After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 89

Jiang Huaichu returned to his bedroom absentmindedly, shut the door, climbed into bed, and buried his face in the covers.

His mind replayed the earlier scene over and over.

Xiao Yun had pounced on him and touched his stomach.

Jiang Huaichu breathed heavily, still trapped in the shadow of that panic. It would take time to shake off. He felt as if Xiao Yun’s hand was still there on his belly.

His entire body tensed, face flushed red with shame. He wished he could disappear into the earth.

The inner peace he’d maintained for the past two months was thoroughly disrupted—worse than before. Slowly, he curled into himself, silent for a long time, then looked down at the curve of his belly, which was even more obvious in that posture.

Xiao Yun had called him a “miss.”

He didn’t recognize him.

Jiang Huaichu repeated those words in his mind. At last, he found a sliver of security to hold onto and let out a quiet breath of relief.

Why did he have to come? Why couldn’t he stay in his carefree northern lands and live as the most unrestrained man in the world? If not for him, Jiang Huaichu might already be resting peacefully in Miluo Manor.

He had once intended to make amends to Xiao Yun—but it was Xiao Yun who had refused, choosing freedom.

Jiang Huaichu had no intention of ever bothering him again. So why did he come and disturb his life like this—and in such an absurd, completely unprepared way?

He realized how unreasonable he was being and calmed down.

Since becoming pregnant, his emotions had become more volatile.

He touched his belly. Normally, whenever he felt uneasy, just touching the child would soothe him. But this time, the moment he did, he thought of that b*stard father—and rage flared up again.

Jiang Huaichu gave himself one incense stick’s time to compose himself. After that, he resumed his usual cold, composed manner, as if nothing had happened.

He got up and began dealing with the backlog of military affairs that had piled up during the war. He worked until dusk, until the world was silent and even the cicadas had quieted. Finally, he finished. Amid the chaos of his thoughts, a thread of clarity began to emerge.

Why had Xiao Yun done this?

Dressing like that. Sitting in prison.

Jiang Huaichu’s lips curled slightly, but he suppressed the expression and turned cold again as he recalled all the shameless things Xiao Yun had done.

He wanted to find him? For what?

Like he told the old master—he had changed his mind and wanted Jiang Huaichu to pay the price, to become his bed companion?

Jiang Huaichu’s face darkened.

Based on what he knew of Xiao Yun, the man was sly and cunning. If he dared to come here, he surely had more than one backup plan. He was probably already figuring out how to escape—or had escaped already.

Jiang Huaichu massaged his temples. Let him go. He let out a resigned laugh.

The right and wrong between him and Xiao Yun had long blurred. Let’s say he owed Xiao Yun—he would just pretend he didn’t know and let him leave. That way, neither would be indebted.

He couldn’t kill him. He wouldn’t kill him. And there was nothing to gain from it anyway.

Just as he was about to order his confidant to withdraw the guards so Xiao Yun could escape, that very confidant rushed in with a real-time report from the prison.

Jiang Huaichu understood immediately and asked, “What is it? Dong Lu has disappeared?”

The confidant froze. “The prison is impenetrable, Your Highness. Why would you say such a thing?”

“……” Jiang Huaichu paused. “Just a joke.”

After a moment, he added casually, “How is Dong Lu?”

Still surprised by that earlier remark, the confidant replied with irritation, “I came to report just that—Dong Lu says he’s hungry.”

Jiang Huaichu was silent for a long time. “……What did you say?”

The confidant repeated, “Your Highness heard right. That idiot was yelling an hour ago that he’d rather die than eat, but now he’s howling ‘I’m starving! I’m starving!’—he’s woken up half the prison with his racket.”

Jiang Huaichu’s expression was stiff.

Why wasn’t Xiao Yun leaving? What was he staying in the prison for? Even asking for food from him.

Earlier, when Xiao Yun pounced over, his hand loosened, and the dog bowl got knocked over. Xiao Yun hadn’t eaten for an entire day and night.

