Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 52

Luo Shen hadn’t gone far.

 

He wanted to take a look at Changqing’s face.

 

He wanted to see what Changqing, whom he hadn’t seen for three months—no, he should say years—truly looked like now.

 

Changqing, dressed in black, had his hair tied up in a high ponytail. He was no longer the gentle person of the past; instead, his aura was sharp and obsessive. He clutched a plain white garment tightly in his hand. As he approached the doorway, he seemed to sense something and glanced over.

 

The old madam reacted quickly, pulling Luo Shen into an alley before Changqing could spot them.

 

Changqing saw nothing, retracting his gaze with an icy detachment, like ice that had thawed and then refrozen. “Lock up everyone from the Liu residence until Chancellor Liu himself comes in person.”

 

County Magistrate Chen was puzzled. He supported Chancellor Liu, but this man was a prince, the Emperor’s brother. His rank was higher, and he didn’t dare offend him.

 

“Prince Ping, why exactly do you want to force Chancellor Liu to come?” County Magistrate Chen furrowed his brows, starting to worry about his own future.

 

This would definitely offend Chancellor Liu. What should he do?

 

Changqing smiled, his deep eyes sweeping over him. “Are you trying to play both sides?”

 

County Magistrate Chen shuddered, his legs giving way as he knelt down. “I—I wouldn’t dare.”

 

“Hmph.” Changqing brushed past him, leaving behind a cold sneer.

 

County Magistrate Chen shuddered again, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, his heart in his throat.

 

Trembling, he stood up and quickly followed behind Changqing.

 

As the group slowly left the Liu residence, Liu Kuang and Zhao Liantou remained silent the entire way. It seemed Changqing just wanted to take them back, not caring about Liu Kuang’s condition.

 

County Magistrate Chen secretly wiped his sweat. Just as he thought that Changqing wouldn’t do anything to Liu Kuang, they arrived at the county office, where he heard Changqing give orders.

 

“Give them the worst room.”

 

Liu Kuang’s eyes widened. “You…”

 

Changqing glanced over, and County Magistrate Chen hurriedly smiled, “Young Master Liu is still the chancellor’s son. This… isn’t right, is it?”

 

Changqing’s gaze fell on County Magistrate Chen. “So what?”

 

County Magistrate Chen: “…”

 

“Lock the two of them together. Two meals a day—each with two steamed buns and some pickled vegetables—until Chancellor Liu arrives.”

 

County Magistrate Chen turned pale. This was forcing him to oppose Chancellor Liu!

 

He opened his mouth to say something, but when his eyes met Changqing’s, he didn’t dare.

 

This man was a prince, personally acknowledged by the Emperor. If he offended him, the future would be even worse.

 

Gritting his teeth, he gave the orders. As they escorted Liu Kuang inside, he whispered, “Young Master Liu, just bear with it. Prince Ping is still angry; once he calms down, things will get better.”

 

Zhao Liantou turned to look back, his face dark. “Please inform Chancellor Liu as soon as possible.”

 

County Magistrate Chen nodded.

 

Liu Kuang asked, “Is he really still angry about what happened three days ago?”

 

No matter what, if he was angry, he should have taken it out on them immediately. Why wait three days?

 

Liu Kuang had always been the one to use power to suppress others. This was the first time he was on the receiving end, making him feel both frustrated and uncomfortable.

 

He frowned.

 

“Prince Ping said so…” County Magistrate Chen wanted to say more but feared being mocked by Changqing, so he quickly asked, “I’ll secretly bring you some things. What do you need?”

 

Liu Kuang thought for a moment and said, “I have books I haven’t finished reading.”

 

County Magistrate Chen: “…”

 

He was shocked. “Young Master Liu reads books?”

 

Wasn’t he the one who refused to study no matter what?

 

Zhao Liantou felt a pang of sympathy. He looked at Liu Kuang, knowing that Liu Kuang hadn’t given up on Luo Shen, even though Luo Shen had abandoned them and fled.

