Chapter 45.1

Editor: yummers

Shi Qing, who was obviously enjoying himself, raised his eyes and saw the prime minister.

The youth’s eyes immediately crinkled as he smiled and swallowed the shrimp that the new emperor had personally peeled for him. He cried happily, “Daddy!”

Who is your dad?!

Right now, the prime minister could barely refrain from carrying his son home and putting him under house arrest until he reflected on himself.

Where were they?!

The imperial palace!

Who was sitting next to him?!

The f.u.c.king emperor!

Who is your dad?!

Who?!

Even though the prime minister was freaking out on the inside, he had to keep his expression nonchalant in front of Yu Chennian.

He saluted in front of Yu Chennian. “This old minister greets Your Majesty.”

“There is no need to bow.”

Before he even bent his waist, Yu Chennian had already pardoned the prime minister.

The prime minister didn’t insist either. He straightened up with a stern face. “Shi Qing! How can you act like this in front of His Majesty? Hurry up and beg for his forgiveness!”

“It’s fine.”

Yu Chennian spoke faster than the youth could. He was still peeling shrimp sh.e.l.ls slowly. He seemed to be in a good mood.

“My relationship with Shi Qing is the same as what it used to be. The prime minister needn’t worry.”

“That’s right daddy.”

Shi Qing was all smiles as he took another bite of shrimp from the emperor’s hands. He confidently presented his face and hands to Yu Chennian, who wiped away the greasy residue with a handkerchief.

A bewitchingly beautiful face was smiling radiantly. There was not a single speck of fear from being waited upon like this by the current emperor.

He even asked the prime minister.

“Daddy, why did you come? Is there something wrong?”

Prime Minister Shi, “……”

He wanted to shake his son by his shoulders so badly.

He, the father, was scared out of his wits outside the palace.

Yet this brat was living it up inside. He even got His Majesty to wait on him.

Now, he had the face to ask what his father was doing here.

Prime Minister Shi used all his strength to suppress the look on his face.

He avoided Shi Qing’s questions with a dry cough. He glanced respectfully at Yu Chennian.

“Your Majesty, my family’s pet dog has been running wild in the palace long enough. Why not let this old minister take him home?”

“Shi Qing has already agreed to live in the palace with me for a while.”

Towards the father of the person he liked, Yu Chennian’s att.i.tude could be considered very courteous, maybe even friendly.

“The prime minister needn’t worry. I will take good care of Shi Qing.”

How could the prime minister not worry?

First of all, he was very suspicious about what was going on here.

In his mind, he ruled out the possibility of the new emperor wanting to take revenge.

Then, he locked onto his son’s vixen-like appearance.

Just as he feared!

Those features would cause trouble sooner or later!

Prime Minister Shi felt like he had one more chance to salvage this situation.

“Your Majesty……”

“That’s right daddy.” The son who was like a dead weight spoke.

The youth stood up and ran down to his father’s side. He smiled heartlessly with pretty round eyes full of happiness.

“I’m going to stay in the palace for a few days. You can go back alone.”

At this moment, Prime Minister Shi stared at his son.

There was only one sentence in his heart.

He and his wife were impulsive eighteen years ago.

Shi Qing was busy dragging him down, while Yu Chennian was busy catching up.

“The prime minister should be at ease. Shi Qing cared for me on many occasions in the palace before. Since we have been apart for four years, I just want to reminisce about the past with him.”

Prime Minister Shi, “……”

The words that the new emperor just said circulated throughout his head.

Shi Qing [cared] for me on [many] occasions.

Emphasis on the words in [].

Ever since Yu Chennian ascended the throne, the families with even a hint of connections had dug up all the information they could on him.

In the beginning, he was a pupil at the Imperial Study.

He was humiliated by the other four princes and his reading companion.

Once he became emperor, all those who had crossed him were either imprisoned or stripped of their t.i.tles and power. Shi Qing was the only exception.

This could be seen as a good thing. At least the new emperor didn’t kill them.

Shi Qing was the only one to become better off.

But he bullied Yu Chennian more than any of the princes back then. There were rumours that Shi Qing treated him like a servant and ordered him around all the time. He even made a legitimate prince eat his leftovers.

The prime minister had no idea of what had gone on.

After all, his son was at the Imperial Study all day, and he strolled around the capital in his spare time. He only went back home to sleep at night.

The father and son duo only b.u.mped into each other twice a week. The words they exchanged could be counted on one hand.

He only knew that this kid was a troublemaker that liked to visit brothels. He seemed to be regarded highly by the former emperor and the princes attending the Imperial Study.

How could he have known that this boy was so arrogant in the palace! He even dared to bully a sleeping dragon like Yu Chennian right under the emperor’s eyes!

After he found out, Prime Minister Shi wanted to give this whelp a sound beating with a paddle.

But there was no way he could.

To his wife, mother, and the family elders, Shi Qing was the apple of their eye. He was someone to be carefully protected and guarded from all harm.

