Chapter 9
The moment Yu Zhi stood up, his vision suddenly went dark.
A sudden wave of dizziness washed over Yu Zhi, causing him to stumble and stumble. Alarm bells blazed in his heart, and he quickly grasped the table, managing to steady himself.
"Your Majesty!" Lu Jing rushed forward, took Yu Zhi's arm and slowly led him to sit down, his eyes full of worry. "How are you? I will send for the imperial physician."
Yu Zhi leaned in the armchair, supporting his head with his right hand, his eyes half closed, and uttered a weak "hmm".
Lu Jing immediately ordered the palace servant guarding the door to call the imperial physician, fearing that something might happen to His Majesty again. He gave a few simple instructions and returned to the house. When he stepped over the threshold, Lu Jing's hurried steps paused slightly.
The emperor was now curled up in his chair, his back, which had always been as straight as a bamboo, was bent, his right hand covering his lower abdomen, and his face was pale.
Lu Jing's heart trembled suddenly. He quickly walked to Yu Zhi's side, his eyes fixed on his white forehead, which was covered with a thin layer of sweat. His heart was in his throat. As if afraid of startling the emperor, Lu Jing lowered his voice very softly: "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Yu Zhi was so upset by the strange feeling in his lower abdomen that he felt nauseous in his throat and couldn't say a word. He waved his hand to refuse him.
For Yu Zhi, every moment was torment.
He touched his aching lower abdomen, his heart was in a knot, as if he was in the abyss, and the panic of the unknown enveloped him.
Baby, nothing must happen to you.
Yu Zhi prayed silently.
When Yu Zhi learned that she was pregnant, she felt a little happy. Some people in the Bai Ling tribe never had children in their entire lives, so he was lucky to get pregnant in one try.
Unfortunately, the child's other father is his enemy, not his lover.
Even though that man was abominable, Yu Zhi never thought of abandoning the child. Yu Zhi pressed her palms tightly against her belly, trying to comfort the unborn baby inside.
“Hmm…”
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his mind, like a silver needle piercing his skull. Yu Zhi let out an indistinct groan, his pale fingertips digging into his palms, and he curled up in pain.
Why hasn’t Doctor Zhang come yet?
Yu Zhi was drenched in cold sweat, and his underwear was sticky to his back, which was extremely uncomfortable in the hot summer.
As he was in agony, a familiar voice drifted into his ears. Yu Zhi struggled to open his moist eyes. Doctor Zhang was half-kneeling in front of him, taking his pulse.
Yu Zhi's lips trembled, and he squeezed out a sentence from his throat: "Child..."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, the child is fine."
Doctor Zhang's answer instantly calmed Yu Zhi down, and the pain in his head seemed to ease a little. He relaxed and slumped down in his chair, his misty eyes drooping slightly as he gazed at his flat stomach.
The baby is less than two months old and the pregnancy is not obvious yet.
Yu Zhi glanced at him with a hint of disgust.
Little thing, you torture me like this before you even grow up. You are as bad as your father.
"Your Majesty, you are so angry that you've upset your baby. You must not get angry easily in the future. You are already weak, and if you haven't received the comfort of the child's father for a long time, it's very easy for something to happen. Excessive mood swings are not only harmful to the fetus, but also to you."
Doctor Zhang released Yu Zhi's wrist, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and felt relieved. The emperor's painful expression just now really scared him. He thought something had happened to the heir.
Yu Zhi responded softly, his voice slightly hoarse: "I understand."
As he spoke, Yu Zhi mentally added a note of sympathy for Luo Tingshi. Ultimately, it was Luo Tingshi's fault. If he hadn't insisted on attacking the Yu Kingdom, this wouldn't have happened.
Thinking of this, Yu Zhi glanced at Doctor Zhang with a guilty conscience and said weakly, "I want to go to the border, but can I hold on?"
A vein in Doctor Zhang's forehead twitched, and his face darkened as he stared at the pale little emperor. "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"I think it's okay." Yu Zhi said in a low voice. He was about to say something, but suddenly he caught a glimpse of Lu Jing standing aside from the corner of his eye. Yu Zhi paused.
How could I forget about him?
Yu Zhi cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Lu, I have something to discuss with Doctor Zhang. Please leave first."
Lu Jing was in a very complicated mood and bowed: "I will take my leave."
