Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 69

“Your Majesty, I hope you can keep your word.” Gu Xingzhi’s lips brushed past Luo Shen’s ear as he lowered his voice.

 

The kiss left Luo Shen breathless, focusing solely on inhaling, and he didn’t hear clearly what Gu Xingzhi said.

 

However, the hand under the blanket naturally hooked onto his clothes. Luo Shen instinctively leaned into his embrace, submissively nuzzling.

 

Gu Xingzhi’s heart softened completely.

 

At this moment, Chang Qing’s voice came from the door: “Doctor, has the patient been treated?”

 

Gu Xingzhi glanced at the door, kissed Luo Shen’s forehead once more, and then released him. “Yes, he’s fine now.”

 

Chang Qing hurried in and saw Luo Shen lying on the bed with closed eyes, his chest rising and falling weakly. Beside him, Gu Xingzhi carefully swept the crumbs into an oiled paper, folding it neatly.

 

“The fetus in the patient’s belly has been barely saved, but he’s weak and needs careful recovery over the next few days.”

 

Chang Qing’s face remained stern. “As long as the child is safe.” If the child had died, he would have no excuse to cause trouble.

 

He glanced at Luo Shen, about to say something, but Gu Xingzhi interrupted, “He needs to rest quietly for the next few days, and avoid any emotional disturbances.”

 

Chang Qing looked confused, nodding repeatedly, “Alright.”

 

Gu Xingzhi gathered the crumbs into his arms and said, “The living environment should be better. This room has a large pool, and the damp and cold are heavy. Move him to a cleaner room. The weather is getting colder, and it might even snow in a month. He’ll need to stay here while he’s pregnant, so ensure the environment is comfortable and livable.”

 

Chang Qing stared blankly, “…Alright.”

 

Gu Xingzhi pressed his lips together, “Such incidents must not happen again.”

 

Chang Qing nodded. En Cheng was merely a plaything, and to think he had such a poisonous heart!

 

Once this is over, En Cheng will have no good end!

 

Seeing that Gu Xingzhi had managed to deceive him, Chang Qing nodded, “Then I’ll leave first.”

 

“Alright. En Shu, see him out and fetch the medicine.”

 

En Shu quickly led Gu Xingzhi out.

 

Once the people had left, Chang Qing approached Luo Shen’s bed and, seeing his weak condition, he felt momentarily stunned.

 

He had never imagined seeing Luo Shen with a large belly. At least before returning to the palace, his impression of Luo Shen was still that of the naive and foolish prince.

 

Who would have thought that, not long after returning, this naive prince would be carrying someone else’s child?

 

He reached out and touched Luo Shen’s face, “You’re so… naive and innocent, and you were taken advantage of like this.”

 

Luo Shen frowned unhappily, not wanting to open his eyes to look at him, and simply shrank further into the blanket.

 

His shrinking made Chang Qing unhappy, “Why do you always hide from me? Have I not treated you well? If you had obediently handed over the throne, would there have been so many problems?”

 

His empty hand clenched into a fist, and he sneered inwardly. Chang Qing had once thought that once he became emperor, he would give Luo Shen a comfortable life and, if possible, visit him every day after court.

 

Luo Shen was so foolish, how could he be allowed to interact with outsiders?

 

Look, he interacted with Gu Xingzhi and ended up being deceived into carrying a child.

 

Chang Qing looked at Luo Shen as if he were a child who had gone astray.

 

“If I had known you could accept men, the child in your belly should have been mine long ago.” Chang Qing’s hand pressed against Luo Shen’s belly. Luo Shen was startled and quickly opened his eyes.

 

“Chang Qing! What are you doing!”

 

“You’re finally awake.” Chang Qing smiled faintly. “What, not pretending to be asleep anymore?”

 

Luo Shen, clutching the blanket, wrapped himself up like a pupa and glared at him angrily, “I knew it. You hate my child. That En Cheng was sent by you, wasn’t he?”

 

Chang Qing’s face darkened, “I didn’t make him touch you. What benefit would the loss of your child bring me?”

 

Luo Shen averted his gaze, displeased, “How would I know?”

 

“You!” Chang Qing was truly angered by his response. “In any case, I won’t let him have another chance to come over. You stay here and live well!”

 

Luo Shen winced at the yelling, “Don’t shout at me. My stomach hurts.”

 

Upon hearing this, Chang Qing’s anger subsided.

