Chapter 37: Joy of Fatherhood

Chapter 37: Joy of Fatherhood

In Lu Changping's view, although the tyrant of the North Wei was handsome, he was unfortunately too thin. Not only was it uncomfortable for others to hold him, but it was also not good for his own health.

Now that the tyrant had suddenly put on weight, he was genuinely happy for him.

However, Xie Xuan Yuan himself clearly did not appreciate Lu Meiren's good intentions.

After being told he had "gained weight," he glared at Lu Meiren furiously, his elegantly shaped phoenix eyes flashing with a murderous chill.

Seeing his inexplicable annoyance, Lu Meiren finally realized that his earlier greeting might not have been very appropriate. He paused, attempting to make amends:

"Actually, you haven't gained much... just a little. Besides, gaining weight isn't necessarily a bad thing; at least it shows that Your Majesty has been eating and sleeping well recently. Seeing Your Majesty put on weight puts me at ease."

Lu Meiren sincerely finished his heartfelt words, then looked down with hope at the tyrant sitting on his lap, expecting him to calm down.

Unfortunately, Xie Xuan Yuan was far from placated, instead giving him a disdainful look as if he were looking at an idiot.

To hell with eating and sleeping well! Night and day, he was scheming how to tie this "faithless scoundrel" back to North Wei, how could he possibly eat and sleep well?

Xie Xuan Yuan couldn't understand how this spy from Southern Chu, who was previously mute and yet eloquent, could throw out sweet nothings carelessly after just a few days of acquaintance.

But now, it seemed as if the person had regressed, becoming awkward and unpleasant in speech. That he has survived this long without being beaten to death is a miracle in itself...

However, Lu Meiren was completely oblivious to the situation, and upon noticing that the tyrant's glare no longer seemed as lethal, he couldn't help but speak up more:

"Your Majesty, about that night... I am truly sorry. It wasn't intentional. Someone had drugged both the wine and the incense. Even if I had wanted to escape, I couldn't have, and in the end, I had no choice but to go along with it..."

A gentle breeze blew, brushing away the stray hairs on Lu Meiren's forehead.

The dim morning light, filtering through the leaves above, shone on his forehead and cheeks, highlighting his already fair skin and accentuating the clean, otherworldly charm he exuded in women's attire.

To convey his remorse, Lu Meiren hung his head low, his peach-blossom eyes shimmering with a layer of moisture, his cheeks slightly flushed, exuding an innocence that could not be more genuine.

The tyrant, with his mouth covered, stared intently at the face he had longed for, only to feel more and more that the regret and helplessness on Lu Guifei's face seemed to be silently mocking him!

That night... the one who truly suffered was himself, Xie Xuan Yuan. How could this spy from Southern Chu, now putting on this pitiful, wronged little wife act, think he was at a loss?

The thought that this person dared to disdain him after sleeping with him made the tyrant lose all semblance of calm. He struggled to break free from the other's hold, wanting to properly discipline this ungrateful spy from Southern Chu.

Ideas are always beautiful, but, unfortunately, reality did not follow suit.

The tyrant squirmed and struggled fiercely while sitting on Lu Meiren's legs, even biting down hard on Lu Meiren's slender fingers with a ferocity.

But this effort not only failed to resolve the predicament but instead caused the Southern Chu spy he was pressing down to let out a suppressed and ambiguous moan, subsequently holding him even tighter.

"Your Majesty..." Lu Meiren looked pleadingly at the unruly tyrant sitting on his thighs, his voice carrying an unusual huskiness.

Every time, this person pretends to be pitiful while taking advantage of the situation!

The tyrant's temples throbbed with veins, and his stomach churned with anger. To avoid endangering the pregnancy and facing a tragic fate of death in the wilderness, he had no choice but to stop his movements temporarily.

"If Your Majesty wishes to speak with me, there's no rush at this moment," Lu Meiren said with an understanding smile, "I have a matter of great urgency to discuss, and I ask Your Majesty to listen patiently. Once it's discussed, as long as Your Majesty doesn't call others over, I... am still willing to sit down and chat with you."

The tyrant symbolically struggled between maintaining his dignity and catching the spy, then closed his eyes and nodded in compromise.

A true man can bend and stretch. He would pretend to cooperate with the spy for now, listen to what the other had to say. After figuring out the malice the spy harbored, it wouldn't be too late to call for his capture...

Upon seeing the tyrant unexpectedly compliant, Lu Changping couldn't help but beam with joy, whispering flattery into the tyrant's ear: "I always knew Your Majesty was understanding and knew how to cherish others."

Xie Xuan Yuan huffed impatiently, then turned away with an aloof demeanor.

This Southern Chu spy has been deceiving people with sweet words for more than a day or two; he wouldn't be easily fooled this time!

Lu Meiren saw the tyrant's awkward curiosity, wanting to ask but too proud to do so, and couldn't help but find it amusing. Yet, he maintained a serious expression, whispering into the tyrant's ear:

"I wonder if Your Majesty has received the letter I wrote earlier?"

Xie Xuan Yuan, unaccustomed to this sudden closeness, found his face flushing, yet stubbornly resisted with his hands on Lu Meiren's shoulders, saying contrary to his heart: "I have burned your letter."

