Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 49

“Rongrong, am I right?”

Gu Rong was playing with a blade of grass. Hearing the question, his eyes curved in amusement. “Uncle speaks wisely and every word is true.”

Cen Yun narrowed his eyes. “You sure know how to keep calm. You’re not worried your friend won’t catch anything?”

“If he doesn’t, then so be it!” Gu Rong replied breezily. “Losing to the two of you isn’t shameful.”

Cen Yun snorted. “You’re still so stubborn. And yet, who’s the one that’s been sneaking glances across the river this whole time instead of watching his own uncles? What, think there’s a fox spirit turned human over there?”

Gu Rong: “……”

Since they were already out, everyone simply ate dry rations for lunch and continued fishing afterward. Naturally, the food had been carefully prepared by Song Yang.

While the two sages were eating, Song Yang took the opportunity to humbly ask them a few questions about astronomy and geography. The two were in a good mood and answered quite a bit and Song Yang greatly benefited.

Meanwhile, Gu Rong finally had a chance to approach Xi Rong.

Everyone else was eating, but Xi Rong was still diligently fishing, although his basket was completely empty.

Before Gu Rong could ask, Jiang Cheng explained about the hook.

Gu Rong was unsurprised and simply said, “Brother, you’re far too honest. Why not just bend the hook?”

Jiang Cheng immediately replied, “I said the same thing to the master! But he said the gear belongs to those two esteemed seniors and shouldn’t be damaged.”

Gu Rong chuckled and tossed the bundle on his back to the ground. “No worries. I’ve already prepared everything for your master.”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened. Inside was a brand-new fishing rod. “Where did you get that, young master?”

“Stole it from my two old friends, of course. They brought a spare set, but rarely use it. They won’t even notice it’s missing.”

“……”

Jiang Cheng looked at him with absolute admiration. “Young master, you’re truly loyal.”

After everything that had happened recently, he’d nearly forgotten the young master was an expert at mooching and mischief.

Gu Rong then took out a small porcelain jar and placed it on the grass. “The bait they’re using is nice and fat. I swiped a bit of that for you too.”

Jiang Cheng was practically moved to tears.

Song Yang called Jiang Cheng over to eat from the other side of the river. Seeing that there was nothing more he could help with, Jiang Cheng stood and went over.

Xi Rong reeled in his fishing line, set it aside, then reached out and pulled Gu Rong down to sit beside him. From his sleeve, he took something out and, like offering a treasure, held it up to Gu Rong. “Look, what’s this?”

Gu Rong looked down and saw a large river clam nestled in his palm.

Xi Rong opened the shell and inside were more than twenty fully formed, round pearls glistening beautifully under the sunlight.

Gu Rong had only ever heard of freshwater clams forming pearls but it was his first time seeing it with his own eyes. His eyes lit up with rare delight. “Where did you get this?”

“I caught it by chance while fishing just now,” Xi Rong replied. “When we get back, I’ll string these pearls together for you and make a pendant for your waist.”

The gift was certainly unique.

Gu Rong’s eyes curved with a smile as he asked, “You know how to do that?”

Xi Rong replied honestly, “I’ve only seen someone do it before. But I can learn. I pick things up quickly.”

“Mm.” Gu Rong nodded. Then, while no one was looking, he suddenly lifted his sleeve and leaned forward to kiss Xi Rong squarely on the cheek. After the kiss, he swiftly dropped his wide sleeve back into place and stood up as if nothing had happened. “I got the message. Just remember to catch more fish.”

His boldness, especially in public, was definitely a bit over the line. Blushing slightly, Gu Rong muttered this and quickly walked back to the other side.

The way he kissed and ran off left Xi Rong’s heart pounding wildly. After all, ever since he was young, he’d rarely received such warm and enthusiastic affection. He never would’ve guessed that someone who appeared so proper and gentlemanly… could be so adorable in private and so deeply fond of him, as a person.

How had he earned such good fortune?

Xi Rong couldn’t help but start smiling to himself again.

For a moment, it felt like the air and even the cold river water were pulsing with sweetness and delight.

They ended up fishing all the way until dusk.

Shang Buyu and Cen Yun had a great haul, their basket full of fat fish. Xi Rong also walked over from the other side, carrying his basket to meet them.

Cen Yun craned his neck to look and was stunned to see that Xi Rong’s basket held only one pitiful, palm-sized fish. Shang Buyu looked slightly surprised as well.

“You fished all day and only caught this one?”

Xi Rong said calmly, “I lack skill, seniors. Forgive me for the poor showing.”

