Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 22 Part 2

Watching the young master grow increasingly immersed in his act, spinning wilder and wilder claims, Jiang Cheng was already feeling a little anxious.

The bluff was getting way too big, how could they ever walk it back?

Yet, the moment the words left Gu Rong’s mouth, Yan Hemei fell silent again.

Because the full name of Prince Yan’s youngest adopted son, Protector Jing, was indeed Jing Xi. Although he had never seen him in person, he had heard that the young man was quite striking in appearance.

And the youth before him carried an uncommon air of composure and grace.

To face down a force of nearly ten thousand while speaking and moving with such ease, even casually fanning himself like he was out on a scenic stroll, it wasn’t something just anyone could do.

Could the Yan family truly have come to Songzhou?

The Yan family commanded an army of hundreds of thousands. In the Da’an Dynasty, they were a power no one dared provoke. Prince Yan himself was known for his brilliance and ruthless vengeance, having earned the unwavering loyalty of countless elite soldiers in the North, almost like a court unto himself.

Most critically, the Minister of State Affairs, Cui Daohuan, was now trying to win over the Yan family to counterbalance the Xiao clan. If the young man really was one of the Yan family’s Thirteen Protectors, then things were indeed becoming tricky.

Yan Hemei stared at Gu Rong. “I’ve heard that all of the Thirteen Protectors of the Northern Yan Army carry…”

“You mean this, Lord Yan?” With a flick of his fingers, the youth drew out from his sleeve a pure white, feather-shaped jade pendant, which he twirled casually between his fingers.

Yan Hemei’s face finally changed. After a moment, he said, “Since the Protector has revealed his identity, may I ask General Feiyu to remove his mask and show his true face?”

Of course.

Jiang Cheng’s palms began to sweat.

Gu Rong was still playing with his folding fan, not even lifting his eyes as he sneered, “Lord Yan, are you not aware that whenever General Feiyu removes his mask, it leads to bloodshed?

“I could have him take it off, but do you all dare look upon his face? If you truly have the courage, then I’ll have him remove it, no problem.”

Before Yan Hemei could respond, the faces of the officials and family heads all changed.

It was no mere rumor; it was true.

It was said that General Feiyu, Gongsun Yu, had once been a striking man, but his face had been burned on the battlefield and became terrifying to behold. It left him mentally twisted and anyone who had seen his true face was mercilessly killed by him.

“Lord Yan, perhaps best to leave it be. This isn’t something we should gamble on…” said one official carefully.

“Indeed, indeed,” several family heads quickly echoed.

Liu Xin then said, “We can forgo having General Feiyu remove his mask, but surely the Protector will allow us to search the house?”

Gu Rong nodded agreeably. “Of course.”

The group hadn’t expected him to agree so readily and found it hard to believe. One of them couldn’t help but ask, “Truly?”

“Truly.”

“For real?”

Gu Rong still nodded good-naturedly. “Forget searching the house; if you all wish, you can just set my two shabby rooms on fire.

“But I have a bit of a bad temper, so let me make things clear first. If you find someone in there, so be it. If you don’t, then all of you will have to leave your heads behind. My adoptive father has always doted on me. I’d think he’d help me avenge such a petty grievance.”

“……”

Everyone fell silent.

After a collective silence, all eyes turned to Yan Hemei.

He, too, remained silent.

Yan Maocai had never seen his father, whom he always regarded as ruthless and sharp, show such a reaction or expression before. It was as if the words ‘Yan family’ were some monstrous flood beast. He couldn’t help but open his mouth. “Father, you—”

Yan Hemei shot him a warning glance to silence him, then dismounted and turned, passing through the troops toward the sedan chair parked at the very rear. He stopped before the sedan, speaking respectfully to the person inside through the heavy curtain.

“Does he seem credible to you?”

After a long pause, a deep and measured voice came from within the sedan.

Yan Hemei hesitated briefly and said, “All the details match and he bears the feather pendant. While this subordinate cannot be entirely certain, I believe most people would not dare to impersonate someone from the Yan family or the Northern Yan Army, let alone use Prince Yan’s name. Moreover, he appears very well-versed in the affairs of the Northern Yan Army.

