Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 57

The night was pitch black. In the room, Liu Kuang was still holding the human skin mask, studying it with curiosity.

 

He had heard about such novel things years ago, but was told they were difficult to make, expensive, and government-regulated. He had searched everywhere but had never seen one.

 

Who knew that today luck would have him wear it.

 

“This mask is made to look like the Emperor’s face.” General Gu, seeing him fidgeting with it, couldn’t help but speak up, “Don’t mess around. If you ruin it, you’ll be held responsible!”

 

Liu Kuang, hearing this, quickly put the mask back on the table, then frowned again, “Do we really have to do this? Why doesn’t the Emperor come himself?”

 

He had hoped to spend more time with Luo Shen, but Luo Shen was leaving today.

 

The Emperor’s affairs were off-limits for inquiry, but he was genuinely curious.

 

“Choose between a big belly or a different face,” General Gu responded, “Anyway, everyone in Shahe Town recognizes Liu Kuang’s face now. I heard your sister is coming too? She should be arriving soon.”

 

General Gu had already sent someone to investigate, and it was said that the young lady would arrive in Shahe Town tonight, accompanied by a maid. If Liu Kuang chose a big belly, it would divert all of the Liu family’s attention.

 

Liu Kuang, hearing this, quickly put on a smile and said, “Of course, I’ll follow orders. I’ll change my face!”

 

What a joke! If Prime Minister Liu found out about his big belly, even if he had favored him in the past, he would surely beat him to a pulp.

 

He wouldn’t dare challenge such a thing.

 

“Alright, get some rest,” General Gu said, not wanting to say more. Before leaving, he reminded him, “Remember to wear the mask even while sleeping.”

 

“Ah?”

 

“‘Ah’ what,” General Gu gave him a “naive” look, “And don’t tarnish the Emperor’s reputation. He doesn’t favor women, so don’t mess around!”

 

Liu Kuang quickly responded, “Of course not! I won’t!”

 

Not favoring women? That suited him just fine.

 

Liu Kuang reassured General Gu several times, finally easing his concern a little.

 

After seeing General Gu off, Liu Kuang closed the door, turned back, put the mask on his face, and, following General Gu’s instructions, pinched the edges to fit. Looking into the mirror, he saw a face identical to Luo Shen’s.

 

He looked at himself, unable to resist pinching his own cheek.

 

He had thought about this face for a long time, but it was a pity that he could only borrow it through the mask.

 

Liu Kuang felt a bit restless. Just as he was preparing to remove his robe, he heard some commotion outside the door. It seemed like the innkeeper was guiding someone upstairs, his voice eager, “Miss, don’t worry, our Happy Inn is absolutely safe. If you encounter any problems, just call us.”

 

A maid’s voice replied, “Safe or not, it’s not for you to decide. You didn’t even say where he is. Just get out of our sight!”

 

For some reason, Liu Kuang felt the voice was familiar.

 

He approached the door and heard the innkeeper’s chuckle as he turned and went downstairs. The maid’s voice lowered, “Miss, let’s rest in the room for now. You’ve been exhausted from the journey and need to look presentable.”

 

Liu E agreed, “No need to rush. We should first win his heart, then his body.”

 

It was said that the royal family members were all romantics, falling in love with someone and becoming infatuated. They all remembered the tragic end of the former Empress, so they didn’t want the same fate and aimed to win the heart first.

 

Liu E’s gaze swept down the corridor, passing each room, before she entered the room next to Liu Kuang’s.

 

Liu Kuang: …

 

Was it this coincidental?

 

He quickly wrapped himself tightly and hurriedly piled a table and three chairs in front of the door.

 

Moonlight shifted from the window, falling on the carriage continuing its journey through the countryside.

 

Luo Shen withdrew his gaze from the window, turned to General Gu’s wife with concern, “Madam, are you alright?”

 

“I’m fine,” she replied, her only injury being a scratch on her arm.

 

The arrow had come too fiercely in the afternoon, and the cramped space of the carriage had prevented her from using her sword to block it. While trying to pull Luo Shen to safety, she was grazed by the arrow. Fortunately, the arrow was not poisoned, and she had only lost a bit of blood.

 

Luo Shen was still worried.

 

“Your Majesty, what about those black-clad men…?” General Gu’s wife referred to the black-clad men who had appeared later. Initially, a few of them had rushed out to kill Luo Shen, but before General Gu’s wife could act, several men in dark robes had descended from the sky. Their black hoods covered their faces, making it impossible to see who they were.

 

These men quickly eliminated the black-clad attackers and took the bodies away.

 

Throughout the ordeal, these men had not spoken a word, which made it both strange and concerning.

 

“They were sent by Xing Zhi to protect me,” Luo Shen recognized one as Qin Feng, so Xing Zhi had finally spoken up.

 

He pursed his lips, unsure of what to think.

 

General Gu’s wife smiled, “So it was Xing Zhi who did this. Xing Zhi is indeed thoughtful. With so many people sent, I am reassured. We will certainly reach our destination safely!”

 

Luo Shen nodded.

 

With them around, there shouldn’t be any more issues on the way back.

 

Next, they just needed to pick up Chang Xin in Luo Town.

 

As he thought, he couldn’t help but yawn.

 

“Your Majesty, rest here. I’ll take over for the coachman,” she noticed the night had deepened, and the coachman had been working all day and needed a break.

 

Luo Shen quickly said, “There’s no rush. It’s better to stop and rest for the night.”

