Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 34

Gu Rong was woken by the heat.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself still lying on Xi Rong’s chest. No wonder he had slept so soundly and he hadn’t felt cold or discomfort all night. He had actually slept like that, sprawled on Xi Rong’s chest the entire night. Even with Xi Rong’s strong, well-trained body and enviable core strength, bearing Gu Rong’s full weight for an entire night was no easy feat.

What’s more, they were lying on nothing but a thin straw mat. To be pinned like that without being able to shift at all, his back must have felt terrible.

Yet Xi Rong had just indulged him, never pushing him off.

Of course, it wasn’t the first time he had done so.

Probably because of that, Xi Rong, who was normally diligent and an early riser, still had his eyes closed as he was fast asleep, his features cold and composed.

Remembering that there were still guests sleeping inside the stone cave, Gu Rong realized that their sleeping position, although purely for warmth, would no doubt cause misunderstandings if seen by others. So he quietly wriggled down and lay back on the straw mat.

Because he moved gently, Xi Rong didn’t wake up.

The icy chill of the straw mat was in stark contrast to that wide, feverishly warm chest.

Not bothering to linger, Gu Rong sat up, pulled the blanket over Xi Rong, then dressed and stepped into the courtyard. Song Yang and the others were already up. As usual, Song Yang was preparing breakfast.

Seeing Gu Rong emerge, Jiang Cheng looked surprised. “Young master has become quite diligent lately.”

A faint fragrance wafted through the courtyard.

Gu Rong walked over to the stove, hands behind his back, smiling. “I’m the host, after all. I can’t always make the guests do all the work. What’s for breakfast today?”

“Brother Zhang picked some wild greens yesterday. I’m planning to make a wild vegetable congee and then stir-fry two plates of greens with lard. Served with cornbread, it should be enough,” Song Yang replied with a smile.

Sure enough, there was a large pile of freshly washed, unidentified leafy greens by the stove, their leaves still glistening with water, radiating the vibrant energy of early spring.

Gu Rong nodded and couldn’t help but sigh. “Spring is the best season for eating greens. Once you leave, I fear I’ll no longer have such good fortune at my table.”

Song Yang seized the opportunity to suggest, “That’s easily solved. Why not come with us when we leave? At our master’s residence, there are many who cook better than I do. They’ll surely let you try all kinds of delicious food. Young master, I’m sure you’ve noticed too that although our master appears cold and stern, he treats us subordinates very well. The pay is generous as well. And you’ve even saved his life. If you’re willing to come with us, our master would never treat you unfairly.”

Song Yang had long wanted to say it but there hadn’t been a suitable opportunity.

After all, they couldn’t remain on the mountain forever and His Highness clearly held deep affection for the young master, reluctant to part with him. To be honest, knowing His Highness’s temperament, even sharing a bed with someone was unimaginable. Back at the Eastern Palace, even palace attendants rarely had the chance to serve him closely.

His earlier refusal to Song Yang’s suggestion was, he suspected, mostly because the young master himself was unwilling to leave and His Highness did not wish to force him.

As a loyal adviser, Song Yang naturally had the duty to ease his master’s burdens.

After the past few days of interaction, he also grew fond of Gu Rong’s personality. If the young master could serve in the Eastern Palace, even setting aside everything else, the entire atmosphere there would become much more relaxed. That excessive sharpness and aloofness in His Highness’s nature might even be softened.

“What does young master think?” Song Yang asked expectantly.

Gu Rong smiled before replying, “Sir, I appreciate your kind offer, truly. But I’m far too used to idleness and have no ambition at all. I fear I’m not worthy of such culinary blessings from your esteemed household.

“You should feel fortunate. Otherwise, who knows how much of his grain stores I’d ruin.”

With the matter stated so clearly, Song Yang realized that Gu Rong truly had no intention of joining them. He couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret and was about to say more when Xi Rong stepped out of the house.

Song Yang immediately held his tongue.

“You’re awake, brother,” Gu Rong greeted with a smile.

Xi Rong’s expression was no different than usual. In a gentle voice, he said, “I’ve prepared the water. Go wash your face first.”

Gu Rong nodded and returned to the house.

Only then did Song Yang step up to Xi Rong and say, “Forgive me for overstepping just now. It’s only that the young master—”

“It’s better this way,” Xi Rong interrupted, gaze returning to its usual indifference. “At present, I can hardly secure my own future. Following me may not be a blessing. There should be news from the lowlands soon.”

Song Yang, of course, understood the deeper meaning.

He said, “Yan Hemei once served the Northern Yan family. He’s bound to have old acquaintances in the north. If he wants to investigate the whereabouts of the Thirteenth Protector, it shouldn’t be difficult. Once they’ve confirmed the truth, Your Highness likely won’t be able to remain here any longer.

“I’ve already dispatched men to intensify the search for the treasure, but so far, we’ve had little success.

“Also, news from the capital said the Prince of Jin publicly requested the Emperor’s permission to join the Silver Dragon Cavalry for training during morning court. It’s unclear whether the Wang family is behind this push. While Prince Xiao hasn’t given a direct answer, he didn’t refuse either. All these years, the Xiao clan has stayed out of the fight among the princes, but no one in court dares ignore their power.

“The Five Great Clans and Seven Noble Houses may be prestigious, but only the Xiao clan has been granted the title of non-imperial prince. Prince Xiao also shares a long-standing bond with the Emperor, unlike any other. The Prince of Wei already has the Cui clan as his backer. If the Prince of Jin gains the Xiao clan’s support too, the situation for Your Highness and the Eastern Palace will become many times more difficult. And if the Cui clan successfully forges an alliance with the Northern Yan, the situation will grow even more chaotic.”

