Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 119

Yan Shan’s attacks grew even fiercer.

Xi Rong had no choice but to focus entirely on defending himself, unable to spare the breath to question Prince Yan anymore.

The old servant of the Yan household was truly formidable. His internal strength and palm techniques were those of a top-tier master. In only a few exchanges, Xi Rong was driven back into the corner against the railing and forced to take a direct strike.

Although Xi Rong had trained in martial arts since childhood and ranked among the best not only among the princes but even among seasoned generals, he had studied only external techniques and had never cultivated inner energy techniques. At once, he felt his qi and blood churn violently in his chest, his meridians boiling as if stirred. A sweetness rose to his throat and a trickle of blood slid from the corner of his lips.

“Stop!”

A voice rang out sharply.

Prince Yan, who had been casually fiddling with the chess pieces, stiffened and looked over. As expected, Xiao Rong had rushed over, with two attendants hurrying behind him.

Yan Shan immediately withdrew his palm strike and returned to Prince Yan’s side.

Xiao Rong hurried up into the pavilion, steadying the staggering Xi Rong. He glared furiously at Prince Yan. “What did you do to him?”

Prince Yan had already been in a foul temper. When he lifted his head and saw Xiao Rong running out in only a thin silk robe, staring at him as if he were a mortal enemy, his anger flared even higher. Yet despite his anger, he couldn’t lash out.

“Who allowed him to leave the room? What were my instructions to you?” His dark gaze swept toward the two attendants as he questioned them.

The two servants dropped to their knees in terror.

Xiao Rong said coldly, “Don’t blame them. I have hands and feet, why shouldn’t I come out? If you want to beat or kill someone, come at me.”

Prince Yan instantly switched to a placating smile and let out a hearty laugh. “If you want to come out, then come out. Whoever dares stops you, I’ll be the first to punish him. But couldn’t you at least put on a cloak? You came out dressed so thinly. Someone, go fetch a thick cloak for him. Quickly.”

The two attendants fled as if granted amnesty.

Only then did Prince Yan turn his gaze back to Xi Rong. He gave a dismissive snort. “I merely heard his martial arts were decent and wanted to test his skills. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.”

Xiao Rong immediately looked to Xi Rong.

Xi Rong had already wiped the blood from his lips. His eyes were calm and gentle as he smiled and nodded. “That’s right. His Highness Prince Yan asked this senior to test my skills. Unfortunately, my training is lacking and I was no match for him.”

“See? You believe it now?” Prince Yan asked with biting acidity.

Xiao Rong ignored him. He examined Xi Rong carefully and, after confirming there were no other external injuries, he let out a breath and took Xi Rong’s hand. “We’re leaving.”

“Stop.” Prince Yan narrowed his eyes. “And where are you planning to take him?”

“Obviously, we’re leaving this place.” Xiao Rong pulled Xi Rong toward the exit.

Prince Yan leisurely sat back down behind the stone table, picking up a chess piece. “That kid’s internal injury can only be fully healed with Blood-Swallow Pills. If you leave now and something happens, don’t you dare blame me.”

Xiao Rong had reached the pavilion’s edge but stopped immediately upon hearing that. “What exactly do you want?”

Prince Yan didn’t answer. He only stretched lazily and rolled his shoulders. “Yan Shan, playing chess alone is so terribly dull.”

Yan Shan forced a smile. “It’s a pity this old servant knows nothing of chess or I would gladly help Your Highness enjoy a match.”

Prince Yan shot a glance outside the pavilion. “You don’t know how but some people clearly do, yet pretend not to see and refuse to give this prince even a shred of face.”

Xiao Rong pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Prince Yan held a chess piece, staring at the board. “Yan Shan, come look. This white stone has been completely surrounded by black stones. Where would be the best place to put it?”

Yan Shan replied, “This old servant truly cannot make sense of it. Why not let me call General Gongsun over instead?”

Prince Yan waved his hand. “His chess is awful. He’s never beaten me once. Calling him over would only embarrass him.” He sighed dramatically. “Ah, blame it on this prince’s exceptional skill; the higher I climb, the colder and lonelier it gets. Whoever can beat me today, I’ll reward him with a Blood-Swallow Pill. Yan Shan, what do you think?”

The moment he finished speaking, a white stone landed on the board with a sharp snap.

“To think the mighty Prince Yan can’t solve a board this simple and dares call himself a master, truly laughable.”

Yan Shan chuckled and stepped aside.

Prince Yan craned his neck to study the board, then looked up, smiling broadly at the young man now standing across from him. “Since you’re so capable, why not sit and play a round with this prince?”

