Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 53

For three consecutive days, the black-clad men would come every night but never made a move against Luo Shen.

 

Although General Gu and the others were worried, Luo Shen wouldn’t let them handle it, so they had to endure.

 

Three days later, Chancellor Liu indeed arrived in Luo Town.

 

He rushed straight to the yamen. At that time, it was still dark and not yet dawn. The county magistrate, who was lying in bed, was so frightened when he heard the servant’s report that he didn’t even put on his clothes properly before hurrying to the entrance to personally greet him.

 

Chancellor Liu’s face was dark. “Where is my son?”

 

The county magistrate didn’t dare delay and led him to the prison.

 

Liu Kuang was still asleep, holding a book tightly in his hands. There were some crumbs from steamed buns beside him, and a rat boldly approached to sniff at them before shaking its head and leaving.

 

Chancellor Liu’s eyes turned blood-red with anger, and he nearly tore the county magistrate apart.

 

The county magistrate quickly said, “This, this was all Prince Ping’s doing. I didn’t dare… I didn’t dare!”

 

Chancellor Liu clenched his fists at his sides, gritting his teeth. “Changqing, to think I once considered supporting you—”

 

But after one failure, he took it out on his son!

 

Chancellor Liu was furious. “He’s just a pawn discarded by the Emperor, what’s there to be afraid of!”

 

He turned his head, catching sight of Changqing walking over. He sneered harshly, “I remember that Prince Ping was once imprisoned for offending General Gu Xingzhi when he was in the palace. He should be on his way to Luo Xi right now.”

 

Changqing paused, his eyes turning more dangerous as he looked at Chancellor Liu.

 

But Chancellor Liu, still in a rage, didn’t care about that. Even when he spoke politely, there was a biting sarcasm in his tone: “This minister greets Prince Ping.”

 

Changqing responded with a restrained sound from his throat, then swept his fiery gaze toward the county magistrate.

 

Caught between them, the county magistrate was in a difficult position.

 

Chancellor Liu then added, “My son was unruly and offended Prince Ping. As his father, I apologize on his behalf. However—”

 

He turned around and looked directly at the person in front of him. “Prince Ping, this road, shouldn’t it be leading to Luo Xi?”

 

Changqing sneered. “My royal brother only sent me to inspect the area. Does the path I take need Chancellor Liu’s approval?”

 

Chancellor Liu mentally scoffed but continued, “Oh, an inspection, is it? The information I received seems to say otherwise.”

 

Changqing was indifferent. “If that’s the case, why don’t you return to the palace with me and ask the Emperor?”

 

At this moment, with the Emperor not in the palace, Chancellor Liu naturally couldn’t pursue the matter further. He didn’t even know where Luo Shen was hiding.

 

And was Changqing testing him with this?

 

Chancellor Liu became even more vigilant. “The Emperor is currently not in the palace.”

 

“Where has he gone?” Changqing asked, feigning casual interest.

 

Chancellor Liu thought, *Just as I suspected*, and replied, “I’m merely a chancellor, not responsible for staying by the Emperor’s side. However, if Prince Ping is so curious, you can accompany me back to the palace to meet General Gu Xingzhi.”

 

Changqing: “…”

 

If he went back, would he ever get out again?

 

Changqing was about to refuse when Chancellor Liu suddenly waved his hand and said, “Men, escort Prince Ping back to the palace!”

 

Immediately, a group of people swarmed in, surrounding the stunned Changqing.

 

Chancellor Liu curled his lips. “By order of the advisory ministers, take Prince Ping back to the palace.”

 

The group responded in unison, “Yes!”

 

Changqing’s pupils contracted in shock as he looked at Chancellor Liu, realizing that Liu had already allied with Gu Xingzhi.

 

His brows furrowed deeply. “Chancellor Liu, do you really intend to do this?”

 

Chancellor Liu remained firm. “I’m simply fulfilling my duty.”

 

Changqing stepped forward. “Aren’t you afraid of regretting this? Do you think just because Liu E has married into the palace, she’ll live well? Don’t you know that the Emperor cannot fulfill a man’s role?”

 

Everyone fell silent, and the county magistrate was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground.

 

Both men looked down at him, and the county magistrate’s mind was already imagining himself being executed in the marketplace.

 

*Why,* he thought, *did I have to hear such things?*

 

Chancellor Liu’s face darkened further. “To slander the Emperor is a crime punishable by death!”

 

Changqing glanced at his face and laughed. “Fine, I’ll go back with you.”

 

He turned gracefully, following the soldiers out without a hint of guilt for what he had just said.

 

Seeing this only made Chancellor Liu feel more aggrieved.

