Chapter 36

Xiao Heng’s roasted chicken, dipped in the court’s special seasoning, was flavorful, tender but not dry, with a thin and complete golden brown skin. The small mountain chicken, with no undesirable parts, was just enough for Chu Zhaoyou to eat alone.

Chu Zhaoyou swore, “I didn’t eat a single bite of rice in there.”

Xiao Heng’s expression improved a bit as he handed the roasted chicken to Chu Zhaoyou. “After eating, go back and have some vegetable soup.”

“Okay.” Chu Zhaoyou took the roasted chicken with a smile. The last time they were so poor, one chicken was split among three people, and most of it was eaten by that old man.

As he took a bite of the chicken wing, he couldn’t help but look around cautiously, hoping that the old man wouldn’t appear this time.

There was no old man.

But there was Zhao Jin.

At this moment, the images of Zhao Jin and the old man overlapped highly in Chu Zhaoyou’s mind.

Chu Zhaoyou vigilantly shifted next to the regent, giving him a look that said, “Don’t disturb me while I’m eating. We can talk later.”

Zhao Jin paused, seeing Chu Zhaoyou’s determined look to finish the chicken. He thought to himself, if His Majesty vomited in front of the regent, not only would it embarrass the regent, but it might also complicate matters if the imperial physician was called. Thus, he silently returned to the sleeping quarters.

Xiao Heng put out the fire and soon noticed that half of the roasted chicken in Chu Zhaoyou’s hand had turned into chicken bones.

Quite the eater.

“Is there anything Your Majesty wants to say?” Xiao Heng asked casually.

Chu Zhaoyou mumbled, “You’re very skilled.”

“Nothing else?”

Chu Zhaoyou thought for a moment and said, “Although I ate your chicken, I have already rewarded you with game. The hunting goal has been achieved. Can I take a nap after the shift change this afternoon?”

Di Yan caught a cold recently, recovered yesterday, and now she greatly feared the regent. She insisted on following Chu Zhaoyou to Miqiu.

The palace in Miqiu was much colder than the imperial palace. Chu Zhaoyou felt sorry for Di Yan. In order to persuade her, he had to shoe the military token of the Imperial Dragon Guards. “I’m mobilizing the Imperial Dragon Guards to jointly defend with the regent. Half his command, half mine. Can Auntie rest assured staying in the palace?”

Di Yan reluctantly agreed.

The defensive perimeter in the hunting ground consisted of inner and outer circles. The outer circle protected the safety of the palace and prevented civilians from entering, while the inner circle stationed guards in the woods to prevent any accidents during the hunting activity. After noon, the two teams would switch, with the Imperial Dragon Guards moving from inner to outer, a command that Chu Zhaoyou needed to personally issue.

A fleeting smirk appeared at the corner of Xiao Heng’s lips. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Xie Chaoyun silently observed the interaction between the two, feeling that they had reached the stage of an old married couple.

Who would have thought that the regent, just like him, was still a virgin!

His gaze swept over the suspicious movements at the edge of the woods, and he casually averted his eyes.

They were not an old married couple, but each harbored their own secrets.

The young emperor returned contentedly after finishing the roasted chicken, while the regent, with a sullen expression, busied himself with the remains of the fire, appearing harmonious on the surface but each having their own strategies in play.

The woods had long been filled with whispers.

The regent’s expression darkened the moment Chu Zhaoyou left, as if an ink spill had marred the paper, rendering it unable to hold any gentle words.

Xie Chaoyun suddenly overturned his previous thoughts.

He had always believed that as long as Xiao Heng didn’t realize his feelings for the young emperor, he wouldn’t be conflicted or tormented by the enmity of the previous generation and the inability to be together.

But at this moment, as Xie Chaoyun observed the regent’s impending storm contrasted with the genuine joy Chu Zhaoyou exuded, he realized he might have been mistaken.

If there was no way to find a solution to the He Xin Gu, the regent would inevitably succumb to madness due to unrequited love. In these remaining, scarce moments of clarity, why continue to be muddled?

Xie Chaoyun understood that challenging the young emperor would only upset the regent, regardless of the outcome. Yet, spending time with Chu Zhaoyou, no matter how he was used, was sweet to Xiao Heng.

How could his brother’s life be so tumultuous, yet he couldn’t awaken to a clear and fervent longing?

…

Chu Zhaoyou returned to the palace and suddenly found the roasted chicken less appetizing. A strange odor permeated the room, faint yet nauseating, almost inducing vomiting if lingered for a second longer.

“Zhao Jin, do you smell something?” Chu Zhaoyou sniffed, feeling the eerie atmosphere. He couldn’t detect a specific scent but felt its nauseating presence.

“W-what smell?” Zhao Jin began to stutter. He had just crushed the Muzi grass into juice and applied it to a cloth, intending to let His Majesty smell it at an appropriate time.

