The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 24

“Second Young Master, we’ve arrived at Linjiang Pavilion.”

 

At the entrance of Linjiang Pavilion, the largest restaurant on Zhuque Street in the capital, a modest yet elegant carriage came to a stop.

 

As the coachman tightened the reins and halted the horses, a guard dismounted, walked to the carriage, and lifted the dark purple curtain, revealing the handsome face of a young boy inside.

 

The boy sat upright in the carriage with his eyes closed, resting. Upon hearing the commotion, he slowly opened his eyes.

 

His features bore a striking resemblance to the current monarch, Qiu Junyao: the same phoenix eyes, thin lips, and high nose bridge, with eyebrows that slanted upwards, giving off a somewhat fierce aura.

 

However, upon closer inspection, apart from the similar refinement of his features, the aura exuded by the boy was vastly different from that of Qiu Junyao. He emitted a subtle melancholy, and even his beautiful eyes seemed to carry a faint sense of lifelessness, as if he were impatient with everything.

 

Bai Mo, the long-serving attendant, saw Qiu Jinghe open his eyes and respectfully reported again, “Second Young Master, we’ve arrived at Linjiang Pavilion. Shall I assist you in getting out?”

 

“Hmm.” Qiu Jinghe leaned forward and stepped out of the carriage. As the sunlight fell on his pale face, the melancholy surrounding him gradually melted away, replaced by a façade of gentle amiability.

 

“It’s really hard on him.” Qiu Jinghe glanced at the gilded edges of Linjiang Pavilion and said with a half-smile, “That idiot, whose head is on backwards, actually thought of such a place. It truly surprises me.”

 

Bai Mo, having witnessed his master’s sarcastic wit many times, calmly replied, “Young Master, let’s hurry inside. We are already a quarter of an hour late.”

 

He added, “Who knows, the eldest prince might be throwing a fit right now.”

 

Just as Bai Mo had predicted, the moment Qiu Jinghe stepped into the agreed-upon private room, a pair of chopsticks flew directly at him, aiming for his vital point. If Bai Mo hadn’t reacted quickly and deflected them with his knife, Qiu Jinghe might have lost an eye right then and there.

 

“Why such a temper?” 

 

When confronted with someone he disliked, Qiu Jinghe seemed to transform into a different person. His face would light up with a cheerful smile, making it hard for anyone to stay angry with him.

 

“Anger harms the liver.”

 

“If you knew you’d make me angry, why are you so late?” Qiu Jingming poured himself a cup of wine, drank half of it, and then rolled his eyes in irritation.

 

“You were born to oppose me.”

 

Before Qiu Jingxiu appeared, Qiu Jinghe had always been Qiu Jingming’s imagined rival. The two rarely sat down for a peaceful conversation. Whenever they met, they would bicker incessantly, finding joy in seeing the other’s defenses crumble.

 

However, times had changed. They now found themselves united against a common “enemy,” unexpectedly standing on the same side.

 

“So, this time you’re here, have you thought of how to help me?”

 

Seeing Qiu Jingming’s expression that suggested it was only natural for him to help, Qiu Jinghe internally rolled his eyes and opened his folding fan, hiding a cold smile behind it.

 

“What do you want me to help you with?”

 

“Don’t play dumb with me.” Qiu Jingming never liked Qiu Jinghe’s scheming, fox-like demeanor masked by a facade of uprightness. He slammed his wine cup onto the table, spilling its contents, causing Qiu Jinghe to frown instinctively.

 

“Do you have a way to kill Qiu Jingxiu?”

 

Hearing such blunt words, Qiu Jinghe, who was usually adept at hiding his emotions, wanted to sigh but restrained himself in front of Qiu Jingming. Instead, he poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp.

 

“What’s your plan?”

 

“Why not hire some assassins and find an opportunity to kill him?” Qiu Jingming suggested, furrowing his brows.

 

“The Spring Hunt in March would be a perfect opportunity.”

 

Qiu Jinghe: “…….”

 

Should he praise Qiu Jingming for his stupidity or his cleverness…?

