Jiang Wu could somewhat understand.
Although he was an incapable emperor, he was still an emperor, with a vast empire and countless treasures.
Today’s osmanthus appreciation banquet was clearly meant to find him a bride. It was not surprising that some women would want to approach him for the sake of wealth and status.
But…
Was this girl serious about wanting to see if she could lift him?
Even as lazy as he was, he didn’t need a frail girl to carry him around, did he?
Jiang Wu, looking glum, wondered which woman the incapable emperor Jiang Wu had eventually married. Was her surname Zuo?
He subconsciously took another look at Zuo Xiaochan. She wore a long dress, with light makeup adorning her delicate features. While he didn’t know much about her character, her appearance was certainly attractive.
Could it be her?
Suddenly, someone blocked his view. Yin Wuzhi, without hesitation, said, “Absolutely not.”
Zuo Xiaochan stammered, “Why not?”
“His Majesty…” Yin Wuzhi paused and then said sternly, “His Majesty’s body is precious beyond measure. Do you think you can just touch him whenever you please? If you drop him, your entire family would be executed. Can you bear that?”
Zuo Xiaochan’s face turned pale. She hurriedly said, “I overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Jiang Wu saw no need to hold a grudge against a young woman, but Yin Wuzhi’s repeated interruptions had begun to spark his curiosity.
“His Majesty is benevolent and won’t hold it against you,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Now leave and do not disturb His Majesty’s peace.”
“Yes,” Zuo Xiaochan curtsied again. She glanced toward Qiu Wuxia’s hiding spot, wanting to warn her, but fearing it would cause trouble, she left quietly instead.
After the girl left, Yin Wuzhi’s sharp gaze shifted to Qiu Wuxia, his tone chilling: “Come out.”
Qiu Wuxia shuddered, trembling as she stepped forward and timidly bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Still not leaving?” Yin Wuzhi barked coldly. Qiu Wuxia repeatedly apologized, bowing her head and preparing to run away, when suddenly, Jiang Wu spoke: “Wait.”
She immediately stopped, filled with fear, and timidly asked, “What are your orders, Your Majesty?”
“Is your surname Qiu?”
“Yes, it is.”
Yin Wuzhi’s eyes darkened as he stared at Jiang Wu.
“Qiu…” Jiang Wu tried hard to recall. He vaguely felt that this surname was closely tied to the Empress of the incapable emperor, but he couldn’t quite remember, as if he was missing some piece of information that hadn’t triggered that part of his memory.
Qiu Wuxia, not knowing his thoughts, looked around nervously. Seeing that she was alone, without her Royal Mother, her maid, or Xiaochan, she grew even more flustered.
“Your Majesty may not remember me, but surely you remember my sister, Qiu Wuchen. She was the former crown prince consort.” Qiu Wuxia quickly searched her mind, raised her head, and said, “My sister always said that Your Majesty often visited her. Every year around the Mid-Autumn Festival, you would go see her. She even made osmanthus cakes for you herself. Just the other day, she was wondering why you hadn’t visited this year.”
Qiu Wuchen.
Yes, that was right. Qiu Wuchen.
In history, the incapable emperor’s empress was indeed Qiu Wuchen.
He had forcibly married his widowed sister-in-law as his empress, and because of this, King Xiang had broken ties with him, eventually leading to his death at Jiang Wu’s hands. Later on, Yin Wuzhi, unable to tolerate Jiang Wu’s misdeeds, rebelled against him.
It had only been a few days since Jiang Wu arrived here, and with his original memory lost, combined with the injury to his neck during those days, he had naturally forgotten to visit Qiu Wuchen for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“I remember,” Jiang Wu said. “I’ve just been busy lately and couldn’t make the time.”
Qiu Wuxia was overjoyed, filled with anticipation. “Then, Your Majesty, when will you go see my sister?”
“When I have time,” Jiang Wu replied. “You can go back for now.”
Soon, only two people remained by the river.
After the brief conversation, much of Yin Wuzhi’s earlier anger dissipated. Jiang Wu seemed to be a person of deep emotions, never forgetting his widowed sister-in-law and frequently visiting her.
