Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 53

“What? His Majesty was assassinated?”

In the middle of the night, Cui Jiu was also woken by a trusted aide. Upon hearing the news, he couldn’t help but frown. “How could this happen so suddenly? Are you sure the information is accurate?”

The aide nodded. “Yes. His Majesty was attacked while leading the court officials to Ci’en Temple to offer prayers. The assassin disguised himself as a monk and blended into the chanting procession. He struck when His Majesty was offering incense, stabbing him once in the chest. Fortunately, Prince Xiao was nearby and blocked the second strike in time. The assassin was then captured by the guards but committed suicide on the spot by taking poison. Afterward, Prince Xiao personally escorted His Majesty back to the palace and ordered the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice to investigate the mastermind behind the attack. He also dismissed all commanders in charge of the imperial escort regardless of their rank and stripped them of their swords, including a Silver Dragon Cavalry general. Currently, all imperial physicians are stationed at the Thousand Autumns Palace around the clock to treat His Majesty.”

Cui Jiu’s gaze shifted several times. “What’s His Majesty’s condition?”

“It’s not entirely clear yet. However, the stab didn’t hit any vital organs and the physicians responded promptly. There shouldn’t be any major danger. But Prince Xiao has already conveyed His Majesty’s decree summoning all imperial princes back to the capital to tend to His Majesty. The Minister of State Affairs said, even if the Crown Prince is still alive, no matter where he’s hiding, he must return. Otherwise, it would be considered disloyal and unfilial. The Minister has instructed you to set aside matters in Songzhou and return to the capital immediately.”

After the Chu River Gathering, the envoys of the Five Great Clans and the Seven Noble Houses had already returned, but Cui Jiu had remained in Songzhou Prefecture until now. One reason was that after the Golden Lantern Pavilion incident, the Crown Prince had gone missing and was likely still somewhere in Songzhou. The other reason had to do with the alliance between the Cui and Yan clans.

The Minister of State Affairs had long sought to win over Prince Yan, but Prince Yan held great prestige in the northern territories and had always refused to do the Minister any favors. For his birthday banquet, the Minister specially prepared lavish gifts and sent them north. Although Prince Yan did not accept the gifts, he made one condition: if Songzhou Prefecture could help him locate the imposter who dared pretend to be the Thirteenth Protector, he would agree to cooperate with the Cui clan.

It was common knowledge that Prince Yan doted on the Thirteenth Protector, Jing Xi. So it made perfect sense that, upon hearing such news, he would want to take revenge for Jing Xi and demand that Songzhou turn over the culprit.

It sounded simple, but it wasn’t.

That imposter had been rescued by the Crown Prince. To find him, they would first need to find the Crown Prince and then wrest the man away from the Eastern Palace.

However, since the night the Crown Prince escaped the siege of Songzhou’s nobles, he had vanished. Yan Hemei and the local noble families had searched the mountains for a full month, practically digging up every inch of land, but came up with nothing.

Clearly, the Crown Prince had fled elsewhere and wouldn’t return to his former hiding place. How could those noble militias keep guarding the mountains indefinitely.

So Cui Jiu had stayed behind to investigate, quietly searching for both the Crown Prince and the imposter. Unfortunately, there had been no leads thus far. But now, with such a major incident erupting in the capital, this matter had naturally lost its urgency. Besides, if the Eastern Palace were to show itself again, finding the impostor would be no problem.

Cui Jiu instructed his aide, “Pack up. We’ll set out as soon as the rain stops.”

Back at the wooden cabin, Xi Rong returned to find Gu Rong had already been startled awake by the thunder and was now sitting on the stone bed, wrapped in a blanket.

Xi Rong hurried over. “Did it scare you?”

Gu Rong yawned and smiled. “I’m fine, just got woken up. What about you? Since they came looking for you at this hour, is there something urgent you need to handle? Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”

He said it so casually, but Xi Rong had long since realized that on stormy nights, Gu Rong couldn’t sleep well unless he was in his arms. So Xi Rong shook his head and said gently, “Don’t worry. It’s already taken care of. Do you want some water?”

