Chapter 37

Chu Zhaoyou’s face was a picture of puzzlement. He thought “Even if you’re a physician, you can’t just make things up like this.”

“You sound like the Old man I encountered before —” Chu Zhaoyou suddenly stopped talking, pursed his lips, and his gaze flickered.

At the moment, it seemed the old man hadn’t lied to him, and he had mentioned not remembering the side effects.

It’s not that I don’t  remember, it’s because I really don’t know.

Speaking softly, Zhao Jin pulled Chu Zhaoyou further away, guarding against Xie Chaoyun eavesdropping. “I’ve spoken nothing but the truth. Your Majesty, didn’t you just sense a strange smell on me? That was Muzi grass. Only pregnant women feel nauseated after smelling it. Your pulse appeared irregular, and I had already suspected something in this regard. Today, using Muzi grass to confirm my suspicion, I can be certain. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, take Muzi grass and let General Xie try it, then find a pregnant woman in the village…”

Whether he believed it or not, Chu Zhaoyou wasn’t sure.

What came to his mind first was his concern about the slight swelling of his lower abdomen during bathing, and the sudden onset of nausea two months ago.

And the repeated emphasis from the Empress Dowager, insisting that the regent couldn’t bear a son, then that he couldn’t bear one.

The Empress Dowager’s words were utter deception!

He had been trying to convince himself that his nausea was a psychological ailment, but it didn’t quite add up. He was well aware that he wasn’t afraid of blood.

But how could a man become pregnant?

Chu Zhaoyou’s face turned deathly pale, his body trembling, as if his worldview had been shattered and reshaped by the He Xin Gu. It felt as if a rope was tightening around his neck, making it hard to breathe.

Zhao Jin vigorously patted Chu Zhaoyou’s back, speaking urgently and softly, “Your Majesty, breathe! Take deep breaths!”

Unconsciously, Chu Zhaoyou had been holding his breath, turning his ashen face instantly crimson as he finally exhaled at Zhao Jin’s urging, as if coming back to life.

“I… I can breathe,” Chu Zhaoyou said, the words sounding as if he were about to give birth. Just the thought of taking deep breaths was enough to make him feel like he was about to faint.

“Are you sure I didn’t grow a tumor?” Chu Zhaoyou’s voice was trembling. Lacking the ability to suppress it, he grabbed Zhao Jin and took a few unsteady steps forward before sitting on the ground, his legs weak.

Zhao Jin replied, “Your Majesty, you’re in good health, and your child is safe.”

What outrageous and preposterous words!

Chu Zhaoyou mechanically twisted his neck and looked towards the depths of the hunting ground, his fists clenched tightly.

I’m going to kill that old bastard of a regent!!!

Damn it, I’ll release a chicken, and next year, my wife will give birth to a chubby little boy!

Whenever there’s a chicken, trouble follows! That stupid animal is going to die!

Chu Zhaoyou scrambled to his feet, his eyes fiercely searching for a horse.

Zhao Jin watched in astonishment as His Majesty transitioned from weakness to intense fury, leaving him utterly perplexed.

He thought His Majesty was going to enter the hunting ground to stop Liu Changju from starting the fire. “Your Majesty, the thick smoke is suffocating and can harm your health!”

Xie Chaoyun watched as the two of them walked away in a state of agitation, witnessing Chu Zhaoyou’s changing expressions before he erupted into a furious search for a horse.

He vaguely heard the phrase, “But that’s… a child.”

What did that mean?

Xie Chaoyun automatically added: But they are still a group of children.

The people who started the fire were still children? Were there children in their twenties? Were there teenagers following along to start fires?

Weren’t the soldiers on the border of the same age? He himself had experienced countless injuries at that age on the battlefield!

Xie Chaoyun sneered. If it weren’t for the fact that those people were loyal to Chu Zhaoyou and that there were complications due to personal relationships, he would have wholeheartedly supported Xiao Heng’s madness, internal and external exchanges, and their subsequent demise.

