Would You Stay for Him, for the Children?
“...Let you leave??!” Ming Zhan’s good mood was completely shattered in an instant. He viciously grabbed Ling Li’s chin, forcing him to look up, and his voice squeezed out through clenched teeth.
“Listen carefully, Ling Li. What I’ve caught in my hand, I have no reason to release. Put away those little thoughts of yours and come back to Jincheng with me properly. Once Ah Xuan finishes his treatment and returns from Rongcheng, that’s when our family of three is reunited. If you dare to run again, then don’t ever think about seeing the child in the future!”
Hearing him use the child as a threat, Ling Li’s brows drew tightly together. Tears shimmered in his eyes, a sorrow so deep it seemed impossible to dissolve. His chest rose and fell several times, yet he didn’t say another word.
Ming Zhan stared at him coldly for a moment. In the end, his heart softened. He clasped Ling Li’s hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it lightly. Meeting his gaze, he said quietly, “Are you afraid that I won’t give you status after returning to the palace with me, so your heart is uneasy, is that it?”
Ling Li’s lips moved, but he didn’t answer. Ming Zhan let out a soft laugh. “I knew it. Do you really think I’m bringing you back just to toy with you for a few days and then discard you? Ah Li, many years ago, my heart already... had you in it. If it weren’t for my pride and not being able to swallow that anger, I would’ve taken you back long ago.
Now that you’ve given birth to Ah Xuan for me, I’m no longer the same as I was back then. How could I possibly mistreat you? Since I’m bringing you back, naturally I’ll grant you the position of primary consort and welcoming you with great ceremony.”
Ling Li remained stunned for a long while before he could react. “...Primary consort? Your Highness, are you speaking nonsense?”
Ling Li’s eyes widened, his expression dazed. Ming Zhan was amused by his slightly foolish look. Light flickered in his eyes as he played with a strand of Ling Li’s black hair, his voice lifting slightly. “Do you think I would use these words to deceive you?”
Ling Li had vaguely known that Ming Zhan held feelings for him, yet he’d never imagined that this man intended to marry him. It felt as though he was dreaming.
“But, but my status...”
“That’s easy to solve. Once we return to Jincheng, I’ll arrange everything for you. That’s why I said you should give me two more children, so life in the palace will be easier later.” As Ming Zhan spoke, his breathing grew heavier. He shifted slightly, once again pressing down over Ling Li. Ling Li gripped the bedsheets beneath him tightly, enduring him, his mind completely blank, unable to think any further...
Before dawn the next day, while Ming Zhan was still holding Ling Li in his sleep, an urgent report arrived from Jincheng. Ming Zhan didn’t deliberately avoid Ling Li and listened to the report directly from behind the screen.
Ling Li had just sat up and was about to get dressed when he heard mention that the Emperor had suddenly fallen gravely ill. His movements stalled.
Ling Li didn’t understand court affairs, but he remembered Ming Zhan once saying that when he had been poisoned by gu venom and his face had been ruined, it was his second younger brother’s doing. Their father had only punished a few related individuals and hadn’t been particularly harsh toward the second prince.
Ming Zhan’s father was naturally the current Emperor. He had always been extremely biased toward the second prince. Now that he was suddenly gravely ill, the most frightening possibility was upheaval within the palace.
After the footsteps of the personal guard faded away, Ling Li stepped out from behind the screen. He picked up Ming Zhan’s robe and draped it over him. Ming Zhan paced back and forth with a grave expression, then suddenly stopped and looked at Ling Li, who stood quietly to the side.
After a moment’s thought, he walked over, placed both hands on Ling Li’s shoulders, and gazed into his eyes as he spoke softly. “The situation in Jincheng will likely be unstable for a while. Ah Li, go to Rongcheng first and stay with Ah Xuan for some time. Once things settle, I’ll come get you.”
Ling Li’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He had already somewhat anticipated it. He nodded and replied, “Alright.”
He agreed readily, which made Ming Zhan look at him deeply for a moment. In the end, he said nothing more. He summoned attendants to help him dress and wash, while arranging guards to escort Ling Li back.
Ming Zhan didn’t leave immediately. He personally supported Ling Li onto the carriage, his gaze lingering with clear reluctance, and his hand holding Ling Li’s as if unwilling to let go.
Ling Li leaned slightly forward and said to him, “Your Highness, take care of yourself.”
