Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 43

Xi Rong was clearly a bit startled by the gesture. He paused briefly and then a soft warmth surfaced in his gaze.

Gu Rong only clung to him for a moment before realizing how improper it was and quickly let go. He asked, “Brother, why are you here?”

When he had made the decision to return alone, he hadn’t imagined he would ever see Xi Rong again in this life. Truthfully, he was filled with surprise and disbelief, which was why he had frozen just now.

Gu Rong quickly regained his composure. “You should go,” he said. “I’m fine.”

He knew all too well the strength of the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry and Gongsun Yu’s prowess. Even if Xi Rong had managed to sneak in tonight, there was no way he could get Gu Rong out of the room.

Xi Rong said nothing. He simply lowered his eyes, staring at the shackles on Gu Rong’s wrists. His lips pressed into a tight line and for an instant, his eyes were like frozen steel.

Perhaps due to urgency, Gu Rong’s needle hadn’t gone deep enough because Xi Rong had regained consciousness not long after escaping the city gates.

He immediately ordered Jiang Cheng to halt and asked where Gu Rong was.

Jiang Cheng wore a pained and ashamed expression as he answered, “Young master stayed behind to stall Prince Yan’s men.”

So that had been his plan all along.

Thinking back to the moment before he fainted, when Gu Rong had looked up at him from his arms, warm breath brushing against his neck, murmuring what now sounded like parting words, Xi Rong’s heart suddenly clenched with pain.

“Your Highness, we’ve secured the Ice Soul. Please, for the greater cause, curing the poison must be your top priority,” Zhou Wenhe pleaded, kneeling.

Xi Rong stared down the pitch-black road ahead, the night wind tousling his hair and crown. He said nothing. He could only think that if this was truly their final parting, what would it matter if he survived the poison?

He didn’t even glance at the precious Ice Soul, hard-won through death and danger. Nor did he look at the three kneeling before him. With unnatural calm, he uttered two words, “Turn back.”

He had to return.

He hadn’t known that the grudge between Gu Rong and Prince Yan ran so deep. If Gu Rong truly fell into the hands of Prince Yan, it would be a fate worse than death. And if he couldn’t even protect one person, what right did he have to dream of ruling the world?

Now, facing Gu Rong’s obvious confusion, Xi Rong suppressed the raging waves in his heart and calmly said, “I told you, I won’t let anyone take you away.”

That single quiet sentence carried the unshakable weight of mountains.

Gu Rong blinked in surprise again and then said, “Brother, I appreciate your good intentions, but throwing yourself against a rock isn’t wise. Don’t worry, they wouldn’t really dare do anything to me. Look, aren’t I perfectly fine? They even gave me wine.”

He even managed a carefree, callous grin.

Xi Rong simply replied, “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

He had Gu Rong sit down first, then bent to pick up the shoes on the floor and helped him put them on. Without explanation, he took Gu Rong’s hand and pulled him behind the door, then flicked a small stone at the window.

The guards outside heard the noise and pushed the door open to check.

Xi Rong drew his Shan’a sword, ready to strike, but Gu Rong stopped him and pulled out a small porcelain jar from his sleeve. He scattered a handful of powder.

The two guards swayed and instantly collapsed.

They repeated the tactic and took down several more, then they slipped out of the room. Other guards immediately shouted and charged at them. Xi Rong drew his sword and fought while dragging Gu Rong forward, battling his way into the courtyard.

Suddenly, flaming torches surrounded them from all sides. Guards emerged from the darkness, encircling them completely.

Gongsun Yu stepped out from behind the ranks. He glanced at Gu Rong and then turned his gaze to Xi Rong. “You think you acted in secret,” he said, “but unfortunately, you’re facing the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry. Since you’ve come courting death, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

He waved his hand. The guards surged forward.

Gongsun Yu had brought only elites on the mission, yet Xi Rong’s swordsmanship was fierce and deadly. He held his ground despite being outnumbered. But because he had to protect Gu Rong, he could not break through the encirclement.

In the courtyard, cold blades shimmered and only the flash of swords everywhere.

The encirclement tightened.

The two stood back to back. Gu Rong threw his last handful of powder and said, “Brother, don’t worry about me. Just go.”

Seeing Xi Rong’s robe already slashed in several places, Gu Rong meant it sincerely.

Xi Rong said nothing, only gritting his teeth and holding Gu Rong’s wrist tighter. His strikes grew more ruthless.

Gongsun Yu, watching closely, issued a final warning, “Surrender now and I’ll spare your life. But if you insist on this madness, the only outcome is death.”

