Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 47

Changxin happened to enter the room and saw Luo Shen sitting on the bed, lost in thought. She approached him and said, following Gu Xingzhi’s instructions, “Your Majesty, Lord Gu has already left. Before he left, he bought some food for you and asked me to bring it in once you woke up.”

Luo Shen’s attention was immediately drawn to the mention of food, and he quickly asked, “Where is it?”

Having slept all afternoon, he was famished.

Changxin then went to bring the food in, piling it high on the table—a whole roasted goose glistening with oil, sweet-smelling chestnuts, hot roasted sweet potatoes, and various snacks and desserts.

Luo Shen felt even hungrier. He got up and moved to the table, staring at the delicious spread, swallowing hard, just about to dig in. But then he remembered something and called out to Changxin, “Ask General Gu to join us, where is he?”

“In the afternoon, he talked with Lord Gu for a while, and it seems he got scolded,” Changxin said with a hint of amusement. “He’s now busy interrogating Liu Kuang, saying he must pry some information about Prime Minister Liu out of him.”

Luo Shen: “…”

So he was taking out his anger on Liu Kuang.

Luo Shen held the tip of his chopsticks and said, “Changxin, you should go and call General Gu over.”

He needed to appease him somehow.

Changxin puffed up one cheek in displeasure and walked out. A moment later, she returned with the general.

General Gu entered the room and apologized to Luo Shen.

Luo Shen waved his hand dismissively, “It’s fine, let’s eat together. Changxin, ask the kitchen to send up three bowls of rice.”

Changxin replied with an “oh” and turned to leave.

General Gu lowered his head, “Your Majesty, I just questioned Liu Kuang and learned something about Prime Minister Liu.”

Luo Shen was wiping his hands with a warm towel.

General Gu continued, “The Liu family was raised to power by the late emperor and has some ties to Changqing. Since Your Majesty intends to abandon Changqing, you must deal with Prime Minister Liu as soon as possible.”

Luo Shen hummed in response and started to tear apart the roasted goose.

He planned to give General Gu a large goose leg to soothe his wounded feelings.

But the goose was quite large and difficult to tear apart.

General Gu went on, “Prime Minister Liu has a daughter named Liu E, who is quite beautiful. Knowing that Changqing has fallen, Prime Minister Liu is eager to push Miss Liu into your bed to secure his family’s power. According to Liu Kuang, Prime Minister Liu plans to arrange a meeting with you at the next stop, Shahu Town.”

“Uh…”

After saying this, General Gu heard Luo Shen cautiously call out to him.

His heart softened, and he felt guilty for having misunderstood Luo Shen earlier.

Therefore, if Luo Shen wanted to scold him, he deserved it!

General Gu clenched his fists and looked up, determined to face his mistake! He was ready to ask for forgiveness from his future son-in-law!

Then he saw a glistening goose leg.

Luo Shen saw the general’s eyes widen in surprise, as if he was startled.

He couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “General Gu, no need to be so formal. Have a goose leg to calm your nerves.”

General Gu’s heart warmed as he recalled the younger days when he accompanied the emperor through the palace. Back then, Luo Shen was often confined to the Eastern Palace and rarely went out. When he saw unfamiliar faces, he would hide behind the late emperor, tightly clutching his dragon robe, both scared of being seen and sneaking glances at the same time.

At that time, Luo Shen was soft and adorable, shy to the point of melting General Gu’s heart.

The late emperor would always pick up little Luo Shen and place him on his shoulders, and even his tone would soften when discussing matters with General Gu.

Back then, Lady Gu was away handling a small campaign, and Gu Xingzhi had followed along. General Gu, not wanting to go home to an empty house, often frequented the palace, becoming a familiar face. Over time, Luo Shen even enjoyed sitting on his shoulders to count the stars.

Time flew by, and now, this little boy had grown up and was expecting his grandson.