Because of those words, Ming Zhan’s expression changed several times. Suddenly, he raised a hand to press against the back of Ling Li’s head and leaned in to kiss his lips. Their foreheads touched, breaths intermingling. “Ah Li, you must wait for me. Do you hear?”
“...Mm.”
Ming Zhan’s deep gaze lingered on his face for a long moment, as if trying to carve his features into his heart. At last, he drew in a breath and let go. Without lingering further, he mounted his horse. Amid rising dust, he led his entourage away.
The carriage carrying Ling Li had traveled less than a quarter of an hour through Liyang when it came to a halt after nearly colliding with a child who had recklessly rushed out.
Hearing the child’s cries, Ling Li got down to check. He found that the child had only been frightened into falling and wasn’t injured. Once the parents arrived and carried the child away, Ling Li was about to return to the carriage when a voice restrained with emotion sounded from behind him. “Y-you... please wait a moment!”
Ling Li instinctively turned around. When he saw the person standing five steps away, he froze.
The head guard escorting him, Song Hui, noticed his reaction and asked quietly, “Young master, do you know him?”
Ling Li nodded. The one who called out to him was Hao Jiasheng. Facing Hao Jiasheng’s reddened eyes, Ling Li felt utterly perplexed. “Do you need something from me?”
Hao Jiasheng’s dark eyes, glistening with unshed tears, fixed on Ling Li. He suppressed the tremors running through his body and stepped slightly closer. His hand at his side clenched and loosened repeatedly before he finally bowed deeply. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Forgive the disturbance. It’s nothing else, only that you look extremely similar to one of my relatives. I wonder... would you be willing to have a cup of tea with me?”
Ling Li fell silent.
By all accounts, Hao Jiasheng should’ve known him. Yet now, he seemed not to remember him at all. His entire demeanor had changed, as though he’d been reborn.
Ling Li didn’t want to probe further. He shook his head. “I have other matters to attend to.”
Disappointment was plain on Hao Jiasheng’s face. He was unwilling to give up and tried to step closer, but Song Hui blocked him. Hao Jiasheng shot him a glance, his eyes instantly turning cold. After lowering his gaze and thinking for a moment, he ultimately stepped aside, placing one hand behind his back and bowing slightly. “Then... perhaps we’ll meet again if fate allows.”
Standing in place, watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Hao Jiasheng clenched the hand behind his back tightly. His emotions surged like raging waves, his eyes aching with strain. Just as he focused himself, someone approached from behind.
“Young master,” the newcomer said respectfully.
Hao Jiasheng turned around. The man reported in a low voice, “The child taken from Lu Qian’s womb... passed away several days ago.”
Hao Jiasheng’s pupils contracted violently. His face filled with disbelief. He stood frozen for a long time before letting out a series of low laughs. As he laughed, tears spilled out, as if he found it absurd. “Dead? Just like that, dead? Is this Heaven’s will? It is Heaven’s will itself!!!”
However, he suddenly seemed to think of something. His smile gradually disappeared, his expression changing several times uncertainly before he strode with a grim face toward the direction of Wangyue Manor.
...
At first, Su Jingyang had decided to keep the children so he wouldn’t have to enter dreams again, hoping for at least ten months of peace. He now realized how utterly naive he’d been!!!
During the first forty days, he could eat anything with relish. Then all of a sudden, morning sickness hit him like a landslide! He vomited so violently it felt like the world was turning upside down. Eating made him vomit, not eating made him vomit, even drinking a mouthful of hot water made him vomit, vomiting until his throat bled.
Li Yin prescribed medicine for him, yet it was completely useless. The medicine didn’t even reach his stomach before he threw it all up. Rong Ci also tried some Wu Clan secret techniques, but it was all in vain. Nothing changed.
After more than half a month of torment, Su Jingyang was utterly listless. He lay on the couch every day, no longer going out with Rong Hua to roam around, let alone collecting energy. When Ah Xuan wanted to come play with him, Rong Hua carried him away instead, worried he’d disturb Su Jingyang.
Su Jingyang lay there starving and nauseated, too afraid to eat yet desperately wanting to. His complexion was dreadful.
The system sneered. “Heh, can’t handle it already? This is only the beginning.”
Hearing its voice, Su Jingyang flared up instantly. “You damn dog thing, is this your doing?!”
