Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 44

Inside the room, it was brightly lit.

 

Luo Shen was exhausted after a long day and obediently lay on the bed listening to the lecture.

 

Since someone returned, he had been very dissatisfied.

 

“I told you during the day, don’t put yourself in danger,” Gu Xingzhi was furious. He hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

 

Luo Shen deliberately placed Chang’an next to Luo Ming to test if Luo Ming had really lost his memory and to lure out other former prime minister’s men from the palace.

 

He then punished Chang’an by sending him to the frontier, forcing him to rebel.

 

Moreover, with Luo Ming under their control, even if those people wanted to give up on Chang’an, they definitely couldn’t abandon Luo Ming.

 

By then, the palace would surely be in turmoil.

 

Gu Xingzhi believed he had the ability to protect Luo Shen and their child, but he still couldn’t agree to let Luo Shen take the risk.

 

He asked, “Ah Shen, when did you choose the time?”

 

Luo Shen, drowsy, counted on his fingers, “The first day of next month.”

 

There were less than three days left.

 

Gu Xingzhi paused and looked deeply at Luo Shen.

 

Luo Shen felt uneasy, “Xingzhi, what if Chang’an really rebels?”

 

The only thing he was betting on was Chang’an.

 

Chang’an knew so many of his secrets and was in such an awkward position. Luo Shen couldn’t draw him in, nor could he order his execution.

 

He touched his belly.

 

If Chang’an revealed such significant secrets, it would certainly cause chaos in the court before the disguised trip.

 

But Chang’an had never spoken out, which meant…

 

There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

 

Gu Xingzhi broke the silence with a cold voice, “I have Changxin watching. If he says anything, he won’t leave alive.”

 

Luo Shen lowered his head, his voice weak, “Then let’s hope he lives well until the day I let him out of the palace.”

 

Seeing Luo Shen’s pitiful appearance, Gu Xingzhi’s heart softened. He leaned over and hugged him, sighing, “Alright, you should rest early and stop thinking about these things.”

 

Luo Shen nodded. He was already feeling tired. After being angered by Chang’an earlier, his brain wasn’t working properly. Hearing this, his body relaxed, and soon his breathing became even and calm.

 

Gu Xingzhi, seeing Luo Shen asleep, quietly got out of bed, walked to the window, and looked at the figure kneeling outside.

 

The figure swayed slightly, then collapsed from exhaustion and was carried away by a shadow.

 

Gu Xingzhi immediately called for Changxin and heard her say it was a shadow guard beside Chang’an, named Qin Feng.

 

“Why does Chang’an have a shadow guard?” He had initially thought it was Luo Shen’s.

 

Changxin pursed her lips, “When the emperor was a child, he was often bullied behind the scenes. Chang’an fought with them but couldn’t win. One time he almost died, so the previous emperor assigned him a guard. Later, that guard was secretly killed and replaced by Qin Feng.”

 

On the surface, it was giving a eunuch a guard, but in reality, it was a warning that even a palace servant of Luo Shen was protected by the previous emperor.

 

After explaining, Changxin asked, “Should we get him back?”

 

Gu Xingzhi glanced at Luo Shen, who was still sleeping, with a slight frown. Clearly, he was still worried even in his sleep.

 

He sighed, “No need, let them be. Keep an eye on it.”

 

Changxin nodded and ran off.

 

The next morning, Luo Shen was awakened by noises outside.

 

He opened his eyes, blinked in confusion, and after a while realized it was morning.

 

He groped to get up and saw the bed beside him was empty. Then, the sound came again from outside, “I will wait for my brother here!”

 

Chang’an coughed and hoarsely said, “Prince Qin, what is your status now to dare disturb the emperor?”

 

Luo Ming glanced at him. Last night, he had a high fever when he returned. This morning, he tried to sneak over, but Chang’an, despite being sick, followed.

 

Grinding his teeth, he thought if Qin Feng hadn’t been watching last night, he would have already taken revenge on Chang’an.

 

“Prince Qin, please return immediately!” Chang’an raised his voice, which hurt his throat, and he started coughing again.

 

Luo Shen opened the door amidst the coughing, his eyes sweeping over the two, then glanced at the palace servants, frowning in displeasure.

 

The palace servants knelt down in unison.

 

Luo Ming initially wanted to rush over to hug Luo Shen but was forcibly held down by Chang’an, pressing him to the ground.

