You Want to Mistreat Me Before We’re Even Married?!
Su Jingyang had only just managed to recover from the shock of being pregnant when this new piece of news left him stunned all over again.
Twins?? He’d actually gotten pregnant with two at once? No wonder that damn dog system had been making those sarcastic, yin-yang remarks the past couple of days and laughing weirdly!! Su Jingyang propped his cheek with his hand, sinking into worry. Giving birth to two at once would make it even harder to shamelessly dump them on Ling Li later. Looks like... he really could only look for a stepfather now.
Su Jingyang quietly lifted his gaze and glanced at Rong Ci. He noticed that although Rong Ci had lowered his eyes and his expression didn’t show much, it was still obvious that he wasn’t in a very good mood.
Su Jingyang pressed his lips together and decided not to poke at his sore spot.
“Oh right, Rong Ci,” Su Jingyang suddenly thought of something and asked, “When will Ah Xuan finally recover this time?”
Seven days earlier, Ah Xuan had been sent to Rongcheng by people dispatched by Ming Zhan to continue treatment. Rong Ci had said that since the one-month period had already passed, Ah Xuan would have to stay with the Grand Shaman for a bit longer and wasn’t allowed to leave the main hall.
Su Jingyang had once secretly crawled over to peek from outside the hall entrance. The interior lighting was dim, and from time to time, the faint sound of bells could be heard. Ah Xuan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, facing the Grand Shaman. The little guy was surprisingly steady and didn’t fidget much at all. Every so often, the Grand Shaman would ask a simple question, and Ah Xuan would obediently answer, his pronunciation clear and his thoughts coherent.
At first, Su Jingyang had thought the Grand Shaman was using some mysterious technique, but unexpectedly it was just this simple. He stared for a long time without figuring out any hidden trick, then quietly left together with Rong Ci.
Rong Ci thought for a moment before answering, “Depending on how things go, probably about five more days.”
“Five days...” Su Jingyang suddenly felt sentimental. This time, only Ah Xuan had been sent over. He hadn’t even caught sight of Ah Li’s shadow, so he was definitely taken back to Jincheng by Ming Zhan. Once Ah Xuan was healed in Rongcheng, he would surely be taken back as well. Who knew whether they would ever get the chance to meet again after this separation... sigh!
Early the next morning, the physician came as usual to check Su Jingyang’s pulse. The physician’s name was Li Yin. He was quite young and easygoing. Su Jingyang had grown fairly familiar with him over this period, so when a doubt arose in his heart, he asked it directly. “Physician Li, why didn’t you tell me directly yesterday?”
Li Yin knew what he meant and smiled. “Because I couldn’t be completely certain yet. I wanted to wait until your month was a bit further along before confirming. However, the City Lord asked very thoroughly, so I had no choice but to mention it.”
Su Jingyang immediately understood. Li Yin continued, “Oh right, congratulations. Being pregnant with twins truly marks you as a person blessed with great fortune.”
Su Jingyang could only force out a dry laugh. For him, this wasn’t something worth congratulating at all nor was it a blessing.
Li Yin stared at Su Jingyang’s face for a moment longer, then suddenly sighed and said, “Speaking of which, this is the first time in so many years that I’ve seen the City Lord so openly joyful. After you and the City Lord hold your grand wedding, Rongcheng’s future may very well become even more prosperous.”
Openly joyful? Su Jingyang suspected he’d misheard. “You mean, after Rong Ci heard what you said yesterday... he was very happy?”
Li Yin nodded. “Naturally. Whether for him or for Rongcheng, this is an event of immense significance.”
Su Jingyang forced a small smile. It seemed Rong Ci planned to publicly claim these children as his own flesh and blood. Openly joyful? Acting must be exhausting... A faint sense of guilt suddenly crept into Su Jingyang’s heart, and he even had the impulse to pat Rong Ci’s dog head.
However, there was still something Su Jingyang didn’t understand. “Why is it also such a huge blessing for Rongcheng?”
If anyone else had said that, Su Jingyang would’ve brushed it off as exaggerated flattery. Li Yin, however, was an honest man and wouldn’t spout empty compliments. Hearing the question, Li Yin seemed a little surprised and raised his brows. “The City Lord didn’t tell you?”
Su Jingyang shook his head, so Li Yin patiently explained. Su Jingyang scratched at his head, and only then did he begin to understand a little. It turned out that everyone in Rongcheng drew their fortune and energy from a mountain called Wuqun Mountain. To put it simply, the reason the Wu Clan possessed certain extraordinary abilities was tied to that miraculous mountain. If the mountain’s energy weakened or disappeared, their lives would be greatly affected.
