The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 32

By the time Qiu Jingxiu returned to the Fragrant Hall, it was already late at night.

 

The lights in the inner hall of the Fragrant Hall had long been extinguished. Qiu Jingxiu, under the cover of a little eunuch, quietly opened the door.

 

He cautiously poked his small head through the narrow crack of the door, then turned his dark, shiny eyes to scan the empty inner hall. After confirming there was no one there, he felt relieved, lifted his robe, silently slipped into the inner hall, and slowly closed the door—

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

The sudden question nearly stopped Qiu Jingxiu’s heart.

 

He jerked back against the door, clutching his pounding heart, and looked up at the emotionless face of Yin Yuan, who seemed just one step away from slapping “I want to hit you” on his face—

 

“Why are you back so late?” Yin Yuan stood with his hands folded, his long black hair cascading down like ink, his lips seemingly redder than during the day, looking like a bewitching spirit of the night.

 

“Mother,” realizing it was Yin Yuan, Qiu Jingxiu knew he couldn’t talk his way out this time. He braced himself, bowed, then, like a little puppy, clung to Yin Yuan’s robe, trying to avoid punishment through whining and acting cute:

 

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

 

“Your father was waiting for you until midnight. Since you didn’t return, he didn’t sleep. So, naturally, I didn’t sleep either,” Yin Yuan said, pausing.

 

“Oh, is it that late already?”

 

Qiu Jingxiu slapped his forehead, pretending to be clueless:

 

“I got so engrossed in reading…”

 

“Mother doesn’t blame you… It’s good that you’re diligent, but too much diligence will wear your body out one day.”

 

Yin Yuan sighed, picked up Qiu Jingxiu, pinched his cheek, eliciting a soft cry:

 

“Mother, that hurts.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu pouted and covered his reddened cheek, whining:

 

“It’s swollen.”

 

“Swollen or not, let it be a lesson.”

 

Yin Yuan, unyielding, carried him into the inner room, placed him on the bed, and bent down to look at him:

 

“If your father were here, he’d hit you on the head with a fan and scold you thoroughly.”

 

“Father is always soft-hearted; he wouldn’t hit me with a fan.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu giggled, tugging at Yin Yuan’s sleeve, his round, dark eyes sparkling like grapes, babbling away:

 

“Father loves me the most; he can’t bear to see me hurt.”

 

“…”

 

Looking at Qiu Jingxiu’s round, obedient face, Yin Yuan gazed at him for a moment, his eyes darkening, pondering something, then suddenly sat down beside him.

 

Since it was already late at night, he wasn’t adorned with the usual feminine accessories. His face, free of makeup, appeared serene and elegant, possessing more of a gentleman’s charm and less of a woman’s softness.

 

Qiu Jingxiu, not one to miss cues, immediately sat up straight, ready to listen attentively:

 

“Mother, do you have something to say to me?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu was always obedient and thoughtful, rarely causing any trouble, so the two seldom had heart-to-heart talks late at night.

 

But this time, Yin Yuan chose to be alone with Qiu Jingxiu, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness:

 

“Jingxiu.”

 

“Mother, I’m here,” Qiu Jingxiu responded.

 

Hearing this, Yin Yuan raised his hand, gently stroked Qiu Jingxiu’s soft hair, making him laugh. His brows arched as he shook his head playfully, looking like a cute lop-eared rabbit:

 

“Mother.”

 

“Good boy.” Yin Yuan pinched Qiu Jingxiu’s soft cheek, speaking softly:

 

“You’re so smart, you must know what’s been troubling your father lately.”

 

“I do,” Qiu Jingxiu nodded. “I’ve been worried about it too.”

 

“…,” Yin Yuan hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, lowering his eyes, his voice becoming ethereal under the flickering candlelight:

 

“The past is beyond reach. Now that you are our son, you should know what kind of person your father is.”

 

Yin Yuan said, “He has a gentle and soft nature, is kind to everyone, and particularly avoids conflict. Sometimes he’s overly gentle, especially with his sons, unable to be truly harsh.”

