Qin Yuanxi immediately became alert. Just as he was about to shout ‘assassin,’ the person had already flipped in, and the movements were awkward. He rolled in through the window, and in the darkness, Qin Yuanxi saw the ‘thing’ on the floor roll a few times before managing to stand up by the bed.
Honestly, it was pretty dumb. If an assassin had this skill, he would have been out of history long ago.
The posture reminded him of the rolling pandas he had seen at the Panda Base, and they were even more agile than this guy.
“Your Majesty, any orders?”
The entrance was a bit loud, catching the attention of the guards outside. Before Qin Yuanxi could speak, the person rushed over, frantically gesturing and making a ‘shh’ sound.
Qin Yuanxi: … coaxing a child to pee?
But he recognized the armor the person was wearing. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like there was a reason behind this. Probably, he wanted to advise something. Qin Yuanxi coughed and dismissed the guards outside before instructing, “Light up. If you’re sneaking into my room in the middle of the night, there better be something important to say, or else, hmm!”
“Don’t light up! I can’t afford to be found!”
In a hurried tone, with a somewhat familiar feeling, though he couldn’t place where he had heard it before, Qin Yuanxi was still pondering when the person said, “Your Majesty, it’s me, Yan Shaoning. I’ve changed my appearance.”
“Divine Physician Yan?” Qin Yuanxi was thoroughly surprised.
Without even bothering to put on shoes, he rushed downstairs. In the dim moonlight, he carefully examined the person in front of him. A stranger’s face, but the voice was indeed familiar. He couldn’t understand why Yan Shaoning would be in such a state and look somewhat disheveled, like a fugitive.
“Physician Yan, what’s this about?”
Qin Yuanxi didn’t know where to start with his questions. He wasn’t foolish; he understood that Yan Shaoning appearing before him like this must be out of necessity. Moreover, considering how many times Zhao Tuo had been sent to urge Yan Shaoning to come over, and the answers he got were always about Yan Shaoning being aloof and deliberately avoiding coming here.
“Physician Yan, please, sit. Let’s talk slowly.”
Qin Yuanxi’s movements were a bit stiff. Yan Shaoning didn’t want him to light a lamp, fearing the guards outside might notice. So, no lamp was lit. The two of them sat by the window, illuminated by the moonlight. After revealing his identity, the first thing Yan Shaoning did was to check Qin Yuanxi’s pulse. He looked serious, making Qin Yuanxi nervous.
“Physician Yan, I haven’t felt any discomfort recently. I’ve been fine, eating and sleeping well. The little emperor is also obedient. The palace physicians check my pulse three times a day, and they all say I’m fine. There should be nothing wrong, right…?”
“It’s good if there’s nothing wrong.” Yan Shaoning sighed, “I’m just worried, afraid that he… well, forget it. Even tigers won’t eat their cubs. Maybe I’m overthinking.”
“What do you mean?” Qin Yuanxi’s expression tightened.
Even if Qin Yuanxi was a bit slow, he could still sense that Yan Shaoning was indirectly referring to Zhao Tuo, and it wasn’t subtle at all. If Zhao Tuo was hiding something from him, the vague unease he felt was now amplified. Qin Yuanxi unconsciously gripped the blanket draped over him, his voice trembling, “Physician Yan, just say it straight.”
Yan Shaoning intended to be straightforward; otherwise, why would he go through all this trouble to come here?
Yet, in the dim moonlight, Yan Shaoning could still see the Emperor’s worried expression and the obvious tremor in his voice. For a moment, Yan Shaoning felt a twinge of sympathy.
Taking a deep breath, he didn’t directly reveal all the truths he knew to Qin Yuanxi. Instead, he opted for a more tactful approach: “How much does Your Majesty know about the affairs outside now?”
“Outside?” Qin Yuanxi struggled to stay composed. “I read memorials every day. A few days ago, there was heavy snow, some remote towns on the outskirts suffered, and the court is providing relief today.”
“What else?”
“There’s more? Well, there’s Li Zhi, the magistrate under Shandong jurisdiction. He embezzled three thousand acres of good farmland from the commoners, engaged in the buying and selling of official positions. He’s been dismissed and investigated as a warning to cleanse the corrupt practices in the entire nation.”
“What else?”
“There’s also, there’s also in Tong County, Shaanxi…”
“It seems Your Majesty knows nothing about what’s happening in the capital.” Yan Shaoning didn’t let him continue: “Especially about Zhao Tuo’s actions!”
Qin Yuanxi gripped the blanket tighter; if visible, one would notice the bluish tint at his fingertips.
“He, he has been accompanying me in the villa, what could he do?”
“What could he do? He could do a lot.” Yan Shaoning sighed: “Let me ask Your Majesty, during the time in the villa, did you see Prince Lu again?”
“No,” Qin Yuanxi moved his lips: “Since the day he fainted, I haven’t seen him.”
