Chapter 57

Chu Zhaoyou paused for just a moment, immediately resuming his usual demeanor.

The complexity of the belt buckle was something Xiao Hei had no reason to have known before, but this time he did. Last time was a genuine encounter in bed, while this time, the Regent Prince simply got onto the bed. If there was a catalyst, it was more urgent the last time.

It was definitely an act of playing naive. Chu Zhaoyou smirked to himself; he would know once he tried.

As Xiao Heng lay down, Chu Zhaoyou was still attentive, “Are you hungry? Would you like to have a meal first? Or some water? Last time, you had a headache and were sweating, and later, your lips were dry, and I had nowhere to get you water.”

Chu Zhaoyou ordered the eunuch to bring osmanthus cake. There were some things he felt awkward saying in front of the Regent Prince, but now, facing Xiao Hei who was most likely pretending to be naive, he dared to speak up.

“I lied to you before,” Chu Zhaoyou said, lowering his gaze.

The Regent Prince’s heart tightened. Why did Chu Zhaoyou only dare to speak some truths when he was pretending to be naive?

He kept guessing in his mind but couldn’t show it on his face.

Chu Zhaoyou picked up a piece of crystalline osmanthus cake. It was already past the season for fresh osmanthus flowers, so they used last year’s osmanthus paste, washed, dried, mixed with honey, and sealed in a jar. It would be taken out next year and steamed with glutinous rice to make the cake.

“I told you I’d buy you osmanthus cake when you woke up from taking the medicine, but it was just a way to comfort you. I didn’t have a single penny. I was just waiting for you to wake up and catch a chicken for me,” Chu Zhaoyou said as he offered the osmanthus cake to Xiao Heng, “When I returned to the palace, I fulfilled that promise. And now that you’re pretending to be naive again, I’m fulfilling it once more.”

Xiao Heng’s heart was suddenly crushed as if by a heavy stone, feeling bitter and unbearable. Certain details, when recalled, brought overwhelming guilt.

Chu Zhaoyou had spent his last penny to buy medicine for him. Once during morning court, Chu Zhaoyou had suddenly fed him osmanthus cake, fulfilling their previous agreement. He had forgotten everything, hadn’t remembered yet, and was impatient to feign naivety to seek Chu Zhaoyou’s affection.

As Xiao Heng ate the osmanthus cake Chu Zhaoyou had personally fed him, it should have been sweet, but he felt that he was destined to endure bitterness in this lifetime.

Chu Zhaoyou added, “But the Regent is truly despicable. He often threatens me, and even when I give him osmanthus cake, he uses my hand as a plate. The only redeeming quality is that he won’t lie to me.”

Considering admitting the truth, the Regent remained silent.

“The only redeeming quality.” What kind of weight did that carry? Could he admit it?

In a place where the Regent couldn’t see, Chu Zhaoyou subtly curled the corners of his mouth, thinking, “If you admit it now, won’t it be too easy for you?”

He poured a large glass of water and helped the Regent drink it, quenching his thirst. Then he poured another glass of water, accidentally spilling it on his own dragon robe.

The robe was soaked in a large patch, with a deep yellow water stain right at the front. He had to change it to another one.

Chu Zhaoyou didn’t shy away. After all, it was just over five months; from behind, he looked almost as if he weren’t pregnant at all.

There was still a faint mark of teeth, perhaps a bit itchy. Chu Zhaoyou scratched it with his fingers, leaving a few red marks, like red plum blossoms trampled by horseshoes in the snow.

Xiao Heng was caught off guard, deeply regretting that he was pretending to be naive!

Chu Zhaoyou was so defenseless against the naive act, making the Regent seethe with jealousy. He was determined not to miss this opportunity.

Chu Zhaoyou’s cheeks flushed red. “Sacrifice eight hundred to kill one thousand” – this saying was not false. He wanted to retaliate against the naive Regent and came up with a sly idea, calmly changing his clothes.

