Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 63

Luo Shen yawned, already not wanting to continue talking with En Shu. En Shu’s mind was elsewhere, and he had little patience, his steps unsteady as he walked out of the room.

 

Once he left, Gu Xingzhi’s warm fingers touched the bruised marks.

 

Luo Shen’s drowsiness dissipated in an instant, and he winced in pain.

 

Even though he couldn’t see Gu Xingzhi’s expression, Luo Shen instinctively sensed that he was angry.

 

How could he not be angry? Luo Shen had once again taken risks to gather information.

 

Knowing he was in the wrong, Luo Shen simply lay down, pinched Gu Xingzhi’s firm waist, and pitifully complained, “My neck hurts. Help me rub it.”

 

Gu Xingzhi warmed his hands and gently pressed them against Luo Shen’s neck without saying a word, as if he were just a humble servant.

 

“Xingzhi,” Luo Shen called softly. He knew that Gu Xingzhi’s face was probably dark with anger now and that he might have added this incident to his mental list of grievances.

 

But Gu Xingzhi was always soft-hearted; all Luo Shen had to do was act pitiful.

 

“I’ll get the ointment tonight and apply it properly for you,” Gu Xingzhi’s voice was light, as if afraid that speaking too harshly might hurt him.

 

Luo Shen quickly nodded, being extremely obedient: “This really is the last time! I promise!”

 

Hearing this, Gu Xingzhi paused for a moment, his breathing growing heavier.

 

The last time, always the last time…

 

How many times had he heard this? And yet, every time, it was never the last.

 

His pupils darkened, his expression grew even grimmer than before, and it seemed as if a cloud of black mist was seeping from him, ready to escape and devour the unsuspecting person lying on the bed.

 

He was furious, but at the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry with Luo Shen.

 

“You really are…” Gu Xingzhi bit the tip of his tongue, blood quickly surfacing, the sharp pain and taste of iron restoring some of his reason.

 

He gradually reined in that black mist, adopting a more composed demeanor: “We’ll talk about this when we get back.”

 

“Okay,” Luo Shen’s voice was a bit muffled; he hadn’t managed to appease him.

 

What should he do?

 

“Tomorrow, I have to go release someone personally, so I’ll need to switch back with Qin Cheng,” Gu Xingzhi changed the subject. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”

 

Hearing this, Luo Shen reassured him: “Don’t worry. I have no reason to play the victim in front of him.”

 

In other words, he wouldn’t take any risks in front of Chang Qing.

 

However… just because he wouldn’t take risks didn’t mean that Chang Qing wouldn’t do something to him, or that those former ministers wouldn’t act.

 

Luo Shen had originally thought those people would have shown up by now, but after waiting so long, not even a shadow appeared. He was worried, wondering what exactly they were plotting.

 

Could it be that besides exposing his pregnant belly to everyone, they had other plans?

 

But back to the point…

 

“Although the late emperor ordered me to abdicate in favor of Chang Qing, that decree is in my hands. If I don’t bring it up, and General Gu doesn’t bring it up, even if something happens to me, the throne would go to Luo Ming.”

 

Luo Shen slowly said, “Chang Qing wants that imperial edict, but I didn’t bring it with me. He will suspect both the Gu family residence and the palace. I imagine, after some time, he will return voluntarily.”

 

Gu Xingzhi understood: “You want Luo Ming and him to check each other, to force the former ministers out, and to use chaos to subdue the enemy?”

 

“Yes. Once we force them out, you can use the Shadow Guards to rescue me.”

 

He estimated that it might take some time, and during this period, Gu Xingzhi would have to shuttle back and forth.

 

Actually, without Luo Shen explaining, Gu Xingzhi had already planned to do this.

 

He had previously formed a temporary alliance with Luo Ming, using this method to gain information on some of the former ministers.

 

It was precisely because of this that they found this place and had Qin Cheng lay low in advance.

 

He was thorough in his thinking, yet every time, he was helpless against Luo Shen’s risk-taking behavior.

 

He no longer held out hope for Luo Shen’s promises; all he could do was provide as many safeguards as possible.

