Chapter 38

Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t accept the pregnancy himself, let alone tell his aunt. He finally understood how those unmarried young people felt about such matters.

Confused and unable to explain things clearly, he was most afraid of being questioned by his elders.

Before returning to the palace, he instructed Zhao Jin not to say anything and to wait until he found the right opportunity to inform them, to spare his aunt from worrying.

In the Funing Hall, Di Yan prepared a large table of food, fearing that Chu Zhaoyou had a long day and might be hungry to the point of feeling faint.

By the time they returned to the palace, it was late at night. Dew had formed on the steps, and frost glistened under the eaves.

There was a large pot of boiling mutton soup on the table. To his shame, Chu Zhaoyou felt nauseated just at the smell.

This time, he was clear that it wasn’t a psychological issue; the nausea had returned after a two-month respite.

Apart from feeling unwell, there was a bit of embarrassment.

Chu Zhaoyou failed to manage his expression, showing a deep sense of despair.

Di Yan became agitated, “Why are you vomiting again? It’s like when your mother was pregnant with you. Zhao Jin, what’s going on? If you don’t take this seriously today, go straight back to Liangzhou with me. You can sleep on the streets with your master, Zhao Cheng!”

Zhao Jin, puzzled, wondered what this had to do with the general. He glanced at Chu Zhaoyou, who was clearly feeling unwell. Unable to withstand Di Yan’s intense gaze, he spoke up.

“His Majesty is pregnant.”

Chu Zhaoyou covered his face and closed his eyes, pretending to be unconscious.

“Are you kidding? Zhaoyou is not a girl. I’ve even changed his diapers,” Di Yan exclaimed. Her nephew couldn’t have been disguised as a girl; he was a man.

Chu Zhaoyou said, “Aunt…”

Di Yan softened and immediately patted his head. “Aunt didn’t mean to say you’re not good, but you being pregnant… You’re pregnant?”

She looked up incredulously, her gaze shuttling back and forth between Zhao Jin and Chu Zhaoyou. Both of them weren’t the type to play such a joke. She quickly skipped over the part about how a man could be pregnant, nearly biting through her silver teeth as she angrily asked, “Tell Aunt, who did this?”

The first suspect that came to mind was the Regent.

“Beast!” Di Yan cursed, clutching her palm.

Chu Zhaoyou silently watched her. He hadn’t even spoken, yet why did he feel that his aunt was already scolding a certain person?

“Who is Aunt scolding?” Chu Zhaoyou probed. Was it really that easy to guess?

Di Yan managed a smile. “Zhaoyou, don’t be afraid. Tell Aunt.”

She stared at the sword at Zhao Jin’s waist, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the table, her hair almost on fire.

Chu Zhaoyou maintained a mysterious expression and said, “The sage has no father, born from the heavens.”

Was she moved by the news that her nephew was about to give birth to a world-changing figure?

Di Yan affectionately patted his head. “Are you saying the child’s father is a deity, or are you suggesting Aunt is getting senile?”

The former was giving Xiao Hei too much credit. (XD Don’t get confused “Xiao Hei” was Xiao Heng’s name when he became a fool)

Chu Zhaoyou lowered his eyes, absentmindedly rubbing his dragon robe. “It’s someone from outside the palace.”

Di Yan quickly followed up, “It’s not Xiao Heng?”

Chu Zhaoyou hesitated. As soon as he mentioned Xiao Heng, his aunt was ready to wield her sword and go on a killing spree.

“I’m not a girl, so it’s not a big deal. Xiao Heng also doesn’t recognize it, so it’s rather embarrassing.”

He whispered, “It was in early October when I sneaked out of the palace to play. I met someone on the way. I couldn’t walk fast, so he carried me for two days.”

From within the city to outside, it was almost always Xiao Hei who carried him. When they encountered hills and rivers, neither of them knew the way. They just followed Chu Zhaoyou’s vague directions, continuously moving away from the capital.

If he had been alone, he would have probably been captured within a mile of leaving the capital. He didn’t know what Xiao Hei was thinking at the time. Chu Zhaoyou was quite afraid of being left alone. He had no family and was wary of even an abandoned temple, considering whether it might be haunted. Two people were always better than one.

