Pregnant Salted Fish Extra 3

TL: Hua

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Extra 3

“Your Royal Highness, I, your humble servant, pay my respects!” Su Xuelian, seeing the young man enter Hanliang Palace, quickly lowered her head and curtsied.

The young man resembled the Emperor, who had long cultivated in the Taoist temples, but his eyes were constantly filled with terrifying hostility, even though His Royal Highness was only fourteen or fifteen years old.

The palace attendants secretly said that His Royal Highness was probably ill, and quite severely so, which was why Su Xuelian had been especially afraid to be alone with this cousin since childhood.

“Cousin, why did you not come to the Eastern Palace to visit me after entering the palace? You made me wait for you for quite some time in the Eastern Palace.” Yin Yuanchen looked at the trembling young woman before him with not much emotion in his heart, even though this young woman was to be the future Crown Princess.

Upon hearing this, Su Xuelian couldn’t help but lower her head even further. What was she to say? She hadn’t willingly entered the palace this time but had been forced by her grandfather. But for the safety of Master Pei, what else could she do?

“Hehe.” Seeing Su Xuelian’s increasing terror, Yin Yuanchen slowly squatted down, then expressionlessly gazed into the young woman’s eyes: “Cousin, you seem to be very afraid of me.”

For a moment, Su Xuelian looked into His Royal Highness’s dark eyes and felt as if she had seen a demon crawling up from hell.

Yin Yuanchen instantly felt bored. He stood up casually, patted off non-existent dust from his body, and turned to leave, somewhat discontented.

He glanced outside the Imperial Study. Imperial Father seemed to be discussing state affairs with the court officials. Yin Yuanchen turned and returned to the Eastern Palace, ignoring the group of trembling, cautious palace attendants, and stepped into his sleeping chambers.

His chest was filled with a fiery irritability and a strong desire to destroy. Yin Yuanchen kicked over a side table. The neatly arranged porcelain vases on it instantly shattered into fragments on the floor.

Listening to the almost explosive sounds in his ears, Yin Yuanchen’s eyes grew even more sinister. The palace attendants outside heard the violent commotion from within the sleeping chambers, trembling but not daring to take a single step inside.

Yin Yuanchen threw everything in the room, then collapsed onto the bed, closing his weary eyes. He was sick, truly sick… Ever since he could remember, he had been entangled by this inexplicable restlessness and destructive urge. He would uncontrollably go mad. It was only when he was by Imperial Father’s side that he would feel a little better.

But as time passed and he grew older, the restlessness and destructive urge within him grew even stronger. Therefore, Imperial Father could only seek doctors everywhere for him.

The young man lying on the bed slowly curled up, like an infant still in the womb… fragile and sensitive. Unbeknownst to him, he had already fallen into a dream.

“Is His Royal Highness not up yet?” A gentle and lazy voice sounded outside the door. This voice was very unfamiliar to Yin Yuanchen, and he couldn’t help but frown while lying in bed.

Who dared to be so noisy in the Eastern Palace? Such disrespectful palace attendants would have long been thrown into prison.

However, before the half-awake Yin Yuanchen could open his eyes, he heard a palace attendant reply, “Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince might have been tired from studying last night, which is why he woke up a little late today.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, just like his Imperial Father. I’m afraid if he reads too much, he’ll become dull and silly too.” Xu Yanqing waved his hand, dismissing Sang Yuan, then pushed open the door and entered his son’s sleeping chambers.

This brat’s temperament was too clingy, which was why he only moved from Hanliang Palace to the Eastern Palace at the age of ten. However, even after moving to the Eastern Palace, the brat still ran to Hanliang Palace every day.

Today was his older brother and sister-in-law’s second child’s full-month celebration. The brat was still making a fuss yesterday about wanting to go with him to Marquis Wu’an’s residence to play with Zijun, but now he was nestled in bed, sleeping in.

He coughed. Thinking of this, the salted fish couldn’t help but clear his throat. If the Taoist master hadn’t roused him early this morning, he would probably be lying in bed like his son right now.

However, it was normal for a salted fish to be like this. But his son, who had always gone to bed early and risen early like the Taoist master since childhood, suddenly sleeping in was a bit unusual.

So, the salted fish reached out to his son’s forehead on the bed: “Hot!”

Yin Yuanchen suddenly opened his eyes, which were as bright as black grapes and filled with thick shadows, but his mouth was filled with a youthful voice with a hint of childishness in the sunshine: “Daddy.”

Daddy? Yin Yuanchen felt very strange in his heart. In his half-asleep state just now, he vaguely heard the palace attendant outside call this man “Empress.” Does that mean his Imperial Father married a man to be his Empress?

