Shu Qing found it hard to accept this guess. All his calmness and composure were crushed by this speculation, along with his soul and body, everything seemed to be on the verge of disintegrating at this moment. It felt like falling into the abyss of purgatory, like plunging into an icy cellar. Reason told him to confirm it first, but his heart didn’t dare to. Shu Qing had never been so timid, panicked, and helpless, not knowing what to do. He forgot how he finished that meal, his whole state was muddled, his soul seemed to drift away, and he couldn’t hear what the King of the Underworld was saying. After taking a few bites absentmindedly, he lay down to rest.
It took several hours for Shu Qing to pull himself out of this extreme fear and start thinking about countermeasures again. If the worst-case scenario happened, and he really had a child… then this child absolutely couldn’t stay! Not only couldn’t it stay, but he also couldn’t let the King of the Underworld know! If the King of the Underworld suddenly wanted him to give birth, then he would never be able to leave the Underworld, trapped there for eternity! Killing an unwanted child, Shu Qing believed he could do it without hesitation. But after the endless fear and cold-bloodedness, a rare bit of softness and sadness emerged. This was also his flesh and blood, his offspring… A small life he had already seen in his dreams, lively and playful, clinging to him…
Shu Qing closed his eyes, not understanding why such a thing happened to him. Was it really his retribution? But he wasn’t some heinous villain; apart from teaching a few people who disliked him a lesson, he hadn’t done anything terribly wrong, right? There were plenty of people worse than him, weren’t there? Wasn’t the King of the Underworld more ruthless and cold-hearted than him? But why, why him…
His eyes unknowingly became moist. When was the last time he cried so weakly and incompetently? The King of the Underworld was sleeping beside him, and Shu Qing didn’t dare to make too much noise, only wanting to hold back these useless tears. But the more he thought about it, the more the tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking half of his face as he turned away from the King of the Underworld.
The scent changed. The King of the Underworld hadn’t fallen asleep yet, always smelling the fragrance on Shu Qing. Over time, it became faint and not as obvious. But suddenly, there was a change, very abrupt. The King of the Underworld’s keen sense of smell immediately caught it, and he opened his eyes in the dark. Was it a bit of sadness? Maybe with some anger and helplessness? The King of the Underworld didn’t have time to think about what these scents and emotions meant, because at the moment of perception, a very natural and irresistible protective instinct rose in his heart. He realized the little butterfly was sad, and he just needed to protect and comfort him.
The King of the Underworld turned over, reached out to embrace Shu Qing, who was facing away from him, and asked in a low voice, “…Not asleep yet? Feeling unwell?” His hand landed on Shu Qing’s stomach, the warmth from his palm passing through the thin quilt. A few strands of weak spiritual power also came over. Now Shu Qing could truly confirm it. Why could he suddenly absorb the King of the Underworld’s spiritual power? Because the gap between him and the King of the Underworld was so vast, with his own power, he couldn’t bear the consequences of nurturing the King of the Underworld’s offspring. It was the fetus in his belly trying desperately to absorb the King of the Underworld’s spiritual power to survive. Blood ties. So even the King of the Underworld was unaware of it. The poisoning reaction could also be explained. Shu Qing himself was not poisonous, couldn’t give birth to a poisonous butterfly, it could only be that the King of the Underworld had some toxicity in his body, so he was unlucky enough to be affected. If this was true, the poisoning reaction wouldn’t last long, and his body would gradually adapt and resolve it. He really had the King of the Underworld’s child in his belly…
Feeling so wronged that he was about to cry, Shu Qing just wanted to be alone and quiet, but the King of the Underworld insisted on sticking close, making Shu Qing further verify the completely unacceptable guess. Shu Qing couldn’t hold it together anymore. All his usual disguises shattered, and at this moment, he couldn’t pretend to be obedient and compliant, unwilling to suppress his grievances any longer, and didn’t bother to feign civility with the King of the Underworld, letting his emotions explode completely. He broke free from the King of the Underworld’s embrace, pulled out the pillow from under his head, and pressed it directly on the King of the Underworld’s face, using his other hand to hit wildly. His fists, separated by the pillow, didn’t really land on the King of the Underworld’s face, but it was enough to leave the King of the Underworld bewildered, unable to react to what was happening. He wanted to speak but couldn’t, as his mouth was covered by the pillow, only able to feel Shu Qing’s fists falling like raindrops, and hear Shu Qing’s angry voice with a sobbing tone.
“…I hate you, I hate you! How dare you lock me up, how dare you! I’ll beat you to death, beat you to death!” Shu Qing’s actions were no different from courting death. How could the King of the Underworld tolerate someone beside him hitting him? If the King of the Underworld wanted to retaliate, one palm could turn Shu Qing back to his original form, scattering his soul, turning him to dust. But the King of the Underworld was truly enchanted by the fragrance on Shu Qing. Not only was there no anger, but he also noticed that Shu Qing seemed to be crying. What grievance was this? So angry that he had to hit someone to vent? And the strength was so small, hitting someone didn’t hurt at all, was he really feeling unwell somewhere?
