Chapter 14 – I have to choose between the Prime Minister and Rong Tang.
Jiang Dehai returned to Yonghua Palace and recounted his conversation with Rong Tang to Zhao Qi in full detail.
“Perhaps it’s just the servant’s impression, but it seemed like Young Master Rong felt a bit guilty when he heard that the Emperor was upset due to him.”
Zhao Qi was puzzled. “Why would Rong Tang be guilty because of me? When have I ever been upset for him?”
Jiang Dehai chuckled, “I said this to test Young Master Rong. From what I see, he seems less resistant to the Emperor than before. Truly, the Emperor’s sincerity can move even stone and metal.”
Zhao Qi was very confident. “Impossible. If Rong Tang were to soften towards me, even a sow could climb a tree. By the way, any news from the Dali Temple? Who stole my little peach?!”
Jiang Dehai replied, “Perhaps the Emperor should send for the Dali Temple’s Chief to inquire?”
“Oh?” Zhao Qi was eager. Even though he had been emperor for a long time, he had never summoned an official for questioning. He cleared his throat and said, “Then, summon him.”
Jiang Dehai said, “I’ll go right away.”
In the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Jiang Dehai returned. Zhao Qi looked behind him but saw no one and asked, “Where is he?”
Jiang Dehai looked troubled. “Your Majesty, Chief Chen of the Dali Temple is currently in the Administrative Hall discussing matters with the Prime Minister. When I went to summon him, the Prime Minister said…”
“Said what?”
“He said that Chief Chen is currently unavailable and if the Emperor has matters to discuss, he should go to the Administrative Hall.”
Zhao Qi: “…” As expected of Prime Minister Xiao, truly audacious. I am very angry, but the outcome is—quiet.
Of course, it was Xiao Shiqing. Even if the emperor changed, he wouldn’t lose his position as Prime Minister. Just deal with it.
Zhao Qi waved his hand, “Forget it. I’ll ask Chief Chen another day.”
At that moment, a little eunuch stepped forward to report, “Your Majesty, Young Master Jiang requests an audience.”
Without thinking, Zhao Qi said, “Refuse.”
“But Your Majesty, Young Master Jiang is crying so sadly outside.”
“What now?” Zhao Qi was a bit impatient, thinking he needed to find a reason to dismiss the beauties of the harem soon. “Let him in.”
“Your Majesty—” As soon as Jiang Bao’er arrived, he cried and threw himself at Zhao Qi. Zhao Qi nimbly dodged, avoiding him, and asked, “Why are you crying so sadly? Did someone bully you?”
Jiang Bao’er’s eyes were full of tears. “Your Majesty, Bao’er is no longer the same Bao’er as before. Bao’er… sob sob sob…”
Zhao Qi was headachy from his crying. “How about you go outside and cry some more, and come back when you’re done?”
Jiang Bao’er immediately stopped crying and shyly said, “Bao’er remembers Your Majesty’s teachings and doesn’t want to be as weak and sickly as Young Master Rong, so every day I run laps with other siblings in the harem…”
Zhao Qi praised, “That’s a good thing.”
“But!” Jiang Bao’er said with great grievance, “After a month of running, Bao’er’s legs… Bao’er’s legs have become much thicker, Your Majesty!”
Zhao Qi: “… Haha. Come, come, let me take a look.”
Jiang Bao’er lifted the hem of his clothes. Zhao Qi looked at his calves for a while and honestly said, “They are indeed quite thick.”
Jiang Bao’er cried out, “Bao’er knows that Your Majesty likes soft and slender beauties. Now that Bao’er looks like this, I truly have no face to stay in the palace to serve Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi’s eyes lit up, “You’ve finally come to your senses and want to leave me? That’s good news!”
“No, Your Majesty, Bao’er’s life depends on you. If Bao’er leaves you, Bao’er will die!”
“…Then what do you want to do?”
