Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

129. Han Qi’s Past

Translator: Sissy That Walk

“One biscuit will be filling for a day? Is there such food exist?” the emperor looked so surprised.

“In theory, yeah, but it’s only a makeshift staple food, people can’t have it every day. I’m still working on it, I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish it if I become a monk.” Cao Mo replied in a serious manner.

Han Qi took a look at Cao Mo, he didn’t want Cao Mo to endure what he had gone through, so he said, “Your Majesty, what Cao Mo is doing can benefit the nation and the people, please think twice!”

The emperor looked hesitant now, he thought for a little while and decided the undertaking of compressed biscuit making had a more far-reaching influence than Prince Ning.

“To report to Your Majesty, Her Highness the Imperial Concubine Fair asks to see you!” the eunuch outside announced.

The emperor’s face darkened, “Ask her to wait… …”

The Imperial Concubine Fair rushed in the hall before the emperor could finish his sentence.

The Imperial Concubine Fair locked her eyes on Cao Mo like he were a prey that she had been looking for.

“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness.” the Imperial Concubine Fair kowtowed to the emperor and Han Qihastily.

“Please rise.” the emperor supported her up.

Han Qi averted his face and replied with indifference, “You may rise.”

Cao Mo felt so awkward but he dared not withdraw because the emperor didn’t allow him to leave.

The Imperial Concubine Fair wiped her tears, “Your Majesty, our son runs a high fever again, please ask the Young Madam to visit him.”

Cao Mo turned pale immediately, ‘What nonsense is that woman talking about! I’m not a doctor plus I’m in Prince Xing’s camp!’

“That’s ridiculous!” Han Qi retorted, “His Majesty has conferred titles of nobility on Xiao Yi and his wife Cao Mo! Do you even care His Majesty’s authority?”

Tears coursed down the Imperial Concubine Fair’s cheeks, “I’m sure His Majesty will understand a mother’s affection towards her child, Your Majesty, back then you… …”

“Shut up! His Majesty said it already, no one is allowed to mention it!” Han Qi fumed and turned around to face the emperor, “Your Majesty, do you really want to repeat your mistakes?”

The emperor looked so torn while Cao Mo got goose bumps all over, he didn’t know what past Imperial Concubine Fair was talking about, but obviously it concerned Han Qi and he wasn’t proud of it.

Cao Mo wished he could flee the scene for he had chills down his spine now, ‘Can I play dead? What should I do?’

“Prince Xing asks to see Your Majesty.” the eunuch announced.

Hearing that, Cao Mo heaved a sigh of relief, ‘Thank you for saving me from being sandwiched!’

The Imperial Concubine Fair had wiped her tears when Prince Xing walked in.

“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness the empress and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine Fair.” Prince Xing kowtowed.

“Please rise, do you have an emergency?” the emperor asked with indifference.

Prince Xing answered in a serious manner, “A riot has broken out in Dingzhou, according to the the Ministry of War, there are about three hundred thousand victims of the drought had turned into rebels, they are marching towards the capital city. Please send someone capable to Dingzhou to squash the revolt and control the pandemic!”

The emperor pressed his forehead in pain, “Who do you have in mind?”

Cao Mo replied loudly, “I won’t let you down, Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!” the Imperial Concubine Fair chimed in anxiously.

“What do you value more? Your son’s life or three hundred thousand lives?” Han Qi retorted, “His Majesty didn’t sleep one blink for days because of the drought and the pandemic, quit pestering His Majesty over such a trifle matter!”

“Oh? People running a high fever is a trifle matter, Your Highness? No wonder you didn’t visit late Prince Yun when he was on his deathbed!”

Han Qi turned pale, Imperial Concubine Fair opened his old wound in a few words, Han Qi felt as if a knife were piercing his heart.

… …

Han Qi was ten years old and the emperor was Prince Rong, Han Qi’s father garrisoned the frontiers and the tribes along the west frontier made a massive invasion into our frontier, Han Qi’s father stalled the tribes until all his able-bodied men in his clan had perished, he bought time for Prince Rong who was leading the relief troops.

Prince Rong was moved to tears to see the ten-year-old Han Qi who was covered in blood waving the flag, “I’ll fight till I die!”

They had won the battle and Prince Rong took Han Qi back to the imperial palace to treat him, the late emperor conferred titles of nobility on Han Qi and stopped him from going back to the frontier.

Han Qi grew up with late Prince Yun, and Prince Yun was made General when another war broke out in the frontier while Han Qi’s request of joining the army was rejected.

The late Prince Yun played zither while Han Qi danced to it on the night before Yun left, Yun proposed to Han Qi in the presence of the late emperor. The late emperor agreed them for the morale.

However, news had it that Yun was severely injured on the battlefield soon after Yun left, Han Qi sneaked out of the capital city to visit Yun and only to find Yun was fine, the news was to mislead the enemy.

Prince Rong found he had fallen in love with Han Qi when he found Han Qi had gone for the frontier, Prince Rong went to the frontier for Han Qi, but he was ambushed.

Han Qi felt so guilty, he insisted on leading a team to save Rong despite Yun’s dissuasion.

Yun was severely injured on the battlefield when Han Qi saved Rong and went back to the capital city.

Yun returned in triumph a months later but he was almost dying then, and he kept a distance from Han Qi so Han Qi had no idea Yun was dying.

Yun spat blood when he was in an argument with Han Qi, but Han Qi didn’t take it seriously.

Yun passed away on that very night, leaving Han Qi regretting for a lifetime, Han Qi chose to become a monk in Mercy Temple.

Rong coerced Han Qi into resuming secular life after he was enthroned, otherwise Yun’s coffin would be removed from imperial mausoleum.

And Han Qi found out it was Rong who had recommended Yun to become the General.