After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Is the Emperor Being “Poisoned”?

 

The Emperor had a characteristic of changing moods like the wind. Zhou Xun never quite understood how he suddenly became happy. Now, as he was going to Zhou Xun’s place, his mood was still as fleeting as ever.

 

Just as the carriage was about to leave, Zhou Xun suddenly remembered something. He said, “I need to get something.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

Zhou Xun quickly replied and got off the carriage. He went into the side hall, heading straight to his bedroom, and then…

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

He looked at his empty bed, feeling as if he was about to “roll up the bedding” and leave.

 

Of course, that was just a joke.

 

The bedding was gone, the pillow was gone, and what was under the pillow… Zhou Xun asked Lianrong, who thought for a moment and said, “The Emperor had someone pack up everything on the bed and put it in the boxes to be taken along.”

 

Only then did Zhou Xun feel reassured.

 

The carriage slowly left the palace gates. Zhou Xun sat on one side of the carriage, while the Emperor sat on the other. Throughout the journey, the Emperor seemed to be lost in thought, frequently glancing at Zhou Xun, as if studying him or fearing that Zhou Xun might catch him looking. His expressions were sometimes troubled and sometimes seemed to be amused.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

He decided to close his eyes and let the Emperor look as much as he wanted.

 

“Zhou Xun, you…”

 

Zhou Xun lifted his eyelids.

 

“It’s nothing, nothing.”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The carriage soon arrived at Zhou Xun’s new home. After getting out, the Emperor was the first to jump down from the carriage. He instructed people to move all the items into Zhou Xun’s house while he sat on a bench in the garden, lost in thought.

 

Zhou Xun guided the maids and servants in arranging the items. As he looked at the beautiful residence, the initial slight disappointment he felt because of the Emperor’s reaction gradually lifted, and his spirits brightened.

 

This was his first real home.

 

Previously, in Jiangzhou, he had lived under someone else’s roof. In the capital, he had also been living in a prince’s mansion, always under someone else’s roof. Although he was happy in the palace, it was different from having his own place.

 

In this residence, Zhou Xun genuinely felt a sense of belonging and rootedness. This was a place that belonged solely to him—his own space, his own realm. His bedroom, his study, his grand hall. He could entertain guests in the grand hall, stroll in the garden, plant flowers and trees he liked, tend to bonsai, and arrange every little corner. The kitchen was some distance from the other rooms, so he couldn’t smell the cooking oil, but he could go to the kitchen to instruct the cook or cook himself if he wanted something, making dishes that might not taste great but suited his own preferences, without worrying about rules.

 

And the study, with books gifted by the Emperor and books he liked, were all there. Zhou Xun decided to take the time to properly arrange all the books by era, category, and author.

 

He had been desperate in the past, indifferent later, feeling that everything was fine, and then inspired by Old Shen, deciding to seek his place in the court and prove himself.

 

But now, having his own house, Zhou Xun found a new pleasure in meticulously arranging his life. He even began to want to…

 

Really set up and decorate his life.

 

Now… this was his little world.

 

The maids and guards were quick with their work, and soon everything was in place.

 

Oh, and his bedroom.

 

When Zhou Xun entered the bedroom, he found the Emperor already sitting on a chair there. The Emperor rested his chin on his hand, staring ahead, lost in thought.

 

He seemed to have spent the whole afternoon thinking, about many things and many items.

 

Seeing Zhou Xun arrive, the Emperor stood up and said, “Have you finished arranging things?”

 

Zhou Xun nodded, “Pretty much. There are still some things to be gradually added.”

 

“You really like this house.”

 

“…Eh?”

 

Zhou Xun was taken aback. The Emperor looked at him and slowly smiled, “I knew this time I finally gave the right gift!”

 

“The Emperor has given me many gifts before,” Zhou Xun said, “I was also very happy with those.”

 

“That’s different. The previous gifts were chosen by me and given to you. You received them and kept them, so you were happy. But this time is completely different.”

 

Zhou Xun: ?

 

He wanted to ask what was different but heard the Emperor say, “This time, you are genuinely happy. And you’re the first to want to buy things to decorate here. This is different from before. Before, when you bought books, it was for the imperial exams; other things were just necessities. But now…”

 

“—You’re starting to want to decorate your life. You’re beginning to love life and want to enjoy it. You truly like this gift, and you’re starting to look forward to your own future.”

 

Zhou Xun was stunned. He had never scrutinized the Emperor so seriously before. The Emperor, seeing Zhou Xun looking at him, laughed easily and said, “Ah, so this house was worth it! It’s worth it for you to move out!”

 

Hearing this, Zhou Xun felt that perhaps the Emperor had been watching him all afternoon, and for some reason, had said these words to himself in his heart.

 

But when he said this…

 

Zhou Xun quietly looked at him and said, “I was never unhappy in the palace.”

 

He spoke the truth. He didn’t want the Emperor to misunderstand that he had been forced to endure or make compromises while in the palace.

 

This was different from owning his own house… They were two different kinds of happiness.

