Font Size:
In the Regent’s study, the lights were out, and the room was shrouded in darkness, with the cold wind raging through the three large windows.
A blurry outline was framed within the window, and the window frames creaked as the figure remained motionless.
Xiao Heng stood by the window, his gaze piercing through the deep shadows of the bamboo grove, looking in the direction of the Funing Hall.
The cold wind cleared his mind somewhat, prompting him to pay attention to the details he had missed. For instance, when he had burst in, Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes had shown no signs of the anger and shock that came later. Xiao Heng closed his eyes and twirled the waist buckle with the carved pair of swallows.
He regretfully struck the windowsill. Why hadn’t he been more observant? Perhaps if he had seen things clearly, he wouldn’t have uttered such hurtful words.
But he knew himself too well. Even if a mountain collapsed before him, he’d remain unfazed, but when facing Chu Zhaoyou, he couldn’t control his impulsiveness. It was as if he was on the verge of losing to Chu Zhaoyou.
Why was he like this? He was overly anxious, as if he would be abandoned by Chu Zhaoyou the moment he opened his eyes.
Yet Chu Zhaoyou had always been in the palm of his hand. If he didn’t let go, he would never escape.
Xiao Heng’s thoughts led him to a headache, ultimately attributing his behavior to Chu Zhaoyou’s fondness for drama. In Xiao Heng’s mind, all theatrical performances were filled with the sentiment of parting.
“Why so dark? What are you doing?” Xie Chaoyun grumbled as he lit the room, instantly illuminating the study.
“What’s with the windows? It’s freezing.” Xie Chaoyun pushed the Regent aside and closed the doors and windows like an old woman. Turning around, he smirked, “I was wondering why you were dawdling before leaving. I didn’t notice anything off about your black attire, but I did spot the new buckle.”
Dressed so deliberately, yet he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. What a waste of effort.
Xiao Heng, feeling uneasy, unconsciously covered the white jade buckle with the carved pair of swallows with his fingers.
“Why are you here so late?”
“I’m here to prevent you from hanging yourself from the rafters tomorrow.” Xie Chaoyun had been particularly delighted in teasing the Regent lately. He realized that the Regent might be deliberately looking for criticism. No matter how much you scolded him about Chu Zhaoyou, he would simply listen silently, neither retorting nor correcting himself, that’s why he weould dare to do the same next time.
“I heard that some people exploit their public authority for personal gain. When I headed south, they couldn’t wait to drive me away without notifying anyone. They went out on a feigned expedition, even inquired if the Emperor wanted to leave the city to welcome Lady Zhao. They just wanted His Majesty to see them off. What’s the use of parading around with a few thousand cavalry? They come back in a rush when injured, eager to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. They’re afraid of getting better too quickly and missing out on playing the victim, so they keep fussing around.”
These were the stories Xie Chaoyun had shared with Qian Shicheng after returning. Qian Shicheng only understood the surface, the rest was his own inference, but judging by the Regent’s reaction, it was likely close to the truth.
The Regent was becoming more and more intriguing, and Xie Chaoyun fervently hoped the neighboring small countries wouldn’t cause trouble, as he wanted to peacefully watch this drama unfold in the capital.
He looked at the Regent, who was going to be twenty-eight and still unmarried, worrying his mother to no end. “Let me ask you this, if you don’t tell him, how is he supposed to understand? If he doesn’t understand, what’s wrong with him finding a wife? You should just embrace his son before you die, be a good person until the end, and then crown him as the Crown Prince.”
After all that Xie Chaoyun had said, it was finally a single sentence that enraged the Regent.
Xiao Heng’s forehead veins bulged, “He dares to have a child!”
Realizing that Xie Chaoyun had led him into a pit, and with only a few months left, there was no time for Chu Zhaoyou. Stubbornly, he stated, “It’s too late.”
Xie Chaoyun asked, “So, you’re going to clash with His Majesty from now on?”
His voice turned somewhat bitter, “With the little time left, is there nothing else you want to do? Ask yourself if you’re content with this.”
Xiao Heng fell silent. How could he be content? The old Emperor had planned things so well. He had fallen for the son of his enemy, yet he was afraid to mention it, fearing his own short life wouldn’t allow for it.
Every day, Xie Chaoyun tried to persuade him. Why didn’t he speak to Chu Zhaoyou himself? It was due to the same concerns.
A person with a short life didn’t have the qualifications. The only way was to use impotent rage to cover up, to obstruct Chu Zhaoyou from marrying and having children.
“I’ll send someone to find the antidote for the He Xin Gu,” Xiao Heng suddenly declared.
Xie Chaoyun was startled. Only he knew that the Regent was under the influence of the gu. They had been quietly searching for seven years, with minimal results. Xiao Heng’s intent was to find the antidote at any cost, even if it risked the news leaking, making everyone aware of the Regent’s vulnerability.
Xie Chaoyun reluctantly said, “It seems that’s the only option. Let’s start with something closer. I’ll promise His Majesty an apology on your behalf. He mentioned he wants—”
He deliberately paused, observing the Regent’s expression. As expected, the young Emperor seemed to want to pluck the stars from the sky, and the Regent was willing to move mountains to bring them to him.
