Chapter 46
Editor: SimoB
Even if Fifth Young Master Zhao wanted to plead his case in front of His Majesty ten thousand times, he didn’t get the chance to speak even once.
Shi Qing was all like ‘oh no I’m too weak from the drug’s effects, I can’t argue with anyone right now’ as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut and nuzzled Yu Chennian blindly.
He wasn’t budging until Fifth Young Master Zhao was imprisoned.
But Yu Chennian was a clear headed monarch.
How could he lock up an official’s son based solely on the words of his crush? Besides, he knew that Fifth Young Master Zhao had always been Shi Qing’s sworn rival.
Yu Chennian could tell that Shi Qing was just messing around with Fifth Young Master Zhao. He was only planning to throw him into jail for a couple of days.
If the little master was really angry, he wouldn’t bother to wait for someone else. He would probably start a fight himself.
Therefore, Yu Chennian just had Fifth Young Master Zhao sit in a cell for a few days.
He would have good food and a place to rest, so imprisonment really was too strong of a word.
After quickly settling the matter of Fifth Young Master Zhao, the new emperor immediately took Shi Qing back to the palace.
Fortunately, although he came out in a low-key way with only some bodyguards and an ordinary carriage, the interior was decorated lavishly, with the imperial family in mind.
The s.p.a.cious inside was covered with soft quilts. The carriage itself was also very stable when on the road. There was more than enough room for the drugged little youth to roll around.
The bodyguards outside the carriage maintained a certain distance, just enough that they could protect His Majesty at all times without hearing the noises within.
Yu Chennian’s confidant was in the driver’s seat. Although he was closer, he could only vaguely hear some of the conversation coming from within, because of its vast size.
What he heard first was His Majesty’s soft voice: “Be good. Endure a bit longer. When we get back, I’ll summon the imperial doctors to have a look.”
Then there was the tender and sticky voice of a little kitten. It dragged out its words in discontent.
After that, His Majesty’s voice suddenly rose in volume. There was now notes of panic and suppression in his words: “Shi Qing! Control yourself! You’ll regret this when you wake up.”
The sweet murmurs grew more and more unhappy.
The confidant kept driving with an expressionless face. His ears twitched.
His keen hearing allowed him to discern the sound of clothes tearing.
At first he a.s.sumed it was His Majesty who couldn’t hold on anymore.
Until he heard His Majesty’s voice that sounded like it was a hair away from exploding: “Shi Qing, let go first……”
–Rrrrip!
Then there was a thump as if someone had been knocked over.
It would most likely be His Majesty who was knocked down, because he let out a groan right after.
But he was still attempting to salvage the situation: “Shi Qing, you aren’t in your right mind right now. Be good, alright?”
For a long time afterwards, that soft and coquettish voice was the only sound that came from within.
It was too quiet for him to make out the words, but it seemed like the other person was throwing a mini tantrum and being sticky. Occasionally, there were more tearing sounds.
Then the soft voice was m.u.f.fled.
When it was heard again, it seemed to be breathy and on the verge of tears, maybe from a lack of air.
His Majesty’s voice was not much better. It was clear that he was about to explode.
But he still held on through sheer force of will: “Don’t be like this anymore. I don’t want to scare you. Wait until the doctor…… Wu!”
Finally, there was a long silence.
After that, the part.i.tion in the middle of the carriage seemed to close.
The part.i.tion used by the royal family provided perfect sound insulation.
No matter how good his hearing was, the confidant couldn’t hear a thing.
He slowed the carriage down until it was slower than walking pace. A journey that should’ve only taken an hour was stretched out to almost two.
When they finally arrived at the palace gates, he disembarked with a serious face and stood respectfully beside the carriage door. He made no move to knock.
Seeing that their leader didn’t move, the rest of the imperial guards followed his lead.
So a strange scene appeared at the palace gate.
There was a stopped carriage surrounded by a crowd of stern guards waiting for something to happen.
Luckily, there was another entrance outside the palace gate and court had already concluded for the day. Otherwise, they would’ve attracted a group of spectators for sure.
