TL: Hua
The heat cycle hadn’t passed yet, or rather, it seemed to be slowly extending with the progression of the pregnancy. As soon as Xu Yanqing opened his eyes, he felt the scorching heat radiating from the back of his neck.
He buried his face in the pillow and rubbed around a bit. Then, the dejected salted fish suddenly froze. Why was he lying in bed and not curled up in a reclining chair?
Qi Chen, who came daily to check his pulse, knocked and entered. Seeing the young master lying on the bed looking like he’d lost the will to live, he couldn’t help but tease, “What’s wrong, young master? Did something wonderful happen last night that I don’t know about?”
Having completely missed the “Clothes Stealing Campaign,” the dejected salted fish lay flat on the bed, without a care in the world. Hearing Qi Chen, he turned his head and glared at him irritably, “What wonderful thing? Why don’t I know?”
“I’m asking you, young master, why are you asking me back?” Qi Chen sat by the bed and took the salted fish’s pulse, then added a few more strokes to his small notebook. He asked with a somewhat complex expression, “Has the heat cycle lengthened?”
“You can tell that too?” Xu Yanqing touched the back of his neck. “Didn’t the previous pulse readings always seem normal?”
Xu Yanqing had always thought that his body had undergone an anomaly during the process of transmigrating into the book, transforming him from an ordinary male college student into an Omega who could become pregnant and give birth. Therefore, this physique should be a first in Daliang, and it was normal for Qi Chen not to detect it before. Now, it was abnormal that he could.
Xu Yanqing looked at Qi Chen probingly and concluded, “You look a little strange today. Did you do something wrong?”
Qi Chen cleared his throat. “Isn’t it just that I secretly saw you sleeping and teasing Taoist Master Xuanchen yesterday? I wasn’t there for long before Taoist Master Wen Jing pulled me away.”
“I… teased Taoist Master Xuanchen?!” The salted fish was shocked. He struggled to turn over and sit up from the bed, grabbing Qi Chen’s arm and demanding, “Are you sure I really teased Taoist Master Xuanchen?”
The salted fish felt like crying without tears. He seemed to be getting more and more perverted. Dreaming of doing that with Taoist Master Xuanchen wasn’t enough; now he was even touching the Taoist Master in his sleep. It was truly despicable.
“Uh, young master, don’t get agitated. Let’s talk about the heat flash!” The young master suddenly became agitated, so Qi Chen quickly calmed him down. “Besides, the Taoist Master is the other father of your child. It’s normal for you to touch him.”
Normal? Is this really normal? The salted fish didn’t understand, but with no hole to crawl into, he could only compromise. “I’ve also noticed that my heat cycle has gotten longer. How did you find out? Was it really from checking my pulse?”
Qi Chen looked the young master up and down with the gaze of someone doting on a little fool. “When you’re in your heat cycle, your body temperature is higher than usual. Doesn’t that count as a result from checking your pulse?”
The salted fish, treated like a little fool, had no sense of shame. He even playfully teased himself with relish, “Maybe this is the legendary ‘three years of foolishness after pregnancy,’ and this is only the first year.”
So, you’re proud of it, huh?! Qi Chen wished he could roll his eyes at the salted fish young master right then and there. Look at how smug he was. If he got any foolish, someone would truly whisk him and the child away.
“But what are your plans now, young master? Are you really just going to let Taoist Master Xuanchen leave like that?” Qi Chen’s eyes darted around, beginning his subtle scheme to get information.
Xu Yanqing put on his clothes. Because he was in his heat flash, he appeared more lethargic than usual. Hearing Qi Chen, he looked up at him. “How do you know Taoist Master Xuanchen is leaving Xu Family Village?”
“Look, Taoist Master Wen Jing outside has already started packing his bags.” Qi Chen opened the window, motioning for the young master to look out.
Sure enough, Wen Jing had found a carriage from somewhere. The carriage didn’t look luxurious, but it was large and spacious, probably much more comfortable than their Marquis Wu’an’s carriage. Xu Yanqing sighed: Taoist Master was indeed worthy of being an emperor. Even his carriage was so unique.
“Once Taoist Master Xuanchen leaves, there will be no one to help you through the heat flash. Have you already decided what to do, young master?” Currently, Qi Chen was the one who knew Xu Yanqing’s physical condition best.