One hand quickly became two, as Shu Qing vented wildly, pounding away: “…I hate you, hate you! I’ll perish with you!”
After taking two punches to the nose, the King of the Underworld finally reached out to hold Shu Qing, controlling this crazy little butterfly. “Are you really rebelling? How dare you lay hands on me?” But thinking about it, he found it amusing. All this talk of hate, wasn’t it just acting spoiled? Even threatening to perish together? Really daring to say anything.
“Let go of me, let go of me! If you have the guts, kill me now!”
Shu Qing struggled madly in the King of the Underworld’s arms, thrashing around, almost making it impossible for the King of the Underworld to hold him.
“Alright, stop making a fuss!”
Shu Qing was relentless, continuing to struggle: “Let go of me! You bastard, let go of me! I hate you, I’ll bite you to death!”
But the more he said it, the more it sounded real. The King of the Underworld was a bit unhappy, his palm landing heavily on Shu Qing’s butt: “Behave!”
But he didn’t control his strength, and this slap was too heavy. Shu Qing only felt his stomach drop suddenly, an indescribable fear spreading through his body, and he screamed: “Ah—”
Startling the King of the Underworld.
“…What happened, did I really hit too hard? Did it hurt you? Let me see?”
But the next second, Shu Qing only struggled harder: “…Don’t touch me, let go of me! Let go of me, let go of me!”
“…”
The King of the Underworld had never seen Shu Qing throwing such a tantrum, almost rolling on the ground. Unable to hold him down on the bed, the King of the Underworld had no choice but to carry Shu Qing off the bed.
Once in the air, Shu Qing indeed calmed down a lot, no longer struggling wildly.
“…What are you fussing about, just because of what I said during the day, not agreeing to let you stay in the Human World for a few more days?”
The King of the Underworld didn’t know why Shu Qing was fussing. The only reasonable reason he could guess was this.
“Your temper is getting bigger and bigger, aren’t you afraid of me… hissing, let go, let go, you dare to bite me?!”
Shu Qing was biting the King of the Underworld’s shoulder, angry and heartbroken, his face full of tears.
“…Get angry! Get angry! Kill me! Anyway, you’ll kill me sooner or later!”
“…”
“Kill me tonight! So I don’t have to worry about when you’ll kill me!”
“…”
“Slap me to death!”
“…”
He was a bit emotional just now. But hearing Shu Qing say this, the King of the Underworld wasn’t angry anymore, only finding it amusing.
“Alright, alright, don’t cry… Crying like this over such trivial matters, isn’t it embarrassing?”
“Otherwise, cry louder, let the whole mansion see the joke, I’ll be embarrassed with you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Shu Qing really raised his voice, seemingly wanting to vent all the suppressed emotions in his heart, crying loudly.
The King of the Underworld: “…”
The King of the Underworld was at a loss. Unable to block his mouth, he had to carry him around the room, later even going outside, coaxing him along the way.
“…Alright, alright, don’t cry, it’s not a big deal, crying like this.”
“Then how about I let you stay in the Human World? Stay as long as you want.”
“Yes, yes, staying in the Underworld has wronged you.”
Shu Qing didn’t answer, just kept crying loudly, unable to be coaxed.
Until he was too tired to cry, having no strength left, he had to lie on the King of the Underworld’s shoulder, sobbing and falling asleep.
The King of the Underworld didn’t immediately carry him back to the room, afraid Shu Qing hadn’t slept deeply and would wake up if put down, causing another fuss.
So he had to carry him, continuing to walk around the courtyard, until Shu Qing’s breathing calmed and the fragrance on him gradually returned, finally feeling at ease.
The guards deliberately kept their distance, but still witnessed the whole process of the King of the Underworld coaxing someone.
Only when the King of the Underworld was about to return to the room did they dare to approach, opening the door for him.
Before stepping into the room, the guard heard the King of the Underworld sigh and ask, “Am I usually too strict with him?”
“…”
Strict? This little butterfly is arrogant and haughty everywhere, who is really strict with whom?
“He actually thinks I’ll kill him…”
“…”
The little butterfly did kill two little stewards.
The guard respectfully and honestly replied, “I dare not speak rashly, but I think… Your Highness has already shown great favor to the little immortal.”
Who in the entire Underworld doesn’t know he is favored by His Highness the King of the Underworld? His food, clothing, and use are all the best, and he even lives in the King of the Underworld’s sleeping palace.
The servants privately say this is a rare favor, and even if there is a proper queen in the future, she may not receive such treatment.
The King of the Underworld said, “Forget it, what do you know.”
“…”
After speaking, the King of the Underworld strode into the room, waving his sleeve to close the door.
…
After crying and making a fuss without considering the consequences, Shu Qing felt his whole body was hollowed out, but unexpectedly slept well.
The next day, he slept until the light of day, waking up because he was too hungry.
