Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 72

Early in the morning.

 

The officials gathered at the residence of Prince Ping.

 

“Prince Ping, why have you called us here?”

 

“Yes, yes, are we all here now?”

 

“Oh no, it seems Master Gu hasn’t arrived yet.”

 

“Master Gu is so busy; he’s handling state affairs now. How could he possibly come?”

 

“Master Gu has arrived—”

 

As the words were spoken, a servant announced, “Master Gu has arrived—”

 

With the announcement, everyone turned to see Gu Xingzhi walking in dressed in black. 

 

It seemed that after months of handling state affairs, the arrogance he once had had been smoothed out, and he appeared mature and composed.

 

The officials approached Gu Xingzhi, inquiring if he had received any news.

 

Gu Xingzhi slightly pursed his lips and shook his head. “The invitation from Prince Ping didn’t specify, so I’m unclear about the reason.”

 

The officials frowned in unison. Then someone suddenly asked, “By the way, it seems Prime Minister Liu is also absent.”

 

“Prime Minister Liu had business and went to find the Emperor,” Gu Xingzhi said. “He asked for leave a couple of days ago.”

 

“Strange, why would he go to find the Emperor now?”

 

“Yes, yes, could it be that—”

 

Several officials exchanged glances and frowned. 

 

They had agreed that each person should stand by and see which daughter could win Luo Shen’s favor. Now, with Prime Minister Liu suddenly seeking Luo Shen, it gave them a sense of crisis.

 

Gu Xingzhi was too indifferent to explain, so he stood aside with his arms crossed, waiting for the servant to inform Prince Ping.

 

After a moment, Prince Ping emerged from the room.

 

He wore a light-colored long robe, resplendent as if today were some significant occasion.

 

Upon seeing Gu Xingzhi, Prince Ping’s eyes were full of victorious smiles as he greeted him, “Master Gu, I am delighted you could come.”

 

“Prince Ping, please speak directly,” Gu Xingzhi said with an indifferent face, slightly impatient. “The officials have their own matters to attend to. If this isn’t a significant issue, please don’t waste everyone’s time.”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s bluntness made the other officials exchange looks and fall silent. 

 

After all, Gu Xingzhi now represented Luo Shen, and Prince Ping—while not openly acknowledged—was understood by all to be the possible recipient if Luo Shen were to abdicate.

 

As for Luoming, everyone agreed that Luo Shen would not pass the throne to him but would likely face a struggle if Luoming attempted to seize it.

 

At present, the only rival to Luo Shen was Prince Ping.

 

Gu Xingzhi’s attitude towards Prince Ping clearly indicated Luo Shen’s unwillingness to cede to him.

 

Without military support, the officials’ allegiance would depend on how Prince Ping performed.

 

Prince Ping was not upset. He smiled and said, “Master Gu, today I intend for you and everyone else to meet someone you are most eager to see, especially you, Master Gu.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Prince Ping stood with his hands behind his back and asked Gu Xingzhi, “Master Gu, I heard you and the Emperor are mutually enamored?”

 

Gu Xingzhi frowned slightly.

 

The other officials were stunned. “What?!”

 

They stared at Gu Xingzhi, their eyes widening not with disbelief but with the realization that this was indeed true!

 

Prince Ping was about to bask in his triumph when one of the officials shouted in fear, “Gu Xingzhi, you truly have improper intentions towards our Emperor!”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

Prince Ping’s face cracked momentarily, and Gu Xingzhi’s expression froze for a second.

 

Other officials lowered their heads and covered their faces, thinking that they were not in league with this fool.

 

Realizing his overreaction, the foolish official scratched his head apologetically, coughed awkwardly, and then gathered his strength to continue shouting at Gu Xingzhi, “Is this true or not!”

 

“Yes,” Gu Xingzhi said without hiding anything, nodding, “I have been in love with the Emperor for a long time.”

 

The officials: “…”

 

Their faces grew a few shades paler.

 

They had already been concerned about Luo Shen’s disinterest in women, worried that he might prefer men. Their precious daughters had all failed to win his favor, and now they heard that Gu Xingzhi indeed had intentions towards Luo Shen.