The guards waited patiently.
It took more than two hours for the curtain to be lifted.
His Majesty’s slightly hoa.r.s.e but satisfied voice came from within: “Enter the palace directly.”
“Understood.” Only then did the dedicated leader of the bodyguards return to his seat and drive the carriage into the palace.
Inside, Yu Chennian snuggled against the youth in his arms. He planted kisses on Shi Qing’s hair: “Sleepy?”
“Wu……” The eyes of the tired little youth were droopy. He was curled up obediently in the man’s arms. His voice was as soft as cotton candy: “You locked up……that Fifth Young Master Zhao, right? “
“Yes.” Yu Chennian patted him on the back and coaxed him softly: “He’s in jail now.”
The little master was happy to hear it.
Even though he was already very tired, he still nuzzled against Yu Chennian’s chest with a smile on his face.
Then he nuzzled off a torn piece of fabric.
The emperor’s steel-like restraint from before had angered the thirsty Shi Qing. So the little master flashed his claws and ruined a perfectly good robe.
Now that he got what he wanted, the little master was willing to be generous and offer an apology. His face was still full of confusion, but his chin rose like it usually did: “Who made your clothes? They’re so flimsy.”
Yes, that’s right. That’s how the little master k2018;apologizes’.
Yu Chennian didn’t even blink. He was still trying to soothe Shi Qing: “You’re right. The fabric isn’t good. If you don’t like it, then I won’t wear it in the future.”
The clothes in the palace were made with His Majesty’s comfort in mind. The thinner and lighter they were the better.
Besides, when they were making the clothes, the seamstresses never expected someone to have the guts to violently tear them off of the emperor.
Shi Qing rubbed his face against him, his voice tender and sweet: “I like it. Make some for me too. Next time, you can be the one tearing them off.”
Yu Chennian’s hand, that was patting the little master’s back, froze.
The carriage scene from before flashed through his mind, but with their roles were switched. He was the one tearing.
Fortunately, although the weather was sweltering today, they had just exercised so Yu Chennian didn’t get a nosebleed from thinking naughty things.
The youth in his arms, who used to stroll around brothels without touching the girls, went on: “I want some clothes made of gauze as well. Does the palace have something like that?”
Yu Chennian’s brain stopped working completely.
He froze like a statue until the little master shifted and complained: “Why’d you stop? Keep patting me, ah. Fan me too. It’s so hot in here.”
Yu Chennian hurriedly returned to lightly patting his back with one hand while picking up the feather fan sitting nearby.
The little master was waited on hand and foot all the way to the main palace. Then, His Majesty carefully carried him out.
Thank goodness there was a change of clothes in the carriage, otherwise it would have been difficult to explain their bedraggled appearance.
Shi Qing was very sleepy as he laid on the bed, but his brain was too excited to rest. He rolled all over the big soft bed.
Yu Chennian was banished to shrimp peeling duty outside the curtain.
The little master was tired. He wanted to eat shrimps peeled by the emperor himself, with vinegar and everything. He finished half a bowl in one breath.
So Yu Chennian could only sit on the other side of the curtain peeling shrimp. He could vaguely make out the little master rolling around on the bed. He must be feeling uncomfortable.
His heart is full of pity, Even if Shi Qing liked to act tough, this was both of their first times. Plus he was the bottom, so it was harder on him.
The medicine he had sent for hadn’t arrived yet. Yu Chennian’s heartache made him peel the shrimp faster.
Meanwhile, Shi Qing was incessantly poking the System while rolling around excitedly:
[Tong! Tong! Describe Yu Chennian with one word.]
The System, who had taken a peek once before and was immediately scared silly by the mosaics, only dared to peek again when the Host called it.
The System looked around carefully. It only replied after confirming the absence of censors: [This System doesn’t know. This System has never heard of it. This System has never seen it.]
[Pah. I know even if you don’t say it.]
The System’s curiosity was piqued by Shi Qing’s confident look. It asked: [What’s he like?]
Shi Qing held onto the soft bedding as he rolled around the bed.
[Big.]
