The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 59

(Great Duan = Da Duan)

As soon as Qiu Junyao finished speaking, Yin Yuan didn’t even think before responding decisively:

 

“Alright.”

 

He held Qiu Junyao’s hand firmly and said, “I will go with Your Majesty.”

 

Qiu Junyao glanced at him, then smiled faintly. His fingertip brushed against Yin Yuan’s soft cheek, touching it lightly.

 

“Not afraid?” he asked. “It could be dangerous.”

 

“If Your Majesty is not afraid of danger, why should I fear it?” Yin Yuan was somewhat puzzled. He leaned closer, rubbing his cheek against Qiu Junyao’s palm, then wrapped his arms around Qiu Junyao’s neck, pressing against his chest. In a low voice, he said:

 

“I’ve said it before… wherever Your Majesty goes, I’ll be there.”

 

Qiu Junyao lowered his head and kissed his forehead. Then, he lifted Yin Yuan into his arms. The sudden shift in balance caught Yin Yuan off guard, almost eliciting a startled cry.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Qiu Junyao carried him steadily toward the door. “Whether it’s wolves or tigers, we have to face them to understand.”

 

Qiu Junyao was never one to shy away from trouble. On the contrary, he was exceptionally bold.

 

Whether it was crossing over into this unfamiliar dynasty or enduring several dangers, after brief moments of hesitation, Qiu Junyao always demonstrated a level of composure and decisiveness that exceeded his age.

 

He understood the principle of “accepting the circumstances as they come” and the strategy of “counter soldiers with arms, water with earth.” From the moment he began adapting to his identity, there had never been a time when Qiu Junyao was truly afraid.

 

Although the Spirit Clan had been loyal to the Da Duan dynasty for decades, most of them prided themselves on their ability to predict the future. They were always reluctant to integrate with the Da Duan people, preferring to live in groups in isolated areas. Every year, they would elect a clan leader. Under such circumstances, it was imperative for the court to monitor and manage them.

 

Qiu Junyao left six shadow guards and several attendants to ensure the safety of Qiu Jingxiu and Qiu Jingming. He also handed half of a military token to Qiu Jingming, instructing him that if he didn’t return by the hour of Hai, he should take the token to the local county officials and bring troops to the Spirit Clan gathering place to find him. If they couldn’t locate him, Qiu Junyao would signal his location with fireworks.

 

Qiu Jingming didn’t know what Qiu Junyao intended but obediently nodded, promising to take care of himself and his younger brother.

 

After that, Qiu Junyao, with seven shadow guards and Yin Yuan, disguised themselves and quietly left the summer retreat.

 

Since it wasn’t yet the hour of Hai, the streets and night markets were bustling. Lanterns hung high, glowing like luminous pearls, casting warm and radiant light. The mingling scents of food and cosmetics floated down the streets, while the lively sounds of vendors calling out their wares added to the vibrant nightlife.

 

Qiu Junyao led Yin Yuan to a stall they had visited during the day to buy sweets for Qiu Jingxiu, only to find it unexpectedly closed.

 

“…They’ve closed so early?”

 

Qiu Junyao was taken aback, not expecting to hit a dead end at the start of their investigation.

 

“The night market just started. Why would they close so soon?”

 

Yin Yuan was equally surprised. After standing in place for a moment, he hesitated and said, “Maybe something happened at home?”

 

“Hmm…” Qiu Junyao frowned. Without a Spirit Clan member to guide them, how could they locate their gathering tonight?

 

As the two were pondering, a soft female voice came from a short distance away:

 

“Are you looking for Hong Niang, young master?”

 

Qiu Junyao turned to see a plainly dressed but gentle-looking woman smiling faintly at him.

 

“She won’t be coming tonight. You’ll have to try another time.”

 

Seeing her simple attire and warm demeanor, Qiu Junyao couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know where she might have gone?”

 

The woman hesitated, her tone growing cautious. “Why are you looking for her?”

 

The Spirit Clan had surrendered to Da Duan as a defeated people. Even after many years, their status remained low, often only slightly better than slaves. Their striking beauty made them frequent targets of harassment. The woman, having witnessed many such incidents, grew wary of Qiu Junyao, fearing he might have ulterior motives toward her friend Hong Niang.

 

Qiu Junyao, skilled in reading people, noticed her shift in attitude. Observing the subtle glances of nearby stall owners, he quickly understood.

