The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 58

Qiu Jinghe stared at Chu Yu, who was looking at him in confusion, and slowly lowered his head. After a moment, he shook it again.

 

A trace of despair flashed in his eyes, unnoticed by anyone present, except for Qiu Jingxiu, who was curled up in his arms, looking up at his expression.

 

Qiu Jingxiu was not an ignorant child. On the contrary, he was extremely perceptive.

 

Seeing Qiu Jinghe in this state, he immediately understood what was happening. He quickly held back the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

 

The rabbit, sitting on his shoulder, rubbed its ears against Qiu Jingxiu’s cheek. Qiu Jingxiu instinctively hugged Qiu Jinghe’s neck, burying his face in Qiu Jinghe’s chest, trying to suppress the pain and not speak any further.

 

The atmosphere in the corner fell silent. The noise of the surrounding crowd continued, but this small space felt nearly frozen, out of sync with the lively surroundings, heavy and suffocating.

 

Not far away, Chu Yu stared at the despondent Qiu Jinghe. For some reason, a strange feeling spread in his heart, and a sharp pain shot through his mind. But after a moment, the cold and emotionless curse suppressed it. The strange emotions felt like a stone sinking into the sea, almost nonexistent, soon vanishing without a trace.

 

Even though he had no memory, there was a moment when he felt pain for his own pain.

 

Qiu Jinghe and he locked eyes—one was voiceless, the other was amnesiac. The closeness they once shared was now replaced by silence, as there was nothing left to say.

 

Seeing that Chu Yu truly did not recognize him, Qiu Jinghe glanced at him once more, hesitated for a moment, then bent down as though to apologize for his younger brother. Afterward, he took a few steps back, holding Qiu Jingxiu, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

 

His steps were unsteady, and his figure seemed to be fleeing in a hurry.

 

“Hey…”

 

Chu Yu raised his hand instinctively, wanting to ask Qiu Jinghe’s name, but Qiu Jinghe moved too quickly, and within less than a minute, he was swallowed by the surging crowd.

 

He felt a strange sense of disappointment but couldn’t understand where it came from. He stood there for a while in a daze. After some time, he noticed a tall and handsome young man standing beside him. He shifted his gaze to him and slowly spoke:

 

“Hello?”

 

“……” Qiu Jingming looked at him, then glanced back in the direction where Qiu Jinghe had gone. He seemed hesitant to speak, but after a few seconds, he couldn’t help but ask:

 

“Do you really not remember him?”

 

Chu Yu was confused: “Should I know him?”

 

Qiu Jingming: “…….”

 

His expression grew more complex, making Chu Yu’s heart race. A sense of unease rose within him for no reason.

 

Just as Chu Yu was about to ask again, he heard Qiu Jingming muttering to himself, “Forget it, maybe we’ve all mistaken him,” and with that, Qiu Jingming turned and walked away in the direction Qiu Jinghe had gone.

 

“Wait, you guys………”

 

Chu Yu raised his foot, wanting to follow, but suddenly felt a weight on his clothes. Someone grabbed him:

 

“Saintess.”

 

A person with light blue hair, who had appeared from somewhere, held him back and said:

 

“Tonight is the day you take over as clan leader. You cannot wander around, or we might miss the time, and that would be problematic for us.”

 

Chu Yu: “…….”

 

He turned his head, clutching his chest, his brows furrowing. The purple in his eyes fluctuated, deepening to almost the color of thick, unyielding ink.

 

“But that person… he seems really important to me?”

 

His chest felt heavy, as though something was troubling him, but he couldn’t quite understand why this emotion pricked at him like needles.

 

“Do I know him? Why did he look at me like that…?”

 

The blue-haired man seemed uncomfortable with his question, but soon adopted a serious expression and shook his head.

 

“No.”

 

He stated with certainty: “You do not know him. You are the Saintess of our Spirit Clan, raised within the clan. How could you possibly know someone from the royal family?”

 

Chu Yu’s expression froze, and he suddenly grasped the key point: “So he is from the royal family? Is he a prince? No wonder he looks so handsome, with such extraordinary poise and bearing—he clearly stands apart from others.”

 

The blue-haired man: “……..”

 

He gave Chu Yu a look as if to say, “Don’t get too infatuated,” took a deep breath, and his expression grew colder.

 

“Let’s go, Saintess.”

