Chapter 81 – I’m giving birth.
At that moment, all of Zhao Qi’s previous anxieties, frustrations, and confusion vanished. Since he arrived here, he had never felt as secure as he did now. From now on, he would no longer be alone.
Zhao Qi didn’t forget the final ceremony and said seriously, “So we’re together now.”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Aren’t we always together?”
“No…” Zhao Qi said, “In any case, you can consider today your coronation ceremony. From now on, we should celebrate this day every year.”
“Coronation ceremony,” Xiao Shiqing said with a teasing smile, “Is Your Majesty hinting that we should have a wedding night tonight?”
Zhao Qi’s cheeks flushed, “I didn’t mean that!”
Xiao Shiqing seemed to ignore him, glancing at his belly, “Your belly is so big now. Aren’t you worried about bumping into the baby?”
“…” Is someone from the anti-p0rnography team here? Get the lewd-emperor off me!
“I think it’s better to wait until after Your Majesty gives birth to hold the coronation ceremony.”
Seeing Xiao Shiqing’s solemn yet still handsome appearance, Zhao Qi felt a bit mischievous. “Can we kiss first?”
Xiao Shiqing was momentarily stunned, then smiled, “Sure.”
His gaze fell on Zhao Qi’s slightly reddened lips, looking confident, though his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Zhao Qi, nervous and unsure where to look, felt his heart race uncontrollably. As he sensed the other person drawing closer, his palms grew sweaty, and he gathered his courage to look up, seeing a face that was blurred with proximity.
Xiao Shiqing interlaced their fingers with one hand and held Zhao Qi’s waist with the other, lowering his head to kiss him.
It was like savoring a long-desired fine wine; Xiao Shiqing first took small sips, and then, as the pleasure overwhelmed him, he began to drink deeply, their breaths mingling with a warm and intoxicating fragrance.
Zhao Qi felt his legs go weak from the kiss, almost unable to stand. Seeing this, Xiao Shiqing released their interlocked fingers and held him firmly in his arms.
Zhao Qi, dazed, thought, so this is what it’s like to kiss someone you like… it’s so exhilarating.
Before losing complete control, Xiao Shiqing ended the kiss, looking at Zhao Qi’s dazed eyes, and said with a low laugh, “Do you like it, Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi honestly nodded, “I do—can we kiss every day in the future?”
Xiao Shiqing lowered his head and kissed him again. “Yes.”
On this matter, Xiao Shiqing was true to his word and never went back on it.
After another heavy snowfall, as the New Year approached, Zhao Qi began the countdown for unloading.
At this time, the factional struggle between the Xiao and Wen families had reached a critical point. Xu Qiu was appointed to oversee all cases related to the two families. After handling several cases, this historically unattractive candidate earned the title of “Evil-faced Shura.”
Xu Qiu was sharp, cold, and ruthless, showing no mercy. As soon as he took office, he sentenced several serious crimes to death, the most shocking of which were the bribery case involving Xiao Shiqing’s uncle and the treason case involving the Wen family’s uncle. Both cases had irrefutable evidence with no chance of overturning the verdict, so Xu Qiu, according to the laws of the Great Jing Dynasty, unhesitatingly sentenced them to execution.
When the memorials reached Zhao Qi’s court, Zhao Qi asked Xiao Shiqing, “Brother, what about your third uncle…”
Xiao Shiqing raised his eyebrows. “Hmm?”
“Should I have him executed directly?”
Xiao Shiqing replied：“Execute him.”
The Wen family’s uncle was the biological brother of Empress Dowager Wen, who had repeatedly petitioned on his behalf, both openly and secretly, but Zhao Qi had turned down all her pleas.
“Mother, I can’t help it.” Zhao Qi said, “Now that things have escalated so much, how can I turn a blind eye to the Wen family while executing members of the Xiao family? How would this reflect on me to the people of the world? Moreover, the uncle indeed committed treason, and Xu Qiu is not wronging him.”
Empress Dowager Wen had no retort. After a long silence, she could only repeat her previous plea: “But he is still your uncle!”
