Chapter 76 – I have been tricked by Xiao Qiao again.
What is this feeling?! Could it be that Xiao Shiqing’s lips are poisonous?
Zhao Qi had been kissed by Rong Tang and also by He Changzhou, but he had never experienced a sensation like this before—like an electric shock, tingling and numb, with his skin burning where their lips touched, making his tears evaporate.
But Xiao Shiqing had only kissed the corner of his eye.
Zhao Qi had stopped crying, his eyes and lashes still wet, his face clearly showing “shock” in big letters. His thoughts were both easy and hard to guess; at least Xiao Shiqing couldn’t figure out why he suddenly quieted down.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhao Qi stared blankly, “This is your first time kissing me.”
Xiao Shiqing was also taken aback, “Didn’t you just say that I kissed you in front of others?”
“That doesn’t count; I don’t even remember it.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “Do you think that on the night of the palace banquet, I only slept with you and didn’t kiss you?”
“I don’t remember that either.”
“Then,” Xiao Shiqing’s hand gently supported the back of Zhao Qi’s head, “do you want me to help you remember?”
Now, it wasn’t just the corner of his eye; his whole face was burning.
Xiao Shiqing looked at him for a moment, then chuckled softly. Applying a bit more pressure with his hand, Zhao Qi’s face leaned in, and he met it halfway.
Just as their distance was only an inch away, Zhao Qi, as if waking from a dream, suddenly reached out to push against Xiao Shiqing’s chest.
“No, no.” Zhao Qi’s ears were red, and he said with a slight gasp.
Xiao Shiqing narrowed his eyes, feeling a strong urge to take control. But remembering Zhao Qi’s heartfelt words, he forcibly suppressed his desire and said in a deep voice, “Why?”
Zhao Qi held firm to his last boundary, “It’s not the matter of ‘cut sleeve.’ I’m already tired of saying it.”
Xiao Shiqing glanced at Zhao Qi’s slightly protruding belly, “Are you sure?”
“……” He was just uncertain, which is why his mind was a complete mess!
He was bending? Was he really bending?
Was it because he was carrying a dragon egg that he was bending, or was it because of Xiao Shiqing’s influence? If it was the latter, did it mean he liked…
Stop. No way. He had already successfully resisted the bending techniques of Rong Tang, He Changzhou, and Li Chisu, so there was no reason to fall for Xiao Shiqing! What was so good about Xiao Shiqing? Strong control issues, a heap of schemes, and apart from looking good and being smart, what else did he have?
That’s right, he couldn’t possibly like someone like that. Any strange reactions he had were just the result of pregnancy hormones. Once he gave birth to the little princess and his hormones returned to normal levels, he would definitely be a happy little straight man again.
Zhao Qi successfully brainwashed himself and declared resolutely, “Having a child and being straight are not mutually exclusive.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled lightly, his forehead resting against Zhao Qi’s, “Hmm, not conflicting. Has the Emperor decided to give birth to the princess on behalf of the subject?”
Zhao Qi looked down at his belly, “It’s not on your behalf; it’s for myself—I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
“Then has the Emperor thought of a name for the princess?”
Zhao Qi’s eyes lit up, “Oh, should I come up with one?”
Xiao Shiqing hesitated, vaguely feeling that something was off, but to make Zhao Qi happy, he didn’t think too much about it and smiled, “Since it’s your daughter, naturally, you should name her.”
Zhao Qi slipped out of Xiao Shiqing’s embrace and paced back and forth with his belly sticking out, “Then I must think of a name full of fairy-like charm, something that sounds like a little fairy.”
Seeing that Zhao Qi’s attention was completely focused on the name for their daughter, Xiao Shiqing felt somewhat relieved, “The Emperor is not angry anymore, right?”
Zhao Qi was reminded and said firmly, “I’m still not done being angry; you need to keep coaxing me.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “As you wish.”
Zhao Qi thought of something and asked, “What about He Changzhou…”
Xiao Shiqing’s smile faded slightly, “I can release him, but the Emperor must promise me one thing.”
“Just as expected of the Prime Minister, never missing an opportunity to negotiate terms with me,” Zhao Qi teased, “Go ahead.”