Xiao Rong looked away. “I don’t play with someone who breaks his word.”

Prince Yan kept smiling. “This time, this prince guarantees to keep his promise. As long as you defeat me, I’ll give you the Blood-Swallow Pill.”

The attendants arrived with the cloak.

Xi Rong took it and was just about to wrap it around Xiao Rong when Prince Yan suddenly said, “Yan Shan, you do it.”

Yan Shan came forward. “Such a small matter, allow this old servant to handle it.”

Xi Rong paused, then nodded and handed the cloak to him.

Only after Yan Shan securely wrapped the cloak around Xiao Rong did Xi Rong turn to Prince Yan. “A game of go consumes one’s energy. Rongrong has not yet recovered from his illness. Why not allow me to play a round with Your Highness instead?”

“You?” Prince Yan lifted his eyes with clear disdain. “You also know how to play?”

Xi Rong replied, “When I was young, I learned some from the palace tutors. In my free time, I practiced on my own. I’ve long heard Your Highness is skilled in this art. I humbly ask for your guidance.”

Prince Yan waved dismissively. “Spare me the flattery. It won’t get you anywhere. Since you’re volunteering, let this prince see what you can do.”

Xi Rong spread his robe and sat down across from the board.

Xiao Rong took a seat to the side.

“Bring another warm cushion,” Prince Yan ordered casually as he placed a black stone.

Yan Shan acknowledged the order.

Xi Rong sat straight, contemplative for a moment, then set down his white stone.

Prince Yan picked up a black stone again. He glanced at the young man beside them. “No talking while watching. You aren’t allowed to secretly help him.”

Xiao Rong gave a cold, derisive laugh. “Judging a gentleman with a petty man’s mind; no respect at all.”

Prince Yan dropped another stone with a sharp click.

Xiao Rong glanced at the board, faintly surprised. His expression tightened ever so slightly.

For that seemingly ordinary move, when viewed against the entire game, actually calculated several steps ahead. Its killing force was fierce, just like the man himself.

Xiao Rong had, of course, heard the rumors that Prince Yan, Yan Ju, had read military texts extensively and was highly skilled at chess. But there were far too many exaggerated tales about him, so he never took them seriously. Yet from just this one move, Xiao Rong knew the rumors were not false.

Xi Rong also held a stone in his fingers, sinking deep into thought.

Prince Yan said, “If you can’t figure it out, you might as well concede. Don’t waste my time.”

Yan Shan had served at Prince Yan’s side for many years. Although he didn’t understand chess, he had watched the prince play against other generals. At this stage of the game, even the most battle-hardened commanders usually couldn’t handle the pressure, their minds in chaos, with sweat pouring down. But Xi Rong, in contrast, was still calmly studying the board, showing not the slightest sign of panic. Yan Shan quietly nodded to himself.

After a long moment, Xi Rong finally placed his white stone.

Prince Yan took one look and offered a stingy comment, “Not bad, but not much.” Then he casually dropped his next move, sealing the white stone’s path completely once again.

Xi Rong pondered for a long time before placing another stone.

Prince Yan snapped down a black one. This time, the black stones swallowed a large swath of white.

After several more rounds of exchanging moves, Xi Rong simply resigned and stood up. He said, “I’ve lost.”

Prince Yan arched a brow. “You still had moves you could play. Why admit defeat?”

Xi Rong smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, Your Highness’s style incorporates military formations; it’s not the same as ordinary chess. The board is a battlefield. When the difference in strength is already decisive, taking a few more steps would just be dying slowly.”

Prince Yan snorted. “At least you know your limits. But to take this many moves under my hand proves you’re not a fool.”

Xiao Rong let out a soft scoff. “Putting on airs.”

Prince Yan wasn’t angered. Instead, he smiled and asked, “Oh? You think you can turn the tables? Why not sit down and play with me, then?”

Xiao Rong said, “I told you, I don’t play with someone who goes back on his word.”

“Oh? You’re quite proud, aren’t you? Then, since this boy lost, you won’t be getting that Blood-Swallow Pill from me.”

Xiao Rong fell silent.

Seeing this, Prince Yan withdrew his gaze and lazily told Yan Shan, “I’m tired anyway. Let’s go.”

“Wait!”

Xiao Rong finally turned his head. “This game was already decided before we even arrived. That’s not fair.”

“Oh? And what do you propose?”

“Let’s make a bet. If within one stick of incense you cannot beat me, then I win.”

“You’re awfully full of yourself.”

Xiao Rong picked up a white stone. “Just say it; do you dare or not?”

