After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 47

Xiao Yun said, “Not only will I not transfer him to a provincial post, I’m going to summon him to serve by my side.”

Xie Zhe: “…”

Xie Zhe suddenly thought of those folk stories about forgotten consorts in the Cold Palace making a triumphant return to favor.

Bird: “His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”

Xie Zhe couldn’t let a bird be more enlightened than he was, so he immediately said, “His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”

Xiao Yun suddenly remembered something and called out, “Fu An! Fu An! Where’s my sachet?!”

“….”

After leaving Xiao Yun, Xie Zhe stood under the eaves and sighed.

His Majesty had always been one to act on impulse—he’d do something first and think about it later. His drive and execution were remarkable. He was a problem-solver, never bound by preconceived notions. Once he set his sights on something, no one could talk him out of it. He wasn’t afraid of consequences, and in all these years, there hadn’t been a single thing he wanted to do but didn’t, or tried and failed.

Now he had suddenly “figured it out” and was acting immediately. He didn’t know if Xie Caiqing could withstand it.

He just didn’t know how long this burst of energy would last. If Xiao Yun got bored halfway and tossed him aside, then Xie Caiqing would be even more miserable.

—

Early the next morning, Taifei had already finished hanging the laundry and returned to the main hall, only to find the young Wangye still sitting and reading. She was surprised and asked, “Aren’t you going to the Hanlin Academy?”

“I’m sick. I’ve already requested leave,” Xie Caiqing looked up with a smile in his eyes.

“…You look perfectly healthy and radiant,” said Taifei, eyeing him. “Why are you pretending to be sick?”

“I miss Xiao Yun. My emotions are all knotted up and I’ve fallen gravely ill.”

“…Using a bitter-meat strategy?”

“Exactly. I have to make him feel a little guilty, get him to come to his senses faster.”

“True. Most people wouldn’t figure it out so quickly—let alone an emperor,” she said. “How long do you plan on being ‘sick’?”

“Until he transfers me back.”

“That might take a while. What books do you want? I’ll go buy some. Four a day—would twenty be enough—”

“Gonggong, please!” the steward called from outside, leading in Fu An. “Fu An Gonggong is here!”

Xie Caiqing’s hand, still holding the book, trembled violently. He exchanged a shocked glance with Taifei. She was quick to react, grabbing a thick blanket and throwing it over him like she was hiding a body.

Under the blanket, Xie Caiqing frantically pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his lips until they were pale and dry.

As soon as Fu An entered, he saw Xie Caiqing looking sickly and worn-out, and let out a distressed sigh: “How did our top scholar fall so ill?”

Xie Caiqing kept a straight face and said with a gentle smile, “…It’s nothing serious. My constitution has always been weak. The doctor came—there’s no major illness, just needs some rest and personal care.”

“I see,” said Fu An, glancing at Taifei.

Xie Caiqing gave her a look, and she took her cue and left the room.

Now it was just Xie Caiqing and Fu An.

Fu An grinned and said, “This servant already knew—it’s all for His Majesty, isn’t it? His Majesty has transferred you to serve at his side!”

“…!” Xie Caiqing’s dim eyes suddenly sparkled, and he said in disbelief, “What?”

“You heard right! I went to the Hanlin Academy first and found you absent, so I came to your residence. Congratulations, Top Scholar! Truly, congratulations!”

“…But didn’t His Majesty just yesterday—”

“For His Majesty to think of you so quickly—it’s your blessing!”

“…Then it is indeed Caiqing’s fortune,” Xie Caiqing said, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

“If you’re ill, I’ll go back and report. You can—”

“No,” Xie Caiqing slowly sat up.

“No need to rush!” Fu An said. He was a disciple of Yin Xian, who thought highly of the top scholar. Naturally, Fu An was close to him too. “Please, take care of yourself!”

“….,” Xie Caiqing said, lifting the blanket and smiling sheepishly, “Gonggong, you know what’s caused this illness of mine… Now that I’ll be serving His Majesty…”

His voice dropped lower, “I’ll be well again, naturally.”

Fu An smacked his forehead. “Look at me, what a fool! Then quickly get ready—the carriage is waiting outside. I’ll wait for you up there.”

“Alright.” Xie Caiqing replied softly with a gentle smile.