“Bao’er wants to ask Your Majesty to summon a court physician to examine Bao’er. I’ve been eating and drinking less than usual, so why are my limbs swelling up like this?”
Zhao Qi pinched his brow, “This symptom won’t be helped by a physician.”
Jiang Bao’er was desperate, “Then who should Bao’er ask?”
“Ask me.” Zhao Qi said seriously, “Call everyone over. I will teach you an unparalleled technique that will strengthen your body without making your legs thicker.”
Jiang Bao’er was overjoyed, “Bao’er will go right away!”
Jiang Dehai watched in astonishment, “Your Majesty, when did you learn martial arts?”
Zhao Qi stood up, stretched his limbs, and said resolutely, “As the Son of Heaven of Dajin, I have many hidden talents. Keep your eyes open and watch—this is going to be a display!”
After a visit to Muyang Temple, Zhao Qi deeply realized how weak he was. Climbing a tree or riding a horse almost cost him his life. This couldn’t go on. Health was the foundation of revolution, and he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life like Rong Tang, clutching a medicine bottle. He needed to exercise and bring his beauties along.
Zhao Qi changed into a light outfit and went to the Imperial Garden, where his beauties were waiting for him. He counted—wait, there was an extra person?
Hold on, the one standing at the end seemed to be…
Zhao Qi rubbed his eyes and looked again—indeed, it was Rong Tang!
Among the beauties present, all of whom were extraordinarily beautiful, Rong Tang was still the most eye-catching, with a cold and aloof demeanor that stood out even among them.
Zhao Qi summoned Jiang Bao’er and asked, “Why did you call Rong Tang here too?”
Jiang Bao’er said, “Your Majesty, Young Master Rong is also one of the beauties in the harem.”
“But he never came before.”
“Yes, but today he hesitated for a moment and then came.”
“… What should I do? Could it be that he also wants to pass on that ‘peerless divine skill’ to Rong Tang?” Zhao Qi imagined the scene and felt complicated.
Zhao Qi looked at Rong Tang, who was also looking back at him. Besides the usual indifference and aloofness in his eyes, there seemed to be something more.
Zhao Qi walked over, steeling himself to speak, “You… have you been well lately?”
Rong Tang nodded slightly, “Not bad.” Then he cleared his throat.
Zhao Qi scratched his head and asked, “My little peach, have you eaten it?”
“Not yet.”
“You didn’t throw it away again, did you?” Zhao Qi said, “I went to great lengths to pick it. If you’re not going to eat it, just return it to me, and don’t throw it away.”
“But Your Majesty, didn’t you say you hadn’t touched the early peaches before?”
“…” Oh no, the secret is out.
Seeing Zhao Qi’s conflicted expression, Rong Tang gave a faint smile, “Your Majesty, is there something you need?”
Jiang Dehai, unable to keep quiet, said, “The Emperor mentioned he has a peerless divine skill to impart to the beauties.”
Rong Tang, “Hmm?”
Zhao Qi, feeling very embarrassed, said, “Shut up. Rong Tang, you can rest over there. This divine skill is not suitable for you.”
Rong Tang had no interest in the so-called divine skill, “I have something to discuss with Your Majesty.”
Zhao Qi widened his eyes in shock, “Ah?” He turned to Jiang Dehai, “Did I hear that wrong?”
Rong Tang, “…”
Jiang Dehai, who thought he saw through everything, said, “The Emperor didn’t hear wrong. Young Master Rong said he has something to say to you!”
“Oh,” Zhao Qi looked somewhat bewildered, “Then wait for me. I’ll talk to you after I finish teaching them.”
In the Hall of Diligent Administration, Master Chen of the Supreme Court and Master Pan of the Ministry of Rites stood before Xiao Shiqing like they were walking on thin ice. Xiao Shiqing asked, “Master Chen, do you know why the Emperor summoned you?”
Master Chen replied, “It must be about the theft at Muyang Temple.”
“Has Master Chen discovered anything?”
Master Chen wiped the sweat from his brow, “I… I haven’t discovered anything.”
