158. The Unexpected Good News
Upon hearing Ye Li’s words, Feng Zhiyao’s expression twisted. It took him a while before he ground out through clenched teeth, "Mo Jing! The Prince is just too soft-hearted. I’ve said it before, he doesn’t even care about the throne of Great Chu, so why should we concern ourselves so much? We should just march directly on the Capital City and see what tricks he has left!"
Ye Li shook her head and sighed. "If we move against Mo Jing now, it will only make our situation more difficult." No matter how psychologically dark and malicious Mo Jing was, he was not yet a licentious and incompetent monarch. Many people in this world were still deeply influenced by secular doctrines and loyal to the imperial family. There was even the saying, ’If the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must not refuse.’ If the Mo Family Army were to suddenly break ties with Mo Jing, it would only drag the regional garrisons, those not yet involved, into this convoluted war. If soone else seized an opportunity, not only would Great Chu be finished, but the Mo Family Army would likely be finished as well.
Feng Zhiyao was not unaware of what Ye Li ant; it was just that his anger was difficult to quell.
"So what should we do now?"
Ye Li looked up at the vast, blue sky and said in a low voice, "At all costs, we must hold back the Southern Garrison Prince. We absolutely cannot let him get involved in the wars in the Central Plains."
Feng Zhiyao was slightly taken aback. Looking at the sowhat frail yet ramrod-straight figure before him, he knew exactly what ’at all costs’ ant. They were going to face the so-called ’god of war’ of Xiling, the Southern Garrison Prince, as well as the endless supplies of reinforcents from the Xiling Army. And the Mo Family Army remaining in the Northwest numbered only these two hundred thousand. "This general accepts the command!"
After dismissing Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li couldn’t help but frown. These past few days, her body had beco extrely susceptible to fatigue. It was only late September. She had just been standing on the city wall, feeling the breeze, yet now she felt slightly dizzy and unwell. Normally, everyone had monts of feeling unwell, but she could not afford to collapse now. One hand resting on the city wall, she lowered her gaze, waiting for the wave of dizziness to pass. Ye Li then looked up, rubbing her temples, a sense of frustration rising within her.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Han Mingyue’s voice ca from behind her. Han Mingyue had been very well-behaved these past few days. Other than having soone covertly monitor him, Ye Li hadn’t paid him much mind. Han Mingyue was also very perceptive. Most of the ti, he stayed in his own courtyard or accompanied Su Zuidie in conversation. It was unknown how he had spoken to Su Zuidie, but these past few days, Su Zuidie had indeed been behaving and had stopped her clamoring. Turning her head, she saw Han Mingyue standing not far away, looking at her with so concern. Ye Li said faintly, "It’s nothing, just a little tired. What brings Young Master Han up here?"
Han Mingyue assessed her from head to toe, then stepped forward. "If Your Highness trusts , why not let examine you?"
Ye Li turned her head to look at him, feigning surprise. "Young Master Han is versed in dicine?"
"I know a little," Han Mingyue replied with a faint smile.
Stepping forward, he took one of Ye Li’s hands to check her pulse. Ye Li didn’t resist, rely watching him quietly. Han Mingyue’s brow furrowed as he felt her pulse. He glanced up at Ye Li, then pressed his fingers to her wrist again. After a good while, he sighed softly and released her hand.
Ye Li observed him and said with a smile, "From your expression, Young Master Han, don’t tell I’ve contracted so incurable illness?"
Han Mingyue shook his head, his expression complicated as he looked at Ye Li. "I don’t know if this counts as good news for Your Highness."
Ye Li t his gaze with a light smile, indicating she was prepared for any news.
"Your Highness is with child," Han Mingyue stated gravely. "It’s been less than a month."
Ye Li was stunned. Her mind seed to go blank for a mont, yet a thousand thoughts also rushed through it. Han Mingyue’s news was too shocking. Though she had lived two lifetis and experienced things an ordinary person might not in ten, childbirth was an entirely new prospect. To put it plainly, she wasn’t prepared for this. Even if things had remained peaceful, she had originally planned to have a child only after turning eighteen, at the earliest. But now... this child had co at such an inopportune ti. Yet, deep within her heart, an unfamiliar surge of excitent and joy couldn’t help but surface. She was pregnant... This was her and Mo Xiuyao’s first child, the family mber who would share her closest blood ties...
Han Mingyue calmly observed Ye Li’s expression, watching the shock, doubt, joy, and worry on her beautiful face slowly morph into resolve. He instantly understood the decision Ye Li had made. Looking at her slender form, Han Mingyue said with genuine earnestness for the first ti, "Princess Consort, I’m afraid this child has co at an inopportune ti."
Ye Li stared at his face, silent for a long mont before saying, "Can I assu Young Master Han will not reveal this matter to anyone other than you and ?"
Han Mingyue frowned, his voice tinged with anxiety. "Princess Consort, you should understand that the current circumstances simply do not permit you to keep this child. If the Prince were here, he would undoubtedly feel the sa."
"You are mistaken," Ye Li said, shaking her head. "Xiuyao, like , would choose to protect this child."
