Let Me Go, I’m Not Pregnant - Chapter 74

General Gu and Prime Minister Liu are still on the way back, but Chang Xin has returned early. She says that after discovering that the “emperor” is actually Liu Kuang himself, General Gu instructed her to return first to protect Luo Shen.

 

However, with Gu Xingzhi around, Luo Shen is still safe and hasn’t encountered any major issues. During this period of quiet recuperation, his health has gradually improved.

 

Chang Xin has moved into the residence. Without the Dark Guards supervising her morning exercises, she rises early and has nothing to do, so she simply waits for the baby to wake up.

 

The baby mostly stays in Luo Shen’s room. He sleeps a lot, and when he wakes, it’s often at odd hours, sometimes crying loudly in the middle of the night, which disrupts Luo Shen’s rest.

 

Whenever the baby makes any noise, it soon turns into crying, causing Luo Shen to furrow his brow and struggle to wake up. Gu Xingzhi is quicker to pick up the baby first.

 

The baby seems to find comfort in Gu Xingzhi’s presence. Once held by Gu Xingzhi, he stops crying and just stares with wide eyes.

 

Gu Xingzhi, feeling helpless under the baby’s gaze, resigns himself to soothing the baby to sleep and putting him back in bed.

 

Fortunately, the baby falls asleep quickly, and Gu Xingzhi returns to bed to find it still warm.

 

He carefully climbs into bed and pulls Luo Shen into his arms.

 

Luo Shen turns over, burying his head in Gu Xingzhi’s neck and rubbing against him.

 

Gu Xingzhi asks, “Are you awake?”

 

“Mm…” Luo Shen, still groggy, takes a moment to focus his eyes on Gu Xingzhi’s collarbone. He reaches out, feeling bold with the knowledge that Gu Xingzhi wouldn’t dare act against him with the baby around.

 

“General Gu has worked hard this year and has lost weight.”

 

Gu Xingzhi pinches his waist and thinks, as long as you’re not losing weight.

 

Luo Shen continues, “I suppose you’ve handled all the state affairs. How should I reward you?”

 

Gu Xingzhi furrows his brow slightly, “The memorials are piling up. You wouldn’t expect me to handle them all, would you?”

 

Luo Shen blinks innocently, pretending not to know, “I’m just asking. But you wouldn’t really leave all of them for me, would you?”

 

Luo Shen, having taken so much time off, thinks the pile of state affairs must be overwhelming. Gu Xingzhi is bound to help with them.

 

Gu Xingzhi is indeed helping but only with urgent matters. He hasn’t touched anything that can be postponed.

 

“Does the emperor not want to handle them?” Gu Xingzhi’s lips tighten, seemingly a bit displeased.

 

Luo Shen would have nodded in agreement, but seeing Gu Xingzhi’s unwillingness, he silently turns his head back, “I still have a month before returning. If you don’t help, do you want to see me exhausted?”

 

Gu Xingzhi says, “I can help, but you should still handle the memorials.”

 

Luo Shen protests, “If I give you the authority, you should handle them!”

 

Gu Xingzhi responds, “Handling too many might attract suspicion.”

 

After all, he is a subject, not the emperor. Managing urgent matters is acceptable, but handling everything might raise doubts.

 

But Luo Shen doesn’t really want to be emperor and has suffered so much because of the role. He doesn’t have the heart to push everything onto Luo Shen.

 

These days, Gu Xingzhi has been considering feasible solutions. Just as he is about to speak, he is suddenly pinned down by Luo Shen.

 

Luo Shen’s gaze meets Gu Xingzhi’s. With a domineering posture, Luo Shen straddles Gu Xingzhi’s lower abdomen, lifts his chin, and says, “If I say you can, then you can. Take the memorials and review them without sending them out. When the time comes, I’ll pretend to be injured and tell them that I’ve been supervising you in handling them!”

 

He believes his plan is perfect and fearing Gu Xingzhi might find a counter-argument, he quickly covers Gu Xingzhi’s mouth, “You only have to agree. Do you hear?”

