After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 60

Xie Caiqing chuckled to himself.

He had schemed to lure this man in. Though Xiao Yun’s behavior was a bit too shameless, it was hard not to feel a little awkward now that he was being so generous.

He didn’t want to deceive anyone emotionally. Xiao Yun just wanting to play around—that was actually the best-case scenario.

As someone born into the imperial family, with that kind of childhood, Xiao Yun couldn’t possibly be capable of truly opening his heart to anyone.

Since this was a partnership, Xiao Yun wouldn’t make him uncomfortable, and he wouldn’t make Xiao Yun uncomfortable either.

He didn’t want to owe Xiao Yun.

If Xiao Yun wanted to pamper him, then he’d reluctantly let him have the experience of slowly winning over a cold-hearted top scholar.

As Xie Caiqing idly turned the little gold keys over in his fingers, deep in thought, a loud “CRACK!” suddenly rang out from outside, followed by a violent string of firecracker pops. The racket was so loud that the tea in his cup nearly splashed over.

Taifei had been admiring the rock garden outside while lavishing praise on Xiao Yun, when she suddenly stiffened at the noise.

The sound was eerily familiar, stirring up some unwanted memories. She immediately looked toward the inner room where the little Wangye sat.

The little Wangye, who had just moments ago been smiling with good cheer, now wore a thunderous expression and sat motionless.

Yin Xian spoke up enthusiastically, “Top Scholar, your housewarming is such a grand affair! Come take a look with me!”

He pulled the grim-faced Xie Caiqing toward the door. Taifei watched them for a moment, then turned her back, shoulders trembling slightly with suppressed laughter.

At the front gate of the Xie residence, a group of young eunuchs in festive red were climbing ladders to hang red lanterns.

Strings of firecrackers crackled and boomed like red chili peppers bursting apart. The eunuchs were handing out pieces of silver wrapped in red paper to the curious citizens who had been drawn by the noise—anyone who came got something.

Even children got candy.

The crowd around the gate was growing.

One little boy with a shaved head received candy and beamed, saying, “Wishing the noble gentleman a happy wedding! A hundred years of harmony, and may you have a child soon!”

As Xie Caiqing stepped out, that was the first thing he heard. He froze in place, looked up expressionlessly at the red lanterns hanging high above.

The other citizens, stunned for a second, quickly joined in: “Wishing the noble gentleman a happy wedding! A hundred years of harmony, and may you have a child soon!”

Xie Caiqing’s face turned black as the bottom of a pot. Even the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Yin Xian caught a glimpse of Xie Caiqing’s expression and quickly corrected them: “Don’t talk nonsense! You’re mistaken—it’s not a wedding! It’s a housewarming!”

The crowd burst into embarrassed laughter and scratched their noses sheepishly.

“Well, I’ve never seen such a lively housewarming.”

“I guess I’ve been sheltered.”

“Congratulations on the housewarming, noble gentleman!”

“Wow, a fairy!” A child pointed to the man stepping out, exclaiming.

Amidst a sea of red decorations, the man appeared refined and ethereal, shining like the bright moon, graceful beyond compare.

“It’s the top scholar!”

By late afternoon, word had spread across the entire capital: the top scholar from a humble background had moved into a grand mansion on Changping Street, becoming neighbors with high-ranking officials and nobles.

…

By the time the fireworks were finally done and night had fallen, Taifei coughed into her sleeve and said with suppressed amusement, “Moving in has its perks—at least you’ll eat and live better.”

Xie Caiqing sighed. “It has its downsides too.”

Taifei understood what he meant and said comfortingly, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

The house was Xiao Yun’s, which meant the people inside were also Xiao Yun’s.

With so many eyes watching, it would be easier for them to be exposed—they had to be even more careful.

Xie Caiqing nodded. He was just about to go check on the few elegant pots of flowers Xiao Yun had sent for the conservatory when a servant came in to announce: “Master Yun has arrived.”

Xie Caiqing froze.

Master Yun? Who?

In walked “Master Yun,” dressed in plain clothes, his hair tied back with a black-and-gold ribbon. He looked less imposing and regal, and more like a handsome rogue. He was even fanning himself with a folding fan.

