Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 46

The night wind, carrying the scent of grass and trees, drifted into the room and dispersed the stifling heat that seemed to cling to every corner.

Gu Rong quietly touched his face which was still a little warm.

As long as he thought about how, just now, they had gotten so caught up that even their saliva had mingled together, he couldn’t help but flush all over again.

Who would have thought that kissing alone could have so many variations?

Although, to be honest… aside from nearly suffocating toward the end when his mouth was completely blocked, it had actually felt good, especially when he was kissed in certain places.

If they kept it shorter next time, the effect would probably be even better.

It was really shameless.

He actually seemed to quite like that kind of physical intimacy.

After they established their ‘gentleman’s agreement,’ Gu Rong got up as if nothing had happened, returned to the bedside, and said in an official tone, “Let me check your injury.” Given how long they had just been messing around, he didn’t believe Xi Rong’s wound hadn’t been affected at all.

“Alright.”

Xi Rong obediently lay flat, letting him examine it, although there was a faint smile lingering in his eyes the whole time.

Perhaps because their relationship had now been formally confirmed, what had once felt somewhat inappropriate now came easily and naturally. Gu Rong directly pulled open the overlapping clothes on Xi Rong’s chest, and sure enough, the white bandage underneath was already soaked through with a glaring red stain.

Gu Rong immediately fetched the medicine and rebandaged the wound.

The arrow injury Xi Rong had sustained was truly severe and although he was awake, his face was still completely drained of color. An ordinary person probably wouldn’t even be able to sit up, let alone have had the energy and stamina for what they’d just done. It was a mystery where he’d found such strength.

Once he finished the bandaging, Xi Rong once again took Gu Rong’s hand in his. His grip was just tight enough, as though reluctant to let go.

Gu Rong said, “There can’t be a next time. If the wound opens again, I’m not going to take responsibility.”

Xi Rong nodded with a smile. “Of course. I just… still feel like it’s not real. I can’t quite believe you’ve actually agreed.”

The dwelling, deep in the remote mountains, was even more peaceful than Gu Rong’s own little courtyard, and it suited quiet conversation well.

Xi Rong asked, “Do you want to come lie down and talk for a bit?” He scooted outward to make space on the inside.

Gu Rong nodded.

The thatched cottage held nothing but a simple single bed made from bamboo and wood. After climbing onto it, Gu Rong pulled away the blanket that had been draped over Xi Rong’s legs and slipped underneath it himself. Then he unceremoniously claimed half the pillow, lay on his back, and said, “Go on.”

Xi Rong was briefly stunned. He hadn’t expected those movements to be so smooth and natural. Then a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his heart swelling with even more delight.

He pulled more of the blanket over Gu Rong and lay down with his arm under his head, still holding Gu Rong’s hand. He turned his head, his eyes dark and focused. “Rongrong, do you know? Since I was a child, this is the first time I’ve ever felt so free and fulfilled. And the first time I’ve felt that perhaps Heaven hasn’t been so cruel to me after all.”

Gu Rong turned to meet his gaze. “Don’t be too happy just yet. I might not be as good as you think I am. In the future, who knows, you might come to regret this.”

Xi Rong suddenly leaned over and planted a loud kiss on Gu Rong’s delicate face. “Then I’ll accept it.”

Gu Rong: “…Didn’t we agree there’d be no more of that?”

Xi Rong looked completely unrepentant. “I was just too happy. And… it was short, so it doesn’t count as breaking the deal.”

Gu Rong stared at him for a moment, then suddenly leaned in and returned the gesture with a kiss to Xi Rong’s face. Then he lay back down, satisfied. “Now we’re even.”

Xi Rong touched his face, only just processing what had happened, and felt his heart give a heavy thump in his chest. He could no longer abide by any so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement.’ He immediately rolled over, pinned Gu Rong to the pillow, and began kissing him fiercely all over again.

Gu Rong was soon kissed into a daze once more.

By the time he could finally catch his breath, he still didn’t quite understand how things had escalated like that again. He wanted to retaliate, but soon realized that kissing took a lot of energy. If they kept going back and forth like this, he wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.

“Alright, let’s call it a night. I’m putting today’s tab on the record. That’s it.” Gu Rong decided to declare a ceasefire.

