Chapter 61

Chu Zhaoyou, afraid of misunderstanding Xiao Heng, thoroughly patted him down, checking every nook and cranny where something could be hidden—a more diligent thief than any other.

The Regent’s token was indeed missing.

The most effective pass in the palace was gone, and anyone could guess it was probably with Feng Xingzhou now.

What kind of earth-shattering friendship could make the Regent give up his token? This palace was home to a national treasure, after all!

Their first meeting? Bah.

Feeling Chu Zhaoyou’s searching, Xiao Heng thought he had a sudden realization, staring at his own red lips, thinking that in this exchange of feelings, he could kiss him for another two hours.

Chu Zhaoyou pushed him away, sour and angry. “Where’s your token?”

Xiao Heng abruptly stopped, sensing that he had been found out, and said with little confidence, “It seems someone bumped into me just now and took it.”

No one could have taken such an important item from the Regent. Xiao Heng had agreed to let Feng Xingzhou take it for one reason: that charlatan wanted to find his emperor, so he’d help Feng Xingzhou first before questioning him about Chu Zhaoyou.

With Chu Zhaoyou being so clueless, would he disappear again one day?

As the saying goes, some secrets should never be revealed, but for Xiao Heng, whether a secret could be revealed or not, it didn’t matter. Feng Xingzhou had received his favor, and even if it cost him ten years of his life, Xiao Heng had to make it clear to him.

“Who has such ability?” Chu Zhaoyou turned with folded arms, feeling miffed. “You didn’t even give it to me.”

Xiao Heng coaxed, “Even if I did, it wouldn’t make a difference. As the Emperor, there’s nowhere you can’t go.”

If one could enter places with just a face scan, why go through the trouble?

“You admit you gave it to Feng Xingzhou?” Chu Zhaoyou got off the bed and put on his shoes. “The price of the royal bed has gone up again. Regent, it will take you another three years to save up.”

Hearing his joking tone, Xiao Heng thought that as long as he could coax him well, he would definitely be able to sleep on the royal bed as soft as Chu Zhaoyou’s tonight.

“Where are you going?”

Chu Zhaoyou replied, “I need to see if Lu Jinghuan has hidden properly. You and Feng Xingzhou can conspire all you want—shouldn’t our Emperor lend a hand?”

Xiao Heng felt a headache coming on. Why did he need to collaborate with Lu Jinghuan? Shouldn’t he be working in mutual support with me instead?

The Emperor held the highest authority, so the Regent had to follow along but strongly hoped that Feng Xingzhou had already taken Lu Jinghuan away at this point, not wanting to disturb their relationship as monarch and subject.

Chu Zhaoyou passed a mirror, touched his lips, and pinched the Regent in frustration. “You didn’t even think of my reputation, my lips are swollen. How can I protect Lu Jinghuan with this appearance!”

Grabbing the Regent’s arm, he asked, “Is Feng Xingzhou nearby?”

The Regent replied, “No, he’s not.”

Chu Zhaoyou slipped into a side hall. “You guard the door for me and hide yourself. If someone comes, say I’m inside seeking treatment from the Physician.”

Most of the time, the Physician wasn’t in the side hall. During the day, he enjoyed strolling in the imperial garden for health reasons and would even visit the imperial hospital. Since he had to stay in the palace for five months, he even started growing medicinal herbs in the garden.

After all, it was a cellar that had not been opened for years. Although it was ventilated, Lu Jinghuan was timid and might not dare to come out even if he felt unwell, which could lead to trouble.

Chu Zhaoyou crouched down and lifted a floor tile, only to find Lu Jinghuan nervously drinking water.

“Are you okay?”

Startled, Lu Jinghuan looked up and saw Chu Zhaoyou, feeling relieved. “I’m fine, just not enough water to drink.”

Chu Zhaoyou took a water jug inside and covered the floor tile, speaking in a more secretive tone.

Feng Xingzhou had a keen nose, so his hearing must be just as good.

Sitting on the small bed with a troubled expression, Chu Zhaoyou propped up his chin and said, “Take it easy. Drinking too much water can make you need the bathroom.”

Lu Jinghuan immediately set down the teapot.

“The Regent and Feng Xingzhou are in cahoots. Your national preceptor currently has the Regent’s token and is searching for you everywhere.”

“What should I do?” Lu Jinghuan began to feel that this place was not safe. There was a large, hollow pillar leading up to the eaves. If Feng Xingzhou looked up and saw him there, it would be like something out of a horror story.

Chu Zhaoyou replanned, “How about you hide under my bed? No matter how close the Regent is with Feng Xingzhou, he definitely won’t lift my bed.”