 

He deeply understood what it meant for a romantic person to be a devoted lover.

 

However, since Liu Kuang was willing to learn, even if it was for someone else, Zhao Liantou didn’t want to discourage him at this moment.

 

He solemnly said to County Magistrate Chen, “Move everything from the right-hand shelf in the room.”

 

Liu Kuang: “…”

 

County Magistrate Chen: “…”

 

County Magistrate Chen was stunned. He looked at Zhao Liantou, then at Liu Kuang, and suddenly felt a surge of admiration. “Alright, alright! I’ll definitely get them for you!”

 

As long as he supported Liu Kuang, when Chancellor Liu arrived and found that Liu Kuang had become studious and well-behaved, he would surely forgive him!

 

County Magistrate Chen secretly clenched his fists and had someone secretly slip them a blanket each before leaving.

 

As soon as they left, Zhao Liantou immediately asked Liu Kuang, “Young Master, everyone’s gone.”

 

Liu Kuang frowned slightly. “Let them go.”

 

Luo Shen was the Emperor; even the Emperor didn’t want to show his face at this time. What could he say?

 

Zhao Liantou felt a pang in his heart. Liu Kuang loved him so deeply that he could remain calm even after being abandoned. What should he do?

 

His worried gaze fell on Liu Kuang, causing Liu Kuang to shiver. He turned around and met Zhao Liantou’s loving eyes, startled enough to cover his chest and jump back a step.

 

“Zhao Liantou, why are you looking at me like that?”

 

Zhao Liantou said, “I’m just worried about you, Young Master.”

 

Liu Kuang: “…”

 

Zhao Liantou continued, “When we get out of here, if you need it, I’ll go to the ends of the earth to bring him back!”

 

He would capture him, lock him in a room where he couldn’t go anywhere, and have him serve Liu Kuang every day!

 

Liu Kuang shivered at his gaze again. “Stop thinking about it! Don’t get any crazy ideas!”

 

Zhao Liantou: “Young Master is truly kind-hearted.”

 

Liu Kuang: “…”

 

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, thinking about what Luo Shen had said to him earlier. Since Luo Shen needed him, he wouldn’t leave him behind, but with Prince Ping here, Luo Shen clearly didn’t want to see Prince Ping.

 

So, what would Luo Shen do?

 

He vaguely sensed that Changqing’s purpose in imprisoning him here wasn’t just for Chancellor Liu; it might also be related to Luo Shen. His brows furrowed unconsciously.

 

“Zhao Liantou, when County Magistrate Chen returns, have him deliver a message.”

 

Zhao Liantou leaned in to listen.

 

Liu Kuang gave him detailed instructions and then lowered his voice to remind him, “Here, no matter what anyone says, you mustn’t mention Young Master Luo or the others.”

 

Zhao Liantou was puzzled. “Young Master, are you worried about implicating them?”

 

Liu Kuang shook his head, then nodded. “More or less.”

 

Though it seemed more like he was the one being implicated.

 

Zhao Liantou sighed again. How could someone with such deep emotions be rumored as a frivolous playboy? He shook his head, thinking that it was just that others hadn’t reached his heart. His young master was absolutely the best person in the world, so good that only the Emperor could be worthy of… worthy of…

 

He carefully opened his eyes and silently swallowed the last part of that thought.

 

He had heard that the Emperor was the most beautiful in the world. Although Zhao Liantou had reached the point where he praised Liu Kuang with his eyes closed, he didn’t dare disrespect the Emperor.

 

He shut his mouth, not disturbing Liu Kuang any further, and quietly waited for County Magistrate Chen to return.

 

On the other side of the dungeon, Changqing had been listening for a long time without gaining any useful information. Annoyed, he snorted and left.

 

As soon as he stepped out, he received a note from his subordinate with an address written on it.

 

Changqing stared at the note for a while, a slow smile spreading across his lips.

 

A subordinate asked, “Should we go capture him now?”

 

“Who’s with him?”

 

The subordinate replied, “It seems to be General Gu and Madam Gu, along with a maid. They all appear to be quite skilled.”