The characters on the fan were wild and flamboyant—clearly written by himself.

Xie Caiqing still had phantom firecracker pops echoing in his ears. Face dark, he turned and walked back inside.

“Master Yun” strode forward and swept him up by the knees, cradling him and looking up at him.

“What are you running from?” he teased, as if he were playing the rogue seducing a virtuous man.

“…,” the top scholar didn’t struggle, just turned his face away.

Xiao Yun seemed to really like picking people up. What a terrible habit.

Seeing him dressed in fine silk and brocade—like a piece of priceless jade—Xiao Yun was very satisfied. “Didn’t I say? Once you get over it, things will be fine. Don’t punish yourself when you’re angry—just spend my money. Spend as much as you want. I worked all these years just to let you spend it. Come on, sweetheart, give me a kiss.”

He leaned in toward Xie Caiqing’s face on purpose.

“…,” Xie Caiqing turned away slightly to dodge.

What kind of emperor was this?

But he was used to it by now.

Xiao Yun beamed. “Feeling better? Did you have dinner? Do you like the chef? Come on, sweetheart, talk to me. I rushed through approving memorials just to come see you.”

Xie Caiqing thought, shameless, and replied: “Thank Your Majesty for your grace.”

“Is there anything missing? Anything you don’t like? Whatever you want, tell me—even if it’s the stars and the moon, I’ll get them for you.”

Xie Caiqing glanced at him and asked dryly, “Has the master started keeping a mistress now?”

Xiao Yun blinked—that was the first time Xie Caiqing had proactively spoken to him. He instantly perked up and laughed brightly. “What are you saying? I don’t even have a proper wife. This is called a golden house to keep one’s beloved, you know?”

Xie Caiqing: “…”

Xiao Yun gave up pretending to be the kind old lord with a secret mistress. His grip shifted—just as Xie Caiqing let out a startled cry from the drop, he caught him around the waist and held him tightly. Their foreheads touched, noses brushing, and eyes locked. Xiao Yun smiled and said: “If you were a girl, I’d give you the highest consort title and marry you with full honors. But since you’re a man, and you want to be an official, I can only keep you outside the palace.”

“Your Majesty likes women?”

“I just like you. Whether you’re a man or a woman doesn’t matter—I like you either way.”

Xie Caiqing was momentarily stunned. He sure knew how to say the right things.

Xiao Yun saw his silence and assumed he didn’t believe him. “Have you ever seen anyone else by my side? All these years, it’s only ever been you. And I was the one who pursued you.”

“Your Majesty didn’t pursue me,” the top scholar said plainly.

Xiao Yun froze, then teased with a grin, “Then I’m pursuing you now. Will the scholar give me a chance?”

“Then please take your hand off me.”

Xiao Yun burst into laughter and only held him tighter. “In that case, I’ll pursue you tomorrow. Tonight—let’s just sleep.”

“….” Xie Caiqing gritted his teeth.

“Chasing by day, sleeping by night—it doesn’t interfere,” Xiao Yun said, carrying him toward the bed, even freeing one hand to lightly stroke his face. “Aren’t I treating you well to make up for things?”

Xie Caiqing dodged his hand. “I don’t want to be treated.”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“…I don’t want it.”

“You said the same thing last night.”

The scholar blushed in anger. “…Your Majesty, let me down.”

Xiao Yun laughed heartily, tightening his hold on the struggling man. “Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I was wrong. I’ve never treated anyone like this before. I know you like cleanliness. I swear I’m not dirty—I haven’t even held a young lady’s hand. I’ve given everything to you.”

Xie Caiqing paused, barely suppressing a laugh.

Whether he was “dirty” or not had nothing to do with him.

Xie Caiqing turned away. “I don’t want to know.”

Xiao Yun sighed. “Isn’t it nice like this now? If you’re angry, vent it on me—just don’t torment yourself. It pains me. Be kinder to yourself.”

“Then why not take in a harem, Your Majesty?” Xie Caiqing said flatly. “Why cling to me and seek unhappiness when the whole world would willingly offer themselves?”

“That kind of thing doesn’t matter to me,” Xiao Yun replied indifferently. “Haven’t I lived just fine alone for over twenty years?”