Chu Zhaoyou urgently considered how to phrase it appropriately. If he told the truth, that he had helped someone remove a curse without understanding the side effects, he’d surely be scolded by his aunt for being foolish. It might be better to say he was temporarily influenced by something supernatural; his aunt would understand that better.

Seeing a hint of nostalgia in her nephew’s eyes, Di Yan’s heart skipped a beat.

In a softer tone, Chu Zhaoyou added, “I did it willingly, Aunt, please don’t be angry.”

So, my nephew has found someone outside the palace? These few brief statements brought to mind for Di Yan the days when she followed Zhao Cheng in suppressing bandits, disregarding everything and never regretting it.

But one should maintain the demeanor of an elder. She spoke sternly, “What about the other person?”

Chu Zhaoyou calmly replied, “I couldn’t find them later.”

“He’s just a heartless man!” Di Yan slammed the table, furious. “Zhaoyou, I don’t object to you dating, but you can’t be with someone like that. What does he look like? I’ll find him and beat him up in a sack.”

Chu Zhaoyou rolled his eyes. “I don’t remember.”

“Don’t try to deceive me.”

“He likes to wear red, is skilled in lightness techniques, and has a scar on his wrist.” Chu Zhaoyou made up a few sentences, pleading, “I really don’t remember anything else. All I saw was the back of his head.”

Di Yan was exasperated, slapping her thigh. She blamed the Regent for not arranging a marriage for her nephew. Now, at nineteen, he was completely devoted to someone outside the palace.

“You’re smitten with someone just from seeing the back of their head! What’s so special about him?” she exclaimed.

Chu Zhaoyou responded, “Well, at least he’s not bald.”

Di Yan chuckled in exasperation. “You’re taking advantage of the fact that Aunt won’t hit you, aren’t you?”

Chu Zhaoyou was unapologetic. “I can’t be hit now, of course. I think he looks good.”

“This is about right,” Di Yan spoke with gravity. “You can’t just focus on his temporary kindness towards you. He might leave at a moment’s notice, and you’ll never find him. It’s better to consider appearances as well. At least, a good-looking child would be better. But a lack of intelligence won’t do…”

Chu Zhaoyou suddenly couldn’t maintain his composure. A lack of intelligence… When the old quack said he wasn’t remembering, it wasn’t important.

As Chu Zhaoyou analyzed, he found himself, somewhat surprisingly, feeling like the old quack, thinking that men giving birth wasn’t such a big deal.

“I’m amazing. What can’t I do in this world?”

Di Yan was led astray by Chu Zhaoyou’s words. It took her a while to remember to ask Zhao Jin, “How did this happen?”

Chu Zhaoyou was curious too.

Zhao Jin explained, “Your Majesty probably had some extraordinary experience three months ago, leading to a change in constitution, causing the pulse to be too chaotic to discern. The morning sickness also occurred earlier than usual. Based on my analysis, it should be a drastic internal change, causing the discomfort ahead of time.”

Chu Zhaoyou was speechless. “So, that’s why I’ve been feeling like vomiting occasionally…”

Zhao Jin confirmed, “Yes.”

Chu Zhaoyou silently crushed a peanut on the table.

Why did he have to experience two stages of nausea? Wasn’t the Regent being unreasonable?

Zhao Jin hurriedly added, “Your Majesty, please don’t get angry easily.”

Chu Zhaoyou calmly took a sip of tea. His temper was exceptionally good at the moment.

“My dear child is suffering too much!” Di Yan’s eyes reddened with distress. She had given birth to a son and a daughter, and she knew how difficult the process could be.

“Now that things have reached this point, what are your plans?”

Chu Zhaoyou replied, “I don’t know. Let’s just go with the flow for now.”

“Men giving birth is indeed a wonder. Moreover, you are the Emperor. I don’t know how the ministers will perceive this. The Regent is cunning. If he exploits this and spreads unfavorable reports, it could endanger your child’s life. Even if you manage to deliver safely, it won’t be good for the child’s upbringing.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s expression turned grave. He couldn’t control what others thought, and while he wasn’t afraid for himself, it was a different matter when it came to his child.

