After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 68

No wonder the Miluo intelligence network hadn’t received any news of the Nanruo diplomatic delegation.

Because the one leading the delegation was his imperial brother. The spies Miluo Manor had planted in Nanruo were all natives of Nanruo and loyal to it—they would never pass word to Northern Ning that the emperor of Nanruo was personally heading north.

If even a sliver of the news had leaked in transmission, and someone with ill intentions caught wind of it, his brother could’ve been in mortal danger.

As an emperor, his brother’s own men weren’t just for show. As long as he wished, evading Northern Ning’s surveillance was difficult, but not impossible.

That letter he sent back, saying he was marrying the imperial sister-in-law—it had been a lie. A ruse to lull him, to prevent him from finding out early and ordering troops to intercept him at the Nanruo border.

After all, the border was under his control.

In a flash, Xie Caiqing understood everything. His face turned pale. He turned to leave, but in the hall, the Minister of Rites suddenly shouted: “Top Scholar, you’ve finally arrived!”

The voice boomed like thunder, and at once everyone in the hall turned to look at Xie Caiqing standing at the entrance.

He was completely frozen in place, body stiff.

After over three months apart, Jiang Huaiyi suddenly saw Jiang Huaichu. Seeing that he didn’t even come over to greet him, and even tried to escape, his expression turned even gloomier as he stared coldly.

Even with his back turned, Xie Caiqing felt a needle-prickling pressure along his spine, scalp tingling, breathing slightly rapid.

He had been under strict control since childhood. His fear of his elder brother was carved into his bones.

The Vice Minister of Rites thought he was just stage-shy and, pulling on his sleeve, boldly marched him inside.

The Nanruo envoys inside the hall looked at the elegant, god-like young man who had entered and were momentarily stunned. The arrogance on their faces disappeared instantly, replaced by hostile expressions.

The Minister of Rites laughed and said: “This is Xie Caiqing from West City, Junzhou—the new top scholar. Your Nanruo has eyes and ears everywhere, I’m sure you’ve heard of him. He’s quite the famous figure in Junzhou. The locals always say Xie Caiqing is even more talented and handsome than your Duan Wang—what nonsense from country bumpkins, making you laugh.”

A Nanruo official abruptly tried to stand, but was pressed back down by his companion. Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile and said: “Our Duan Wang prefers tranquility and elegance—he’s hard to meet even once. Not like your top scholar, dancing about in long sleeves, all smiles when summoned—no comparison at all…”

“…Enough,” Jiang Huaiyi interrupted sharply.

Ye Ming froze. How could this lowly top scholar from Northern Ning dare be compared to their noble and refined Duan Wang? Why would the Emperor stop him?

Jiang Huaiyi stared unblinkingly at Jiang Huaichu.

Beads of sweat formed on Xie Caiqing’s brow. Pretending calm, he was seated by the Vice Minister of Rites directly across from Jiang Huaiyi. So close, he could touch him just by extending an arm.

Jiang Huaiyi stared at him in silence.

Xie Caiqing lowered his gaze. Under his elder brother’s stare, his legs unconsciously pressed together, his posture rigid and upright, temples slightly damp.

After three months apart, he no longer looked as thin and delicate as before. His appearance was more luminous, his aura subtly changed—less icy purity, more of something indescribable. Like a pristine scroll, now stained by unknown colors, no longer unblemished and distant—evoking both awe and shame in others.

Jiang Huaiyi’s lips tightened. Even if his younger brother turned to ash, he would still recognize him.

Changed. No longer his Jiang Huaichu.

Changed in a way that couldn’t be washed clean. That person’s presence was etched into his very demeanor, soaked into his blood and bones—seemingly absent, yet everywhere. No going back to who he once was.

His hand inside his sleeve clenched tighter and tighter, veins bulging as if ready to burst. Outwardly, though, they still appeared composed, exchanging stiff pleasantries. All the while, Jiang Huaiyi was scrutinizing him coldly, like inspecting a priceless jade for hairline cracks—measuring the extent of damage.