 

Then, clutching his own collar, he suppressed his cough and knelt down.

 

His face was as pale as paper.

 

Luo Shen felt a twinge of pain in his heart but quickly buried it, “What are you doing here so early?”

 

Luo Ming said happily, “Brother, I came to pay respects!”

 

Chang’an glared at him and hoarsely said, “Disturbing the emperor’s rest, please forgive us!”

 

Luo Shen tidied his clothes, hiding the marks on his neck, and chuckled, “Luo Ming, it seems you still don’t know what you did wrong?”

 

Luo Ming blinked innocently, as if no one had told him what had happened.

 

So…

 

“I don’t know what happened,” he looked at Luo Shen pitifully, “I just lost my memory, I don’t remember anything.”

 

The people around took a sharp breath.

 

Luo Shen smiled slightly, “Chang’an, take him back and explain everything.”

 

Chang’an immediately bowed his head, “Yes.”

 

After Luo Shen left, Chang’an quickly grabbed Luo Ming and coughed, “Go!”

 

Luo Ming was dragged back to the cold palace by a sick man, staring at Luo Shen’s departing figure.

 

Until he saw Luo Shen’s mood change from unhappy to delighted when he saw Gu Xingzhi, quickly walking towards him.

 

Luo Ming hesitated and asked Chang’an, “Am I… gaining another emperor’s husband?”

 

Why did those two seem so close?

 

They ate together, walked together, rode in the same carriage, and even shared the same room…

 

Chang’an coughed and glared at him, “Prince Qin, I think you should be more concerned about whether you can leave this cold palace alive.”

 

Luo Ming shuddered at his words and quickly asked, “Then Chang’an, dear Chang’an, please tell me, what exactly did I do?”

 

Chang’an sneered, “Prince Qin, on the day of your engagement, the emperor was assassinated at your residence. Recently, a shadow guard by your side also attempted to assassinate the emperor.”

 

Luo Ming was shocked, “Why on earth would I have someone assassinate the emperor?”

 

Chang’an’s smile grew colder, “You’d have to ask yourself that.”

 

Luo Ming scratched his head in frustration, “But it wasn’t me who did these things, it was someone else.”

 

He suddenly grabbed Chang’an’s hand tightly, as if clutching at the last straw, “Chang’an, tell me, if there’s no evidence of me personally ordering it, I shouldn’t be blamed for it, right?”

 

Chang’an’s face grew angrier, “Are you trying to deny it? These things happened at your residence. Do you think anyone would believe you were completely unaware? Do you think everyone is a fool?”

 

“But, but I really didn’t do it!” He paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Chang’an with hopeful eyes, “Are the assassin and the guard still alive?”

 

Chang’an understood, “Are you trying to make them take the blame?”

 

“No, no, we need to find out who ordered them,” Luo Ming said quickly.

 

Chang’an coldly replied, “No need. The assassin has confessed, and the guard has been executed.”

 

His voice trembled slightly with a sense of vengeance, “It was the poison left by you, Prince Qin. The guard took the poison and then stabbed a porcelain shard into the headboard of your bed.”

 

Luo Ming’s heart tightened.

 

Now he understood why he had seen that porcelain shard when he woke up.

 

A shadow flashed through his mind, and he fell silent, sitting there in shock.

 

Chang’an, exhausted, simply sat on the ground to rest.

 

They exchanged a glance, and Chang’an snorted and turned his head away.

 

Luo Ming was deeply despairing.

 

He struggled to get up, wanting to run to Luo Shen, but as soon as he reached the door, a shadow blocked his way.

 

Qin Feng stood there with a cold face, a sword across the doorway, “Prince, do you want to die?”

 

Luo Ming: “…”

 

He settled down, not daring to move, and huddled silently in a corner, watching Qin Feng enter the room, place the medicine on the ground, and then carry the unconscious Chang’an inside.

 

After a long while, Luo Ming suddenly came to his senses and hurried inside, “Wait, if you sleep inside, where will I sleep?”

 

Inside, Qin Feng gave him a cold look, and Luo Ming, feeling meek, slowly backed towards the door, muttering, “Fine, fine, you take the inside, I’ll sleep outside, okay?”

 

He moved back to the outer room and angrily shut the door.

 

Then he lay on the hard bed, staring at the ceiling, despairing, thinking that this place was worse than his residence.

 

Thinking about it, he slowly fell asleep.