 

Smiling faintly, he said, “Madam, there’s no need for concern.”

 

He placed his arm around Yin Yuan, who was dressed as a woman. “Today, my son bought sweets from this stall, and my wife tasted them. She found them so unique and delicious that she skipped dinner. I couldn’t bear to see her yearning for them, so I came to buy more to satisfy her craving.”

 

Yin Yuan cooperated, nodding. “Husband is exactly right.”

 

“…”

 

People are naturally inclined to trust beautiful individuals. Seeing Yin Yuan’s stunning appearance and hearing how devoted Qiu Junyao was to his “wife,” the woman softened and smiled again. “I see.”

 

“You’re quite considerate, young master. But Hong Niang won’t be here tonight. It’s better to come tomorrow.”

 

Qiu Junyao expressed disappointment. “She must be busy tonight, then.”

 

“You’re correct,” the woman replied, unaware that Qiu Junyao was fishing for information. “The Spirit Clan is electing a new leader tonight. Even though Hong Niang married into Da Duan, she still has to attend.”

 

“Oh?” Qiu Junyao feigned ignorance. “Electing a leader?”

 

“Yes,” the woman explained patiently, assuming Qiu Junyao wasn’t local. “I heard from Hong Niang that the new leader is a descendant of the Spirit Clan’s most revered saintly lineage. After their defeat, the Spirit Clan scattered, only recently reuniting in Qingzhou. This saintly heir hasn’t appeared in years. Hong Niang went to catch a glimpse.”

 

“A saint?” Qiu Junyao hesitated. “The new leader is a woman?”

 

“That I don’t know,” the woman admitted. “But the Spirit Clan traditionally values women over men. Most of their leaders have been women.”

 

“I see.” Qiu Junyao stroked his chin, finally understanding why the Spirit Clan struggled to integrate into Da Duan.

 

The Spirit Clan followed a matriarchal system, while Da Duan was patriarchal. This stark cultural and gender role difference caused them to remain outsiders despite their allegiance to Da Duan.

 

Qiu Junyao obtained more information from the woman before leaving her some gold, enough for her family to live on for six months. In exchange, he purchased a pair of jade earrings from her stall.

 

He hung the earrings on Yin Yuan’s ears, then walked alongside him, occasionally stealing glances.

 

“Husband, why do you keep looking at me?” Yin Yuan asked, brushing his fingers against the earrings. “Don’t they look good?”

 

“They’re beautiful,” Qiu Junyao replied. “You’re truly stunning.”

 

Yin Yuan blushed. “You’re being ridiculous again.”

 

“I’m not,” Qiu Junyao said. “Look around. Half the street can’t take their eyes off you.”

 

Yin Yuan hadn’t noticed; his attention was solely on Qiu Junyao. “What does that have to do with me? I only care about my husband. Why would I mind others’ stares?”

 

“…” Qiu Junyao chuckled, pulling Yin Yuan closer. “My dear wife, you’re so sweet.”

 

Yin Yuan leaned into Qiu Junyao’s arms, letting him guide the way. “Where are we going now?”

 

“The woman said the Spirit Clan is gathering by the Luxi River tonight to elect their leader,” Qiu Junyao replied. “We’re heading there.”

 

“Oh.” Yin Yuan nodded. “Husband, you remembered her words so clearly.”

 

Before Qiu Junyao could process the hint of jealousy, he teased, “Where’s that sour smell coming from?”

 

Yin Yuan playfully punched him, but Qiu Junyao only hugged him tighter, showering him with affection until Yin Yuan’s body went soft.

 

The Luxi River was far from the city. Midway there, Qiu Junyao hired a carriage. When they arrived, he helped Yin Yuan down.

 

The so-called river was actually a shallow creek. Across the clear water, they saw Spirit Clan members, their multicolored hair glowing under the moonlight. They wore white robes and long veils, standing solemnly before a raised platform. Hands clasped to their chests, they murmured prayers.

 

The Spirit Clan’s former emblem was the osmanthus flower, symbolizing their independence and purity. Every member now wore silver osmanthus hairpins as they prayed, then looked toward the platform.

 

On the platform, several women in silver-white danced around a massive fire pit. Their ethereal movements, accompanied by flowing hair in shades of pale blue and green, were both graceful and haunting.

 

Watching from a distance, Qiu Junyao murmured, “This scene… feels familiar.”

 

Yin Yuan turned his head and whispered, “Your Majesty, have you seen the Spirit Clan people before?”

