Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 19

After nightfall, there were almost no more guests coming to offer condolences. Gu Rong could now muddle through however he liked. After all, even the servants assigned to the mourning hall were finding ways to slack off.

Of course, without Xi Rong outside to run cover, Gu Rong couldn’t go too far. He merely tossed the memorial tablet from his arms aside, let his shoulders droop, and stretched lazily. He had even prepared himself for Xi Rong to leave early, assuming he would be left to keep vigil alone through the night.

After all, the man was still injured. He had no reason to stay there all night.

The Liu residence’s steward had someone deliver two portions of porridge, pickled vegetables, and steamed buns. Gu Rong wasn’t picky about food; he usually ate even worse while living in the mountains. But remembering that Xi Rong had said he’d go find food before leaving, Gu Rong decided to wait a bit.

It wasn’t long before Xi Rong returned.

He first stopped to speak with the servants on duty inside the mourning hall, said a few words, and handed them something from his sleeve. The servants beamed and left in a cheerful group, leaving only two behind to guard the door.

Xi Rong walked to the coffin, his foot touching the tablet Gu Rong had tossed aside. Without even sparing it a glance, he casually kicked it away and sat down in a sweep of his robe.

Gu Rong watched as the tablet rolled a few times before settling. Out of kindness, he reached out and propped it upright again, muttering, “Brother, isn’t that rather disrespectful to the dead?”

“It’s for his own good.”

“Hmm?”

“My fate is unusual. If I keep vigil for him, he might not only lose more of his remaining life but also his spirit’s time in the afterlife.”

“…”

“Don’t eat that. Eat this instead.” Xi Rong directly pushed aside the plain porridge and steamed buns in front of Gu Rong and opened the food box in his hand.

The box had three tiers. Gu Rong took one glance and was immediately surprised. “Brother, why is it so lavish?”

“It’s just passable,” Xi Rong replied, taking out each dish and the porridge one by one. The last thing he brought out was a plate of osmanthus cakes.

“Do you want to try a piece of cake first?” Xi Rong asked.

Gu Rong was already a bit hungry, so he nodded and reached out to take a small piece, biting into it. He looked like someone who was very easy to feed.

Xi Rong’s eyes, usually as cold as frost and snow, softened slightly. “How does it taste?”

“Soft, glutinous, sweet, and fragrant. Excellent,” Gu Rong replied, his eyes curling into a smile. Then he asked, “Did you give money to the servants when you came in earlier?”

“Mm. I told them to go drink in the side room next door. Now you can do whatever you like.”

Without another word, Gu Rong immediately shifted into a cross-legged sitting position and sighed, “Brother, you truly are the best brother in the world.”

Xi Rong raised a brow. “If that’s the case, won’t you call me ‘Third Brother’?”

Gu Rong waved his hand decisively. “That won’t do. Your siblings would be unhappy. And if your family hears it, it wouldn’t be proper either.”

Xi Rong said, “I thought you were a little swindler, but turns out you’re a rule-abiding little gentleman.”

Gu Rong swayed his head and replied, “A gentleman? Not at all. Where in the world would you find a gentleman as thick-skinned as me?”

Xi Rong didn’t comment. He picked up a lotus leaf meatball with wooden chopsticks and passed it over. “Don’t just eat sweets. Try this.”

Gu Rong still had a piece of cake in his hand, so he simply opened his mouth and took a bite, accepting the offering without a trace of guilt.

With no one to disturb them, the two of them slowly finished dinner. Outside, the sky had completely darkened.

Xi Rong packed the leftover food back into the box to save for the next meal. Gu Rong offered to help, but Xi Rong said, “No need. You get up and walk around a bit to help with digestion.”

Gu Rong didn’t move. He just sat nearby watching him, saying, “I feel bad.”

“What’s there to feel bad about?” Xi Rong replied, carefully separating cold and hot food into different compartments. “I’m older than you. It’s only right I take more care of you.”

Gu Rong gave a long sigh. “I really can’t imagine how happy your younger siblings must be. Why wasn’t I lucky enough to be one of them?”

Xi Rong paused in his movements and asked, “You really want to be my younger brother that badly?”

Gu Rong’s face was full of regret. “Too bad it’s impossible in this life. I’ll have to hope for the next one.”

