Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 43

Luo Shen was stunned.

He took a step back abruptly and exclaimed, “What?”

Seeing Luo Shen back away, Luo Ming quickly stepped forward, hugging him tightly, his furry head rubbing against Luo Shen’s neck, saying, “You’re finally back! It’s so scary here! Wuu wuu wuu wuu!”

The others saw this and wanted to step in to separate them but hesitated, unsure if they should approach because of how tightly they were hugging.

Luo Shen’s gaze swept over everyone present and finally landed on the head resting on his chest. He gritted his teeth and said, “A Ming, what are you trying to do again?”

Luo Ming didn’t know what was happening. He just knew that when he opened his eyes, he had lost his memory. A group of people surrounding him had said he was a prince, so seeing this bright yellow, he had his guesses.

Hearing his name called, he responded eagerly, “A Ming is scared!”

Luo Shen: “…”

Seeing Luo Ming suddenly become timid, Luo Shen reached out and rubbed his head a couple of times, taking a deep breath, “Do you know what your name is?”

Luo Ming snapped back to reality and nodded, “They just told me that my name is Luo Ming and I’m a prince.”

Although he found it strange—like why there was a broken piece of porcelain at the head of the prince’s bed and why there were only five people in the whole residence to accompany him—he thought they couldn’t all be joking, right?

Luo Shen observed him. Luo Ming’s eyes were clear and innocent, looking at him with hopeful anticipation as if all his bets were on him.

Was he betting that Luo Shen would take him away?

Luo Shen smiled with curiosity.

They had always been at odds, and it was the first time he had seen Luo Ming with such an expression.

It was hard to believe that the non-amnesiac Luo Ming would show him this kind of expression, putting all hope on him.

The disparity was so great that it was hard to suspect anything.

“Yes, you are the prince, the Qin Prince, and my younger brother.”

Luo Shen assessed him. He had fantasized about Luo Ming being obedient when they were children, but not in this situation.

Luo Ming blinked, “Then… are you my brother?”

Luo Shen’s lips twitched, “…Yes.”

“Brother!!!” Luo Ming hugged him tightly again. He was already hugging tightly, but now he almost jumped onto Luo Shen.

Before he could wrap his legs around Luo Shen, he was grabbed by the collar and thrown back onto the bed with a thud.

Luo Ming fell, his back hurting. He was about to ask Luo Shen to help when he saw Gu Xingzhi, who was facing away from him, supporting Luo Shen and speaking gently, “Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?”

Luo Shen shook his head slightly. He could still handle this much force.

“Since Prince Qin has amnesia, let this subordinate handle it,” Gu Xingzhi said coldly, casting a glance.

Luo Ming was confused, “Handle what? Brother, aren’t you here to pick me up?”

After asking, he saw Luo Shen look away, causing his heart to panic slightly.

Among these people, he was somewhat familiar with Luo Shen, especially since they were brothers. Naturally, he trusted Luo Shen more. He climbed to the end of the bed, wanting to hug Luo Shen again, but as soon as he moved, Gu Xingzhi blocked him.

“Prince, please behave yourself.”

Luo Ming became even more anxious.

He looked pitifully at Luo Shen’s back, his voice trembling, “I—I don’t know what happened. Why am I being punished? It’s not fair!”

Gu Xingzhi’s eyes grew colder.

The bodyguards he raised, the assassination attempts he set up, the traps he made, and the harm he caused Luo Shen—now, because of amnesia, was he not to be judged?

If fairness meant waiting for Luo Ming to regain his memory before judging, would that not be even more unfair to Luo Shen?

Gu Xingzhi said coldly, “As for your case, there is a lot of evidence, all of which will be shown to the prince. Innocent people will not be wronged.”

“Evidence…” Luo Ming widened his eyes in shock. He looked at Luo Shen, who had a stern face, and the other servants—who were either looking down or running away.

No one stepped forward to speak up for him.

Luo Ming’s heart skipped a beat. What kind of person was he before?

Gu Xingzhi said, “I came with the Emperor today to invite the prince to the palace.”

Luo Ming instinctively shrank back and continued to stare at Luo Shen.

Luo Shen, unable to bear the stare, silently moved behind Gu Xingzhi and tugged at his sleeve.

