Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 105 Part 2

I would not be updating the novel here any longer. Please head to Mistmint Haven for continuous updates. See yall there~

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“Your servant pays respects to the Young Prince!”

Feng Zhong knelt on the steps, posture perfectly deferential, though his eyes darted up to steal a glance at the young noble seated casually beneath the lantern’s glow.

“Clan Head Feng, no need for such ceremony.” Xiao Rong’s tone was unhurried, as soft and distant as moonlight. Although he was no longer officially the Xiao clan’s heir, he didn’t mind using that title one last time for his own advantage. He looked down at the man below. “Back in Song Prefecture, it was thanks to Clan Head Feng’s many acts of concern that I managed to survive. I should be the one thanking you for your mercy.”

Anyone could hear the edge of irony in those words.

Feng Zhong broke into a cold sweat. He stammered in defense, “That affair was entirely plotted by Assistant Prefect Yan Hemei! I was forced to obey under his power. Had I known your true identity, even with a hundred lives, I wouldn’t have dared offend you, Young Prince!”

This, at least, he meant sincerely.

Back then, in hopes of currying favor with the Xiao clan, Feng Zhong had tried every avenue without success. If he had known that Prince Xiao’s young heir was living incognito in the mountains of Song Prefecture, he would never have missed such a perfect chance to ingratiate himself.

That day, the heir had refused to reveal his identity, instead posing as one of Prince Yan’s Thirteen Protectors. With that ruse, he’d frightened Yan Hemei and the Song Prefecture gentry into dispersing their ten-thousand-strong force. Clearly, he had done so because Song Prefecture was under Cui clan control. Had he revealed his true name, he’d only have courted danger.

Later, at the Golden Lantern Pavilion, General Gongsun Yu exposed the impostor’s identity. Yan Hemei secretly ordered the local clans to gather their troops again and ambush the Crown Prince and the fake protector outside the city gates.

It should have been a flawless plan but no one had expected the Crown Prince to carve through the encirclement like a god of war.

Thinking of that, Feng Zhong felt a chill of relief.

Knowing Prince Xiao’s nature, if he had truly killed the heir of the Xiao Royal Residence, even if by mistake, he would not have lived to see another sunrise.

With the Xiao clan’s power, uncovering the truth would have been only a matter of time.

After all, rumor had it that when the present Emperor ascended the throne and Prince Xiao took command, he had purged every great house that once persecuted the Xiaos under the late Emperor. The Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses were completely reshuffled and even the mighty Cui clan now lived beneath the Xiao clan’s shadow.

Fleeing to the capital, Feng Zhong had hoped only to escape the Crown Prince’s vengeance but now he had the Xiao clan’s wrath to contend with as well. His heart quaked at the thought.

Xiao Rong said idly, “When we first met, Clan Head Feng recognized me as someone from the Eastern Palace. It seems you’ve long known that, last year in Song Prefecture, Yan Hemei gathered troops not to suppress bandits but to hunt the Crown Prince himself?”

Feng Zhong froze, stammering, “I—I’m but a lowly pawn, Young Prince. How could I know such secrets? I was merely guessing, nothing more.”

Xiao Rong smiled. “To strike at the Crown Prince is treason and punishable by the extermination of nine clans, if I recall the law correctly. But since you claim to have been deceived and if you truly wish to serve me, perhaps I can show you a way to live.

“Who among the Song Prefecture gentry would know those secrets you don’t know?”

“Liu Xin!” Feng Zhong blurted without hesitation. “Liu Xin must know! But he’s a sly and cautious man, always keeps his mouth sealed tight. Even Yan Hemei prized him highly. Getting him to talk won’t be easy.”

Having fled to the capital, Feng Zhong was well aware of the situation. Liu Xin was imprisoned by the Crown Prince in the Court of Judicial Review’s dungeon, yet, under the Cui clan’s protection, he had suffered little hardship.

Xiao Rong said lightly, “Then we shall see what you’re capable of, Clan Head Feng.”

