Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 2

“If you won’t give me silver, at least give me a jar of wine. I’ve been sitting upstairs all this time, my butt’s sore,” Gu Rong spoke resentfully.

The waiter gave a snort. “Want wine? Sure, pay for it yourself. Our shop’s Dukang wine is two hundred taels of silver per jar, fair price for all, no haggling.”

Gu Rong looked regretful. “Two hundred taels, huh… I don’t have that much money.”

“What, trying to eat for free?” The waiter snorted again.

The young man smiled sincerely. “That wine was already prepared for me anyway. Your shop’s business is big and reputable, surely you wouldn’t sell a complimentary gift to another customer. Throwing it away would be a waste, so why not just give it to me?”

The waiter gave a fake smile. “Sure, come back in another life with the surname Xiao or Cui, and I’ll serve you the wine on my knees.”

The Xiao clan was the most prominent among the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses of the current dynasty while the Cui clan had held the same status in the past. The two surnames were considered the most prestigious in the realm, even the royal family sought to marry into them, although more often than not, they were rejected with cold indifference.

A famous establishment like Chu River Tower, with numerous political connections, usually had private rooms specifically for the scions of such noble families and officials.

So while the waiter’s words were mocking, they also rang true.

The young man put on a troubled face. “Well, that’s really unfortunate. My surname is Gu.”

The waiter finally dropped his façade. “No money, no noble name, what are you doing asking for wine?! Take a good look, this is Chu River Tower, not a place where any random beggar off the street can come scrounging.

“Look at you; fair-skinned, clearly a scholar. How can your face be this thick? You want good wine as a reward? Learn from others. Do your job well, put your heart into it. You mess things up and still expect a drink? Dream on!”

In truth, Gu Rong was more than just fair-skinned.

The waiter dealt with countless people daily but had never seen a young man as naturally handsome as this one. Especially those eyes, bright and clear like spring rain, unforgettable at a glance. Despite his plain robe and cloth sash, he carried the aura of orchids and jade.

But remembering that it was precisely his overly deceptive face that had caused trouble, nearly causing trouble to the owner and possibly getting his wages docked, the waiter ground his teeth in anger.

“Scram, scram. Get going! If you don’t leave now, I won’t be so polite!” The waiter waved him off like shooing a fly.

“Sigh, how petty. So much for being the number one restaurant in the land, going back on your word over a single jar of wine.” The youth crossed his arms, shook his head, and sighed leisurely, then surprisingly, he did leave without a fuss.

***

When Jiang Cheng returned to the second floor, Xi Rong was still sitting there, his mood unreadable, while Prefect Wu remained standing to the side in anxious fear.

Seeing Jiang Cheng return, Wu Zhiyin visibly let out a breath, his tightly clenched shoulders slowly relaxing.

Cruel and violent.

Unpredictable.

Cold and heartless.

Wu Zhiyin couldn’t help recalling how the court officials described the man.

A crown prince with half-foreign blood, yet able to hold the title of heir apparent despite the dominance of the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses, he had fought his way through bloodshed, even sacrificing his own mother’s clan to secure his position. How could anyone not fear him?

Xi Rong idly toyed with a green jade thumb ring carved with a hidden dragon pattern. After Jiang Cheng finished his report, he let out a laugh, clearly intrigued. “Prefect Wu, your Songzhou Prefecture truly hides dragons among men. You’ve made this prince see things in a new light.”

Upon realizing that the public debate among scholars at today’s literary gathering, centered around His Highness Crown Prince and His Highness Prince of Wei, had been a carefully staged trap, Wu Zhiyin had already broken into a cold sweat. Now, hearing the charges laid out one after another, he turned completely pale and dropped to his knees with practiced ease.

“Your Highness, I…”

Wu Zhiyin had intended to say, ‘I truly didn’t know.’ But before he could get the words out, he realized that saying so wouldn’t lessen his guilt. It might even make things worse.

So he swallowed the bitter truth and kowtowed to beg for mercy. “This humble official deserves death! Please, Your Highness, grant me a chance to atone for my crimes. I will find the mastermind behind this and give Your Highness a proper explanation!”

