Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 114

Xiao Rong said coolly, “You don’t have to play word games with me. I left the Xiao clan long ago and what I do has nothing to do with them. If you don’t leave the capital before dawn, you can start preparing your precious adopted son’s funeral.”

“Oh?” Prince Yan nodded easily. “You’ve planned quite thoroughly, haven’t you? But…how can you be so sure that just for the sake of one mere Jing Xi, this Prince would give up something as important as the martial arts tournament? And who told you Jing Xi was my ‘precious’ one?”

Xiao Rong gave a cold laugh inwardly.

Even now, this man was still trying such crude tactics to confuse him.

Everyone in the Northern Yan camp knew how deeply Prince Yan favored his Thirteenth Protector, Jing Xi. If Yan Ju truly didn’t care about Jing Xi’s life, why would he send elite cavalry in the middle of the night just to capture him and bring him here?

So Xiao Rong said, “Whether he is or isn’t, you know it yourself. I’ll give you little time to think it over.”

Prince Yan stroked his chin, as if weighing his options. “This Prince has made great preparations for this martial arts tournament. If I were to be forced out of the capital by your threats, where would my face be? What of Northern Yan’s honor?” He paused and then said, “There’s still quite some time until dawn. Why don’t you eat first? After you’ve eaten, we can talk properly.”

“I won’t eat and I don’t have time to waste with you.” Xiao Rong’s tone was firm, without hesitation.

Prince Yan stretched lazily. “You might not eat, but I must. You saw yourself that I’ve been busy all night and haven’t had a bite of warm food. How am I supposed to discuss terms with you on an empty stomach?”

He spoke in that same tone one would use to coax a child.

Xiao Rong’s expression darkened.

As expected, Yan Ju was far trickier than he’d imagined; utterly unpredictable. Jing Xi’s life was hanging by a thread and yet this man could still sit here acting as if nothing were wrong.

He refused to believe Yan Ju could truly eat in peace right now. No doubt there was a deeper scheme behind this.

Could it be that Yan Ju had already sent troops to search for Jing Xi’s whereabouts and was only stalling for time here?

Impossible.

He had already ordered Feng Zhong to move Jing Xi. Neither Cui Daohuan nor Yan Ju would ever find that place.

“Yan Shan!”

While Xiao Rong’s thoughts raced, Prince Yan called out again.

Yan Shan entered at once. “Your Highness, the kitchen has prepared the meal again.”

Prince Yan nodded. “Bring it in.”

Yan Shan withdrew silently, soon returning with two attendants carrying trays.

Perhaps because Prince Yan himself was present, the meal was far richer than before. Large and small dishes filled the entire table: meats, vegetables, dim sum, porridge, and soup. The old servant even brought out a freshly warmed pot of wine.

“Your Highness, Young Master,” the servant said respectfully, handing silver chopsticks to both Prince Yan and Xiao Rong.

Prince Yan poured himself a cup of wine, then looked at the young man sitting upright and motionless across from him, smiling. “Why aren’t you eating? They’ve made so much, surely something among it suits your taste?”

Such a seemingly gentle, warm scene stirred nothing in Xiao Rong’s heart.

For he knew well, this man’s show of kindness was nothing more than a ploy for Jing Xi’s sake.
The chill he had barely managed to suppress swept over him again.

Xiao Rong pressed his lips together and stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on the floor where the candlelight flickered and swayed. “Enough with your tricks. I won’t fall for them. If you mean to kill me or to kill Jing Xi, then say it plainly.”

The old servant, who had not yet withdrawn, was startled by his words. He had likely never seen anyone speak to Prince Yan in such a tone. In a fluster, he said, “Young master, what are you doing? Please, speak calmly. If the food isn’t to your liking, this old servant will have them redo it.”

Prince Yan slowly set down his wine cup. He cast a sideways glance at Yan Shan. “Is that boy from the Xi family still outside?”

Yan Shan nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Prince Yan raised his hand casually. “Then send my order: take off one of his arms.”

Yan Shan froze for a second and then replied at once, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Rong’s face changed instantly. “He’s the Crown Prince! You wouldn’t dare!”

Prince Yan’s tone was indifferent. “Don’t say he’s just a Crown Prince. Even if he were the Son of Heaven himself, anyone who dares to seize a man from the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry will die for it. Taking one arm is already this Prince’s great mercy.”

If anyone else had said such a thing, Xiao Rong would never have believed it, but this was Yan Ju. Yan Ju, who waged war like a madman, repaid every slight a hundredfold and had ruled Northern Yan alone for years. He had never even put the Emperor in his eyes.

Seeing Yan Shan turn to carry out the order, Xiao Rong said sharply, “Wait.”

Prince Yan raised a brow. “What’s this? Have you thought it through? Ready to sit and eat properly now?”