Just then, a commotion broke out from another corner of the courtyard.

A shout rose, “General Gongsun! Bad news! The Thirteenth Protector has been taken hostage!”

From a diagonal angle, a group of guards slowly retreated in a fan formation. Jiang Cheng was walking forward, sword held across the throat of the Thirteenth Protector, Jing Xi.

Jiang Cheng was covered in blood and wounds; it had clearly taken significant effort to subdue the man right under the noses of his guards.

Jing Xi, his arms twisted behind his back, was still spewing curses.

Jiang Cheng locked eyes with Gongsun Yu. “Tell your men to stand down. Or I’ll kill him.”

Truthfully, Gongsun Yu hadn’t been certain if someone would actually come to rescue the prisoner tonight. But to be safe, he had prepared for both outcomes. And now, he realized he had bet right.

He had also considered the possibility that someone might try to take the Thirteenth Protector hostage, so he’d stationed men at his quarters. Clearly, however, his arrangements had failed.

More accurately, it seemed his men had been misled, perhaps by the Thirteenth Protector himself. And that was why things had come to this.

The young master was certainly important but to the Prince, the safety of the Thirteenth Protector was beyond question, far more valuable.

What had seemed a flawless plan now stood on the brink of failure.

Gongsun Yu couldn’t help but sigh again in his heart.

With a wave of his hand, all the guards withdrew to either side.

“Speak. What will it take for you to release the Thirteenth Protector?” he asked.

Xi Rong answered concisely, “Prepare two fast horses. Have your men lay down their weapons. Once we’re safely out of the city, I’ll release him myself.”

“No,” Gongsun Yu rejected immediately. “What if you use the Protector as a hostage and refuse to return him, or worse, harm him?

“I, Gongsun Yu, have always stood by my word. I will not go back on it,” he said firmly. “I can give you horses, but the moment you pass this courtyard gate, you must release the Protector. I guarantee no further pursuit. I imagine you don’t want to force a complete falling-out with me, either.”

“Fine,” Gu Rong spoke up. “But I want your horse and that trash’s horse, too.”

“Very well.” Gongsun Yu gave him a long, steady look. “Young Master, consider yourself lucky today. I suggest you take care from now on.”

Gu Rong replied with a leisurely smile, “My luck is part of my skill.”

“Also, give Yan Ju a message,” Gu Rong added. “Last time in that dark tent, I couldn’t strike and he got lucky. But I’ll take his life sooner or later. If he’s got grudges to settle, he can come at me directly. Leave the innocents out of it. Otherwise, he knows the consequences.”

Gongsun Yu’s brow twitched, clearly displeased by such brazen words, but said nothing. He gestured for his men to fetch the horses.

The horses belonging to Gongsun Yu and Jing Xi were naturally among the finest, personally gifted by the Prince. Jing Xi watched with burning fury as his prized steed, a gift from his adoptive father, was led away. But with a blade at his throat, he was powerless to stop it.

Gu Rong and Xi Rong each took a horse. Jiang Cheng, still restraining Jing Xi, quickly led him out of the courtyard.

Xi Rong helped Gu Rong onto one horse. Jiang Cheng threw Jing Xi aside and mounted the second. The three of them galloped away.

Jing Xi stomped in rage, shouting to his guards, “Why aren’t you chasing them!?”

However, Gongsun Yu stood calmly and said, “The Northern Yan Army keeps its word. There is no such thing as going back on a promise. His Highness’s birthday is near. The Protector should not linger here, it’s time to return to Northern Yan.”

With that, he turned and walked back into the inn.

Although Gongsun Yu had made a promise, Xi Rong dared not be careless. He spurred his horse to its fastest speed, racing for the city gates. Only when they neared the gates and found no pursuers behind them did the three finally breathe a little easier.

But that breath didn’t last long.

Outside the gates, on the once-quiet road, a troop of soldiers had formed ranks, led by none other than Liu Xin and Feng Zhong, the noble family heads they had just met tonight at the Golden Lantern Pavilion.

The soldiers were already nocking arrows, clearly prepared. There were thousands of them.

Jiang Cheng’s face turned pale.

Gu Rong glanced at Xi Rong and said, “Looks like pretending to be a Protector won’t scare them off this time. Brother, you really shouldn’t have come back.”

However, Xi Rong looked entirely unsurprised. He even glanced down at Gu Rong, adjusted the collar of his loose robe, and asked softly, “It seems like we’re bound to fight tonight. Are you scared?”

Gu Rong pulled a conflicted face. “I want to be scared. Unfortunately, I’ve been callous for too long that I don’t quite remember how to act frightened.” He added with mock regret, “Doesn’t that make me seem a little disrespectful?”