 

“But I think your current happiness is more precious than your happiness in the palace,” the Emperor said. “I like seeing you happy now, although I do feel a bit of small disappointment…”

 

Zhou Xun was serious: “That’s different.”

 

He had just denied the first half of the sentence when he noticed the Emperor’s second half.

 

Small disappointment?

 

Small… disappointment?

 

“Actually, I had people look at many houses before, and there was one I was very satisfied with. Unfortunately, it was in the suburbs, too far from the palace. By the way, if you like the house, after your imperial exams, I’ll buy that house and give it to you!” The Emperor said with enthusiasm, “Heeheehee…”

 

Zhou Xun seriously said, “It’s different. It’s not about the house itself, but because it’s the first house I’ve ever owned. That’s why I’m so happy. It’s about the ‘encounter.’”

 

As the wind rustled through the bamboo forest, the two of them stood there.

 

“Zhou Xun,” the Emperor suddenly said, “There are some things I want to discuss with you. Is that okay?”

 

Zhou Xun swallowed.

 

For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit nervous.

 

He replied softly, “Sure.”

 

“Actually—”

 

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!” A young eunuch seemed to have said something to Xiao Li Zi, who ran over in shock, “Concubine Zhao wants to voluntarily leave the palace!”

 

Emperor: …

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

“Let her leave then, why come to me?” The Emperor was furious at being interrupted.

 

“But Concubine Zhao doesn’t just want to leave; she also wants to shave her head…” Xiao Li Zi stammered, “Shave her head!”

 

Emperor: “? Shave her head? Has she become a vegetarian for months, attained enlightenment, and decided to become a monk? Or is she planning to get a Mohawk and start playing soccer?”

 

Xiao Li Zi: “Your Majesty, please don’t joke. Hair and body are gifts from our parents. If the Censor hears about this, it will be problematic!”

 

Emperor: …

 

The Emperor irritably rubbed his nose and said, “Did she request anything from me?”

 

Xiao Li Zi hurriedly replied, “Concubine Zhao said she wanted to see the Emperor, bid farewell, and have a parting drink…”

 

Emperor: …

 

Xiao Li Zi: “Your Majesty, after all, she is General Zhao’s descendant. If this news spreads, and besides…”

 

Xiao Li Zi made a meaningful expression, “And besides, Concubine Zhao is leaving. This also solves a long-standing issue for you. Her departure will make things look better for everyone.”

 

Emperor: …

 

Seeing that the Emperor was still displeased, Zhou Xun smiled and said, “Your Majesty, you should go and see her off.”

 

“Oh, fine.” The Emperor finally agreed, scratching his head. He said to Zhou Xun, “I’ll come back to see you after I’ve seen her off… Oh, Xiao Li Zi!”

 

Xiao Li Zi: “Yes!”

 

“Get a few strong guards,” the Emperor instructed, “I’m afraid she might try to assassinate me.”

 

Xiao Li Zi: “… Yes.”

 

The Emperor returned to the palace in his carriage. Now, the only person left in the courtyard was Zhou Xun.

 

The Emperor’s presence still lingered in the bedroom, but he was already gone. Zhou Xun sat by the tea table, holding a cup.

 

Suddenly, everything felt empty.

 

The joy of moving in seemed to have faded like it was washed away. Now, looking out at the sunset and then at the cup in his hand, the happiness that had filled his heart seemed to have vanished with the twilight.

 

Zhou Xun was a smart person.

 

So at this moment, he realized that his earlier joy was also because he knew…

 

The Emperor was also in this house.

 

The Emperor was watching him, tidying things up.

 

He knew the Emperor was here.

 

But this emptiness didn’t last long. He wasn’t someone who dwelt on melancholy—although he sometimes felt overly sensitive about matters involving the Emperor, he could still be open and accepting about other things.

 

Moreover, Zhou Xun had many things to do and many things to arrange, like this bedroom, which he had left to the servants while he focused on the study.

 

The bedroom?

 

Oh, the hairpin!

 

Zhou Xun hurriedly searched the boxes for the hairpin, but after going through all the boxes from the bedroom, he couldn’t find it. Seeing Zhou Xun looking for something, Lianrong asked, “Young Master, what are you looking for?”

 

“A black wooden hairpin. Have you seen it?”

 

Lianrong shook her head, looking confused, “… No.”

 

Zhou Xun asked, “Who cleaned the bedroom?”

 

Lianrong thought for a moment and said, “I think…”

 

Her expression suddenly became subtle, “I think… it was the Emperor who ordered it to be cleaned.”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor??

 

The Emperor helped tidy the bedroom.

 

If the Emperor tidied it, where would he have placed the hairpin?

 

He searched many possible places but couldn’t find it. As the sun set and he finally sat on the couch, holding his forehead and sighing…

 

He suddenly remembered.

 

Zhou Xun tried feeling under the pillow.

 

He found it—the hairpin.

 

The Emperor had placed the hairpin under his pillow.

 

…

 

That night, as the day faded and the stars shifted, Zhou Xun finally received news.

 

But what he didn’t expect was that he didn’t receive the Emperor’s arrival.

 

Instead, he received the dreadful news that the Emperor had been “poisoned.”