 

“So Jingxiu… I know my request is excessive…”

 

After hesitating for a long time, Yin Yuan finally looked up, staring at Qiu Jingxiu, and slowly voiced the main point of the night:

 

“No matter what your father decides to do with Jingming tomorrow, don’t hate him. Can you do that?”

 

Meeting Yin Yuan’s anxious gaze, Qiu Jingxiu thought for a moment, then readily nodded:

 

“Okay.”

 

“…Really?” Yin Yuan was a bit surprised.

 

“Really.” Qiu Jingxiu smiled, “I’ve always believed that brothers have no overnight grudges, and I wasn’t really harmed. Instead, I gained from the misfortune… So whether father is lenient or strict with Jingming, I won’t hold a grudge.”

 

“…,” Looking at Qiu Jingxiu’s calm expression, Yin Yuan felt somewhat ashamed, thinking his own heart was less magnanimous than a child’s:

 

“No matter what your father says… Mother will make it up to you.”

 

“No need.” Qiu Jingxiu shook his head, speaking softly:

 

“Father is the kindest ruler in the world and the best father to me. No matter what he does, my respect and love for him won’t change.”

 

“Jingxiu, you…”

 

Yin Yuan was stunned to hear such words from a five-year-old:

 

“Where did you learn to say that?”

 

“Of course, from the Grand Academician.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu, being smart, understood immediately and smiled, “Alright, Mother, I have to study tomorrow, and you need to serve Father early in the morning for court, so let’s go to bed early.”

 

Seeing Qiu Jingxiu’s words, Yin Yuan couldn’t refuse, so he nodded, stood up, and reminded him:

 

“Then you sleep early too.”

 

“Good night, Mother.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu obediently raised his hand and waved it like a little lucky cat.

 

Only after Yin Yuan’s figure disappeared from his sight did Qiu Jingxiu’s smile fade. Carefully, he took out a vial of potion he had been hiding in his chest and examined it in the light.

 

The vial was made of crystal, and the green liquid inside, filled with bubbles, shimmered under the candlelight.

 

“So, this is the elderflower poison dissolved in water?”

 

The image of the man with purple eyes and white clothes reappeared in Qiu Jingxiu’s mind, filling him with doubt.

 

Why did he give me the elderflower poison? Who is he? Why does he keep saying he wants to follow me and help me ascend the throne?

 

A series of questions bubbled up like the bubbles in the vial.

 

However, despite being a naturally intelligent and astute five-year-old, Qiu Jingxiu couldn’t see through people’s hearts.

 

After much thought, he decided to keep the encounter with the mysterious man a secret from Qiu Junyao and Yin Yuan for now.

 

Firstly, Qiu Junyao was already troubled enough, and he didn’t want to further distract him with this seemingly trivial matter. Secondly, he felt the man’s identity was not ordinary, and he needed to investigate further in secret, hoping to gain some unexpected insights.

 

With this in mind, Qiu Jingxiu hid the vial of elderflower poison under his pillow and slept soundly until the next morning.

 

The following morning, as usual, Qiu Junyao sent someone to call him for breakfast.

 

Qiu Jingxiu was grumpy upon waking but turned into a clingy child upon seeing Qiu Junyao. Even from several meters away, he rubbed his eyes, opened his arms, and hoarsely asked his father to carry him.

 

“In a few years, when you’re heavier, Father won’t be able to carry you.”

 

Qiu Junyao laughed, picked Qiu Jingxiu up, and bounced him. Then he personally helped him wash up, wiping his face while saying:

 

“Jingxiu, don’t grow up too fast. Stay with Father for a few more years, okay?”

 

“Jingxiu won’t grow up.” Qiu Jingxiu, now fully awake from the cloth wiping his face, quickly clung to Qiu Junyao’s hand, raising his overly delicate and cute little face, speaking softly like a sticky, sweet rice cake:

 

“I want to stay with Father forever. Wherever Father goes, I want to go too.”

