SGSHE139

“Your Majesty, lord Chi previously held a first-rank official post, please see fit to arrange a position for him.”

Jing Heguang, having just returned from sick leave, sauntered into the imperial study and dropped a loyal veteran official of the previous reign into the Emperor’s lap.

The Emperor frowned. He had no desire to accept a die-hard loyalist of Jing Heguang’s.

He remarked, “Chi Xiu is getting on in years, can’t you just let him enjoy his retirement in peace?”

“Ah, but lord Chi is willing to dedicate himself to the nation. He wants to keep contributing his energy. Unlike me, young as I am, I’ve barely returned from sick leave, and now I’m feeling unwell and might have to ask for leave again.” Jing Heguang, looking the picture of health with a ruddy complexion, sipped his tribute tea while spouting utter nonsense.

“What do you mean, asking for sick leave ‘again’?!” The Emperor grew agitated. “If you do, Ya’an will—”

He stopped mid-sentence, prompting a curious Jing Heguang to ask, “Will what?”

“Hmph.” The Emperor, whose authority as a husband was clearly lacking, let out a disgruntled snort.

Naturally, he wasn’t about to tell Jing Heguang that whenever the Empress was displeased, she would kick him out of bed and leave him out of mealtime arrangements.

Yet Jing Heguang, having offered the Empress advice on several occasions, knew exactly what was going on. Smiling, he said, “I’ll leave lord Chi’s matter in Your Majesty’s hands. The ships for the voyage are waiting, so I’ll head back now to pack my things!”

The hem of his purple robes fluttered out the palace gates, leaving the Emperor feeling a lump of frustration in his chest.

He hadn’t actually agreed to anything.

By evening, the Emperor tidied up his memorials and groomed himself before making his way to the Fengluan Palace.

In the past, the Empress had taken care of everything for him, even shaving his beard had been a playful, intimate ritual between them.

Nowadays…his stubble made his son cry, and the Empress did nothing but scold him.

Help him shave? Ha! He could only dream of that.

The Emperor stroked his chin, recalling his reflection in the bronze mirror before he left.

He wondered suspiciously: Did the Empress think he was getting old?

However, upon arriving at the Fengluan Palace, his spirits lifted.

There was a meal waiting for him today! At least he didn’t have to eat the meal he’d brought along. The Emperor managed to save face today.

However, at the dinner table, before his chopsticks could even pick up a morsel of food, Jing Ya’an spoke up: “My brother mentioned that lord Chi has returned to the imperial court. He is my brother’s most capable subordinate, surely Your Majesty can rest easy now?”

Jing Ya’an’s expression was somewhat cool, revealing a hint of displeasure, as if she thought the Emperor had snatched the man away from her brother.

The Emperor’s inner monologue: Ah!!!

That brat Jing Heguang has played me again!

It was Jing Heguang who insisted on foisting the man onto the court, so why does the Empress think I’m the one who poached him?

But explanations were futile.

The Emperor knew full well that in Jing Ya’an’s heart, his standing didn’t measure up to Jing Heguang’s.

No matter what he did, in Jing Ya’an’s eyes, it looked like he was bullying Jing Heguang.

The Emperor humbly pleaded for forgiveness: “Ya’an, I was wrong. I truly realize my mistake. Please, let’s not dwell on the past anymore, alright?”

The little Crown Prince, who was eating from a small bowl nearby, glanced at his father and suddenly spoke up: “Father, uncle said that apologies are useless, because an apology has no effect on what has already happened.”

The little Crown Prince also remembered his uncle saying that his father would definitely admit his mistake.

Uncle really knows so much!

The Emperor was once again rendered speechless by his own son.

Moreover, the saying goes that a nephew resembles his maternal uncle, his son did indeed look quite a bit like Jing Heguang.

Jing Ya’an affectionately hugged her son and planted a kiss on him: “Mother’s precious darling, you’re so smart! Just like your uncle was when he was little!”

The Emperor: !!! Dead.

***

As a man who had seen the map of Earth, Jing Heguang’s plan to tour the world certainly wasn’t limited to a single country or continent.

Setting sail was merely the beginning of Jing Heguang’s grand plan.

Through Jing Heguang’s explorations, the world shed its mysterious veil early on, revealing its vastness and wonders.

In time, the Emperor stopped claiming that he ‘ruled the world’.

The world was vast, and so many places lay beyond his domain.

As they roamed the globe, Jing Heguang and his companion brought back untold wealth and treasures to the Xu dynasty.

High-yield crops appeared in the common people’s fields, filling countless bellies.

An array of exotic wonders dazzled everyone’s eyes.

Boundless riches replenished the state’s depleted treasury, fueling rapid development across the nation.

The most tangible result was that, upon his return, Jing Heguang could travel anywhere, by carriage or on horseback, along smooth, well-paved roads.

When Jing Heguang turned fifty, he and Xing Qi, having thoroughly explored the world, decided to pause their wanderings. They returned to the capital to rest and to witness the ascension of his nephew, the Crown Prince.

