Chapter 59 – My belly is really fat
In the darkness, Xiao Shiqing’s eyes glowed with a deep, mysterious light.
Just a moment ago, the movement beneath the little emperor’s belly had been fleeting, so slight that it was almost imperceptible. Yet his intuition told him that it was no illusion.
Xiao Shiqing stared at his own hand for a long time before placing it back on Zhao Qi’s lower abdomen—everything was calm, nothing unusual.
Xiao Shiqing’s hand moved over Zhao Qi’s waist, shoulders, legs, and arms, confirming once again that aside from the little emperor’s belly, which hadn’t just remained the same but seemed to have gained some weight, the rest of his body had neither grown nor changed.
An absurd thought once again emerged.
In his sleep, the little emperor murmured something unintelligible, turned over, and resumed his previous position facing Xiao Shiqing. At that moment, a flash of lightning split the pitch-black sky, illuminating the inside of the boat as if it were daylight. After the lightning, the thunder roared, and Xiao Shiqing gathered his composure, pulling the person into his arms and covering his ears.
The heavy rain continued through the night, and by the time Zhao Qi woke up the next day, it hadn’t stopped. With bleary eyes, Zhao Qi looked at the handsome young man sitting by the bed dressing, and it took him a while to remember that he had shared a bed with Xiao Shiqing last night. He called out, “Prime Minister?”
Zhao Qi was not fully awake, and his voice was soft, like a newborn kitten.
Xiao Shiqing was wearing his outer robe and had yet to secure his crown. His long hair fell over his shoulders, giving him an extra touch of charm and nonchalance.
Xiao Shiqing’s gaze towards him was somewhat subtle. “Did you sleep well?”
“Mm, it was okay.” Zhao Qi sat up, rubbed his eyes, and asked, “Where is Jiang Dehai?”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “I’ll help you get dressed.”
“Ah, that’s too embarrassing.” Zhao Qi said this but still raised his arms to allow Xiao Shiqing to help him with his clothes.
While tying the belt, Xiao Shiqing stood behind him and, seemingly casually, said, “Your Majesty’s waist seems to have gotten thicker.”
Zhao Qi was startled, and the remaining drowsiness vanished instantly—indeed, it wasn’t just his father’s eyes; the dragon egg had really grown! Little one, how can you be so troublesome? Do you have to develop so quickly?
“I’ve been eating a bit more lately, so I’ve gained some weight.” Zhao Qi covered his belly to prevent Xiao Shiqing from feeling it, forcing a smile. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, I can dress myself.”
Eating a bit more… Xiao Shiqing’s lips curled into a cold smile. The little emperor’s appetite hadn’t been great for nearly a month; he could barely finish a meal before getting full, and yet he still managed to gain weight—how bizarre.
However, since the little emperor wished to keep it hidden, he had no intention of exposing it. He looked at Zhao Qi’s belly and said：“I see.”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister,” Jiang Dehai’s voice came from outside the door, “Do you want to have breakfast?”
To prove that he really had gained weight, Zhao Qi deliberately ate a bit more. Fortunately, his morning sickness had improved recently; he wasn’t throwing up as much as before and was able to drink a bowl of porridge with pickled vegetables.
“Brother, look,” Zhao Qi said, showing the empty bowl to Xiao Shiqing and trying to cover up, “I’ve had such a big bowl of porridge.”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “You used to drink a whole basin.”
“??? Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? I never ate that much before.”
“Eat as much as you can,” Xiao Shiqing said, “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
In the end, Zhao Qi still ate to the point of being stuffed, holding his slightly rounder belly and grumbling, “So full—hiccup.”
Jiang Dehai was both amused and exasperated, “Your Majesty, why go through all this trouble?”
Zhao Qi said seriously, “Didn’t you hear Uncle Cheng say? I’m starting to show now, my belly’s getting bigger. I need to create the illusion that I’ve just gained weight so that Prime Minister Brother won’t suspect me.”