It was no secret that the men of the Yu Kingdom's royal family could also father children. Ever since the founding of the Yu Kingdom, Yu's Taizu had declared this fact to the world. Taizu had a legendary life to his credit, single-handedly overthrowing the previous dynasty's tyranny and restoring peace to the land. The people of the land believed Taizu was blessed by Heaven, thus granting miraculous results.
The little emperor was still young before, had little interest in matters of love, and had never been attracted to anyone else.
But Lu Jing had never expected that His Majesty would even have a child after just one trip. No wonder His Majesty would occasionally feel nauseous and retching when discussing things with him these days.
Lu Jing couldn't help but feel a deep sense of worry. If this child was really Luo Tingshi's, then it must be Luo Tingshi's eldest son or eldest princess. If Luo Tingshi knew about this, he would probably snatch the child from His Majesty.
We have to think of a way... Lu Jing's eyes were gloomy.
After Lu Jing disappeared outside the house, Yu Zhi continued his previous words: "If I were to transform into my original form, I would be less shaken in the carriage, and then I could go."
Doctor Zhang said sternly, "That's also very dangerous."
Yu Zhi raised his eyes, staring directly into Doctor Zhang's, and sighed softly, "I have reasons to go. Sheng will probably attack Yu soon. I have no intention of going to war with Sheng. Once a war breaks out, only the people will suffer. Even if Yu wins, countless people will be displaced. Now, perhaps I am the only one who can stop Luo Tingshi. I must go."
The young emperor spoke so earnestly that Doctor Zhang wavered slightly: "This..."
"Doctor Zhang, please help me." Yu Zhi gently shook Doctor Zhang's arm, opened his pair of dark and moist eyes, and looked at him eagerly.
Doctor Zhang was suddenly at a loss.
He couldn't stand the little emperor's trick at all. His pitiful appearance made anyone want to fulfill his every request.
Doctor Zhang relaxed and said, "I have a request. Your Majesty, please take me with you."
Yu Zhi's eyes lit up slightly, and he smiled and said, "Of course, Imperial Doctor Zhang is a skilled doctor. I wouldn't feel at ease without you by my side."
Doctor Zhang was so delighted.
He stood up and said to Yu Zhi, "Your Majesty, I will help you to rest on the couch inside. I will make you a bowl of medicine to help you stay pregnant. You will feel better after drinking it."
Doctor Zhang helped Yu Zhi to the inner room and lay on the couch. Yu Zhi gently stroked his lower abdomen, his eyes fell on the auspicious beasts on the dome, thinking in his heart how to deal with this crisis.
When Luo Tingshi first ascended the throne, some officials in the court had complaints against him. Yu Zhi originally thought that he would first gather the officials of Sheng State, stabilize the court, and then consider dealing with Yu State.
Unexpectedly, Luo Tingshi was a lunatic.
He doesn't play by the rules at all.
If war were unavoidable, Yu was not without the strength to fight. On the contrary, Yu had many elite soldiers and generals, and in the years since Yu Zhi ascended the throne, Yu had not suffered any major disasters. Its treasury was full, and it had no shortage of food and fodder, making it more than enough to deal with Sheng.
But once the beacon fire is lit, there will be death.
Yu Zhi didn't want the soldiers of Yu State to die because of Luo Tingshi's ambition. As the king of a country, he wanted to protect every one of his subjects.
Since he was young, his father often told him that every life is very precious and he cannot kill people at will just because he is the emperor and has the power of life and death.
Over the years, he always kept these words in mind and never killed innocent people.
Everyone he executed deserved it.
Therefore, he must stop Luo Tingshi and prevent the war from breaking out again.
What should he do?
Thinking of the "true confession" in Luo Tingshi's letter, Yu Zhi's lips curled slightly. Although his memory of that night was not very clear, some fragments still flew into his mind from time to time, making him dizzy and hot.
A low, hoarse voice poured in through the ear: "Be good, open it a little more..."
Amidst the chaos, the man chuckled, "So powerful... I like it very much." The ending tone of his smile sank slightly. In the silent night, the man's voice seemed seductive and dangerous.
"Let go, let me hear your screams, yes... they sound so beautiful."
"Good boy, such a beautiful woman who suits my taste..." The man sighed, cupped his face and kissed him, coaxing him, "Follow me, okay?"
