Pregnant Salted Fish Chapter 43

TL: Hua

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The carriage rumbled along steadily. It had to be said that the coachmen Wen Jing found were highly skilled, so Xu Yanqing didn’t feel much turbulence. Even so, he still had lingering fears, as his past experiences riding in carriages were unpleasant. Thus, the salted fish young master simply closed his eyes, leaning his head against the carriage wall, drowsy.

Yin Yanjun, with nothing else to do, held an ancient book, occasionally distracted by the young master. Seeing the young master nodding off against the carriage wall, his lips curved slightly upward.

“If you’re tired, why not lie down and sleep?” The carriage had ample space for the young master to stretch out.

Xu Yanqing drowsily opened his eyes, not quite hearing what the Taoist Master was saying, and simply mumbled a bewildered “Hmm.”

Yin Yanjun smiled without speaking, extending a hand to the young master.

The moving carriage brought a wisp of cool breeze, and the young master’s dark hair, falling onto his shoulders, fluttered, brushing against his face. The drowsy young master, in a daze, absently raised a hand to smooth his hair back and, unknowingly, placed his hand in the Taoist Master’s palm.

The young master’s plump hand felt exceptionally soft. Yin Yanjun tightened his grip, holding it firmly, then with a gentle tuck, he drew the young master closer to him.

The already loose hair tie fell off, and all of the young master’s dark hair instantly spilled onto his shoulders. A few playful strands drifted in the breeze, rising and gently falling before Yin Yanjun’s eyes.

Ever since early summer, the salted fish young master had been most unaccustomed to his thick hair. Given his lazy nature, he found it less convenient than the short hair he had in his previous life.

If it weren’t for the saying, “Your body, hair, and skin are given by your parents,” he would have long since cut his long hair.

The young master looked incredibly cute, tugging at his hair and huffing. Yin Yanjun’s eyes showed threads of tenderness. He reached out, picked up the hair tie that had fallen behind the young master, and ran his fingers through the young master’s hair, gently massaging the top of his head.

The dejected salted fish was extremely comfortable with the massage, wishing he could cling to the Taoist Master. And the Taoist Master’s faint, cool scent was entirely to the young master’s liking.

“Taoist Master, do you use any incense?” Xu Yanqing had always been very curious about this. Currently, he still hoped to live freely and at ease once the little bean in his belly was born, but his Omega physique was truly giving him a headache. If the Taoist Master used incense, it would be easy to handle; he could just subtly ask the Taoist Master for some, as the Taoist Master was not a stingy person.

“Incense?” Yin Yanjun shook his head faintly. “I’ve never used incense, only sandalwood when I was at the Taoist Master temple.”

“None?” The salted fish burrowed his head into the Taoist Master’s lapel. Normally, he found the Taoist Master’s scent extremely pleasant.

During the heat cycle, it was even more remarkable. Each time he sniffed that scent, it was like a cat smelling catnip—utterly intoxicating. The young master had always been uninhibited in his actions, so Yin Yanjun allowed him to bounce around on his person. He lowered his head to look at the young master’s brilliant and lively eyes, his hand gently stroking the glossy, smooth hair.

No incense? The salted fish instantly slumped. He lay on Taoist Master Xuanchen, taking a deep breath. Forget it, he’d just take things one step at a time and deal with it once the little bean was actually born!

After tying up the young man’s loose hair with a hairband, Yin Yanjun patted the young man who was lying on him, moved the tea table in the middle of the carriage to the side, and raised his hand to pull out the cabinet that had been prepared long ago under the couch. In an instant, the couch turned into a medium-sized couch, and even the bedding was fully prepared.

“If Young Master is tired, you should sleep first.” Yin Yanjun sat to one side, letting the young master’s head rest on his lap, his expression gentle and serene.

The young master, who had always been thick-skinned, naturally didn’t stand on ceremony with him. So, he openly lay down on the Taoist Master’s lap, a thought suddenly coming to mind: drunk, lying on a beauty’s lap…

Taoist Master Xuanchen could absolutely be considered a devastatingly beautiful person. The dejected salted fish closed his eyes with great satisfaction.