A trace of hurt and disappointment flickered across Lu Meiren's face, but he patiently explained:

"Every word in that letter was true, with no deceit. Recently, Empress Dowager He of the North secretly contacted our Emperor Lu, planning to take advantage of your personal campaign to harm you. Although Empress Dowager He's faction is merely struggling in vain and poses little threat, there's no guarantee they won't collaborate with Southern Chu for treasonous gains, endangering your safety."

"During this period, Your Majesty must be cautious and surround yourself with trustworthy people. You must not be as careless in going out as you were today. Look at those shadow guards; their skills are inferior to mine. If Your Majesty had truly fallen just now, I would have been distressed too."

Having said what needed to be said, his hand, which had just retracted from the tyrant's lips, started to misbehave, stroking the tyrant's slightly disheveled black hair as if petting a small black cat, smoothing it down stroke by stroke.

Xie Xuan Yuan, highly perceptive, immediately seized on the key point and demanded: "You're clearly a spy sent by the Emperor of Southern Chu, why are you now betraying your master to care about my safety?"

The question was too sharp, leaving Lu Meiren momentarily at a loss for words.

To say he was a spy from Southern Chu seemed accurate, as dressing as a woman and marrying into the North was indeed his own idea.

But to accuse him of betrayal was a grave injustice! He himself was the Emperor of Southern Chu, and his current actions were with the consent of Emperor Lu of Southern Chu.

Seeing his hesitation, Xie Xuan Yuan slightly raised an eyebrow, distorting the truth:

"Don't forget, it was you who took me hostage and insisted on having this conversation with me. I'm merely listening out of obligation. If you don't come clean, I have no interest in continuing this conversation."

With no way out, Lu Meiren had no choice but to defend himself:

"Being from Southern Chu and caring about Your Majesty are not mutually exclusive. All I know is that my current actions are true to my heart..."

He rarely answered so earnestly; having spoken, his cheeks faintly flushed with warmth.

Upon hearing this unexpected reply, Xie Xuan Yuan felt a mix of sour and sweet emotions, as if he had devoured a truckload of kumquats coated in white sugar frosting, leaving him feeling tender and sweet.

But then he thought himself too gullible; this spy from the South, blessed with good looks and a talent for sweet talk, could well be placating him with deceitful words.

He hid his smile, swatting away Lu Mei Ren's smoothing hand, saying, "Who needs your concern? I will be careful on my own."

Understanding the tyrant's stubborn pride all too well, Lu Mei Ren, unfazed by the rebuff, simply rubbed his reddened hand, casting a meaningful glance at the handsome youth in black still seated on his lap.

"Is this what Your Majesty calls being careful?"

Xie Xuan Yuan, following his gaze, realized he was still straddling a man dressed as a woman. His face turned a fascinating shade of red and white...

He tried to stand, supporting himself on Lu Mei Ren's shoulders, but his knees, having been bent for so long, had gone numb.

Suddenly standing, his legs inevitably felt weak and shaky, almost causing him to fall to the ground.

In the end, the tyrant was reluctantly seated back on his "reserved seat" on Lu Mei Ren's lap, switching topics unwillingly to continue the conversation:

"Where have you been hiding these days? Don't tell me you thought you could actually escape from me?"

Lu Mei Ren, avoiding the first question that could expose him, looked at Xie Xuan Yuan somewhat helplessly, "If I hadn't run away... would Your Majesty have spared me?"

As expected, the tyrant's lips curled in a mocking smile, "Do you think that's possible?"

Lu Mei Ren, conceding the last glimmer of hope, bitterly smiled, "Of course not."

Seeing him play along, a barely detectable smile flickered in the tyrant's hazel eyes, "But I could show unprecedented mercy and spare your life, taking just that part below. What do you think?"

Lu Mei Ren instinctively leaned back against the tree trunk, straightening his waist, fearing the next moment the tyrant would unsheathe a dagger and castrate him.

Staying beside such a "beautiful viper" like Xie Xuan Yuan was overly thrilling. Given the choice, he would much prefer a peaceful and simple single life...

While covertly planning his escape, Lu Mei Ren tried to divert the tyrant's attention, pleading for himself one last time:

"It is said that even a day of marriage carries a hundred days of grace. Having been by Your Majesty's side for months, with the reality of marriage between us... would Your Majesty truly be so heartless?"

He had been fine until it was mentioned, but the reminder brought back the tyrant's bitter memory of having to sit on just one side of his chair for three full days. He exclaimed angrily:

"Who has become your spouse? In broad daylight, how can you, a man, show no shame! Even if you were once married to me as a concubine, you now stand accused of deceiving the emperor. For someone as heartless and thoughtless as you, I should banish you to the cold palace and ration you to one meal a day."

Lu Meiren had already scoped out several potential escape routes nearby. Hearing the tyrant accusing him of taking everything without acknowledging it, he retorted with a melancholy sigh:

"I never imagined Your Majesty's feelings for me were so profound and loyal, to think of banishing me yet still considering to provide me with daily meals."

Xie Xuan Yuan, infuriated, grabbed the front of Lu Guifei's pale green dress, lowering his voice forcefully to retort: "Nonsense! You're deliberately twisting my words!"