 

Gu Xingzhi stayed in the palace every day, with proximity leading to affection…

 

Their inner turmoil was immense, and their stances seemed to falter.

 

“Master Gu, then you…” the foolish official swallowed hard, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Have you succeeded?”

 

Gu Xingzhi did not respond but instead asked Prince Ping, “Prince Ping, did you call us here just to ask me this?”

 

Prince Ping, feeling satisfied, continued to keep some mystery, “Of course not. I have another question for you.”

 

Prince Ping said, “Where is the Emperor now?”

 

Gu Xingzhi dismissively replied, “Naturally, he is on a covert inspection tour. This is common knowledge.”

 

“Yes, yes,” the officials agreed. They had heard about Luo Shen’s inspection tour, and with General Gu guarding him, they naturally didn’t doubt that General Gu wouldn’t deceive them.

 

Before this thought could settle, they heard Prince Ping say, “The Emperor is right behind that door.”

 

Everyone: “…”

 

The sky was bright, with a few crows flying by, making harsh, croaky noises.

 

At the same time, at Tianxi Building.

 

Zheng Chao had just entered, and the madam greeted him with a smile, “Young Master Zheng, what brings you here today?”

 

“I came to see Tianke,” Zheng Chao said with a smile. During the day, Tianxi Building was not open for business, and most of the courtesans were resting, while the madam, having worked through the night, was still energetic.

 

“Why are you looking for her?” The madam’s smile faded when she heard the name. “Aren’t you the one who sold her? Still have lingering feelings?” She turned away, seeming a bit jealous.

 

Zheng Chao took out a banknote and handed it over. “Just to discuss something, not to break any agreement. Don’t worry.”

 

“Discuss something?” The madam’s gaze followed the banknote. Hearing this, she looked at him and, pinching the banknote, huffed. “You sold her here, and now you come looking for her? Aren’t you afraid she might hate you and get you killed?”

 

Zheng Chao laughed. “Does she have such capability? If she does, it must be because you didn’t teach her properly.”

 

The madam laughed too. “I can’t manage her; she’s been climbing up the social ladder recently, always running outside. Even if you don’t redeem her, she might be redeemed by someone else someday.”

 

“Who?” Zheng Chao’s face darkened immediately. “Who has she been close to recently?”

 

Seeing his strong reaction, the madam wondered, “Young Master Zheng is concerned about her? Didn’t you say you no longer wanted her?”

 

Realizing he had reacted too strongly, Zheng Chao quickly adjusted his expression. “I’m just curious. She was adamant about not selling herself. How did she quickly find a new suitor?”

 

“Women,” the madam said with a light laugh, “always say one thing and mean another.” She seemed to regret that Tianke had left so soon and suggested, “Why not offer a high price? If that gentleman redeems her, I can use this to avoid redeeming her myself.”

 

Zheng Chao’s eyes casually swept over her as he walked upstairs and asked, “How much do you want?”

 

The madam followed, unhurriedly saying, “That gentleman is dressed in fine clothes, and our Ke’er is pretty and sweet-voiced. It’s only right to ask for five thousand taels of silver.”

 

Zheng Chao almost stumbled, nearly falling, but the madam helped him. “Young Master, why are you so unsteady?”

 

“How much did you say?” Zheng Chao was shocked. He had sold Tianke for only a thousand taels and now needed five thousand to redeem her?

 

“Five thousand taels,” the madam said nonchalantly. “Don’t you think that the value Tianke can bring is worth that much? I could earn that in a few years.”

 

She glanced at Zheng Chao. “It seems you can’t afford that. I’ll talk to that gentleman then.”

 

As she raised her hand to show him out, Zheng Chao quickly said, “I can pay!”

 

The madam smiled. “In that case, Young Master…”

 

She extended her right hand, making a gesture asking for money.

 

Zheng Chao grimaced, took out some money from his purse, and handed it to her.

