Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 14

Gu Rong had experience sharing a bed with others while he was in the military camp, but that was a special time.

Gu Rong refused, “I’m fine. I’ll be perfectly comfortable resting in the rattan chair. Brother, rest without worries. I really can sleep anywhere.” He could even sleep under the tree when he was really tired.

He was not exaggerating.

Gu Rong may appear delicate, but he’s not delicate in nature. He naturally carries an optimistic view that disregards his own discomfort.

“That would make me feel uneasy,” Xi Rong said quietly. “If you insist, then I’ll sleep outside, and you can sleep inside. Otherwise, I’ll have to leave.”

This made Gu Rong hesitate.

To be honest, he didn’t really mind sharing a bed. They were both men, so there was nothing unusual about it.

The nights in the mountains were cold and it would be warmer if they kept each other company. Furthermore, there was a strong point to be made: he hadn’t rested well the previous night, which was probably why he kept making blunders today.

But there was a problem. He only had a single blanket.

“That’s fine. We can share it.” Xi Rong remained calm. His brows furrowed slightly. “If there’s only one blanket, what will you cover yourself with if you’re outside?”

Gu Rong hadn’t really thought that far ahead. He said, “I’ll just stay close to the stove. I can wrap myself in a piece of clothing. It’s fine.”

Xi Rong directly vetoed him, “That’s not acceptable. We’ll sleep together. Don’t worry, I’m a quiet sleeper. I won’t make a mess, nor will I steal the blanket.”

This resolved the greatest difficulty.

Gu Rong thought for a moment and decided he had no further grounds to decline. “Then I’ll sleep outside and you can sleep inside.” As the host, it was his responsibility to care for the injured.

“That’s not necessary. I neither get up at night nor drink water, so there’s no need for care. I’ll sleep outside,” Xi Rong insisted. He began to reorganize the bedding, freeing up Gu Rong’s spot. The stone bed was made up of a layer of straw and a mattress. Xi Rong suddenly asked, “Is this what you normally sleep on during the winter as well?”

It was a chilly time of the year and nights in the mountains were much colder, not much different from the end of winter.

Gu Rong nodded, not thinking there was a problem. Then he considered that the other might come from a rich family, used to softness and warmth, and asked, “Did you not sleep well last night? I can add some more straw tomorrow.”

Xi Rong shook his head. “That’s not much help against the cold. When I’m recovered, I’ll find something else. The stone bed is already cold, you’ll get sick if you keep sleeping this way.”

Gu Rong was taken aback. He hadn’t cared much about those details, but now he realized the other was thinking of him. He casually said, “Don’t trouble yourself. I’m strong and warm-blooded.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

Xi Rong fell silent. He turned and studied Gu Rong. “Are you really going to sleep like this?”

“Of course not.” Gu Rong removed his outer and middle robes, neatly folding them and placing them aside on the stone table. He kept on only a snow-white underrobe. Then he untied his hair, letting it down, and placed his hairpin alongside his folded clothes before removing his shoes and getting into bed.

Xi Rong normally carried a chilly, invigorating scent of mint. At that moment, he noticed a faint, unknown fragrance from Gu Rong, a mixture of a delicate herbal scent and a bookish scent, something that was hard to describe in words.

Where it came from was self-evident.

Xi Rong, meanwhile, had already removed his outer garments when changing his dressing, so there was no need for him to undress further. He only removed his boots and socks, placing them neatly by the bedside. In the process, he also picked up the two shoes Gu Rong had carelessly tossed aside, intending to align them together with his own.

He was a person who valued cleanliness and order. Even in small details, he remained consistent.

The palace servants knew his habits and preferences and were especially careful in their duties, keeping his chamber spotless and free of even a speck of dust.

At that moment, Xi Rong paused. He noticed a small hole near the big toe of one shoe, a hole so tiny it was hard to spot if you weren’t looking closely, but it hadn’t escaped his view. The soles were also quite worn down. Clearly, the shoes had been worn for a long time.

“Brother, are you not finished yet? Do you need any help?” Gu Rong’s voice came from under the covers, already heavy with drowsiness. He felt sleepy as soon as he touched the mattress, but with a guest present, he forced himself to wait a little.

Xi Rong placed the shoes down neatly. “No, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“All right… then hurry up…” Gu Rong said, his voice growing nasal with drowsiness.

By the time Xi Rong lay down on the outer side of the mattress, Gu Rong had already turned inward, wrapping himself up tightly in the quilt with only a lock of black hair fell outside, resting against the pillow.

Xi Rong gazed at that lock of hair for a moment, then lifted the corner of the quilt and slipped in. He paused. The two were now sheltered by the same blanket, a completely different view underneath.

Gu Rong was turned inward, his knees slightly drawn up, his black hair spreading across the mattress, extending toward the outer side. In the dim glow of the oil lamp, his slim back and delicate waist were revealed by his form-hugging undergarments, something normally concealed under his wide, heavy outer robes.

Xi Rong fell silent for a moment. Then he reached forward, took that lock of silky black hair, and placed it back alongside Gu Rong’s back. He then slid his sword underneath his pillow and lay down as well. He had a habit of reading before sleeping, so instead of resting immediately, he held up a book he hadn’t finished during the day, a travelogue he had casually taken from the shelf.

He hadn’t gone through more than a couple of lines when suddenly his arm grew heavy. Gu Rong, previously turned inward, turned over in his sleep and began groping toward his side, as if looking for something. He kept feeling around, not finding it, and then casually snuggled up to him, closing his eyes in pure contentment.

Xi Rong stiffened.

Usually, if someone drew close to him like that, Shan’a would already be unsheathed. But now… he stayed perfectly still. He kept his injured arm in place, unable to move much, then put down his book, extinguished the oil lamp, and fell asleep.

***

When Gu Rong awoke after a restful night, it was already broad daylight. The cave was still dim, but Xi Rong was already neatly dressed, sitting cross-legged to regulate his breathing.

Gu Rong sat up, tugging his robe closed, then slipped quietly down from the mattress.

“I’ve already prepared the food. No need to rush.” Xi Rong opened his eyes.

Gu Rong: ?

He was surprised. “Brother, did you not sleep all night?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Xi Rong denied it. “I just woke up early.”

“Hm?” Gu Rong’s disbelief remained. He knew the other must have finished his meditation and gotten up much before dawn. “Brother, you’re really diligent. Did you not rest well last night?”

Xi Rong quietly shook his head. “I have a good rest. It’s just that I’m used to waking up early. How about you? Did you get enough rest?”

Gu Rong nodded and stretched. “It couldn’t be better. To be frank, brother, I haven’t rested this well in a long time. It seemed especially warm last night with A’Li.”

Xi Rong paused. “A’Li?”

“Yes, I usually hold it while I sleep. I use it to keep warm. Strange. I wonder where it’s gone this morning.” Gu Rong began looking around.

Xi Rong closed his eyes and continued his meditation, not making a sound.

The author has something to say:

Baby Rongrong: Last night my Catcat was amazing!
Xi the Dog: ∪?ω?∪