“You’ve said it like that; if I refuse, wouldn’t that make me look timid?” Prince Yan immediately ordered Yan Shan, “Bring the clay stove from my bedchamber here and brew a pot of hot tea.”

Yan Shan responded with a cheerful “Yes, Your Highness.”

When he returned, a gentle breeze was drifting through the pavilion. Prince Yan watched the young man beside him place a stone, then smilingly placed one of his own. Across from them, the Crown Prince observed the board in calm silence. The scene was truly beautiful and Yan Shan couldn’t help feeling a little emotional. How long had it been since the Prince had been this pleased?

Back in Northern Yan, the Prince often played chess, but most of the time he played against himself. First, none of the generals or the Thirteen Protectors were anywhere near his level. Second, in recent years, his temperament had changed drastically. He frequently drank alone while playing, brooding until he was drunk.

After one stick of incense, Prince Yan stared in surprise at the board, unable to hide the appreciation in his eyes. “It seems that old Qi Ru really did teach you a few things.”

Xiao Rong ignored the compliment and simply extended his hand. “The Blood-Swallow Pill.”

However, Prince Yan narrowed his eyes and said nothing.

Xiao Rong stiffened. “You’re going back on your word?”

“Nonsense! When have I ever broken a promise? It’s just a Blood-Swallow Pill. It’s in my bedchamber. Come with me to get it.” After speaking, Prince Yan rose first and leisurely walked out of the pavilion.

Xiao Rong hesitated for a moment, then said to Xi Rong, “I’m going to see what trick he’s playing.”

“Alright.” Xi Rong didn’t stop him. “I’ll wait for you in the room.”

Following Yan Shan into Prince Yan’s bedchamber, Xiao Rong saw Prince Yan standing in front of the bookshelf, flipping through a book.

Xiao Rong was not accustomed to being alone with him and asked directly, “Where is the Blood-Swallow Pill?”

Prince Yan closed the book, slowly turned around, and said, “I may as well tell you the truth. Even if he really had beaten me today, which he didn’t, I would never give him that Blood-Swallow Pill.”

Xiao Rong frowned. “You go back on your word!”

Prince Yan snorted. “So what if I do? Right now, I can’t wait to cut him into a thousand pieces!”

Xiao Rong froze.

He couldn’t understand why Prince Yan’s attitude had shifted so drastically. Earlier, when Xi Rong was injured, this man had clearly given him a Blood-Swallow Pill to treat it.

Unable to make sense of it, he suddenly heard Prince Yan snap impatiently, “As if he doesn’t know what he’s done! If the imperial physician hadn’t checked your pulse this morning, I’d still be kept completely in the dark!”

Xiao Rong’s heart lurched. He jerked his head up, almost in panic, to look at Prince Yan. “What did you find out?”

“You tell me, what do you think I found out?” Prince Yan ground out, furious. “How old are you? And he dared to lure you into that sort of thing!”

Xiao Rong felt a rare surge of panic. He quickly steadied himself and forced a calm tone. “You’ve misunderstood him. He didn’t know about it. Besides, what happened between us wasn’t him seducing me. I forced him.”

Prince Yan frowned. “You forced him?”

Xiao Rong nodded. “Yes. Not only did I force him, but I even drugged him. He was severely injured at the time, so he couldn’t resist at all.”

“……”

Prince Yan let out a cold snort. “You think I’m an idiot? Does Xiao Jingming know about this?”

Xiao Rong said nothing. After a long moment, he answered, “This is my own matter. I’m warning you, if you dare tell anyone else about this, don’t blame me for being rude.”

“This is absolutely something Xiao Jingming must not know. That heartless bastard, who knows what cruel thing he’d do.” As Prince Yan spoke, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter. “But you don’t plan to tell that kid either?”

Xiao Rong kept his expression composed, but inside, he was already anxious. This was a critical moment in the struggle for the throne. He couldn’t afford to let Xi Rong learn the truth. With Xi Rong’s temperament, he would certainly take extreme measures without hesitation.

Xiao Rong was just trying to calm Prince Yan when he heard the man say solemnly, “Not telling him might be for the best. Northern Yan is wealthy and powerful; raising one child or ten children makes no difference. As for that Xi brat, I’ve never liked the look of him. Keeping the child and getting rid of the father is also acceptable.”

Xiao Rong: ?

Before Xiao Rong could react, Yan Shan’s grave voice sounded from outside.

“Your Highness, Grand Chancellor Qi has returned to the capital. He is currently outside the headquarters and asks to see you.”