Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 41

Qin Cheng has been quite annoying lately.

 

He felt it himself.

 

Especially when he repeatedly interrupted others’ good moments, his presence was particularly strong.

 

Qin Cheng’s straight back felt a bit prickly, and he glanced over secretly. Sure enough, Gu Xingzhi was glaring at him with a dark face.

 

Qin Cheng’s legs felt a bit weak.

 

“Is knocking out Luo Ming not useful anymore?” Luo Shen rubbed his forehead, unable to figure out what Luo Ming wanted from him. It seemed he had to go personally.

 

He looked up at Qin Cheng, just about to speak, but noticed Qin Cheng’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, as if he had been frightened by something.

 

Without showing his emotions, Luo Shen tugged at Gu Xingzhi’s sleeve, and the gloomy aura around him instantly disappeared. Qin Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, “Your Majesty, why not go with Lord Gu? It would be safer that way.”

 

Gu Xingzhi agreed, “I should go too.”

 

Luo Shen: “…”

 

He reached into someone’s sleeve and pinched the palm.

 

Daring to scare his subordinates right in front of him, how bold!

 

Unexpectedly, Gu Xingzhi was ridiculously bold. He directly held Luo Shen’s hand, gently squeezing it.

 

Luo Shen hurriedly tried to pull his hand back, but Gu Xingzhi wouldn’t let go.

 

Not wanting Qin Cheng to notice anything, Luo Shen quickly signaled with his eyes, but Gu Xingzhi pretended not to see, saying, “Qin Cheng, go prepare a carriage.”

 

Qin Cheng had been itching to run. He quickly responded and got up to leave.

 

He even closed the door for them.

 

Once the door was closed, someone was pressed onto the bed and kissed gently but thoroughly.

 

The wind picked up outside, and the window, not properly closed, banged against the frame, making Luo Shen shudder. His eyes cleared a bit, and he pulled back slightly, reminding, “Qin Cheng is still waiting outside.”

 

Gu Xingzhi looked at the deepening marks on Luo Shen’s collar and finally seemed satisfied.

 

After a while, Qin Cheng, who had been waiting outside for a long time, finally saw them come out. He quickly set up the step by the carriage and watched as Gu Xingzhi helped Luo Shen up. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Luo Shen’s legs seemed to give way a little as he got into the carriage.

 

Qin Cheng: “…”

 

Better to pretend he didn’t see that.

 

Inside the carriage, Luo Shen nestled in Gu Xingzhi’s arms, eating fruit.

 

The green flesh was so sour it made his teeth ache, and Luo Shen ate it in small bites.

 

Behind him, Gu Xingzhi said, “I investigated that list and found there was indeed someone moving between Qin Huang and Prince Qin.”

 

Luo Shen, hearing this, asked seriously, “Who?”

 

“Does Your Majesty remember the guard by Prince Qin’s side that day?”

 

Luo Shen was confused for a moment, then gradually remembered. That guard had even pushed him into the pool once, but he was wearing a human skin mask at the time and wasn’t recognized.

 

Later, Gu Xingzhi imprisoned that guard until Luo Ming exchanged himself for the guard’s release by agreeing to be imprisoned.

 

“It’s him?” Luo Shen was a bit shocked. He had never considered that straight-laced guard. Even if he had checked the list himself and seen the guard’s name, he would have just thought the guard was following orders.

 

“Yes,” Gu Xingzhi said. “Years ago, the former Prime Minister had an illegitimate son in addition to the former Empress. When the former Empress’s faction fell, the illegitimate son fled the capital to marry and have children. Unexpectedly, he was discovered by agents sent by the previous Emperor and was killed.”

 

At that time, the young guard was out playing and was not found.

 

When he returned home, he found his father lying in a pool of blood, barely alive, and his mother faint from crying.

 

After that, the guard grew up under a false name and followed Luo Ming.

 

As for the Qin Huang and the Qin family, it was because his mother was Qin Huang’s mother’s sister. Before Qin Huang’s mother died, she had correspondence with the guard’s mother, and the guard had received assistance from Qin Huang.

