Song Song had a set living and sleeping schedule. In politics, he only listened and didn’t offer any opinions. At least that’s the case in front of other people.
Although the minister of records was responsible for recording Li Xiao’s every word and action, he still wasn’t allowed to walk into the empress’s inner room randomly. Even if they were both men, in the end, the empress belonged to the emperor. He had to avoid any chance of suspicion.
Song Song didn’t discuss anything in public with Li Xiao, but when they were in private, Li Xiao can still sometimes get him to say something.
As his body got heavier, and the weather became warmer, Li Xiao didn’t let anyone else touch him. He started to personally help Song Song wash and bath, and then some.
Song Song had rejected before using the excuse that Li Xiao had many court matters to attend to. Therefore, Li Xiao responded by making Song Song help him deal with the court matters together, making Song Song speechless.
“I heard that Song Ge disappeared.” After Song Song finished his bath, he covered himself with a large absorbent blanket. His wet long hair was placed on top of it. Li Xiao made him sit steady, and slowly helped him dry it with a towel: “He seemed to be heading straight north. It’s been a few days now.”
Song Song made a noise in acknowledgement. Li Xiao leaned next to his ear and said warmly: “If you’re unhappy, Zhen can send someone to kill him.”
“This doesn’t fit your majesty’s style.”
“Really?”
“If you really wanted to help me take care of him, you wouldn’t even ask what I think. That person would have been long dealt with. Since you kept him alive all this time, he must be of some use.”
Li Xiao didn’t reply to his words. Song Song turned his head to glance at him, feeling somewhat strange in his heart. However, he’s been spending his days comfortably. He didn’t want to bother with those messed up things, so didn’t ask anymore.
Li Xiao finished drying his hair, then bent down to help massage his swollen legs.
In the previous life, Song Song suffered plenty during his pregnancy. However, in this life, who knew if it was related to his mentality, his morning sickness actually didn’t last until the child was born. About a month ago, he could already eat whatever he wanted.
He lowered his head to look at the man’s handsome face, heart softening in waves: “Actually, your majesty doesn’t need to do all this.”
“Song-er wants the palace maids to come serve you instead?”
Song Song had to laugh: “Why are you getting jealous over everyone?”
Li Xiao smiled and didn’t say anything, but his expression carried a bit of displeasure. Song Song pressed his mouth together and suddenly pulled out his leg. His leg slipped away from the man’s hand, but Li Xiao quickly grabbed him by the ankle: “Stop messing around.”
“Since you’re that busy, you should not worry about me.”
“Zhen can handle it.”
His palm was warm and strong. Song Song’s tightness and swelling in his feet decreased. Even his heart felt a sense of relief. When the massage was completed, Li Xiao carried him on to the bed. Song Song suddenly called him: “Your majesty.”
“En?”
There was ice placed in the room, making it feel cool and refreshing. Li Xiao covered Song Song with a light blanket. When he looked up, Song Song suddenly cupped his face and laid a kiss on his lips hard.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Li Xiao’s expression softened visibly. Song Song withdrew his hands and said: “I’m going to read. I’ll wait for you to come to bed later.”
“Yxjs.”
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Qtfc Ol Wljb rjk, tf jygeqais wbnfv mibrfg jujlc. Vbcu Vbcu tjralis qertfv tlw: “Cigluta.”
If he lets him continue, they’ll never stop.
Song Song always felt that everytime Li Xiao stared at his stomach, he always carried a faint hostility. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for people to perceive. After Song Song, Li Xiao was probably the person who wanted the little prince to be born the most.
As the days got closer, Ji Ying started to check up on him on schedule. He seemed determined to deliver his dad with his own hands.
Everytime after he finished checking Song Song’s pulse, Li Xiao would summon him for inquiry. The questions were pretty much the same, whether the birth will be successful, would something happen to Song Song.
Even though Ji Ying kept promising repeatedly, and Song Song also used his previous life’s experience to sooth his anxiety, Li Xiao continued to carry an unrelieved dark expression. As the date of the little prince’s birth got closer, it got worse.
No matter how close Song Song was to him, Song Song wasn’t a parasite under his skin. He still couldn’t completely understand what Li Xiao was thinking.
Very quickly, it became the middle of August. The sun during noon time was incredibly hot. In the afternoon when there was no wind, it was also sweltering. Finally, there was a rare chance of light rain. Song Song went out to walk a few circles around the courtyard.
Just as he was walking up a flight of stairs, his leg slipped. He was steadied by the agile astute steward Qi, however, quickly in succession, his abdomen began to hurt in waves.
Someone yelled: “Go find the imperial physician! Call Doctor Ji over!”
Not long after he was carried onto the bed, Li Xiao came rushing over in large strides.