 

Changqing rubbed his chin, thinking. With Luo Shen’s current condition, and with other ministers constantly pushing their daughters onto his path, it was impossible for Luo Shen not to be noticed.

 

If Luo Shen wanted to have a child at this time without being discovered, the only possibility was to use a substitute.

 

If that person was Liu Kuang, he was already here. Luo Shen would either have to find a way to rescue him or find someone else.

 

Since Luo Shen had escaped, it meant he was wary of him.

 

Changqing smiled, his voice filled with pleasure. “No need. You won’t be able to catch him now anyway.”

 

If Luo Shen used a substitute, he wouldn’t stay with the troops. But General Gu was a fixed point; if General Gu disappeared, the ministers would become suspicious.

 

So…

 

That maid and Madam Gu were here to take him away.

 

As Changqing walked back to his room, he gave instructions: “Keep a close watch on them. Learn their patterns, especially those of Madam Gu and that maid. Keep a tight eye on them.”

 

The subordinate, puzzled, asked, “Why? Shouldn’t we be watching the Emperor?”

 

“Where can he run to?” Changqing thought to himself.

 

A man with a big belly—where could he possibly go?

 

The subordinate immediately cupped his hands and said, “Understood.”

 

Then he retreated.

 

The courtyard was quiet. Changqing stopped under a tree, looking up at the fragmented light through the leaves. After a moment, he summoned another subordinate.

 

“Go back and tell En Shu to give me the house I want within two months at most.”

 

The figure flickered and disappeared.

 

Elsewhere.

 

Luo Shen sat in the courtyard, cracking sunflower seeds. He glanced at the top of the wall, only speaking when the shadow there disappeared. “Chang Xin.”

 

Chang Xin walked over, dissatisfied. “Your Majesty, why didn’t you let me kill him?”

 

“If you kill him, how will he pass on our information?” Luo Shen took a sip of tea.

 

Chang Xin didn’t understand. “Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be dangerous if they found out where you are?”

 

Luo Shen shook his head.

 

He still wasn’t sure exactly what Changqing knew, but he had sensed that Changqing wanted to kill him, likely for the throne—

 

After all, the imperial edict hadn’t been revoked, but Luo Shen was already considering a replacement. It was no wonder Changqing wanted to act against him.

 

Since Changqing managed to escape, Luo Shen had to suspect that he might have connections with the former chancellor’s old faction.

 

Now it seemed that he did.

 

Those people hiding in the shadows and observing him were all similar to the black-clad men from that day.

 

When Changqing was still in the palace, he had people steal Luo Shen’s leftover medicine. Luo Shen suspected that Changqing was also suspicious of him.

 

So…

 

He needed to test how much Changqing really knew.

 

Night fell, and everything was quiet.

 

Luo Shen lay on the bed, sleeping peacefully, as if he hadn’t encountered anything, as if he were still in the palace, enjoying General Gu Xingzhi’s protection.

 

On the rooftop, shadows moved back and forth, but none descended.

 

They hated Luo Shen, wanting to immediately kill him with a sword, but whenever they were about to act, they remembered Changqing’s warning.

 

“If you kill Luo Shen now, Gu Xingzhi in the palace will immediately kill Luo Ming. After all, he is the former chancellor’s bloodline. Can you bear that?”

 

They fell silent, but still felt unwilling.

 

“Listen to me. Wait until Luo Shen swaps identities and falls into our hands.”

 

When Changqing said this, his smile had a hint of ferocity. “I’ll make sure he lives in pain and despair, pushed away by everyone he once cared about. Don’t you want that?”

 

Only then were they moved, reluctantly agreeing.

 

They glanced down at Luo Shen, who was still sleeping soundly, gritted their teeth, muttered something under their breath, and then retreated one by one.

 

Once the noises on the roof completely disappeared, the three people hidden in the darkness finally relaxed.

 

They looked at Luo Shen, who was still sleeping, but their brows furrowed even more tightly.