Chapter 83

In the Funing Hall, Chu Zhaoyou weakly opened his eyes. Yesterday, he had left the palace to inspect the growth of the potato experimental fields. Seeing the flourishing crops, his mood improved, so he lingered in the fields for a while.

Under the flattery of the head of agriculture, Chu Zhaoyou tried to dredge up memories of potato cultivation from his knowledge but found them to be scant. He mainly remembered how to fry potatoes to make them tasty.

The head of agriculture continued to praise extravagantly, claiming that His Majesty had given the farmers tremendous motivation and drive, and he would strive for a lifetime to ensure that everyone in Great Chu could enjoy fried potato sticks.

With the strong wind outside the city, Chu Zhaoyou stood on the field ridge, reluctant to move. This scene highlighted his sagacity and valor, and he wanted to savor the moment a bit longer.

On his slow return to the capital, he encountered Qin Feichen, the notorious womanizer, and they ended up chatting at an inn.

“Your Majesty, I have apologized to all the women I wronged.”

He had also compensated them.

If it weren’t for the grandeur and wealth of the Qin family, and Qin Feichen being an only child, he wouldn’t have been able to afford such compensation.

“A prodigal son returns, worth more than gold!” Chu Zhaoyou picked up the menu. “I’ll treat you to a meal as a reward.”

Qin Feichen placed a purse of money on the table. “If you were my actual parents, of course, I’d be the one treating.”

In a hushed tone, he asked, “Is the Regent not around?”

Qin Feichen had narrowly escaped from the Regent’s estate and was fearful at the sight of Xiao Heng.

Chu Zhaoyou also whispered, “Not around.”

They exchanged a glance and then looked down at the menu.

They ordered.

After spending so long in the outskirts, Chu Zhaoyou was famished. He could practically visualize sumptuous dishes of meat and fish with his eyes closed.

Without considering any vegetarian options, they ordered braised pork elbows, simmered jumbo prawns, and drunken pigeon with Sichuan peppercorns.

Recently, Chu Zhaoyou had been unwell, and the divine physician had advised him to eat light, but the Regent and Xiao Xingxing had been particularly strict in their supervision. Now, Chu Zhaoyou just wanted to eat meat.

After a table full of meaty dishes, Chu Zhaoyou bid farewell to Qin Feichen and, before entering the palace, rinsed his mouth with a sip of tea.

Later that night, Chu Zhaoyou’s stomach began to ache. Having spent the day out in the wind and consumed very greasy food for dinner, he began to feel uncomfortable and his head grew heavy.

He vomited twice, his face turning pale.

To avoid being discovered for the consequences of his indulgence outside the palace, Chu Zhaoyou went to Xiao Xingxing’s room to sleep. Xiao Xingxing’s bed was not large enough for two people, so the Regent had to sleep alone that night.

Chu Zhaoyou tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and afraid of waking Xiao Xingxing, so he endured without shifting positions.

The next day, when Xiao Xingxing woke up, Chu Zhaoyou had just fallen asleep. Seeing how poorly his father looked, Xiao Xingxing immediately got out of bed to find the Regent.

Chu Zhaoyou’s attempt to conceal his illness failed, and it further agitated the Regent.

“Why didn’t you tell me when you were sick? Who else would you tell? Qin Feichen?”

“Didn’t you promise not to eat outside when you went out yesterday?”

“All night, Chu Zhaoyou! You didn’t tell me or inform the royal physician. You’ve grown quite capable!”

The Regent was furious with Chu Zhaoyou.

Chu Zhaoyou: “I thought I could bear it. It was late, and you also rested late last night. If I said my stomach hurt, wouldn’t you have stayed up all night again?”

Xiao Heng: “I think you didn’t tell me because Qin Feichen was your dining companion.”

Chu Zhaoyou: “That’s definitely not it.”

Xiao Heng: “Or was it because you didn’t want me to discover your indulgence in rich food?”

Chu Zhaoyou: “I only took a bite of each dish!”

He didn’t know what happened; he simply couldn’t control his appetite the previous day. Suddenly, he felt extremely malnourished and had an urgent need for rich food.

Chu Zhaoyou tried to convince himself that this was a bodily signal, a need to consume meat heartily. It was only after he was satisfied that he remembered the Regent’s prohibition on eating outside the palace.

He must have been too pleased with the head of agriculture’s flattery.

