The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 29

After ordering Qiu Jingming to be confined in the Dali Temple, Qiu Junyao originally planned to spare Ning Fan from the death penalty, merely punishing her with ten strokes before banishing her from the palace.

 

However, perhaps his body had completely adhered to the book’s setting. Although he didn’t have leukemia, he was becoming increasingly weak. Before he could speak, a sudden and intense palpitation struck his heart, as if his heart was being shredded by a sharp blade, pulling at his nerves painfully. The excruciating pain, like an electric current, coursed through his veins. Almost instantly, Qiu Junyao clutched his chest, and everything went black before his eyes. His mind spun for a few seconds before he collapsed, unconscious.

 

Before he completely lost consciousness, Qiu Junyao heard the frightened calls of Yin Yuan. He tried to open his eyes to reassure him, but his eyelids felt too heavy to lift. He could only let his consciousness fade away, sinking into a deep abyss.

 

In his hazy state, Qiu Junyao vaguely felt a warm towel wiping his cheeks. Then someone took his hand, gently placing it against their face, whispering something, but Qiu Junyao couldn’t make it out. Everything seemed muffled, as if separated by a thin veil, keeping him distant from the world.

 

In his confusion, Qiu Junyao felt as if he had fallen into an endless sleep from which he couldn’t wake up.

 

His soul, as if summoned, left his body uncontrollably, wandering through layers of yellowed dreams, observing and experiencing simultaneously.

 

In these dreams, there was Yin Yuan and an old man with long white hair and a beard. Qiu Junyao instinctively tried to grasp Yin Yuan in the dream, but before he could, Yin Yuan disappeared.

 

As he tried to pursue, he felt a heavy grip on his palm, grabbing a firmer arm. He knew it wasn’t Yin Yuan’s arm and wondered whose it was. When he looked up, he was shocked—

 

The person he grabbed was himself.

 

It was his high school self.

 

At that time, he was sixteen, youthful and vibrant, with a handsome and elegant face, every inch of skin glowing with youthful elasticity and radiance. He smiled at him.

 

Qiu Junyao, feeling a shock, tried to let go, but “he” held his wrist tightly. Suddenly, he felt his life force rapidly draining from his body, transferring to the “Qiu Junyao” before him, and the familiar weakness of leukemia spread through him again, making him feel faint.

 

It was as if something vital was stolen from him. Qiu Junyao felt he couldn’t stand and stumbled to the ground. As he fell, the world spun, and piercing pain struck again. He couldn’t help but vomit blood, forming a pool in front of him. In the blood’s reflection, he saw his own face, pale and miserable, just like the face of himself in the ice coffin from his dream.

 

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

 

An urgent call pulled Qiu Junyao back from his palpitations. He abruptly opened his eyes, leaning over the bed, vomiting blood again.

 

“Your Majesty!” Yin Yuan had stayed by Qiu Junyao’s side for the past two days, his eyes red from lack of sleep, never daring to close them. Finally seeing Qiu Junyao wake up, only to witness him vomiting blood, he nearly broke down:

 

“You…”

 

“Cough, cough…” Qiu Junyao spat out the blood in his chest and weakly waved his hand, indicating Yin Yuan shouldn’t worry, and said feebly:

 

“I’m fine…”

 

He said, “I’m fine.”

 

“But you vomited blood…” Yin Yuan, flustered, said, “The imperial physician has been here and suppressed the poison in your body with acupuncture, but you didn’t wake up, and I was scared…”

 

“It’s okay,” Qiu Junyao reached out and pinched Yin Yuan’s face, seeing that he looked like he was about to cry:

 

“I won’t die.”

 

“Why did you vomit blood and faint?” Yin Yuan sniffled, lowering his eyelids, his hair hanging down, making his face look small:

 

“The imperial physician said the poison didn’t act up, so why…”

 

Qiu Junyao didn’t answer, closing his eyes, recalling the dream.

 

Thinking of the vision of himself in the ice coffin, despite his confusion, Qiu Junyao remained composed and said quietly after a moment:

 

“Maybe it was just an accident.”

 

Yin Yuan didn’t believe this explanation.

 

Worried, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from Qiu Junyao’s lips and then helped him sit up, propping him against a pillow.

 

After settling Qiu Junyao, Yin Yuan had Laifu bring ginseng soup, feeding it to Qiu Junyao himself.

 

Qiu Junyao wanted to do it himself, but his two days of unconsciousness left him too weak to hold the bowl, so he had to rely on Yin Yuan.

 

Halfway through feeding him, Qiu Junyao seemed to remember something and asked Yin Yuan:

 

“How is Jingxiu?”

 

“The fever has subsided, but he is still unconscious and hasn’t woken up yet.”

