Chapter 45 – I don’t trust you, you big pig’s hoof.
Zhao Qi nodded incessantly, “Yes.”
Xiao Shiqing, who never wasted words, asked again, “Not at all angry?”
That was still a bit, but how could I dare to say. “Not angry, not angry, brother is doing things for the sake of the overall situation. I’m grateful to you, why would I be angry.”
Xiao Shiqing was silent, his face as cold as frost, and the eunuchs serving in the palace were afraid to breathe. Those who had served in the Hall of Diligent Governance knew that Lord Prime Minister never shouted in anger, and more often than not, he remained silent, his expression difficult to read, but enough to intimidate.
Zhao Qi also noticed Xiao Shiqing’s displeasure. He grabbed the sleeve of Xiao Shiqing’s official robe and shook it, “Brother?”
Meeting Zhao Qi’s clear gaze, Xiao Shiqing suppressed the rising anger forcefully, “Are you hungry or not.”
Zhao Qi hesitated for a moment, then said, “I’m hungry.”
”We had our meal at the Qinzhi Palace today,” Xiao Shiqing said, “The food is ready, let’s go.”
Zhao Qi asked, “What about the Prime Minister’s brother?”
”Do you want me to accompany you?”
”You’re asking like that, can I say no?” Zhao Qi replied, “Yes, brother.”
Xiao Shiqing nodded, “You go ahead, I’ll join you later.”
Xiao Shiqing called Jiang Dehai over and asked him to add a few more dishes. Jiang Dehai replied, “I’ll do it right away.”
”There’s one more thing.”
”Please command, Prime Minister.”
Xiao Shiqing glanced at the little emperor eagerly waiting for his meal by the table and asked, “What did He Changzhou say to the Emperor just now?”
Jiang Dehai hesitated, “Well…”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “I know you’re loyal to the Emperor, but it’s nothing confidential that I’m asking. If you don’t tell me, I have other ways to find out.”
”Well, alright.” Jiang Dehai wiped his sweat, “To report to the Prime Minister, when I returned to Yonghua Palace, the Emperor was furious. Not only did he want to expel General He Changzhou, he also revoked his freedom to enter and leave the palace.”
A strange sense of annoyance came over Xiao Shiqing again. He said in a deep voice, “I see.”
Although the dishes were prepared under Xiao Shiqing’s orders, every dish was Zhao Qi’s favorite. Zhao Qi ate heartily while Xiao Shiqing barely touched his chopsticks, but he drank quite a bit of wine.
When Zhao Qi finally put down his chopsticks contentedly, Xiao Shiqing had a hint of alcohol on him, but his eyes towards Zhao Qi remained clear.
Under his scrutiny, Zhao Qi felt uneasy and stood up, saying, “I’ve finished eating, so I’ll…”
Xiao Shiqing set down his wine glass, “Sit.”
”Huh?”
”I said sit.”
Zhao Qi could only sit back down, “Is there something else, brother?”
Xiao Shiqing tapped his fingers on the table, even though he remained silent, his mood was palpably uneasy. After a while, he spoke, “He Changzhou was acting on my orders, deliberately getting close to you and gaining your trust.”
With his head lowered, Zhao Qi murmured, “I know.”
”In the case of Muyang Mountain, I used the Emperor as bait to lure out the snake.”
Zhao Qi’s voice grew even quieter, “Hmm.”
”I have done things far more extreme than He Changzhou. Why aren’t you angry? I was prepared for your anger.”
Maybe the young emperor would yell at him, cry and call him a bastard, or ignore him for days and nights… But nothing happened. The young emperor remained calm, understanding, and showed no signs of anger. This calmness and understanding disturbed Xiao Shiqing greatly, almost making him lose control.
But the young emperor smiled and said to him, “I’ve said it several times, I don’t blame you, really.”
Xiao Shiqing sneered, “Hmm,” and slammed his wine glass heavily on the table. The sound startled everyone present, though his voice remained low, dripping with unmistakable sarcasm, “The Emperor listens to me obediently indeed.”
Confused, Zhao Qi called out to him, “Brother?”
”If I let you continue keeping He Changzhou by your side, monitoring your every move, would you want that?”
Zhao Qi stared blankly at Xiao Shiqing, completely unaware of where his anger was coming from. A nameless fury surged within him. He had been submissive to Xiao Shiqing, enduring everything. What else did Xiao Shiqing want?
Suddenly, Zhao Qi stood up abruptly, “I’m leaving, goodbye.”
”Where are you going?”
”Following the Prime Minister’s words, I’m going to find He Changzhou.” Zhao Qi said woodenly, “Then, I’ll stick with him all the time, even sleep together at night. That way, the Prime Minister can monitor my every move. Isn’t that great?”