Xi Rong merely waved his hand. “No need. The Chu River Gathering is a grand event under heaven. If I were to tear down the number one restaurant in the land just because of a few rumors, those scholars would curse me to my bones. I still want to live a few more years, you know.”

“…” Wu Zhiyin broke out in a cold sweat again.

A shadow fell as the prince finally stood up, lifted the curtain with one hand, and walked out.

Wu Zhiyin hurried to his feet, nervously following.

In his panic, he accidentally brushed against the sword hanging at the Crown Prince’s waist, Shan’a, and was so startled he jumped back two steps.

The sword had been bestowed by the late emperor and was not to be touched by anyone other than the Crown Prince himself. It was said to be stained with the souls of countless dead; if an ordinary person touched it, they might be haunted by vengeful ghosts and meet a horrible end.

“I’m just going to stroll around and take in the famous Songzhou night view. No need for you to follow.”

While Wu Zhiyin was lost in fearful thoughts, he heard the cold voice.

“Then I’ll send guards immediately…”

“No need.”

Wu Zhiyin froze and then answered in a flustered panic. But a new worry quickly rose in his mind. This man, dressed plainly like a commoner, claimed he was going for a walk, but he might well be secretly inspecting the state of his jurisdiction. Who knew if those stubborn scholars and unruly locals would cause some new disaster?

Wu Zhiyin wished to accompany him, just in case, but recalling the Crown Prince’s temper, he didn’t dare. All he could do was nervously withdraw.

“Your Highness, Lord Song has written. The postwar arrangements in the southwest are now settled. They’ll arrive in Songzhou tomorrow to join up with Your Highness,” Jiang Cheng reported softly outside Chu River Tower.

Xi Rong nodded. “Walk with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

His Highness was always ascetic and disciplined, rejecting all personal indulgences. It was rare for him to take an interest in something like a stroll through the streets, so Jiang Cheng devoted himself fully to the task.

But he wasn’t a talkative man. On normal days, he treated His Highness with both respect and fear and now he racked his brain but still couldn’t come up with anything to lighten the mood. He couldn’t help but think, that if only Lord Song and the others were there, they’d definitely know how to help His Highness enjoy himself! Unlike him who was stiff and tongue-tied, completely useless.

Songzhou was a key city in the Jiangnan region, prosperous and full of resources. Now, in the midst of the Chu River Gathering, the city was festively decorated to welcome guests from all over. Lanterns lit up the streets like daylight and the whole place bustled with noise and excitement.

Jiang Cheng didn’t know where His Highness intended to go, so he followed closely with his hand on his sword.

As they neared the city center along the main road, they suddenly saw a crowd ahead. Many scholars had gathered in front of a lavishly adorned inn inlaid with gold and jade. Outside the inn stood a row of brightly dressed stewards maintaining order.

Xi Rong stopped walking and Jiang Cheng quickly stepped forward to ask a scholar in line, “Brother, may I ask what’s happening here?”

The scholar replied, “We’re submitting name cards.”

“Name cards?”

“Yes. Today, the four great clans Cui, Liu, Wang, and Zheng, along with the rest of the Seven Noble Houses, have all sent envoys to participate in the Chu River Gathering. They’re staying in this Jinlin Inn and have opened their front hall to meet with scholars. Anyone whose name card is accepted can immediately become a guest scholar in one of the noble households.”

The Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses nearly monopolized imperial appointments and official recommendations. Becoming a guest scholar for one of them meant not only a life of ease but also unlimited future prospects.

Jiang Cheng noticed the scholar was holding a box of pastries. “Are those from the noble families as well?”

However, the scholar said, “These were personally provided by His Highness Prince of Wei. They are osmanthus cakes, delivered by fast riders all the way from the capital!” He cupped his hands toward the north. “His Highness Prince of Wei’s generosity is truly admirable!”

Jiang Cheng watched, grinding his teeth.

