The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 38

Qiu Jingyue’s biological mother passed away from illness when he was just two years old. As a result, his memories of her are faint, but his impressions of his second brother, who had cared for him since childhood, are much stronger.

 

Consort Hui, Qiu Jinghe’s mother, was known for her gentle and quiet demeanor when she was young. However, years of palace life had worn her down, making her even more solitary, and at times, cold-hearted. When Qiu Jingyue was a child, without anyone else to care for him, he would follow closely behind Qiu Jinghe, calling him “Second Brother,” clinging to his pant leg. When he would secretly glance at Consort Hui, all he saw were those cold, indifferent eyes—

 

The kind of gaze that could give one nightmares for three days.

 

Therefore, it was largely thanks to Qiu Jinghe’s constant care that Qiu Jingyue grew up safely.

 

Perhaps it was due to shared hardships, or maybe because Qiu Jinghe had a soft heart, but he managed to raise Qiu Jingyue safely. As a result, Qiu Jingyue became highly dependent on him, often saying treasonous things in front of him, leaving Qiu Jinghe at a loss.

 

As for the throne that Qiu Jingyue spoke of, Qiu Jinghe naturally desired it.

 

But he also knew that the Qiu Junyao of today, who no longer immersed himself in alchemy as he once did, would not be easily overthrown. It would take time and careful planning.

 

Soon, the day of the spring hunt arrived. Qiu Jinghe, after picking up Qiu Jingyue, who had overslept and almost missed the departure, boarded the carriage bound for the hunting grounds.

 

The spring hunt was held at Jianchun Mountain, located several kilometers from the capital. In past years, Qiu Junyao had always found excuses not to attend. This year marked the first time he decided to go.

 

As soon as Qiu Junyao dismounted, he found Qiu Jingming, Qiu Jinghe, and Qiu Jingyue waiting outside. Upon seeing him, they knelt down to greet him:

 

“Your sons greet Father and wish him good health.”

 

Since they had not seen Qiu Junyao in a long time, the three brothers respectfully kowtowed to him. Only Qiu Jingxiu, who was hidden behind Qiu Junyao, held onto his hand and remained standing. Having been in the carriage for so long, he looked pale and uncomfortable and had not yet had the chance to kneel.

 

Seeing Qiu Jingxiu’s discomfort, Qiu Junyao did not force him to kneel and instead lifted him into his arms, while also instructing his other sons to rise.

 

“Get up.”

 

He said, “Do not be constrained. Follow the Imperial Guards to settle in, and when the time is right, we will begin the hunt.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

Qiu Jingming, Qiu Jinghe, and Qiu Jingyue responded in unison.

 

After arranging for his sons, Qiu Junyao carried Qiu Jingxiu back to his tent to rest. Still young, Qiu Jingxiu felt very unwell after the long journey, so Qiu Junyao summoned the accompanying physician, Xiao Qi, to prepare a calming remedy. Once the medicine was ready, he had Qiu Jingxiu drink it, then ordered the palace attendants to take him away to sleep.

 

After settling Qiu Jingxiu, Qiu Junyao finally had some leisure to take a stroll and enjoy the scenery of Jianchun Mountain. But before he could step outside, he saw Yin Yuan standing in front of him, looking at him expectantly.

 

“…What’s wrong with you?” Qiu Junyao asked. “Do you have a request?”

 

“Yes.” Yin Yuan tugged on Qiu Junyao’s sleeve, gently shaking it as he softened his voice on purpose. “I want to go out for a walk too.”

 

According to the rites of the Da Duan dynasty, even a favored consort who accompanied the emperor to the hunting grounds could only wait in the emperor’s tent, not allowed to move freely or participate in the hunt, to maintain dignity and avoid public exposure.

 

But Yin Yuan, despite dressing in women’s clothing, was still a man. Seeing such a beautiful spring day, he wanted to do what the men did—draw a longbow, tame a fierce horse, and compete for the top prize.

 

“Today’s spring hunt brings all the ministers, including those old men from the Ministry of Rites. Are you sure you want to be seen sneaking out to hunt as the Mother of the Nation?”

 

Qiu Junyao let Yin Yuan tug at his sleeve and tease him, smiling as he said:

 

“If they report it to your father in court, he’ll surely have a hard time.”