 

Gu Xingzhi helplessly smiles and nods.

 

Seeing him smile, Luo Shen releases him, but just as he is about to get up, his wrist is grabbed and he is pulled onto Gu Xingzhi.

 

Luo Shen feels a moment of panic, especially when he senses that familiar hand coming closer.

 

A low voice whispers in his ear, “So, Your Majesty, shouldn’t you reward your subject?”

 

He has been busy all year.

 

Luo Shen initially came with the idea of needing to make sacrifices but has a trump card: “The baby is still here.”

 

He can delay!

 

He’ll postpone until Gu Xingzhi enters the palace during the day. Luo Shen will then sneak out to play, and Gu Xingzhi will move the memorials, not requiring him to review them.

 

Luo Shen pretends to be reluctant: “The baby is light-sleeping.”

 

Gu Xingzhi glances at the baby, then at the door, and smiles.

 

Luo Shen finds the smile baffling, but then he feels the world spin as he is lifted up. He clings to Gu Xingzhi’s neck, feeling a warm cloak thrown over him, and is carried outside.

 

“You, where are you going?” Luo Shen tries to struggle.

 

“To settle the accounts,” Gu Xingzhi replies, “as you promised.”

 

Luo Shen vaguely remembers agreeing to something during their time at the Changqing residence and thinks it shouldn’t be a big deal.

 

But he is worried: “Is it a big deal?”

 

“Not big,” Gu Xingzhi reassures, “just minor matters.”

 

“That’s good,” Luo Shen feels relieved, thinking he has saved his rear end.

 

“Are you scared, Your Majesty?” Gu Xingzhi asks as they walk to the guest room, which is warmly prepared with blankets, heated floor, and silver carbon for warmth.

 

As soon as the door opens, Luo Shen feels a bit heated: “Scared? Is that how I am? Just a small thing, let’s go all the way! But, Xingzhi…”

 

He blinks, trying to please: “After this, you must help me work hard.”

 

“Sure,” Gu Xingzhi closes the door, places Luo Shen on the couch, draws the bed curtain, and smiles, “I’ll definitely do it.”

 

“By the way, can you show me what you’ve written down?” Luo Shen is still a bit anxious. When Gu Xingzhi brings out four pages, he is stunned.

 

He takes the papers, and after a rough glance, his hands start to tremble.

 

As Gu Xingzhi said, the contents are trivial matters, not severe enough to require such a payment, but…

 

Luo Shen is left exhausted and feels as if he’s floating and then plunging into an abyss. His fingers tremble as the four pages fall to the floor, splattered with a few drops of liquid, fluttering with the breeze.

 

In no time, he is utterly disheveled, while Gu Xingzhi remains impeccably dressed. The stark contrast makes Luo Shen’s eyes widen and his body arch in reaction.

 

He buries half his face in the blankets, his eyes red and tears ready to fall. As sunlight breaks through the clouds and hits the window, he is blinded by the light and clings to Gu Xingzhi while crying.

 

The frost on the window melts, revealing a tender green shoot in the ice.

 

Under the warm light, the tender grass slowly thaws.

 

Soon, snow begins to fall again, covering the ground with a thin layer of snowflakes.

 

Inside the room, the noise gradually subsides. Luo Shen is so exhausted he can hardly move.

 

Gu Xingzhi, satisfied, patiently massages his waist.

 

Luo Shen has gained some weight, and his soft waist feels comfortable to the touch. Gu Xingzhi gives it a few extra squeezes until Luo Shen, annoyed, pushes him away: “Go to court!”

 

Gu Xingzhi’s throat rolls: “Your Majesty isn’t feeling well. Why don’t you take the day off?”

 

Luo Shen quickly pulls the blanket around himself: “No, I’m quite fine.”

 

“Really?”

 

Luo Shen nods vigorously, feeling better than ever. He’s never experienced such stimulation before. He’s even wondering if there are any special books hidden in the palace that Gu Xingzhi has studied to learn so much.

