After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 32

Xie Caiqing was shocked by the monarch-subject relationship in Great Ning. If it had been his imperial brother, hearing such a remark would’ve made him so furious his seven orifices would spew smoke—he’d have beaten someone’s butt raw.

“Walls have ears, Teacher, please be cautious,” Xie Caiqing said softly.

“What is there to fear!” Liu Yun dismissed it carelessly. “Even if His Majesty hears it, he’ll just wipe his face, point at this old man and laugh while cursing. At most he’ll spank me once. Am I afraid of him? Doesn’t he know how absurd he is? He won’t even let people talk about it? He’d be amused!”

Xie Caiqing looked slightly bewildered.

Interrupted earlier, Liu Yun’s simmering anger flared up again. “Ahhhh, he’s run off again!! I’m going to die of anger! No, I have to go catch him! Make him listen next time! Do whatever you want!”

Xie Caiqing looked at the seventy-year-old elder grabbing the hem of his wide official robes and sprinting down the corridor like a man possessed, his dark eyes filled with even more confusion.

…

That evening, at Xie Zhe’s residence.

Xie Zhe was reclining with his eyes closed, listening to a musician play the guqin, when a servant from the gate quietly came in.

Having been at the emperor’s side for so long, Xie Zhe had sharp senses. Despite the light footsteps, he still heard the movement and opened his eyes. “What is it?”

“Xie Caiqing has come to call, saying he’s here to retrieve his guqin.”

Xie Zhe remembered then—he had repaired Xie Caiqing’s guqin but had forgotten to return it. At the time, Xie Caiqing had no official residence yet, so Xie Zhe had set it aside to return once he did—but it had slipped his mind.

“Would you like to see him?” the servant asked considerately, knowing his master usually refused visitors. “If not, I can have someone bring the guqin to him and send him off.”

Xie Zhe, thinking of the subtle tension between the emperor and Xie Caiqing, suppressed a chuckle. His attitude also became a little more serious.

Before His Majesty grew tired of Xie Caiqing and found a new favorite, if Xie Caiqing figured things out, he could rise rapidly, perhaps even surpass Xie Zhe’s own position.

Even if he didn’t catch on, with his current popularity in court and good reputation among the people, as long as he didn’t make a major mistake, his career advancement was guaranteed.

Beyond all that, the man was simply interesting.

“Let him in.”

The servant remained frozen in place.

Xie Zhe looked over, puzzled. “What is it?”

The servant hesitated. “My lord, Xie Caiqing brought a gift—a very big one. Quite a few people outside are watching.”

Xie Zhe paused in surprise, then burst into laughter. “Let him in!”

…

Outside Xie Zhe’s residence, the crowd of onlookers had gathered once again—but this time, instead of mockery, there was more curiosity and interest.

Behind Jiang Huaichu, Ru Shi said anxiously, “Will he see you?”

Last time, they had fought tooth and nail to get past the guards and were barely allowed in. It might not be that easy this time.

Jiang Huaichu smiled. “He will.”

Ru Shi muttered, “…But this time we brought a gift.”

He glanced at the extremely conspicuous item he was holding.

Xie Zhe didn’t accept gifts. If the young Wangye truly wanted to offer something, he should’ve chosen something subtle. But no—he chose something massive.

Everyone could see it.

If Xie Zhe let Xie Caiqing in, in less than a few hours, half the capital would know that the famously reclusive commander had not only let Xie Caiqing in again, but also accepted his gift.

As if sensing Ru Shi’s hesitation, Jiang Huaichu said gently, “The first step is the hardest. Once it starts, it can happen again. Last time I came empty-handed to lower his guard and reduce the pressure, so I could get in. This time, bringing a gift is to show him respect and honor his status—it’s all to return the favor for his kindness last time. It’s different.”

Ru Shi only half understood. He’d always been slow and not good with worldly matters, and he still seemed unsure. “But… he doesn’t accept gifts.”

Jiang Huaichu shook his head. “This time is different. He should accept it—and must accept it.”

Ru Shi, having just barely cleared the fog, looked confused again.

