After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 106

Romance really didn’t suit Xiao Yun. His true talents lay in arson, slaughter, and pillaging.

Jiang Huaichu silently watched the blazing inferno in the distance—so intense it seemed it could swallow everything whole. The pounding of his heart grew louder and clearer.

Xiao Yun… had protected what he himself had been striving to protect all along.

And with that identity.

He could hear the unmistakable sound of his own heartbeat, strong and real—nothing like some illusory fantasy.

From within the fortress of Yeming Pass came deafening cheers. The commoners seemed to have heard about the granary fire and were howling with joy.

Some things had been destroyed, but new things rose with the flames, climbing higher, spreading wider, rapidly replacing what once was.

In the deep night, fire soared to the sky.

In this grand blaze, a strange silence fell upon the watchtower. No one spoke. No one knew how much time passed until the sound of a horse’s whinny came from below.

A white horse reared up on its hind legs, neighing to the heavens. The man in black on its back tugged lightly on the reins, calm and composed in the wind.

Soaked in dew, his hair and clothes were dotted with droplets. He looked travel-worn.

He had returned alone, clearly having rushed at full speed to get back.

Before the horse’s hooves had even landed, the man had already looked up—toward the highest point of the watchtower.

“Chuchu!”

Jiang Huaichu had spotted him from the moment he appeared in the distance. At the sound of his voice, he looked down.

The man lifted his face—his eyes dark and deep, sharp brows sweeping to the temples. He smiled up at him, completely unrestrained, like a child proudly showing off, waiting for praise.

He must have returned in too much of a hurry—his left cheek was still smudged with ash, which he hadn’t even noticed.

His eyes were filled with only him, that smile infectiously warm.

Vivid. Fiery. Unforgettable.

Jiang Huaichu quietly looked down at him, his heart trembling.

He was the kind of person you only had to see once to feel your chest burn and the world suddenly burst into color—capable of lighting up all the gray and breathing life and hope into it.

Strong, but real—not distant, cold, guarded, or calculating.

Xiao Yun was warm and wholehearted.

Jiang Huaichu had never been so sure of this.

An emperor who had crawled through the mud of worldly affairs, yet still kept a childlike heart that could be wholly given to another.

He made one feel hopeful for a future with him in it.

A future that would surely be full of laughter and moments that touched the soul.

The courage Jiang Huaichu had hidden away was suddenly ignited—blazing in an instant.

He wanted Xiao Yun in his future. That was the life he longed for.

Before he had seen it, he hadn’t known what he was missing. But once he had—he could no longer let it go.

“Chuchu!” Xiao Yun called out again, impatient from below.

Standing beside him, Jiang Huaiyi saw the faint smile curl at the corner of Jiang Huaichu’s lips—and his heart trembled.

That smile was faint, but it held a breathtaking kind of power.

Anyone other than Jiang Huaichu standing here would be unnecessary. Between them, there seemed to be no space at all.

In that moment, Jiang Huaiyi’s gaze grew indescribably complicated.

Never had he so clearly realized that the younger brother he had raised with his own hands… no longer belonged to him.

…

In the following days, inside the city of Yeming Pass, teahouses and taverns buzzed with one story: how Ye Country’s Mindu granary was burned down by the Emperor of Great Ning.

“Did you hear? The Great Ning Emperor took only a few thousand cavalry and snuck in to burn the granary!”

“Just a few thousand?!”

“Yeah! And he came back unharmed! I was out shopping that day, and on my way back I saw Xiao Yun’s troops returning. Just a few thousand, I swear!”

“That’s insane!”

“Ye Country never imagined Xiao Yun would dare split his troops to burn their granary with so few men. They thought we’d take advantage of the chaos to strike them down, so they weren’t on guard. But in the end…”

The teahouse erupted with laughter. A sense of pride bloomed among the citizens.

“Our Nanruo has always been honorable. But the Great Ning Emperor trusting us like that? That shows he’s truly broad-minded and upright. A petty man could never have pulled that off.”

