“Even if you don’t care, you should at least think about the long-term future of the Wangfu. The southwestern tribes are numerous, and before the old prince took power, no one obeyed anyone. It was common for one mountain to fight with another. After so many years of hard-won peace, if the Wangfu is unstable internally, the entire southwest will be in turmoil.”

“Moreover…”

Liu Qi pressed his forehead to the ground, earnestly saying, “With this child, you can have a good talk with the old princess. She will definitely not interfere with the prince’s marriage anymore, and you will have your freedom.”

“In the future… if you like someone, just bring them into the Wangfu, no need to hold back.”

The last sentence was so quiet, it was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. He was afraid of offending Cen Yan’s taboo.

Liu Qi finished speaking in one breath and once again lowered his body to the ground, kneeling in a resolute posture, unable to rise.

Cen Yan quietly watched him for a long time without saying a word.

On that day at Daci Temple, the abbot had come from afar and said a few words, and Cen Yan had just listened.

As for fate, he didn’t entirely believe in it. But to say he didn’t believe at all, he still had some awe under the influence of the old prince.

Moreover, given his situation, the abbot was not wrong; his preference for men indeed meant he wouldn’t have any offspring.

If it had been a few years earlier, if he hadn’t missed seeing his father for the last time and had hurriedly taken over, and if he hadn’t been forcibly summoned back to the capital after taking over, getting entangled in this whirlpool of power… If Liu Qi had asked him like this back then, he might have thought it over.

But after standing on his own for many years, he had already made up his mind about many things.

Not having a child was not a problem; having this child would be a variable for him.

After leaving Daci Temple, Liu Qi was in a daze, and he guessed that his attentive attendant had figured it out.

He didn’t intentionally want to hide it; it was just that after so many years without thoughts in that direction, he hadn’t shown it.

He thought Liu Qi would at least try to probe a bit, but unexpectedly, there was none. Instead, he had dug a pit here, waiting for him.

Not mentioning his preference for men, but instead revealing the abbot’s prophecy in front of Hao San and Xu Si, Liu Qi was forcing him to keep this child.

Cen Yan: “You know I don’t like being controlled by others.”

Liu Qi: “This servant deserves to die for speaking out of turn, and will accept any punishment from the master.”

Cen Yan’s expression was emotionless.

“Is it ‘speaking out of turn’ or ‘choosing words’? You know in your heart.”

“This servant deserves to die! I am willing to accept thirty lashes!”

Seeing Liu Qi prostrated on the ground, as if he were about to sink into the earth, Cen Yan let out a breath of frustration.

After all, they had grown up together; their bond was different.

Rubbing his forehead, Cen Yan spoke softly, “I haven’t made up my mind about this matter yet; I need to think it over.”

Liu Qi wanted to say more, but Cen Yan interrupted, “That’s enough, get up.”

“If you like being punished, you don’t need to say more; just go and accept it.”

Liu Qi: “…”

Cen Yan was always someone with strong opinions.

Once he made up his mind, there would be no changes.

Eventually, Liu Qi got up.

Cen Yan: “The Dali Temple sent over the documents today, right? Bring me the ones for Zhuang Xingchang and Zhuang Yue to take a look.”

Although he didn’t agree to keep the child, he still took a step back.

A glimmer of hope rose in Liu Qi’s eyes as he nodded, afraid that Cen Yan would change his mind, and immediately left the room.

Once everyone had left, Cen Yan supported his forehead with his hand, tilting his head slightly.

As the sun set, the light and shadows in the study stretched long on the floor. He stared ahead, but his gaze seemed to fall nowhere in particular.

Suddenly, he slowly closed his eyes, remaining still like a statue of Buddha, entering a state of meditation.

*

The documents were brought to Cen Yan in the study, and Liu Qi asked him how to arrange for Zhuang Dongqing.

Cen Yan simply said, “You can arrange it.”

Receiving the order, Liu Qi went to find Zhuang Dongqing again.

“Have you discussed it?” Zhuang Dongqing, who had been drinking tea for a long time, asked as soon as Liu Qi arrived.

“Young Master Zhuang, what you mentioned today is still under consideration by the prince.” Liu Qi added quickly, fearing he would leave, “But the prince has already reviewed the documents for Lord Zhuang and Young Master Zhuang. It will take some time to handle the matters of the Zhuang residence, so how about you stay in the Wangfu for now?”

