The Sickly Seedling Dresses Up As An Unfortunate And Muddled Monarch - Chapter 60

“Knock, knock, knock—”

 

The sound of knocking echoed, faintly accompanied by the jingling of silver bangles.

 

Qiu Junyao spread a damp cloth on Qiu Jinghe’s forehead. His tightly furrowed brows couldn’t conceal his worry. Hearing the commotion outside the door, he instinctively looked up and said, “Come in.”

 

Creak—

 

The next moment, a woman dressed in white slowly walked in.

 

She carried a wooden tray in her hands, on which rested a porcelain bowl. The bowl contained a faintly rippling liquid, emitting a light white mist. Under the candlelight, the water shimmered with a greenish hue, with dregs of herbs floating within.

 

Through the flickering candlelight, Qiu Junyao barely recognized who the visitor was. His tone was incredulous as he spoke, “… Hongniang?”

 

“It’s me, Great Emperor of Daduan.”

 

Hongniang walked to him and nodded in greeting.

 

She did not kneel before Qiu Junyao, maintaining a trace of the indomitable spirit of the Ling people, but her demeanor was respectful and gentle.

 

“The medicine you requested is here.”

 

“… Thank you.”

 

Qiu Junyao glanced at Hongniang, then accepted the medicine bowl from her hands.

 

Yinyuan, who was sitting beside him, immediately propped up the reclining Qiu Jinghe, allowing him to rest on his shoulder.

 

Qiu Junyao blew on the medicine to cool it, then brought it to Qiu Jinghe’s lips.

 

The bitterness of the medicine made Qiu Jinghe furrow his brow even in his semi-conscious state. Instinctively clenching his teeth, he refused to swallow. In the end, it was Qiu Junyao’s gentle coaxing that calmed him. Hearing his father’s voice, Qiu Jinghe reluctantly relaxed his brows and opened his mouth to drink the medicine.

 

After administering the medicine, Qiu Jinghe’s pallor finally started to fade, and a healthy flush gradually returned to his cheeks.

 

Qiu Junyao laid him back down, observing his peaceful expression compared to earlier. Feeling a sense of relief, he handed the empty bowl to Laifu, then stood and addressed Hongniang, “Thank you.”

 

“No need, Great Emperor of Daduan,” Hongniang replied quickly. However, after speaking, she remained where she was, showing no intention of leaving.

 

Qiu Junyao paused, his hands clasped behind him, halting his restless pacing. Turning back, he saw Hongniang’s calm expression under the candlelight.

 

Detecting something unusual in her demeanor, he approached her slowly and asked in a low voice, “Do you have something else you wish to tell me?”

 

“…”

 

Hongniang raised her head to look at Qiu Junyao, then suddenly lifted her robe and knelt down, her expression composed.

 

“Earlier, it was Hongniang of the Ling people who brought medicine to the Emperor of Daduan, so I could not kneel. Now, it is simply Hongniang who kneels before you willingly.”

 

Qiu Junyao froze for a moment and instinctively reached out to help her up.

 

“You…”

 

“I have some things to say to you. Though they may be unpleasant, I ask that you remember them.”

 

Hongniang bowed her head, pressing her forehead to the ground in supplication.

 

“…”

 

Hearing this, Qiu Junyao instinctively glanced at Yinyuan, who looked back at him equally puzzled. After a moment’s thought, he turned back and suppressed his emotions, saying, “Speak.”

 

Qiu Junyao suddenly had a bad premonition. “I will listen carefully.”

 

At this, Hongniang’s fingers curled slightly against the floor, as if caught in some internal struggle. After a brief silence, she finally spoke in a muffled voice, “Actually… what I just brought wasn’t the antidote.”

 

Qiu Junyao froze, momentarily unable to process what she said. His tone rose sharply, “Then what did you bring?!”

 

“Don’t worry, it’s not poison.”

 

Hongniang straightened, her gaze drifting to the jade pendant at Qiu Junyao’s waist, avoiding his eyes.

 

“It is indeed a medicine that can suppress the gu poison.”

 

Qiu Junyao furrowed his brow, gripping his folding fan tightly, causing it to emit a faint creak. “Explain yourself clearly.”

 

“There is a difference between suppression and detoxification,” Hongniang said.

 

“One merely slows the poison’s effects, while the other removes it entirely.”

 

Hongniang glanced at the bed-bound Qiu Jinghe. To her, the black deathly aura enveloping him was still visible, though slightly diminished compared to earlier.

 

“The gu worms placed in the ceremonial fire basin during the clan leader selection are sacred objects of our people. Some are poisonous, some are not. However… regardless, being bitten will harm the body to varying degrees.”

 

Hongniang continued, “Especially this person. He wasn’t just bitten by one sacred object. There are already multiple toxins entangled within him, interacting like tangled threads. No single antidote can resolve the poisons within his body. Suppression is the only option.”

 

Qiu Junyao stood rooted to the spot.

 

It felt as if the world around him had suddenly dimmed. A buzzing noise filled his ears, drowning out Hongniang’s words as her lips moved.