 

As Luo Shen spoke, he was almost asleep. Gu Xingzhi’s massage was so gentle and soothing that he felt like a contented cat being stroked, just short of purring.

 

Just before falling asleep, he suddenly remembered something: “Qin Cheng said I was unconscious for ten days after arriving in the capital. Is Lady Gu alright?”

 

“She’s fine. She’s handling other matters now.”

 

“What matters?” Luo Shen perked up slightly.

 

“Do you want to know?” Gu Xingzhi pressed him back onto the bed, covering him with the quilt. “You’ll find out in time.”

 

Luo Shen’s curiosity was piqued, and he grumbled a couple of times before turning over and falling asleep.

 

Seeing him stymied, Gu Xingzhi’s lips curved slightly. He gently ran his hand across the tip of Luo Shen’s nose, then leaned down to lightly kiss his lips before getting up to leave.

 

The autumn afternoon breeze swept through, casting rays of sunlight into the room. The person on the bed lay quietly, and after a moment, he licked his lips as if savoring the memory.

 

He thought to himself, after so many days apart, despite missing him so much, how could he only dare to give a kiss?

 

And such a light one at that…

 

As he muttered to himself, he restlessly turned over and went back to sleep.

 

The next day, however, he woke up shivering from the cold.

 

Luo Shen opened his eyes. He had already grown accustomed to living without sight, but the darkness around him was unusually overwhelming. Since he didn’t have the habit of getting up at night, this place should…

 

He got up from the cold floor, causing a splash of water, and only then did he realize that his knees and below were submerged in water. His body felt weak, as if the effects of the drug hadn’t worn off.

 

Luo Shen hesitated, wanting to get up, but his body was too heavy, and he couldn’t stand, unable to find solid ground. This left him in a panic.

 

“En Shu? En Shu?”

 

As he called out, a figure took a few steps forward from the other side.

 

With a sneer, En Shu said, “Your Majesty, do you like your new room?”

 

Luo Shen was a bit frightened: “Be good, En Shu. Pregnant men can’t handle the cold. Take me back.”

 

“I won’t.” In the light of the luminous pearl, En Shu could clearly see the panic on Luo Shen’s face. Finally, he felt a sense of satisfaction from tormenting him. “This is a punishment from Prince Ping for your wanton behavior, breaking palace rules, and secretly carrying a bastard child!”

 

He deliberately used the most malicious words to insult Luo Shen and even demanded that Luo Shen repeat them.

 

“You want to climb out of this pool? Fine. Say you are a despicable, wanton emperor and beg me, your benevolent lord, to save you.”

 

Luo Shen’s expression turned cold, his fingers clenched tightly into fists: “En Shu, don’t go too far! I am the emperor!”

 

“Not for much longer,” En Shu mocked his overestimation of himself. “In court, those who support Prince Qin support Prince Qin, and those who support Prince Ping support Prince Ping. How many do you think stand with you? Everyone has long abandoned you. You’re just a… an insignificant and unwanted emperor.”

 

As En Shu spoke, his gaze swept over Luo Shen’s belly, and he laughed, “And a pregnant emperor, no less.”

 

He sighed, turning his head to loudly lament, “You’ve only been emperor for a short time and you’re already pregnant. Could it be that you got the throne by using your body?”

 

Luo Shen’s face turned ashen, his chest heaving, teeth clenched: “En—Shu.”

 

“Here I am,” En Shu said with a smile, the corners of his lips curling up. “Oh, is the Emperor angry? So the Emperor can actually get angry? I thought the Emperor only knew how to make me angry.”

 

He leaned closer, reached out, and pinched Luo Shen’s cheek, exaggeratingly saying, “The Emperor’s face is so tender. Does anyone else pinch your face like this?”

 

His pinky brushed over Luo Shen’s lips, and he indecently tried to push his finger into Luo Shen’s mouth, mimicking a certain humiliating intimate posture.

 

In the next second, his body suddenly lost control. Before he realized it, someone had already grabbed his collar, while another hand gripped his belt, slamming him violently to the ground.

 

With a dull thud, En Shu was still in shock when Luo Shen accurately seized his head and smashed it heavily onto the ground.