Jiang Huaichu explained softly, “Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone who barges in like I did get to see the commander? If he refuses now, people will say—Xie Caiqing got to see him last time, so why not me? Last time, Xie Caiqing came empty-handed asking for help and got it—so if someone else does the same, will he help or not?”

Ru Shi thought for a moment and said, “…For the sake of reputation, we should help.”

The other person seemed to understand, speaking in a low voice, “The common people will feel that it is only natural for the Commander to assist. If he refuses, it could damage his reputation. Since you’ve set a precedent, it will be difficult for him to decline in the future.”

Jiang Huaichu nodded. “That’s why I need to send a grand gift, a generous one, and make sure it is done openly. That way, it will deter opportunists and spare him unnecessary trouble.”

Ru Shi felt a slight sense of admiration. If Jiang Huaichu weren’t a Wangye of Nanruo, becoming friends with him would surely be one of life’s great fortunes.

….

The people whispered among themselves.

“He brought gifts—does that mean he won’t be granted an audience?”

“I’m the Commander. Even without gifts, I would still be seen. This seems unnecessary and even inappropriate.”

“But still, the top scholar is really quite handsome.”

“They always say, ‘The night of achieving top honors, the night of the wedding chamber.’ Isn’t it customary for the top scholar to marry a noble lady from a prestigious family? Shouldn’t the scholar also—”

“He’s still young!”

The red-lacquered doors of Xie Zhe’s residence opened once again for the same person.

The crowd stared in astonishment.

For a moment, the entire street fell silent.

….

Xie Caiqing was led to Xie Zhe, and after sitting down, they exchanged pleasantries.

This time, Xie Zhe’s demeanor was warm and friendly, a stark contrast to the authoritative air he had deliberately put on during their last meeting. He now seemed to treat Xie Caiqing as a kindred spirit.

After circling around pleasantries for a while, Xie Zhe glanced at his guest and chuckled. “Caiqing, you didn’t come here today just to drink tea with me, did you?”

Xie Caiqing replied in an almost inaudible voice, “…I do have a request.”

“Oh?”

Xie Caiqing hesitated before saying, “…His Majesty has saved me multiple times. If not for him, I would never have had the chance to sit here drinking tea with the Commander.”

Xie Zhe paused in skimming the foam off his tea, holding back a smile as he sighed. “Indeed, His Majesty is benevolent and kind. You’re also fortunate. So, what is it that you want?”

Xie Caiqing clenched his teeth. “I want to inquire about His Majesty’s preferences.”

Xie Zhe was momentarily stunned. Then, unable to contain his amusement, he nonchalantly set down his teacup. “And why would you need to know that?”

The person across from him fell silent.

Just beneath his left eye, about a finger’s width away, was a small mole—delicate against his fair skin, right at the edge of his misty gaze. When he lowered his head without speaking, he exuded a fragile charm that made one suspect that if his request were denied, his brows would furrow in distress the very next second.

It was impossible not to feel protective of him.

Suddenly, Xie Zhe understood why the emperor found him so amusing.

How could he not? He was stunningly beautiful—flawless, save for that singular, perfectly placed mole.

“Top Scholar?” Xie Zhe feigned confusion.

Xie Caiqing finally spoke. “I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s kindness and feel uneasy that I have no way to repay him. I can hardly sleep at night. That’s why I wish to learn about his preferences—to see if I can do something for him. I hope the Commander will grant me this request.”

Xie Zhe thought to himself: If you obediently lay down in his bed, that would be the best repayment. His Majesty would be overjoyed and might even feel he hadn’t done enough for you.

He gave Xie Caiqing a sidelong glance. “A hero rescuing a beauty—shouldn’t that be repaid with a lifetime commitment?”

Xie Caiqing was so startled that a few drops of tea spilled onto his fair fingers. His face flushed a deep red. “…Commander, please don’t tease me!”

“How am I teasing?” Xie Zhe pressed, eyes glinting with mischief.

Xie Caiqing hurriedly said, “His Majesty is a dragon among men—how could someone like me ever be worthy? Besides, His Majesty and I are both men—”

“Isn’t Qi Wang also a man?”