All the bad emotions had been vented, and now he felt calm and peaceful, accepting the reality that he was indeed pregnant.
So be it.
Anyway, death wasn’t far away.
Having acted so recklessly towards the King of the Underworld, talking back and laying hands… although he didn’t know why the King of the Underworld spared him last night, today he would surely settle accounts with him.
What could Shu Qing do?
He decided to eat his fill before dying.
Shu Qing called for a maid, saying he was hungry and wanted pastries and snacks.
Before long, the table was filled with these foods.
So when the King of the Underworld entered the room, he saw Shu Qing taking big bites of pastries while also eating glutinous rice balls.
The King of the Underworld waved away all the servants, walked to Shu Qing’s side, and asked with a half-smile, “Is it good?”
Shu Qing’s mood was a bit complicated at this moment.
On one hand, he wanted to just let it go; on the other, he thought of ways to make amends.
But thinking about what was in his belly, he was too lazy to make amends.
A rare silence.
He looked at the King of the Underworld blankly, without blinking.
“…What, fearless last night, now you’re scared?”
“…”
“Tell me, after what you did last night, how should I punish you?”
“…”
Shu Qing knew the King of the Underworld wouldn’t let him off.
But faced with such an unexpected situation, he hadn’t thought of a solution, and even in the face of the King of the Underworld’s anger, he didn’t know how to respond.
“Your Highness can punish me however you want…”
Shu Qing lowered his head, taking another bite of the pastry.
“Whatever punishment, I’ll accept it…”
Better to eat his fill first.
If it was really an unbearable punishment, he might as well bite his tongue and end it.
The King of the Underworld originally wanted to tease him, but seeing Shu Qing’s passive resistance, he felt he was truly hurt.
“Alright, I’m not scaring you. Making a fuss once in a while, I won’t hold it against you.”
Shu Qing was about to take a bite but paused at these words.
What did this mean?
The King of the Underworld just let him off?
“But don’t do it again next time. Crying over such trivial matters—you may not care about losing face, but I do.”
“…”
“If you want to stay in the Human World for a few more days, then stay… if I really didn’t want you to stay, I would have taken you back yesterday. Would I have let you stay here overnight?”
He hadn’t heard what the King of the Underworld said last night, but now Shu Qing understood—so the King of the Underworld thought he was fussing for this reason?
Then let it be that reason.
It saved him from finding an excuse to convince the King of the Underworld. Since the King of the Underworld had already convinced himself, it made things easier for him.
“I found a tailor from the Human World to measure you for new clothes. They’ll come later. They say there are many styles in the Human World—try them.”
The King of the Underworld stood up, reaching out to tap Shu Qing’s nose.
“I have things to do today. I need to go to the Heavenly Realm and will be back later. I won’t accompany you—find something fun to do yourself.”
“Don’t make such a fuss again, understand?”
Shu Qing finally responded, pretending to be pitiful: “…Mm, I understand.”
The King of the Underworld looked at him for a while, then reached out to touch his face.
“I’ll come back early. There’s a restaurant nearby that’s said to be good—I’ll take you to try it tonight.”
Shu Qing took the opportunity to step down, pretending last night’s incident never happened.
“…Mm, then I’ll wait for Your Highness to return.”
Until the King of the Underworld left, Shu Qing still felt like he was in a dream.
The King of the Underworld forgave him? Really let him off?
Why?
Even if it was the reason the King of the Underworld misunderstood, it wasn’t enough to easily forgive, right?
Or was the King of the Underworld planning another punishment?
But that didn’t seem likely.
Given the King of the Underworld’s temperament, he wouldn’t do such a thing, because there was no need.
Shu Qing stayed in the room all day.
Using physical discomfort as an excuse, he didn’t see anyone, only seriously planning his next steps.
He still had to escape.
Whether or not there was a child in his belly, since his goal was to stay away from the King of the Underworld, nothing should shake that.
Just as the King of the Underworld didn’t hold him accountable for last night’s abnormal behavior, he would continue with his original plan.
As it gradually got dark, the King of the Underworld returned.
After a whole day of thinking, Shu Qing had adjusted his state, returning to his usual self.
Seeing the King of the Underworld, he was about to step forward, but noticed the King of the Underworld’s aura was unusually dark and heavy, his expression terrifyingly bad.
“Your Highness…”
Shu Qing stopped his steps, instinctively taking two steps back.
Was he still going to settle accounts with him?
Was he waiting for him to let his guard down before settling?
But Shu Qing didn’t expect the real situation to be worse than he imagined.
“Today I got something very interesting, can you guess what it is?”
“…”
Shu Qing was puzzled until he saw the letters between him and Xiao Cao being taken out from the King of the Underworld’s sleeve. His face instantly lost all color.
“Heh, Immortal Lord, do you miss him very much, such touching affection.”
“…”
“You’ve been plotting how to leave the Underworld, haven’t you!”
[Author’s Note]
King of the Underworld’s big breakdown scene — Another day of writing that made me feel great [sunglasses]