Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 18

A sharp sword pressed against his chin, its pointed tip causing a prickling sensation on his skin.

 

Gu Xingzhi raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Changxin, who had barged in without a word and clearly intended to take his life. He placed his chopsticks back on the table and had grown somewhat accustomed to this woman who had a habit of surprising him.

 

“Lady, may I ask why you’ve come this time?” he inquired.

 

Was Changxin planning to take her anger out on him from last night?

 

Changxin’s grip on the sword tightened, and after all her years of roaming the palace, she was asked for her reasons for the first time. She hesitated and replied, “Because… of Chang Nian?”

 

“Miss Changxin, could you please let me speak with Chang Nian again? I have some questions for him,” Gu Xingzhi requested.

 

Changxin snapped back to her senses and immediately refused, “No!”

 

Emperor Luo had said he didn’t plan to use Chang Nian’s identity again.

 

“Why not?” Gu Xingzhi inquired.

 

“Because…” Changxin scratched the back of her head, wondering why she was being asked about this. She wasn’t a mind reader; how could she know what to say?

 

Gu Xingzhi, on the other hand, continued to press for answers with persistence, unlike others who would readily engage in a fight with her.

 

Changxin grew impatient and asked, “Why all the nonsense? Are you going to fight or not?”

 

Seeing her unusual reaction and her boldness, Gu Xingzhi inquired, “Miss Changxin, does Chang Nian have the power to offend you so greatly?”

 

Changxin was thrown off by the question; after all, no one had ever said she couldn’t fight government officials.

 

Growing irritated, she furrowed her brow and said bluntly, “Enough with the chatter. Are you going to fight or not?”

 

Gu Xingzhi noticed her strange response and her audacity, and he continued to ask, “Miss Changxin, isn’t Chang Nian just a companion? Does he have the authority to provoke such an offense from you?”

 

Changxin, growing agitated, replied, “Stop the nonsense. Are you going to fight or not?”

 

Gu Xingzhi slowly stood up and said, “We can fight, but you have to agree to one condition from me.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Let me see Chang Nian again.”

 

Suddenly, Changxin understood.

 

This guy had an infatuation with the Emperor and wanted to provoke him again!

 

She thought she could dress up the Emperor to be incomparable, making Gu Xingzhi feel ashamed of himself.

 

However, she had unintentionally entangled herself in this mess.

 

Furious, Changxin clenched her teeth and said, “Beat me first, then we’ll talk!”

 

A sword thrust came at Gu Xingzhi, but he deftly moved his head to avoid it. He picked up a pair of chopsticks and used them to block the sword, engaging in a dozen moves inside the room. Then, with a quick step, he moved outside, and the two of them finally began to unleash their full range of martial arts.

 

Changxin had received guidance from the palace’s covert guards since childhood to protect Emperor Luo. She had learned the most direct and deadly combat techniques, with each sword strike being devious and unpredictable, catching her opponents off guard.

 

However, Gu Xingzhi had grown up in the borderlands and had learned a variety of combat skills, from heavy weaponry to light-footed techniques and hidden weapons. Having been targeted for assassination hundreds or even thousands of times, he had more than enough experience to deal with Changxin.

 

The two of them went back and forth, fighting for a whole morning.

 

Finally, a passing covert guard couldn’t bear to watch any longer and went to inform Chang’an.

 

“Lord Chang’an, if they keep fighting like this, Changxin will miss her morning training,” he said.

 

In other words, let them fight if they want, but the covert guards can’t afford to miss their morning training, so please go and stop them.

 

Chang’an sighed in exasperation. These covert guards were always breaking the rules.

 

He reluctantly delivered the cut fruit into the room and addressed the Emperor, “Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Luo, who had been reviewing documents with a red ink “review” stamp, looked up and asked, “What is it?”

 

“Changxin hasn’t returned yet,” Chang’an placed the fruit on the table, “She’s been sparring with General Gu all morning.”

 

Emperor Luo was momentarily surprised; he knew Changxin was capable, but he didn’t expect her to be this skilled.

 

“Is she injured?”

 

Chang’an shook his head, “General Gu’s martial skills are extremely strong. It’s difficult for ordinary people to get close to him. He managed to fend off Changxin’s attacks using just a pair of chopsticks…”

 

He was about to continue but was interrupted by Emperor Luo, who said, “I was asking about Changxin.”

 

Changan: “…”

 

Has the Emperor changed his attitude?