 

Yin Yuan shook his head, wiped the sweat from Qiu Junyao’s forehead again, and then picked up the spoon, gesturing for Qiu Junyao to open his mouth:

 

“However, the imperial physician said his constitution is special, and his body is not in any immediate danger… We just have to wait until he wakes up to see the extent of his mental state.”

 

Qiu Junyao was silent for a moment. After a while, he gently pushed away the spoon Yin Yuan was holding up and sighed:

 

“Then… how is Jingming?”

 

Seeing that Qiu Junyao stopped drinking, Yin Yuan handed the almost empty bowl to Laifu and tucked Qiu Junyao’s quilt:

 

“He is still in the Dali Temple’s prison. Because Jingming’s identity is special, before Your Majesty designates who will handle the case, the head of the Dali Temple dares not interrogate him.”

 

“…” Qiu Junyao hesitated for a moment, then asked:

 

“How is he behaving in prison?”

 

“I went to see him on your behalf. Jingming still refuses to plead guilty. He doesn’t understand why Your Majesty has punished him and says you are being influenced by me, cursing me for a while.” Yin Yuan touched his own face and couldn’t help but laugh: “According to the jailers, he keeps saying I am a demon consort who has bewitched you, making you lose your senses.”

 

Qiu Junyao: “…”

 

He looked at Yin Yuan’s beautiful face, indistinguishable between male and female, wondering if Yin Yuan had applied a light powder today. His entire face was smooth and porcelain-like, with a subtle, luminous glow.

 

After a long pause, he whispered:

 

“You certainly have the capability.”

 

In the original story, Yin Yuan could charm several of his sons into fighting over him, even rebelling and killing him to win his favor.

 

Thinking of his chilling end in the original story, Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but shiver instinctively.

 

Yin Yuan thought Qiu Junyao was cold and moved closer to cover him with the quilt, but Qiu Junyao grabbed his wrist:

 

“A-Yuan.”

 

He heard himself say:

 

“Anyone can betray me, but not you.”

 

Qiu Junyao’s voice was weak and wavering from his illness, but his words were clear, each one resonating with strength, lightly striking Yin Yuan’s heart.

 

Yin Yuan felt a sudden stir in his heart for some reason.

 

He didn’t struggle but gently raised his eyelids to look at Qiu Junyao, then slowly opened his lips and said:

 

“I won’t.”

 

Yin Yuan said, “I will keep my promise. No matter what happens in the future, my body and heart belong to you, Your Majesty. This will never change.”

 

“…” When Yin Yuan said this, his expression was more serious and earnest than ever. Qiu Junyao studied him for a moment and finally relaxed, revealing a faint smile:

 

“I believe you.”

 

Seeing Qiu Junyao smile, Yin Yuan’s expression also softened.

 

He wanted Qiu Junyao to rest some more, but Qiu Junyao insisted on getting up to see Qiu Jingxiu.

 

Qiu Jingxiu had been kept alive on rice soup and ginseng slices these past few days, with the imperial physician attending to him day and night, so he should survive.

 

“If he is simple-minded, so be it. I don’t really care if he is smart.”

 

Qiu Junyao stood by the bed with his hands in his sleeves, bending over to look at Qiu Jingxiu’s rosy, peaceful face, pressing his forehead against his, and said softly:

 

“Even if you are simple-minded, as long as I am here, I can ensure you live a safe and happy life.”

 

After saying that, Qiu Junyao kissed Qiu Jingxiu’s forehead and then stood up.

 

Supported by Yin Yuan, who held his right hand, Qiu Junyao walked away. Yin Yuan glanced at Qiu Junyao and cautiously said:

 

“Your Majesty, your body is weak. Since you have seen Jingxiu, why not go back to rest?”

 

Hearing this, Qiu Junyao pondered for a moment, then shook his head: “No.”

 

His expression gradually became stern during the conversation:

 

“Now that I am awake, it is time to see that rebellious son.”

 

Before Qiu Junyao fainted, he had already ordered Qiu Jingming to be detained, so now Qiu Jingming was still locked up in the inner prison of the Dali Temple.

 

The inner prison was deep and perpetually dark, with every brick wall marked by the passage of time, pitted and dusty. When the door opened, the faint light illuminated the floating particles in the air, heavy and choking, with nowhere to hide.

 

The corners even carried faint traces of blood and the smell of rotting flesh. Despite daily cleaning, it could not be completely removed. The blackened blood clotted in chunks, feeling slightly sticky and raised underfoot.

 

When Qiu Junyao stepped into the inner prison of the Dali Temple, he instinctively frowned and covered his nose.

 

An official beside him carefully led the way, fearing that any mistake could cost him his head.