The cloth was still on him.

“Very strange, it’s nauseating.” Chu Zhaoyou frowned. He hadn’t felt dizzy or seen blood today, so why the nausea?

Was the roasted chicken too greasy?

At his words, Zhao Jin’s legs went weak, and he weakly leaned on the table, suddenly feeble.

Why use a cloth! The smell was so strong even from a distance, a reaction fiercer than any pregnant woman he had ever seen!

Approaching Zhao Jin, Chu Zhaoyou’s expression suddenly changed, and he covered his nose, swiftly retreating.

“Did Master Zhao slaughtered a pig?” Chu Zhaoyou clutched the table, desperately covering his mouth. The roasted chicken smelled so good—it would be a waste to vomit it out.

Facing the truth, Zhao Jin’s head spun. “Your Majesty, this is a new herb I’ve discovered that can immediately diagnose certain conditions. I’ll explain the details to Your Majesty later.”

Chu Zhaoyou, oblivious to the severity, replied, “Then come back after I’ve digested.”

Watching Chu Zhaoyou focus entirely on the undigested roasted chicken in his stomach, instead of… the situation, left Zhao Jin in a complex mood.

“I take my leave,” Zhao Jin said.

Chu Zhaoyou endured waves of nausea, successfully preventing himself from vomiting.

Lying on the bed, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep for a long time.

This was unusual; he could hardly believe he couldn’t fall asleep.

Chu Zhaoyou got up, drank water, and saw a minister’s son, his face filled with secretive excitement.

“Your Majesty, we’ve succeeded. The oil has surrounded the hunting ground. As long as Your Majesty gives the order, the Imperial Dragon Guards can guard the exits…”

*Cough* Chu Zhaoyou choked on the water. His expression went blank for a moment, and he said in disbelief, “Didn’t I tell Liu Changju to abandon the plan!”

These young men, what do they think they’re doing?

The newcomer was named Chu Xiong, a distant relative of Chu Zhaoyou. His grandfather held a marquis title, but it wasn’t hereditary, and at twenty-three, he was still idling his days away in school.

He scratched his head. “But, Your Majesty, we’ve succeeded.”

Initially, Liu Changju had been scolded by Chu Zhaoyou and had indeed intended to abandon the plan. However, upon learning that Chu Zhaoyou had mobilized the Imperial Dragon Guards and that they were to switch to guarding the outer perimeter in the afternoon, the opportune moment spurred Liu Changju’s mind into action.

He acted first and reported later, joining forces with his colleagues under the guise of helping his father, sneaking into the hunting ground for preliminary clearing work. The entire perimeter was surrounded with barricades and thorny thickets, making it impassable, preventing unrelated individuals from entering and the prey from escaping. The dry thorns, easily combustible, had been secretly doused with oil and sulfur. With strong winds in the afternoon, a wildfire was inevitable.

Chu Zhaoyou had a splitting headache. He slammed the table hard, cursing, “Miqiu is surrounded by villages on both sides. By setting the mountains on fire, you harm innocent people. Is this justifiable? You must immediately inform Liu Changju to cease, or I won’t be able to protect you if you’re a moment late!”

Rarely did he find a group of people loyal to him, only to have them turn into a bunch of overzealous fools. Chu Zhaoyou wasn’t an ancient man; he couldn’t seize power without resorting to ruthless means.

Chu Xiong urgently said, “It’s too late, Your Majesty. Brother Liu is opposite the hunting ground. They agreed on the timing to start the fire and won’t easily back down. At this point, Your Majesty just needs to order the Imperial Dragon Guards to surround the hunting ground, leaving only one exit. All civil and military officials trapped in the fire will be tested for loyalty. Those loyal to Your Majesty will be let out, and those unwilling are traitors, deserving punishment!”

By burning this group of people and promoting another, even if the regent didn’t die, he would be left without soldiers, weakened as the sun sets.

Chu Zhaoyou looked at him in astonishment. He had thought these people a bit foolish, but he hadn’t expected them to be so ruthless.

The Great Chu had vast territories and complex affairs. To continuously strengthen the national power and rise, every official in the Xuanzheng Hall was indispensable.

Liu Changju dared to entertain the delusion of overturning and replacing everything within a day. On whom would the future of Great Chu rely? On these scions abandoned by their families, idling their days away in school?

Chu Zhaoyou chuckled in exasperation, “If you succeed, will Great Chu’s foundation be shaken? Will it affect the people’s livelihoods? Will it attract the covetous eyes of predators?”

Chu Xiong declared emphatically, “To eradicate traitors, there will be a price to pay! Your Majesty, do you still remember your surname, Chu?”

…

On the other side, Xie Chaoyun dismounted and asked bluntly, “You’ve seen those people. How do you intend to handle this?”