 

“Then…”

 

“My stomach hurts, so I might not be able to write the letter.” Luo Shen complained, “I’ve been so cooperative with you, and yet you want to harm me. I don’t even have the strength to speak now.”

 

He closed his eyes, feigning weakness, which further infuriated Chang Qing.

 

But Gu Xingzhi’s words still echoed in his ears. Although he disliked the child in Luo Shen’s belly, he feared that if the child died, he wouldn’t be able to surpass Luo Shen.

 

After all, he was still a member of the royal family. If he made a mistake, the first choice for punishment would be him and Luo Ming. Only by using Luo Ming’s downfall and making a fuss with his body, ruining Luo Shen’s prestige, could Chang Qing use that imperial decree to ascend the dragon throne.

 

Before that, he couldn’t touch Luo Shen.

 

But now, Luo Shen was injured and couldn’t write the letter. What should he do?

 

Chang Qing forced himself to suppress his anger and asked patiently, “In a few days, will you be able to write?”

 

Luo Shen turned his face away, “I don’t know.”

 

“I’ll give you ten more days!” Chang Qing gritted his teeth.

 

Luo Shen remained silent.

 

“Fifteen days!”

 

Luo Shen’s eyelashes fluttered.

 

Chang Qing was so enraged that his heart ached. “I’ll give you fifteen days at most. If you keep making a fuss, I’ll ensure that both of us suffer!”

 

Luo Shen opened his eyes weakly and said, “I don’t know who made me suffer so badly and still sets deadlines. Fifteen days, fine. Even if I’m bleeding, I’ll write it for you. Is that okay?”

 

Chang Qing was further infuriated by the retort and couldn’t help but raise his hand to strike him.

 

At that moment, En Shu pushed the door open and called softly, “Lord.”

 

Chang Qing halted his movement and turned around.

 

“Prime Minister Liu has come to see you.”

 

Chang Qing squinted his eyes.

 

Prime Minister Liu had initially been indifferent to Chang Qing. It was because Liu E, who was lying in wait for Luo Shen, sent a letter saying that Luo Shen wasn’t interested in women. Liu E criticized Luo Shen, and only then did Prime Minister Liu somewhat believe Chang Qing.

 

After all, in Prime Minister Liu’s view, no one could resist his daughter.

 

Since his daughter had said so, Luo Shen must indeed be uninterested in women.

 

Since then, Prime Minister Liu had proactively offered assistance to him.

 

However, Chang Qing had never told Prime Minister Liu that Luo Shen was missing and that he was actually in this residence.

 

After all, Prime Minister Liu had once betrayed him, so he should keep some leverage.

 

But why was Prime Minister Liu coming today?

 

Curious, Chang Qing stepped outside. At the door, he instructed En Shu, “Keep his eyes bound, move him to another room, and lock the door. We’ll discuss it again after fifteen days when he has written the letter.”

 

En Shu hurriedly agreed.

 

Seeing that the person had left, Luo Shen sat up.

 

En Shu closed the door, took out a blindfold, and walked over, saying, “Prime Minister Liu has come this time to discuss the re-regulation of the Shihe Town magistrate and the Double Girls case with King Ping.”

 

Luo Shen blinked his eyes, “Is it a big deal?”

 

“Of course, it’s quite significant. After all, Double Girls have been in a low status for years. If their status is to be elevated, it involves many officials.”

 

At this point, En Shu became somewhat excited, “But King Ping, in order to suppress the emperor, will certainly not allow this proposal to pass.”

 

So, the real struggle is just beginning.

 

Luo Shen obediently let himself be bound and casually said, “Keep an eye on things for the next few days.”

 

“Yes.” En Shu finished speaking and suddenly realized.

 

He was merely a coerced accomplice, so why was he actively engaging with Luo Shen?

 

En Shu tightened the blindfold into a dead knot and said, “I’m only cooperating with you, not really helping you!”

 

Luo Shen didn’t care, “It’s all the same.”

 

En Shu: “…”

 

Double Girls were not items, but they were always used as subtle playthings and provided to high officials as “bribes,” involving countless officials.

 

The fact that Luo Shen had personally written letters demanding a thorough investigation caused a great deal of concern among them.

 

If Luo Shen did not conduct a private inspection, they could still manage it lightly, but with Luo Shen personally going to Shihe Town, they had to find a few scapegoats.

 

Chang Qing said, “Isn’t it simple? If the emperor orders the investigation and it turns out that Gu Xingzhi is to blame, do you think he’ll still investigate?”