Gu Xingzhi grasped his fingertips and gave them a gentle squeeze.

“Brother!!”

Suddenly, a shout startled Luo Shen. Instinctively, he pulled his fingers back and his gaze unconsciously fell on the tearful eyes.

He twitched his lips.

Luo Ming cried, “Brother, you can’t just ignore me! Wuu wuu wuu, I don’t have any memories at all. Brother, if you don’t help me, I’m going to die, wuu wuu wuu.”

As he cried, Luo Ming observed Gu Xingzhi’s reaction. Seeing his sudden displeasure, Luo Ming immediately stopped crying and said, “Wuu wuu, what I meant was… Brother, could you put me somewhere where I can see you?”

He… was scared.

Gu Xingzhi looked at Luo Shen.

Luo Shen thought for a moment and calmly said, “Alright.”

Luo Ming’s face gradually showed delight. Just as he was about to smile, he remembered something and quickly looked at Gu Xingzhi, who still had a stiff expression but did not object.

He sighed in relief, rolling and crawling off the bed, heading towards Luo Shen.

Halfway there, he was stopped by Gu Xingzhi.

“Prince Qin, please behave yourself.”

Luo Ming sniffled and looked at Gu Xingzhi with dissatisfaction, then turned to Luo Shen and said, “Brother, I just want to hug you. Is that… not allowed?”

“Sorry.” Gu Xingzhi interrupted, “Prince, you are still a criminal at the moment. Getting too close to the Emperor could be considered a rebellious act.”

Luo Ming was frightened and quickly took a couple of steps back.

Seeing that he was indeed panicking throughout the night, Gu Xingzhi’s suspicion eased a bit. He turned and bowed to Luo Shen, saying, “Your Majesty, it’s getting late. Please return to the palace.”

Luo Shen had originally come to question Luo Ming about the little guards but was instead met with news of his amnesia. He decided to wait for now.

He turned and walked out, with Luo Ming being led away.

When Luo Ming left the prince’s residence, he saw two carriages at the entrance. Luo Shen got into the first one, so he headed towards the first carriage. Before he could take two steps, he saw Gu Xingzhi naturally enter it and pull down the curtain.

Luo Ming was stunned, and then his expression gradually became aggrieved.

Behind him, a servant said, “Prince, your carriage is at the back.”

He sniffled, his eyes still fixed on Luo Shen’s carriage, being pulled towards the back.

Since this trip was to the palace, the servants couldn’t follow. The servant had to send Luo Ming to the carriage and leave.

Before leaving, he looked at Luo Ming’s still-sad face and sighed, “Little Prince, although you have amnesia, I must remind you, even before amnesia, your relationship with the Emperor was not a harmonious brotherly one.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Ming’s tears fell again.

The servant’s face grew even more rigid.

He found it hard to say anything more but, considering his position, chose not to say much else. He said, “Please take care, Prince,” and hurriedly left.

The carriage moved slowly towards the palace. Luo Ming took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears, casually lifting the curtain to look outside.

He sighed, “If this prince doesn’t act like a caring brother, how could I save your lives?”

Inside the other carriage.

Luo Shen was nestled in Gu Xingzhi’s arms, slowly eating fruit.

Gu Xingzhi asked him, “Does Your Majesty really believe he has amnesia?”

Luo Shen shook his head, “I don’t know.”

He found it hard to believe that Luo Ming had amnesia.

Luo Ming was always good at acting, and even if it were true, Luo Shen couldn’t tell.

Whether or not he truly had amnesia, the title had already been given, and even if they were eager to convict Luo Ming tomorrow, the opposing voices would likely be louder.

“Amnesia might be good,” Luo Shen thought of Luo Ming’s tearful face earlier and actually felt that if Luo Ming were truly amnesiac and this obedient, it would be great.

However…

He swallowed a piece of fruit, “Spread the news. Some people might start to get anxious.”

Gu Xingzhi lowered his eyes and agreed.

A moment later, inside the palace.

When Luo Shen got out of the carriage, Gu Xingzhi made arrangements, and many people in the palace received the news.

Luo Ming, looking pitiful, followed behind them, adding to the credibility of the situation.

Chang An heard the news and quickly went to wait at the door. Soon, he saw Luo Shen and Gu Xingzhi returning, with a little tail following them.