 

Finally unable to hold it in, Qiu Jinghe sighed, but this time he didn’t conceal it. He played with the porcelain wine cup in his palm, feeling the slight texture of the patterns, and spoke in a low voice.

 

“By the time the Spring Hunt arrives, the situation will have long cooled down.”

 

He spoke slowly, “Although Qiu Jingxiu cannot speak or write now and cannot identify you as the one who pushed him into the water…”

 

Qiu Jinghe paused, finally lifting his eyes to look at his elder brother, whom he had not looked at directly until now. “But what is temporary is not permanent. Just because he can’t speak now doesn’t mean he won’t be able to in the future. What if by the time of the Spring Hunt in March, Qiu Jingxiu has learned to speak and accuses you in front of Father? What will you do then?”

 

“…….”

 

As soon as these words fell, Qiu Jingming, who hadn’t considered this possibility, furrowed his brows so tightly they nearly knotted. His grip on the wine cup tightened, and moments later, cracks slowly appeared on the cup’s surface, with blood seeping out, a startling sight.

 

Qiu Jinghe pretended not to see this and stood up, walking to the front of the room. He looked down at the peach blossoms below that had not yet bloomed.

 

“I’ll point you a way.”

 

“What way?” Qiu Jingming, truly at his wit’s end, quickly raised his head upon hearing there was a solution.

 

“Is there a way?”

 

“Use poison,” Qiu Jinghe said softly.

 

“What?!” Qiu Jingming widened his eyes in disbelief. “Poison?”

 

“Yes,” Qiu Jinghe said. “Poisoning is the most discreet way, more covert than assassination.”

 

“But how am I supposed to do that?” Qiu Jingming, who had learned fewer devious methods compared to Qiu Jinghe, was vexed. “I can’t even get close to Qiu Jingxiu now.”

 

“……. Who said you had to do it yourself?” Qiu Jinghe sighed, clearly exasperated. “Use someone close to him.”

 

“Someone close?” Qiu Jingming looked at Qiu Jinghe in confusion. “Who?”

 

“Father loves Qiu Jingxiu. Since he fell into the water and caught a cold, the number of people taking care of him has doubled.”

 

Qiu Jinghe leaned against the window, the wind blowing through his hair, making his face appear even more refined. Yet, his words were devoid of emotion, coldly uttered. “Among the palace maids preparing his medicine, there is one who grew up serving you—a eunuch’s partner.”

 

“…….” Once he understood Qiu Jinghe’s meaning, Qiu Jingming stood up abruptly, glaring at Qiu Jinghe for a moment before turning to leave.

 

“Be discreet.”

 

At this moment, Qiu Jinghe suddenly called out to the departing Qiu Jingming, his tone emotionless. “Don’t poison the medicine directly. It’s better to use something less obvious… like a teapot with a poisoned spout. Choose a poison that mimics the symptoms of a severe cold, silently taking him out.”

 

“Got it.” Qiu Jingming, always displeased with Qiu Jinghe’s commanding demeanor, replied impatiently before exiting.

 

Once Qiu Jingming disappeared from sight, Bai Mo, who had been lurking quietly in the corner, finally spoke, his tone as calm as ever.

 

“Second Young Master… will the Eldest Prince be discovered?”

 

“Of course,” Qiu Jinghe closed his eyes, feeling the cool wind on his face. At some point, he had been startled by his own ruthlessness, unable to calm down for a long while. “Father is not the same as he used to be.”

 

This cryptic remark puzzled Bai Mo, who thought Qiu Jinghe was merely commenting on Qiu Junyao’s changed disposition. “If the plan fails and the Eldest Prince implicates you, what will you do?”

 

“He has no evidence,” Qiu Jinghe smirked, but soon realized he couldn’t maintain the smile and gave up. “Forget it. Let them fight it out.”

 

Qiu Jinghe opened his folding fan, shook his head, and left the stifling room. “Let’s go.”

 

He said, “I need to go to the palace to see Father.”

 

“Why do you want to see him?”

 

“Father already suspects that I have colluded with Jingming, but the more it comes to this, the less I can hide from him. Otherwise, he will only think I feel guilty and deepen his suspicion.”