Zhao Jin, in his desperation, blurted out, “Your Majesty, if it’s for… consideration, you shouldn’t go and rescue.”

Xie Chaoyun looked over, silencing himself in time.

He was Di Yan’s man, and his thoughts were inevitably similar to those of his master.

A puppet emperor’s child would still be a puppet, living anxiously under the regent’s control. One person could live comfortably, but with two, one had to consider and plan carefully.

Chu Zhaoyou suddenly calmed down. He had intended to come out to rescue someone, but Zhao Jin’s interruption had turned his thoughts towards aggression.

Chu Zhaoyou’s gaze turned to Zhao Jin, his eyes sharp, the churning emotions within slowly subsiding.

Zhao Jin nervously persisted, “Your Majesty, please think carefully.”

Chu Zhaoyou thought to himself, Zhao Jin really didn’t understand him. Firstly, he wouldn’t stoop to the level of those aristocratic offspring, and secondly—

The child he was carrying belonged to the regent.

If the regent were to perish, it would only be at his hands, or else he would suffer needlessly.

Chu Zhaoyou took a deep breath, calming his anger, but he decided against seeking out the regent.

After being provoked by Chu Xiong and Liu Changju, and the subsequent emotional upheaval, Chu Zhaoyou’s mind cleared.

Why was Xie Chaoyun so composed? Did Xiao Heng really fall for such a foolish scheme?

It had been so long, and the west was still only billowing with thick smoke, indicating that the regent was in control of the situation.

So, why did Xie Chaoyun guide him in? Was it a trap, waiting for him to fall into?

He chuckled meaningfully at the dense forest, then turned and went back inside.

Let the old bastard play by himself.

A bunch of fools wanted to drag him and the Imperial Dragon Guards into trouble, but he would remain steadfast and unmoved.

He decided to take a nap, hoping to wake up to Zhao Jin telling him that he had misdiagnosed.

Xie Chaoyun was dumbfounded: Why wouldn’t they pursue the regent anymore?

Could it end like this?

Soon, Xie Chaoyun realized that the Majesty’s Imperial dragon Guards hadn’t been mobilized at all. So far, it was just a group of aristocratic youths causing a minor ruckus.

For whatever reason, Chu Zhaoyou temporarily removed himself from the situation.

After about an hour, the regent emerged from the woods with a grim expression. Behind him, the Imperial Dragon Guards escorted dozens of prisoners, all looking disheveled and downcast, as if they were heading to an execution.

Xiao Heng asked, “Where’s Chu Zhaoyou?”

Xie Chaoyun replied, “His Majesty is taking a nap.”

“He doesn’t care about me at all?” Xiao Heng gritted his teeth, deliberately walking slowly, hoping that Chu Zhaoyou would catch up.

If Chu Zhaoyou admitted he had been misguided and regretted his actions, Xiao Heng could let it go and might even show mercy, sparing their lives.

Xie Chaoyun explained, “His Majesty did go after them initially, but you were too quick, so he didn’t catch up. Even after he went out, he didn’t mobilize the Imperial Dragon Guards, showing some leniency.”

Xiao Heng was dissatisfied. “But he still watched them start the fire.”

“You have such high expectations of His Majesty, but you can’t have it all your way.”

“I can treat him this way, so why can’t he? He initially had murderous intent!”

Liu Changju and the others refused to admit acting on their own and all claimed that they were following orders from His Majesty, stating that the regent had no authority to deal with them.

In the regent’s hands, they were as good as dead. The only hope was to firmly tie their actions to loyalty to the sovereign. They had to bite the bullet, claim that it was His Majesty’s instruction, and when they met with His Majesty, plead for mercy. If His Majesty showed compassion, he would certainly save them.

According to the current interrogation, Chu Zhaoyou was seen as the mastermind.

Xie Chaoyun unexpectedly detected a hint of resentment from Xiao Heng’s words. He earnestly advised, “If you like him, why not tell him? His Majesty is unaware of your feelings.”