 

He said, “The elders have already been looking for you. You must return quickly. We cannot afford any further delays.”

 

After that, he took the lead and walked in the opposite direction of where Qiu Jinghe had gone.

 

Chu Yu stood still for a moment, hesitated, then looked one last time at the back of Qiu Jinghe as he left. With confusion in his heart, he walked away, glancing back three times as he followed the clan member.

 

Meanwhile, when Qiu Jinghe met up with Qiu Junyao, even without speaking, Qiu Junyao could sense that Qiu Jinghe’s mood had significantly darkened since leaving.

 

“What’s wrong with you, He’er?” As Qiu Jinghe walked ahead, Qiu Junyao approached Qiu Jingming and asked in confusion:

 

“Did something happen to you guys?”

 

“……” Qiu Jingming hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Father, I think I may have encountered Chu Yu.”

 

“…. Chu Yu?!” Qiu Junyao was also startled. “Didn’t he escape the palace? How could he suddenly appear in front of Jinghe?”

 

“Not only did he appear in front of me, but I also saw him with people from the Spirit Tribe.”

 

Qiu Jingming continued, “The people from the Spirit Tribe were following him at a distance, appearing to protect him. Although Jinghe didn’t notice, I stayed longer and, having practiced martial arts since childhood, my senses are sharper than ordinary people, so I noticed.”

 

“….” Qiu Junyao changed the position of his folding fan and held it in his palm, tapping it lightly on his shoulder, seemingly lost in thought.

 

“How did Chu Yu end up with the Spirit Tribe… wait, are the Spirit Tribe a minority ethnic group?”

 

“No.” Qiu Jingming shook his head.

 

“The Spirit Tribe is the descendants of the Kingdom of Ling, which existed on the border of the Great Duan several decades ago. When Ling Kingdom was defeated by Emperor Grandfather in the northern campaign against the Jin Kingdom, it was also annexed.”

 

“After Emperor Grandfather returned to the capital, the territory of Ling Kingdom was incorporated into the map of the Great Duan. From then on, the small border kingdom of Ling was wiped out, leaving only the descendants of the Spirit Tribe.”

 

“In the past few decades, the Spirit Tribe gradually intermarried with the people of the Great Duan. Many of them have integrated so well that they look no different from the Duan people, but some still maintain their ethnic features by marrying within their tribe.”

 

Saying that, Qiu Jingming looked around and then pointed ahead.

 

“The woman who sold the sugar cake to Jingxiu earlier is probably from the Spirit Tribe.”

 

Qiu Junyao followed his gaze. “How did you figure that out?”

 

“The hair color of the Spirit Tribe is different from that of the Great Duan people. The lighter the hair color, the higher the bloodline. Silver-white hair, in particular, is a color that only comes from the almost extinct line of the Holy Maiden.”

 

Qiu Jingming pointed at the woman’s red-brown hair tips.

 

“Red-brown looks festive in our Great Duan, but in the Spirit Tribe, it indicates a lower status, specifically that of the Shi Tuo Luo, who are only allowed to do labor. So, the Shi Tuo Luo would be more willing to marry Duan people to gain equality in social status.”

 

“I see,” Qiu Junyao thought. “So there were punk hairstyles in ancient times…” He looked again at the Spirit Tribe woman and asked, “But her hair is only red-brown at the tips. If you don’t look closely, you might think she’s from the Great Duan.”

 

“Because she married a Duan person. The people of the Spirit Tribe are naturally devoid of emotional ties. Even when they marry, it’s only to maintain noble bloodlines. If they ever fall in love, their hair will turn black, losing their Spirit Tribe characteristics.” Qiu Jingming explained.

 

Qiu Junyao was stunned. “Why do they do that?”

 

“Because most of the Spirit Tribe can understand the mysteries of the heavens. Some know more, some less. But regardless of how much they know, if they don’t sever all emotions, they can easily disturb the course of fate with personal desires, leading to divine retribution. So most Spirit Tribe people choose to never fall in love and keep procreation and love separate to ensure their safety.” Qiu Jingming explained.

 

Qiu Junyao found these customs rather strange, but he could only respect the practices of other nations.

 

“Alright.”

 

Qiu Junyao frowned, pondering what Qiu Jingming had said, slowly speculating.

 

“So, you’re saying… Chu Yu is probably from the Spirit Tribe?”