“This way, it will be convenient for you to understand the situation of Lord Zhuang and Young Master Zhuang, and your health… should also be checked carefully by Master Zhao. Please have him check your pulse for peace of mind; if there’s anything, it’s better to adjust it in time.”

He had considered it quite thoroughly.

And if given a choice, Zhuang Dongqing didn’t want to stay in the Zhuang residence either.

After a few exchanges, mainly Zhuang Dongqing mentioned his living requirements—yard, food, servants—and seeing Liu Qi agree readily and respectfully, Zhuang Dongqing thought to himself that given Cen Yan’s character, if he wanted to kill him, he wouldn’t go through such a big circle.

So, the other party probably didn’t have that intention.

With his life preserved, Liu Qi then asked about the attendants who would serve him. Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment, “Can I bring my own servant in to serve me closely?”

Thinking of something, he asked again, “He can go out too, right?”

Liu Qi: “Of course, you are a distinguished guest of the Wangfu; how could we restrict your movements?”

On the surface, Liu Qi didn’t show it, but in his heart, he thought that if there really were people behind the scenes, it would be easier for them to go out and make contact, allowing the Wangfu to track them down and eliminate this hidden danger sooner.

Zhuang Dongqing felt there was no problem and mentioned Liu Qi’s servant, Liu Fu, suggesting he should bring him in.

Liu Qi naturally agreed.

But Zhuang Dongqing wasn’t that foolish. Accompanied by Liu Qi, he met Liu Fu, and before bringing him back to the Wangfu, he sent someone to buy things.

This was actually their secret code. Zhuang Dongqing had done various situation analyses beforehand, and this was one of them.

He instructed Liu Fu to send his contract of servitude to Li Yang, who would temporarily keep it.

In ancient times, the contracts of servitude and household registration were one and the same. To change the master, both were necessary. He held the household registration but hadn’t gone to the government to register the change, so Li Yang was holding the contract, and Liu Fu was not his servant.

But if one day they quietly disappeared from the Wangfu, the contract could serve as a reason for Li Yang to come looking for Liu Fu openly.

Actually, it wasn’t a clever plan.

It could be easily unraveled.

But Zhuang Dongqing couldn’t think of any other clever tricks.

After all, he really had no one behind him. Even if he did nothing, Cen Yan and Liu Qi would still suspect him.

In that case, since there was a probation period, he might as well let himself feel a bit more at ease.

When Liu Fu returned with the people from the Wangfu, Zhuang Dongqing took a handful of fresh sugar melon seeds.

Wow, to be honest, the sugar melon seeds from Li Yang’s shop were really delicious.

*

“And then he just ate that bag of sugar melon seeds all the way?”

After settling Zhuang Dongqing, Liu Qi came to report, and upon hearing the last part, Cen Yan asked.

Liu Qi: “… Yes. It seems he really loves to eat.”

Cen Yan countered, “What else would he eat that wouldn’t be delicious?”

Liu Qi choked for a moment, then returned to the main topic, “This shop belongs to the family of the Shufei, so it might be related to the Sixth Prince.”

“Mm, keep an eye on it.”

Zhuang Dongqing and Li Yang had a good relationship; they had been watching each other during the Spring Banquet, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Liu Qi nodded in agreement.

He stayed in the study until dark, finishing the documents. After having dinner, before returning to his room, Cen Yan inexplicably went to the east wing.

The east wing was opposite the main courtyard where he lived and existed independently. It was the courtyard where Cen Yan’s eldest sister stayed before she got married when she was temporarily in the capital.

Liu Qi arranged for Zhuang Dongqing to stay here, both for protection and precaution.

Cen Yan entered the courtyard, and a servant guided him all the way to Zhuang Dongqing’s residence. The servant whispered, “Young Master Zhuang just finished bathing and should be drying his hair now.”

As he got closer, he indeed saw Liu Fu coming out with a wet cloth. As soon as he stepped out, he bumped right into Cen Yan.

Liu Fu was caught off guard and stood there in a daze.

Cen Yan brushed past him and entered the room.

The candles were lit, and the room was brightly illuminated.

With a quick glance, even though time was tight, Liu Qi had instructed people to change everything that needed changing in the room. It looked completely free of any makeup scent, leaving only a simple and elegant atmosphere.

The inner and outer rooms were separated by thin gauze, and one could vaguely see a figure sitting inside, though it wasn’t clear.

