Rebirth As a Fatuous and Self-indulgent Ruler

Translator: Storm in a Teacup

Long Xiaoyuan had just finished breakfast when Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan came together.

Indeed, Ouyang Chuan arrived.

Ouyang Chuan did not look tired from the long journey. Long Xiaoyuan guessed that he should have arrived last night and had a good sleep in the palace. Otherwise, he would not be so energetic.

Ouyang Chuan did have a good sleep in the palace. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so refreshed.

This time, he obtained some unexpected stuff when he went back to look for their master’s notes.

Those things were good stuff. If their master hadn’t hidden them well, and if he had told them when he died, they might have taken them out and used them a long time ago.

They were all very well preserved herbs.

There were also some high-level antidote pills.

The antidote pills developed by their master were good things, much better than what Liu Suifeng made!

After all, their master had more experience and strength!

Long Xiaoyuan waved when he saw the two of them coming together. “You guys are here together?”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “Well, we come to see if there are any problems on your side. In addition, I need some herbs.”

Long Xiaoyuan was puzzled. “If you need any herbs, go find them. Don’t we have a lot in the imperial medicine warehouse?”

“But we need fresh herbs.”

Long Xiaoyuan understood. “So?”

Liu Suifeng glanced at Madam Shi meaningfully.

Shi Qingzhou turned to his mother. “Mother, please go ask someone to bring us two cups of tea.”

Madam Shi immediately understood what she couldn’t stay and listen to their conversation, so she immediately said, “Okay, I’ll go.”

After Madam Shi left, Liu Suifeng said, “The medicinal properties of the herbs are special. Shi Qingzhou needs to take them on the spot along with some other medicine. Fortunately, he only needs to take them three times.”

“Where are the herbs?” Long Xiaoyuan immediately asked.

Shi Qingzhou looked at Liu Suifeng.

Liu Suifeng paused and said, “Pan Mountain.”

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou narrowed their eyes.

Liu Suifeng smiled bitterly, “There was no other way. The terrain of Pan Mountain is special, and many medicinal herbs are growing there. What we are looking for is only one of them.”

Long Xiaoyuan muttered, “Pan Mountain again? It must be fate that we have to go there every time.”

Shi Qingzhou paused, and he didn’t say anything.

Liu Suifeng rolled his eyes, “The mountain has nothing to do with this. Even it is involved, it’s because someone uses it. It’s not the problem of the mountain itself, okay?”

Long Xiaoyuan pursed his mouth. “Okay, let’s go together. I have to go this time.”

Liu Suifeng shrugged. “I have no objection.”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at Shi Qingzhou.

Shi Qingzhou said lightly, “Okay, let’s go together.”

“I’m gratified. Qingzhou doesn’t want to shake me off, nor does he think I am his burden,” Long Xiaoyuan said with grief.

Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes, so did Liu Suifeng.

Therefore, they headed to Pan Mountain.

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou rode the same horse together. It didn’t take them  to go from the general’s mansion to Pan Mountain.

Maybe because it was daytime, or maybe there were no vicious things on it. Anyway, Long Xiaoyuan felt better this time. Just standing at the foot of the mountain and breathing in the clean air, he felt refreshed.

Long Xiaoyuan took Shi Qingzhou’s hand and walked up the mountain. “Qingzhou, the air here is fresh.”

“Air?” Shi Qingzhou paused.

Long Xiaoyuan said, “Yes, the air that we breathe in.”

“Oh, I see.” Shi Qingzhou smiled and looked at Long Xiaoyuan meaningfully.

Long Xiaoyuan immediately looked away. “Qingzhou, what is the flower over there? It’s pretty.”

“That’s Beauty’s Thorn.” Liu Suifeng replied. “When you are bitten by a snake, you can chew its petals and smeared it on your wound to stop the poison from spreading.”

“Isn’t it a good thing?”

“Well, it is a good thing, but it can’t leave the earth. Once it is picked, it can’t detoxify,” Liu Suifeng said, “this is why there are so many of them here.”

“What a pity,” Long Xiaoyuan said.

Shi Qingzhou said lightly. “It’s not a pity. If good things are useful after they are picked, they will probably be extinct.”

Long Xiaoyuan thought about it and smiled. “That’s right. I was wrong.”

They were in no hurry, as if they were hiking.

Long Xiaoyuan held Shi Qingzhou’s hand in a very good mood.

Long Xiaoyuan said along the way. “Maybe we can have a picnic here.”

Liu Suifeng sneered. “Aren’t you afraid that large beasts come out and bite you?”

Long Xiaoyuan blinked. “What do I fear? Aren’t you guys with me here? All of you are masters. If I get bitten, you will be shamed!”

