After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 51

Xie Caiqing’s scalp tingled, and his body shuddered. That overpowering, predatory pressure—like a carnivore bearing down on a defenseless prey—hit him all at once. For a moment, he tensed up so hard his knees nearly gave out, almost collapsing into Xiao Yun’s arms.

He regained some clarity, bit his lip, and stubbornly refused to respond.

“Top Scholar?” Xiao Yun coaxed patiently.

Suddenly, Xie Caiqing shoved him away. “Your Majesty, this humble official… this humble official was rude.”

With that, he ran off in a small trot without waiting for Xiao Yun to call him back.

Xiao Yun sighed behind him. “Even little white rabbits aren’t so easily tricked, huh.”

Had he been too obvious with his tail?

In that case…

Might as well stop hiding it altogether.

….

Xie Caiqing rushed back home.

Taifei met him at the door. “Slow down! You’ll trip!”

He said nothing and darted straight into the house. Taifei quickly followed, seeing the serious look on his face, and asked worriedly, “Did something happen again?”

Xie Caiqing shook his head. “No.”

She speculated, “He’s prideful, still posturing and dragging things out?”

Xie Caiqing muttered, “…He’s being too forward.”

“…” Taifei said, “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Maybe… just a few days from now. I didn’t expect it to be so soon.” Xie Caiqing took a deep breath, trying to calm the complex feelings in his chest. “I haven’t thought about what comes next.”

“Then think while by his side. At least you’ll have the chance to interact…”

Xie Caiqing gave a pained expression and shook his head. “No, it’s not like that. Yesterday he was still cold and distant, but today…”

He turned his head away, too ashamed to continue.

“That big of a shift? Hard to accept? Afraid you’ll give yourself away?” Taifei suggested.

Xie Caiqing said, “He’s like a completely different person overnight. I don’t know what he went through…”

Taifei noticed his reserved expression and, after pondering a moment, seemed to understand what he meant—like a cold, aloof person suddenly diving into your arms, wanting to cook the rice before the water even boils. Naturally, you’d be left shocked and flustered.

Xie Caiqing composed himself. “Anyway, I need time to adjust. I have to figure out how to act next. Since he’s changed completely, I can’t treat him like I used to. I’ll need a new strategy to avoid exposing myself in some unguarded moment.”

He took a sip of cloud mist tea, and in the pause, those filthy, overwhelming images flooded his mind again. The heat of the tea only intensified the blush on his face.

Why had no one ever told him that such books even existed in this world?

He had thought that matters between men and women were nothing more than extinguishing the candles, the woman lying obediently beneath, the man climbing on top, treating her gently and affectionately—just that and nothing more.

That was also how his royal brother had always described it.

How could it be… how could it be like this…

Xie Caiqing turned his face away.

Although the young Wangye was sitting quietly without moving a muscle, Taifei, who knew him well, sensed a subtle anxiety in him. If he had a more outgoing temperament, he’d probably be pacing back and forth, pouring his heart out to someone.

Suppressing his useless emotions, Xie Caiqing asked calmly, “So, should I act like I hate him from the start and resist him all the way, or should I resist at first but slowly be conquered and become completely compliant?”

“I’m not sure either,” Taifei replied. “Some men are masochists—they like it when someone plays hard to get from beginning to end. Others enjoy the slow thrill of winning someone’s heart. I don’t know which type he is.”

Xie Caiqing frowned. “So I’ll have to read the situation as it comes? Gauge his… frequency… to decide which role to play? And also consider how quickly he might get bored of me, is that it?”

His mind was crystal clear.

What he wanted was the highest possible chance of conceiving a child.

Therefore, what he needed was frequent, long-term encounters.

Taifei nodded, about to say more, but ultimately couldn’t think of anything else to add, given how far things had already gone.

The young Wangye was meticulous and strategic, hated being forced into anything. Xiao Yun’s urgency was clearly forcing him into a corner, a Wangye who preferred everything planned to perfection.

And it was over something that could practically ruin him…

Usually, even getting him to take off his clothes required coaxing and persuasion. Now, to ask him to be stark naked and do that with someone—it wouldn’t happen just like that…

“You…” Taifei hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “Just… just don’t force yourself. If it’s too much, you can stop at any time.”

Xie Caiqing said coolly, “It’s either zero times, or countless times.”

“…Don’t push yourself into a dead end.”

Xie Caiqing took a deep breath and said, “Once it starts, I won’t stop—until I’m pregnant. Otherwise, what does that make this? A Wangye of the realm traveling a thousand miles just to be thoroughly used by him?”

“…” Taifei thought about it—indeed, who in their right mind could take that lying down? She coughed once and obediently fell silent.

“I’ll take a few days to think it through,” said Xie Caiqing.

…

The next day, after court was dismissed, Xiao Yun stayed in the imperial study for a while to handle state affairs. Then he went out along the cobbled path in search of the Commander. As he looked up, he saw a crowd of idle palace maids secretly gathered in a secluded corridor.

One of the maids exclaimed, “Top Scholar, watch out!”

Xiao Yun halted his steps and strode quickly in that direction.

When the crowd realized it was the Emperor, they were terrified and fell to their knees. “Forgive us, Your Majesty!”

Xiao Yun waved his hand impatiently. The group immediately scattered like frightened birds, returning to their duties.

With the crowd out of the way, the scene in the courtyard became fully visible.

Xie Caiqing held a long, thin sword as delicate as a cicada’s wing. Xie Zhe stood behind him, grasping the wrist of his sword hand, murmuring instructions as he gently guided the movements.

The two of them stood beneath a grove of pure white pagoda trees. Xie Caiqing had changed into flowing white robes, elegant and ethereal. As he moved, his sleeves fluttered like immortals from the heavens. Xie Zhe had also changed into a short-sleeved, flexible blue brocade robe suited for practice.