No matter how Yin Yuanchen thought about it, this wasn’t something his Imperial Father would do. He only thought he hadn’t woken up yet and was about to curl back into bed for another nap, but the man sitting by the bed had already pulled him up: “Brat, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Do you want Ah Chen to come and take a look?”

Xu Yanqing just felt this brat was working too hard. When it’s time to play, you should play. Work-life balance is the right way.

It seemed sleeping was out of the question. Yin Yuanchen truly didn’t know how to interact with the man in front of him, so he could only shake his head indifferently, refusing the suggestion to invite an imperial physician.

“Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, His Majesty sent this old servant to ask if you are ready?” When Wen Jing arrived, the salted fish was sprawled lazily in a chair, watching his son change clothes.

Upon hearing this, Yin Yuanchen looked back. He was, of course, very familiar with Wen Jing. After all, when he was young, he would fuss all night, and when his imperial father was tired and rested, it was Wen Jing who would take care of him.

To put it in an inappropriate way, as the Crown Prince of Daliang, he could be considered to have been raised by Wen Jing. But facing the slow-walking figure in the mirror, Yin Yuanchen remained silent.

After all, everything before him was too unfamiliar. Not only was the Eastern Palace, where he had lived for over ten years, unfamiliar, but even the people in the palace were unfamiliar.

“Hmm.” The salted fish, who had been curled up in a chair and daydreaming, finally stood up slowly, put one hand on his brat, and walked out. There was no benefit in making a salted fish get up too early; the salted fish needed their lie-in.

When Yin Yuanchen, with the man clinging to him, reached the outside of Hanliang Palace, he finally saw his Imperial Father. He still had that aloof and detached demeanor, but when he looked at the “male Empress” on his shoulder, he was exceptionally gentle.

“Why did it take you so long to get ready?” Pulling the young man who was clinging to his son, Yin Yanjun habitually pinched the soft flesh on Xu Yanqing’s hand.

Xu Yanqing lifted his head slightly: “Look at your handiwork, making Yuanchen study every day! Our clever and intelligent good son is about to turn foolish! Just now when I went over, our son was actually still lounging in bed, sleeping in!”

Yin Yanjun’s slightly worried gaze fell on Yin Yuanchen: “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Yin Yuanchen shook his head. He wasn’t unwell. And the restlessness and destructive urge that had plagued him for over ten years had also inexplicably disappeared. It was just that everything around him was too unfamiliar, like he was in a fantastical dream.

Once in the carriage, Yin Yuanchen sat by the window, silently looking out at the bustling market. After a moment, he looked back and saw the “male Empress,” who was completely unfamiliar to him, already skillfully nestled in Imperial Father’s embrace. And Imperial Father, with great indulgence, embraced the person, the two whispering together.

Today was the full-month celebration for Xu Xianzhi and Tuoba Jinshu’s second child. Therefore, the servants of Marquis Wu’an’s residence had been bustling back and forth since early morning. Having been notified in advance, the servants of Marquis Wu’an’s residence directly led the Emperor and Empress to the back courtyard after they dismounted from the carriage.

The Emperor had an aloof nature and always disliked noise, so Marquis Wu’an directly arranged this “son-in-law,” who often caused a stir in his own youngest son’s former courtyard.

The salted fish nestled in the lounge chair sighed with relief, feeling as if he had finally come alive. He took a sip of warm water from the cup handed by the Taoist master, then spoke to Yin Yuanchen, who was standing beside him in a daze: “Yesterday, didn’t you say that you wanted to play with Zijun?”

Yin Yuanchen didn’t know who “Zijun” that Xu Yanqing spoke of was, but he nodded in agreement and turned to leave. However, just as he stepped out of the room, he vaguely heard voices from inside.

“I told you long ago not to give Yuanchen so much homework. Look, he’s already becoming foolish from studying.” Xu Yanqing casually pulled a novel from under the lounge chair. This was something Qi Chen had recently acquired from a bookstore.

Yin Yanjun gently rubbed the young man’s cheek: “It’s my fault. I should have listened to Qingqing.” However, today’s Yuanchen was indeed a bit strange. He needed to find an opportunity to talk with him.

Yin Yuanchen stood at the door, frowning and listening for a moment, then lifted his feet and continued out of the courtyard. Before he could even leave this courtyard, a boy of twelve or thirteen years old joyfully ran over.

“Elder Brother Yuanchen, you’re finally here!” Xu Zijun excitedly ran to Yin Yuanchen’s side. As soon as he stopped, he pulled Yin Yuanchen outside. “Hurry, hurry! I’ll take you to see my little sister. Didn’t you say a while ago that you wanted Uncle to have a sister for you? Although His Majesty didn’t agree, I have a sister now. My sister is also your sister!”

