Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 50

Candlelight flickered between them.

“Third Brother,” Gu Rong repeated, looking up with wide, unblinking eyes. “Don’t you like it when I call you that? Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Such a simple title, yet in that moment, it was like a spark falling on Xi Rong’s heart, making it tremble all over. Looking at the foxlike young man teasingly wrapped around him, Xi Rong felt all the blood in his body surge in reverse. And to think he once claimed to be stone-hearted, immune to love.

Yet this person… was such an expert at stirring desire.

He wrapped his arm around Gu Rong’s waist, as if afraid he’d escape, and shamelessly asked, “Can you call me that again? I’m afraid… I might’ve imagined it.”

Gu Rong obediently whispered again, “Third Brother.” This time, he deliberately softened his voice to make the title sound as sweet as possible. It was a stalling tactic but once used, Gu Rong immediately regretted it.

Because Xi Rong clearly forgot all about binding hair.

He pressed Gu Rong down against the pillow and began kissing him with single-minded intensity. But it was nothing like what they’d agreed on earlier. Xi Rong’s kisses weren’t gentle at all. If anything, they bordered on wild.

Time? What time? Last time he’d only kissed Gu Rong’s face, his neck, his collarbone, the tip of his ear… but this time, it felt like he was going to devour him whole. He seemed determined to kiss every inch of him clean.

Gu Rong wasn’t just breathless; he felt like he was drowning. He tried to turn the tables and get a little revenge, but both wrists were pinned down against the pillow.

In the haze, he thought he’d called ‘Third Brother’ countless times and every time he said it, it invited another searing kiss. Their foreheads pressed together, noses brushing. One above, one below, bodies tightly joined.

Although the mountain night was cold and quiet, Gu Rong felt flushed and stifled with heat.

Their clothes tangled together, hair entwined, the two of them utterly uninhibited in the still darkness. By the time it ended, Gu Rong’s lips were numb. His hands were still pinned, unable to move. So he leaned up and gave Xi Rong’s lips a not-so-gentle bite, complaining, “You’re too domineering.”

“Mhm,” Xi Rong admitted it honestly, then lowered his head and kissed that elegant, high-bridged nose again.

Gu Rong enjoyed it when he kissed him like this, gentle, little pecks, so he closed his eyes and let him continue for a good while. But when that tongue tip began to wander, slipping toward his collar, his body instinctively shuddered and he opened his eyes, speaking sternly, “No. That’s as far as we’re going today.”

Xi Rong gave him one last kiss before reluctantly lifting his head. “Weren’t you enjoying it just now?”

Gu Rong: “……”

His face flushed hot in an instant. “Even if I was, it’s still a no. If we keep going, someone might find out.”

Truth be told, the situation was already quite dire. Even without a mirror, he was certain there were marks left on his neck and elsewhere.

If they kept at it, how was he supposed to face people tomorrow?

“Sorry. I lost control,” Xi Rong admitted his mistake with tact and good sense. “I promise, I’ll stick to our agreement next time.”

Gu Rong was satisfied with that answer. “Of course. And if you don’t—”

“What then?”

“Then from now on, I’ll be on top and you’ll be on the bottom. I’ll decide how long it lasts.”

“……”

Xi Rong couldn’t help but chuckle lowly and then nod in agreement.

Gu Rong felt he had just secured a new ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and said, “Now let go of my hands.”

However, Xi Rong was reluctant to release him. He knew exactly how much strength and stamina he had and what had just happened, for him, was no more than a sweet appetizer before dinner. But it had only been two days since they confessed their mutual feelings. He didn’t want to push too hard or come off as too eager. He had plenty of patience. He’d guide him slowly, teach him step by step.

Yes, he adored his beauty. Every inch of him felt tailor-made to his tastes.

However, what truly ensnared him was Gu Rong’s genuine affection, his deep and sincere heart. And of course, his increasingly revealed endearing personality, as mischievous and enchanting as a mountain spirit who could steal souls. Since he’d already given him his whole heart, he naturally wanted to treat him with the utmost gentleness and care.

As Xi Rong reflected quietly, Gu Rong spoke again in a small voice, “You’re still lying on me. It’s so hot.”

Xi Rong finally shifted off of him.