 

“I’ve seen something similar.”

 

Qiu Junyao said,

“When I was a kid, I watched Balala the Fairies with my cousin.”

 

Yin Yuan: “……”

 

He hesitated, picking out a few vaguely understandable words: “……Fairies?”

 

“Yes.” Qiu Junyao pointed at the colorful-haired Spirit Clan people in the distance and said, “Balala the Fairies, ancient edition.”

 

Yin Yuan: “……”

 

While the two were casually chatting nonsense, they suddenly heard an earth-shattering explosion from a fire basin in the distance. The unguarded Yin Yuan was so startled that he instinctively dove into Qiu Junyao’s arms.

 

Qiu Junyao reflexively hugged Yin Yuan, covering his ears and stopping his conversation, frowning as he looked toward the commotion not far away.

 

By now, the strange dance had already ended. The fire basin placed in the center of the high platform suddenly erupted in towering flames, almost burning away all the surrounding air.

 

In the midst of the blazing firelight, someone gradually stepped out. The flames licked at his feet yet flowed away like gentle water, retreating without leaving a trace on his garments.

 

Chu Yu leaped through the towering flames unscathed, landing perfectly. He was dressed in white with a silver crown adorned with laurel flowers, his cold and sharp gaze surveying the crowd below from above.

 

Everyone knelt in unison, loudly chanting “Holy Maiden.” Their reverence was even greater than when kneeling before the emperor.

 

Perhaps, in their hearts, the current emperor of Da Duan was not as noble as their Holy Maiden.

 

For some reason, Yin Yuan suddenly felt upset. He couldn’t help but step forward, about to reprimand them, when he noticed a familiar figure standing amidst the kneeling Spirit Clan people.

 

That person wore white clothes but clearly not the attire of the Spirit Clan. It was just ordinary white clothing without a veil. Hidden in a corner, unnoticed by anyone, his upright figure stood out sharply against the kneeling crowd.

 

Qiu Junyao squinted and looked over. Recognizing the jade necklace around the man’s neck, a reward he had given Qiu Jinghe during the spring hunt, it was easy to identify him as Qiu Jinghe, standing among the crowd.

 

Qiu Junyao was immediately alarmed.

 

He wanted to call Qiu Jinghe’s name but saw him standing straight in the crowd, staring up at Chu Yu.

 

Naturally, Chu Yu noticed his gaze and frowned, asking,

“Why do you not kneel before me?”

 

Qiu Jinghe remained silent, merely looking at him.

 

Some Spirit Clan members, noticing his disrespect toward Chu Yu and his distinctive black hair, stepped forward and forcefully pressed his shoulders, trying to push him to his knees.

 

However, Qiu Jinghe’s legs were as unyielding as steel. As a prince, he bore the innate pride and dignity of royalty. He would kneel to heaven, earth, and his parents but never to the Holy Maiden of a fallen kingdom.

 

Chu Yu’s frown deepened.

 

He approached Qiu Jinghe, stared into his eyes, and slowly asked,

“Who are you?”

 

He continued, “You are not of the Spirit Clan… Are you a prince of Da Duan?”

 

As Chu Yu’s words fell, the surrounding Spirit Clan members instantly turned their gaze toward Qiu Jinghe, their eyes filled with cold hostility.

 

No one from a fallen kingdom would show kindness to the descendants of those who had invaded their lands. Moreover, this reckless prince had dared to infiltrate the Spirit Clan’s territory alone.

 

Qiu Jinghe, being only average in martial skills and scholarly in disposition, was no match for the Spirit Clan people. He was immediately struck on the back, staggering forward.

 

Worse yet, his body was rather frail, and the heavy blow caused him to cough up blood. His legs buckled, and he was forcefully pressed to kneel before Chu Yu.

 

“Holy Maiden, this Da Duan man dared to trespass into our Spirit Clan territory. According to our laws, he should be thrown into the venomous insect pit and turned into a poison man!”

 

A Spirit Clan member, evidently harboring deep hatred toward the Da Duan people, proposed this cruel punishment.

 

What was worse, many others around him echoed this sentiment, evidently agreeing wholeheartedly.

 

Although their kingdom had fallen, the hatred of a conquered people followed them like a shadow. Their striking appearance had often subjected them to humiliation and abuse by the Da Duan people, planting seeds of resentment deep in their hearts.