 

However, General Gu’s wife shook her head, “At night, it’s easiest for things to go wrong. Your Majesty, don’t worry. I remember there’s an inn a few hours away. We can stay there for the night.”

 

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade her otherwise, Luo Shen reluctantly agreed.

 

As General Gu’s wife prepared to leave, he suddenly thought of something, turned around, and took out a cloak from his bundle, handing it to her, “It’s cold outside. Madam, be careful not to catch a cold. If it gets too much, come inside. Don’t force yourself.”

 

Seeing the cloak, General Gu’s wife smiled, “I’ve seen colder days. This is nothing. Besides, with your concern, it’s enough to ward off the chill.”

 

Luo Shen’s face reddened slightly, and he quickly shoved the cloak into her hands, “Even the coldest day cannot compare to today’s chill. Madam, don’t make me worry.”

 

General Gu’s wife received the cloak, seemingly amused, “Does the Emperor worry about me?”

 

Luo Shen took a breath, his face growing even redder, “W-well, naturally.”

 

General Gu’s wife then asked, “Could it be that you’re worried about me because of Xing Zhi?”

 

Luo Shen: …

 

At the mention of that name, a surge of longing filled his heart, making him wish he could fly straight to Xing Zhi’s arms!

 

But there was still a long way to go. Faced with General Gu’s wife’s teasing, he was embarrassed to admit, “No, not at all. Madam, you are a heroine, and naturally, I would worry about you.”

 

General Gu’s wife was satisfied. She looked at Luo Shen’s lips, which were often pursed and red, and her heart softened.

 

No wonder Xing Zhi liked Luo Shen so much. If she were younger by a few decades, there wouldn’t be a place for General Gu.

 

She smiled and pinched Luo Shen’s face, saying, “Forgive my impertinence, but this is a custom from my hometown. When it’s cold, pinching the face warms you up.”

 

Luo Shen was startled as he was suddenly pinched. His eyes widened in disbelief.

 

He looked at General Gu’s wife, who was smiling sincerely. Her words sounded unbelievable, but she looked so serious that he wondered if she was telling the truth.

 

General Gu’s wife frowned, “Does Your Majesty not believe me?”

 

Luo Shen quickly shook his head, “I, I believe it. Madam… do you need to pinch me?”

 

General Gu’s wife couldn’t help but laugh, “No need. I’m not cold. You should rest early. I’m leaving now.”

 

Without waiting for Luo Shen’s response, she hurriedly lifted the curtain and went out, leaving Luo Shen alone in the carriage. He found himself inexplicably reaching up to pinch his own face.

 

Why did it feel… a bit plump?

 

In the early morning, the carriage finally stopped. General Gu’s wife looked at the brightly lit inn and yawned wearily.

 

She woke the sleeping coachman and asked him to gather information.

 

The coachman swayed as he went inside, and after a moment, he came back, swaying, saying there were still a few rooms available upstairs, though only three, and no choice of rooms.

 

General Gu’s wife glanced back at the carriage, hesitated for a moment, then lifted the curtain and was about to call Luo Shen when she found herself face to face with his bright eyes.

 

She was stunned, “Your, Your Majesty, why are you up?”

 

Luo Shen rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t actually slept but had pretended to be asleep to avoid worrying General Gu’s wife. He said, “I was asleep, but I guess the tea I had earlier woke me up. Have we arrived at the inn?”

 

General Gu’s wife nodded.

 

Luo Shen got up and walked outside, “Since we’re here, let’s go in. It’s so cold outside; we should find a room to rest.”

 

He got down from the carriage and helped General Gu’s wife down. Feeling her cold fingers, he furrowed his brow and instructed the innkeeper to bring a hot water bottle for her once they entered.

 

General Gu’s wife, feeling embarrassed, was about to refuse but saw the firm look in Luo Shen’s eyes and accepted the hot water bottle with a smile.

 

Luo Shen paid for all three rooms.

 

General Gu’s wife had intended to sleep on a makeshift bed in Luo Shen’s room but, hearing this, objected, “Young Master Luo, three rooms are too many.”

 

Moreover, the three rooms were all high-quality, and neither the coachman nor she needed such good rooms.

 

Luo Shen shook his head seriously, “It’s not right for you to sleep on the floor. I couldn’t bear it.”

 

General Gu’s wife wanted to argue further, but Luo Shen had already placed the money on the table, “Count it and use the rest for charcoal and tomorrow’s meal.”

 

The innkeeper’s smile widened, and he quickly counted the money. In the end, he returned half of it, “Guest, our inn doesn’t need that much. You can go upstairs first. I’ll have someone bring the things over soon.”

 

“Alright.” Luo Shen took General Gu’s wife upstairs.

 

She quickly took the money pouch that Luo Shen had not touched. While she was happy, she soon realized that Luo Shen’s behavior tonight was a bit unusual.

 

She curiously watched the back of Luo Shen’s head and couldn’t help but suspect that his grand gesture seemed to be for someone’s benefit.

 

Who could it be?

 

When she reached the second floor, she saw the three rooms at the end of the corridor—two side by side and one across the hall.

 

The second floor was quiet, with most people still asleep. General Gu’s wife lowered her footsteps and followed Luo Shen into the room.

 

As soon as the door closed, General Gu’s wife was about to speak, but Luo Shen suddenly made a shushing gesture.

 

Then she heard a few barely audible sounds of the door being opened from outside, deliberately muffled so they were almost inaudible.