When he saw the face of the person behind them, Chang An frowned deeply.

“Chang An.” Luo Shen’s footsteps slightly paused as his cold eyes scanned Chang An’s face, then his trembling shoulders. “Have you been punished?”

Chang An lowered his head silently, “Yes, it is what I deserve.”

Luo Shen spoke sternly, “Prince Qin will stay in the palace for a while. For the next few days, you will be in charge of his clothing, food, and accommodation.”

Chang An’s heart sank, and he suddenly looked up.

Had he been abandoned?

But Luo Shen didn’t even look at him. After speaking, he walked inside.

Luo Ming quickly followed, but halfway there, his collar was grabbed again.

From behind came Gu Xingzhi’s cold voice, “Prince Qin, where are you going?”

Luo Ming saw that Luo Shen was going into a room and struggled desperately, but to no avail. His feet were lifted off the ground, and he kicked in the air, annoyed, “Don’t you see the Emperor is going inside? Let go of me, I want to go in too!”

Gu Xingzhi’s brows raised with dissatisfaction, “Prince Qin, this is the Emperor’s sleeping quarters.”

“Yeah, I’m the Emperor’s younger brother. If not here, then where—”

Before he could finish, Gu Xingzhi interrupted, “Prince, you have forgotten that you are now a criminal.”

He handed Luo Ming over to Chang An, “Take the Prince away, put him in shackles, and confine him in the cold palace until he recovers.”

Luo Ming’s eyes widened in shock. He watched as the bright yellow door closed, and he urgently wanted to cry. As soon as he started, Gu Xingzhi turned around.

The look in his eyes was fierce, and Luo Ming was so frightened that he stopped crying.

Then he saw the fierce-looking person walk into the room and shut the door behind him.

Luo Ming: “!!!”

He: “???”

What does this mean?

Not being able to enter is one thing, but why is Gu Xingzhi allowed to?

When the door closed, Chang An slowly stood up.

He looked at Luo Ming and raised his hand, “Prince Qin, please follow me.”

Luo Ming reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Luo Shen’s room and cast a look at Chang An as if they were in the same predicament. “You were also thrown out by the Emperor for making a mistake, weren’t you?”

Chang An’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He glared at Luo Ming angrily, “This servant does not know what the Prince means.”

A person with amnesia still remembers this?

“Just now, the person beside the Emperor said to me… said that I had made a mistake and would be held accountable. I had to beg to be allowed into the palace. It seems you have been assigned to me, so you’re not favored by the Emperor, are you?”

Luo Ming blinked innocently, then sniffled in dejection, “I don’t know how to make the Emperor angry. Since you’re around the Emperor, you must know something, right?”

He paused and shook his head, “No, asking you is useless. If you were useful, you wouldn’t have been cast out.”

Chang An’s knees went weak from anger.

He narrowed his eyes and spoke harshly, “In the palace, crimes are punished with lashes at best and death at worst. If this servant had truly done something wrong, how could I still be here serving the Prince? If I had done something wrong, I wouldn’t be here to guard the Prince.”

He emphasized “guard” heavily, as if venting his frustration.

Luo Ming’s expression instantly changed.

He became aggrieved: “You’re right. So, what exactly did you do to be punished?”

Chang An’s eyes turned sharp as he looked over.

At this point, they had reached the Cold Palace. The surroundings were quiet, and there were no other people present.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Chang An’s eyes were sharp as he scrutinized Luo Ming, “Prince Qin, this servant is merely repaying old debts. My heart will always belong to the Emperor.”

He almost clarified, “This servant will only make this one mistake.”

He smiled slightly, “But Prince, now that you have amnesia, why not clearly see what mistakes you made in the past?”

Luo Ming’s eyes widened in shock.

He knew he had made mistakes, which made Luo Shen angry and also made the men around Luo Shen angry. But he had never heard of a servant being angry with him.

What on earth did he do to make everyone so furious?

Luo Ming turned his head and was about to ask, but saw that Chang An had already reached the door, seemingly preparing to leave.

Luo Ming: “…”

He… isn’t planning to take care of me anymore?

