Chapter 49 Sleepy Confusion

Chapter 49: Sleep-Dazed

Cheng Ge had a habit of spinning pens since elementary school; if he had any kind of stick in his hand, he could make it do tricks.

After coming to this world, he realized this habit wasn’t a good look, and he'd try to hold back his instincts, whether he meant to or not.

But now his body had totally checked out on his brain—his hand was doing its own thing.

Zhou Mingqi stared at the red smear on his hand, blood rushing to his head, and gritted out, “Cheng... Mu... Yu!”

Cheng Ge had no clue what he'd done; he was still having a chat with the Sandman. Hearing someone call his name softly, he turned his head toward the voice.

Cheng Ge yawned lightly, a few teardrops sliding from the corners of his eyes. Everything was a blur, reality and dreams all mixed up, hazy and out of focus.

He propped his cheek on his hand and blinked slowly. The figure in front of him sharpened a little, just enough to see a rough outline.

Zhou Mingqi's face was dark as he glared at Cheng Ge. Fu Quan, standing nearby, was so scared his legs were shaking.

He figured this time, Young Master Cheng was toast.

The Great Zhou Code clearly stated: “Accidentally touching the emperor's robe or food gets you a hundred lashes; deliberately messing with the emperor's body counts as attempted treason, punishable by hanging.”

“Your... Your Majesty...” Fu Quan's throat went tight. He barely got those two words out before clamming up, only sneaking glances at Zhou Mingqi's face from the corner of his eye.

Zhou Mingqi was furious and about to lay into Cheng Ge.

But who would've guessed... before he could say a word, Cheng Ge cut him off.

“Hey... why are you sneaking my dragon fruit?” Cheng Ge's eyes were all teary and smiling, the corners of his mouth curled up, as he lay there on the desk, looking up at Zhou Mingqi.

That one sentence shut Zhou Mingqi right up.

Zhou Mingqi stared at the clueless guy in front of him, feeling like he'd just face-planted into a pile of cotton.

Cheng Ge rubbed his head on the desk, covered his eyes with his other hand, and yawned again, right in Zhou Mingqi's face. “I'm gonna nap for a bit; wake me up when class starts.”

Zhou Mingqi: “...”

Without giving Zhou Mingqi a chance to say no, he peacefully closed his eyes, and soon his steady breathing filled the room.

Zhou Mingqi was so mad he was steaming, grabbing a memorial off the desk to whack Cheng Ge.

Just as the memorial was about to smack Cheng Ge, Zhou Mingqi's hand froze.

He looked at Cheng Ge's defenseless, peacefully sleeping face, and the anger in his heart somehow faded a little.

Fu Quan didn't even dare to breathe, his eyes glued to Zhou Mingqi's every move.

Zhou Mingqi set down the memorial, staring at Cheng Ge's slightly parted lips.

After a few seconds, he grabbed the teacup and took a big swig.

“Go clean up the back hall and let him sleep there,” Zhou Mingqi ordered quietly.

Fu Quan was stunned for a second, then quickly said, “Yes,” and scurried off to get it ready.

Zhou Mingqi looked at Cheng Ge, a complicated feeling stirring in his chest. He let out a quiet sigh, stood up, and walked over to Cheng Ge.

After hesitating for a moment, he still reached out and picked him up.

“Leave me alone,” Cheng Ge mumbled, squirming in his arms and nuzzling in closer.

Zhou Mingqi's body went stiff, his steps faltered, but he still carried him to the back hall.

Fu Quan had already set up the back hall. Seeing the emperor carry Cheng Ge in, he quickly slipped out.

Zhou Mingqi gently laid Cheng Ge on the bed and pulled a thin blanket over him.

But Cheng Ge kicked his little feet, and the blanket ended up on the floor.

“Mom, I'm burning up, I don't want a blanket,” Cheng Ge whined softly, tugging at his robe and rolling over.

Zhou Mingqi: “???”

Looking at his stubborn back, Zhou Mingqi decided to leave him be and turned to go.

Fu Quan was waiting at the door. When he saw Zhou Mingqi come out, he was about to follow and serve him.

“Light some calming incense and bring in some ice bowls.”

“Yes,” Fu Quan quickly answered, glancing up at Zhou Mingqi.

He seemed to pick up that Zhou Mingqi's attitude toward Cheng Ge was a bit different, and his mind started racing with all kinds of thoughts.

The afternoon was the sleepiest time. The hot wind carried the smell of leaves and dust, even the palace maids guarding the door couldn't help but doze off.

Cheng Ge slept so comfortably, but suddenly his bladder felt a growing pressure.

He wanted to hold it in, quickly turning over to change positions and continue sleeping.

But as he turned, he pressed down, and suddenly felt an urgency.

Reluctantly, Cheng Ge groggily got out of bed, following his memory to find the restroom.

But after just a few steps, his head thumped against a pillar.

“Hmm...” Cheng Ge groaned, covering his head with both hands and sitting down on the ground.

Strangely, the floor was cool and a bit comfortable, so Cheng Ge leaned against the pillar and slept for a while longer.

If it weren't for Little Gege about to burst, he might have slept until the end of time.

He staggered to his feet and continued groping his way forward.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingqi had summoned several cabinet ministers to discuss affairs in the imperial study.

“Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor, long live, long live.”

Zhou Mingqi was about to tell them to rise when his peripheral vision suddenly caught a familiar figure.

Zhou Mingqi: “!!!”

There was Cheng Ge, dressed in a white inner robe, his black hair loose behind him, barefoot, leaning against the door with his eyes closed.

Zhou Mingqi's face instantly darkened. He tore off his outer robe and threw it over Cheng Ge's head.

Cheng Ge's vision suddenly went black. His body swayed, and he raised a hand to lift the clothes covering him.

But before he could move, he was suddenly gripped tightly by a pair of large hands, the force so strong it felt like it would crush his bones.

A sharp voice rang out right next to his ear, "Fu Quan!!"

Fu Quan hadn't expected Cheng Ge to show up like this either, and rushed forward, startled, "Oh dear, Master Cheng, what are you doing..."

The ministers still kneeling below were startled by the sudden upheaval, their bodies trembling.

They pressed themselves even lower, foreheads nearly touching the ground, each one deathly silent, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

Hearing the roar beside him, Cheng Ge jolted awake, a chill shot from his heels to the top of his head.

"Y-Your Majesty..."

But before he could say anything, he was yanked forward with brute force.

With his vision blocked, Cheng Ge couldn't see the path and naturally dared not take large steps.

Zhou Mingqi, clearly furious, tightened his grip even more, almost dragging him along.

Cheng Ge stumbled and fell flat on the floor. As he landed, a sharp pain shot through his already bruised knee.

He couldn't help but grunt, instinctively reaching up to tear the clothes off his head and toss them aside.

Hearing the noise, Zhou Mingqi turned sharply, one hand still gripping his wrist tightly, his pale wrist reddened from the grip.

Cheng Ge had never endured such treatment, and even if the other was The Emperor, he refused to submit.

Damn it, if you've got the balls, just kill me!