With a blank expression, Wen Mingyu sat rigidly in his chair, his mood too subtle to describe.
Since he had already experienced a false pregnancy and had some experience, he was aware that this would happen.
But knowing was knowing; expecting it to happen so soon was another thing.
The imperial physician clearly said that this usually occurred in the later stages of pregnancy, either after birth or near the two months before delivery. But why was it happening… now!
If he had been in Taiji Hall, he could have changed his robes right away, but it just had to happen now, when there were so many people around. He even started to worry whether the people close to him could smell something.
Wen Mingyu couldn’t help hunching his back a little and using the book in his hand to block himself. At the same time, he didn’t dare show any abnormality and tried to blend in as he usually did.
He kept his face taut, acted composed, and listened intently. Somehow, he got through it, and no one around him seemed to find anything wrong.
On this kind of occasion, most people wouldn’t dare let their minds be distracted. They would listen attentively and with reverence; after all, they were under the watchful eyes of the emperor. This was a rare opportunity to express themselves.
The only one who dared to be distracted was presumably the emperor himself, Mu Zhan.
Mu Zhan took the most prestigious and roomy seat at the center. On either side of him, rows of neatly arranged chairs were occupied by ministers and scholars, forming a rectangular layout. The emperor sat in the middle, surrounded by his courtiers.
Mu Zhan listened to the Hanlin scholar’s lecture while his mind unconsciously drifted. The corner of his eye swooped somewhere—precisely in the direction of Wen Mingyu’s seat. Then, he noticed that Wen Mingyu pursed his lips tightly and lowered his eyes as if he was hiding something, the way he was immersed in something.
Although he appeared to be serene, Mu Zhan had been with him for a long time, sharing a bed and spending private moments together. He naturally understood him better than anyone.
Wen Mingyu completely lacked the usual spirit for imperial lectures. His eyes no longer had that gleam of interest and thirst for knowledge.
Wen Mingyu enjoyed learning and was always eager to drink in new knowledge. Following these lectures, they would often chat in Taiji Hall about the day’s topics. As a result, Mu Zhan had unknowingly begun to pay closer attention. Because, if Wen Mingyu asked him about something and he couldn’t answer… simply unacceptable.
Mu Zhan frowned as he realized something was wrong with Wen Mingyu. His full attention shifted to Wen Mingyu, his gaze resting on him for a while.
Then a Hanlin scholar abruptly asked Mu Zhan something. He was momentarily taken aback but soon recovered and responded with cool confidence. Not only that, but he also threw several questions back in return, regaining control of the conversation and also putting the ministers deep in thought.
Those questions clearly weren’t ones that could be answered in one sitting. And since the lecture was already nearing its end, Mu Zhan firmly ordered the conclusion for today’s lecture.
Mu Zhan, as the emperor, the most honorable existence in the room, naturally had to be the first to rise and leave. No one else would dare move before he did.
Thus, Mu Zhan had to put on an act of leaving.
Not long after his departure, the high-ranking ministers followed in an orderly fashion, departing one after another, leaving in order of rank.
Meanwhile, Wen Mingyu stayed seated and dared not get up, as though his butt and the chair were cemented together. When a fellow official invited him to leave together, he politely declined and made up an excuse to stay behind. He intended to wait for everyone to leave first before moving.
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Wen Mingyu froze when he got to his feet. Because he saw Mu Zhan, who should have left already, return.
With a commanding presence, Mu Zhan strode over in large strides, each one closing in, leaving no room for escape.
At other times, Wen Mingyu would automatically move towards him, naturally overcoming the distance between them. Today, however, was different. He couldn’t face him with ease. He even felt a sense of danger and, without thinking, took a step back.
Mu Zhan noticed, and he took an even bigger step forward, shrinking the distance between them even smaller than before. Now, their noses nearly touched as they stood face-to-face.
“Are you unwell?”
Wen Mingyu couldn’t bring himself to say it outright, so he shook his head, then tried to change the subject. But Mu Zhan didn’t go along with him; instead, he lowered his eyes and watched him fixedly. Those deep, penetrating orbits carried an undeniable pressure, as though he could see right through everything, leaving no place to hide.
Wen Mingyu’s heart pounded violently. His fingers tightened around the book in his hands, gripping it so hard that he even creased the pages.
And the next second, something even more terrifying happened.
Mu Zhan said, “Why do I seem to… smell something sweet?”
Wen Mingyu tensed up. He shook his head, forcing himself to remain composed. “Is… it? I don’t smell anything.”
Then, clutching the book, he bowed and said with eyes lowered, “This subjectwill leave first.”
With that, he raised his foot and tried to slip away.
But the emperor before him was not so easy to deal with, and with a swift motion, he firmly grasped Wen Mingyu’s hand and stopped him in his tracks. “This onehasn’t allowed you.”
Wen Mingyu instantly found himself immobilized. He even jerked him forward and nearly fell into the other’s arms. He barely managed to steady himself, leaving only an inch of gap between him and Mu Zhan.
This situation was too embarrassing. Wen Mingyu didn’t dare look up.
But in the next second, a warm hand pinched his chin, guiding him to look up and meet his eyes straight on.