 

The madam carefully took the money, then led him upstairs and into Qin Tianke’s room, shutting the door behind them.

 

—

 

Inside the residence.

 

Seeing the disbelief on everyone’s faces, Changqing smirked slightly, raised his hand to signal his servants to open the door.

 

“Today, I gathered everyone here to let you all attend the Emperor’s pregnancy banquet.”

 

“Pregnancy banquet?” a minister asked, “Prince Ping, what do you mean by the Emperor’s pregnancy banquet?”

 

He isn’t even married, so where would a pregnancy banquet come from?

 

“Yes,” Changqing turned around and walked into the room, continuing, “The Emperor’s own pregnancy banquet.”

 

As he spoke, he lifted the person lying on the bed.

 

The bedding fell away, revealing a round pregnant belly. Everyone was stunned by this scene but quickly looked higher, as the person had their face covered, making it impossible to see their appearance. They quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“Prince Ping, who is this person?”

 

“This is the Emperor.” Changqing said as he removed the eye mask. “The Emperor has been pregnant for seven and a half months. This child belongs to Lord Gu!”

 

Everyone fell silent, quickly focusing on the man on the bed.

 

Encheng seemed half-conscious and made a slight attempt to move, but his voice was hoarse from exhaustion the previous night, making it unclear what he was saying. Changqing was too busy observing everyone’s expressions to pay him any attention.

 

Until he saw Lord Gu Xingzhi, with a serious expression, calmly say, “Prince Ping, you are slandering me.”

 

Changqing: “……”

 

Other people, hearing Gu Xingzhi speak, quickly voiced their doubts: “Yes, this isn’t the Emperor.”

 

“Prince Ping, what are you trying to do?”

 

“Who is this person?”

 

“He’s a man? Prince Ping, are you playing tricks?”

 

“……”

 

Changqing’s expression changed abruptly. He quickly turned around to see that the person who should have been the Emperor was now Encheng.

 

Encheng also understood what was happening. Tears streamed down his face as he cried weakly.

 

Changqing’s face went from shock to anger as he threw Encheng to the ground and demanded, “Where is the Emperor? Where have you hidden him?”

 

Encheng paused, shaking his head: “I—I haven’t seen any Emperor…”

 

His voice was hoarse, and though the words were unclear, everyone understood his meaning from his expression.

 

Thus, all accusatory eyes turned back to Changqing.

 

“Prince Ping, the Emperor has just issued a new decree, and you’re openly using a substitute’s belly as the Emperor’s. What are you trying to achieve?”

 

“And you called us here, pretending this person is the Emperor. This is an insult to the royal family!”

 

“You even slandered Lord Gu, saying the Emperor has a scandalous affair with him. You have malicious intentions!”

 

“Do you still want to hit him?” The previously loud official rushed over to protect Encheng, “In front of all the ministers, you dare strike a pregnant man? Have you no shame?”

 

“Yes, this is too much!”

 

“Lord Gu, what should we do?”

 

“Yes! Lord Gu, what do you say?”

 

Everyone urged Gu Xingzhi to seek justice. Gu Xingzhi, with a cold face, approached Encheng and asked, “What is your identity?”

 

Encheng, frightened by today’s events, looked confused. He vaguely realized that he and Changqing had been set up, and considering the current situation, Changqing might be in big trouble. He quickly said, “I—I’m just an ordinary citizen named Encheng.”

 

“Prince Ping had you disguise yourself as the Emperor to confuse us?”

 

“No, I didn’t know.” Encheng shook his head, his eyes glancing at Changqing’s dark face. Since Changqing had tried to hit him, the military officers had come forward to restrain him, so Changqing could only glare at Encheng in anger, remaining silent.

 

Encheng, realizing it was best to clear himself of any guilt, continued innocently, “The prince said today he wanted to announce me as a consort in front of the ministers. He had me brought here, locked me up, and put on the eye mask. I didn’t know he would do this.”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s brows furrowed, and the others were visibly angry, shouting at Changqing.

 

“Prince Ping, how can you do this to the Emperor?”

 

“What are your intentions? Why set up such a scene today?”