Di Yan had quickly devised a plan. If Chu Zhaoyou married a woman to deceive others, they could claim that the child was hers, legitimizing the royal bloodline. With less than seven months to go, they could hide the pregnancy. If it became too obvious, they could take Chu Zhaoyou to Liangzhou under the pretext of a family visit. The round trip would take three months, and as the General’s Mansion was filled with trustworthy allies, there would be no risk.

Chu Zhaoyou frowned, “Aunt, let me consider.”

In ancient times, divorce wasn’t as common as it is now. Once married to an emperor, a woman would spend her life in the palace. Chu Zhaoyou felt no affection for her, and he didn’t want to burden her with raising someone else’s child, which would waste her youth. Furthermore, if he married, it would only be one person. He was selfish and didn’t want to spend his life with someone he didn’t like.

His child was over three months old, nearly four months. Di Yan acted as if she didn’t understand, showing rare assertiveness, “You’ll make a decision tomorrow.”

Chu Zhaoyou remained silent.

Di Yan sighed, “You like that person, don’t you? Aunt isn’t forcing you to marry someone you don’t like. If someone forced me to marry someone I didn’t like, I’d rather cut my throat. But, my dear child, there’s no better solution right now. If you have one, Aunt will listen to you.”

Approaching from another angle, Di Yan advised, “The Chu family lacks descendants. Rulers value offspring. It’s important for legitimacy and to prevent turmoil. The child’s matters are crucial.”

Wasn’t this the Regent’s plan? If Zhaoyou didn’t have an heir, as a Regent, he wouldn’t even need to usurp the throne. With the support of the officials, he could politely decline and ascend the throne in the ceremonial yellow robe.

Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes flickered, and the candlelight in the late night reflected a fragile yet stubborn determination, like the thin ice floating on a lake, waiting for someone to arrive.

He hesitated to speak. Was there any other way?

The door suddenly burst open, and Di Yan and Zhao Jin quickly drew their swords, positioning themselves in front of Chu Zhaoyou.

“Who goes there!”

A rush of cold air swept in, gently moving Chu Zhaoyou’s robe. He looked up to see the Regent standing at the door, dressed in black.

The night was cold, and the Regent couldn’t discern their expressions. The only light came from the faint glimmer of a jade buckle at his waist.

The Regent preferred black attire, even during court sessions. Chu Zhaoyou had never seen him wear any other color. The only thing that changed was the style, even the belt buckle showed little variation.

Tonight, the buckle was made of fine white jade, carved into the shape of a pair of swallows, the most extravagant one Chu Zhaoyou had ever seen. It wasn’t there during the morning’s hunt.

Unbeknownst to Chu Zhaoyou, a faint hope rose in his eyes, like a cold star hesitating to fall on a pitch-black winter night.

He stared at the newcomer, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of light beneath his thin eyelids.

“Why does the Regent visit at this late hour? What’s the matter?” Di Yan suppressed her panic, looking at the Regent, unapologetically questioning him.

Xiao Heng remained silent, his gaze passing Di Yan, directly enveloping Chu Zhaoyou with a compelling chill and dominance.

What had he heard? Was Chu Zhaoyou, in the dead of night, plotting with Di Yan on how to seize the throne from him? Was he afraid of his lack of an heir being used to usurp the country? Did he want to have an heir with another woman? He couldn’t allow it!

Even if Chu Zhaoyou was contemplating how to assassinate the Regent, the remaining shreds of his rationality made him remember Xie Chaoyun’s words, and he tried to restrain himself.

Chu Zhaoyou faced the Regent with an icy glare.

Xiao Heng’s clenched fist behind his back showed visible veins, as he stopped three steps away from Chu Zhaoyou. Through gritted teeth, he declared, “I am the only one who decides Your Majesty’s marriage.”

He made it clear—Chu Zhaoyou’s marriage and having a child were solely under his control. They would be bound together for life, perhaps not even that long, maybe just a year, or eight months.