Xiao Shiqing raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, “The Supreme Court is actually helpless with a theft case. Master Chen, do you think this is acceptable?”
“Th-This official is guilty.” Master Chen felt like crying. It’s not that he hadn’t discovered anything; he was afraid to speak up!
Master Pan, unable to bear seeing his colleague suffer, kindly reminded, “Master Chen, whatever you find, you need to give the Emperor an answer. If the Emperor believes it, your job is over.”
Master Chen suddenly understood, “Rest assured, Prime Minister. I understand now!”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “Master Pan is indeed wise—how is the preparation for the spring examination going?”
Master Pan replied, “Prime Minister, everything is proceeding smoothly.”
“But I have heard that a list of exam questions is circulating in the capital, each set priced at one thousand taels of silver, with the seller claiming them to be ‘genuine and unaltered.'”
Now Master Pan was unsettled, a layer of sweat forming on his forehead, “I will investigate immediately.”
Xiao Shiqing nodded, “You may go.”
After the two officials left, Xiao Shiqing distractedly read the memorials and said, “Come in.”
The hidden guard immediately appeared, “Prime Minister.”
“Why hasn’t the Emperor arrived?” Xiao Shiqing said, “Wasn’t he supposed to come to the Hall of Diligent Administration to summon people?”
The guard replied, “Prime Minister, after Eunuch Jiang conveyed your message, the Emperor said never mind. He’ll question Master Chen another day.”
“Then what is he doing now?”
“Prime Minister, the Emperor is currently frolicking in the Imperial Garden with the beauties of the harem.”
Xiao Shiqing sneered, “His true nature is hard to change—who is he with?”
“Everyone.”
Xiao Shiqing’s expression changed slightly, “What?”
The guard said firmly, “Prime Minister, the Emperor is seeking pleasure with all the beauties of the harem, including Young Master Rong from the Drunken Study.”
Xiao Shiqing slammed the memorial shut, “He’s not afraid of exhausting himself to death!”
Xiao Shiqing set aside a pile of urgent matters and rushed to the Imperial Garden. Before he could see anyone, he heard Zhao Qi’s voice: “March in place—one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, stop! First set, stretching exercises…”
Xiao Shiqing asked, “Are you sure they’re frolicking?”
The guard hesitated, “Uh, aren’t they?”
Zhao Qi, holding a rattan stick and shouting commands, occasionally stopping to correct the mistakes of the beauties: “Second set, chest expansion exercise—hey, hey, hey, the one in the second row, third column, didn’t you eat? Why are your hands so limp? Straighten them out!”
Zhao Qi was teaching diligently and hadn’t noticed Xiao Shiqing. However, the sharp-eyed Jiang Dehai saw him and ran over, “This servant greets the Prime Minister.”
“What is the Emperor doing?”
“The Emperor is teaching the beauties martial arts.”
Xiao Shiqing sneered, “What kind of martial arts is this? Nonsense.” He watched for a while and said, “Even Rong Tang is here. Why isn’t he practicing?”
Jiang Dehai replied, “Young Master Rong’s health isn’t good. The Emperor is compassionate and let him rest on the side.”
Xiao Shiqing smiled, “Our Emperor really knows how to be tender and considerate.” He walked up behind Zhao Qi and said coolly, “Is the Emperor done making a commotion?”
Zhao Qi, startled, dropped the rattan stick, “Prime Minister? Why do you always appear out of nowhere!”
“If you’re done with your antics, come with me to the Administrative Hall of Diligence,” Xiao Shiqing said, “I have something to discuss.”
Before Zhao Qi could respond, Rong Tang walked over and asked, “Have you finished teaching, Your Majesty?”
Zhao Qi looked at Rong Tang, then at Xiao Shiqing, and said, “Prime Minister, I promised Rong Tang that I’d speak with him first.”
“Is that so,” Xiao Shiqing smiled, “Then choose one—me or him.”
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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