Perhaps due to motion sickness, apart from the times Yin Yanjun woke him for meals, the young master mostly slept soundly on Taoist Master Xuanchen’s body. The carriage swayed for three or four days, finally stopping in front of a courtyard. The young master was nestled against the Taoist Master, sleeping soundly; even though the carriage had stopped for a while, he remained oblivious.

Yin Yanjun reached out and rubbed the young master’s chubby cheek. The young master skillfully pulled the Taoist Master’s hand and tucked it into his embrace, as if fearing the Taoist Master would disturb his peaceful sleep again.

A middle-aged man in official uniform was standing outside the carriage. He looked ordinary, and his weather-beaten face even looked a little old, which was not in line with his age.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. After such a long journey, I hope Your Majesty is well?” The man bowed deeply in greeting.

Unable to wake the young master, Yin Yanjun could only pick him up horizontally. Wen Jing lifted the carriage curtain from outside, escorting the emperor out of the carriage. Seeing the emperor holding a noble person whose face he couldn’t discern, the middle-aged man was startled but wisely lowered his head, not daring to look further.

Yin Yanjun did not speak. Wen Jing bowed to the middle-aged man: “Thank you for your concern, Lord Prefect. His Majesty is quite tired from the journey and only wishes to find a quiet place to rest for a while.”

Ye Qin was very astute and said no more, simply walking to the side and leading the group of distinguished guests to a secluded courtyard, where several servants were already waiting.

“Your Majesty has toiled on the journey. I will return later to pay my respects,” Ye Qin instructed the servants and then withdrew.

The young master was still sleeping, so Yin Yanjun settled him on the bed, then reached out and pinched the young master’s flushed cheek again.

“Your Majesty, hot water has been prepared in the room.” Wen Jing, having arranged the original servants in the courtyard, waited outside the door. Upon seeing the emperor emerge, he stepped forward to greet him.

“Tell Mu Yu to wake him up if his young master doesn’t wake up within another half hour.” It wasn’t good for his health to sleep like this.

“Yes,” Wen Jing nodded in assent.

Xu Yanqing finally woke from his deep slumber before dinner, feeling a bit disoriented from sleeping so much. The dispirited salted fish slowly rubbed his eyes.

Mu Yu happened to enter the room at this moment. Seeing his young master already sitting up in bed, he said, “Young Master, you’re finally awake! I was just about to call you for dinner!”

Xu Yanqing had been sleeping for too long and felt a bit sweaty all over, so he asked Mu Yu to fetch hot water to help him bathe. Aunt Zhao had already arranged for hot water to be ready whenever the young master called for it. The servants of the Ye Manor carried in the hot water, averting their gaze, and then quietly withdrew.

The just-woken salted fish was still not very alert. Only after he settled into the bathtub did he let out a long sigh, leaning back and asking Mu Yu behind him, “Where are we now?”

“We are at the residence of Lord Ye, the Prefect of Yuncheng. Taoist Master Xuanchen said that Young Master has been too fatigued lately, so we will rest here for two days,” Mu Yu said, carefully washing the young master’s hair with soapwort.

“Where is the Taoist Master?” His waist ached a bit from sleeping, so Xu Yanqing lazily leaned against the bathtub, occasionally pouring hot water over himself with a dipper.

Mu Yu shook his head at the question, “Perhaps he went to see Prefect Ye. After all, we’re borrowing someone else’s residence.”

If there was a meeting, it could only be Prefect Ye coming to pay respects to the Taoist Master. The dejected salted fish had absolutely no interest in weighty imperial affairs. He sank his head down, submerging his whole body in the hot water.

“Young Master, Young Master, come out quickly! Be careful not to choke!” Mu Yu watched with terror.

A wet little head popped out of the hot water. The salted fish dried himself off and, with Mu Yu’s help, changed into a loose summer gown.

“Is Young Master awake?” Yin Yanjun stood outside and knocked on the door. Mu Yu quickly went to open it. Ever since he learned that his young master was carrying Taoist Master Xuanchen’s child, he had a strange feeling every time he faced Taoist Master Xuanchen. Although the other party appeared otherworldly and untainted by the mundane, he was remarkably considerate and caring towards his young master.