Although he was agitated, he was unwilling to make too much noise and attract the shadow guards too soon.

Being pulled by the collar, Lu Changping involuntarily leaned towards the tyrant, their lower bodies getting closer, risking unintended contact at any moment.

To avoid embarrassment, Emperor Lu wisely tried to move back against the tyrant's pulling...

Unfortunately, he still underestimated the strength in the tyrant's hands.

With a ripping sound, the thin silk fabric of Lu Guifei's chest was torn open, exposing a large expanse of dazzlingly white skin to the cool morning air.

Not only was Lu Meiren fair-skinned, but his physique was also the perfect kind that seems slender in clothes but reveals a well-formed musculature underneath. Suddenly stripped by the tyrant and unable to cover up, his well-defined muscles were displayed just right, neither too slight nor overly exaggerated...

Xie Xuan Yuan found himself blushing and heart-racing, at a loss for where to rest his gaze.

Far from realizing the inappropriateness of feeling shy in front of another man of the same sex, he very consciously tried to stand up from Lu Meiren's lap again.

Unfortunately, his movements became even clumsier due to excessive nervousness and shyness, accidentally stepping on the hem of clothes scattered on the floor, losing his balance all at once.

Upon seeing the tyrant in such a state, Lu Changping couldn't help but laugh out loud. He naturally wrapped one arm around the other's waist and brushed away the hair blocking his eyes with the other hand, acting affectionately and gently:

"Your Majesty, please sit still and don't move around, you're making it hard for me to stay seated as well."

Lu Meiren's series of actions were as smooth as flowing water and too composed, leaving the tyrant without resistance for a good while.

It wasn't until the arm around his waist slightly tightened, forcing him closer to Lu Meiren's broadly open chest, that he realized something was amiss...

A low shout was heard: "You dare to seduce me intentionally!"

Lu Meiren's original intention was merely to bear more weight for the tyrant, who was inconvenienced by sore legs and waist, but he was unexpectedly accused of intentional seduction, feeling both amused and annoyed.

Recalling the fascinating performances of fox spirits seducing scholars from the stories loved by Zhao Ping, he suddenly felt playful and innocently leaned closer to the tyrant to counter-question: "Your Majesty calls this seduction?"

Xie Xuan Yuan didn't know what trick the spy was playing this time, he could only cover his eyes with his hand, trying hard not to look at the dazzling expanse of pale skin in front of him: "Your clothes are disheveled, exposing your chest, how is that not intentional seduction?"

"But I've heard that it only counts as seduction if one's heart is moved." Lu Meiren said, gazing intently at the tyrant, "Was Your Majesty's heart moved just now?"

The tyrant sat awkwardly near the thigh of Lu Guifei, his heart pounding like a drum, his hands slightly trembling. He didn't want to admit that his heart had been beating even faster just a moment ago...

Although Lu Guifei looked like a celestial beauty in women's clothing, he was not truly gentle and soft. His leg muscles were taut and somewhat uncomfortable to sit on, his clothing was thin, yet his body temperature was scorching.

However, these characteristics, different from those of a woman, did not diminish interest but rather added a forbidden thrill, making this man unbearably sweet in the eyes of the tyrant.

Xie Xuan Yuan, unwilling to be teased unilaterally, angrily covered the opened fabric on Lu Meiren's chest, and to prevent it from opening again, pressed down firmly with his hand.

Even through a layer of clothing, he could still feel the warmth emanating from the other's chest. Lu Guifei's heart was also beating fast; did this mean he was moved as well?

Previously, Xie Xuan Yuan had been harsh and uncompromising in his words towards Lu Meiren. Yet now, feeling the other's rapid heartbeat, he found himself disconcerted.

His face flushed as if bleeding, trying hard to ignore the strange sensations slowly stirring in his lower abdomen, coveting the warmth from Lu Guifei's heart.

And Lu Changping, fully aware that the tyrant was taking advantage of him, neither pointed it out nor stopped it, even finding some joy in the situation...

The atmosphere between them was unusually warm and harmonious.

"In fact, I..."

The tyrant's lips, as if painted with rouge, moved slightly, hesitating to speak. For a moment, he almost blurted out the matter of the pregnancy, but pride prevailed, and he swallowed the words back down.

To admit openly that he was carrying the child of this spy from Nan Chu would be akin to indirectly begging the other to stay for the sake of the child. Such an act was no different from a lovelorn woman in the marketplace, making a scene to beg a faithless man to return to her.

Clenching his teeth, he refused to show weakness, pulling back the untimely surge of vulnerability and tenderness.

Lu Changping's heart raced, his reaction slightly dulled, seeing the tyrant stop mid-sentence, he couldn't help but ask foolishly, "What's wrong?"

Xie Xuan Yuan coughed awkwardly, "I meant to say... how dare you be so presumptuous with me... now let me down this instant."

Usually arrogant and unrestrained, his voice now lacked its usual confidence.

Seeing Lu Meiren's dumbfounded lack of response, the tyrant grew even more flustered, eventually, in a fit of pique, punching Lu Meiren in the chest.

That punch was neither painful nor itchy, more like playful bickering between lovers.

