Chapter 29 Chapter 29 I Love You

By the time the discussion was over, it was already getting dark. The ministers left Qianyuan Hall in an orderly manner. Only the emperor, the crown prince, and Wei Zhaosheng remained in the hall.

Li Cheng's expression was stern. After pondering for a long time, he finally said, "Your Majesty, I want to go to Jiangnan in person on behalf of Minister Wei."

"What?" Emperor Hui'an was shocked and stood up from the throne. "Why is this?"

"I would like to borrow the identity of the Minister to see how deep the water in the south of the Yangtze River is." Ever since he heard that 300,000 taels of silver were robbed, he felt that the situation was extremely urgent.

As he spoke, he frowned and his voice became colder: "I'm afraid that this money was used by someone to secretly purchase military equipment."

"You are talking about the Liang Dynasty rebels"

The prince paused for a moment and shook his head, "I am not completely sure yet, but I guess it is not the rebels from the Liang Dynasty. The rebels are weak and far away in the southwest. Their only advantage is their geographical location. They are surrounded by mountains on all sides and blocked by a big river in the middle. Such a natural barrier is easy to defend but difficult to attack. As long as we successfully open up a road leading there and the army's supplies can pass through, there will be nothing to fear."

"The Nanling Mountains block the march, but there is the Lingqu Canal between Xiangnan County and Lingnan. Our army can enter from the Lingqu Canal, bypass Lingnan, and attack Yelang directly by water. By then, even if the chieftain wants to rely on geographical advantages, he will not be able to win."

The prince asked his attendants to take out the map and pointed to the route on it and planned it carefully. "In this way, the army's route is solved, and the only thing left to worry about is the serious miasma in Lingnan. The army will be tired after a long journey, and I am afraid that their bodies will not be able to bear it. Therefore, we must arrange enough medical officers to accompany them to ensure that the soldiers are not trapped by the miasma."

The Emperor and Minister Wei followed the movement of the Crown Prince's slender fingers and agreed that this plan was feasible. This way, they could bypass Lingnan and build fewer plank roads, making it easier for the army and its supplies to enter.

"Since the Liang Dynasty's rebels will be wiped out soon, why does Your Highness want to go to Jiangnan in person?" Wei Zhaosheng was puzzled.

Emperor Hui'an and the Crown Prince exchanged a glance, sensing a flash of emotion in each other's eyes. Suddenly realizing something, he asked, "Could it be that the Crown Prince believes that there is another force besides the rebels?"

Li Cheng nodded and said, "The Liang Dynasty rebels are just like summer locusts. They won't be around for a few days and are not worth being afraid of. What I am most worried about is the group of people who hijacked government silver and purchased military equipment. They hide in the dark under the guise of the rebels, constantly spying on the court's every move. The people behind the scenes are very cunning."

This was exactly what he was worried about. If the rebels colluded with this group of thieves and attempted to overthrow the temple... the prince's frown deepened.

Emperor Hui'an felt a mouthful of blood choking in his heart, and slammed his fist on the imperial desk with a bang: "These villains, the world has rarely had a few years of peace and prosperity, and they are already ready to act rashly and try to usurp the throne? I am not even dead yet!"

When he got anxious, his rough nature when marching and fighting was fully exposed.

Li Cheng restrained his expression and whispered, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. They are just some traitors and villains who want to harm people and deceive the emperor. They don't have the ability to do that." His voice was low but powerful.

Emperor Hui'an looked at the handsome and steady Crown Prince and felt extremely relieved for a moment.

By the time they'd finished discussing political matters, the sun had already set behind the horizon. A summer breeze began to pick up, ruffling the man's robe.

Li Gu looked at the night and turned his head and said, "It's getting late. Why don't you just stay in the palace for one night?" It was already past curfew, and the prince's face was full of fatigue. Emperor Hui'an couldn't help but frown.

It wasn't that the emperor missed his son, nor was he worried that he would be arrested by the night patrolling Jinwu Guards. As the crown prince, he had the power to wield power throughout Chang'an. Simply staying overnight in the palace wouldn't be a big deal; he had to attend court tomorrow morning, so he didn't have to run around.

Initially, the emperor was particularly dissatisfied with the location of the Crown Prince's Mansion. It was located east of the Imperial City, requiring a detour through two thoroughfares. He and the Empress lived alone in the palace, feeling particularly desolate.

His children lived far away from home, and he had wanted the prince to choose a palace in the front hall of the imperial palace as the prince's palace several times. However, the prince's mansion was a long-standing residence after all, and he was used to living there. No matter how he persuaded him, the prince just refused to move.

Li Cheng's lips curled up slightly, his entire body looking incredibly pleased. He waved his hand and refused, "No, Liang Yuan is pregnant, I have to go back to be with her." His eyes gazed into the distance, a faint glimpse of the sea and stars.

