Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 24

At the banquet, Qin Tianke was dressed in a stunning red gown, radiating beauty like a lotus flower. Even Luo Ming couldn’t help but exclaim, “She’s truly a beauty.”

 

Qin Tianke blushed and lowered her eyes. With a sidelong glance, she noticed the woman standing beside her—

 

Wearing a pink dress, she had a graceful figure. Her exquisite face, though slightly weary and pale, held a stubborn and resolute expression. Throughout the event, she rarely spoke or smiled, yet she evoked an innate desire in people to protect her.

 

This was a true beauty.

 

Qin Tianke withdrew her thoughts, her heart beating slightly faster.

 

She remembered this woman; she was Zheng Chao’s beloved. But why was she here with Prince Qin? Had Zhao Xiaoling already found a new protector?

 

“Prince Qin,” a voice sounded beside him.

 

Zheng Chao turned his gaze away from Zhao Xiaoling and looked at Luo Ming. He smiled politely and fanned himself lightly, his gaze shifting between the three of them as if watching a play.

 

Zhao Xiaoling remained expressionless, and she had never liked Zheng Chao. Still, she had to thank him for speaking up on her behalf, sparing her from being taken away prematurely.

 

But on that day, although Zheng Chao had pointed her out to him, it was a trap that led her into danger. In a way, this favor balanced the scales.

 

Zhao Xiaoling handed the gift to a servant, who opened it to reveal a millennium-old ginseng.

 

“Thank you, Prince Qin,” Zheng Chao said as he accepted the gift, his eyes flicking to Zhao Xiaoling once more.

 

That day, he had almost succeeded, but he had been called away by Luo Ming, leading to a trade that he reluctantly made for the sake of his future. He had thought that Prince Qin was merely playing around, but now he realized that he had brought her into his inner circle.

 

Prince Qin already had a lover, hadn’t he?

 

Curiosity burned within him, but he dared not ask.

 

Nevertheless, if Prince Qin was marrying someone of lower status, would he really care about taking more concubines?

 

He sighed inwardly, regretting that he hadn’t acted earlier when he had the chance. He had missed every opportunity.

 

Meanwhile, Qin Tianke discreetly dug her nails into her palm, her gaze filled with jealousy as she watched Zhao Xiaoling.

 

Her beloved was pursued with such effort, and yet Prince Qin’s heart seemed to belong to another woman. How could she endure this?

 

Among the three of them, hidden under the surface, emotions churned, and Qin Huang, who stood nearby, could discern it all. He approached and said, “The banquet has begun; let’s all take our seats. Prince Qin, please, this way.”

 

Prince Qin smiled, folded his fan, and swaggered away.

 

As for Prince Qin’s gift, he had to admit that it was fitting. 

 

Zhao Xiaoling was here as a mere attendant, not intending to participate in the banquet. However, the Qin family provided drinks for every attendant, and she couldn’t refuse without embarrassing Luo Ming. So, reluctantly, she accepted a glass.

 

On her second glass, Luo Ming intervened with a smile, blocking the waiter who tried to serve her. “She’s a guest of mine; she doesn’t drink.”

 

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present changed instantly, their gazes directed towards Zhao Xiaoling.

 

Qin Huang’s expression stiffened momentarily, but now that he had consumed the wine, there was no turning back. He could only pretend to be oblivious to the situation.

 

At that moment, someone unexpectedly entered the room.

 

“Brother, sister, I’m here,” Qin Cheng announced.

 

Everyone’s gaze shifted towards him.

 

“Qin Cheng, you…” Qin Huang was surprised. Hadn’t he instructed someone to keep an eye on Qin Cheng? How had he managed to come out? Fortunately, he hadn’t brought that woman with him; otherwise, things might have become complicated.

 

Qin Huang relaxed his expression.

 

Luo Ming was naturally curious. “Who is this?”

 

“Don’t tease Prince Qin,” Qin Huang said. “This is my younger brother, Qin Cheng.”

 

Qin Cheng approached with a smile. “So, you must be Prince Qin, a truly handsome and charming gentleman.”

 

Luo Ming smiled in response. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere.”