 

“Everyone, don’t be impulsive. Don’t you find today’s events extremely strange? If Prince Ping really wanted to harm the Emperor, why use someone who looks nothing like him?”

 

Gu Xingzhi retorted, “Do you really believe the Emperor, as claimed, is hiding in here with a big belly? If what Prince Ping says is true, then today, imprisoning the Emperor and usurping the throne, any of these would be enough to send Prince Ping to prison!”

 

He furiously added, “Prince Ping should be sent to the Dali Temple for trial when the Emperor returns!”

 

Just then, Changqing suddenly spoke, “You think you can be arrogant on my turf?”

 

He, with a grim face, pushed away the people restraining him, walked up to Gu Xingzhi, and said, “Don’t forget, this is my territory!”

 

With that, he shouted outside, and the door opened, with several people rushing in, surrounding them.

 

“Prince Ping, what are you trying to do?”

 

Changqing looked coldly at them.

 

He initially just wanted to reveal the Emperor’s secret, but since Gu Xingzhi had turned the tables and the real Emperor was missing, if he didn’t act now, there would be no good outcome.

 

So, he decided—

 

“Kill them all!”

 

As the words fell, the surrounding people drew their swords. The ministers were startled, the civil officials shouted for help, while the military officials actively surrounded them, facing the enemy.

 

At this moment, Gu Xingzhi calmly said, “Ladies, stop the act.”

 

Everyone in the room froze for a moment.

 

“What?”

 

Gu Xingzhi drew his sword from his waist and held it up in front of the fleeing Changqing, saying, “Attacking a court official, Prince Ping, you’ve added another crime to your list.”

 

Changqing’s face turned pale instantly. He turned his head and saw that the thugs in the room had stopped moving. Several of them slowly removed their headgear, revealing their painted faces.

 

His thugs had been infiltrated by the madams over the past few days, leaving no one else.

 

His lips trembled in shock as he stammered, “He… they…”

 

“Take Prince Ping away,” Gu Xingzhi ordered.

 

The madams released the officials and moved toward Changqing.

 

Gu Xingzhi handed the people over to them and addressed the officials, “Prince Ping will be escorted to the Dali Temple for detention. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t be escorting the ministers back. Please be careful on your way.”

 

The ministers were still in shock and hadn’t yet reacted.

 

One quick-thinking person, puzzled by this, asked, “Lord Gu, how did you know Prince Ping was plotting rebellion?”

 

Gu Xingzhi replied, “The Emperor foresaw this and instructed me to keep watch. I’ve gathered evidence of his collusion with the former Prime Minister’s remaining faction.”

 

Upon hearing this, Changqing’s veins throbbed on his forehead, and he immediately demanded, “Gu Xingzhi, what have you done?”

 

As Gu Xingzhi was about to leave the room, he turned back with a contemptuous smile and said, “I heard that the prince had frequent dealings with the Zheng family, so I did a little work. The Zheng family has been detained as well.”

 

Implying—

 

“The former Prime Minister’s remaining faction has been completely eradicated.”

 

“No, that’s impossible!” Changqing’s eyes widened. The former Prime Minister’s faction was widespread; they could be anyone from a butcher on the street to an actor on stage. They had no common identity, which is why they were hard to find. How could Gu Xingzhi have eradicated them all?

 

Gu Xingzhi didn’t bother to explain further and walked out.

 

He exited the building and walked down the street.

 

Wherever he passed, whether it was behind alleys, behind doors, in fields, or in restaurants, shadows flitted by. Those who thought they were well-hidden remnants of the faction were captured one by one. Those who resisted fiercely were executed on the spot.

 

As he passed Tianxi Building, he saw the madam leading a village woman out the back door, handing her a few silver notes.

 

“Listen up, Ke’er, this is your capital to start a new life with a new name! In the future, keep your eyes open and find a good man to marry!”

 

Qin Tianke received the money, and her gaze fell on Gu Xingzhi.

 

They exchanged a glance, and Gu Xingzhi signaled with his hand. Immediately, men in black jumped onto the roof and into the room, removing the cold corpse.