Xu Zijun talked a lot. Although Yin Yuanchen was somewhat confused by what he said, he still managed to extract many secrets just by chatting along the way.

However, it was precisely because of this that Yin Yuanchen was even more astonished. If Xu Zijun was not mistaken, he himself was born of Xu Yanqing?

For a man to conceive and bear children was against the natural order. So, at that time, “he” had suffered a difficult birth and died…

Yin Yuanchen, in a daze, followed Xu Zijun to see his little cousin, who had just turned one month old. The little cousin was still too young; after just a few glances, the wet nurse carried the little girl away.

After chatting with Lady Su for a while, Yin Yuanchen remembered that he had met Marquis Wu’an and his wife before. At that time, the couple always looked at him strangely.

Now, it seemed everything made sense. Precisely because “he” had a difficult birth while giving birth to him, Marquis Wu’an and his wife must have harbored resentment!

“Our Crown Prince is growing more and more like His Majesty now,” Lady Su said with eyes full of affection. “His Majesty usually spoils your daddy, and you probably follow suit.”

Yin Yuanchen heard many interesting stories about “his” childhood from Lady Su. His eyes, which were constantly filled with terrifying, sinister intent, gradually became peaceful. From time to time, he could also join in the conversation with Lady Su.

After a long while, Xu Zijun ran over again and pulled Yin Yuanchen out: “Elder Brother Yuanji, Elder Sister Rongyue, Elder Brother Shang’an, they’re all here! Let’s go play at the front!”

These names seemed to be people Yin Yuanchen was familiar with, but in the past, these people were not as close to him as they were now.

Especially Su Xuelian, who had been trembling when speaking to him before he slept but now could gracefully curtsy and chat.

“Elder Sister Rongyue, are you and Elder Brother Shang’an getting married soon?” Xu Zijun, two or three years younger than Yin Yuanchen, was always outspoken and couldn’t keep a secret. Seeing Su Rongyue and Pei Shang’an talking closely, he suddenly blurted out that question.

Su Rongyue glanced at the scholarly Pei Shang’an, then looked up and deliberately cast a sidelong glance at Xu Zijun: “Perhaps Zijun also wants to find a wife?”

Xu Zijun chuckled, “It’s my fault, it’s my fault, Elder Sister Rongyue, please forgive me!”

Yin Yuanji put his arm around Xu Zijun’s shoulder: “Zijun just has a bad memory. Your elder brother Shang’an has elder sister Rongyue protecting him, so you have no business teasing him.”

Yin Yuanchen merely sat by, showing little reaction. The current Su Rongyue was not his fiancée; they were merely cousins. He could even offer a congratulation without any joy.

A group of friends gathered, playing and having fun, and half the day passed. When Yin Yuanchen returned to the small courtyard, Yin Yanjun was accompanying the young man for an afternoon nap.

It was just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the weather was neither cold nor hot. Yin Yuanchen sat on the steps, quietly lost in thought; his heart was as calm as water.

When Yin Yanjun came out of the room, he saw his son’s slender back. He frowned slightly for a moment, then sat down beside Yin Yuanchen.

“What are you thinking about?” Imperial Father’s tone sounded as cool and calm as ever, but Yin Yuanchen detected a barely concealed concern in it.

Yin Yuanchen turned his head to look at his Imperial Father, feeling somewhat complex. After a moment’s thought, he finally spoke: “… Is daddy still sleeping?”

“You still don’t know your daddy’s temperament? He’ll probably sleep for another half an hour.” Yin Yanjun’s tone carried a faint hint of a smile.

Yin Yuanchen held a twig he had casually picked up from the ground, aimlessly poking the steps: “Imperial Father, can you tell your son about your past with daddy?”

It seemed that as children grew older, they would become curious about their parents’ past. Yin Yanjun slowly raised his hand and stroked his son’s head, then slowly recounted those past events.

The autumn wind rustled the fallen, withered branches and leaves on the ground. Yin Yanjun sighed, “Ultimately, it was me who failed your daddy, causing him to endure so much pain.”

“So Imperial Father didn’t want a second child?” Yin Yuanchen’s eyes were complex. For a man to conceive and bear children was always painful. “He” died in childbirth, not intentionally abandoning him in the palace.

“Your daddy is simple-natured. If he were to have another child, I couldn’t bear it.” Hearing movement from inside the room, Yin Yanjun pulled his son up from the steps: “The ground is cold; get up quickly!”

Rarely leaving the palace, Xu Yanqing was unwilling to return so soon. So, he decisively pulled the Taoist master and his son to stay for a few days at Marquis Wu’an’s residence.

