Upon hearing these words and catching Zhao Tuo’s expression, Qin Yuanxi’s heart went ‘click,’ realizing that things might get a bit melodramatic.
“You heard? Heard everything?”
Why does this guy seem like he’s misunderstanding something? Just as Qin Yuanxi was about to explain, he looked at Zhao Tuo’s expression, and a light bulb lit up in his mind, and a smile formed on his lips.
If it’s really this melodramatic and he misunderstood, it might be a good thing. With Zhao Tuo’s stubborn attitude, no matter how you look at it, he needs to be straightened out. Yet, Qin Yuanxi can’t bear to truly do that to him. The two might end up in a silent war over this, and continuing a cold war isn’t a solution. Maybe, because of this incident, the deadlock could be broken?
Zhao Tuo seemed reluctantly nodding, “Since that’s the case, Your Majesty should make a decision sooner.”
“What decision?” Qin Yuanxi puzzled, touching the soft little hand of his baby, his heart softening as well. “You don’t need to worry about the marriage matter. I can handle it.”
Now Zhao Tuo looked even more awkward.
“What I mean is, Your Majesty shouldn’t keep me in the palace at this time. If you want to confine me somewhere, any place would do, even the Ministry of Punishments’ prison can accommodate people.” Zhao Tuo’s tone had a hint of gunpowder.
“The Ministry of Punishments’ prison? You really have quite the imagination,” Qin Yuanxi shook his head. “Whether it’s suitable or not, I decide. If I say it’s suitable, then it is, understand?!”
After saying this, he glanced at Zhao Tuo’s expression, with a hint of playfulness: “Did you hear about the candidates I discussed with Prime Minister Wang? Any suggestions? Is Lord Li’s younger sister suitable, or perhaps Lord Su’s daughter would be better? Oh, right, Prime Minister Wang also mentioned sending portraits of eligible young women from various families in a couple of days. They’ll be compiled into a booklet, and I can take my time selecting.”
“As long as Your Majesty likes it,” Zhao Tuo’s complexion didn’t look too good.
“Like? Of course, I like it.”
Qin Yuanxi felt quite pleased inside.
Indeed, the plotline is so melodramatic. Zhao Tuo probably didn’t listen to the whole conversation. No, it’s more than that; Qin Yuanxi suspects he might have only heard the opening. When the topic shifted to marriage, he probably stopped listening, resulting in him having no clue who the chosen bride is!
Look at that expression, vaguely tinged with resentment. Well, that’s great. Melodrama is great. He’s very satisfied.
The only question is whether Zhao Tuo will get jealous and, if so, how will he react?
Currently, Zhao Tuo has positioned himself as an opponent to Qin Yuanxi. Even though Qin Yuanxi has no intention of investigating the rebellion and treason accusations, nor does he plan to dwell on Zhao Tuo’s deception, this guy just can’t turn that corner. It’s as if falling for Qin Yuanxi is a betrayal of himself.
With this kind of attitude, it’s fortunate that Qin Yuanxi has a good temper. With someone else, they wouldn’t be able to endure it for a minute!
The news of His Majesty selecting a consort spread quickly. The albums in the study were already stacked several layers high, filled with hundreds of portraits of beautiful women. It’s evident how many people are eager to send their daughters into this furnace. Sacrificing their happiness for the sake of benefits doesn’t even count for anything!
Since Emperor Qin Yuanxi ascended the throne, there have been no consorts in the harem. This is the first time such a large-scale selection of beauties is happening. Today is different from the past when the puppet emperor was constrained by the regent. The imperial power was weak, and everything the puppet emperor said or did had to be in line with the regent’s preferences. Now, it’s a different story.
Leaving aside the undisclosed matters between the emperor and the regent, the situation has drastically changed. The regent has long fallen, or rather, there’s no regent left. The title of the prince, held by Lu Bohuan, has long been revoked, and the military power in his hands has also been taken back by His Majesty. Now, he’s just a powerless and insignificant figure.
With the emperor wielding absolute power, who wouldn’t want to establish a connection with him at this time?
Clearly, choosing a consort is the best option at this time. His Majesty must be thinking the same way. There is no political relationship more suitable than a marital one, and His Majesty undoubtedly wants to win them over. That’s why he’s taking advantage of this opportunity to enrich the harem, using it to win over the remnants of the previous dynasty. Isn’t this a method that has been used throughout history?
Quite good, quite good.
People who don’t know the inside story think it’s great, considering the selection of a consort as a mutually beneficial means. However, there’s one person who not only thinks it’s not good but deems it quite bad, and that person is Yan Shaoning, who is aware of the truth.
Yan Shaoning, known as the divine physician, currently serves at the Imperial Hospital. Originally a figure from the martial world, he was persuaded to stay by Qin Yuanxi because of his ties to Prince Lu and the newborn prince. Fortunately, the Imperial Hospital has an abundance of medical books, all rare and collectible editions, providing him with a decent way to pass the time.
Life at the Imperial Hospital is leisurely, and Yan Shaoning spends his days perusing medical texts. Since news from the outside world doesn’t reach him quickly, he learned about the emperor’s plan to select consorts because his colleagues at the hospital were contemplating whether to bribe the artists to enhance their daughters’ portraits. Yan Shaoning immediately abandoned his medical book and went straight to find Qin Yuanxi.
Unlike most people, he doesn’t believe that the emperor sincerely intends to select consorts. Having served as Prince Lu’s psychological counselor for a long time, Yan Shaoning easily guessed Qin Yuanxi’s motives.
And he strongly disapproves!
“Has Your Majesty considered the consequences? What if it agitates him? What will you do?” Yan Shaoning is genuinely anxious, and he can’t control the tone of his words: “Rash! It’s truly rash!”