He had been silent for a while, and his confidant cautiously asked, “Wangye?”

Jiang Huaichu came back to his senses and pressed his temples. “…Then go to the kitchen and get him something, anything, just make sure he shuts up.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Jiang Huaichu was a little weary. After bathing, just as he was about to blow out the lamp and rest, his confidant came rushing back—not with frustration this time, but with a face full of fury.

Jiang Huaichu: “…What now?”

By the light of the candles, Jiang Huaichu saw his confidant’s arm covered in soup and oil again. “…He’s refusing to eat again?”

The confidant shook his head angrily. “He said the food wasn’t good enough. He knocked it over, then gave me a menu and told me to remake everything according to it…”

Jiang Huaichu abruptly stood and slammed the table in anger.

The confidant cried out in alarm, “Wangye, calm yourself!”

Jiang Huaichu took a deep breath, face livid, and clutched his stomach under the table, gritting his teeth. “…What does he want to eat?”

The confidant pulled out a crumpled note from his robe, squinting to decipher the sloppy handwriting, and stammered, “…Braised deer tendon, stewed shark fin, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, stir-fried orchid—uh—pheasant tongues…”

With each mention of an ingredient that was extravagantly rare and complicated to prepare—clearly meant to be difficult—the confidant would glance nervously at Wangye’s face, afraid the man would suffer a stroke out of sheer rage. But unexpectedly, Wangye’s livid expression gradually turned red with something else, and in those usually deep, still, well-like eyes, ripples began to spread.

He seemed alive.

Of course, it might just be anger.

After the list was finished, Jiang Huaichu said nothing for a long while. The confidant, trembling, vented on his behalf: “…This man is outrageous! Let him starve! He insulted and cursed you, and now he’s playing all these tricks. Wangye shouldn’t bother with him. Don’t let him harm your health. It’s late, please get some rest.”

These were all dishes Jiang Huaichu had once made for Xiao Yun. He waved his hand. “…Tell the cook to make them.”

The confidant was utterly shocked. “Wangye?!”

“You heard me. Go.”

Jiang Huaichu looked at him, seeing that he was still frozen in place. “What is it now?”

The confidant said indignantly, “I’ve never heard of these dishes. I asked the kitchen, and the chef said these are all Great Ning-style dishes. We Southerners don’t eat them, and he doesn’t know how to make them…”

Jiang Huaichu sighed inwardly. He really did owe this man. Consider it an act of compensation. He slowly got up and said, “Wait. I’ll go to the kitchen.”

The confidant was stunned. “Wangye?!”

Jiang Huaichu went to the door, lifted a lantern, and headed toward the kitchen. Behind him, the confidant shouted anxiously, “Wangye, a gentleman stays away from the kitchen—how can you…”

In Nanruo, hierarchy and rules were everything. How could a Wangye of the realm cook for a general of the enemy army? Wangye had never cooked for anyone in his life.

Jiang Huaichu waved a hand. “It’s fine. Don’t speak of this to anyone.”

The confidant waited over an hour before Jiang Huaichu finally returned, visibly exhausted but with a smile tugging at his lips. “Once he finishes, tell him to get lost.”

…

Xiao Yun stared in disbelief as the confidant, face full of murderous intent, entered again with several food containers.

He had decided not to leave because even if that girl wasn’t Xie Caiqing, Xie Caiqing must be near Duan Wang. Since Duan Wang had good food and drink, could summon the wind and call the rain, and even dared to toy with him, Xiao Yun had to get his revenge and make things unpleasant for him. Otherwise, how could he live with himself?

That note wasn’t just meant to tease him—it was to announce his presence and force him to come see him.

But he didn’t expect this…

Xiao Yun eyed the confidant—who looked as if he wanted to kill him with a stare—as he opened each container, releasing waves of familiar, mouthwatering aromas. Xiao Yun froze.

They had really made it.