Since the other party wasn’t truly naive, who knew what he was thinking at the moment. Just changing his clothes was already pushing the limit. Who knew how much he wanted to immediately pull the clothes up.

The room was quiet, and Chu Zhaoyou seemed to hear the sound of both of their breathing.

Ultimately, who was being tormented? Chu Zhaoyou felt foolish and was about to hasten his movements when suddenly someone embraced him from behind.

Startled, Chu Zhaoyou struggled, but the force felt like a mantis challenging a tree.

Xiao Heng buried his head into Chu Zhaoyou’s shoulder, his voice pained, almost choked, “Headache.”

Chu Zhaoyou tensed up; the Regent’s distress didn’t seem feigned. He furrowed his brow tightly, his voice low, hoarse, and restrained, just like when he first met Xiao Hei and, as he was about to leave, was tightly held by the little one’s legs.

Feigning naivety might be an act, but the royal physician hadn’t said that occasional headaches wouldn’t occur during the memory recovery process.

Chu Zhaoyou’s heart softened. He disregarded his own clothes and began massaging Xiao Heng’s temples, “Let go of me first, I’ll go call the royal physician.”

The Regent had worked hard to embrace his “spouse” and pretended not to hear about the headache.

Where the hell are you putting your hands?!

Chu Zhaoyou instantly went from embarrassment to anger. No wonder he could pretend so convincingly. The source of the Regent’s pain clearly wasn’t above the neck.

He had been taken advantage of instead of playing the trick!

Chu Zhaoyou’s face flushed red. He wanted to lash out but also felt unwilling. He couldn’t just let Xiao Heng off so easily.

After playing the rogue, admitting fault, and exposing the naive act, it was just a delusion. He wouldn’t let the Regent off so easily.

However, he couldn’t use this method again. Chu Zhaoyou calmed down and tore the Regent  away from himself.

Damn, this old bastard is licking that bite mark again!

Chu Zhaoyou blushed intensely. He had to continue acting with Xiao Heng, but inside, he was seething with anger.

He smiled and comforted the Regent, helping him into a new outfit. “It won’t hurt anymore in a little while. I’ll take you to see the royal physician, and after taking the medicine, you’ll feel better and be able to have osmanthus cake.”

Pretending to be in pain, the Regent closed his eyes, but he still couldn’t bear to let Chu Zhaoyou worry too much. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Let’s go.”

Opening his eyes slightly, the Regent felt that something was off. He lowered his head and discovered that Chu Zhaoyou had dressed him in a flashy outfit and was ready to take him outside.

Xiao Heng stood frozen in place. After being urged by Chu Zhaoyou several times, he mechanically took a few steps. “I don’t want to go.”

“You have to go even if you don’t want to,” Chu Zhaoyou sternly threatened, “If you don’t listen, don’t follow me in the future.”

Although the Regent knew that Chu Zhaoyou was just using tough talk to frighten a naive person, he was actually a bit scared.

“I don’t like this outfit,” Xiao Heng pointed to the clothes, trying hard to convey in a naive tone.

Chu Zhaoyou retorted, “There are plenty of things you don’t like, but it doesn’t matter.”

It turned out that even when pretending to be naive, he could still be scolded.

Reluctantly, the Regent was paraded through the streets by Chu Zhaoyou. The onlookers, including the royal guards, were utterly dumbfounded.

The fact that the Regent appeared at court in official attire was surprising enough, but there was something even more astonishing.

With a blue robe and a white lining, he looked like a refined and elegant gentleman, exuding a sense of grace and charm.

Chu Zhaoyou intentionally paused, “I’m a bit tired.”

He stood for a while longer in full view of everyone.

Xiao Heng quietly crouched in front of Chu Zhaoyou.

“Whether you’re naive or not, it’s not convenient for you to carry me now,” Chu Zhaoyou smiled. He was truly his own person, sometimes surprisingly so.

Anxiously, Xiao Heng stood up, “Then… hug?”

“No need.”