Once they separated, the heat between them faded noticeably.

Gu Rong quickly wrapped his robe around himself and sat up, not daring to look inside. He was sure there was a mess. Remembering how enthusiastically he’d responded earlier and that Xi Rong had noticed how much he enjoyed it, made his face burn again. But he kept his expression calm and said, “Aren’t you going to look at those books I brought you?”

He was worried that once the kissing stopped, Xi Rong would bring up the hair-binding again, so he deliberately brought up a new topic.

Xi Rong had just finished self-reflecting and hadn’t expected the shift. He looked a bit guilty. “I’ll read them right now.”

Taking advantage of the moment while Xi Rong went to fetch the books, Gu Rong discreetly picked the scissors up off the floor and tucked them into his sleeve. Then, face composed, he stepped off the bed. “Take your time reading. I’ll be heading back.”

He departed again with elegant composure.

However, Xi Rong couldn’t truly focus on reading, not with a certain persistent discomfort in his body. Gu Rong had stirred him up, lit a fierce fire, and then just walked off to sleep without a care for his well-being. Absolutely heartless.

***

Early the next morning, Gu Rong showed up to visit Xi Rong as usual.

When he entered the room, he was surprised to find someone had beaten him there. It was Song Yang.

Xi Rong was already fully dressed and seated behind the desk, facing Song Yang. Each held a scroll in hand, reading with concentration.

Seeing Gu Rong, Song Yang looked a little sheepish and said, “I heard the two venerable gentlemen gifted the master some fine books, so I thickened my face and came to borrow a peek.”

Gu Rong casually took a seat on a straw mat and asked, “What are you reading, sir?” He hadn’t looked closely at the books he brought back yesterday, so he was curious what his two masters had chosen to give Xi Rong.

Song Yang immediately looked excited. “It’s a rather famous military treatise from the previous dynasty, thought to be lost for ages. I never imagined the two sages would have a copy.”

Gu Rong glanced at the cover. “Could it be the Nine Talisman Art of War?”

“That’s it! You’ve heard of it too, young master?”

“Only in passing. But this text is centuries old and much of its content is outdated now. The most interesting part is probably the terrain and regional maps. I suppose my two old friends thought your master might find it useful for business one day.”

He spoke casually, but Song Yang was stunned.

The Nine Talisman Art of War had been lost for ages. Most people had never even seen it, let alone discussed its contents. Yet the young man could so easily comment on its highlights?

Even Xi Rong looked up, speaking with admiration, “Rongrong, your knowledge is impressive.”

Gu Rong smiled with narrowed eyes. “I only read a little out of boredom when I was staying here before.”

That explanation was quite convincing.

Song Yang couldn’t help sighing. “Those two elders are truly admirable, to have such profound knowledge yet be content to live in seclusion, untouched by worldly affairs.”

***

Over a month passed like this and Xi Rong’s injury had mostly healed. At the same time, Jiang Cheng returned with news: since they had been unable to locate Xi Rong for so long, Liu Xin, Feng Zhong, and the other powerful noble families had finally withdrawn their troops.

Although Xi Rong’s wound was healed, the poison in his body remained. And the Ice Soul could not be stored in the cold spring forever. It was clear the time had come for everyone to leave.

Gu Rong hadn’t planned on staying indefinitely at Shang Buyu and Cen Yun’s residence anyway. So many people living there would inevitably disturb the two elderly men’s peaceful lives and might even bring danger to them. But if he tried to bid them farewell face-to-face, the two elders would never let them go so easily.

So Gu Rong came up with a terrible idea: late at night, while the two were asleep, he pulled the same trick again. He left a letter and quietly slipped away with Xi Rong.

Xi Rong also left behind a letter of apology.

The group returned first to Gu Rong’s small mountain courtyard. The courtyard had clearly been thoroughly searched, with everything inside and out in disarray, but thankfully, the structures and walls were undamaged. With a bit of tidying up, it would be livable again.

As soon as Gu Rong stepped into the courtyard, the tabby cat suddenly leapt into his arms from who knows where, eagerly welcoming its master home. Gu Rong had missed the cat dearly too. He hugged and nuzzled it, reluctant to let go.

Xi Rong glanced at the pair and went off to clean the house.