Xie Caiqing was stunned again.

He suddenly realized—Xiao Yun might not actually be lustful.

He had assumed so only because Xiao Yun acted that way toward him…

But in all twenty-four years, as an emperor, Xiao Yun hadn’t had a single companion by his side.

“I should ask what kind of drug you gave me,” Xiao Yun teased, leaning in, “I have no interest in anyone else, but the moment I saw you…”

He brushed close again, his expression full of devotion.

Xie Caiqing’s face flushed red.

He asked shakily, “…What excuse did Your Majesty use to come out today?”

“A secret inspection.”

“To come here?”

Xiao Yun quipped, “This has always been my out-of-palace residence for secret inspections.”

Xie Caiqing looked shocked, his face darkening.

Yin Xian had only said it was Xiao Yun’s private treasury—not that it was his actual residence outside the palace.

He had thought he was being kept as a concubine, only to realize… he had moved into Xiao Yun’s house and was living with him?

“Wife, I gave you my private savings, gave you the house,” Xiao Yun said, “Since you’ve come home, you have to let me sleep here too—so I can get up early and work hard to support you.”

Xie Caiqing felt that the little guilt he had earlier was utterly naïve.

Who was anyone’s “wife”?

Calling being emperor “working,” and living outside the palace “going home”—their ancestors would probably be rolling in their graves.

“If Your Majesty regrets this, just ask for the keys and the house back directly,” Xie Caiqing said. “Please don’t speak this way. In the future, we’ll each have our own commitments—it’ll only be awkward.”

Xiao Yun’s expression darkened, then he grinned. “That’s for the future. Tonight is our wedding night. Let your husband take care of you.”

…

His Majesty had already delayed morning court by an hour for three consecutive days due to these “secret inspections.”

While the extra sleep was a blessing to everyone, ancestral rules must not be broken.

Still, the emperor appeared at court glowing with joy, proud and spirited, full of imperial grace.

The ministers who paid close attention to His Majesty noticed something strange: he hadn’t worn his usual fragrant sachet for several days. He no longer smelled of anything pleasant—but bore other signs instead:

—Scratches on his face (Yin Gonggong said he accidentally cut the emperor while trimming his beard)
—Bite marks on his hand (Yin Gonggong claimed the emperor bit himself while deep in thought)
—Red marks on his neck (Yin Gonggong blamed mosquitoes)
—Cracked lips (Yin Gonggong blamed internal heat)

The emperor, once fond of wearing his robes loose in the heat, had recently appeared even more properly dressed than the famously upright Jiang Huaiyi—meticulously dignified, the picture of an imperial ruler.

After court, a few high-ranking ministers secretly gathered.

Inside, the group looked grim.

This time, they didn’t invite Yin Gonggong—he had clearly betrayed them by siding with the emperor.

Liu Yun sighed. “It must be true, then.”

“Yes,” Qian Yun added. “Who would’ve thought…”

Gao Mingyuan asked, “What should we do now?”

Ge Sizheng cried in anguish. “How could His Majesty fall into such vice? A nation’s emperor frequenting brothels—how will our Great Ning save face?”

Fan Qing said, “No empress, no concubines—he must be obsessed with some courtesan. This shames our ancestors!”

“Such places are unclean. For the emperor’s health, we must intervene. Old Liu, your opinion?”

Liu Yun pondered and then said gravely, “If we bring it up in court, His Majesty will be humiliated. If we approach privately and he denies it, we’ll be powerless. Our best course is to stake out the brothels after court. If we see His Majesty, we approach casually and advise him. That way, we protect his dignity and catch him red-handed.”

Fan Qing agreed. “That’s a good idea. But there are so many brothels in the capital…”

Gao Mingyuan said, “He’ll surely go to the top ones. We can each take a small one. As for the grandest—Fengyue Pavilion, the number one in the city—we must send enough men.”

The deeply worried ministers all nodded in agreement.

…

His Majesty had only generously rewarded the top scholar, yet did not promote him to an official post. So while the courtiers were envious, it wasn’t to the extent that they’d want to ruin him.

After all, the top scholar had always been kind and courteous to others, was well-liked, and both talented and virtuous.

