Faking a Pregnancy to Survive Under the Tyrant

Qiao Xi transmigrated into a melodramatic danmei novel and became a universally despised cannon-fodder character.

He was an illegitimate son, raised outside the family until he was eighteen, when they finally acknowledged him.

His father ignored him, his stepmother resented him, and his older brother looked down on him.

Even the household servants could bully him with impunity.

His older brother began his studies at five, wrote essays at eight, and was renowned throughout the capital by eighteen.

Qiao Xi had spent eighteen years in the countryside and couldn’t even use a calligraphy brush.

The two looked almost exactly alike, yet their fates were worlds apart.

The previous emperor died, and the third prince ascended the throne.

The once-powerful eldest prince and his faction were eliminated one by one.

Qiao Xi’s older brother got caught up in it, and the entire family was about to suffer the consequences.

The Qiao family unanimously decided to make Qiao Xi take his place, send him to the execution ground, and have his head chopped off.

Just as the execution blade was about to fall, unlucky Qiao Xi transmigrated into the story.

At that critical moment, he remembered that the original novel’s protagonist had escaped the death penalty by claiming to be pregnant.

So, to save his own life, Qiao Xi shouted, “I’m carrying His Majesty’s child! You can’t kill me!”

The presiding official was so terrified that he turned pale and screamed for them to stay the blade.

The new emperor soon learned about this.

The emperor ran his fingers over a black chess piece in his hand. “How can a man carry a child?”

The chief eunuch: “He must be a fraud!”

The emperor tossed the chess piece aside. “Bring him to the palace. Let him give birth. If he can’t, have him executed by a thousand cuts.”

After the imperial decree arrived, Qiao Xi was carried through the palace gates in a sedan chair.

He optimistically thought, “At least I’ve won myself ten months before the sentence is carried out.”

Life in the palace while he waited out his pregnancy was wonderful.

Food and clothes were brought to him. He was served abalone, shark fin, delicacies, and ambrosia.

And the handsome emperor warmed his bed.

Qiao Xi almost forgot he was supposed to escape.

A few months later, knowing he could no longer hide his pregnancy, Qiao Xi set fire to his chambers and took advantage of the ensuing chaos to flee.

The emperor was furious. He launched a nationwide manhunt and swore to bring him back for execution by a thousand cuts.

Qiao Xi was eventually captured.

The emperor gripped his chin, his gaze ruthless. “I’ll kill you, then have you entered into the imperial clan register, so you’ll belong to me for all eternity.”

Unexpectedly, Qiao Xi smiled calmly and said, “Your Majesty, you can’t kill me. I’m carrying your child.”

The emperor didn’t believe him at all and immediately ordered the imperial physician to examine him.

The old physician took his pulse with trembling hands, then dropped to his knees, shaking.

“Your Majesty, it’s a happy pulse!”

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Mini-scene:

The first time he met the emperor, Qiao Xi was about to kneel properly and pay his respects when someone grabbed his wrist and pulled him upright.

Then a large, scorching hand rested on his belly.

Qiao Xi: “Y-Your Majesty...”

The emperor smiled, but the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you saying I can’t touch my own child?”

Qiao Xi, who hadn’t eaten all day, had a stomach that went grrrr.

“What was that?” the emperor asked, though he knew perfectly well.

Qiao Xi: “The prince is acting spoiled, Your Majesty!”

The emperor: ...

Theme: Love can change anything