 

Since the Dali Temple was not a place specifically for imprisoning criminals, its purpose was to temporarily hold suspects awaiting interrogation, making it cleaner than the prisons of the Ministry of War. However, it was also much smaller.

 

When Qiu Junyao entered the inner prison, he saw Qiu Jingming in a sorry state. His luxurious clothes had been replaced with coarse prison garb, and his once neat hair was disheveled, sticking to his forehead. His hair ornament had fallen to the ground, covered in dust.

 

Because he had cursed Yin Yuan in prison and Yin Yuan wielded significant power and was protective, the jailers, knowing whom to please, had secretly targeted Qiu Jingming many times.

 

Now, his wrists were bound by iron chains embedded in the wall. His face, though tired, was unscarred, but who knew if he had wounds on his body.

 

Qiu Junyao sighed inwardly and sat steadily on the chair the jailers had brought in front of Qiu Jingming.

 

The weather was cold, and the prison even more chilling. Despite wearing a heavy black cloak, Qiu Junyao still felt the cold seeping into his bones. How much worse it must be for Qiu Jingming, dressed only in tattered prison clothes with no extra layers to keep warm.

 

Hearing a sound in the prison not belonging to the rats, Qiu Jingming involuntarily opened his eyes. In just a few days, his eyes had become haggard, reflecting Qiu Junyao’s composed face.

 

“…Father?”

 

Qiu Jingming’s voice was hoarse, as if cut by a small knife, sounding disturbingly eerie.

 

He seemed unable to believe that Qiu Junyao had come to see him and stared blankly for a long time. It took him a while to wipe his face, trying to wake up, the iron chains clinking.

 

“Rebellious son, do you have anything to say?”

 

Qiu Junyao sat firmly on the chair, his expression unwavering despite Qiu Jingming’s wretched appearance. His tone, however, softened slightly:

 

“You’ve engaged in deceit, failed in virtue, and even harmed your younger brother… Do you admit to these?”

 

“Harmed my brother?” Qiu Jingming was stunned. He stood up quickly, trying to reach out to grab Qiu Junyao’s clothes, but was restrained by the chains and could only struggle as he defended himself:

 

“Father, I did not…”

 

“Did not?” Qiu Junyao looked down at Qiu Jingming, who had lost his balance and fallen to the ground,

 

“Were you not the one who pushed Jingxiu into the river that day? And today, did you not try to use my hairdresser to poison Jingxiu?”

 

Qiu Junyao’s gaze was piercing, as if it could penetrate the chest and see into the heart. His voice grew louder with emotion:

 

“Qiu Jingming, can you swear on your heart and to the heavens that you had no ill intentions towards Qiu Jingxiu?!”

 

As soon as Qiu Junyao finished speaking, a flash of white lightning illuminated the small window of the inner prison, followed by a thunderous boom that shook the heavy wooden door, making it creak eerily.

 

The wind howled, blowing Qiu Junyao’s black robe embroidered with silver flowers. Qiu Jingming, unable to even grab the edge of Qiu Junyao’s robe, stumbled and collapsed to the ground in fear of the thunder.

 

Qiu Jingming, pale and bloodless, denied harming Qiu Jingxiu incessantly:

 

“I didn’t poison him! I didn’t!”

 

“Even now, you don’t repent.” Qiu Junyao stood up, walking slowly to Qiu Jingming and looking at him with pity:

 

“Your trusted maid has confessed that you are the mastermind behind all of this, and you still refuse to admit it?”

 

Qiu Junyao shook his head. “I used to think you were reckless but simple-minded… But today, I realize I was wrong, and gravely so.”

 

His face turned cold as he looked at Qiu Jingming’s trembling visage. “You have even learned to use these despicable tricks. I misjudged you!”

 

The thunder outside grew heavier, each clap pounding on the eardrums, while the rain fell relentlessly. The cold rain seemed to congeal the air in the small prison cell, making people shiver as if their insides were frozen.

 

“……” After Qiu Junyao said this, Qiu Jingming, who had been insisting he didn’t poison Qiu Jingxiu, was stunned.

 

He fell silent, perhaps scared by the thunder, and knelt on the ground motionless, even holding his breath.

 

Seeing that Qiu Jingming no longer defended himself, Qiu Junyao became more certain of his judgment.

 

He glanced at Qiu Jingming with disgust and said coldly, “Reflect on your actions in this cell. Only when you have truly reflected will I release you.”

 

With that, Qiu Junyao turned to leave, unwilling to spare Qiu Jingming another glance.

 

However, at that moment, Qiu Jingming, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. His voice was hoarse, like an impending storm:

 

“Why is Father so certain that I did this? In this palace, there are more people who want to harm Qiu Jingxiu than just me. Why don’t you suspect Jingyue… or Jinghe?”