 

Throughout history, people of fallen nations were often treated as spoils of war by the ruling dynasty, no better than slaves to be bought, sold, and disposed of. Trampled and humiliated, they harbored deep hatred for the Da Duan people. Now, they finally had the chance to capture a lone Da Duan individual—a member of the royal family no less—and were eager to take his life without hesitation.

 

Qiu Jinghe looked at these people, unafraid, and let out a cold, mocking laugh. His expression exuded disdain and scorn, as if to say, All under heaven belongs to the king. Now, the one who rules this land is my father, Qiu Junyao. Who are you, the remnants of a fallen kingdom, to decide my fate?

 

This expression only added fuel to the fire. Before Chu Yu could intervene, several elders gave the order to throw Qiu Jinghe into the fire basin, demanding that he beg for mercy before they would spare him.

 

The fire basin, while aflame on the edges, was filled with venomous insects. Qiu Jinghe had barely realized what was happening before he was thrown into the pit. Within seconds, a multi-legged insect resembling a cross between a centipede and millipede crawled onto his foot, its grotesque form sending shivers down his spine.

 

One after another, variously sized venomous insects with pincers and long tails swarmed over his body.

 

Qiu Jinghe was utterly horrified. The insects were grotesque, their numerous green-glowing eyes shining even in the firelight. Yet, his voice failed him. Despite his intense fear, he couldn’t utter a sound. Coupled with the crackling fire, his muffled cries were swallowed up, leaving no chance to beg for mercy.

 

Qiu Junyao, standing at a distance, had no idea what was being said or that the fire basin was filled with venomous insects. All he saw was Qiu Jinghe being thrown into the fire pit, which shocked him so much that he disregarded the danger of exposing his identity and shouted, “Eleven!”

 

In less than a second, a tall, shadowy figure darted out of the dense forest.

 

The ever-loyal shadow guard Eleven wasted no time, his expression grim. He stepped lightly on the heads of the Spirit Clan members, flying onto the high platform, and with one kick, sent the heavy fire basin toppling over.

 

“Bang—”

 

The brazier rolled, flames licking the ground, burning fiercer and fiercer. The raging fire shot into the sky, quickly consuming the wooden platform, spreading the smell of scorching everywhere. The previously orderly succession ceremony of the clan leader was immediately thrown into chaos, with everyone scrambling to flee, fearing the fire would catch their clothes.

 

At this moment, Qiu Junyao, worried sick about his son, resented that he didn’t know martial arts and resolved to train diligently once they returned.

 

But the current situation left no room for hesitation. He quickly called Shadow Guard Twelve, ordering him to use lightness skills to take him across the river. Then, charging toward the platform illuminated by the flames, he found the semi-conscious Qiu Jinghe in a corner.

 

Qiu Jinghe, unsure of which insect had bitten him, was already dazed. There were several obvious bite marks on his neck and hands, clearly inflicted by the insects.

 

Qiu Junyao froze for a moment before hurriedly carrying him out. As he stepped off the platform with Qiu Jinghe in his arms, the platform collapsed instantly, crashing into a chaotic pile of scattered wooden debris.

 

“He’er, He’er, are you alright?!”

 

Qiu Junyao placed Qiu Jinghe on the ground, pressing his fingers against his neck to check his pulse, terrified that he might lose him in an instant.

 

Fortunately, Qiu Junyao had arrived in time. Although Qiu Jinghe had been bitten by the venomous insects, he was not dead yet.

 

Qiu Jinghe, in a daze, raised his head. Seeing that his father had come, he relaxed and closed his eyes as if wanting to sleep.

 

“Don’t sleep, hold on,” Qiu Junyao said, glancing around. He grabbed a woman with pale blue hair who had just been dancing around the brazier, identifying her as likely one of the clan elders.

 

“Where’s the antidote for the venomous insects?!”

 

Qiu Junyao, almost gritting his teeth, demanded, “Where is it?!”

 

“Who are you?!” The captured woman stared straight at Qiu Junyao, her gaze full of shock and doubt. “You carry the aura of an emperor, even stronger than that child just thrown in. Are you also a prince?!”

 

“Stop talking nonsense.” Usually mild-mannered, Qiu Junyao rarely lost his temper, but now, seeing his son on the verge of death, he was almost raging. “Give me the antidote first!”

 

“The antidote cannot be given!”

