Chapter 7

　　Yu Zhi’s eyes flickered slightly.

Hearing this answer, he felt a strange sense of calm wash over him.

Everything had finally settled. He no longer needed to live in constant fear and suspicion, wondering day after day whether he would conceive a child.

　　The heavy weight pressing on Yu Zhi’s chest crashed to the ground.

Suddenly, the sounds of water, cicadas, and voices flooded into Yu Zhi’s ears from all directions. He heard Lin Shan’s voice, trembling with tears.

“Your Majesty, are you all right? Don’t frighten me!”

　　Yu Zhi lifted his eyes to meet his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. “What harm could possibly come to me?”

Lin Shan froze, staring at Yu Zhi in bewilderment. “Your Majesty…” The Emperor’s calmness felt eerie. He stood there for a long moment, unsure what to say.

　　Yu Zhi placed his hand over his flat abdomen and turned to look at Imperial Physician Zhang with obvious distress. “This little thing has made me dizzy and nauseous all day, unable to eat. Do you have any remedy?”

　　Doctor Zhang replied, “Your Majesty, I have instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare some light, nourishing medicinal dishes for you. You should be able to eat them.”

Catching sight of the emperor’s right hand gently caressing his abdomen out of the corner of his eye, Doctor Zhang felt a pang of emotion. He had always thought of the young emperor as a child, never imagining that this child would soon become a father himself.

　　Stealing a glance at the young emperor, he chose his words carefully: “May I inquire who the other father of the young prince or princess is? Your Majesty, it would be best to invite him into the palace. Over the coming months, you will need his comfort.”

Yu Zhi’s expression darkened instantly, his voice cold and firm: “It is unnecessary.”

　　Doctor Zhang urgently protested, “Your Majesty, you were frail from childhood and later struggled to conceive precisely because the late Emperor failed to provide comfort to Lady Ye when she carried you. If you insist on refusing to see their father, the royal heir may suffer from congenital deficiencies!”

Yu Zhi turned his face away, gazing at the rain curtain beneath the pavilion, his heart filled with resentment.

　　Was he supposed to write a letter to Luo Tingshi, declaring, “I am carrying your child and require your comfort for both father and son”?

Absurd!

Luo Tingshi would likely gloat with triumph upon hearing this. Now he held leverage over him. Who could say whether Luo Tingshi might use this to blackmail him into actions detrimental to Yu Kingdom?

　　Luo Tingshi absolutely must not learn of this.

Yu Zhi snorted coldly. “The Imperial Medical Bureau can’t even handle such a minor matter? What use are you to me? Physician Zhang, the safety of this emperor and the royal heir rests in your hands. Should there be the slightest mishap, I shall hold you accountable.”

　　Chief Physician Zhang: “…”

What a miserable fate.

He made a last-ditch plea: “Your Majesty, this concerns the imperial body and the royal heir! You cannot risk it!”

　　Yu Zhi turned, his jet-black eyes locking onto Zhang’s with an intensity that had replaced their usual softness and warmth. His face was utterly expressionless, radiating an uncommon oppressive aura.

　　A chill gripped Physician Zhang’s heart. He instinctively lowered his head, unable to meet the emperor’s gaze.

Just as the standoff intensified, a guard hurried into the pavilion. Kneeling before Yu Zhi, he presented a letter with both hands: “Your Majesty, a letter from Emperor Sheng. We have thoroughly inspected it and found no traps or poison.”

　　How could Luo Tingshi write him a letter? Could it be…

Yu Zhi’s fingertips trembled slightly beneath his sleeve. He pinched his palm, forcing himself to calm down before accepting the letter from the guard.

He broke the wax seal, drew out the paper, and unfolded it.

　　It was an exceptionally long letter. Yu Zhi skimmed it briefly, only to find not the insults and mockery he had anticipated, but—

Longing. Admiration.

　　Half the lengthy letter described how extraordinary “Lu Jing” was, how his heart stirred for “Lu Jing,” with one cloying phrase following another.

He spoke of love at first sight, of sleepless nights spent tossing and turning until his heart grew sick, of wasting away day by day. Only “Lu Jing” could ease his suffering, pull him from this endless torment.

　　He even pleaded with Yu Zhi to arrange a marriage between him and “Lu Jing,” vowing that if he could marry him, he would cherish and adore him, holding him in the palm of his hand with utmost care.

　　Fortunately, judging by the letter’s content, Luo Tingshi seemed unaware of his true identity. Yu Zhi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

His gaze fell to the final line, where Luo Tingshi offered Minzhou, Zhaozhou, and Cangzhou as betrothal gifts to marry “Lu Jing.”

　　Yu Zhi pressed his lips together, his gaze turning slightly cold.

All three states were regions of abundant resources. Was Luo Tingshi truly willing to relinquish them to marry him?

There was likely a trick involved.

Yu Zhi didn’t believe Luo Tingshi genuinely harbored affection for him.

　　They had met but once—how could deep affection have taken root? Moreover, most of their time together had been spent in bed… It would be more plausible to say he was obsessed with his body.

Yu Zhi’s gaze darkened. He raised his head and commanded the guards, “Summon Lu Jing to the palace. I have matters to discuss with him.”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty!” The guard, receiving the emperor’s command, hurried away.

Yu Zhi shifted his gaze to Imperial Physician Zhang, who stood frozen nearby. The man wore an expression as if the sky had fallen, the wrinkles between his brows suddenly deepening.