Seeing the tyrant flustered and irritated, Lu Meiren hurriedly smoothed things over, switching positions with him.

Once Xie Xuan Yuan was comfortably seated against the tree, his temper improved significantly, and he casually asked, "Is your real surname Lu?"

Touching on such a sensitive issue that could expose his identity, Emperor Lu was unwilling to elaborate. He lifted those soul-capturing, peach-blossom eyes and looked at the tyrant with inscrutable depth: "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Xie Xuan Yuan, irritated by his evasive demeanor, scoffed coldly: "I find it very fake. When have you ever spoken the truth, you deceiver!"

Lu Meiren simply smiled ambiguously at his words, his eyes filled with a mix of indulgence and tolerance.

Just then, footsteps sounded from the nearby woods, indicating the approach of not just one person. Both the emperor and Lu Meiren stopped talking abruptly and hid behind a tree, holding their breath to listen.

It turned out that the shadow guards, who had been scrambling around the woods, finally found the cloth from the tyrant's clothes caught on thorns and followed the trail here.

In a fair fight, the pregnant tyrant couldn't overpower the exceptionally skilled Lu Meiren, but the addition of many shadow guards changed the situation drastically.

Xie Xuan Yuan thought to use the numbers to his advantage, shifting aside, planning to signal the guards to capture the spy as soon as they got close.

Unexpectedly, Lu Meiren craftily pointed to a bush and exclaimed in surprise, "Eh, how did you get here, Snowball?"

Hearing the familiar name of the little puppy, the tyrant's thoughts were momentarily diverted.

Before leaving, he had explicitly instructed Ji Yue to leave the puppy in the palace, entrusted to a trustworthy servant for care. Surely, this spy from Nan Chu was deceiving him again!

He grabbed Lu Meiren by the collar, pulling him close to scold, "Don't think you can fool me! Snowball isn't here at all..."

Before he could finish, his lips were covered by a moist warmth. It turned out that Lu Meiren had seized the opportunity as he began to speak, diving in for a kiss, silencing any chance of speech.

Lu Changping, betting on the tyrant's shyness and innocence, knew well that being pinned against a tree and kissed was something the tyrant would never let his guards find out, thus acting more boldly.

He extended his arms, encircling the still-struggling tyrant. His slender figure pressed against the large tree trunk, creating a narrow space.

The tyrant, trapped within, could hardly move, as if caught in a secluded cage tailored just for him. If not looked at closely, no one could notice under the tree's broad shadow a handsome young man, blushing and breathless from the kiss...

In the short span of twenty years of Xie Xuan Yuan's life, his only kissing skills came directly from the person before him. Just a few months ago, he had barely started to catch on, but now, due to lack of practice, he had reverted to being unskilled.

Before a few kisses were exchanged, he became emotionally involved, so nervous that he even forgot to breathe. Soon he felt dizzy and let go of the last bit of resistance, not to mention calling for someone to capture the spy before him.

Lu Changping kissed him passionately, taking his time until he was sure Xie Xuan Yuan had no energy left to speak, then reluctantly let go.

Before leaving, he leaned close to the tyrant, smiling with eyes gleaming like peach blossoms:

"I knew Your Majesty, with your beauty and kindness, would surely take good care of Snowball. After I leave, please take good care of yourself. Being healthy is what matters, being a bit chubbier would only make you more adorable."

Saying so, Lu Meiren even daringly pinched the soft flesh on the tyrant's face.

Having taken advantage with both words and hands, Emperor Lu contentedly used his lightness skill, leaping to the treetops and disappearing in an instant.

Long after Lu Meiren had left, the tyrant gradually came to his senses from his dizziness. He wiped his damp lips with the back of his hand, then slowly stood up using the tree for support.

It was too late to chase after him now, but this encounter was not entirely fruitless.

At least now he could be certain that this enemy spy harbored unusual feelings for him. Moreover, he had just obtained something special from the spy...

Xie Xuan Yuan spread his palm open, a thin red string wrapped around his slender finger. At the end of the string hung a small piece of jade of excellent quality, with the character "Ping" (peace) neatly engraved on the back.

That accessory, never forgotten even in disguise, must hold significant meaning for him. With such an item, there's no worry about not having the opportunity to discover his real identity.

That said, watching someone he had been trying to capture for months slip away right under his nose would frustrate anyone.

Xie Xuan Yuan, after much deliberation, refused to admit that it was the dizziness from being kissed by "Lu Guifei" that gave the cunning fox spirit the chance to escape.

In the end, he had no choice but to blame the incompetence on the shadow guards. Their slow reaction and poor skills meant they couldn't find the right place after searching for so long...

Upon returning, Xie Xuan Yuan severely punished all the shadow guards who had accompanied him that morning, then ordered them to "start their training anew."

Once the camp finally quieted down, he drank his daily required pregnancy medicine in one go and finished the candied fruit Ji Yue brought him. Suddenly, he asked out of the blue:

"Ji Yue, if someone, despite being an enemy, spares your life, not only kisses you multiple times but even betrays their own sovereign to save you, does it not prove that they have fallen for you?"