In a side hall, as Chu Zhaoyou had anticipated, the royal physician had slipped away, leaving only Lu Jinghuan helping his master dry herbs.

Using a priceless piece of jade as a token of respect for his master, Lu Jinghuan clearly lacked the natural talent for medicine, constantly beseeching the royal physician for peculiar and rare medicines.

Seeing Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes light up, he asked, “Your Majesty, when do you have time to read?”

Approaching, Chu Zhaoyou flipped through some herbs, lowering his voice, “Tomorrow, at the hour of Chen, I really want to read with you.”

The Regent pretended to be naive to deceive people, but today he had accumulated a pile of things he wanted to share with the Emperor Dayan.

Lu Jinghuan vigorously nodded, “Okay.”

The Regent accidentally overheard this and was nearly infuriated. If Lu Jinghuan weren’t carrying the title of the royal physician’s apprentice, he would have been thrown out by now.

Tomorrow at the hour of Chen… Chu Zhaoyou is never this eager about attending court!

Furthermore, if I’m still naive tomorrow, Chu Zhaoyou won’t accompany me?

At this moment, the Regent had a slightly childish thought: What if I’m still naive tomorrow, who will Chu Zhaoyou spend time with?

A melodious birdcall passed by, which brought the Regent back to his senses. He realized he wouldn’t tread the path of feigning illness and vying for favor in the harem.

The oriole’s call indicated that important matters from the former dynasty required his attention, but with Chu Zhaoyou watching him like a hawk, he had no chance to leave.

Xiao Heng had to resort to a well-worn excuse.

It wasn’t much of an excuse. When Chu Zhaoyou fed him osmanthus cake and gave him several cups of tea earlier, he had already felt the need to relieve himself.

Chu Zhaoyou saw through his intentions at a glance, squinting as if he had caught a student trying to sneak off to the restroom during class. “Need to use the lavatory?”

He whistled a few times with a knowing smile, more melodious than the oriole outside.

Pointing with his finger to a corner, he said, “Don’t go too far, just take care of it there.”

Lu Jinghuan abruptly looked at the Regent Prince. The Majesty was mighty, daring to humor the naive Regent as if he were a three-year-old child.

The admiration in Lu Jinghuan’s eyes became evident. He almost wanted to hold Chu Zhaoyou’s hand and seek guidance.

Xiao Heng: “…” He couldn’t bring himself to do this.

Chu Zhaoyou continued to whistle. So, you want to pretend to be naive? Let me see your limits.

The Regent Prince, who had initially just wanted an excuse to leave, suddenly found himself genuinely in a hurry.

Chu Zhaoyou was deliberately whistling!

The Regent tried to interject, “No, I can’t.”

Chu Zhaoyou smiled, “You’re already this naive, why care so much? You’ll forget all about it when you’re sober. The guards are all your trusted men; they’ll definitely pretend they didn’t see anything.”

“Come, I’ll take you over there.”

Xiao Heng stared into Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes, feeling a pang of unease.

Chu Zhaoyou wasn’t the type to deliberately play games with people. There must have been a slip-up somewhere, something that gave him away.

The Emperor was forcing him to confess.

He could endure for a moment, but not for a day.

Xiao Heng’s temples throbbed. Could the whistling please stop?

“I was wrong.” Xiao Heng’s wooden expression shifted, his eyes sharp and anxious.

He stepped forward, patting Chu Zhaoyou’s back to placate him. “I was wrong. Punish me, but please don’t be angry.”

Chu Zhaoyou ceased whistling. “For a year—”

The Regent Prince didn’t hesitate, “No!”

“Within this year, you need to seek my permission before entering the Funing Hall,” Chu Zhaoyou patted the Regent Prince’s shoulder. Pretending to be naive was one thing, but playing rogue was another matter.

The Regent Prince suggested, “Punish me in some other way.”

Chu Zhaoyou pressed his forehead, “No, I’m really angry, so angry that—”

“Okay,” Xiao Heng hastily agreed. Whether genuine or not, he wouldn’t allow Chu Zhaoyou to act out a scenario of being so angry that it hurt his stomach.

