SLLBTT Chapter 84
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 84⊱⊷⋇
False pregnancy symptoms in canines were indeed common, but relatively rare among canine demons. Due to the limited cases and the unique demonic aura of canine demons, it was challenging to discern such false symptoms. Most healers in the Heavenly Palace hadn't even heard of it, making them susceptible to being deceived and mistaking false pregnancy for the real thing.
However, experts in the Wolf Palace were abundant in this regard. The Wolf Palace had a history of consorts feigning pregnancy to gain favor. Notably, Queen Ming of the previous dynasty used hormones to simulate pregnancy, staging a fake threat of miscarriage to frame other consorts. Yet, Queen Ming's misuse of medication led to his own infertility.
In the palace, there were specialists studying false pregnancy symptoms. The royal physician appointed to care for the Wolf Noble Lady by the Snow Wolf King was an expert in this field. It was impossible for him to make a misjudgment.
The Snow Wolf King never suspected Bai Qingsi until he saw the video of Bai Qingsi scheming against him.
Bai Qingsi could very well be faking a pregnancy, but if he was, the royal physician would undoubtedly see through it.
In this aspect, the Snow Wolf King and Bai Lingling's thoughts were in sync.
Bai Lingling had already used the Heavenly Network System to thoroughly investigate the royal physician's situation. Although he was known in the palace for his expertise in obstetrics, he was also a specialist in false pregnancy symptoms among canine demons.
More intriguingly, the royal physician was a fan of Bai Qingsi. "Bai Qingsi has fans?" Liu Jiao exclaimed in astonishment.
"Yes," Bai Lingling said, "I have them too."
"Huh?"
"All celebrities have fans. Even the royal nobility is not exempt," Bai Lingling replied.
The royal physician managed Bai Qingsi's fan support account on social media. Every day, rallying cries echoed: "I love you, my king!"
Each day brought a post: "This marks the Xth day since the Great King left us."
Bai Lingling observed and commented, "It seems the royal physician and Bai Qingsi are colluding. The royal physician is loyal to Bai Qingsi, so..."
"Here's the question," Liu Jiao puzzled, "with so many palace physicians, how did Bai Qingsi ensure he got assigned this particular one?"
Leng Jiao rubbed his chin. "Because he caused a commotion on the day when the royal physician was on duty."
"A commotion?" Liu Jiao inquired, still a bit fuzzy.
Leng Jiao explained, "Remember? He publicly announced he was pregnant, claiming discomfort and requiring the urgent presence of a doctor."
That night remained fresh in Leng Jiao's memory. He couldn't understand why the Wolf Noble Lady was so eager to stir up trouble, making a scene on that particular night. Even if Leng Jiao and Bai Lingling hadn't been meeting privately, Bai Qingsi would have found another reason to cause a disturbance.
Bai Lingling sighed. "Bai Qingsi faked a pregnancy and roped in his top fan to weave the lie. The top fan, to protect his idol, not only dared to deceive the Great King but even sealed his own lips. This is really..."
Liu Jiao chimed in, "A true fan?"
"Fanatical fan," Bai Lingling asserted.
Leng Jiao simply said, "Now that we have the evidence, we must hurry to the Heavenly Palace and set things straight for the Great King."
Bai Lingling nodded but placed a hand on Leng Jiao's shoulder. "You stay with your parents. Don't go anywhere. Liu Jiao and I will go to the Heavenly Palace. Wait for our good news."
"Why?"
"Even as a smart sheep, how can you not understand?" Bai Lingling said. "It's dangerous there. Liu Jiao and I will be fine. This matter originally had nothing to do with you..."
Leng Jiao became somewhat anxious. "How does it have nothing to do with me? I'm responsible for nurturing the Wolf Noble Lady's pregnancy. I have a duty too."
"You're not a Noble Consort anymore. You don't need to bear that responsibility," Bai Lingling said. "This is also a favor from Bai Xiaoxiao to me. That's precisely why I have to support him. As for you, you shouldn't be going."
Leng Jiao tried to argue, "But..." only managing to say "but" without much conviction.
Bai Lingling suddenly embraced Leng Jiao. "From the past until now, so many years, I haven't forgotten you."
However, Leng Jiao said, "I don't like eating grass carp."
Bai Lingling, upon hearing this, was taken aback and said, "That's true. I guessed as much."
Leng Jiao added, "You promised to give a piece of pasture as a betrothal gift. Don't forget that."
Upon hearing Leng Jiao's words, Bai Lingling was happier than hearing anything else. He held Leng Jiao's hand and said, "I won't forget."
Liu Jiao, watching the tender embrace between Bai Lingling and Leng Jiao, was deeply moved and couldn't help but vomit.
"Ugh—" Liu Jiao vomited his lunch.
"You..." Leng Jiao was about to say something.