 

An overwhelming wave of emotions engulfed him, dragging his heart into a bottomless abyss. As it hit rock bottom, Qiu Junyao felt himself trembling, his voice shaking as he asked, “Suppression?”

 

The folding fan in his hand slipped to the floor. Strength drained from his body, and even speaking seemed an agonizing effort, forced out from deep within:

 

“How long can it be suppressed?”

 

His voice broke. “Tell me, how much longer can my He’er live?!”

 

“…”

 

Hongniang glanced at Qiu Junyao’s ashen face, then lowered her head, her voice softer than before:

 

“… Hardly to forty. At thirty-nine, he will collapse and die prematurely.”

 

“…”

 

Qiu Junyao staggered, his heart pounding violently as if struck by a sledgehammer. Stars danced before his eyes, and his vision blurred.

 

At some point, Yinyuan rushed forward to catch him, supporting his collapsing form and dragging him to the bedside.

 

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

 

“… I’m fine.”

 

Qiu Junyao clutched his head, feeling as though something within him had snapped, sending waves of endless pain radiating outward.

 

He closed his eyes and repeatedly murmured:

 

“Hardly to forty… at thirty-nine, collapse… short-lived and early death…”

 

He laughed bitterly: “My He’er won’t even live past forty, will he…”

 

“…” Hongniang said nothing, merely casting an increasingly complex gaze at Qiu Junyao.

 

“… Why did you tell me this?” Qiu Junyao opened his eyes, now filled with cold light, devoid of a father’s tenderness, and faintly carrying a hint of murderous intent.

 

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you all?”

 

“… I am,” Hongniang replied.

 

“But I still have to tell you. I refuse to deceive you with clumsy lies.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because…”

 

Hongniang suddenly raised her hand and pointed to the earring on Yinyuan’s ear.

 

“That was given to you by Juanniang.”

 

She lowered her head. “That earring… some people offered a hefty price, but Juanniang wouldn’t sell it. Yet she gave it to you, which shows you are good people.”

 

“Good people shouldn’t be kept in the dark.”

 

Hongniang continued, “The Elders have done their best… but even healers cannot completely cure others, let alone when the fire basin contains the most venomous and yin-filled things. Even with the protection of dragon breath, he cannot escape…”

 

Hongniang paused and said, “In the end, he cannot escape death.”

 

What Hongniang didn’t tell Qiu Junyao was that Qiu Jinghe’s death had been predetermined long ago.

 

From the first glance, she could see it. Though he bore dragon breath, it was faint; his body exuded the light of the Ziwei Star, yet it was dim. Clearly, he was destined for a short life.

 

This was his fate from birth, unchangeable.

 

Qiu Junyao suddenly tasted something salty. Touching his cheek, he realized his face was already ice-cold.

 

He stared blankly at the water on his fingertips for a long moment before hearing his own hoarse voice speak:

 

“Leave. Laifu, take the Empress and escort Miss Hong out.”

 

He added, “Let me be alone.”

 

“…”

 

Hongniang knelt on the ground, pursing her lips. She lingered for a long time, casting a final glance at Qiu Junyao before slowly standing and following Laifu and Yinyuan out.

 

Before leaving, Yinyuan closed the door behind them. In the instant the door shut, he caught a glimpse of Qiu Junyao turning back and reaching out to touch Qiu Jinghe’s face.

 

For a moment, only the sound of three breaths filled the room.

 

Qiu Junyao gazed at Qiu Jinghe’s face and suddenly realized that, among all his sons, Qiu Jinghe resembled him the most.

 

Sharp features, rosy lips, and white teeth. But in sleep, he appeared exceptionally docile, with a hint of youthful innocence and softness.

 

In all fairness, Qiu Jinghe was actually the least worrisome of his many sons.

 

Resilient, intelligent, considerate, and understanding. Though he had his share of little schemes, he never truly harmed anyone and even saved Qiu Jingshu.

 

He was loyal, willing to take the blame for Qiu Jingyue, and bore grievances silently, always leaving people guessing what was on his mind.

 

Qiu Junyao had always assumed Qiu Jinghe was biding his time in secret, but now he realized there had never been any such ambition. Qiu Jinghe had never desired anything grand—

 

He just wanted someone to love him.

 

His father’s indifference and his mother’s neglect forced him to mature too early. Yet the cost of that maturity was a lingering yearning for love deep in his heart, an attachment even stronger than most. This attachment ultimately hurt him.

 

… He was just a child deprived of love. What unforgivable crime had he ever committed?

 

Qiu Junyao closed his eyes and couldn’t help but raise his hand, gently caressing Qiu Jinghe’s cheek until his fingertips touched a faint warmth.

 

Startled, Qiu Junyao leaned closer, lowering his head to observe Qiu Jinghe’s tightly shut eyes. It was clear a transparent tear was slipping down from his temple.

 

“Jinghe…”

 

In an instant, Qiu Junyao realized that Qiu Jinghe was actually awake. But he didn’t know when Qiu Jinghe had woken up. In a low voice, as if to confirm, he asked:

 

“Are you awake?”