All of a sudden, all the memories that had been suppressed deep in his heart came flooding back. Yu Zhi covered his ears, trying to block out the demonic sound that kept circling around him, but to no avail.
"Luo, Ting, Shi!"
Yu Zhi gritted his teeth, buried his head in the soft pillow, and forced the image in his mind to be replaced by the border. The battlefield stained with blood appeared before his eyes, and Yu Zhi gradually calmed down.
The chirping of cicadas echoed over the pond and into the house along with the lotus breeze.
Yu Zhi sniffed the lotus fragrance, exhaled lightly, pointed his finger at his lower abdomen, and muttered, "How could your bastard father be so mean as to have to provoke a war?"
Yu Zhi hadn't had much contact with Luo Tingshi, so he couldn't fathom his thoughts. But he was certain that Luo Tingshi was interested in him.
We can't let him seduce her, right?
Yu Zhi scratched his head in distress.
"Knock knock--" There was a knock on the door. It was Lin Shan who came to deliver the medicine.
Yu Zhi called him in, pinched his nose, and gulped down the abortion-preserving medicine in one gulp. Lin Shan picked up the palm-leaf fan on the couch and gently fanned it, whispering, "Your Majesty, take the medicine and rest well. I'll be here to watch over you."
After becoming pregnant, Yu Zhi became a little sleepy. In the cool breeze brought by Lin Shan, he pressed his slightly sore eyes and slowly closed them.
Just before he fell into a deep sleep, Yu Zhi was still thinking about how to stop the war.
-
The next day, Yu Zhi informed several important officials in the court that he was going to the border.
Prime Minister Li Yupeng immediately objected, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! You are the Son of Heaven, how can you take such a risk? Your disguise to go to Sheng State last time was already inappropriate, and now you want to go to the battlefield! Your Majesty, this is too dangerous. If you are injured, we will be blamed for it!"
"Minister Li is right, Your Majesty, you must not act rashly."
"His Majesty……"
The little emperor didn't say another word after he said that. Li Yupeng raised his eyes and turned his gaze to the little emperor's calm face. Seeing that he remained unmoved no matter how the ministers tried to persuade him, he shook his head helplessly.
Looking at the little emperor's expression, it's impossible to persuade him.
Yu Zhi noticed his gaze and looked up. Their eyes met in mid-air. Yu Zhi's eyes were extremely serious. "Prime Minister Li, perhaps I am the only one who can stop Luo Tingshi now. I must go to this border crossing. The affairs of the court will once again be handed over to you, my dear."
Li Yupeng knew that the young emperor had made up his mind, so he stopped trying to dissuade him. He looked at him deeply, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please be careful about everything."
Three days later, several simple carriages left Kyoto.
Yu Zhi was traveling secretly this time, and he only brought Doctor Zhang and Lu Jing with him.
He knew that there were spies from Sheng State in the capital, so he left Lin Shan in the palace as a show for the spies, and Lu Jingming was nominally sent to Pingshan County, but in fact he would meet them on the way.
According to the spies, Luo Tingshi planned to attack from Guyue County, and he had secretly transferred food, fodder, and troops to Guyue County.
The sun had not yet risen, and in the dim morning light, the carriage was moving steadily on the official road.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?" Doctor Zhang turned his head and looked at the pear wood box beside him.
The box was covered with layers of thick, soft brocade. Yu Zhi, transformed into his original form, was sitting inside, his two claws clinging to the edge of the wooden box. He spoke in human language, "Nothing is wrong."
Doctor Zhang was still worried. He squatted down, his eyes level with the kitten, and sternly warned, "Your Majesty, if you feel anything is wrong, please tell me. Do not force yourself to continue on your journey."
Yu Zhi stretched out his little claws and placed them on Doctor Zhang's sleeves, saying with a smile, "Doctor Zhang, don't worry so much. I have a little baby in my belly, and I won't let him suffer with me."
Doctor Zhang's tense mouth relaxed slightly, and he raised his two little cat paws and clenched them. "Your Majesty, please lie down quickly to avoid any bumps."
Yu Zhi obediently retracted his claws, lay down in the box and stretched.
"Huh?" Doctor Zhang glanced at the kitten's exposed furry belly, paused, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. "Your Majesty, is your belly a little bigger?"