 

“I speak from the heart,” Qin Cheng said. He glanced briefly at Zheng Chao, who seemed lost in thought while looking at Zhao Xiaoling. “I apologize for my tardiness, Prince Qin. I’ll penalize myself with a drink.”

 

Qin Cheng raised his cup and emptied it in one go. During this action, he happened to notice Zhao Xiaoling, who appeared drowsy, next to Zheng Chao. This surprised him.

 

Luo Ming found Qin Cheng somewhat interesting and didn’t object to his presence.

 

“My Lord, may I offer a toast to you?” Qin Cheng poured another glass of wine and extended it to Luo Ming.

 

Luo Ming didn’t accept but instead raised his own glass, clinking it against Qin Cheng’s. “I don’t like accepting drinks from others. Consider this a toast, now that you’ve offered.”

 

“Very well,” Qin Cheng replied, not disappointed. He drank his own glass of wine.

 

“Qin Cheng, you should head back now. You still haven’t finished copying those scriptures,” Qin Huang said with a sigh, eager to keep Qin Cheng from getting too involved.

 

Fortunately, Qin Cheng had already achieved his goal. He smiled and complied, saying, “Alright. Then, Prince Qin, I shall take my leave.”

 

“What’s the rush? You’re leaving so soon?” Luo Ming hadn’t figured out Qin Cheng’s intentions yet.

 

“My brother has some minor issues with his birth chart, making him unsuitable for exposure to such a grand event. We wouldn’t want to disrupt your joyous occasion,” Qin Huang added with a meaningful look.

 

Luo Ming, not wanting to spoil the festive atmosphere, nodded. “Very well, since you put it that way, you may leave.”

 

Qin Cheng bowed slightly and exited the room.

 

As soon as he left, two servants followed him. They walked to an isolated spot, and Qin Cheng handed over the remaining pouch of medicine. “I’ve done my part. It’s time for you to give me the antidote.”

 

Luo Ming took the medicine pouch back and gave him a scrutinizing look. “Do you know that woman?”

 

“I don’t know her,” Qin Cheng replied. “But I’ve seen her once.”

 

Then, he looked at Luo Ming and asked with a grin, “Is the beauty jealous?”

 

Beside them, Gu Xingzhi began to draw his sword.

 

Halfway through drawing the sword, Qin Cheng quickly surrendered. “I was just joking! Just joking!”

 

“I can’t give you the antidote for now, to prevent any risk of you leaking information. You will receive it in three days,” Luo Shen replied as he tucked the medicine pouch into his robes, coincidentally touching the bundle of letters. His expression darkened.

 

Qin Cheng noticed Luo Shen’s reaction and decided to be upfront. “We each have our own interests. Why would I betray you? You came here to find evidence that the Qin family framed the Zhao family, right? I’ve given you the evidence. I have less than an hour left. Can you guarantee my life for three more days?”

 

Luo Shen, seeing that Qin Cheng was telling the truth, decided not to pretend further. “Is that really your brother? Why did you harm him? Why should I trust you?”

 

“That girl was his biological sister; I was merely an adopted son of the Qin family,” Qin Cheng explained. “We were both adopted by both the Qin and Zhao families.”

 

Years ago, the Qin and Zhao families had a close relationship, and they planned to arrange a marriage between their children. However, since Qin Huang was much older, they decided to adopt a son, which was Qin Cheng.

 

He had lived with the Zhao family until he was ten, after which Qin Huang unexpectedly demanded his return when the Qin family’s main assets were transferred to Qin Cheng. He had never revealed where he kept the key that controlled most of the family’s wealth. Qin Huang had needed to earn his trust by pretending to be friendly.

 

Now, he finally had a chance to avenge the Zhao family, who had been wrongly accused of treason after Qin Huang’s assassination attempt on the prince.

 

“You’re not afraid that our interests align with Qin Huang’s?” Luo Shen was intrigued but cautious. “Your boldness is quite surprising.”

 

Qin Cheng smiled. “My lord, when I first saw the person accompanying you, I realized her martial skills were extraordinary. Despite your apparent villainous intentions, your unwavering direction towards the Qin residence gave me a hint. Even if both of you are not good people, as long as you help me deal with Qin Huang, that’s sufficient.”

 

Qin Cheng hadn’t anticipated that these two were even more formidable than he had imagined.