Xiao Rong sat down, though he didn’t touch the silver chopsticks. His gaze swept coolly over the lavish spread on the table. “I’ll eat. But this food is far too crude. I can’t stomach it. Have them make it again.” He wanted to see just how long Yan Ju could keep up this act.

Prince Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and glanced at Yan Shan. “Clear it all away and start over.”

Yan Shan obeyed, signaling the servants to enter and carry off every dish. He then bent respectfully toward Xiao Rong and asked carefully, “May I ask what kind of dishes the young master would prefer?”

Xiao Rong kept his eyes fixed on the trembling band of candlelight on the floor and said coldly, “I want a full Feast of the Flaming Tail. Not a single dish less.”

Yan Shan froze, instinctively glancing at Prince Yan.

It wasn’t that the cooks in Prince Yan’s residence couldn’t prepare such a feast. On the contrary, even rarer delicacies could be served to Prince Yan in no time.

However, the Feast of the Flaming Tail was an imperial banquet, fifty-eight dishes in all, each elaborate and requiring an enormous variety of ingredients. Even the imperial kitchens needed several days to prepare it. How could such a feast possibly be made in one night?

Prince Yan said, “Do as he says. If there aren’t enough hands, find more cooks.”

Yan Shan acknowledged the order and withdrew again.

Only a single pot of wine remained on the table.

“Will you share a drink with me?” Prince Yan asked with a faint smile.

Xiao Rong acted as though he hadn’t heard a word.

Prince Yan lifted his cup and took a slow sip. “When you were little, you loved candied hawthorns the most. Every time we went into town, if you saw them on a street stall, you’d just stand there staring, refusing to leave. So why didn’t you eat a single one that day?”

Xiao Rong said nothing.

He didn’t remember ever liking candied hawthorns and didn’t remember any of the things Yan Ju was talking about.

Besides, how would Yan Ju know such details?

Most likely, he was just making up stories to deceive him.

Prince Yan kept smiling. “You were born in the winter month. When you were first born, you were all wrinkled and tiny, but your cries were unusually loud. It was bitter cold then and there was no milk to feed you. You cried and cried; pitiful thing. Xiao Jingming could only hold you and try to soothe you. Fortunately, later, I, together with Qin Zhong, caught a mother leopard that had just given birth and at last, you had milk to drink.”

Xiao Rong still said nothing.

It was true that he had been born in winter, but he had never heard anything like what came after.

How could Yan Ju have been there when he was born?

It was entirely possible the man had made up such unverifiable tales to confuse his mind, and very likely, at that.

“Later, when you grew older, you were terribly mischievous; climbing and running about all day long. See those little things hanging on the wall? You used to love playing with them. And then, later…” Prince Yan’s tone suddenly carried a trace of wistfulness.

Xiao Rong didn’t notice the change in tone. By reflex, his gaze shifted toward the southern wall. He took only one look before thinking coldly, ‘Utter nonsense.’

He had never played with any of those things.

“You don’t need to use such honeyed words to fool me. I won’t believe them,” he withdrew his gaze and said flatly.

Prince Yan seemed mildly amused. “If that’s so, then when I was about to take off that boy’s arm just now, why were you so flustered? It seems you’re quite fond of him.”

Xiao Rong’s tensed nerves tightened further. He said coolly, “I only owed him a life debt. That debt is repaid. Even if you kill him now, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Really?” Prince Yan raised his brows in surprise. “You left your clan, abandoned your title, and even gave up being the heir for that boy. And now you’d truly let me kill him?”

Xiao Rong didn’t respond.

This man’s probing words were nothing more than attempts to find his weakness. He wouldn’t fall for them.

This was the capital. If Yan Ju dared to kill Xi Rong, it would be treason.

Yan Ju might be ruthless, but he wasn’t a fool. He wouldn’t do something that stupid.

No, all this was just a ploy to use Xi Rong as leverage, to lure him into revealing Jing Xi’s whereabouts.

Prince Yan finally seemed to tire of his soft approach and began drinking on his own.

Xiao Rong clenched his fists, refusing to relax for even a moment.

He though, ‘At most, after this cup, he’ll show his true face.’

However, after finishing the first, Yan Ju poured a second, sipping leisurely. “This Feast of the Flaming Tail really is troublesome. Don’t tell me I’ll have to starve till dawn,” he drawled, lengthening his tone in mock complaint as he drank.

Xiao Rong couldn’t help frowning in secret.

As time passed, waves of cold swept through his body beyond his control.

He must truly have a high fever. If this went on much longer, he was sure to give himself away before this man.

Watching the man across from him sit there drinking so leisurely, Xiao Rong suddenly realized a terrifying truth.

A single Jing Xi perhaps was not enough to make Prince Yan abandon such a grand undertaking as the martial arts tournament. Otherwise, with nothing left to negotiate, Yan Ju would have had no reason to continue circling him like this.

