When the Puppet Emperor Becomes a Heartthrob - Chapter 9

As the morning court concluded, the officials dispersed from the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The crowd was bustling and noisy, with loyal ministers feeling frustrated that the little Emperor had achieved nothing of note. They were already accustomed to the little Emperor’s foolishness and were not the least bit surprised that Xi Huai had not arrived on time for court.

Only one official, who appeared to be disdainfully shaking his sleeves, was actually fanning the flames, shouting that the Great Qing would perish sooner or later.

“My lord, please be careful with your words.”

A youth with upright features approached after hearing this. He frowned at the official and said, “His Majesty is ailing, which is not his own wish. As his subjects, we should assist him rather than disparage him.”

The official was about to scold whoever was being so ignorant, but upon seeing the speaker, he immediately extinguished his temper. He spoke with hidden meaning, “So it is General Qin.”

“General Qin, please forgive me. It is only because His Majesty acts so absurdly on a daily basis that I spoke rashly. I had no intention of disparaging His Majesty.”

The official sounded righteous on the surface, but the implication was that the Emperor’s daily conduct was so outrageous that he could not blame others for speaking about it.

Qin Mingjing was an upright man. Having been stationed outside the capital for many years, he had not experienced the treacherous schemes of the imperial court and did not immediately grasp the underlying meaning. A light chuckle suddenly interrupted them.

“It seems it is His Majesty’s fault, then.”

The newcomer wore a smile; his temperament was elegant and refined, yet his words were extremely sharp. “But no matter what, His Majesty is the Son of Heaven.”

He paused. His expression was one of elegance and ease, but his smile did not reach his eyes. “Does the Duke intend to disregard His Majesty entirely?”

Duke Wen frowned and turned around. Upon seeing the newcomer, he smiled. “Master Sheng, do not take my babbling to heart.”

“Speaking of which, I must congratulate Master Sheng on receiving the title of Grand Preceptor. I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.” After saying this, he hurriedly departed.

Qin Mingjing recognized the newcomer; it was Sheng Mingyue, the Chief Councilor who had convinced the Emperor to agree to disaster relief at the recent court session. Since Sheng Mingyue had agreed to the relief efforts, the Emperor had bestowed upon him the title of Grand Preceptor. Now, he was not only the Chief Councilor but also the Emperor’s teacher.

This Grand Preceptor looked calmly at Duke Wen’s departing back and remarked, “The person just now was Wen Heng, the eldest brother of Empress Dowager Wen.”

So it was Wen Heng. No wonder he spoke such rebellious words.

Qin Mingjing had not returned to the capital for a long time and could no longer clearly remember the faces of the nobility and dukes in the city. Since his return, he had heard many rumors about the Wen clan and the Regent harboring rebellious hearts. Now, the court was divided into two factions. Empress Dowager Wen was backed by the Wen family, and the Regent held military power. Only the Emperor had no one to rely on.

Knowing that the Emperor’s situation was not easy, Qin Mingjing felt both heartache and anger, yet he was helpless. Half of the military seal of the Qin family was also in the hands of the Empress Dowager.

As he pondered this, Qin Mingjing looked at Sheng Mingyue. He found him to be exactly as the rumors described: frail, yet elegant and refined, standing apart from the corruption. Having risen from a rural scholar to Chief Councilor through imperial examinations, his abilities were clearly extraordinary. Qin Mingjing cupped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you, Chief Councilor, for clearing the air.”

Sheng Mingyue chuckled lightly. “We are all working for His Majesty; there is no need for thanks. It is the disaster relief that will require General Qin’s protection.”

“The Chief Councilor cares for the country and the people. It is my fortune to be able to assist you.” Qin Mingjing was not good with words, and after saying this, he fell silent.

As if sensing his awkwardness, Sheng Mingyue thoughtfully changed the subject. “Recently, the Imperial Guards have become lax; one could enter the palace at night. General Qin should arrange for some men to protect His Majesty.”

Qin Mingjing was stunned and subconsciously answered, “Yes.” But how did the Chief Councilor know that one could enter and leave at will at night? He was just about to ask when he heard the Chief Councilor’s confused voice. “General, you look hurried. Where are you going?”

Qin Mingjing finally relaxed. A hint of softness flashed across his usually cold face. “I am going to see His Majesty.”

He added, “His Majesty has not yet recovered from a cold and did not attend court today. I am truly worried, so I came to visit without permission.”

Sheng Mingyue froze, as if struck by a thought. A dark light flashed in his eyes, but he quickly put on an expression of realization. He began to smile again; his smile was shallow, like a noble orchid. “I heard that General Qin and His Majesty are childhood sweethearts with a deep bond. It seems His Majesty and you are as close as brothers, just as the rumors say.”

Qin Mingjing’s body stiffened. His lips curled downward, and he subconsciously said, “That is not so. His Majesty used to treat me no differently than others. It is only recently that there have been changes; I do not know if it is just my imagination.”

“Changes?”

Qin Mingjing returned to his senses and apologized in embarrassment. “Apologies, I spoke too much. His Majesty is still His Majesty. Chief Councilor, please do not mind my nonsense.”

Sheng Mingyue raised the corners of his lips, revealing an elegant smile. “Since General Qin has the heart to visit His Majesty, I shall accompany you.”

Qin Mingjing was startled. Someone caring for His Majesty was clearly a good thing, yet for some reason, his mood turned inexplicably gloomy. Was His Majesty’s relationship with Sheng Mingyue really that good? I am clearly the person closest to His Majesty.