That the two of them could still carry on so nonchalantly, saying such things amidst the siege, infuriated Feng Zhong, who hated Gu Rong the most. He sneered first, “Little thief, death is at your doorstep and you still dare talk tough. I’ll be the first to send this fake Protector to the afterlife, then gift your head to Prince Yan as a birthday present. Consider it a promotion for a scoundrel like you.”

Gu Rong clicked his tongue. “Why, if it isn’t Family Head Feng? Yapping so energetically, you must be quite comfortable serving the Cui clan like a loyal mutt lately.”

Feng Zhong snorted. “The Cui clan is a family of nobility and prestige. Even as their dog, I am ten thousand times more honorable than you, a common thief. If you’re smart, kneel down and knock your head on the ground. Maybe I’ll show mercy and leave you a whole corpse.”

Gu Rong sighed with mock regret. “Kowtowing isn’t hard. But unfortunately, I’ve never bowed to a dog in my life. That really puts me in a tough spot.”

“You—!” Feng Zhong finally snapped.

Liu Xin intervened, “Family Head Feng, the mission takes priority. Don’t waste words on this scoundrel.”

“Indeed. No need for many words,” Xi Rong said quietly, still looking at Gu Rong. “Too much talk in this wind will only give you a sore throat.” He undid his cloak, draped it over Gu Rong, wrapping him tightly from head to toe, and then pulled him close into his arms.

Drawing his Shan’a sword, he said calmly, “Hold onto me. Don’t let the blood splash you.”

Almost simultaneously, dozens of Eastern Palace shadow guards, who had been lying in wait outside the city, emerged from the darkness and stepped in front of Xi Rong to shield him.

Two figures on horseback shot toward the thousands-strong army like arrows loosed from a bow.

Gu Rong twisted around and clung tightly to Xi Rong’s strong waist. He couldn’t see what was happening outside, but he could hear Xi Rong’s powerful heartbeat, the whistling of cold arrows slicing through the air, the clash of weapons, the sound of close combat, the screams, and the rain-like splatter of warm blood, landing again and again on the cloak that covered them.

He tightened his hold on Xi Rong even more, letting the growing downpour of blood splash over them.

Time had never stretched so long.

Yet inside, he felt an unexpected calm.

As long as he could hear that steady, rhythmic heartbeat, he felt like he didn’t have to fear or worry about anything.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when the sounds of battle and fighting finally faded. No more blood rained down onto the cloak.

However, Gu Rong felt something warm seeping down his arm and into his collar. A realization hit him hard, and he immediately tried to rise.

“Don’t move.” A deep voice came from above.

“Rongrong, don’t move.”

So Gu Rong froze, letting the blood continue to trickle onto his arm and down his neck.

The cold wind howled past, mingling with the relentless pounding of hooves, while that hot flow turned to sticky chill. He didn’t know how long it lasted. Long enough that he felt his clothes were soaked through when, at last, they came to a stop.

Gu Rong immediately threw off the cloak and sat up, only to see an arrow lodged in Xi Rong’s chest. His face was deathly pale, terrifyingly so. He was on the verge of collapse from blood loss.

They had already entered the mountains.

Jiang Cheng, also wounded, dismounted immediately and helped Gu Rong get Xi Rong off the horse.

The other shadow guards remained at the perimeter.

Dawn light was just beginning to show along the horizon. Xi Rong leaned back against a stone and Gu Rong moved to open his robes to inspect the wound and check where the arrow had struck. Xi Rong said, “No rush.”

Just those two words left him gasping, as though they had drained all his strength. His face was white as paper.

Gu Rong stared at the blood covering him, unable to tell where the wounds began or ended, and his eyes turned red.

Xi Rong looked slightly surprised, then curved his lips faintly and said softly, “Rongrong, don’t cry.”

However, the moment he said it, Gu Rong actually began to cry. Seeing the tears fall onto the back of his hand, Gu Rong froze.

“To have made the famously stone-hearted Rongrong shed tears for me,” Xi Rong chuckled faintly, “I’d say this wound was worth it.”

Gu Rong, unusually, didn’t argue. He only said, “Brother, treat the wound first.”

Xi Rong shook his head. “They could be pursuing us at any moment, we can’t linger. A few moments won’t make a difference.

“But… this wound really hurts right now. If you’re willing to call me ‘Third Brother,’ I think I might feel a little better.”

The author has something to say:

Baby Rongrong: Everyone, does this sound reasonable to you?
Thank you all, happy reading!