Li Gu was stunned for a moment. Is this still the prince he remembered? Why does it feel like he has changed his mind? After all, in his opinion, the eldest son, as the crown prince, has always behaved in a disciplined and steady manner. How could he have shown such a look?

Thinking that he would soon become a grandfather, the emperor's face gradually brightened with joy. He patted the prince's stiff shoulders and laughed, "Good boy, you really made your father proud!"

Thinking of what he had promised, he added: "When she gives birth to the child, I will definitely promote her position. I will never go back on my word to you."

The prince suddenly turned around and said solemnly: "Father, I want to promote her as soon as possible. After all, the baby in her belly is my first child."

Li Gu stared at the prince for a long time, then suddenly clapped his hands and laughed: "Okay, okay, I will order someone to announce the decree tomorrow, and I will not let your darling daughter suffer."

The Crown Prince naturally heard the teasing in his father's words, and the tips of his ears turned slightly red. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Father."

Father and son stood before the main hall, gazing up at the star-filled sky. The gap between them, always distant, was slowly closing because of the silent arrival of this little life.

Li Cheng galloped his horse and just as he stopped in front of the East Palace gate, he threw the white jade whip to Li Gui who was standing beside him. While unbuttoning the secret buttons on his clothes, he asked:

"Liangyuan, what did you do today? You can have your meal and the imperial physician can come to take your pulse on time." Although the imperial edict had not arrived yet, he kept calling Liangyuan.

Li Gui bowed and followed behind, answering each question one by one. Upon hearing that Princess Bai Ri had visited the mansion, Li Cheng frowned, his impatience faintly visible.

"What is she doing here?" Knowing that Liang Yuan is pregnant, she wants to instigate her to do something bad.

Li Gui replied embarrassedly: "Her Royal Highness the Princess came with the young master, and talked a lot with Her Majesty. From afar I saw Her Majesty holding the young master, and she seemed very happy."

"That kid still needs someone to hold the queen. Is she okay?"

It wasn't that the Crown Prince was partial; he had seen how strong that little fellow Zhao Yu was. A small person like that could have smashed into someone's arms and torn them apart. He was truly worried that the young prince wouldn't be careful and might even hurt the baby in his belly.

After hearing Li Gui's report that the young master had always behaved well and had not made any rash moves, Li Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and soon reached the courtyard gate.

Looking at the faint light inside through the window, Li Cheng suddenly felt refreshed. The fatigue of the whole day disappeared in an instant, and only incomparable satisfaction remained in his heart.

He took off his coat and handed it to Li Gui, then walked in quietly with low footsteps. When he saw the bulge in the bed curtain, he couldn't help laughing.

Carefully sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned slightly to the side and finally saw the woman breathing steadily. Her face was no longer as pale as it had been this morning, and some color had returned.

Seeing a playful strand of hair on her face rising and falling with her breathing, he raised his hand to tuck the hair behind her ear, pressed his palm against her temple and gently stroked it, his movements full of pity.

Just as he was staring intently, the woman slowly opened her eyes and saw the man sitting beside the bed. She exclaimed in surprise: "Your Highness"

"It's me," the man answered softly, and then asked, "Did I wake you up?" Liang Hanzhang shook his head silently.

The man was so tall that he almost completely blocked out the small candlelight not far away. Liang Hanzhang couldn't see his face clearly, so he just placed his dry and rough palm against his face affectionately.

Seeing her eyes filled with obsession and dependence, the prince couldn't explain what he felt. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and love her. However, in this situation, he had to restrain himself and not be as reckless as he was a few days ago.

The two of them were silent. The woman could feel his breath and naturally noticed his fatigue. She took his hand and asked him to lie down: "Your Highness has been tired all day. Lie down and rest for a while."

The man shook his head and quickly pulled his hand out, saying a little awkwardly: "I haven't taken a shower yet, and I'm afraid that the smell on my body will offend you."

He hadn't showered since last night, and he'd smelled a faint scent on her body during the entire journey. Even a grown man like him couldn't stand it, let alone a pregnant woman.

The girl he was talking about didn't mind at all. Without saying anything, she pulled him down to lie down, half-lifted her body against his chest, and carefully examined him inch by inch. Her eyes moved, her face full of heartache, "Your Highness, you have worked hard."

Li Cheng smelled the woman's sweet fragrance and felt relaxed all over. He hugged her carefully and said with a smile, "I am the crown prince of a country. It's not hard at all. I am just doing what I should do."

He lowered his gaze to her lower abdomen and asked softly, "How about you? Do you feel unwell?"

Liang Hanzhang shook her head, turned over, and almost nestled in the prince's arms: "I eat and drink well, how can I feel uncomfortable?"

