After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 103

Jiang Huaichu looked over.

Before him, the court officials showed undisguised wariness and disgust. They stared intently at Jiang Huaichu, and in an instant, the atmosphere became tense and charged, as if on the verge of conflict.

Xiao Yun’s eyes nearly split with fury as he snapped his head toward Jiang Huaichu, only to see his expression cold and unreadable. “Baby, I didn’t know they were outside—I didn’t arrange this!”

Jiang Huaichu said nothing, and Xiao Yun didn’t even get a chance to mentally tear Zhang Kui apart. “Baby, I’m innocent! I’m completely on your side—he was the one who insulted you, you can’t take it out on me!”

“Baby!”

Jiang Huaichu replied calmly, “Ignorance is no crime. I am Duan Wang of Nanruo.”

He looked indifferently at the many familiar faces before him, said just that one sentence, and without emotion, shook off Xiao Yun’s hand and turned back inside the tent. Xiao Yun immediately panicked, mentally breaking into pieces, and yelled after him, “Chuchu! They did this, not me! Don’t leave me, d*mn it!! I’m yours!! I’ve got nothing to do with them!!”

Jiang Huaichu went back into the tent. Xiao Yun, now nearly steaming with anxiety, didn’t even spare a glance for the stunned ministers behind him. He dove after him headlong, only to be held back by a crowd of officials as he struggled forward. “Chuchu, if you’re going back, I’m going back with you…”

“Let go of me, all of you, d*mn it!” Xiao Yun roared, turning his head.

Liu Yun shouted, “Your Majesty, he is a prince of an enemy nation! As emperor, how can you speak such disheartening words?! What of Great Ning?! What of us?!”

“Bullsh*t!” Xiao Yun exploded. “That’s my wife!! I’m his husband! In front of my wife, who the h*ll are you all?!”

The words were deafening. The crowd, just moments ago ready to draw their blades at Duan Wang, were finally shouted into stunned silence. One beat later, they recalled how the emperor had naturally placed a hand on that man’s waist when escorting him out earlier. Their whole bodies began to shake—not even sure if it was from shock or terror.

Liu Yun nearly fainted, and had to be held up by Xie Zhe just to stay standing. His voice trembled: “He… isn’t he a man? And a prince of the enemy state? How… how could he be Your Majesty’s wife?”

He turned to look at Xie Zhe, a horrifying thought dawning on him. His expression twisted. “He… he’s the one you said was the Empress?!”

Xie Zhe cast a glance at the furious Xiao Yun, coughed awkwardly, and nodded.

It was like a bolt from the blue.

The root of this mess, Zhang Kui, refused to accept it and was the first to recover from the shock. He angrily said, “Even if Your Majesty had some sort of relationship with Duan Wang, we will never accept him! To cover up a private affair, Your Majesty not only secretly colluded with the enemy, but even deceives us all with talk of a royal heir?! How can the Empress of Great Ning be a prince of the enemy state?!”

The other officials were similarly enraged, their glares toward the tent full of hostility.

Xiao Yun was so furious he nearly fainted. Xie Zhe quickly grabbed hold of the indignant Zhang Kui and whispered something in his ear.

Zhang Kui scoffed, “So what if he’s pregnant? Wait—”

His fury hit a wall, and his eyes nearly popped from his head. “What did you just say?!”

He shouted so loudly that the nearby tents visibly shook.

The ministers finally recalled that, when Duan Wang had been led out earlier, his waist and abdomen had looked rather… rounded.

Liu Yun looked like his soul left his body. “He…”

“Shut the f*ck up, all of you!” Xiao Yun’s teeth clenched, his tone murderous as if he might tear them all apart. “Empress, my *ss—twice I tried to give him the title and he wouldn’t take it. He doesn’t even want me as emperor! And you’re all still here yelling?! Yell your d*mn heads off, you bunch of useless b*stards!”

His fingers trembled. Xie Zhe didn’t know whether he should be helping Liu Yun, who looked ready to pass out, or Xiao Yun, who looked ready to drop from rage.