Chu Zhaoyou immediately perked up, “The Regent can go and handle the official documents.”

He didn’t know how long Xiao Heng intended to keep up the act, but he certainly wouldn’t allow it to continue for too long.

And now he had official documents to handle.

If the Regent was naive, he would have to personally take charge.

The Regent stormed out of the side hall and angrily summoned Xiao Qi, “What’s the matter at hand!”

He wanted to know who was causing trouble at this time. It was almost like asking for trouble.

Xiao Qi spoke quietly, “The National Preceptor of Dayan Country insists on meeting with Your Highness immediately.”

Xiao Heng sneered, “If their emperor is missing, it’s none of my concern.”

There was only one emperor here, and that was his Emperor.

Xiao Qi added, “I also mentioned that the Great Chu does not meddle in the internal affairs of other countries. The Grand Turtor said he’s here to meet his junior brother.”

Since when did you have a senior brother, Your Highness?

Xiao Heng thought to himself, A senior brother who I’ve only had a scuffle with on a hilltop counts as a senior brother? Then wouldn’t every monkey in the mountains qualify?

In the Regent’s residence, Feng Xingzhou, dressed in white, his black hair cascading over his shoulders, exhibited a dignified and serene countenance. When he furrowed his brows, there was a hint of Zen-like calmness.

Before returning, Xiao Heng made sure to change his clothes. With an indifferent expression, he walked into the living room and demanded, “Speak quickly.”

Feng Xingzhou set down his teacup, “Help me find Lu Jinghuan.”

Xiao Heng replied, “Isn’t it your doing if the emperor has gone missing?”

“My doing?” Feng Xingzhou wiped his hands, “I said I like him, scaring him off.”

Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow, “If you keep wearing that expression of a recluse, it’s indeed easy to scare people off.”

Feng Xingzhou’s tranquil demeanor cracked for a moment as he reminisced, “No.”

His serene countenance returned, “I just pinned him in the scripture hall and kissed him for an hour.”

A renegade from the Buddhist order, causing trouble for him and then bragging about it in front of him.

Xiao Heng took a sip of bitter tea and coldly refused, “I won’t help.”

Feng Xingzhou replied, “On my way here, I took care of an injustice for you.”

Xiao Heng took the letter and discovered it was from the coastal garrison, stating that they had found the medicinal herbs the court had been searching for. They inquired if the capital had received the order.

Xiao Heng had previously asked Chu Zhaoyou if they should continue searching for the medicinal herbs from the prescription. Knowing Chu Zhaoyou’s disposition, he wouldn’t want to waste resources unnecessarily. If he asked to find something, it must have been meaningful.

Chu Zhaoyou had suggested continuing the search, so Xiao Heng hadn’t rescinded the reward offer.

Under such a generous reward, a merchant ship quickly returned with a hold full of sweet potato stems and leaves, which were promptly sold to the court.

During its journey to the capital, the shipment suddenly went missing.

The messenger carrying the news was intercepted, coincidentally encountering Feng Xingzhou.

Having come for him, Feng Xingzhou assumed that these were the antidote ingredients for the Regent.

Xiao Heng, with a serious expression, finished reading the message and accepted this favor, “How do you propose we find it?”

Feng Xingzhou replied, “Tomorrow, I will personally make a move. Be prepared.”

Once the news spread, the young emperor in the capital, when he ran out of money, would naturally come looking for him. Lu Jinghuan was always pragmatic.

Xiao Heng asked, “But what if he doesn’t need the money?”

Feng Xingzhou calmly responded, “He will definitely be swindled out of his money.”

Author’s notes: Lu Jinghuan: Studying abroad, don’t dwell on our breakup.

– How to make the Regent Prince admit to feigning naivety?

– Using exceptional verbal skills and grasping the vulnerable point of power. (The Regent Prince’s answer to regaining dignity)

Chu Zhaoyou: ??? Let’s talk things through.