 

“However, since Prince Qin was imprisoned, this guard has also disappeared,” Gu Xingzhi said worriedly. After all, the guard might blame Luo Shen, and now that he was missing, he could be hiding somewhere, waiting to attack Luo Shen.

 

With wolves in front and tigers behind, and a child in his belly, Luo Shen’s situation was extremely difficult. At this moment, Gu Xingzhi could only stay by his side, protect him, and carefully solve the problems one by one.

 

“So, that’s why Luo Ming was so eager to see me.” Luo Shen lowered his eyelids after speaking and suddenly chuckled softly.

 

“What?” Gu Xingzhi was puzzled. He looked down at Luo Shen’s fluffy head and gradually realized, “Prince Qin he—”

 

**Could it be that he also likes men?**

 

Luo Shen shook his head. “Whether he likes men or not is uncertain, but he definitely came because of that little guard.”

 

If Gu Xingzhi hadn’t mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten.

 

A few years ago, Luo Ming was expelled from the palace by the previous emperor for constantly causing trouble, and was given a residence. Not long after, he recruited that guard and brought him into the palace.

 

Every time Luo Ming and the guard entered the palace, they deliberately caused trouble for Luo Shen. Once, they were caught by the previous emperor, who wanted to punish the guard, but Luo Ming suddenly apologized to Luo Shen.

 

There was a significant softening of attitude.

 

Even if they were not in that kind of relationship, their bond as master and servant was deep.

 

Being imprisoned in his residence, he naturally knew the guard would come to seek revenge on Luo Shen.

 

“He made a fuss about dying and waited for me to come over just to check on my status. As long as I was alive, it meant the guard hadn’t made a move.”

 

“But he was in such a hurry today, something must have happened,” Gu Xingzhi furrowed his brows deeper.

 

Luo Shen nodded.

 

He had received no news and didn’t know what was happening on Luo Ming’s side.

 

Could it be that Luo Ming wanted to lure Luo Shen out personally for the guard to assassinate?

 

Luo Shen was startled. He looked at the green fruit, his throat tightening.

 

Then he…

 

Behind him, Gu Xingzhi tightened his embrace and ground his teeth. “Your Majesty… did you just realize this now?”

 

Don’t think he didn’t notice. When Luo Shen was analyzing, his tone was calm and methodical, seeming like Gu Xingzhi was analyzing, but it was actually Luo Shen leading him.

 

Gu Xingzhi could confirm Luo Shen didn’t know the guard’s identity, but would Luo Shen not think about the unusual behavior of Luo Ming?

 

Luo Shen felt guilty. “I… was just analyzing based on your report. Whether it’s true or not isn’t certain.”

 

He had initially guessed it was the never-returning Xu Shuiying, so he wasn’t completely wrong… right?

 

Hearing this, Gu Xingzhi’s anger dissipated. What else could he say?

 

When they first met, he thought Luo Shen was just a beautiful useless person. Gradually, he saw Luo Shen had some qualities of a monarch, but didn’t expect this.

 

Luo Shen didn’t have the skill to protect himself but was excellent at putting himself in danger.

 

If Gu Xingzhi hadn’t insisted on coming along, could this journey have been safe?

 

The next moment, an icy dagger appeared in Luo Shen’s hand. The handle was cylindrical with several holes, looking like a short flute. The blade was very thin, seemingly only good for stabbing fruit, not much else.

 

He looked up at Gu Xingzhi in surprise.

 

“Ah Shen, take this dagger with you, just in case.”

 

This was specially ordered during an investigation some time ago.

 

Gu Xingzhi held his hand, retracting the blade into the short flute. Then he threaded a red string through one of the holes, tied a slipknot, and hung it around Luo Shen’s neck.

 

“The journey is dangerous and precautions are necessary. Giving you an ordinary dagger might lead to accidental injuries, so I specially got this for you.”

 

Warm breath brushed his ear, making Luo Shen’s heart beat faster.