Putting aside corporal punishment, he couldn’t even scold his son without being reprimanded.

The prime minister didn’t think Yu Chennian was being honest with his intentions at all. There was no way he had forgiven Shi Qing.

He must be plotting something!

He must be!

He couldn’t shake off his sense of unease, and the new emperor was insistent on not letting the person go. While he was working hard to rescue the hostage, dumbbell extraordinaire Shi Qing turned right around and ran back to his kidnapper while wagging his tail!

He was furious!

What kind of son was this!

But no matter how angry he was, he wasn’t leaving without his son.

Prime Minister Shi collected himself and squeezed out a smile. “Then can Your Majesty permit Shi Qing to send off this old minister?”

“Of course.”

Yu Chennian was no fool. One glance was all it took to decipher the prime minister’s plan.

He was going to speak ill of Yu Chennian in front of Shi Qing.

There was not a chance that Yu Chennian would let Prime Minister Shi undo all his hard work.

The new emperor swiftly added, “I will also send off the prime minister then.”

Prime Minister Shi, “……”

He was a veteran that had weathered two dynasties. He’s managed to survive to become prime minister under the predecessor emperor who had many strange thoughts in his head.

He might not be able to steal his son back, but surely he could prevent the new emperor from being a third wheel.

His reply was immediate. ‘Your Majesty, you are the true son of heaven. There is no need to send off an old minister like me. It was improper for the boss to bestow such an honour upon his subordinates.

This old minister’s heart wouldn’t be able to take it. How could I trouble someone as busy as you like this? This old minister is supposed to solve problems for Your Majesty, not create more. Oh, the shame makes my heart ache.’

If this went on any further, Prime Minister Shi would probably bring up how worthless of an official he would be if the emperor were to personally send him off.

Yu Chennian could only regretfully give up on the idea for now.

He was still anxious, as if Shi Qing would run off with his father if he didn’t go as well.

After a moment of consideration, he issued an order. “Given the prime minister’s advanced age, bring out the nine-wheeled carriage.”

The nine-wheeled carriage had always been used by the royal family. In the palace, normally only the emperor could use it since carriages were unwieldy and unsuitable for enclosed s.p.a.ces.

Most people used servant-carried sedans instead.

There have been times in the past where the emperor allowed his subjects to use the nine-wheeled carriage. It demonstrated his utmost respect and trust for them.

Prime Minister Shi was a veteran of two dynasties. He was also the prime minister.

It was reasonable for Yu Chennian to give him such an honour.

Of course, the new emperor had his reasons for doing so, and they had nothing to do with respect.

Unless it was being used by an emperor or a prince, the nine-wheeled carriage could only be used within the palace.

Therefore, Shi Qing could only accompany his father to the exit of the palace.

It was unknown whether the prime minister saw through the new emperor’s actions or not. After all, his eyes had been twitching sporadically from the start.

Even though he knew that Shi Qing would soon return to his side if there were no mishaps, Yu Chennian still couldn’t bear the thought of the kitten he just took back to the palace leaving him.

The new emperor followed them out of the palace hall.

And down the steps.

And finally to the carriage. Only after watching the youth climb up did Yu Chennian stop with a reluctant expression. His eyes followed the nine-wheeled carriage until it travelled out of sight.

Inside, Prime Minister Shi lifted the curtain. His heart became heavier as he caught sight of the still figure of the emperor from afar.

“Shi Qing, tell dad what you think His Majesty is planning,”

“I don’t think he’s planning anything, ah.”

The little master was still a dandy. He wasn’t nervous at all. “He hasn’t seen me for four years, so he just misses me.”

“Misses you?!”

Prime Minister Shi scoffed at his son’s words.

“You humiliated His Majesty in the past. Aren’t you afraid at all?”

“His Majesty said he didn’t hate me.” Shi Qing’s pure eyes blinked, making him appear particularly innocent.

“Besides, I didn’t do anything too bad to him. I just made him eat the food I didn’t like, carry me up and down the steps, and warm my feet for me.”

Prime Minister Shi, “……”

He reached out and touched his son’s neck.

The little master was ticklish there. He laughed and shrunk back. “What are you doing dad?”

“I’m spending more time with your neck now so I don’t regret it later.”

The prime minister had already accepted his son’s seemingly inevitable fate.

“It’s a pity that nine generations of my family will end here. Your mother and I had you late, so we spoiled you rotten. In the end, our mistakes are now causing you more harm than good. You’ve offended the current emperor, so the older generation will have to mourn for the new……”

Shi Qing couldn’t decide if he should laugh or cry.

“Dad, it’s not that serious. I’ve helped You Chennian a lot as well. He also said that he was grateful to me for being the only one in the palace who was good to him.”

The prime minister’s eyes brightened as he saw hope for his son’s survival.

Then, he calmed down quickly and recalled what his son had just said.

He made His Majesty eat his leftovers.

He made His Majesty warm his feet.