In recent years, the energy on Wuqun Mountain had gradually become less abundant. As a result, the abilities of ordinary Wu Clan shamans, fortune tellers, dream masters, and destiny readers had accordingly decreased. The sharp decrease in newborns within the city and reduced grain yields in recent times were also linked to this weakening energy.
Most importantly, the defensive formation array set up outside Rongcheng to repel foreign enemies would also be severely weakened. In the short term, no major issues might arise, but if this continued long-term, internal troubles and external threats would eventually lead to dire consequences.
“If Wuqun Mountain lacks energy, there’s only one solution,” Li Yin said, then suddenly stopped as if realizing something. “That is to rely on the immense power of the clan leader’s bloodline itself to replenish it, however...”
Su Jingyang already fully understood at this point. That Wuqun Mountain equivalent to a giant router. The people needed an internet connection to maintain normal life, and once the signal weakened, everything suffered. The Rong clan’s leader was essentially the one paying the internet bill and acting as the hotspot, sacrificing themselves to keep Rongcheng’s citizens online at all times.
Seeing Li Yin stop, Su Jingyang urged, “...However what?”
Li Yin looked into Su Jingyang’s eager, curious eyes. He first shook his head, then smiled quietly, tapping the table twice with his fingers. “Never mind. This matter was once spread everywhere by the Old Madam herself. Even if I don’t say it, you’ll hear about it eventually.”
He paused, then continued, “The truth is, the Old Madam once misinterpreted a remark from the Grand Shaman, spreading word that the City Lord was destined to have no offspring in this lifetime. This caused a great panic among Rongcheng’s people, who feared there would be no successor to inherit the position. Now, however, you’re carrying the Rong clan’s direct bloodline, and even twins at that. Wuqun Mountain’s energy is no longer a concern. Tell me, isn’t this a tremendous blessing for Rongcheng?”
“...” Su Jingyang shifted uncomfortably on the stool. He suddenly felt guilty. You all may be celebrating, but these aren’t the Rong clan’s direct bloodline at all!!!
Thinking of something, Su Jingyang asked in confusion, “Doesn’t Rong Ci have a younger brother? He’s also part of the clan leader’s line. Can’t he help share the burden?” Speaking of which, Rong Ci had already introduced him to various elders, several Yulin Guard commanders, and his close confidants, yet he had never let him meet the Old Madam or that so-called younger brother.
“The Second Young Master...” Li Yin’s expression turned a little awkward, as if carefully choosing his words. “The Second Young Master is still young, and his abilities are insufficient. Even if he were to produce offspring in the future, they would be no different from him. They likely wouldn’t even be able to approach Wuqun Mountain, let alone replenish its energy... The elders don’t hold high hopes for him, and Rongcheng’s people recognize only the City Lord as their leader, not anyone else.”
So that was it! From Li Yin’s explanation, it seemed a child’s energy level roughly matched the father’s. The problem now was that the child Su Jingyang was carrying wasn’t Rong Ci’s at all. There wouldn’t be any of the so-called energy they spoke of, much less anything comparable to Rong Ci’s. Once the child was born, how were they supposed to fool all these people?
Seeing his troubled expression, Li Yin felt somewhat moved. His tone softened as he said, “Take good care of your body and relax your mind. Giving birth to the child will already be a blessing to Rongcheng’s people. They’ll all be grateful to you. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
Grateful... Su Jingyang broke out in a cold sweat. They’d probably come for my head in the middle of the night instead.
Recently, Rong Ci seemed busy preparing for some kind of ritual and only returned in the evening to eat dinner with Su Jingyang. Unable to hold it in, Su Jingyang asked him directly.
Who would’ve thought Rong Ci would give him a cryptic glance and tell him not to worry, saying there would be a solution later. Su Jingyang wanted to press for details, but Rong Ci didn’t seem willing to discuss anything related to the child, so Su Jingyang could only lower his head and gloomily shovel food into his mouth. The man didn’t even care about the possibility of being exposed as wearing a green hat. Why was he overthinking this?
Rong Ci suddenly put down his chopsticks. His pitch-dark eyes fixed on Su Jingyang for a moment before he asked, “Su Jingyang, have you thought it through? Will you marry me?”
Rong Ci had seemed to forget about this entirely over the past few days and hadn’t brought it up at all. Now suddenly coming out with this question, Su Jingyang almost spat out the rice in his mouth.