 

Prime Minister Liu was taken aback, “What does this have to do with Lord Gu? Aren’t they at odds? Besides, Lord Gu has no known fondness for men.”

 

He had even considered marrying his daughter to Gu Xingzhi instead!

 

Imperial power and military power, he had to hold one!

 

But Chang Qing smiled at him and said, “Prime Minister Liu, you’re only seeing the surface. Let me ask you, when the emperor was still in the palace, who stayed in the palace daily—was it you or me?”

 

Prime Minister Liu felt puzzled, “But that doesn’t mean we should make assumptions.”

 

“The emperor has a fondness for men, but there was no male lover in the palace. Yet, Gu Xingzhi lived there, taking care of the emperor’s needs?”

 

“This…”

 

Chang Qing continued, “Gu Xingzhi is so proud. Have you seen him act like this towards anyone? When he was granted the position of assistant minister by the late emperor, how disdainful was he? Considering his character, why do you think he accepted it?”

 

Prime Minister Liu was stunned, feeling as if this might be the case.

 

“But even so…”

 

“When they finally find out that Gu Xingzhi is behind the Double Girls business, and if the emperor finds out, there are two possibilities. One, he will, out of respect for Gu Xingzhi’s military power, reluctantly accept it, keep quiet, and naturally won’t investigate further. Two, he will be furious and punish Gu Xingzhi. As long as everyone cuts ties quickly, the matter will end there.”

 

“You do have a point, but implementing it will be extremely difficult. Moreover, I’ve heard that a movement has started in Shihe Town, gathering Double Girls to learn and actively communicate with other towns. This situation…”

 

Chang Qing frowned. If everyone’s attitude towards Double Girls improved, exposing Luo Shen’s pregnancy would be much less effective.

 

He furrowed his brow, “We can’t let Double Girls have an equal footing with us!”

 

Prime Minister Liu nodded gravely.

 

They then discussed some strategies. By the time they left the residence, it was almost dark. Prime Minister Liu tightened his coat and headed back.

 

Since taking the carriage would be too conspicuous, he walked back to blend into the crowd, ensuring he wouldn’t attract suspicion.

 

However, as he approached the Prime Minister’s residence, he was stopped by several elderly women at the gate.

 

“Hey, isn’t this Lord Liu’s father?”

 

“Yes, yes, he looks just like him.”

 

A few elderly women gathered around, smiling as they grabbed Prime Minister Liu, “Oh, you’re just as handsome as Young Master Liu!”

 

Prime Minister Liu frowned at the mention of this name and pushed them aside, feeling puzzled. When did Liu Kuang attract so many old women?

 

He asked, “Ladies, may I ask what you need from me?”

 

“We don’t need anything from you,” one of them said with a smile.

 

“We just happened to notice you look like Young Master Liu, so we asked.”

 

“Oh, Young Master Liu is about to give birth, isn’t he? You’re his father, why don’t you go and visit him?”

 

Prime Minister Liu’s face darkened with anger, “Nonsense, who’s giving birth? Don’t talk nonsense. My son is a man, how can he be giving birth?”

 

The elderly women, seeing his anger, looked puzzled.

 

“What, can’t a man give birth?”

 

“Not long ago, I clearly saw him in Shihe Town, and he was indeed pregnant. If you don’t believe it, you can ask in Shihe Town.”

 

“Yes, yes, I even have a portrait of him that day. He said he liked it very much!”

 

One of the elderly women took out a portable scroll to show Prime Minister Liu. The painting resembled Liu Kuang closely, even including the jade pendant from the Liu family, indicating it wasn’t a casual drawing.

 

Seeing the painting, Prime Minister Liu’s face turned green.

 

“Fortunately, we went to Shihe Town, encountered the official who was doing good, and he said he could register him and provide the best midwife!”

 

“Yes, yes, we came out this time to do as the official said, to explain to everyone that Double Girls are also people and should not be discriminated against. Refuse to buy and sell Double Girls!”

 

“Since we happened to meet you, just a reminder. Although you don’t seem pleased, it is your child, and he’s about to give birth. You should visit him.”

 

Prime Minister Liu’s face hardened with anger. If this continued, he was going to hit someone. Lady Gu quickly said, “Alright, we’ve reminded you. If you want to visit, then go. If not, just pretend we didn’t come. Let’s go, ladies!”

 

With that, they hurriedly left.

 

Only Prime Minister Liu remained standing in place.

 

The cold wind slowly blew, scattering a fallen leaf in midair, which landed on Prime Minister Liu’s face with a soft thud.