“Ah Chen, what do you think if I hired a group of assassins to abduct Taoist Master Xuanchen on the way? Would that work?” Having lost the chance to get Taoist Master Xuanchen’s original clothes, not even a corner of fabric, Xu Yanqing began to ponder other methods.
After all, while the salted fish was dejected, he was also a salted fish who cherished his life.
Only the young master could come up with a method like abducting an emperor. If Qi Chen didn’t know Taoist Master Xuanchen’s true identity, with the strength of the Marquis Wu’an’s mansion, he might have considered it a mediocre plan. But now, looking at Young Master Xu, it was clearly a way to lose his head.
“Young master, you’d better think it through yourself. Regretfully, I cannot accompany you!” Qi Chen, caught between the two, would naturally side with the young master, but at this moment, he was utterly exhausted by the commotion. Let things be as they may!
*
“What’s the matter, Taoist Master Wen Jing?” Now that Aunt Zhao was here, Aunt Li would arrive a bit later. Seeing Wen Jing busy in the courtyard, she was a little puzzled.
“Our temple has some matters to attend to, so we need to return quickly,” Wen Jing replied with a smile.
“Oh dear, the two Taoist masters have been staying with us for over two months now. A sudden departure will probably make the young master unaccustomed!” Aunt Li couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, chatting with Wen Jing for a few more moments before entering the kitchen.
Would he be unaccustomed? The dejected salted fish clicked his tongue. Who said he would be unaccustomed? Perhaps it was the little bean in his belly who would be unaccustomed. But he hadn’t managed to get Taoist Master Xuanchen’s clothes, which was indeed a difficult matter. Should he take advantage of Wen Jing packing now and try to snatch something?
“Young master, you’re up!” Mu Yu came over with a basin of water to serve his young master for washing up.
The salted fish hummed expressionlessly, “I was asleep yesterday. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Mu Yu had only realized this morning that he had delayed the young master’s “grand plan.” He explained with some guilt and difficulty, “Yesterday, when Young Master was asleep, you were still clinging to Taoist Master Xuanchen. I really couldn’t find an opportunity to wake you up. After Taoist Master Xuanchen left, he went directly back to his own room. By then, it would have been useless to wake Young Master up.”
“Alright, alright.” The dejected salted fish wanted to tightly cover his ears. What exactly did he do last night? Now even Mu Yu was saying he was clinging to the Taoist Master. It was practically ruining his “reputation.”
Of course, perhaps in everyone’s eyes, the salted fish had long since had no reputation to speak of.
After breakfast, Wen Jing stood at the door and knocked. After receiving a response from Young Master Xu, Wen Jing pushed the door open. “Young Master, we are leaving today. The Emperor would like to bid farewell to you.”
Bid farewell? Xu Yanqing’s heart stirred. He was worried about not finding an opportunity to casually take something, and now the Taoist Master was delivering the opportunity right to him. So the salted fish pretended to be reserved and nodded, “Alright, I’ll be right over.”
“No rush. The Emperor certainly has time to wait for the Young Master,” Wen Jing chuckled softly.
The salted fish young master always felt that Wen Jing’s words were teasing him, but he had no proof. He raised his hand and scratched his slightly hot nape, then calmly got up and walked out of the room.
When the young master entered, Yin Yanjun was organizing his memorials and ancient texts in the room. Due to the packing, the room was a bit messy.
Xu Yanqing’s gaze swept across the entire room, then landed on the wooden box beside the Taoist Master. The lid of the wooden box wasn’t fully closed, revealing the Taoist Master’s clothes inside, all neatly folded. It looked pleasing to the eye. It had to be said that Wen Jing’s packing skills were quite excellent.
As he was absentmindedly thinking, the salted fish young master heard the Taoist Master’s clear voice, tinged with a hint of warmth, “The floor is messy. Young master, please be careful.”
Wen Jing closed the door from the outside. There were only the two of them in the room. The dejected salted fish unceremoniously walked over and sat down in a chair. “I didn’t expect Taoist Master to leave so suddenly.”
“Prince Huai has been urging me. It’s not good for me to keep pushing state affairs onto him alone.” Yin Yanjun’s gaze towards the young master was lingering and gentle. The young master wasn’t idle even while sitting in the chair, his feet tapping. Although he seemed to be speaking seriously with the Taoist Master, his gaze constantly wandered to the wooden box beside the Taoist Master.