Xiao Heng looked at Xie Chaoyun with a hint of urgency in his eyes. What did Chu Zhaoyou want? Wasn’t he someone who didn’t even want the Seal of Authority?
“The Emperor wants the imperial mausoleum to be restored.”
Due to his grudge with the late Emperor, Xiao Heng had deliberately neglected all the ancestral shrines of the Chu family for seven years, especially the late Emperor’s mausoleum. The saved funds had been diverted to soup kitchens outside the city.
He had refrained from desecrating the late Emperor’s remains, showing a measure of mercy.
As the saying goes, bones litter the battlefield, and all is in vain after death. Why should the royal family be any different? Thousands of years later, when dynasties change, who would come to guard the mausoleums? If they were neglected, so be it. The late Emperor didn’t deserve to enjoy the fruits of the people’s toil in death.
Neither Xiao Heng nor Xie Chaoyun felt any qualms about this.
Considering it was the Emperor’s request, Xie Chaoyun added, “You’d better agree.”
Xiao Heng was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. His first thought was whether Chu Zhaoyou was deliberately provoking him or acting out of filial piety.
He rubbed his forehead. “Alright.”
The next morning, both the Emperor and the Regent had dark circles under their eyes, and the atmosphere in the court was heavy.
When Xiao Heng announced the allocation of funds from the national treasury for the restoration of the imperial mausoleum, the officials were secretly puzzled.
The treasury was not short of funds, and the restoration work was beyond reproach, but this didn’t seem to align with the Regent’s usual style!
Could it be a joint decision between the Emperor and the Regent?
They discreetly observed Chu Zhaoyou’s expression and found the Emperor to be impassive, showing no signs of pleasure.
This was peculiar.
The astute officials couldn’t help but speculate: Was the restoration of the mausoleum a signal that the Emperor wanted to reclaim the center of power in the court?
Considering the Emperor’s current intelligence, the Regent had also relaxed his hold on power, even allowing the Emperor to rule directly for over two months last year.
The officials meticulously speculated, fabricating scenarios of an all-night strategic game played by the Emperor and the Regent, even attributing Chu Zhaoyou and Xiao Heng’s dark circles to this supposed nocturnal contest.
Chu Zhaoyou sat upright, not giving the Regent a single glance all morning. In the past, he would listen attentively to the proceedings of the court session. Regardless of the gravity of the discussions or the Regent’s grim visage, he would sit serenely on the throne, resembling a qualified mascot, encouraging the ministers to voice their opinions.
Ministers with cold sweat on their foreheads glanced at the Emperor. The three pounds of ice chips, frozen by the Regent, seemed to melt away.
The officials suddenly realized that the Emperor was quite significant in the morning court.
Chu Zhaoyou had a restless night and a bad mood. Alongside the Regent, they became the source of the chilly atmosphere. His mind was blank all morning, with only one thought: don’t get angry with the Regent, don’t even look at him.
“I’m not angry. I have such a good temper. I need to remain calm. I’m easily irritable during pregnancy, and I might give birth to a little tyrant like that old quack.”
At the end of the court session, Chu Zhaoyou noticed that the ministers looked at him differently.
He stood up, took a deep breath, and went straight back to the Funing Hall.
Xiao Heng waited all morning, slowing down the proceedings, but Chu Zhaoyou didn’t pacify.
The mausoleum had been restored, and the apology Xie Chaoyun had mentioned was of no use at all!
Xiao Heng stopped Chu Zhaoyou and awkwardly said, “I was too harsh in my words last night… I apologize.”
Listening to this awkward apology, Chu Zhaoyou responded with a casual “oh,” not particularly concerned. It was probably Xie Chaoyun’s advice, and when others advised him, it was as if no one had spoken at all.
Apologies are meaningless. If only you could take back what you said last night!
Xiao Heng: “…”
“I have no other business here. I’m leaving.”
Chu Zhaoyou was prohibited from lying down by Zhao Jin and was given a set duration for daily walks. He decided to forgo the sedan chair and instead took a walk after the court session.
He was concerned about one thing – he needed to confirm it at the Imperial Hospital. Before he knew about the pregnancy, the Imperial Hospital had given him an anti-emetic herbal medicine. The Regent had administered it once. Later, the medicine had a significant effect, and he obediently pinched his nose and drank it for several days.
Pregnant women couldn’t take medicine casually. What a hassle!
As he walked, he cursed in his mind, repeatedly recalling the words of admonishment from Cui Geng, with no novelty, and the target of his ire remained unchanged.
At the Imperial Hospital, Doctor Zhang, who was on duty, greeted Chu Zhaoyou respectfully, serving tea and water, and inquired if the Emperor was experiencing any headaches or fevers.
They still remembered the Regent’s furious reaction when the Emperor had been incessantly vomiting last time.
Chu Zhaoyou pondered, “I’ve been feeling unsettled lately and often dream about the incident with Zhang Huiji two months ago. I feel nauseous in the mornings.”
“I wonder what prescription the Imperial Hospital provided last time; it seemed quite effective. Could you prepare two more doses for me?”
