Chapter 52

The outskirts of the capital were guarded by the Longwei Army stationed in the mountains, and the roads were imbued with formations. Only by following the guidance of the patterns on the two tiger tokens could one open a stone gate.

Xiao Heng, observing the surrounding thickets and rocky terrain, became increasingly convinced that following along was a wise choice. If Chu Zhaoyou were to reside in Longwei Mountain, finding him in the future would certainly require considerable effort.

No one without a tiger token was allowed into Longwei Mountain. Lu Huai turned a blind eye, pretending not to notice the Regent following along so brazenly.

Mainly because the young Emperor knew someone was trailing behind and didn’t dismiss them.

The brilliant sunset adorned the mountaintops. The training grounds were vast and imposing. As the soldiers completed their drills, they filed into the stone chambers to rest.

Lu Huai offered his own residence, to which Chu Zhaoyou hesitantly responded, “I suddenly came here and caused trouble for Uncle Lu. I can’t bring myself to occupy an elder’s dwelling.”

Addressing Lu Huai as “uncle” while being six months pregnant, Lu Huai struggled to maintain his composure. “Your Majesty, why do you speak like this? Your presence brings radiance to the humble surroundings of Longwei Mountain. If Your Majesty continues to decline, then follow the Regent back to the palace and enjoy comfort there.”

Chu Zhaoyou: “I took a brief look around earlier. While this place is a valuable training ground, the living conditions are quite meager. Uncle Lu, it’s best to write to the Regent and allocate funds for repairs. It’s settled then. The Regent is outside, so you can handle this yourself. The funds from the last tomb restoration haven’t been much used; transfer some of that.”

Lu Huai had commanded troops here for decades, earning glorious merits on the battlefield. His resolute loyalty while stationed deep in the mountains was well known. The late Emperor had kept him as a trump card, never allowing Lu Huai to interact with the courtiers, their meetings relying solely on the two tiger tokens. This might have contributed to his current reserved and taciturn nature. However, whenever matters concerning Chu Zhaoyou and the Regent arose, he became more talkative and incisive.

It was fortunate that these remarks were occasional and didn’t expose the Regent’s secrets in his presence.

As the soldiers brought a simple dinner, Lu Huaishan helped set the plates and added, “Nowhere in the world is better than the palace, Your Majesty. Please bear with it.”

Chu Zhaoyou took a bite of the steamed bun, insisting, “It’s delicious. I could eat three of these.”

The steamed buns weren’t as fluffy as those in the palace, and Lu Huai suspected that he would barely finish one, let alone three.

“Now that the Regent isn’t nearby, we can talk freely without him overhearing,” Lu Huai asked succinctly, “Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on the Regent?”

Chu Zhaoyou’s reluctance to clarify left Lu Huai unable to discern his attitude towards the Regent.

Both men exchanged glances, their brows furrowed. Just earlier, while in the carriage, Lu Huai had almost believed that the Emperor and the Regent were about to come to blows. Then, as if nothing had happened, the Regent had followed along.

It should be noted that the route taken by the Imperial Dragon Army into the mountains was a top-secret known only to those with the tiger tokens. By accompanying them today, the Regent, with his intelligence, would have memorized the route after just one walk. If he had any ulterior motives later, he could lead the army into the mountains and annihilate the only troops and horses Chu Zhaoyou had.

If one were to say that the Emperor was wary of the Regent, it was evident in his lack of precautions in military and national matters. If one were to say he trusted the Regent, he revealed no other private matters.

Lu Huai had gained some insight, and he couldn’t help but feel that there shouldn’t be so much conflict between the Emperor and the Regent.

Chu Zhaoyou nibbled on the steamed bun. “There are some things I haven’t explained to Uncle Lu. It’s really hard to say. Let me think about it.”

The most unspeakable thing was that he wasn’t the original owner. If someone were to believe that he had gained a new life by deposing the old Emperor and taking over his body, it would be even more incomprehensible.

Explaining to the Regent that he had already dispelled the gu and couldn’t delay any longer was essential, but Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t explain why he hadn’t recognized the Regent initially.

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like he had taken advantage of the Regent’s mental state, disguised himself to gain his trust, and ultimately dispelled the gu to ensure his own pregnancy, fulfilling the late Emperor’s plan.

The greater the power, the greater the trouble.

If only they weren’t the Regent and the Emperor, how much better it would be.

Chu Zhaoyou lowered his gaze. Every step he took, the Regent could interpret as a plot to seize power.

Every word spoken by the Regent seemed to hint at a threat to usurp the throne.