At that point, describing the Eastern Palace’s situation as precarious would be no exaggeration.

“A little chaos may not be entirely to my disadvantage,” Xi Rong said quietly. “Continue probing for the treasure’s whereabouts. Within ten days, I want a definitive report.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Song Yang replied.

He immediately understood that if no news came within ten days, His Highness would likely abandon that path altogether.

Raising an army was a long-term endeavor. One could not stake everything on an uncertain legend. Over the years, His Highness had gradually built alternative means of raising funds, but most of them required taking great risks, even dealing with outlaws. Unlike the treasure, those routes weren’t so easily pursued.

Before long, Ji Ziqing and Zhang Jiuyi were also up.

After one night, Zhang Jiuyi seemed like a different person. No longer lively and carefree, he obediently trailed behind Ji Ziqing, clutching his sleeve the entire time. During breakfast, he was so nervous that he dropped his chopsticks three times.

Jiang Cheng couldn’t bear to watch anymore. “Brother, drop them again and you’re washing them yourself.”

Since Song Yang handled the cooking the past few days, dishwashing had fallen to Commander Jiang Cheng. The prospect of having to wash three extra pairs of chopsticks clearly annoyed him.

Zhang Jiuyi: “…”

Staring up at the towering Jiang Cheng, Zhang Jiuyi could only think that he must be the butcher of the bandit gang. He shivered hard twice, hunched his shoulders, and wished he could shrink into a quail.

Even Gu Rong began to feel something was off. “Brother, are you feeling unwell?”

Zhang Jiuyi shook his head pitifully.

Yesterday, he looked at the young gentleman like a celestial being; today, it was like seeing a demon. He was on the verge of tears, yet couldn’t cry.

Ji Ziqing didn’t know how to explain any of it either. After breakfast, he found an excuse to quickly take Zhang Jiuyi and bid their farewells.

The weather was fine that day and Jiang Cheng wanted to head into the mountains to hunt for some game.

Song Yang agreed wholeheartedly. After days of nothing but wild greens and vegetables, it was true that there hadn’t been any meat on the table for quite some time.

Unexpectedly, Xi Rong suggested, “Why don’t we all go together? Think of it as an outing.”

Everyone was surprised, as Xi Rong was normally preoccupied with state affairs and rarely indulged in such leisurely pastimes with them. It was as rare as the sun rising from the west.

“Do you want to go?” Xi Rong turned and asked Gu Rong.

Although Gu Rong lived in the mountains, he had never actually ventured deep into the forest alone. Thinking it might be fun, he nodded. “Of course. But I have none of your skills, so I’ll have to rely on others’ finds.”

Xi Rong’s lips curved slightly. “No matter. It’s just for the pleasure of the walk.”

With the plan settled, everyone began preparing for the outing.

Just then, the shadow guard named Li Jia entered to report. “Master, Lord Song, Songzhou’s Assistant Prefect Yan Hemei has sent an invitation.”

Song Yang asked, “What kind of invitation?”

“It’s for the Golden Lantern Pavilion Gathering held in five days. The invitation asks that the ‘Thirteenth Protector’ kindly attend the event.”

“Golden Lantern Pavilion Gathering?” Zhou Wenhe found the name familiar and asked, “What’s that?”

Song Yang replied, “It’s a treasure appreciation event jointly organized by Songzhou’s noble families, held at a place called Golden Lantern Pavilion. On that day, rare treasures from all over will be gathered in the pavilion for guests to admire and bid on through auction.”

In the invitation, Yan Hemei wrote that Prince Yan’s birthday was approaching and he wished to select a fine gift to send north in celebration. As he did not know the Prince’s tastes, he hoped the ‘Thirteenth Protector’ Gu Rong could assist in the selection.

Zhou Wenhe frowned deeply. “This sounds like another probe. If you ask me, it’s best not to go.”

Song Yang clearly agreed. “It’s said that every year, there’s a ‘Treasure of the Pavilion,’ a centerpiece that stirs intense bidding. I wonder what they’ve chosen this year…”

“It’s the ‘East Sea Ice Soul,’” Gu Rong answered calmly.

At the sound of that name, the three of them practically shot up in alarm.

Gu Rong was flipping through the invitation and looked up, puzzled. “What’s the matter with all of you?”

“Young master, are you certain it’s the ‘East Sea Ice Soul’?!” Jiang Cheng and Zhou Wenhe asked in unison.

Gu Rong nodded and flipped the invitation around for them to see.

Jiang Cheng was overjoyed. “It really is the East Sea Ice Soul!”

Both Song Yang and Zhou Wenhe showed matching joy, although just for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, their expressions turned grave again. They looked at Xi Rong who remained seated with the same composed expression.

“What is the East Sea Ice Soul exactly and why are you all reacting like this?” Gu Rong closed the invitation and asked.

Song Yang explained, “To be honest with you, young master, this item might be the key to curing the poison in our master’s body and the strange illness he’s been afflicted with for years. We’ve searched for it for a long time without success. Its appearance at the Golden Lantern Pavilion should be good news. But the timing is just too coincidental.”

Gu Rong understood. “You suspect it’s a trap set by your enemies?”

Song Yang smiled bitterly. “We can be almost certain it is a trap. And worse, it’s a particularly vicious one.”

“If you know it’s vicious, don’t do anything foolish,” Xi Rong finally said indifferently. Even if the Ice Soul is genuine, they won’t let me obtain it. Just decline the invitation. No need to hesitate. Go on preparing for the outing.”

Song Yang and the other two naturally did not dare to object.

However, a faint sense of unease lingered in Song Yang’s heart.

Could such a vicious trap really be conceived by Yan Hemei and those local gentry?

If not, then who?