Feng Zhong blinked, color draining from his face. “The heir flatters me too much. How could I manage such a thing? In Song Prefecture, even I lived under Liu Xin’s thumb…”

Xiao Rong cut him off. “I don’t need you to pry open Liu Xin’s mouth right now. I’ve heard Liu Xin has a son, Liu Ruolin, who’s already serving in the capital. I only need you to do one thing: gain Liu Ruolin’s trust, by whatever means necessary.” |22|

Xiao Rong rose and went back inside. As expected, Xi Rong was still sitting behind the table, sipping his tea.

Xiao Rong said, “Feng Zhong and Liu Xin have long been at odds. He’s always resented Liu Xin for being favored by the Cui clan and claiming the title of Songzhou’s foremost noble. For years, Feng Zhong has been gathering secrets of Songzhou’s great clans to bring Liu Xin down. Today, I had him write down his accounts with the Cui clan and out of spite, he added some notes about other families’ dealings as well, including Liu Xin’s. Unfortunately, his knowledge is incomplete. But that’s all right. No one in the world is more eager than he to dig up Liu Xin’s secrets. Once Liu Xin’s are unearthed, Songzhou’s will follow.”

He spoke unhurriedly and then added, “Still, this will take time. I can’t yet give Your Highness the full account book. Feng Zhong only obeys me now because he’s desperate to cling to the Xiao clan and clear his name. If I hand him over to Your Highness, I fear he won’t stay honest.”

Xi Rong nodded. “I understand.”

Xiao Rong also nodded. “I’m glad Your Highness does. It’s late, please return and rest. When there’s news, my guards will inform you.”

Xi Rong set down his cup but did not move.

Xiao Rong asked, “Does Your Highness have other business?”

“I’m not leaving tonight,” Xi Rong said after a pause.

Xiao Rong sat back down, resting his head on his hand, gazing at Xi Rong with amused curiosity. “If Your Highness doesn’t leave, where will you stay? Still planning to perch on the beam like a thief? My humble house might not withstand your exalted presence.”

“I’m not on the beam.”

“Oh? Then where will you be?”

Xi Rong didn’t answer. He simply rose, lifted Xiao Rong in his arms, and laid him on the bed inside. “I’ll fetch water for your feet.” He turned to go, but his belt was suddenly caught. Lowering his eyes, he saw pale, slender fingers hooked around his jade sash. “The remaining half of the account book,” Xi Rong said, “I’ll finish it.”

Xiao Rong arched a brow, a smile playing on his lips. “Your Highness isn’t afraid?”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid the watchers outside will notice our dealings?”

“I only come at night, quietly. Once the work is done, I’ll leave.” Half his face was lost in shadow, his tone calm and clear. “My conscience is clean.”

He carried the wooden basin out of the room.

In the courtyard, Mo Dong watched the Crown Prince fetch and heat water himself, preparing a footbath for the heir apparent. It was clearly the kind of chore fit for a servant, yet the Crown Prince did it with practiced ease.

Mo Dong couldn’t help recalling that night on Jade Dragon Terrace, when the Crown Prince knelt before the heir and wrung the rainwater from his soaked sleeves with quiet patience.

The world called the Crown Prince cruel and merciless, but before the heir, ‘cruel’ seemed the last word that could apply. He looked, instead… almost honest, almost gentle.

The realization sent a chill of disbelief through Mo Dong.

Xiao Rong still held a book across his knees, watching without blinking as Xi Rong came to the bedside, set down the basin, and, lowering himself, grasped Xiao Rong’s ankle, removed his shoes and socks, and placed his feet into the perfectly warm water.

Throughout the act, Xi Rong kept his eyes lowered and said not a word.

After soaking his feet, Xi Rong poured out the water, rinsed himself simply, and returned to the room.

Xiao Rong had taken off his outer robe and was sitting on the bed in only his nightclothes. Seeing Xi Rong spreading a mat on the open floor in the middle of the room, he asked, “What is Your Highness doing?”

“I’ll sleep on the mat tonight,” Xi Rong replied.

Xiao Rong couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you take me for a beast like a wolf or a tiger that you fear me so?”

“If assassins come again, I’ll be the first to notice,” Xi Rong said evenly.

Xiao Rong did not comment. After a moment, he pointed in front of him. “Come here.”

Xi Rong paused, lifting his gaze.