Liu Suifeng was lost for words. He could never hear any good words from Long Xiaoyuan!

Shi Qingzhou smiled, but he didn’t say a word.

Ouyang Chuan looked at Long Xiaoyuan with contempt. “Don’t you feel ashamed that you count on others to help you instead of running away from the beasts on your own?”

His expression was obvious, as if saying, “You are really useless!”

Long Xiaoyuan did not take it seriously.

They bickered as they walked. Finally, Liu Suifeng said. “Alright, this is it.”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at the special medicinal herbs that Liu Suifeng pointed at, which looked like ordinary grass. He definitely did not know what it was.

“So this is it?”

“Yes. Wait a moment.”

As Liu Suifeng said, he took out two jade bottles.

He first poured a pill from one of the jade bottles and asked Shi Qingzhou to swallow it and use his internal power to activate its effect.

After Shi Qingzhou followed his instruction, Liu Suifeng started to work on another bottle.

There seemed to be some liquid in the bottle, but Long Xiaoyuan did not ask what it was.

Liu Suifeng stirred the liquid for a while and then dripped it on the grass-like medicinal herb.

When Shi Qingzhou opened his eyes, Liu Suifeng picked the herb and asked Shi Qingzhou to eat it right away.

Shi Qingzhou ate the herb without frowning.

Long Xiaoyuan seemed to smell a fragrance.

“It smells good. What is the fragrance?”

Liu Suifeng said. “It’s from the herb, which is called Nameless Fragrance. After it is picked by a special method, its fragrance gives off, but it goes away quickly.”

Sure enough, after Liu Suifeng spoke, Long Xiaoyuan could no longer smell the fragrance even though he sniffed hard.

“The world is so big that nothing is to be surprised at.” Long Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but sigh.

Ouyang Chuan was at odds with Long Xiaoyuan, and he immediately mocked. “You are ignorant.”

Long Xiaoyuan glanced at him. “You sound as if you know everything, but actually you know nothing.”

“You…” Ouyang Chuan was angry.

Long Xiaoyuan laughed. “What? You don’t allow me to tell the truth?”

Ouyang Chuan looked away angrily, wishing to ignore Long Xiaoyuan.

Long Xiaoyuan laughed.

At this moment, Shi Qingzhou stood up and looked at Long Xiaoyuan. “What are you laughing at?”

Long Xiaoyuan hurriedly shook his head and got closer to him with concern. He didn’t care if he was in front of everyone, holding onto Shi Qingzhou and asking questions. “Qingzhou, how do you feel? Does it hurt? Does the little grass smell good?”

Shi Qingzhou pulled a wry face. “What, you want to eat it too?”

Long Xiaoyuan quickly shook his head. “Not at all. Why do I need to eat it? Why should I snatch your food?”

Shi Qingzhou was lost for words. Liu Suifeng rolled his eyes and said. “Let’s come back in three days. You will be fine after taking the herb three times.”

“Alright, let’s go back,” Long Xiaoyuan said.

“Go back now?” Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “I thought you would like to have a picnic here.”

Long Xiaoyuan shook his head. “No. It’s not good for us to stay here for too long. We’ll attract attention.”

Liu Suifeng nodded. “I agree. Ask a few Shadow Guardians to stay here. I will give them antidote pills and anti-venomous insects pills. With these pills in hand, they should be fine. These were all left by my master, and we don’t have many, so we should not have more than three Shadow Guardians to guard near the herbs.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded immediately. “Good idea. Since the detoxifying pills left by your master are all good things, you can look at the ingredients inside, and make more. If you don’t have time, there are many imperial doctors, who always have time.”

Liu Suifeng nodded.

“Okay. Let’s talk about it after we go back to the palace.”

Long Xiaoyuan asked again, “Apart from this little grass, does Qingzhou need other treatments after he goes back?”

“Of course.” Liu Suifeng nodded. “I need to give him treatment every day.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded and looked at Shi Qingzhou. “Qingzhou, you should rest well in the palace. Don’t run out.”

Shi Qingzhou said lightly, “Okay.”

Long Xiaoyuan pinched his palm. “Of course, I’ll definitely stay with you!”

Shi Qingzhou smiled faintly without saying anything.

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou went back to the palace.

On the day when Shi Qingzhou received the second treatment and ate the grass, the emperor of Northern Barbarians replied that he would come to the negotiation personally.

At night, Long Xiaoyuan gave the document to Shi Qingzhou.

After Shi Qingzhou read it, he said lightly, “He has decided to come over.”

Long Xiaoyuan rubbed his chin and smiled. “Yes, Huhe Huangcheng has to be informed, let Liu Suifeng do it.”

Huhe Huangcheng was still under house arrest, but he was well provided, which was a good treatment for any prisoner!

