Saving My Life By Simping For My Empress - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Why is Qin Ji Being So Good to Me?

After Qin Ji ordered a second bed to be moved into his bedchamber to sleep separately from Wei Yu, he finally no longer had to worry about being beaten to death with the Four Books and Five Classics by his elderly teacher.

Although the palace servants had never seen such a setup, the most important rule for those serving in the Ziji Palace was to keep one’s mouth shut—especially back when the tyrant was in charge, as a loose tongue meant losing one’s head. Gao De had frequently lectured the subordinates on the importance of discretion.

Consequently, the fact that there were two beds in the Emperor’s bedchamber and that Qin Ji and Wei Yu each slept in their own did not leak out of the Ziji Palace. Had it gotten out, the ministers in the imperial court would have exploded.

Wei Yu had originally intended to suggest that he could simply move back to the side hall. At most, it would just mean he went to sleep a bit later, which didn’t matter since he didn’t have to wake up early for court and could sleep until he woke naturally.

However, reality told him he would have no such opportunity.

Qin Ji had been studying exceptionally hard lately. Not only that, from the moment he opened his eyes every day, he packed his schedule to the brim. He even ate much faster than usual, as if he were racing toward a reincarnation.

Morning court, archery practice, learning to handle state affairs, meeting with ministers, and reading to finish the homework assigned by Xu Ziye—despite consuming three full meals a day, Qin Ji hadn’t gained an ounce of weight; in fact, he was thinning down rapidly.

“Eunuch Gao, are His Majesty’s clothing measurements incorrect again?” The people from the Bureau of Imperial Attire were stunned. The speed at which they made clothes couldn’t keep up with the speed at which His Majesty was losing weight. It was truly a bit terrifying.

Gao De replied: “Don’t be in such a hurry to make too many new sets. I expect His Majesty will slim down even further.”

How could he not? He had squeezed an entire month’s worth of next month’s tasks into this month, working so hard his feet barely touched the ground.

If the late Emperor knew, he would surely be incredibly relieved.

Qin Ji spun like a top for nearly a month. When March arrived, he was finally no longer busy.

He had been working so hard precisely to earn some leisure time; he wanted to take Wei Yu out of the palace for a stroll.

As soon as Wei Yu arrived in Qin, the tyrant had decreed he be dragged into the palace and locked in the side hall of the Ziji Palace, occasionally subjecting him to torture.

In the several months since arriving in Qin, Wei Yu had not yet seen what the capital of the Qin State looked like.

Naturally, Qin Ji hadn’t seen it either and was equally curious.

On the fourth day of the third month, Qin Ji set aside his work and happily asked Gao De to bring Wei Yu out.

He had already changed into simpler commoner’s clothing and ordered Chen Xuanwen, the leader of the hidden guards, to accompany him out of the palace.

Qin Ji possessed hidden guards as well, all of whom had been personally trained by his late father. Each was capable of taking on ten men, possessing high martial prowess. Chen Xuanwen was only twenty-five or twenty-six, yet he was already the commander of the hidden guards, holding a rank equivalent to a third-grade military general.

As an Emperor, safety was naturally a concern when going out, and Qin Ji entrusted this task to Chen Xuanwen.

However, this was the capital of Qin; it was unlikely anyone would be crazy enough to cause trouble here. With Qin Ji’s birthday only a few days away, seeking trouble at this time was essentially seeking death.

Wei Yu was sent by Gao De in a sedan chair all the way to the palace gates before switching to a carriage.

Inside the carriage, Qin Ji was already seated, resting with his eyes closed.

“Your Majesty, you intend to take me out of the palace?” Wei Yu asked, somewhat surprised.

“You haven’t seen the capital of Qin yet. I’m taking you to see it.” Qin Ji patted his coin purse. “Buy whatever catches your eye. I brought plenty of silver.”

Wei Yu’s lips moved slightly, and only after the carriage began to move did he softly say, “Alright.”

In his previous life, he had never seen what the Qin capital looked like.

Back then, he had been trapped in the side hall of the Ziji Palace. It was no different from being in a place where no one would hear his cries for help. Except for when the tyrant wanted to humiliate him, he was confined to that room.