 

En Shu was stunned for a moment.

 

Since when… How did this happen…

 

He was actually beaten by someone who was pregnant?

 

En Shu tried to struggle, but the force Luo Shen had used to pin him to the ground was real. His head remained dizzy for quite some time without recovering.

 

Then, Luo Shen lifted the dazed En Shu, yanked him to the side, and pushed his head into the water.

 

Because of the large movement, Luo Shen almost lost his balance and fell in as well. Fortunately, he managed to press half of his body onto En Shu’s back, using him to steady himself.

 

Water rushed into En Shu’s mouth and nose in large amounts. He was still not fully conscious and had no idea how Luo Shen had found the opportunity to turn the tables.

 

Could it have been a coincidence?

 

Or was Luo Shen not as harmless as he appeared?

 

A chill ran down En Shu’s spine. By now, Luo Shen had already used him to sit up, grabbing the back of En Shu’s collar and pulling his head out of the water.

 

Luo Shen’s cold voice was even colder than the water in the pool: “It seems your brain is waterlogged. Let’s wash it out again.”

 

With that, he pushed En Shu’s head back into the water.

 

En Shu, already dazed from the previous blow, had no strength left to resist. He was repeatedly lifted and pushed back into the water, his attempts to break free growing weaker and weaker, until Luo Shen himself was also running out of strength and finally tossed En Shu onto the ground.

 

“Are you awake now?”

 

Back on the ground, En Shu hurriedly tried to get up, only to fall back down due to the injury to his head. He struggled, some pool water having entered his lungs, causing him to cough. By the time he finished coughing, the arrogance he had displayed when he first entered was gone.

 

“You… you…” En Shu was so angry he could barely speak. “You actually…”

 

He angrily clenched his fists, veins bulging on his face, wanting nothing more than to beat Luo Shen up.

 

Luo Shen, unfazed, said calmly, “Want to hit me? I might miscarry.”

 

En Shu: “…”

 

He fumed, “Stop using miscarriage as an excuse! At worst, we’ll just get someone to make you pregnant again! You dare to hit me; you’re truly not afraid to die!”

 

Luo Shen lightly curled his lips, “Then by all means, try. Let’s see if Changqing is willing to wait for me to conceive again and have a big belly, or if he’ll vent his anger on you and your brother, En Cheng… and the child in his belly?”

 

En Shu’s expression changed.

 

He looked at Luo Shen in horror, finally realizing that he was no match for him.

 

Changqing had called Luo Shen a useless fool, but it seems… that wasn’t accurate.

 

He clearly understood his own situation, maximizing his benefits, and even if he killed En Shu, there would be no consequences.

 

When En Shu thought of this, a chill ran down his spine.

 

“Since you’ve angered me today, I don’t plan on letting you off easily,” Luo Shen said, raising his head towards the pool, moving his feet back and forth as if casually mentioning it, light as a feather. “I’ve already sent someone to keep an eye on your home. If I’m in any danger, you won’t have any escape route either.”

 

After saying this, he seemed to suddenly remember something, “Changqing loathes me so much, I suppose he’s only using En Cheng as a cheap substitute for me, to toy with for fun. If this gets out, it will do serious damage to his reputation, so… En Cheng probably has to die.”

 

En Shu didn’t dare to even cough. He sat half on the ground, staring at Luo Shen in terror.

 

“So, do you think Changqing is more important, or is your life more important?”

 

Though phrased as a question, Luo Shen already knew his answer. He was simply being polite enough to give him an option.

 

After a moment of silence, a drop of water fell from En Shu’s hair onto the ground with a splat. It was as if he suddenly awoke, taking a heavy breath.

 

Luo Shen’s movement of playing with the water also paused as he turned around with a smile, “Have you made up your mind?”

 

That smile was still innocent and pure, as if the current scene was taking place on the street, and Luo Shen was just an innocent young nobleman out for a stroll, so harmless, but—

 

In an instant, the situation shifted. What should have been a desperate situation for Luo Shen had been turned into a sharp knife, stabbing back at En Shu.

 

Luo Shen’s smile carried a hint of prepared torture.

