.
“The banquet is about to start, but where is the Emperor? Could he be ill again?”
“It shouldn’t be. He seemed fine during the morning court.”
“Who knows? We’ll just have to wait,” Xu Qiu said. “By the way, Lord Minister, I heard that tonight, the little prince’s biological mother will light the eternal lamp in the ancestral temple with the Emperor. Is this true?”
The Minister of Rites nodded, “Indeed, it is true. The Emperor himself said so.”
Xu Qiu furrowed his thick brows and said, “Such a grand celebration for the little prince’s full moon feast, far surpassing even that for a legitimate son or the Crown Prince. Yet, the prince’s biological mother is an unknown woman with no official rank. What will this mean for the future Empress? Where are the rites of the Great Jing? After the feast, I will certainly advise the Emperor!”
The Minister of Rites shook his head, “Lord Xu, you are currently enjoying great favor and are likely to receive further promotions soon. Why trouble yourself with this?”
Xu Qiu, with righteous indignation, said, “As a minister, I’d rather die for offering counsel than seek comfort and stability!”
At this moment, a faint, unclear laugh came from the side. Xu Qiu looked over and asked, “General He, what are you laughing at?”
He Changzhou shook the wine jug in his hand lazily and said, “I’m laughing at Lord Xu thinking that the prince’s ‘biological mother’ is some unknown woman with no rank.”
“Oh? Does the General know who the little prince’s mother is?”
At this question, everyone’s interest was piqued, and their gazes converged on He Changzhou.
He Changzhou’s answer was vague, “Anyway, the little prince’s status is too important for you to discuss.” After saying this, He Changzhou tilted his head back and drank from the jug, the excess wine spilling from the corners of his mouth, which he wiped away indifferently.
Empress Dowager Wen, seated at the top, grew restless and summoned the head palace maid Yun Xiu, saying, “Go to Yonghua Palace and see what’s happening.”
“Yes.”
Yun Xiu went to Yonghua Palace as instructed. As soon as she reached the entrance, she ran into Zhao Qi. She was taken aback and asked, “Your Majesty, are you alright?”
Zhao Qi’s face was flushed, his eyes glistening with tears, and his lips slightly swollen. He maintained a stern expression and said, “I’m fine—did Mother Empress send you?”
Yun Xiu replied, “Yes. Your Majesty, all the ministers have arrived; they are waiting for you.”
Zhao Qi glanced back at Xiao Shiqing and said through gritted teeth, “I will go now.”
It turned out that one hour was not nearly enough for Xiao Shiqing to play. If it weren’t for the palace banquet, he suspected Xiao Shiqing might have played until dawn. Now Xiao Shiqing was satisfied, but Zhao Qi was left with a sore waist and trembling legs, still needing to preside over his son’s full moon feast.
Xiao Shiqing had already made arrangements, calling for the Emperor’s sedan chair and lifting Zhao Qi onto it.
Zhao Qi made an uncomfortable grunt, and Xiao Shiqing asked softly, “Does it hurt?”
Zhao Qi glared at him and said grumpily, “You big liar.” He had clearly said he would be gentle, yet he still ended up like this. Men’s words are truly deceitful.
Xiao Shiqing said, “This cannot be blamed on me.”
Zhao Qi, exasperated, laughed with anger, “If not you, then who?”
“Hmm,” Xiao Shiqing shamelessly said, “The Emperor kept insisting on me.”
Another flush of embarrassment crossed Zhao Qi’s face. He decided not to engage further and urged them to set off.
Xiao Shiqing gave a light smile, “See you later.”
Xiao Shiqing had publicly claimed to be recuperating at home and thus could not appear openly at the banquet. However, as a father, he could not miss his son’s full moon feast. Thus, Zhao Qi had a screen set up behind the Emperor’s throne, with a circle chair behind it reserved for the little prince’s “biological mother.”
When Zhao Qi arrived at the Longevity Palace, he first apologized to Empress Dowager Wen, “Sorry for making you wait, Mother Empress.”
Empress Dowager Wen complained, “What have you been so busy with?”
Zhao Qi casually lied, “State affairs.”
Jiang Dehai, who was following behind, struggled to keep from laughing.
Once seated, Zhao Qi had Jiang Dehai pour him a glass of wine. He raised his glass and said, “I am late. I’ll start by drinking a cup myself. Everyone else, feel free to enjoy.”
The ministers replied in unison, “We dare not.”
Just as Zhao Qi’s lips were about to touch the rim of the glass, his gaze inadvertently met He Changzhou’s.
After several months apart, He Changzhou had lost quite a bit of weight. Though dressed neatly, he looked strangely disheveled. He stared at Zhao Qi with a dazed and sorrowful expression.