“As for Prince Yan’s temperament, Your Excellency must have heard of it. Even now, when I recall it, I feel a chill. The Prince is known to show particular favor to the Thirteen Protectors. This matter is grave and involves the Grand Tutor’s larger plans. I do not dare make a decision alone and ask Your Excellency to judge.

After another long silence, the person inside spoke again, “But if the Eastern Palace really is hiding here, would we not miss the opportunity? If the Eastern Palace has ties to the Yan family, it’s even more troublesome.”

Yan Hemei deliberated for a moment and said, “This subordinate questioned the hunter thoroughly. That Thirteenth Protector does not appear to know the Eastern Palace’s identity. He merely saved someone in passing.

“Moreover, when the Eastern Palace led a campaign to repel the barbarians in the north, they had a conflict with the Northern Yan Army over passage rights and Prince Yan’s reverse scale was touched. If he truly knew who the Eastern Palace was, that Thirteenth Protector would never associate with him.

“And besides, the hunter’s account may not be entirely reliable. Whether we act or not depends on what the Grand Tutor considers more important; an alliance with the Yan family, or something else.”

After speaking, Yan Hemei added nervously, “This subordinate has overstepped.”

“No, you’ve spoken well.” A voice of praise came from inside the sedan. “No wonder, among so many officials in Songzhou, the Grand Tutor favors you above all others.

“The Xiao clan’s influence is growing rapidly. That Prince Xiao has even persuaded His Majesty to reorganize the Silver Dragon Cavalry. In the Southwest, another tough stronghold has already been broken by the Eastern Palace. Compared to eliminating this fledgling threat from the Eastern Palace, the Grand Tutor needs the Yan family’s support even more. The Grand Tutor has courted the Yan family for years. If we ruin his plan now, you and I would both be unforgivably guilty.

“Besides, can the Eastern Palace hide in these mountains forever? And that Thirteenth Protector will have to return to Northern Yan one day.”

Yan Hemei bowed low. “This subordinate understands what must be done.”

From higher up, Jiang Cheng fixed his gaze on the curtain and said, “That person inside the sedan must be Cui Jiu. That man is deeply suspicious and extremely calculating. He won’t give up easily.”

Gu Rong looked at him leisurely. “Shall we make a bet?”

“A bet on what?”

“A bet that the chief steward of the Cui clan you speak of will absolutely leave empty-handed today. If I win, you’ll go down the mountain every day to buy me good wine.”

Jiang Cheng: “……”

He couldn’t help but ask, “Young master, how are you so sure you’ll win? And if you lose?”

“If I lose, then I lose. I risked my life today for whom, and you’re still haggling with me over this?” Gu Rong replied righteously.

Jiang Cheng: “…………”

A white bird fluttered past and vanished into the woods. Yan Hemei finally left the sedan and returned to the front of the formation.

He looked up at Gu Rong.

Gu Rong smiled back at him, eyes narrowed in amusement.

At last, Yan Hemei cupped his hands upward and said, “I didn’t know the Thirteenth Protector was present just now. If I’ve offended you, I beg your forgiveness. Since this place is the Thirteenth Protector’s residence, it naturally cannot be harboring bandits. I hereby apologize to the Protector.”

Gu Rong pinched the edge of his folding fan and tapped his palm casually with the fan’s tip, smiling. “Lord Yan is too polite. Lord Yan could be considered an old acquaintance of Northern Yan. If you ever return to Northern Yan in the future, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

Yan Hemei’s expression visibly tensed. He replied, “Then I’ll thank the Protector in advance for the generous offer.”

Liu Xin still looked unwilling. “My lord, this—”

“Say no more,” Yan Hemei cut him off coldly and was the first to turn his horse around.

As for the warm sedan chair that had been stationed at the rear, it had vanished without a trace at some unknown point.

Seeing that, the rest dared not say another word and all turned their horses to follow.