 

“Not certain.” Qiu Jingming replied, “But whether he’s from the Spirit Tribe or elsewhere, since the Kingdom of Ling has been destroyed, even though they were once from the Spirit Tribe, more than fifty years have passed, and the Spirit Tribe has basically been assimilated by the Great Duan, with no difference between them and the Duan people now.”

 

“That’s what I’m afraid of—that you think this way, but others don’t.”

 

Qiu Junyao felt a vague sense of unease, but after a moment, he shook his head. “…. Never mind.”

 

He said, “Our sons and grandsons have their own fortunes. Whether Jinghe and Chu Yu can go anywhere together, we’ll leave it to fate.”

 

Qiu Jingming nodded. “As Father says.”

 

“Let’s head back.” Qiu Junyao looked at the distant sunset, the golden-red glow filling the sky.

 

“We’ve had a tiring day. Let’s rest at the Summer Villa.”

 

After arriving at the Summer Villa, Qiu Jinghe locked himself in his room and didn’t come out for dinner.

 

Yin Yuan wanted to go and call him, but Qiu Junyao stopped him.

 

“Let him be alone for a while, Ah Yuan,” Qiu Junyao said. “Even if you call him now, he won’t be able to eat.”

 

Yin Yuan was still worried. “But…”

 

“If you’re really concerned, I’ll go deliver it to him,” Qiu Junyao said. “By the way, I asked my father-in-law and mother-in-law to come stay at the Summer Villa. They may be slower, but they should arrive soon.”

 

Upon hearing that his parents were coming, Yin Yuan’s attention was immediately diverted, and he hurried to change clothes, preparing to meet them.

 

After calming Yin Yuan down, Qiu Junyao slowly finished his meal, then had Laifu prepare some materials, and went to the small kitchen to make something himself. He then leisurely made his way to Qiu Jinghe’s Plum Blossoms Courtyard.

 

Qiu Jinghe’s Plum Blossoms Courtyard was as quiet as ever.

 

Qiu Jinghe disliked being served by others, so there were very few people in the Plum Blossoms Courtyard, with only Bai Mo staying to attend to him.

 

When Bai Mo saw Qiu Junyao enter, he bowed respectfully, then, upon Qiu Junyao’s gesture, withdrew.

 

At that moment, Qiu Jinghe had not noticed Qiu Junyao’s arrival. He was sitting on a swing, staring blankly ahead. A bright yellow moon hung in the sky, casting its light on his pale face, giving him an air of detached calm, as if seeing through the world’s fleeting nature.

 

Qiu Junyao plopped down beside him.

 

The swing rocked, and due to the inertia, Qiu Jinghe leaned back, suddenly shifting from a state of “heart like dead ashes” to one of “flustered confusion.” He flailed for a moment before Qiu Junyao reached out and steadied him.

 

“It’s me.”

 

Qiu Junyao smiled. “What is my Jinghe thinking about?”

 

Qiu Jinghe, still unsettled, steadied himself, swallowed hard, then turned his head to look at Qiu Junyao. He silently mouthed “Father Emperor” and moved his lips for a moment before falling silent again.

 

“Let me guess. Are you thinking about Chu Yu?” Qiu Junyao kicked the ground, causing the swing to sway gently, lifting slightly.

 

“Thinking about him so much that you can’t eat or drink, hmm?”

 

Qiu Jinghe hesitated, then shook his head.

 

“Then you’re doubting yourself? Feeling unloved and in pain, wondering what the meaning of life is?”

 

Qiu Junyao asked, “Is that it, Jinghe?”

 

“……..” Qiu Jinghe didn’t speak, but his wide eyes showed his shock at being seen through.

 

“…..Silly Jinghe.” Looking at his expression, Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but reach out and mess up his hair.

 

“How can you be so endearing?”

 

Qiu Jinghe, embarrassed, lowered his head and obediently let Qiu Junyao ruffle his hair. After a moment, he suddenly looked up, nervously staring at Qiu Junyao. He opened his mouth as if trying to speak but then remembered he couldn’t. He started gesturing frantically, leaving Qiu Junyao bewildered.

 

“Alright, alright… stop!”

 

Qiu Junyao, feeling dizzy, said, “I get it, stop gesturing.”

 

Upon hearing that, Qiu Jinghe stopped moving his arms, looking at Qiu Junyao with anticipation.