“Let Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi return to serve you,” Xiao Shiqing said, “They didn’t intend to deceive you; they were just afraid of me. These two have followed you for a long time, served you diligently, and understand your wishes better than others.”
Zhao Qi always said Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi were not his favorite eunuchs, but he still felt odd having others serve him. Since Xiao Shiqing brought it up, he agreed, “Deal.”
Jiang Dehai and Xiao Jinzi returned to Zhao Qi’s side. Jiang Dehai began reminiscing about the past years, recounting the decades of the old eunuch and the Emperor’s journey; Xiao Jinzi, on the other hand, clung to Zhao Qi’s leg and kept apologizing, finally tearfully asking, “Am I still your favorite little eunuch…”
What else could Zhao Qi do? Of course, he forgave them.
He Changzhou also came to see him and, upon seeing him, said, “Has the Emperor calmed down?”
Zhao Qi looked down while writing, “Not yet.”
“… Oh.” He Changzhou leaned over Zhao Qi’s shoulder, “What is the Emperor writing?”
“I’m thinking of a name for the little princess.”
He Changzhou glanced at it, “Zi Han, Zi Han, Zi Han… why are they all pronounced the same?”
“Because it’s popular; everyone names girls like that.”
“Is it?”
“Let’s not discuss this,” Zhao Qi wrote the character “Zi,” “Is there something you need from me?”
He Changzhou lazily leaned against the table, “Can’t I visit the Emperor without a reason?”
“Better not,” Zhao Qi said without hesitation, “Otherwise, the Prime Minister will get angry again.”
He Changzhou’s smile gradually disappeared, “Has the Emperor become unwilling to see me just for the Prime Minister’s sake?”
Zhao Qi scratched his head with the pen, unsure how to say it without making He Changzhou upset. “It’s not that I don’t want to see you, but you must promise not to act improperly towards me again.”
“The Prime Minister’s actions towards the Emperor were not just improper touches; why doesn’t the Emperor avoid him?” He Changzhou laughed briefly, “Is it because I am not worthy?”
Zhao Qi couldn’t come up with a rebuttal and thus tacitly agreed.
He Changzhou took a deep breath, leaning his hands on the table, looking intently at Zhao Qi, “Your Majesty, do you like the Prime Minister?”
Zhao Qi opened his mouth, “I, I don’t know…”
He Changzhou’s chest tightened at the ambiguous answer. “Don’t like him,” He Changzhou said, “Isn’t it better to like me?”
Zhao Qi shook his head, “No.”
He Changzhou’s eyes darkened, and his fists clenched tightly, “Why?”
Zhao Qi pointed to his heart, “I can’t control it.”
He Changzhou was taken aback, his eyes reddening slightly.
He Changzhou’s pained expression made Zhao Qi feel deeply guilty, but he still steeled himself and continued, “Sorry, Changzhou, but don’t waste your time on me. Not to mention others, even I feel it’s not worth it.”
He Changzhou used his hand to cover his eyes, but when he lowered it, he was smiling, “If I say it’s worth it, then it is. The Emperor’s opinion doesn’t matter.”
Zhao Qi’s heart, which had finally calmed down, was once again in turmoil. He didn’t even know how He Changzhou left.
He had also asked himself the question He Changzhou had posed.
Do I like him?
Heh.
Zhao Qi was trying to come up with a name for the dragon egg while also figuring out his feelings for the dragon egg’s other father. His head was spinning, and he still couldn’t come to a conclusion.
So, he asked Xiao Jinzi, “Jinzi, have you ever liked anyone?”
Xiao Jinzi was taken aback, then smiled, “How could I like anyone in my position, Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi realized his mistake, “I misspoke.”
Xiao Jinzi was startled, “How could the Emperor misspeak in front of me? However, when I was young, before I entered the palace, I had a particular fondness for a maid in the neighborhood. I always watched her, saved any good food or fun things for her. Seeing her happy made me happy, and seeing her sad made me sad. I thought I would definitely marry her in the future, but unfortunately…”
Little Jinzi’s expression darkened, and Zhao Qi patted his shoulder in comfort. At that moment, Jiang Dehai approached with a brocade box, “Your Majesty, the item has arrived.”
Zhao Qi tensed up, as if facing a great enemy. “Put it down and leave.”