Deprived of food and clothing, even his tea was brought to him secretly by Gao De. Those days were so bitter he had wanted to take his own life.

But Wei Yu had relied on his willpower to endure until the day the Wei army broke through the Qin defenses. He had killed the tyrant and returned to his home country. As for the capital of Qin, he had never considered sparing it a single glance.

Everything was different now.

Wei Yu was willing to see the capital of Qin, to see if this “accidental” ruler, Qin Ji, had governed the state well.

Leaving the towering palace walls, they soon entered the bustling streets and alleys. Chen Xuanwen handed the carriage over to a hidden guard and followed Qin Ji openly as a personal bodyguard, while other hidden guards followed at a distance.

“Where do you want to go first?” Qin Ji hadn’t seen an ancient street before either and was curious about everything. “How about we just wander around?”

Wei Yu saw through Qin Ji’s thoughts instantly and followed his lead: “Then let us just walk around.”

When Qin Ji said “walk around,” he meant it literally, pulling Wei Yu along as they darted here and there, lacking even a shred of the gravity expected of a monarch.

“This mask is quite cute. You should wear one.” Qin Ji held a rabbit mask from a stall against Wei Yu’s face. “Mm, Wei-Rabbit.”

He failed to make Wei Yu laugh, but he made himself laugh instead.

Wei Yu had no desire to wear such a childish thing: “Your… I won’t be able to see the road clearly with a mask on.”

Qin Ji believed him and gave up the idea of making Wei Yu wear the rabbit mask.

Wei Yu sighed in relief: Fortunately, Qin Ji is quite easy to fool.

“Then I’ll buy you a flower wreath. You’ll definitely look good in it.” Qin Ji had given up on the mask but hadn’t given up on “Miracle Wei Yu,” focusing intently on selecting a wreath woven by a young girl.

Wei Yu: “…”

“I am a man. What sense does it make to wear a flower wreath?” Wei Yu’s heart was full of rejection.

The little girl selling the wreaths rebutted Wei Yu before Qin Ji even could: “Young Master, you are mistaken. Everyone has a heart for beauty; why shouldn’t a man wear a wreath? In my opinion, it is exactly a person of your peerless grace who should wear one. It is not the wreath that compliments you, but you who compliments the wreath.”

While the girl was persuading Wei Yu, Qin Ji firmly placed the wreath he had chosen onto Wei Yu’s head. The size was just right, so it wouldn’t slip down and block his vision.

The girl immediately praised: “As expected, fresh flowers belong with such a gentleman!”

Qin Ji was quite pleased by the girl’s flattery and paid for the wreath.

“Just wear it for a bit; it really looks good,” Qin Ji coaxed Wei Yu.

Wei Yu pressed his brow. This Emperor Qin Ji was truly unprecedented—how could a grown man act so coquettishly?

“Fine, fine, I’ll wear it. Is that enough?” Wei Yu didn’t want the citizens on the street to see the Emperor of Qin acting spoiled toward him. Even if the King of Qin didn’t care for his dignity, he, a Prince of Wei, still did.

Chen Xuanwen followed behind, pressing his lips together to hide a smile. He hadn’t expected someone like Wei Yu, who looked like a celestial being, to be susceptible to this tactic.

His Majesty was certainly willing to go all out.

Qin Ji didn’t think that much of it. As long as Wei Yu agreed to wear the wreath, he was satisfied.

The capital of Qin was very prosperous, with stalls and shops everywhere. Qin Ji would stop to look at everything. If he looked twice, he would inevitably step forward to buy some useless trinket.

“Wei Yu, look at this. The weaving is so beautiful.” Qin Ji held a handmade amulet made of colored silk threads. “Isn’t it lovely?”

Wei Yu answered perfunctorily: “Lovely.”

Qin Ji bought the amulet, took Wei Yu’s hand, and placed it in his palm.

Wei Yu froze: “You bought this for me?”

Qin Ji smiled: “I’ll go to a temple and get you a proper one another day, the kind blessed by the most prestigious master.”

With that, he pulled Wei Yu along to continue browsing.

