The sultry sun, towards the end of autumn, rages. Still, the Shadow Guards remained faithful, and stayed not far from the Master.
Xing BeiMing stepped out of his room and slowly walked under the largest tree in the courtyard. He commanded, "Come down."
A dark shadow fell lightly on the ground without a sound. Xing BeiMing took a look at his Shadow Guard. Because of his strong internal strength, his face was not sweating, but Xing BeiMing doesn’t know if it’s due to pregnancy. The ShiQi’s face appeared pale from malnutrition.
Doctor Xu's words came to mind -- "There are so many taboos for those who are pregnant, let alone a male’s body. It is more prudent to have no precedent, what can be avoided should be avoided. Usually, he must not overwork, pay special attention to diet ..."
“Come in," Xing BeiMing headed back to his room, after leaving behind two words.
"Yes, Master." Ying ShiQi entered the room immediately, kneeling and waiting for his evaluation ... No, waiting for his order.
Xing BeiMing gave him a glance, "How is your body?"
Shadow Seventeen bowed his head respectfully, "Master, it’s okay.”
Xiu Luo Tang's punishment is never a pleasant experience. A single whip could take away an ordinary person’s life. Although they are shadow guards, the use of internal force was forbidden during discipline. They are no different from ordinary people. Thirty whips ... to be completely healed in two days is impossible. What he meant was, Master, this subordinate’s injuries are gone. Ready to deliver his life.
But apparently he did forget one thing! Xing BeiMing was a little irritated. Gazing at the back of his Shadow’s dark head, he asked, "What about your stomach, what are you going to do?"
Ying ShiQi was originally lowering his head, but when he heard those words, he was about to lift his head, but then halfway it was lowered again. "There is no issue with my stomach, Master..."
"Impudent!" Xing BeiMing slammed the table angrily. "Do you think that this Lord has a memory of an 80-years-old man to that extent? Say it, what are you going to do with the infant in your stomach?"
So bluntly spoken, the answer that rushed to ShiQi’s mouth was blocked. Finally, Seventeen raised his head, staring at Xing BeiMing rather boldly, “Master! This subordinate... This subordinate is a man... " In his voice, there was a slight tremor that was hard to detect, but still firmly determined. Xing BeiMing’s precipitated anger gradually disappeared.
That’s right, a man such as he... no one could accept it. If it was himself, Xing BeiMing would have probably beat the person to death for making such a diagnosis. And would probably think this is the greatest mistake in the world, but this happened to his Shadow Guard. Xing BeiMing was not high above mortal grounds, nor virtuous. He even hoped that this was true, but he would not admit that he was interested in this matter.
Xing BeiMing's voice softened, but still, he made his strikes deep within the Shadow Guard’s mind. "Don't you believe Doctor Xu, don't you believe Ying Qi? First, stay in this room with this Bao Zhu and wait for a month. Once your belly becomes obvious then decide.”
Definitely won’t. Definitely, it will not grow bigger! Seventeen firmly thought, but why did the Master make such a decision. His bewildered gaze was directed at Xing BeiMing.
"What are you looking at? Have your guts grown larger?" Staring at the Shadow Guard until he could only see the back of his head, Xing BeiMing leaned back comfortably on the back of the chair. "A strange situation had occurred within the World's Supreme Fortress. This Bao Zhu will investigate it, whether it was someone’s doing or yours. Return to your post, find a cool place to hide."
Although he didn’t understand what the last sentence meant, Shadow Seventeen still complied obediently with a yes.
Cheng Bo, who has been hiding in the corner (Hey, Cheng Bo, are you the real Shadow Guard?), stepped forward, carefully poured a cup of tea, and asked, "Master, if this situation is true, the pregnancy should be soon aborted. Three months later, I fear...”
Xing BeiMing lifted the tea cup, took a sip, and said leisurely, “Cheng Bo, if his case is false, then there’s no concern. Maybe it’s the strange pulse of Seventeen’s. If it’s true, can’t we afford to raise a child? ”
Cheng Bo nodded, but internally thinking, “Raising a child is definitely possible. The key is, who is raising it? Why doesn’t the Master ever consider the consequences when doing things? So perverse!"
Xing BeiMing put down the teacup and said indifferently, "Cheng Bo, are you silently resenting this Master?"
Cheng Bo quickly bent down, “Dare not, I dare not. Master is wise, wise Master! "
**********************
In the evening, Ying Shiqi returned to his room and found that without wings, his quilts, mattresses, and pillows had flown away…huh? Ying Shiqi scratched his head, recalling he hadn't taken them out for airing...