Xiao Shiqing grabbed Zhao Qi’s wrist, “Are you daring to?”
Zhao Qi was almost laughing with anger, “Didn’t you put He Changzhou by my side? By doing this, I’m just fulfilling your wish, aren’t I?”
Xiao Shiqing tightened his grip on Zhao Qi’s wrist, “Let the past go. But in the future, if you dare to stick with another man day and night, even share a bed…”
Where did Zhao Qi find the courage? He confronted Xiao Shiqing head-on, “Prime Minister Xiao manages everything, including who I sleep with!”
”Exactly.”
… He nodded, he actually nodded! Xiao Shiqing controlled even this. How could he let He Changzhou sleep with him! Where was Xiao Shiqing when he was crying in bed!
Thinking of this, Zhao Qi said confidently, “You can’t control me at all.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled faintly, “Let’s give it a try.”
”Report!” A palace eunuch rushed in urgently, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister, urgent report from eight hundred miles west.”
Xiao Shiqing wouldn’t neglect state affairs. He let go of Zhao Qi’s wrist and said, “Present it.”
After reading the urgent report, Xiao Shiqing’s face grew even more serious, “Three days ago, Western Xia crossed the border, raided the border towns of Liang’an and Huifang, plundering countless livestock, gold, silver, and silk.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi immediately put aside the petty matter just now, “Have the common people suffered casualties?”
”Several dozen dead, over a hundred injured.”
”This is outrageous!” Zhao Qi was furious, “It hasn’t even been seven days yet! Brother Prime Minister, let’s strike back, mobilize a hundred thousand elite troops to Western Xia, and go straight for their capital!”
Xiao Shiqing said, “The opportunity for battle hasn’t arrived yet, Your Majesty, please don’t act rashly.”
”When will the opportunity arrive?!” Zhao Qi was impassioned, “When they occupy the entire Western Xia?”
”Western Xia is only raiding for wealth, they haven’t occupied any cities. They simply want to pressure Dajing. Once the case is resolved, they will withdraw.”
”So the people of Western Xia died in vain?”
Xiao Shiqing poured a cup of tea and handed it to Zhao Qi, “Since ancient times, wars are fought not just with military strength, but with the strength of the people. With a wealthy country and peaceful people, ample provisions can ensure the army’s stability on the battlefield.”
Holding the teacup, Zhao Qi sounded impoverished, “In the end, it’s because the treasury is short of money.”
“Huainan has always been a heavy tax-paying region. In recent years, it has suffered repeated floods and the imperial tax revenue has plummeted by a quarter. For the current Da Jing, internal worries outweigh external threats.”
Zhao Qi felt a deep sense of powerlessness. “I understand the reasoning, but I’m really annoyed.”
Xiao Shiqing inexplicably commented, “You can get angry even at the Western Xia, but not at me.”
Zhao Qi was puzzled. “This is completely different, Lord Prime Minister! Why do you seem so eager for me to get angry? Such a strange request, I’ve never seen before. Fine, I’ll indulge you. Actually, even though I say I’m not angry, I am a bit.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh?”
“I regard you as a teacher and a brother, but I didn’t expect you to treat me like an outsider, monitoring and using me, colluding with He Changzhou. It’s despicable.”
Xiao Shiqing’s face turned cold.
“I have already revoked He Changzhou’s right to freely enter and exit the palace to ensure fairness. Therefore, I must also revoke the right of Lord Prime Minister… um, to freely enter and exit my private quarters. If you show up silently at my bedside in the middle of the night, it would scare anyone.”
After a brief silence, Xiao Shiqing chuckled softly. “Forget it, I was too hasty.”
Zhao Qi: “???”
“The past is done, I’ve acted as I did, nothing more to say. But from now on, I won’t use you anymore, nor will I place you in any possible danger.”
Zhao Qi thought to himself, “Yeah right, you old pig hoof.” “So, are you still having me watched?”
“No, I’m not,” Xiao Shiqing said without hesitation, “I’m monitoring personally.”
Zhao Qi felt that his Yonghua Palace was like a marketplace where pig hooves could come and go as they pleased, even stealing his vegetables… and his medicines. Where was the royal authority, where was the respect for the Emperor!
Feeling increasingly aggrieved, Zhao Qi decided to implement strict control over who could enter and leave Yonghua Palace. The next morning, when Xiao Shiqing sent an imperial servant to summon Zhao Qi to the Hall of Diligent Government for a discussion, the servant was turned away at the palace gates.
“Lord Prime Minister, the guards at Yonghua Palace asked the servant for the password. The servant couldn’t provide it, so they refused entry.”
Chen Li said, “Did you tell them you were sent by the Lord Prime Minister?”
“The servant did, but the guards said there’s an imperial decree stating that without the password, no one can enter.”