Jiang Dehai’s expression was complicated, “Your Majesty is indeed wise.”
Zhao Qi glanced out the window, “Why is it suddenly so quiet? Has the rain stopped?”
“Yes, it stopped not long ago. It looks like the sun might come out.”
Zhao Qi was a bit happy, “Then I’ll go for a walk on the deck.”
After a day and night of torrential rain, the ship was full of moisture, both damp and hot. Zhao Qi felt that if he stayed any longer, he could hatch eggs. He was also worried about the critically ill He Changzhou, so he first went to He Changzhou’s cabin.
The once dashing and spirited young hero was reduced to a state of misery by seasickness, lying motionless on the bed like a stranded mermaid, not even aware when someone entered the room. Beside the bed was a ceramic jar, so he could vomit when needed.
Zhao Qi poked the “mermaid” with his finger, “Changzhou?”
He Changzhou slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Zhao Qi’s face, his dull gray eyes finally showed a hint of light. He weakly said, “Your Majesty…”
Zhao Qi frowned, “How are you doing?”
He Changzhou shifted a little, resting his head on Zhao Qi’s lap. Zhao Qi, considering him a “patient,” temporarily allowed him this small indulgence.
“Uncomfortable,” He Changzhou mumbled, “Nauseous, want to vomit.”
Zhao Qi sighed, “The way of heaven is cyclical, no one is spared.”
“What?”
“…Did you use the dried tangerine peel that Uncle Cheng gave you?”
“Yes,” He Changzhou said with a hint of frustration, “But it didn’t help much.”
Zhao Qi expressed deep sympathy, “Hang in there. The rain has stopped, and the ship isn’t rocking as much. We’ll be arriving in Jiangxia soon. Once we’re ashore, you should return to the capital.”
He Changzhou shook his head, “No, I want to stay with you.”
“You’re seasick to this extent, staying will only cause trouble.”
He Changzhou nuzzled Zhao Qi’s lap, “I’ll get better with more practice.”
Zhao Qi quoted Jiang Dehai, “Why go through all this trouble?”
“I want to be with Your Majesty always.”
“Parting is a part of life. Some people drift apart as time goes by…”
“Because in the future, I will not only command infantry and cavalry but also the navy, to protect the Great Jing and to protect Your Majesty. As a military commander, how can I be seasick?”
Zhao Qi firmly declined, “There’s no need for that. Everyone has their own expertise. Even your model, Zhao Yun, wasn’t skilled in naval warfare.”
He Changzhou smiled, “Your Majesty, talk to me for a while longer, and I won’t feel seasick.”
“Alright, then I’ll tell you a story about a little duck.”
As He Changzhou listened, his face rested on Zhao Qi’s small belly. For Zhao Qi at this moment, his belly was the most sensitive part. He pushed the troublesome head away and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“I want to see if the dragon egg will kick Your Majesty’s belly.”
Zhao Qi snorted with laughter, “If it kicks, it won’t do so in front of you. You’re not its real father.”
He Changzhou was hurt, “Will it only kick in front of the real father…”
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!” Jiang Dehai rushed in urgently, “The real father might have arrived!”
Zhao Qi and He Changzhou exchanged a glance and said in unison, “What?”
Jiang Dehai said, “The lookout boat ahead spotted a pleasure boat. Upon inspection, it turned out that the owner of the boat is… King Zhaonan.”
Zhao Qi suddenly sat up, causing He Changzhou’s head to thump against the bed board.
“Is that true?”
Jiang Dehai nodded repeatedly, “The Prime Minister has already ordered King Zhaonan to board the dragon boat and pay his respects to the Emperor.”
Zhao Qi sneered. Great, Li Chisu came to him without him having to search. Now, the identity of the other troublesome father of the dragon egg could be confirmed.
“Let’s go meet him.”
He Changzhou, who had been half-dead a moment ago, quickly got off the ship, leaving Zhao Qi and Jiang Dehai stunned, “I’ll go too.”