Ji Yue was taken aback, thinking to herself that the mind of a man in love was indeed unfathomable. One moment, His Majesty was furiously scolding the shadow guards, and the next, he was asking such bizarre questions.

After pondering, she patiently responded, "It's more than just being smitten; it's likely love to the point of despair. Betraying one's master is a capital offense; he's willing to forsake his life for the one he loves. However, I'm not fortunate enough to encounter such a devoted person. Your Majesty, please stop jesting with me."

Upon hearing this answer, Xie Xuan Yuan felt a stir in his heart, envisioning the image of Lu Mei Ren smiling softly with her eyes lowered towards him.

He continued, "If it's true love, would he rush to visit upon hearing that the one he loves is seriously ill?"

Ji Yue nodded, "Of course! Even if it means going through fire and water, he would rush to see them."

Receiving a positive response, the tyrant suddenly beamed with a bright and radiant smile, "In that case, I do have an excellent strategy to lure the snake out of its hole."

……

Lu Mei Ren, having roamed outside for half the day and due to his clothes being torn by the tyrant, had to awkwardly cover his chest and take shortcuts, scrambling back to the Southern Chu camp in disarray.

After washing his face and changing back into men's clothing, he suddenly realized something was missing. He frantically searched the sleeves, waistband, and front of the clothes he was wearing, and, not giving up, vigorously shook the light cyan dress he wore in the morning on the bed.

No matter how many times he searched, the jade amulet he had worn close to his body since childhood did not appear as he had hoped from any corner or crevice.

This jade amulet was one of a pair. One was with him, and the other was with Zhao Ping, given to them as the first gift when they were adopted by the previous Emperor of Southern Chu, not only valuable but also of significant meaning.

Like Zhao Ping, Emperor Lu used to wear the jade amulet around his neck as a child, but as he grew older, wearing it on his neck seemed effeminate, and he was reluctant to wear it on his waist as a jade pendant due to wear and tear, so he decided to keep it safely in a hidden pocket close to his body.

Emperor Lu was a person who cherished memories, and even when he was married off to the North Guard, he had always taken great care of the amulet, never losing it. However, during his unexpected encounter with the tyrant, his clothes were torn.

At that moment, Emperor Lu was solely focused on conversing and escaping, not even noticing when the amulet slipped from his chest...

Losing the precious amulet that had been with him from childhood, Emperor Lu was extremely distressed, even considering risking capture by the tyrant to go back and search for it.

Before he could decide, a soldier came to report that a messenger from the North Guard's capital had arrived that morning with a personal letter from Empress Dowager He, seeking an audience.

Upon hearing it was from Empress Dowager He of the North Guard, Emperor Lu couldn't help but show a look of surprise. The last time he responded to the petitions, he had demanded thirty cities from the North Guard from her, hoping to make her back down.

"Despite its vast lands, nearly half of the southern territory is occupied by North Wei's thirty cities. Would Empress He truly be willing to forsake such splendid realms and territories just to eliminate Xie Xuan Yuan?"

"Given the importance of state affairs and with a curious mind, Lu Changping ordered the envoy from North Wei to be brought before him."

"The envoy sent by Empress He was vastly different from the one who previously delivered women's clothing on behalf of the tyrant. As soon as Lu Changping entered, he was greeted with a respectful bow."

"Subsequently, a peace proposal bearing the Empress's phoenix seal, along with a map, was presented. Remarkably, it delineated exactly thirty adjacent cities to be ceded to Southern Chu, as he had previously requested."

"Emperor Lu couldn't help but wonder, 'Does the Empress not worry that I might renege upon receiving the peace proposal and the map so readily?'"

"The North Wei envoy replied with a smile:"

"'Emperor Lu jests. The Empress currently holds no real power in North Wei, and the national seal on this document is effectively meaningless. As long as that tyrant Xie Xuan Yuan remains, let alone thirty cities, it would be exceedingly difficult for Your Majesty to take even one.'"

"At this point, the underlying message couldn't be clearer. Empress He was not foolish; she was merely playing a wishful game of getting something from nothing."

"If Emperor Lu truly desired those thirty cities of North Wei, he would need to align himself with the He family of North Wei and find a way to eliminate Xie Xuan Yuan."

"Emperor Lu placed the national letter and the map back on the table, without rushing to agree."

"'I've heard that the Empress and Emperor Xie are mother and son. If there's a conflict within the family, why involve an outsider like myself to resolve it?'"

"This envoy from Southern Chu, a trusted confidant of the Empress though of modest rank, was adept at twisting logic and spoke fluently:"

"'Your Majesty might not be aware, but the tyrant is not the Empress's own son but born of a concubine from the barbarian tribes of the northern border. The Empress, out of compassion for his lonely plight, adopted him. Who would have thought he couldn't change his bloodthirsty nature, committing massacres of the loyal and good in court. Recently, even the Empress's own brother, Grand Tutor He, and his family were tragically killed by the tyrant...'"

"At this point, the envoy choked up several times, unable to resist wiping away nonexistent tears from the corner of his eyes."

"Emperor Lu remained impassive, watching his performance with interest."

"Before coming, the envoy had learned that Emperor Lu of Southern Chu was known for his lenient governance and humane policies, particularly detesting such 'indiscriminate killings'."

