The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 55

“Thirty piculs of pearls, fifty pairs of jade ruyi, seventy bolts of silk, ninety pieces of porcelain…”

 

The sun beat down mercilessly on the window frame, and the scorching heat softened as it met the coolness of the palace interior, floating gently like mist, slowly settling on a young man dressed in light blue brocade.

 

This man was exceptionally handsome, seemingly not yet twenty years old, but exuding an aura of calm and composure. His bright eyes and white teeth, along with his long neck, made him appear from a distance like a peach blossom reflected in a clear pond, with a bright and clean aura surrounding his eyes and brows.

 

Before him lay a long sheet of paper, his fingers skillfully dancing with the brush, quickly filling it with dense characters.

 

“What is His Majesty writing?” Not far away, a person with somewhat androgynous features approached. He lifted his skirt and walked over to the writing Qiu Junyao, resting his left arm on Qiu Junyao’s shoulder to look down at his work.

 

“What is this?”

 

“It’s the list of betrothal gifts for Jinghe’s marriage.”

 

Qiu Junyao turned his face and planted a kiss on Ying Yuan’s forehead, prompting Ying Yuan to look up and smile.

 

“So many?”

 

Ying Yuan half-jokingly complained, “When you married me, you didn’t give this much.”

 

“You heartless little one, where was I lacking in your gifts?”

 

Qiu Junyao put down the brush and brushed the loose strands of hair from Ying Yuan’s forehead, smiling as he looked at him.

 

“At the enthronement ceremony, I gave you my personal jade pendant with the Nine Dragons pattern. This is a pendant I carried with me during my conquest for the throne, a treasure only held by emperors. Isn’t this one piece more valuable than all those pearls and treasures?”

 

Ying Yuan lightly snorted, lowering his head to caress the jade pendant hanging from his waist, unusually refraining from retorting.

 

He was smart and naturally understood how precious the Nine Dragons pendant was—

 

It was not only valuable in terms of materials and craftsmanship but also represented Qiu Junyao’s trust in him.

 

Having the emperor’s pendant on him meant that Qiu Junyao was effectively telling everyone that he, Ying Yuan, shared half of the Qiu family’s empire.

 

What a high honor that was for him!

 

Thinking of this, Ying Yuan raised his head and smiled at Qiu Junyao, his expression akin to a pet seeking favor from its owner. Yet his beautiful face resembled a pearl hidden in a lily, radiant and beautiful, making it hard for anyone to resist even knowing that Ying Yuan was being playful.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

Ying Yuan shook Qiu Junyao’s arm, the phoenix crown pendant on his forehead lightly swaying. “I really like it.”

 

“Now you can’t say that I’m biased.” Qiu Junyao chuckled, unable to resist touching Ying Yuan’s face, softly saying, “Since you’ve been conferred as empress in front of the world, there’s no need for you to wear women’s clothing every day.”

 

He continued, “I permit you to wear men’s clothing. In the future, wear whatever you want without needing to constrain yourself.”

 

“……. ” Hearing this, Ying Yuan lowered his head, glancing at his palace attire and then at Qiu Junyao. He shook his head and rested his cheek on Qiu Junyao’s shoulder, murmuring,

 

“I’m already used to it.”

 

He said, “And didn’t His Majesty prefer me in women’s clothing? Every time I wore women’s clothing, you…”

 

“Stop.” Qiu Junyao, knowing what Ying Yuan was about to say, felt a bit shy and decisively changed the subject. “Just wear what you want.”

 

Seeing the hint of red rising at Qiu Junyao’s ears, Ying Yuan took note but did not call it out. Instead, he smiled quietly, unable to resist snuggling closer to Qiu Junyao, like a lively little creature needing to be held and coddled.

 

In truth, Ying Yuan didn’t lack love; he was well cared for at home.

 

But being the eldest son, he had to shoulder the responsibility of continuing the Ying family’s influence in the court. So, from a young age, he had to memorize poems and literature. Coupled with the strict family upbringing, his parents were very demanding. Ying Yuan couldn’t afford to stray from the straight and narrow, and as a child, he would even be punished with a stick for not sitting up straight.

