Accidentally Having a Baby with the Future Emperor - Chapter 94

“Your Highness must not kneel here,” an aged voice spoke from behind.

It was Xiao En, walking over under an umbrella.

The old servant looked with deep pity at Xiao Rong, whose face had gone pale from being soaked through by the rain, before turning his gaze to Xi Rong. “If Your Highness truly wishes well for our Young Prince, you should leave. Coming here so recklessly, without regard for the consequences, will only bring the heir more suffering and no benefit at all.”

“That’s right,” Xiao Rong said urgently, straightening as he turned to Xi Rong. “Your Highness, I beg you, please, just go. Will you?”

However, Xi Rong slowly shook his head. “Rongrong, I told you I won’t leave.” Then he rose, bowed deeply to Xiao En, and said solemnly, “I have something of great importance to say to Prince Xiao in person. I beg you, Chief Steward, to convey my request. I would be endlessly grateful.”

His tone was humble, impossibly so for someone of his station.

Xiao En studied him in the rain for a long moment before finally nodding. “I can try,” he said quietly. “But whether His Highness will receive Your Highness the Crown Prince, that is not for a servant like me to decide.” He handed his umbrella to Mo Dong. “Hold this for the Young Prince,” he said and then walked toward the council hall.

By now, Xiao Rong had been kneeling since daylight. Exhausted, he was trembling with fatigue. Another rumble of thunder rolled by and he clutched his chest, coughing weakly.

Without a word, Xi Rong scooped him up and carried him toward a nearby pavilion.

Xiao Rong didn’t resist; he let Xi Rong hold him until they reached the stone bench under the eaves. Only then did he lift his eyes and say, “Your Highness, why must you go to such lengths?”

Xi Rong didn’t answer. Instead, he asked softly, “Are you feeling any better?”

Xiao Rong nodded faintly.

Mo Dong folded the umbrella and followed in silence, standing guard just outside the pavilion.

From where he stood, he saw the man the world called cruel and violent, the infamous Crown Prince, kneeling before the heir, wringing the rain from the young man’s soaked robe with his own hands. Water dripped onto the golden dragon embroidery of his boots, but Xi Rong didn’t even seem to notice.

Before long, Xiao En returned from the council hall.

“Young Prince, Your Highness the Crown Prince, please, come with this old servant,” he said outside the pavilion.

The two followed him into the Hall of Splendor.

Inside, candles burned brightly. Prince Xiao stood alone, hands clasped behind his back.

Xiao En quickly withdrew, closing the doors behind him.

The sound of rain was shut out, leaving the room steeped in heavy silence.

Xi Rong spread his robe and knelt.

“Your Highness!” Xiao Rong exclaimed in alarm.

Prince Xiao slowly turned around, his eyes glinting with cold light, his voice calm but frosted over. “Your Highness is a prince of the realm. For you to lower yourself to kneel before me, this prince cannot bear such a thing. Please rise, Your Highness.”

However, Xi Rong did not move. His voice was earnest and steady. “I intruded upon the Jade Dragon Terrace today without permission, not to offend Your Highness or the Xiao clan, but to personally explain the truth behind all of this.

“The heir and I indeed met in Songzhou. We were not mere acquaintances. I was the one who first harbored desire and affection for him, who tempted him and drew him into my feelings. To get close to him, I plotted and schemed at every step. When we met, he did not know my true identity. He thought I was only a wandering merchant.

“When we returned to the capital, I accidentally discovered his identity during his coming-of-age ceremony. Later, I could not resist seeking him out again at the Hibiscus Garden. He agreed to meet me at a teahouse, but only to end things between us. It was I, unwilling to let go, who used our past to coerce him, forcing him again and again to act for my sake.

“Prince Xiao, you are well aware of my position. To attach myself to the heir of the Xiao clan, someone of his standing, was beyond anything I could have dreamed. How could I possibly have been willing to let him go?

“But today, I finally understand that anything gained through coercion can never truly belong to me. Everything that has happened is my fault. I know that the Young Prince must give an explanation to the Prince of Jin, to the Wang clan, and even to the Xiao clan itself.

“I have come today only to beg one thing, Your Highness. Let all punishment fall upon me. Please, do not make things harder for the heir. In all of this, he is innocent.

“I swear on my life that after today, I will never again use our past to threaten him, nor will I disturb him ever again.”

