Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 89

Xiao En immediately went to make arrangements. He had only taken a few steps when Mo Dong came hurrying after him.

“The heir wants to add a bowl of duck-flower noodle soup and a jar of wine as well.”

Xiao En was even more surprised. “What’s gotten into the heir tonight?”

Mo Dong looked just as bewildered. “Perhaps he’s simply starving,” he offered.

Xiao En chuckled and shook his head. “I’ll have them send some light refreshments first.” Lifting his robe, he strode quickly toward the kitchen. Fearing the heir might be hungry, Xiao En ordered the cooks to prepare the meal at once.

Soon, a full spread was ready: crab custard in egg bloom, gold-and-silver layered blossoms, braised soft ox intestines, and silver-sprout greens; all made with ingredients on hand, light enough for a late supper. In addition to the duck-flower noodle soup, there was also a chilled toad jelly soup, two kinds of small pastries, and a jar of wine.

Knowing the heir’s fondness for sweets, Xiao En even had the kitchen prepare a small bowl of iced cream custard.

When the servants had withdrawn, Xi Rong stepped out from the inner room. Seeing the long table now filled with dishes, he couldn’t help but smile. “So much food, what’s all this for?”

Xiao Rong spread out a bamboo mat and gestured for him to sit behind the table, eyes curving with a faint smile. “This is my first time hosting a meal here in my sitting room and my guest is Your Highness. Naturally, it can’t be too meager. Of course,” he added lightly, “these are just some ordinary home dishes; nothing grand.”

In the Xiao Royal Residence, dishes that could appear even at an imperial feast were considered no more than casual late-night fare.

Xi Rong said, “Then it seems I’m in for a fortunate meal tonight.”

“Fortunate or not, I’ll at least make sure Your Highness leaves with a full stomach.” Xiao Rong picked up the wine jar, ready to pour.

Xi Rong reached over. “Allow me.” He filled his own cup and poured only half a cup for Xiao Rong. “Your tolerance is poor. You shouldn’t drink too much at night.”

Before Xiao Rong could protest, Xi Rong added calmly, “Tonight is different.”

Xiao Rong lifted the wine jar again, topping off his cup. “When one hosts a guest, both must enjoy themselves. If we can’t even drink, what joy is there in a meal?”

Luckily, Xiao En had the foresight to prepare sobering soup in advance, so Xi Rong didn’t press the point. “Very well,” he said, raising his cup. “Then I’ll drink first; to the rare fortune of dining at the Jade Dragon Terrace, invited by the heir himself.” Xi Rong drank his cup dry in one swallow.

After a pause, still holding the empty cup, he spoke again with careful deliberation, “Rongrong, that day at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, what did you truly mean by that?”

Xiao Rong hadn’t expected him to still remember that. He kept his face composed. “That day, I was too forward with Your Highness. I truly didn’t mean anything by it. I’d simply had too much to drink and lost my head. Here, let me drink one cup as an apology to Your Highness.” Before Xi Rong could answer, Xiao Rong had already raised his own cup and drained it to the last drop.

Xi Rong’s gaze lingered on the motion, a flicker of shadowed disappointment passing through his eyes.

So, it had all been his imagination, then?

Due to that impulsive closeness back then, he had thought it meant something more: that Xiao Rong was reluctant to part, or that there were words left unsaid.

Because of that moment, he’d lain awake the entire night afterward, haunted by the feeling he’d missed something important.

Even through the busyness of the following days, the thought kept returning, so much so that he’d finally asked outright tonight, hoping for an answer.

And the answer turned out to be this.

To Xiao Rong, his actions that day had indeed been nothing more than drunken folly. Seeing Xi Rong still watching him, with faint disappointment in his eyes, Xiao Rong only smiled lightly. “It seems that day, I truly was rude to Your Highness and caused you much trouble. In that case, I’ll drink another cup.” Xiao Rong poured himself a second cup of wine and lifted his sleeve to drink it down.

Xi Rong finally withdrew his gaze, gave a faint, self-mocking smile, and said, “I was being too suspicious. It has nothing to do with you. The dishes are getting cold. Let’s eat.”

Xiao Rong nodded in agreement.

The two said no more on that matter, nor did they start another topic. They simply ate and drank in quiet focus.

Unknowingly, the moon had climbed to its zenith.

Xiao Rong, slightly drunk, soon slumped over the table and fell asleep again.

Xi Rong, his eyes clear, set down his cup and rose to his feet. He crouched, slid an arm under Xiao Rong, and was just about to lift him when Xiao Rong suddenly toppled him over onto the bamboo mat.