Cen Yun scoffed. “Don’t you know martial arts? Even stabbing with your sword, you should’ve been able to catch more than that. Besides, didn’t someone sneak a better fishing rod to you? What, it didn’t help you catch a few more? Your skills really are not very refined.” He looked deliberately at Gu Rong as he spoke.

Gu Rong pretended not to hear. Xi Rong’s expression didn’t change. “Since the seniors invited me to fish, I should do so sincerely. How could I resort to other methods?”

“What a block of wood,” Cen Yun muttered, shaking his head and walking off.

That evening, Song Yang cooked a delicious grilled fish feast.

During the meal, Shang Buyu looked at Xi Rong and asked, “You’re a merchant, yet you insist on practicing martial arts?”

Xi Rong set down his chopsticks and answered, “At first, it was just to strengthen my body, but later, as I traveled across the country, I realized that having martial skills meant more safety. So I kept at it.”

Shang Buyu nodded. “I noticed you use a sword more often. I happen to have a few books on swordsmanship. I’ll give them to you. Also, martial training is ultimately about refining one’s mind. I have a few good books on self-cultivation as well. I’ll give those to you too.”

Song Yang’s eyes immediately lit up with joy. With the erudition of the two sages, any book they gave away was surely no ordinary text.

Gu Rong chuckled. “My two old friends are usually stingy and they treasure their books above all else. They rarely give any away. Brother, you’ve really struck gold.”

Cen Yun glared at him. “And you? Haven’t you tricked enough good stuff out of us? You’ve got the nerve to talk.”

Xi Rong stood and bowed in thanks. “This junior thanks the seniors for your generosity.”

Shang Buyu waved a hand. “No need for that. We two old men can’t wield swords anymore. Those books would just gather dust here.”

After dinner, Shang Buyu told Gu Rong to come with them to fetch the books.

Gu Rong entered the main room, only to find Shang Buyu and Cen Yun seated solemnly behind the desk, looking unusually serious. Confused, he asked, “Uncles, what’s wrong? Where are the books?”

Shang Buyu didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he said, “Rongrong, your friend is not an ordinary person. His temperament is extraordinary. You and he may not be the same kind of people. There are some things we probably shouldn’t say, but we must still advise you: it’s best if you keep your distance from him.”

Gu Rong grew more confused. “But weren’t you just praising him and offering him books?”

“That’s a separate matter. They said he saved your life, so those books can count as your way of repaying the favor. But today, even after we deliberately tried to provoke him with words, he still held onto that straight-hooked fishing rod, injured as he was, and sat by the freezing river the entire day. He’d rather lose face than resort to any tricks. That kind of willpower is not something many people have. Honestly, even we two old men might not have been able to, back in our youth.

“Having a resolute will is naturally a good thing. But a man with such unwavering resolve, who also practices martial arts, is very likely to be ruthless. Rongrong, how could we not worry when you befriend someone like that?”

Outside the room, Xi Rong had just walked over and was about to knock on the door but his hand froze mid-air and slowly withdrew. His gaze dropped, the pale moonlight outlining his strikingly handsome features in sharp relief, although his expression remained unreadable. After a brief pause, he turned and quietly left.

Of course, he hadn’t come intending to eavesdrop. He’d simply been worried Gu Rong wouldn’t be able to carry all the books alone and had come to offer help. He never expected to stumble upon such a conversation.

As for what Shang Buyu and Cen Yun said, he didn’t take it to heart. In fact, internally, he felt not the slightest ripple.

After all, he’d heard far worse since childhood. Compared to the criticism he’d endured from others, their remarks could even be called gentle. Besides, those words ‘resolute and ruthless’ described him with startling accuracy. The two sages he ought to respect as elders did, indeed, have sharp insight.

Now that he’d overheard it, he could have stayed longer to hear how Gu Rong would respond.

But he didn’t have the courage.

Or rather, he was afraid.

He never imagined that after cutting his way through countless obstacles, his sword stained with blood, he’d one day feel fear.

When Gu Rong returned with the books, Xi Rong had already removed his outer robe and was lying on the bed in a dark inner garment.

Gu Rong set the books on the desk and, as usual, checked Xi Rong’s injury. Although the arrow wound had been deep, it was healing well. Even after spending the day outside, there were no signs of reopening. He didn’t need daily bandage changes anymore.

After confirming that everything was fine, Gu Rong easily climbed into bed and lay down on the inner side. “Lying down really is the most comfortable,” Gu Rong sighed, closing his eyes, waiting for what he thought was surely coming next. He figured, in this situation, Xi Rong would definitely start kissing him soon. They had agreed this time to keep it short and Gu Rong was looking forward to the experience.