Shi Qingzhou nodded without any objections. “Good idea.”

Liu Suifeng was summoned.

“Apart from telling him this news, you should properly express our concern. Actually, I am really afraid that the emperor of Northern Barbarians will not be able to leave his country.”

Liu Suifeng’s mouth twitched. “People would think you are cursing him.”

“How could it be?” Long Xiaoyuan raised his eyebrows. “You just need to tell him that our empress, several high-ranking ministers, and even I, the emperor, have been poisoned. Some people have even been poisoned by the venomous insects produced by Northern Barbarians.”

Liu Suifeng was taken aback. “And the ministers?”

“Just say that.” Long Xiaoyuan waved his hand.

Liu Suifeng’s mouth twitched. “So, actually they did not?”

Long Xiaoyuan shook his head mysteriously. “Well, I think they will be. After you cure Qingzhou, you can go treat those ministers.”

“Why do I have to wait until Shi Qingzhou is cured? It doesn’t take much effort to feel their pulse.” Liu Suifeng couldn’t help but say, worrying that they would get in big trouble if many ministers had been poisoned by the venomous insects.

Long Xiaoyuan smiled faintly and shook his head. “No rush. Anyway, I guess nothing will go wrong with those ministers for the time being.”

Liu Suifeng didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

“Well, do you want to be the Emperor? If yes, I will tell you.” Long Xiaoyuan looked at Liu Suifeng with a smile, as if he would give him the throne if Liu Suifeng agreed.

Liu Suifeng rolled his eyes. “Who wants to be the Emperor? It’s a thankless task!”

After he spoke, Liu Suifeng left resentfully.

Long Xiaoyuan pouted and looked at Shi Qingzhou with a sad expression. “Qingzhou, he actually said my job is a thankless task. This is really too much!”

Shi Qingzhou smiled slightly. “Yes, it’s really too much!”

Long Xiaoyuan hugged Shi Qingzhou’s waist. “Qingzhou, can’t you stop gloating when you stand up for me?

You don’t look sincere.” Shi Qingzhou laughed.

Long Xiaoyuan was lost for words.

Long Xiaoyuan wanted Liu Suifeng to remind Huhe Huangcheng that someone might be scheming the chaos in the three countries.

Long Xiaoyuan just wanted to give him a reminder. He never imagined that his reminder would turn into reality!

On the night before the emperor of Northern Barbarians set off, he was assassinated and died in the palace.

His most favored concubine, Lady Chuan, died with him.

The news shook the whole country.

When Long Xiaoyuan received the news, it was the third day after the Emperor’s death.

After all, the two countries were too far away from each other.

On this day, it was the third time Shi Qingzhou took the grass.

They had planned to go to Pan Mountain, and this news depressed them.

However, Shi Qingzhou had to go.

Long Xiaoyuan did not go with him. He planned to meet Huhe Huangcheng personally and tell him the death of the Emperor of Northern Barbarians.

This is was the first time in real sense that the emperor of Tianlong Dynasty met the future emperor of Northern Barbarians.

Huhe Huangcheng was only a crown prince, so he had to kowtow to Long Xiaoyuan, who didn’t ask him to get up. He said, “I come here to tell you something. Three days ago, on the night before your emperor set off, he was assassinated.”

Huhe Huangcheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up in disbelief. “What, what did you say? How is my father?”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at his pale face and said. “He passed away. Lady Chuan died in the assassination as well. Now, your country is in chaos.”

Huhe Huangcheng collapsed to the ground.

From the look of it, Huhe Huangcheng had deep affection for his father.

He was the only prince of Northern Barbarians, and from his name, he was the next emperor of Northern Barbarians.

There was no power struggles like other royal families, therefore, the affection between father and son was deep.

Long Xiaoyuan looked at him and said lightly. “Crown Prince, do not grieve too much. You remember what I asked Doctor Liu to remind you a few days ago, right?”

Huhe Huangcheng’s expression changed again.

“I can tell you that not only did something happen to your country, but also my country. My empress was poisoned by venomous insects which could control him. Crown Prince, do you know what this means?”

Huhe Huangcheng pursed his lips tightly.

Long Xiaoyuan looked at him and added lightly. “By the way, I heard that the Eastern Darkness isn’t peaceful, and the princes almost died out, right?”

Huhe Huangcheng’s expression changed again.

Ignoring the fact that he was involved with the death of the princes in the Eastern Darkness, Long Xiaoyuan continued, “Crown Prince, you are smart. Please think about the connection between these accidents. After you figure it out, please send for me. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

After he spoke, Long Xiaoyuan turned to leave.

Huhe Huangcheng was pale, tears falling from his eyes.

“Father…”