Yu Zhi’s face paled slightly. His father had held him without milk, so he had never considered this matter.
But his father was human, not a demon. Luo Tingshi’s question stirred a faint unease within Yu Zhi, who immediately ordered, “Send someone to fetch Physician Zhang.”
Yu Zhi felt slightly reassured. He glanced at Luo Tingshi beside him, finding it somewhat difficult to broach the subject. He mumbled, “Then why does my chest feel…”
Dr. Zhang understood and explained, “Once Your Majesty gives birth to the royal heir, it will gradually return to normal.”
Yu Zhi breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Doctor Zhang then explained the details of pregnancy to Yu Zhi. Only after Yu Zhi fully understood did he withdraw. Yu Zhi watched Doctor Zhang leave, then turned abruptly to find Luo Tingshi staring at him with eyes full of disappointment.
Yu Zhi stiffened his expression. “I lack that thing. Are you disappointed?”
“Not at all.”
Luo Tingshi’s gaze slid downward, lingering repeatedly on Yu Zhi’s chest, his eyes almost tangible. Yu Zhi felt a tingling sensation run through his body. His chest rose and fell rapidly several times. He lifted his sleeve to cover his slightly heaving chest and snapped angrily:
“Luo Tingshi, close your eyes.”
Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, withdrawing his gaze. “It’s getting late, Your Majesty. You should rest.”
Having slept too long during the day, Yu Zhi lay awake in bed, unable to drift off for a long while. Turning his head, he saw Luo Tingshi already fast asleep. Frowning in displeasure, he pinched Luo Tingshi’s nose and muttered softly, “I’m not asleep yet. You’re not allowed to sleep either.”
The instant before encountering Luo Tingshi, a pair of pitch-black eyes suddenly appeared. The man’s gaze held a thick, murderous intent, yet Yu Zhi showed no fear. He pinched the other’s nose hard, his tone fierce and domineering: “I forbid you to sleep.”
Luo Tingshi’s voice trailed off with a hint of amusement, adding a touch of ambiguity to the bleak autumn night: “What else would I do if not sleep? Sleep with you?”
“You… you scoundrel.” Though he cursed, Yu Zhi burrowed deeper into Luo Tingshi’s embrace, wrapping his arms around the man’s neck and burying his face against his chest. “I can’t sleep.”
Luo Tingshi raised his hand, patting Yu Zhi’s back gently as if soothing a child. His voice was soft and reassuring: “I’ll keep you company.”
The palm resting on Yu Zhi’s back was incredibly tender. Yu Zhi pulled himself away from Luo Tingshi’s chest, slowly tilting his head up. Unsurprisingly, his gaze met a pair of gentle eyes.
Their eyes locked, and Yu Zhi’s heart suddenly began to race.
He was enveloped entirely by Luo Tingshi. Every inch of his skin retained the other’s warmth; every breath carried his scent.
It was a wild scent.
A scent that stirred his impulses.
The sound of his own heartbeat echoed in Yu Zhi’s ears. As if possessed, he leaned in, and amid the rising heat, pressed his lips to Luo Tingshi’s.
This wasn’t the first time Yu Zhi had initiated a kiss with Luo Tingshi.
Yet Luo Tingshi felt this time was different.
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he gently pressed his lips against Yu Zhi’s.
The kiss was exceptionally tender. When they parted, neither was out of breath. Luo Tingshi lowered his head, resting his forehead against Yu Zhi’s, his voice low and husky: “Your Majesty, I love you.”
“I know.”
“Yu Zhi.”
“Hmm?”
Luo Tingshi spoke slowly, enunciating each word: “I want to hold your hand openly and proudly, declaring to all under heaven that I am your man. I want to stay by your side forever, caring for you and your son. I want to share your bed in life and your grave in death.”
Yu Zhi lowered his eyes, silent.
“Your Majesty, have you considered it? Are you willing to marry me?”