Shi Qing: [Hehehehehehe.]
System: [What?]
Shi Qing: [Hard-working.]
System: [Isn’t Yu Chennian the emperor? How could he be…]
Shi Qing: [Yep. He works hard.]
System: [???]
System: [……]
Shi Qing’s face was dreamy: [I’ve noticed something. It’s like he becomes more hard-working with every world I visit. Is there a reason for this?]
He asked with antic.i.p.ation: [Does this mean that he will be even stronger in the next world?]
System: [……]
System: [……Technically, this shouldn’t change. Maybe it’s because of the Host instead.]
Shi Qing concurred.
After all, he couldn’t be considered a normal person in the first two worlds.
Only the him in this world could be considered a genuinely normal person.
The little master wasn’t too disappointed to find out that Yu Chennian wouldn’t get stronger: [Then I’ll enjoy myself while I can. Since I get to feel 100% pleasure for now, wouldn’t it be like 100 + 100 + 100 and so on and so forth happiness every time?]
The System’s head was spinning.
It mumbled a vague response: [I guess……?]
So the little master, who planned on having a snack and a nap, threw off the blanket and ripped opened the curtain. He shouted at the man attentively peeling shrimps outside: “Yu Chennian! Yu Chennian get over here!”
The emperor stood up obediently and washed his hands before sitting on the bed beside the youth. He touched his face lightly: “What’s the matter? Are you uncomfortable?”
His heart ached: “Wait just a little while longer. The medicine will be here soon.”
Right as he finished speaking, the little master’s tender and white hand grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the bed.
Yu Chennian couldn’t react in time. After all, Shi Qing had appeared all tuckered out before.
And then.
–Rrrrip!
His clothes were torn again.
The servant, who had been sent to get the medicine, returned to the main palace. He waited outside the door and said: “Your Majesty, this one has brought the medicine.”
His Majesty’s breathless voice came from within: “I’ll call you back later. Wait outside for now.”
Two hours later.
After the medicine was delivered, Yu Chennian originally intended to just apply it for the little master. But for some reason, as he was applying it, Shi Qing pushed him down again.
His thoughts from before about how Shi Qing would hate him, scorn him or blame him for taking advantage of him, were all bunched up and thrown into the lotus pond.
It turned out that this inexperienced little master, who had a reputation for being an innocent playboy, had quite the appet.i.te.
The duo were intertwined for almost the entire day.
The next day, after Yu Chennian returned from court, the little master eagerly bounced onto his lap holding gauzy clothing.
On the third day, he was dragged by the little master to the hot springs right after finishing his work.
On the fourth day, the little master went to the palace library and found some books from the previous dynasty. They recorded, in great detail, how the former emperor was able to keep things fresh with over three thousand beauties in his harem. He expressed a desire to try all of it with Yu Chennian.
The gratuitous amount of time they spent together everyday didn’t affect Yu Chennian’s handling of political affairs. Instead, he became more and more energetic with each pa.s.sing day.
After half a month, the pleased little master, who walked around with his nose in the air, finally remembered something.
He forgot about Fifth Young Master Zhao.
Yu Chennian had also forgotten him.
It was like he was in heaven these days. Each day, he handled all his government affairs efficiently, just so that he could return to the main palace faster and indulge in a new surprise. How could he remember this pa.s.serby?
Fifth Young Master Zhao’s life in jail wasn’t bad either, but his family was barred from visiting because the emperor had personally imprisoned him. As such, his family was sure that he had offended the current emperor in some unforgivable way.
Yu Chennian’s character couldn’t have been made more clear soon after his ascension. It was the most important information in all the reports.
They dared not even plead for mercy. Afterall, one wrong word could make Fifth Young Master Zhao’s punishment worse.
As a result, he was completely forgotten…
Fortunately, when Shi Qing couldn’t find Fifth Young Master Zhao to show off his new agate lion, he remembered and released him.
The first thing he did then was to proudly hold up the agate lion: “See this? This is from Fanro Country. One of their main exports is agate. This lion was made using the best quality materials and craftsmen.”