 

Qiu Junyao rubbed the back of his head and smiled.

 

“I know what you want to say.”

 

“I don’t think you’re stupid, nor do I think you’re weak. I won’t think any less of you.”

 

“Life is about experiencing sadness and confusion when necessary. There are times when everyone feels like they want to die.”

 

Qiu Junyao said, “When I was your age, I often thought of dying, but I always felt the people who deserved to die were someone else.”

 

Hearing Qiu Junyao’s words, Qiu Jinghe couldn’t help but laugh, but then he was playfully pinched on the cheek and forced to pout.

 

“No more jokes.”

 

Qiu Junyao became serious. “Jinghe, you need to understand, being alive means having the right to feel sad and lost. I won’t think you’re weak or bad because of how you feel now.”

 

“You are my child. How could I think you’re bad? On the contrary, I wish you’d be a little more willful.”

 

Looking at Qiu Jinghe’s confused expression, Qiu Junyao continued.

 

“Don’t you like Chu Yu?”

 

Qiu Junyao said, “Then go after him.”

 

Qiu Jinghe froze for a moment, then shook his head, urgently gesturing that Chu Yu didn’t like him and that he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

 

“So what if he doesn’t like you?”

 

Qiu Junyao countered, “Just because he doesn’t like you now doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. Didn’t your mother once dislike me? Now she’s happily my empress, and she obeys my every word. If she could have children, your younger siblings would be all over the place.”

 

“Go after what you like, no matter the cost. Use your cunning or force it if you must. Once you have it, you won’t regret it. But if you can truly let go, then don’t interfere. You’re still young, so it’s no big deal. I can always find you another second princess consort.”

 

Qiu Junyao patted Qiu Jinghe’s shoulder meaningfully. “The worst thing in life is to torment yourself. It’s better to take a chance and try again. If it really doesn’t work, then let go. Don’t leave your heart hanging on something uncertain. Understand?”

 

Qiu Jinghe stared at Qiu Junyao, and after a while, for some unknown reason, he suddenly buried himself in Qiu Junyao’s chest, like a wronged child, holding onto him tightly and rubbing his head gently.

 

Qiu Junyao, feeling like a shy little animal finally mustering the courage to approach its owner, couldn’t help but smile. He was about to reach out and stroke his hair again, but suddenly Qiu Jinghe stood up, startling him.

 

“What’s wrong?!”

 

At that moment, Qiu Jinghe’s melancholy seemed to fade, the moonlight growing brighter, casting a soft glow on his cheeks, which made his face look as smooth as jade.

 

“I want to try.” Qiu Jinghe silently mouthed, his lips shaping the words clearly.

 

Though still unable to speak, his intent was clear.

 

He hurriedly tried to leave but then paused, rushing back to hug Qiu Junyao once more, inhaling deeply into his neck as if gathering some courage. He then turned and left resolutely.

 

Qiu Junyao watched his retreating figure in a daze for a long while, then finally chuckled.

 

“This child…”

 

“Has Your Majesty finally finished speaking?”

 

Just as Qiu Junyao was about to stand from the swing, a faint voice came from behind.

 

“Are you thinking of me now?”

 

“Cough, cough…”

 

Qiu Junyao was startled by Yin Yuan’s words, coughing hard for a moment before putting on a smile and turning to face her.

 

“My beloved…”

 

Yin Yuan took a few steps back, looking at Qiu Junyao with a half-smile, half-derisive expression:

 

“You say you want me to go east, but I dare not go west?”

 

Qiu Junyao could never have expected that Yin Yuan had overheard everything, and in an instant, sweat broke out all over him: “I was just talking nonsense…”

 

“Still talking about how if I could give birth, children would be running all over the place?”

 

Yin Yuan said: “Your Majesty holds me in such high regard? Or are you saying you despise me for not being able to bear children?”

 

“I was talking nonsense, I was talking nonsense.”

 

Qiu Junyao stepped forward, trying to take Yin Yuan’s hand, but after it was slapped away, he shamelessly pinned him in the corner, repeatedly pressing his lips against the ones that kept throwing out questions:

 

“How could I ever despise you? My darling, you’re still not enough… Besides, I’ll do anything you say. If you want me to go through fire and water, I’ll gladly go. Is that okay?”