 

When he returns to court, he will definitely search through the library!

 

Wrapped in the blanket, Luo Shen’s consciousness fades, and he falls asleep in a daze.

 

After Luo Shen is asleep, Gu Xingzhi carefully carries him back to his room, settles everything, and hands the baby over to Madam Gu before going to court.

 

Within a few hours, he returns with several boxes of memorials, wakes up the just-awakened Luo Shen, helps him wash up and eat, and then takes him straight to the study.

 

About half a month later, General Gu returns to court with Prime Minister Liu. Luo Shen and Liu Kuang switch back to their real identities and finally return to the palace.

 

Of course, Gu’s entire family also entered the palace.

 

On the day of the court, everyone noticed Luo Shen, who appeared full of vitality, and couldn’t help but glance at his belly. They quickly urged him to deal with the Changqing matter.

 

Luo Shen, with a serious expression, reviewed the Supreme Court’s death penalty verdict and answered solemnly.

 

Next was Luo Ming. Considering their blood relationship, Luo Ming retained his title as prince but had all real power stripped away and was banned from returning to the capital. His household, along with his guard, was also sent away.

 

The remaining cases were judged one by one.

 

This part of the judgment did not involve the ministers. About a month ago, Gu Xingzhi had already dealt with the useless pests, so those who remained still had some value.

 

Among the most severe cases, Prime Minister Liu, after seeking out Liu Kuang, became a submissive quail, no longer daring to harbor rebellious thoughts.

 

After Luo Shen had finished announcing the judgments and saw that the ministers were silent and had no objections, he sighed in relief and asked, “Are there any more matters to be addressed by the esteemed officials?”

 

He had been waiting for everyone to say there were no further issues before bringing up his plan to select a male consort.

 

However, before he could finish, a minister stepped forward, glaring at Gu Xingzhi, and asked, “I have heard that General Gu is infatuated with Your Majesty. Your Majesty, are you aware of this?”

 

Luo Shen was taken aback and asked, “How do you know about this, esteemed official?”

 

“On that day, Prince Ping gathered us at his residence, and we heard General Gu admit it with our own ears.”

 

Gu Xingzhi then stood up and responded calmly, “Indeed, I am fond of His Majesty.”

 

Luo Shen couldn’t help but smile, lightly curving his lips.

 

Seeing this, the ministers were alarmed and quickly stepped forward, “Your Majesty, this cannot be!”

 

Luo Shen’s smile faded as he asked, “What cannot be?”

 

He had already issued a new decree and expected immediate implementation.

 

One of the ministers said, “May I ask, Your Majesty, do you genuinely like General Gu, or is it just because he is suitable?”

 

Luo Shen’s face flushed slightly. Although he felt a bit embarrassed, he had no reason not to answer since the question had been asked. “It is genuine affection.”

 

He continued, “I wish to marry…”

 

Before he could finish, an emotional minister exclaimed, “Your Majesty, he is not a good person! I saw him forcibly kiss a girl on the street last month! He still forcibly kisses people!”

 

Luo Shen was shocked and turned to look at Gu Xingzhi, who was equally puzzled. “When did I forcibly kiss anyone?”

 

“Are you still making excuses?” Another minister stepped forward. “On the day you arrested Prince Ping, you forcibly kissed a girl in an alley. Don’t deny it!”

 

The minister turned to General Gu. “You should control your son!”

 

General Gu looked up at Luo Shen and saw that Luo Shen was first stunned, then seemed to recall some unpleasant history, and his expression became subtle. He understood what was going on.

 

He said, “My son has always been fond of His Majesty. It must be a misunderstanding. If His Majesty has doubts, it can be explained privately. Matters of affection between the two should not be discussed in court.”

 

The minister glared at General Gu, thinking that, indeed, they were all from the same family and not at all impartial. He then looked back at Luo Shen.

 

Luo Shen awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth and said, “I… also believe him.”

 

The ministers exchanged looks, feeling like their carefully cultivated plans were being thwarted.

