Just thinking that the person you love the most could kill you by cutting your abdomen and not letting you see your child is enough for He Zheng to shudder.
Whether it was a bad dream or real life, one thing was clear: he had to get away. He used all of his strength and energy to jump from the bed but fell to the floor below in one quick move.
"Ow!" He groaned in pain as he felt a sharp ache in his body, made worse by the sharp pieces of the broken bed frame below him.
While struggling to breathe, he realized he was being given drugs. It was obvious that his own relative, He Jinhua, had planned this evil scheme to stop him from escaping.
Thinking about where he came from made his situation even more complicated. He was the child of a special oiran and He Xiangguo, born into a world of wealth and mystery. But things took a strange turn when his ill mother begged Mrs. He to take care of him, kneeling in desperation at their door.
His complicated past now felt like it was trapping him more, as He Zheng struggled with the tough reality of his current situation.
Mrs. He, holding her new baby boy, felt a lump in her throat as she looked at him for the first time. She wanted to give him love like a mother, but she felt inadequate, knowing that her son's future would be affected by their family's shame.
Similarly, He Xiangguo, the head of the family, couldn't get rid of the embarrassment that staining their family name. Even though he tried to hide it, the burden was heavy on him, harming their once respected family line.
However, in the midst of the darkness, there was one shining light - He Jinhua. Captivated by the boy's stunning beauty, He Jinhua couldn't help but feel real love for his younger sibling. Despite the forbidden of their relationship, his love for He Zheng only deepened as time passed.
Over time, He Zheng, craving love and validation, felt comfort in the caring support of his elder brother. Despite what society expected, their closeness went beyond just being family, growing into something deeper and meaningful.
But despite their seemingly perfect relationship, there was a truth - Fang Tianzhuo, the ruler, had no respect for women. He saw He Zheng as just a tool in his political plans, a means to strengthen his control and authority.
Without He Zheng knowing, he was just a piece in his brother's big plan. He Jinhua and He Xiangguo, driven by their own goals, started scheming against Fang Tianzhuo when he became the ruler. But their plans were risky, and they didn't dare to confront the ruler directly, fearing his anger.
When their evil plan to drug He Zheng and make him give birth succeeded, He Jinhua felt a bit hopeful. But his hopes were crushed when He Zheng firmly said no, refusing to be controlled by his own family. It was in this moment of desperation that He Zheng saw He Jinhua's true intentions.
When He Zheng needed help, he turned to Fang Tianzhuo, the only person who had been kind to him during the chaos. As he looked at the ruler, He Zheng felt a new purpose, imagining a future where he stood by his side as a close friend and advisor.
Once more, He Zheng felt disappointed, making him feel completely beaten.
As he felt more and more hopeless, He Zheng started to lose control. Even though He Jinhua kept pushing for rebellion, He Zheng finally gave in and decided to support his brother's plan. But the loneliness of his pregnancy was very hard for him, eating away at his sanity every day.
At the same time, Fang Tianzhuo, always watchful, waited for the right moment to act. Knowing about He Zheng's situation, he patiently waited for the child to be born, seeing it as the perfect chance to get rid of his enemy for good.
Trying to climb up to the pillar next to him, He Zheng thought about escaping. He held on to the small hope that the drug's effects would fade soon, giving him the opportunity to escape from Fang Tianzhuo and find his freedom.
As time dragged on, He Zheng imagined a future without the struggles of pregnancy and political plots. He dreamt of a life where he could take back control and decide his own fate, free from the plans of his enemies.
He Zheng decided to run to the distant parts of the kingdom, set on getting away from Fang Tianzhuo no matter what. Even if it meant risking a slow death in the palace, He Zheng promised to resist the idea of having a caesarean birth.
While planning his escape, He Zheng couldn't ignore Fang Tianzhuo's cleverness. Even though he worked hard, the ruler didn't notice his actions, showing Fang Tianzhuo's strong concentration and control.
Indeed, Fang Tianzhuo's skill in controlling his basic urges and staying calm when tempted was impressive.
He Zheng stepped back behind a screen, shaking with tiredness as he fell onto the hard ground. Each breath was rough and reminded him of how weak he was in tough situations.
Blaming He Jinhua for his deceitful plans, He Zheng tried to find comfort in the darkness around him. Even though he desperately wanted relief, his body wouldn't cooperate, lacking the strength to make his escape.
"Go back," a soft, pleasant male voice suddenly interrupted, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a gentle blade. He Zheng, used to being anchor and he always called himself He Dazheng. Fans often compared this voice to the sweetness of milk, very different from He Zheng's own manner. He thought about whether he would have to drop his gentle mask and be more forceful in this new life.
As he thought about this, a small hope shine in his heart. Could it be? Was this voice from Fang Tianzhuo himself?
What if Fang Tianzhuo didn't find him in bed? Would he become angry when he realized he was gone?
Just thinking about it made He Zheng shiver, but he made himself stay calm. It wasn't the right moment to show where he was hiding.
As time passed, he held his breath, waiting for Fang Tianzhuo's next move.
"Huh?" Fang Tianzhuo pulled back the bed curtain, only to see the space empty. His brows rise in confusion, a rare look of puzzlement appearing on his face.
He Zheng breathed out and in slowly, trying to control his breathing.
Fang Tianzhuo's sharp senses picked up the slightest sound of movement, leading him to turn his head to find where it came from.
Behind the screen, a flash of light blue fabric caught his eye, revealing He Zheng's hiding place.
"You can't see me, you can't see me, you can't see me..." He Zheng whispered to himself, hoping his invisibility would work.
"Well, I can't see you," Fang Tianzhuo's amused voice said, recognizing He Zheng's hiding.