The wind by the river picked up slightly, and Yin Wuzhi shifted his stance to block the cold breeze from hitting Jiang Wu’s back. “Does Your Majesty visit Qiu Wuchen because of the former crown prince?” he asked.
Jiang Wu didn’t think so. The fact that he later forcibly married Qiu Wuchen suggested that his feelings for her had already been improper.
He didn’t respond directly: “Let’s head back.”
Upon returning to the Taiji Hall, Jiang Wu collapsed again. Yin Wuzhi sat nearby and said, “There’s news from Xiangzhou. King Xiang has already set off for Guanjing and should arrive shortly.”
The figures from history were gathering.
Jiang Wu thought, When will I die?
“Yin Wuzhi.”
“What is it?”
“I’m tired.”
He had only just woken up, but Jiang Wu was already feeling sleepy again. Frustrated, Yin Wuzhi walked over, picked him up, and placed him on the dragon bed, supporting his head. Looking at his slightly exhausted face, Yin Wuzhi suddenly felt a strange pang in his heart.
“Is Your Majesty interested in Qiu Wuxia?” Yin Wuzhi asked.
“No.”
“And what about Zuo Xiaochan? Will you marry her?”
“No.”
The one he was destined to marry was Qiu Wuchen. Though he didn’t know the exact circumstances, it didn’t matter. As long as he wasn’t too lazy, he would find time to visit her and give the necessary orders.
That was how simply and crudely Jiang Wu followed the plot.
Relieved, Yin Wuzhi quietly watched him for a while, then said, “Sleep well.”
Jiang Wu didn’t respond, having clearly drifted off to dreamland again.
Yin Wuzhi leaned over him, lightly brushing the air near his eyes with his fingertips. What a lazy person, falling asleep so soon after waking up.
He closed the bed curtains and left the Taiji Hall, only to run into Qi Hanmiao outside. “Why has His Majesty already returned?”
“He’s tired.”
“Tired again.” Qi Hanmiao sighed. “Oh well, the Great Empress Dowager was looking for you earlier. She asked you to visit Yong Yue Pavilion as soon as possible.”
When Yin Wuzhi arrived, two people were already seated in Yong Yue Pavilion: the Great Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Wen, and his own Mother, Dingnan Wangfei.
Chang Yuxiu quickly approached, grabbing Yin Wuzhi’s hand and examining him from head to toe. Her gaze lingered on the corner of his left eye for a moment before she snapped out of it and asked, “Has anything happened to you recently?”
“Mother, there’s no need to worry. I’m fine.”
Chang Yuxiu frowned. “Has His Majesty caused you any trouble?”
“No.”
Chang Yuxiu studied his expression. Yin Wuzhi had no choice but to open his arms and spin around in front of her. “Look, I really am fine.”
Chang Yuxiu still seemed concerned. “Then why don’t you ever smile?”
Yin Wuzhi forced a smile. “I’ve been so busy with work for His Majesty that I must have forgotten.”
In truth, seeing his Mother made him feel strangely aggrieved. How could anyone be truly comfortable serving such a lazy emperor?
The Empress Dowager Wen, named Changjin, smiled and said, “Look at this child, so busy that he’s forgotten to smile. If we didn’t know better, we’d think the Emperor had mistreated him.”
Of course, he was being mistreated. Yin Wuzhi lowered his lashes. Chang Yuxiu glanced at him a few more times, still uneasy: “Has His Majesty…”
“That’s enough,” Empress Dowager Wen interrupted softly. “Didn’t you see how spirited Ah Zhi was when he was reciting poetry with the Qiu family girl earlier? He hardly looked mistreated.”
Yin Wuzhi: “…”
Chang Yuxiu, remembering the scene, chuckled softly, a hint of reproach in her tone. “Speaking of which, you really upset the Empress Dowager earlier. How could you not leave the girl a bit of dignity?”