Zhao Qi spread his hands. “A prince’s crime is the same as that of a commoner, not to mention a mere uncle.”
Empress Dowager Wen had not anticipated that matters would come to this point. Instead of this, it would have been better not to promote the Wen family from the start. But with no way to retract the bow once drawn, she could only watch her maternal family decline before Zhao Qi’s righteous stance.
“Mother, don’t think about it anymore.” Zhao Qi took her hand and said with a hint of reproach, “The divine doctor says I will give birth in a few days. Can you pay more attention to me?”
Empress Dowager Wen was not unreasonable. Although she favored her maternal family, she understood great principles. She looked at her son’s bright eyes and sighed, “Fine.”
This year’s New Year’s Eve was much quieter than previous years. Zhao Qi, “ill,” had no desire for a banquet, and the ritual was also canceled. After having a reunion dinner with Empress Dowager Wen, he returned to the palace early.
The palace, however, was quite lively. Cheng Boyan and Mei Dai were both there, constantly watching Zhao Qi’s belly. Zhao Qi had ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a feast of fine wines and delicacies for them to celebrate the New Year in the palace.
When Zhao Qi returned, they were eating dumplings. Zhao Qi waived their formalities with a smile, saying, “Keep eating, don’t mind me—has the Prime Minister not arrived yet?”
Xiao Shiqing had returned to the Xiao family in the afternoon to handle long-overdue family matters and have a meal with his parents. It was about time for him to come back.
Just as he finished speaking, the door creaked slightly, and Xiao Shiqing entered with a chill.
As soon as Zhao Qi saw him, his eyes lit up. “You’re back.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, and all the coldness seemed to melt away. “I’ve brought someone for you to play with.”
Zhao Qi asked curiously, “Who?”
Xiao Shiqing glanced behind him, and Fu Zi stepped forward, carrying someone Zhao Qi was quite familiar with.
Zhao Qi looked at the person and then at the stunned Mei Dai, delighted. “Oh!”
Mei Chuan hunched his shoulders, trembling, “Pay, pay respects to His Majesty!”
Zhao Qi was overjoyed. “Come, let me reintroduce him. The Eastern Sea divine doctor, creator of the male delivery method, and fraudster—Mei Chuan.”
Mei Dai closed his eyes and turned away, seemingly unable to watch.
“Please spare me, Your Majesty!” Mei Chuan wept bitterly, full of regret, and looked nothing like his previously calm demeanor. “I did not intend to deceive Your Majesty! The male delivery method was something I read in a fake medical book, blame that book!”
Zhao Qi sneered, “Do I look that easy to deceive?”
“Everything I said was true, please see clearly, Your Majesty!”
“Whether intentional or not, you deceived the emperor, and you must face the consequences of deceiving the ruler! Come, drag this fraudulent quack away and—” Zhao Qi grinned sinisterly, “—expand his delivery method.”
Mei Chuan’s face turned ashen, and he laughed awkwardly. “I’m not pregnant, so how can there be a delivery method? Your Majesty, you truly jest.”
“Who’s joking with you?” Zhao Qi said coldly. “Fu Zi, why are you still standing there? Quickly take him away and administer the punishment.”
Fu Zi: “…”
Mei Chuan stubbornly said, “If Your Majesty insists on humiliating me, it’s better to just take my head.”
“Oh, you think I wouldn’t dare?”
Mei Dai could not stand it anymore. Kneeling beside his brother, he pleaded, “Your Majesty is about to give birth. It would be unwise to see blood and risk disturbing the dragon’s offspring. Please show mercy.”
Zhao Qi touched his belly. “The dragon’s offspring says she is not afraid of disturbance.”
“…” Mei Dai continued, “Your Majesty, my elder brother has accompanied me in medicine for many years. With him here, I’ll have more help, and naturally, there will be more assurance in assisting Your Majesty with the delivery.”
At this moment, Xiao Shiqing spoke up, “Spare his life for now.”
Since Empress Xiao had spoken, Zhao Qi could not refuse. Besides, he wasn’t truly seeking Mei Chuan’s life; he wanted a more extreme prank, a satisfying revenge to relieve his frustration.