By the time everything was tidied up, it was already dusk.

Gu Rong had spent the whole afternoon sorting out his medicinal herbs in the courtyard. He also fed the four cherished Gu worms still clinging to life in the corner. When he finally stepped into the wooden hut, he gave a surprised “Oh?”

The room, which had previously been ransacked into chaos, was not only clean and orderly again, but even the books on his shelves had been returned precisely to their original places. In addition, many lovely wildflowers had been arranged in prominent spots throughout the room. Bunches of pinks, purples, yellows, and greens were nestled in plain ceramic jars, freshened with clean water. Although not showy, they brought a vibrant spring atmosphere, making the humble cabin feel refreshed and full of charm.

It was not just the outer room. Even the stone table in the inner cave and the walls had been decorated with flowers. Xi Rong was currently bent over, placing a bunch of purple blossoms at the bedside.

“Brother,” Gu Rong said with sincere admiration, “who would’ve guessed you had such a flair for living?”

Xi Rong replied, “Today’s our first day back. I wanted you to feel good and sweep away any lingering bad luck. How about it? Do you like it?”

Gu Rong nodded. “This place now smells sweet with flowers, far more luxurious than the top room of Huanghe Tower. I can hardly imagine how well I’ll sleep tonight.”

Xi Rong nodded in agreement. “I’m looking forward to it too.”

***

Later that evening, Ji Ziqing arrived at the mountain.

Jiang Cheng opened the door for him. Ji Ziqing glanced behind him and said in a low voice, “Commander, please knock out Jiuyi in a moment.”

He hadn’t planned to bring Zhang Jiuyi along, but the friend had clung to him insistently. Pressed for time, Ji Ziqing had no choice but to bring him.

At the moment, Zhang Jiuyi was joyfully admiring the spring scenery of the mountain when suddenly, everything went dark and he lost consciousness.

After settling his friend, Ji Ziqing went to meet Xi Rong. He had spent the past stretch pretending to submit and serving under Yan Maocai as ordered. After paying his respects and reporting on the situation with Yan Hemei and the influential families, Ji Ziqing delivered another piece of news.

“His Majesty issued an imperial edict to Songzhou Prefecture.” He paused and then continued, “The edict… accuses His Highness of warmongering and reckless ambition, of slaughtering officials, of being self-indulgent and lacking benevolence… It commands His Highness to reflect deeply on his actions and punishes him by withholding one year’s salary as a disciplinary measure.”

Everyone’s expression changed.

Song Yang said, “Even if it’s a reprimanding decree, His Majesty should’ve sent it directly to the Eastern Palace’s traveling office. Why send it to Songzhou Prefecture?”

Zhou Wenhe sneered, “What else? It must be that damned Cui clan’s doing, deliberately trying to disgrace His Highness in this way…”

Ji Ziqing was also clearly displeased. He didn’t know the full story behind the Southwest campaign, but even he thought the Emperor’s tone in the decree was overly harsh.

Xi Rong’s expression remained calm, unmoved. He only asked, “Anything else?”

Ji Ziqing quickly replied, “Nothing for now.”

“You’ve done well but you’ve seen my situation. If you turn back now, there’s still time.” Xi Rong looked at him coldly.

Ji Ziqing respectfully knelt. “This humble subject dares not. A loyal subject serves no second master. Since I have chosen Your Highness, I will never regret it.”

“Then I’ll have Lord Song explain what comes next.”

“Yes, sir.”

By the time Ji Ziqing raised his head again, Xi Rong had vanished into the night. He looked uneasily at Song Yang. “Is His Highness… really all right?”

Song Yang sighed. “The Cui clan is powerful. For now, His Highness has no choice but to endure and swallow the humiliation.”

Xi Rong truly was fine. That edict hadn’t affected his mood in the slightest.

Because all he had on his mind was tonight’s arrangement.

He had even prepared wine for the occasion.

However, when Xi Rong stepped into the wooden house and saw Zhang Jiuyi seated across from Gu Rong, happily drinking together, his expression darkened at once.

The author has something to say:

Xi the Dog: Nothing can stop me from consummating my marriage with my wife.
Thank you all for your blessings! Mwah! Sorry for the super late update today!