Seeing his former friend in such a state made Zhao Qi feel uneasy. He raised his glass in a gesture towards He Changzhou and forced a smile of reunion.
He Changzhou tightened his grip on his wine glass and lowered his eyes.
After this drink, the palace banquet officially began. The atmosphere was lively, with toasts and laughter exchanged among the rulers and officials. Many scholars recited poetry and praised the emperor, wishing for blessings upon the prince.
Suddenly, there was a stir among the officials. Everyone turned to the screen behind the emperor, where a tall figure holding an infant was reflected. It was clear that this was the prince and his biological mother.
The once lively banquet fell silent as everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Is this really the prince’s biological mother? How can she be so imposing! They hadn’t expected the petite emperor to have such a powerful-looking wife!
Seated at the dowager’s table, Madam Xiao furrowed her brow slightly—why did the lady behind the screen look so familiar…
Empress Dowager Wen rolled her eyes and sneered, “What are you all up to now?”
Zhao Qi found the shocked faces amusing. He shrugged and said, “The Ministry of Rites said the prince’s ‘biological mother’ should attend.”
Empress Dowager Wen retorted, “Don’t you know who the ‘biological mother’ is?”
Zhao Qi smiled and raised his voice, “Why aren’t you all eating? Is the food or drink not to your taste?”
The ministers paused for a moment, then tacitly ignored the issue. They continued eating, drinking, and laughing as if nothing had happened. Only He Changzhou remained silent, drinking quietly.
Halfway through the banquet, Zhao Qi went behind the screen. Shortly after, Jiang Dehai approached He Changzhou and said, “General He, the emperor requests your presence.”
He Changzhou, slightly drunk, was taken aback at the request to meet Zhao Qi.
Jiang Dehai asked, “General?”
He Changzhou snapped back to attention, adjusted his hat, and said, “Please lead the way, Eunuch.”
Behind the screen, Zhao Qi was playing with his son. When he saw He Changzhou arrive, he greeted him warmly, “Changzhou, come and see my dragon egg!”
The “dragon egg” cooed and shook its tiny fist, as if protesting its father’s nickname—while it was still in the womb, it could be called a dragon egg, but now that it had a nice name, how could the emperor still call it a dragon egg!
He Changzhou pursed his lips, trying to suppress a smile.
“Come over, brother,” Zhao Qi said, “Don’t you want to see your godson?”
He Changzhou was stunned again, “Godson?”
Zhao Qi smiled, “Didn’t you always want to be his godfather? I’ve approved.”
Though Zhao Qi said this… He Changzhou glanced at the man sitting calmly and drinking tea—would he agree?
Zhao Qi, aware of He Changzhou’s thoughts, said, “The Prime Minister has no objections. He said he will follow my lead.”
Prime Minister Xiao nodded slightly, “As long as His Majesty remembers the promise.”
Zhao Qi coughed lightly, a flush creeping up his ears. “Godfather, would you like to hold him? Wait, ‘godfather’ feels a bit strange. Is there another term?”
Prime Minister Xiao said, “‘Foster father’.”
“Yes, yes, ‘foster father’! That sounds much better!”
He Changzhou finally managed a smile. Though tinged with slight bitterness, there was a glimmer of light in his long-dulled eyes.
“Can I… hold him?”
“Of course, you’re his foster father.”
He Changzhou, as if holding a priceless treasure, carefully took the infant prince from Zhao Qi, first wiping his hands.
The baby Zhao Mian was a relatively easy-going angel. He slept a lot and cried little, showing no fear when held by strangers. At that moment, he lay in He Changzhou’s arms, his deep, beautiful eyes twinkling with curiosity, stretching out his chubby arms as if wanting to grab He Changzhou’s chin.
Zhao Qi encouraged, “He seems to like you.”
Prime Minister Xiao said coldly, “He acts that way with everyone.”
Zhao Qi glanced helplessly at Prime Minister Xiao, “Can’t you keep quiet?”
He Changzhou didn’t pay attention to Prime Minister Xiao’s words. He held Zhao Mian stiffly, afraid to move, worried he might accidentally drop this precious child. “Your Majesty, he looks very much like you—except for the eyes. The eyes are like…” He Changzhou stopped and snorted.
Zhao Qi laughed, “Just say whether he’s cute or not.”
“Cute, but not as cute as Your Majesty,” He Changzhou said, “But didn’t you say he was a princess?”
“Oh, that, I was tricked,” Zhao Qi waved his hand, “Let’s not talk about that. Don’t you like boys? You can teach him horseback riding, archery, and military strategy in the future!”