“The Emperor must have ordered it,” Empress Dowager Wen waved her hand, motioning for him to sit. “This child—he used to be so obedient, and now he’s so rebellious. His wings have truly grown.”
Though she said this, it was clear to Chang Yuxiu that there was affection in her tone. She sat beside the Empress Dowager, wanting to say more but swallowing her words.
The room fell into a brief silence before Empress Dowager Wen hesitated and said to Yin Wuzhi, “Ah Zhi, don’t just stand there, have some snacks.”
“Yes.”
Dingnan Wangfei sighed and said, “Sister, if you have something to say, just say it. Ah Zhi is not an outsider.”
The Empress Dowager dismissed the servants, got up, and walked over to Yin Wuzhi. Out of politeness, he stood, but she took his hand.
“Ah Zhi, I know you’re dissatisfied. When Wu Er summoned you to the palace, the whole world knew, and you must think he’s a fool, driven by lust and foolishness.”
“… I wouldn’t dare.”
“But if Wu Er were truly such a person, the Great Empress Dowager and I wouldn’t love him as much as we do.” The Empress Dowager spoke earnestly, “He’s a good child, but something must be wrong with him now. I asked the Imperial Physician, and found out that Wu Er had been attempting to commit suicide recently.”
Although Yin Wuzhi had suspected it, his heart still couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
“I heard that the night before he tried to take his life, Yao Ji went to see him,” the Empress Dowager continued slowly. “Ah Zhi, I need someone to figure out what happened. I want to know what Yao Ji said to him, but Wu Er won’t tell me. He always keeps everything inside, never wanting to trouble anyone.”
“Why not ask Empress Dowager Yao?”
“She won’t say anything either.” The Empress Dowager’s gaze grew cold as she turned to the window. “Besides, before the late emperor passed, he made me and the Great Empress Dowager swear that no one would ever trouble Yao Ji after his death. We must maintain this truce so that the late emperor can rest in peace.”
“Then how am I supposed to ask about it?”
“Wu Er likes you.” The Empress Dowager’s eyes gleamed with hope. “All these years, he hasn’t shown any closeness to anyone but you. With his personality, if he didn’t truly like you to a certain degree, he wouldn’t have made such a big show of bringing you into the palace.”
Yin Wuzhi was skeptical. “Maybe he has another motive?”
“Then what do you think that motive is?”
“…” Self-destruction? That didn’t seem likely. If he truly wanted to destroy himself, he could simply attempt suicide again, but lately, it seemed like he was deliberately tormenting others.
“My guess,” the Empress Dowager said, “is that while he was attempting to take his life, he suddenly realized there was something in this world that he still desired.”
Dingnan Wangfei found it ridiculous. “My son is not some thing.”
“It’s just a metaphor,” the Empress Dowager clarified.
She asked, “Ah Zhi, do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
“…” He more or less understood.
In short, Jiang Wu wanted to commit suicide because of something Yao Ji said, but at the last moment, he realized there was something he still wanted in this world. That something was Yin Wuzhi.
Jiang Wu had grown indifferent to everything else in life, but when it came to Yin Wuzhi, he had ambition and desire.
No wonder he always seemed detached, like someone who had given up on life.
It turned out that he only wanted Yin Wuzhi. He only cared about matters related to Yin Wuzhi. His daily needs seemed to consist merely of wanting Yin Wuzhi to hold him, kiss him…
Yin Wuzhi was Jiang Wu’s everything.
To Jiang Wu, Yin Wuzhi was more important than his own life.
He no longer wanted to live, yet he forced himself to endure suffering in this world just to obtain Yin Wuzhi.
Though he tormented Yin Wuzhi, the torment in his own heart was no less.
… He bullied Yin Wuzhi because, in his self-destruction, he believed that he could never be loved by him.
So, he wanted Yin Wuzhi to hate him and eventually kill him.
To him, perhaps dying at Yin Wuzhi’s hands would be the best ending.
“Ah Zhi?” The Empress Dowager looked at him worriedly. “Did you really understand?”
“Yes.”
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 5 more chapters of The Daily Life of a Depressed Salted Fish right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