 

Is he no longer concerned about the safety of imperial officials?

 

It seemed like Chang’an had thought the same thing, as Emperor Luo appeared displeased and said, “What’s with that expression? Changxin is my person. If I don’t care about her, why would I care about someone who came back from beyond the border to oppose me?”

 

Chang’an thought it made sense, and his mood instantly lifted. “Then, Your Majesty, how about…”

 

“Go and bring Changxin back,” Emperor Luo casually picked up a piece of fruit and took a bite, while his other hand continued to flip through the memorials. “She’s probably exhausted and still pushing herself.”

 

Chang’an immediately left, but as he reached the doorway, Emperor Luo suddenly remembered something and stopped him.

 

“Your Majesty, what is it?”

 

Emperor Luo stood up and said, “Right now, Changxin is considered one of Chang Nian’s people to Gu Xingzhi. If you go to bring her back, it might arouse his suspicion.”

 

Only then did Chang’an recall that the Emperor also had the identity of Chang Nian. He sighed, “So, what should we do?”

 

“I’ll go,” Emperor Luo said as he walked out of the study.

 

Behind him, Chang’an stared at the dragon pattern on Emperor Luo’s clothes with a perplexed expression, wondering if there was any difference between him going and the Emperor going.

 

Gu Xingzhi didn’t live far away, just a few steps away.

 

From a distance, they saw the swords dancing, and two figures moving back and forth. Changxin’s forehead was already glistening with sweat, yet her eyes were filled with excitement, as if she were immersed in the battle. Even Gu Xingzhi felt that something was off as he watched.

 

One of the chopsticks in his hand had been split into two, leaving only one to block Changxin’s sword. Gu Xingzhi was about to call a stop when a palace servant not far away suddenly called out, “The Emperor has arrived!”

 

Changxin instinctively turned her head, and in her momentary distraction, she thrust her sword directly at Gu Xingzhi’s face without any defense.

 

Gu Xingzhi used the chopstick to block the sword, then swiftly reached out to strike at her wrist. The sword immediately fell from her hand with a thud.

 

The speed was so fast that no one had time to react. Changxin was already pinned down by Gu Xingzhi, and after catching her breath for a moment, he delivered a strike to knock her unconscious.

 

The onlookers were left dumbfounded.

 

Emperor Luo looked at the pale-faced Changxin, feeling a pang of concern. However, he had to maintain a facade and asked, “What’s going on here?”

 

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Gu Xingzhi glanced at Changxin and explained, “I heard that Miss Changxin is skilled, so I had a brief spar with her.”

 

Emperor Luo sensed that Gu Xingzhi was trying to protect Changxin and relaxed slightly. “If you wish to spar, there is a training ground in the palace.”

 

Chang’an signaled to the palace attendants nearby and said, “Take Changxin down.”

 

Two attendants stepped forward, carried Changxin, and quickly left the scene.

 

Gu Xingzhi glanced at Changxin again and then looked at the Emperor, asking, “Did Your Majesty come here because of Changxin?”

 

“…” Emperor Luo cleared his throat, realizing that he had rushed out without thinking of an excuse.

 

Gu Xingzhi furrowed his brows, wondering if the Emperor had come to hold him accountable for last night’s incident.

 

He recalled the pale face and tightly clenched lips of someone from last night, and when he raised his head again, he found a slight injury near the person’s lips.

 

Had he bitten himself?

 

How angry must he have been?

 

Gu Xingzhi’s gaze moved back and forth, making Emperor Luo’s expression less natural.

 

Emperor Luo unconsciously bit his lip again, accidentally touching the wound. He quickly let go and then remembered what he had come for. “I… I came to hear your arrangements for leaving the palace.”

 

“Leaving the palace?” Gu Xingzhi repeated with a puzzled look.

 

He raised his head, and his eyes showed no hint of jest.

 

Emperor Luo was left stunned.

 

Gu Xingzhi was equally baffled.

 

Then, belatedly, Gu Xingzhi remembered that there might indeed be such a matter. He was about to speak, but the Emperor suddenly turned and walked away.

 

He… walked away?

 

Gu Xingzhi was momentarily stunned but instinctively reached out and grabbed Emperor Luo’s wrist.

 

Emperor Luo was startled, and the people nearby were too.

 

Chang’an quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Emperor Luo. He said, “General Gu, this is the Emperor!”