Chu Zhaoyou looked at him in shock.

Xiao Heng leaned in close to Chu Zhaoyou’s ear, menacingly threatening, “Dare to have a child on your own, and I’ll take your child’s place. I am capable of doing that.”

Chu Zhaoyou struggled to control his anger. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Even if it’s your child, I won’t acknowledge him as the Crown Prince,” Xiao Heng stated firmly.

Chu Zhaoyou stared at him intently. “I’ll remember this.”

Xiao Heng was unnerved by the intense gaze, feeling as though Chu Zhaoyou was certain that he (Xiao Heng) will regret his actions.

Turning away decisively, he headed for the exit. He couldn’t bear to be looked at in that way. It was just a matter of months. When the time came, he’d be beyond anyone’s reach.

“Outrageous!” Di Yan thrust her sword toward Xiao Heng, the blade emitting a white light, accompanied by boundless fury.

Chu Zhaoyou exclaimed, “Aunt…”

Xiao Heng swiftly evaded her attack, deftly disarming her and seizing her sword. Xie Chaoyun swiftly entered, kicked the long sword into the air, caught it, and placed it back in Zhao Jin’s scabbard.

“The Regent was irritable tonight. Let’s be more tolerant,” Xie Chaoyun said with a sigh. He had only intended to say a few words, but Xiao Heng’s temperament had caused a stir.

Xie Chaoyun quickly poured a glass of water for Chu Zhaoyou, “Your Majesty, calm down. The Regent is the one who’s truly unwell. Don’t take it to heart.”

Chu Zhaoyou sneered, “I know he’s unwell, mentally unwell.”

Xie Chaoyun hesitated. The young emperor was quite assertive tonight.

“In the end, it’s easier for Your Majesty to suffer if you oppose the Regent right now. I sincerely advise you to tolerate him for now. Step back for now and there will be more opportunities in the future. Your Majesty should go along with the Regent for now, let him teach you about governing, and only then will you not lose out.”

According to the current trend, it seemed certain that Xiao Heng would return power to the young emperor. Enduring for a while would secure a prosperous era.

Xie Chaoyun felt that as long as Chu Zhaoyou wasn’t irritated to the point of reducing his lifespan, he wouldn’t be at a significant loss.

“Just for a year. If the Regent continues to be overbearing and prevents Your Majesty from having an heir, I’ll be the first to disagree. Your Majesty is still young; there’s no rush to start a family at this time,” Xie Chaoyun’s voice sounded somewhat bitter, knowing that in a year, his brother wouldn’t be around anymore.

Chu Zhaoyou glanced at Xie Chaoyun, thinking, “You advise me to endure, but why don’t you advise the Regent’s son to endure?”

Xie Chaoyun sensed Chu Zhaoyou’s lingering anger and spoke gently, “Tonight’s incident has a cause, and I, as a humble servant, can’t directly address the Regent’s private matters. In any case, it wasn’t directed at Your Majesty. Xiao Heng was at fault first. If Your Majesty has a reasonable request, I can convey it on your behalf. As long as it’s reasonable, the Regent will surely agree.”

Xie Chaoyun felt bitter. It was a difficult situation. If it weren’t for him instigating the Regent to apologize first, he would have left before the altercation.

Once the Regent was angry, he simply left, leaving Xie Chaoyun to smooth things over.

He had heard that Qian Shicheng would send gifts to appease his wife. Perhaps he could do the same for the Regent.

Chu Zhaoyou was about to refuse, but then changed his mind, “I have no heir. Compromising with the Regent, I feel ashamed before my ancestors. I request immediate repair of the imperial mausoleum to ensure there are no leaks, to demonstrate my remorse.”

The last time the imperial mausoleum was repaired was during the previous emperor’s reign. During the Regent’s seven years in power, the funding for the mausoleum was drastically reduced, leaving only a few elderly guards.

Xie Chaoyun considered the request reasonable and responded, “I’ll convey this to the Regent on your behalf.”

Author’s note: Xiao Heng: Wear the most exquisite clothes and say the most infuriating things.