 

Time flew by, and it was now just one day before the disguised inspection tour.

 

These past few days, the palace had become strangely quiet, without any news.

 

Luo Shen still attended court as usual, as if Luo Ming had never been added to the palace.

 

Moreover, no one in the court dared to speak up.

 

Given the assassination attempt on Luo Shen by Luo Ming’s guard, even if Luo Shen wanted to kill Luo Ming immediately, it would be justified.

 

His current restraint was already a great act of mercy.

 

Therefore, those in the court who supported Luo Ming all kept a low profile and obediently offered suggestions for Luo Shen’s inspection tour.

 

Luo Shen was satisfied, and his eyes swept proudly over the crowd. When he saw Gu Xingzhi, his waist couldn’t help but ache slightly.

 

These days, although the court had given Luo Shen less work, Gu Xingzhi had given him more.

 

He felt a bit overwhelmed…

 

After all, they had been up until late last night, and if it happened again today…

 

Feeling guilty, Luo Shen shifted his gaze and coughed twice, “Everyone, you may leave now.”

 

Upon hearing this, the officials quickly left, hurrying back to prepare for the inspection tour, with no time to stay and probe further.

 

As always, only Gu Xingzhi remained until the end.

 

The passing officials couldn’t help but praise, “Minister Gu is truly loyal to the emperor, always the last to leave.”

 

“Yes, indeed. If he didn’t already have someone he loved, I would want him as a son-in-law.”

 

“Forget it. Even if he didn’t have someone, with his family’s status and position, he would still be the one choosing you.”

 

“Speaking of which, why hasn’t Minister Gu found that girl yet? Could he have made a mistake?”

 

Suddenly, someone voiced a doubt, and everyone paused, then burst into laughter, “How could he be mistaken? Unless the person isn’t a girl, but a boy?”

 

After laughing, that person froze.

 

The emperor had already issued an edict. If the girl were from an ordinary family, they wouldn’t dare hide her and would definitely hand her over. If she were from a noble family, they would cling to Gu Xingzhi. Even if she were from a place of ill repute, with Gu Xingzhi’s ransom and the emperor’s decree, they would be willing.

 

Moreover, even if they were unwilling, they would inform Gu Xingzhi to have the decree revoked.

 

But there had been no movement, which likely meant…

 

The officials who had been laughing were now silent, looking at each other with a sense of suspicion in their eyes.

 

“If Minister Gu really has such inclinations, then wouldn’t the emperor…”

 

The rest of the words were left unsaid, but everyone shuddered, glancing in horror towards the hall.

 

At this moment, behind the closed hall doors, in a small room, Luo Shen tightly clutched the hem of his dragon robe, his back against the cold wall, the contrasting temperatures making his scalp tingle. He couldn’t help but bite down on someone’s shoulder.

 

The pain made him gasp.

 

Gu Xingzhi kissed his lips, swallowing Luo Shen’s whimper, and casually entangled his black hair.

 

The dragon crown had long been removed, and Luo Shen’s head was bare, even the hair tie had been taken for another use.

 

The black hair, forced to hang down, made his flushed face even more alluring.

 

“Let me change clothes…” Luo Shen weakly pushed against him, watching the dragon robe about to slip off, and someone mischievously helped him put it back on.

 

The golden threads rubbed against his skin, leaving red marks.

 

“Your Majesty.” When Gu Xingzhi called out, he indeed saw Luo Shen’s face turn redder. Lowering his voice, he called out again, making Luo Shen blush all over and bury his head in Gu Xingzhi’s chest, as if his whole body were burning. Only then did Gu Xingzhi pull him out and press him against the wall for a forceful kiss.

 

He kissed Luo Shen until he lost all reason, and in a daze, Luo Shen did whatever Gu Xingzhi asked, obedient beyond belief.

 

As the sun set behind the mountains, someone had the palace servants clear the path, and Gu Xingzhi carried Luo Shen back to the palace.

 

Luo Shen, half-awake, saw his dragon robe crumpled messily. Nearby, Gu Xingzhi was testing the water temperature. His breath caught, recalling the recent chaos.

 

“Gu Xingzhi!” Luo Shen was angry. He threw the robe at Gu Xingzhi, sat up, his face flushed, eyes full of anger.

 

He actually…

 

Luo Shen was so furious he felt faint. How could he wear this to court now?