 

He stared at the short flute, only palm-sized, with a mechanism at the bottom that would extend the blade when pressed.

 

He curiously pressed it a couple of times. Suddenly, the carriage braked sharply, causing him to mishandle the dagger and stab his palm.

 

Luo Shen snapped back to reality, seeing blood oozing from his left palm, stunned.

 

Gu Xingzhi was also stunned.

 

Gu Xingzhi felt exasperated. He wanted to frame the phrase “Luo Shen is the best at harming himself!”

 

He was still seething when the sound of fighting came from outside. Someone had clearly made a move. He had no choice but to retrieve the dagger, rehang it on Luo Shen, and use his soft sword to cut off his outer robe for a simple bandage.

 

Outside the carriage, Qin Cheng, fighting five people alone, was struggling.

 

“Lord Gu, there are assassins! The coachman is dead. Please take the emperor and leave quickly!”

 

Qin Cheng shouted loudly and continued to do his best to prevent the five men from approaching. He pulled the coachman’s body off the carriage, but at that moment, another shadow charged towards him.

 

Instinctively, Qin Cheng dodged, but the black-clad man took his place, grabbed the reins, and immediately turned the carriage in a different direction, speeding away.

 

Qin Cheng: “…”

 

He stared wide-eyed, his hand still in the air, watching helplessly as the carriage was taken away.

 

The other black-clad men exchanged glances and prepared to leave.

 

In the next second, Qin Cheng, who had been standing dumbfounded and grieving over his master’s abduction, suddenly appeared behind them with a sinister smile.

 

With a rage-filled grin, he said, “Gentlemen, where do you think you’re going?”

 

The five black-clad men shivered simultaneously.

 

“How about a visit to the Ministry of Justice?” Qin Cheng drew his sword, and it sang as it sliced through the air.

 

Meanwhile, the black-clad man drove the carriage at full speed, a sword at his throat held by Gu Xingzhi.

 

Feeling the cold blade against his neck, the black-clad man instinctively pulled the reins to stop the carriage.

 

The carriage swayed, but Gu Xingzhi stood firm, the sword steady against the man’s throat, ready to spill blood with a single movement.

 

The black-clad man’s chest heaved, and he closed his eyes, awaiting his fate.

 

At this moment, Luo Shen bent over to pick up the fruit and stepped out, seeing the man. He gave Gu Xingzhi a look, “Tie him up and take him to Prince Qin’s residence with us.”

 

The black-clad man’s eyes snapped open.

 

Luo Shen took a bite of the fruit, which was crispy and not too sour. He handed it to Gu Xingzhi. “What’s your name?”

 

The black-clad man replied, “I’m not going to Prince Qin’s residence.”

 

Luo Shen picked up another fruit and paused. “But I am.”

 

The black-clad man pointed to a nearby tree. “You can tie me up here. I’ll wait for you to come back.”

 

Luo Shen smiled, “You don’t want to go because you’re one of Luo Ming’s men, right?”

 

The black-clad man fell silent.

 

“Let me guess, the reason you don’t want to go isn’t because you’re afraid of Luo Ming finding out, but because you’re afraid of implicating him?”

 

The black-clad man clenched his fists tightly.

 

Luo Shen noticed but pretended not to. “Do you know that he’s been trying to die for several days because of you?”

 

The black-clad man’s eyes trembled. He swallowed hard. There were still his people in Prince Qin’s residence, so he was naturally aware of Luo Ming’s condition during this period, which was why he had set an ambush today.

 

He thought that if he couldn’t kill Luo Shen, he would rather die on the road than implicate Luo Ming.

 

Unexpectedly, Luo Shen already knew about him.

 

“I won’t kill you for now,” Luo Shen said, wiping the fruit on his clothes. “I want to see how important you are.”

 

He got into the carriage, his voice drifting out, “If you seek death now, I’ll take your body to him. If you expose your identity or hint at anything in front of him, I’ll kill you in front of him. If you don’t believe me, you can try. Let’s go to Prince Qin’s residence.”