If he did, they would divorce!

With an outsider present, the Regent couldn’t possibly still be thinking about those matters in bed, right? Killing two birds with one stone.

Lu Jinghuan stared at Chu Zhaoyou’s lips, suddenly amazed. It seemed that all powerful officials enjoyed kissing for a long time.

Chu Zhaoyou caught his gaze and blushed to the roots of his ears. He glared fiercely, trying to find a similar mark on Lu Jinghuan’s face. But too much time had passed, and Lu Jinghuan looked fair and tender, showing no sign of being bullied.

Chu Zhaoyou’s gaze fell on the round scar just below Lu Jinghuan’s ear, resembling a burn mark, and he quickly changed the subject before Lu Jinghuan could ask about it. “What happened here?”

Lu Jinghuan’s cheeks turned crimson, as if he had been caught doing something shameful, especially around the scar, which turned the deepest red.

Chu Zhaoyou took a sharp breath. What kind of reaction was that? If you keep this up, I might start imagining some strange things!

Clutching the scar, Lu Jinghuan stammered, “I accidentally burned myself five years ago.”

“Related to the national preceptor?” asked Chu Zhaoyou.

“Yes.”

Chu Zhaoyou, forgetting why he came in, was now thoroughly intrigued. “Tell me more.”

Lu Jinghuan explained, “Five years ago, I accompanied the Empress Dowager to Mount Taiqing to pray where the national preceptor is. While I was praying, I happened to see Feng Xingzhou coming out. I was momentarily distracted, and the incense I had just lit accidentally burned me.”

He added, “That was the first time I saw Feng Xingzhou.”

Chu Zhaoyou felt conflicted. So, your national preceptor was bald five years ago, and you were only fourteen or fifteen years old, yet you were still astounded, no wonder he took advantage of your emotions after renouncing his monastic vows.

…

Unfortunately, Feng Xingzhou was unaware that Lu Jinghuan was acting as an apprentice to the Physician and that they were living together in the side hall. The palace guards remained tight-lipped, and Feng Xingzhou hadn’t received any information. Upon learning that the divine healer was in the side hall, he decided not to disturb them for the time being and began searching elsewhere.

After ruling out other possible guest quarters, Feng Xingzhou returned to the side hall.

Xiao Heng stood guard at the entrance like a gatekeeper, and Feng Xingzhou tossed the token back to him. “Is he inside?”

Xiao Heng pocketed the token and replied with a question, “Will Chu Zhaoyou be here the whole time?”

Feng Xingzhou looked at him steadily, closed his eyes, furrowed his brow in deep thought, and when he opened them again, he appeared clear-minded. “Yes, he will.”

Xiao Heng’s voice was slightly hoarse. “That’s good.”

In this short span of time, his palms were unexpectedly sweaty. He felt more nervous than when he had first sought the antidote for the He Xin Gu from those divine healers.

The He Xin Gu could at least be delayed for seven years. If Chu Zhaoyou left, Xiao Heng would have nowhere to turn and might go mad instantly.

Feng Xingzhou: “Can I go in now?”

Xiao Heng hesitated, “Just wait a little longer.”

At least wait until Chu Zhaoyou comes out. I’ll take him away, and then you can do what you want. Doing anything in front of me won’t work, and my situation would be worse. Who knows, we might even end up fighting.

Feng Xingzhou patiently waited.

Xiao Heng also waited, becoming more impatient than Feng Xingzhou in the end.

Why is there no sound at all? Is this palace going to swallow the emperor or something?

Anxiously, he pushed open the door. At first glance, he didn’t notice anything, but then a chill ran down his spine. It wasn’t until the second glance that he noticed a poorly laid brick under the bed.

“Zhaozhao?”

“Here,” Chu Zhaoyou responded from below.

Xiao Heng, with a stern expression, moved the brick and saw a narrow staircase leading to a dim cellar, where two young emperors were huddled.

“Come out.” Xiao Heng reached out to him, feeling anxious as Chu Zhaoyou climbed the stairs.

“Sorry, I forgot you were still waiting outside,” Chu Zhaoyou apologized, finding Lu Jinghuan entertaining. As soon as he climbed up, he suddenly looked up and saw Feng Xingzhou.

He glared fiercely at the Regent, silently asking why he had brought him here.

Unaware, Lu Jinghuan was about to climb up with Chu Zhaoyou. “I need to use the bathroom first.”

Chu Zhaoyou had coaxed too much information out of him earlier, making him thirsty and prompting him to drink two jugs of water.