General Gu’s heart was filled with warmth. He took the goose leg, growing more and more fond of Luo Shen. Thinking back to being scolded by his son in the corridor earlier that afternoon, his love for the younger generation began to tip in Luo Shen’s favor. His heart immediately leaned toward Luo Shen.

“Your Majesty, if Xingzhi bullies you in the future, you can always tell me. I will always stand by your side!”

Damn that son, I’ll just abandon him!

Luo Shen was momentarily confused, unsure how the conversation had veered in this direction, but seeing General Gu’s content and soothed expression, he felt reassured.

A little later, Changxin entered the room, carrying the rice. She was about to leave when Luo Shen was about to call her back, but then General Gu asked, “Changxin, aren’t you going to stay and eat?”

Changxin was taken aback, “This servant can eat downstairs.”

General Gu realized his mistake and hid the flash of disappointment in his eyes, continuing to gnaw on his goose leg.

Luo Shen didn’t quite understand but still said, “Changxin, stay and eat with us.”

He pushed the third bowl of rice toward her, “I meant for you to eat it.”

Upon hearing this, Changxin decisively took a seat and kept a close eye on General Gu to prevent him from stealing her credit.

The three of them chatted and joked as they finished their meal, and then each went to wash up and sleep.

Night gradually deepened.

Liu Kuang looked out at the scattered stars with sorrow, his stomach growling louder and louder.

His mouth was stuffed with a towel, so he couldn’t make a sound, unable to call for help.

He thought General Gu would return soon after being called out, but he waited and waited, until the moon rose above the treetops, until it set again, until he fell asleep and woke up again, but the door never opened.

Had he… been forgotten?

When the sun finally rose, everyone got up to prepare for the journey.

It seemed that the medicine Gu Xingzhi had given him last night had worked, as Luo Shen felt his body was not as sore. He strolled out to the front of the house and saw Liu Kuang pitifully leaning at the foot of the bed, his face haggard.

Luo Shen was a bit surprised, “What happened? Who bullied you?”

Liu Kuang heard the voice and barely opened his eyes. When he looked up, he saw Luo Shen standing at the door, his innocent eyes filled with curiosity, not understanding what had happened.

Liu Kuang weakly extended his hand, “Water… water…”

Luo Shen realized, “Oh, you’re thirsty.” He went to pour water from the teapot but found it empty. Looking around, he saw the wine jug from the previous day still had some left. Seeing how desperately thirsty Liu Kuang was, he poured a cup of wine and handed it over.

Liu Kuang was so thirsty that he nearly swallowed the entire cup along with Luo Shen’s hand.

Luo Shen became a bit worried, “Are you still thirsty?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Kuang looked up and met those pale eyes. His heart skipped a beat.

He swallowed hard and said, “N-No… I’m not thirsty anymore.”

“Oh.” Luo Shen stood up, ready to leave.

Seeing this, Liu Kuang quickly said, “I—I’m hungry!”

Luo Shen called Changxin over and ordered a few steamed buns for him, asking Changxin to fetch them.

A moment later, the buns were delivered. Liu Kuang immediately grabbed them and devoured them like a ravenous wolf. Luo Shen, watching him swallow without chewing, feared he might choke, so he handed him some wine. Liu Kuang alternated between taking a sip of wine and a bite of bun until everything was gone.

The onlookers were all stunned.

Luo Shen was surprised for a moment and then asked Changxin, “Last night… did you not bring him any food?”

Changxin was puzzled. “What food?”

Luo Shen: “…”

He turned to Liu Kuang, asking with concern, “Liu Kuang, how are you feeling now? Do you need a doctor?”

Hearing such gentle concern, Liu Kuang looked up and saw nothing but tenderness in Luo Shen’s eyes, making his heart melt.

Even though he knew this person was the emperor, and the man his own sister was supposed to marry, still…

When emotions run deep, he thought, he was only making the same mistake every man makes, right?

Liu Kuang immediately said, “I’m quite strong. Skipping one meal doesn’t affect me much. But Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?”