 

“…” Yin Yuan, hearing this, felt deflated and sat down on the couch, suddenly pulling out the tassel hairpin from his head and throwing it on the ground in frustration.

 

Seeing Yin Yuan’s sulky actions, Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but find it amusing.

 

He gave up his intention of going out and sat down beside Yin Yuan, reaching out to take his wrist, but Yin Yuan struggled to avoid his touch.

 

“Are you sulking with me?” Qiu Junyao firmly grabbed Yin Yuan’s hand, placing it in his palm and gently rubbing it as he chuckled:

 

“Although the nation has its laws, if you beg me, I might just be swayed by your beauty and agree.”

 

“…” Yin Yuan glanced at Qiu Junyao, then suddenly stood up and pushed Qiu Junyao down onto the bed.

 

…

 

Two quarters of an hour later, Qiu Junyao, who had made Yin Yuan cough from choking, helped him up from the ground, lightly brushing his finger over Yin Yuan’s reddened lips with tenderness:

 

“…They’re bruised.”

 

Yin Yuan’s knees were nearly bruised, and his ears were flushed with embarrassment, but he still tried to maintain his composure, quietly complaining:

 

“It’s all Your Majesty’s fault, too… too…”

 

“Too what?” Qiu Junyao asked calmly, “Too big?”

 

Yin Yuan, flustered by Qiu Junyao’s question, blushed even more, his face turning as red as a ripe persimmon. He buried his face in Qiu Junyao’s chest, refusing to say another word.

 

… He didn’t even try to argue.

 

Seeing Yin Yuan’s defeat, Qiu Junyao laughed even harder. But he didn’t continue with any more lewd comments. Instead, he dressed himself and then lifted Yin Yuan, who had already tidied up, into his arms and walked out of the tent. He called to the guards:

 

“Bring me two horses.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The soldiers obeyed and quickly brought over two horses.

 

Qiu Junyao placed Yin Yuan on one of the horses and looked up with a smile:

 

“Go on.”

 

“…Your Majesty,” Yin Yuan was genuinely surprised that Qiu Junyao had actually been “blinded by beauty” and allowed him to go out. Sitting on the horse, he hesitated and blurted out, “Aren’t you coming with me?”

 

“This is a gentle mare; she can’t carry both of us.”

 

Qiu Junyao said:

 

“You ride ahead. I’ll tame the other horse and join you later.”

 

With that, he patted the mare on the rump, and she neighed before running off.

 

“…”

 

Watching Yin Yuan ride away, Qiu Junyao slowly withdrew the smile from his face and turned his gaze to the other, more spirited Akhal-Teke horse.

 

The foal was entirely bright red, its coat shiny and smooth, with well-defined, sleek muscles, giving it a healthy appearance.

 

Qiu Junyao circled around the horse, feeling eager yet hesitant to mount it.

 

What he hadn’t told Yin Yuan earlier was that he didn’t actually know how to ride a horse.

 

But admitting it would be embarrassing, so instead, he sent Yin Yuan off on the horse while he stayed behind to figure out how to ride it.

 

As he stood there, caught in indecision, a gentle male voice suddenly broke in at an inopportune moment:

 

“Your Majesty, are you trying to tame this horse?”

 

Hearing the voice, Qiu Junyao looked up and saw a white-haired, purple-eyed man smiling at him. He asked, puzzled, “And you are?”

 

“Your Majesty, I am Chu Yu, the newly appointed National Preceptor.”

 

Chu Yu smiled, his eyes resembling beautiful amethysts in the sunlight:

 

“I’ve been in mourning for my master until recently, so I hadn’t left the palace. Now that the mourning period is over, my name has been added to the list for the spring hunt.”

 

“I just saw Your Majesty eyeing this horse. Would you like my help?”

 

“…Can you help me tame this horse?” Naturally, Qiu Junyao was happy to accept help. “I’d like to tame it and perhaps gift it to Xiao Qi in the future.”

 

Chu Yu smiled confidently at this and said:

 

“On my own, of course not.”

 

Qiu Junyao: “…”

 

He couldn’t help but ask, “Then why…”

 

“But if the Second Prince were here, he could likely do it.” Chu Yu leisurely recommended Qiu Jinghe:

 

“While the Second Prince may not be able to easily tame wild beasts like the First Prince, taming a horse is well within his ability.”