 

“What… do you want me to do?”

 

The hostility radiating from Luo Shen’s body instantly dissipated, scattering like flowers on the ground, transforming into a spring breeze brushing against his cheek, as if the person just now hadn’t been Luo Shen at all, the switch happening so quickly.

 

“Certainly nothing that would trouble you. Just a small favor involving your brother.” Luo Shen pressed his lips together, as if just now thinking to seek En Shu’s opinion, “After all, you hate him, don’t you?”

 

En Shu’s eyes trembled.

 

A memory of En Cheng’s face flashed through his mind.

 

He had once… spoiled him. Although En Cheng’s body was strange, which caused En Shu to suffer from scorn and mistreatment, he always spoiled En Cheng, hoping to earn more money so that they could move somewhere else and start over.

 

Until—

 

Until he brought Changqing into the house, hoping to use Changqing’s abilities to change his brother’s status, only to accidentally discover that En Cheng was trying to climb into Changqing’s bed that very night, saying that he was more suitable to stay by Changqing’s side than En Shu—

 

At that time, he was only heartbroken, only angry.

 

Because Changqing rejected En Cheng, telling him not to think too much.

 

En Shu struggled to climb higher, even entering the palace, just to change their lives, wanting En Cheng to live better, free from scorn and mistreatment.

 

But when Changqing discovered Luo Shen’s secret and casually summoned En Cheng to his side for amusement, En Cheng was still happy to run over, using the body he usually hated the most to do the thing he despised the most, whispering sweet nothings, trying to replace En Shu’s position.

 

After the pleasure was over, he even brought the marks all over his body, along with the uncleaned filth, to cry to En Shu, his words full of false humility and superiority, trying to coax En Shu to continue spoiling him and maybe even give him some more money.

 

En Shu realized that En Cheng never considered him a brother; he was just a stepping stone.

 

En Cheng despised the fact that he couldn’t use his body to gain power, not the body itself.

 

Not long after, En Cheng indeed became pregnant, and he came to En Shu again, hoping En Shu would take him to see Changqing to solidify his position.

 

En Shu, utterly disgusted, sent him forcibly back to their hometown.

 

En Shu still didn’t want En Cheng to die just like that because he had always been obsessed with wanting En Cheng to live a good life.

 

But on the other hand, he wanted nothing more than to strangle En Cheng himself.

 

He hated En Cheng’s hypocrisy, his two-faced nature, his inability to see his own place, and his delusions of grandeur.

 

Becoming the Empress? More likely to end up buried in some nameless mass grave.

 

En Shu closed his eyes, slowly reopening them with a deep breath, “Alright.”

 

He didn’t want to protect him anymore; he was tired.

 

Having raised a thankless wolf for so long, it was time to discard him.

 

After all, even if he wanted to protect him, he couldn’t. En Cheng was determined to dig his own grave, and there was no escaping death.

 

“Go tell him that Changqing has a young lord in the courtyard.” Luo Shen pulled his feet back and added, “You don’t need to say anything else; just make things convenient for him when needed.”

 

En Shu stood up, still dizzy from the earlier blow to the head. He glanced at Luo Shen, quietly alarmed at how Luo Shen dared to place himself in danger.

 

However, there wasn’t just one person in this residence who wanted to harm Luo Shen. They were just hesitant because of Changqing’s inaction. But if En Cheng acted out of jealousy, others would immediately spring into action as well.

 

A sharp pain stabbed En Shu’s chest, and after a long pause, he gave a self-deprecating smile, “Alright.”

 

He turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, he heard Luo Shen call out to him again. He stopped and looked back, “What?”

 

“I’m so cold. Start the *di long*(floor heater) for me, and also warm up this pool.”

 

En Shu: “…”

 

He glanced at the large pool that took up half the room, his eye twitching.

 

“And, I can’t soak in the hot spring all the time. Get me a stool to rest my feet on and bring some blankets.”

 

En Shu: “…”

 

Is this a punishment or a vacation?

 

Before En Shu could say anything, Luo Shen added, “Oh, and I need someone to take care of me regularly. Bring back the servant who usually attends to me.”

 

En Shu: “…”