Living in the remote frontier, free from the burdens of court politics, Yu Zhi enjoyed a life of leisure.
Yet as his belly grew larger and movement became increasingly difficult, many tasks became impossible. He could only stay cooped up in the house, reading books and feeding the cat.
The first time he felt the baby move, Yu Zhi was playing with Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai was the kitten he had rescued. After a month of care, it bore little resemblance to its former frail self. Layers of soft flesh now covered its once-bony frame, its snow-white fur fluffy as cotton. Its paws padded silently across the floor as it leapt lightly onto the small couch, rubbing against Yu Zhi.
The Bai Ling Clan and civets shared a common origin, but as the world’s spiritual energy faded, the civets gradually lost their sentience, ultimately becoming ordinary creatures. Because their auras were similar, the kitten always loved to stick close to Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi smiled warmly as he picked up the kitten, gently patting its moist little nose. “Once my children are born, you’ll be able to play with them too.”
Bai Ling fetuses were born in their original form, only taking human shape after a month.
Yu Zhi silently resolved that once he successfully gave birth, he would banish Luo Tingshi.
He couldn’t let him see the child’s face.
“Meow~” Xiao Bai called in a soft, high-pitched voice.
Yu Zhi smiled warmly, picked up a small fur ball, and tossed it to Xiao Bai: “Go play.”
The instant his hand rose, Yu Zhi felt a sudden tremor within his belly. He froze. Then, ripples spread out from his lower abdomen like a rainstorm striking a lake.
Yu Zhi immediately called out loudly to the outside: “Summon Physician Zhang!”
“Fetal movement?”
Upon hearing this answer, Yu Zhi lowered his head in disbelief, holding his breath as he gently placed his hand over his rounded belly, afraid to startle the tiny life within.
Court Physician Zhang smiled. “These movements will become more frequent. Your Majesty must learn to adjust early on.”
A smile touched Yu Zhi’s lips as he lifted his eyes to scan the room. Not seeing the person he longed to see, he craned his neck to peer outside.
Yu Zhi gave a soft snort. “Where is Luo Tingshi? He usually follows me everywhere, yet now he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Hearing the young emperor’s tone—seemingly a complaint, yet truly an expression of dependence—Doctor Zhang’s heart skipped a beat.
“Your Majesty, do you feel…”
“I know what you’re going to say,” Yu Zhi replied calmly. “Both I and the child have been utterly reliant on him these past days. But I understand clearly that it is this body, not this place, that constantly craves his presence.”
Yu Zhi pointed to his own chest, his composure uncharacteristically cool. “My heart has never stirred for him in the slightest.”
Doctor Zhang looked up, carefully studying the young emperor with his eyes before relaxing.
He understood the young emperor. These words were not feigned.
The young emperor truly had not developed feelings for Luo Tingshi.
Court Physician Zhang smiled. “Your Majesty possesses a clear-minded nature and has come to this realization yourself. Indeed, your bloodline is unique. During pregnancy, it is natural to feel profound dependence on the child’s father, and one’s actions and speech may unconsciously become affectionate. Once the child is born, this sense of dependence will naturally fade.”
“Many fail to grasp this, mistaking this pregnancy-induced dependence for affection, and thus muddle through life in confusion. Since Your Majesty understands, I need not worry.”
Yu Zhi lowered his gaze, gently caressing his belly, his expression exceptionally tender. Those two kicks moments ago had finally made him truly feel he was about to become a father, and his heart suddenly settled into place.
Now, his heart was filled with the joy of welcoming a child, and his voice softened considerably.
“You needn’t worry. Luo Tingshi is not my ideal type. I could never love him. The one I like…”
Yu Zhi paused slightly, lifting his gaze to the distant, hazy autumn mountains, his eyes lingering.
Before rolling into bed with Luo Tingshi, Yu Zhi had never given this matter a thought. His father had always told him he was still too young, instructing him that if he wanted to pursue romance, it had to wait until after his eighteenth birthday—no early love affairs. He had obeyed his father’s words, never entertaining such thoughts before reaching adulthood.
Now that he’s about to have a child, it’s time to consider settling down for life.
