The Aloof Prime Minister is Pregnant with the Rival General’s Child - Chapter 17

“There is a door. Why did you not use it?”

Inside the study where the scent of sandalwood lingered, Shi Hanshang sat with an expressionless face. He rolled up his sleeves and set his brush to paper. As he finished the final character, he withdrew the brush with a sharp, forceful motion, leaving the ink bold and vigorous.

A-Sheng took the completed official documents. Once the ink had dried, he placed the approved papers aside. In just a single day, a tall stack had already accumulated. Yet, beside it, an even larger pile of documents awaited review.

Shi Hanshang rubbed his aching shoulder blades. He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and knitted his brows. He inconspicuously covered his chest, suppressing a faint, rising wave of nausea. Closing his weary eyes for a moment before opening them again, he let out a soft sigh.

Song Qing had been incredibly busy lately helping him search for the medicinal herbs for the termination decoction. It was not necessarily that the ingredients were impossible to find, but since this was the first time a man would be undergoing such a procedure, and because they were close friends, Song Qing dared not be careless in any aspect. He insisted on seeking out the highest quality herbs, which had caused a delay of several days.

While the other ingredients were manageable, being attainable at a high price despite their rarity, there was still no news regarding the Blood Leaf Orchid.

The eyelid of Shi Hanshang flickered. He instinctively touched his lower abdomen. It was still flat, showing no outward sign of change. If not for the constant torture of nausea and dry heaves, Shi Hanshang might have forgotten that a fetus was currently residing within him.

The morning sickness came like a violent storm, sudden and fierce, often catching him off guard. He could not help but wonder if the child knew its father did not want it and was using this intense method to assert its presence.

Shi Hanshang felt the onset of another headache.

Outside the window, the sound of rain was intermittent. He did not know when the light drizzle had started, but fortunately, A-Sheng had closed the doors and windows before leaving, so Shi Hanshang did not need to move to do it himself.

Perhaps due to the pregnancy, Shi Hanshang had become increasingly lethargic and listless lately. Previously, he had tried to stick to his old habits, such as practicing martial arts and swordplay, but Song Qing and A-Sheng monitored him constantly. They forbade him from engaging in strenuous activity, so he had reluctantly set those plans aside. Now, he found himself unwilling to move at all. Being pregnant had become a legitimate excuse to be lazy.

The red candle on the desk was nearly burnt out, with only a small remnant struggling to stay lit. Sensing it was getting late, Shi Hanshang braced himself against the table to stand up. He gave A-Sheng a few brief instructions, and after the attendant bowed and left, he prepared to move to the inner chamber to rest.

Unexpectedly, as he entered the bedroom and prepared to blow out the candle, his ears twitched. He noticed a slight movement. His gaze sharpened instantly as he barked, “Who is there?”

Years of martial arts training had made his five senses extremely sensitive. Shi Hanshang quietly retrieved a concealed dagger from beneath the table and gripped it in his palm. With his other hand, he picked up the red candle and moved cautiously toward the source of the sound.

Could it be an assassin?

Judging by the sound, it was not a group. Who would be so bold as to break into the Prime Minister’s Manor alone?

The figure outside the window paused at the sound of his voice but did not retreat. Instead, the person began knocking on the window even faster, each knock heavier than the last. The intruder seemed entirely unafraid. In fact, it sounded more like they were urging him to open the window.

Shi Hanshang knit his brows, wondering if this was a trap. Anyone capable of bypassing the layers of security at the Manor must possess considerable martial skill. Yet, if they wanted his life, why would they not wait until he was asleep to slip in unnoticed? Why go through this unnecessary trouble and draw attention to themselves?

Tightening his grip on the dagger, Shi Hanshang pondered for a moment before coming to a decision. He would take the intruder’s life by surprise.

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of Shi Hanshang. Using the tips of his toes to spring forward, he flew to the window and threw it open. In a flash of lightning, he raised his hand to strike with the blade, only to stop abruptly in mid air.

Once he saw the visitor clearly, his brows furrowed. “Sheng Yuli?”

Sheng Yuli was also startled by the sudden move. He nearly dropped the bulky items bundled in his arms. Seeing Shi Hanshang withdraw the knife, he let out a sigh of relief. Taking advantage of the other man’s daze, he immediately jumped into the room and did not forget to shut the window tightly behind him.