Zhang Kui’s voice instantly dropped several notches. “Even… even if… his belly’s gotten big… he’s still a prince of the enemy state. How can he be made Empress? His heart lies with Nanruo. His character is flawed. Wouldn’t that endanger Great Ning?”

The other ministers nodded slowly and painfully.

Looking at the emperor and Xie Zhe’s expressions, this… was probably true. Especially since they’d all seen Duan Wang’s rather unmistakable stomach earlier…

They had thought they were mentally prepared. Turns out, they had still underestimated the emperor’s ability to cause chaos—or just how absurd this whole situation was.

Liu Yun had weathered many storms in his lifetime. He thought nothing could surprise him anymore. He hadn’t expected a wave this big to flatten him entirely. On one hand was the empress and royal heir he’d dreamed of. On the other, the safety of Great Ning. Torn between the two, he finally choked out painfully: “Your… Your Majesty. Even if he’s with child… he still cannot be our—”

The veins in Xiao Yun’s forehead bulged. He exploded. “Flawed character?! He’s Xie Caiqing, d*mn it!! Zhang Kui!! He’s the one who let you out of prison!!”

——

Inside the tent, Jiang Huaichu was calmly packing up everything he had left behind the night before. He tied the bundle neatly, turned, and prepared to leave. Xiao Yun rushed in and saw this scene—his heart instantly seized—and stepped in to block the way.

Jiang Huaichu looked up coldly. “Move.”

“Chuchu!! This has nothing to do with me!!”

“Are you moving or not?”

Xiao Yun lunged forward and hugged him tightly.

“Let go,” Jiang Huaichu struggled.

Xiao Yun only hugged him tighter.

Jiang Huaichu sneered, “You’re not even letting me go home now? Isn’t this imprisonment?”

Xiao Yun panicked and shook his head. “Of course you can go back! I absolutely don’t want to restrict your freedom, I just… at least take me with you!!”

“I can pack myself! I don’t need you to do it for me!!”

Jiang Huaichu’s anger faltered slightly. He laughed. Then immediately scolded himself for laughing, quickly returning to a cold expression.

“No need,” Jiang Huaichu said calmly. “I’m not forcing you to choose. Don’t punish them—judge the matter on its own merits. They didn’t do anything wrong. They’re good ministers, just from a different standpoint. Be a good emperor for Great Ning. Don’t let them down. Frankly, given my identity, I wouldn’t expect them to accept it. I also won’t bring shame to Nanruo on my account. I’m going home—”

“F*ck, Jiang Huaichu—don’t!! Can’t I just marry into your family instead?!”

Jiang Huaichu was caught off guard and let out a laugh, inwardly cursing himself for being able to laugh at a time like this—how humiliating. But looking at Xiao Yun acting like a complete clown just irritated him more. “I’m not playing around with you.”

He turned around with his bundle and headed toward the camp gate. Xiao Yun clutched him tightly and tugged him back. “Let’s have two kids in three years, yeah!”

Jiang Huaichu froze for a moment, overcome with shame and anger. He ignored him. Xiao Yun saw how determined he was and decided to go all in—he simply scooped him up at the waist. Jiang Huaichu’s feet left the ground and he snapped, “Are you a three-year-old?! I’m trying to reason with you, and you—”

“I’m shameless, fine! Either you marry me and be my wife, or I’ll marry into your family and be your husband!”

“You—”

“Let’s go, let’s go—aren’t you going to your maternal home, we’re going together!”

As Xiao Yun spoke, he grabbed the bundle from Jiang Huaichu’s hand and slung it over his own shoulder. Then he shifted his hold and cradled Jiang Huaichu comfortably in his arms, striding toward the exit. Jiang Huaichu was so flustered by his nonsense that he didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. He was stuck in between.

“You… show a little pride!”

Xiao Yun replied lazily, “Loving my wife doesn’t count as pride? Having two kids in three years doesn’t count?”

“Xiao Yun!” Jiang Huaichu shouted in embarrassment and anger.

“Who said a man’s pride lies only in military achievements? If you can’t even treat your wife right, what kind of hero are you? Besides, isn’t this considered an achievement too? I’ve had enough of wars and politics—watch me stay home and raise kids!”

