Tan Dong’s fingers caressed her cheek, his gaze languid and sickly, "Every ti I see you these years, I think of the ti we first t. My feelings for you have never changed. Why can’t you let go of the past and be my empress in peace?"
Mu Xiyao’s eyes were distant, "If you want to let go of the past grudges, then I want your kingdom; will you give it to ?"
Tan Dong frowned, "Won are ant to be cherished by n; why do you want to do such arduous things!"
Mu Xiyao’s eyes brimd with hatred, "Why? When you seized vast lands from my father emperor, your love vanished; this land rightfully belongs to the Mu family!"
Tan Dong’s eyes gradually grew cold, "Xiyao, why must you be so fixated on that matter? Nanjin, Beiyue, Western Rong—none weren’t executioners of your father. I rely took advantage of the situation, and they won’t spare you if you aren’t by my side!"
Mu Xiyao sneered coldly, "That’s still better than being entangled with you for a lifeti!"
Mu Xiyao’s words extinguished the small fla in Tan Dong’s heart.
The destruction of Zhongzhou has passed so many years, yet Xiyao still refuses to forgive him.
He stood up, fastened his belt, and suppressed his long-held desires.
Once lovers, they now seed like strangers.
Xiyao herself killed their first child, and even refused to leave him an heir, a prince to carry on the dynasty!
Anyang was also their daughter, but how can a woman beco emperor!
Moreover, Anyang lacks the capability!
Tan Dong’s dark pupils were inscrutable, "Xiyao, I ask you once more, is Mu Yan our son?"
Mu Xiyao t Tan Dong’s eyes fearlessly, "No!"
Tan Dong laughed bitterly in disappointnt, and left coldly.
Mu Xiyao’s tears stread down; she would never tell Tan Dong that Mu Yan was their first child.
Moreover, she harbored a deep secret in her heart.
Tan Dong would never know!
After Tan Dong left the harem, he went to the Imperial Study Room and handed several letters to his secret envoy.
"Go, deliver them!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." The secret envoy departed.
...
Sumr rains brought the fresh breeze of spring, autumn winds took away sumr’s heat, and in the blink of an eye, it was early winter.
Zhan Lan’s belly had grown big, yet her body hadn’t gained much weight, as if all the flesh was concentrated on her belly.
In a little over a month, she would give birth.
In Fengqi Palace, the indoor dragon kept the room warm, her hands gently supporting her belly, experiencing swelling on her feet and legs in the late pregnancy stage. She couldn’t sit for long, so Qiuyue assisted her in walking around.
Mu Yan, having dealt with an urgent military affair, entered relaxed and approached Zhan Lan to support her, while Qiuyue withdrew.
"Is there anything happening in the court?" Zhan Lan asked.
"Just so trivial matters, Lan’er, you needn’t worry."
Mu Yan assisted her to sit down, pondering, "Past mories run deep, and the future stretches bright. The night will soon turn to the Gregorian New Year, and the future of Dayu shall indeed be splendid."
Zhan Lan nodded, her gaze falling upon the desk in front, "Husband, let’s choose a na for our child today!"
"Sounds good!" Mu Yan, in high spirits, moved to the desk.
Over the months, Mu Yan added one or two nas to the xuan paper every day, and now there was a pile of nas on the desk.
"Farewell to twilight, flas yearly, Suisui rembers An’an; our child’s nickna will be Suisui and An’an!"
Zhan Lan reviewed the nas Mu Yan picked from classical stories; each was beautifully nad, and she pointed out two nas from them.
"If it’s a girl, she’ll be nad Mu Anning, nickna An’an; if it’s a boy, he’ll be Mu Chufeng, nickna Suisui, how about that?"
Mu Yan smiled, "An’an, hmm, in this life, I have no demands for Anning, only that she’s safe. I like this na."
"And what about Chufeng, do you like it?"
"To live freely like the wind; as your husband, I like it, but our son’s nickna doesn’t fit his na. How about calling him Little Fengzi?"
Suddenly, Zhan Lan’s belly was kicked by the fetus inside, and Zhan Lan glared at Mu Yan, "Look at the nickna you picked; your son just kicked !"
"Let see." Mu Yan eagerly knelt down, eyes fixed on Zhan Lan’s belly, yet the tumultuous child inside suddenly went quiet.
Zhan Lan’s lips twitched; she must be carrying a boy, fearful of his father from the start.
Oh no, he’s about to be sent to the Dark Guard Camp!
"You mustn’t send my son to the Dark Guard Camp!" Zhan Lan cradled her belly as she spoke.
"Alright, alright, I won’t send him." Mu Yan’s smile was radiant.
Zhan Lan squinted at Mu Yan; his smile seed a bit scheming!
No doubt he has so new plans for her son!
When Zhan Lan fell asleep, Mu Yan left the palace.
He went to the Imperial Study Room.
Zhan Beicang, Zhan Hui, Bai Chen, Minister of War Chen Zi, and Village Soldiers Commander Xue Lang had all arrived.
Mu Yan spoke solemnly, "I summoned you here at midnight because I received secret information. Eastern Wei, united with Hu Jue and other tribes, will soon besiege Dayu. This ti, even King of Yuzhou is involved. Although Dayu’s territory is the largest now, its borders are also the longest, and Dayu is now surrounded by enemies. We must set out on an expedition as soon as possible."
Everyone’s expressions grew solemn imdiately; Eastern Wei’s power was not to be underestimated; Yuzhou was a must-have for military strategy; the cavalry of Hu Jue and other tribes were courageous and skilled warriors. Eastern Wei had already allied with them long ago!
Mu Yan looked at Bai Chen first, "Bai Chen’s wedding plans need to be postponed."
Bai Chen nodded, "Your Majesty, without a nation, there is no family. I am willing to go on the expedition."
Mu Yan rarely saw the shadow of Bai Chen’s father, Bai Qi, on him.
Bai Chen, having served as naval commander for over three years, matured a lot.
Mu Yan then looked towards Zhan Beicang and Zhan Hui, "You are my family, and I will lead you in person to battle."
Zhan Beicang and Zhan Hui both showed surprise, exclaiming simultaneously, "Your Majesty wants to personally lead the troops!"
Zhan Beicang intended to dissuade, but Mu Yan’s eyes overca him, "This matter requires no discussion, my decision is made. Bai Chen, Chen Zi, lead an army of a hundred thousand to deal with Hu Jue and other tribes."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the two spoke in unison.
Mu Yan looked at Zhan Beicang and Zhan Hui, "You will follow , leading a hundred thousand troops against Eastern Wei, to restrain Yuzhou. Additionally, the village soldiers can gather a hundred thousand strong, Xue Lang will lead them as reinforcents."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Everyone’s expressions turned grave; the situation was urgent; they needed to set out quickly.
Fortunately, the secret report reached His Majesty in ti; if Eastern Wei had already acted, the border’s troops wouldn’t withstand for long.
Mu Yan did not ask Deputy Commander Dugu Yan to coordinate because she and Zhan Lan’s maternal grandfather’s family had to stay to protect Zhan Lan.
Ding’an City still had Xiao Chen and Huang Gun; he felt secure in Lan’er’s safety.
Each went their separate ways to make preparations.
Mu Yan packed his belongings, arranged everything, and looked towards Fengqi Palace, murmuring in his heart, "Lan’er, this ti it is my turn to don armor and shield you and our child!"
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