 

“If you tell me everything, you don’t need to worry about your life,” Luo Shen replied, still considering his options.

 

Qin Cheng sighed. “Alright, let’s cooperate. You let me leave the Qin family safely, and I become your informant.”

 

Without another word, Luo Shen tossed him a medicine vial and, together with Gu Xingzhi, left the scene.

 

Qin Cheng held the vial, feeling relieved that he had saved his own life.

 

When he looked closely at the vial, he noticed a piece of paper attached to it with the words “Rescue Heart Pill.”

 

Qin Cheng’s expression darkened even further.

 

He turned back and bumped into someone. Prepared to speak, he suddenly felt a soft, fragrant body pressed against him. A hoarse voice filled with desperation whispered, “Save me…”

 

With a somber expression, he embraced the person and swiftly kicked open one of the rooms, taking the individual inside.

 

Back at the banquet, everyone had collapsed, and wine jars were scattered on the floor.

 

Luo Shen held his arm, instructing Gu Xingzhi, “Carry him away for Us!”

 

Gu Xingzhi sighed. “…”

 

Listening to Luo Shen’s instructions, Gu Xingzhi carried Luo Ming outside the estate. When he returned, Gu Xingzhi stood on the wall and asked, “Can you climb up?”

 

Luo Shen thought it was a piece of cake. He took a few quick steps and just barely stopped at the base of the wall.

 

He stared at the red bricks for a few seconds, then decisively opened his arms. “I will allow you to carry me up.”

 

Gu Xingzhi was taken aback. “Isn’t martial arts taught in the palace?”

 

Luo Shen landed on the wall and replied casually, “Yes, it is.”

 

Gu Xingzhi found it strange. Climbing a wall this short should be simple, even for those not skilled in martial arts, right?

 

He led Luo Shen up the wall and asked, “So, you learned it?”

 

Luo Shen, perched on the wall, replied, “Yes, but I never mastered it.”

 

Gu Xingzhi blurted out, “Isn’t this the simplest skill? Even a novice can do it.”

 

Luo Shen glared at Gu Xingzhi fiercely.

 

Gu Xingzhi, realizing his slip of the tongue, looked down at the ground below the wall. “I hope Your Majesty won’t blame me for misspeaking.”

 

Luo Shen growled, “You dare?”

 

“Your Majesty, I’m just afraid of death.”

 

Luo Shen stammered, “B-but aren’t you afraid?”

 

Gu Xingzhi released his grip around Luo Shen’s waist, and the cool breeze brushed over them. Luo Shen, panicking, hugged Gu Xingzhi tightly, threatening, “You! Don’t even think about harming Me!”

 

“I’m only afraid of death.” Gu Xingzhi shook his head earnestly. “Your Majesty, you won’t have me executed when we return, will you?”

 

“Gu…Xing…zhi!”

 

He gritted his teeth. “I won’t!”

 

“Your Majesty, although I made you cross-dress, you should consider my contributions when we return. You won’t send me to pour night fragrance, right?”

 

Luo Shen was still floating in the air, and he suddenly remembered that he was in a precarious situation. But the breeze under his skirt was cooling, and he was stuck on the wall.

 

“Alright, I promise you! Are you satisfied now? Please, get Me down quickly!” Luo Shen pleaded.

 

Gu Xingzhi’s mouth opened in a smile, and he nodded. “Your Majesty, I won’t forget your kindness. Well then, allow me to take you down.”

 

As they descended from the wall, a gust of wind caused Luo Shen’s veil to flutter. He suddenly remembered something else, and despair washed over him. But he couldn’t get off the wall.

 

“Your Majesty, I won’t…”

 

Before he could finish his sentence, Luo Shen quickly interrupted him. “I promise you everything! Let’s get down quickly!”

 

Gu Xingzhi smiled and, with a firm grip, held Luo Shen in his arms as they leaped down.

 

A gust of wind blew, and Luo Shen noticed that his veil was showing signs of falling. He quickly raised his head.

 

Just as they landed on the ground, Gu Xingzhi lowered his gaze and saw that the veil had lifted and revealed a delicate face.

 

Innocent pupils were clear as a mirror, reflecting his own appearance.

 

He was stunned.