The Regent chuckled. Chu Zhaoyou had looked healthy and energetic before leaving yesterday, and now, to absolve himself, he claimed malnutrition.

“Is the palace not providing enough for Your Majesty to eat?” The royal kitchen had been fretting over providing Chu Zhaoyou with nutritious yet light meals every day.

Chu Zhaoyou: “No, that’s not what I meant… Yesterday, indulging in a feast wasn’t my intention. My body was not in control of my consciousness. You can hit my body. But my mind says it was hijacked by my stomach, which is also quite a headache. I hope the Regent will kindly comfort it.”

Amidst a pile of twisted logic—claiming he could be hit while simultaneously seeking comfort—how could the Regent bring himself to strike Chu Zhaoyou?

Chu Zhaoyou hooked the Regent’s pinky finger and shook it gently, asking him not to be angry and to hit him if he was.

Unable to argue with Chu Zhaoyou, and feeling sorry for him enduring a whole night, Xiao Heng felt it was necessary to let Chu Zhaoyou know that in his eyes, even the slightest discomfort Chu Zhaoyou felt was more important than the memorials he held in his hand.

After a long and unsatisfying explanation, the Regent had to straightforwardly tell him, “I’m angry because you didn’t tell me you were unwell last night.”

“Your Majesty’s attitude is bad, and you haven’t reflected at all. It’s hard for me to calm down.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s attempts at riling up the situation only served to focus the Regent’s anger.

Chu Zhaoyou sighed. Everything else could be placated, but if the Regent was upset about this, it meant he was genuinely angry.

Reflecting on it, if the Regent were injured and didn’t tell him, even if it were just a finger cut, he would also be very angry and difficult to appease.

Feeling guilty for his guilty conscience, Chu Zhaoyou felt that his stomach ache was a minor issue. The fact that the Regent was using his anger to communicate with him indicated that it was a significant matter in his mind.

Even though Xiao Xingxing was five years old, the Regent’s care for him hadn’t diminished. This warmed Chu Zhaoyou’s heart, despite his physical discomfort.

After stewing in his bed all morning, Chu Zhaoyou was lively again, with his only worry being how to prove that he knew he had made a mistake.

The Regent, resolute, didn’t visit him all morning, only occasionally instructing others to report on his condition and remotely directing the addition of water and clothing for Chu Zhaoyou.

Feeling deeply remorseful, Chu Zhaoyou picked up a thorny stick and sought to apologize by presenting it to the Regent.

After some contemplation, he chose a stick that was the thickest and had the most thorns.

Xiao Heng took one look and sent Chu Zhaoyou back.

Chu Zhaoyou was stopped outside the Meeting hall. This was something new in the last five years, reminiscent of the puppetry era.

The Regent: “No sincerity.”

Chu Zhaoyou pinched a thorn at his fingertips, sharp and hard. “Isn’t this sincerity?”

Xiao Heng looked at him. “Does Your Majesty think so?”

How insincere must he be to choose a thorny stick? He knew Chu Zhaoyou would never use it!

Even if Chu Zhaoyou had offered him a hairbrush to bully him to his heart’s content!

Chu Zhaoyou: “…Alright, I don’t.”

He glanced at the Regent from a distance, feeling it was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

As he lowered his head, he saw Xiao Xingxing coming around the corner. Chu Zhaoyou waved to him and whispered something.

Xiao Xingxing: “Oh.”

With the mission in hand, Xiao Xingxing went into the meeting hall unimpeded, leaving Chu Zhaoyou seething with anger.

Why!

If his son could go in, why couldn’t he?

Xiao Xingxing found his way to the Regent and, with a serious expression, circled around him a few times. However, due to his short stature, the Regent didn’t notice his expression.

Xiao Xingxing had to come closer, tugging at the Regent’s sleeve. “Father.”

The Regent lowered his head and saw Xiao Xingxing’s lips pressed into a thin line, his face twisted with displeasure.

“What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?” The Regent anxiously crouched down.

“Father, I want you to see how terrible your expression is right now.”

As a miniature version of the Regent, Xiao Xingxing put on a stern face, resembling quite a bit the angry expression of the Regent.

As soon as Xiao Xingxing spoke, he couldn’t maintain the expression and quickly closed his mouth while lifting his chin.

After a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “Have you seen it clearly, Father?”

Xiao Xingxing was a bit tired.

Xiao Heng: “…”