Xiao Heng looked at him, his eyes carrying a sense of reproach. “This is the second time today you’ve mentioned that I like him.”

For the past three months, he had struggled to define his conflicting feelings for Chu Zhaoyou. Despite being infuriated, he constantly longed to see him, to provoke him, and then to see him react, over and over again.

It was Xie Chaoyun’s assertion that made Xiao Heng suddenly realize that this was indeed love.

To have such strong feelings for someone could entirely overshadow the hatred that had gripped his heart for seven years.

There was nothing he couldn’t admit. Xiao Heng had always been arrogant and self-assured. This heart belonged to him, and he alone determined its decisions. Allowing hatred to dominate would only show weakness.

Chu Zhaoyou was his to handle, whether he liked it or not.

There was no need to vocalize it; it was his to control.

But Xie Chaoyun, he would speak up in front of Chu Zhaoyou.

With a derisive snort, Xiao Heng decisively turned away, “If he wants to kill me, I won’t tell him.”

Was this an admission?

Why care about pride when you’re going to be a fool in nine months?

Xie Chaoyun goaded him, “You just don’t dare!”

Angrily, Xiao Heng shot him a glance and then marched resolutely towards Chu Zhaoyou’s sleeping quarters, deliberately making a show of things, rapping firmly on the door twice.

Without waiting for a response from inside, Xiao Heng declared, “I’ve arrested Liu Changju and others for plotting against the court officials. By law, they should be executed.”

Chu Zhaoyou turned over in bed. Indeed, the regent not only saw through everything but also emerged victorious, coming to question him.

“The country has its laws, and I have no objections.”

Xiao Heng choked. Was that all? Was Chu Zhaoyou not going to plead for leniency?

Biting his lip, he stood outside, unwilling to confront him for allowing the culprits to go unpunished, yet hoping that Chu Zhaoyou would soften his stance.

After a while, he heard the voice from inside again, “A swift death is too easy for them. Make them go to the west and repair the city walls, so they can see how the soldiers of Great Chu protect and defend our nation.”

Xiao Heng quickly retorted, “Why should I listen to you?”

Chu Zhaoyou sat up from under the covers. The late afternoon sun cast the regent’s silhouette crisply onto the door, unmoving like a guardian. He feigned bewilderment, “The regent hasn’t left? I was just talking to myself.”

Chu Zhaoyou was feeling low at the moment, and no one was pregnant for him. Why should he intercede for someone else?

Xiao Heng’s attempt to use Liu Changju to threaten him was futile. His compassion was limited, and those who made mistakes should bear the consequences themselves.

“You—” Xiao Heng was seething with frustration, quickly trying to convince himself that Chu Zhaoyou’s audacity stemmed from his favoritism.

It was my favoritism.

Xiao Heng returned with a grim expression.

Chu Zhaoyou’s mood suddenly brightened.

In the distance, Xie Chaoyun shook his head. There was no saving the situation.

“What are you waiting for? Take Liu Changju to the dungeons for further interrogation. After that, send him to the border to repair the city walls,” Xiao Heng pinched the bridge of his nose. “Also, today’s events are not to be disclosed.”

There cannot be any discord between Chu Zhaoyou and the courtiers.

Xie Chaoyun hadn’t expected Xiao Heng to consider Chu Zhaoyou to this extent. Suddenly, a possibility occurred to him.

After Chu Xiong went in, Chu Zhaoyou hurriedly came out to call Xiao Heng back. Could it be that His Majesty didn’t actually know?

Xie Chaoyun’s eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. It had been a long time since he personally interrogated a prisoner. He hoped his skills hadn’t gotten rusty.

At the end of the hunting session, the courtiers were only aware of some minor incidents. Some were unaware that their incompetent sons had been involved in a rebellion.

Xie Chaoyun didn’t take long to get Liu Changju to confess.

That night, he presented the confession to the regent.

