Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 27

Luoshen stared at Gu Xingzhi in astonishment. What could he possibly want after seeing him?

Had he discovered something?

However, when Luoshen looked more closely, he noticed that Gu Xingzhi appeared somewhat uncertain. His tone and questions were probing. Maybe he suspected something but wasn’t entirely sure?

“Your Majesty, I heard he was your attendant?” Gu Xingzhi asked, his throat involuntarily tightening. If Luoshen claimed not to know him, Gu Xingzhi would be sure that Changnian was lying, and that could lead to severe consequences.

However, if Luoshen admitted to knowing Changnian…

“Yes, I do know him. What’s the matter? He is indeed my attendant,” Luoshen replied, his eyes appearing bewildered. Though he said only these few words, his heart raced, and he had to step back a couple of paces to avoid revealing his nervousness to Gu Xingzhi.

Gu Xingzhi hesitated before responding, “It’s nothing. I just happened to see him with Chang’an. No one in the palace seems to know him, so I was curious.”

“If there’s nothing wrong, just let him be. Don’t bother him,” Luoshen added, realizing that Gu Xingzhi might be suspicious. The last thing he wanted was for Gu Xingzhi to dig deeper into the matter.

Gu Xingzhi, his mouth half open, decided not to pursue the matter further. 

If Luoshen acknowledged knowing Changnian, it meant either that he was complicit in the plan or that he had been deceived. Gu Xingzhi believed it was more likely the latter. After all, Luoshen had supported Emperor Ping rise to power, so why would he be so friendly with him if he knew the truth about the plot to frame Qin Wang?

“Alright,” Luoshen continued, worried that he might have revealed too much. He watched Gu Xingzhi’s expression, praying that his suspicion would subside.

Gu Xingzhi was indeed relieved by Luoshen’s response. He nodded and made no further inquiry. As long as there was no threat to Changnian, he could rest a little easier.

Loosening his tense expression, Gu Xingzhi returned to his senses, seemingly satisfied that his concerns were unfounded.

Luoshen turned and walked away, heading back to the palace. He waved his hand and added, “In a few days, I’ll arrange a marriage for you.”

Gu Xingzhi followed him and, watching Luoshen board the carriage, raised an eyebrow. “Your Majesty, are you serious?”

Luoshen, who was eager to marry him off, nodded vigorously. “Absolutely!”

“Your Majesty, I have no intention for now but may I choose my partner in exchange for my service and achievements?” Gu Xingzhi asked.

Looshen was seated in the carriage, picking up a piece of pastry as he mumbled, “That’s fine.”

As long as Gu Xingzhi didn’t intend to pursue Changnian, there was no harm in granting his request.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Luoshen waved his hand, dismissing Gu Xingzhi, and waited until he was inside his own carriage before realizing something.

Gu Xingzhi had only said, “I have no intention for now,” but he didn’t explicitly say that he had no intention at all!

Had he unknowingly dug himself into a pit?

The next morning, Luoshen was woken up by Chang’an, who was bustling around the palace, preparing for a celebration.

Luoshen, curious, asked, “What’s going on?”

“Your Majesty, you’re awake?” Chang’an quickly approached him. “Prince Qin sent wedding invitations early in the morning. I had the preparations made accordingly.”

“Oh,” Luoshen replied as he got up from the bed.

Luoshen was somewhat impressed by Prince Qin’s resilience. Just the night before, he had narrowly escaped death, and yet, he could happily host a wedding banquet the very next day. He couldn’t help but wonder about the fortitude of Prince Qin’s heart.

Luoshen finished his morning routine, changed into everyday attire, and headed to Prince Qin’s residence.

The wedding banquet was a significant event, drawing numerous guests who were eager to witness an imperial occasion and forge connections with influential figures.

Originally, the Qin family was also expected to attend, but due to the incident involving Prince Qin, combined with their inability to locate Qin Feng, they chose to boycott the event.

However, one individual managed to slip through the cracks.