Mu Zhan’s eyes first skimmed over his flustered eyes before slowly descending, settling on the book he had been clutching so tightly. Even when he was pulled back, he hadn’t forgotten to press it against his chest as though it was a priceless treasure and was very afraid that someone would snatch it away.
“What are you so flustered about? What is it that you don’t want this one to discover?” Mu Zhan narrowed his eyes, locking onto his sight.
Wen Mingyu answered drearily, “… Nothing.”
“If that’s the case, there’s no need for you to hurry.”
“This subject still has important things yet to do.”
“If this one gives you an order to do something, shouldn’t this one’s order be put first?”
“…Yes.”
Wen Mingyu was left with no choice but to agree.
Mu Zhan continued, “Then let this one take a look at that book first. You’ve been clinging to it quite dearly. There must be something special about it.”
Wen Mingyu stiffened violently, his grip on the book instinctively tightening, wordlessly refusing. Any other sane person in his place would have already extended both hands to respectfully offer the book.
“You want to disobey an imperial decree?”
The words carried a warning, yet Mu Zhan’s tone remained light. It was not at all like a monarch who was angered by his disobedience.
Wen Mingyu nevertheless felt a bit wronged with his words. He pursed his lips and muttered, “You can’t order me around.”
Mu Zhan countered, “In a monarch-subject relationship, this one has the power to order you to do anything. When you were the empress, however, I listened to you. Now, you are this one’s subject—or are you now my empress?”
It was far too straightforward, preventing him from muddling through vagueness.
Wen Mingyu was stunned. He had deliberately used his status as a subject to try and slip away, but Mu Zhan seemed to be displeased because of that? When people were present, Mu Zhan would try to put on the airs of a monarch and keep a certain distance, but he obviously detested such formalities when they were alone. Discussing politics was fine, but it must be in an intimate manner.
Wen Mingyu mulled it over. He felt that Mu Zhan was like this, like he was throwing a bit of a tantrum, though in a subtle way. If he switched it to a more straight ball sentence, perhaps it might mean something like—Pay attention to me. Talk to me. Closely. More affectionately.
It seemed as though he had gone on a long errand and returned to find himself latched onto by a proud but clingy cat that would not let go.
The uneasiness in Wen Mingyu’s heart gradually subsided. Although he still felt a little embarrassed, he realized that there was no need to hide this from Mu Zhan.
At that point, Mu Zhan looked at him and said softly, “If there’s something you don’t want me to know, I won’t ask. Whenever you feel ready to discuss it, I’m always all ears.Butif you are unwell, don’t keep it a secret from me. You must tell me—the same goes for when you are down. I can comfort you.”
Hearing this retreating-yet-progressing approach, how could Wen Miingyu possibly resist him. This was simply the perfect answer.
He was even more convinced that he didn’t need to cover himself up like this.
A tyrant? Absolutely not!
Mu Zhan was his best, big wife!
Even if he had no other “wives” to speak of, adding the word “big” could emphasize just how amazing and good Mu Zhan was and how high and weighty his position was in Wen Mingyu’s heart.
Wen Mingyu finally took the initiative to lower the book and softly muttered, “I have… it.”
Because of the shame and embarrassment, the middle words were choked back by him, as if they had been muted.
Mu Zhan glanced at it, his eyes growing a little darker. He instantly understood what was going on. In fact, he had actually made a guess earlier. He could also smell a faint milky scent, but his heart still leaped violently when he saw the wet stain on Wen Mingyu’s robes.
“Come to my place first. I’ll have someone send over a fresh set of official robes from Taiji Hall.”
Wen Mingyu nodded. Handling it this way was considered the best option. After all, he couldn’t just go back to work like this. He had no way of explaining it if he were found out.
Thus, he was led out of Yan Yi Pavilion by Mu Zhan, holding his hand as they walked forward, his other hand holding the book.
After a moment, Wen Mingyu suddenly reacted and wanted to draw back his hand. Mu Zhan, however, tightened his hold, not allowing him to take it back.
Wen Mingyu whispered, “Someone might see.”
People might assume the emperor was covertly favoring a low-ranking official.
But Mu Zhna calmly remarked, “Only a few palace servants are around. They all know about us, so don’t worry.”
Since Mu Zhan had said so, it meant that there was indeed no problem. Wen Mingy let him lead the way without further protest.
They entered the inner room after passing through the door. Unlike Taiji Hall, which featured a spacious dragon bed, this palace was one where the emperor handled state matters, so simply a long couch was placed for brief rests.
While waiting for the servants to bring a fresh set of robes, Mu Zhan said, “The robes will take a while to arrive. Change into mine for now. You won’t feel comfortable like this.”
It was indeed sticky and uncomfortable, and it was even more awkward under Mu Zhan’s gaze.
So, Wen Mingyu hurriedly moved behind the folding screen to change, hastily wiping himself clean as well. The thought of Mu Zhan just right outside, and that the translucent screen cast a faint silhouette, made him restless. His movements became more hurried, as if someone was chasing him from behind.
But just as he stepped out, fully dressed, he found another small patch of dampness near his lapel.
Wen Mingyu: “…”
His expression finally collapsed, splitting on the spot.