The prince's voice was hesitant and a little embarrassed: "I heard that when a woman is pregnant, the baby will kick the mother due to fetal movement. Sometimes the kick is so hard that the mother will feel pain."

Before he could finish his words, the woman in his arms smiled and chuckled, "Your Highness only knows one side of the story. Although there is fetal movement, the baby in our belly is only two months old now. It has not grown completely yet and does not have the strength to kick me."

Li Cheng particularly liked the word "we" in her words, as if through these two words, he immediately imagined their close and intimate relationship. You are in me and I am in you, forever entangled together, with no chance of separation.

The woman's soft, boneless hand reached for his waist, searching for something. The intermittent touches sent heat surging through the prince's body. He frowned, grabbed the woman's restless hand, and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Liang Hanzhang struggled to get up from his arms, wanting to continue searching. But the man's strong arms pulled her back down.

He passed his arm through the man's neck and said in a low voice with a hoarse tone: "What are you looking for?"

Confined by the man's heavy body, Liang Hanzhang could only lie obediently beside him. Feeling quite bored, she raised her hand and drew circles on his chest.

The prince sighed, his breathing becoming heavier, his voice full of helplessness: "Why are you so naughty tonight?" The tone of his voice was like coaxing a child.

The woman stared at him with her eyes, quite wanting to take advantage of him: "Isn't your Highness happy that I'm not obedient?"

The prince chuckled softly, his brows filled with tenderness. He took her hand and held it to his heart. "So, do you believe it?"

"You have always been in my heart. It's not because you are pregnant with my child that I love you so much."

He looked serious. Liang Hanzhang looked into his eyes and felt like she was glimpsing a pair of dark and deep eyes. She instinctively wanted to escape, but the man did not give her any chance.

He pressed her cheek with his backhand and forced her to look into his eyes, and said every word with utmost care: "Mother Zhang, I am pleased with you."

The clear voice was like the sound of bluestones colliding in a hollow valley. Liang Hanzhang was bewildered as he stared blankly at the man. His hair was loose, a few strands falling to his ears. Although his hair looked a little messy and unkempt, it did not diminish his elegant demeanor in the slightest.

She sighed in her heart: How could this man be so handsome? How could she have met such a gentle and dignified man?

Her mind was blank for a moment. In that instant, she felt for the first time that being forced by Yan Guang to come to the Eastern Palace was not such a bad thing.

After all, since she came to the East Palace, she had enjoyed a life far beyond the reach of her status. This man was gentle as water, and except for the initial attempt to kill her, he was always very kind.

Here, she truly felt that she was a living person, not an object that anyone could manipulate.

The woman stared at him blankly without saying a word. Li Cheng felt as if someone was grabbing his heart, and he was so nervous that his breathing became a little tight. Could it be that his words were too bold and scared her?

The man raised his eyes slightly, his eyes full of regret. Just as he was about to explain, the person in his arms asked in a muffled voice, "I don't believe it. Don't you still have that lady Qin in your heart?"

That person had been hidden in his heart for so long that whenever he thought of her, he couldn't help but play the piano. His heart was really big, it could accommodate so many people at once.

As if he didn't expect her to ask this, Li Rong was distracted for a moment before he found his voice: "Actually, I can't really say that I love her."

After all, both parties were young at the time, and they were just communicating and accompanying each other, which had nothing to do with the love that adults talk about.

"At the time, I was imprisoned in the Changsun Mansion. The Li Emperor was angry that my father had rejected his proposal, so he wanted to vent his anger by torturing me. Back then, I was in a small attic, surrounded by soldiers and guarded, and I had no water for several days."

Seeing that she was almost starving to death, Li Fu, who was imprisoned next to her, planned to go downstairs to steal some food. Unexpectedly, those fierce and ferocious men turned a blind eye to the little girl's behavior, but did not hesitate to treat Li Fu.

The huge military stick hit the eunuch with a dull thud. When Li Fu followed him, he was already a eunuch.

The sound of the stick hitting the flesh was piercing, but the man endured it with a grim expression and bleeding lips, but he still refused to utter a single sound.

Li Cheng hardly remembered what happened at that time. He only knew that he was leaning on the window and looking down, and saw the flying military sticks drawing arcs in the air.

Li Fu, lying on the ground, gnashed his teeth and his eyes were bloodshot, with beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down his forehead.

Soon, a pool of blood appeared on the ground. The soldiers had finished beating the man and left him lying there, soaked and looking like a dead person.

The blood on the ground gradually solidified, turning a terrifying black-purple color. Li Cheng stared at the blood-red sunset in the sky, and an endless sadness welled up in his heart.

This, probably, is death.

Like a night-blooming cereus, it will return to oblivion before it has bloomed brightly enough in this world.