 

Gu Xingzhi snapped back to reality, realizing that he had grabbed the Emperor’s wrist. He saw Emperor Luo’s face, tense with forced composure, as if someone had offended him, and he was too afraid to shout. It reminded Gu Xingzhi of the person he had encountered at Tianxi Pavilion, although they were not the same person. Why did they look so similar?

 

Strange thoughts flashed through Gu Xingzhi’s mind. He thought about the person who grew up with him, shared the same fragrance, and was his companion through their studies. Yet, privately, this person colluded with the eunuchs by his side, possibly harboring ulterior motives.

 

These thoughts were likely unknown to Emperor Luo.

 

Gu Xingzhi couldn’t blame him. If all of this was true, even the old general from his family was siding with Prince Ping. He would truly be isolated and without support.

 

Emperor Luo, who had been looking around in confusion, finally calmed down. However, Gu Xingzhi’s gaze had shifted from anxiety to pity.

 

Emperor Luo asked with confusion, “???”

 

“Your suggestion that day, I only thought it was feasible, and I didn’t really want to leave the palace,” Gu Xingzhi quickly explained, releasing Emperor Luo’s wrist. He didn’t want to make the Emperor feel uncomfortable.

 

Emperor Luo tried to withdraw his hand, but Gu Xingzhi’s grip was strong, making him feel like a trapped kitten. The more he struggled, the more helpless he looked.

 

Why did he feel so aggrieved?

 

However, in Gu Xingzhi’s eyes, it seemed like Emperor Luo was angrily regretting his own decision, which had dashed Gu Xingzhi’s hopes.

 

“Your Majesty,” Gu Xingzhi felt that his actions had been excessive and tried to make amends, “How about leaving the palace tonight?”

 

“I don’t…” Emperor Luo started to speak but paused, dumbfounded. He stared at Gu Xingzhi and asked, “What did you say?”

 

“There’s a lantern festival outside tonight,” Gu Xingzhi continued. He noticed that Emperor Luo’s eyes had lit up briefly but were then masked by indifference. Gu Xingzhi added, pretending not to care, “The Qin Prefect is celebrating a joyous event, which is a perfect opportunity to attend.”

 

Chang’an immediately understood Gu Xingzhi’s intention: he wanted to take the Emperor out to have fun and help him cool down.

 

But outside the palace, with a lantern festival and a large crowd, how could the Emperor go?

 

Chang’an stepped in to stop Emperor Luo, saying, “Your Majesty, there is also a lantern festival within the palace.”

 

Emperor Luo shook his head, feeling tired of the palace. He had grown tired of the same things and the limited number of people. It had become uninteresting.

 

He wanted to go.

 

Gu Xingzhi assured him, “Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take good care of you and not leave your side.”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s scrutinizing gaze swept over Chang’an, who suddenly trembled as if he felt exposed.

 

Chang’an’s lips twitched, and he tried to continue, “General Gu, I naturally need to…”

 

Before Chang’an could finish his sentence, Gu Xingzhi subtly moved his lips to form four words. Chang’an immediately froze, feeling as if he had been seen through.

 

His body swayed, and he couldn’t believe it. He looked at Gu Xingzhi, wanting to ask how he knew, but Gu Xingzhi had already turned his gaze towards Emperor Luo.

 

“Your Majesty, what do you think?” Gu Xingzhi asked.

 

Emperor Luo hesitated for a moment and reluctantly nodded, “Since it’s for Qin Prefect’s event, I reluctantly agree.”

 

“Your Majesty, I will come to escort you this afternoon,” Gu Xingzhi said as he stepped back a few paces and stood still.

 

Emperor Luo rubbed his hand, feeling the pain. He pursed his lips a bit unnaturally, sucked in a breath due to the pain, then turned to see Chang’an with a pale face. Chang’an appeared unwell, and Emperor Luo’s expression changed slightly. He ordered, “Summon the imperial physician to my palace.”

 

He was genuinely concerned about Chang’an, who had displayed such nervousness and affection.

 

Gu Xingzhi watched the departing group, his expression growing solemn.

 

How should he handle this emperor, who was so straightforward and trusting?

 

Gu Xingzhi turned and walked toward the direction where the palace attendants had taken Changxin earlier.

 

At the same time, Emperor Luo dismissed the attendants and personally assisted Chang’an. He called over a eunuch, instructing, “Take Changxin to my quarters. Be discreet and make sure no one notices.”