The Chu River Gathering had drawn the best scholars of all Jiangnan and it was perfectly normal for noble families to recruit talent during the event. But he hadn’t expected His Highness Prince of Wei to stick his hand in too, using every opportunity to win the public’s hearts.

Not to mention, sending pastries was one thing, but delivering them by fast horses from the capital? What a waste of horses! Absolutely unnecessary!

Jiang Cheng glanced around and noticed that among the lively halls, one section, though just as well-lit and open for submissions, was quiet and deserted. Curious, he asked, “Which household is that?”

The scholar sneered. “That’s the Eastern Palace. I don’t know why the Eastern Palace is acting crazy this year. They were trying to follow His Highness Prince of Wei’s example by recruiting scholars, claiming they would offer even better rewards than His Highness Prince of Wei’s household. Hah! As if we’d bend for a few silvers!”

Jiang Cheng: “…”

He didn’t dare look back at His Highness’s expression, only growled, “Watch your mouth.”

The scholar, seeing his stern face and the sword at his side, instinctively covered his head. “I’m just telling the truth! That man from the Eastern Palace is cruel and tyrannical, ruling through harsh law. If he ever takes the throne, he’ll be a despot for sure. Since we’ve read the classics, we’d never submit to a tyrant!

“Besides, even the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses support His Highness Prince of Wei more. Grand Tutor Cui is His Highness Prince of Wei’s teacher. Years ago, the Eastern Palace even knelt begging to learn under the Cui clan, but was outright rejected! He’s so deranged, that he even had inappropriate thoughts toward the Cui clan’s eldest son. And you, why are you so worked up? Don’t tell me you want to serve the Eastern Palace?”

His words immediately drew a crowd of curious onlookers.

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Cheng with curious expressions. They wanted to see what kind of idiot would actually want to join the Eastern Palace.

The scholar became even more arrogant. “See that grand gate over there? The Eastern Palace’s hall hasn’t even seen a single visitor tonight. Why don’t you go be the first?”

Jiang Cheng’s fists clenched with an audible crack and he felt the urge to punch someone. But soon, he noticed that the expressions of the crowd around him suddenly changed. It was as if they had seen something unbelievable and shocking. They began whispering and pointing toward a certain spot.

Jiang Cheng followed their gaze and saw a lone figure, wide sleeves fluttering, walking directly toward the Eastern Palace gate that no one had paid any attention to.

His heart immediately began to race. He knew it. There were too many scholars in the world; not all of them could be blind!

Jiang Cheng felt a wave of satisfaction like he was finally getting his dignity back. When he turned around, he saw His Highness, standing in the night in a dark robe, also gazing at that figure. With a knowing look, he followed His Highness forward.

About ten steps from the entrance hall, Xi Rong stopped and raised an eyebrow at the young man in blue robes now standing before the steps.

Jiang Cheng thought the boy looked familiar at first glance. Now that he was closer, his eyes widened. “It’s him!”

It was the same youth who had debated with the other scholars in the restaurant earlier. No wonder the boy had openly exposed all of His Highness Prince of Wei’s pretentious tricks. He was planning to serve His Highness instead!

Jiang Cheng was a little touched.

However, the next moment, he saw the youth blink his bright, cat-like eyes and cheerfully ask the two Eastern Palace aides who had come out to greet him, “I heard that submitting a name card here gets you free wine. Is that true?”

Jiang Cheng: “………………”

Xi Rong, who had been quietly listening: “……”

The two Eastern Palace aides, who had been sitting there all night hoping for someone to come and were now eagerly watching the youth: “……”

The author has something to say:

Baby Rongrong: When the east doesn’t shine, the west will.
As long as you work hard, you’ll always get your chance.

Since some readers mentioned it, here’s a note: the ‘Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses’ concept in this story only borrows the name, it’s fictional and different from actual history. Historically, the Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses referred to the Li, Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang families, with the Li and Cui families having two branches each, adding up to the ‘Seven Noble Houses.’ In this story, they are split into two separate groups, just as a fictional setting. Don’t let me mislead you.

E/N: I made some changes to Chapter 1, you can reread it if you want.