Xi Rong clearly wasn’t done yet. Hearing this, he even looked a little disappointed.

Gu Rong was increasingly baffled. Where did this man get all that energy from?

Fortunately, Xi Rong also understood the importance of restraint. He nodded and truly lay back down, saying, “I heard from the others that this place belongs to two of your old friends, much older than you. You went through a lot of trouble to bring us here today and almost offended them. Just now, when you went to meet them, did they give you a hard time?”

Gu Rong shook his head. “Don’t worry. They’ve always treated me well and cared about me. They wouldn’t truly hold it against me. But just one thing, you must never let them know that you all have a grudge with the Cui clan and those other noble families. My two old friends have rather eccentric tempers. They detest violence and people with ties to the government.”

Xi Rong nodded. “I also heard they might be the famous scholars from the previous dynasty, known as the Two Sages of Qizhou. How did you come to know them?”

In truth, Gu Rong’s encounter with the two elder masters had indeed been a coincidence.

After fleeing from Northern Yan, he had carefully studied the map of Da’an, trying to shake off the Northern Yan Army’s pursuit. He finally chose Songzhou Prefecture, a place far from the northern regions and within the Cui clan’s sphere of influence, as a temporary haven.

His master had mentioned that the two elders lived in seclusion on Lingyin Mountain, but since Gu Rong had never seen them himself, he couldn’t confirm if it was true. And Lingyin Mountain was so vast. Even if they really were there, the chances of actually running into them were slim.

But fate had its own plans. Shortly after he settled in the mountains, he happened to go down for some wine and unexpectedly ran into the two elders, fellow wine lovers who only came out of the mountains once every six months.

He had only seen the two of them once before, when he was first accepted into the school. At the time, as soon as he recognized them, he was ready to flee. But the two elders had shockingly sharp eyes and recognized him immediately.

Without giving him a chance to escape, they dragged him back to their mountain dwelling, this very little courtyard.

Three wine-lovers stared at one another. Left with no choice, Gu Rong lied and said he was out traveling to clear his mind, and begged them to keep his presence a secret.

They readily agreed. They were loyal and had no interest in meddling in others’ affairs.

Still, Gu Rong hadn’t felt entirely at ease. After living in the hut for a while, he took advantage of the elders going fishing and slipped away. To put them at ease, he left a letter saying he had finished traveling and was leaving Songzhou.

As far as he knew, the two elders had kept occasional contact with his master over the years, but it was limited, and their views didn’t always align. They certainly wouldn’t casually reach out to his master and would have no way to verify the truth of anything in a short time.

But how could Gu Rong share all of that with Xi Rong?

So when Xi Rong asked, Gu Rong simply said, “We all live in the mountains. We met by chance and became drinking companions.”

The explanation was reasonable. Xi Rong nodded again. “In any case, it was my fault for putting you in a difficult spot. Once I recover, I’ll personally thank them.”

Gu Rong yawned and sat up. “Brother, you sleep. I’m going back.” Although it was comfortable and warm to sleep together, they were still outside, and it was the home of the elders. He had to observe propriety.

Xi Rong clearly understood as well. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Gu Rong nodded.

Just as he was about to get out of bed, he suddenly thought of something. Twisting his waist, he leaned back and planted a kiss on Xi Rong’s face. He had always been a domineering type since childhood and once he realized what he truly felt, Gu Rong found he had a strong possessive streak.

His silky black hair cascaded down over his shoulders and neck, carrying with it that faint herbal scent Xi Rong had breathed in countless times in the dark of night.

Xi Rong froze again for a moment.

By the time he came to his senses, Gu Rong was already gracefully sweeping out the door with his wide sleeves fluttering and his elegant back straight.

Unconsciously, Xi Rong reached up to touch the spot where he’d just been kissed and chuckled softly. For the first time, he felt what it was like to have his heart filled with honey.

And for a moment, even the pain in his chest seemed to fade.

The author has something to say:

Rongrong the Great: Marked. He’s mine now.
Xi the Dog: (internally screaming) Who can relate?
Thank you all, happy reading. The plot got a bit intense the past couple of days, so today’s chapter is short, just adjusting my pace a little.