 

Those experiences shaped a seemingly proper and quiet Ying Yuan, but deep down, he was somewhat rebellious and loathed restrictions. Qiu Junyao’s gentle nature allowed Ying Yuan’s little quirks and whims to flourish, leading him to depend on Qiu Junyao even more.

 

“Alright, alright, no more fooling around.”

 

After indulging Ying Yuan for a while, Qiu Junyao steadied Ying Yuan’s shoulder, fixing the hairpin by his temples.

 

“Jinghe and the Minister of Rites will be coming soon to discuss the wedding. There’s still a lot to explain, so you should listen in to avoid any mistakes on the big day.”

 

Just as Ying Yuan was about to shake his head and say he wouldn’t make a mistake, the voice of Lai Fu sounded:

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

At that moment, as Ying Yuan turned to look towards the door, Jinghe and the Minister of Rites entered alongside Lai Fu.

 

“Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince and the Minister of Rites are here to pay their respects.”

 

Since Qiu Junyao had previously instructed that Jinghe could enter directly without announcement, Lai Fu did not make him wait outside and brought them straight to Qiu Junyao.

 

“Father!”

 

With the wedding just days away, Jinghe’s face was brimming with an indescribable joy, which in turn brightened Qiu Junyao’s mood. He couldn’t help but say,

 

“You’re here so early; is there something you need?”

 

“Regarding the wedding procedures, I still have some confusion and need to consult the Minister of Rites. I happened to bump into him with matters to report to you, so I came along,” Jinghe explained.

 

Seeing the Minister of Rites nodding in agreement, Qiu Junyao smiled and said,

 

“I asked him to come. As for the betrothal gifts for your marriage to Chuyu, I wanted to add a few more things. I was unsure if they fit the rituals, so I had the Minister of Rites make another trip.”

 

“Father?” Jinghe was taken aback, not expecting Qiu Junyao to be so invested in his wedding. He paused for a moment.

 

“You are my first son to marry; naturally, the betrothal gifts and rewards should be grander.” As Qiu Junyao spoke, he stepped down from the platform and approached Jinghe, squeezing his shoulder and quietly saying,

 

“I’ve found a place in the capital for you and prepared a new residence. Construction has already begun, and after your marriage, you and Chuyu can move there together.”

 

“…Thank you, Father.”

 

Jinghe initially thought that since his father was allowing him to marry a man, he wouldn’t go through much trouble. To his surprise, Qiu Junyao not only ordered the modification of the wedding protocols overnight but also showered him with rewards. The gifts arriving at the residence in recent days had piled up nearly to the point of overflow.

 

He felt overwhelmed by this unexpected affection, saying, “I’m unworthy of such favor from Father. Perhaps…”

 

“I give it to you because you deserve it; there’s no need to worry about being unworthy.”

 

Qiu Junyao ruffled his hair. “Just remember, once you become a husband and father, you must not be as impulsive as before. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes.” Jinghe’s eyes glistened with moisture as he heavily bowed his forehead to the ground.

 

“Thank you for your grace, Father.”

 

“Alright, alright, we’re all family here. No need to kneel all the time.”

 

Qiu Junyao laughed as he helped Jinghe up, noticing the gloomy eyes of his past were now somewhat brightened. He felt an inexplicable sense of fulfillment, as if he were witnessing his child grow.

 

In truth, Qiu Junyao understood that Jinghe’s character was not bad; he merely lacked guidance and affection, leading to a somewhat dark disposition. With a little warmth, he could quickly flourish.

 

…Jinghe was not a bad child at heart; he was simply starved for love. Even the slightest kindness made him feel cherished, like a child who had just found candy.

 

Reflecting on this, Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but find Jinghe more agreeable. He wanted to invite him to stay for lunch but was caught off guard when Jinghe awkwardly expressed a desire to see Chuyu since he hadn’t seen him for several days while preparing for the wedding.

 

Qiu Junyao: “……..”

 

“Forget the father after marrying a wife, useless thing.”

 

As he sent off Qiu Jinghe, Qiu Junyao became increasingly angry, and couldn’t help but lightly kick Qiu Jinghe on the backside. Qiu Jinghe was startled by this action and took a while to realize that Qiu Junyao was angry. He then smiled and said, “Father, don’t be angry.”