Xiao Heng responded indifferently, “I’ve said, if he’s capable, he can come and take it from me.”

“If he takes it, you’re still unhappy. Isn’t that seeking trouble?”

Xiao Heng paused. “That’s why he must come and take it himself. He shouldn’t attempt to seek help from others. A motley crew like them, are they even worthy?”

“So, what you mean is, when His Majesty asks, you’ll give it to him for free. Then why go through all this trouble?”

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Heng replied, “I offered him the military token, but he refused. Instead, he wants to join forces with outsiders to oppose me, so I’ll let him know that he and the kingdom can only rely on me!”

Xie Chaoyun thought to himself that the regent’s thinking was quite clear. In front of the emperor’s band of misfit followers, he’d display his prowess, revealing the stark contrast. The young emperor would undoubtedly be single-mindedly devoted to him.

Xiao Heng continued, “Since he’s been instigated to seek my demise, I’ll render him useless.”

With a seemingly casual remark, it appeared to seal the fate of certain individuals.

“No, that’s not right!” Xie Chaoyun’s head ached. “If you like someone, don’t do things that they can’t accept!”

Xiao Heng didn’t seem to intend to trap those people in the fire and burn them to death. Could the young emperor bear witness to such a scene?

Xiao Heng fell silent, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Xie Chaoyun, each word enunciated sharply, “Say it again?”

“Don’t agitate His Majesty.”

“Repeat the last sentence.”

“…You like him.”

For a while, no one spoke.

Xiao Heng’s voice suddenly softened, skirting around the matter of liking, sounding more like a soliloquy, laden with endless confusion and incomprehension. “I didn’t intend to agitate him, but he wants to lead me into the fire.”

He only wanted Chu Zhaoyou to see how foolish those loyal to him were, none of whom could help him present a petition.

Two Imperial Dragon Guards s dashed out from the woods, looking flustered. “My Lord, a giant python suddenly appeared to the west, surrounding the Ministry of Rites official. We fear for his safety and dare not act rashly.”

“I’ll go take a look,” Xiao Heng said, casting a deep glance at Chu Zhaoyou’s palace.

This glance seemed to last a long time, long enough for the regent to inspect the patterns on the door and the eaves’ swallowtail ridges several times, yet not catching a glimpse of a figure in bright yellow coming out.

Seemingly just a casual glance, Xiao Heng leaped and vanished into the sky above Miqiu.

Xie Chaoyun was speechless. Did the regent want to give Chu Zhaoyou another chance? As long as he hadn’t caught those people and confronted them openly, Xiao Heng would rather play a role, allowing Chu Zhaoyou to call it off at any time. Otherwise, he could just go in and haul Chu Zhaoyou out for questioning.

To the west, crimson flames suddenly surged, billowing thick smoke into the sky.

In the next moment, Chu Zhaoyou burst out of the hall like a gust of wind, shouting hoarsely, “Xiao Heng, come back!”

Xie Chaoyun’s eyes lit up. Even his brother had a chance. The young emperor didn’t seem to want his life.

Zhao Jin caught Chu Zhaoyou abruptly, his heart racing. He had never seen His Majesty run so fast. “Your Majesty, there’s a fire to the west. Don’t go in.”

Xie Chaoyun knew that the fire was intentionally set by the Imperial Dragon Guards to signal to their comrades to move in and capture Liu Changju. The fire wouldn’t ignite; the oil had been replaced with water, and it was all damp wood, creating only smoke.

Encouragingly, he looked at Chu Zhaoyou. “Your Majesty, Minister Zhou is in danger. The regent has gone in to rescue him.”

Go after him, go after him! Otherwise, your regent might lose his mind.

Chu Zhaoyou looked anxious. He knew that the fire wouldn’t hold Xiao Heng back. He was afraid that while Xiao Heng was busy rescuing someone, he himself would be left behind.

In the face of a forest fire, one is insignificant.

“Foolish to fall for this kind of trap!” Chu Zhaoyou cursed. He still had to go in and see. Being able to stop one arsonist was one thing, but he couldn’t have everyone behaving like Chu Xiong and Liu Changju, refusing to listen.

Xie Chaoyun pointed, “Over there.”

Zhao Jin anxiously grabbed Chu Zhaoyou. “You can’t go!”

Earlier in the morning, His Majesty had leisurely observed the flowers from horseback. This level of urgency was almost too much.

Xie Chaoyun glanced at Zhao Jin. What’s wrong with you, big brother?

Chu Zhaoyou clearly wasn’t listening to Zhao Jin. Preventing forest fires was everyone’s responsibility.

“Zhao, beneath the mountain are the common people, but within are all my Ministers, my subjects.”

Desperate, Zhao Jin pulled Chu Zhaoyou aside. “But Your Majesty, inside you is the young prince!”