Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 19

“It’s nothing serious, just a little shock,” the imperial physician said as he put away his medical equipment and glanced at Chang’an.

 

Emperor Luo looked at Chang’an in confusion upon hearing this.

 

Chang’an had now fully recovered his composure but still felt somewhat flustered. He had been pondering over Gu Xingzhi’s words earlier.

 

“Your heart is different.”

 

What did he mean by that? Did Gu Xingzhi know something?

 

Chang’an’s heart raced, and he turned his head to see Emperor Luo gazing at him inquisitively. He then glanced at the silent imperial physician and remained silent himself.

 

What had happened?

 

Then, when he turned his head again, he saw a palace guard entering with Changxin on his back. The guard greeted Chang’an, “Hmm.”

 

Chang’an immediately understood and slid off the bed, kneeling on the ground. “Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness!”

 

Emperor Luo asked, “Chang’an, has anything happened recently?”

 

Chang’an lowered his head. “Nothing, Your Majesty.”

 

“But the physician mentioned that you were shocked. Did someone scare you?”

 

Chang’an thought to himself, it was Gu Xingzhi, the chief minister who had attempted to abduct the emperor. Who else could it be?

 

However, he couldn’t say it.

 

“Well… Your Majesty… it’s just that I’ve been worried because of the recent events you’ve encountered, and when I heard about your plans to leave the palace at night, I couldn’t help but worry,” Chang’an said softly. As he found an excuse later, his voice became louder. He tried to persuade, “Your Majesty, it’s dangerous outside the palace.”

 

Emperor Luo had always listened to Chang’an’s words. Chang’an was like a brother to him, despite being only a eunuch and just a few years older than Emperor Luo.

 

However…

 

Emperor Luo withdrew his gaze from Chang’an and walked over to Changxin. He said, “I must leave the palace from time to time. No emperor in history has ruled the empire from the palace alone.”

 

If he were to avoid dangers by never leaving the palace, he would never accomplish anything significant.

 

Chang’an choked up, looking at Emperor Luo’s back. He knew that Emperor Luo’s actions were futile, and it pained him deeply. His lips trembled as he spoke, “Then can this servant accompany you, Your Majesty? At least it would put my mind at ease.”

 

Emperor Luo didn’t respond immediately. He had originally planned to bring Changxin along. She was skilled and could protect him even if Gu Xingzhi abandoned him halfway. However, an imperial guard who had brought Changxin back spoke, “Your Majesty, Changxin is already exhausted. She probably won’t wake up until tonight, and…”

 

Chang’an had become concerned. If Changxin were too excited and woke up later, she might end up hurting the emperor.

 

Emperor Luo sighed, “I’ll have someone else stay with me.”

 

Chang’an felt helpless, unable to explain his true feelings. He deeply worried about Emperor Luo and how vulnerable he was to those around him.

 

He turned his head and saw Chang’an still kneeling, looking pitiful as if he were about to be abandoned. He couldn’t help but soften his heart. “You can come along, but be careful on your own.”

 

Chang’an quickly nodded in agreement.

 

Meanwhile, Gu Xingzhi had not found Changxin. Instead, he encountered two palace maids carrying Changxin. He stopped them and inquired about Changxin’s whereabouts.

 

The two palace maids exchanged glances and then told Gu Xingzhi, “The steward personally took her away. As for which courtyard she belongs to, we really don’t know.”

 

“…Alright,” Gu Xingzhi felt perplexed for a moment, then remembered something and asked, “Wasn’t she a maidservant of Chang Nian?”

 

“Chang Nian?” one of them looked confused. “Who’s that?”

 

The other one didn’t seem too sure either but vaguely recalled the name. “It seems like the eunuch Chang’an mentioned once. He used to be the emperor’s companion, but he rarely comes to the palace.”

 

“Do you know which courtyard Chang Nian is in?”

 

Both of them shook their heads, indicating that they had no idea.

 

Usually, companions would be assigned to various positions after reaching adulthood or would participate in examinations. They wouldn’t stay in the palace forever. The situation of Emperor Luo’s companion, Chang Nian, was quite different.

 

Gu Xingzhi pondered for a moment and then asked the one who seemed to have some knowledge, “How long have you been in the palace?”

 

“Back to General Gu, it’s been a year.”

 

Gu Xingzhi continued, “During this year, have you ever seen Chang Nian?”

 

The palace maid shook her head, “I’m only responsible for matters related to the emperor. I don’t know about other things.”

 

Gu Xingzhi harbored suspicions by now and asked further, “When did you learn about Chang Nian?”

 

The palace maid answered without hesitation, “It was just a couple of days ago, I heard it from the chief eunuch and the guards.”

 

“…” Gu Xingzhi’s face darkened. He asked one last question, “You’ve been guarding the emperor, but you’ve never seen him?”

 

The palace maid, not understanding why she had revealed so much information, stood tall and replied firmly, “I guarantee I’ve never seen him!”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s face became even darker. He turned around and strode towards the emperor’s sleeping quarters.

 

Inside the sleeping quarters, Changxin had turned over, and with her long legs entangled in the blanket, she slept in a completely disheveled manner.

 

Chang’an, with a headache, pulled the blanket over Changxin’s head, trying to restrain himself from lifting her up. He couldn’t bear to see her sleeping so carelessly.