 

He continued, “I’ll accompany Ah Yu for a bit and then come back to have dinner with you.”

 

Hearing this, Qiu Junyao felt more at ease and waved his hand, telling him to hurry and leave.

 

Qiu Jinghe initially wanted to go but suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned back, hesitated for a moment, and quietly asked Qiu Junyao, “Father…”

 

He spoke hesitantly, “Fourth brother…”

 

Qiu Junyao could tell at a glance what he was worried about. It seemed that Qiu Jingyue’s previous unusual behavior had left a psychological shadow on Qiu Jinghe. Seeing this, Qiu Junyao had to spend some effort to reassure him, saying, “You don’t need to worry.”

 

He said, “He hit you, so I’ve confined him. He won’t be allowed to come out until your wedding is over. Although he wants to escape, I’ve assigned several shadow guards to watch him. With his limited skills, it’s impossible for him to disrupt your wedding.”

 

Having his concerns addressed by Qiu Junyao made Qiu Jinghe feel a bit embarrassed. He lowered his gaze, his dark eyelashes trembling slightly, revealing an unexpected shyness. “It’s not that I’m afraid he’ll disrupt my wedding.”

 

He said, “It doesn’t matter that he hit me; after all, I broke my promise first. I’m just worried that he won’t like Ah Yu and might deliberately make things difficult for him on the wedding day, causing him distress.”

 

Qiu Junyao was silent.

 

With Qiu Jinghe’s constant mention of Ah Yu, it seemed that this National Preceptor Chu had indeed managed to capture his heart, and in less than a few months, Qiu Jinghe was completely enamored.

 

Thinking of this, Qiu Junyao cast a distressed glance at his unfortunate son and then turned away, dismissively saying, “You can rest assured.”

 

He said, “The guards at the Orchid Hall guarantee that not even a mosquito will get out. Jingyue can’t possibly do anything to your Ah Yu. I will ensure you have a perfect wedding, alright?”

 

After saying this, Qiu Junyao intentionally widened his eyes and threatened, “Hurry and go; if you don’t leave soon, you’ll stay and eat with me.”

 

“Yes.” Seeing that Qiu Junyao had spoken, Qiu Jinghe naturally trusted him. Before Qiu Junyao could kick him again, he quickly ran off, eager to see his beloved, leaving Qiu Junyao and Ying Yuan standing in place, exchanging smiles.

 

As days passed with Qiu Jinghe waiting eagerly, the day of the wedding soon arrived.

 

Since Chu Yu was orphaned and the only relatively close person, the old National Preceptor, had also passed away, Ying Yuan took on the role of his family and invited a group of noblewomen to the palace to create a proper send-off atmosphere.

 

However, for some reason, when Qiu Jinghe got up early that morning to welcome the bride, he felt a sense of anxiety and restlessness, almost putting on his wedding attire incorrectly.

 

He had a nagging feeling that something was going to happen, especially worrying about any mishaps with Chu Yu. He wished he could rush straight to the palace to see him, but every step of the wedding had strict regulations, and any early arrivals or delays would be inappropriate. Qiu Jinghe could only bear with it and follow the process step by step.

 

After what felt like an eternity, dawn finally broke, and Qiu Jinghe quickly mounted his horse and rode into the palace, where he spotted Qiu Junyao waiting for him at the palace gate.

 

“Why are you sweating so much?”

 

Qiu Junyao was also wearing red today, albeit a lighter shade, which contrasted with Qiu Jinghe’s deep red. However, when the father and son stood together, their bearing resembled that of bright moons reflecting the snow.

 

“You’re so anxious?” Qiu Junyao teased, pinching Qiu Jinghe’s cheek. “Is it your first time as a groom, and you’re too excited?”

 

Feeling a bit shy, Qiu Jinghe nodded. At Qiu Junyao’s gesture, he took a few deep breaths but couldn’t wait any longer and hurriedly asked, “Father, where is Ah Yu?”

 

“Your mother has gone to supervise the ceremonial procedures. The noblewomen and palace maids are busy dressing him, and he will come out as soon as the time is right.”

 

Seeing Qiu Jinghe’s bright eyes, Qiu Junyao smiled, “You’ll be marrying your bride soon; there’s no need to rush. Let’s take our time going in, okay?”