Yin Yanjun found it somewhat amusing. He put down the ancient texts he was organizing and walked over to the young master’s side.
As he got closer, Yin Yanjun could even smell the faint peach scent continuously emanating from the young master. Now, he had some experience and naturally knew that the young master’s heat flash had not yet subsided.
His heart was filled with pity and helplessness for the young master. Finally, he opened his mouth and only asked softly, “Were you very scared when you found out you were pregnant, Young Master?”
In that instant, Xu Yanqing felt a tingling tremor flash through his heart. He looked up at Taoist Master Xuanchen in surprise. After a moment, he honestly replied, “Perhaps so.”
Yin Yanjun’s voice deepened a bit, leading the young master to continue, “That day, when I left the capital and passed by Marquis Wu’an’s mansion, Yuancheng said that the young master had gone to the old residence to worship ancestors. Riding on horseback then, my heart was filled with many emotions, but now, upon reflection, there’s a bit of confusion.”
The salted fish young master shifted his ardent gaze from the clothes to the Taoist master. “Is it strange that I came to the old residence to worship ancestors?”
“The matter of the young master’s pregnancy was originally known only to the Marquis and Madam Wu’an and Doctor Qi. If the young master was afraid of staying in the capital and getting involved in trouble, why not simply disguise yourself as a woman and go to an unfamiliar place? Although Xu Family Village is remote, there are still people coming and going. When the young master’s belly gets bigger, there’s always a risk of exposure.” Yin Yanjun looked up at the young master.
The Taoist Master was born handsome and otherworldly, with a hint of the proud and cold plum blossom about him. When he looked over like this, it made Xu Yanqing’s heart flutter, causing him to snort inwardly. Is it possible to seduce others like this just because you are good-looking? It’s truly difficult.
The salted fish was skilled at counter-accusing. He himself had ill intentions towards that beautiful face, yet he insisted on falsely accusing the pure and upright Taoist Master of tempting him. Truly, his shamelessness had reached a certain level.
However, the other party’s question did make the salted fish pause. The Taoist master was right. Although he had a salted fish personality, he couldn’t stay in the courtyard all the time. There would always be times when he had to go out or when others would come to find him in the courtyard.
At that time, the fact that he, a man, was pregnant would be exposed to others. So why did he make that decision in the first place? It seemed that at the time, constrained by the original plot and firmly believing that the Taoist Master was someone he couldn’t afford to provoke, he just wanted to go as far away as possible.
It just so happened that his elder brother was coming to the old residence to worship ancestors at that time, so he decided to take advantage of the situation and raise his child in the old residence. Now, with the Taoist Master’s detailed explanation, Xu Yanqing realized that the decision he made back then might not have been a good one after all.
Just now, he had joked with Qi Chen about “three years of foolishness after pregnancy,” but that was merely playful banter. This, however, was truly awkward. Why hadn’t his father stopped him back then? Or perhaps, they truly were father and son, both equally heedless of the consequences?
—
In the capital, Marquis Wu’an suddenly sneezed, and his long saber sliced a long gash in his eldest son’s clothes.
Xu Xianzhi’s brow twitched. “Father, I’m your own son! Are you trying to kill me?”
Marquis Wu’an retracted his saber, touched his head, and chuckled dismissively, “A mistake, a mistake. Purely a mistake of the hand.”
His father’s “mistake” had nearly cost him his life. Xu Xianzhi felt utterly miserable!
Marquis Wu’an sparred with his eldest son for a while, then tossed the long saber onto the rack and returned to his courtyard. Lady Su was organizing the clothes she had prepared for her little grandson.
“This is too small; can he even wear it?” Marquis Wu’an picked up a small red vest.
Lady Su snatched the vest from Marquis Wu’an and lightly slapped his hand. “These little clothes have just been washed. You’ve come back from outside covered in sweat. Don’t dirty my little grandson’s clothes.”
“By now, Ah Qing should be over six months pregnant, already showing. I’m afraid he won’t be able to stay in Xu Family Village for long. When do you plan to send out those people you prepared?” Lady Su had been worried these past few days. When her youngest son found out he was pregnant, he was determined to avoid the child’s other father, and she had no choice but to let him leave the capital.
