Chapter 1505 - 1503: Why Did You Lie to Me?
Chapter 1505: Chapter 1503: Why Did You Lie to Me?
Chapter 1503
And now, he had doubts about it.
Why?
His Chenchen was at the prime of his youth, yet he vanished without a trace, alive or dead.
He himself also bet his entire life.
Thinking back to the life of his father, it was the same.
Going further back, his grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather...
All the distinguished monarchs recorded in the history books struggled all their lives, worked tirelessly all their lives.
If they weren’t wise rulers but muddle-headed ones, the outcome was even worse, being scorned by officials their whole lives and possibly becoming infamous for eternity.
Zhao Junyao felt somewhat indignant.
Exhausted his whole life, toiled his whole life, worked day and night, and in the end, what did he get?
Was it just sickness and the fate of a white-haired person seeing off a black-haired one?
Enough! Truly enough.
He didn’t seek riches and honors, didn’t seek extravagant pleasures, he only wished that the people he cared for could live this life peacefully and comfortably.
As for everything else, let it go!
...
The content of the memorials wasn’t important.
The Ministry of Revenue reported that the relief grain from Jiangnan would arrive in three days.
The Imperial Medical Bureau reported that several strange epidemics had broken out in the city, but fortunately, they were discovered in time, didn’t spread, and didn’t cause panic.
The Ministry of War City Defense Army reported that everything was well last night, no fights or suspicious persons were found in the city.
After providing detailed responses, Zhao Junyao set them aside.
He leaned back on the couch, gazing absentmindedly out the window.
He was pondering an urgent and unavoidable question.
How to tell Qingqing about Chenchen’s disappearance, and... when to say it.
...
His thoughts were in disarray, and he couldn’t think of a good solution after pondering for a long time.
Moreover, after a sleepless night, he was extremely exhausted and finally, he supported his head with his arm and fell asleep.
When he woke up, it was already close to noon.
He slowly opened his eyes, looking at the gloomy sky outside the window.
He muttered to himself: Why is it going to rain again? The climate in Guangnan is indeed humid.
Qingqing’s health was not good. She suffered a lot in her early years, later gave birth to three children which harmed her body, and even now she hasn’t gained any weight.
Staying here, she must feel quite uncomfortable.
Once these matters are resolved, he promised himself to take her away right away, accompany her to her beloved Jiangnan and never leave her again.
No news from outside the city, nothing significant within the city.
After having lunch, Zhao Junyao felt somewhat uninterested.
The feeling of lying on the chopping block and being at the mercy of others was truly unpleasant; he was nearly worn out.
Li Deming carefully advised.
"Taishang Huang, you didn’t sleep at all last night, you must be quite drained!"
"How about resting for a bit now that it’s the afternoon? Or... should I summon an Imperial Physician to check your pulse?"
Zhao Junyao shook his head, opting for the former.
"No need for a pulse check, I’m just a bit tired. A nap will do!"
After speaking, he walked towards the inner room.
Li Deming could only withdraw, but his heart was filled with worry.
Aunt Zi Yue’s words still lingered in his mind; she said... the Taishang Huang needed regular pulse checks and medication, but now...
Li Deming wore a bitter face; he didn’t dare to insist if the Taishang Huang was unwilling!
After closing the door and leaving.
Li Deming pondered and decided to secretly send a message through a Little Eunuch outside the city.
Anyway, his health must come first. He couldn’t bear such responsibility.
...
Perhaps he was truly exhausted.
This afternoon nap Zhao Junyao slept deeply and soundly, even having a dream.
In his dream, Qingqing came to see him, and she knew everything.
She cried while pounding her chest with her fist, tearfully questioning him.
Why keep it from her, why not tell her, why deceive her again?!
These successive questions accompanied by her streaming tears.
Made his entire heart wrench painfully.
He desperately wanted to hold her, wipe away her tears, and tell her his difficulties, how he didn’t want her to worry.
But... he was unable to move, he was helpless.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t muster any strength.
He could only let her cry and watch her tears fall.
Zhao Junyao only felt his heart aching unbearably, making it hard to breathe.
"Zhao Junyao, you bastard!"
"Why didn’t you tell me?!!"
"You bastard!"
Her voice grew clearer, as if right next to his ear.
In the dream, Zhao Junyao frantically searched but couldn’t find her.
Then, in his anxiety, he abruptly sat up.
He was drenched in sweat; the bedding and his inner garment were soaked.
Looking at his hands, feeling the sticky bedding, he was relieved it was just a dream, when suddenly.
He sensed a pair of eyes seemed to be staring at him.
Zhao Junyao’s heart tightened, and although reluctant, he lifted his head, and then...
He saw the face he least wanted to see at that moment.
So... Qingqing really came and she truly was crying.
Zhao Junyao felt another layer of sweat forming on his back, his heart anxious.
What to do? What to do?
Could Qingqing already know? Which servant leaked the news?!
No, Qingqing is so clever, she could have guessed it even without anyone telling...
While lost in this chaotic thought, he saw Qingqing rise from the chair beside the bed, then sit by the bed crying.
She looked at him with tearful eyes, lowering her voice to ask.
"Zhao Junyao, you deceived me again!"
Zhao Junyao was a little confused, but he braced himself.
"Qingqing, it’s not like that, let me explain!"
"I don’t want to hear it!" Xia Ruqing immediately interrupted him.
"You told me you would come back soon, but how many days have passed and you still haven’t returned?! You left me outside the palace, I know nothing, and I worry every day, losing sleep!"
Saying this, she started crying again.
Zhao Junyao’s heart shattered.
Just as he wanted to hold her and comfort her, a sudden realization flashed through his mind.
Wait?
Qingqing’s complaint wasn’t about him deceiving her about Chenchen, but about not returning, leaving her alone outside the palace?
Which meant, she didn’t know about Chenchen yet?
He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, feeling relieved.
’Not knowing is good, not knowing is good!’
’As long as she doesn’t know, there’s still room for recovery!’
"What’s wrong with you? Are you hot? Why are you sweating so much!" Xia Ruqing wiped her nose, puzzled as she looked at him.
Zhao Junyao quickly returned to his senses and held her in his arms.
"It’s nothing!"
"I had a bad dream, got anxious, and that’s why I’m sweating so much!"
"Qingqing, why are you here? Please have a seat!"
Zhao Junyao embraced her in his arms, comforting her gently.
After half an hour, Xia Ruqing finally broke into a smile.
"No matter what happens in the future, you mustn’t leave me again!"
Zhao Junyao nodded.
"Alright!"
"Also, in the future, you’re not allowed to lie to me about anything!"
Zhao Junyao hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded with difficulty.
"Alright!"
Xia Ruqing finally released the knot in her heart, standing up and taking a deep breath as she looked around the room, then declared assertively.
"From today on, I will stay here with you!"
"Alright!"