"The eldest miss is pregnant, don’t talk too long. Let the eldest miss rest properly." After Shen Qingzhu finished speaking, he cupped his hands toward Xiao Ruojiang and left first.
Upon entering the hall, Xiao Ruojiang imdiately saw the eldest miss sitting under the lamp, reading a bamboo slip.
These days, Bai Qingyan had been engrossed in the books left by Empress Ji, deeply curious about the world of freedom and equality described within. Once she picked up a book, she was reluctant to put it down.
Today Chen Qingsheng returned. To allow Chun Tao, who hadn’t seen him for years, to have a longer conversation, Bai Qingyan ordered Chun Tao to escort Chen Qingsheng out of the palace. Chun Zhi attended to Bai Qingyan and didn’t dare to urge her to rest, so he ordered soone to light all the lamps in the bedchamber, fearing it might strain her eyes.
"Chun Zhi, you leave first..." Bai Qingyan closed the bamboo slip and said to Wei Zhong, "The Yan envoy has also been waiting for a long ti. Wei Zhong, please invite the Yan envoy over. I’ll just say a few words to Ruojiang."
Chun Zhi and Wei Zhong complied and left. Bai Qingyan set the bamboo slip aside and said to Xiao Ruojiang, "Brother, there is sothing... you need to make a trip to Hancheng as soon as possible."
"Eldest miss, just give your orders!"
Bai Qingyan took out a rough map of the Tianfeng Kingdom drawn by Xiao Ruohai. Xiao Ruojiang imdiately stepped forward to receive it, examining it closely.
"You go to Hancheng and have the second young lady focus all her energy on training the naval forces while implenting the new policies. They might be of great use soon!"
With the map in hand, Xiao Ruojiang quickly understood Bai Qingyan’s intentions. Currently, Tianfeng’s Elephant Army was approaching. According to the information brought back by Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng, Tianfeng was preparing for war with all its national strength. If ever Tianfeng and Zhou go to war, they will undoubtedly go all-out!
At that ti, Tianfeng’s interior would be empty. If Zhou’s navy sets sail from the coastal port, enters the Long River, and makes a surprise attack from behind Tianfeng, it will surely catch them off guard.
"Xiao Ruojiang understands!" Xiao Ruojiang was filled with fighting spirit as he put away the map. "I will set off imdiately and make sure the map reaches the second young lady!"
"Thank you, brother! After delivering the ssage... please stay by the second young lady’s side and lend Jinxiu your support," Bai Qingyan thought for a mont and added, " leave the issue of elephants in the military to Qingzhu; no need to worry."
Xiao Ruojiang nodded but said with concern: "Eldest miss, please also take care of yourself. Now that you’re carrying twins, you must rest more. Matters on the Southern battlefield have the young master and young ladies present, no need to worry too much, Your Majesty!"
Seeing Xiao Ruojiang’s concerned eyes, she nodded: "Alright, I understand! Rest assured, brother!"
Xiao Ruojiang left the palace and, without delay, packed his things and set off for Hancheng.
As soon as Xiao Ruojiang left, Wei Zhong brought the Yan envoy stationed in Zhou to et her.
Seeing a man dressed in the attire of an imperial eunuch of Yan, wearing a hat and bowing respectfully, his features indistinct, Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes. Hearing the Yan envoy greet her, he said, "Your Majesty, I co on behalf of our Ninth Prince of Yan to present a birthday gift to Your Majesty, wishing the Empress of Zhou a long life."
The eunuch behind the envoy also bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan.
"Thank the Prince Yanjiu for his concern..." Bai Qingyan nodded.
"Additionally, the Ninth Prince sent a letter for Your Majesty..." The Yan envoy glanced at the eunuch behind him, signaling for the letter.
The eunuch quickly handed the letter to Wei Zhong.
Receiving the letter from Wei Zhong and after a quick glance, Bai Qingyan said, "Wei Zhong, please invite the Yan envoy to have tea in the side hall for a while, and this... eunuch shall stay, I have questions to ask."
"Certainly..." Wei Zhong smiled and gestured to the Yan envoy to follow.
As the door closed, the eunuch, who had been keeping his head down, finally lifted his head...
The flickering lights in the hall reflected on the polished floor, casting a warm glow throughout the room, and accentuated the distinct features of the man’s face.
In his deep, dark eyes, reflected the candlelight filling the room, as well as Bai Qingyan sitting at the end of the long hanging curtains, as if his eyes could hold nothing but the beautiful woman sitting amidst the candlelight amidst heaven and earth.
"Why are you here? Did you et Yue Shi?" Bai Qingyan struggled to get up.
Xiao Rongyan quickly walked towards Bai Qingyan: "Don’t move, sit down!"
He untied his hat, placed it aside, and helped Bai Qingyan sit down, gazing at her quietly: "Rest assured, I t him on my way here, and I already know about the Elephant Army..."
"Knowing that, you didn’t return to Yan Kingdom to deploy, yet you ca here?" Bai Qingyan frowned.
Xiao Rongyan chuckled and gently smoothed Bai Qingyan’s knit brow with his fingers, smiling: "I didn’t want to miss your birthday..."
Looking at Xiao Rongyan dressed as an eunuch, Bai Qingyan couldn’t help but let her lips curl. Indeed, she hadn’t expected Xiao Rongyan to co back this ti.
Looking down at his clothing, Xiao Rongyan said, "After marrying, I lost my identity as Xiao Rongyan, and it’s hard to enter the palace as myself, so I had to dress like this."
"Now that Tianfeng Kingdom has brought the Elephant Army, Yan Kingdom needs you more than ever. You really didn’t need to rush here specially for a birthday," Bai Qingyan said to Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan raised his hand, tucking loose hair behind Bai Qingyan’s ear, his fingers brushing her cheek, tender yet restrained.
He looked down at Bai Qingyan’s abdon and gently caressed it: "Pregnancy is toughest for won. It’s my fault for not holding back... making you conceive at this ti."
She smiled softly, placing her palm over Xiao Rongyan’s hand: "Since the child is coming, let’s not talk about bla."
Xiao Rongyan looked up at Bai Qingyan’s serene and composed smile, rembering what Murong Li had said after knowing that "Xiao Rongyan" married Bai Qingyan and that she was pregnant.
"Speaking of the child..." Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan, a light smile touching his eyes, "Ah Li knows about our marriage and that there’s already a child. He actually agrees with your idea that a competition between two nations should be based on policies that benefit and strengthen the people, to avoid war and unite into one nation."
Bai Qingyan was taken aback, looking at Xiao Rongyan in slight amazent...
Though young, Murong Li was firm in his opinions.
Back when Yan was at risk, it was the people who supported Yan through, and Xiao Rongyan always felt if Yan was lost... it would betray those who had suffered alongside the Yan Imperial Family.
But Ah Li said the people protected Yan because they knew Yan’s new policies benefited them, offering a better life. If nations competed on grounds of benefiting and strengthening the people, the people would surely support it.
"I hadn’t yet returned to the country when news of our marriage already reached Yan, followed by news of your pregnancy. Ah Li ca personally to talk to once."
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