He knew pregnant people experienced reactions, but he never expected it to be this severe! The system replied oddly, “How is this my fault? Go look around. Who doesn’t vomit during pregnancy? You’re just pampered.”
Su Jingyang didn’t have the energy to curse it anymore. He covered his mouth in discomfort and struggled to sit up to vomit again. He hadn’t eaten much, so nothing came out, only relentless dry heaving.
Rong Ci gently patted his back, brows knitted. By the end, Su Jingyang’s face had turned pale. With Rong Ci’s support, he lay back down.
After catching his breath, he said weakly to Rong Ci, “You don’t need to stay with me all day. Go handle your work.” After speaking, he closed his eyes to rest, looking utterly exhausted.
In a daze, he didn’t know how long he slept. He vaguely felt Rong Ci helping him up and feeding something into his mouth. His empty stomach ached. Even though he feared vomiting, he still drank the sweet liquid. Afterward, he didn’t bother asking what it was and lay back down to sleep again. Thankfully, this time he finally settled. He dimly heard Rong Ci let out a sigh of relief.
When Su Jingyang woke up and discovered Ling Li sitting by the bed, he thought he was dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and found Ling Li still there, not an illusion. He cried out in delight, “Ah Li!”
Ling Li’s light brown eyes looked at him quietly and gently. He reached out to help him sit up. Su Jingyang never imagined he’d see him again. Overcome with emotion, he hugged him tightly. Ling Li hugged him back just as firmly and said softly, “It’s me. I came to find you.”
Su Jingyang soon learned that due to the unstable political situation, Ming Zhan had temporarily changed his plans and sent Ling Li over, accompanied by four personal guards. Together with the four who had escorted Ah Xuan earlier, there were now eight guards stationed here.
This was clearly a surveillance arrangement. Su Jingyang couldn’t help asking, “Then will Ah Li still have to go back with the Crown Prince later?”
Ling Li lowered his gaze and answered vaguely, “Perhaps.” He quickly added, “I made something for you to eat. Try having a little, alright? You can’t keep your stomach empty while pregnant.”
Ling Li had already learned about Su Jingyang’s condition from Rong Ci. While Su Jingyang slept, he’d gone to the kitchen to prepare several light dishes, all favorites of Su Jingyang’s. Now that he was awake, Ling Li brought them over.
Perhaps Su Jingyang’s stomach had grown accustomed to Ling Li’s cooking. After eating some, he only felt faint discomfort, which quickly subsided. Su Jingyang hugged Ling Li, nearly moved to tears. After so many days, his stomach was finally filled with something.
“So this is what happiness feels like, being able to eat normally.”
Ling Li patted his back gently and comforted him in a soft voice. “I was about the same back then, completely unable to eat. It won’t always be like this. Don’t worry. Once you get through this phase, it’ll get better.”
Su Jingyang could only nod. He wasn’t incapable of enduring hardship. This kind of hardship had simply exceeded his expectations. He’d never imagined pregnancy could be this torturous.
From then on, Ling Li naturally took on the responsibility of managing Su Jingyang’s meals, caring for him with meticulous attention. Su Jingyang soon noticed that Ling Li seemed preoccupied. He often drifted off mid-conversation.
Worried, Su Jingyang asked. Ling Li shook his head. “It’s nothing. I just ran into Young Master Liang when I returned to the town. He asked about you. He also told me that recently... Liu Yue’s grave was dug up, and his parents disappeared. The authorities issued a strict order. The townspeople are now terrified about anything related to me and don’t dare mention a single word.”
Su Jingyang sensed that this wasn’t the real thing weighing on his heart, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he asked knowingly, “It must’ve been the Crown Prince’s doing, right?”
Ling Li nodded. He stared at Su Jingyang’s face for a long while. Beneath his seemingly calm gaze, something stirred. Ling Li’s lips moved, and suddenly he grabbed Su Jingyang’s hand and asked softly, “Jingyang, does Rong Ci treat you well?”
Su Jingyang thought about it and gave a fairly generous assessment. “He treats me pretty well.” Lately, Rong Ci took care of him every day. Seeing how miserable he was, he’d even stopped scolding him. The gentleness made Su Jingyang feel deeply unaccustomed.
Upon hearing this, a faint glimmer of hope surfaced in Ling Li’s eyes. He looked at Su Jingyang and asked in an extremely soft voice, “Then, after you marry Rong Ci... will you stay for him, for the children?”
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