Xie Caiqing kept his head low, body tense, terrified that his brother would notice any lingering trace of Xiao Yun on him—pendants, kiss marks, or things he didn’t even realize were visible.

Others might not see it, but he knew. His brother, despite seeming composed, was on the verge of collapse.

The atmosphere was suffocating. Anyone with sense could tell this Nanruo noble was deliberately pressuring Northern Ning’s eighteen-year-old top scholar—utterly disregarding their kingdom’s dignity.

Xie Caiqing handled it gracefully, showing no sign of weakness. But gone were his usual eloquence and charm—he was proper, quiet, and well-mannered, evoking affection. He reminded the court of an unwed younger brother or son at home, and they were deeply fond of him.

The Northern Ning officials, feeling righteous anger, couldn’t bear to see their top scholar bullied like this. Soon they pulled him aside and told him to rest, while they took up the verbal battle with Nanruo.

By the time they left the hall, night had fallen. Xie Caiqing walked a while, troubled, when suddenly a hand grabbed his wrist and dragged him into a secluded corner.

The grip was shockingly strong—no chance of resisting. Xie Caiqing winced and looked up, meeting a pair of deep, intense eyes. He fell silent at once.

“…Royal Brother,” Xie Caiqing pressed against the wall and took two steps back.

Jiang Huaiyi noticed his instinctive movement and said coldly: “This place is surrounded by my men. If you run or try using knockout powder again, I’ll knock you out myself and drag you back for punishment.”

Xie Caiqing paused, his hand still clutching the powder. He recalled his brother’s warning: if he dared come to Northern Ning, he’d break his legs. Not only had he come, but he had done everything with Xiao Yun that shouldn’t have been done. His legs went weak and he stammered, “Royal Brother… why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“To let you have Huo Xiao intercept me? Or play the game of generals disobeying sovereign orders? You’re allowed to lie to me, but I can’t lie to you? How does it feel, being deceived? Huo Xiao has already confessed. Jiang Huaichu—this is the first time I truly see you for who you are. My good little brother.”

“…” A long silence. Xie Caiqing finally spoke in a soft voice, “Huaichu knows he was wrong.”

“Showing weakness now? Where was that courage when you ran away?” Jiang Huaiyi sneered coldly.

Jiang Huaichu’s thoughts raced. Faced with his imperial brother’s fury and the collapse of his plans, he remained calm and searched for a way out. He said quietly, “Royal Brother, you should leave the palace first…”

“Has he touched you?”

The moment those words left his mouth, the person before him fell silent, legs instinctively pressed tightly together.

Jiang Huaiyi’s jaw clenched, the veins on his forehead visibly bulging. He bit out each word: “Has he touched you?”

Xie Caiqing dared not meet his eyes. “Royal Brother… you already know, don’t you?”

Back in the grand hall, he had sensed his Royal brother’s emotions on the brink of collapse—he knew then that the truth was out.

“I want to hear it from you.”

Xie Caiqing took a deep breath, his legs weak. “…Yes.”

Though he had guessed it already, Jiang Huaiyi still sucked in a sharp breath. He clenched his fist so hard his knuckles whitened but held back his rage. Coldly, he asked, “How many times?”

“…” Xie Caiqing gritted his teeth. “Your brother is no longer clean. What difference does it make, more or less?”

Jiang Huaiyi didn’t care what he said. He asked sharply, “How many times?”

“Speak!”

Xie Caiqing was silent for a long time. He knew the image of him his brother once cherished had now completely collapsed. He gave in to despair. “Too many to count. Many, many times. Nearly every night this past month…”

The more he spoke, the darker Jiang Huaiyi’s expression became. Xie Caiqing’s voice grew lower and lower, his face flushed deep red. A shame unlike anything he had ever known crawled over his skin as every word dragged back the memories of what he had done.