Outside, a group of ministers eavesdropping by the wall were drenched in sweat, pacing in a panic like ants on a hot pan.

Ever since Duan Wang had pleaded with the emperor not to punish Zhang Kui, Zhang Kui’s face had turned a deep red from shame. He couldn’t bear to face anyone. If Dong Lu hadn’t held him back, he might’ve injured himself in guilt.

Zhang Kui couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop waiting! At this rate, we’ll lose not only the Empress and heir, but the emperor too!”

That hit home. The ministers, pale-faced and red-eyed, exchanged glances. Liu Yun suddenly slapped his thigh and said, “I have an idea! One that will definitely keep the Empress and heir here!”

Everyone’s eyes lit up. “What? What is it?!”

Liu Yun didn’t have time to explain. “Just follow my lead!”

Then he charged in first. The others were stunned for a moment, then all rushed in after him like a swarm.

Xiao Yun had just reached the door, still holding the bundle and Jiang Huaichu, when the group burst in from outside.

Jiang Huaichu had been struggling with Xiao Yun, but the sudden barrage of eyes froze him in place from sheer embarrassment.

Xiao Yun coughed and gently set him down, but still held tightly onto his hand in case he tried to run.

Liu Yun looked at their clasped hands and blushed. He turned to Jiang Huaichu with a solemn expression. “Caiqing.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Huaichu responded instinctively, only then remembering the changed circumstances. He grew even more uncomfortable.

Everyone gasped. It really was Xie Caiqing.

Liu Yun’s voice trembled. “You’re really Xie Caiqing?”

Jiang Huaichu looked at him calmly.

They were now on different sides. He represented the dignity of Nanruo and could no longer greet Liu Yun with the respect of a junior student. Especially since Liu Yun was likely to resent him upon learning the truth. Still, remembering Liu Yun’s past kindness, he gave a quiet “Mm.”

“Master Liu.”

His voice was elegant—exactly like Xie Caiqing’s—and it made everyone’s scalp tingle and minds go blank.

Hearing about something and hearing it from the person themselves were completely different experiences. The shock was incomparably greater.

Xie Caiqing of Junzhou’s humble background… was actually the noble Duan Wang of Nanruo…

That gentle, modest man with no airs was a revered Wangye who could command an entire kingdom.

Xiao Yun didn’t know what these people had come in for, but he was afraid they’d mess things up again. He immediately pulled Jiang Huaichu behind him protectively.

Liu Yun asked, “So you disguised yourself in Great Ning? This face—this is your real face?”

Xiao Yun blinked.

Oh right, after all this time, he still didn’t know which face was real and which was fake.

Sure, the face he wore in Great Ning was stunning, but Xiao Yun wasn’t the shallow type. His wife’s temperament, character, and personality outshone everything. Besides, this face was still more beautiful than most—he was more than satisfied. Even now, he was utterly captivated.

Everyone stared at Jiang Huaichu. With a sigh, Jiang Huaichu figured it was best to clarify things. He shook his head, reached up to his jaw, and rubbed.

The smooth skin wrinkled, and he pulled off a mask thin as cicada wings, revealing the face of Xie Caiqing.

Xiao Yun stared at him in disbelief. “That was your real face?!”

Jiang Huaichu gave him a half-smile.

Xiao Yun immediately realized he sounded way too excited—like he was obsessed with his looks—and coughed awkwardly.

Why did Jiang Huaichu even wear a disguise when he was already a Wangye in his palace?

The ministers stared, eyes wide and unblinking. Only now did they fully believe it. The atmosphere grew even more awkward.

“I had my reasons. I never meant to deceive anyone,” Jiang Huaichu said calmly. “Whatever resentment you may feel, I understand. I won’t blame you. Don’t worry about it. If I’ve offended anyone, I ask your forgiveness. I’ll be leaving now.”

He gave a respectful bow, then turned toward the camp gate without even bothering to reclaim his bundle from Xiao Yun.