“Third Brother, are you leaving?” Lying on his chest, Xiao Rong had somehow opened his eyes. His fingers clutched at Xi Rong’s robe and he asked, breath warm with wine, “Too bad I caught you. You’re not going anywhere.” Xiao Rong grinned triumphantly and tugged harder at his collar.

The young man was all soft limbs and loose sleeves, his slender frame easily held, but Xi Rong remained flat on his back, motionless.

Xiao Rong crawled up a little, staring straight into Xi Rong’s eyes. His fingertips traced aimless lines across that face as he said, with tipsy arrogance, “Don’t even think about sneaking off. Or I’ll have them throw you in prison and lock you up with the thickest chains so you can never escape for the rest of your life…”

Apparently pleased with the idea, Xiao Rong propped his chin on one hand, admiring the handsome face beneath him as if rewarding himself. Then, bending down, he pressed a kiss between Xi Rong’s brows.

“That’s better. Be good.” He kissed him a second time. “Hmm? Third Brother, why are you just looking at me like that? Do you think my kiss was no good? Then I’ll kiss you again, all right? This time, I’ll make it right.”

The arrogant, overbearing heir of the Xiao clan bestowed his third kiss of the night.

Xiao Rong mumbled on in drunken confusion for quite a while and then suddenly frowned in guilt. “My head’s spinning. Wait, give me a moment. I’ll get up and send you off…”

With that, he very naturally found himself a comfortable position and fell asleep sprawled atop Xi Rong.

Moonlight poured in through the door. The room was utterly still, save for the warm breath brushing softly against a neck.

Only then did Xi Rong’s chest rise and fall, slow and steady. He reached up and drew the slender waist in his arms a little closer.

***

When Xiao Rong woke again, dawn had already come.

He opened his eyes to find Xi Rong beneath him, serving as a very human cushion, and only then did he realize what sort of ridiculous thing he’d done the night before.

“You’re awake?” Xi Rong’s voice was gentle.

Xiao Rong immediately scrambled off him. “Your Highness, why didn’t you wake me?”

“It’s not too late now,” Xi Rong replied mildly.

Xiao Rong glanced at the sky outside and then remembered something worse.

“His Majesty is holding court this morning. Your Highness, you—”

“Mm. I’ve already missed it,” Xi Rong spoke calmly.

Xiao Rong had just entered the Chancellery and, at his current rank, was not yet required to attend morning court, but Xi Rong, as the Crown Prince, was a different matter. At once, Xiao Rong felt his head swell with panic. “What should we do? Is it still possible to send word for leave?”

“I’m afraid not,” Xi Rong replied.

Xiao Rong hadn’t expected his drunkenness to cause such trouble and said immediately, “No, this won’t do. Your Highness will be reprimanded if you skip court without reason.”

“Let me think of something,” Xi Rong said as he slowly sat up. “Afterward, I can simply submit a memorial of apology. It’s not a grave matter. But you, does your head still hurt?”

“My head?”

“Yes. Last night you said it hurt.”

Xiao Rong had no memory of that at all. But he caught the key point. “Your Highness, is that why you didn’t wake me?”

He nearly wanted to punch himself. That must’ve been nonsense he’d mumbled while drunk, yet Xi Rong had taken it seriously.

“Then… did I say any other foolish things last night?” Xiao Rong asked nervously.

Xi Rong seemed to think for a moment. “You also said—”

“What did I say?” Xiao Rong’s heart nearly leapt into his throat.

Xi Rong studied his face. “Rongrong, are you that afraid of what you might have said?”

Xiao Rong shook his head at once. “No. I’m only afraid I might’ve overstepped and offended Your Highness somehow. Like… that night at the Apricot Blossom Pavilion.”

Xi Rong recalled the scenes from last night and shook his head. “No. You didn’t do or say anything.”

Xiao Rong let out a long breath of relief. He knew it; his tolerance wasn’t great, but he wasn’t the type to cause drunken chaos in front of Xi Rong.

“Since Your Highness isn’t rushing to court, why not stay for breakfast before you go?” Assured that he hadn’t made a fool of himself, Xiao Rong quickly regained composure.

“I already disturbed you last night. Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

“Of course not.”

Xiao Rong still kept Xi Rong hidden in the inner room. Only after the servants had cleared away last night’s dishes and brought in fresh breakfast did he call Xi Rong out.

Xi Rong stood in the inner chamber, hands clasped behind his back, quietly observing the layout.

