Stinky Bandit, I’m Pregnant! - Chapter 18:

Chapter 18: Ten Chickens for You

When Ye Anlan and Gu Fei arrived in the back courtyard, Ye Anlan huffed, “You seriously plan to give that bastard ten chickens?”

Gu Fei grinned, “Just find ten rotten eggs. Tell him that if he keeps them warm for a couple of months, they’ll hatch into a full coop.”

Ye Anlan burst out laughing. She knew Gu Fei would never let her down.

“Kong Lao’er, just wait. I’ll make sure to find the smelliest rotten eggs for you.”

Though her arm was still injured, Ye Anlan’s mood was great.

Half an incense stick later.

At the gates of Shangyuan City, Kong Lao’er finally received the ten ‘chickens’ Ye Anlan had prepared for him.

“Advisor Kong, these are the ten chickens our Master specifically asked me to deliver! Don’t underestimate them just because they’re eggs… if you keep them warm, they’ll become ten chickens. Then more eggs, more chickens… soon you’ll have an endless supply!”

Kong Lao’er finally realized Gu Fei had played him. His face turned purple with frustration, but he still forced a wide smile and said, “Chief Constable Ye is absolutely right. Please give my thanks to Master Gu for his generosity!”

He turned and left without another word.

Ye Anlan shoved the basket of eggs into a constable’s arms. “Hold it tight! Don’t let those chickens escape!”

Watching Kong Lao’er flee in embarrassment, Ye Anlan laughed heartily at the city gate.

It felt so good.

Back at the yamen, Gu Fei had called Zhang Biao in to make further arrangements. Time flew by quickly, and before long, it was almost noon.

Gu Fei had to return home for lunch—and to check on Xiao Lingshuang.

After all, he’d accidentally slept with her. It was only right to go back and smooth things over.

When Gu Fei quietly returned home, he saw Xiao Lingshuang reclining on a lounge chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun. Her graceful figure, fair and delicate face, under the sunlight, looked serene and peaceful.

Wearing a long purple dress, she looked just like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

But her expression was distant and thoughtful, clearly lost in deep thought.

She didn’t even notice Gu Fei walking up beside her.

The moment she saw Gu Fei sneaking up, her suppressed anger flared once more.

Noticing her icy glare, Gu Fei smiled and said, “You keep resting. I’ll go check if Da Ya and Er Ya have lunch ready. If you want to go shopping, I’m free this afternoon. I’ll take you around.”

He turned to leave, trying to slip away, but after just two steps, Xiao Lingshuang’s cold voice called out behind him.

“You shameless bandit. Do your words from this morning still count or not?”

Gu Fei paused, “What did I say this morning?”

“You!” Xiao Lingshuang nearly exploded again.

“Didn’t you say you’d take responsibility? And now you pretend to forget? Men are all trash, but you… you’re the worst! A liar!”

Gu Fei wanted to laugh—at least she was talking again, which meant she was okay.

But calling him irresponsible was going too far. Who in Shangyuan City would say he didn’t take responsibility?

He really wanted her to go out and ask around herself.

“Miss Leng, my words are as solid as nails. Once I say something, I never take it back. Tell me, how do you want me to take responsibility? Do you want me to formally marry you? If you agree, we can hold the wedding tonight!”

“Hmph, you dirty official! Dream on. I want you to personally escort me back to Dadu!”

Gu Fei blinked in surprise, “That’s it?”

“So if I take you back to Dadu, everything between us is settled?”

Xiao Lingshuang’s heart surged with murderous intent. “You damn bandit, you still think this is something that can be settled? Once I get to Dadu, if I don’t tear you to pieces, I’m not Xiao Lingshuang!”

But on the surface, she remained calm and even nodded, “Just send me back to Dadu first.”

Sending her back to Dadu? That was easy.

He’d accidentally taken her body. Escorting her back was only right. And along the way, maybe he could persuade her.

If she helped him from the inside, Shangyuan City’s future could change drastically. After all, Marquis of Juluhou, Leng Hongyi, didn’t hold much military power himself, but many of his people were commanding troops.

Calling him a regional warlord wouldn’t be wrong.

“Alright. When do you want to leave? I’ll prepare.”

“Tomorrow morning!”

“Hiss… can’t do tomorrow. I have other things to handle.”

Xiao Lingshuang’s chest heaved in frustration. So this guy was just sweet-talking after all.

“Trying to weasel out of it now?”

Gu Fei chuckled, “What do you mean weasel out? Did I say I wouldn’t take you back?”

“You just said tomorrow won’t work!”

“I didn’t say the day after won’t work. I have things to do tomorrow. If you don’t believe me, I’ll bring you along and let you see for yourself.”

Hearing that he had matters to attend to tomorrow, Xiao Lingshuang stopped pressing, though she was still anxious.

Every day she delayed increased the risk. Who knew what that second prince, Xiao Yang, might be doing in her absence?

But if it was only one day, she could endure.

Still, she couldn’t help but think—if they hadn’t consummated their marriage, this guy probably wouldn’t agree to take her back.

At that moment, Xiao Tao came to report, “Madam, Master… lunch is ready!”

Gu Fei nodded.

Xiao Lingshuang didn’t like being called ‘Madam’ by the servants, but she didn’t feel the need to correct it either.

“I’ll help you up!” Gu Fei noticed she hadn’t risen from the chair and hurried over to assist.

But Xiao Lingshuang’s expression turned cold, and she waved him off, “Stay back. I don’t need your help.”

Gu Fei forced a smile and muttered, “Fine, don’t need help. Who said I wanted to help anyway… I was just worried your… sore spot would hurt.”

At Gu Fei’s home, every meal had meat.

Once Gu Fei and Xiao Lingshuang were seated at the table, Da Ya came rushing in with a bubbling clay pot from the kitchen. “Madam, try this clay pot stewed beef—it’s delicious!”

Xiao Lingshuang’s face turned cold, “You’re bold. Don’t you know eating beef is illegal in Beiheng?”

Gu Fei ignored her sanctimonious outrage and picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks, placing it in her bowl. “In Shangyuan City, there’s no such thing as forbidden food. Cows are raised to be eaten.”

Just like eggs and chicken. Eat, and they’ll lay more.

Xiao Lingshuang was speechless at such heretical talk.

But the rich aroma of the beef filled her nose, relentlessly tempting her taste buds.

“It… does smell good.” Though she was an Emperor, she had never tasted beef before.

But she knew it was prized. She’d often heard whispers about it.

And in Beiheng, which noble family didn’t secretly eat beef?

Everyone turned a blind eye.

But the Emperor couldn’t take the lead. If she ate it publicly, the consequences would be severe.

“Eat. In my home, I guarantee you’ll be fine. In fact, all of Shangyuan City is fine. Everyone eats it.”

Gu Fei encouraged her again.

Xiao Lingshuang finally gave in to the mouthwatering aroma. Her cheeks flushed, she picked up the beef and gently put it in her mouth.

The meat was tender, springy, and full of flavor—far better than horse meat.

In that moment, the female Emperor finally understood why people risked prison to eat beef.

It was delicious… really delicious!