There was nothing left to say, and no need to force things. He was never truly from Great Ning. He had lived a very different life, and at the end of the day, he was an outsider—a potential threat. Now that his identity had shifted, the discomfort was mutual. No need to force it.

He had a place where he belonged.

Besides, staying here would only make things harder for Xiao Yun, who was caught in the middle.

Xiao Yun panicked and took big strides to stop him, but Liu Yun suddenly stepped in his way.

Just as Jiang Huaichu had taken two more steps, Xiao Yun’s temper flared to the sky. “Move!”

Liu Yun pointed at him and roared, “Your Majesty! You’ve gone too far!”

Jiang Huaichu, for some reason, didn’t want to hear Xiao Yun getting yelled at. He stopped and turned back, frowning. “It has nothing to do with him. Don’t follow me. Be a good emperor of Great Ning.”

“Chuchu! You can’t just abandon your husband!” If Liu Yun hadn’t been so old, Xiao Yun would’ve already pushed him aside to chase after Jiang Huaichu.

Liu Yun shouted, “Your Majesty!”

“Scold me all you want,” Xiao Yun sneered. “I’m going to marry into his household!”

Liu Yun looked utterly flabbergasted. “You actually defiled your own subject back in Northern Ning?!”

“Yes, I admit it—I’m shameless, I’d marry in—wait, what?” Xiao Yun’s expression froze. After a few seconds, he asked in disbelief, “What did you just accuse me of?”

Jiang Huaichu also halted, a confused look on his face.

“Xie Caiqing hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet, and you already…” Liu Yun angrily flung his sleeves. “Your Majesty, are you even human?! You’ve brought utter disgrace to our ancestors!”

Liu Yun looked as if he’d just witnessed some unspeakable evil, trembling with rage. “Such a good man—virtuous and talented—and you’ve ruined him! I always wondered why my student looked so dejected every time he returned from seeing you. Now I know!!!”

Xiao Yun stared, incredulous, pointing at himself. “Are you out of your d*mned mind?!”

He was about to defend himself when Zhang Kui and Liu Yun suddenly had an epiphany and shouted, cutting him off: “I knew it! The commander said the empress is more than two months pregnant—this doesn’t look like two months! More like four or five! Xie Caiqing is such an upright and pure man, and yet you let your lust overtake you and violated your subject! Judging by the timing, you must’ve made a move on him as soon as he arrived! You’re worse than a beast!”

Xiao Yun: “…”

“….” Jiang Huaichu’s face flushed a light red. He tugged his robe, trying to cover his stomach. Watching Xiao Yun’s exaggerated, contorted expression, he couldn’t hold back the twitch of a smile.

Xiao Yun looked at this group of officials cursing him like rabid dogs, dumbfounded for a long while before he finally exploded: “Have you all lost your d*mn minds?! You’re cursing me?!”

Dong Lu roared, “Your Majesty, to fall into such depravity! No wonder—this kind of thing takes two! Don’t try to justify it. If you didn’t want to, could Xie Caiqing have forced you?!”

Xiao Yun: “You…!”

Liu Yun spat bitterly, “I always wondered why you avoided me like the plague—turns out it was because Xie Caiqing was around! Like a weasel wishing the chickens a happy new year!”

The other ministers, shaking off their initial shock from Liu Yun’s scathing outburst, suddenly understood the strategy—to turn the tables and shift the blame. They immediately joined the fray: “We’ve all seen Xie Caiqing’s character—deeply loyal and honorable. And yet, even you, the Emperor of Great Ning, with your status and looks, couldn’t keep him! He’s pregnant with your child and still wants to return home across the country—clearly, you must’ve done something utterly unforgivable!”

“Absolutely! He must be completely disillusioned!”

Liu Yun added, “To defile a subject, lack moral restraint, take away his purity, show no consideration for his youth, indulge in lust, lack self-control, fail to treasure talent, let an illegitimate child grow unnoticed, and refuse to take responsibility—what punishment should Your Majesty suffer for this?!”

Xiao Yun: “…” D*mn it.

Jiang Huaichu couldn’t help it—he let out a soft laugh.

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