However, staying in Xu Family Village wasn’t a long-term solution. Fortunately, although her husband seemed like a rough man on the surface, he was thoughtful inside, which barely put her mind at ease.
Marquis Wu’an patted Lady Su’s shoulder. He sat by the bed and pulled his wife into his arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll arrange everything properly for Ah Qing.”
Lady Su leaned against Marquis Wu’an’s shoulder, not minding her husband’s sweaty smell at all. “Ah Qing has been silly ever since he was little. He was tricked once, and now he still can’t think things through when making decisions. I wonder if there will be someone suitable to take care of him in the future.”
“Our Marquis Wu’an’s mansion is quite a prominent family now. Even if Ah Qing doesn’t have a close person to take care of him in the future, we can still protect him. My dear, you’re worrying too much. Perhaps you should focus some of your attention on your husband instead!” Marquis Wu’an chatted and joked with Lady Su for a while, finally coaxing a smile from her.
—
Xu Yanqing was still unaware of his parents’ arrangements. At this moment, he felt slightly embarrassed, but he still forced himself to maintain a face thicker than a city wall, refusing to answer the question.
Silence was the best answer. The young master had nothing to say. Right now, he just wanted to quickly get his hands on the Taoist Master’s clothes and slip into his room. He didn’t want to see anyone for the rest of the day.
But the timing was just right. Before the dejected salted fish could even act, he felt the back of his neck slowly begin to burn. The entire room gradually filled with the scent of peaches.
This heat cycle was clearly more unsettling. This was the first time it had come on so rapidly during the day. Xu Yanqing felt parched and wished he could jump into cold water for a shower.
The young master’s hand on the table trembled slightly. Yin Yanjun’s usually elegant and composed face instantly showed concern. He placed a hand on the young master’s. “Young master, are you feeling unwell?”
The Taoist Master’s palm was warm, but it was far from enough to counter the heat at the back of his neck. The salted fish young master blinked, feeling utterly vexed by this body.
Sunlight faintly filtered into the room, making Taoist Master Xuanchen’s handsome and otherworldly face appear even more radiant and flawless, like perfect jade. Everything about him appealed to the young master’s heart.
The dejected salted fish sighed, decisively choosing to compromise in the face of physical discomfort. He held the Taoist Master’s hand, guiding him to touch the back of his own neck. “Taoist Master is leaving Xu Family Village today, and I am now clearly pregnant. It’s truly pitiful.”
Yin Yanjun’s eyelids trembled, and his heart stirred. The corners of his lips couldn’t help but curve into a faint smile. “Indeed, it is pitiful for the young master to be pregnant and alone here.”
He was already so uncomfortable now; who knew what changes would occur in the next three months? For the sake of his life, the salted fish decisively decided to remain in a “lying flat” posture and return to the capital with Taoist Master Xuanchen.
Yin Yanjun’s hand gently caressed the young master’s tender, warm neck. Hearing his words, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Then, is Young Master willing to return to the capital with me?” All the arguments he had prepared were completely useless against the unconventional young master, leaving only his boundless indulgence.
“If Taoist Master is willing to beg me, I’ll return to the capital with Taoist Master; how about that?” The young master, always one to take advantage, loved to push his luck. Now that he had lost face in front of the Taoist Master, he had to quickly regain his composure under the Taoist Master’s indulgence.
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Yin Yanjun’s immortal-like face. After a long while, he gently kneaded the young master’s earlobe, lowering his eyelashes and speaking softly, “Please, Young Master, forgive me. Will you return to the capital with me?”
The Taoist Master’s light brows and eyes seemed to hold the brilliant yet gentle starlight of a summer night. Xu Yanqing felt his heart pound uncontrollably.
The heat throughout his body seemed to grow more restless. He stared at the Taoist Master’s eyes, brimming with tenderness, and his fingertips slowly slid down from the other’s forehead—the Taoist Master’s eyes, the Taoist Master’s nose, the Taoist Master’s lips… every part was impeccably handsome.
How should an Omega’s heat cycle be soothed? Besides physical contact, there could also be biting the back of the neck or lips intimately touching…
His fingertips landed on the Taoist Master’s warm, moist lips. Xu Yanqing, like a mortal tempted by an immortal, restlessly pulled down the Taoist Master’s clothes and, as if by some strange impulse, pressed a kiss to the corner of the Taoist Master’s lips.
