Perhaps it was because at the ti of their birth, the Ning Dynasty was in turmoil, with internal and external threats all eyeing to seize the Shenzhou Land Continent.
He Jia was a born pessimist, and ever since He Sui beca pregnant again, he felt uneasy.
Sure enough, while his father was away from the Imperial City, the enemies lurking in the shadows erged.
The old Emperor had too many heirs, which made the contention for the throne even fiercer.
The claim to spare family was impossible; not only did it affect them, but they had to be completely eradicated.
Removing the weeds without pulling out the roots ans they will grow back with the spring breeze.
This principle is not only the iron rule of Jianghu but also applies to the temple.
However, at the age of five, He Jia did not understand why his father’s other brothers wanted to kill him and his mother.
He Sui knew this day was bound to co, but didn’t expect it to co so quickly and at such a critical mont during her pregnancy.
The bloody atmosphere alard the fetus, leading to He Sui’s difficult labor.
Before Xiang Heng left, he had stationed many people, but they were too anxious to safely transfer He Sui out, and could only urge her to push harder.
As long as the baby was born, both the mother and child would be safe.
Yet, fate is always cruel, rcilessly shattering beautiful things for all to see.
He Sui bore a daughter when she was already exhausted, and those still alive in Prince An’s residence were countable.
Others had died protecting He Sui and He Jia.
It was truly laughable.
The soldiers who once fought for the Royal Family did not die on the battlefield but in the internal conflicts among their own.
"Princess Consort!" Only one deputy left behind by Xiang Heng stood, his face covered in blood, "Take the two young princes away, leave this place to ."
But this statent carried no confidence, as the enemies surrounding Prince An’s residence numbered in the thousands, and he, with the remaining few guards, struggled to keep He Sui, He Jia, and the newborn safe.
And the enemies’ target was precisely the three of them, making it incredibly hard for him to send them out.
Of course, He Sui understood this truth.
Having just given birth, she was extrely weak and suffering from blood loss, she barely managed to get out of bed with the assistance of the maid.
Yet, He Sui groped around the dressing table, retrieved a Jade Bottle, and stared at it briefly before pouring an pill from within.
Upon seeing the Jade Bottle, the deputy was montarily stunned, and the next second, as if realizing sothing, he turned pale with horror: "Princess Consort, don’t!"
But his words were a step too late, as He Sui had already placed the pill into her mouth.
Imdiately after, as if a miracle occurred, He Sui’s energy and blood began to recover!
In a matter of seconds, He Sui was walking as if she were a healthy person.
A few monts later, a powerful aura erupted from her, so overwhelming that even the deputy was shocked, involuntarily taking a step back.
Nine Revolutions Soul Revival Pill!
This was a forbidden dicine listed by Taiyi Palace!
The Nine Revolutions Soul Revival Pill could allow a grievously injured, dying person to gain stronger power, but the power could only last for 15 minutes.
When ti runs out, the dicine’s effect ends, and the person perishes.
Even if the Old Man of dicine Valley were present with the Life and Death Needle in hand, nothing could reverse this.
The deputy’s heart sank instantly, tears mixed with blood pouring down as he choked out, "Princess Consort..."
He understood how deep were the feelings between Xiang Heng and He Sui; He Sui’s death would be a severe blow to Xiang Heng.
Yet, he also knew that He Sui had taken the Nine Revolutions Soul Revival Pill to protect her children.
Won are not weak, and mothers are even stronger.
The deputy was speechless, his heart felt like it was being torn open, leaving an empty pain.
"Let speak with Jia’er," He Sui, as if unaware of her impending death, said calmly, "I’ll be there shortly."
She bent down to pick up the newborn girl, found He Jia, and swaddled the infant on his back.
He Jia sensed sothing was wrong, "Mother Consort?"
"Jia’er, this is your sister. Your father and I have already chosen a na for her," He Sui said gently, "She will be called Xiang Lan, ’Lan’ as in ’turn the tide.’
The child’s na embodies the hopes of her parents; Xiang Heng, at that ti, didn’t know what gender the unborn child would be.
But regardless of gender, she would be nad "Lan."
He hoped that one day, perhaps this child would save Shenzhou from decline.
"Take your sister and leave here." He Sui’s voice suddenly intensified, "Swear by your life to to protect her. You must survive! Live to see your father!"
Never had He Sui been so stern with him; He Jia could only swear, "But Mother Consort, you..."
He Sui picked up a rusted spear, her voice ethereal: "? I will be just fine."
History records that He Sui died of childbirth, but that’s not true.
She hailed from a family of military generals. Though her health prevented her from joining her father and siblings on the battlefield, she learned martial arts from a young age.
Perhaps it’s because she was confined to the deep chambers for too long that others forgot that she was once a formidable female general wielding a lance.
When the princes saw He Sui clad in armor, they were stunned.
But shock aside, killing was still necessary.
"Sister-in-law, don’t waste your efforts," a prince chuckled, "You cannot resist us alone. You, and your children, must die."
"Go quickly!" He Sui roared, "Run! Escape! Do not stop, do not look back!"
He Jia finally turned away.
"You can do it, Jia’er," from behind, He Sui’s distant voice ca, "You are your father’s child, the future of the Xiang Imperial Family."
He Jia indeed did not stop, nor did he look back.
Even though he knew, once he left like this, he would never see He Sui again in his lifeti.
Because He Sui was dead.
He Jia, carrying the swaddled baby, sprinted under the cover of the remaining guards from Prince An’s residence until he successfully escaped the Imperial City.
Besides him, everyone else had died.
He Jia’s face was sowhat wet, he raised his hand to feel it.
Was it rain or tears?
He didn’t know.
He only knew that from today onward, many things could never be turned back.
He was destined to embark on a path filled with slaughter, death, and bloodshed, to kill many people, only to protect those he cherished most.
Henceforth, his heart would beco as hard as iron, impervious to blade or spear.
He Jia’s expression also slowly turned cold until a sound startled him.
The baby in swaddling cloth blinked with big eyes, curiously looking at him.
She did not cry, her eyes steady and calm.
He Jia was suddenly shocked.
Yes, he still had a sister.
He was not alone.
He Jia carefully opened the swaddling cloth, and the baby, seeing him, reached out her small hand.
He held it.
"I am your brother, my na is He Jia." He Jia softly stroked her head with his other free hand, "Rember, you are Xiang Lan."
Xiang as in Xiang Imperial Family, Lan as in ’turn the tide.’
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