Watching the nearly ten-thousand-strong army withdraw like the ebbing tide, Jiang Cheng still felt as if it were unreal. He couldn’t help giving Gu Rong a thumbs-up. “Young master, you really aren’t an ordinary person.”

“A small matter.” Gu Rong tucked his fan back at his waist and once again returned to his usual lazy, boneless posture. “Just remember to buy me good wine.”

Jiang Cheng: “……”

The admiration Jiang Cheng had been feeling evaporated by more than half.

But on the way back, he couldn’t help but ask, “What was that feather-shaped jade all about?”

He had heard about the feather jade worn by the Thirteen Protectors in the north but had never seen one in person. When he saw Gu Rong take it out, he’d actually tensed up, thinking the young master was way too bold. He hadn’t expected it would actually fool Yan Hemei.

Gu Rong replied, “I forged it when I went up north years ago to mooch some food and drink. It’s only a rough imitation and wouldn’t hold up under close inspection. If you like it, I’ll give it to you.”

Jiang Cheng: “……”

I shouldn’t have asked.

***

Zhou Wenhe and Song Yang were standing on the mountain path outside the courtyard gate, peering into the distance. Behind them, the Eastern Palace’s shadow guards were spread out in a fan formation, tightly encircling the courtyard, muscles taut, gripping their swords, ready to fight at a moment’s notice. When they saw the army retreat, they were all shocked.

When they finally saw the figures of Gu Rong and Jiang Cheng appear, Song Yang immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said solemnly to Gu Rong, “Young master, we will never forget your great kindness today.”

“It was nothing. No need to be so polite.” Gu Rong waved it off and said, “But this place is no longer safe. I’m afraid you can’t stay here much longer.”

Song Yang nodded. “We understand. But we still have to wait until our master wakes up to decide.”

Gu Rong asked, “How is your master?”

Song Yang’s expression turned grave again and said, “He… is bathing.”

“Is that part of the treatment?”

“Yes.”

“Then why aren’t you staying with him?”

“This—” Song Yang hesitated. “When our master falls ill, he allows no one near. We dare not disturb him.”

Gu Rong said, “But I need to remove the golden needle at the back of his neck.”

“This—”

Song Yang, Zhou Wenhe, and Jiang Cheng all exchanged glances.

Song Yang asked, “Is it absolutely necessary?”

Gu Rong nodded. “If the needle stays in too long, it will block his qi and blood flow. It won’t be good for his condition.”

That left the three of them in a dilemma, for it was an iron rule known throughout the Eastern Palace that no one was allowed near the Crown Prince when he bathed during an illness. It was an inviolable law.

“Then… what should we do now?” Even Song Yang was stammering. “How about you go?”

He turned to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng: “……”

Jiang Cheng, recalling his miserable experience of almost bumping into His Highness and provoking his fury after getting lost on his first day in the Eastern Palace, waved his hand almost without hesitation. “I can’t. I really can’t.”

Gu Rong looked at the group with a strange expression. “Isn’t your master supposed to be gentle and good-tempered? Why are you all reacting like this?”

That made the other three look at him with equally strange expressions.

Gu Rong then glanced up at the sky and said, “We can’t delay any longer. I’ll go.”

With that, he turned and headed into the courtyard, walking toward the wooden hut.

Having just fought side by side, Jiang Cheng, out of a brief revolutionary camaraderie, wanted to stop him, but Song Yang held him back.

He said, “I think the young master might be able to handle it.”

“But you know what His Highness is like when he gets angry. That young master is so delicate, he doesn’t even know martial arts. What if His Highness breaks his neck?” Jiang Cheng was genuinely concerned. After all, his own painful experience had left a deep impression on him.

Although he disapproved of many of the young master’s habits, after today, he had to admit that the young master had some real skill in unorthodox methods.

“That was you. You said it yourself; he’s delicate. Can he be compared to a rough brute like you? This might just be one of those times when delicate works best,” Song Yang spoke with great confidence.

The author has something to say:

King Rongrong: Not even officially settled into the Eastern Palace yet and already managing both internal and external affairs. Everyone, show some respect.
Today’s Rongrong must be King Rongrong!
Thank you all, enjoy reading!