 

At that moment, a more elderly woman with paler hair emerged from the crowd, her brows furrowed. “He and that boy both carry the Dragon Breath—a sign they are descendants of that dog emperor who destroyed the Spirit Kingdom! They must be princes of the Great Duan Dynasty. We cannot let them go!”

 

Many in the Spirit Tribe harbored the dream of restoring their kingdom and bore deep hatred for the Great Duan royal family. Hearing that the people before them were royalty, they were overjoyed, rallying from their earlier panic into a united front against them, staunchly refusing to hand over the antidote.

 

“The Spirit Kingdom fell, and nations unified. The strong overtaking the weak is the natural course of history,” Qiu Junyao said, understanding their hatred but not condoning their actions. “Moreover, after the new emperor ascended, didn’t he order leniency toward Spirit Tribe members? Whether in trade or court, when have Spirit Tribe people ever been barred? Among you, there are likely many who have intermarried with Great Duan citizens. Based on your original status, should you not have worked to death instead of pursuing other professions?”

 

As he finished, Qiu Junyao cast a glance at Chu Yu and continued, “The new emperor even allowed Spirit Tribe members to hold the position of National Preceptor. Among you, are there not descendants serving in court, marrying into Great Duan families, or living peacefully within Great Duan?”

 

Qiu Junyao’s every word landed heavily, shaking the hearts of all Spirit Tribe members present.

 

“If you hate Great Duan people so much, why did you bear children with them? Why won’t you harm your own descendants, yet seek to harm someone else’s child?”

 

The cold night wind seemed to wake the Spirit Tribe people from their anger.

 

Indeed, more than fifty years had passed. Even if they once hated Great Duan people to the core, the reality was that they had long been assimilated, with many among the younger generation carrying Great Duan blood. They were no longer purely Spirit Tribe members.

 

Seeing this, Qiu Junyao’s gaze swept over the crowd until it landed on a familiar figure—a matchmaker selling sweets. He looked at her meaningfully and said, “You always claim to have been humiliated by Great Duan people, but have none of them ever shown you kindness? Was there no Great Duan person who protected you when you were bullied?”

 

The matchmaker froze, memories of her friend Juan Niang flashing before her.

 

Yes, Juan Niang was also a Great Duan citizen. But she was kind-hearted and had often defended her, shielding her from harm.

 

Not all Great Duan people were bad. They had also extended goodwill, offering a place for displaced Spirit Tribe people to settle.

 

Others in the Spirit Tribe also began recalling the times when they had been helped by Great Duan people during their exile in Qingzhou. Many, swayed by Qiu Junyao’s words, now wore hesitant expressions.

 

The Grand Elder’s face darkened as she noticed the shift, raising her trembling hand in anger. “Who are you?!”

 

Her cloudy eyes flickered, a dreadful suspicion arising in her heart, making it skip a beat. “You… You’re not a prince. You’re… You’re…”

 

Before she could finish, thunder rumbled across the sky, striking a corner of the platform, reigniting the extinguished flames. The firelight illuminated Qiu Junyao’s upright figure and cold, stern face.

 

All the Spirit Tribe members knew this was a sign from the heavens. Trembling, they raised their heads to see a massive, translucent dragon appear amidst the fire, soaring into the sky. After circling a few times, it dove down, roaring as it passed through Qiu Junyao, wrapping him in a faint golden glow. His noble aura was overwhelming, rendering them unable to meet his gaze.

 

The dragon’s ferocious visage seemed to pierce their very souls, filling them with terror.

 

“You… You’re not a prince. You’re the current emperor of Great Duan, the ruler of all under heaven! The youngest son of that dog emperor!”

 

Unaware of what the Spirit Tribe was seeing, Qiu Junyao remained oblivious to their fear. He stood still, his expression inscrutable.

 

After a moment, he clasped his hands behind his back and faced the Grand Elder, speaking deliberately, “I’ll ask one more time: where is the antidote?”

 

He continued, “If my son Jinghe dies here today, you know what the consequences will be, don’t you?”

 

The Grand Elder, livid with anger, was nearly gasping for air, her eyes blazing with fury. “You!”

 

“I’ll count to three.” Unbothered, Qiu Junyao extended a hand, his voice calm. “If you don’t hand over the antidote within three counts, while I won’t kill you, I will personally desecrate your ancestors’ graves and flog their corpses dozens of times.”

 

Watching the Spirit Tribe’s panicked faces, he added, “You may try and see whose resolve is stronger: your tribal pride or my fists.”