The end of the year is approaching.

An Zhongtao has successfully arrived at the border and sent back a message. After An Qingran received the news, she immediately informed her mother. Lian Jinyu was temporarily relieved.

Although An Qingran was still worried, she didn't expect that something that made her even more worried would happen soon.

However, on the fifth day after the battle report of safety, another battle report arrived: An Zhongtao was seriously ill and in critical condition.

The whole court was shocked by the news. After An Qingran heard it, her head buzzed and she didn't know what to think for a long time. She didn't tell her mother, but just looked at Dongfang Jin: "Will the court send someone to replace General An immediately? Or will the deputy general directly replace my father to command the army?"

"The general's deputy has taken over the general's position and is commanding the army, but he has not attacked the city. He is just standing guard, waiting for the court's response... A deputy general is still a deputy general after all. Even if he has experience in major battles, he will be timid at times and not as brave and wise as the general."

"Does that mean the court will send someone?" An Qingran asked anxiously.

Dongfang Jin nodded: "Although the emperor has not yet come to court, he will most likely send more people for this matter. After all, Tai'an cannot be lost, and the end of the year is approaching. If we fail to win the battle, I'm afraid it will hit morale."

"Who else in the court can be sent?" An Qingran sighed.

Dongfang Jin did not answer.

However, during the morning court session the next day, King Kang volunteered to share the country's worries.

Emperor Yunqi did not comment, but only praised him for his courage.

A smile appeared on Dongfang Jin's lips. King Kang finally took action.

After listening to Dongfang Jin's story, An Qingran shook her head and sneered, "King Kang is going because he wants to take control of the military power. If there is any merit in this battle, all the credit will be his. If there is any fault, it will be my father's fault. I'm afraid he will say that my father doesn't train the soldiers strictly and has no way to lead them. Of course, my father is ill now. If he goes, I'm afraid my father will not be able to recover..."

An Qingran was worried that Dongfang Ye would make matters worse for his father.

Dongfang Jin hugged her gently and said, "Don't be afraid, Qingqing. Your husband will personally lead the troops to help your father-in-law."

An Qingran was shocked when she heard this: "That's not what I meant..."

"I know you'll be worried about me if I go to the front, but you should be well aware of your husband's abilities. If I go, General An and I will take care of him." Dongfang Jin seemed to have thought about it for a long time, and she sounded very confident and resolute when she spoke, as if there was no need for further discussion.

An Qingran felt a pain in her heart, but she knew that Dongfang Jin's decision was correct. If he didn't go, Prince Kang would take the opportunity to cause who knows how many troubles. She understood Dongfang Ye's methods, so she was even more afraid that he would take the opportunity to seize the throne.

An Qingran sat there depressed, and was even more speechless because she couldn't stop it.

Dongfang Jin put his arm around her slender waist and whispered in her ear, "Going to the battlefield this time is just the right opportunity for training. I am the best choice. I have already applied to the emperor. Although he was hesitant, he finally agreed. I am just worried about you."

"Am I stupid enough to make you worry?"

“When I’m not around, you should try not to leave the palace... and you are not allowed to go to the Shouwang Mansion.” When he mentioned the three words Shouwang Mansion, there was already sourness in his tone.

An Qingran smiled silently.

How could she not hear that this man was really narrow-minded? She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Dongfang Jin also said seriously: "Especially not to see Dongfang Run."

"You don't trust me, or you lack confidence?" An Qingran said sharply.

Dongfang Jin was choked by the retort and smiled embarrassedly: "In short, you have to ensure your own safety and wait for the news of my victory..."

As he spoke, he picked up An Qingran and put her on the bed. With a slight tug of his fingers, the belt loosened. An Qingran smiled helplessly and did not object. Instead, she let him caress her body with infinite pity and tenderness. It was winter outside, but inside, it was like spring...

Finally Dongfang Jin left.

At this moment, the palace was filled with a New Year atmosphere, with lights and decorations, and there was no sign of the impact of the war on the border.

An Qingran was taking care of everything. From time to time, someone would come to report on the situation and pay money and things. She didn't dare to be careless at all. When Dongfang Jin left, he also reminded her that when he was not around, she must not let anyone catch her in any way in the palace, so she should be careful.

She was very alert, but she was getting more and more tired day by day. When she was looking at the account book, she suddenly fainted and almost tore it to pieces. Fortunately, Ren Dong helped her up and said, "Crown Princess, you have been looking at it for two hours. You should take a rest. I think your complexion is getting worse these days. How about you take your own pulse to see if there is anything wrong?"

Take your own pulse?

An Qingran smiled. Doctors never treat themselves, but it is not impossible for her to take her own pulse. She was just a little tired, and everything else was fine.

She put her right hand on her left wrist, put her index finger on it, frowned slightly, and then her expression became serious. Ren Dong was also frightened, and waved her hand to let the other maids retreat. She helped An Qingran sit on the bed, staring at the three slender white fingers on her wrist, not missing the slight trembling of the fingers. Finally, seeing An Qingran withdraw her hand, she whispered: "Crown Princess, what's the situation? What's the problem? Why are you so careful?"