Fifth Young Master Zhao, who was still holding a grudge from being imprisoned, lashed out at Shi Qing: “That’s nothing.”
The little master was not angry.
He was a good tempered person.
He just touched his agate lion and said with a smile: “Say what you want. Although I have a good relationship with His Majesty, I definitely wouldn’t lock you up again just because you didn’t praise my lion.”
Fifth Young Master Zhao: “……”
He and Shi Qing had fought countless times over immaterial and physical things, but one sentence had to be said.
This guy was so annoying.
But Shi Qing didn’t find himself annoying at all. He just held his agate lion and looked at Fifth Young Master Zhao expectantly: “Be honest. How is this lion?”
Fifth Young Master Zhao looked back at the prison where he had been locked up for half a month.
He forced himself to squeeze out a smile: “It’s good!!! Great even! I’ve never seen such a delicate agate sculpture. Look at the smooth curve of the lion, his lifelike eyes, and the aura of strength he projects. It’s so good, ah!!! So great!! Truly a world-cla.s.s masterpiece!”
The little master listened to his spiel patiently.
“That’s it?”
Fifth Young Master Zhao’s words just now had forced him to scour the entirety of his vocabulary. He wouldn’t be able to say any more even if he had been threatened with a whip. “Yeah.”
Shi Qing’s vixen-like face immediately showed a look of disgust. He quickly shoved the agate lion to the attendant on the side: “Fifth Young Master Zhao has never had a good eye for such things. If he says this lion is good, it must be bad… I don’t want it anymore. Send it back.”
Fifth Young Master Zhao: “……”
He wanted to bite Shi Qing to death.
The little master saw through his thoughts and raised his little chin proudly: “Judging from your expression, you want to hit me? Go ahead. Just keep in mind I have His Majesty’s protection.”
Fifth Young Master Zhao: …He couldn’t.
So, Shi Qing, with a posture that really was asking for a sound smack, waltzed around Fifth Young Master Zhao. He enjoyed the way his archnemesis had to hold back his curses and desire for violence.
Only then did he shoot him a triumphant look and leave.
Fifth Young Master Zhao: “……”
So what if you have His Majesty’s protection!
Is that such a big deal?!!
His Majesty’s protection… protection…
He bowed his head in despair.
It’s really amazing to have His Majesty’s protection.
It seems that he’ll be stuck with the t.i.tle of the number two dandy in the capital for the foreseeable future.
***
But Shi Qing abdicated his place as the number one dandy in the capital to Fifth Young Master Zhao.
After meeting his true love, the little master, who once seemed to be aiming to rely on his parents forever, actually began to study seriously. Maybe he wanted to be a match worthy of Yu Chennian (at least that’s what Prime Minister Shi and his wife believed).
Due to his own talents or a backdoor someone opened for him, he scored high enough in the exam to be ranked third.
Then he smoothly became an official in court.
In the beginning, some questioned the veracity of the little master’s achievements.
After all, although they didn’t know what was going on between Shi Qing and Yu Chennian, Shi Qing had always been a famous dandy.
It wasn’t out of the question for his father, the prime minister, to open a backdoor for him.
Prime Minister Shi himself said that he really didn’t do such a thing. But after his son not only pa.s.sed the exam but scored so highly, he too had his suspicions.
In court, the prime minister’s faction naturally wouldn’t talk poorly about Shi Qing, but his influence was not absolute.
Therefore, Shi Qing became a target of resentment for a long time.
Other families had prodigal sons.
But he turned out even better than his already accomplished father.
It went against expectations and caused a lot of backlash.
But Shi Qing gave back as good as he got.
The key difference between Shi Qing and Prime Minister Shi’s way of arguing was how direct they were. While Prime Minister Shi would be straightforward, Shi Qing liked to quote all kinds of obscure poems and set vicious verbal pitfalls for his opponents.
If one of his victims happened to be a slacker in school, they might not even notice that they’d been made a mockery of.
After a few martyrs were shot down, no one could doubt Shi Qing’s literary talent anymore.
