Chapter 35: Exposed

The mermaid silk fluttered gently, the soft glow of the night pearl like smoke curling around the giant clam shell backdrop. The ocean depths were mostly silent, unlike the land with its various bird calls and insect chirps, or the rustling of leaves in the wind. Even the fish swam silently, making the ethereal songs of the merfolk even more beautiful and heavenly.

Jiang Yang was originally lying lazily on the bed, eyes half-closed in rest. Chi Mei sat to the side, arranging the mermaid silk. The males of the mermaid race were all skilled at weaving mermaid silk, just as men in the matriarchal society were all skilled in men’s work.

Chi Mei sat sideways on the edge of the bed, eyes downcast, his profile quiet and pure. He hummed an unfamiliar tune, elegant and pleasant as if walking through misty whispers, the scent of rain-washed gardenias lingering in the air.

Jiang Yang listened, enchanted. Suddenly, another song reached her ears, different from Chi Mei’s peaceful melody. The song from outside the palace was high and clear. Although she couldn’t understand the lyrics, she could feel the passionate emotions contained within.

Jiang Yang sat up in bed and asked, “Who’s singing?”

Chi Mei put down the mermaid silk in his hands, glanced out the window, and smiled, “It’s probably someone pursuing a pretty young mermaid again.”

Jiang Yang asked, “Do the women of your mermaid tribe pursue young men by singing love songs?”

Chi Mei nodded: “More or less. Most do it this way. If the man is also interested, he’ll respond and sing a duet with her. If both are compatible, they can become husband and wife tonight. However, female merfolk are rare, so it’s not often that men encounter sincere opportunities.”

Jiang Yang was slightly surprised: “So quickly? Isn’t that too hasty?”

“If you like each other, shouldn’t you be together? Is it not the same for humans?”

Jiang Yang said, “Human marriages have many factors to consider. We have a saying called ‘matching doors and houses’, with family background being the most important. Next is character and temperament, and lastly appearance.”

Chi Mei suddenly asked, “You’re a noble lady, and I’m a prince. Are we considered a match?”

“……” Jiang Yang originally wanted to say directly that although the stupid fish’s status was acceptable, in the eyes of humans, the mermaid race was just a group for humans to exploit. No matter how precious his status, it wouldn’t meet the noble human standards.

But looking at Chi Mei’s bright, hopeful eyes, Jiang Yang’s heart trembled, and she couldn’t bear to disappoint him. She nodded and said, “Yes, we are.”

Chi Mei lowered his head shyly and smiled: “Then I’m not unworthy of you after all.”

“Look at you two lovebirds, so affectionate,” said Fu Yue with an uncle-like smile, leaning against the open palace doors. After a few months, his figure had become fuller than before. His originally gentle and dignified features now held an added touch of fatherly tenderness and maturity.

But most prominent was his belly, now showing five months of pregnancy. His lower abdomen protruded, with long tail fins trailing behind, making him look like a seahorse. Then again, considering that male seahorses carry the young, it seemed quite natural.

“Fu Yue, why are you here?” Chi Mei’s eyes lit up with surprise at Fu Yue’s sudden appearance, but more so with embarrassment at being caught in conversation with Jiang Yang.

“I came to see you,” Fu Yue said, slowly swimming over while cradling his belly. “You’ve been back for months but haven’t gone out to play. You just stay in the palace. Since when did you become so quiet? You used to run wild all over the ocean. Even the Mermaid King couldn’t catch you when he was alive. How did you change so much suddenly?”

Jiang Yang got up from the bed and sat on a nearby stool, making room for these close friends.

Chi Mei tugged at Fu Yue’s sleeve, glancing uneasily at Jiang Yang: “Don’t say that. I didn’t always go out to play before.”

Being close friends, Fu Yue immediately understood Chi Mei’s signal. What man doesn’t put on an act in front of the woman he loves? If the woman likes the gentle and virtuous type, he acts gentle and virtuous. If she likes the coquettish and charming type, he acts coquettish and charming.

Fu Yue instantly understood. It seemed this human woman preferred quiet and gentle men, which was completely different from the old Chi Mei. The styles were worlds apart. Fu Yue could hardly imagine the old Chi Mei staying quietly in the palace for even a day. Back then, the Mermaid King had worried himself sick trying to make him behave.

Who would have thought that one day, his son would willingly change for a woman, just as he himself had once given up everything? Fu Yue sighed inwardly, but outwardly he smiled and said, “I know, I know. Before, I always had to beg you to come out with me. It’s no fun playing alone.”

Chi Mei breathed a sigh of relief and said, “How do you have time to come play here today? You’re carrying her child. Does Qing Mo allow you to come out?”

Fu Yue smiled gently: “It’s been five months, and the baby is stable now. The shaman doctor said occasional swimming would be good for me and even better for the baby.”

Chi Mei nodded.

“Eh?” Fu Yue made a surprised sound, staring intently at Chi Mei’s belly.

Previously, Chi Mei’s stomach had been hidden by the loose mermaid silk, and from a distance, the outline of his figure wasn’t very clear. But now Fu Yue was sitting right next to Chi Mei, and up close, everything became much clearer.