Zhao Qi, coldly nodding, “Fine, then—I—” Before he could finish, Zhao Qi frowned and clutched his belly.
Xiao Shiqing swiftly supported him. “What’s wrong?”
“It… it hurts a bit.”
Xiao Shiqing glanced at Mei Dai, who quickly got up and gently placed his hands on Zhao Qi’s rounded belly.
Xiao Shiqing calmly asked, “How is it?”
Mei Dai’s expression was serious. “Prime Minister, His Majesty is about to give birth. Please carry His Majesty into the delivery room; I am fully prepared.”
Xiao Shiqing immediately picked up Zhao Qi and strode towards the inner chamber.
Meidai called out to her elder brother, “Brother.”
Meichuan immediately became serious and nodded, saying, “Don’t worry, I understand the gravity of the situation. I won’t hold you back.”
Zhao Qi was gently placed on the bed by Xiao Shiqing. By this time, the pain in his abdomen was no longer just a little. He gripped Xiao Shiqing’s arm tightly, his face contorted in agony, and muttered incoherently, “Damn, what kind of earthly suffering is this… Ah, I can’t endure this kind of grievance!”
Zhao Qi’s wails were like sharp blades stabbing into Xiao Shiqing’s heart, but he could do nothing about it. He bent down and kissed Zhao Qi’s lips, his voice heavy, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll stay with you.”
Zhao Qi was sweating profusely, his long hair sticking to his face. He trembled and said, “Anesthesia… I need anesthesia, sob sob sob—”
Xiao Shiqing closed his eyes and turned sharply, asking sternly, “How long will he be in pain?”
“Once the baby is out, the pain will stop,” Meidai said. “Please, Prime Minister, step aside. We need to deliver the baby for the Emperor.”
The conversation reached Zhao Qi’s ears—was his brother leaving?
He struggled to open his eyes, hoping to see Xiao Shiqing once more, only to meet a pair of reddened eyes.
For a moment, Zhao Qi forgot the pain. “Brother, don’t cry, this isn’t like you…” Another wave of intense pain struck, and Zhao Qi let out a muffled groan, his nails nearly digging into Xiao Shiqing’s arm.
Cheng Boyan urged, “A crowded delivery room isn’t good for the birth. Prime Minister, please leave quickly.”
Zhao Qi, weakly, said, “Brother, hurry and go. I’ll do my best…”
Xiao Shiqing took a deep breath, his eyes reddening even more, “I’ll wait for you.”
On New Year’s Eve, after Zhao Qi endured hours of pain, the little dragon egg finally “hatched.”
Hearing the loud cry of the baby, Zhao Qi’s body suddenly relaxed, and he fell into a deep sleep.
He slept until noon, and when he woke up, the sunlight dancing outside the window seemed unreal.
He had… given birth?
“Awake?” Xiao Shiqing sat by the bed, quietly watching him. From his expression, Zhao Qi thought the delivery must have been quite perilous. But in reality, everything had gone smoothly.
Zhao Qi silently called out, “Brother.”
Xiao Shiqing’s heart ached, “Does it still hurt?”
Zhao Qi shook his head.
Xiao Shiqing bent down and whispered in his ear, “Zhao Qi.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Zhao Qi shyly smiled, “You’re welcome—where’s the baby?”
“He’s doing well and has already fallen asleep,” Xiao Shiqing gently stroked Zhao Qi’s brows, “Do you want to see?”
Zhao Qi nodded eagerly, his voice hoarse, “Hurry and bring him to me, that’s my little princess!”
Xiao Shiqing hesitated, “Actually…”
Zhao Qi, weak yet excited, said, “Is she very much like you? She has to look like you to be a great beauty in the future!”
Xiao Shiqing replied, “…Bring the dragon egg.”
Jiang Dehai brought the sleeping baby forward, smiling, “Your Majesty, would you like to hold him?”
Xiao Shiqing said, “Give him to me.”
Zhao Qi propped himself up slightly and looked at the little dragon egg in Xiao Shiqing’s arms with great anticipation, but his smile gradually faded. “Hmm…”
It seemed, a bit ugly?
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
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