After Scheming Against the Enemy Nation’s Emperor, I Got Pregnant Chapter 9

Xie Zhe froze for a moment, caught between amusement and exasperation. “That smooth talker—he doesn’t have silver, so he claims I lack joy.”

The doorkeeper stole a glance at his master’s expression, looking more bewildered than ever. After some hesitation, he added, “He also said… that if you smile upon hearing this, then could you be so kind as to grant him a meeting? People say the Commander is not only skilled in the arts but also one of the most handsome men in the capital. Caiqing especially admires you and wishes to see you in person, so he can go out and sing your praises afterward.”

Xiao Yun was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

Even coming from the burly doorkeeper’s mouth, the words carried a hint of playful mischief, like a young man using his youth to get away with being cheeky. In his mind, Xiao Yun could almost picture the scene—this young scholar, completely at odds with his reserved and proper outward appearance, tugging at Xie Zhe’s sleeve in mock pleading.

Amusing, indeed.

He was clever—he only flattered Xie Zhe’s elegance and talent, carefully avoiding any mention of power or status.

Xie Zhe had been silent since hearing those words. His face bore a faint flush as he lowered his head in contemplation.

No one had ever spoken to him like this before. Everyone else approached him with caution, as though treading on thin ice.

But this one…

Xiao Yun saw the rare trace of bashfulness in Xie Zhe’s expression and laughed heartily. “If you want to see him, just see him! Come, come, I’ll even make space for him. I’d love to hear how he plans to make our Commander happy.”

He motioned for the eunuch to gather the memorials to the throne and then strode toward the inner chamber.

“Your Majesty!” Xie Zhe called out in protest. “This is improper!”

He was both anxious and exasperated. The emperor making way for a mere scholar—what kind of situation was this?

“He came to see you, not me. What’s improper about it? I’ll be in the other room reviewing reports. You can pretend I’m not here. And if he dares to tease you, can’t you tease him back? What, is the mighty Commander of the Imperial Guards going to be taken advantage of by some little brat?”

It was an imperial decree—there was no room for refusal.

Xie Zhe sat back down, feeling uneasy. He hesitated briefly before scolding himself for acting like a nagging old woman, then gritted his teeth and ordered, “Let him in.”

The eunuch quietly let down the beaded curtain of the inner chamber.

With no one around, Xie Zhe sneaked a glance at his reflection in a bronze mirror and adjusted his headdress and robes.

…

Outside the Commander’s residence, more and more people had gathered at a respectful distance, whispering among themselves. Many young ladies had come after hearing of the situation, sighing quietly in sympathy for Xie Caiqing.

Ru Shi, holding back his frustration, murmured, “Young Master, let’s go back…”

“Wait a little longer,” Jiang Huaichu interrupted.

He seemed utterly unbothered by the occasional whispers and mockery from the crowd. He stood there with composure, his expression unwavering.

Only Ru Shi, standing beside him, knew how much pressure he was under—standing firm under so many prying eyes, holding onto hope in the face of probable rejection.

Yet the young Wangye remained poised, unshaken.

Then, the red-lacquered doors creaked open from the inside.

The murmurs in the crowd instantly grew louder.

“I told you—he’s too proud, he’d never—”

But to their surprise, it wasn’t just the doorkeeper who stepped out. Two servants pushed open the doors fully, revealing the grand entrance.

The entire gate of the Xie residence was opened wide for Xie Caiqing.

The doorkeeper hurried forward respectfully. “Young Master, this way, please.”

A stunned silence fell over the gathered onlookers.

…

Jiang Huaichu followed the servant inside, glancing around briefly. He didn’t see Xiao Yun and wasn’t surprised.

He had come today for Xie Zhe alone.

If Xie Zhe had agreed to see him, that meant Xiao Yun had already left.

Seated by the chess table, Xie Zhe was elegant and sharp-featured. Jiang Huaichu was momentarily caught off guard—this man’s bearing and presence reminded him of his own imperial brother. His expression unknowingly softened.

Xie Zhe smirked slightly and cleared his throat.

Only then did Jiang Huaichu realize he had been staring and quickly averted his gaze, pretending nothing had happened as he exchanged pleasantries.

Xie Zhe was mildly surprised. He had expected Xie Caiqing to be eloquent and full of smooth words. But the person before him was calm, his smile polite and reserved, his every move impeccable.

For a man, he was almost too stunning. Even from a distance, he stood out—but up close, he was even more striking. His features were refined as if painted by a meticulous brush, yet his aura had the layered depth of a landscape painting.

