Chapter 22: Arguing is Healthier
“You know it was Yin Mei who caused all this! You want to marry a bunch of women, forcing me, a man of seven feet tall, to face these scheming and despicable things every day, and I have to find ways to deal with them, shouldn’t I feel wronged and upset?!
“What do you want to punish me for? A man can be killed, but not humiliated. You might as well just kill me!”
In his anger, Qi Xiaojun blurted out these words.
“…” Chu Lianmo was momentarily stunned, subconsciously releasing his grip on Qi Xiaojun’s chin. This was the first time Zhou Jun had spoken to him like this.
He suddenly recalled a previous argument between him and Qi Xiaojun.
At that time, Qi Xiaojun was always being targeted by Chu Weide. Once, when Chu Lianmo came to visit him, he said angrily:
“I think none of you people in Chu are good, can’t you just let me have some peace?”
Chu Lianmo was also a little angry at that time: “What does it have to do with me that others are targeting you? Why are you taking it out on me?”
Qi Xiaojun replied in a rapid-fire volley:
“I’m a prince of Qi, not your toy, why do you keep bothering me when you have nothing to do! Do you know what Chu Weide said just now? He told me to stay away from you, otherwise, he’ll report to your father that I’m forming cliques in Chu…
“Your relationship is probably very complicated, but what does your brothers’ relationship have to do with me?
“I’m already upset about being forced to leave my homeland and family, becoming a hostage in this foreign land, can’t you just let me have some peace? If this continues, I’d rather die immediately!”
“…Alright, alright, it’s not a big deal, why are you making such a fuss?” Chu Lianmo felt sorry for him, softened his tone.
Actually, Chu Lianmo always knew that Qi Xiaojun only said these things out of anger. No matter how difficult his situation, he never gave up hope for life, and he always tried his best to live well.
During his time as a hostage in Chu, Qi Xiaojun didn’t want to, nor had the opportunity to participate in Chu’s court politics, so he closed his doors and devoted himself to practicing martial arts and studying literature, military strategy, etc., never wasting a moment to improve himself.
Just like Zhou Jun now, even as a humble concubine, he diligently practiced martial arts and tried to do more in the Rui Wangfu, not wasting a single day.
Why are Zhou Jun and Qi Xiaojun becoming more and more alike?
Even their angry expressions are so similar.
“Sorry,” Chu Lianmo finally softened his tone, gently touching the place where he had just pinched Qi Xiaojun, “Does it hurt? I was too impulsive… I already have a headache dealing with court affairs, and when I get home, I have to face all this jealousy, so I lost my temper… Can you hit me back?”
“…” Qi Xiaojun really wanted to slap Chu Lianmo and return the hurt he had caused.
But, he had already spoken out of character for Zhou Jun, he should make amends. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, I was too impulsive just now.”
“Let’s make peace then.” Chu Lianmo gently embraced him, “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with Yin Mei. Tell me, why did you give him the aphrodisiac?”
“It’s simple,” Qi Xiaojun said angrily, “I spend a lot of time with Master Murong during the day, he wants us to get together so he can report to you that I’m no longer pure, and make you completely dislike me. I don’t understand how much he hates me, he’d rather die with me.”
Chu Lianmo frowned, “It’s really a vicious scheme.”
“But don’t worry, even if I really took the aphrodisiac, I wouldn’t touch anyone else. I’ll endure it.”
“…You… how did you know the taste of the aphrodisiac?” Chu Lianmo suddenly remembered this question, “Did someone give you aphrodisiac before?”
Qi Xiaojun nodded, “I endured it at that time.”
As they were talking, a servant came in and reported, “Your Highness, we just received news that Princess Ping has returned.”
Qi Xiaojun’s heart trembled.
Princess Ping was the third princess of Chu, and the only daughter of Emperor Chu Wen.
She was as forthright as a man since childhood, loved traveling everywhere, and had just been to Yan.
And the person who gave Qi Xiaojun the aphrodisiac back then was Princess Ping.
At that time, Princess Ping had fallen for the handsome and talented Qi Xiaojun and wanted to change his status from hostage to prince consort.
But Qi Xiaojun was very cold towards her. Princess Ping, in desperation, gave Qi Xiaojun food laced with the aphrodisiac under the pretense of personally cooking for him.
Although Qi Xiaojun never wanted to deal with Princess Ping, she was the Emperor’s beloved daughter, and as a hostage, he couldn’t refuse Princess Ping who came to his door with home-cooked food, so he could only perfunctorily eat a few bites.
In fact, he felt something was wrong with the taste at the time, but he thought it was because Princess Ping, who was cooking for the first time, had added some strange spices.
As soon as he finished eating, he felt a burning sensation all over his body, and Princess Ping proudly said that he couldn’t escape now.
Who knew that Qi Xiaojun would rather pour several buckets of cold water on himself than touch Princess Ping.
People who took the aphrodisiac would be fine after having intercourse, but if they endured it, they would suffer greatly.