They’d gone to bed early that night and not without a bit of physical intimacy. Gu Rong’s voice was slightly hoarse.

The moment Xi Rong asked, Gu Rong’s face flushed with heat, but he nodded.

Nowadays, they frequently need hot water at night. Usually, Xi Rong would get up to boil it fresh, although he always kept some warm on the stove just in case.

As usual, Xi Rong prepared a cup of honey water at just the right temperature. Gu Rong took it, drank a few sips, and then handed the cup back.

Xi Rong finished the rest himself, set the empty cup on the stone table, took off his boots, and climbed into bed.

They always shared a single blanket. The moment he lay down on the outer side, Gu Rong scooted over, habitually wrapping his arms around Xi Rong’s waist and snuggling into his chest.

In moments like these, Xi Rong’s heart would always soften. Because it let him feel, vividly, how much this person loved and relied on him.

The peaceful and idyllic time spent living in the mountains had become so blissful that Xi Rong often forgot the bloodshed and turmoil waiting outside. He had even considered abandoning everything and staying there forever.

However, his origins and identity meant he had no choice. He had to fight for that position. If he didn’t, the only path left to him was death. If he didn’t fight, they could never truly live a peaceful life.

That storm of blood and blades would find him sooner or later. For someone like him, reclusion in the mountains was only a dream, visible but forever out of reach.

At least, for now.

“Rongrong,” Xi Rong couldn’t help but whisper.

The thunder outside still rumbled on.

Gu Rong hadn’t fallen asleep yet either. He nestled into Xi Rong’s warm chest, eyes closed, letting the heat surround him. He murmured a soft “Mm” in response.

Xi Rong pulled the blanket up a little. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Gu Rong replied with a hint of worry, “I was just thinking that with this heavy rain, the melon seedlings we worked so hard to plant will probably be ruined again.”

Even the things he worried about were so endearingly simple. Xi Rong couldn’t help but smile. “No matter. Once the rain stops, I’ll help you replant everything again. I promise, you’ll get to eat your melons.”

Gu Rong nodded. Then he shifted to lie atop Xi Rong’s chest and said, “But it’s not all bad. After the rain, the river will rise again. We can go fishing by the stream.”

Xi Rong agreed softly.

The words he’d been about to say were swallowed once more. His little beauty was so deeply attached to life in the mountains. How, if he returned to the capital now, was he supposed to take him away?

Of course, the journey back was fraught with danger. He didn’t want Gu Rong exposed to that.

But how could he feel at ease leaving him here alone?

***

“What do you think His Highness will decide?”

Zhou Wenhe and Song Yang were also lying awake, listening to the sound of rain outside, unable to sleep.

The sudden upheaval in the capital had caught everyone completely off guard.

Zhou Wenhe stared blankly at the ceiling. “If he doesn’t return, it’s defying an imperial decree. But if he does return, he’s stepping straight into danger. Though Songzhou Prefecture is under the Cui clan’s influence, the Cui clan still doesn’t have absolute control. Once His Highness returns to the capital, it’ll be like plunging into a pit of dragons and tigers. Just thinking of that smug face of Cui Jiu’s makes my teeth itch.”

Song Yang sighed. “Leaving aside the question of disobeying an edict, crown princes throughout history have always been expected to embody benevolence and filial piety. Just the single word filial could crush His Highness. I fear he has no choice this time. Besides, if not for seizing the opportunity created by this assassination, His Highness would’ve already returned by now.”

“What about the treasury? Are we giving up the search?”

“We’ll just have to move faster. We already have some clues, it’s just a matter of pinpointing the exact location.”

However, compared to the treasury, what troubled Song Yang more was something else. And he was certain Xi Rong was troubled by it too.

***

By dawn, the rain had lessened considerably, although it hadn’t stopped completely.

At breakfast, Gu Rong deliberately brought out the medicinal wine he’d brewed earlier and shared it with everyone.

Song Yang had been eyeing it for a while. As he sipped slowly from his bowl, he took the opportunity to say, “Young master, with all your skills, whether it’s opening a wine shop or an apothecary, you could make a fortune. Do you really plan to stay in these mountains forever? Why not go out into the world with our master and do some business together? Our master has plenty of money and whatever business you want to pursue, he’ll back you all the way.”