Then what exactly was Yan Ju waiting for?

For a moment, Xiao Rong couldn’t think of an answer.

That feeling of being unable to see through the other man’s hand stirred a faint unease within him.

Because at that moment, Mu Yin’s words suddenly echoed in his mind. ‘The martial arts tournament was never truly for the martial arts itself.’

Could it be that within this grand event, the Cui clan and Yan Ju were plotting some other scheme? And for the sake of that scheme, Yan Ju could even afford to sacrifice Jing Xi’s life?

He couldn’t delay any longer.

Xiao Rong lifted his head again and looked at the man before him.

No one knew better than he how deeply this person hated him. Although he forced himself to appear calm, only he knew how much he feared facing this man directly.

“I know,” Xiao Rong said, his face pale, eyes fixed on Prince Yan, speaking up for the first time since he had entered the room, “that what troubles you most all these years is how to rid yourself of the Gu in your body. To tell you the truth, it doesn’t matter now. I’ve already found a way to break it. As long as you agree to my terms and leave the capital, I promise that within a year, the Gu inside you will disappear on its own.”

Prince Yan frowned and was about to speak when Yan Shan rushed in. “Your Highness—!”

“Speak.”

“The Crown Prince has gone mad. He’s injured three of the heavy cavalrymen and is forcing his way in. The eighteen riders ask if they should use full force to stop him.”

“Why wouldn’t they dare stop him?” Prince Yan asked with a trace of displeasure.

Yan Shan replied, “The Crown Prince has already suffered serious injuries.”

Prince Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if in surprise.

Xiao Rong abruptly stood up.

Prince Yan glanced at the youth. “Weren’t you the one who claimed you didn’t care whether that boy lived or died? Why so nervous now?” He waved a broad hand. “Tell the eighteen riders that if they can’t stop him, I’ll hold them accountable.”

Xiao Rong’s face finally changed. He bit out through his teeth, “Yan Ju, are you planning a rebellion?!”

Prince Yan gave a slow smile. “Didn’t you hear me clearly? He’s the one storming my command post, clearly intending to assassinate me.”

Xiao Rong already had a fever but the man’s shameless words sent his blood surging in outrage. As he took a step to leave, dizziness washed over him, his vision went black, and he collapsed against the doorframe.

“Young Master!” Yan Shan was startled.

Only then did Prince Yan set down his wine cup, rise, and stride over, scooping the youth up in his arms.

“Young Master seems to have a fever,” Yan Shan said.

Yan Shan couldn’t help being astonished. The young master was this ill, yet still dared to come alone to bargain with the Prince.

Prince Yan reached out and felt his forehead. Realizing how scorching hot the boy’s body was, his expression changed at once. “Fetch the physician!” he ordered.

***

Xiao Rong clenched his teeth, trembling uncontrollably.

At one moment, he felt himself plunged into an icy abyss, swallowed by endless cold. The next, it was as if he had fallen into a furnace and his whole body was being scorched dry by the flames.

He had never felt such torment before.

Half-conscious, he began to dream again but this time, it wasn’t the nightmare of Yongning Temple. It was a dream of his eighth birthday.

That was his second year after returning to the Xiao clan. As the clan’s heir, he naturally had a grand, bustling birthday feast and received countless precious gifts; so many he couldn’t even be bothered to count them.

Even the Emperor had sent a personal gift through the Ministry of Rites, an honor not granted even to the imperial princes.

He took it all as a matter of course. When the banquet ended, he picked out a few items he liked best, then told Mo Dong and Xiao En to keep the rest in storage.

Back at Jade Dragon Terrace, he was admiring a jade-handled brush given by Prince Xiao when Mo Dong entered, carrying a box. “Someone has brought another birthday gift for the heir.”

He glanced at the box and asked who it was from.

Mo Dong shook his head. “I don’t know, Young Prince. The guard said the messenger claimed to be from the northern lands and handed it in through the rear gate of the manor.”

At the words ‘northern lands,’ the hand that toyed with the brush suddenly stilled. Without showing any emotion, he dismissed Mo Dong and then carefully examined the box on the desk. It was a square chest of rare purple sandalwood, carved with gilt patterns of birds and beasts, clearly something meant for treasures.

He ran his fingers over the carvings for a moment, moved the candle closer, and lifted the lid.

Inside lay a blood-stained fox pelt.

By rights, he should have cried out in shock and yet, at that moment, he only stood frozen for a long time, letting the lamp slip from his grasp, before sinking down, hugging his knees, and bursting into tears.

***

Prince Yan stood outside the room, hands clasped behind his back, pacing back and forth.

Yan Shan came out with a troubled face. “Your Highness, the young master still refuses to let the physician approach. He’s gripping a dagger and won’t allow anyone to take his pulse.”