Yin Yanjun’s ear tips subtly reddened, but his hand clasped the back of the young master’s neck, gently turning his face to truly bring their lips together.
The sweet peach scent gradually grew more intense, intertwining with the Taoist Master’s cool, clear aura, becoming even more alluring.
This was the young master’s first kiss, and not only was he inexperienced, but the Taoist master was equally so. Finally, the young master, suddenly coming to his senses, flushed crimson and pushed the Taoist Master away, leaving the fragrant room in a panic.
The sudden heat slowly receded, leaving only a slight soreness on his lips. The dejected salted fish lay on the bed, utterly despairing. Why had he suddenly kissed the Taoist Master?!
It was simply a strange impulse, bewitched by beauty. The salted fish deeply despised his weak will. Not only did he fail to achieve his goal of stealing something, but he instead fell headfirst into the Taoist Master’s arms. In his opinion, the Taoist Master would make a better femme fatale, capable of bringing ruin to the nation, than an emperor.
“Young master, are you really going back to the capital with Taoist Master Xuanchen?” Qi Chen burst into the room, looking up to see a salted fish spread flat on the bed.
“Mm.” Xu Yanqing nodded expressionlessly. “You came here early this morning to test me. Didn’t you already guess this outcome?”
“I thought Young Master’s will was firm and unshakeable.” Qi Chen wasn’t embarrassed that his little trick was exposed. He directly dragged a small stool over and sat beside the young master. “What did Taoist Master Xuanchen say that made you change your mind?”
The dejected salted fish stared directly at Qi Chen and said very seriously, “I can only say that the Taoist Master’s face is enticingly beautiful. As long as he makes a request, how could I resist agreeing?” So, as a senior beauty lover who judges by looks, the salted fish felt deeply afflicted yet enjoyed it.
Being immersed in beauty made him very happy, but when he sobered up, he was somewhat… flustered and even wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Finally, the salted fish thought about it and called this state—”sage mode.”
Qi Chen’s expression was difficult to describe. He carefully scrutinized the salted fish’s face. “Young master, do you really think Taoist Master Xuanchen’s face is… enticingly beautiful?” Qi Chen truly couldn’t understand how the young master could describe Taoist Master Xuanchen’s immortal-like face, which also carried imperial majesty, as “enticingly beautiful.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. This means you have no eye for beauty. Unlike me, I’m simply the legendary Bole who recognizes a thousand-mile horse[mfn]The phrase “Bole and the Thousand-Mile Horse” (伯乐与千里马) originates from ancient Chinese literature and symbolizes the relationship between a talented individual (the “thousand-mile horse”) and a wise mentor or recognizer of talent (Bole).[/mfn].” The salted fish’s shamelessness returned, and he became incredibly smug.
“Alright, alright. As long as Young Master is happy!” Qi Chen shrugged and casually asked, “If you’re really going back to the capital, have you thought about how you’ll explain it to Marquis Wu’an, Madam, and the prince?”
Xu Yanqing stroked his chin. That was indeed a problem. And after giving birth, he would leave the little bean in the palace, which would make it even harder to explain to his parents.
“Ah Chen, how long do you think I can keep it a secret?” The salted fish could only lie flat when encountering trouble.
Qi Chen raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think Young Master can keep it a secret for even a month.”
Seeing the young master look over, Qi Chen explained, “When I came to Xu Family Village with Young Master, my father said that he would depart from the capital when Young Master is seven or eight months pregnant…”
“Mm, but I’m only a little over six months pregnant now. It’s still early!” The salted fish’s procrastination kicked in. He always liked to put things off for as long as possible.
“My father naturally follows the arrangements of the Marquis and Madam. Now that the young master’s belly is getting bigger by the day, it’s unlikely we can stay cooped up in the courtyard all the time. Do you think the Marquis and Madam wouldn’t have other arrangements?” The Marquis and Madam had already made clear arrangements just for the doctors, not to mention that they will need midwives and wet nurses in the later stages…
Presumably, the marquis and madam, who loved their son dearly, had already made a decision in their hearts. How could the young master’s current plan to return to the capital with the emperor be kept a secret?
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