Yu Zhi looked at Luo Tingshi, his clear black-and-white eyes brimming with complex emotions: “Let’s discuss it after the child is born.”
Luo Tingshi: “Very well. I will wait for you.”
This year, the cold arrived unusually early. A heavy snowfall blanketed the land as soon as winter set in.
Waking to a world of white, Yu Zhi felt a surge of excitement. Wrapped in a thick fox fur robe, he stood at the window, gazing at the swirling snowflakes. He reached out his hand.
A cluster of snowflakes landed in his palm, melting into water in an instant, dripping from his fingers.
“Nonsense! How can you stand by the window freezing in such bitter cold?” A stern voice came from behind. A large hand slammed the window shut, blocking the swirling snow and wind. Yu Zhi found himself swept into a warm embrace.
Next, Yu Zhi’s body suddenly lifted off the ground. The tall man carried him straight toward the bed.
Yu Zhi caught the sight of Luo Tingshi’s tense jawline and chuckled, “Not cold at all.”
Luo Tingshi’s face remained icy as he walked to the bedside. Without a word, he set Yu Zhi down with extreme gentleness. The moment his hands left her, they suddenly touched softness. Luo Tingshi’s fingers paused. His gaze swept over Yu Zhi’s prominently rounded belly and landed on his bare feet.
His eyes darkened sharply. “How could you run around barefoot in the house? What if cold pathogens invade your body?”
“I got carried away and forgot,” Yu Zhi shrank his neck. He was indeed at fault here and couldn’t quite justify himself.
He hooked his fingers around Luo Tingshi’s belt, pulling him close. Tilting his head, he pressed a kiss to the man’s lips.
“The fire dragon is burning inside. It’s not cold.”
Luo Tingshi: “…”
He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed straight ahead. “Don’t think that using beauty tactics will make this Emperor…”
“Who used beauty tactics? I simply wanted to kiss you.” Yu Zhi cut Luo Tingshi off, unfastening his fox fur robe to reveal a snow-white undershirt.
Luo Tingshi’s expression darkened further. “Wearing so little and going out into the cold wind.”
Yu Zhi tilted his head up. “Then what do you suggest?”
A dark shadow instantly clouded Luo Tingshi’s eyes. He tried to look away, but his gaze felt glued to that spot, utterly unable to move.
Beneath the loose collar, countless crimson kiss marks covered the skin.
Lately, Yu Zhi’s desires had grown more intense. Luo Tingshi couldn’t bear to see him suffer. Whenever Yu Zhi whimpered and clung to him, demanding, he would give in.
Last night had been wild. For a moment, neither of them had been able to control themselves.
Luo Tingshi swallowed hard. ” In just over a month, you’ll be giving birth. You must be careful.”
Yu Zhi smiled: “Isn’t that what you’re here for?”
Luo Tingshi now treated him like a porcelain doll, cradling him in the palm of his hand every day, forbidding anyone else to touch him. Everything—dressing, washing, meals—was handled entirely by Luo Tingshi.
If not for Imperial Physician Zhang advising daily walks, Luo Tingshi wouldn’t even let him walk.
Wherever he went, Luo Tingshi insisted on carrying him.
Yu Zhi felt Luo Tingshi was being overly cautious.
Imperial Physician Zhang, however, deemed it normal: ” Many men behave similarly when their wives are pregnant. It’s unfamiliar at first, but with practice, he’ll adjust. By the time Your Majesty conceives again, he won’t be so anxious.”
Yu Zhi instantly flew into a rage: “What conceiving again? I’ll never bear his child again! Once this child is born, I’ll banish him from Yu Kingdom. He’ll never lay a finger on me again, hmph!”
Doctor Zhang hastily replied, “This old servant spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Yet, being cared for daily by Luo Tingshi, who was on edge like a cat on hot bricks, Yu Zhi actually felt more at ease. The fear and unease that had been lodged in his heart since becoming pregnant seemed to lessen.