When silent, he exuded both warmth and a quiet aloofness, a contradiction that made him all the more compelling. There was even a hint of youthful obedience, the kind that naturally drew people in and made it impossible to be stern with him.

A thought crossed Xie Zhe’s mind, one he immediately felt ashamed of—if Qi Wang saw this young man, he’d probably treat him like a precious gem, indulge his every whim, and never let him go.

Embarrassed by his own train of thought, he coughed lightly to cover it up.

Jiang Huaichu glanced at the chessboard and asked, “Was the Commander playing a match with someone?”

Xie Zhe raised a brow. “Why couldn’t I have been playing against myself?”

Jiang Huaichu smiled. “The left side must be yours—steady yet adaptable, soft overcoming hard, an all-encompassing style.”

Xie Zhe looked at him with newfound interest. “You know chess?”

“A little, just the basics,” Jiang Huaichu replied.

“You’re being modest,” Xie Zhe paused for a moment and then tested, “What about the one on the right?”

Inside, the hand Emperor Xiao Yun was using to review memorials suddenly paused.

Jiang Huaichu said, “If I say it, I’m afraid I’ll offend him.”

“No matter,” Xie Zhe glanced subtly toward the beaded curtain, “Go ahead and say it.”

Jiang Huaichu arched his brows with a faint smile. “The one on the right plays with no trace of classic strategies. He goes entirely by instinct, has a style uniquely his own — bold, fierce, decisive, without regrets. In his heart are armies upon armies. He’s more suited to the battlefield than a refined game like chess. He likely finds it dull and only disrupts your refined mood, my lord.”

Xie Zhe coughed unexpectedly.

Inside, Xiao Yun raised an eyebrow with a half-smile.

Back to Jiang Huaichu, Xie Zhe turned to rearrange a vase behind him. A smile briefly flickered at the corner of his mouth, but he said nothing and asked mildly, “Then tell me — do you prefer my style of play, or… his?”

Xiao Yun froze for a moment, barely holding in his laughter. Xie Zhe really didn’t hold back when it came to teasing — he’d dug a fine pit for Jiang Huaichu to fall into.

Jiang Huaichu’s heart skipped. He quickly glanced around again and briefly fixed his eyes on the beaded curtain before replying as if nothing were amiss: “To be honest, Your Excellency, I favor his.”

His voice was clear and elegant, like pearls and jade.

The memorial nearly slipped from Xiao Yun’s hands.

Xie Zhe had expected Jiang Huaichu to flatter him by saying he preferred his style — thereby offending the emperor. Or, if he was clever, to dodge the question entirely. He never expected Jiang Huaichu to outright say, to his face, that he preferred the emperor.

He was surprised and turned around, purposely putting on a cold face: “Why? Didn’t you just say he doesn’t care about chess and spoiled my mood? Or do you think I’m inferior to him?”

With a sneer, he added, “You clearly don’t think much of me. Then why come seeking my help? Seems like a waste of effort!”

“Please don’t be angry, my lord. Caiqing didn’t mean it that way,” Jiang Huaichu said sincerely. “It’s just that people are often drawn to those whose temperaments are completely different from their own. You and he clearly dislike each other but still play chess together — that must be why. I, on the other hand, share a similar temperament with you, my lord. We’re naturally compatible. But still, it’s easier to be fascinated by someone like him.”

Xie Zhe: “…”

Calling it mutual dislike — only he would dare say that aloud.

Thinking the emperor was right behind the curtain, and that those words were probably too bold, he tried to save face: “I don’t dislike him.”

“You do,” Jiang Huaichu hesitated briefly, then said earnestly, “He probably voices it openly. You don’t say it aloud, but you definitely say it in your heart.”

Xie Zhe: “…” So now he was being blunt.

“…” Xiao Yun was behind the curtain, nearly suffocating from holding back laughter.

Xie Zhe had tried to trap Jiang Huaichu, but somehow Jiang Huaichu ended up digging a hole for him instead.

Wanting to change the subject, Xie Zhe said blandly, “Since you’re so skilled at chess, come play a round with me.”

Jiang Huaichu agreed, and the two sat down.

Xiao Yun, hearing that it had quieted outside, returned to reading the memorials. He skimmed through them quickly, tossing aside the ones he didn’t approve and signing the ones he did with a flourish.

He finished in no time, yet outside, the only sound was the soft click of chess pieces landing on the board.

Neither spoke during the game, but it wasn’t dull.