So, as soon as he thought of this person, Qi Xiaojun felt very uncomfortable. He felt that he was not only a toy for some Chu princes but also a toy for this spoiled princess who had been pampered since childhood.
Chu Lianmo also frowned slightly, “I understand, you can go out.”
“Your Highness…” Qi Xiaojun noticed something, “You don’t like Princess Ping either?”
“Hm? You said ‘also’?” Chu Lianmo noticed his wording, “Do you have any grievances with the Third Princess?”
“…No.”
Zhou Jun and Princess Ping certainly had no grievances, they wouldn’t even have any interaction.
“I’ve only heard that she’s willful and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.”
“Yes.” Chu Lianmo sighed, “Then do you know what she wants most now? She wants the throne.”
Qi Xiaojun was surprised. Princess Ping really considered herself a heroine who wouldn’t yield to men, she actually wanted the throne.
“Alas,” Chu Lianmo sighed, “The Third Princess and the Fifth Prince are of the same mother, their mother is the Emperor’s most favored concubine now, and the Emperor naturally loves them both. The Emperor even allowed Princess Ping to participate in court politics.”
Qi Xiaojun thought, Chu was really a mess from top to bottom, each person has many wives, and that’s why there were so many problems. Unlike his father, the Qi emperor only had a few concubines, and only two sons.
“However, the Third Princess shouldn’t be Your Highness’s most important opponent now, right?”
“You’re right.” Chu Lianmo nodded, “She hasn’t taken me seriously yet, her eyes are still on the Crown Prince. Let them fight each other, it might be a good thing.”
“Yes.” Qi Xiaojun smiled faintly, “It’s called letting the two sides fight each other while you reap the benefits.”
“Right, Yin Mei,” Chu Lianmo returned to the previous topic, “Someone, pass the order, demote Yin Mei from her position as concubine and confine her to her quarters for a month.”
“Yes.” Someone immediately went to convey the message to Yin Mei.
“Jun,” Chu Lianmo looked at Qi Xiaojun gently, “Why don’t you become a concubine?”
“Okay. Whatever Your Highness decides.” Qi Xiaojun didn’t care about his title. They were all concubines anyway.
Yin Mei wouldn’t be able to cause trouble for a month, and he could have some peace.
At this time, Chu Ziqian was also discussing Jiang Yingnan’s status with him: “Anan, you’re no longer a member of the Jiang family, and a Crown Prince’s concubine must have a certain status, it might not be convenient for you to be a concubine… why don’t you… just be a servant girl?”
“…” Jiang Yingnan, who was being treated by Chu Ziqian, immediately pushed his hand away, turned over, and stared at Chu Ziqian with a displeased look, “Are you sure I can only marry you?”
“Anan, listen to me,” Chu Ziqian coaxed softly, “This incident has caused me to offend the Jiang family and made them Chu Lianmo’s allies, which is very unfavorable to the current situation, and I can’t act on my feelings and do things that will invite criticism.”
Jiang Yingnan sneered, “You messed things up yourself, and I’m also a victim, why should I bear the consequences?”
“…Anan.” Chu Ziqian’s face darkened, “Why are you becoming more and more unreasonable? You and I are in the same boat, you wouldn’t really want me to lose the position of Crown Prince and become a beggar on the street, would you?”
“…”
In Jiang Yingnan’s opinion, even if he accompanied Chu Ziqian to become a beggar, it didn’t matter, as long as he was the only one beside him.
However, he knew Chu Ziqian’s ambition. If he lost his position as Crown Prince because of him, how could he still be willing to be with him?
“…I understand…” Jiang Yingnan finally nodded with a pale face, “Chu Ziqian, I compromised again and again because I love you, please remember that you must not betray me in this life.”
“I remember.” Chu Ziqian kissed Jiang Yingnan’s forehead gently, “I will treat you as a treasure in this life. Be good, turn over, the medicine isn’t finished yet.”
Jiang Yingnan blushed slightly and “um”-ed, readjusting to a prone position.
He felt better that night, sleeping soundly in Chu Ziqian’s arms.
But they didn’t expect what would happen the next day.
Early the next morning, in court, Princess Ping stepped forward, “Father, I have something to report.”
“Ping’er, speak.”
“I want to impeach the Crown Prince.” Princess Ping glanced at Chu Ziqian.
Chu Ziqian’s heart immediately sank.
“Oh?” Emperor Chu Wen frowned slightly, “What is it?”
“Returning to Father, the Crown Princess and I are close friends, and I met with her after returning to the capital yesterday… If she hadn’t cried to me, I wouldn’t have known about such an absurd matter—
“The Crown Prince brought back a man and favored him day and night, never staying in the Crown Princess’s room, and even sent a group of guards to guard the man’s door, as if the Crown Princess were some heinous villain who needs to be guarded against!
“That man has no status whatsoever and is ambiguously entangled with the Crown Prince, although this is the Crown Prince’s family matter, but as the Crown Prince, his every move represents the image of our Chu, so this is also a matter of state! I hope Father will investigate this clearly!”