“Can’t we just sleep now? It’s almost dry, I’m so sleepy, Liu Fu…”

Zhuang Dongqing heard the noise and thought Liu Fu had returned, mumbling.

“It’s me.”

Suddenly, a deep male voice interrupted.

Realizing it slowly, Zhuang Dongqing jolted awake.

Completely.

“Prince, I… at this hour, you… you…”

He instinctively sat up straight, wanting to get up, but then realized he was only wearing an inner shirt, and his mind went blank.

“Just a few questions and then I’ll leave; sit down.”

Cen Yan saw through his embarrassment, found a chair to sit down, and firmly kept him on the couch.

“… Oh.”

Zhuang Dongqing shifted his body, straightening his back.

The window was open, and the white gauze occasionally swayed. Zhuang Dongqing looked outside but couldn’t clearly see Cen Yan’s expression.

The room fell silent, and for a long time, no one spoke. Zhuang Dongqing finally said, “I’m awake now; you can ask.”

He felt a bit scared of the overly quiet atmosphere, especially under Cen Yan’s gaze.

After a moment, he finally heard the voice from the outer room: “Do you want to have this child?”

The words were slow, each one pronounced clearly, and the tone was low, hinting at confusion.

Hearing the emotion, Zhuang Dongqing relaxed a bit, “Otherwise, what?”

He was already pregnant; he had no choice.

“Why?”

“You had excellent studies before; I’ve seen your essays. If you hadn’t hurt your head, passing the imperial examination would have been no problem.”

That meant he would enter the officialdom after passing the spring examination.

Zhuang Dongqing was puzzled: “So?”

Cen Yan: “It’s rare for a man to give birth. If you want this child, you will be implicitly recognized as a member of the Ren tribe, making it difficult for you to enter the officialdom later.”

“After studying hard for over ten years, can you bear to give that up?”

“If I don’t want this child, you will still give birth, right?”

“Ah?” Zhuang Dongqing was confused, “But, but I already…”

His words faltered, and Zhuang Dongqing understood, “You want to ask if I would… terminate this child if you don’t want it.”

Cen Yan: “Mm.”

Zhuang Dongqing instinctively looked towards the outer room, realizing Cen Yan was also looking at him. Although it was not very clear through the gauze, he could feel that gaze directly on him.

“No, it’s different.” Zhuang Dongqing’s mind was a bit chaotic, and he picked up what he could think of to say, “If I want to give birth, it requires surgery. Terminating it is not as simple as just taking medicine.”

“Master Zhao is a divine doctor in the southwest. If you don’t want it, he can perform the surgery without any issues.”

Ah?

Ah?!

Zhuang Dongqing was startled, his shoulders shrinking, exclaiming, “You want me to terminate this child?”

“Not at all.”

The denial was quick, and his tone was extremely firm. Cen Yan said, “I just don’t like being forced.”

“Whether or not this child exists, I’m fine, but for you, it means something completely different.”

“Even if you don’t consider me, I want to hear your thoughts without any worries.”

His calm and composed words settled the atmosphere and steadied Zhuang Dongqing’s mind.

After swallowing, Zhuang Dongqing lowered his gaze.

As if he knew what Zhuang Dongqing was thinking, Cen Yan rarely spoke gently, “No rush; answer when you’re ready.”

“I…”

After a long while, Zhuang Dongqing finally spoke, struggling to say, “If you don’t want it, I think I should still give birth.”

“Why? Is it worth it?”

Zhuang Dongqing lowered his head, his voice soft, “It’s not about worth.”

“It is… he is…”

“… my child.”

After a long silence.

Cen Yan: “I see.”

Zhuang Dongqing couldn’t discern whether his tone was good or bad.

He raised his head, still separated by the gauze, and the other party was still looking at him. Even though it was always hazy, Zhuang Dongqing felt something had changed. He sensed that gaze wanting to pry him open and look inside.

After a while, when Zhuang Dongqing felt he could no longer sit still under that gaze, Cen Yan stood up.

“I still need to think about this child.”

With a sigh of relief, Zhuang Dongqing estimated that tonight’s questions had been asked.

Then he saw Cen Yan mention, “I looked at your family’s documents today. Lord Zhuang is fine, but your brother’s situation is more complicated. You should prepare to go to Dali Temple with me tomorrow.”