“Exactly!”

“If it were me, I’d never take that kind of gamble. How could he be so at ease? Wasn’t he afraid we’d open our gates, wipe out the rest of his soldiers, or send troops to ambush him on his way back?”

None of them could understand it.

Soon, they chalked it up to the Great Ning War God’s legendary ability to foresee all things—a divine gift beyond comprehension.

….

Xiao Yun had been extremely busy in the days since. He’d gone out with his troops again that day.

Inside the command tent, Jiang Huaichu pulled a note from a carrier pigeon’s leg, unfolded it, and let out a faint smile.

“Xiao Yun’s reputation in the capital has suddenly reversed. The people sing his praises. We suspect his men are posing as civilians, spreading word and guiding the narrative.”

“The matter you suspected has been confirmed. It is true. The instructions you gave have also been carried out. We await your orders.”

Jiang Huaichu brought over a candleholder and calmly burned the note, then pulled on his robe absentmindedly.

The day Xiao Yun rushed back to see him, he’d run straight to the watchtower—only to run into his imperial brother.

After a few sarcastic remarks… his royal brother had turned cold and just left.

Just like that. Left.

As if he hadn’t come to drag him back, but rather to inspect an enemy camp and intimidate the enemy.

Everyone—soldiers, ministers—had been stunned. Even Xiao Yun had been left speechless.

Jiang Huaichu rubbed his temples, uneasy.

He was afraid his brother had truly lost all hope in him—and finally, completely, given up.

He didn’t want to lose his imperial brother because of Xiao Yun.

There were things that needed to be prioritized. Once the matter with Xiao Yun was dealt with, he had to return to see his royal brother.

…

At Bazhai Slope, Xiao Yun’s cavalry were fleeing in front, with the Ye Country army in relentless pursuit.

Ever since Xiao Yun had swaggered into Mindu and burned their granary—making the Ye Country a laughingstock—their monarch had sworn to kill him.

A young Ye general trailing behind hesitated and warned, “Commander, never pursue a desperate enemy too closely. Xiao Yun doesn’t lose so easily—this is likely a trap!”

The commander reined in his horse and turned back, furiously rebuking, “Insolence! He only has seventy thousand cavalry—what kind of storm can he possibly stir up? We outnumber him several times over! If we pull back now and let him escape, won’t the whole world mock us?!”

The young general, trembling, said, “But Xiao Yun commands with agility and unpredictability. He has no fixed tactics and excels at turning the tables with surprise. Commander, you must stay alert!”

“You think that even with our Ye Country’s 200,000-strong army, joined by Nanruo’s forces inside and out, we still can’t crush a stray dog like him?!”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

The young general lowered his head in fear.

This commander was the brother of the monarch’s favored minister, known to despise dissent and use ruthless methods to eliminate those who opposed him. Everyone in the army lived in fear, prioritizing self-preservation—no one dared speak out.

Bazhai Slope was a treacherous place: dense trees, thick grass, uneven terrain—ideal for an ambush.

Zhang Mingyang glanced at the surrounding generals, all wearing hesitant expressions yet remaining silent. He raised his brows and said, “Of course I know what you’re worried about. But Duan Wang is quite the character—his sincerity is worth acknowledging. I’ve already received word from him: his army will arrive shortly. They’re right behind Bazhai Slope. Wolves ahead, tigers behind—he’s caught between two forces. Even if Xiao Yun escapes my hand, can he escape Duan Wang, who is as ruthless as they come?”

“We must pursue—not necessarily to catch him ourselves, but to prevent him from escaping by another route and to drive him to the position Duan Wang and I agreed on, so Duan Wang can strike.”

At this, the generals finally relaxed.

So that was the plan.

Everyone in the realm wanted Xiao Yun dead.

Duan Wang had always been clear-headed and pragmatic. He was fiercely protective of Nanruo. If Xiao Yun fell into his hands, he definitely wouldn’t show mercy—he would kill him without hesitation.