The Prince frowned. “With a fever like that, how can he not be examined?” He took a step toward the door.

Yan Shan hurriedly said, “The young master says he wants to see the Crown Prince. If he doesn’t…”

“What then?”

“He said, Your Highness should prepare to collect Captain Jing’s corpse… and that even if he becomes a ghost, he’ll drag Your Highness down with him.” Yan Shan lowered his head, forcing himself to finish the message. Seeing the Prince silent, he added nervously, “The young master may look delicate, but his temper is iron. If you press him too hard…”

The Prince cast a glance toward the room, silent for a long time, and then said, “Have them bring that boy here.”

***

Jing Qiu and Jing Si were standing outside the command compound, distracted and uneasy. When they saw Gongsun Yu come out, they quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply. “General Gongsun.”

Gongsun Yu nodded slightly. “What brings you two here at such a late hour?”

Jing Qiu glanced toward the courtyard and cautiously asked,
“I heard that His Highness ordered the culprit who abducted Xi’er to be brought in. May I ask how the interrogation went? Has there been any word on Xi’er’s whereabouts?”

It had been nearly an hour since Xiao Rong was taken from the Apricot Blossom Pavilion. Jing Qiu and Jing Si had counted the time, thinking that with Prince Yan’s thunderous methods, some clue should have been forced out by now. So they came to inquire.

Gongsun Yu of course understood their intentions. “His Highness is personally conducting the questioning,” he said. “The result isn’t yet known.”

Both men were stunned.

“Still no result…” Jing Qiu muttered and then looked pleadingly at Gongsun Yu. “That Xiao Rong is cunning to the bone. Who knows where he’s hiding Xi’er, suffering who knows what torments? If something happens to Xi’er, His Highness will be heartbroken. General, I beg you to advise the Prince and don’t let him be deceived by that one’s glib tongue. If the Prince is too busy, my brother and I can conduct the interrogation ourselves.”

Gongsun Yu frowned. “If His Highness wishes to question the man himself, then not even I have the right to interfere. You two had better return and wait for news.”

Jing Qiu could only bow and assent.

When Gongsun Yu returned to the command compound, he couldn’t help glancing anxiously toward the main courtyard.

An hour had passed already. He had no idea how the questioning was going, but when he saw Yan Shan hurrying by earlier with a physician in tow, his heart filled with unease.

After pacing for a moment, Gongsun Yu finally went toward the main courtyard.

He had originally intended to plead for Xiao Rong, to help temper Prince Yan’s anger. But after he announced himself and entered the yard, he saw the Prince pacing back and forth under the veranda, looking unusually flustered.

“Your Highness?” Gongsun Yu called softly.

The Prince stopped, clearly irritated. “He can’t even stand now, refuses to see the physician or take medicine, and insists on seeing that wretched boy. Tell me, what sort of madness is that?”

Gongsun Yu blinked, at a loss.

What was His Highness talking about?

Then it dawned on him. Did he mean the Young Prince? When he’d brought that young man back, he had been full of vigor and spirit. And now, after just one hour of questioning, he couldn’t even stand?

Gongsun Yu’s heart sank. He was about to speak when Prince Yan suddenly motioned for silence, then tiptoed like a thief toward a lit room on the right side of the corridor. He gestured for Gongsun Yu to hush and pointed at a small hole in the window.

Gongsun Yu leaned closer to look.

Inside, the Young Prince was sitting propped against the headboard, staring fixedly at the Crown Prince, seated by the bed in dark robes. The boy’s eyes were clinging to him as if they could not move away.

The Crown Prince’s robe was slightly disheveled. A wide black sleeve had been torn open, revealing a bandaged arm. He was holding a bowl of medicine, patiently feeding it to the Young Prince.

Each time the Crown Prince offered a spoonful, the boy obediently swallowed it.

Prince Yan drew back with a sour expression. “Tell me, what spell has that brat cast on him to have him this bewitched?”

Gongsun Yu found the Prince’s tone rather strange, almost jealous.

He was still searching for a tactful reply when a cold voice suddenly came from inside.

“A dignified Prince Yan stooping to eavesdrop at walls, truly shameful.”

Prince Yan’s face darkened instantly. He turned on his heel, hands clasped behind his back, and strode away.

Gongsun Yu hurried after him.

Thinking that such insolent words would surely enrage His Highness again, he was about to speak in appeasement when Prince Yan stopped abruptly and said, with his back still turned, “Write a letter to Yan Qiang for me.”

Gongsun Yu was startled. The Prince and the old patriarch of the Yan family were famously at odds. The Prince could hardly stand the man. Why suddenly write to him?

Before he could ask, the Prince continued, “Tell him that the Yan family will soon have a new heir. Have him make the necessary preparations.”

Gongsun Yu thought he must have misheard.

What?

A new heir?

Who?