 

“Yes.” Qiu Jinghe felt a bit embarrassed at Qiu Junyao’s playful remarks.

 

After all, he had not yet come of age. Though he had a deep understanding, he still felt like an inexperienced young man in front of his beloved. Just thinking about marrying the one he liked made his steps light, causing Qiu Junyao to raise his eyebrows and chuckle.

 

They hurried to their destination and arrived at the National Preceptor’s Hall ahead of schedule.

 

The National Preceptor’s Hall had been decorated in vibrant red, with firecrackers scattered across the ground and red lanterns swaying under the eaves, the sound of the wind whispering through.

 

It should have been an extremely joyous atmosphere, but for some reason, there was an unusual stillness both inside and outside the National Preceptor’s Hall. When Qiu Junyao and Qiu Jinghe arrived, they even noticed the wedding drums and gongs left scattered on the ground, with no sign of being played.

 

Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but frown.

 

Qiu Jinghe was also puzzled and wanted to ask Qiu Junyao what was happening, but soon, a senior palace maid named Huan Chen came out from beside Ying Yuan and whispered something to Qiu Junyao.

 

At first, Qiu Junyao’s expression was calm, but after hearing Huan Chen’s words, his face instantly changed to a ghastly white.

 

“How could this happen?!”

 

Huan Chen also looked troubled. “Your Majesty, he’s still inside, but we’ve sent all the noblewomen and palace maids to search for him, and they still can’t find him…”

 

Their conversation wasn’t quiet, nor did they avoid Qiu Jinghe, leaving him confused and bewildered. “Father, it’s time. Why hasn’t Mother come out with Ah Yu? What do you mean he can’t be found?”

 

Hearing this, Qiu Junyao glanced at Qiu Jinghe without immediately answering. Instead, he stepped forward and entered the National Preceptor’s Hall directly.

 

Inside the National Preceptor’s Hall, it was eerily quiet. Everyone was kneeling on the ground, and only Ying Yuan sat on the throne in his phoenix gown, looking very unwell.

 

Upon seeing Qiu Junyao enter, he stood up and slowly walked toward him, his tightly furrowed brow not relaxing. “Your Majesty…”

 

He shook his head and said, “I can’t find him.”

 

“How could a grown man just disappear?!”

 

Qiu Junyao wanted to explode in anger but suddenly remembered that the person in front of him was Ying Yuan. He had to rein in his temper and turned his face away, asking the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, “Who was on duty here last night? What happened last night? Where did the National Preceptor go?!”

 

“Why was everything fine a few days ago, but now on the wedding day, he’s just vanished?! What kind of service is this?!”

 

Qiu Junyao’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an intimidating presence that resonated like thunder in everyone’s ears.

 

Immediately, everyone lowered their heads, trying to shrink their presence as much as possible. Not a single person dared to speak, holding their breath and pressing their foreheads against the ground, trembling in fear.

 

Seeing that no one stepped up to take responsibility, Qiu Junyao felt a surge of anger rising within him, ready to explode, when he suddenly heard a shaky voice nearby:

 

“… Your Majesty, I was on duty here last night.”

 

Following the voice, Qiu Junyao saw that the speaker was the child who had held the umbrella for Chu Yu and Qiu Jinghe during their rainy night of confession.

 

He looked quite young, probably around ten years old, dressed in gray clothing with his hair tied up in a bun. He hunched his small frame and spoke softly. “Last night, the National Preceptor unexpectedly left the inner hall for some reason.”

 

“I thought he had just gone out to observe the stars, but unexpectedly, after he left… he…”

 

The small Taoist tightened his grip on his clothing, growing increasingly flustered as he spoke, eventually managing to squeeze out two words amidst his tension: “… never came back.”

 

“…” As soon as he finished speaking, it felt as though Qiu Jinghe had been struck by a heavy blow, the sound resonating in his ears. He could hardly believe what he had just heard.

 

His face instantly turned pale, and he shook slightly, almost collapsing without support.

 

For a long time, he leaned against his forehead, his voice hoarse and trembling: “Is it that Fourth Brother…”

 

“Impossible.” Qiu Jingming interjected, “Father ordered me to watch over him, so I didn’t dare relax for a moment