Chapter 121: Extra Chapter 5
Qi Xiao was young after all, and with the Lingnan King helping him "sweat out" the illness, his cold recovered in just a few days. After fully recovering, Qi Xiao was in remarkably good spirits. He rewarded everyone at Haiyan Palace, and even gave generous gifts to the royal relatives who had come to inquire about his health during his illness. Just as people were whispering that Qi Xiao had changed after his illness, the situation took a sharp turn. A court censor submitted a memorial accusing Prince Kang of "inquiring about the emperor's condition during his illness, prying into the dragon's body, with ulterior motives." It was true that Prince Kang had come to pay respects during Qi Xiao's illness, and it was also true that he had asked Lingnan King Dongling Bai Ren about Qi Xiao's condition. Prince Kang was at a loss to defend himself—witnesses and evidence were all against him. Qi Xiao dealt with Prince Kang swiftly and decisively, exiling him to the northwest, forbidden to return to the capital without a summons.
"Didn't he also want to go to his fiefdom? I'm granting his wish." Qi Xiao smiled coldly, lips curling. "I only caught a cold, and he came running to pry. If something serious ever happened, he'd be the first to rebel."
Bai Ren felt a pang of sympathy. When Qi Xiao wrote that decree, it was probably also because Prince Kang had frequently come to inquire during his illness... He was afraid that if anything went wrong in the future, he would be torn apart by those who coveted the dragon throne.
Actually, Prince Kang didn't have that much courage—at least not now. And even if he developed such courage later, there was no need to worry. Qi Xiao's eyes could not tolerate a single grain of sand; he held all state and military affairs tightly in his grasp. Looking around, among the royal family, there was truly no one who could even slightly match Qi Xiao.
Qi Xiao casually tossed the memorial onto his desk and coldly sneered: "For their sake, I must live to a hundred. Let's see who outlives whom!"
Bai Ren burst out laughing. Qi Xiao turned to look at him and said, "What are you laughing at?! From today onward, you must also take good care of your health. In the future, we'll be a pair of old demons together, sending these people off one by one!"
Bai Ren couldn't help but smile. "You may not have become an old demon yet, but you've already sent quite a few people off."
Qi Xiao laughed, stepping forward to pinch Bai Ren's cheek as he smiled. "Three days without a beating and you start climbing the roof... Does it still hurt there? I've let you off for two whole days. If you keep making excuses today, your husband will directly—"
Bai Ren was furious. "It's broad daylight!"
Qi Xiao couldn't help but finish for him: "Day... daylight and justice?"
Bai Ren burst out laughing. Qi Xiao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. "This morning at court, Controller Liu and Controller Feng got into a quarrel over some trivial matter, shouting so much my ears hurt. I only remembered these two phrases..."
Bai Ren laughed so hard he got the hiccups. While Qi Xiao poured him tea and told jokes about the court officials, just as he was telling the story of how a certain cabinet minister was dragged out by his ear from the flower district by his wife last night, an attendant entered and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Director of the Imperial Household Department, Xi Xiang, requests an audience."
Qi Xiao nodded. Soon, Xi Xiang entered, respectfully bowing to both of them and inquiring after their health. Qi Xiao gave a slight nod: "What's the matter?"
Xi Xiang rose, smiling. "The second day of the second month next year is an auspicious day, suitable for breaking ground. This servant has consulted with the officials from the Ministry of Rites, and we wish to begin construction on Your Majesty's eternal resting place that day. I wonder if Your Majesty approves?"
Bai Ren was startled. "Starting construction now?"
Xi Xiang slightly turned to bow to Bai Ren, smiling. "It's always done this way. Construction begins after the emperor's accession. Even so, the schedule is tight. Building for ten thousand years ensures the finest craftsmanship and eternal durability."
"Approved." Qi Xiao paused, then raised his gaze to look deeply at Xi Xiang. "I have no empress. The funds saved on building an empress's tomb should be redirected to another project."
Xi Xiang's heart understood the deeper meaning. His eyes一转 and he said, "Traditionally, meritorious officials and noble relatives have accompanying tombs beside the imperial mausoleum. Perhaps we could redirect the funds there? Your Majesty need not worry—affairs like these, the Ministry of Rites doesn't really have much say. Whatever Your Majesty wishes, this servant will execute."