Yu Zhi softened his tone, speaking gently, “Imperial Physician Zhang, it is not that I wish to make things difficult for you. I too have my reasons. Were this any ordinary man, I would have him dragged into the palace by force. But alas…”

Yu Zhi shook his head, lowering his gaze to gently stroke the unformed life within his belly, his expression desolate. “This is my first child, and perhaps my only one. Can you help me?”

　　Dr. Zhang’s heart tightened, and he blurted out, “Your Majesty, I shall spare no effort to protect you both.”

Yu Zhi paused slightly, then lifted his head with a smile. “Thank you.”

Dr. Zhang sighed softly. “Your Majesty, I shall prepare some formulas to regulate your constitution. For the next two months, you must be especially careful—avoid any bumps or jolts to prevent miscarriage.”

Yu Zhi nodded earnestly. “Write down every precaution I need to take.”

Doctor Zhang bowed. “I shall do so at once.”

–

　　Green willows brushed the water’s surface as summer cicadas sang loudly, a gentle breeze wafting across the lake.

Yu Zhi reached out to brush aside the rain curtain beneath the pavilion. A thread of coolness seeped into his fingertips. He flicked the droplets from his fingers, one landing squarely on the forehead of a mallard duck. The duck jerked, its round, dark eyes darting around in alarm.

　　Yu Zhi chuckled softly, his playful mood rising as he teased the little duckling again.

Lin Shan stood nearby with bowed head, his face heavy with worry. He still found it hard to believe what he had heard.

How could the Emperor have become pregnant after just one outing?

　　From His Majesty’s words, it seemed the man who had bullied him wasn’t in Yu Kingdom. His Majesty must have encountered trouble in Sheng Kingdom.

So many people, yet they couldn’t protect a single Emperor.

He could already picture the fury of the retired Emperor and his consort upon their return. When that happened, their entire group would likely suffer the consequences.

　　Lin Shan looked up at the Emperor, who was engrossed in playing with the little ducklings.

The Emperor had been raised surrounded by adoration since childhood. His nature was pure and simple, unlike other rulers who were unpredictable and inscrutable. It was infuriating that he had been humiliated like this.

Who the hell was that damned villain… 

　　Lin Shan seethed with indignation when a smooth voice suddenly announced, “Minister Lu has arrived.”

　　Though unremarkable in appearance, Lu Jing possessed an innate ability to command trust. His exceptional talent and meticulous handling of affairs earned him Emperor Yu Zhi’s profound trust.

“Sit,” Yu Zhi gestured toward the stone bench in the pavilion, addressing Lu Jing. “I summoned you today to inform you of a matter.”

　　Lu Jing lifted his official robe and sat upright on the stone bench, listening quietly to the emperor’s decree.

Accompanied by the gentle murmur of flowing water, the emperor’s voice drifted into the ears of those present.

“Today, Luo Ting sent a letter to the throne, specifically requesting to marry ‘Lu Jing’.”

　　At these words, the entire pavilion was struck dumb with shock.

Lu Jing, usually so composed, nearly toppled from his stone seat. He scrambled to steady himself against the nearby stone table, staring at the emperor in utter disbelief, speechless with astonishment.

Lin Shan was also frozen in place, his eyes wide with terror.

　　His Majesty had disguised himself as Lu Jing to go to Sheng Kingdom. That meant—

Lu Ting Shi wasn’t asking for Lu Jing’s hand at all. He was asking for His Majesty’s!

The realization nearly shattered both men. Lin Shan’s face paled even more than Lu Jing’s. He thought he knew who the villain who had humiliated His Majesty was.

　　Luo Tingshi!

The Emperor was carrying the child of the enemy nation’s ruler.

Heaven forbid! Lin Shan screamed silently within. He dared not imagine the upheaval this revelation would cause between Yu and Sheng.

　　“Your Majesty,” Lu Jing’s suppressed voice trembled uncontrollably, “what do you wish this humble servant to do?”

Seeing his trusted minister in such a terrified state, Yu Zhi spoke gently to reassure him: ” “Rest assured, Minister Lu. This matter stems from me. I will never allow you to marry into Sheng. Luo Tingshi does not yet know it was I. I suspect he may send someone to contact you. You must play my role well and not let him detect any clues.”

Lu Jing’s eyes were solemn as he replied earnestly, “This servant will not fail in his duty.”

　　Yu Zhi smiled faintly, concealing the intimate affair with Luo Tingshi, and recounted everything that had transpired between them to Lu Jing.

Lu Jing listened with utmost attentiveness, committing every detail to memory. He reaffirmed his pledge to Yu Zhi: “This humble minister will spare no effort to safeguard Your Majesty’s secret and protect you. Should Emperor Sheng persist in his relentless pursuit…”

　　Hearing this, Yu Zhi felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He rose, stepped before Lu Jing, and placed both hands on his shoulders. Gazing into those resolute eyes, his voice softened: “My loyal minister, your devotion is my greatest blessing. Rest assured, neither of us will ever marry that scoundrel.”

　　With that, Yu Zhi turned to gaze at the misty water vapor by the pavilion and let out a cold laugh.

“You wish to marry me? I’ll see if you have what it takes!”

–

　　Three days later, Luo Tingshi received a letter delivered by an envoy from Yu Kingdom who had journeyed day and night.

Luo Tingshi curved his lips in confidence as he opened the letter, only to find a single character written in sweeping, elegant calligraphy—

“Get lost!”