 

Qiu Junyao initially didn’t want to respond, but seeing Qiu Jingming kneeling on the ground, his wrists bound and suspended by iron chains, he couldn’t help but reply:

 

“Jingyue is too shallow-minded to conceive such a scheme; Jinghe…”

 

Qiu Junyao pondered for a moment before saying, “If Jinghe truly wanted to harm Jingxiu, why would he save him from the lotus pond that day?”

 

“……” Upon hearing this, Qiu Jingming was momentarily stunned.

 

Then, as if he had realized something, his shoulders trembled. Soon, his mouth curled higher and higher until he burst into loud laughter.

 

“Qiu Jinghe… Qiu Jinghe…”

 

Qiu Jingming, like someone possessed, repeated these words with grief and indignation, “It was you who framed me… It was you!”

 

Qiu Junyao couldn’t bear it any longer. “Even now, you’re blaming others.”

 

He continued, “You brought this upon yourself, completely your own doing.”

 

“…Brought this upon myself, my own doing…”

 

Qiu Jingming repeated Qiu Junyao’s words several times, the smile on his face growing increasingly wild, almost to the point of arrogance:

 

“Father!”

 

He stood up forcefully. This time, Qiu Jingming did not look up at Qiu Junyao but stared straight at him, his eyes filled with unprecedented ridicule. He laughed loudly:

 

“You say that I ended up like this because I brought it upon myself…”

 

“Yes, I admit, I pushed Qiu Jingxiu into the lotus pond that day. I do not deny it.”

 

Qiu Jingming continued, “But Father, do you bear no responsibility for my plight today?”

 

Qiu Junyao frowned, doubting what he heard. “…What?”

 

Qiu Jingming looked at Qiu Junyao, his words filled with anguish, his face twisted in a smile while tears streamed down his eyes:

 

“You delight in Qiu Jingxiu bringing you rice cakes, and you praise him for being able to speak. But what about me?”

 

Qiu Jingming’s emotions grew more agitated as he tried to rush towards Qiu Junyao, only to be stopped by the iron chains:

 

“To win your favor, I read scriptures and poetry every night. Whenever there was a matter in court, I would submit memorials to ease your burdens. But what did I get in return?!”

 

Qiu Jingming laughed, but the tears flowed even more freely:

 

“Qiu Jingxiu, who cannot even write a single word, receives your boundless affection, while my essays and policies for the country are left untouched on your desk, never read, never commented on, not even once!!”

 

“……” Faced with Qiu Jingming’s abnormal emotions, Qiu Junyao was taken aback, standing there in a daze.

 

In the small cell, only Qiu Jingming’s tearful voice echoed, reverberating in Qiu Junyao’s mind:

 

“I also wished for the love of my father, hoped for your presence on my birthday, and yearned for a carefully prepared birthday gift from you.”

 

“But Father, you have only given these things to Qiu Jingxiu, never to me, not to Qiu Jinghe, nor to Qiu Jingyue.”

 

“Am I not your child?”

 

Qiu Jingming asked:

 

“Father, are we not your children?”

 

“……..”

 

After saying these things he had never dared to say before, Qiu Jingming finally collapsed on the ground, as if all his strength had been drained.

 

He said no more, just silently let his tears fall, washing away the dust on his face, revealing a visage that bore a striking resemblance to Qiu Junyao.

 

The affairs of the world suffer not from scarcity but from inequality. Qiu Junyao had never realized that his favoritism toward Qiu Jingxiu had, in a sense, indirectly harmed the others.

 

The so-called heartlessness of the royal family was evident. Underneath excessive favoritism lay hidden dangers.

 

To Qiu Junyao, Qiu Jingming, Qiu Jinghe, and Qiu Jingyue were merely potential threats for the future. Only today did he suddenly realize that they, too, had once harbored expectations of him, had once regarded him as their true father. But…

 

As father and son stood in silent confrontation, their minds a tangled mess, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the cell.

 

Qiu Junyao instinctively turned around and saw a eunuch from Yingyuan’s retinue.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

The little eunuch was obviously soaked from the rain, his face filled with urgency. As soon as he saw Qiu Junyao, he knelt down, seemingly having urgent news to report:

 

“I have something to report.”

 

“……Speak,” Qiu Junyao said, trying to clear his own chaotic thoughts, as he rubbed his forehead.

 

“Did the Empress send you?”

 

“Yes.” The eunuch respectfully bowed and reported:

 

“Your Majesty, the Empress sent me to inform you that………”

 

He paused, glanced at Qiu Jingming sitting in the corner, and then bowed his head again,

 

“…the Seventh Prince has awakened.”