The Little Crybaby Continues to Court Death as a Cannon Fodder - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Qiu Zhiruo would never stoop to comparing himself with those men. Born into an illustrious and powerful clan, he disdained competing with them, let alone associating with them. He did not believe for a moment that they could threaten his status; he was not that insecure.

As he stepped out of the study, he was flanked by Eunuch Lin and Eunuch Zhang, who were wearing unnaturally bright smiles. “Lord Prime Minister, what would you like for dinner? We shall have the small kitchen prepare it immediately.”

Qiu Zhiruo was about to decline, saying anything to the Prince’s taste would suffice, when Eunuch Zhang chimed in: “You may not know, but Young Master Jingshi’s culinary skills are extraordinary. His Highness has praised them endlessly and is very fond of them…”

Before the praise could finish, Qiu Zhiruo turned his head. Beneath his noble brow was a piercing, forceful gaze that made Eunuch Zhang shudder. The Prime Minister’s thin lips moved slightly: “His Highness likes his cooking very much?”

“Ah? Yes, because…”

“Then I must have a taste as well—this flavor that His Highness is so fond of.”

Qiu Zhiruo spoke indifferently, a tiny arc lifting the corner of his mouth. Despite his mild and handsome appearance, he projected a chilling aura for no apparent reason.

“Prepare more Crab-stuffed Oranges then. His Highness loves crab. Also, since His Highness enjoys his cooking so much, let no others interfere, lest it spoil the flavor profile.”

How could a helping hand spoil a flavor profile?

Zhang and Lin, veteran “foxes” of the palace, immediately sensed hostility toward Hua Jingshi. Though baffled, they bowed and accepted the order.

…

In the Small Kitchen

Hua Jingshi’s young attendant, Ling Xi, was about to help him when Eunuch Lin stopped him with a heavy expression. “Young Master Jingshi, when preparing meals for His Highness, one must be cautious. It is best if the food passes through your hands and yours alone.”

Ling Xi, young and impulsive, was about to protest, but Hua Jingshi smiled first. “Very well, Eunuch.”

He lowered his head to peel the crab meat. His fingertips were pricked by the shells, drawing blood, but he seemed not to feel the pain. He rinsed the blood away and continued. Ling Xi’s eyes turned red with sympathy, and even Eunuch Lin felt a pang of pity.

After one crab was finished, Eunuch Lin couldn’t help but say, “Take a rest. His Highness is still napping; there is no rush.”

“Eunuch, was it the Prime Minister who sent you to deliver that message?”

Hua Jingshi’s sudden question was met with silence. Silence was the best answer. Hua Jingshi smiled again. “Thank you, Eunuch. Jingshi understands.”

He was a smart one. Quiet, cautious, knowing what to say and when to stop.

Eunuch Lin eventually felt a surge of kindness. When Ling Xi returned with medicine, Lin stopped him again and whispered to Hua Jingshi: “Young Master Jingshi, during dinner, remember this: speak as little as possible. No matter what His Highness asks, remain silent. You are clever; you know what I mean.”

…

The Awakening

Yu Qing’s naps weren’t long, but he loved to linger in bed. His limbs sank into the soft bedding, his body like a pool of water, his thoughts drifting. When he was finally scooped up into a pair of arms, he only fluttered his eyelids, offering no resistance.

“Your Highness, lift your hand.” “Your Highness, lean on me.”

Waking up, it felt as if Qiu Zhiruo had become a different person. The man who had bitten his lips earlier seemed to have been replaced by a refined gentleman, or perhaps a ghost.

“Uncle,” Yu Qing called him deliberately, lifting a sleepy, pink-white face. “Isn’t it against etiquette for ‘uncle and nephew’ to be this close?”

“Besides, I am the Crown Prince. Qiu Zhiruo, who gave you the audacity to hold Us like this?”

Qiu Zhiruo met the threat with a faint smile, his long fingers tangling in the silk-smooth black hair. He leaned down to sniff it. “Your Highness is a national beauty; I truly cannot bear to let go.” He buried his face in the Prince’s neck, his senses overwhelmed by the sweet scent. His throat bobbed as he murmured, “How can you be so fragrant?”

“It’s because you’re too stinky!” The little Prince, annoyed by the rubbing, slapped the man’s face away. When Qiu Zhiruo shamelessly tried again, he received a loud slap and a sharp elbow to create distance. “Do not touch us with your dirty mouth again.”

“Then can I lick…”

“Not allowed!”

At the mention of that, Yu Qing flared up again. After glaring for a while, Qiu Zhiruo smiled and carried him over to where dinner was being served.

With Hua Jingshi’s presence, Yu Qing’s appetite has been good lately. He sat at the table feeling famished. After one bite of the Crab-stuffed Orange, Qiu Zhiruo understood why the Prince liked him—the cooking was indeed superior.

Yu Qing ate happily, bite after bite. When the feeding was too slow, he would nudge the Prime Minister with his eyes, eager for the next mouthful.

When he was half-full, Hua Jingshi walked in gracefully with a porcelain bowl of fresh pastries. However, Yu Qing didn’t want sweets. He dismissed him. Hua Jingshi obeyed, but as he turned, his sleeve slipped, revealing reddened fingers covered in small cuts.

“Wait—” Yu Qing called out. “What happened to your hands?”

Hua Jingshi froze, seemingly surprised by the concern. He pursed his lips. “I just touched something by accident.”

Yu Qing hated lies. He sensed the stagnant atmosphere in the room. No one spoke until Qiu Zhiruo said calmly, “Your Highness, finish your meal first, or it will get cold.”

Yu Qing glanced at the servants. Ling Xi was glaring at Qiu Zhiruo with suppressed rage, and even Eunuch Lin was peeking at the Prime Minister with trepidation. Being clever, he understood immediately who was behind this.