The exit was empty, revealing a bright light. Lu Jinghuan was about to go up when suddenly, a white cloth dropped down, a powerful force pushing him back onto the bed.

“Ugh—”

Feng Xingzhou!!!

He kissed him again!

Feng Xingzhou pressed Lu Jinghuan down, then turned to see Chu Zhaoyou’s surprised and worried face at the exit. “Help me cover the brick.”

“I want to go out!” Lu Jinghuan was greatly shocked. In such a small place, what did the national preceptor want to do?

Feng Xingzhou pinched his chin. “What do you want to go out for? Your Majesty likes it here, doesn’t he?”

“I… I need to use the bathroom.”

Very urgently, especially now that he was being held down by Feng Xingzhou.

The Regent originally wanted to watch Feng Xingzhou’s actions to boost his own courage and make up for his shortcomings. However, after listening for a while, he was speechless. Apart from daring to kiss, Feng Xingzhou didn’t have much for him to learn. It was pointless to listen further. He didn’t want to hear how long others discussed being kissed when using the bathroom.

It was useless. Chu Zhaoyou was pregnant, so this move wouldn’t work. On the contrary, he had been fooled by Chu Zhaoyou using this move before. Those who heard it were heartbroken; those who saw it shed tears.

“Let’s go.” Xiao Heng picked up Chu Zhaoyou and unceremoniously took him out.

Chu Zhaoyou struggled, “I want to save him.”

Xiao Heng replied, “If you move again, I’ll be just like Feng Xingzhou.”

Chu Zhaoyou obediently kept quiet.

It wasn’t that he was indifferent, but he refrained from meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, especially domestic matters.

“Lu Jinghuan shouldn’t be beaten, right?”

“You think Feng Xingzhou came all this way just to beat him up? After someone has run away once, forcing them back isn’t sweet. Even a fool knows to learn from past experiences. You can rest easy.”

“True.” Chu Zhaoyou nestled in the Regent’s arms. Just now, he realized that Lu Jinghuan’s words clearly showed his longing for his own national preceptor. Hesitant to disrespect the esteemed monk, and when he was kissed, it was as if the sky had fallen on him, causing him to rush away in a panic.

If he really struggled, he would have more than just bruised wrists.

Chu Zhaoyou left a guard outside. If he heard Lu Jinghuan struggling, he would go in and take him out.

Until evening, the guard had not reported any news.

Chu Zhaoyou sat on the bed, letting the Regent change his nightclothes.

Xiao Heng cherished this opportunity, wishing he could take his time if it wasn’t for the concern of Chu Zhaoyou catching a cold.

Chu Zhaoyou maintained a composed demeanor, trying to dilute the rascally atmosphere in the Funning Hall.

He suddenly covered his belly. “What are you doing!”

Don’t kiss there suddenly, it feels so strange.

Xiao Heng greeted the little one and received an enthusiastic response.

“Zhaozhao, he’s moving.” It was the Regent’s first time as a father, and he was full of novelty. “I’ll greet him again.”

Chu Zhaoyou helplessly removed his hand from his belly. Just kiss already, what’s with the excuse? Look, the little one seems willing to play with you.

The little one indeed showed eagerness.

Reluctantly, Xiao Heng tucked Chu Zhaoyou into the blanket. Two kisses were enough; don’t catch a cold.

After many days, the Regent finally held the young emperor in his hands again. His mind was filled with a multitude of emotions, and he was spiritually uplifted, but he didn’t dare to disturb the peacefully sleeping Chu Zhaoyou.

Just holding him was more satisfying than possessing the entire realm.

Chu Zhaoyou slept earlier and deeper than usual.

Midnight.

Chu Zhaoyou nudged the person beside him. “Regent.”

Xiao Heng found this scene somewhat familiar, and then heard Chu Zhaoyou say, “Regent, I want to drink sweet and sour plum wine.”

Xiao Heng sat up. “Are you doing this on purpose?” Even if he had to make soy milk by hand?

Normally, there would be no issues during sleep, but he would stir up trouble in the middle of the night when sleeping with him.

Of course, the Regent indulged him. Even if Chu Zhaoyou stayed up all night, he would cater to his whims. For instance, when Chu Zhaoyou woke up and struggled with a craving for food before going back to sleep, the Regent was more afraid of not knowing that he had been awake.

The main issue was… His Majesty wanted to drink alcohol!

Chu Zhaoyou knew he couldn’t drink, and he wouldn’t actually do it, but he just suddenly felt like it. Even if he couldn’t drink, he still wanted to let the Regent know.

It’s like saying, ‘Coax me.’