Doctor Zhang hesitated.
Chu Zhaoyou raised an eyebrow, “Is it a secret family recipe of the Zhang family that can’t be disclosed? I won’t insist if that’s the case.”
“Your Majesty, it’s a secret formula of the palace.”
Chu Zhaoyou raised an eyebrow, “My aunt was surprised when she heard that I mentioned this prescription. She said it would be a great fortune if women across the nation could have access to it to alleviate the discomfort of morning sickness. The virtue of a noble is to benefit others. I wonder if this prescription is suitable for pregnant women. If it is, it should be made widely available, and the palace need not keep it secret.”
A young assistant blurted out, “Your Majesty, that’s the palace’s secret formula for alleviating morning sickness in concubines!”
Chu Zhaoyou looked at the young assistant in shock. Was the Imperial Hospital really this formidable?
Sweating profusely, Doctor Zhang said, “The Imperial Hospital certainly doesn’t show any disrespect to Your Majesty. It’s just that—”
They couldn’t find any other medicine.
The young assistant suddenly realized his mistake and fell to his knees, “Your Majesty, spare me. It was a suggestion from a commoner to the Imperial Hospital. Doctor Zhang is elderly. If Your Majesty must punish someone, punish me.”
Punish him for what?
Chu Zhaoyou, feeling conflicted, stood up and patted the young assistant’s shoulder, saying meaningfully, “You are devoted. How could I punish you?”
This young man had great potential.
Feeling relieved, Chu Zhaoyou continued, “In that case, I’ll grant this prescription to my subjects.”
The doctor kowtowed, chanting three cheers, while inwardly thinking that the reason it was called a palace secret formula was because some of the ingredients were not readily available to common people.
Chu Zhaoyou continued, “A physician should constantly seek improvement. Doctor Zhang, if the secret formula is not suitable for the common people, as a physician, one of your duties is to refine it. Do you understand?”
“Your Majesty, I will comply,” Doctor Zhang said, his face turning red with a sense of guilt.
As Chu Zhaoyou left, he encountered the Regent standing outside. He quickly recalled his recent words, confirming there were no issues before he felt at ease.
Each passing day, he needed to devise a foolproof plan.
Concerned about Chu Zhaoyou’s health, Xiao Heng hesitated for a moment after Chu Zhaoyou left the court, but eventually, his feet followed him to the Imperial Hospital.
He heard Chu Zhaoyou’s words about promoting the prescription, his expression complicated.
Chu Zhaoyou was truly different from the late Emperor. His ideas were more aligned with Xiao Heng’s, as if he was the Emperor he had nurtured.
Xiao Heng was about to say something when a guard suddenly rushed over to report an urgent matter.
It was the person they had sent to the imperial mausoleum last night to assess the repair costs.
He glanced at the Emperor, then hesitated.
Seeing this, Chu Zhaoyou tactfully turned away.
Xiao Heng hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, it won’t hurt to listen.”
He didn’t want any secrets and hoped to spend more time with Chu Zhaoyou.
But he immediately regretted it.
The guard blurted out, “The mausoleum has been robbed. The late Emperor’s tomb has been desecrated.”
Why did it have to be the late Emperor’s tomb? It’s a disgrace beyond compare!
Chu Zhaoyou looked at the Regent in surprise. Who had the audacity to rob the mausoleum? Great Chu hadn’t fallen yet, and they dared to desecrate the imperial mausoleum?
Xiao Heng immediately clarified, “I’ve already agreed to its restoration. It wasn’t me who did it.”
The Regent’s voice was strained because even if he hadn’t done it himself, he couldn’t escape culpability due to his leniency.
If the mausoleum had been heavily guarded, who would dare attempt such a thing?
Grave robbers were despicable, but Chu Zhaoyou, after all, wasn’t the original owner of the mausoleum and didn’t have overwhelming feelings of anger or grief. He was about to say “I don’t suspect you,” when suddenly, a brilliant idea occurred to him.
He deliberately appeared pained yet distrustful, and declared fiercely, “Wretched scoundrels! I will personally investigate this matter and bring these malefactors to justice! Regent, you don’t oppose this, do you?”
Xiao Heng’s lack of objection seemed to reveal his unease as he replied, “I do not oppose.”
“Xue, make the preparations. We depart immediately for Hualing Mountain to apprehend the grave robbers.”
Chu Zhaoyou thought to himself, “Though I’ve witnessed many astounding grave robbery cases, I’m certainly not capable of solving them.”
Once the case was solved, it would take at least three months, and then he would personally oversee the restoration efforts. Another half-year would pass.
As long as he took the initiative, the dramatic situation of imprisoning the mausoleum would be outpaced.
Xiao Heng felt a sense of illusion, as if Chu Zhaoyou was secretly amused.
Author’s note: There will be two updates tonight. Don’t wait!
Xie, the matchmaker: Your Majesty, if you want the stars, even the Regent will pluck them for you! *taps head vigorously*
Chu Zhaoyou, indifferent: I don’t want to pluck the stars.
Child: Hi everyone, I’m the little star!