The appearance, the aroma—it was all too familiar. Xiao Yun suppressed his anticipation and asked in a low voice, “Who made this?”

The confidant replied, “The chef.”

Xiao Yun asked, “Which chef?”

“How would I know?” the confidant snapped, dropping the containers and locking the door. “Hurry up and eat.”

There was no way to get the answer. Xiao Yun picked up his chopsticks, took a bite—and the taste was unmistakably familiar.

Xie Caiqing had realized he was wrong. He was trying to make amends, to win his forgiveness.

Xiao Yun chuckled coldly. At least he had some sense and was quite a good little virtuous one.

Then he suddenly grew angry—Xie Caiqing was a spy from an enemy nation.

Then he laughed again—still, a good little virtuous spy.

Then angry again—he tricked him, heart and body.

Then smiled again—still, a good little virtuous spy who tricked his heart and body.

Then angry again…

The confidant stood outside, staring at the ugly man inside who kept switching between glee and fury, utterly baffled why Wangye was treating such a person differently.

He glanced at the sky. “Hurry up! Hurry!”

Xiao Yun ate slowly.

The confidant barked, “Come on! Hurry up already!”

Xiao Yun’s expression darkened, but he still ate slowly.

“You’re eating so much!”

Xiao Yun roared, “Screw you! I haven’t eaten in a whole d*mn day!”

The confidant hadn’t expected him to explode so violently and flinch-inducingly. He jumped, dropping the keys in fright and didn’t dare speak again. After a while, when Xiao Yun was still eating slowly, he finally whispered, “Please… hurry up…”

“Are you looking to die?! Nag, nag, nag! You trying to reincarnate or something?! I’m already in jail—this might be my last decent meal! And you’ve got the nerve to rush me?!” Xiao Yun snapped, then instantly dropped the anger and grinned. “Unless you have your cooks make me gourmet food every day, four meals a day, no repeats, then I’ll consider eating faster.”

“……” The trusted aide’s face was full of rage—how could Wangye spend all day attending to that ugly man?

That man was too unyielding, too brazen. People always bully the weak and fear the strong. The aide was still debating whether to start a shouting match when the prisoner inside, now full and satisfied, stood up with the leftover dishes, and with a roar, woke up the already-sleepless prisoners around him.

Just as one of the furious inmates was about to curse him out, Xiao Yun said, “Hey, hey, hey, my…”

He paused. “…the chef made something tasty. I couldn’t finish it. You want some?”

He bustled about, quickly shoving the leftovers through the bars to the surrounding prisoners.

The aide looked on—it was like the man wasn’t in prison at all, but on a vacation, as carefree and comfortable as if he were at home.

“Tasty, right? Right? I picked—Doesn’t my… the chef have amazing taste?” Xiao Yun had just finished distributing the food, and with the prisoners all nodding appreciatively, he puffed up like a rooster proud of his chicks. Holding the last plate, he looked at the aide with a generous smile and said, “Want to try some? I saved it just for you. It’s the tongue of the rice sparrow—there are only tens of thousands of those in Great Ning. One bird only has one tongue…”

“……” The aide, having worked himself up to a fine rage, now found himself caught awkwardly in midair, unable to keep fuming. Finally, he snapped. Without another word, he strode over and unlocked the cell. “Come, come, come. You’re leaving. With me.”

Xiao Yun blinked, then grinned. “Leave? Go where? Fine, don’t eat it. I’m going to sleep.”

He doubled down on his refusal to leave, placing the rice sparrow tongue plate on a wooden table nearby, brushing off the dust on the bed, and getting ready to lie down. The aide barked, “No sleeping—get up, now!”

Xiao Yun grumbled, “Why’re you shouting? What, you think you can let me out of the city? If not, stop bothering me—I’m waiting for the cook to bring more food.”

The aide gave him a strange, twisted smile.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yun was carried out and tossed beyond the city gates. Staring at the gates rapidly closing in front of him, his face was filled with disbelief.