Before Jiang Huaiyi could smash the wall in rage, Xie Caiqing rushed to grab his arm.

“Jiang Huaichu, you’re only eighteen!”

“You’re a man! A royal!”

“That beast! I’ll kill him!” Jiang Huaiyi roared.

“Royal Brother…” Xie Caiqing’s heart jumped. He quickly said, “It’s done now, you mustn’t get angry over it. Your health matters most. Please leave the palace. This is Xiao Yun’s territory…”

Though nations have an unspoken rule not to harm visiting envoys, Xiao Yun played by no rules—and now he had seen the Nanruo emperor in Great Ning. It was a huge matter, with too many unpredictable factors.

Xiao Yun’s stance toward Nanruo was also unclear—friend or foe.

“I must kill him!” Jiang Huaiyi’s chest rose and fell violently.

Xie Caiqing’s heart clenched. “Royal Brother, don’t take the risk!”

The area around the Nanruo capital was full of swamps and jungles, with poisonous plants and insects everywhere. Assassinations by Nanruo were notoriously hard to guard against—their success rate far exceeded any other kingdom’s.

Jiang Huaiyi roared, “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him?!”

Xie Caiqing said, “I’m worried about you! Please leave!”

“He defiled my brother!” Jiang Huaiyi shouted. “How can I let him live?”

“It was your brother who willingly gave himself to him. Then do you plan to kill me too?”

“Jiang Huaichu, why are you taking his side?!” Jiang Huaiyi shouted in fury.

“I’m taking your side! I don’t want you to get hurt!”

“If I can’t even protect you, what’s the point of me being alive? I told you—I never cared about being emperor, and I’m not afraid of death! There are plenty of people in Nanruo to replace me. You leave—I’ll kill that lecher and honor your late mother!”

“Your little brother went to him willingly. It wasn’t defilement. He bears no blame.”

Jiang Huaiyi asked, “Jiang Huaichu, whose side are you on?!”

Jiang Huaichu knew that no brother in the world could stay calm after such a revelation—much less this man, who had raised him like a father. But his top priority now was getting his brother to safety. He wasn’t even pregnant yet. At this critical point, he couldn’t afford to fail.

With Jiang Huaiyi at the peak of his rage, Jiang Huaichu forced himself to remain calm and said clearly, “Royal Brother, you cannot kill Xiao Yun.”

“No matter what, you must not kill Xiao Yun,” Jiang Huaichu said with careful enunciation.

Jiang Huaiyi shook all over in rage. Pointing at him, he said, “Jiang Huaichu, you—”

Jiang Huaichu’s face burned. He bit his lip and said, “Because… I’m already carrying his child.”

Jiang Huaiyi choked on his next words. His pupils constricted, and his gaze slowly dropped to Xie Caiqing’s still-flat belly. “You…”

Jiang Huaichu, hand frozen, slowly reached to touch his own stomach. “If imperial brother succeeds, then his uncle will have killed his father. If imperial brother fails, then his father will have killed his uncle. No matter whether it’s you or Xiao Yun who ends up harmed, if he finds out in the future, it will all be a tragedy. And what if he wants revenge? So let’s say imperial brother is leaving the palace—for him, and for me, Huaichu, so I won’t be caught in the middle, suffering in despair.”

From the moment Jiang Huaichu spoke that line, Jiang Huaiyi was completely frozen in place. His eyes were bloodshot, his whole body trembling. It was as if, in his more than twenty years as emperor, he had never suffered such a devastating blow.

His mind went completely blank. His vision dimmed, his ears rang, and his emotions spiraled into chaos. He could no longer think straight and was at a total loss.

Only one thought kept echoing in his mind:

His only brother was pregnant with the child of their enemy.

Over and over again, that line looped endlessly.

Xie Caiqing clenched his jaw, suppressing the pity in his heart. He took a deep breath and said,  “Imperial brother, please give me a few more days. Once I have everything in order, I will follow you back to Nanruo.”