Xiao Rong pointed again to the space before the bed. “Lay your mat here. Closer to me.”

His tone was imperious, a command rather than a request.

Xi Rong was silent for a few seconds, then rolled up the half-laid mat and moved it to the spot before the bed, spreading it out again.

Amusement flickered in Xiao Rong’s eyes. Leaning forward a little, he watched Xi Rong’s movements and said, “I only have one quilt. If Your Highness sleeps below, I’m afraid I can’t share it.”

“No need,” Xi Rong said simply. “It’s hot. I won’t use one.” When he finished laying the mat, he extinguished the oil lamp and lay down fully clothed.

Xiao Rong also lay down, covering himself with a thin quilt.

Once the lamp went out, the room plunged into darkness, so quiet it felt almost eerie.

After a while, Xiao Rong glanced down and saw Xi Rong had already closed his eyes. Moonlight filtered through the window, dusting his brows and features silver, the chill of it sharpening the cold poise of his face.

“My back itches,” Xiao Rong said suddenly.

There was silence for a while before a low voice replied from below, “Scratch it.”

“It’s on my back. I can’t reach.”

Xi Rong finally sat up. He went to the table, lit the lamp again, and brought it over to the mat. “Let me see,” he said.

Xiao Rong lifted his quilt and sat on the edge of the bed, his back toward him. “Must be lice biting me.”

Xi Rong frowned. “There are lice here?”

“Of course. No one’s lived here for half a year.”

Xi Rong said nothing more. He asked roughly where, then stepped behind Xiao Rong and slipped his hand under the soft nightrobe, searching. “Here?” he asked.

“No, lower, a bit to the left.”

The summer night was stifling and Xiao Rong’s skin, still warm from the footbath, was sheened with faint sweat, smooth beneath the fingertips. In the narrow, dim space, every touch seemed magnified.

Just as a thin film of sweat began to form on Xi Rong’s back as well, Xiao Rong finally said, “There. That’s the spot.”

Xi Rong scratched the area firmly until Xiao Rong gave a sound of satisfaction.

By the time it was done, Xiao Rong’s nightrobe had come half undone.

He gathered it loosely around himself and turned, catching sight of Xi Rong still standing with lowered eyes, his expression shadowed and unreadable. Xiao Rong’s lips curved. “Your Highness, is it hot?”

Xi Rong said nothing, turned away, carried the oil lamp back to the table, then returned and lay down again.

The moment his back touched the hard mat, a shadow rolled off the bed above.

Xi Rong was startled and immediately caught him, holding him firmly in his arms.

A soft laugh followed in the darkness. “Your Highness, you really do seem quite warm.”

“Rongrong.” Xi Rong’s voice dropped low in warning. “Don’t do this.”

“I insist.” Xiao Rong’s black hair spilled over his shoulders like a spirit from the dark. He straddled Xi Rong’s waist, leaning close to stare straight into his eyes. “Xi Junjing, I’m not afraid. What are you afraid of? Must you really wait until the assassins hack me half to death before you show your true face?”

Xi Rong couldn’t find his voice.

Xiao Rong bent down and brushed a light kiss against his forehead.

“Kiss me,” he ordered in the dark.

Reason told Xi Rong that this was utterly forbidden.

But Xiao Rong lowered his lips again for another kiss.

“Kiss me,” he demanded, more forcefully this time.

Xi Rong felt as if not only the strings in his mind, but every vein in his body, had snapped.

No one could resist such temptation, not even a saint.

And he had never been a saint.

Xi Rong raised his hands, cupped that exquisitely beautiful face, flipped their positions, and pressed him down onto the mat, kissing him hard.

***

The next morning, when Xiao Rong woke, Xi Rong was already gone. The mat before the bed had been neatly rolled up and only the ashes of burnt-out candles remained on the desk.

Thinking of what had happened the night before, Xiao Rong couldn’t stop the faint smile tugging at his lips.

Although they had only kissed and not taken things further, it was the first time since Songzhou that they had been this close again. And Xi Rong’s wildness last night had even surpassed what he’d shown back in Songzhou.

Xiao Rong was pleased; pleased by the madness he had drawn out of Xi Rong.

He rose, dressed, washed briefly, tied his hair anew, and opened the door.