Wei Yu clutched the amulet, which was worth only twenty copper coins. His mind was in a whirl; he could even feel the lingering warmth from Qin Ji’s palm on the charm.

Why is Qin Ji being so good to me?

Wei Yu couldn’t understand it.

Ever since this Qin Ji replaced the tyrant, he had been striving to treat Wei Yu well—whether it was sharing half the Dragon Bed, providing warm clothes, ordering new robes from the Bureau, noting his tastes during meals, repairing the broken peach blossom hairpin, or giving him this amulet now…

Wei Yu considered himself highly intelligent; in Wei, his teachers had called him a talent for statecraft. He was also well-versed in teaching Qin Ji how to handle government affairs. Yet, he simply could not fathom the reason behind Qin Ji’s kindness.

“The style of this hairpin is quite unique. Boss, bring it out so I can take a closer look.”

Qin Ji’s voice interrupted Wei Yu’s chaotic thoughts. He snapped back to find that Qin Ji had led him into an accessory shop.

Wei Yu looked at the hairpin Qin Ji mentioned. It was indeed unique; the stem was a lotus stalk, and the head was a half-fan of a lotus leaf and a seedpod.

“This is nice. Boss, I’ll take it.” Qin Ji was incredibly decisive with his money. He picked up the pin, felt its weight, and bought it immediately.

Qin Ji took the pin and directly removed the wooden one Wei Yu was using to bind his hair, inserting the uniquely styled silver pin into Wei Yu’s bun.

“Silver isn’t as valuable as sandalwood, but the design is a winner. Wear it for fun.” Qin Ji waved the wooden pin in his hand. “I’ll keep this one for you for now and give it back when we go home.”

Wei Yu didn’t know what to say anymore. Why was Qin Ji buying him things again?

“Ma—” Wei Yu nearly called him “Majesty” out loud, but luckily switched in time. “Is it truly necessary to buy me so many things? I lack for nothing.”

Qin Ji couldn’t resist reaching out to feel Wei Yu’s forehead. He murmured curiously: “It’s not hot.”

Wei Yu was confused: “What are you doing?”

Qin Ji: “I wanted to see if you had a fever and were talking nonsense.”

How could Wei Yu claim he lacked for nothing? He had few clothes, not even an extra hairpin, and most importantly, no money.

Even the least favored son of an emperor wouldn’t be as pathetic as Wei Yu. Wei Yu was the legitimate son of the previous King of Wei and the biological brother of the current one—living like this and claiming to “lack for nothing”?

“I think you just lack a brain,” Qin Ji muttered.

His voice wasn’t loud, but Wei Yu could just barely hear it.

Chen Xuanwen turned his head away, pretending to look at a shelf. He hadn’t heard a thing!

Qin Ji was essentially addicted to playing “Miracle Wei Yu” and wanted to pile everything onto him. Except for things Wei Yu truly refused out of pride, Qin Ji bought almost everything, tossing the bags to Chen Xuanwen to carry.

Chen Xuanwen held his sword in one hand and bags in the other. A perfectly good hidden guard commander had been turned into a servant boy.

“I am a bit tired. Why don’t we find a teahouse to sit and have some tea?” Wei Yu grabbed Qin Ji’s hand before he could lead him into the next shop. “I am very thirsty, truly.”

Qin Ji didn’t doubt him and changed direction: “Then let’s find a teahouse to sit in. Old Chen, do you have a recommendation?”

Being called “Old Chen” out of nowhere, it took Chen Xuanwen a moment to realize Qin Ji was talking to him.

“Young Master, if we walk a bit further, there is a large teahouse. They even have a storyteller.” Chen Xuanwen didn’t have to be on duty in the palace every day; he had his own residence in the capital and would go out with others for entertainment.

“Alright then, you lead the way.” Qin Ji was a bit excited. He had seen storytellers in TV dramas, but they were never the main characters and didn’t get much screen time. This would be his first time experiencing a real one.

Seeing Qin Ji more excited than anyone, almost ready to run there, Wei Yu couldn’t help but wonder if Qin Ji had gone stir-crazy from being cooped up lately.

Where was the majesty of an Emperor? Where was the King of Qin who had terrified everyone at the morning court?

The thing in front of him must be possessed by something!