"He had been expecting Emperor Lu to join him in righteous indignation against the tyrant. But after waiting in vain for a response, he could only awkwardly continue."

"'Grand Tutor He was a venerable elder statesman and a great loyalist of our dynasty. After this incident, the Empress, disheartened and disillusioned, has finally decided to put righteousness before kinship. Thus, she sent me, risking my life, to convey this message to Your Majesty. We hope that in two days, Your Majesty will coordinate with us to execute the tyrant!'"

Hearing this, Lu Changping finally couldn't hold back. His handsome brows furrowed, he bluntly questioned the envoy without giving any face:

"Yet how have I heard that this Prime Minister He and his kin are corrupt and embezzle funds, having diverted millions from the disaster relief funds allocated by the court to the people?"

The envoy was caught off guard by the Emperor of Southern Chu's knowledge of the Northern Wei's officialdom. Questioned, he stammered and blushed, struggling to argue:

"How... how can diverting disaster relief funds be considered corruption... Prime Minister He is of the Empress Dowager's clan, a royal relative enjoying the wealth of the imperial family. Can their actions be deemed corruption?" He then sourly recited a few lines of poetry, citing classics.

Emperor Lu could not bear to listen any longer, recalling the tyrant exposing Prime Minister He's shortcomings during the ancestral temple sacrifice, and continued to find fault:

"I've also heard that after Prime Minister He's daughter entered the palace, she harmed other consorts and even forced them to take sterility drugs. Is there truth to this?"

Seeing Emperor Lu deliberately bringing up sensitive issues, the envoy inwardly cursed him for meddling. Yet, he felt compelled to offer some defense, beginning to argue unreasonably:

"Perhaps... it was the corrupt consort causing chaos in the harem first. There might be more to this matter!"

Emperor Lu's frown deepened, pressing on relentlessly: "Then how do you explain Prime Minister He insulting Consort Lu during the ancestral temple sacrifice?"

The envoy, having never seen Consort Lu, thoughtlessly responded: "Consort Lu, seducing and misleading our lord, is a nation-destroying femme fatale, akin to a pair with the tyrant, as debauched as King Zhou and Daji. How could one not condemn..."

Before he could finish, he saw Emperor Lu slowly stand up from a distance, his eyes filled with a cold intensity.

"How bold of you. Consort Lu is from our Southern Chu, and for Prime Minister He to insult Consort Lu is to insult Southern Chu itself. Yet you dare to join him in his insults?"

Reminded by Emperor Lu, the envoy realized that Consort Lu was indeed the sister of the Emperor before him. Although there were rumors that the Consort Lu who married into Northern Wei was a spy from Southern Chu in disguise, without capturing the person, no evidence could be presented...

Seeing the anger in Emperor Lu's demeanor, he realized he had caused a great trouble this time.

The envoy from the North Guard trembled, cold sweat the size of beans sliding down his shiny forehead: "Emperor Lu, please forgive me, I merely misspoke. Consort Lu is blameless; the fault lies entirely with the tyrant!"

Emperor Lu's face showed displeasure, not only did he dislike hearing his own criticisms, but he also couldn't bear others speaking ill of Xie Xuan Yuan.

He had some knowledge of the hardships the young tyrant had endured, and had a clear understanding of what kind of person the Empress Dowager was since the day of the assassination attempt during his marriage alliance.

Now that Empress Dowager's faction sought something from Southern Chu, Emperor Lu was unsparing in his retort. He slowly approached the envoy, speaking from a position of authority:

"Prime Minister He embezzled disaster relief funds, allowed his daughter to commit atrocities, and recklessly slandered the favored consorts in the palace. In my view, he got less than he deserved. Wouldn't you agree?"

Seeing Emperor Lu's anger, the envoy hurriedly agreed, "Yes, yes. Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Initially, Emperor Lu intended to expel the envoy, but he reconsidered, knowing Empress Dowager and Xie Xuan Yuan were irreconcilable. Even without Southern Chu's cooperation, she would seek other means to harm him.

Rather than letting them go to continue threatening Xie Xuan Yuan's safety, it was better to seize this opportunity to eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

Having thought it through, Emperor Lu's expression softened, and he said to the envoy:

"You need not be overly anxious. Although I dislike people like Prime Minister He, I wouldn't take it out on those thirty cities. Since the Empress Dowager has already made a promise, tell me how you wish for me to cooperate, and I will follow suit. Now, explain to me in detail how you plan to kill Xie Xuan Yuan in two days."

……

After extracting the specific plan to assassinate the tyrant from the North Guard envoy, Emperor Lu laid several ambushes around the North Guard camp.

With no authority to mobilize a large force, the Empress Dowager could only rely on assassins for sneak attacks, coordinating with the Southern Chu army to create chaos with a surprise night attack as her strategy for victory.

According to the original plan, the Southern Chu army was to engage the North Guard army directly, facilitating the actions of the Empress Dowager's faction responsible for arson and assassination. However, harboring his own intentions, Emperor Lu thought: as long as he lured out the target first, with the tyrant's ruthless efficiency, he was sure to face minimal losses.

Facing the North Guard's tyrant directly in battle is something Emperor Lu is naturally unwilling to do himself.