Xi Rong said, “Then you’d best not make that wish.”

“Why not?”

“Because if you’re my sibling, you won’t get to enjoy any of this.”

“Hmm?” Gu Rong looked at him in surprise, as if trying to figure out whether he was joking or serious. “Then what would I have to be?”

“Figure it out yourself,” Xi Rong replied without even looking up.

Gu Rong: “…”

Of course, Gu Rong couldn’t figure it out. His mind wandered, absurdly, to a wild thought; surely he didn’t mean becoming his parent? That would really be putting him in a tough spot.

He much preferred them to be equals. That way they could sit together, drink wine, sleep side by side after getting tipsy, and be the best of brothers in the world. Being in different generations was no fun at all.

Unfortunately, in this life, they were but a fleeting encounter, not even close enough to be considered brothers.

Still, to have such an encounter in this life was already one of life’s great joys.

The people of the Liu household, unusually, did not come by at all that night. Who knew what major affair had them occupied?

Because the mourning hall doors had to remain open at all times, by the hour of Hai, the night wind had turned cold, sweeping straight through the open corridors. It was far colder than during the day. And with all the servants drinking and slacking off in the side room, the entire hall felt even more bleak and chill.

Xi Rong said, “If you’re cold, lean on me and sleep for a while. I’ll keep watch for you.”

Gu Rong, holding onto the last shred of his conscience, refused decisively, “How could I? I’m the one being paid to keep vigil, not you. Brother, the fact that you’re willing to stay here with me is already the height of kindness. Don’t worry, I’m not that delicate.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I’m actually very good at taking care of others and enduring hardship. It’s only when I’m with you that I get outdone.”

Xi Rong said, “There’s no need to compare on such things. When you’re with me, you don’t need to take care of anyone, and you don’t need to suffer either.”

Gu Rong laughed softly to himself.

Xi Rong asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Gu Rong replied, “I’m laughing at how domineering you are, brother. I won’t always be with you, so how could I not have some means to survive? I’d starve to death.”

Xi Rong was silent for a moment. Then he said, “You can stay with me.”

Gu Rong looked surprised. “How could that be possible?”

“Why not?”

“You’ve seen for yourself, that I’m lazy and have no great ambitions. What could I possibly do by your side, someone so important?”

“You don’t need great ambitions and you don’t need to do anything.” Xi Rong’s expression was serious.

Gu Rong shook his head calmly. “That’s even worse. After a while of eating and drinking for free, you’d grow tired of me. And don’t bring up that whole life-saving debt again. First, even if I hadn’t stepped in that day, with your skills, I’m sure you’d have saved yourself somehow. Second, gratitude brought up too often becomes less about thanks and more about using it to manipulate others for your own ends.”

This time, it was Xi Rong who let out a quiet laugh.

Gu Rong asked, “What are you laughing at now?”

Xi Rong replied slowly, “I laugh because you look so carefree and approachable, but you’re actually very hard to coax. And I also laugh because, as expected, your sense of righteousness toward him is still stronger.”

“Him? Who?”

“The one in the coffin.”

“…”

Gu Rong coughed twice. “That’s different. I’m keeping vigil for him to earn money, not out of righteousness.” He turned his head, only to unexpectedly meet a pair of deep, cold eyes, full of scrutiny and inquiry.

“You understand what happens between men, and you still dared to put on wedding robes for a dead man?” Xi Rong’s tone suddenly turned heavy.

Gu Rong instinctively asked, “What happens between men?”

“Mm. Just like what happens between a man and a woman.”

Gu Rong showed no hint of embarrassment. He cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “Of course I understand.”

“Truly understand?”

“Of course. Reading about such things during leisure time is one of life’s pleasures.”

“Oh? And what exactly does the young gentleman understand?”

“…Just that kind of thing between men. What’s there to talk about? As the saying goes, ‘see no evil, hear no evil.’ Brother, you read the books of sages, not like those lechers. This is really quite improper.”

“And what if I’m exactly one of those lechers, with bad intentions?”

“Impossible.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Where in the world is there a lecher as generous and considerate as you? If all lechers were like you, they wouldn’t be called lechers at all. Brother, you look every bit the righteous gentleman. Too proper, in fact. I have a good eye for people.”