No one dared to stop him on the custom that he, as the father, might disrupt the birthing atmosphere. Therefore, Song Song took the chance to grab his outstretched hand. Sweat gathering on his forehead because of pain, he didn’t forget to console Li Xiao: “Everything is fine. Don’t worry.”
Li Xiao didn’t say anything, only squeezed his hand carefully.
Song Song lightly breathed. That so-called holy medicine, not only changed his body’s constitution, but also changed his body structure. Li Xiao’s eyes looked at him unblinkingly, at how Song Song’s sweat rolled down his forehead one by one, how his body somewhat twisted, how he grabbed onto Li Xiao’s hand tightly in reverse.
At this moment, time seemed to pass very slowly. Song Song couldn’t divide his attention to take note of Li Xiao’s reaction. His entire heart was focused on the child in his stomach.
Although it was a safe delivery, it took a total of three hours.
The palace servants all kneeled: “Congratulations, your majesty. Great news, it’s a little prince!”
With a baby’s cry reaching his ear, Song Song finally revealed a relieved smile. His black long hair messily stuck against his face, making him seem even more pale white. Impatiently, he reached out his hands: “Give him to me. Let me see.”
The palace servant quickly brought the child over. Song Song’s hand trembled as he held the child in his arms, gaze unmoving as he stared at the wrinkled little face. An extremely complicated feeling abruptly gushed forth from his heart, his eyes felt a bit swollen.
“It’s him. Your majesty. Look.” Crying tears of joy, he lifted his head to look at the person beside him and discovered Li Xiao currently sullenly staring at him. His hand at the side had been clenching the mattress tightly. That mattress there was already crushed to pieces.
Song Song’s heart jumped as he said: “Your majesty?”
Ji Ying, who was cleaning his hands, lifted his head and looked over. He turned his head to look at Li Xiao and also called: “Your majesty?”
Song Song thought not good, and hastily handed the child over to Ji Ying: “Take him out of here.”
He pushed himself up and reached out to touch Li Xiao’s face. The latter’s eyes finally moved a little. He looked towards Song Song’s finger, mouth moving—
But Song Song couldn’t hear anything.
“I’m fine.” Song Song held up his hand and waved it in front of Li Xiao, refocusing the man’s attention on his face. He smiled with pale white lips: “Your majesty, look. I’m really fine.”
He tried to touch Li Xiao’s hand, carefully pulling his fingers off of the mattress. Li Xiao continued to gaze at him unmovingly. Song Song slowly reached out his hands to hug him, and realized that Li Xiao’s body was trembling uncontrollably. The degree was very small, completely unnoticeably unless someone was touching him.
Song Song patted his back comfortingly, then lightly called him a few times. Suddenly, Li Xiao began to move. He picked up a towel and dipped it in the warm water to the side, and bent over to help Song Song wipe away the bloodstain on his body. Song Song quietly allowed him to do so. Li Xiao turned his head to look at the mess of blood on the bed, Song Song hastily tried to kick the blankets over to cover it, but was swiftly picked up.
Li Xiao wrapped him up in the blanket and carried him from the bloody bed to sit down quietly on the soft couch to the side. His movement was very tight, but also contained an appropriate leniency. It was just enough that Song Song couldn’t leave his arms, like he was gasping at his last life saving straw.
He looked straight at the bed for a long while until his gaze finally withdrew from the blood remains. When he lowered his head to look at Song Song, Song Song shot him another smile, then leaned forward to kiss his lips: “Your majesty. Look at me. I’m really doing very well. The little prince is finally born. Aren’t you happy?”
Li Xiao pressed his lips together, his eyes flashing. Then, he opened his mouth and moved his lips. But Song Song still didn’t hear anything.
He suddenly realized something, his expression abruptly changed. He grabbed Li Xiao forcibly.
Terror gushed out from his heart, he mumbled: “Don’t be nervous, it’s only temporary.” Temporary loss of voice.
He said: “Your majesty. Hold me tight.”
Li Xiao quietly held him, with no other movements. Song Song couldn’t resist wanting to cry.
Not only did he lose his voice, Li Xiao seemed like he couldn’t hear anything.
Song Song took a deep breath, his body uncontrollably started to tremble. Li Xiao tightened his arms and patted him on the back. His soft lips touched Song Song’s ear, like he was trying to comfort him.
From an angle that Li Xiao couldn’t see, Song Song raised his hand to wipe away his rolling tears, then steadied himself again. He looked into Li Xiao’s eyes, pressed against his forehead, and choked out: “It’s okay. It’s okay. Don’t be nervous. Just relax and sit here. I’ll go find Ji Ying and let him take a look at you.”
Li Xiao gazed at his lips. Song Song slowed down and articulated, exaggerating his lip movements: “I. Go. Find. Ji Ying.”
He got ready to get up from Li Xiao, but was once again held tight by him. From his mouth’s movements, Song Song could read: “Wind.”