“Speak plainly. Don’t beat around the bush, making me dizzy. I can handle whatever Zhao Tuo did!”
This squeezing-like-toothpaste questioning method was truly tormenting for Qin Yuanxi.
He had vaguely guessed that Zhao Tuo must have done something behind his back, but the specifics, he dared not think about.
“This is a long story.” Yan Shaoning organized his thoughts: “Let’s start with Your Majesty moving from the palace to the villa.”
“After Your Majesty left the palace that day, a sinister wind swept through the court and the public. At first, it was just speculation about Your Majesty’s relationship with Prince Lu. Some claimed to have seen Your Majesty and the Prince intimately, like, like lovers. Initially, these were just rumors. If handled properly, they could be suppressed. But, unfortunately, many officials who accompanied you that day also witnessed it.”
Qin Yuanxi thought for a moment, recalling his actions and words with Zhao Tuo on the day he left the palace, but there were few memorable moments.
“That, what does that matter?”
“What does it matter?” Yan Shaoning’s expression was hard to describe: “If the rumors in the streets say that Your Majesty, as the ruler, has become the intimate pet under the Regent’s body, how would that be?”
“What are you saying?” Qin Yuanxi’s face changed.
Even though he was a youth raised in modern times, devoid of those class-based thoughts, when those words came from Yan Shaoning’s mouth, his face uncontrollably turned green.
For ordinary people, this was already an insult, not to mention, he was the Chosen One!
Yan Shaoning continued: “The news of Your Majesty’s pregnancy has spread throughout the court. Now everyone knows Your Majesty is hiding in the palace to ensure a safe pregnancy. They also know that the child you’re carrying is the Regent’s. The future heir’s real father is the current Regent. The political wind in the court has changed.”
“Does Your Majesty understand what this implies?” Yan Shaoning softened his tone: “I am a man of the Jiang Hu, not well-versed in court matters, but following the Regent for these years, I can understand a bit. It’s a long-standing practice for a son to stay and leave the mother behind. Your Majesty should understand what this means, right?”
When those words came out of Yan Shaoning’s mouth, Qin Yuanxi felt his hands and feet go cold, as if plunged into an icy cave: “You’re saying… he wants to kill me?”
“I don’t know.” Yan Shaoning’s tone was also helpless: “Maybe, maybe not. I don’t understand Zhao Tuo, I can’t judge what he will do.”
“Anything else?” Qin Yuanxi struggled to keep himself composed. If this was true, what Zhao Tuo did must go beyond just this. There had to be more. He lived secluded in the palace, almost insulated from the outside world. In other words, Zhao Tuo controlled him, fully capable of doing more.
“Not just confining Your Majesty to the palace. He also dispatched garrisons to key locations. Right now, there are over three hundred thousand troops outside the capital, ready to follow his orders anytime.” Yan Shaoning looked at Qin Yuanxi, finding the next words difficult to utter. “On one hand, he commands the court officials in the name of Prince Lu, with everyone bowing to him. On the other hand, as the Grand General, he gathers forces, waiting for the right moment.”
“He’s planning a rebellion.”
Qin Yuanxi voiced those four words for Yan Shaoning.
“He wants to rebel, seize the throne, and…” Grasping his tightening chest, Qin Yuanxi gasped for air. “He’s waiting for an opportunity to kill me.”
He breathed heavily, recalling how the same person had built snowmen to make him smile earlier in the day, how tenderly he had kissed him before leaving, and the gentle, lingering gaze. How could this be possible?
“Do you—Yan Shaoning, do you have any evidence for what you’re saying? Why should I believe you?” Qin Yuanxi’s breathing became erratic. He struggled to calm himself, gripping the blanket tighter. “Moreover, even if what you say is true, how can we be sure it’s Zhao Tuo planning the rebellion and not Lu Bohuan? You can’t just make baseless accusations. I can’t doubt him just because of your words. He… How is it possible?”
The last question, almost a whispered self-query, whether directed at Yan Shaoning or himself, hung in the air.
“Your Majesty, every word Shaoning spoke is true. Besides, as a wanderer, do I have any reason to involve myself in your affairs?” Yan Shaoning smirked sarcastically. “Whether Your Majesty believes it or not is none of my concern. I took a risk to deliver this message. It’s a favor to Prince Lu, and if not for him, I’d be living carefree anywhere in the world. I wouldn’t bother coming here to embarrass myself.”
“The message is delivered, whether Your Majesty believes it or not. Take care.”
Saying this, he stood up, ready to leave.
Initially, he had some hope, thinking he could align with Emperor Qin Yuanxi to bring Prince Lu back. Little did he know the emperor was foolish, sitting on a precarious throne. Given this situation, if things continued blindly, destruction awaited. The emperor’s concerns about trust seemed laughable.
Anyone with a brain could see Zhao Tuo had sinister intentions from the beginning. The swift series of actions left no room for reaction. Yet, even now, there was hesitation.
Prepare for downfall.
“Wait!”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
