The Aloof Prime Minister is Pregnant with the Rival General’s Child - Chapter 4

“It is over. He actually slept with Shi Hanshang!”

The morning sun rose slowly over the horizon. Strands of dawn light filtered through the carved window lattices, illuminating the two figures still slumbering on the bed in the sandalwood-scented room.

“Young Master?”

A soft knocking suddenly sounded at the door.

“Young Master?” Receiving no response, A-Sheng knocked again. “Are you inside?”

He did not dare to use too much force, fearing that if the person inside was not his master, he might disturb another noble guest.

Last night’s banquet had lasted until the dew grew heavy in the late hours. He had watched his master get into another contest with General Sheng, drinking until they were both thoroughly intoxicated. He felt worried and helpless, fearing his master might suffer some mishap.

Having served Shi Hanshang since childhood, A-Sheng knew his master’s temperament best. Such a detached and calm person would instantly lose all reason the moment he encountered General Sheng.

A-Sheng had wanted to intervene, but he knew his master was in a fit of pique and would listen to nothing. He thought of finding the eldest young master, Shi Yunhe, hoping that his presence might help the Prime Minister cool his temper.

However, after searching the palace, he could not find the eldest brother anywhere. After several inquiries, he learned that the eldest master had been summoned by the Emperor!

What was he to do?

The eldest master had been the Crown Prince’s study companion and shared a close bond with His Majesty. It was only natural for the Emperor to call for his company, and an imperial command could not be defied. A mere attendant like A-Sheng did not dare to intrude upon the sovereign’s residence.

Left with no choice, A-Sheng gave up on that idea. He decided to return to the banquet hall, hoping to find another official close to his master who could help.

Perhaps the heavens heard his prayers, for A-Sheng ran into Lord Song Qing, the Assistant Imperial Physician, who was on excellent terms with Shi Hanshang. A-Sheng was overjoyed! Knowing his master would surely have a headache after drinking so much, he asked for some sobering pills and explained the situation, requesting Lord Song’s help.

Lord Song was very loyal. Upon hearing the request, he patted his chest and rushed into the banquet. Yet, after several laps around the hall, he could not find a trace of either Shi Hanshang or Sheng Yuli.

Eventually, after much searching, A-Sheng heard from a palace manager that the drunken lords had been supported to the guest rooms in the adjacent courtyard to rest. His master was likely there, and since it was so late, it was best not to disturb him.

A-Sheng was somewhat puzzled but assumed the palace servants were perceptive enough to have taken his unconscious master to a guest room. He thanked the servant and went to rest in the attendants’ quarters.

Now, early this morning, A-Sheng had hurried to this courtyard!

Standing at the door, he felt a bit uneasy. If the manager had said so, it had to be correct, right? He steeled his nerves and knocked.

But after knocking several times, and seeing that it was nearly the Hour of the Snake (9:00 AM), there was still no movement inside. A-Sheng began to lose his confidence.

Could he have knocked on the wrong door?

“Young Master?” A-Sheng called out one last time. Seeing that there was still no answer, he began to panic, and his voice grew smaller. “I am A-Sheng. Young Master, are you inside?”

The familiar voice drifted into the ears of the person in the room. Shi Hanshang woke in a daze, feeling his head throb with an intense ache. His body felt as heavy as if it had been filled with mercury, a level of soreness he had never experienced before.

As the sunlight hit his face through the cracks in the window, Shi Hanshang instinctively raised his hand to block it.

However, as he raised his arm, he felt as if he had been lifting a thousand-pound weight. It was incredibly sore and painful.

Shi Hanshang frowned. He had experienced hangovers before, but why was he so exceptionally exhausted today?

His vision gradually cleared. As the sunlight filtered through his fingers, he saw distinct red marks scattered across his pale arm. His sluggish brain went blank for a moment.

“Young Master?”

A-Sheng’s voice continued outside, though it was now barely a whisper.

Shi Hanshang finally snapped back to reality and called out, “I am here.”

The moment he spoke, he froze. His throat was dry and stinging, and the sound that came out was hoarse and unpleasant.

Outside, A-Sheng felt as if he had received a divine pardon. The heavy stone in his heart finally fell. Caught up in his relief, he did not notice anything unusual and said happily, “Young Master! You are awake! It is nearly the Hour of the Snake. Shall I come in to help you dress?”

Shi Hanshang was stunned. He was struck by a wave of shock.

It was already the Hour of the Snake?

He had not slept in so late for a very long time. Official duties were endless, and memorials were piled as high as mountains. As the head of the officials, he had to set an example. He handled the Emperor’s affairs and managed ten thousand matters daily. Where was the time for him to sleep with his head under the covers?

Furthermore, in his high position, he was surrounded by wolves and tigers waiting for him to slip so they could tear him to pieces. How could he afford to be negligent?

Fortunately, because of the Grand Princess’s wedding, the Emperor had granted a day’s reprieve from the early morning court session. Otherwise, this would have been a disaster.

Shi Hanshang covered his forehead in annoyance, thinking he had been far too reckless.

He could not delay any longer. Just as he tried to sit up, his bones felt as if they were falling apart. He was weak and limp. With great effort, he managed to straighten his back, only to find his path blocked. A deep, muffled groan sounded beside his ear, and the silk quilt slid down from his smooth body as he moved.

Hearing the sound, Shi Hanshang froze. He spun his head around, his eyes widening in shock.