"Linde..." An Qingran called out to Rende and smiled. There was a hint of joy in her eyes, but there seemed to be a hint of hesitation and doubt. Rende couldn't understand it even more. She had served this young lady since she was a child, but she had never figured out her thoughts. She was really a stupid servant.

"It's okay. You are not allowed to tell anyone about my physical discomfort. Not even the maids in the courtyard are allowed to know. I am just tired these few days. I just need to rest. Also, be careful with these charcoal fires at night. Do not put out the fires or they will produce poisonous gas." An Qingran looked around again and pointed at the incense burner. "Don't burn incense anymore in the future. I can't stand the smell of fireworks now. It's better to be quiet... I will not receive any more reports today. If you have anything, come and report at noon tomorrow."

Chen time?

Every day, the Crown Princess gets up an hour early to start handling official business. It seems that the Crown Princess is really tired, but why does she feel something is not right?

An Qingran yawned, then lay sideways on the bed, pulling the floral quilt over her body. "Rosewood, make some vegetable soup for dinner. I want to drink water shield soup. We have baby vegetables, so we can just mix them together. We also have glutinous rice porridge..."

"Crown Princess, the dishes you imagined are so ingenious and delicious that my saliva is flowing. I will tell the kitchen right away and ask them to prepare them." Honeysuckle smiled and ran out.

When she walked out of the door and closed it, the smile on her lips grew deeper and deeper. The young lady looked a bit like the mistress of the house when she was pregnant with An Mingchen. Could it be that the young lady was really pregnant?

Since the young lady doesn't want to make it public, I'll just pretend I don't know.

She ran out happily, and just happened to bump into Shu Guifei and her group. She quickly retreated to the side of the road and waited respectfully for them to pass by. Unexpectedly, Shu Guifei stood in front of her: "What's the good news? Look at you smiling..."

"Replying to the Royal Concubine, the Crown Princess praised me a few words just now, so when I thought about it just now, I felt very happy. Thank you for your concern, Royal Concubine." Honeysuckle came up with an idea in a hurry.

Concubine Shu asked again: "The Crown Princess has been very busy recently. If there is anything, please inform me and I will help. Just tell the Crown Princess this."

"As you command."

Concubine Shu looked at Rendong for a few seconds, then turned and left.

Honeysuckle felt that her behavior was inappropriate, so she restrained her expression and became more careful.

An Qingran was lying on the bed by herself, and suddenly the corners of her mouth twitched, revealing a smile on her face. That smile was filled with happiness, making her whole face full of agility and charm.

***************

Imperial study.

Emperor Yunqi sat behind the dragon table with a serious expression. He looked less sickly and more mature.

A guard was standing on the ground, lowering his head and frowning: "Your Majesty, Prince Ning has arrived in Su'an. I am here to report."

"Well, did Prince Ning encounter any trouble along the way?" Emperor Yunqi showed concern on his face, but then he restrained his expression and pretended not to care.

"Your Majesty, when he was halfway there, Prince Ning suddenly encountered robbers. Before his subordinates could come to his rescue, another group of people came out and saved Prince Ning. Prince Ning escaped unharmed."

"Another group of people?"

"Your Majesty, those people were sent by Prince Shou. The leader said that Prince Shou was worried about Prince Ning's safety and escorted him all the way to Su'an."

King of longevity?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yunqi's eyebrows twitched a few times, and then he waved his hand: "Okay, you can go down."

After the secret guards left, Emperor Yunqi picked up the memorial, read it twice, and impatiently threw it down. It landed on the inkstone, and the ink splashed all over Yunqi's face. His face felt cold, and he raised his hand to wipe it. His hand was covered with black, which made him even more irritable. He couldn't help but stand up and paced back and forth on the ground...

*************

Phoenix Palace.

There was also a secret guard who leaned over and obeyed the order.

The Queen Mother's expression was very relaxed. She turned around and said, "Madame Rong, reward."

Nanny Rong brought out a plate of gold and handed it to the man.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to sacrifice my life for you. Doing these things is not worth anything."

"Take it." The Queen Mother said with a smile, "You have done a good job. Prince Ning is not suspicious, right?"

"To the Queen Mother, Prince Ning always believed that we were sent by Prince Shou and did not have any doubts. It's a pity that several of our brothers died. One of them was killed by Prince Ning, who thought he was a robber nearby... In short, Prince Ning's gratitude is beyond words." The man obviously understood what the Queen Mother meant.

This made the Queen Mother look a little unhappy: "Well, I understand, you can leave now."

The man took the reward and left.

Nanny Rong seemed to understand why the Empress Dowager sent two groups of people. However, she had learned her lesson now. As long as she was obedient, she would do whatever she was told to do. She should never think about leaving the Empress Dowager or standing in someone else's camp. The Empress Dowager was old, but her temper had become even worse, and she would not tolerate any sand in her eyes.