Xie Caiqing frowned. “Qi Wang is depraved, while His Majesty is a gentleman. How can they be compared?”

Xie Zhe: “…”

If Xie Caiqing weren’t sitting right in front of him, Xie Zhe would be laughing himself to tears.

“Yes, His Majesty is a gentleman,” Xie Zhe said, struggling to keep a straight face. “I was merely joking with you. Don’t take it seriously.”

Only then did Xie Caiqing let out a breath of relief, but the redness on his face remained.

Xie Zhe had held back for as long as he could, but he finally gave in. “Then, if you were a woman, would you be willing to enter the imperial harem and bear his children—”

“Commander!”

That cry carried an undeniable sense of intimacy.

Xie Zhe’s heart wavered for a moment before he burst into laughter. “Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore!”

Xie Caiqing awkwardly sipped his tea to cover his embarrassment.

Xie Zhe had assumed Xie Caiqing was someone who understood social maneuvering well. It turned out he was indeed intelligent—but also genuinely pure.

A junior like him—what official, weary from navigating the murky depths of court politics, wouldn’t like him?

Feigning reluctance, Xie Zhe said, “And why should I tell you? Many people have come asking before, and I haven’t told a single one. These are His Majesty’s personal preferences—if word gets out that I leaked them to you and His Majesty gets angry, I’ll be held responsible.”

Just then, a servant carrying Xie Caiqing’s guqin walked in. Xie Caiqing glanced at the musician nearby and asked, “Was the Commander just listening to music?”

“Hm?” Xie Zhe nodded with feigned seriousness.

Xie Caiqing’s eyes curved with a smile. “If the Commander tells me, I’ll play a tune for you. How about that?”

“You can play the guqin?” Xie Zhe blurted out, only realizing how foolish the question was after saying it.

If he couldn’t, why would he have sought him out to repair it?

But Xie Caiqing could play chess and the guqin.

“I can. So, do we have a deal?”

Meeting those bright, expectant eyes, Xie Zhe coughed, barely holding back. He wouldn’t fall for it that easily. Instead, he deliberately maintained his composure. “Play first. If it’s good, I’ll consider it.”

…

As he stepped out of Xie Zhe’s residence with his guqin, Ru Shi reached out and helped the young Wangye onto the carriage.

Ru Shi asked, “Did he tell you?”

Jiang Huaichu carefully adjusted his robes, smoothing the folds before sitting down. He shook his head. “No.”

Ru Shi frowned. “Even to you, he wouldn’t say?”

Jiang Huaichu replied leisurely, “He said he’d consider it and told me to wait for his answer.”

Ru Shi frowned. “Why go through all this trouble? I know Xiao Yun’s preferences better than the Commander. I even know exactly how many bites he takes of each dish at a meal.”

Jiang Huaichu: “…”

To Ru Shi, this entire endeavor seemed completely unnecessary. They had taken a huge detour, only to potentially end up with nothing.

Jiang Huaichu chuckled. “But I’m not asking the Commander.”

Ru Shi was confused. He even lifted the carriage curtain to double-check the plaque on the mansion before them.

It was indeed the Xie residence.

“I’m asking Xiao Yun himself,” Jiang Huaichu said leisurely. “Whatever he chooses to tell me about his preferences, I’ll take as the truth.”

Ru Shi, stunned, lowered his head. “…I was foolish.”

—

Inside the palace, Xie Zhe was hunched over his desk, brush in hand, looking at Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun lounged lazily, absentmindedly toying with a bird using a eunuch’s horsetail whisk. “Write down…”

He pondered for a moment. “I like braised deer tendons, yellow-braised shark fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, stir-fried paddy finch tongues…”

Unable to recall more, he grew impatient. “Just write down all the rare and expensive delicacies you can think of.”

“…Understood.” Xie Zhe’s brush trembled, his expression indescribable as he wrote.

Xiao Yun ruffled the bird’s feathers with the whisk. “He knows how to play chess and the qin, right?”

Xie Zhe: “…Yes.”

“Then write that I enjoy listening to songs and watching dance performances.”

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! :)