CHAPTER 466: CHAPTER 466 : XIE JIANYU’S DARK PAST (11)

It was the worst time possible to come forward with his own pregnancy.

With his father’s icy glare and his elder brother’s barely veiled displeasure weighing heavily upon him, the months ahead stretched out like a desolate wasteland. Every passing day was a fresh scrape against a raw wound, turning his already difficult situation into a living hell in the most literal sense.

It was painful to endure the questioning stares of the palace officials at the Golden Dragon Palace, but it was also difficult to stay within the walls of Fuxi Palace without losing his mind.

After his audience with the Emperor one day, Xie Jianyu sought solace in a stroll around the Crystal Jade Pond. Reserved primarily for educational purposes, the area rarely saw adults. The air was filled with the playful laughter of children, who lingered behind after their classes, waiting for their parents to come and pick them up.

Their glowing cheeks and bright eyes brought a flicker of warmth to Xie Jianyu’s heart.

Was his child going to be as cute? He wondered as he let one hand rest against his stomach.

Was he going to grow up being loved and doted on in the Longjing Palace?

Yes, naturally, Xie Jianyu thought to himself confidently.

Just then, his eyes were drawn to a solitary figure who stood at the edge of the pond. Xie Jianyu’s mouth fell open in astonishment when he realized who it was. It was Liu Wenyuan.

Usually, the omega prince embodied meticulous grace, his face perpetually adorned with a smile. He favored vibrant clothing and eye-catching accessories, always striving to enhance his appearance. Today, however, his head hung low, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Forlorn, he seemed burdened by an unseen weight.

Xie Jianyu knew very well the reason for this sudden change.

It was the miscarriage.

There was little Xie Jianyu could do to cheer the other omega up, especially because he was pregnant with Zhang Fengxi’s child. On the other hand, he also could not pretend not to see Liu Wenyuan and leave him behind with good conscience. At the very least, offering condolences seemed like the right thing to do.

"Prince Liu Wenyuan, good morning."

Liu Wenyuan slowly raised his head and looked at Xie Jianyu. Unease filled the Crown Prince’s heart when the other omega’s gaze seemed to flicker to his abdomen just for a split second.

Liu Wenyuan responded to the greeting with a hollow voice, "Your Majesty, good morning."

He did not bother to offer a curtsy, and Xie Jianyu also did not demand any sign of deference. The Crown Prince swallowed hard, the words lodging in his throat like barbed wire, choking back any attempt to utter them.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them before Liu Wenyuan called out to the Crown Prince.

"Your Majesty, according to the legend, the bottom of all water bodies in the Heavenly Realm is connected to the Underworld. Your Majesty, do you think that it is true?"

Xie Jianyu was just pondering the answer to the query when Liu Wenyuan kicked off the edge of the pond and threw himself into the icy water.

"PRINCE LIU WENYUAN!"

Xie Jianyu sprinted to where Liu Wenyuan had stood moments ago. Reaching for his lapels, he intended to throw off his heavy cloak before diving into the pond. But then, a sharp kick from his baby jolted him. It felt like a silent plea from within, urging him not to risk the baby’s life.

Xie Jianyu’s breath was stuck in his throat. In the end, he turned around and summoned the guards to the pond for help.

Xie Jianyu watched with a pounding heart as the guards dragged Liu Wenyuan’s limp and cold body to the edge of the pond and tried their best to revive him. Alas, it was too late. The omega prince was beyond rescue, his soul leaving for the Underworld not long after.

News of the tragic incident reached Supreme General Zhang Fengxi, who immediately soared towards the Crystal Jade Pond. The sight of his lover’s lifeless form shattered him, erupting in a desolate roar.

"Why???" he asked the guards, who stood around in a circle. "Why did no one save him???"

"We are sorry, Prince," the guards answered. "We came as fast as possible to answer the Crown Prince’s summon, but..."

Zhang Fengxi slowly raised his head in Xie Jianyu’s direction, his gaze laced with hatred.

"Summon?"

Xie Jianyu’s fingers clenched into fists as he met Zhang Fengxi’s gaze, fighting to keep the anxiety churning in his heart from showing on his face.

"Xie Jianyu, was it so difficult to jump into the lake and save Wenyuan on your own? Or was his life not worth getting yourself wet?!"

Zhang Fengxi’s words, sharp as a thousand blades, pierced Xie Jianyu’s heart, shattering it into a million pieces. The Crown Prince clenched his jaw, biting down on his lip until it bled. A metallic tang filled his mouth.

I can’t, Fengxi, he screamed in his head.

I am pregnant with your child!

I don’t want to kill the child!

"Prince Zhang Fengxi, please control yourself!" Head Eunuch Wang, newly arrived, drew everyone’s attention by immediately admonishing Zhang Fengxi. "Watch who you are speaking to!"

Xie Jianyu raised a hand, silencing Head Eunuch Wang before he could speak another word. Leaving was all he desired at that moment. He cared neither for punishing Zhang Fengxi’s insolence nor for receiving an apology from said alpha. All he craved was to return to Fuxi Palace, curl up on his bed, and wallow in self-pity.

"It’s not my fault," A strangled cough escaped Qiao Wei’s lips as his haggard breath brushed against the First Demon King’s palm.

"It is not," the First Demon King agreed as he poured more demonic energy into Qiao Wei’s body. "But they blamed you. They all blamed you. Crown Prince, what a pitiful person you are. Did it not hurt?"

"... Hurt," Qiao Wei’s voice trembled as tears welled in his closed eyes, spilling down his cheeks without pause. "It hurt so much... help..."