Yu Zhi pondered this.
He preferred someone obedient and loyal—like a faithful dog that guarded, loved, and revered him—not a ferocious beast like Luo Tingshi who could tear him apart at any moment.
Luo Tingshi had loved to frighten him since childhood, and as an adult, he’d even attacked the Kingdom of Yu.
He detested Luo Tingshi most of all.
Thinking of him, Yu Zhi felt a surge of discontent: “Why hasn’t Luo Tingshi arrived yet? Where could he be?”
“Here he comes, here he comes.”
No sooner had Yu Zhi spoken than Luo Tingshi entered carrying a food box. He hurried to the table, unpacking the delicacies one by one and arranging them: “I went to Chun Lu Si and bought your favorite steamed sea bass. It was crowded, so I was delayed. Don’t be upset. Come taste it quickly—it won’t be as good once it cools.”
Luo Tingshi wrapped his arm around Yu Zhi’s shoulder, half-carrying him to the table. He picked up a piece of succulent fish with wooden chopsticks and held it to his lips: “Try it.”
Yu Zhi still carried the preferences of his clan deep within him—like his love for fish.
Chun Lu Si was a restaurant specializing in fish. The chef’s skill was exceptional, and the fish he prepared were incredibly delicious. Especially this steamed sea bass—fresh and tender, truly a heavenly flavor. Yu Zhi adored it.
The familiar aroma filled his nostrils, making Yu Zhi’s eyes sparkle. He swiftly swallowed the fish meat at his lips and closed his eyes in blissful satisfaction.
Luo Ting’s lips curved upward in a smile as he helped Yu Zhi finish the entire fish, then served him a bowl of soup.
Without looking up, Yu Zhi said, “Serve a bowl for Xiao Bai too.”
Whenever Yu Zhi enjoyed delicious fish, he shared a bite with Xiao Bai. The cat was currently perched on the table, eating happily. Luo Tingshi dutifully placed the bowl of fish soup before it.
Xiao Bai’s ears twitched. It peered over, then buried its head and lapped up a mouthful of soup.
After drinking, it licked its lips with its tongue.
Just then, Yu Zhi finished his own bowl of soup and licked his lips.
The identical movements of man and cat made Luo Tingshi chuckle involuntarily. He reached out to ruffle Yu Zhi’s hair. “Why are you acting like a little kitten?”
The words had barely left his mouth when a sudden thought flashed through Luo Tingshi’s mind. Before he could grasp that fleeting insight, a lazy voice interrupted his train of thought.
“Luo Tingshi, help me take a stroll in the garden.”
Pine and cypress intertwined, golden osmanthus fragrance drifted through the air, and golden leaves rustled softly, blanketing the stone path. Yu Zhi strolled leisurely through the garden to aid his digestion.
The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed two days prior. On every major holiday, both his fathers would write him letters. By now, those letters should have reached the palace, yet he could not see them.
Yu Zhi sighed softly.
He missed them.
Especially now, with his growing belly and a heart full of unease, he longed for them to be by his side.
But… he didn’t want them to come either. He didn’t want to see their disappointed faces.
Having slept with the enemy emperor and gotten pregnant by him—they must be furious. Thankfully, thankfully he had turned eighteen. Otherwise, Father would surely be furious.
Yu Zhi felt a bit down.
You two should come back later. Best to wait until after the little one is born. He and the two kittens could charm Father with their cuteness together. Father’s anger might lessen then…
“Xiao Yu, what’s wrong?” Luo Tingshi saw Yu Zhi’s distressed expression and felt his heart clench tightly. He stopped in his tracks, bent down, and looked straight into Yu Zhi’s eyes. The vulnerability in his gaze was unmistakable.
His heart skipped a beat.
Luo Tingshi cupped Yu Zhi’s face, his expression serious. “Tell me, why are you so distressed? Could it be something wrong with the fetus?”
“No.” Yu Zhi blinked softly and reached out to embrace Luo Tingshi.
Luo Tingshi stiffened, frozen in place, utterly at a loss.
The person in his arms murmured, “Let me lean on you for a moment.”