Chen Li looked at Xiao Shiqing. “Lord Prime Minister, what do you think…”
“Since we can’t bring the Emperor out, we’ll go in,” Xiao Shiqing said. “After Prince Huai enters the palace, take him directly to Yonghua Palace.”
Seeing Xiao Shiqing approaching, the palace guards hesitated whether to stop him or not. Just then, Xiao Shiqing asked, “Password?”
The guard stammered, “Friends come from afar?”
Chen Li said, “Isn’t that simple enough? It’s a joyous occasion!”
Xiao Shiqing sneered, “So this is how you play the usual cards.”
At this moment, Jiang Dehai returned from his trip and hurried over to greet Xiao Shiqing and the others. “I’ve seen the Lord Prime Minister and Master Chen.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Is the Emperor awake?”
Jiang Dehai smiled, “The Emperor loves to sleep in. He’s probably still asleep now. Please, Lord Prime Minister and Master Chen, come inside. I’ll go wake up the Emperor.”
After Xiao Shiqing and Chen Li had finished their tea, Zhao Qi finally arrived lazily, half-squinting as he yawned, “Morning, brother.”
Chen Li pretended not to hear the “brother” and respectfully saluted, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Upon hearing Chen Li’s voice, Zhao Qi fully woke up. “Master Chen is here too? Has the matter of the Western Xia Prince finally been clarified?”
“Your Majesty, the two missing teacups have been found,” Chen Li replied.
The teacups were retrieved from the lake in the Imperial Garden. After the imperial physician examined them, no traces of any wrongdoing related to the Phoenix Return Road were found on them. However, this did not prove anything, as the teacups had been soaking in the lake for so long that any evidence inside would have been washed away by the water. But the key point was, if there was nothing suspicious in the teacups, why were they abandoned in the river?
“I have summoned Prince Huai into the palace in the name of the Emperor,” Xiao Shiqing said.
Zhao Qi sighed, “So it really is him. But what about his motive?”
“Once the court becomes deeply entangled with Western Xia, it will naturally neglect the control of the northern border. If both sides engage in war, even if the court wins, it will be greatly weakened. Unless necessary, there will be no military action for three to five years, which gives him plenty of time,” Xiao Shiqing calmly explained. “Although there is no evidence, I can assert that Prince Huai has long harbored rebellious intentions.”
Chen Li sighed worriedly. “The legitimate Prince is yet to rebel, but Prince Huai…”
Zhao Qi was also quite frustrated. The original Zhao Tong had lofty ambitions and a deep sense of righteousness. Even when he rebelled, it was to rid the world of a tyrant for the sake of the people. But now that he was no longer a tyrant, Zhao Tong treated him with courtesy. Why would he still rebel?
“Your Majesty, Lord Prime Minister,” Chen Li said, “I have heard that in just one year in the northern border, Prince Huai has gained deep popularity among the people. The northern border is far from the capital, and the common people know only Prince Huai’s mansion, not the court. Now that Prince Huai is suspected of killing the Western Xia prince, it is a good opportunity to eliminate a major threat. I suggest that Your Majesty acts in accordance with justice, handing him over to Western Xia for disposal, seizing the opportunity to reclaim the fief, and appointing a reliable person to lead the northern border.”
Xiao Shiqing remained silent, not expressing his opinion. Zhao Qi harbored doubts. “But the existing evidence is not yet sufficient.”
Xiao Shiqing said lightly, “Do you think those two teacups were really retrieved from the lake?”
Zhao Qi was stunned.
Chen Li glanced at Xiao Shiqing and only spoke after seeing him nod. “Your Majesty, I searched the entire palace and did not find those teacups. The two you saw were newly made by order of the Lord Prime Minister.”
Zhao Qi was astonished. Could it really be done like this?
Chen Li continued, “As long as the court insists, even if Prince Huai denies it, Western Xia will only think he’s resisting.”
Xiao Shiqing slowly said, “If Prince Huai is not dealt with today, it will become a major problem. Now that Your Majesty’s actions are justified, if Prince Huai is disloyal and unjust first, and Your Majesty abandons him later, it will stop all criticisms from the world and will not fall into the name of fratricide.”
At this moment, Jiang Dehai hurried forward to report, “Your Majesty, Lord Prime Minister, there’s news from Prince Huai’s mansion. He suddenly fell seriously ill and couldn’t get up. The palace physician was called to attend to him and diagnosed him with Phoenix Return Poisoning. Luckily, it hasn’t progressed deeply enough to cause immediate death, but he’s in critical condition.”
Zhao Qi and Chen Li were both taken aback, but Xiao Shiqing chuckled. “Well, he’s quite something.”
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~
If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!
I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!
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
Leave a Reply