 

“…”

 

Yin Yuan sneered coldly, still wanting to say something, but suddenly lost his balance and was lifted up by Qiu Junyao, pressed against the wall.

 

Yin Yuan’s heart skipped a beat: “Your Majesty, you…”

 

“We’ve never tried it in the garden, have we?” Warm lips continued to fall on Yin Yuan’s face: “How about we give it a try?”

 

Yin Yuan didn’t respond. Soon, he found himself helplessly pressed against the wall, his back arched, unable to control the rhythm of their movements.

 

Qiu Junyao truly had no regard for anything as he distracted himself with other matters. Yin Yuan was both ashamed and angry, yet had no choice but to cling to his shoulder to avoid falling, trying desperately to keep quiet despite the overwhelming sensation.

 

The shadow guards had long since retreated several miles away, and no one could see what Qiu Junyao had done to Yin Yuan. All they could see from a distance, under the heavy shade of the trees, was a flash of pale toes trembling, their arches straining under unbearable pressure.

 

The sound was hoarse, tinged with a crying tone, and lasted for half an hour before it finally stopped.

 

Yin Yuan felt like he could die, and after finally calming down, he lightly punched Qiu Junyao:

 

“Foolish ruler.”

 

The corners of his eyes were red, resembling a crushed, fading peach blossom: “I’m about to die.”

 

“You are my beloved concubine, how could I ever bear for you to die?”

 

Qiu Junyao raised an eyebrow, tidying up Yin Yuan’s disheveled robes, and appeared as if he were a gentleman, ready to go to the court:

 

“You sounded so good just now, keep it up.”

 

Yin Yuan hit his shoulder with force, but his arms were too weak to exert any strength. He was soon picked up by Qiu Junyao, carried back to the chamber, and was pampered with kisses, caresses, and embraces until he calmed down. Then, they went to the bathhouse together to recover. Afterward, they cuddled, speaking softly of private matters. As they spoke, Yin Yuan’s face flushed bright red, and he stubbornly refused to consider Qiu Junyao’s suggestion to try something in the carriage.

 

It was still midsummer, and the sun set early. By the time it was dark, it was barely the hour of the rooster. After a long, exhausting evening, it was already close to the time of the rabbit.

 

Qiu Junyao, dressed by Yin Yuan and having his crown tied, paused and then took Yin Yuan’s hand, pressing a kiss to his fingertip:

 

“It’s still early, would you like to go out and take a walk?”

 

Qiu Junyao said: “I heard from Jingming that today is the day the new clan leader of the Ling tribe takes office. I have a feeling the Ling tribe hasn’t truly submitted to Daduan. They’re probably secretly plotting something, so I’d like to go and meet them, test them out.”

 

“Why are you so suspicious, Your Majesty?” Yin Yuan was taken aback: “The Ling nation fell more than fifty years ago, do you think they still have any ill intentions?”

 

“The revival of the Ling tribe is certainly hopeless, but we can’t rule out the possibility that they’re secretly plotting something to avenge what my father did to them.”

 

Qiu Junyao furrowed his brows:

 

“Today, a few words from Jinghe made me realize something. The more I think about it, the more I feel something’s off. Whether it’s the old national teacher indulging or even encouraging me to refine pills, or that mysterious poison from the elderflower… Think about it, the elderflower poison rarely spreads in the capital, and Jingming is usually busy with martial arts, not good with poisons. Where did this rare poison come from? Who gave it to him? And why did the palace maid who contacted the eunuch in charge of food suddenly disappear from the palace walls, never to be found again? It’s just like how Chu Yu vanished without a trace. And the little eunuch, Sui Yu, who accused Jingxiu of poisoning Jingming… Why did he suddenly commit suicide, even though you pardoned him? Not to mention, that time when Jingyue tried to kill Jingxiu with a wolf pack. Given his limited intelligence, could he really have come up with such a plan?”

 

The more Qiu Junyao thought about it, the more alarmed he became. He felt as though everything was pointing to one person.

 

He felt he had discovered some secret, but this secret still needed to be confirmed by someone. With a sudden realization, he stood up, pulling Yin Yuan along and speaking in a low voice:

 

“No, I can’t let He’er go after Chu Yu alone. I’m not at ease… To confirm it, I must go to the gathering place of the Ling tribe.”

 

“Ah Yuan, why don’t you come with me?”