 

“Really?” Qiu Junyao was intrigued. “Then go and summon Xiao Er.”

 

Chu Yu obeyed and soon returned with a slightly bewildered Qiu Jinghe and a curious Qiu Jingyue, who had tagged along to watch.

 

“Father.” Qiu Jinghe naturally bowed upon seeing Qiu Junyao:

 

“I hear from the National Preceptor that you have a task for me?”

 

“…Ahem.” Qiu Junyao, somewhat embarrassed to admit he couldn’t ride a horse, mumbled:

 

“I just wanted to see if this horse is as wild as it seems…”

 

Seeing Qiu Junyao’s demeanor, the ever-astute Qiu Jinghe quickly grasped the situation.

 

He was momentarily stunned, then a small dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth as he smiled faintly:

 

“Although your son is not highly skilled, I have learned a few practical tricks here and there. I know a bit about taming horses. Why don’t I stay by your side, in case you have need of me?”

 

Qiu Jinghe’s words were skillfully phrased, enough to make Qiu Junyao look at him with newfound appreciation and probe:

 

“Are you confident?”

 

“Why don’t you try mounting first, Father?”

 

Qiu Jinghe said, “Stand on the left side of the horse; it’s less likely to make them wary.”

 

With that, Qiu Jinghe helped Qiu Junyao onto the horse, then firmly gripped the reins, guiding the horse through simple movements like advancing, retreating, and turning in circles. He continuously stroked the horse until it was completely calm, then handed the reins back to Qiu Junyao.

 

“Why don’t you ride a bit further, Father?”

 

Qiu Jinghe looked up with a smile, “I’ll watch over you from here.”

 

“Alright.” With Qiu Jinghe’s assurance, Qiu Junyao, who was already eager, couldn’t resist. After receiving permission, he squeezed the horse’s flanks and galloped off.

 

Not far away, Yin Yuan noticed Qiu Junyao catching up and turned his horse around to ride alongside him. After a brief exchange, the two rode off in the same direction. The scene of their harmonious interaction was almost reminiscent of a divine couple.

 

Qiu Jinghe and Qiu Jingyue stood nearby, watching. Chu Yu, after staring at Qiu Jinghe for a moment, finally said slowly:

 

“Second Prince.”

 

He continued, “Why don’t you thank me?”

 

“If you’re referring to speaking up for me before Father today, then I can say thank you.” Qiu Jinghe, still watching Qiu Junyao and Yin Yuan ride side by side in the distance, didn’t look back at Chu Yu. He simply stood with his hands folded, the white fan in his hand contrasting sharply with his well-defined knuckles. “But unfortunately, I don’t need it.”

 

“Father has his favorites. One small favor today won’t make him suddenly favor me.”

 

“There’s nothing impossible in this world, only those who are determined,” Chu Yu cryptically replied:

 

“Second Prince is wise; if I could assist you, it would be my honor.”

 

“There’s no such thing as unmotivated goodwill. You gave me this opportunity to shine before Father today. Do you really want to support an unfavored prince like me?”

 

Qiu Jinghe finally turned to face Chu Yu, staring at his excessively beautiful face before shifting his gaze away expressionlessly. He tapped Chu Yu’s chest with his fan:

 

“No matter what you want from me, it’s impossible.”

 

He said, “What you want, I can’t give you, nor am I able to.”

 

Chu Yu stared at Qiu Jinghe’s face, slowly taking a step closer. Just as he was about to continue persuading him, something caused him to stumble and lose his balance. His expression changed as he lost control and fell forward.

 

Qiu Jinghe, not being particularly skilled in martial arts, couldn’t dodge in time and was knocked to the ground by Chu Yu. The two collided headfirst, and both cried out in pain simultaneously:

 

“Ah!”

 

Qiu Junyao, having just returned from an enjoyable ride, was about to help Yin Yuan dismount when he turned around and saw Chu Yu knocking Qiu Jinghe over, the two of them rolling on the ground together. He paused for a moment before calmly remarking:

 

“They bumped into each other.”

 

Yin Yuan, standing beside him, asked, “Your Majesty, what did you say?”

 

“…Nothing,” Qiu Junyao replied:

 

“…I just said that the stones on this Jianchun Mountain are quite large. I almost tripped over one.”