 

Gu Xingzhi acknowledged and lifted his sword, signaling him to drive.

 

The black-clad man took a deep breath, looked at the reins in his hands, and hesitated.

 

Should he go?

 

He hesitated but tightened the reins.

 

Moments later, at Prince Qin’s residence.

 

The black-clad man had already changed his clothes and put on a mask, ensuring that no one could see his true face from the outside.

 

He angrily parked the carriage and glared at the two people inside.

 

Luo Shen was just biting into a fruit, his eyebrows twitching from the sourness. Gu Xingzhi handed him a cup of water to wash away the sour taste.

 

Noticing the carriage had stopped, Gu Xingzhi got out first. Luo Shen, holding a fruit platter, slowly stepped out onto the footstool, with Gu Xingzhi’s hand always protectively behind him, occasionally giving him a hand.

 

The two looked particularly sweet and affectionate, which only fueled the fire in the eyes of the black-clad man.

 

Annoyed, he coughed twice.

 

Luo Shen noticed and blinked before raising his hand.

 

The black-clad man, startled, quickly stepped back half a step, but Luo Shen’s hand had already reached him.

 

Instinctively, the black-clad man wanted to strike, but a cold, piercing gaze pinned him in place. Distracted, he then realized something was in his mouth.

 

Glancing back, he saw Luo Shen wiping his hand on his clothes and then returning to Gu Xingzhi’s side.

 

“Some words should not be spoken carelessly,” Luo Shen said, dropping these words before stepping inside.

 

The black-clad man stood dazed for a moment, then instinctively bit into the fruit in his mouth, his face changing color as he rushed to a tree root to spit it out.

 

So… so sour!

 

He glared at the two entering the house. Are they devils?!

 

How can they eat something so sour!

 

Luo Shen bit into another fruit with a crunch.

 

As he stepped inside, he saw Luo Ming preparing to hang a white silk ribbon from the roof.

 

Their eyes met, both surprised.

 

Luo Ming hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly. He looked at the two figures below, bit his lip, and just as he was ready to commit suicide, he heard a voice below.

 

“Xingzhi, what is he doing?”

 

“Your Majesty, it looks like he’s attempting suicide.”

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

Attempting? He is!

 

Gu Xingzhi asked, “Your Majesty, should we save him?”

 

Luo Shen asked back, “Has he started?”

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

His heart trembled as he looked at Luo Shen in shock.

 

Luo Shen blinked innocently at him. “Save him after he commits suicide.”

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

He was exasperated. “Brother!”

 

Luo Shen pretended not to hear, ate the fruit he had bitten off, and handed the rest to Gu Xingzhi.

 

These fruits were not good, only a few were sour.

 

He handed the entire fruit platter to Gu Xingzhi, not planning to eat any more.

 

Gu Xingzhi took the platter and brought a chair for Luo Shen to sit and watch.

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

Luo Shen sat down, but he noticed that Luo Ming had stopped moving.

 

Puzzled, he asked, “A’Ming, are you not moving because you can’t reach?”

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

Nonsense! He is eight feet tall, how could he…

 

Luo Ming tightened his grip on the white silk ribbon.

 

He… he wasn’t really trying to commit suicide!

 

Gu Xingzhi poured him a cup of warm water, and Luo Shen took small sips. Seeing Luo Ming still hesitating, he generously said, “Xingzhi, give him a hand.”

 

At the entrance, the black-clad man who had just entered heard this.

 

He looked up abruptly and saw a stack of seven or eight chairs inside. Luo Ming stood at the top, teetering, holding a tightly tied white silk ribbon.

 

The black-clad man’s jaw clenched, and he instinctively stepped forward, but a single glance restrained his actions.

 

With clenched fists, he watched as Gu Xingzhi stepped forward and bowed. “Prince Qin, allow me to assist you—”

 

Before he could finish, there was a crash from above. Gu Xingzhi looked up to see Luo Ming slipping and falling, taking the chairs down with him.