So was the face of the insider who had gone to such great lengths to bust him out.

…

That night, back at the main command tent, Xiao Yun sat under the lamp, still wondering how he had ended up released from prison. The more he thought, the more his mind was in knots. Something critical was missing.

He thought of that untouched plate of rice sparrow tongues… then, out of nowhere, that pregnant woman he’d accidentally molested and who had fled in panic came to mind.

Her belly had been huge—at least four months along.

She was part of Duan Wang’s household, and clearly someone important… Duan Wang was getting married. Was she his bride-to-be?

No wonder Duan hadn’t yet come of age but was already rushing into marriage. Turned out he’d caused a scandal, got the girl pregnant.

If he didn’t marry her soon, there’d be no hiding the belly. How would the girl save face then?

Xiao Yun clicked his tongue. Ha! So Duan Wang was the real hypocrite. And he was the fake rogue.

Xiao Yun had foresight. He would never be forced to marry just because he accidentally got someone pregnant. But he also wouldn’t let the girl suffer ridicule.

Still… her scent was intoxicating.

Xiao Yun jerked awake, his expression shifting. What the h*ll was he thinking?!

He slapped himself hard, forcing his mind back to that plate of food. The rice sparrow tongues. Xie Caiqing had made them for him. Xie Caiqing was such a good virtuous one.

She smelled so good…

Xiao Yun froze, now completely expressionless. What the h*ll is wrong with me?

Enough.

He figured if he just slept, his thoughts would stop spiraling. He strode to the bed, didn’t even take off his clothes, and threw himself under the covers.

But he soon slipped into a dream.

In the dream, he was back in that prison cell. But this time, after hugging her, he didn’t let go. He pinned her to the wall, ignoring her struggles, yanking down the back of her robes.

Her body trembled as she pleaded, “Don’t…”

“But I want to,” Xiao Yun whispered into her ear.

Tears welled in her eyes, her voice shaking with despair. “Don’t! Do you even know who I am?! I’m the only daughter of Duke Yi, Duan Wang’s wife, his Wangfei….”

“I know. So what if you’re Duan Wang’s wife?”

Her face twisted in horror. “You…”

“Do you know who I am?” Xiao Yun chuckled lowly. “I’m the Emperor of Great Ning. Your husband? He’s nothing to me. Serve me well, and when the southern capital falls, maybe I’ll spare his dog life and take you home as a concubine…”

“No…” she cried, tears glistening. “I’m carrying Duan Wang’s child. Please… don’t…”

Xiao Yun touched her belly. “It’s fine. I want you. I’ve got money—can’t I afford a kid? I’ll raise him like he’s mine… I’ll be gentle, won’t hurt him. At this stage? Totally doable…”

As he spoke, he moved without hesitation. The woman sobbed in despair. “You already have a virtuous Empress—she’s so kind to you. And jealous. So petty. If she finds out about us…”

Xiao Yun sneered. “Afraid of him? That lovesick fool? If he finds out, he’ll just swallow it. Might even help me take you in. He’s always denying me—won’t let me touch, controls everything. I’m young, I’ve got needs. So I had to find someone else…”

Afraid to be heard, the woman bit back her sobs, her voice squeezed out from clenched teeth. “So it’s like this…”

“That’s right. I’ve been alone in bed for two and a half months. Two and a half! That’s long enough to grow a litter. He thinks he’s irreplaceable? You’re better—much more fragrant than him,” Xiao Yun mocked. “So? Am I better than Duan Wang? He’s that stuffy, old-fashioned little brother. Must be all rules and rituals in bed, huh? So scholarly and delicate. Can he even get it up?”

“Hmm? I’m better, right?”

“…Mmm…”

That soft, drawn-out moan thrilled Xiao Yun. He suddenly remembered something. “I haven’t even gotten a good look at you. Let me see…”

“Don’t…”

“I insist.” Xiao Yun reached out and lifted her veiled hat, turned her face toward him, and took a look.