Leaning against the bed, Yu Zhi asked Luo Tingshi, “What of Lu Jing? Have all the cold-weather supplies been distributed to the people?”
Luo Tingshi replied, “I just happened to meet him. He said everything has been given out. He’s currently serving soup at the city gates with the magistrate’s men.”
Yu Zhi gazed out the window at the heavy snowfall. “That is good. It is a pity I cannot leave the palace now to see them myself.”
Luo Tingshi replied, “Your Majesty, your concern is enough.”
Yu Zhi leaned into Luo Tingshi’s embrace, his eyes heavy with worry.
“Do not fret. Under your protection, the people of Guyue will surely weather this winter safely.” Luo Tingshi brushed aside the dark hair framing Yu Zhi’s face and kissed his brow gently. “What matters most for you now is nurturing this child, keeping yourself well, and bringing it safely into the world.”
After a long, silent embrace, Yu Zhi spoke softly: “Luo Tingshi, I’m afraid.”
Luo Tingshi clasped Yu Zhi’s hand tightly, his voice deep: “I will always be by your side.”
“Luo Tingshi,” Yu Zhi lifted his eyes to meet his, “What if…”
Luo Tingshi covered his mouth with his hand. “There is no ‘what if’.”
Yu Zhi’s round, kitten-like eyes widened as he nodded gently against his palm. Tilting his head, he pressed his soft cheek against his hand, rubbing it softly.
Truly a little kitten.
Luo Tingshi leaned closer, gently kissing his eyelids.
–
During Yu Zhi’s nine months of pregnancy, the entire estate was on high alert. The county magistrate visited daily to inquire after his well-being.
On a winter snowy night, the bedroom felt like spring.
Luo Tingshi planted tender kisses along Yu Zhi’s neck. Yu Zhi buried his hands in the man’s jet-black hair and pressed him down forcefully. His lips were suddenly pressed into soft, snow-white skin, the pulsing veins in his neck clearly imprinted against his mouth.
“Luo Tingshi, tonight you can do anything you want.”
The soft, clear voice of the youth came from above. Luo Tingshi abruptly lifted his head, meeting a pair of warm, gentle eyes.
Luo Tingshi’s heart sank abruptly.
He thought he already knew Yu Zhi’s answer.
“Your Majesty…”
Yu Zhi pressed a finger to his lips. “No more delays. Tonight…”
…is our last time.
Though unspoken, Luo Tingshi understood.
“Why? Do you still not trust me?” Luo Tingshi’s dark eyes locked onto his, the bottomless depths of his gaze suddenly surfacing with waves of sorrow and despair.
In that instant, Yu Zhi glimpsed the vulnerability he had always hidden. But by the time he looked closer, it had vanished without a trace.
Yu Zhi fell silent.
Luo Tingshi gave a bitter smile. “Is the price for deceiving you once to lose you forever?”
Yu Zhi looked away. “Just do it.”
Moments later, the man’s resentful voice echoed through the room. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
…
Yu Zhi thought, there was no better bedmate in this world than Luo Tingshi.
Though he had only ever been with Luo Tingshi.
He… would only ever be with Luo Tingshi. There would be no other man.
Yu Zhi wrapped his arms around the man’s sturdy frame, breathing low in his ear: Luo Ting… I like it very much…”…
In the dark night, snow fell thick and fast, swirling and tangling in the air.
Low moans drifted from within the tent.
–
The amniotic fluid broke at noon the next day, rushing out without warning. At first, Yu Zhi thought it was merely his arousal—these days, he changed his undergarments four or five times daily.
It wasn’t until that unusual warmth dripped onto his shoes that he suddenly realized something was wrong. Clutching his belly, he struggled to sit down, leaning against the bed curtains, and shouted at the man fetching water:
“Luo Tingshi! Hurry and summon Physician Zhang! I fear I am about to give birth.”
“Clatter—”
Luo Tingshi’s hand trembled, sending the porcelain cup sliding from his grasp. It shattered into a thousand pieces upon the floor.