Luo Shen smiled and said, “Kuang, I’m traveling incognito. When we’re outside, don’t call me ‘Your Majesty.’ Just call me Young Master Luo.”

Liu Kuang quickly nodded. He found Luo Shen’s voice so pleasant that he wanted to keep listening.

Luo Shen asked, “If I let you go, will you run?”

Liu Kuang shook his head. With such beauty before him, how could he bear to run?

Luo Shen said softly, “If you run, I have your confession and your handprint. If that happens, the Liu family will be implicated. You’d better be careful.”

Liu Kuang trembled all over. How could someone as pure and adorable as Luo Shen say something so terrifying?

Luckily, he had no intention of running.

He nodded vigorously.

“Changxin, untie him.”

Changxin walked over, drew her sword, and with two swift movements, the ropes were cut.

Liu Kuang quickly got up and saw Luo Shen heading outside, so he rubbed his wrists and hurried after him.

At the door, Luo Shen saw General Gu had already packed the luggage and even bought some snacks and dry food. He handed over a bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts, saying, “Here, Xingzhi went around town three times to find this shop.”

Luo Shen’s eyes lit up as he took the bag, peeled a chestnut, and carefully put it in his mouth.

The chestnut was sweet and still a bit warm, likely freshly roasted, and the taste hadn’t changed.

He ate contentedly, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

Liu Kuang watched from the side, remembering that last night, it was another man who had held Luo Shen in his arms.

What name was just said? Xingzhi? Could it be that minister, Gu Xingzhi?

Liu Kuang was shocked. He glanced again at General Gu, then at Luo Shen, and felt like he’d uncovered a secret that could get him killed.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he noticed General Gu casting a wary glance his way, a look filled with the ruthless aura of a battlefield veteran, which frightened him so much that it took him a while to regain his composure.

He silently touched the back of his neck.

He feared his life might not be spared.

After traveling for most of the day, they finally reached Luo Town. General Gu led the group to a small house that Lady Gu had prepared.

He himself planned to go out and buy some new clothes.

Liu Kuang and Luo Shen were not the same size, and though Luo Shen was currently wearing loose clothing, when they switched, it had to be done without raising Liu Kuang’s suspicions.

Lady Gu was delighted to see Luo Shen. She stepped forward to greet him, her eyes catching on the slight swell of Luo Shen’s belly, and her lips couldn’t help but curl up.

“Your Majesty, be careful as you enter.” She stepped aside to let Luo Shen in, then noticed Changxin and was even more pleased. “Miss Changxin, too, be careful not to slip.”

She completely ignored Liu Kuang, happily following the two into the house.

Liu Kuang: “…”

Lady Gu, experienced in matters of pregnancy, made sure Luo Shen was comfortable, even preparing a variety of sweet, sour, and spicy foods. That evening, she arranged for a foot bath and taught Luo Shen how to massage his feet, saying, “If Xingzhi were here, he’d be the one doing this.”

She sighed, unsure of when this situation would finally settle down.

She just hoped her grandchild could be born safely.

Luo Shen’s fatigue from the past few days dissipated, and the heaviness in his body and the irritability in his mood faded away. He felt light and happy, and was deeply grateful. “Thank you, Lady Gu.”

Lady Gu looked up and saw Luo Shen, behaving so obediently without any imperial airs, which made her even more fond of him. “No need to thank me, we’re all family.”

Worried she might have upset him, she stole a glance at Luo Shen, but seeing his apparent happiness, she felt relieved.

It wasn’t long before Luo Shen grew tired.

Lady Gu tucked him in and, seeing him sleep soundly, finally felt at ease.

Fortunately, they hadn’t let misunderstandings separate the two, or who knows when they would have been able to come together.

Lady Gu sighed softly. Now, there was only Changxin left. Though she couldn’t be recognized, as long as she lived well, that would be enough.

Pressing her lips together, she walked out of the room and into the small courtyard. Suddenly, she raised her hand and easily caught two small knives in mid-air.