CHAPTER 276 (2/2)

Houqing looked up at him. “There were so many guards at that time. Why were you still injured?” At that time, only Houqing wasn’t around Xie Xi. He was in the rank of ministers.

Xie Xi smiled bitterly. “Well, I was careless. I lost my wartime vigilance but after this, I will certainly tighten my nerves and not let myself get hurt.”

Houqing blamed himself. “You have to worry about so many things every day, how do you have the energy to focus on yourself? Leave it to me.”

Xie Xi tried to comfort him. “Don’t take it on. You are busier than me.”

However, Xie Xi was defeated by Houqing who almost begged. “Your Majesty, please let me stay close to you. I am scared and it is nothing to be tired. I just want you to be safe.”

Xie Xi couldn’t help giving in to this person’s heart.

If it was just this, the two of them wouldn’t be in such a mess.

Facts proved that a psychological problem shouldn’t be dragged out. Once signs of it were discovered, it should be uprooted and completely eradicated.

Indulging in it would only make it more intense and it would eventually spiral out of control.

Xie Xi’s indulgence didn’t make Houqing reassured but only contributed to his uneasiness.

He was completely entangled in fear and self-blame, constantly reflected on what he had done and what he was doing.

He became more and more clear that he only had Xie Xi in his heart and Xie Xi was the only thing he thought about.

This made him more aware of Xie Xi’s tiredness and couldn’t be to let Xie Xi worry about these trivial things…

He started to help Xie Xi do more things and to deal with government affairs. Slowly, he pushed Xie Xi out.

It was true that the ministers were their confidants and knew that the relationship between Xie Xi and Houqing was extraordinary. However, in the face of power, even the closest people could turn against each other.

Houqing’s actions caused a lot of speculations. Could it be that the two top people had started fighting for power?

Once the news reached Xie Xi’s ears, he immediately dragged the people to him for a scolding.

However, this rumour was like a dandelion seed blowing in the wind. Once it was let go, it couldn’t be stopped.

Xie Xi slowly found out that Houqing was making him a mere figurehead.

He didn’t believe that Houqing would be blinded by rights but the facts before him didn’t allow him to think too much.

He was wounded for a while and it was natural for Houqing to take things on. However, he was now recovered but there were many things hidden from him. This…

There was a ripple in Xie Xi’s heart but this wasn’t something that could be solved casually.

Once he tried to limit Houqing’s rights, he found that many things were already out of his reach.

It was true that he was the emperor but when the courtiers asked a question, Houqing’s decision was fast and stable. Even if he asked for Xie Xi’s opinion, Xie Xi couldn’t give a better answer.

In this way, everyone was more convinced by Houqing.

Xie Xi’s close companions were all military commanders. They couldn’t interject in matters of the court and Xie Xi couldn’t rely on them.

In this case, he finally planned to talk to Houqing.

With their relationship, if Houqing wanted the throne then Xie Xi would give it to him.

Originally, he didn’t want to ascend the throne. It was only when Houqing said it was easier to implement decrees that he became the emperor.

If Houqing could do it better then he could step down.

Xie Xi thought this and some of the problems in his heart seemed to be resolved.

He found Houqing and explained his decision.

Houqing was stunned. “You…”

Xie Xi spoke sincerely. “This position is more suitable for you. I am better at leading wars and I believe in you when it comes to political matters.”

He spoke sincerely but Houqing’s expression sank. “This country is yours.” If it wasn’t for Xie Xi, why would he have worked so hard?

“The country is the people and the leader should be able to let them live. I will go to the border and punish the rebels.”

Xie Xi thought his decision was more and more right. Houqing would stay in the city while he went to clean up the gang of thieves who weren’t dead. Wasn’t this just right?

They really fit together!

Who would’ve expected Houqing’s voice to be as cold as ice? “You want to leave the palace?”

Xie Xi thought Houqing didn’t believe him and replied, “I really don’t care about the throne! I would rather lead the soldiers to fight!”

Houqing didn’t seem to hear him and asked, “You are leaving the palace?”

Xie Xi noticed this person wasn’t right. “Houqing?”

Houqing’s uneasiness that he suppressed for a long time completely broke out and he whispered, “You can’t go anywhere. You can only stay here!”

Going to the border? Taking the soldiers to fight?

Didn’t this person suffer enough injuries? Didn’t he experience enough danger? Didn’t he know how much Houqing worried about him?

Xie Xi didn’t respond to the meaning of this sentence for a while.

It wasn’t until there was no one around him and he couldn’t even leave the palace that Xie Xi discovered he was under house arrest.

The little white tiger he saved, his close comrade-in-arms, the person he trusted with his body and mind, actually put him under house arrest.

Why? Xie Xi couldn’t understand it. Was it power… was the charm of power so great?

However, he already said he wanted to give up everything. Didn’t Houqing believe him?

The knots in his heart, which had been unlocked for the most part, were tied together again. Once he saw Houqing, he felt extremely strange.

Such eyes stung at Houqing.

Xie Xi asked him, “What do you want to do? I already said I would give you the throne. Why don’t you let me go?”

The words about leaving became Houqing’s nightmare. He couldn’t hear them and his tight nerves seemed to break.

He declared in a hoarse voice, “You are the beast king. You can’t go anywhere.”

Xie Xi was fired up and punched him. “Houqing, what the hell do you want to do?”

Houqing didn’t evade and blood flowed from his mouth. He ignored it as he said, “I can’t let you go.”

Xie Xi was crazy. After all, he was the beast king who was brave and militant. Once he really moved, no one could stop him.

At this time, there was an accident. It was unknown how long the rebels were lurking but they found an assassinating opportunity. They hated Xie Xi, they hated the man who took away their power.

Xie Xi was exhausted from handling the guards when he met these people.

By the time Houqing came, Xie Xi was standing there holding a pike. The attackers were killed by him and he was shaking.