 

Gu Xingzhi’s first reaction was to protect Luo Shen. The chairs fell, with the highest ones breaking into several pieces and the rest not faring much better.

 

The black-clad man hurried to save Luo Ming, but his skills were insufficient. He barely managed to keep Luo Ming alive.

 

Blood oozed from under him, and Luo Ming fainted.

 

On the other side, Luo Shen was unharmed but shocked, his eyes wide. After a moment’s pause, he quickly called for help.

 

Soon after, the doctor finished bandaging Luo Ming’s wounds and said to Luo Shen, “He is not in critical danger. He just needs a few days of rest. However, he hit his head on the ground from such a height, so there might be some damage. We need to observe him when he wakes up.”

 

Hearing this, the black-clad man’s heart tightened. He glared at Luo Shen.

 

Luo Shen was speechless and asked the doctor, “There won’t be any lasting effects, right?”

 

The doctor replied, “His life is currently not at risk, and his body has been checked. There’s no major issue that would affect his daily activities.”

 

Luo Shen sighed in relief, and the doctor took his leave.

 

The black-clad man looked at the unconscious Luo Ming and then continued to stare at Luo Shen.

 

Annoyed by the staring, Luo Shen said, “Now he definitely can’t run away with you.”

 

The black-clad man was taken aback. Luo Shen pointed to a small bundle by the bed, which was clearly intended for their planned escape.

 

He choked, “This…”

 

He looked at the person on the bed in disbelief. Would the ruthless Prince Qin really want to leave with him?

 

“Of course, it’s fake,” Luo Shen said, observing the man’s stiffened body and easily guessing the expression behind the mask.

 

The black-clad man was even more confused. “What do you mean?”

 

One moment he says Luo Ming wanted to leave with him, and the next, it’s fake.

 

What does he mean?

 

Sitting on the chair, Luo Shen said softly, “I was just telling you his plan.”

 

There was a hint of confusion in the black-clad man’s eyes.

 

“You are the grandson of the former prime minister and have some blood relation to Luo Ming. He knew your plan long ago, which is why he trusted and used you. When you went to the Qin Palace with your plan, he cooperated with you,” Luo Shen said, lightly tapping the armrest of the chair with his finger. “You think he fully trusts you, but actually, it’s you who fully trusts him. Otherwise… you wouldn’t have come here with me.”

 

Anyone who knew his true nature would know this was Luo Ming’s scheme.

 

Luo Ming’s recent suicide attempts were to lure him out. If he came, Luo Ming would have taken the bundle and left with him, and Qin Cheng would have captured him.

 

But if he didn’t come, Luo Shen would eventually investigate Prince Qin and, through Luo Ming’s abnormal behavior, understand Luo Ming’s intentions.

 

Luo Shen merely turned the tables, using Luo Ming to capture him.

 

Luo Ming not only exposed him but also made him feel pity and sympathy for Luo Ming.

 

Luo Shen looked at him with pity. 

 

Although there might be insurmountable hatred between them, thinking about how he had stayed with Luo Ming for so long and was still foolishly sold out, he couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

 

“Your Majesty… why are you telling me this?” the black-clad man’s voice trembled.

 

Luo Shen blinked, his gaze falling on the person still lying on the bed, his lips curling slightly. “Maybe… I just don’t want him to feel good.”

 

He had noticed that when Luo Ming saw them enter, he had slipped because of guilt.

 

So, revealing all of Luo Ming’s plans was perhaps the only way to hurt him.

 

The black-clad man smiled bitterly. “You’re right, but…”

 

He turned to face Luo Shen. “What if I want to tear off the mask and kill you now?”

 

Gu Xingzhi immediately stepped forward, blocking Luo Shen and pointing his sword straight at the man. “You can try.”

 

Luo Shen hid behind Gu Xingzhi, showing his face. “I… ahem, I naturally have made all the necessary preparations.”

 

Gu Xingzhi: “…”

 

Really?

 

At this moment, Qin Cheng, having dealt with the five black-clad men, returned with a group of soldiers.

