On this day, the first snow fell, and Qi Mingyue suddenly wanted to admire the plum blossoms. Yao Xiuyan then ordered people to spread felt all over the plum grove pavilion, hang brocade curtains all around, and set up braziers and incense burners, making it as warm as spring.

Ashina Yun and others rushed over upon hearing the news, bringing newly brewed plum wine—naturally, only for the male guests, while the women drank warm milk tea.

Lin Qiuyan suddenly said, "It's time for a white blizzard to blow across the border."

Everyone fell silent. Qi Mingyue looked northwest: "I wonder how the new city is..."

Yao Xiuyan held her hand: "With General Li guarding the area, there's no problem."

Xiao Chengyu smiled and said, "After you finish your confinement period, shall we go back together to take a look? Mother has been saying she wants to see the new city."

As they were talking, Qi Mingyue suddenly clutched her stomach: "Ouch..."

Everyone panicked. Yao Xiuyan urgently summoned the imperial physician, but heard her chuckle and say, "I was just kidding."

Ashina Yun patted his chest: "That scared me to death!"

Qi Mingyue blinked: "It's because you've all been too tense lately."

Yao Xiuyan shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of indulgence.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the red plum blossoms against the snow were a breathtaking sight. Qi Mingyue leaned against her husband, watching her friends laugh and joke, and suddenly realized that nothing could be more peaceful and serene than this.

During her evening rest, she whispered, "Brother Xiuyan, I'm a little scared."

Yao Xiuyan pulled her closer: "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of the pain of childbirth, I'm afraid of the responsibilities of being a mother..." Her voice trailed off, "and I'm even more afraid of not being a good mother."

He kissed the top of her head: "Silly girl. You treat the children of Xincheng with such care, you will only treat our children better."

"But……"

"No buts." He gently stroked her belly with his palm. "I'll stay with you."

Outside the window, snow fell silently, while inside, a warm fragrance filled the air. Qi Mingyue gradually fell asleep, dreaming of the fallen red plum blossoms and the sprouting of new green branches.

In a daze, I seemed to hear the cry of a baby, clear and loud.

She smiled, turned over, and sank deeper into her dream.

Yao Xiuyan stayed up all night, watching her sleeping face by candlelight, occasionally reaching out to check her pulse, his brows furrowed with a mixture of worry and joy.

As the drumbeats rang out four times, he suddenly whispered to her as she slept, "Mingyue, thank you."

Thank you for coming into my life, thank you for giving me this family.

The snow's light shone through the window, illuminating the tears in the general's eyes and the dimples on the princess's lips.

Good things in this world are mostly like this—there are people to wait for, and expectations to look forward to.

In the twelfth lunar month, heavy snow fell continuously in the capital. Qi Mingyue was so heavy that she could hardly get out of bed, and spent all day huddled in the warm pavilion, gazing absently at the snowy scenery outside the window. Yao Xiuyan moved all his official duties to the warm pavilion, and the documents piled up all over the bed, making it resemble a small imperial court.

That day, he was reviewing military reports from Hexi when he suddenly heard a soft laugh from the person on the bed. He looked up and saw Qi Mingyue holding a letter, her eyebrows and eyes curved in a smile.

“A letter from my cousin Chengyu.” She waved the letter, “She said she made twelve zodiac animal bibs for the baby and will send them over in a couple of days.”

Yao Xiuyan leaned closer to read the letter and saw that it was full of parenting advice. He couldn't help but chuckle, "The Third Princess seems to have given birth herself."

"She consulted the Imperial Physician for a long time," Qi Mingyue said, stroking her pregnant belly. "She also said that she would hold a flower-viewing banquet in the spring to celebrate the baby's one-month birthday."

As they were talking, she suddenly felt intense fetal movement. Yao Xiuyan quickly put down his pen and stroked her belly: "Why are you so restless today?"

"Perhaps he heard there was going to be a banquet." Qi Mingyue suddenly frowned. "Ouch... he kicked me in the ribs..."

Yao Xiuyan immediately summoned the imperial physician. After examining the young master, the physician smiled and said, "The young master is very healthy. It's just that the lady needs more nourishment, as she has lost some weight recently."

So the Prince's kitchen staff worked day and night, devising all sorts of nourishing dishes. One day they would stew pigeon, the next day they would simmer deer tendons, leaving Qi Mingyue complaining bitterly.

Ashina Yun came to see her and laughed when he saw her: "We Northern Di women eat roasted whole lamb during pregnancy! Unlike you, who are so refined!" As he spoke, he ordered someone to bring over half a roasted lamb.

Qi Mingyue felt nauseous at the smell of the grease. Yao Xiuyan sternly told her to leave, "Nonsense!"

Ashina Yun said aggrievedly, "I was doing it for Mingyue's own good..."

In the end, Lin Qiuyan came to the rescue, distributing the roasted lamb to the soldiers as a snack and cooking herself a bowl of sour soup noodles in the style of the border region. Qi Mingyue ate it with relish, even drinking the soup.

As the news spread, various households vied to offer their remedies. The medicinal meals sent by the Crown Princess were the most effective, the Third Princess wore her calming sachet every night, and even Qi Yue learned to make a few desserts.

On the day of Laba Festival, the palace bestowed a special Laba porridge. The Empress specifically instructed, "Add more red dates and longan, which are excellent for nourishing blood and replenishing qi."

Qi Mingyue had only eaten half a bowl when she suddenly felt abdominal pain. After taking her pulse, the imperial physician exclaimed with delight, "It's a sign of labor! It'll probably be within the next couple of days!"

The Prince's mansion was thrown into chaos. The delivery room had already been prepared, and four midwives moved into the mansion overnight. Yao Xiuyan was so anxious that he couldn't sleep all night, pacing back and forth in the corridor.

Qi Mingyue comforted him instead: "Brother Xiuyan, don't panic. The imperial physicians all said the baby's position is correct."

“I know…” he tightened his grip on her hand, “but…”

But when I think of those women who died in childbirth at the border, and the pain their delicate bodies had to endure, I think of them.

At midnight, Qi Mingyue began to experience contractions. The midwives gathered around, and Yao Xiuyan was asked to leave the room.

He stood in the snow, listening to the faint groans coming from within, his heart aching. Xiao Chengyu and Su Wanqing rushed over upon hearing the news, and sighed upon seeing the scene.

“Every woman has to go through this,” Xiao Chengyu said softly. “Mingyue is a blessed person and will surely turn misfortune into good fortune.”

As dawn was breaking, a sudden cry rang out—clear and bright like shattered jade!

The midwife announced with joy: "Congratulations, Your Highness! It's a little prince!"

Yao Xiuyan rushed into the delivery room and saw Qi Mingyue, her face pale, holding a wrinkled, red infant in her arms. He knelt before the bed, stammering, "Mingyue...you...you've suffered so much..."

Qi Mingyue smiled weakly: "Brother Xiuyan, look, the baby looks like you."

The baby actually opened its eyes and looked at him, its eyes pale, as if they held the moonlight of the border region.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!