Chapter 65: Cousin?

Chapter 65: Cousin?

Ling Yehan watched the figure with its back to him, slowly inching closer until his head rested against the other's back. His hand rose and fell, hesitant, before finally, carefully, encircling the person in front of him. The abdomen felt slightly warm; the six-month-old child within already had a significant presence. It moved inside—from the initial fish-like flutters to now, with considerable force—all affirming its existence.

Xiao Chen closed his eyes, memories of Lin'er flooding his mind: his appearance at birth, his first steps, the first time he called him "Father." That child had been his greatest concern before death in his previous life. He had believed that given a second chance, he would surely watch him grow and accompany him for many years.

From behind, a muffled, choked voice emerged:

"Brother, as long as there's even a sliver of hope, I'll wait with you for Lin'er's arrival, alright? But if there truly is no other way, please don't leave Lin'er and me again, okay?"

Xiao Chen placed a hand on his belly, once again seeing the image of Lin'er crying for him in his dreams. If fate decreed he could not stay with his child for long, was it truly worth making him endure the pain of losing a father once more? The corners of his eyes moistened. Just as Ling Yehan thought he wouldn't respond, the man before him softly assented, as if in answer.

Neither slept much that night. At dawn, Xiao Chen awoke. A restless night left him looking unwell, fatigue etched on his brow, and a lingering morning dizziness. Ling Yehan held his shoulders, helping him sit up slightly to ease his discomfort.

After lunch, Xiao Chen spoke:

"Prepare the carriage. Xu Yuanli will accompany me."

"Yes."

The black carriage was unadorned, and all attendants wore plain clothes. Rain had fallen all night and continued to drizzle, leaving the bluestone pavement damp. Xing Fang had secured the entire villa early, clearing the surrounding streets and alleys. Wrapped in a cloak, Xiao Chen was helped from the carriage by Ling Yehan.

Plainclothes imperial guards stood watch in the outer courtyard. Only two of Xing Fang's trusted men remained in the inner courtyard. Seeing the emperor arrive, Xing Fang saluted and asked:

"Your Majesty, shall I set up a privacy screen?"

Xiao Chen gazed calmly toward the room ahead:

"No need. Clear everyone from the inner courtyard. Only the Marquis of Jingbian will accompany me inside."

"Yes."

He wanted to see exactly who this person was—who had gone to such lengths just to meet him.

Ling Yehan opened the door, and Xiao Chen slowly stepped into the room. Qing Li had been informed earlier that someone would visit. He emerged from the inner chamber, but unlike his casual demeanor during previous meetings with Xing Fang and Ling Yehan, his gaze locked onto Xiao Chen. Since Xiao Chen’s ascension, no one had dared look at him so boldly. Without a word, Xiao Chen sat in an armchair in the hall, his cloak concealing most of his form.

He studied the man before him. Having seen countless faces, he still had to admit this man was strikingly handsome—dressed in flowing robes, his ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall. Yet his face was pale and drawn. Xing Fang and Ling Yehan had said their eyes and brows were similar—it was no exaggeration. Though Xiao Chen sensed their temperaments were entirely different, a closer look revealed undeniable resemblance in their features. This was the first time he had seen another man pregnant, and his gaze instinctively fell to the other’s abdomen. He spoke directly:

"I heard from Xing Fang you're quite skilled—able to conceal your pulse. Today, I’ve brought a physician. I hope you won’t waste my time."

Seeing Xiao Chen’s face, Qing Li felt seventy to eighty percent certain. Unlike before, when he had refused, he now agreed readily:

"Alright."

Ling Yehan summoned Xu Yuanli. Whether real or imagined, he seemed paler today than yesterday. Qing Li had already taken a seat, rolling up his sleeve to expose his wrist. Xiao Chen noticed several cuts—neatly spaced, old and new, clearly self-inflicted. The freshest ones were still raw and red, likely made within the past few days. Xiao Chen frowned slightly but said nothing.

Observing Qing Li’s condition, Xu Yuanli dared not ask questions. He placed his pulse-reading cushion and began the examination. After a long silence, he released the wrist. Xiao Chen asked:

"Well?"

"By pulse, this gentleman is nearly eight months pregnant. However, the pulse is faint, and his qi and blood are severely depleted, suggesting significant blood loss. Yet the fetal pulse is stable. Has this gentleman recently sustained injury?"

Unsure of Qing Li’s background, Xu Yuanli answered with caution.

Xiao Chen glanced at the scars on the wrist:

"How did you get these injuries?"

He had been under Xing Fang’s direct supervision these past days—no one would dare harm him now.

Qing Li withdrew his wrist, covering it with his sleeve, but gave no answer. Instead, he changed the subject:

"There are things I’d like to discuss with you alone. May I?"

Xiao Chen waved a hand, signaling Xu Yuanli to leave. Ling Yehan, however, remained standing. Still uncertain about this man’s identity, he feared harm might come to Xiao Chen and refused to move. Noticing Ling Yehan’s protective stance, Qing Li glanced between the two, understanding the situation. His dark lashes lowered slightly, and he said nothing further.

Xiao Chen said: "Speak."

"If I’m not mistaken, you are the current emperor, aren’t you?"

Qing Li showed no fear in the emperor’s presence. His pale face, unlike days prior, now carried a trace of familiarity as he looked at Xiao Chen—as if seeing someone else through him.

Xiao Chen did not deny it:

"Who are you, really?"

The man’s voice softened, his pale, bloodless lips parting slightly:

"My name is Qing Li. If I’m not mistaken, we could be considered cousins."