Jiang Dehai and Little Jinzi exchanged a glance. “Does Your Majesty not need us to stay and assist?”
“What can you help with?” Zhao Qi waved them off. “Hurry up and leave.”
“Your Majesty,” Jiang Dehai took out a porcelain vial from his sleeve. “This is a secret medicine from Physician Cheng. If you use it as directed, you won’t…”
Zhao Qi, blushing, interrupted, “Alright, alright, I understand.”
Since he had already decided to deliver the dragon egg, Zhao Qi had to follow the doctor’s instructions and expand the passage. This was a matter of life and death, so he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Zhao Qi opened the brocade box and looked at the crystal-clear jade inside. He twitched his mouth and lightly tapped his belly. “Dragon egg, Daddy has sacrificed so much for you. You must grow up to be beautiful.”
The dragon egg gave a kick under his belly, seemingly in response to Daddy.
Zhao Qi smiled warmly, picked up the jade and secret medicine, and climbed into bed. He lowered the bed curtains, removed his clothes, and hid under the quilt to carry out his secretive task.
He dabbed a bit of the secret medicine with his fingertips and shakily reached back.
It was cold. The secret medicine was cold, and his hand was cold too. The sensation was quite unpleasant. Zhao Qi pressed his lips together, his breathing becoming uneven as he broke out in sweat.
When it felt like the time was right, he picked up the jade and slowly inserted it.
Damn, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!
Zhao Qi bit the quilt and pounded the bed, on the verge of tears. It wasn’t this painful when Xiao Shiqing helped him before… Stop, don’t think about that damn man right now, it’s not the time for that.
But just as Zhao Qi couldn’t control his heart, he also couldn’t control his thoughts. He thought about Xiao Shiqing, his fingers, the warmth of his lips, his handsome face, and the pain seemed to lessen a bit.
The jade was called Warm Jade, warm and close to body temperature, creating an illusion that what was inside him wasn’t jade, but…
—Integrity shattered everywhere.
Zhao Qi lay flat on the bed, dazed, quietly enjoying his moment of solitude.
Life is so meaningless. Why can’t he control his sinful hands?
He didn’t know how much time had passed when Jiang Dehai’s voice came from outside the door, “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is here.”
Zhao Qi jolted, hurriedly tidying up the scene, shoving the tools into the quilt, dressing quickly, and taking several deep breaths. “Let him in.”
Xiao Shiqing entered the room, his nose twitching slightly. “Your Majesty—what’s that smell?”
Zhao Qi’s heart raced. He forced himself to stay calm. “Is there a smell? I don’t notice anything.”
Xiao Shiqing wasn’t alone; Mei Chuan followed behind him, kneeling and saluting Zhao Qi. “Commoner Mei Dai pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi was puzzled. “Why the sudden change in name?”
Xiao Shiqing explained, “He is a court physician brought from the East Japan to assist.”
Zhao Qi was amazed. “You and Mei Chuan look so alike, and even your attire is identical!”
Mei Dai said, “Your Majesty, I have a brother who looks exactly like me. We both studied medicine, but my brother is lazy by nature and only capable of treating common minor ailments. He usually assists me. Since we look alike, many people confuse us. It seems Young Master Zhao has hired the wrong person.”
Zhao Qi was stunned, staring blankly at Xiao Shiqing.
“Zhao Qiao’s bill will be settled another day,” Xiao Shiqing said. “Your Majesty, let Mei Dai examine your pulse first.”
Zhao Qi was infuriated. Xiao Qiao, you come back here! I’ll tear you to pieces, quarter you, and execute you by slicing! He quickly extended his wrist. “Will I be harmed…”
Mei Dai took Zhao Qi’s pulse and examined his belly. “Your Majesty need not worry; both you and the child are fine. My brother’s skills are not as good as mine, but he wouldn’t harm anyone.”
Both Zhao Qi and Xiao Shiqing sighed in relief.
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Will the fetus be too large?”
Mei Dai replied, “For the Prime Minister, this size is just right.”
“Then is it necessary to expand the birth canal?”
Zhao Qi protested in exasperation, “Prime Minister—”
Mei Dai said, “Birth canal? Men don’t have a birth canal. For men, childbirth is done by cesarean section.”
Xiao Shiqing: “…”
Zhao Qi: “…”
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