Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 12

Saying this to Changxin.

 

But when Gu Xingzhi comes over tomorrow, as soon as he enters the palace, his identity will quickly be exposed.

 

Holding a pen, Luo Shen pointed in the air for a long time, but still couldn’t write anything.

 

He simply put the pen aside and asked Chang’an, “Have you given instructions to everyone?”

 

Chang’an nodded, “The servants have already reminded the major commanders, and others all think that Changnian is really a companion reader.”

 

Fortunately, Luo Shen did have a companion reader before, and the person is not in the palace now. By borrowing his name, he can blur things a bit, and no one will suspect.

 

Luo Shen nodded.

 

Although he felt a bit sorry, he was only borrowing this identity for a few days. Once he retrieved the jade pendant from Gu Xingzhi, he would clarify everything with him.

 

But just as Luo Shen had psyched himself up, he couldn’t help but remember that moment when Gu Xingzhi had entrusted his life to him.

 

His mind was in turmoil once again.

 

“Your Majesty? Your Majesty?” Chang’an noticed him spacing out and sighed.

 

Changxin by his side also rolled her eyes in exasperation, thinking,

 

An imperial official of the court?

 

Clearly, it’s a heart thief.

 

Luo Shen couldn’t stand it anymore, so he put the pen aside and said he needed rest.

 

Chang’an stepped forward to help him remove his clothes, but he couldn’t help noticing the marks on his back, and his heart tightened.

 

It had been several days, and they still hadn’t completely faded. Was Gu Xingzhi a demon in disguise?

 

Sensing Chang’an’s hesitation, Luo Shen turned his head curiously, “What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing, nothing,” Chang’an replied hastily, trying to brush it off.

 

After taking a shower and washing away the fatigue of the day, Luo Shen lay on the dragon bed and drifted off to sleep.

 

The next morning, Gu Xingzhi moved into the palace.

 

When the news reached Luo Shen’s ears, he couldn’t even finish his breakfast.

 

“Your Majesty, how about this? Shall I poison him?” Changxin suggested.

 

But considering that woman’s feelings, instead of killing him, she could poison him to the point of losing his voice and then toss him back to him. That way, this heart thief wouldn’t continue to plague Your Majesty.

 

“…” Luo Shen’s head began to ache again. “Changxin, what have you been looking at everyday? Who taught you this?”

 

Changxin blinked innocently. “The ‘108 Quick Learning Techniques of the Royal Guards,’ given by Master.”

 

Master referred to the late emperor.

 

Luo Shen: “…”

 

He rubbed his forehead and gave Chang’an a meaningful look. The latter immediately stepped forward and carried Changxin away.

 

As they reached the door, Changxin suddenly said, “Your Majesty, how about borrowing my leather mask? With a mask, you can have any face you want, and you won’t have to worry about being recognized by Gu Xingzhi.”

 

She was thinking that by making the emperor look extremely ugly with the mask, Gu Xingzhi would feel embarrassed and realize that he wasn’t worthy of the emperor!

 

Luo Shen nodded vigorously. “Let’s do it as you said.”

 

“Make me look incredibly hideous. So ugly that Gu Xingzhi can’t bear to look at me. He’ll surely give up on me!”

 

The two of them agreed without hesitation, leaving Chang’an standing to the side shaking her head, feeling that this plan was very unreliable.

 

Gu Xingzhi didn’t even know what the emperor looked like, and he claimed he wanted to marry the emperor. If he had such intentions, was he afraid that the emperor’s appearance wouldn’t match his preferences?

 

In case the truth is discovered later, the Emperor probably…

 

However, these two people who were currently caught up in their enthusiasm couldn’t be swayed by his words.

 

After breakfast, Changxin brought the mask, and Luo Shen held the leather in his hands. He asked numerous questions and learned that it was made from pigskin.

 

Before he could examine it further, he heard that Gu Xingzhi had arrived at the palace.

 

The smile on his face immediately faded.

 

“Let me take this mask, and tonight, I’ll invite him to the backyard,” Changxin whispered her plan. “I’ll watch from nearby. If he dares to lay a hand on Your Majesty, you just need to call me!”

 

Luo Shen nodded solemnly.

 

Although he didn’t think Gu Xingzhi would harm him in any way, he appreciated Changxin’s concern.

 

Afterward, Changxin left with the mask, keeping out of Gu Xingzhi’s sight, and Gu Xingzhi arrived at the palace.

 

“Please rise,” Luo Shen said as he took his seat at the main hall, picking up a memorial to pretend to read. “Gu Xingzhi, you’ve come to find me. What do you have to report?”

 

Gu Xingzhi bowed and replied, “Your Majesty, on the matter we discussed the other day, I have some ideas on how to proceed, but I thought I should consult with Your Majesty first.”

 

He had thought it through. As an assistant minister, his job was to assist, so if there were any ideas or plans, it should be the Emperor who decided, and he would be responsible for making corrections if needed.

 

Luo Shen remembered the matter, and his brow furrowed slightly.

 

Seeing this, Gu Xingzhi thought the Emperor had forgotten, so he cleared his throat and was about to repeat it when Luo Shen spoke up.

 

“Of course, we should investigate, but the evidence has likely been tampered with,” Luo Shen said, “The Ministry of Justice has some confessions, and the names of witnesses are recorded in the archives. However, over the past two years, those people have disappeared, most likely hidden away or even assassinated.”

 

It was a simple matter to state, but the lack of investigation at the time had allowed time to erase the evidence. Now it would be difficult to trace.

 

Furthermore, most of those witnesses were commoners, and their mobility was naturally high. In the past six months, it would be difficult to track down their whereabouts.