Xiao Heng looked at the simple page, his expression as icy as a thawing glacier. On the surface, he was unassailable, but beneath that thin layer of ice, the spring water surged, almost breaking through the ice.

“I think His Majesty does have some feelings for you,” Xie Chaoyun spoke assertively, his heart breaking for his brother’s love. “Looking at everyone in the court, His Majesty is amiable and cheerful. Why is he not just as polite and cheerful with you?”

Xiao Heng’s face darkened.

Xie Chaoyun continued, “Surely, you’re quite special to him. You’re always threatening him, and His Majesty is irritated. He deliberately puts up a front to protect himself from being hurt by you.”

On one side, there were two brothers, and on the other, there was a benefactor. The two were archenemies. Xie Chaoyun just wanted them to come together and settle their differences, instead of going back and forth.

Xie Chaoyun’s arguments were so convoluted that Xiao Heng was half-convinced, half-dubious. “When did I hurt his feelings?”

Was he unkind to Chu Zhaoyou?

Xie Chaoyun started to fabricate, “You’re harsh with him and misunderstand him, which hurts his feelings.”

The night made people impulsive, and surprisingly, Xie Chaoyun managed to persuade Xiao Heng to apologize to His Majesty.

He didn’t have much faith in Xiao Heng, so he decided to sacrifice himself and go along, which would allow him to support Xiao Heng’s confession.

It definitely wasn’t to see the drama unfold.

Xiao Heng said, “I’ll go now.”

At this hour, Chu Zhaoyou was probably half-asleep. If that little rascal angered him, he would just deny everything the next day.

The regent had come up with all sorts of reasons for himself. If it weren’t for Xie Chaoyun’s intervention, he might have even written down the 108 possible reactions of Chu Zhaoyou and the corresponding ways to handle each one.

The palace was silent, with only the occasional patrol passing through. However, there was still light in the Funing Hall.

Xiao Heng was surprised. Chu Zhaoyou had been out all day, and considering his lazy nature, he should have been asleep by now.

Has something happened? His heart tightened, and he almost silently flew to the front of the Funing Hall.

Xie Chaoyun lost sight of Xiao Heng in a blink, and it took a moment before he caught up. They directly passed through the corridor and landed in front of the sleeping hall together.

Lady Zhao and the young emperor were discussing something important.

Lady Zhao was emotionally charged but kept her voice low, “Zhaoyou, listen to your aunt. Get married right away. Even if the Regent does not agree, if there are no suitable girls in the capital, your aunt can find you a wife from Liangzhou, from the General’s Mansion in Liangzhou.”

Xie Chaoyun felt a chill down his neck, sensing Xiao Heng’s growing momentum.

Chu Zhaoyou’s voice sounded feeble, “I’ll consider it.”

“Don’t consider it. Give your aunt a reply tomorrow. Your uncle and aunt are still alive. No one can bully you.” Xie Chaoyun quickly pressed Xiao Heng’s shoulder, pulling him forcefully outside the Funing Hall.

“Calm down! Xiao Yudao, think about what you’re doing tonight!” Xie Chaoyun shouted.

Why had they come to the palace at this late hour? It was just the two of them and a lunatic in the vast square.

Xiao Heng said coldly, “He wants to make a son! I can’t stay calm. Xie Chaoyun, let go!”

Xie Chaoyun dared not release his grip. Trying to break free, Xiao Heng’s martial arts were superior to Xie Chaoyun’s. Even with Qian Shicheng’s help, Xie Chaoyun wouldn’t stand a chance. “I don’t want to fight you. I just want to say something. Let go.”

Xie Chaoyun realized that it definitely wasn’t the message they had planned to convey when they left the Regent’s residence.

The author has something to say: Guide against misinterpretation: There’s no deception about marriage, His Majesty never even considered it.

(Important note: The Seal of Authority is jointly possessed by the Emperor and the Regent, with each holding half, granting them both the capability to activate the Imperial Dragon guards/army.)