 

“What if Father dies?” Qiu Junyao, unlike ancient people who avoided talking about life and death, was well aware of his fate and was only worried about Qiu Jingxiu:

 

“If Father passes away, what will you do?”

 

“…,” This question seemed to stump Qiu Jingxiu. He frowned, thinking deeply, then looked down sadly, looking very aggrieved:

 

“Father, don’t die.”

 

Qiu Jingxiu, teary-eyed, stood up in Qiu Junyao’s arms and reached out his chubby hands to hug Qiu Junyao’s neck:

 

“If Father dies, what will Jingxiu do? Jingxiu will be very sad.”

 

Tears welled up in his eyes, ready to fall if Qiu Junyao said another word:

 

“Father, please don’t die, okay?”

 

“Okay, okay, Father won’t die.” Seeing Qiu Jingxiu so distressed, Qiu Junyao’s heart softened completely despite his own sorrows:

 

“Father will do his best to live for Jingxiu.”

 

“Pinky promise?” Qiu Jingxiu extended his little finger, seriously saying, “If Father lies, he won’t live long, and Jingxiu won’t forgive him.”

 

“Yes, pinky promise.” Qiu Junyao smiled and hooked his finger with Qiu Jingxiu’s.

 

Their interaction was fully observed by Yin Yuan.

 

He smiled, the jewels in his ears jingling softly, making his features look even more picturesque. He urged:

 

“Stop whispering, you two. Hurry and eat, or you’ll be late for court and school.”

 

“Okay.” Qiu Junyao served a bowl of porridge to Yin Yuan, then handed a rice cake to Qiu Jingxiu.

 

The rice cake was fragrant, soft, and sweet. Qiu Jingxiu was happily munching on it, his mouth even dusted with cake crumbs, when he suddenly heard Qiu Junyao speak:

 

“By the way, last night I suddenly remembered something.”

 

“What is it?” Both Yin Yuan and Qiu Jingxiu looked up. Yin Yuan, puzzled, added a milk pastry to Qiu Junyao’s bowl:

 

“Do you need my help?”

 

“No.” Qiu Junyao thought for a moment, then shook his head: “This matter, I’ll have the Minister of Justice and the Minister of War handle.”

 

Hearing these titles, Qiu Jingxiu had a guess. He kept his eyes on his bowl, but his ears perked up to listen:

 

“It’s about Jingming…”

 

Qiu Junyao put down his bowl, his voice faint. If Qiu Jingxiu weren’t so close, he might not have heard it clearly:

 

“I plan to keep him locked up for a few more days.”

 

“Locked up for a few more days?” Yin Yuan seemed to have anticipated this decision, given Qiu Junyao’s usual leniency. He was glad he had warned Qiu Jingxiu in advance. Softly, he agreed with Qiu Junyao:

 

“That’s fine. Let him suffer a bit but don’t punish him too harshly.”

 

However, Qiu Junyao didn’t nod. Instead, he shook his head, his voice low:

 

“No.”

 

“Although…” He said, “Although Jingming’s actions were indeed outrageous this time, if I let it slide, it will only harm him. I don’t want that.”

 

“So, what do you plan to do?” Yin Yuan was surprised by the unexpected answer.

 

Qiu Junyao looked at Yin Yuan, then slowly said:

 

“I plan to subject him to the Ji Lu punishment.”

 

“The Ji Lu punishment?”

 

Qiu Jingxiu had never heard of it. Confused, he tilted his head:

 

“What’s that?”

 

 

 

 

 

In the chapter, “接骨木花毒” (jiē gǔ mù huā dú) refers to a poison derived from elderflowers. Elderflowers come from the elder tree (Sambucus nigra), and while they are often used in traditional medicine and culinary recipes, certain parts of the elder plant, including its seeds, leaves, roots, and stems, contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if not properly processed.

 

The poison mentioned, therefore, could be a fictionalized or exaggerated version of this natural toxin, used for dramatic purposes in the story. In reality, elderflower-based products are generally safe when made correctly, but the plant does have components that can be poisonous if mishandled.