Luo Ming panicked. He hurried to catch up, but Chang An walked quickly. When Luo Ming reached the door, he almost got hit by it as it was closing. He stepped back in fright, and by the time he felt his nose, no one was left outside.

The cold wind howled, and Luo Ming stood outside, feeling like a stray dog that had been abandoned.

The person who was supposed to take care of him was now kneeling in front of Luo Shen’s room.

Luo Shen did not come out, but Chang Xin did.

Chang Xin, holding a sword, looked at Chang An sternly, “Chang An, you have betrayed the Emperor.”

Chang An looked down and did not deny it, “Only this once.”

Chang Xin drew her sword, “I do not believe it is only once.”

Chang An closed his eyes, “Then do it.”

Chang Xin looked at his pale face in the moonlight and pressed her lips together, “Won’t you confess?”

Chang An’s heart tightened. He knew that Chang Xin’s nature would not involve unnecessary questioning; if she asked, it was only because Luo Shen had instructed her to.

He glanced at the room and understood this was Luo Shen’s last chance for him.

His eyes gradually dimmed.

“Chang Xin, you should know what kind of person I am.” He bowed his head and bitterly smiled, “They did me a favor, and if I betray them, it’s repaying kindness with ingratitude. If I harm the Emperor, it’s disloyalty and injustice. I accept the consequences for today’s events.”

“Are you refusing to say anything?” Chang Xin frowned, “All this talk about repaying kindness and justice, in the end, doesn’t it just make the Emperor sad?”

Anyway, as long as it makes the Emperor sad, besides Gu Xingzhi, it’s definitely right to kill him!

Seeing Chang Xin draw her sword again, Chang An sighed and slowly closed his eyes. However, the expected pain didn’t come immediately; instead, the cold wind continued to blow, making his neck numb.

Chang An furrowed his brows in suspicion.

Chang Xin was usually decisive and wouldn’t hesitate for this long.

He hesitated for a moment and opened his eyes.

He saw Luo Shen standing in front of him, wrapped in his robe, with disappointment written all over his face.

As for Chang Xin, she stood aside.

Chang An’s face changed. He still didn’t want to make Luo Shen sad, after all, he had grown up with Luo Shen since childhood. Luo Shen, though seemingly less attentive than others, was actually more sensitive and easily hurt.

But… he also knew it was impossible.

Chang An knelt with his head bowed.

Luo Shen snorted coldly and glared at him, displeased, “How noble of you to be loyal and just.”

Chang An lowered his head, speechless.

Luo Shen, even more displeased, was so angry that he wished he could drag Chang An up, “Chang An, weren’t you good with words and eloquent?”

Chang An simply said, “This servant acknowledges the mistake. Please, Your Majesty, consider your health and do not harm yourself.”

Luo Shen took a deep breath. The evening breeze was cold, but he felt numb, his entire being feeling detached.

They had grown up together since childhood. How could he…

Be hurt so deeply by someone for the sake of others?

So, in the end, he wasn’t as important as others, was he?

Luo Shen laughed in anger, “Chang An, I will not kill you for now.”

Chang An’s lashes fluttered. He knew what Luo Shen intended to do.

“As you guessed, I will use you to draw them out.”

Chang An’s thin lips moved slightly, “Your Majesty, as you wish.”

He had told the former Prime Minister that after today, they would no longer have any ties.

As for where the former Prime Minister’s people were, Chang An didn’t actually know.

His life was saved by the former Prime Minister, but only when he was young, and he had met the former Prime Minister a few times when the previous Emperor was still alive.

Failing to repay the favor, he continued to associate with the former Prime Minister’s people only after they were executed.

However, choosing to repay the favor meant hurting Luo Shen.

There was no way to reconcile this matter. Even if his original intention was to protect Luo Shen, he still owed a debt.

Luo Shen looked at him, still silent, with a heavy heart.

Thus, the cold, thin words fell slowly, “After the matter is settled, you will be exiled beyond the border and forbidden from returning to the capital.”

Chang An suddenly raised his head.

Luo Shen turned and entered the room, not giving him a chance to explain.

Chang Xin also snorted and followed him inside.

Only Chang An remained outside.

He knelt straight, the cold wind blowing, and his back, already punished with lashes, burned again as if it might crack open.

From the darkness, a figure emerged.

“Chang An, are you still going to follow him?”