Yu Zhi was stunned for a moment, then looked down and saw a slight bulge in his lower abdomen.
He was a little curious and touched the bulge with his paw.
Is this his child?
"Logically speaking, you shouldn't show your pregnancy so soon." Doctor Zhang stroked his beard, a little puzzled.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhi raised his eyes nervously: "But what's wrong with the child?"
Doctor Zhang shook his head. "Your Majesty, don't be alarmed. This isn't a serious matter. Perhaps you have too much amniotic fluid in your abdomen. I'll take your pulse again after you've transformed into a human form."
Yu Zhi felt a little relieved, and gently circled the pad of flesh around his lower abdomen, making a secret wish in his heart.
May our ancestors, Bai Ling, bless us and let my child be born safely.
The carriage headed west, heading straight for Guyue County. Lu Jing met up with the others at a small village twenty miles outside the capital.
Because Yu Zhi was pregnant, the group's journey was slow, and reaching Guyue County would take at least a month. Delays could lead to unexpected events, so to reach the border as quickly as possible, Yu Zhi and the others had been resting in the carriage for days, ready to depart at any moment.
Lu Jing felt very uneasy.
He has never seen His Majesty during this period.
Doctor Zhang said that His Majesty was not feeling well and could not be exposed to the wind, so he needed to rest in the carriage. On weekdays, he could only speak to His Majesty from across the carriage. He had never seen His Majesty's face, and he had no idea how His Majesty was doing.
Lu Jing sighed deeply.
-
Throughout the dynasties, aside from the Yu Kingdom's royal family, only the Zhang clan's imperial physicians knew the secret of their demonic origins. In the eyes of the people of Yu, the Yu royal family was chosen by heaven. If the common people knew they were demons, it would undoubtedly destabilize the nation. Therefore, everyone throughout the ages kept their mouths shut, never daring to utter a single word.
However, there were people who had disloyal intentions. A hundred years ago, someone spread rumors everywhere in an attempt to overthrow the imperial power of the Yu family.
Finally the truth came out, the man turned out to be a lunatic.
The words of a madman are naturally not to be trusted.
Everyone treated it as a casual after-dinner conversation, and as time passed, it was gradually forgotten. In the eyes of the common people, the Yu Kingdom's royal family was still the chosen ones by God.
Yu Zhi could not appear in front of everyone in his true form, so he stayed in the carriage for some time.
Changing form frequently in a short period of time is harmful to the body. Yu Zhi is pregnant, so she naturally cannot take the risk. Only in the dead of night can she sneak out of the carriage to get some fresh air.
Yu Zhi was suffocated and lay listlessly in the box, fiddling with the sunlight coming into the carriage with his little paws.
Doctor Zhang had watched Yu Zhi grow up, and seeing him like this, he couldn't help but feel pity for him. He pinched his paw and said, "Your Majesty, please be patient. We will reach Guyue County in five days."
After rushing and hurrying, they finally arrived at Guyue County in the evening of the fifth day.
The governor of Guyue County waited at the city gate for a long time. In the twilight, several carriages approached. Squinting, he made out the markings on the carriages in the twilight, and quickly straightened his clothes and stepped forward to greet them.
Just as he was about to salute, a carriage stopped beside him. A slender white hand lifted a corner of the curtain, and a clear voice rang out in the county magistrate's ears: "County magistrate Lin, get on the carriage."
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Lin stepped into the carriage. In the soft light, he saw a pair of bright eyes with a smile.
The carriage slowly passed through the wide streets and alleys and arrived at the county magistrate's mansion.
After arranging accommodations for everyone, County Magistrate Lin immediately rushed to Yu Zhi's house. Seeing no one else around, he bowed to Yu Zhi and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"Lin Jun Shou, please stand up quickly." Yu Zhixu helped Lin Jun Shou up and said directly without further ado, "How is the situation in Sheng State?"
County Magistrate Lin's face was as gloomy as water: "The army will be approaching immediately."
Yu Zhi's eyes darkened, and he pursed his lips tightly. After a moment's silence, he spoke again: "Lin Jun Shou, you..."
Before he could finish his words, the soldier's voice suddenly pierced through the darkness.
"Report, the Sheng army has reached thirty miles outside the city!"
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