Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 4

When the late Emperor ascended to the throne in his youth, full of vigor and unable to tolerate the intrigues of the imperial harem, he quickly found an excuse to disperse the palace and focused solely on the affairs of the state.

 

However, no matter how resolute the young Emperor was, he couldn’t withstand the pressure from the united front of the veteran courtiers. In the end, they reached a compromise, and he married the daughter of the Prime Minister to become his Empress.

 

But in that very year, while the late Emperor was on a journey, he encountered a woman from Jiangnan, and at first sight, he was captivated by her. He took her as his concubine, and soon she became pregnant.

 

In the palace, the Empress, unable to endure being neglected, conspired with the Emperor for a night, which resulted in her becoming pregnant.

 

However, even with her pregnancy, the Emperor did not pay much attention to the Empress. In fact, he began to target the faction of the Prime Minister due to her actions. This angered the Empress to the point where she acted recklessly, even harming one of the concubines.

 

The concubine nearly suffered a miscarriage and developed lingering health issues. Shortly after giving birth to Luo Shen, she succumbed to illness.

 

Three months later, the Empress gave birth to Luo Ming. Surprisingly, her attitude toward Luo Shen changed drastically, and she started showing him affection.

 

The Emperor forbade the Empress from seeing Luo Shen, but the young Luo Shen, not understanding the complexities, was tricked by the Empress several times into delivering gifts to his younger brother.

 

Later on, as the Emperor realized that the Empress had no ill intentions towards Luo Shen, he gradually let go of his caution and allowed Luo Shen and Luo Ming to study together.

 

However, not long after, the Empress engineered an accident where Luo Shen fell into the water. When she feigned rescuing him, she accidentally discovered Luo Shen’s secret. She used this secret to blackmail the Emperor into making Luo Ming the Crown Prince.

 

The Emperor was furious and found an excuse to execute the Empress. Just before her death, the Empress told Luo Ming that it was all because of Luo Shen, accusing him of taking everything away from her.

 

Young Luo Ming developed a deep resentment towards Luo Shen due to these events, and their relationship became strained, with little to no interaction between them.

 

As Luo Shen pulled his thoughts back from these memories, he glanced down at the pastry on his plate, now mushed by his own doing. He felt a lump in his throat, reached for a glass of water, and unintentionally caught someone’s gaze, which seemed to say, “You’re beyond help.”

 

Luo Shen thought to himself, “What did I do again?”

 

Luo Shen’s temper began to flare up as past memories resurfaced. When he lifted his eyes, he noticed a cold and angry gaze directed at him.

 

His lips parted, ready to speak, but before he could, there was a movement at the table where Gu Xingzhi sat. An official approached him to offer a toast, and Gu Xingzhi quickly stood up and extended his hand to reciprocate. In the process, something around his waist swayed.

 

Luo Shen’s words were abruptly stuck in his throat.

 

He immediately reached for his waist, and his heart skipped a beat.

 

Where was his jade pendant?

 

It was the last memento left to him by his mother!

 

Was Gu Xingzhi threatening him with this?

 

Luo Shen stared at Gu Xingzhi, his lips now filled with anger.

 

Not only had Gu Xingzhi schemed against him, but he had also stolen his jade pendant?

 

Luo Shen’s fury continued to smolder as he thought about it.

 

The official offering the toast couldn’t help but admire Gu Xingzhi’s appearance and talent. He marveled, “General Gu, you are young and talented. You will surely make a significant impact in the court. I wonder, do you have someone special in mind?”

 

Gu Xingzhi was momentarily taken aback, feeling the intense gaze upon him. He glanced at Luo Shen and inexplicably sensed a hint of innocence and simplicity in his eyes.

 

Gu Xingzhi spoke almost absentmindedly, “I have someone in mind.”

 

Luo Shen gritted his teeth. How could someone with someone special in their life come and provoke him like this? Gu Xingzhi was indeed a heartbreaker, ruthless to the core!

 

The official was puzzled, “General Gu, you’ve only returned to the capital not long ago, and you recently fell ill with a cold. How could you have found someone so quickly? Can you tell me who she is? Perhaps, I could assist in some way?”

 

Gu Xingzhi felt his head spinning. He hadn’t even asked for the person’s name last night, and considering the circumstances, he had forcefully taken them. It wouldn’t be easy to seek forgiveness now.

 

He replied with some difficulty, “I appreciate your offer, but it’s a complicated situation. I’d rather not disclose her identity for now.”

 

But… no matter what, he had to find that person and apologize.

 

Gu Xingzhi said, “It was someone I met last night, and I don’t even know their name yet. Thank you for your concern, Lord Zhang, but I’ll handle this matter myself.”

 

“Only met once?” Lord Zhang was surprised. “I’ve heard that the people of the borderlands are straightforward and passionate. It seems that General Gu is also…”

 

Gu Xingzhi hesitated for a moment, thinking that among the officials present, there might be the one he was looking for, and they were now watching his reaction. So he promised, “Love at first sight. If she comes to find me, I will take responsibility for it.”

 

The crowd reacted with excitement, and many of them looked at Gu Xingzhi with admiration.

 

However, Luo Shen’s expression turned as cold as ice. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a surge of anger.

 

Gu Xingzhi noticed the change in Luo Shen’s gaze and glanced at him. Others followed their gaze.