Xi Huai sneezed violently. His nose was red, and he looked ravaged by the cold, appearing fragile and pitiful. Even Eunuch De felt heart-stricken watching him. “Your Majesty, you have already taken your medicine. Why has the cold not yet recovered?”

Xi Huai touched his nose with a guilty conscience because he had not taken the medicine. In fact, he felt that his body had recovered quite a bit. Last night, he dreamt he was in an ice cellar when a stove fell from the sky, roasting him until he was burning hot. When he woke up, the fever had subsided, and his previously limp body felt as if it had been reassembled; he felt entirely refreshed.

“Eh? Your Majesty, your neck…”

Eunuch De suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Xi Huai looked in the bronze mirror and saw a blue mark winding along his snow-white neck. It was probably a mosquito bite, so he did not pay it much mind. “The sleeping quarters have many mosquitoes. Order the servants to burn some wormwood.”

He got up to review the memorials. Eunuch De’s expression grew even more shocked.

Xi Huai stiffened, nearly forgetting his persona. He immediately gnashed his teeth and said, “Those old immortals dare to discuss me? I will finish reviewing these memorials and shred them in front of them to vent my hatred!”

Eunuch De: “…”

Eunuch De always treated the little Emperor with tolerance. No matter how spineless the little Emperor was, he always accepted him. But this time, he could not help but be suspicious. “As long as Your Majesty is happy, but why not simply demote them from their official posts?”

Xi Huai froze. Stay awake, Eunuch De. That kind of capitalist thinking will not do.

Xi Huai knew his own limits. He was not the real little Emperor and could not be truly foolish. Yet, he had to maintain the persona. He kicked into the air. “You dog slave! How dare you question my decision?”

Seeing him kick out, Eunuch De subconsciously dodged, but he stumbled and strained his lower back, yelping in pain.

“Noisy! Get out!”

“Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me!”

Although he had not been kicked, Eunuch De’s suspicions were completely dispelled, and he left the Yangxin Palace.

Xi Huai sighed in relief, feeling guilty. In order to play the little Emperor, he had actually kicked an old man. Damn it, I am truly the worst.

He decided to leave some belongings for Eunuch De before his eventual escape to show his apology. On the surface, he opened the group chat. Seeing that the ban was lifted, Xi Huai posted a meme of a sliding tackle. The chat was bustling, with messages pouring in; in the blink of an eye, it had scrolled to ninety-nine messages. “Let us congratulate the political scheming cannon fodder on his release from prison. How was it? Was it fun being crazy?”

The Xianxia character laughed so hard he nearly died. “You were banned for a full twenty-four hours. Apocalyptic novel male lead, you have a cruel heart.”

The Apocalyptic Novel Male Lead was cold and heartless. “A small matter. Do you want to join the political cannon fodder in being crazy? It is all about companionship.”

Xianxia Male Character: “…”

Xi Huai raised his middle finger. He wanted to call the Apocalyptic male lead cold and heartless, but remembering that the male lead’s tonic had saved his life, he felt grateful that the male lead’s prediction was so accurate—the miraculous medicine had cured his cold. Unfortunately, the Apocalyptic male lead was clearly a moron and did not understand his sincere words, which were spoken with a bit of nonchalance. Several question marks immediately appeared in his bubble.

Apocalyptic Novel Male Lead: “???”

The male lead was shocked thrice over. “What are you talking about? That was not cold medicine; that was an aphrodisiac!”

The Apocalyptic male lead was stunned. “No, wait. Political cannon fodder, you did not actually take it, did you?”

He was so anxious that he even sent a voice message. “Political cannon fodder! Stop taking drugs at random!”

Unfortunately, Xi Huai had not yet read the group messages when a knock on the door sounded abruptly. Thinking it was Eunuch De returning, he sat up straight. “I told you not to come and bother…”

Before he could finish saying the Emperor, he saw a young girl holding a food box. She bowed to him. “I heard that Your Majesty was assassinated a few days ago and recently caught a cold. Your subject is deeply worried.”

The beautiful, frail girl had water glimmering in her pretty eyes. When she looked at him, it was rippling and pitiful. The visitor was Li Wan. The little Emperor was obsessed with beauty and liked this Noble Consort Li very much. Although they had had a spat previously, if it were the real little Emperor, his anger would have probably dissipated.

Thus, Xi Huai had to maintain the little Emperor’s beauty-obsessed persona. He feigned coldness while actually feeling pleased and snorted, “Hmph. Rise.”

Li Wan raised her head softly and beamed as she began to arrange the dishes from the food box. The dishes were rich and brightly colored. Xi Huai did not know their names and gulped.

“Your Majesty, I was worried you could not eat, so I cooked several dishes for you.”

You are a good sister, but I am sick and cannot eat much. Who eats greasy, salty food while sick?

Li Wan’s smile remained. “These are all things Your Majesty usually eats. I hope you like them.”

Forget it, you did not mean to.

Xi Huai’s heart softened. Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, he heard Li Wan’s hesitant voice. “Your Majesty, have you found any information about the assassin?”

Xi Huai froze, vaguely realizing something was strange. He was very clear that it was impossible for Li Wan to be worried about the little Emperor’s safety. He suddenly connected this to the scene of the fairy entering his dream; the bathing youth he saw in Li Wan’s dream that day… could he be the assassin? Was she trying to test him to see if he had found information about the assassin because she was afraid her lover would be caught?

These dishes might even be poisoned. After I am poisoned to death, she can fly away with her lover!

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