After Qi Xiao's accession, almost all palace servants of fifth rank and above had been replaced. The fact that Xi Xiang could remain was not only due to his loyalty and meritorious service, but more importantly, he knew best how to cater to the emperor's intentions.
Indeed, Qi Xiao smiled with satisfaction. "You remind me, though there's one point off. It's not accompanying burial."
Xi Xiang couldn't help but look up at Qi Xiao, only to see Qi Xiao gazing at Bai Ren with a smile, and said solemnly: "It's shared burial."
Xi Xiang felt a chill run through him. Qi Xiao turned to Xi Xiang and said leisurely: "My meaning—you understand, don't you?"
Xi Xiang hastily nodded. "This servant understands completely. Your Majesty may rest assured. This servant dare not presume to say much, but can guarantee it will be no less grand than any empress's tomb of past dynasties."
Qi Xiao nodded, then smiled at Bai Ren. "The Lingnan King understands my intentions best. Talk with Xi Xiang—tell him what you'd like to place inside the tomb, what you'd like to display. Even the patterns painted in the underground palace can be done according to your preferences."
Bai Ren's heart felt warm. He nodded.
While Bai Ren was discussing details with Xi Xiang, Qi Xiao went outside. He walked through the snow to the Dexin Palace, a place he had not visited for a long time.
It was rumored that Qi Jing's health was poor, that he could not tolerate light. Now, the entire Dexin Palace was covered in black gauze—even in daylight without lamps, nothing could be seen. As soon as Qi Xiao entered the inner chambers, the old nanny who served inside lit the lamp and came forward with an eager smile: "Greetings, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has not visited in a long time. Is there anything you wish to command this servant?"
Qi Xiao frowned at the pungent smell of medicine in the room. The old nanny quickly apologized: "We truly did not know Your Majesty would come today, otherwise we would have aired the room out earlier. This servant will—"
"No need." Qi Xiao frowned. "How has he been lately?"
The old nanny shook her head. "Not well at all. Lord Liu's last dosage was too strong; he almost didn't make it... Fortunately, he was saved, but his body is completely worn out. He can't take much more. Any day now he might... If anything happens, please forgive this servant. We truly have served with all our heart."
Qi Xiao lowered his gaze. "I know. Don't worry. When he passes... I will give each of you generous parting gifts, allowing you to return to your hometlands with honor."
The old nanny had been terrified that Qi Xiao would silence people and destroy evidence. Upon hearing this, she was overjoyed and hastily knelt to kowtow: "Thank Your Majesty's great grace, thank Your Majesty's great grace..."
Qi Xiao said coolly, "Rise... Give me the lamp. I wish to speak with him for a few words."
The old nanny hesitated, then quietly advised: "He... he has no dignity left now. The moment he wakes, he curses and rages—there is nothing decent that comes from his mouth. Your Majesty truly need not go see him, to avoid defiling your eyes and ears."
Qi Xiao sneered coldly. "Even without seeing, I probably know clearly... Go ahead."
The old nanny dared not obstruct further. She handed Qi Xiao the lamp and retreated.
Qi Xiao lifted the layers of dark gauze curtains and entered the innermost chamber. The outer room and inner alcove were still clean, but the medicinal smell was simply overpowering—the closer he went, the more unbearable it became. Qi Xiao looked at the person lying on the bed and coldly smiled: "Aren't you awake? Just half a month... and you already lack the strength to hop around and curse me?"
The person on the bed was skin and bones, face sallow yellow, eyes bloodshot. Seeing Qi Xiao, he was clearly enraged, but unfortunately speaking took great effort now. After a long moment, he hissed viciously: "Qi Xiao... You treat me like this... The ancestors are watching, they will... they will never forgive you!"
Qi Xiao laughed softly. "How have I treated you? Oh, you mean the matter of having Physician Liu test medicines on you... You've misunderstood me. You committed too many sins in your first half of life; after death, you'll descend to the eighteenth layer of hell. I'm doing this for your own good. If your trials actually produce some good medicines, that will count as a meritorious deed."