Looking at Chi Mei’s flat stomach, he asked puzzledly, “How? How come your belly shows no signs yet?”

Chi Mei instantly realized he had forgotten to be cautious in front of Fu Yue. He quickly covered his stomach with both hands, but this not only failed to hide the fact that his belly wasn’t swollen, it made it seem even more like he was trying to cover something up.

Jiang Yang immediately embraced Chi Mei gently, stroking his belly with one hand, and said, “Chi Mei isn’t as far along as you, and he’s thinner. Plus, he’s been eating less these days due to morning sickness, so his belly isn’t very noticeable.”

“I see… Since his morning sickness is so severe, you should know what foods he needs to avoid and prepare separate meals for him. Little Rong and Yue Gui aren’t being very careful in their duties.” Fu Yue was a bit angry: “When I came in, there wasn’t even anyone guarding the door outside. They’re getting lazier and lazier. I should go talk to them.”

“No, no, no!” Chi Mei anxiously held back Fu Yue, who was about to defend him. He absolutely couldn’t let him go, or wouldn’t everything be exposed?

“Why not?” Fu Yue asked.

“Actually, Yue Gui and Little Rong have been serving Chi Mei wholeheartedly, but there’s nothing they can do. For someone with severe morning sickness, just seeing or smelling food can be unbearable. The aversions can be strange and unpredictable – he can’t even stand the smell of fish. It’s really not their fault. Once Chi Mei’s pregnancy stabilizes in a while, things will naturally get better,” Jiang Yang explained.

Chi Mei nodded quickly, thinking that Jiang Yang was indeed good with words, smoothly explaining everything away.

Hearing Jiang Yang’s words, Fu Yue sat back down and held Chi Mei’s hand: “Ah, male pregnancy is indeed so arduous. Fortunately, you have such a good wife-master who takes such good care of you, even knowing all about your food aversions during morning sickness.”

Unlike him… Fu Yue felt gloomy inside. Qing Mo was surrounded by many beautiful men. Although he was pregnant and couldn’t engage in intimate activities with Qing Mo anymore, it gave other men opportunities. Qing Mo spent her days seeking pleasure with other men, only coming to check on him briefly each night as if it were a routine task before hurriedly leaving.

Comparing the two situations, Fu Yue increasingly envied Chi Mei, feeling more melancholy and sad. Unconsciously, tears began to fall.

This time, Jiang Yang didn’t dare look at Fu Yue’s falling tears again. She stared fixedly at the ceiling, afraid that Chi Mei would bring it up again.

Chi Mei hurriedly comforted Fu Yue, and the two chatted for a long time. It was nearly evening when Fu Yue finally left.

As Fu Yue was leaving, Yue Gui and Little Rong were changing shifts. He had just prepared dinner.

As Fu Yue passed by Yue Gui, his sensitive nose caught the scent of fish coming from the food box. He lifted the lid, and sure enough, there were fish balls inside.

“What are you doing? This is dinner prepared for His Highness the Prince and his consort.” Yue Gui guarded the food box, watching Fu Yue closely with an unfriendly tone.

Fu Yue, having endured the anger of Qing Mo and those men at home with nowhere to vent, now took the opportunity to unleash his frustration on Yue Gui. He scolded, “Is this how you serve His Highness the Prince? You know he’s been suffering from severe morning sickness lately and can’t stand the smell of fish. He vomits at the slightest whiff, yet you deliberately make fish balls for him. Are you doing this on purpose?”

Yue Gui looked utterly bewildered: “Morning sickness? When did His Highness start having morning sickness?”

Fu Yue angrily said, “Are you still pretending? Jiang Yang already said that Chi Mei has been suffering terribly from morning sickness and can’t eat anything these days. You’re still like this… really…” Fu Yue pointed at Yue Gui’s nose: “If you don’t care, then don’t do it!”

“……” Yue Gui was silent for a moment: “His Highness can’t eat? Morning sickness? Jiang Yang told you this? His Highness said the same?”

“Of course,” Fu Yue said. “Quickly take these things away. Don’t bring them to Chi Mei and upset him. I see you’ve all gotten too comfortable because Chi Mei is too kind to you. You’ve forgotten your place and even your duties! Let me tell you, if you don’t want to serve Chi Mei, there are plenty of merfolk lining up to serve him. Don’t think you’re so important!”

Fu Yue kept rambling on, completely unaware of the glint that flashed in Yue Gui’s eyes.

Yue Gui’s lips curled into a cold smile as he bowed respectfully to Fu Yue: “I apologize. It was my oversight. I forgot that His Highness can’t stand the smell of fish. It’s entirely my fault. I’ll go to the small kitchen right away to prepare a new meal.”

With Yue Gui saying this, Fu Yue couldn’t pursue the matter further. Besides, he had already vented his frustrations. He nodded: “As long as you understand. Remember this in the future. The first three months of male pregnancy are the most critical time. There can’t be any oversights. You and Little Rong should pay more attention from now on.”

“Yes, Yue Gui understands,” Yue Gui lowered his head, his eyes flickering with coldness.