 

Hearing the footsteps outside, the black-clad man knew he was utterly hopeless. He walked to the bedside, picked up the bundle, but then paused abruptly.

 

The bundle… was very light.  

 

The black-clad man placed the bundle on the ground and opened it, revealing a bottle of poison.

 

His eyes widened sharply.

 

Luo Shen’s view was blocked, so he couldn’t see what the man was doing. He sensed something was wrong and hurriedly called Gu Xingzhi to step forward, but it was too late.

 

The black-clad man swallowed the poison in one gulp, then smashed the bottle and picked up a shard, which he threw straight into the wooden headboard.

 

Blood trickled down from the shard and dripped into Luo Ming’s palm.

 

At the same time, the black-clad man collapsed to the ground in pain.

 

Gu Xingzhi stepped forward to check his pulse, finding it extremely weak. He hesitated, “Your Majesty, should we save him?”

 

Luo Shen glanced at him, then at Luo Ming, and hesitantly nodded.

 

Gu Xingzhi quickly took out a bottle of antidote pills and administered one while the man was still somewhat responsive. Then he called for Qin Cheng to come in and take the man away.

 

The room was filled with the bitter scent of medicine and the smell of blood. Luo Shen felt uncomfortable and stepped outside for some fresh air.

 

Gu Xingzhi followed him out, closing the door behind them.

 

Once outside, Luo Shen saw Qin Cheng returning and asked, “Qin Cheng, how did that poison get in?”

 

Hadn’t he said there shouldn’t be such things in the palace?

 

Qin Cheng’s expression was equally grave. He knew there were still people loyal to the former prime minister in the palace, but everyone who met with Luo Ming was searched. How could they have brought in the poison?

 

How did it get in?

 

Gu Xingzhi asked, “Were all the people who went in checked?”

 

Qin Cheng nodded firmly, “They were definitely checked.”

 

“And those who went out?”

 

Qin Cheng was stunned, “Do we need to check those who leave?”

 

Gu Xingzhi understood, “That Xu Shuiying, her grandfather was an apothecary.”

 

So, it’s likely Xu Shuiying brought the ingredients in, made the poison inside, and then erased any traces before leaving.

 

Qin Cheng’s expression changed, and he immediately requested, “Shall I go arrest her?”

 

“And spread the word: Prince Qin has been poisoned, and the culprit must be severely punished!”

 

Qin Cheng promptly replied, “Yes!”

 

As long as he wasn’t punished, he would do anything!

 

“And Qin Cheng! Half a month’s salary deduction!”

 

Qin Cheng: “…”

 

A cold wind blew, and the money he had saved for raising children was reduced by half a month again.

 

Luo Shen angrily got into the carriage. He had everything planned out, but Xu Shuiying had thrown a wrench into it. If not for Gu Xingzhi having the antidote, the man would have died, and his evidence would have been lost!

 

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Then he suddenly realized something, “Gu Xingzhi…”

 

Gu Xingzhi asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

“Why do you carry the antidote with you? When did you start carrying it?”

 

Gu Xingzhi replied, “That day, when I went back to the Gu family estate, I… got it from my mother.”

 

Luo Shen looked at him curiously, “That day… why did you suddenly need the antidote? This kind of antidote?”

 

He had heard that back then, the empress had used this type of poison to harm his mother. Although the antidote could neutralize all poisons, its potency was so fierce that it could induce miscarriages.

 

Fortunately, the emperor had discovered and thwarted the empress’s plot in time. Since then, such antidotes were banned from the palace and transferred out.

 

Perhaps considering its ability to neutralize all poisons, it was given to the Gu family. But why would Gu Xingzhi suddenly need it?

 

“I… I thought at that time…” Gu Xingzhi was nervous, glancing at Luo Shen’s still not very noticeable belly and swallowing hard, “I… suspected… that the emperor… ahem, was poisoned.”

 

Luo Shen gradually realized what was going on from Gu Xingzhi’s nervous reply.

 

He got angry and threw the fruit plate at him, “Gu – Xing – Zhi!”