That mutt Xie Zhe—he actually dared to touch my beloved consort’s hand.

Xiao Yun’s face darkened.

On the other side, Xie Zhe caught sight of the Emperor in the corridor. He immediately flung Xie Caiqing’s hand away like a hot potato.

“…” The sword in Xie Caiqing’s hand nearly flew off. He looked at Xie Zhe in confusion. “Commander?”

He turned a beat later and saw the Emperor walking over. His grip on the sword tightened and he bowed his head. “Long live Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yun said casually, “What’s this? That brute Zhang Kui insists on charging down the civil officers’ path in pitch darkness—now even our refined Top Scholar wants to venture blindly down the martial generals’ road?”

Xie Caiqing: “…”

Xie Zhe stepped aside, clearly drawing a line between himself and Xie Caiqing. He bowed respectfully and said, “Replying to Your Majesty, this humble servant is teaching the Top Scholar to perform a sword dance.”

“A sword dance?” Xiao Yun looked at Xie Caiqing’s slender frame with disbelief. “Never figured you had such a hobby.”

Xie Caiqing shook his head. “This humble one has never tried it before and wanted to give it a go.”

Xiao Yun laughed. “You’re learning this out of nowhere? You like it?”

Xie Caiqing neither nodded nor shook his head.

Xiao Yun immediately understood.

No subject dared lie in front of him.

If he didn’t confirm it directly, then the answer was a no.

“Why are you learning sword dancing if you don’t even like it?” Xiao Yun asked. “If you were learning real swordsmanship, I could understand—build the body and all. But sword dancing? It can’t hurt anyone, and it’s really just for show at banquets. Who’d ask a national Top Scholar to perform a sword dance? If you don’t like it, then don’t—”

Xie Zhe suddenly covered his mouth and gave a loud cough.

Xiao Yun glanced at him, confused, then went on: “Don’t dance, don’t dance. You’ll just hurt yourself. Pick something you actually enjoy. This stuff isn’t easy to learn, and no one’s really going to watch—”

Xie Zhe coughed loudly again.

Xiao Yun frowned and shot him a look: What are you coughing for? Why do you keep interrupting me?

Xie Caiqing looked between the two, confused.

Xie Zhe covered his mouth again and gave another cough.

Xiao Yun was just about to scold him when he suddenly remembered something. His expression shifted, and he met Xie Zhe’s gaze.

Xie Zhe quickly blinked at him, reminding him of the note.

Xiao Yun’s face froze for a few seconds, then instantly transformed into a smile. “Sword dancing is great!”

Xie Caiqing and Xie Zhe: “…”

“I love watching dances. Those soft, fluttery ones by women are so boring. Nothing exciting. Sword dancing is my favorite.”

Xie Zhe silently bowed in admiration.

Xie Caiqing smiled slightly and said in a soft voice, “I have nothing else to do, so I thought I’d give it a try. I didn’t mean to make a fool of myself before Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yun said calmly, “I’m only worried you might hurt yourself. I do enjoy watching, but there’s no need for you to—”

Xie Caiqing shook his head and insisted, “This is all I can do for Your Majesty.”

Xie Zhe turned his head away, barely holding back a laugh.

The Emperor disliked all dances that weren’t forceful and rhythmic like the beating of war drums. He found the slow, swaying movements with hips and waists dragging and dull—so boring he could fall asleep. He had expected Xie Caiqing to give up once he realized how difficult it was, which was why he’d made the request in the first place. But he hadn’t expected Xie Caiqing to meet the challenge head-on with such persistence.

Xiao Yun was at his wits’ end. If Xie Caiqing weren’t here, he’d probably be slapping his forehead in frustration.

Xie Caiqing suppressed the corners of his mouth from curling up.

This man had flirted with him shamelessly yesterday.

He hadn’t really meant to dance with a sword—just to go through the motions.

He and Xie Zhe had tried it out earlier. The sword dance was exhausting and dangerous, and held no meaning for him.

He didn’t like physical activity to begin with—he had no talent for it and performed poorly, which only made him dislike it more. It became a vicious cycle, and he had developed a strong aversion to exercise.

Xiao Yun was just about to advise Xie Caiqing to give up the sword dance the same way he had advised him to stop cooking, when his gaze fell upon the refined and elegant top scholar. Suddenly, he realized there was a difference between cooking and sword dancing. He changed tack mid-sentence and smiled, “Well then, it’s fine. Since it was I who asked, and learning this takes time and effort, I’d feel bad about it. Why don’t I teach you the sword dance myself?”

“…” Xie Caiqing was stunned. He looked up in disbelief. “Your servant wouldn’t dare… I…”

He turned to Xie Zhe. “The Commander is teaching me, and I already feel extremely honored. If Your Majesty were to—no, I shouldn’t dance anymore. I only meant to make Your Majesty happy. I couldn’t possibly let this—”

“What’s the big deal? Don’t be shy. I’m free anyway—I’ll teach you.” Xiao Yun didn’t wait for permission and directly grasped his hand, guiding it to hold the sword firmly.

Xie Caiqing grew anxious. He didn’t want to dance with the sword—he’d probably end up cutting himself. “Your Majesty…”

Xie Zhe glanced at their interlocked hands and gave a cough. Amused, he decided to play along and gently encouraged, “I only know how to use a sword, not dance with it. His Majesty is fond of learning and has studied the sword dance thoroughly. If he teaches you, you can rest assured. If anything confuses you, just ask him.”

Xiao Yun smiled lazily, “The Commander speaks the truth.”

“…” Xie Caiqing looked disheartened for a moment, then blushed and said, “Then… I would be remiss to decline.”