Today, Chu Zhaoyou had been buffeted by the mountain winds, and he now had a headache. Setting down the uneaten steamed bun, he said, “I’m full, Uncle Lu. Could you help me find a set of ordinary clothes to change into?”

Lu Huaishan suddenly noticed that Chu Zhaoyou hadn’t referred to himself as “I” tonight. His eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath before responding, “Of course.”

…

Due to the discrepancy in their timing, Xie Chaoyun arrived at Longwei Mountain just as most of the troops had already entered, and there was no sign of them.

When Xiao Qi arrived, he happened to see Xie Chaoyun appearing dejected as he emerged from behind a rocky outcrop.

“You’ve arrived just in time. Help me figure out how to get in. I have something urgent to discuss with the Regent.”

Xiao Qi remained expressionless. “General Xie’s urgent matter wouldn’t happen to be related to His Majesty, would it?”

“Indeed it is. I’m practically desperate. Who knows what your master might say next that could be fatal.”

“Xiao Qi, you don’t understand. His Majesty might be Master Xiao’s savior! I need to tell him right away.” Xie Chaoyun felt a sense of accomplishment, as if he had succeeded in matchmaking.

Xiao Qi replied, “Yes, I need to inform my master promptly that the child His Majesty is carrying belongs to him.”

“Yes, my matter is quite important. I should speak first… No, wait!” Xie Chaoyun suddenly choked, pained as he said, “Pregnant? A child! Xiao Qi, why would you make up something like that just to speak first?”

“It’s true.” Xiao Qi hurried ahead, choosing a path and plunging in.

“Is there something wrong with my ears?” Xie Chaoyun felt that his information suddenly seemed worthless and inadequate. Maybe he should make up something as well, such as the Regent having already dispelled the He Xin gu, so he could save face when meeting the Regent?

Fifteen minutes later, Xie Chaoyun found himself questioning his life choices. Not only was he unable to enter the mountain gate, but also because overnight, his brother had become a family man, with a wife and child, and a long life ahead.

Rather than continuing the search, he might as well go back and have someone arrange a marriage for him.

He rested his hand on Xiao Qi’s shoulder. “Without the tiger token, we need to think of another way to contact the Regent.”

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared ahead. Xie Chaoyun snapped his fingers, smiling warmly. “Here he comes.”

Qian Shicheng, who had joined in to see what was happening, couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s everyone looking at?”

What’s everyone looking at?

…

Xiao Heng, sensing that Chu Zhaoyou’s anger had subsided, knocked on his door. They weren’t romantically involved, and Chu Zhaoyou didn’t want to dispel the gu for him, but Xiao Heng could grit his teeth and understand.

After all, he was the same. Even though Miao Ruoqiu had been his only hope at the time, he hadn’t entertained the thought. He had asked Chu Zhaoyou not to marry or have children, starting with self-discipline before expecting it from others.

The room was carved into the mountainside, half a cave, with an uneven stone floor. Chu Zhaoyou, being so noble, shouldn’t be living in such a place—it was worse than the imperial tomb.

“I’m coming in.”

As Xiao Heng moved, he accidentally kicked something.

Lowering his gaze, he suddenly felt anxious. “Are you trying to provoke me?”

Chu Zhaoyou sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in a thin white robe, his gaze fixed on the figure at the door. Unconsciously, he gripped the coarse bedsheet and said, “No.”

He was somewhat nervous, fearing that he couldn’t have a proper conversation with the Regent and even nervously pushed a table to block the door.

He wasn’t afraid of provoking the Regent himself, but he wasn’t alone now, and there were always more considerations.

They could argue through the door many times, but not once could they come to blows.

Rubbing his forehead, Xiao Heng looked at the dragon robe and the crown on the floor. “What does His Majesty mean by this?”

“I can renounce the throne; I just hope that the one standing outside isn’t the Regent…” Chu Zhaoyou gathered his resolve. Xiao Hei or Xiao Heng, it didn’t matter. Perhaps they could set aside their identities and discuss the series of unfortunate events.

The Regent interrupted him with a derisive chuckle. “Then who else could it be?”

Qin Feichen, Lu Bo, or the person who had vanished without a trace?!

Being deceived, tricked, and poisoned paled in comparison to Chu Zhaoyou’s sudden urge to flee.

He hadn’t even realized it—Chu Zhaoyou’s behavior was the same as the initial source of his anger: inconsistency and contradiction.

Ridiculous. The Regent once again recognized how pathetic and insignificant he was.