The reigning emperor had not yet passed away, but his age and waning energy made him wish to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince and assume the title of Retired Emperor.

He would never admit it, of course, but a major reason for wanting to step down was his envy of Jing Heguang, who was having such a marvelous time.

When there is competition for a role, even a thankless task can seem sweet, but when no one else is vying for it, even a desirable position becomes a burden.

The throne demanded an immense mental and physical toll, yet here was a prince of the former dynasty, his own kin, spending his days traveling freely, even venturing to lands overseas.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was confined to the palace day in and day out, much like a caged bird.

Day after day, year after year, who wouldn’t feel a sense of grievance at such a contrast?

To make matters worse, all the talented subordinates who had once served under Jing Heguang had been released to take up official posts in the government.

In the Emperor’s view, those men were truly infuriating.

Not only did they fail to curry favor with him, but they also seemed constantly intent on finding fault.

Yet, they were genuinely devoted to the people and deeply attuned to their lives. The issues they raised were real problems, leaving the Emperor with no grounds for objection.

In short, the Emperor was fed up with this stifling existence.

The abdication ceremony.

With a sense of relief, the Emperor removed the imperial crown from his head and placed it upon the Crown Prince, moved by the significance of the moment.

“My son, I entrust this realm to your hands.”

The Crown Prince bowed his head, making it easier for the Emperor to place the ceremonial crown upon him.

Upon hearing his father’s words, the new emperor nodded, though his mood was far from cheerful.

“Father, I understand.”

Having been deeply influenced by both the Emperor and Jing Heguang, the Crown Prince viewed the role of emperor as…a thankless, grueling chore.

What was so great about being emperor, anyway?

You were worked to death every day, and life held no excitement.

The burden of countless lives rested on your shoulders, the mere thought of it felt crushing.

Not to mention, the Crown Prince had long harbored a desire to set sail and explore the world. That dream, however, was now shattered.

Father and son passed each other, one ascending, the other descending. The transfer of the throne unfolded without a ripple of trouble.

Jing Heguang stood in the front row of the assembled officials, with Xing Qi by his side.

After years of traveling the world, the pair had brought immense benefits to the Xu dynasty and rendered countless services, both now holding the rank of Duke.

Jing Heguang leaned close to Xing Qi’s ear and chuckled, “Look at my nephew’s face, he looks like he’s heading to the execution block!”

Amusement dancing in his eyes, Xing Qi gave a soft cough and whispered, “The Retired Emperor is glaring at you, keep your voice down.”

Jing Heguang glanced upward, and sure enough, the newly minted Retired Emperor was fixing his gaze right on him.

Yet, Jing Heguang merely smiled before tilting his head to continue whispering to Xing Qi.

“It’s fine, he’s not the emperor anymore. If he gives us any trouble, I’ll just tell my eldest nephew to cut off his meals.”

A dignified emperor, reduced to going hungry?

The thought nearly made Xing Qi laugh out loud.

Jing Heguang added, “It’s a good thing I was smart enough to realize the job was miserable and ran off early.”

Was avoiding the throne really a sign of intelligence?

Xing Qi mused that, decades ago, Jing Heguang was likely the only one who thought so.

Now, however, there were two others who shared that view, one driven to it by Jing Heguang’s antics, and the other influenced by his example.

And as it happened, both of them had been emperors.

So, perhaps only Jing Heguang, who never sat on the throne, would look upon it with disdain.

Xing Qi thought to himself: The person I love is truly one of a kind.

With that thought in mind, Xing Qi offered sincere praise: “Right, it’s a good thing you’re so smart. Younger sister had wanted to climb Mount Tai for years.”

And yet, you took me all over the world.

Xing Qi looked up at Jing Heguang again, his eyes filled with deep love and pride.

Under that gaze, Jing Heguang felt a sudden urge to run off immediately to some secluded spot for a bit of intimate pleasure.

But today was a momentous occasion for his nephew, so Jing Heguang had to hold back.

Suppressing his desire, he traced the contours of his lover’s face with his eyes.

Gazing at Xing Qi’s gentle smile, his eyes lingered on the fine crinkles at the corners of the other man’s eyes.

Jing Heguang suddenly recalled that the Xing Qi of his past life likely hadn’t had those laugh lines.

He had passed away in his youth, and his life, plagued by the torment of the gu insect, had been far too miserable for such lines to form.

After decades of companionship, they knew every detail of each other’s lives, perhaps even better than they knew themselves.

Just as Xing Qi knew that the person inhabiting Jing Heguang’s body was someone new.

Jing Heguang had long since realized that his lover possessed memories of his past life.

Yet, what immense love and courage must his lover have held to fall in love and share his life with him, despite the wounds inflicted in that previous existence?

Jing Heguang smiled softly and murmured, “My taste is even better.” For choosing you.

Thank you for loving me.

Author’s Note: Let me do the honors—I’m keeping this short. (-^〇^-)

T/N: four more chapters to go (two main story and two extras)