The person on the bed had a head of black hair as messy as a ball of yarn, covering their face in total disorder. His wheat-colored chest muscles were firm and sturdy, rising and falling with deep, peaceful breaths. A well-defined arm was clamped firmly around Shi Hanshang’s waist. Seemingly dissatisfied with the sudden departure of the person in his arms, the man’s handsome brows furrowed slightly as he squeezed closer.

What was going on?

Shi Hanshang’s mind went completely blank.

Having been rivals for so many years, he could recognize this person even if he were turned to ash, let alone behind a curtain of hair. This dog of a man was none other than Sheng Yuli!

Shi Hanshang felt a wave of dizziness.

Sharing a bed was one thing, but why were neither of them wearing any clothes?

Fragments of memories began to slowly crawl back into Shi Hanshang’s mind. More importantly, he stiffly turned his neck and glanced at the state of the room. His white robes and Sheng Yuli’s silk outfit were lying on the floor beneath the bed like discarded rags.

He looked down at his own body and the purple and red marks on the other man. They were everywhere, serving as clear evidence of how fierce the battle had been yesterday.

This cannot be true.

Shi Hanshang moved his body cautiously, only to feel a lingering stickiness.

“You… absolute… bastard!” Shi Hanshang slapped Sheng Yuli on the head!

“Young Master, who are you talking to? I am coming in!” A-Sheng was startled by the angry shout. In his anxiety, he prepared to burst through the door.

The rosewood door creaked. Shi Hanshang turned pale with fright and shouted, “Wait a moment!”

“A-Sheng?” Another voice sounded outside the door.

At the same time, the man on the bed who had been sleeping like a dead pig finally moved. Rubbing his sore head, Sheng Yuli rolled over impatiently, pulling Shi Hanshang back onto the bed with him. Nuzzling the neck of the person in his arms, Sheng Yuli grumbled, “Sister, stop it. Let me sleep a bit longer. There is no court today.”

“You… mother…!” Shi Hanshang hissed through gritted teeth. Being pulled down like that made his body feel as if his bones were breaking. He slapped Sheng Yuli across the cheek and growled, “Sheng Yuli! Look clearly at who I am!”

Sheng Yuli was jolted awake. Before he could realize what was happening, he looked into a pair of incredibly familiar eyes filled with rage and murderous intent. His sleepiness vanished instantly. Terrified, he cried out, “Shi—”

“Shh!” Shi Hanshang lunged forward, quickly covering Sheng Yuli’s mouth. His gaze fell upon a white cord around his own wrist, and his expression darkened further.

This heartless, wicked dog!

Sheng Yuli struggled and muffled a protest. Having just woken from a dream, his mind was still muddled. He hadn’t quite grasped the situation yet and thought: Damn! Is this fellow Shi Hanshang trying to murder me while I’m vulnerable?

Looking at those ice-cold eyes, Sheng Yuli struggled even harder.

The coldness in Shi Hanshang’s gaze intensified. He glared fiercely at him, making no effort to hide the threat in his eyes.

Sheng Yuli was utterly confused until he heard the familiar voices outside the door.

“A-Sheng? Why are you here?”

A-Sheng froze. Turning around, he saw a man in a sturdy outfit with his hair tied up. He immediately lost his temper, put his hands on his hips, and snapped back, “Zi Mo? What are you doing here?”

“Hmph! My master is here, so naturally, I am here!”

Zi Mo was stunned. He said in shock, “Your master is here? How is that possible? My General was clearly the one resting here last night!”

“Impossible!” A-Sheng was also shocked. He had just heard his own master’s voice, so how could it be false? He assumed the other was just looking for trouble. “The manager told me where my master was. How could she be wrong? Besides, my master already answered me from inside. You must have the wrong place!”

“How can that be? The manager told me my General was here too!” Zi Mo’s eyes widened.

Outside the room, the two attendants were at each other’s throats. Inside the room, the two masters stared at one another.

Shi Hanshang’s body was tense. He was still covering Sheng Yuli’s mouth, cold sweat beading on his forehead and his lips turning pale.

His only thought was: No one can see us like this! He had forgotten he wasn’t wearing clothes. His sudden lunge had been too violent, and he accidentally aggravated a very private area. The sharp pain shot through his mind, causing him to hiss in a breath of cold air.

Unfortunately, the man in front of him still looked completely clueless, blinking his eyes at him. Shi Hanshang was fuming and gave him a vicious glare.

Sheng Yuli felt the trembling of the palm against his lips. He looked at the marks on Shi Hanshang’s bare body. His chaotic brain finally began to function, and he seemed to realize something.

Oh, damn.

What happened yesterday? Sheng Yuli tried desperately to remember.

He had been drinking with Shi Hanshang. He got drunk. He went to a guest room. And then… and then… what happened next?

Memories that were far too intimate and erotic flooded his mind: the beauty’s peaceful and elegant face, his slender yet strong waist, that cold and seductive voice, and the palms with thin calluses.

Wait. Palms with thin calluses?

Sheng Yuli’s eyes widened instantly.

What had he been thinking at the time? He had thought the beauty felt somewhat like a man.

Wait, where is the beauty?

Sheng Yuli still refused to believe it. He frantically scanned the room several times before finally accepting his fate. In the entire room, aside from the furious Shi Hanshang glaring at him, there was no one else.

Sheng Yuli’s mouth twitched. He suddenly slapped his own forehead and let out a broken, bitter laugh.

It was over. He actually slept with Shi Hanshang!

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