Putting down the annotated documents in his hands, Qin Yuanxi sighed: “The divine physician calls me rash, but have I not thought of less rash ways? Are they effective? Not at all. He completely wraps himself up, unwilling to communicate with me. Should I just let him be? Wait until who knows when? What if he never gets better?”
“What you call agitation, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Sometimes, a little push is necessary when it’s needed.” Qin Yuanxi explained again, “Furthermore, this matter of selecting consorts isn’t as the divine physician thinks. I have my own plans. Choosing consorts is just a diversion. The divine physician doesn’t need to worry too much. In a short while, those who are eagerly sending their daughters into the palace might regret it. No rush, let’s wait a bit longer.”
“Your Majesty should know, his current condition isn’t as stable as it seems. He’s just—” Yan Shaoning wanted to advise further, but looking at Qin Yuanxi’s expression, he refrained from saying what he initially planned and changed his words, “What if Your Majesty can’t achieve your wish through this?”
“If I can’t, then I can’t.” Qin Yuanxi sounded a bit helpless, “If even this can’t make him face his feelings towards me, can’t make him reveal his true self to me, then, it’s probably fate. If it’s destined that I must endure this hardship, then I can only accept it.”
If it comes to that point and Qin Yuanxi still hasn’t obtained what he desires, he’ll have to accept his fate, even if he doesn’t want to.
“Now that the divine physician is here, there’s another matter I want to consult you about.” Qin Yuanxi looked a bit distressed, “I hadn’t thought about it in this way before, but recently…” Qin Yuanxi hesitated noticeably when he reached this part, but avoiding medical issues is a big taboo. He bravely shared his current predicament with Physician Yan.
“The wound didn’t heal before, so we didn’t share a bed. But recently, I wanted to, you know, improve our relationship, and it turns out, it just won’t get, you know, up.” Qin Yuanxi looked genuinely troubled, “Divine physician, what do you think is going on? Am I, you know, in trouble?”
It’s not just a simple matter of being troubled; Qin Yuanxi is genuinely troubled, to the point of almost being distressed. The conflict and silent war with Zhao Tuo are also because of this, although, primarily, it’s Qin Yuanxi conflicting with himself, a one-sided cold war.
“Um,” Yan Shaoning quickly inquired, “Do you have any idea when this started, Your Majesty? Approximately how long ago?”
“It, um, hasn’t been that long.” Qin Yuanxi hesitated to speak, “Everything was fine when we were at the villa. It’s just that one time—I thought of deliberately tempting him, but accidentally reopened the wound. There was bleeding, and, of course, nothing was accomplished. After that, he kept his distance from me, and later, I realized there might be a problem.”
“Could it work during that time?”
Blushing, Qin Yuanxi admitted, “It could, it definitely could. But afterward, I don’t know what happened, and it just couldn’t anymore.”
Not only blushing but also feeling embarrassed, he continued, “Divine physician, this couldn’t be some physiological problem, right? Can it be treated?”
“Well,” Yan Shaoning felt his pulse, “looking at the pulse, everything seems normal. It really shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll prescribe two tonics for Your Majesty to try. If there’s still no improvement, then there might be a bit of trouble.”
“Really?” Qin Yuanxi, upon hearing this, realized there might indeed be some trouble.
Initially, Qin Yuanxi didn’t take it too seriously. Subconsciously, he thought it might be due to his own bad condition, coupled with the anger towards Zhao Tuo, and his emotions not settling down. He thought that after a few days when his state improved, everything would be fine.
However, as two days turned into several, and over a month passed without any progress, it became a real headache. The most crucial part is that he can’t now approach Zhao Tuo to try and figure things out. Originally, he felt a bit relieved, but with Yan Shaoning’s comments, Qin Yuanxi started to think that there might indeed be a problem.
After meeting with Yan Shaoning, wearing a distressed expression, Qin Yuanxi carried a few portraits of beautiful women and went to the Moonlit Pavilion. He wasn’t feeling comfortable, and he couldn’t let Zhao Tuo feel comfortable either. He needed to give Zhao Tuo something to do!
The Moonlit Pavilion still carried a bit of chill in early spring, green shoots were sprouting in the corners, giving a sense of vitality. As Qin Yuanxi just arrived outside the palace gate, he heard sounds from inside. Peering in, he saw Zhao Tuo practicing swordplay.
Handsome, as handsome as ever, dressed in flowing white robes, the sword in his hand adorned with red tassels1
A ‘sword tassel’ is a decorative accessory that is attached to the hilt or pommel of a sword. gracefully danced in mid-air. It was quite a pleasing sight. Qin Yuanxi, however, felt a bit unhappy watching.
His already not-so-happy mood multiplied, what’s going on? Doesn’t even say a word to me, and he’s practicing swordsmanship even behind closed doors? So, he’s enjoying a good time all by himself, huh!
His little temper hadn’t subsided when he heard ‘yiyiya’ sounds. Xiao Bao was clapping his hands, extremely excited. Qin Yuanxi then saw Zhao Tuo swiftly and gracefully wrapping up his swordplay, tossing the sword aside, and scooping the child into his arms. The little one remained thrilled in his father’s embrace, chubby little hands pointing at the sword on the ground, eyes practically sparkling.
Zhao Tuo handed him a small wooden sword, and the little one became even more excited, babbling incessantly.
“When you grow up, Dad will teach you swordsmanship, alright?”
Qin Yuanxi’s sour mood had reached its peak. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched the father and son pair. With a sarcastic tone, he said, “That won’t do. Xiao Bao is my crown prince. Not anyone can teach the crown prince martial arts.”
“Besides, do you even have the chance? I kept you in the palace out of nostalgia for old times. When the old times are gone, where do you think you can go? Don’t harbor thoughts about my crown prince!”
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)
