Chapter 295 The Emperor's Personal Expedition
On October 15th, the autumn weather was clear and crisp, and the long wind blew the fluttering flags.
Xiao Heng was dressed in black armor, with a sword hanging from his waist, standing on a tall horse. Behind him were the imperial cavalry stretching for thousands of miles. His armor shone coldly in the sunlight, and his majesty intimidated everyone in sight.
Not far away, the King of Lanyue Kingdom, wearing a battle robe, rode on horseback with his country's elite troops.
The soldiers of the two countries responded to each other from afar, and their voices shook the wilderness.
Above the imperial city, the queen stood in a corner tower in a phoenix robe, her eyes fixed on the direction of the departing army. The golden hairpins at her temples swayed gently in the breeze, making the worry between her brows even more obvious.
Duanrou's eyes were fixed on the familiar figure in the crowd.
After a moment, he turned around as if he had sensed something and waved to Duan Rou on the city wall from afar.
When eyes meet, thousands of words are expressed without words.
Watching the figure walking away, Duan Rou couldn't help but think of the letter He Yunzheng left for her a few days ago:
I have admired the princess for twelve years. I was timid in the past and missed the opportunity. Every time I think of this, I feel overwhelmed with regret, but now I will never let go.
The princess is a golden branch and jade leaf, and it is not an ordinary match, so I swear that I will work hard to strive for fame and fortune.
When I am able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the princess and have achieved success, I will marry her with a ten-mile-long red wedding dress and a sedan chair carried by eight people.
For the rest of my life, I will stand against the wind and rain, and bear the frost and snow. I will use my life to protect your happiness and peace.
The letter is short but the feelings are deep, words cannot express my feelings, but my true heart is as bright as the sun and the moon.
There were some waves in her heart, but now she no longer insisted on everlasting love or undivided devotion. She just let everything go with the will of heaven.
The queen looked at Duanrou and couldn't help but understand something.
"He Yunzheng is a martial artist. The Emperor has repeatedly wanted to promote him, but he has remained content to be a guard, lying dormant for years. Now, he's suddenly asked to accompany the Emperor on a campaign. I'm afraid... it's all because of you."
Duanrou smiled faintly.
The Queen caressed the back of Duanrou's hand and said softly, "Duanrou, I once mistook thorns for flowers. Fortunately, a breeze broke through the fog, and I met my beloved around the corner. I hope you will be happy."
After this incident, the Queen felt guilty towards Duanrou.
Everyone was shocked. Xie Yunche, who was usually considerate and caring towards Duan Rou and treated her like a treasure, had a mistress outside. It was a huge blow to Duan Rou.
Duan Rou gently held the Queen's hand, her eyes slightly lowered, "I will be happy, but..."
Duan Rou's lips curled up slightly. "Life is more than just love. Having it is icing on the cake, but not having it is also harmless. A woman's happiness is given by herself, not by men. From now on... I will love myself well."
She looked at the queen with a smile, and they smiled at each other. The queen nodded with satisfaction.
Half a month after Xiao Heng went to war, the harem was unusually quiet.
The concubines were either embroidering and playing the piano in the palace, or burning incense and praying with the queen, praying that Xiao Heng would return triumphantly as soon as possible.
In Weiyang Palace, everyone was in a state of panic due to Xiyue's arrival, but they were also filled with joy and laughter.
This was the first time the Queen had raised such a young child. Cheng'an was already six years old when he came to Weiyang Palace, so she paid even more attention to Xiyue.
When she first came to Weiyang Palace, Xiyue cried every night, and even the wet nurse and the nanny couldn't comfort her.
So the queen would hold her in her arms and coax her to sleep. Sometimes she would walk around the palace all night, and she would cry whenever she stopped.
Sometimes I would think she was asleep and wanted to sit down or hand her to the wet nurse to hold for a while, but Xiyue would wake up as if startled and start crying.
Therefore, it was common for the queen to stay up all night. The next day, she had to put on makeup before dawn and wait for the concubines from all palaces to come and pay their respects.
However, despite such careful care, Xiyue still fell ill in early winter.
At night, Xiyue suddenly developed a fever. Her little face turned red, her breathing became heavy, and she cried with her eyes closed. The queen was shocked when she touched her burning body and quickly ordered someone to call the imperial physician.
After feeding Xiyue the medicine, the Queen stayed by Xiyue's side all the time.
Whenever Xiyue frowned, she would pick her up with heartache, holding her for the whole night, her arms so numb that she dared not move.
Seeing this, Su Nanqing and Concubine Ning, who had come to pay their respects early, could not help but sigh at the Queen's motherly love for the Second Princess.
Concubine Ning looked at Xiyue, who was half asleep, and said, "Your Majesty, you've been through a lot these days. Fortunately, the princess is with you. Only you have such great patience."
The Queen gently patted Xiyue's shoulder and whispered, "This child is so pitiful... She lost her mother shortly after she was born. I really feel sorry for her and like her."
"Besides...I am her mother, and she is also my daughter. This is what I should do."
As soon as the voice fell, Fu Liu stepped forward and said, "My Lady, it's getting late. You should get dressed."
The queen looked at Xiyue, who was still asleep, and felt reluctant to leave.
Seeing this, Concubine Ning hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, how about I accompany the princess? I know how to coax a child."
The Queen was naturally confident in Concubine Ning.
Back then, the eldest princess was difficult to raise when she was young, crying all day and night. It was Concubine Ning who took care of her personally, raising her with great care.
"Okay..." The queen nodded slightly, and thanked her sister for her hard work.
After the Queen went to dress, Concubine Ning sat by the bed and looked at Xiyue tenderly. She gently held Xiyue's little hand and coaxed her to sleep.
However, at this moment, Xiyue suddenly started coughing violently, her little face turned red, and she vomited out the undigested milk.
Concubine Ning's heart tightened, and she quickly turned Xiyue over to sleep on her side, then took a handkerchief and gently wiped the milk from the corner of her mouth.
"Did the princess just drink milk?" Su Nanqing asked.
The wet nurse beside her replied, "Yes, the princess just drank it not long ago."
At this time, Xiyue gradually woke up and looked carefully at Concubine Ning and Su Nanqing in front of her.
Concubine Ning smiled kindly: "Is our little princess awake? If so, why not get up and play for a while?"
Her voice was extremely soft, and her smile was as warm as the winter sun, but Xiyue didn't cry.
Su Nanqing smiled and said, "Sister Ning Fei, your sleeves are a little wet. Let me hold the Second Princess."
Concubine Ning lowered her eyes and only then discovered some milk stains on her sleeves. She smiled softly, "Fortunately, the princess's clothes are not wet, only the quilt and pillow are wet."
She looked at the palace maids and said, "You will change the princess into a new one later. I will go and wash up."
The palace maid quickly leaned forward and said, "Yes, I obey your command."
After Concubine Ning left, Su Nanqing lovingly held Xiyue in her arms, her fingertips gently brushing across Xiyue's delicate eyebrows and eyes, and said softly, "Our Yue'er has such beautiful eyes."
She really looks like your departed mother.
The corners of Su Nanqing's mouth slowly curled up, but her eyes were as quiet as a deep pool. She looked gentle, but hid a subtle edge.
"It's really so lovable~"
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