 

Under the blanket, Changxin’s head moved slightly, and she tucked herself in more comfortably before falling back asleep.

 

Chang’an sighed in exasperation. He couldn’t believe how carefree Changxin was. He turned to report to Emperor Luo, “Your Majesty, I think there’s no need to place a bed for her in your sleeping quarters.”

 

Just look at how she sleeps! It’s tarnishing the grandeur of this room!

 

Emperor Luo didn’t see any issue with it. Changxin had been following him since childhood, often leaning against door frames to sleep. It wasn’t a big deal for her to lie on a bed.

 

He continued munching on some peanuts and ordered for a roast duck to be prepared. When Changxin woke up and found out they had left the palace, she would probably make a fuss. Treating her to a good meal might help ease her mood when they returned.

 

Chang’an, on the other hand, felt that Emperor Luo was spoiling Changxin too much. He shook his head in disagreement, “I just think…”

 

Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed someone familiar standing at the door. His words got stuck in his throat, and he stammered, “Ge-Ge-… General Gu…”

 

Emperor Luo continued eating peanuts, but his mood soured. “Why do you keep mentioning him?”

 

Even though he agreed to leave the palace, it didn’t mean he had forgotten what Gu Xingzhi had done!

 

He furrowed his brow and muttered in a low voice, “You guys, don’t always think that I’m protecting him. My heart belongs to all of you!” 

 

Gu Xingzhi was taken aback by what he heard.

 

Chang’an’s face twitched, and he instinctively avoided eye contact with Gu Xingzhi, looking at Emperor Luo with concern, trying to interrupt him, “Your Majesty, it’s General Gu…”

 

Emperor Luo continued eating peanuts. He had his back to the door, holding a book with intense descriptions of the bustling life outside the palace. He was fully engrossed in the book and completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere, saying, “He wouldn’t come to take me out of the palace so early. Don’t scare me.”

 

Chang’an glanced at Gu Xingzhi, who had a dark expression on his face, and then back at Emperor Luo. He attempted to intervene, “Your Majesty… he, he has really arrived.”

 

Emperor Luo took another glance at Changxin, who was tightly wrapped in the blanket, not showing any signs of waking up. Then he looked at Chang’an, who seemed on the verge of fainting from fear.

 

He sighed, “Very well, show him in.”

 

As Emperor Luo gave permission, Gu Xingzhi spoke from the doorway, “I, Gu Xingzhi, request an audience with Your Majesty.”

 

Emperor Luo, still holding his book, replied without looking up, “You may rise.”

 

Chang’an helped Changxin arrange the blanket before rising and standing beside Emperor Luo. Gu Xingzhi stepped into the room, his expression serious.

 

The book in Emperor Luo’s hand fell to the ground with a thud as he exclaimed, “Gu… Gu Xingzhi? What are you doing here so early?”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s voice carried an air of tension as he entered the room, surveying the surroundings quickly. He soon noticed an extra wooden bed in the sleeping quarters, which appeared to be occupied. To the side, Chang’an’s face betrayed a guilty conscience, with his eyes darting nervously.

 

Emperor Luo looked at him, puzzled, and asked, “Gu Xingzhi?”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s expression seemed to resemble that of someone searching for evidence of wrongdoing. He asked, “Why have you brought someone with you?”

 

Emperor Luo seemed equally puzzled and said, “Gu Xingzhi, there is no one hiding in my quarters.”

 

Hidden someone?

 

Gu Xingzhi’s gaze shifted towards the wooden bed, his pupils contracting slightly. Was there really someone on the bed?

 

Emperor Luo realized his own slip of the tongue and immediately corrected himself, “I misspoke. There is no one here.”

 

However, Gu Xingzhi continued to fixate on the bed. Was there someone hidden there?

 

Emperor Luo walked over to the bed and stood between it and Gu Xingzhi, blocking his view. He tried to divert attention by offering Gu Xingzhi some pastries, but his words were awkward, “Gu Xingzhi, why are you here so early?”

 

Gu Xingzhi, still somewhat perplexed, accepted the pastry and held it in his mouth. Emperor Luo stepped back, distancing himself from Gu Xingzhi, and sat on the bed, asking again, “Gu Xingzhi, why are you here so early?”

 

Gu Xingzhi remained silent, his eyes fixated on the bed, trying to figure out what was going on.

 

Behaving so obediently like this?

 

There must be someone in the bed for sure?!

 

His gaze shifted towards the bed, which seemed strangely empty and flat, his expression turning colder.

 

He had mentioned his desire to leave the palace for a while, and now, right before leaving, he was about to indulge someone else with such an attitude?

 

Gu Xingzhi reached out to pull at someone’s clothes, startling Luo Shen. In response, Luo Shen grabbed him and even attempted to pin his arms down.

 

Gu Xingzhi was puzzled by this. Why was he so afraid of being discovered? Could it be… it was a man?

 

The words he had just spoken to himself the previous night echoed in his ears, and he had initially felt somewhat apologetic for being too harsh on himself. But now, it was evident that the emperor hadn’t paid any attention to what he had said, which only fueled Gu Xingzhi’s anger.

 

He lowered his gaze, looking at Luo Shen who clung to him like an octopus. A cold, sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

 

Lu Sheng instinctively cowered.

 

The next moment, both the person and the bed were lifted into the air.