He coughed violently a few times, his face turning red. His eyes flicked toward Rong Ci. He actually knew he’d already compromised, yet for some reason, when their gazes met, the words that burst out of his mouth were two resounding words, “Not marrying!”
Rong Ci’s pupils suddenly constricted. He stood up and swept Su Jingyang into his arms, carrying him straight to the bed. He removed his shoes, wrapped him tightly in the blanket, and leaving only his head exposed.
Su Jingyang lay there staring at him and asked, “What are you doing? I’m not sleepy yet.”
Rong Ci bent down slightly, patted his head, and said softly with a gentle gaze, “If you’re not sleepy, then why are you talking nonsense already? The premarital ritual preparations are basically complete. The wedding date is set for the fifteenth of next month. Tomorrow, the entire city will know. Whether you marry or not, you’re marrying!!!” The last sentence was spoken with a smile, yet every word was ground out through gritted teeth.
Su Jingyang snorted coldly. “I knew it would be like this. Power, tyranny. I despise you!”
Su Jingyang threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed. Rong Ci instinctively stopped him. “What are you doing?”
Su Jingyang glared fiercely at him. “Eating! What else? I’m not full yet. You want to mistreat me before we’re even married?!”
Rong Ci gazed quietly at his face for a long moment. Then he suddenly curved his lips into a smile. It was a rare, bright, dazzling smile, one filled with genuine happiness. Without any hesitation, Rong Ci leaned in and kissed Su Jingyang’s greasy mouth. Only after kissing him thoroughly did he stroke his cheek and say, “Tomorrow, we’ll try on the wedding robes.”
Su Jingyang replied, “Got it.”
Heh. Who the f*ck could have imagined that he would actually be getting married?
...
Late at night, Ling Li lay held tightly in Ming Zhan’s arms. His eyes were half-open, half-closed, and his lips were pale. Ming Zhan was still lowering his head, lingering with bites along his shoulder. Ling Li’s entire body was limp and weak, unable to move.
Since their reunion, Ming Zhan had touched him at least once every two days. Whether in the past or now, Ling Li had never had the power to resist in front of him.
Ming Zhan’s lips gradually moved upward, kissing his ear, brushing against his refined nose, and finally finding his lips for a kiss.
“Ah Li, give me another child,” Ming Zhan murmured. His warm breath spilled across Ling Li’s mouth, his voice unusually gentle after being satisfied.
Ling Li’s eyelashes trembled violently, and he opened his eyes. After thinking for a moment, he cautiously said, “In the future... in the future, Your Highness will have many children.”
Ming Zhan’s expression instantly changed, though he still laughed softly. “Oh? Does Ah Li mean that you’ll give me many in the future?”
Moisture shimmered faintly in Ling Li’s eyes. He pressed his lips together. “I...”
After Su Jingyang was taken away by Rong Ci, Ling Li had been restless for a long time. He desperately wanted to leave, yet Ming Zhan refused. From his tone, it seemed he intended to take him back to Jincheng. Ling Li didn’t want to go. His heart had flown off to Rongcheng with Su Jingyang.
Half a month ago, the people Ming Zhan had sent to investigate returned, bringing back everything that had happened to Ling Li and Ah Xuan in the town. They also learned about Ah Xuan being injured and left mentally impaired. Ming Zhan had flown into a towering rage at the time, smashing everything in the room. Ling Li had stood to the side holding Ah Xuan, not daring to breathe loudly. People were kneeling all over the place, inside and outside the room.
Afterward, Ming Zhan angrily questioned him about why, after everything that happened back then, he hadn’t gone to Jincheng to find him.
Ling Li didn’t know how to answer. What happened back then had been nothing more than a misunderstanding for both him and Ming Zhan, and Ling Li didn’t want to remain entangled with him.
As a result, his silence triggered Ming Zhan’s rage once again. After that, he ordered his personal guards to send Ah Xuan to Rongcheng.
Ling Li knew Ming Zhan had also instructed people to deal with those connected to the past, including Liu Yue’s parents. He’d heard everything clearly. However, he neither spoke up to plead for mercy nor intended to interfere. He silently obeyed Ming Zhan’s will.
Now, however, the task Ming Zhan had been ordered to carry out by imperial decree was complete, and they were set to depart tomorrow. Any words left unsaid would soon be too late.
Ling Li clenched his hands tightly, closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths. Panic and difficulty weighed on him. At long last, he gathered the courage, still not daring to look at Ming Zhan, and said in a trembling, low voice, “Your Highness, Ling Li is nothing more than a commoner. I’m not worthy of staying by your side. I beg you... please let me leave.”
0 Comments