After all, Xiao Yun had already shown interest in attacking Nanruo. If he lived, Nanruo’s destruction was just a matter of time.

Given the situation, even if Duan Wang hated Ye Country, he would still cooperate to eliminate Xiao Yun.

Duan Wang had no reason to spare him.

The iron hooves of Ye’s army kicked up clouds of dust as they thundered forward. It wasn’t long before they caught up with Xiao Yun. At a distance of several hundred feet, the two forces faced off. Beside Xiao Yun were only a few hundred cavalry, while behind him loomed a vast sea of enemy troops.

Clad in armor, mounted on his warhorse, Xiao Yun looked calmly at his pursuers. A faint, unreadable smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Zhang Mingyang burst out laughing: “Emperor Xiao of Great Ning! Why aren’t you running anymore?”

Xiao Yun replied lazily, “Didn’t feel like running. What’s it to you?”

Zhang Mingyang choked slightly on his anger but forced a smile: “Don’t lose hope. If you surrender and pledge allegiance to our Ye Country, we’d welcome you as a mighty general.”

The cavalry around Xiao Yun were instantly furious, but Xiao Yun just grinned and said, “I burned your Mindu granary—your monarch would really treat me that well?”

Zhang Mingyang responded, “Others might not get that treatment, but you? The famous Emperor Xiao of Great Ning? Our country would definitely give you special ‘attention.’”

The “attention” he spoke of clearly referred to gruesome torture, but Xiao Yun didn’t seem bothered. He lazily asked, “Why are you so sure you can kill me?”

Zhang Mingyang smiled: “I may not have the skill—but I’m not the only one who wants your life.”

Just then, a loud “pop” echoed in the sky—a signal flare exploded above them. Zhang Mingyang’s smile widened instantly, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

It was the agreed signal with Duan Wang. The flare meant that Duan Wang’s troops had successfully sealed off all of Xiao Yun’s escape routes from the rear.

The Great Ning emperor’s expression shifted dramatically at the sound. “Move!”

He spun his horse around and charged forward. Seeing this, Zhang Mingyang was overjoyed to see him finally desperate. He ordered his troops to charge. Just as the vanguard surged ahead, cavalry suddenly burst from the hillsides on both sides.

Rushing down alongside them were arrows engulfed in flames, streaking through the air like meteors.

The Ye army panicked, quickly raising shields and forming ranks—but were a beat too slow to realize the arrows weren’t aimed at their bodies… but at the ground beneath their feet.

In a split second, Zhang Mingyang felt an overwhelming sense of doom. He grabbed a nearby soldier to shield himself.

A thunderous “boom!” followed. The arrows had ignited hidden explosives in the earth. Body parts flew through the air, soldiers caught fire, and screams filled the sky.

Bazhai Slope, with its dense foliage, was especially dry that autumn afternoon. Fire spread easily. Xiao Yun had even calculated the wind—blowing from behind them, straight into the heart of Ye’s forces. In the blink of an eye, a raging blaze ignited in the center of the path. The Ye army descended into chaos.

Zhang Mingyang survived, but the soldier he’d used as a shield was blown to pieces. Without sparing a glance at the corpse, Zhang Mingyang, now covered in dirt and ash, fled on horseback to mid-slope. Looking down at the inferno and carnage, his face turned purple with rage. “Xiao Yun! You brought this on yourself!!”

His soldiers quickly regrouped to protect him. Xiao Yun was still outnumbered—just a few hundred against tens of thousands. Ye’s army could bury the whole ravine with their dead if they had to. Though the ambush caused heavy casualties, it wasn’t enough to cripple the entire army—it wasn’t a decisive defeat.

At the front, Xiao Yun reined in his horse and looked back at the devastation behind him. With a relaxed air, he turned to Xie Zhe and said, “Watching them like this makes me feel… I really am a good emperor.”

“…” Xie Zhe replied, “Your Majesty is wise.”

He wasn’t wrong.