 

His support for Luo Shen was all to ensure that his daughter could become the mistress of the palace and live a happy life. But if Luo Shen truly… couldn’t fulfill a man’s role…

 

Then he absolutely couldn’t ruin his daughter’s future.

 

As he looked at Changqing again, he wondered if this whole scheme to throw Liu Kuang into prison and force him to appear was just to tell him about this.

 

Had he wronged Changqing?

 

Chancellor Liu had doubts, but since he had already made his decision, he wasn’t going to abandon it because of a few words from Changqing.

 

Whether or not Luo Shen could perform as a man was something he needed to test for himself.

 

He snorted, striding out of the room, but paused halfway and gave the county magistrate a look.

 

The county magistrate began trembling again. “I-I didn’t hear anything…”

 

“Hmph.” Chancellor Liu gave him a disapproving glare. “When he wakes up, make sure to send him back properly. If he’s lost any weight, you’ll answer for it!”

 

The county magistrate quickly bowed his head in agreement, only relaxing after Chancellor Liu had left.

 

Their exchange hadn’t disturbed anyone else, and Chancellor Liu didn’t even stay in Luo Town for an hour before leaving.

 

When Liu Kuang woke up, the county magistrate told him the general situation, provided him with good food, changed his clothes, and even personally escorted him back.

 

Zhao Liantou let out a sigh of relief and asked the county magistrate, “Where is Prince Ping?”

 

“He’s… he’s already returned to the palace.”

 

“Oh.”

 

Back at the mansion, Liu Kuang looked at the empty room, pressing his fingers to his brow.

 

Zhao Liantou walked over and asked, “Young Master, should we bring him back?”

 

Liu Kuang guessed that since Luo Shen needed him to impersonate the Emperor, Luo Shen hadn’t left yet and was likely still observing him to see if he was still useful.

 

After thinking for a moment, Liu Kuang said, “No need to look for him, Zhao Liantou. I’ve decided to go out and study.”

 

Zhao Liantou was shocked when he heard this. “Young Master! Why would you suddenly think of that? It’s so chaotic outside, it’s dangerous for you to go alone!”

 

Liu Kuang gave him a look. “Only people in Luo Town know that I’m the chancellor’s son. If I go out, I’ll be less conspicuous.”

 

Zhao Liantou disagreed. “You’re not skilled at anything. If you go out, you’ll just suffer. Either I go with you, or if you run into Prince Ping or any other noble, there’ll be no one to inform Chancellor Liu.”

 

But Liu Kuang had made up his mind. “I’ll go by myself, and I won’t be recognized. Everyone knows you’re with my father. If you leave with me, that would be conspicuous.”

 

He continued firmly, “Besides, I’m only going to study. Do you think I’m going out to play?”

 

Zhao Liantou had nothing more to say.

 

Liu Kuang said, “I’m leaving tomorrow. Don’t try to stop me.”

 

Tears welled up in Zhao Liantou’s eyes. “Young Master…”

 

Liu Kuang, seeing this, quickly took a step back and said, “You shouldn’t be like this. Before you came, I was just fine in Luo Town by myself.”

 

Zhao Lian’s head hung low with tears in his eyes, “Young Master…”

 

Then, suddenly remembering something, he asked, “By the way, where’s that little servant who was by your side earlier?”

 

Liu Kuang: “…”

 

That… it seems… he… might still be at the inn.

 

—

 

—

 

Luo Shen woke up from a deep sleep and noticed that his belly had grown larger again.

 

Fortunately, the weather had cooled recently, so he could wear a few extra layers to make it less noticeable.

 

After breakfast, just as Luo Shen was about to inquire about the situation at the yamen, he heard the old general reporting that Liu Kuang had requested to see him.

 

He was somewhat surprised, and after a pause, the old general added, “He brought his luggage with him.”

 

Luo Shen blinked in confusion, but he hadn’t stayed in Luo Town long enough yet…

 

However, since the person had come, it was better to get things moving.

 

A moment later, Liu Kuang walked into the courtyard carrying a bundle. Luo Shen was in the pavilion, eating a meat bun. The bun wasn’t large, but the skin was thin, and the filling was thick. When he bit into it, the meat juice oozed out, and the aroma was extremely enticing. Luo Shen’s appetite was whetted, and he tore open the bun, stuffing it into his mouth, filling both cheeks like a cat with chubby cheeks.

 

Liu Kuang was moved, unconsciously stepping closer.

 

Luo Shen seemed to sense something and looked up. He licked his fingers, which were stained with juice, and his long eyelashes brushed against each other, as if they were tickling Liu Kuang’s heart.

 

“Young Master Liu, you seem very resolute?”

 

Luo Shen originally thought that when Prime Minister Liu came in the early morning, Liu Kuang would seek his help.