When Zhao Qi and the others reached the deck, Xiao Shiqing was already there. Looking forward, they could see a pleasure boat slowly approaching them.
Zhao Qi asked, “Brother, didn’t Li Chisu return to his fief in Nanzhou? How come he’s here?”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “There are two routes from the capital to Nanzhou, one of which passes through Jiangxia.”
“So, it’s a coincidence?”
Xiao Shiqing mocked, “Jiangxia has suffered from floods. Wouldn’t Li Chisu know? Knowing the area is perilous, he deliberately chose this route, clearly intentional.”
Zhao Qi stared at the approaching boat—hmph, whether it was intentional or not, it was falling right into the trap.
Having slept with me and made me carry the dragon egg, even if Li Chisu had ten eggs, it wouldn’t be enough for me to break.
The boat stopped in front of the dragon boat. It was likely Li Chisu’s private vessel—small but exquisite, somewhat like the style of the imperial music bureau in the capital, romantic and warm.
Li Chisu stood at the bow of the boat, wearing a scarlet long robe, holding a folding fan. His long, ink-black hair was casually tied behind him, flowing with the river breeze. From his face and posture, he certainly looked like a handsome and elegant figure.
Behind him stood two young women in white. One was charming and lovely, while the other was strikingly beautiful but cold. Both had exceptional looks.
Meeting Zhao Qi’s elevated gaze, Li Chisu greeted with a gentle smile and eyes like spring water, “Your Majesty, it’s been several months. I hope you’ve been well.”
Zhao Qi wished he could poke a hundred holes in him and said coldly, “It really is a twist of fate that I would run into King Zhao Nan here in Jiangxia.”
Li Chisu’s smile grew even wider. “It just means that the emperor and I are quite fated to meet.”
Xiao Shiqing, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, said, “Since the prince is here, why not come aboard and catch up with me?”
He Changzhou remained silent, but his gaze at Li Chisu was as sharp as a knife.
Li Chisu replied with a smile, “Since the Prime Minister has extended an invitation, this prince will naturally comply.”
Zhao Qi snorted and turned to enter the boat.
Li Chisu watched his retreating figure and asked with a grin, “How was that?”
The two maidservants behind him exchanged puzzled glances. “What do you mean?”
“The emperor,” Li Chisu said, narrowing his peach blossom eyes, “isn’t he quite adorable?”
“The emperor is indeed good-looking, but Prime Minister Xiao beside him is even—wait,” Xiao Yu’s eyes widened as she said anxiously, “Master, you’re not actually interested in the emperor, are you? He’s the Son of Heaven! Please, come to your senses!”
Li Chisu sighed leisurely. “It’s too late. I’m already past the point of no return.”
Xiao Yu stomped her feet in frustration. “You’re really going to make Xiao Yu angry! If you’re in debt to the emperor’s charm, you’ll have to pay it off in this lifetime!”
The other maidservant said calmly, “Xiao Yu, stop. It’s pointless.”
“Elder Sister—”
“The prince has deliberately stayed in Jiangxia for several days. Can’t you see his intentions?”
Li Chisu smiled and said, “Those who understand me, like Su Hua, truly know me.”
Receiving her master’s praise, Su Hua remained expressionless. “Your Highness, forgive me for speaking frankly, but Prime Minister Xiao is full of grace and charm. If the emperor were really interested in women, why would he be interested in you?”
“Exactly,” Xiao Yu agreed. “What do you have to compare with him? He’s stronger in presence, more powerful, and more handsome than you.”
“You two really—” Li Chisu laughed instead of getting angry. “You’re just boosting someone else’s confidence while undermining your own prince’s authority. In my opinion, I may not be inferior to Xiao Shiqing. Not to mention, I have more patience and skill than he does.”
Xiao Yu retorted, “But you still need the chance to use your skills.”
“And isn’t that why I’m here looking for an opportunity?” Li Chisu said. “Get ready and come with me onto the dragon boat.”
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
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