Chapter 397 I have to hold it in, when will I finally get a formal title?

Luo Heng said, "I will fully cooperate with all of Prince Heng's actions, but I have one condition."

Shi Jin: "What are the conditions?"

Luo Heng smiled slightly.

"I beg Your Highness Prince Heng to find a way to save Shen Chu's life. Once it is done, I will take Shen Chu with me."

Shi Jin frowned, looking at Luo Heng with disbelief in his eyes.

"You don't want wealth, fame, or a bright future? You just want Chen Chu?"

Luo Heng said with certainty, "I only want Shen Chu. If Your Highness can spare her life, I am willing to serve you like a slave."

Shi Jin thought Luo Heng was completely insane and couldn't help but tease him.

"I didn't expect Lord Luo to be such a romantic. Very well, I'll remember your words and pass them on to His Highness when I return to the capital."

His Highness said that if Lord Luo has finished his duties in Jiangning Prefecture, he should return to the capital as soon as possible, as there are still many places where Lord Luo will be needed.

Luo Heng bowed, "I will depart for the capital today."

Ah Chu, we'll meet in the capital soon.

------

The capital city, the Flying Eagle Guard.

Pei Yuan was selecting candidates to fight against the Southern Yue Kingdom when Jinbao rushed in from outside.

"Your Highness, this servant just learned from the palace that Prince Heng has added Lord Shen to the reception delegation list, and His Majesty has approved it."

Prince Heng has already sent someone to Yangzhou to summon Lord Shen back to the capital.

Pei Yuan was slightly taken aback, then suddenly jumped up from his chair.

His first thought was that A-Chu was coming back, and he was about to see A-Chu again.

Finally, I can end this life I've been longing for.

After the initial surprise, he immediately realized something was wrong.

"You're saying this was Prince Heng's idea?"

"Yes, this servant heard from the eunuchs serving in the Imperial Study that His Majesty initially disagreed with Lord Shen's return to the capital, but it was Prince Heng who persuaded His Majesty."

Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Why did Prince Heng insist on bringing Achu back, even though he knew that his father wanted to send Achu away because of the rumors about his homosexual relationship with her?

What does he want to do?

"Have Sun Yan send someone to keep an eye on the movements of the Prince Heng's residence. If there is any disturbance, report back to me immediately."

"yes."

Jinbao bowed and stepped back, but was stopped by Pei Yuan.

"Wait a minute."

Jinbao stepped back and looked at his prince.

Unable to contain his excitement, Pei Yuan paced around the room with his hands on his hips before giving further instructions.

"Send a few unfamiliar people out of the city to keep an eye on things. As soon as Ah Chu returns, have someone report back immediately."

In addition, send someone to inform Madam Qiao that Achu is coming back and to have her take people to clean the Ning'an Marquis's residence inside and out.

Especially the house where A-Chu lives... well, I'll just have to go to the Ning'an Marquis's residence myself to take a look.

The Ning'an Marquis's residence has only just been renovated; I wonder if the rooms are cold, and if the underfloor heating is on...

Pei Yuan became increasingly uneasy as he spoke, and got up to walk outside.

Jinbao quickly grabbed him.

"Your Highness, you cannot go to the Ning'an Marquis's residence in person. His Majesty is already resentful about what happened between you and Lord Shen."

If you go there now, won't that just make Lord Shen look bad?

If Your Majesty, in a fit of anger, were to send Lord Shen to some godforsaken place again, where would you go to cry?

"Let me send someone secretly to handle this; I guarantee it will be taken care of perfectly."

Pei Yuan's expression froze, and he immediately snapped out of his excitement.

Somewhat dejected, he sat back down in his chair.

He and Achu are together, but this can't be said. Achu's identity can't be revealed yet, so they have to keep it a secret.

He's going to be a father, a father of two children, a son and a daughter. He can't say it out loud, he has to keep it to himself.

Now, he can't even openly tidy up A-Chu's room himself.

I had to hold it in!

When will he finally get a proper status?

Jinbao looked at Pei Yuan with a relieved expression, thinking that his prince had finally listened to his advice from the other day.

Being with Master Shen is a hundred times better than being an unwitting father, isn't it?

The next second, Pei Yuan ordered, "Go and find out who the best midwife in the capital is."

"Spend more money and hire more midwives to raise her first."

"Please...please call a midwife?" Jinbao was so shocked he almost bit off his own tongue.

"Whom has Your Highness requested a midwife for? Who is about to give birth?"

Of course, it should be given to Ah Chu.

Ah Chu is due to give birth in another month.

Of course, this is something we have to keep quiet about.

Pei Yuan snorted and instructed Jin Bao, "Also, find the best embroiderers and prepare plenty of clothes for women to wear after childbirth, as well as clothes for children."

Remember to make sure you're well hidden, don't get spotted. What are you standing there for? Get to it!

Jinbao was kicked out in a daze.

He only realized what had happened after he left the Flying Eagle Guard area.

With a midwife and clothes for women after childbirth, His Highness is clearly still thinking about that pregnant woman.

But His Highness was extremely excited about Lord Shen's return.

So Your Highness likes both men and women?

Jinbao was frustrated by his own conclusion.

Despite feeling down, I still have to get things done.

Jinbao first sent someone to inform Aunt Qiao that Chen Chu was coming back, then changed his clothes and went to inquire about the midwife and find the embroiderer himself.

He did these things very discreetly, but Prince Heng's men still discovered some clues.

Soon, news of Pei Yuan sending someone to find a midwife reached the ears of Prince Heng.

Prince Heng's eyes immediately crinkled with a smile, "Sixth Brother is really looking forward to his child."

"Tsk tsk, what a pity, he was destined to see the child born."

Shi Jin, who had returned earlier, asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, have you agreed to Luo Heng's conditions?"

Should we really let him take Shen Chu away?

Prince Heng's smile faded slightly. "It's not impossible for him to take Shen Chu away, but if he can kill the child in Shen Chu's womb with his own hands, I will allow him to take Shen Chu away."

Shi Jin said, "Your Highness is wise. Shen Chu is carrying Prince Rui's child."

If you don't nip the problem in the bud, the consequences will be dire.

Prince Heng smiled and asked, "How many more days until Shen Chu returns to the capital?"

"She's heavily pregnant and walks slowly; it will probably take her another three to five days."

"How much longer until the South Vietnamese delegation arrives?"

"It should take about three to five days."

Prince Heng smiled and said, “Very good. As soon as the Nanyue delegation arrives, we will immediately host a banquet at the Huitong Hall to welcome them.”

"Let Luo Heng go find Chen Jiaying first; I'll handle the rest."

"Yes." Shi Jin bowed and left.

Prince Heng slowly poured himself a glass of wine, turning the teacup with a sinister smile.

Sixth brother, you won't be as lucky as last time.

The sixth brother is currently meeting someone he has been waiting for for many days.

Du Song, Sun Yan's sworn brother.

He secretly sent him to Liangzhou two years ago.

Du Song entered, looking travel-worn, and handed Pei Yuan a thick oil paper package.

Pei Yuan stroked the oil paper package for a moment before opening it.

The more you look at him, the colder his expression becomes; when it gets to the extreme, he becomes expressionless.

Du Song said, "Does Your Highness really intend to use this to force the Chen family to annul the engagement? If so, it might alert them."

"What if His Majesty follows the trail and finds out that Your Highness has been secretly taking care of the former members of the Lu family army and their families all these years, wouldn't that..."

Pei Yuan waved his hand, "It's alright, it's fine if you know. Let's go, we'll go to the Chen family first."

Only if the Chen family cancels the engagement can he take another step closer to having a legitimate status.