Feng Zhong was already waiting under the eaves, dressed in a fresh brocade robe.

“Young Prince.” At the sight of him, Feng Zhong immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Xiao Rong sat on the grass mat beneath the corridor, took the tea Mo Dong handed him, and sipped before asking, “Is everything prepared?”

Feng Zhong quickly replied, “Please rest assured, Young Prince. I’ll give it my all and will not disappoint your expectations.”

“Good. Go.”

After Feng Zhong withdrew, Xiao Rong instructed Mo Dong, “Call Xiao En here.”

Mo Dong hesitated, making sure he hadn’t misheard, then answered and went outside to send the secret signal used among the shadow guards.

Sure enough, Xiao En appeared soon after.

“The heir calls for this old servant. What is it you require?” Xiao En entered the courtyard and came to stand under the eaves, asking respectfully.

Xiao Rong extended a hand. “Let me see what you’ve written down.”

Xiao En gave an awkward smile. “The heir must be teasing this old servant again.”

“Take it out,” Xiao Rong said mildly, “or I’ll burn that courtyard down tonight.”

Xiao En had no choice but to pull a small pocket-sized notebook from his robes and hand it over.

Xiao Rong flipped through it carelessly. When he reached the last page, his lips curved slightly.
“‘The Crown Prince departed after a brief visit.’ This part is wrong. The Crown Prince stayed in my room all night, sharing my bed. Correct it now.”

Xiao En sighed. “Why must you do this, Young Prince?”

Xiao Rong smiled. “Why do you sigh? I’m doing you a favor. Concealing the truth from your superiors is a grave crime. You’re too old to go courting trouble.”

***

Three days later, Feng Zhong brought the first good news.

Liu Ruolin, having no family left in the capital, now regarded Feng Zhong almost as a dear uncle and confided in him freely.

“Shall I ask him about Liu Xin?” Feng Zhong asked cautiously, standing beside the window where candlelight flickered over Xiao Rong’s chessboard.

Xiao Rong held a white stone between his fingers, thought for a moment, and shook his head. “No hurry. For now, just concern yourself with his daily life. Don’t ask about anything else, especially Liu Xin.” He placed his piece down with a quiet click and then lifted his gaze to the man across from him. “Your Highness, it’s your move.”

Xi Rong pondered a moment before setting a black stone. “Let Jiang Cheng handle tomorrow’s matter.”

“No. Mo Dong is better suited.”

“I’m not discussing this with you, Young Prince.”

“Then we’ll talk once Your Highness wins.”

Feng Zhong stood there quietly, hardly daring to breathe.

***

Half a month passed swiftly.

Through careful conversation, Feng Zhong gradually drew much information from Liu Ruolin. Just as Xiao Rong had expected, Liu Xin had indeed left behind a kind of ‘talisman’ ledger for Liu Ruolin, recording in detail the financial dealings between the Liu family and the Cui clan.

Although timid, Liu Ruolin was extremely cautious. He had sewn the little ledger into his inner garments, so even the Cui servants watching him daily noticed nothing.

With the Liu family’s ledger, combined with the one Xiao Rong had previously stolen from Yan Hemei, Xi Rong now possessed ample evidence of collusion between the Cui clan and the aristocratic families of Songzhou.

The only regret was this.

“Unfortunately, that letter is still in Yan Hemei’s hands.”

“No matter,” Xi Rong said, watching the tea boil over the small stove. “That letter is Yan Hemei’s last lifeline. He won’t destroy it easily.”

Xiao Rong placed both ledgers together in a lacquered box and set it solemnly before Xi Rong, half in jest and half in earnest. “I’ve given the goods to Your Highness now, so don’t come after me for more debts later.”

Xi Rong’s heart tightened suddenly. His gaze dropped to the box.

Xiao Rong rose, looking out at the clouds drifting and curling in the distance. After a long moment, he turned back with a bright, easy smile. “It’s getting late. This time, Your Highness truly should be on your way.”

Before Xi Rong could reply, Mo Dong approached and reported, “Young Prince, Prince Yan has entered the capital.”

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I would not be updating the novel here any longer. Please head to Mistmint Haven for continuous updates. See yall there~