 

Luo Shen said with a hint of sarcasm, “General Gu seems to be suggesting that the Emperor should take the lead in this matter, but doesn’t General Gu still not know the background of this person?”

 

The Prime Minister, who wanted to win Gu Xingzhi over, suggested, “I believe General Gu, with his looks and talents, is likely to have won the favor of a lady. Besides, Your Majesty could issue an edict to search for this lady. If she is willing, she will naturally find General Gu. Let’s set a limit of three months. If this lady cannot be found within that time, General Gu will understand her intentions. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

 

This plan allowed both sides to save face. Although the Prime Minister had mistakenly assumed the person was a woman, Gu Xingzhi was quite satisfied with this proposal.

 

Wait a minute, gender…?

 

A sudden realization hit Gu Xingzhi, and his expression grew serious.

 

Luo Shen attempted to refuse, but the next moment, Gu Xingzhi suddenly knelt down and pleaded, “I implore Your Majesty.”

 

Luo Shen was taken aback. The crowd’s eager gazes made him hesitate.

 

Gu Xingzhi’s kneeling gesture and the fact that he had misunderstood the person’s gender made Luo Shen wonder if this was a deliberate act to deceive him.

 

Despite his doubts, Luo Shen decided to issue the decree. Gu Xingzhi breathed a sigh of relief and accepted the edict with gratitude.

 

Luo Shen: “…”

 

What was going on here?

 

He couldn’t help but suspect that Gu Xingzhi hadn’t recognized him.

 

After the banquet, he needed to find out…

 

Luo Shen felt dizzy for a moment, so he discreetly pinched his thigh.

 

Chang’an approached him and wiped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief, but when he accidentally touched his burning forehead with her fingertip, she couldn’t help but retract her hand with a slight change in her expression.

 

Fortunately, the banquet didn’t last long, and everyone was dismissed before curfew.

 

With most of the guests already having their share of drinks, no one noticed when Chang’an helped Luo Shen to his feet, and Luo Shen was on the verge of passing out.

 

As the banquet ended, Gu Xingzhi managed to send everyone away. However, just before leaving the palace, he turned back and saw a court physician hurrying after a palace maid.

 

Had someone overindulged?

 

Gu Xingzhi didn’t think too much about it and hurriedly joined the procession.

 

Back at his residence, Gu Xingzhi recalled the absurdity of the previous night and blushed as he relived the events. As he thought back, he remembered everything, including the unique features he had noticed last night.

 

And that part of his body that was different from an ordinary man’s…

 

He was sure now; that person was neither a woman nor an ordinary man.

 

The person he had met last night seemed naive, and it was probably their first time falling in love. They had been deceived and taken advantage of. It was clear that the person they liked was not a good one and would only harm them. Gu Xingzhi thought that maybe it would be better if…

 

If that person followed him. At least they would have a peaceful life in the future.

 

Gu Xingzhi sighed. People like that were the easiest to deceive. Even if the other person didn’t like him now, he could cultivate those feelings, and in the future, he could find an excuse to let them go, which was better than the other person being deceived and mistreated now.

 

Besides…

 

If he didn’t protect that person well, and when he settled the matter of last night, he accidentally harmed an innocent person, that wouldn’t be good.

 

On the other hand, an innocent Luo Shen lay on his bed.

 

The traces on his body had been cleared away. Due to the conflict between the medicine for dispelling cold and the contraceptive potion, he had to take the former first. When Luo Shen woke up the next day, he had missed the best time to take the latter.

 

With a new emperor ascending the throne and rumors of him catching a cold spreading, it would be detrimental if the news got out. So, Luo Shen had to bear his discomfort and attend court.

 

Fortunately, Gu Xingzhi was well-behaved, even Luo Ming was diligently attending court. Luo Shen secretly sighed in relief. After court, he headed back to his palace.

 

Chang’an had already prepared some medicinal soup for him, ready to serve it as soon as he returned.

 

However, when he saw Chang’an approaching, Luo Shen couldn’t help but ask, “Chang’an, what are you doing?”

 

Chang’an: “…”

 

He had a feeling that if the timing and identity were different, Luo Shen would have ordered someone’s execution on the spot.

 

It’s not true, right?

 

Luo Shen’s breathing wasn’t very smooth. After drinking the medicinal soup, he lay back down and closed his eyes, feeling hot-headed.

 

He fell into a drowsy sleep, and when he woke up again, it was already dark. Chang’an was tucking him in. When he saw Luo Shen open his eyes, he quickly said, “Your Majesty, would you like to have something to eat?”

 

Luo Shen was assisted to sit up, and as he looked around, he saw Changxin cleaning a sword on the side.

 

His hand trembled, and he asked, “Changxin, what are you doing?”

 

Changxin’s movements didn’t stop, and she asked, “Your Majesty, the person from that day was General Gu, wasn’t it?”

 

Emperor Luo Shen: “…”

 

Without a reply, Changxin analyzed on her own, “Your Majesty has always been obedient and never held unfounded grudges against anyone. After meeting General Gu yesterday, Your Majesty’s demeanor has been off, so I dare to guess that it must be General Gu who’s at fault.”

 

Emperor Luo Sheng’s heart trembled, feeling the anger radiating from that sword’s glow. He asked, “What… what do you intend to do?”

 

Changxin smoothly stood up, still holding the sword, her expression cold. “I intend to share Your Majesty’s concerns.”

 

TL Note : Chang’an and Changxin are 2 different characters