 

“Your Majesty, won’t you reconsider?”

 

Luo Shen’s face twitched, and he nodded, “No reconsideration. I don’t want anyone else but him.”

 

Gu Xingzhi immediately knelt down, “I will have no other person but Your Majesty.”

 

The ministers took a deep breath, realizing that perhaps what they saw that day was not the truth.

 

They looked at each other, regretting not stepping in to pull the two apart that day to see if it was really Gu Xingzhi.

 

However…

 

“I remember the girl you saw that day was pregnant, with a very large belly. General Gu wouldn’t forcibly kiss a pregnant woman, would he?”

 

“Oh, yes, yes.”

 

The ministers wavered a bit at this question.

 

But some were still insistent, and Luo Shen, who was more resolute, took a step back. “If His Majesty insists, we cannot obstruct. However, Your Majesty, if you wish to marry General Gu, it should be as a consort.”

 

He glared at Gu Xingzhi, thinking that if Gu Xingzhi were to marry, he would be unhappy, which would cause unrest for the Emperor as well, and the marriage would be called off!

 

To his surprise, this matched Luo Shen’s intentions perfectly.

 

Luo Shen’s expression shifted slightly, looking somewhat confused.

 

He was the Emperor; even if the ministers did not approve, he would still marry Gu Xingzhi.

 

So, what did the ministers think? That Gu Xingzhi was preparing to enter the palace as a consort?

 

Did they think Luo Shen would marry into the Gu family?

 

Gu Xingzhi, fearing the reaction, spoke up, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

General Gu also knelt, “Thank you for your grace!”

 

Seeing this, the remaining ministers also knelt.

 

They felt something was off but couldn’t quite put their finger on it. Overall, they were all confused, a confusion that lasted until the marriage was finalized and the news spread, making it too late to change anything.

 

They then realized they had been outwitted by Gu Xingzhi!

 

But at that moment, the ministers thought they could still maneuver.

 

They debated and debated, claiming that Gu Xingzhi, being a man, could not be a consort. But Luo Shen said that there was only one person in the harem, so it didn’t matter.

 

The ministers then changed their stance, saying that Gu Xingzhi should return to the harem and not attend court.

 

However, a few days later, after court, they saw Gu Xingzhi holding a child at the gate, waiting to greet Luo Shen.

 

The child was being entertained by Madam Gu, laughing and waving his little hands in the air, trying to grab at everyone who came out of the house.

 

The ministers were curious. A bold one stepped forward to ask whose child this was. But as soon as they got closer and saw the eyes identical to Luo Shen’s, they were stunned.

 

Soon, Luo Shen came out, and Gu Xingzhi naturally took the child, who gave him a kiss on the face. The ministers’ expressions shattered instantly.

 

“If nothing unexpected happens… it already happened.”

 

“Don’t tell me he is…”

 

“So, this child…”

 

The ministers swallowed hard.

 

At this moment, Gu Xingzhi quietly approached them and asked with a straight face, “Isn’t my child lovely?”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

“That eyes, so similar to the Emperor’s, right?”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

“And the mouth, identical to Xingzhi’s.”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

“Don’t you think it’s adorable?”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

General Gu, confused, asked, “Such a cute child, don’t you like him?”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

General Gu was upset, feeling no one told him that his colleagues lacked vision. Such a cute child was not appreciated!

 

He huffed and walked away.

 

The ministers were left bewildered in the wind, thinking they had saved their own lives by avoiding the lethal question, thus avoiding being secretly punished by General Gu.

 

In the following days, each time after court, they would see Gu Xingzhi and the child waiting for Luo Shen at the gate. When Luo Shen appeared, it was always a warm and affectionate scene, with the adorable baby occasionally smiling at them or reaching out with little hands.

 

They felt their hearts melting while fearing for their own lives.

 

So the next day, they hurriedly wrote to request Gu Xingzhi’s return to court.

 

Gu Xingzhi, receiving the news, was puzzled. 

 

The child: “Huh～ Yay?”