Xiao Chen had suspected a familial connection, but he felt little attachment to kinship. Even if related, he felt no particular bond.

"All my cousins reside in the Earl of Rong’an’s mansion. Are you an illegitimate child of Fu Wence?"

"Your Majesty should at least know that Lady Fu is not your birth mother."

Xiao Chen wasn’t surprised he knew this:

"So you went to such lengths just to claim kinship?"

Though he said this, Xiao Chen watched the man closely. If they were truly related, he must also know where his birth mother was.

Qing Li smiled faintly, coughing lightly, showing no anger. As if the man who once declared mercy by sparing everyone at Qinghui Pavilion had suddenly become conciliatory:

"If you think so, then let it be. I came to the capital for you. You likely know little of your origins, do you?"

Xiao Chen disliked being manipulated. He frowned slightly, impatience flickering. Qing Li didn’t seem surprised:

"Then let me tell you a story—a tale about the Luo people. It’s an old one. The earliest records of the Luo date back five hundred years, spanning five dynasties. The Luo are skilled in medicine, gu magic, and poisons. Because their men can bear children, they were seen as defying nature, so they lived reclusively in the mountains, never marrying outsiders. They only occasionally descended to offer free treatment, never revealing their identities. Until the Great Yong Dynasty, preceding the last dynasty, when a clansman fell in love with a royal, exposing the Luo secret to the world.

The idea of men bearing children sparked fascination, and some in court began deliberately seeking out Luo men, confining them as favored companions. Thus, by the end of Great Yong, nanfeng (male-male relationships) became widespread. At that time, Great Yong faced internal decay and external threats, already collapsing. It was eventually overthrown by the previous dynasty, and the Luo were blamed as monsters responsible for its fall."

Qing Li’s tone carried a hint of sarcastic disdain:

"That’s what they claimed. Yet the founding emperor of the previous dynasty still took several Luo men into his harem. Soon after, he died. The crown prince was young, and Empress Dowager Meng ruled as regent. She harbored deep hatred for the Luo, leading to their near extermination. Only a few survivors escaped to the Blue Moon Mountains, thereafter forbidding descendants from leaving.

Generations passed, and gradually, people forgot the cruelty of the outside world. Yet some still yearned for what lay beyond the mountains. My uncle, who was very close to me since childhood, was one of them. And he was your father."

Xiao Chen clenched his fists. Ling Yehan burst out:

"Where is he now?"

Qing Li lowered his eyes:

"He returned to the Blue Moon Mountains. He died long ago."

Xiao Chen’s gaze sharpened:

"Then how do you know I am your uncle’s child?"

At the mention of this matter, Qing Li's expression cooled slightly:

"Your father was Xiao Yuzhong, the general guarding the northwest for the former dynasty. He was the one my uncle fell in love with, but your father betrayed his trust. Before you were even born, he broke his vow and married a woman from another family. After you were born, my father found him and brought him back to Blue Moon Mountain. At the time, they intended to bring you back as well, but Xiao Yuzhong had already taken you back to his estate to be raised by his wife. Additionally, my uncle was in poor health, so my father had no choice but to take him back to the mountain first. After returning, he was always thinking of you, but he only held on for five more years before passing away. On his deathbed, you were his greatest concern."

Upon hearing that Xiao Chen's father had only lasted five years, horror spread through Ling Yehan's entire body. Meanwhile, Xiao Chen’s face paled slightly. Though he had suspected it, truly knowing he had a birth father still left him feeling dazed. He thought of Lin'er, of the concern he felt on his deathbed, and then of the father he had never met, whom he had no memory of—a place in his heart felt as if pierced by something sharp.

Qing Li spoke again, a softened expression on his face:

"When you were born, your father used his blood to create a mother-child gu. The gu worm is kept in the mountains. As long as the gu worm remains healthy, it means you are safe. In my childhood, I was closest to your father—he was a very gentle person. So when I came of age, I thought of leaving the mountain to see you on his behalf. However, I never managed to meet you in person. Later, when the world fell into chaos, I heard that Xiao Yuzhong’s son had rebelled against the former dynasty and guessed it was you. The last time I came down the mountain was three years ago. You had won the throne, and I felt reassured, so I returned to the mountains.

This time, I came down because a few months ago, your gu worm showed abnormalities. I guessed that you might have a child. There are too few records about the Luo people in the world, and I feared that, unaware of your origins, something might happen to you. That’s why I came to check on you."

At this point, Ling Yehan couldn’t even care whether the man’s words were true or false. He immediately seized on his statement:

"So, there is a way to prevent the exhaustion and death after childbirth, isn't there?"

If there were no solution at all, Qing Li wouldn’t have bothered coming down the mountain.

Qing Li glanced at him sideways, his scrutiny unconcealed. When this man had arrived yesterday, he had guessed that he and Xiao Chen might share that kind of relationship. Now, seeing his genuine concern, it seemed unlikely that his uncle’s tragedy would repeat itself with Xiao Chen. Without denying it, he replied:

"The Luo people have survived through generations. It’s not possible that bearing a child is akin to suicide. There is indeed a method."

Ling Yehan’s eyes lit up—as long as there was a way, there was hope. He urgently asked:

"What is it?"

Qing Li looked toward the two plants by the window:

"Go bring those two plants over."

Ling Yehan quickly walked to the window and brought the two plants to the table. He recalled that when he entered yesterday, this man seemed to be tending to them. Upon closer inspection, the two plants looked strange—he was sure he had never seen anything like them. Could these things really save a life?

Qing Li gently brushed the leaves of the plants:

"This is called the Blood Exhaustion Gu."

"A gu?"