When he finished speaking, Xi Rong bent forward and knocked his head to the ground, offering a full formal kowtow despite his status as the Crown Prince.

The room was so silent it was almost frightening. Only the sound of thunder and rain drifted through the window.

Xiao Rong stood there in a daze, staring at Xi Rong.

Prince Xiao’s gaze rested on Xi Rong’s bowed back for a moment before he said coolly, “I understand what Your Highness has said. However, the Xiao clan has its own rules. No outsider has the right to interfere in our internal affairs and no one may take punishment on behalf of a Xiao. In consideration of the fact that during the summer hunt, Your Highness once saved Xiao Rong’s life, I will let go of what happened today and of the past as well. Your Highness, please leave.”

Xi Rong slowly lifted his head amid the thunder. His voice was calm and unwavering. “If Your Highness refuses my request, I will not leave. I remember when I was young, my Imperial Father and I were hostages in the Northern tribes. It was Your Highness who braved danger, negotiating in all directions, to keep us safe. I was only a child then, but I have never forgotten your kindness.

“If you refuse me today, I will remember forever that the heir suffered because of me. I will never forgive myself and I imagine that is not the outcome Your Highness wishes to see.”

Prince Xiao was silent for a long time. Then he said, quietly, “You may leave. As you said, I will no longer trouble Xiao Rong.”

“Your Highness has my thanks,” Xi Rong replied.

Thunder rumbled again.

He kowtowed once more, rose, and turned to leave.

The doors opened.

Xiao En ordered a guard to hold an umbrella and personally escorted the Crown Prince down from the Jade Dragon Terrace.

Xi Rong never once looked back.

Xiao Rong stood inside the hall, silently watching that dark figure disappear into the rain.

Prince Xiao spoke again, “As for you, I will not pursue your matter further. Go back.”

Xiao Rong answered softly, “Yes,” and withdrew without another word.

That night, he caught a chill and came down with a high fever.

Mo Dong wanted to summon the court physician, but Xiao Rong stopped him.

“Just bring me a bowl of hot soup,” he said.

Mo Dong quickly brewed some ginger soup and brought it over.

Xiao Rong drank half a bowl, broke a sweat, and did feel a little better, though his head was still heavy and dizzy. He lay back down, wrapped himself tightly from head to toe, and clutched the cloth doll under his pillow to his chest, then slept straight through till morning. He took leave for the day, drank more ginger soup, and went back to sleep.

When he next awoke, it was already afternoon.

“Why is it so noisy outside?” he muttered, shuffling to the outer room just as Mo Dong came in.

Mo Dong replied, “It seems Matriarch Wang has come with Third Master.”

Xiao Rong asked no further questions. He ate a little porridge that Xiao En had sent over and then went back to bed.

By dusk, Xiao Rong finally felt much clearer and refreshed. He changed into clean robes, sat down behind his writing desk, lit the lamp himself, spread out paper, and began to write. He wrote for nearly an hour before finishing a long letter. Folding the paper neatly, he slipped it into an envelope, pressed it down with a paperweight, and then left his chamber.

After the rain, the sky was clear, the moon faint among sparse stars.

Xiao Rong sat directly on the long stone steps outside the library, holding half a jar of wine, drinking slowly.

Mo Dong didn’t dare to dissuade him. He only stood quietly to the side, keeping him company.

“I remember, it wasn’t long after I returned to the manor that you were assigned to me, wasn’t it?”
Xiao Rong said suddenly after taking another swallow of wine.

Mo Dong nodded. “Yes.”

Xiao Rong gave a small smile. “I’m known for my terrible temper. After all these years serving me, you must’ve felt wronged plenty of times.”

Mo Dong shook his head. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare. To serve by the Young Prince’s side is my honor.”

Xiao Rong clearly didn’t believe him.

Letting the cool breeze brush across his cheek, he took another lazy drink and said, “You’re a stiff one, straight as a rod, stubborn as a block of wood. Sometimes, really irritating. But still, when it comes to tending wounds, you’ve got patience. Always waiting till I’ve fallen asleep before sneaking in at midnight to apply medicine to my hands. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have healed so fast the next day.”

Mo Dong froze for a moment. “Actually…”

Xiao Rong looked at him. “Actually what?”

Mo Dong ended up shaking his head. “N–Nothing.”