He dumped the heap of items onto the desk and complained as he straightened them out, “You finally opened the window! I have been waiting outside for nearly half a candle’s time. My clothes are almost soaked through!”

“And this weather! It was fine when I left my house. How did it change so suddenly?”

A cold, shimmering dagger was suddenly pressed against his neck.

Shi Hanshang interrupted him coldly, “What are you doing here?”

“Me?” Sheng Yuli stiffened. Under the questioning gaze of Shi Hanshang, he gave a forced smile and pushed the sharp blade back half an inch. “I, I came to bring you food.”

As he spoke, Sheng Yuli pointed behind him.

Only then did Shi Hanshang notice that, at some point, a rich, oily fragrance had mixed with the sandalwood scent of the room. The source of the smell was the wide variety of snacks and pastries piled high on the desk behind Sheng Yuli.

The frown of Shi Hanshang deepened, and he tightened the knife by another half inch. “Who allowed you to bring these in? This is a place of books and ink. How can you allow grease to defile it?”

Any closer, and blood would have been spilled on the spot.

“Wait, wait, let us talk this over!” Sheng Yuli hurriedly pressed down on the wrist of Shi Hanshang.

His mouth twitched as he thought to himself, Who would want to come here just to see your sour face? If it were not for the little one in your belly, this General would not have come at all!

Suppressing the urge to snap back, Sheng Yuli remembered his main purpose for the night and decided to settle things quickly. He dodged to the side and began untying the hemp rope from a paper package, saying stubbornly, “Oh, I have already brought it. Just try some first.”

As he spoke, he picked up a paper bag, unwrapped it, and took out a piece of Cloud Cake. He held it to the lips of Shi Hanshang and coaxed, “Come on, open up.”

Shi Hanshang turned his head warily to avoid it and slapped the hand away, saying coldly, “I am not eating.”

“Just take one bite, just one,” Sheng Yuli persisted.

Annoyed by the pestering, Shi Hanshang grabbed the pastry from his hand and threw it back onto the table. He turned and asked angrily, “Sheng Yuli, who told you to come here?”

“No one told me. I wanted to come myself.”

Sheng Yuli shrugged. He was not annoyed. He had expected to be given the cold shoulder by Shi Hanshang. He simply popped the remaining piece of Cloud Cake into his own mouth, walked to the table, and picked up another snack to offer him.

Shi Hanshang refused each one with a dark expression, and Sheng Yuli stuffed each rejected item into his own mouth. After a few rounds, Sheng Yuli had actually eaten quite a lot.

As he bit into a fragrant, oily treat, his eyes lit up. He said with a mouthful of food, “This one, this one is delicious! Burp.”

The face of Shi Hanshang finally turned black. He slapped away the scallion pancake being offered to him and shouted, “Sheng Yuli! If you do not state your intentions immediately, I will call the guards!”

Sheng Yuli raised his hands, grabbed the teapot nearby, and poured water into his mouth. After swallowing all the pastries, he finally caught his breath and patted his chest. “Don’t, don’t, do not be angry! Anger is bad for the fetus!”

“Sheng Yuli!” Shi Hanshang was now completely enraged.

After being throttled by Shi Hanshang for a moment, Sheng Yuli finally stopped joking. He raised his hands in surrender. “Do not be so worked up! I will talk, okay?”

“After court today, did your brother not say you were unwell and had no appetite?” he asked, sitting on the table and resting his face in his hands.

Shi Hanshang said coldly, “What does that have to do with you?”

“It has nothing to do with me,” Sheng Yuli said, pointing at the belly of the other man. “But the child in your belly has something to do with me.”

“Think about it. If you do not eat properly, how can your body be well? And how can the child be well? Hmm?”

Seeing Sheng Yuli reach for the teapot again, Shi Hanshang pushed it far away. He sat down indignantly and said with displeasure, “Since I will not be keeping it anyway, it would be better if it were gone now!”

At this, the usually playful Sheng Yuli turned serious. He sat up straight and said helplessly, “Shi Hanshang.”

“I know you hate me and you do not like this child. But it is still in your belly, sharing your blood. Why take your anger out on your own body?”