 

Qiu Jinghe was helped into the carriage by Bai Mo.

 

“Moreover, I was the one who saved Qiu Jingxiu. Both emotionally and logically, I should go see him.”

 

Bai Mo thought for a moment and nodded. “You have considered everything thoroughly, Master.”

 

Qiu Jinghe ordered him to lower the curtain and then sat back in the carriage, slowly closing his eyes.

 

He felt a headache coming on, with his temples gently throbbing, as every nerve and his conscience endured severe torment and scrutiny.

 

At this moment, Qiu Jinghe pressed his temples and could only tell himself that in the imperial family, true affection was rare. If he didn’t protect himself now, he would be the one to die when Qiu Jingxiu ascended the throne.

 

He was only doing this to survive.

 

He was not wrong.

 

When he arrived at the palace, Qiu Jinghe didn’t need to guess. He went straight to the Pi Xiang Hall and found Qiu Junyao there, tending to Qiu Jingxiu.

 

Qiu Jingxiu was seriously ill, burning with fever and delirious. His small round face was flushed red, resembling a soft, harmless little animal or a limp soft-boiled egg, lying weakly on Qiu Junyao’s shoulder, whimpering softly.

 

Qiu Junyao was holding him, walking back and forth in the inner hall, patting his back gently and soothing him with quiet words.

 

The doors and windows of the hall were tightly closed to prevent any drafts from worsening Qiu Jingxiu’s condition. As Qiu Jinghe, a teenager full of energy, entered, he immediately felt uncomfortable, breaking out in a hot sweat.

 

“Father.”

 

Hearing someone call him, Qiu Junyao turned and was surprised to see Qiu Jinghe.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“I came to pay my respects, Father.” Qiu Jinghe always appeared obedient and respectful in front of Qiu Junyao. He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground.

 

“And to check on my seventh brother.”

 

“You are considerate.” Hearing this, Qiu Junyao’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he smiled slightly at Qiu Jinghe.

 

“Thank you for saving Jingxiu that day.”

 

“It was my duty,” Qiu Jinghe nodded.

 

Qiu Jingxiu, seemingly hearing his father talking to someone else, opened his eyes in a daze and muttered, “Papa,” which Qiu Junyao immediately noticed.

 

“Jingxiu is awake?”

 

He softened his tone. “Your mother made plum blossom cakes. If you’re hungry, shall I take you to eat some?”

 

Perhaps because of his illness, Qiu Jingxiu didn’t want to eat anything. He shook his head weakly, stubbornly calling out the few words he knew, “Papa.”

 

“Papa is here, Jingxiu,” Qiu Junyao said, feeling heartbroken seeing his son’s discomfort. He added casually, “Your second brother is here to see you too. So many people care about you. Get well soon, okay?”

 

“Second… brother.” Though Qiu Jingxiu’s words were unclear, he could manage simple phrases. He knew who his second brother was and, with effort, lifted his head to glance at Qiu Jinghe.

 

“Bro… ther.”

 

Seeing Qiu Jingxiu’s dazed little face, Qiu Jinghe’s conscience twisted in knots again, but he maintained a calm exterior.

 

“Jingxiu,” he said, “Brother is here.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu, his throat sore, fell silent after calling out for his brother. Clinging tightly to Qiu Junyao’s neck, he stared at Qiu Jinghe with his big, dark eyes.

 

“……. This is the first time I’ve seen him not be afraid of anyone other than me and Ayang,” Qiu Junyao said, surprised for a moment, then smiled.

 

“Maybe he recognizes that you were the one who saved him.”

 

After saying this, Qiu Junyao walked to Qiu Jinghe, helped him up, and then placed the feverish and confused Qiu Jingxiu in his arms.

 

“Since he likes you, help hold him for a while. My arms are tired.”

 

Qiu Jinghe was holding a human infant for the first time in his life, and his body involuntarily stiffened. But when his gaze fell upon Qiu Jingxiu’s dark, crystal-like grape-like eyes, he couldn’t help but reach out and pinch Qiu Jingxiu’s tender, soft cheek.