Xiao Rong said, “Don’t worry. My temper may be bad, but I can tell right from wrong. In the future, I’ll have Mo Qing assign you to a master with a better disposition.”

Mo Dong’s expression turned to alarm. “Please believe me, Young Prince. I’ve never harbored any disloyalty!”

“I never said you did,” Xiao Rong replied, returning to his usual curt tone. “Don’t just stand there. Go to the ice cellar and bring me a jar of apricot blossom wine.”

Mo Dong, reassured, bowed and left to follow the order.

Xiao Rong sat there, unhurriedly finishing the remaining wine. When the jar was empty, he set it aside, rose, returned to his quarters, took out the letter, and tucked it into his sleeve. After closing the door behind him, he walked down toward the Jade Dragon Terrace.

He went straight to the main courtyard.

Xiao En came out holding a lantern, smiling. “Young Prince, what brings you here at this hour? His Highness has already retired.”

“No need to disturb Father.” Xiao Rong drew the letter from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao En. “Tomorrow, I’d like to trouble you to deliver this to him for me.”

The letter was quite thick and Xiao En couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “What is this?”

Xiao Rong smiled faintly. “My letter of apology. Hopefully, once Father reads it, his anger will subside a little.”

Xiao En couldn’t help but smile as well. “All right,” Xiao En said. “When His Highness rises tomorrow, I’ll hand it to him.”

Xiao Rong nodded. He stood for a moment longer and then added, “Father’s wound on his arm is quite deep. Once he gets caught up in official matters, he’s bound to neglect it. Please remind the imperial physician to come on time to change the dressing, lest it turn worse.” With that, he turned and left.

Xiao En watched, surprised, as the young heir’s figure disappeared into the night. He glanced down at the letter in his hands and then turned back inside.

After leaving the main courtyard, Xiao Rong didn’t return to the Jade Dragon Terrace. Instead, he went to the rear stables.

“Bring me a horse.”

His words were simple and firm.

The night steward didn’t understand why the Young Prince suddenly needed a horse in the middle of the night, but he dared not question him. He immediately took up a lantern and led out a well-fed stallion that had just been tended.

Xiao Rong took the reins and led the horse toward the back gate of the Xiao Royal Residence, stepping out through it.

“Rong Rong.”

He had only taken a few steps when a soft voice called from behind.

Xiao Rong froze. After a moment, he turned back, only to see Prince Xiao standing under the lantern light, dressed in his purple robe, his gaze lifted toward him.

“So you were planning to leave without saying goodbye?”

Prince Xiao’s tone was quiet but heavy.

Xiao En followed behind with the lantern, worry written all over his face. “Young Prince, where are you going at this hour?”

Holding the reins tightly, Xiao Rong forced a small smile. “I know Father needs to answer to many sides. I also know that Father originally intended to invoke the clan laws. There’s no need to protect me any longer. Please, strike my name from the Xiao clan registry.”

Prince Xiao said nothing.

Xiao En’s face, however, changed drastically.

Xiao Rong continued, “I’ve always known that I’m narrow-minded, competitive, and jealous by nature. I was never worthy of being the heir of the Xiao clan. My existence has only brought Father shame and trouble. The only reason Father kept me as heir was because he had no other choice.

“There are many outstanding sons in the Xiao clan, men of talent and virtue. Father could adopt one as a son by name, or even by blood. Father is still in his prime; he could remarry, have children, and enjoy true family happiness. It was I who ruined things before, acting recklessly and selfishly, always getting in the way of Father’s peace.

“Please be at ease, Father. Even if I leave the Xiao clan, I won’t forget my duty. It’s just that now, I have someone I wish to follow. I can no longer stay here to serve by Father’s side.”

After speaking, Xiao Rong knelt and bowed deeply to the ground.

“The one you wish to follow?”

A dark anger flickered in Prince Xiao’s eyes as he looked at the young man kneeling before him. “Xiao Rong, are you a child of three? How can you still believe in the affection and promises of those born to the royal family? Do you understand what it means to walk out of this gate tonight?”

Xiao Rong lifted his head, calm and steady. “I understand. And I will take responsibility for my choices. Please, Father, do not trouble yourself over an unfilial son like me.”

He bowed three times, then stood, took up the reins, and turned away, walking down the dark, empty road toward the mouth of the alley.