Yu Zhi leaned against Luo Tingshi’s chest, the familiar, comforting scent surrounding him. Closing his eyes, he pressed his cheek against the man’s chest, clinging tightly to his sturdy waist.
“Thump, thump, thump-thump-thump-thump—”
The man’s powerful heartbeat echoed in his ears. Moments later, the beats merged into a thunderous roar, shaking his ears until they tingled.
Yu Zhi lifted his head, gazing up at the mountain-like figure before him. “Your heart is beating so fast. It’s so loud.”
Luo Tingshi met his gaze: “My heart beats for the Xiao Yu.”
The surroundings fell deathly silent. The intense pounding filled Yu Zhi’s entire ear canal as their gazes locked in midair.
After a moment, Yu Zhi snapped out of it, leaping out of the man’s embrace. He rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and scolded, “Don’t say things like that.”
Luo Tingshi: “Fine, I won’t say it.”
Yu Zhi eyed him suspiciously, scanning him up and down. “So obedient? You’ve changed today.” ”
Luo Tingshi’s gaze deepened: “Your heart is heavy, yet I cannot untangle the knots of sorrow within you. All I can do is refrain from provoking your anger.”
Yu Zhi’s fingers twitched slightly beneath his sleeves as he turned to leave: “I am weary. I shall retire to my chambers.”
Luo Tingshi quickened his pace, wrapping an arm around Yu Zhi’s waist.
Their retreating figures gradually vanished into the fragrant path.
–
Yu Zhi had fallen into a deep sleep.
Luo Tingshi gazed at the tranquil face nestled in his embrace, his expression suddenly darkening.
Lately, Yu Zhi’s demeanor had softened considerably. Though his face still bore that aloof, noble expression, he would sneak up on him when he wasn’t looking, clinging to him and unconsciously acting affectionate.
He had thought this meant Yu Zhi had developed feelings for him, and his heart had secretly rejoiced.
Unexpectedly, a bucket of cold water was dumped over his head.
It turned out it could be anyone. Yu Zhi would treat any man this way.
Luo Tingshi wasn’t special at all.
It had all been false hope.
Dark clouds gathered in Luo Tingshi’s eyes. His pitch-black gaze devoured the person in his arms inch by inch, as if he wanted to swallow Yu Zhi whole.
Lock him down, claim him, possess him.
“Mmm…” The figure in his arms suddenly furrowed his brow slightly. A voice, still thick with sleep, tore through the haze and burrowed into Luo Tingshi’s ears. “Luo Tingshi, the child is kicking again. Come feel it.”
Luo Tingshi’s heart jolted violently. His large hand instinctively slipped beneath the fabric, resting on Yu Zhi’s belly.
A faint tremor traveled through the warm skin to Luo Tingshi’s fingertips, like the gentle nudge of a fish. Luo Tingshi’s fingers trembled. He buried his face in the neck of the person in his arms and held him tightly.
The tremor ceased in his palm. Luo Tingshi’s hand remained resting on Yu Zhi’s rounded belly, his heart unusually unsettled.
Should he heed Elder He’s counsel?
Earlier, while Luo Tingshi was visiting the lotus pond, a letter from Elder He arrived from the Kingdom of Sheng.
Elder He had played a significant role in securing his ascension to the throne. Luo Tingshi held him in deep respect and immediately opened the letter.
It read:
“Your Majesty, I heard from Chu Sui that you pursued the wrong man. The one you truly desire is that young emperor of Yu. Thus, you ordered your troops to withdraw. Your Majesty, you are mistaken. He is the sovereign of Yu. Even if you withdraw your forces, you cannot possess him. The only course now is to conquer Yu. Only then can you lock him away in the harem, claim him, and possess him.
“Now that he is with you in Gu Yue, and the retired emperor of Yu is nowhere to be found, this is the perfect moment to attack Yu. If the Sheng army takes them by surprise, circling around to attack Huangyun Pass from the north, they will surely capture several cities in one fell swoop.
“Once Yu is conquered, you will be the ruler of all under heaven, and that young emperor of Yu will naturally be yours.”
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