The moonlight outside gradually faded, and the commotion within the room subsided.
Chi You pushed him away and got off the bed in a fluster.
Barefoot, she ran to the washroom at the back and gargled with water.
The malice in Liu Rongruo’s heart gradually dissipated. His expression calmed, and he casually threw on a robe before getting off the bed.
Hearing the movement, Chi You turned back with tear-filled eyes and glared at him furiously.
“Even beasts have their limits.”
His expression was indifferent as he slowly walked towards her.
Chi You pursed her lips and retreated, trying to leave.
Liu Rongruo reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her forcefully.
She stumbled and was tightly held in his embrace.
“Let go.”
Ignoring her struggles, Liu Rongruo lowered his head and sealed her lips.
He held the back of her neck, his tongue probing hers in an intimate dance.
Warm breaths filled the air.
Their skin met, and a scorching heat spread to their chests.
Enraged, Chi You stomped on his boot. Unfortunately, being barefoot, her action was neither painful nor significant to him.
Her delicate, fair foot rested on his black boot, appearing exceptionally pale and tender.
She closed her eyes in anger, too tired to struggle further, letting him kiss her.
It made no difference whether she was kissed by a dog once or twice.
At that moment, sounds of apprehending assassins suddenly erupted from the northwest. The clatter of swords and fighting filled the air.
A flicker of darkness crossed Chi You’s eyes, and she unconsciously clutched his robes tighter.
Liu Rongruo lifted her by the waist and said coldly,
“What are you so nervous about?”
Chi You suppressed her thoughts and retorted.
“Are you blind?”
“Dare to be insolent again, and I’ll sew your mouth shut.”
With that, he scooped her into his arms and carried her towards the inner chamber.
After placing her back on the bed, he picked up his clothes from the rack, intending to leave.
Chi You immediately grabbed him. “Where are you going?”
Liu Rongruo raised an eyebrow. “To catch assassins.”
This scoundrel was deeply cunning. The imperial palace was filled with hidden guards. Even with Xuan Qing’s exceptional skill, he would be outnumbered. If Liu Rongruo also went, Xuan Qing would surely not escape.
Chi You held onto his robes tightly, her beautiful face contorting in feigned discomfort.
“My stomach hurts so much.”
Liu Rongruo’s expression remained cold as he shook her hand off, ready to leave.
Chi You cursed him silently. Without showing any outward emotion, she clutched her stomach, got off the bed, and hugged him from behind.
“Is the Prime Minister not concerned about my life, or the life of your child?”
Liu Rongruo’s eyes were icy. “If you continue to be difficult, I’ll chop off your legs.”
Chi You refused to let go, clinging to him fiercely.
“Go ahead and chop them off, all of them.”
“What? Is that assassin your lover that you’re protecting him so fiercely?”
How could this beast’s words be so venomous?
Chi You’s chest heaved with anger. She refrained from lashing out and retorted,
“What assassins? My stomach is killing me. Have someone find an imperial physician.”
Liu Rongruo seized her hand and turned back.
Chi You hissed in pain and looked up at him.
His hand rested on her stomach, and he said coldly,
“Where does it hurt?”
His grip was firm, and even if it hadn't hurt before, it did now.
Chi You’s face turned pale. “Perhaps I ate too much. It hurts everywhere.”
Liu Rongruo stared at her, saying nothing.
She feigned weakness, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
They remained in a stalemate for a moment, but he eventually didn’t leave and instead called for an imperial physician.
Chi You lay on the bed, while he sat by the bedside, his profile cold.
Neither spoke, and the room was terrifyingly silent.
The bamboo shadows deepened outside the window. After a long while, he suddenly spoke.
“If you dare to deceive me again, I will kill you.”
Chi You was accustomed to his occasional threats and replied blandly,
“The Prime Minister committed beastly acts and injured the child, and now you’re blaming me?”
As she spoke, he turned his gaze to her.
“You seemed quite comfortable.”
Chi You was speechless.
“Sharp-tongued.”
The coldness on his face lessened. He suddenly reached out, lifted her skirt, and caressed her leg.
Chi You shivered and quickly tried to catch his hand.
“If you’re not satisfied, find another woman. Don’t torment someone who is pregnant.”
Liu Rongruo firmly pressed down on her hand.
“You’ve already revealed it, why pretend now?”
Chi You was thin-skinned when it came to such matters. Hearing his shameless words, her face flushed with discomfort.
Liu Rongruo looked at her and suddenly smiled.
Chi You had never seen him smile like this before, and her heart felt a complex mix of emotions.
She twisted her waist and deliberately said a few things to annoy him.
Liu Rongruo did not get angry; he responded to her indifferently.
As they spoke within the room, the sound of the imperial physician’s arrival was heard from outside.
Liu Rongruo paused, withdrew his hand, and rubbed her face.
“Foolish.”
With that, he stood up, pulled the quilt over her, and lowered the bed curtains.
“Come in.”
The imperial physician entered respectfully, bowed, and began to feel her pulse.
He had witnessed the affairs of the mansion and kept his observations to himself. Finding no apparent issues, he realized the madam was merely causing trouble.
He sighed internally for a moment, stating that there were no major ailments, only some emotional distress that required her to take more walks and relax.
Liu Rongruo glanced at the person within the bed curtains and gave a cold laugh.
“She claims her stomach hurts. Have a few bowls of bitter medicine brewed for her to properly recuperate.”
The imperial physician was speechless.
“Yes.”
Inside the curtains, Chi You rolled her eyes, knowing he was doing this deliberately, but said nothing.
Since no sound could be heard from outside, they had likely already left.
The door was opened, and the cold wind outside gusted in.
Liu Rongruo strode out.
“Found them?”
Bai Ze, who had been waiting outside the hall, respectfully inquired upon seeing him emerge.
‘Not yet. We’ve dispatched more men to search.’
“They’re quite bold to trespass into the imperial palace.”
Liu Rongruo looked back at the wide-open bamboo window of the hall, his expression darkening.
“Are they from Nanjiang?”
Bai Ze respectfully replied, “Judging by their martial arts style, they don’t appear to be from the Central Plains.”
“Search. Search the entire capital to find these people.”
“Yes.”
Chi You vaguely heard their voices. Seeing Bai Ze outside the door, she breathed a sigh of relief.
As Liu Rongruo re-entered, he saw her getting up, her complexion appearing quite well.
He said with a dark expression, “Your stomach doesn’t hurt anymore?”
Chi You ignored him and proceeded to arrange the bed curtains herself.
The room was warm due to the underfloor heating, but the wind outside was strong. Dressed thinly, she still felt a chill and walked over to close the window.
Suddenly, she was scooped up, her body lifted into the air.
“What are you doing? You’ll scare people to death doing that suddenly.”
“Did I scare you to death?”
Chi You replied, “No one would like a man as sharp-tongued and villainous as you.”
Liu Rongruo stopped in his tracks and looked down at her.
“No one wants a woman as calculating and pretentious as you.”
Chi You was angered and no longer wished to speak to him.
Liu Rongruo let out a light scoff and placed her back on the bed.
Before long, the maids brought in the medicine.
Chi You looked at the dark bowl of medicine, feeling a wave of annoyance.
Ever since she became pregnant, she had to drink this bitter and astringent medicine every day, which was bothersome.
Liu Rongruo glanced at her. “Drink it.”
Chi You knew that if she didn’t drink it, he would force her. Pinching her nose, she gulped it down in one go.
Seeing her pitiful expression, Liu Rongruo, in a moment of kindness, handed her some candied fruit.
“Hold this in your mouth.”
Chi You disliked sweets, but she ate it nonetheless.