From the pacing, they seemed evenly matched — probably both spending long pauses thinking before making a move. They might even exchange a glance and smile. It was unexpectedly harmonious.

Xiao Yun thought, Well, it looks like Xie Zhe has found a proper chess companion.

To be playing this long, Jiang Huaichu’s skills were at least equal to, if not better than, Xie Zhe’s. After all, he probably had to hold back a little so Xie Zhe wouldn’t lose face.

Xiao Yun wondered how Jiang Huaichu would fare against him.

That thought only flashed by. Restless, with nothing to do and unable to go out, he finally coughed deliberately.

Jiang Huaichu looked up with a puzzled expression.

“….” Suddenly, Xie Zhe opposite him, who had been about to make a move, began to cough violently into his sleeve.

Jiang Huaichu immediately expressed concern.

Xie Zhe waved it off, trying to act natural. “It’s nothing, just choked a little.”

“It’s getting late. You should head back.”

His tone toward Jiang Huaichu had softened significantly.

Perhaps having His Majesty’s “roughness” as a contrast, Jiang Huaichu now seemed like a gift from the heavens — someone to play chess with, calm, patient, focused, and evenly matched in skill.

Not to mention, he was easy on the eyes — just sitting across the table was oddly pleasant. For once, Xie Zhe felt relaxed. After hesitating a moment, he asked, “What is it you want from me?”

Jiang Huaichu: “I want you to help me repair my qin.”

“…” Xie Zhe choked again and gave him a look. “Nothing else?”

“There is.”

Xie Zhe’s expression cooled slightly, waiting for what came next.

Jiang Huaichu smiled faintly: “May I come play chess with you in the future to help pass the time?”

Xie Zhe was taken aback, realizing Jiang Huaichu’s true aim. He gritted his teeth and stayed silent.

“You’re Xie, and I’m Xie too. What a rare coincidence. Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take it as a yes.”

Still, Xie Zhe said nothing.

Jiang Huaichu tugged lightly at his sleeve.

“You—how improper! This is outrageous!” Xie Zhe panicked and tried to yank his sleeve free.

Jiang Huaichu said nothing and tugged again.

“…” Xie Zhe glanced at him and met a face no one could bear to turn down. D*mn it, he thought. “We’ll talk later — now let go!”

Jiang Huaichu didn’t push further and let go obediently. This was exactly how he used to coax his imperial brother — he was very experienced.

After he left, Xiao Yun lifted the curtain and strolled out, casually asking, “So, what did he say?”

“Didn’t Your Majesty hear it yourself?” Xie Zhe regained his composure and began reporting line by line.

Xiao Yun sat off to the side, fiddling with a new waist pendant as he listened.

“That last part — say it louder. I didn’t quite catch it.”

Xie Zhe raised his voice slightly.

“You said it too fast just now.”

Xie Zhe paused, then repeated it again.

A while passed.

“Stop, stop, there’s a missing line here,” Xiao Yun said.

“…” Xie Zhe’s mouth twitched slightly before he calmly raised his voice, “He said he likes you! He admires you! Likes! Admires! Didn’t Your Majesty hear him clearly enough? Why must I repeat it?”

Xiao Yun gave a lazy smile. “Would anyone ever get tired of hearing flattery?”

“…” Xie Zhe replied, “If Your Majesty enjoys hearing him speak sweet words, why not assign him to the Hanlin Academy? That way, he can whisper praises in your ear every day.”

Xiao Yun raised an eyebrow, looking as if he was genuinely considering the suggestion.

Xie Zhe continued, “He’s smart. He deliberately avoids mentioning his desire to be the top scholar. Coming here now, isn’t he just trying to gain an advantage over Qizhang family?”

Xiao Yun studied him for a moment, his expression amused. “He doesn’t tell you, yet you bring it up to me. Why? Has the Commander been charmed by him? Do you like him?”

Xie Zhe thought to himself that nothing could be hidden from the emperor. He snorted, “Your Majesty has the final say in everything!”

Xiao Yun said no more. He called for a eunuch to bring his memorials and prepared to return to the palace. But after walking a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back to ask, “Did he wear the jade pendant I gave him?”

Xie Zhe was momentarily stunned and recalled Jiang Huaichu’s waist ornament. Only then did he remember that today, he was wearing a jade tassel instead. Not daring to lie, he answered, “No.”

Xiao Yun’s previously cheerful expression instantly disappeared. He glanced at Xie Zhe, who seemed lost in thought about Jiang Huaichu, let out an almost inaudible chuckle, and then left.