When the chopsticks approached his mouth again, he turned his head away. “Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this? Who gave you the audacity to bully my people?”

Qiu Zhiruo set the chopsticks down calmly. “I did nothing. I merely reminded him to be careful with the ingredients and not let ‘unclean’ people touch them. Your Highness, I care for you. Is that a crime?”

Yu Qing looked at Hua Jingshi, who remained silent with an air of “suffering in silence.” He trusted Hua Jingshi over his “villain” uncle, mostly because Jingshi made good food.

“You are not allowed to bully him,” the Prince warned from the man’s lap. “He is Mine. No one can bully him except me.”

“Your Highness, how could I dare bully a hostage?” The man sighed, one hand holding the Prince’s waist, the other cupping his face. “But Your Highness, rumors are flying. Keeping them in the Eastern Palace is against etiquette. I have arranged a scenic, secluded palace for them. It will preserve your reputation.”

“If you wish to eat his cooking, you can summon him. The walk will do him good—strengthen his body.”

Yu Qing tilted his head, resting his cheek in the man’s palm. “Fine, whatever. You handle it.”

The fate of Hua Jingshi and Xie Xuanying fell into Qiu Zhiruo’s hands. He wore a satisfied smile, but his eyes, hidden from the Prince, were full of mockery toward Hua Jingshi.

Did you think playing weak would win his heart? The Prince is soft-hearted, yes, but he cares more about his dignity.

…

The “Cold Palace”

Xie Xuanying and Hua Jingshi were moved to a new palace. Although the environment was better and there were more servants, it was far from the Eastern Palace—essentially an exile.

Xie Xuanying was furious. The Prince hadn’t visited him in a long time. He used to find the Prince’s daily peeking annoying, but now he found himself anticipating it.

Late at night, Hua Jingshi visited him. They dismissed the servants to talk.

“The Prime Minister’s possessiveness over His Highness is extraordinary.”

“Impossible, they are…” Xie Xuanying started, shocked by the taboo implication.

“Master Xie, we must find a way. This place is effectively a ‘Cold Palace.’ With the Prime Minister blocking us, we will never see the Prince again.”

Xie Xuanying was confused. He wasn’t good at palace intrigue. Hua Jingshi looked at him and realized the man was a bit “simple.”

“This isn’t the martial arts world,” Hua Jingshi said as he rose to leave. “The Prince will eventually take concubines and a Princess. Our situation will only get more dangerous. I’m just reminding you for the sake of our common master. Think about it.”

Back in his room, Ling Xi asked if they would see the Prince. “I thought you hated him?” Hua Jingshi teased. The boy blushed. “I was blind before… The Prince is the best. He even praised my hair!”

Ling Xi was Hua Jingshi’s half-brother, born of their mother and a guard who had helped them survive the neglect of the Jing palace.

Suddenly, the door was blown open by a burst of energy. Xie Xuanying stormed in, his face flushed and his eyes shifting unnaturally. “What is your plan?”

…

The Archery Field

The next day, Qiu Zhiruo took Yu Qing to practice archery. The Prince had no strength to pull the bow. Under the hot sun, his angry face was vivid and beautiful. Qiu Zhiruo hugged him from behind, covering the soft hands with his own. “Your Highness, let me teach you.”

Qiu Zhiruo had no intention of teaching; he just wanted to touch the Prince’s small hands, rubbing the fingers and interlocking them with his own. He felt a morbid sense of satisfaction. But mere touching wasn’t enough.

Yu Qing’s purple robes were ruffled. He glared at the wandering hand. “Qiu Zhiruo!”

“Your Highness, these are all my people. They won’t gossip. Here, we can do whatever we want.”

Yu Qing was red with rage. Suddenly, Eunuch Lin rushed in with a panicked expression.

“What is the hurry?”

“Your Highness! Master Xie is ill! He is very sick, the doctor says he doesn’t have much time!”

“Sick?” Yu Qing frowned. Qiu Zhiruo’s voice turned cold. “How could he suddenly be sick?”

Moving to a new palace and immediately falling ill? Too convenient, Qiu Zhiruo thought.

“The doctor says it is ‘lovesickness’ and grief. The sudden move caused his heart-sickness to explode. He is unconscious, calling your name…”

Qiu Zhiruo sneered. “Lovesickness? How touching. Your Highness is always so ‘merciful’ with your affections. Now that he’s dying for you, how can you not visit?”

There was a clear edge of resentment in his voice. Truthfully, Yu Qing didn’t care about Xie Xuanying. If he was sick, see a doctor. But the Prince didn’t want to be in the sun, didn’t want to shoot arrows, and certainly didn’t want his uncle touching him.

“I should go see him. I am moved that he misses me even while dying.”

Qiu Zhiruo’s face turned incredibly ugly. The low pressure around him was like a coming storm. The Prince really wanted to see that man?

He grabbed the Prince’s wrist. Yu Qing looked down coldly. “Uncle, My favorite is ill. I am too worried to stay here. Another day, I will surely ‘satisfy’ you, Uncle.”

Favorite.

Qiu Zhiruo nearly ground his teeth to dust. His hand shook as he held the Prince, his veins popping, yet he forced himself not to hurt the delicate skin. Finally, he let go and forced a smile. “Your Highness, remember your promise. Next time, you must satisfy me.”

Yu Qing hummed and hurried away. Qiu Zhiruo watched the retreating figure with dark resentment. He picked up a longbow and fired three arrows in rapid succession. Crack! The bullseye was pierced through.

The attendant nearby broke into a cold sweat. Qiu Zhiruo turned back with a gentle smile. “What else do you have to report?”

The smile clearly said: If it’s not important, you’re dead.