When the one at the very top is crooked—just a little—the second and third tiers below twist even more, layer after layer. By the time it reaches the bottom, to outsiders it looks utterly deformed—beyond saving.

Ye Country was exactly like that.

Nanruo is upright, and Great Ning is upright as well—each has its own way of justice, yet all roads lead to the same goal: unity from top to bottom, working together as one.

“Your Majesty, we should go now,” Xie Zhe said.

They had indeed outwitted Ye Country, but with only seventy thousand cavalry, and though cavalry was highly mobile, it made no sense strategically to engage Ye Country head-on. Using tactics like this to wear them down and gradually close the gap in strength before delivering a final blow was the smartest move.

Right now, Ye Country was frantically regrouping. Great Ning’s soldiers were charging and fighting amidst them, retreating as they fought.

If they withdrew before Ye Country finished regrouping, they would suffer virtually no losses.

Xiao Yun nodded, issued a few orders, and then casually asked, “Who made that signal flare?”

Xie Zhe was taken aback. “Why?”

Xiao Yun said, “Next time, make it look better. That was my wife’s signal flare—it should at least look like a firework. Yours just went pop, like some cheap firecracker. It was so tacky. You’ve embarrassed my wife.”

“…” Xie Zhe’s lips twitched uncontrollably. Seeing Xiao Yun’s dead-serious face, he was certain this wasn’t a joke. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The so-called “Duan Wang” that Zhang Mingyang had been referring to all along… was actually Xiao Yun himself.

To bait Zhang Mingyang into the trap, Xiao Yun had been forging letters in Duan Wang’s handwriting and exchanging correspondence with him. The two had grown so “close” they were practically calling each other brothers.

It wasn’t exactly honorable to use Jiang Huaichu’s name, and this was a matter between Great Ning and Ye, so Xiao Yun didn’t want to drag Nanruo into it. Jiang Huaichu was also pregnant, and Xiao Yun didn’t want to burden him with more worry—so he had never told him.

Jiang Huaichu had been completely in the dark.

Zhang Mingyang was thoroughly enraged now. He ignored his rear forces and made it clear he would not rest until Xiao Yun was dead. Leading his elite troops, he pursued him relentlessly. Xiao Yun frowned. This was going to be a hassle, but not impossible to deal with.

He had no desire to get bogged down in a drawn-out fight and ordered his cavalry to retreat swiftly. Zhang Mingyang sneered behind him, shouting, “I advise you to surrender!”

His eyes gleamed with venomous cruelty as he coldly said, “If you fall into my hands, our ruler might spare your pitiful life. But go any farther, and if you land in Duan Wang’s hands… with how ruthless he is, you’ll be carved into a thousand pieces!”

Ahead, Xiao Yun burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

Zhang Mingyang growled, “Laugh while you still can. I’d like to see if you’re still laughing in a minute!”

Suddenly, a firework exploded in the sky ahead. It was a soft lavender color, falling in elegant, brilliant strands—absolutely beautiful.

Xie Zhe’s face changed. “Someone’s blocked the rear escape route!”

Zhang Kui, Dong Lu, and the others panicked. They barely steadied themselves, gripping their weapons and ready to fight their way out.

Meng Heng, in charge of reconnaissance, exclaimed anxiously, “How could this be? Our scouts clearly checked the path—there was no one—”

But Xiao Yun froze in his saddle. The sounds of battle behind him, the anxious voices at his side—all faded away. In his world, only the growing “shhh shhh” of marching footsteps ahead remained.

Behind him, Zhang Mingyang burst out laughing. “Duan Wang is here! Xiao Yun, today is the day you die!”

Xiao Yun looked toward the end of the road—there, an orderly and imposing army appeared.

Amidst the troops, blue flags emblazoned with the character “Jiang” fluttered high in the wind, graceful and striking.

At the front rode Huo Xiao and a group of Nanruo generals, protecting a modest but luxurious carriage at the center.

The curtain of the carriage was embroidered with a single pristine white feather—flawless and pure.

Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get 5 or more chapters of After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)