However, on the eve of the surprise attack, news suddenly came from the North Guard that Xie Xuan Yuan had fallen seriously ill.

Lu Meiren, well-versed in military strategies, possesses fundamental common sense.

When a sovereign leads troops personally, even if truly ill, to stabilize the army's morale, the illness would likely be concealed.

The tyrant of the North Guard broadcasting his illness far and wide typically has two explanations: either it's a feint to lower the enemy's guard, or he is truly on his deathbed, no longer able to concern himself with rumors among the troops.

Recalling the tyrant who was lively and argumentative just a few days ago, Emperor Lu felt the possibility of a feigned illness was higher. But upon reflection, he noticed that Xie Xuan Yuan did seem "frailer" than usual during their last encounter, getting winded after just a few steps and moving clumsily.

Thus, Emperor Lu, troubled by concern, couldn't help but fall into deep worry: what if Xie Xuan Yuan was truly ill and unable to fend off the assassins?

He pondered all night without sleep, and by the next day, he decided to personally lead a team of elite troops to observe the North Guard camp from a distance.

This way, should the tyrant face danger, he could rush to the rescue at a moment's notice.

……

That night, the north wind howled.

Xie Xuan Yuan was covered with a glossy purple mink fur, holding a newly warmed hand stove, flipping through battle reports sent from the front lines.

Preoccupied, he didn't read with much attention, frequently lifting his gaze towards the door.

Growing impatient with the wait, Xie Xuan Yuan casually called out to the shadows: "Chu Si, come out. I have something to ask you."

The shadow guard named Chu Si immediately emerged from hiding and knelt before the tyrant: "What are Your Majesty's orders?"

Xie Xuan Yuan adjusted the mink fur that had slipped from his shoulders, discontentedly saying, "Didn't I specify that if Consort Lu arrived, not to harm him but to bring him directly to me? So, has no one come yet?"

"Your Majesty, up to this point, indeed no one has broken into the camp..."

Realizing his own wishful thinking, Xie Xuan Yuan's expression immediately darkened. To think he had Ji Yue sent away in preparation for today's capture, replaced with the most elite shadow guards, and yet Consort Lu dared to disrespect him like this!

He thought for a moment, still unwilling to give up, "Let's wait a bit longer. The message I released yesterday even gave him a day to prepare; he should come tonight."

Seeing the Emperor so concerned, Chu Si couldn't help but advise, "Your Majesty, staying up late harms the body. Why don't you rest first, and I'll have someone search nearby?"

"No," the tyrant refused decisively, "I will wait for him here tonight. If he doesn't come, he can't blame me for being ruthless!"

Unable to persuade him, the shadow guard could only obediently stay up with the Emperor, meanwhile praying for Consort Lu to appear soon.

By the late hours, the candles inside the tent burned shorter, and the hand stove gradually lost its warmth.

After becoming pregnant, Xie Xuan Yuan grew somewhat more sleepy. Now, leaning against the back of the chair, he gradually nodded off, unaware that the mink fur had slipped halfway off him.

The dim candlelight cast a golden warmth over his delicate and handsome profile, even his pale skin seemed touched with a layer of golden warmth.

He slept soundly, completely unaware that at this very moment, in a corner of the North Guard camp, a long-lurking assassin was silently approaching his main tent.

Where these people passed, the throats of the night-watch soldiers were cut. The North Guard military tents they passed were secretly doused with oil, soon engulfed in a sea of flames.

When Xie Xuan Yuan awoke, he was surrounded by soaring flames and piercing screams, with the tent's four sides lit by the blaze, and thick smoke quickly filling the inside.

He instinctively called for his shadow guards, but apart from the harsh clashing of swords not far outside the tent, no one responded to him.

Trouble had struck!

Seeing the fire approaching and remaining in the tent meant waiting for death, Xie Xuan Yuan swiftly drew the sword by his side and exited the tent.

Outside the tent, bodies littered the ground amidst soaring flames, with the few remaining shadow guards outnumbered, fighting a group of black-clad assassins.

Xie Xuan Yuan understood everything with just one glance.

This was not an attack on the entire North Guard army, but an assassination specifically aimed at him by assassins lurking within the North Guard.

To defend against the Southern Chu army, His Majesty had meticulously laid out five lines of defense, with his tent located at the very heart. Even someone as skilled as Consort Lu could only get close if he discreetly eased the security.

Yet, this backdoor carefully left open for his beloved did not welcome Consort Lu as expected but rather the assassins waiting in the shadows...

Ridiculously, until he accidentally fell asleep, he still naively believed Consort Lu would come to find him!

Xie Xuan Yuan gripped his sword tightly, cleanly beheading an assassin with a swift stroke.

That spy from Southern Chu had no heart!

Pretending to be concerned about his safety, yet nowhere to be seen when it mattered most!

The tyrant felt a mix of grievance and rage, yet his swordplay was fierce and accurate, swiftly killing nearly ten men. With the few remaining shadow guards' protection, he fought and retreated, looking for an escape route not blocked by the fire.

But with the fire and thick smoke sweeping through, finding a way out was easier said than done.

The tyrant, choked by the smoke, saw his shadow guards fall one by one, while he himself was driven to a dead-end path aflame.