There was wind outside. He just finished giving birth, if he went out, he might get chilled.
Song Song frowned, then hugged him again, yelling: “Doctor Ji!”
The door swiftly pushed open. Ji Ying walked in. Song Song said: “Come over and take a look at him.”
“He won’t attack right?”
“He’s sane.”
Ji Ying turned his head to look at how Li Xiao was peacefully looking at Song Song, still feeling like he really wasn’t all that sane. He tried to take a step closer, but Li Xiao abruptly held Song Song tighter while shooting over a dark look.
Ji Ying immediately held up both hands to express that he was harmless. As he examined Li Xiao, he asked Song Song: “Are you sure he’s okay?”
“There’s an issue.” Song Song held back tears: “It seems like he… he can’t hear what I’m saying and also he can’t say anything.”
Ji Ying froze for a second and said: “Give me his hand.”
Song Song lightly rubbed his cheek against Li Xiao to capture his attention, then grabbed his hand and said: “Let him take a look, your majesty. Be good. It’ll be quick.”
Under his repeated coaxing, Li Xiao finally extended his hand. Ji Ying watched his face color as he stood far away and reached out his hand to place on Li Xiao’s wrist: “His pulse is somewhat chaotic. His loss of hearing and speech was probably caused by excessive stress. I can prescribe him something to try.”
“Will he get better?”
Quickly withdrawing his hand, Ji Ying took a few steps back and said with furrowed brows: “Under normal circumstances, it should get better. But the poison in his system… that thing can easily disturb his circulation. To be deaf and mute for the rest of his life because of this shock isn’t completely impossible.”
Song Song looked at Li Xiao with a panicked expression. The latter continued to remain silent.
Then Song Song anxiously looked at Ji Ying: “You’re a god-like doctor. You can definitely cure him.”
“I can’t say for sure.” Ji Ying shot Li Xiao another look, his frown deepening: “Not that I’m blaming you, but what happened? Why would you giving birth shock him this much? Isn’t it a very good thing?”
Guiltily looking at Li Xiao, Song Song pressed his forehead against Li Xiao’s and said with tears: “I don’t want any more children.”
Li Xiao’s eyes suddenly flashed again, his ears moved. Opening his mouth, then as if he suddenly thought of something, and closed it tightly again.
Ji Ying didn’t have any ideas and said: “I’ll go back to look through my books. First give him two pills to calm his mind. Take good care of him and make sure he doesn’t get surprised again.”
Song Song hastily nodded his head. Not even able to attend to the just born child, he carefully whispered softly to Li Xiao and indirectly comforted himself: “Don’t be scared. It’ll get better.”
The writer has something to say:
The scheming emperor vs baby’s struggle for love and attention has officially begun.
Cray Cray: I won this round.
Baby: ?
We have 2 jealous characters in this novel. That’s just me by the way
Thank you very much for the translation 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Ah yes, the “dad” experience.
Wait what when! Author dun skip the details like that time with Qin An please! What is this ploy!
Lin Xiao must have been very scared
Thank You for the chapter (๑°꒵°๑)･*♡
Yay! The Prince is here🎉
Tbh, I’m actually happy that the author is exploring the concept of birth-related PTSD. It’s something that happens a lot but isn’t really talked about because men are expected to “man up”. I know someone who had nightmares and suffered insomnia for months after his daughter was born. Kept seeing his wife dead on the bed (she had some birthing complications and postpartum haemorrhaging)
I didn’t realize it was acknowledged, but my ex almost fainted when our son was born. He had a fear of blood, needles etc. I can’t imagine how much worse it is if the person is the love of your life bleeding and hurting and you can’t help.
Feliz porque o principezinho nasceu♥️♥️🛐🛐e triste pelo Li Xiao, o medo dele 😭
I wonder if he had some idea this might happen and that’s why he tried to get Song Song actively involved in the process of ruling 😟
Waitt I’m confused, how would Song Song’s participation in ruling change things? /gen
Not change so much, as just being prepared if Li Xiao can’t run everything alone. There’s nobody else they can trust to help him and the court is already used to Song Song being there. If Li Xiao couldn’t do any of it, letting Song Song take over would probably be considered one of Li Xiao’s indulgences instead of a weakness to exploit.
Ohh thank you for explaining! I see now, and it is in line w LX’s way of thinking ahead too
I’m so happy when someone understands my explanations 😄
I think, this is exacerbated by his memories in his previous life, maybe he was so scared because Song Ge said Song Song died in his previous life because of giving birth. Li Xiao maybe couldn’t tell the difference and the trauma was intense. I hope he will be fine and will love the crown prince as much as Song song love his son
Ugh. I still feel bad and irked whenever I read this sequence 😮💨
This is nonsense why fight for your own kid attention
I don’t really like the trope of father x son but uhmmmkay…..