Once everyone had left, Xie Caiqing’s smile instantly vanished.

Taifei came out from behind, saw his expression, and hesitated, “Still… it’s good news, right? And… it saves time.”

“Yes.” Xie Caiqing gave a faint smile.

That shameless lecher—he had just slept with a palace maid, and yesterday he…

Today he just—

And he still dares compare himself to his imperial brother.

—

At noon, after discussing matters with the ministers in the imperial study, the Emperor nodded off at his desk.

He had another dream—again with Xiao Patriotic, Xiao Yun, and Xiao Patriotic’s wife—but the story had completely changed.

In the dream, at the carriage before heading to the capital, Xiao Yun saw Xiao Patriotic clearly for the first time—ugly features, mouth as wide as a toad’s, short and stocky body, full beard, and eyes like copper bells.

Beside him stood his wife, Xie Caiqing—graceful, elegant, dressed in a white skirt and cloak, her stomach flat.

Xiao Patriotic said, “Ah Yun, I’m heading to the capital to take the exam. I’ll leave your sister-in-law in your care.”

The moment his sister-in-law saw the young and dashing 18-year-old Xiao Yun, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Xiao Yun glanced at her, their eyes met for a brief second. She flinched, lowered her gaze calmly, but her cheeks flushed ever so slightly.

Xiao Yun subtly curled the corner of his lips and said solemnly, “Brother, don’t worry. Ah Yun will take good care of Sister-in-law.”

Xiao Patriotic held Xie Caiqing’s hand with his left and Xiao Yun’s with his right, and solemnly placed Xie Caiqing’s hand into Xiao Yun’s.

That hand was soft and smooth like jade.

Sister-in-law slightly lifted her eyes to sneak a peek at Xiao Yun, only to be caught off guard when their gazes met. Her face flushed crimson instantly.

Xiao Yun’s expression was playful. Holding her hand, his thoughts wandered, but he said calmly, “Sister-in-law is so delicate, I’ll handle all the hard and dirty work. I’ll serve you well—Sister-in-law, you just enjoy yourself.”

She replied very softly, “Ah Yun is very thoughtful.”

Xiao Yun looked to Xiao Patriotic and said, “Don’t worry, Brother. I’ll make sure Sister-in-law becomes fair and plump.”

Xiao Patriotic nodded reassuringly, increasingly satisfied with the younger brother he’d raised with hardship.

As soon as Xiao Patriotic left and the door closed, Xie Caiqing walked further into the room, only to be suddenly grabbed from behind. Startled, she let out a scream that was quickly muffled by a hand over her mouth.

She struggled fiercely, but Xiao Yun held her tightly, pinning her hands and locking her in his arms. He chuckled lowly, “Brother hasn’t gone far. Does Sister-in-law want him to find out that his younger brother is having an affair with his wife?”

Xie Caiqing instantly stopped struggling and turned to glare at him.

“Sister-in-law even glares so beautifully,” Xiao Yun said.

“Let go!” she muttered angrily.

“Oh? So Sister-in-law doesn’t like Ah Yun? Then should I really let go?” Xiao Yun loosened his arms slightly in mock seriousness.

“…Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.

Xiao Yun actually released her. The warm, masculine body disappeared behind her, and the teasing voice vanished from her ear.

“Stop touching me. What kind of street thug are you?” Xie Caiqing said coldly.

Xiao Yun laughed, then suddenly placed a hand on her waist. The world flipped. She screamed again, and in the next second, found herself face-to-face with Xiao Yun’s handsome face.

He carried her steadily in his arms and thought to himself how light she was. “You already called me a thug, Sister-in-law. I’ve got to act the part,” he said with a grin.

“You dare—mmph!”

Xiao Yun had already kissed her.

Xie Caiqing’s eyes widened. She pushed against his chest, but Xiao Yun just held her lips and stared into her eyes without blinking.

His eyes sparkled with mischief.

Her face flushed deep red. Her lashes trembled. Surrounded by his overwhelming masculine presence, she unconsciously parted her lips and allowed him to do as he pleased. Her resistance waned, her gaze growing hazy.

Xiao Yun chuckled with satisfaction and carried her toward Xiao Patriotic’s bed.

That finally snapped Xie Caiqing back to reality. Flustered and furious, she cried out, “No… stop, you can’t!”