Dressed as a servant, Qin Cheng navigated through the palace, performing various tasks like serving drinks and tidying up. He carefully observed the palace attendants and overheard two spies discussing their intentions.

One of them whispered, “The Emperor is sure to come today!”

Another conspirator responded, “If we can eliminate him, it’ll be a great revenge for our master!”

The first person argued, “No! Given the current situation, if we kill him, it will be too obvious that Prince Qin is behind it.”

“What do you suggest, then?”

“Prince Qin planned to place someone in the palace’s harem, right? We can poison the Emperor and force him to accept it. When we present the Emperor’s acquiescence to the officials, he won’t be able to refuse it!”

“Your idea is brilliant!”

The two conspirators continued to discuss their wicked plan, all the while unaware that Qin Cheng, disguised as a servant, was within earshot. He couldn’t believe the audacity and the absurdity of their scheme.

He silently observed them, thinking that these agents from the former prime minister’s faction were both foolish and malicious.

Their devious plan was so blatant; they assumed that the Emperor would be unable to uncover their plot.

As he listened to them, Qin Cheng realized that he needed to protect the Emperor from this treacherous conspiracy.

While he pondered their next move, the crowd suddenly erupted in commotion, followed by the announcement, “The Emperor has arrived!”

Everyone in the palace knelt in unison.

Qin Cheng looked up and couldn’t believe his eyes. Among the crowd, he saw a familiar face.

He was momentarily stunned.

It was her – the beauty? 

Luoshen’s expression remained calm as he scanned the kneeling subjects and proceeded towards the inner hall. As he walked through the crowd, he wrinkled his brow.

Did he just see Qin Cheng?

Could it be that Qin Cheng managed to infiltrate the palace after all?

It was noticed by Gu Xingzhi, who followed behind him.

While Luoshen entered the room, and Qin Cheng regained his composure, just as he was about to stand up, Gu Xingzhi appeared silently behind Qin Cheng, pressing the hilt of a sword against his lower back.

“Qin Cheng, let’s have a conversation somewhere else.”

Qin Cheng: “…”

His legs went weak, confirming everything.

When Gu Xingzhi returned to the banquet hall, everyone had already started eating.

Luoming was outside, entertaining other guests, while the ministers gathered around another table. Gu Xingzhi scanned the room, and his gaze landed on Luoshen, who was enjoying his meal.

A shadow loomed over him, and Luoshen paused while lifting a piece of meat. He looked up and saw Gu Xingzhi. He relaxed for a moment, but then Gu Xingzhi asked, “Is the Emperor hungry?”

Luoshen looked at Gu Xingzhi, confused. “Why would I eat if I’m not hungry?”

Gu Xingzhi choked on his words, picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, and examined it closely.

Luoshen said, “Chang’an has checked everything. There’s no problem.”

Gu Xingzhi glanced at him, his chest heaving.

He had already given Luoshen some hints on that day, but this foolish Emperor appeared to be completely oblivious. He even had the audacity to listen to Chang’an.

Gu Xingzhi put down his chopsticks and grabbed Luoshen, pulling him up. He said to the servants standing by, “The Emperor has finished his meal and wishes to rest. Please show the way.”

The two servants, who had been eavesdropping, rushed to lead the way.

They escorted Luoshen to a quiet, secluded courtyard. Once they pushed him inside, Gu Xingzhi locked the door.

The two servants exchanged a look and, with synchrony, shut the door.

Luoshen, struggling to break free from Gu Xingzhi’s grip, realized it was futile. Gu Xingzhi’s strength was overwhelming, and Luoshen’s efforts to resist seemed as effective as scratching an itch.

Frustrated, he looked at Gu Xingzhi, “Gu Xingzhi!”

Luoshen tried to push his hand away, but found himself completely powerless. He had no choice but to despair as he entered the room. He looked at Gu Xingzhi with an exasperated expression.

“Your Majesty, I’ve seen you.”

In the room, a third voice broke the silence.