 

As for Zhao Wenzhong, he wasn’t entirely without official connections, and whether he was involved in this matter or not, his friends should know him best. But those friends…

 

Luo Shen presented a list and said, “Qin Huang, the County Magistrate of Qin, provided a large amount of evidence in the case. Afterward, he received recognition from court ministers, married the daughter of Minister Wu, and is now the current prefect.”

 

Gu Xingzhi listened to the information, and his expression gradually changed.

 

He said, “Ever since this incident occurred, there have been rumors in the common people that Your Majesty ordered someone to assassinate Prince Qin. There have also been those in the court who did not believe it, but couldn’t find any evidence. Logically, if this person betrayed his good friend and carried out such an act, he would never have peace of mind before his friend’s death.”

 

Luo Shen nodded, and while the others couldn’t be found easily, Qin Huang was the most promising lead to pursue.

 

However, as the Emperor, openly investigating this matter would undoubtedly alert those behind it, reminding them to eliminate any evidence.

 

This matter could only be investigated discreetly.

 

Luo Shen was thinking about who to send, while Gu Xingzhi’s gaze flickered and happened to fall on the box of pastries placed on the dining table.

 

The intricate patterns on those pastries, weren’t they the ones he handed to Changxin last night to deliver to Chang Nian?

 

How did they end up here?

 

He recalled another matter.

 

It seemed that the Emperor had some feelings for Chang Nian.

 

Although Chang Nian claimed not to like the Emperor, maybe the Emperor liked him?

 

He had inquired, and the Emperor had never openly expressed his feelings for any woman over the years. There were even rumors in the streets that he favored men.

 

Furthermore, if Gu Xingzhi didn’t have any ulterior motives, why would the pastries he sent to Chang Nian end up here in the Emperor’s possession? The palace is always cautious; how would they touch pastries with an unknown origin? Unless Chang Nian informed the Emperor about everything, but if that were the case, why would the Emperor remain indifferent? There’s only one possible explanation. The Emperor might have misunderstood that these pastries were made by Chang Nian and took them away to eat!

 

Gu Xingzhi’s face darkened as he glanced at the Emperor, his expression filled with conflicting emotions.

 

Just when he had started to change his opinion of the Emperor, it seemed that he couldn’t let his guard down when facing him. He needed to separate the two of them and thoroughly investigate what was happening.

 

At this moment, by chance, Luo Shen asked him, “Gu Xingzhi, who do you think would be suitable to investigate this?”

 

Gu Xingzhi blurted out, “Why not have Your Majesty conduct a discreet investigation?”

 

Luo Shen blinked in surprise.

 

“Excuse me?” he asked, wondering if he had misheard.

 

“I believe that Your Majesty conducting the investigation personally would yield the best results,” Gu Xingzhi explained. “Firstly, it would clear your name regarding the events six months ago, and secondly, it would help win people’s hearts. They need to understand that even a minor county magistrate won’t be easily abandoned by Your Majesty.”

 

Luo Shen contemplated the idea. While it had its merits, he was wary of leaving the palace. The affairs of the court were numerous, and as a newly ascended Emperor, he couldn’t leave the palace unattended.

 

Gu Xingzhi quickly added, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. I will accompany you and personally ensure your safety.”

 

If they could lure Luo Shen away, Chang Nian would be safe.

 

However, Luo Shen shook his head. “The court is busy with various matters, and as a newly ascended Emperor, there can be no absence in the palace.”

 

Gu Xingzhi replied, “If Your Majesty assigns someone else to investigate, people will believe it’s just an attempt to clear your name and won’t be as effective. Moreover, if you openly send someone else to investigate, it will draw the attention of those behind this matter, and they may tamper with the investigation.”

 

He made a valid point. If Luo Shen personally went, it would be more convincing and could also potentially flush out anyone with regicidal intentions.

 

Luo Shen, although reluctant to leave the palace, found no reason to refuse. He couldn’t provide a better alternative.

 

“If Your Majesty doesn’t wish to go, that is natural,” Gu Xingzhi conceded. He didn’t want to push too hard, lest he arouse suspicion.

 

“In that case,” Gu Xingzhi continued, “I respectfully offer to undertake the investigation personally.”

 

Given his position, he could leave the palace for such an inquiry without raising suspicions. He wasn’t well-known outside, and as an assistant minister, he had the authority to conduct investigations. Once the matter was resolved, he could seek credit from the Emperor.

 

Luo Shen was in deep thought, and Gu Xingzhi thought he had lost the opportunity. However, unexpectedly, Luo Shen agreed.

 

“Very well,” Luo Shen said. “We will go together.”

 

Gu Xingzhi was taken aback. Why did the Emperor suddenly agree?

 

“When would you like to go?” Luo Shen sat up straight and asked earnestly, “Is there anything I should prepare?”

 

Gu Xingzhi met the Emperor’s gaze, his expression a mix of puzzlement and hope, like a student who had been asked a question he didn’t fully understand and was eager for guidance.

 

He couldn’t help but soften his tone involuntarily. “There haven’t been any major court matters recently, so any time is suitable.”

 

Luo Shen nodded and put the folded list away carefully.

 

He had never left the palace during all these years. Even after ascending the throne, his father had always treated him with extreme caution, fearing that he would face danger outside the palace.

 

People often said that his father favored him the most, but growing up, he had always been wrapped in layers of protection. When his father passed away, he found himself unprepared to face the outside world’s challenges.

 

Perhaps it was time to leave the palace and enjoy a little freedom.

 

Luo Shen didn’t want to deal with any more memorials and waved his hand, instructing Gu Xingzhi to make the necessary preparations first. Then, he remembered something else.

 

By the way, if he’s going out, should Changxin accompany him? With Changxin’s attitude of “can’t be bothered to understand, just cut them down,” he might end up having to protect Gu Xingzhi instead, right?