Qi Jing flew into a rage. His withered chest heaved and fell, gasping断续续: "Bah! You... you clearly had him test poison drugs... I... I ache everywhere, night after night... I can't sleep... Qi Xiao! You—"
"Then blame your own incompetence." Qi Xiao's smile was cold. "Initially, I did have him test medicines. Unfortunately, your body grew weaker and weaker. Physician Liu told me... he couldn't test anything anymore. Thus, I came up with a method—test poisons on you."
Qi Xiao smiled easily. "Since ancient times, medicine and poison are inseparable. Physician Liu has long wished to develop antidotes for all these poisons, also for my future safety. Speaking of which... I haven't thanked Uncle yet."
Qi Jing glared fiercely at Qi Xiao. His withered body suddenly twitched a few times, but he had not an ounce of strength. After struggling for a while, panting like an ox, he couldn't even sit up.
Qi Xiao mocked with a smile: "Save your strength. I've come today to tell you something."
Qi Jing gasped hoarsely: "What... what else could you possibly..."
Qi Xiao smiled lightly: "Today Xi Xiang came to ask me about the mausoleum construction. It suddenly reminded me of you. Speaking of which... your mausoleum has been under construction for twenty years, hasn't it..."
Qi Jing suddenly turned to look at Qi Xiao, shouting sharply: "What are you going to do with my mausoleum?!"
Qi Xiao smiled calmly: "Don't worry. With matters out in the open, I still care about maintaining face. However..." Qi Jing's veins bulged on his forehead as he slammed the bed: "However what?!"
Qi Xiao's lips curved into a smile: "However, a person like you truly does not deserve to sleep in the imperial mausoleum. Don't worry—after your death, I will have a golden statue made to take your place in the underground palace. As for you... a mass grave, a desolate ridge—anywhere can serve as a resting place."
Qi Jing howled in despair, unconsciously tearing at his hair and robes. All these days, he had suffered torment day and night, yet could not even die. His only hope was to quickly reach the Western Paradise and enjoy riches and honor in the next life. Never had he imagined that Qi Xiao would even cut off this final hope!
Qi Xiao was too lazy to look at his haggard appearance any longer. He turned and left the chamber. As he passed through the outer room, he heard Qi Jing's frenzied howl from inside: "Qi Xiao! You killed no fewer people than I did!! A hundred years from now! You will also descend to hell!! Like me! Down to hell!! Like me!!"
Qi Xiao's steps faltered for a moment, then he strode out.
Outside, snow was falling heavily once again. The attendant who followed Qi Xiao anxiously said: "This is so sudden... We truly did not expect it to start snowing. The servants didn't bring umbrellas, and there are none nearby. This servant has... has already sent someone to fetch one from the neighboring palace..."
The attendant noticed Qi Xiao had not responded for a long time, and gathering courage, looked up. Following Qi Xiao's gaze, they saw outside Dexin Palace a figure draped in a snow-white fox fur cloak, standing quietly under a snow umbrella, gazing at Qi Xiao...
"It's slippery in the snow. Why did you come out..."
"I guessed you didn't bring an umbrella..."
"Next time, send a servant. It's too cold. Don't catch a chill..."
"Okay."
"Bai Ren..." Qi Xiao stopped, lowering his gaze to look quietly at Bai Ren, and said softly, "I've committed many sins in this life. In the future, I will probably descend to hell."
Bai Ren smiled faintly. He pointed behind them. Qi Xiao turned to look—only to see the two lines of footprints they had left in the snow. Qi Xiao looked at Bai Ren in confusion. Bai Ren smiled relaxedly: "We've walked through all manner of hardships and bitterness together... Do you think I'm afraid of accompanying you to hell in the future?"
The countless dark and sinister thoughts in Qi Xiao's chest dispersed in an instant, leaving only brilliant rosy clouds.
Qi Xiao took a deep breath. With one hand holding the snow umbrella aloft, he took Bai Ren's hand with the other, and continued walking slowly back...
"Are you hungry?"
"A little... It's too cold. Shall we have hot pot later?"
"Sure."
"Did you finish discussing with Xi Xiang? Whatever things you like, we'll bring them all to the underground palace. Ten thousand years from now, we'll enjoy them forever."
"Mm... Ten thousand years."
—End of Extra Chapter—