 

But…

 

He glanced at the bundle on Liu Kuang’s left shoulder and smiled slightly, indeed surprised.

 

Actually, when Liu Kuang was awakened in the early morning, he did intend to ask Prime Minister Liu to take him back.

 

But after hearing Chang Qing mention Luo Shen’s inability to bear children, he hesitated.

 

He knew that Prime Minister Liu wanted Liu E to marry into the royal family, and upon learning of this, he would surely use various means to test Luo Shen.

 

He didn’t want to see Luo Shen suffer any injustice.

 

It was that moment of softness and the sudden surge of protectiveness that made Liu Kuang’s heart resolute.

 

“Yes, I’ve made up my mind.” Liu Kuang knelt on the ground and swore to Luo Shen, “I am willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty until my death.”

 

Luo Shen chewed on the meat bun, swallowed slowly, and then said, “Very well. You may rise.”

 

Liu Kuang stood up and then heard Luo Shen say, “Come here.”

 

Liu Kuang glanced around. Apart from Luo Shen and himself, there was no one else here, so he hesitated and didn’t move forward.

 

Luo Shen’s brows furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased, and Liu Kuang felt as if the ground he was standing on was prickly. Slowly, he moved closer.

 

“I…”

 

“Sit down.”

 

Liu Kuang’s heart was stirred. To share a table with the emperor was the highest honor.

 

His heart raced as he carefully pulled out a chair and sat down.

 

He thought to himself, *He asked me to sit with him. Does this mean he cares about me?*

 

Luo Shen pushed the pastries and buns in front of him over and said, “You haven’t had breakfast, right? These are all for you.”

 

Liu Kuang’s eyes brightened, and he couldn’t suppress the smile on his lips. He cautiously glanced at Luo Shen, seeing that his expression was normal, without much emotion. He felt both joy and rationality.

 

*He gave me his breakfast. He loves me.*

 

*In the future, will I marry him, or will he marry me?*

 

“Why? Have you already eaten?” Luo Shen’s tone carried a hint of disappointment, as if his kind gesture had been wasted.

 

Liu Kuang quickly said, “No, I haven’t eaten! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

 

Luo Shen then smiled, “Then eat up, hurry!”

 

Liu Kuang felt another wave of warmth in his heart.

 

*He urged me to eat quickly; he cares about me!*

 

*What color should the wedding bed be?*

 

As Liu Kuang was eating with all his might, suddenly, someone walked into the courtyard.

 

Madam Gu, holding a list in her hand, had a small frown on her face. She was supposed to be out for a while because Luo Shen had given her such a long list, but some items seemed to be repeated, so she came back to check.

 

When she returned, she saw that the breakfast she had prepared for Luo Shen had ended up in someone else’s stomach.

 

Madam Gu’s expression cracked, and then she sternly said, “Your Majesty!”

 

Luo Shen was just rubbing his half-full belly, having just taken out the snacks that Chang Xin had secretly bought a couple of days ago. He was about to eat when he suddenly heard her shout, scaring him so much that he dropped the snacks.

 

Luo Shen quickly stood up, hiding the snacks behind him, “Th-that…”

 

Madam Gu, with sharp eyes, naturally saw what he was hiding. She strode forward, not caring about any courtesies between sovereign and subject, placed one hand beside his face against the pavilion pillar, and coldly smiled, “Your Majesty gave me such a long list just to send me away so you could sneak snacks?”

 

Luo Shen: “…”

 

He cowered, biting his lip before softly explaining, “I-I didn’t eat any…”

 

Just one bite!

 

Madam Gu extended her hand, “Your Majesty, hand it over.”

 

Luo Shen looked at her plain white hand and shrank back a bit, “I-I won’t eat this during breakfast anymore… is that okay?”

 

Madam Gu narrowed her eyes, “Your Majesty.”

 

Luo Shen, feeling wronged, handed over the snacks.

 

Madam Gu took the snacks, glancing at Liu Kuang on the side, scaring him into not daring to move. Then she said, “Since His Majesty has given it to you, you are responsible for finishing it.”

 

Liu Kuang: “Oh… oh.”

 

Fearing Madam Gu’s anger, he quickly opened his mouth and ate.

 

Madam Gu turned her head back.

 

But Luo Shen’s gaze lingered longingly on the snacks.

 

She was both angry and amused, her expression exactly like that of Gu Xingzhi: “Your Majesty, do you realize your mistake?”

 

Luo Shen lowered his head, “I-I know my mistake.”

 

“Very well, then I punish you to accompany me to the market.”

 

Luo Shen: “…Huh?”

 

He looked up, “But…”

 

His belly, he’s the emperor, he…

 

“It doesn’t matter; His Majesty can wear women’s clothing.”