 

Qiu Jingxiu behaved very well, letting him pinch, and after a while, he couldn’t support himself anymore and rested his head on Qiu Jinghe’s chest, breathing gently.

 

A burning sensation crawled up his neck along with the hot air. Holding this warm little dumpling in his arms, Qiu Jinghe felt a bit stiff, a bit at a loss, and also…

 

A strange sense of emotion.

 

His mother, Empress Huifei, had never given birth to a younger brother for him. His only younger sister had also passed away prematurely. He had never held a human infant like Qiu Jingxiu before.

 

The feeling of embracing someone was somewhat peculiar, but not unpleasant.

 

Just as Qiu Jinghe’s heart softened, wanting to follow Qiu Junyao’s example and comfort Qiu Jingxiu to rest, Qiu Jingxiu, who had been lying on his chest, suddenly wrinkled his nose alertly. Then he sniffed the scent on Qiu Jinghe’s body vigorously without warning, and immediately burst into loud cries.

 

Qiu Junyao was being helped into a seat by Yin Yuan, allowing Yin Yuan to massage his shoulders. Upon hearing Qiu Jingxiu’s cry, he couldn’t help but look up in surprise and ask, “What’s wrong?”

 

“Son… I… I don’t know.” Qiu Jinghe was clearly at a loss. He didn’t understand why Qiu Jingxiu, who had been fine just a moment ago, suddenly started crying. He explained in a flustered manner, “He just… suddenly started crying… I don’t know why…”

 

“Let me.” Yin Yuan stepped forward, took Qiu Jingxiu from Qiu Jinghe’s arms, but at this moment, Qiu Jingxiu didn’t believe in anyone other than Qiu Junyao. Qiu Junyao had to take the child back into his arms again and gently comfort him.

 

After an unknown amount of time, perhaps tired from crying, Qiu Jingxiu slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

 

Yin Yuan leaned in next to Qiu Junyao to wipe Qiu Jingxiu’s face, while Qiu Junyao absentmindedly patted the child’s little belly. He raised his head, looked at Qiu Jinghe, who was unusually flustered, and smiled.

 

“Don’t be nervous. He doesn’t dislike you, and I won’t blame you for such a trivial matter.”

 

Qiu Jinghe managed to relax a little at his words, his voice low and somewhat uncertain. “I was just afraid that Father might misunderstand.”

 

“Misunderstand what?” Qiu Junyao asked. “I haven’t suspected you. What are you afraid of?”

 

“Father…” Qiu Jinghe’s face changed drastically after Qiu Junyao’s words. He didn’t know if Qiu Junyao’s words carried any hidden meaning. The sweat on his back became even more pervasive, and he knelt down with a thump. “I didn’t mean that.”

 

“Then what do you mean?” Qiu Junyao glanced at him with interest.

 

“I… I…” Normally articulate, Qiu Jinghe was rendered extremely nervous by Qiu Junyao’s few words. If he hadn’t been kneeling, his trembling legs would have given him away. “I really meant no harm to Jingxiu!”

 

“Haha…” Qiu Junyao listened to his words, paused for a moment, and couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t say you had ill intentions.”

 

He glanced at Yin Yuan, then tacitly handed Qiu Jingxiu back into Yin Yuan’s arms. Then he stood with his hands behind his back, slowly pacing over to Qiu Jinghe’s side, looking down at him from a higher vantage point.

 

“Jinghe, tell Father honestly—did you meet someone before coming to the palace?”

 

Qiu Junyao’s fingertips rested on Qiu Jinghe’s shoulder, and his low breath was steady and serious. This instantly sent Qiu Jinghe’s heart sinking to the bottom, his heart pounding rapidly as if it might explode at any moment.

 

“Father suspects… that this person is the one who harmed Jingxiu.”

 

“…” Qiu Jinghe heard this, suddenly thought of something, and his heart thumped. Before he could react, Qiu Junyao, who was standing in front of him, bent down and met his eyes at the same level, his tone very calm.

 

“Jinghe, honestly tell Father—did you meet someone before entering the palace?”