However, he waited a long while and the expected intimacy never came.

He opened his eyes and turned to look.

Xi Rong was also staring at him motionlessly but with an expression free of any suggestive intent. He simply looked lost in thought.

“What are you staring at me like that for?” Gu Rong asked directly.

He suddenly realized something. Since entering the room, Xi Rong had been strangely quiet, completely unlike his usual self. They’d only been together for two short days. Was he already tired of him?

Wasn’t that… Wasn’t that a little too fast?

Gu Rong was still deep in random thoughts when Xi Rong finally spoke, voice low and eyes faintly forlorn, “Rongrong, I’ve been thinking. Maybe I pressured you too much into being with me. Maybe you only agreed because I saved you, acting on impulse.”

Gu Rong frowned, suspicious. “Why are you thinking that?”

Xi Rong answered, “I don’t have a very pleasant temperament. People say I’m cold and harsh. I’m afraid one day, you’ll regret saying yes to me.”

Gu Rong narrowed his eyes. “So that’s why you’ve been acting weird. You were eavesdropping on us just now, weren’t you?”

“I didn’t mean to,” Xi Rong admitted, lips pursed. “I just happened to overhear.” He looked more dejected than ever now like a wilted eggplant after frost.

“Oh?” Gu Rong dragged the syllable out. “So you didn’t hear what I said afterward?”

Now forced to confront the dreaded topic head-on, Xi Rong’s entire body tensed. Although he tried to maintain his usual composure, his voice was obviously strained. “If I stayed and listened more, that really would’ve been eavesdropping and I couldn’t do that. But what they said was actually quite reasonable. If you regret it now, I won’t blame you.”

Gu Rong nodded. “Yeah, they did make a lot of sense. I also told them that you are indeed very ruthless.”

Xi Rong’s breath caught. The heart that had been pounding wildly all day seemed to freeze in place. He could even feel his blood stalling and turning cold, like a river locking in winter, gradually icing over, until everything would soon be buried in endless snow.

Gu Rong watched his reaction with amusement tugging at his lips. “And I told them very seriously just how ruthless you are. Can you guess what they said?”

Xi Rong asked dully, “What did they say?”

“They said, since I’m always getting into trouble, I really should make friends with someone ruthless. And to show appreciation for your feat of saving me from certain death, they were so pleased they gave you two extra good books.”

His breath brushed like a feather against Xi Rong’s ear, each word laced with a teasing lilt.

Xi Rong abruptly turned his head, staring at Gu Rong in disbelief, heart pounding wildly all over again. “Truly?”

“Of course. If you don’t believe me, go ask them.”

Xi Rong was already overwhelmed by pure joy, his eyes glinting faintly as if brimming with unshed moisture. “Thank you, Rongrong.”

Gu Rong assumed this was finally the moment. Xi Rong would surely lean in and kiss him now.

But instead, Xi Rong suddenly got up and returned with a pair of scissors.

Gu Rong blinked at him, puzzled. “What’s that for?”

Xi Rong’s eyes were full of tender affection.

“Rongrong, let’s… bind our hair.”

Gu Rong froze.

“B–bind our hair?”

“Yes. Like those folk couples, each of us cuts a lock of hair, ties them together, a symbol of growing old hand in hand, never parting. I’ll swear it now: in this life, I’ll love only you and my heart will never waver.”

Now it was Gu Rong’s turn to panic.

They were indeed sweet on each other, deeply infatuated, but he wasn’t prepared for this. Such a serious ritual, he wasn’t used to it at all. And if Xi Rong swore something so solemn, would he have to make a vow too?

That was a bit much for him.

However, Xi Rong’s expression was more earnest than ever, clearly determined.

If he refused now, wouldn’t that make him look heartless and insincere?

“Binding hair, hmm?” Gu Rong smiled calmly, repeating the words, and nodded. “Sounds lovely. But shouldn’t we do something else first?” He rose and flopped onto Xi Rong’s chest, arms wrapping around his neck. Then he tilted up, kissed Xi Rong’s chin, and purred, “Hmm? Third Brother?”

Xi Rong’s hand jolted and the scissors clattered to the floor.

He looked down, emotions surging in his eyes. After a long pause, voice taut with disbelief, he asked, “What did you just call me?”

The author has something to say:

Baby Rongrong: So scary, my future husband actually wants to make a vow of eternal love with me. Just watch me make him swoon.
(Good thing I’ve got both strength and tricks!)
Xi the Dog: (sobbing) My wife really loves me.
Two old men: Why didn’t we stop them? We even helped push things along.
Thank you all, happy reading!