“You’re right. I overstepped.” The man smiled again, returning to his noble, flawless gentleman’s expression.

The mourning hall fell into silence once more, the only sound of the night wind rustling through and stirring the white mourning banners.

“Are you cold?” Xi Rong asked again.

That night felt especially cold. Gu Rong wore only a single layer underneath and a thin wedding robe on top. Although he didn’t want to admit it, he still nodded honestly. “A little, maybe.”

“Lean against my back. I run warm.”

“Won’t it press on your wound?”

“No. You’re so thin, you won’t.”

“…Alright then.”

Gu Rong stopped being polite and leaned over without hesitation. The instant he pressed against that broad back, warmth seeped through the robe, spreading comfortingly.

Gu Rong closed his eyes contentedly and leaned in a little more.

Xi Rong felt the small movements behind him, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. He closed his eyes and began to regulate his breath.

***

In the latter half of the night, Jiang Cheng quietly came in with a thick cloak.

Sure enough, as he drew near, he saw, without surprise, that the young master was leaning against His Highness’s back, sound asleep, wrapped in His Highness’s outer robe.

His Highness was meditating and healing, all while acting as a human pillow.

What on earth was this?!

Yet His Highness seemed to enjoy pampering and indulging him.

Jiang Cheng could only pretend to be blind and say nothing. He unfolded the cloak, intending to drape it over Xi Rong, when Xi Rong instructed, “Cover him first.”

“…”

Jiang Cheng numbly responded. He wasn’t even surprised by those kinds of orders anymore!

He just couldn’t understand, if His Highness truly intended to bring the unreliable young man into the Eastern Palace as a retainer, wasn’t he indulging him far too much? There were so many staff in the Eastern Palace and none had ever been treated like that.

Thankfully, he’d learned from the porridge incident earlier and came prepared, bringing two cloaks. So he switched directions and followed the order. Then he unfurled the second cloak.

While draping it over Xi Rong, he lowered his voice and reported, “Your Highness was right. Not long after Yan Hemei and Cui Jiu left, Liu Xin quietly left the resident with his trusted aides and went to his villa. Most likely, he was gathering his private troops. It seems they’re planning something. I fear it’s dangerous for Your Highness to remain here.”

Xi Rong’s expression was calm, even carrying a cold composure Jiang Cheng was all too familiar with. He hadn’t seen that look in the past days due to the unusual circumstances.

“Leaving suddenly would only draw more suspicion. Tell Song Yang to keep a close watch on the Cui clan. With their methods and influence, they’re unlikely to rely on just Liu Xin. And I want all the information on Liu Xin,” Xi Rong issued three clear-cut commands.

Jiang Cheng solemnly acknowledged, fully aware that the Eastern Palace was likely about to face an unprecedented crisis.

***

Gu Rong woke the next day lying on Xi Rong’s lap, covered with a thick cloak, and another spread beneath him.

No wonder he had slept so well.

He had slept so deeply, he almost forgot he was in the mourning hall of the Liu residence.

When he sat up, he saw Xi Rong still sitting upright in the same posture as last night, eyes closed, regulating his breath. He was still wearing that black wide-sleeved robe.

Gu Rong realized something, paused, and asked, “Brother, did you not sleep at all last night?”

Xi Rong opened his eyes, his expression calm. “I was tending to my injuries. I couldn’t sleep anyway, so I kept watch for you. Don’t worry. Nothing happened last night.”

Gu Rong silently felt guilty. He quickly grabbed one of the cloaks and draped it over Xi Rong, sincerely saying, “Brother, you really spoil me too much. Why didn’t you wake me? You even let me sleep on your lap. Aren’t your legs numb? I’ll give them a massage.”

Xi Rong shook his head. “It’s fine. You were sleeping so well, there’s no need to force yourself. As for the massage, what, have you done it for others?”

Gu Rong thought he was questioning his skill again and laughed. “Of course. I trained under a proper master. Even my monk senior brothers would line up and still not get a turn.”

“Monks?” Xi Rong’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he fell silent.

The author has something to say:

Xi the Dog: Silently breaking down.
Baby Rongrong: ??
Thank you all, enjoy reading!