Xiao Yun murmured with a smirk, “What can’t I do? There’s nothing in this world I, Xiao Yun, don’t dare to take.”

…

Near noon, Xie Caiqing slowly woke up, remembering what had happened the night before. Her face went deathly pale. Shamed and furious, she sat up.

Xiao Yun, who had been pretending to sleep, immediately pulled her back into his arms. “Does it hurt?”

“Sigh, what’s the point of crying now? It already happened. You’re no longer clean.”

“You b*stard!” she shouted.

He caught her hand as she tried to slap him.

“Okay, okay, I’m a b*stard. Don’t be mad, I was wrong last night.” He sat up and held her tightly, gently wiping her tears with his fingers.

“Don’t cry. Wasn’t I good? Didn’t it feel good last night?”

She struggled. “How could you do this?! You’re shameless!”

“I did it for your own good,” Xiao Yun said without a trace of guilt. “Don’t you feel wronged marrying him? You really plan to be with that toad forever? Can Xiao Patriotic satisfy you? Is he better than me? I’m handsome, young. You’re so beautiful—we’re a perfect match. What’s good about Patriotic? Wouldn’t loving me be better?”

A flicker passed through her eyes.

Xiao Yun leaned in to kiss her earlobe. Her body trembled and softened, though she still replied coldly, “For my good? More like for yours.”

“Yes yes yes, Sister-in-law is always right,” he said with a grin.

…

Days passed like flowing water. During the day, all the hard work in the Xiao household was done by Xiao Patriotic’s brother, Xiao Yun. His wife, meanwhile, never so much as dipped her hands in water. Dressed beautifully, she grew fairer and more radiant by the day, glowing like a heavenly maiden, making all the village men stop and stare.

Everyone in the village said Xiao Patriotic was lucky to have such a good brother, and his wife was even luckier.

No one knew that when night fell, that very brother would sneak into the wife’s bed, embrace the lovely jade beauty full of reluctant anger, and lavish her with tenderness.

…

As the day of Xiao Patriotic’s return approached, Xie Caiqing became increasingly anxious and panicked. One day, she steeled herself and coldly said, “I am your brother’s wife. He’s coming back soon. Stop seeing me. I won’t report you—it doesn’t benefit me either. I’ll move out with him and never come back. Don’t come looking for me again, or don’t blame me for being ruthless. Take care of yourself.”

“You are mine!” Xiao Yun roared.

“I am not!” she shouted back.

In his sleep, Xiao Yun felt a pang of fear.

Outside the dream, his sleep became restless. His brows knit tightly, as if he were about to wake.

Xie Caiqing walked away resolutely.

Xiao Yun rushed up and grabbed her in a tight embrace.

“Let go!” she struggled.

“You are mine,” he said coldly. “If you dare walk out that door, I’ll spill everything—let everyone know. We’ll both be ruined.”

She looked at him, stunned. “You can’t!”

“I told you,” Xiao Yun said with a cold smile, “there’s nothing I don’t dare.”

Though he smiled, his tone held no warmth.

“You…” Xie Caiqing was just about to curse him out, when he suddenly lowered his head and retched violently.

“You disgust me so much that I—”

Xiao Yun’s expression changed drastically.

Xie Caiqing’s face was turning pale, bit by bit.

Yet the corners of Xiao Yun’s mouth, which had been composed, suddenly sprang back to life. He jolted upright.

He scooped up the ailing Xie Caiqing and, under the villagers’ admiring and envious gazes, rushed impatiently to town to find a doctor.

The doctor felt his pulse and joyfully said, “Congratulations, sir! Your wife is with child—nearly two months along!”

Xie Caiqing’s heart sank to rock bottom.

Xiao Yun’s lips curled up to the heavens.

Xiao Yun, you’re too formidable.

Outside the dream, Xiao Yun’s brows relaxed instantly, and he sank back into deep sleep.

…

More than two months later, Xiao Patriotic, having failed the imperial exams, returned home urgently seeking comfort from his wife. The moment he pushed open the door, he found his beloved younger brother holding his wife on his lap—and for some reason, her belly had grown noticeably bigger.

Xiao Yun said apologetically, “Brother, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Xie Caiqing also looked apologetic, blushing as he said, “Patriotic, there’s something I need to tell you.”