Only granting rewards without a title clearly indicated that the emperor was currently very fond of him—just a brief indulgence, with no intention of long-term employment. In a few days, he might fall out of favor altogether.

Moreover, His Majesty was wise. Who would dare make a move against his favored subject right under his nose? That would be courting death.

Only Xie Caiqing knew why Xiao Yun hadn’t promoted him.

His current rank did not require him to attend court.

If he were promoted above the fifth rank, after Xiao Yun spent the whole night wearing him out with his boundless energy, he’d have to wake up before dawn to attend court. Outside the palace, he could still ride a carriage. But once inside, he’d have to walk from the East Peace Gate to the Jinluan Hall—several miles on foot.

The weather was growing hotter. Taifei fanned herself with a smile and teased, “Tonight the top courtesan of the Fengyue Pavilion is receiving guests. Should we go have a look, my lord?”

“Not interested,” Xie Caiqing replied softly without lifting his eyes from his book.

“Oh come now, you can’t just hole up in the residence all the time. You should get out and move around. Once you’re resting for the pregnancy, you’ll be sitting around for who knows how long—”

“Stop!” Xie Caiqing’s face turned crimson.

“Fine, fine, I won’t say it. But shouldn’t you take advantage of this last stretch? If you want to have fun, now’s the time. Later, even if you want to, I’ll have to hold you down.”

Xie Caiqing gave up trying to argue, put the book down, and said, “It’s too noisy there.”

“What do you mean noisy? That’s called lively. And you’re rich now! You’ve got the emperor’s private stash—who in all of Great Ning is wealthier than you? Take Xiao Yun’s money and go throw it around at my brothel. No one knows it’s imperial money—that’s all profit for me! Even money laundering doesn’t move this fast.” Taifei winked at him.

Xie Caiqing paused mid-sip of tea. Thinking of Xiao Yun’s shameless behavior in recent days, he suddenly smiled.

Didn’t Xiao Yun say if he was unhappy, he could spend his money however he liked?

He’d like to see if Xiao Yun would feel the sting, if he’d regret it.

Taifei added, “Besides, didn’t he say clearly he won’t restrict you? He even said he didn’t mind if you married someone else. So what’s a visit to the brothel? Take his money, throw it like rain, and book the top courtesan—what’s the problem?”

Xie Caiqing stood, eyes curving in a smile: “Alright, let’s go.”

…

That evening, the emperor was reviewing memorials.

In the past few days, he’d stopped having them read aloud to him. Instead, he read them himself, scanning line by line and quickly jotting down replies in flowing script—the fastest of any Great Ning emperor in history.

Once he finished, he would go on his “private inspection,” only returning after the next morning’s court session.

As if he had a home outside the palace.

Xie Zhe came in. The palace servants withdrew. Xiao Yun had just finished the memorials and looked relaxed and refreshed.

“What brings you to me at this hour?” he asked.

Xie Zhe said quietly, “Is Your Majesty done with your ‘labor’ and preparing to go ‘home’?”

“Get lost,” Xiao Yun laughed and cursed.

“Your Majesty’s efficiency is truly impressive.”

Xiao Yun raised a brow and lazily replied, “Of course. He clings to me, nags me to come home early to keep him company. He’s probably sitting by the candlelight waiting for me as we speak.”

“I’ve no choice but to push myself for his sake,” he sighed theatrically.

Xie Zhe gave him a sidelong glance. “Wasn’t the top scholar rather reluctant a few days ago?”

Xiao Yun said, “Aren’t men always saying one thing and meaning another?”

Xie Zhe cast a meaningful look at Xiao Yun.

“Your Majesty treats him so well. Hiding your beloved in a golden house, eh?”

“Didn’t he treat me well first? I can’t wrong him—just returning the favor.”

“Alright, alright, enough chatter. I’m off,” Xiao Yun quickly shed his dragon robe and skillfully changed into casual wear.

“Wait, Your Majesty,” Xie Zhe stopped him.

Xiao Yun frowned, suddenly remembering: “Why did you come looking for me again?”

Xie Zhe was silent for a few seconds.

“Someone from the residence reported,” he glanced at Xiao Yun, trying not to smirk, “Xie Caiqing went to Fengyue Pavilion.”