Now, it was hard to say whether his young master had disrupted Taoist Master Xuanchen’s pure cultivation or if Taoist Master Xuanchen had developed worldly feelings for his young master. However, overall, this was a good thing, as the young master’s mood had improved greatly since Taoist Master Xuanchen came into his life.

Yin Yanjun took the cotton towel from Mu Yu and walked to the young master’s side, gently wiping the young master’s wet hair. Yin Yanjun’s movements were very gentle and didn’t pull the young master’s hair. However, his warm fingers occasionally brushed against the back of the young master’s neck.

Still in his heat cycle, the young master couldn’t help but tremble slightly. Finally, when his hair was dried and re-tied, the tingling young master quickly stood up.

“Taoist Master, didn’t you say the quinquennial New Year was approaching? Yet we’re stopping in Yuncheng now. Will it delay Taoist Master’s important matters?” The salted fish young master uncomfortably scratched the back of his neck. This heat cycle thing was making him feel increasingly strange.

Taking the young master’s hand away from scratching his neck, Yin Yanjun took out a jar of ointment from his sleeve and carefully applied it to the young master’s slightly reddened neck. He kept his eyes lowered, not answering the young master’s previous question, but instead softly asked, “Has the ointment on Young Master’s belly been applied?”

“It has,” the young master blurted out without thinking.

“Not yet!” Mu Yu honestly replied.

The dispirited salted fish wished he could hit Mu Yu hard on the head. He was already uncomfortable, but Yin Yanjun took his hand and led him to sit on the bed.

“Young Master can’t be lazy about this, or you’ll be the one suffering in the end.” Taking the ointment from Mu Yu, Yin Yanjun’s gaze calmly rested on the young master.

Taoist Master Xuanchen’s dignified demeanor, surprisingly, made the salted fish relax. He threw caution to the wind and pulled open his robe, revealing his round belly.

Mu Yu had already discreetly exited the room when Taoist Master Xuanchen was about to apply the medicine to his young master. The world was vast, but his young master was paramount. Mu Yu was naturally happy to have someone treat his young master well.

The skin, just bathed, was tender and elastic. As the milky white ointment was applied to his round belly, the salted fish’s expression became exceptionally relaxed.

“We’ll rest here for two days. If Young Master is in the mood, you can go out and explore. Yuncheng is like spring all year round, with picturesque scenery; it’s truly an excellent place,” Yin Yanjun said, putting away the ointment jar. “But now, we can have our meal.”

Just then, Wen Jing entered with a group of servants, setting the dishes on the table.

Even at Prefect Ye’s residence, the meals were still personally managed by Aunt Zhao. After all, the ingredients prepared at the Prefect’s mansion were exceptionally abundant, giving Aunt Zhao a chance to showcase her skills.

After autumn began, there was a lot of rain. As they were having dinner, it suddenly started pouring outside.

Having slept almost the entire day, Xu Yanqing felt invigorated after the meal. While Taoist Master Xuanchen wrote scriptures in his room, he sat by the window, watching the drumming raindrops outside. Although this was the Prefect’s residence, it wasn’t overly luxurious or refined; instead, it felt somewhat rustic and natural.

The courtyard was planted with vibrant green bamboo, now at its peak. The rain hitting the bamboo leaves made them appear even greener and brighter, truly beautiful like a painting.

Yin Yanjun finished his evening prayers, put down his brush and ink, and quietly walked to the young master’s side, placing a cup of warm tea down. “Ye Qin loves the people like his own children. Even though he is now the governor of a city, he still lives a simple life.”

“This must be the scholarly integrity mentioned in books. But with an enlightened emperor like Taoist Master, who can appoint capable individuals, and virtuous officials like Prefect Ye who cherish their people, it’s quite reasonable,” the young master blinked his lively eyes, subtly flattering Taoist Master Xuanchen.

Yin Yanjun reached out and pinched the young master’s earlobe, his tone flat: “Young Master, speak properly.”

“Hmm, how is this not speaking properly?” The young master leaned his chin on his hand, turning to look at the Taoist, who stood tall like a pine, a hint of unconcealed playfulness in his eyes.