“I once saw my elder sister go through a pregnancy. Carrying a child for ten months involves immense suffering, and the birth itself nearly cost her half her life. I know that carrying a child is not easy.”

“The fault in this matter lies with me. But since things have reached this point, even if you do not forgive me, I will do my best to make it up to you.”

“Even if you do not want this child, you should still nourish your body. When the herbs are found and the day comes to terminate the pregnancy, it will be less damaging to your health.”

“Heh,” Shi Hanshang sneered. “General Sheng truly has a heart like a Bodhisattva. To think you actually care whether your mortal enemy lives or dies?”

Sheng Yuli felt a flash of anger at the sarcastic tone, but who was to blame but himself? He gave a forced laugh and suppressed his temper. “Ha, what are you saying? We were classmates for ten years, were we not?”

“So, Master Prime Minister, have a heart. For the sake of our old friendship, just have one bite, alright?”

A plate of translucent plum cakes was held out before Shi Hanshang. After hearing the speech of Sheng Yuli, he was surprised by the rare display of softheartedness. “You, truly came just to say this?”

“Yes,” Sheng Yuli nodded.

“Then why did you not use the front door? Why must you act like a gentleman on the rafters and climb through the window?” Shi Hanshang asked with a frown.

Sheng Yuli looked shocked. “If I used the front door, would you have let me in?”

“No.”

“Then there you go!” Sheng Yuli’s eyes widened. “Have you forgotten how the guards at your manor blocked me last time? If I came again, I am afraid they would truly chase me out with clubs!”

Shi Hanshang said through gritted teeth, “Will you not be chased out for climbing through the window?”

Sheng Yuli grinned. “As long as you do not say anything, no one will know.”

Shi Hanshang rolled his eyes and made a move to shout. Sheng Yuli was alarmed and quickly covered the mouth of the other man, whispering, “Are you serious?!”

Shi Hanshang struggled and pulled the hand of Sheng Yuli down, shouting, “If you lay another hand on me, I will truly call someone!”

“Alright, alright, I give up!” Sheng Yuli quickly let go and muttered, “How can you be like this? I came out of the goodness of my heart to bring you food, and you want to have me arrested.”

Shi Hanshang thought angrily to himself, Who asked you to come?!

Sheng Yuli suddenly thought of something. He turned to Shi Hanshang and asked in confusion, “Hey, Shi Hanshang, why do the servants in your manor have such hostility toward me? Did you say bad things about me to them?”

Shi Hanshang rolled his eyes. “Do I need to say anything bad about you?” With his history of causing trouble at the Manor, it was enough to make the servants fear him on sight.

Sheng Yuli was still unconvinced. “But logically, no matter how much we disagree, they should not try to kick me out the moment they see me?”

Shi Hanshang was silent. He felt a bit guilty and picked up a piece of plum cake. Taking a bite, he teased, “Perhaps you look like a rat, and people feel the urge to hit you whenever they see you.”

“What?!”

Sheng Yuli immediately rushed to the bronze mirror and examined his handsome face carefully. He made sure that except for the bruise on his right eye that had not yet faded, no other part of him looked like a rat. He was still as strikingly handsome as ever. Relieved, he strode back and sat down beside Shi Hanshang, huffing, “You are tricking me.”

“This face of mine is clearly gallant and loved by everyone! How many ladies in Jinling have secretly given their hearts to me? Matchmakers have nearly broken down my door. So many people want to be the mistress of the Sheng family, but they can only dream of it!”

Shi Hanshang had never met such a thick skinned person. He did not know how many times he had rolled his eyes that night. He mocked, “Yes, yes, the Great General Sheng, as vigorous as a dragon or tiger, who can bed seven women in one night!”

He placed extra emphasis on the phrase “bed seven women in one night.”

As expected, the previously smug Sheng Yuli immediately stopped smiling. He uncrossed his legs and said anxiously, “Do you actually believe that?!”

Shi Hanshang chewed on the sweet, sour, and soft plum cake. He took a moment to glance at him and said nonchalantly, “Why should I not believe it?”

The fruity scent of the plums spread in his mouth. The sourness was refreshing and whetted his appetite. For some reason, Shi Hanshang truly felt a bit hungry.

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