"That’s because Xiuyao is by your side; he can protect you," Han Mingyue countered. "But now, you are a woman leading hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and you are with child. Should any mishap occur... I believe Xiuyao would never wish to trade your life for that of an unborn child."
Ye Li lowered her gaze to her still-flat abdon. "I know what I’m doing," she said calmly. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Han."
Han Mingyue wanted to persuade her further. He understood Mo Xiuyao and knew the depth of Mo Xiuyao’s feelings for Ye Li. If anything happened to Ye Li because of this child... He dared not imagine Mo Xiuyao’s reaction. But seeing the resolute expression on Ye Li’s beautiful face, he ultimately held his tongue. He had witnessed much over the years of what a mother was capable of for her child. And Ye Li was more steadfast and decisive than any woman he had ever encountered; how could she possibly heed his counsel? Sighing, Han Mingyue gave his assurance, "Without Your Highness’s permission, I will not speak of this to anyone. However... Your Highness should consult a physician imdiately. Prenatal care and nutritional supplents are essential."
"Thank you."
Back in the study, Ye Li leaned against her desk, lost in thought. The sudden news still left her sowhat disoriented. The calm and composure she had shown before Han Mingyue were rely habitual pretense. After long contemplation, she raised a hand to gently stroke her still-flat abdon, and the features of her refined, pretty face softened even more. Here... there was a child, hers and Mo Xiuyao’s. One who had never been a mother could never understand how wondrous this feeling was. Perhaps in a few more months, she would be able to feel its changes, to feel the baby kicking and punching within her womb. A faint smile touched her lips, and the look in her eyes grew increasingly resolute.
"Soone, co."
It was Wei Lin who entered, bowing respectfully at the door. "Princess Consort."
"Go and fetch a physician."
Wei Lin paused, then asked with so concern, "Is the Princess Consort unwell?"
Ye Li shook her head. "Just go."
Thinking Ye Li was genuinely unwell, Wei Lin didn’t dare delay and hurried off. Before long, he returned, leading a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties. Seeing such an exceedingly young doctor, Ye Li arched a delicate eyebrow. Generally, physicians accompanying the army were not very old, as the rigors of military campaigns were not sothing elderly doctors could endure. But this young man before her was exceptionally young. Whether one admitted it or not, traditional Chinese dicine relied not solely on talent, but more often on experience.
Wei Lin evidently understood Ye Li’s unspoken question and stepped forward to explain, "Princess Consort, Doctor Yang is Mr. Shen’s junior in the sa dical lineage. Mr. Shen also speaks highly of his dical skills. He has been with the Black Cloud Cavalry in the Northwest for the past two years and, this ti, remained in Xinyang City with the Black Cloud Cavalry garrisoned here."
Ye Li nodded and, with an apologetic smile to the young man, said, "In that case, I’ll trouble Doctor Yang to take my pulse."
Evidently, it wasn’t the first ti the young doctor had faced such skepticism, but he paid it no mind. He stepped forward, sat down, took out a pulse pillow, placed it correctly, and began to take Ye Li’s pulse. After a good while, the young doctor’s slightly furrowed brow smoothed out. He rose and bowed to Ye Li. "Congratulations, Princess Consort. From what this subordinate can ascertain, Your Highness is with child."
Hearing this, Wei Lin was taken aback, sowhat at a loss. Under normal circumstances, the Princess Consort’s pregnancy would naturally be a joyous event for Prince Ding’s Mansion and the entire Mo Family Army. But being with child now ant that the safety of both the Princess Consort and the young heir could not be fully guaranteed.
Ye Li lowered her gaze, murmuring softly, "So, I truly am..."
"Replying to Your Highness, this subordinate is certain," the young doctor affird with a nod.
Ye Li looked at him and asked, "Is any dication necessary?"
"Your Highness’s constitution is excellent, and your pulse is also very good," the young doctor replied, shaking his head. "In this subordinate’s opinion, no fetal-stabilizing dicine is needed at present. All dicines carry a degree of toxicity; if it’s not essential, it’s best avoided. However, necessary nutritional supplents are still required. Also, during the first few months, please exercise extre caution to avoid disturbing the pregnancy."
"The first few months? What about after that?"
"After three or four months, once the fetus has stabilized, there shouldn’t be any major concerns. Nevertheless, Your Highness must still prioritize safety. Moreover... after four or five months, Your Highness will likely find movent sowhat inconvenient..." At this point, the young doctor couldn’t help but feel a surge of concern. He wasn’t a sheltered physician who knew nothing of the outside world; as a military doctor, he was acutely aware of the dangers of the battlefield and its many unpredictable hazards. Looking at Ye Li, he could only advise, "Your Highness must take utmost care in all matters."
"I understand," Ye Li nodded. "Would it be possible for Doctor Yang to stay at the Governor’s Mansion for the ti being?"
"To be able to attend to the young heir is this subordinate’s honor. This subordinate obeys," the young doctor replied with a bow.
"Thank you, Doctor. Please keep this matter confidential. For now, apart from those closest to , I do not wish for anyone else to know."
Although sowhat perplexed, the young doctor assented. "This subordinate will compile a list of the necessary supplents later and give it to soone by Your Highness’s side."
"Thank you. Wei Lin, see Doctor Yang out."
"Yes."
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