When Ying Qi entered the room, he found a confused Seventeen. He couldn't help but break a smile, but quickly suppressed it soon after. He stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Seventeen, why are you here? Didn’t the Master order you to move to his place? Staying close by, to protect the Master? Just now, the steward Cheng Bo came to take all your stuff to the Master’s room. You should hurry up...ShiQi?"
Only now did Seventeen remember the Master did mention that he wanted him to stay in his room. Having stayed in the tree all day, his head was still a bit dizzy, so he had forgotten.
"ShiQi, are you okay? Your face doesn’t look so well," Ying Qi anxiously asked. This person was still fine in the morning, but is now pale as sheets.
"I’m alright! In great health! Qi Ge, I'll go now." Seventeen smiled.
"Well, you must pay attention to your body and relax your mind, ShiQi." Yingqi reminded him uneasily.
"If there is nothing to worry about, then nothing is nothing", Seventeen promised as he departed. Ying Qi watched as Seventeen’s figure disappeared in the courtyard, where they had lived since childhood. A faint loss in his heart, Shadow Seven felt Seventeen would not return here again.
Shadow Seventeen arrived at Master’s door, but hesitated. Master’s bedroom, unless there’s a special reason, others are not allowed to enter. Moreover, what would happen when the concubines come…?
The door of the room creaked and opened, Xing BeiMing with a dark expression appeared behind the door. "What are you doing? This Bao Zhu does not need a guard dog, roll in here!"
Seventeen followed in, as usual kneeling down and waiting for orders. Xing BeiMing pointed to the other side of the screen and said, "You will sleep there in the future. You can also come to rest during the day when there is no one. This situation is special. For the time being, you can be the personal guard of this Master. You are not allowed to hang on the tree or climb the wall! Do you understand?”
Seventeen bowed his head and said, "Yes, Master." In other words, he is not a Shadow Guard, but the Master's personal guard. What does a personal guard do?
“What are you thinking? Wash up and go to bed," Xing Bao Zhu arrogantly commanded.
"Yes, Master."
*************************
Someone had moved into Bao Zhu’s bedroom, and the next day, the rumor had spread like fire. Some said that the Master’s new concubine had a natural fragrance and beauty, and some said that the Master had brought back a fairy untouched from mortals dust, hidden in his room, so no one would see...In short, no matter what the gossip is, everyone lives as usual, but there are some who couldn't stay calm.
The beautiful Huxin Pavilion was surrounded by several beautiful women, and although they spoke with a smile, the anxiety on their faces still lingered.
The Green Dress said, "My Meimei are becoming more beautiful. Jiejie is like a withering flower with few butterflies. My heart had grown a bit sour.”
The Red Dress said, "Jiejie, what do you mean? You’re the first to enter the residence. I heard that the Master is a sentimental person. Meimei is envious!"
The Green Dress said, “Ahh, your words make this Jiejie even more sour. The Master hasn't been in my room for a few days. I fear that I've been forgotten..."
White Dress chimed in, “It is also true, sister. Bao Zhu also has not summoned us for days. From what I heard, the servants are saying...Bao Zhu found a new joy..."
Red Dress added, "I also heard that Bao Zhu allows her to stay in his room. Even when we were there to serve, we were never allowed to stay overnight. This person must be exceptional! Sisters, why not..."
Green Dress replied, "As elder sisters, we should meet our new sister. Bao Zhu will not blame us, not to mention that the girl may also lack the essentials. Gifting some personal items is a good gesture and shows our generosity.”
Red Dress said, "Jiejie is right! Right now the Master should be at his meeting, we should go."
**************************
Shadow Seventeen circled the yard, but with nothing to do, he went back to Master’s room to sit. The Master said today he would be visiting a friend’s residence, and did not require the need of a personal guard. Master ordered Seventeen to rest in his room. Suddenly relaxed, ShiQi didn’t know what to do. Out of Shadow Guard's habit, he still sat straight up, even when sitting.
After sitting for not too long, he heard noises outside. Other servants are forbidden to enter the master’s courtyard. Since the guard stopped them, they should belong to another kind. After thinking about it for a while, Seventeen decided it was better off not to get involved.
Before long, the noise grew louder, alternating with female voices calling out "Meimei", but this is Master’s private residence. Why would there be any females? If they wanted to look for someone, then go elsewhere. Do they want to die?
Shadow Seventeen didn't want to bother, but thinking that the Master would come back soon and he would definitely lose his temper, it would be better to drive them away. So he got up and opened the door.
"Ah, Meimei is out. Get out of the way! Let us talk to our Meimei. If you dare to stop us, wait until the Master comes back. You’re going to get it! Meimei! Meimei--"
妹妹 - Mèimei - Younger Sister
姐姐 - Jiějiě - Older Sister