Yin Yanjun remained silent, just quietly gazing at the young master.

Soon, the salted fish young master shrugged in surrender: “Alright, alright, if the rain stops tomorrow, will Taoist Master accompany me for a stroll? Please?”

“Good.” Yin Yanjun looked at the young master, nodding with extreme indulgence.

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The next morning, the rain had indeed stopped. Xu Yanqing dressed and went into the courtyard, stretching his arms spiritedly.

Qi Chen came to take his pulse and noted a few more entries in his small booklet: “Young Master’s heat cycle seems to have ended this time.”

“Yes,” Xu Yanqing nodded. Sure enough, the method of lip-to-lip intimacy made the heat cycle subside so smoothly. Young Master Xu felt completely refreshed.

Qi Chen raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but tease, “Young Master has been sitting in the carriage these past few days, constantly close to Taoist Master Xuanchen. No wonder the heat cycle receded so quickly.”

“What, are you envious?” Xu Yanqing wasn’t embarrassed at all with Qi Chen. He draped an arm over Qi Chen’s shoulder: “If Young Doctor Qi wants a desirable husband, I can help you choose one.”

“Cough, cough, Young Master is joking. I’m someone who needs to marry, have children, and inherit my family’s pharmacy,” Qi Chen declared that he wasn’t envious in the slightest.

“Oh, then Young Doctor Qi truly has grand ambitions,” Xu Yanqing couldn’t help but tease Qi Chen a few more times.

The two chatted and laughed together when they saw Wen Jing personally carrying an ordinary wooden box over. “Young Master, these are the clothes you asked this servant to prepare.”

“What clothes? Why so mysterious?” Qi Chen leaned over and opened the wooden box, revealing light blue fabric inside.

Turning his head suddenly, Qi Chen stared at Xu Yanqing in amazement: “Young Master, you’re going all out now. I’m utterly impressed.”

“You go ahead and prostrate yourself for me to see,” Xu Yanqing snapped at Qi Chen. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he said to Wen Jing, “Since Young Doctor Qi envies me having new clothes, why doesn’t Taoist Master Wen Jing also prepare a set for Young Doctor Qi? It wouldn’t be good to show favoritism!”

“Yes, this servant will go prepare it now,” Wen Jing placed the wooden box in the young master’s room and turned to prepare clothes for Qi Chen.

Qi Chen, pitifully, reached out his “Erkang hand[mfn][/mfn]” behind Wen Jing: “Taoist Master Wen Jing, wait! I really don’t want new clothes…” Young Doctor Qi wanted to cry but was pulled back into the room by Xu Yanqing.

Wen Jing was swift. Before the two in the room could figure out the clothes in the wooden box, he delivered the special outfit for Young Doctor Qi.

“Can’t I not wear it?” Young Doctor Qi pleaded tearfully.

“Tsk tsk tsk, Young Doctor Qi, just accept your fate. Hurry up and change; I’ll take you to see the beauties of Yuncheng.” Mu Yu wasn’t adept at wearing such complicated clothes either. In the end, the chief eunuch personally stepped in and managed to dress the young master and Young Doctor Qi in intricate attire.

“Husband!” The ethereal Taoist Master Xuanchen was playing chess with Ye Qin. His long, fair, and distinctly jointed fingers held a chess piece, which he had just placed, when a clear voice was heard.

Ye Qin also instinctively turned his head, only to see an exquisitely beautiful young woman standing outside the door… No, she shouldn’t be called a young woman. Her abdomen protruded, appearing to be five or six months pregnant.

His face was filled with astonishment as he looked up at the emperor he was playing chess with. If he wasn’t mistaken, this person was the noble one the emperor had carried from the carriage yesterday. So, their emperor now had a beloved, and even a future little majesty? Ye Qin was shocked. He couldn’t fathom when the ascetic emperor had become so frivolous and unrestrained.

“So, husband has guests. Did I interrupt your chess game?” The young ‘madam’s’ delicate brows furrowed slightly, with a hint of apology.