He made His Majesty carry him up and down the steps.

The flame of hope went out again.

Prime Minister Shi, “My son, father will stop being an official. I will resign. Then a commoner’s son like you will have no reason to stay in the palace.”

“Don’t be too grateful. Father doesn’t want to do this either. Alas, I only have one son like you.”

Shi Qing, “Dad, I didn’t know you wanted to resign. I’m staying in the palace even if you do.”

Prime Minister Shi, “……”

Prime Minister Shi, “Why??”

“I like His Majesty.”

The little boy said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“……”

Shi Qing happily elaborated, “Just think about it dad. His appearance is extraordinary and his personality is kind and attentive. As for family background, well, he’s the current emperor!”

“You and mom haven’t settled a marriage for me yet because you were waiting for someone like this, right? Aren’t you happy that I found a person like that myself?”

“……”

To be honest, he felt his son’s brain was abnormal.

“Father will only ask you one thing. Are you willing to come home with me? As long as you say yes, father will be fine quitting his position!”

“I’m not going!”

The little master was resolute. His reply was lightning quick. “Yu Chennian really has no intentions of taking revenge. Relax, dad.

Prime Minister Shi, “Don’t say his name so casually. Refer to him as His Majesty.”

This was way beyond just having an abnormal brain.

His son had a problem with his eyes too.

A person who was so humiliated by his son before was now in a position of great power. But he only continued to spoil Shi Qing.

There was only one sentence to describe this situation.

The weasel has no good intentions when feeding the chickens.

Now the little yellow chicken called Shi Qing actually told him that he was in love with the weasel.

Forget it. There was no point in rescuing him.

The prime minister was very direct. “I don’t care whether you want to leave the palace or not. You are the only child we have. I don’t want to spend my old age alone when all the other parents are surrounded by their descendants because you got your head chopped off for offending the emperor.”

“That won’t happen. There’s no chance of me being beheaded.”

“I think His Majesty likes me,” he said with a dreamy expression.

“……”

What does he like about you?

That you once humiliated him?

Your ever-present arrogance?

Or that one of his subjects had the audacity to make him—the emperor—peel shrimps?

To be honest, even though Shi Qing was his son, Prime Minister Shi was at a loss.

He couldn’t find a single good thing about Shi Qing no matter how hard he looked, whether from the perspective of a father or a third person.

Oh right.

His face was quite something.

But that was the dragon emperor they were talking about. The entire world was his. To him, it would be child’s play to find beauties.

How could he fall in love with his son who had nothing but his face going for him?

Prime Minister Shi was so distraught from the consecutive tragedies that he forgot his son’s intellectual impairment.

He just calmly asked, “Are you still drunk?”

“Don’t you believe me dad?”

The mentally handicapped son was still gleeful. “Maybe our family can produce a male empress.”

“Oh wait, that’s too demeaning. Only women can be empresses. It would be too embarra.s.sing if people heard I was a male empress. Then I’ll be an imperial consort instead.”

The prime minister thought his son was still daydreaming.

He wants to say to his son, Wake up already. His Majesty has been generous enough to spare your life. How dare you think about being a male empress or imperial consort or whatever? How did I create an intellectually impaired son like you. Our family’s legacy will be ruined because of you etc etc.

The carriage had carried them to the palace gate already.

The imperial palace was very big, but these horses were bred especially for the royal family. They were very fast.

The servant outside respectfully said, “Minister, we have arrived.”

This servant was sent by His Majesty. Since he was waiting at the carriage door, Prime Minister Shi was unable to continue his conversation.

He could only close his mouth angrily and glare at his innocent looking son as palace servants escorted him out of the carriage.

His little fool of a son was even waving to him through the window. “Dad, take care on the way home.”

The palace servant to the side could be considered one of Yu Chennian’s confidants. Knowing how close his master was to the little master, he immediately smiled pleasantly and offered rea.s.surance.

“Little Master Shi doesn’t need to worry. There will be palace servants accompanying the prime minister to the exit. If you are afraid that it will be too dark later, we can also escort him to his home.”

The previous emperor didn’t have such rules in place, but rules were made to be changed.

Anyways, even if the servant was overstepping his authority, His Majesty wouldn’t punish him as long as Little Master Shi was happy.

Shi Qing thought this was a good idea, but the prime minister didn’t want to be stimulated anymore.

He waved his hand dismissively. The way he strode towards the palace gate with big steps was reminiscent of a man bading his final farewell.

His heart was filled with sorrow.

How could he explain this to his wife?

Should he say that their son was so stupid that he fell in love with the current emperor?

Or that the current emperor was planning on taking revenge on our son and had imprisoned him in the palace?

As for the c.r.a.p Shi Qing just said about how His Majesty reciprocated his feelings, well, Prime Minister Shi turned a deaf ear to it all.

Who would like a person who humiliated them at their lowest point?

Although he was getting old, his mind hadn’t deteriorated yet!