 

Gu Xingzhi continued walking.

 

As he passed the Zheng residence, he paused and looked up. The Zheng residence’s plaque was half-fallen, the entrance was disheveled, and the ground was covered with messy shoe prints. People nearby whispered.

 

“A group of officers suddenly came this morning and took away more than ten people from the Zheng family. I don’t know what they did wrong.”

 

“It must be something bad. The Zheng family was always problematic. After the Qin family’s incident, I suspected the Zheng family was involved.”

 

“True, we should just live our lives quietly and not aspire to be as wealthy and noble as them.”

 

“It’s not about money but human nature.” The person smiled and said while walking, “We’re upright, so there’s nothing to fear from officials.”

 

“……”

 

Gu Xingzhi walked to the outskirts and, as he neared the new residence, suddenly stopped.

 

A breeze brushed against his forehead, and his eyes lit up. He quickened his pace, then felt it was still too slow. He ran to Luo Shen, wrapped his arms around his waist, cradled the back of his head, and kissed him without hesitation.

 

After an unknown wait, Luo Shen’s lips were cold. Gu Xingzhi kissed him a few times, his brow furrowing in concern.

 

Before Gu Xingzhi could speak, Luo Shen, pulling on his clothes, complained, “Why did you come back so late?”

 

“I had to handle the Zheng family as well.” Gu Xingzhi held Luo Shen’s hand warmly, “We’ll talk about it when we get back.”

 

“Mm.” Luo Shen gazed at Gu Xingzhi but didn’t move.

 

“What’s wrong? Do you want me to carry you?” Gu Xingzhi thought Luo Shen was reluctant to walk, but Luo Shen quickly shook his head and continued to look at him eagerly.

 

Then Luo Shen said, “I haven’t been out for a long time.”

 

He tentatively said, “I’d like to have some snacks.”

 

At home, Lady Gu strictly controlled his eating. Luo Shen, who had been confined in Changqing’s residence and now finally free, couldn’t resist the craving for snacks.

 

In fact, he hadn’t been out long. He had sneaked out while Lady Gu was inside getting her coat, hiding behind a rock to avoid detection, and only dared to stand here when he saw Gu Xingzhi.

 

Gu Xingzhi laughed upon hearing this, “But Your Majesty, the streets are crowded.”

 

Luo Shen’s lips curled up as he removed his heavy outer robe, flipped it around, and put it back on. The robe was double-sided, with a dark blue pattern on one side and a light pink pattern on the other. Given Luo Shen’s current state, his figure had changed, and with a veil, it was impossible to tell if he was male or female.

 

Gu Xingzhi looked at the clothes and then at Luo Shen.

 

His voice carried the cold wind: “Aren’t you afraid of getting scolded when you return?”

 

“I’m not afraid.” Seeing Gu Xingzhi’s hesitation, Luo Shen decisively pulled him onto the street, saying, “Mother’s punishment is dressing as a woman. I’ve already dressed as a woman today. Even if there’s punishment, it should be for you.”

 

Gu Xingzhi: “……”

 

Luo Shen, still somewhat excited, said, “I haven’t seen you dressed as a woman!”

 

Gu Xingzhi, hearing this, gritted his teeth. Was Luo Shen planning for him to dress as a woman while he dealt with affairs outside?

 

He was angry and seized Luo Shen by the back of the neck, glancing around. He then decisively pulled Luo Shen into a back alley and pressed him against the wall, kissing him.

 

Nearby, a few officials were walking together.

 

They had just experienced a minor coup and were still shaken, so they decided to walk home to catch their breath instead of taking a carriage.

 

To their surprise, they saw Gu Xingzhi forcefully kissing a young woman by the roadside!

 

They exchanged glances, their eyes blazing with anger.

 

They had been scared out of their wits, while Gu Xingzhi was indulging in such intimacy?

 

Who said they had long been enamored with the Emperor?

 

Who couldn’t stop thinking about the Emperor?

 

Who?! Who was it?