Ye Qin quickly stood up and bowed deeply to the ‘madam’: “Madam jokes. It was my presumption, not realizing Taoist and Madam had a prior arrangement. I shall take my leave now and play chess with Taoist Master Xuanchen another day.”

Ye Qin, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped as he approached the young ‘madam.’ He cupped his hands again and bowed to the young ‘madam’: “I never imagined that Taoist now has a beloved, and even a child, so I didn’t bring a greeting gift. I will certainly make it up next time. Please do not blame me, madam.”

The exquisite young ‘madam’s’ lips curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile: “Lord Ye jest. Your willingness to take in Taoist and me is already a great kindness. If those people from the Taoist temple were to catch up, I fear the child in my belly wouldn’t be safe either.”

“Ah?” Ye Qin looked bewildered.

The young ‘madam’ ignored Ye Qin’s confusion, speaking to herself, “But it’s not the fault of those Taoists. After all, it was I who seduced their Saint Son and ruined his pure cultivation, which led to this situation.”

She raised a hand to wipe away a few feigned tears, then curtsied deeply to Ye Qin: “After all, I must still thank Lord Ye for taking us in. I am eternally grateful.”

A saintly son in pure cultivation and a demoness who ruins one’s cultivation—what could be more fitting? The young master’s eyes shimmered as he glanced at Taoist Master Xuanchen, who sat perfectly upright by the tea table, and he couldn’t help but sigh: Indeed, as expected of the Taoist, so calm and composed.

Ye Qin couldn’t help but covertly glance back at the unshakeable emperor by the tea table. Unable to comprehend the situation, he could only flee in a daze, fearing his reckless eyes had seen something they shouldn’t have.

“Hahahaha!” The charming and seductive young ‘madam’ finally burst into laughter after seeing Ye Qin flee in disarray.

The young master’s appearance was already delicate and handsome. Without any makeup, just wearing this flowing women’s attire, he looked perfectly natural, like a slender, pregnant young woman.

Facing such a mischievous yet vibrant and unrestrained young master, Yin Yanjun’s cool eyebrows deepened slightly. He looked up, gazing quietly at the young master, then slowly extended a hand: “Young Master, come here to me.”

Wiping away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, Xu Yanqing looked up. For the first time, he saw deep affection, tenderness, and undisguised indulgence in Taoist Master Xuanchen’s eyes. He slowly walked over and sat beside the Taoist.

There were a few stray hairs near the young master’s temples. Yin Yanjun reached out, touched those stray hairs, and gently tucked them behind the young master’s ear: “Why did you suddenly come out dressed like this?”

Seeing that the Taoist didn’t seem to mind his intentional deception of Prefect Ye, the young master instantly perked up. He tugged at his exquisite women’s attire and blinked at the Taoist: “Doesn’t it look good?”

Of course it looked good. The young master was born handsome and looked good in any clothes, but such a direct compliment would be too abrupt. So, Yin Yanjun didn’t say it aloud, only nodding faintly: “Naturally, it looks good.”

Xu Yanqing was extremely pleased. He smiled and said, “Yesterday, Taoist Master said you’d accompany me for a stroll. In Xu Family Village, I was early in my pregnancy, so I didn’t have to worry too much. Now, walking on the street with a big belly, if I wear men’s clothes, I’m afraid I’ll scare people.”

“Young Master, after entering the Imperial Palace, you need not be so concerned. If you wish to be seen, you will be seen. If you don’t wish to be seen, no one would dare offend you.” Yin Yanjun’s gaze on the young master was gentle and profound. Even now, he still held a hint of guilt towards the young master, but more so, affection.

Feeling a slight awkwardness from being looked at in such a way by the Taoist, Xu Yanqing feigned composure and cleared his throat: “Today is different from later. Once we’re in Taoist Master’s territory, Taoist Master will naturally protect me. For now, let’s go out and stroll quickly; it might rain later!”

“Good.” Yin Yanjun raised a hand and helped the young master, who was sitting beside him, to stand up. Outside, Wen Jing had already arranged everything.

Qi Chen, dressed in women’s clothes, walked awkwardly to Xu Yanqing’s side, holding a handkerchief to cover half his face: “This humble servant greets Madam.”

 

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