The next day, he slept until he woke up naturally. The Taoist master seemed to have urgent state affairs to attend to, so Xu Yanqing took his son out for a stroll.

When the weather was hot, the salted fish wouldn’t take an extra step. But now, with the clear skies and crisp air, it was perfect for going out!

Xu Yanqing led the way, eating at every stop, while Yin Yuanchen followed behind, paying at every stop. Finally, Xu Yanqing stopped in front of a restaurant, sighed despondently, and reluctantly left.

Yin Yuanchen looked up at the sign: “Daddy, do you want to drink?”

Xu Yanqing put a finger to his lips: “Brat, don’t talk nonsense. If I drink behind your Imperial Father’s back today, you probably won’t see your daddy tomorrow.”

These words were truly heartbreaking to hear. The salted fish silently waved goodbye to the fragrant wine in his heart: “Alright, alright, daddy will take you to eat other good things.”

Along the way, the peddlers were so familiar with Xu Yanqing that they couldn’t be any more familiar, opening their mouths with: “Young Master Xu is here again!”

Yin Yuanchen watched with great interest from the side. Daddy was already the Empress of Daliang, yet he was still so chummy with these merchants.

After stubbornly dragging his son to play outside for several days, the salted fish, who had lost himself in trivial pleasures, was finally mercilessly driven back to the palace by Marquis Wu’an and Madam.

Back in the Eastern Palace, Yin Yuanchen looked at the many small trinkets in the room and suddenly spoke to Sang Yuan, who was serving beside him: “Where are all the things daddy made for me by hand?”

Sang Yuan was not surprised by this. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince revered the Empress, so he often took out these small trinkets to play with. Therefore, he quickly took a box from the cabinet: “Your Highness, you put all the things His Majesty made in this box.”

“Hmm.” Yin Yuanchen waved his hand, telling Sang Yuan to step back. Only after the door closed did he slowly lift his hand and open the box.

Inside were various puppets and several moving toy carriages made by Xu Yanqing himself. Among them was a jade plaque with very obvious hand-carved marks. It was a piece of jade stone presented as tribute from the Xiling Kingdom, a unique texture even in Daliang.

For a period of time, Xu Yanqing was very interested in carving jade, so he specifically sought advice from Princess Jinshu. After much study, he made a protective jade plaque for both the Taoist master and the little cub.

Yin Yuanchen slowly raised his hand and hung the jade plaque around his neck. He suddenly felt a bit of jealousy, jealous of how happy Yin Yuanchen was in this world.

Darkness swept over, and Yin Yuanchen fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up again, the Eastern Palace was still empty, gloomy, and dark.

He suddenly sat up from the bed. The jade plaque on his neck swayed back and forth on his chest twice.

Yin Yuanchen held the jade plaque in his palm, vaguely feeling the traces of a few small characters. He took the jade plaque down and, under the candlelight, faintly saw a line of small characters: “For Xu Yanqing’s little cub.”

“Daddy…” Yin Yuanchen murmured. It seemed that the years of wild restlessness and destructive urges that had filled his heart were instantly healed.

Su Xuelian entered the palace again. This time, she still couldn’t avoid His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It was just that His Royal Highness seemed to have undergone many changes… he was no longer as sinister and terrifying as before.

Yin Yuanchen glanced at Su Xuelian and couldn’t help but remember the graceful Su Rongyue in that other world: “You go back and wait. In a few days, Imperial Father will find an opportunity to issue an imperial decree to annul the engagement.”

In the past, he only wanted to grasp what belonged to him, detesting all betrayal and everything unexpected… Now, it seemed none of that mattered. Yin Yuanchen touched the jade plaque hanging around his neck.

“Why suddenly annul the engagement?” The majestic emperor sitting behind his desk was stern and aloof, with not a trace of extra emotion in his tone.

Yin Yuanchen knelt before his Imperial Father: “Your son had a dream. I dreamed of a particularly lazy and particularly interesting person named Xu Yanqing—he is this son’s daddy.”

Yin Yuanchen briefly recounted everything he had encountered in that world, then slowly said, “Your son’s illness is cured. From now on, I will not let Imperial Father suffer so much anymore.”

In the world with daddy, both he and Imperial Father were happy and joyful. Unfortunately, there was no daddy in this world, but he would cherish the life daddy gave him, take good care of himself, and take good care of Imperial Father.

After Yin Yuanchen spoke, the majestic and indifferent emperor had already put down his brush. For a moment, he vaguely felt that he remembered many things and yet remembered nothing at all.

Only the candlelight, burning late into the night in the Imperial Study, remained.

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