 

Gu Xingzhi stumbled when hit. He quickly picked up the dragon robe, but before he could approach, Luo Shen grabbed a pillow to throw at him.

 

It was reminiscent of the day he first entered the palace. Luo Shen, drunk and groggy, mistook Gu Xingzhi for a dream, threw a pillow at him, then regretfully climbed down to pick it up.

 

In that moment, Gu Xingzhi’s heart softened.

 

Luo Shen propped himself up and glared at him indignantly, then moved to get off the bed to retrieve the pillow.

 

As soon as his feet touched the ground, they gave way, and he fell forward. Luckily, Gu Xingzhi caught him and the pillow, carrying him back to the bed.

 

Luo Shen, displeased, burrowed into the blanket, showing only the back of his head.

 

Gu Xingzhi felt a pang of anxiety.

 

Had he really angered him?

 

He approached, reaching out to touch Luo Shen, “Ah Shen?”

 

Luo Shen didn’t respond, ignoring him.

 

His small face buried in the blanket, only his exposed ears were red enough to drip blood.

 

Gu Xingzhi couldn’t help but smile. He leaned over and gently bit the ear, eliciting a low cry from under the blanket. Luo Shen urgently turned around and raised a hand to strike.

 

Gu Xingzhi caught his hand, and then…

 

The curtains flew.

 

The next day, Luo Shen was carried into the carriage, still fast asleep.

 

Someone had bullied him all day, leaving him too tired to object to the tour, obediently seeing him off.

 

The longing look in his eyes was pitiful to anyone who saw it.

 

So, Luo Shen pretended to be asleep, avoiding eye contact.

 

The carriage moved slowly. When Luo Shen felt no one following, he opened his eyes and yawned.

 

Outside, General Gu asked with concern, “Your Majesty, are you awake?”

 

“Hmm.” Luo Shen was about to get up when his expression changed. Cursing Gu Xingzhi inwardly, he slowly lay back down, “General Gu…”

 

“I’m here.” General Gu approached, ready to take orders.

 

Then he heard Luo Shen grit his teeth, “Gu Xingzhi…is he a dog?”

 

Why…was he so capable…

 

And…

 

General Gu’s face reddened, and he quickly stepped back.

 

Luo Shen lay on the bed in the carriage, cushioned with several layers of blankets, making it soft. Beside him were snacks and tea. He didn’t need to get up, comfortably enjoying himself.

 

He leaned against the carriage wall, casually peeling an apple with a small knife, taking small bites.

 

The wound on his palm had almost healed. Recently, Gu Xingzhi had modified the knife, adding several needles that would shoot out when triggered.

 

When Gu Xingzhi presented it last night, he said it was to prevent Luo Shen from injuring himself again. This had angered Luo Shen, taking half a day to appease him.

 

Only then did Luo Shen agree to wear it around his neck.

 

After finishing the apple, Luo Shen pulled out the travel route from under the blanket.

 

The first stop was not far from the capital, and everyone was alert, so the enemy wouldn’t act rashly. Still, caution was needed, so Gu Xingzhi had set up surveillance three days earlier.

 

General Gu reached the inn and approached the carriage, cautiously asking, “Young master, we’ve arrived at the inn. Shall I help you down?”

 

Luo Shen slowly folded the paper, tucking it away. Just as he was about to lift the curtain, a commotion erupted outside.

 

“Whose carriage is this? Why is it stopped here?”

 

“Don’t you know who owns this inn?”

 

General Gu’s face darkened as he turned to see another carriage arrogantly parked opposite, with its attendants acting high and mighty, “I’m talking to you, old man! Get your master out of here!”

 

General Gu’s grip on the reins tightened, his fingers trembling.

 

Old man?

 

He closed his eyes, then looked back with a kind smile, “Young man, do I look like an old man to you?”

 

Though older, he was still a general, neither white-haired nor frail. He could easily handle ten such skinny attendants. How could…

 

Old man?

 

He was angry!

 

Inside the carriage, Luo Shen trembled instinctively upon hearing the words.

 

He quickly lifted the curtain, just as the person opposite did the same, and they stared at each other in surprise.

 

“Uncle Gu, don’t stoop to his level!” Luo Shen intervened, “He has poor eyesight, and we should care for the disabled.”

 

The arrogant attendant widened his eyes, “Are you calling me disabled?”

 

Luo Shen quickly glanced at him and then looked away, “And ugly.”

 

Everyone: “…”