Distant sounds of dull war drums and horse hooves signaled an advancing army... but he was too preoccupied to discern if it was indeed reinforcements coming to his aid.

With the number of assassins far outnumbering him, any further retreat would mean a fiery death.

Pushed to the brink, a tear glistened on the corner of Xie Xuan Yuan's eye, caught in his dark lashes. Yet, when he raised his head again, his face unexpectedly bore a proud smirk:

"It's alright, if I can't wait for him tonight, having you accompany me in death will do just as well!"

The assassins were initially intimidated by his fierce aura, but they quickly realized that the tyrant had become truly isolated.

Relying on their numerical superiority, the assassins exchanged glances and then surged forward...

The melee in the confined space was brutally intense; in just moments, the tyrant's sword was stained with blood.

Xie Xuan Yuan fought with a frenzied ferocity, his sword moves wide and unpredictable. Soon, a number of gruesomely killed bodies lay strewn about him.

Despite the fierce battle, he instinctively protected his abdomen, trying to dodge attacks from all directions.

By the time he had halved the number of assassins surrounding him, the tyrant was at his limit. Just then, a sharp pain in his abdomen left him too weak to fight.

An attack came straight at him. Xie Xuan Yuan abruptly retreated to dodge and lost his balance, hitting his head hard on the ground...

His vision blurred, he completely lost the strength to resist.

In his fading consciousness, he seemed to hear a familiar, clear voice urgently calling his name from afar.

Xie Xuan Yuan wanted to see if the caller was indeed the person he had been waiting for, but his eyelids were too heavy, and he soon lost consciousness.

……

Long before Lu Changping returned to camp, news of his night raid on the enemy camp and the defeat of the North Guard had spread throughout the Southern Chu army like wildfire.

Morale among the troops soared, with soldiers eager to witness the triumphant return of Emperor Lu.

Yet, Emperor Lu deliberately avoided those waiting at the main camp entrance, secretly entering the commander's tent with the unconscious young man in black.

He moved gently, placing the person on his bed, and by the dim candlelight and the faint dawn light seeping in, he carefully bandaged the wound on the back of the other's head.

The unconscious Xie Xuan Yuan frowned slightly, his face pale and bloodless, his lips pale and tightly closed, appearing peaceful and docile as if he were a different person.

The more Emperor Lu looked, the more heartbroken he felt, unable to resist bending down to gently kiss the tyrant's slightly chapped lips.

Just as their lips parted, a voice from outside reported, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician Wang you summoned has arrived."

Hearing this, Emperor Lu abruptly sat up, shifted closer to the bed's edge, and carefully turned Xie Xuan Yuan to hide his face, then confidently allowed the physician to enter.

Initially, the royal physician thought His Majesty would urgently summon him upon return, assuming injuries from the battlefield.

Yet, upon entering, to his surprise, he found a man lying unconscious on the Emperor's bed within the commander's tent.

The man was lying on his side, back towards him, with slender limbs but thin, except for a slightly protruding abdomen. He seemed to be a favored attendant of His Majesty, but his slightly swollen physique suggested otherwise...

Under Emperor Lu's anxious gaze, the royal physician momentarily suppressed his many questions. After treating the young man's wounds and carefully taking his pulse for a long time, he slowly began:

"Your Majesty need not worry. The gentleman's injuries seem severe but are mostly superficial. There's no threat to his life. Only a bump on the back of his head from hitting a rock, causing congestion and heaviness, will require some time and care to heal..."

Emperor Lu, relieved to hear that Xie Xuan Yuan would not die, immediately brightened up and eagerly asked, "When will he wake up?"

The royal physician glanced at the spartan furnishings in the Emperor's tent and couldn't help but sigh:

"It could take up to half a month or as few as several days. Considering the harsh conditions at the front and for the gentleman's health, I suggest sending him back to recuperate sooner. And... there's another matter I'm unsure whether to discuss..."

Lu Changping, sensing the physician's hesitation, suddenly felt an ominous premonition. He put aside his joy and said:

"Anything related to him must not be concealed. Tell me everything; I can bear it."

With the Emperor's permission, the royal physician wiped the sweat from his forehead with his wide sleeve before speaking slowly:

"According to his pulse, the gentleman has been pregnant for over three months..."

"Pregnant for over three months..."

"Pregnant for over three months..."

"Pregnant for over three months..."

The physician's last words echoed in Lu Changping's ears with a mysterious force. He couldn't help but secretly count on his fingers, recalculating the days since he had fled the Northern Wei Imperial Palace.

After adding up the days precisely, it totaled exactly three months and ten days.

In an instant, Emperor Lu felt as if struck by thunder from the sky, completely numbed...

The author's note:

Lady Lu: Urgent! Waiting online! What to do if I accidentally got the enemy nation's emperor (male) pregnant?

And then there's Xiao Xie, truly... both beautiful and troublesome. But fortunately, Emperor Lu is reliable, arriving just in time to heroically save the day. QAQ

Sorry everyone, this update is late again, but this chapter comes with a transaction of over 30 jj coins, and there will be random red packet drops as an apology.

The sweetness begins in the next chapter~