He Changzhou’s smile became more genuine, “Yes, I will.”
After holding the baby for a while, Prime Minister Xiao instructed the nurse to take the infant prince away.
Zhao Qi asked with concern, “How’s your injury?”
“A minor injury, nothing serious.”
“Ah, you used to not like drinking. How did you end up getting drunk in the military camp?” Zhao Qi said, “I noticed you kept drinking at the banquet earlier and barely ate anything.”
He Changzhou looked at him, “Because I’m unhappy.”
Prime Minister Xiao narrowed his eyes, suppressing the urge to interrupt their conversation.
Zhao Qi responded with a sigh, “Are you still unhappy now?”
He Changzhou swallowed, “What do you think?”
Zhao Qi felt a bit helpless, “What can I do to make you happy? Would it help if I awarded you a title or made you a general?”
Looking at Zhao Qi’s cautious expression, He Changzhou couldn’t quite pinpoint his feelings. What Zhao Qi offered wasn’t what he had hoped for, but it was all Zhao Qi could give.
Perhaps if they pretended to be accepting of the situation, they might both feel a bit better.
“Sure,” He Changzhou said with a feigned casualness, “What title does the emperor want to bestow upon me? Duke? General?”
Zhao Qi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Well…”
Xiao Shiqing interjected, “We’ll discuss that when you return from the Northern Borders.”
Upon hearing the mention of the Northern Borders, He Changzhou’s demeanor became serious. “What’s happening in the Northern Borders?”
Zhao Qi explained, “Rong Tang wrote in his letter that Prince Huai has secretly sworn an oath and written a declaration of rebellion. He claims that I am inept and that his uprising is in accordance with heaven’s will and the people’s desire. If nothing unexpected happens, the Northern army will march south in two months, heading straight for the capital.”
He Changzhou replied coldly, “They’re moving fast. Your Majesty, I wish to be the vanguard and quell the chaos in the Northern Borders.”
“Huh? But the Prime Minister said he wanted you to be the Grand Commander, overseeing the three armies.”
He Changzhou’s eyes widened, “Me? Grand Commander?”
Xiao Shiqing smirked, “Afraid?”
He Changzhou thought for a moment and said, “I’m too young. Many senior officers in the army may not follow me.”
“Age is not an issue,” Zhao Qi said, “Heroes have always emerged young. I am of a similar age to you, and I am a ruler. You are much more capable than I am, so why shouldn’t you handle the position of Grand Commander?”
A surge of ambition and heroism rose within He Changzhou. Zhao Qi and the battlefield were the two things he cherished most. Though he was destined not to have Zhao Qi, he would spend his life on the battlefield, enjoying a life of glory.
He Changzhou knelt on one knee before Zhao Qi and said earnestly, “I accept your decree with gratitude.”
After the full moon banquet, Zhao Qi, accompanied by the Minister of Rites, arrived at the ancestral temple.
The Minister of Rites had waited for a long time but still had not seen the biological mother of the young prince. Unable to hold back, he said, “Your Majesty, the time for lighting the lamps is approaching.”
Zhao Qi instructed, “You all wait outside; there’s no need to accompany me inside.”
The Minister of Rites hesitated, “But…”
“Don’t worry,” Zhao Qi said, “I will follow the ancestral customs.”
Zhao Qi entered the ancestral temple, and the door slowly closed. Xiao Shiqing emerged from a side hall and knelt with him before the ancestral tablets of the Zhao family.
They received the incense from Jiang Dehai, bowed three times, and placed the incense in the burner.
Zhao Qi said seriously, “Prime Minister, since you have paid respects to my ancestors, you will now be my person.”
“Yes,” Xiao Shiqing responded, “I am of the Zhao family.”
Xiao Shiqing’s words pleased Zhao Qi. Regardless of how things were between them in bed, his son would carry Zhao’s surname and be part of his family. Even the once-imposing Prime Minister Xiao had to adopt his surname, which was quite an honor!
In the side hall of the ancestral temple, several rows of ever-burning lamps were lit, each representing a direct male descendant of the Zhao family. Regardless of whether they were alive or dead, these lamps would never extinguish. The lamp representing Zhao Mian was placed below Zhao Qi’s.
Zhao Qi picked up a long candle beside him, “Brother?”
Xiao Shiqing understood and took Zhao Qi’s hand. Together, they held the long candle, borrowed fire from Zhao Qi’s ever-burning lamp, and lit the lamp for Zhao Mian.
As Zhao Qi gazed at the flickering flame, he murmured, “Our child will grow up healthy and safe, right?”
“Yes,” Xiao Shiqing replied, extinguishing the ever-burning lamp for Zhao Tong with a casual motion.
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