"Ack—" Liu Jiao vomited his breakfast.
Lanmao handed water to Liu Jiao to rinse his mouth. After rinsing, he drank a cup of hot water before recovering. Bai Lingling only asked, "Did you eat something wrong?"
Leng Jiao remarked, "I've always thought you eat too much. You're bound to get stomach issues sooner or later."
Liu Jiao, however, said, "It's fine. I'm just too anxious. Let's hurry and go find the Great King!"
Bai Lingling then bid farewell to Leng Jiao. Together with Liu Jiao, they transformed back into their original forms and swiftly flew towards the Heavenly Palace.
Lanmao watched as a large white wolf and a snow leopard dashed away and asked, "Why not take a cab?"
Leng Jiao replied, "Cars can't run as fast as leopards."
For climbing mountains and crossing waters, a leopard was undoubtedly faster. Moreover, Liu Jiao had demonic powers, enabling him to cover long distances. While the snow wolf's speed couldn't match the snow leopard's, thanks to Bai Lingling's divine bloodline, his running speed could rival that of a snow leopard.
Liu Jiao and Bai Lingling, midway through their journey, stopped at an inn to rest. After the strenuous run, their energy was depleted, and it was time for a meal. Liu Jiao said, "I heard you like roasted whole lamb?"
"Not anymore, not anymore," Bai Lingling said, "Leng Jiao doesn't like me eating lamb."
So, Bai Lingling ordered multiple plates of beef and enthusiastically started eating. After a while, he glanced at Liu Jiao and said, "Why aren't you eating?"
Liu Jiao replied, "I'm always anxious. I can't eat."
Bai Lingling said, "I think you're too worried about Bai Xiaoxiao, but you still need to eat. Otherwise, you won't have the strength to run."
"I can still run," Liu Jiao insisted.
"No, you should eat a little." Bai Lingling pushed a plate of chicken towards Liu Jiao.
Liu Jiao, persuaded to eat, unexpectedly became agitated, exhaling fiercely and growling, "Haha—hooooowl!"
Bai Lingling was somewhat surprised at Liu Jiao suddenly growling and baring his teeth.
Liu Jiao was surprised at his own outburst. He had never experienced such agitation before. Regaining composure, he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I..."
"It's okay." Bai Lingling not only wasn't angry but also consoled him, "I understand your feelings. If Leng Jiao were in danger, I would struggle to control my emotions too."
The thought of Xiao Baizi possibly being in danger made Liu Jiao even more anxious.
At this moment, the Snow Wolf King remained unharmed. He knelt before the Son of Heaven, presenting his deduction, "Bai Qingsi faked a pregnancy and faked his death."
"How could that be!" The Son of Heaven found it hard to believe, but realizing that Bai Qingsi had only faked his death and not actually passed away, he strangely felt relieved and was willing to entertain this absurd notion.
The Snow Wolf King explained, "Bai Qingsi, unruly and rebellious, unwilling to continue receiving the Son of Heaven's 'enlightenment,' faked a pregnancy and left the palace, returning to the Northern Kingdom. In the North, he has old allies who helped him with the fake pregnancy and death."
"If he faked a pregnancy and death, then what about the child supposedly born as the Snow Wolf King's son?"
"That so-called 'Snow Wolf Prince'..." the Snow Wolf King spoke slowly, "is naturally Bai Qingsi himself."
"What did you say?"
The Snow Wolf King continued with his speculation, "Disguise and altering one's scent are easily attainable skills. I've used such methods myself. With the assistance of a royal physician, I believe Bai Qingsi could achieve it too. The problem probably lies in the fact that no matter how advanced the disguise technique the physician possesses, they cannot transform Bai Qingsi into an actual infant. Hence, the fabrication of the lie that the child grew from an infant to an adult in two days. To avoid Bai Qingsi exposing himself through speech, they claimed the prince was a mute and mentally challenged. With Bai Qingsi silently sitting there after the transformation, eating, drinking, and using the facilities, they could successfully deceive."
"Absurd!" The Son of Heaven found it unbelievable. "It's utterly absurd!"
"Indeed," the Snow Wolf King sighed, "but as long as we bring the prince to verify his identity, the falsehood will naturally unravel — whether it's my lie or his lie."
The Son of Heaven had to face a dilemma: If it was proven that Bai Qingsi hadn't died, it would also confirm the extent to which Bai Qingsi detested the Son of Heaven, going to great lengths to escape.
"This isn't right..." The Son of Heaven recalled, "He told me he wanted to bear a child for me, so he took forbidden medicine..."
The Snow Wolf King speculated, "The forbidden medicine he used is probably the same as what Queen Ming used back then? It could induce false pregnancy symptoms..."
The Son of Heaven pounded the table in anger. "I refuse to believe it!"