Later, people began to mutter that, although Prime Minister Shi was such a powerful man, all his son Shi Qing knew how to do was argue with others.
Could the little master bear such an insult?
Of course not!
He didn’t say anything about it during the day, but he snuck into the palace at night and pillow talked the biggest BOSS Yu Chennian into submission.
The next day, the little master entered the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Finance was in charge of money.
There were countless ministries and departments in the palace, but all of their expenses had to be signed off on by the Ministry of Finance before they could get money.
The only thing Shi Qing had a talent for was playing around.
He built something called an amus.e.m.e.nt park for the dandies and the children of government officials. It made money hand over fist.
This was a fun attraction after all.
People were lining up for the chance to pay.
So after making a lot of money, Shi Qing was promoted.
He then set up something called a post office.
To set up a post office, you had to build them first. At the time, there were a bunch of people staunchly against spending money building this thing no one had ever heard of.
In the end, Yu Chennian was firmly on Shi Qing’s side. He used his personal coffers to fund the venture.
After the post offices were built, packages were priced based on weight. The civilians could send a letter for next to nothing.
It might seem like the imperial court was taking a great loss, but don’t forget that we’re not just talking about one letter. In addition, the post office transported the cargo with letters as well. And they could deliver both ways. What’s more, since there were soldiers stationed at the post offices, there were very few thefts or robberies, so merchants began to outsource the delivery of their goods.
He made a monumental profit in the first year alone.
So Shi Qing was promoted again.
By the time he was promoted to the Minister of Finance, he had become a legend amongst the common people.
They called him the ‘Golden Minister’ for his ability to make a profit off of anything. Since he entered the Ministry of Finance, the National Treasury had become much more bountiful.
No one in court dared to mess with Minister Shi, who was honourable and able to hold his own.
He didn’t go looking for trouble either. He was just a bit lazy at most.
Shi Qing still had his fair share of enemies at court, but what could they do? The emperor clearly doted on him.
In the end, Shi Qing and Yu Chennian’s relationship was gradually revealed.
Perhaps it was because the two of them made no move to conceal their lovey-dovey atmosphere. Or maybe it was because the emperor’s harem remained barren despite his young age. He even chose a baby from his clan, whose father had died from an accident before his birth and whose mother followed soon after, to be his heir.
It was normal that he didn’t choose any of his imperial brothers. After all, they had bullied him before. Why would Yu Chennian ever choose the sp.a.w.n of one of his enemies to inherit the throne?
Shi Qing was still the same as ever. He roamed the streets when he was bored, eating this and that. However, he never went to the brothels again. Although Yu Chennian wasn’t as insecure as before, he was still vigilant about potential love rivals appearing around Shi Qing.
When they were in their forties, their relationship was no longer a secret in the capital.
At the age of 45, Shi Qing resigned from office. Yu Chennian, in consideration of his great contributions to the country, t.i.tled him ‘Prince Le’an’.
After that, Yu Chennian became the first emperor to pa.s.s on his mantle without dying, since the founding of their country.
Free from their restrictive ident.i.ties, the duo began to blatantly enjoy themselves in the countryside.
There was no clear record in the history book of when the two of them pa.s.sed away or where they were buried.
But one thing was for certain. The crown prince who succeeded Yu Chennian once said: “Imperial father and prince father said that it was only a matter of time before the royal gravesite would be robbed. Before they left, they told me that they wished to be buried together in a beautiful place, in nature.”
But that description wasn’t exactly helpful in narrowing down potential locations. Even if later generations were very interested in these two famous historical figures, their graves remained undiscovered forever.
The only thing that anyone knew for sure was that they were buried together.
***
Back in the s.p.a.ce between worlds, the System was still very excited: [Congratulations to the Host for completing the task! Please select: One, to continue the task; or two, to take a rest.]
Shi Qing: [One, come on!]
[Ding! Please make your preparations. We will jump to a new world immediately!]
***
Shi Qing opened his eyes and reviewed the memories in his brain.
Huh. He was a schoolyard bully this time.
Bullying people happened to be one of his talents!
Third arc complete!