 

Until only Qiu Junyao remained, Qiu Jinghe, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, finally opened them slowly.

 

His eyes were moist, shimmering with a faint glimmer of water, and as his dark lashes blinked, the tear streaks became even more evident.

 

He remained motionless, silently staring at Qiu Junyao, unable to speak a word.

 

“He’er…” Qiu Junyao’s Adam’s apple moved, “Did you hear all of that just now?”

 

“…” Qiu Jinghe gazed at Qiu Junyao and slowly nodded.

 

Qiu Junyao’s mind was instantly shaken, his heart shattered, and he felt an unbearable pain that overwhelmed him.

 

He could no longer hold back as tears streamed down his face.

 

Qiu Jinghe glanced at him, slowly sat up straight, and opened his arms, embracing Qiu Junyao.

 

Qiu Junyao’s shoulders trembled as he hugged Qiu Jinghe even tighter.

 

The tears flowed endlessly, as if they were blood seeping from his eyes. Even as they kept falling, Qiu Junyao began to tremble. His palm repeatedly stroked Qiu Jinghe’s hair, as if this simple motion was the only thing that could calm him.

 

Yet Qiu Jinghe was calmer than Qiu Junyao.

 

He had seen his own fate in his life chart. When he heard Hongniang say that he would die young, he suddenly thought of the star chart that marked his dim Sisi Star.

 

So that’s what it meant…

 

That’s what it had always meant…

 

Qiu Jinghe suddenly seemed to understand. The tears that had been flowing silently stopped, and his previously numb expression shifted slightly.

 

He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t been able to speak earlier, but now he realized there were things that must be said.

 

He opened his mouth and, near Qiu Junyao’s ear, struggled to utter a word:

 

“Lantern…”

 

It had been a long time since he’d last spoken. His vocal cords had almost rusted, and his stiff tongue made his first attempt soundless.

 

Unperturbed, Qiu Jinghe tried several more times until, finally, he succeeded in producing a faint, breathy sound:

 

“Lantern…”

 

The syllable was incomplete, hoarse like that of a dying elder, devoid of the clarity it once held.

 

His voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, but Qiu Junyao, being close, immediately straightened, brushing Qiu Jinghe’s cheek with his fingertips, both surprised and overjoyed:

 

“Jinghe, what did you say?!”

 

Qiu Jinghe looked at Qiu Junyao’s elated face, his stiff lips curling into a faint smile. He repeated, as Qiu Junyao leaned in, this time clearer:

 

“Lantern…”

 

Qiu Junyao wasn’t sure if he had heard correctly and repeated, “Lantern?”

 

Qiu Jinghe nodded.

 

Though uncertain why Qiu Jinghe wanted a lantern, Qiu Junyao wiped his tears, looked around, and walked to the table, picking up the candlestick. He brought it back to Qiu Jinghe:

 

“Is this what you want?”

 

Qiu Jinghe nodded again.

 

Not knowing Qiu Jinghe’s intentions, Qiu Junyao placed the candlestick on the floor by the bed.

 

The candlelight flickered, crackling softly.

 

Watching this, Qiu Jinghe, who had been leaning on the bed, finally moved.

 

He struggled to sit up and slowly leaned toward the edge of the bed. Qiu Junyao instinctively reached out to support him, unsure of his intentions.

 

Then he saw Qiu Jinghe painstakingly reach into his collar, fumbling for a while before slowly pulling out a piece of red fabric from his inner clothing.

 

Qiu Junyao took a closer look—

 

The fabric was the red bridal veil Chu Yu had dropped when she “ran away” on their wedding day.

 

… Qiu Jinghe had kept that bridal veil with him all this time. He had come here today merely to return what had originally belonged to Chu Yu.

 

Qiu Junyao turned his face away, momentarily lacking the courage to look at Qiu Jinghe.

 

Leaning against Qiu Junyao’s shoulder for support, Qiu Jinghe gazed down at the bridal veil for a while. Then, with a pale hand, he suddenly loosened his grip, letting the veil drift lightly onto the candlestick below.

 

“Whoosh—”

 

The candle flame instantly ignited the crimson veil. Fire spread rapidly from the center, consuming it in flickering tongues until all that remained were blackened edges and wisps of white smoke.

 

A breeze stirred through the window, scattering the smoke. This time, nothing remained.

 

A life saved in exchange for a bond severed. The red candle dripped wax like tears, red as if it bled.

 

Qiu Junyao held Qiu Jinghe tightly, sobbing uncontrollably once again.

 

When the bridal veil had burned to ashes, Qiu Jinghe finally snapped out of his daze.

 

He slowly raised his arms, wrapped them around Qiu Junyao’s neck, and buried his face in his father’s embrace. His lips moved as he spoke in a voice hoarse and fragmented from long disuse:

 

“Father Emperor, your son wants to go home…”

 

This time, Qiu Junyao heard more clearly than ever the words Qiu Jinghe spoke, carrying a deep sense of pleading:

 

“Daddy, He’er misses you… wants you to take me home…”