This living room was a small study space designed for the heir’s convenience. It wasn’t large and the inner chamber was an equally modest square. Yet the furnishings were elegant and refined; the quilt and jade pillow on the bed were items worth a fortune. Xi Rong examined everything closely, even the corners.

What caught his eye most, however, was a cloth doll lying beside the jade pillow.

Unlike ordinary dolls, this one was almost the same length as the pillow, sewn from fine fox fur, plump and endearing in appearance.

Xi Rong asked, “What is this?”

Xiao Rong happened to come in just then. Hearing the question, his face flushed instantly. “Ahem, nothing. Just something I bought for fun.”

Xi Rong couldn’t help but smile. “You like it?”

“Not exactly.” The young heir lifted his chin with affected composure. “Sometimes I just hold it when I sleep.”

Xi Rong guessed immediately. “When it’s thundering and raining?”

There was simply no way to make such a thing sound less embarrassing. Xiao Rong wished the floor would swallow him up. He mumbled an indistinct reply, then quickly stuffed the doll beneath the jade pillow and invited Xi Rong to eat outside.

The two shared breakfast together. Not long after, Mo Dong came in to report that Wang Yanshou was seeking an audience.

Xiao Rong had to set down his chopsticks and said to Xi Rong, “I’ll be right back, Your Highness. Please wait for me a moment.”

Wang Yanshou had come to deliver an invitation; more precisely, under orders from Matriarch Wang.

After leaving the Xiao Royal Residence the previous night, the old lady had deeply regretted her impulsive anger, blaming herself for nearly causing a grave mistake. So early this morning, she had sent Wang Yanshou to offer apologies and test the waters.

“Tomorrow, my mother will be hosting a flower-viewing banquet at home,” Wang said respectfully. “She sent me to deliver this invitation in person and hopes the Young Prince will honor her with his presence. My mother also said she once listened to slanderous words and acted inappropriately, creating needless misunderstandings with you. She asks that you not hold it against an old woman. Tomorrow, she will apologize to you face-to-face.”

Wang Yanshou’s tone was almost tremblingly humble.

Xiao Rong motioned for Mo Dong to take the invitation. “I’ll accept it,” he said. “But whether I can attend depends on circumstances. Please tell the Matriarch that I’m a junior and dare not accept her courtesy. Since it was only a misunderstanding, I won’t take it to heart. She needn’t worry.”

The reply was flawless; Wang Yanshou could only nod and offer a few conciliatory words before taking his leave.

When Xiao Rong returned to his sitting room, Xi Rong was tidying the books scattered around the place.

“Your Highness, you can leave that to the servants,” Xiao Rong said quickly.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.” Xi Rong rolled up a scroll from the mat, labeled it neatly, and set it on the desk.

Xiao Rong knew what he meant. Back in Songzhou’s mountains, Xi Rong had often done such things for him. Even as Crown Prince, his Third Brother was still this gentle and considerate.

So considerate it almost made Xiao Rong want to bully him.

Suppressing that mischievous thought, Xiao Rong waited until Xi Rong finished, then walked over and handed him a set of a guard’s clothes. “If Your Highness would change into these, I’ll take you out.”

Once Xi Rong was dressed, Xiao Rong sent Mo Dong off on errands and swaggered out of Jade Dragon Terrace with Xi Rong at his side. They were almost at the gate when two figures appeared ahead: Xiao Yulin and his younger brother Xiao Yuke.

Xiao Rong ignored them, intending to walk past without a glance.

However, Xiao Yuke gave a derisive snort. “Xiao Rong, don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been sulking all day, but really, you’re just jealous that Fourth Uncle let my brother take charge of the martial arts tournament.”

Xiao Rong stopped, turned, and faced him squarely. “Are you done?”

Xiao Yuke arched a brow provocatively. “What, did I hit a nerve? So you do admit it?”

A sharp smack rang out.

Xiao Rong had slapped him across the face. “Watch your mouth. Next time, it won’t stop at just a slap.”

Xiao Yuke clutched his cheek in disbelief, staring after Xiao Rong’s retreating figure.

“Brother! He—he actually hit me!” It took a long while before Xiao Yuke’s rage found voice again; his lips trembled as he stamped his foot and roared.

Meanwhile, Xiao Rong climbed into the carriage with Xi Rong. Once seated, he gave a restrained, polite smile. “My behavior was rather improper. I’ve made a scene before Your Highness.”

Seeing Xi Rong gaze at him silently, Xiao Rong felt a flicker of regret. Perhaps he’d been too arrogant just now, let too much of his true nature slip. Tentatively, he asked, “Your Highness, I didn’t frighten you, did I?”