He feared nothing as long as Chu Zhaoyou didn’t leave him. He would even forgo dispelling the gu, as long as there were only a few months left with no one else between them.

Chu Zhaoyou had a history. The last time he had removed the dragon robe and donned the costume of a performer, he had disappeared from the palace and returned carrying another man’s child.

Did he think that by removing the dragon robe, he could be rid of the Regent?

Xiao Heng had no aspirations to be emperor. His only desire was to exchange the prosperous kingdom for Chu Zhaoyou’s affections.

With the door tightly shut and even blocked by a table, Xiao Heng could discern Chu Zhaoyou’s intentions. He was afraid that they might quarrel and hurt the child. In the past, despite their fierce arguments, Chu Zhaoyou had never taken such precautions.

Frustrated, Xiao Heng vented his feelings on the pile of clothes. As he shifted, the crown rattled, landing in his palm before he flung it at a nearby stone pedestal.

The gemstones embedded in the crown exploded against the stone, spraying dazzling arcs in all directions. This newly crafted crown was adorned with the finest gemstones, all offered as tributes to the court and the Regent’s residence earlier this year. They were priceless, and not a single gemstone had been retained by the Regent’s residence.

I don’t care about the throne!

The commotion wasn’t significant, and amidst the nighttime clamor of military training, the Regent managed to control the situation without alarming Chu Zhaoyou.

He couldn’t scare him. That thought lingered in his mind.

However, in his fury, he had forgotten to consider the shadow cast by the crown against the door.

“Come out, take the clothes, and put the crown back on.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s face turned pale. He wiped his eyes and remained silent.

Was this not the simplest conversation he could think of? Was it still not enough?

A blue gemstone flew and struck Lu Huai’s sword, emitting a cold, brittle sound.

Lu Huai’s patience snapped. Unable to bear it any longer, he dragged Xiao Heng away from Chu Zhaoyou’s door.

“You come here.”

Xiao Heng’s eyes were bloodshot as he broke free from Lu Huai.

Lu Huai was about to draw his sword to reprimand Xiao Heng, but he saw him turn back, pressing a paper-wrapped bundle he had been holding in his right hand onto the dragon robe.

His palm reddened from the heat of the package, but he seemed unfazed. With composure, he knocked on Chu Zhaoyou’s door. “Come out and take this.”

He had gone up the mountain to find food for Chu Zhaoyou, concerned about the meager rations in the army. However, the nearby game had long been frightened away by the daily military drills of the Longwei Army, and any that remained had been caught. It wasn’t until Xiao Heng reached the mountaintop that he managed to catch a satisfactory mountain bird.

He needed the meat to be tender to make it easier to roast.

Now, Lu Huai was truly bewildered. He led Xiao Heng to a more secluded spot.

“Do you have something to say, General?” Xiao Heng said, hands folded. “If it’s the same as His Majesty’s words, there’s no need to speak.”

Wasn’t Lu Huai loyal to Chu Zhaoyou? Why was he allowing Chu Zhaoyou to entertain thoughts of abdicating without intervening?

Only I can be relied upon!

Lu Huai let out a frustrated sigh and sheathed his sword. “Nonsense! Do you think  he thinking of abdicating?  he just want to talk to you?”

Family matters.

Unable to understand, Xiao Heng remained indignant, thinking, “I pleaded with him to become emperor, and he still won’t!”

“What major affairs can’t be discussed after putting on the dragon robe?”

The silence of the wilderness was abruptly shattered. Before Lu Huai could utter a word, an external voice interrupted.

“Regent! His Majesty is your savior—!”

Qian Shicheng stood on a large rock, facing the eerie woods, his voice hoarse and desperate.

“Regent! Your He Xin Gu has been dispelled!”

“You’re going to be a father!!!”

Two other, slightly less forceful voices joined in.

The echoes reverberated through the valley, as if three lost dogs, standing on high ground, howled together, hoping their masters would shut their mouths and use their wits.

Xiao Heng was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Lu Huai. “What were you about to say just now, Uncle Lu?”

Lu Huai rubbed his forehead and added, “At the beginning of October, His Majesty gave me a packet of medicine. He said that if he didn’t come to take it from me a month later, I should deliver the Seal of Authority and the medicine to the Regent’s residence.”

The air around seemed to thin out, and Xiao Heng lost all ability to think.

It’s not poison.

The child is his.

In his times of distress, he had encountered Chu Zhaoyou.

He is that… beast.

Author’s note: Lu Huaishan: Now I know what it’s like to be called Uncle.