Everyone was seated cross-legged around the straw mat. As always, Gu Rong sat beside Xi Rong.

Upon hearing this, Xi Rong turned his head to look at Gu Rong and smiled. “He’s right. If there’s anything you’d like to do, I’ll support you.”

Gu Rong no longer needed to abstain from alcohol. He raised his bowl and took a hearty gulp, then shook his head without hesitation. “No way. My skills are just enough to show off a little in front of you all, but they wouldn’t hold up anywhere else. And besides, business is too exhausting and mentally taxing. I really wouldn’t be able to handle it. I still prefer life in the mountains, free and unrestrained. Of course, all of you are people of great ambition, so don’t let me drag you down.”

Song Yang persisted, “That’s not a big problem. Our master could hire more people to help out. You’d just have to sit and give orders.”

Gu Rong still shook his head. “That still takes brainpower.”

Song Yang, in a moment of impulse, blurted out, “Then how about you just marry our master and manage the household affairs instead?”

The moment he said that, Gu Rong choked on his drink, while Jiang Cheng and Zhou Wenhe simultaneously spat theirs out.

***

After breakfast, Xi Rong went to the courtyard to tend to the melon seedlings. Song Yang quickly followed, apologizing, “What I said just now was out of line.”

Xi Rong said calmly, “I understand your intentions.”

Song Yang then asked, “So, what does Your Highness intend to do? The young master really seems to have no intention of leaving the mountains.”

Xi Rong continued his work without pause. “I haven’t decided yet. I don’t want to leave him here alone, but I also don’t want to take him back to the capital and put him in danger, making him a target for everyone.”

Reading the mood, Song Yang ventured, “But Your Highness does feel more at ease with him by your side, right?” Seeing Xi Rong not deny it, he immediately added, “Then forgive me for speaking bluntly, but since the young master clearly feels the same for Your Highness, even if he’s unwilling to leave the mountains now, he might not feel the same later. After all, life here is quite harsh. If Your Highness can’t bear to part with him, then sometimes, you don’t need to be too much of a gentleman…”

Xi Rong’s hand paused. He glanced over at Song Yang. “You mean I should just take him away by force?”

Song Yang scratched his nose awkwardly. “I know it’s not exactly honorable. But does Your Highness have a better way? The young master is kindhearted and generous, so he’ll surely forgive you eventually. The matter of returning to the capital is now urgent. Your Highness may not be able to delay much longer. If Your Highness truly can’t bring yourself to do it, then let me handle it. If anyone needs to take the blame, I will.”

***

That afternoon, the rain stopped and the skies cleared. Ji Ziqing came up the mountain once more.

“Yan Maocai is heading to the capital with Cui Jiu,” Ji Ziqing briefly explained his reason for coming. The matter was urgent, so he had no choice but to risk ascending the mountain in broad daylight.

Xi Rong still led the Eastern Palace entourage to discuss matters behind the cliff. Meanwhile, Gu Rong carried the tabby cat and began laying out the herbs he had collected a few days ago to dry once more in the courtyard. Those that hadn’t been brought in on time and had been ruined by the rain were thrown away. Because the herbs contained varying degrees of toxicity, Gu Rong typically disposed of them outside the mountain path.

After finishing, he slung the empty medicine basket over his back and, with the cat in tow, began walking back along the mountain path.

“Young Prince.”

A voice suddenly called out from behind.

Gu Rong stopped abruptly. After a brief pause, he turned around as usual, only to see that, on the still rain-slicked mountain trail, a new figure had appeared: a young man clad in a pristine white martial uniform.

He was a young guard, but his attire was exceptionally refined with silver dragons embroidered with silver threads on his chest, cuffs, and robe hem. Even the long sword in his hand was sheathed in silver, and a snow-colored dragon coiled along the scabbard. In the sunlight, its scales shimmered faintly.

In the Da’an Dynasty, there was no one who did not recognize the insignia.