After that, there was no further news.
War is a matter of state, and Shen Zhiyi could not inquire too much about it from the emperor. She could only hope day and night for her father and brother to return safely.
Time flies, the twelfth lunar month is here, and the end of the year is approaching.
The southern border was pacified, and the people were happy. With no war in the south, many young men no longer needed to go to the battlefield. On the day the southern soldiers returned to the capital in triumph, the people celebrated along the streets. Shen Zhiyi was among them, but...
But Zhou Xuance was nowhere to be seen!
“Your Highness!” Kong Qing replied.
"Where is the prince?"
"He still has some matters to attend to in the Southern Frontier. He sent his subordinates back to the capital to let you know he's safe." Kong Qing had injuries on his face, so it was easy to guess that the last battle in the Southern Frontier must have been extremely fierce.
It was cold, so Chen Zhiyi was dressed in many layers, including a thick fox fur cloak, so even her slightly protruding belly was not noticeable.
She didn't announce her pregnancy even after the first trimester.
I fear that remnants of the Southern Xinjiang faction have infiltrated the capital and intend to provoke conflict.
When will he be able to return?
Kong Qing spoke haltingly, "This subordinate does not know."
He only learned that Shen Zhiyi was pregnant after he returned home.
I was both surprised and delighted.
He vaguely remembered that the number of times the prince and princess had shared a room together... shouldn't have been that many!
Moreover, the prince suffered from poisoning in his early years, which damaged his health.
At the time, a doctor diagnosed him, saying that he might have difficulty having children after he came of age.
Looking back now:
What a quack!
His prince is truly incredibly valiant; he got the princess pregnant so quickly.
However, fearing that telling him at this time would affect his mood, Kong Qing did not inform him of Shen Zhiyi's pregnancy in a timely manner.
The Emperor commended the soldiers who had rendered meritorious service in the southern border region and held a small celebration banquet. Shen Zhiyi did not attend; instead, she stared at the few magnolia trees in the courtyard.
She longed for it.
Wait,
By the New Year, none of Zhou Xuance, his father, or his brothers had returned.
His Majesty, showing compassion, granted Shen Zhiyi permission to enter the palace with the Shen family to celebrate the festival.
The lights were dazzling, and the atmosphere was one of peace and prosperity.
This is the coldest time of year in the North. Most of the time, there is no charcoal fire for warmth. When soldiers are thirsty during marches, they even chew ice and drink snow to relieve their thirst. I don't know how my father and brothers are doing.
The Lunar New Year is always a time of family joy, with festive cheer and celebrations everywhere.
The weather was freezing cold, and Chen Zhiyi was too lazy to even leave the mansion.
She only looked at the lake in the mansion, which, after being frozen, gradually thawed, and when the ice and snow completely melted, the willows by the lake sprouted new buds...
The magnolia trees that Zhou Xuance planted himself,
One tree froze to death.
The rest have all sprouted new leaves.
Shen Zhiyi stared at the new buds on the branches. "Men are all liars."
The magnolias will be in bloom...
Why hasn't he returned yet?
——
That day
When Chen Zhiyi got up, it was already past 9 AM. The spring light was bright. Hongrui brought her water to wash up, and as Lühe opened the window to let in fresh air, she saw the magnolia tree in the courtyard...
The flowers have bloomed.
It looks like white jade adorning the branches.
She glanced at it and muttered to herself, "Liar."
After finishing her hair and makeup, Kong Qing hurriedly knocked on the door and entered: "Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"The prince has returned to the capital."
Chen Zhiyi jumped up from her chair, startling Hong Rui and Lü He. "My dear girl, you're pregnant. You can't let your emotions fluctuate so much."
"Where is he?" Shen Zhiyi asked impatiently.
"We should be entering the city soon."
"Prepare the carriage, let's leave the manor!"
She looked hurried and walked quickly, which frightened the two maids and Kong Qing so much that their faces turned pale.
Ancestors,
Are you carrying a little darling in your belly?
If something goes wrong, how will they explain it when the prince returns?
When Shen Zhiyi arrived at the street she had to pass through to enter the city, there were already many people watching. The first thing that caught her eye was the flag of the Northern Army, which made her heart tremble.
This is not an army commanded by his father or brothers.
How could Zhou Xuance have returned to the capital with the Northern Army?
As the soldiers entered the city one after another, amidst the cheers of the people, Shen Zhiyi heard:
"I heard that this time, the Duke of Zhenguo led his army and drove the Rong and Yi tribes in the north back to their homeland."
"They will not dare to invade for at least a hundred years."
"It is said that several months ago, the Northern Army was besieged in Fancheng for more than a month. It was the Regent who received the news and led his elite troops to its aid, catching the enemy off guard."
"A raid from the southern border to the northern frontier? That's more than ten thousand miles."
Our good days are coming!
...
Amidst the deafening cheers, Shen Zhiyi spotted a familiar figure.
He rode a tall horse, wore black armor, and had a bronze mask that made him look cold and murderous. He was a man who had fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Even a slight pursing of his lips exuded a murderous aura.
Until,
His gaze swept across the crowd, only softening when it settled on one person.
He dismounted and walked through the crowd.
At that moment,
Months had passed, yet it felt like years. After enduring the bitter cold and harsh weather, Zhou Xuance's heart finally seemed to settle down when he held her tightly in his arms. "Yiyi, I'm back."
Chen Zhi nodded in agreement.
My throat is dry and hoarse, and my eyes feel hot.
Zhou Xuance hadn't seen her for so long, he held her tightly, not wanting to let go for even a moment.
He only turned around when he heard the familiar cough. "Father-in-law."
Shen Chongde had already dismounted, and Shen Zhiyi hurriedly greeted her father, "Father."
He looked his daughter up and down: "You..."
"You've gained weight."
Shen Zhiyi was taken aback for a moment.
"Oh, it seems my little sister is having a very comfortable time in the capital. My brother-in-law talks about her every day, he can't eat or drink, he's almost sick with longing."
Shen Muzhi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, put his hand on Zhou Xuance's shoulder, and laughed: "See? I told you long ago that this girl is heartless."
"Look how well she's fattened herself up."
"Second brother!" Shen Chongde frowned, signaling Shen Muzhi to be more composed.
Having gone through several life-or-death battles, their bond was naturally extraordinary.
It was one thing for him to be unruly in the army, but now that he's back in the capital, Zhou Xuance is, after all, the regent, and he has to be mindful of his status.
Just as Shen Muzhi removed his hand from Zhou Xuance's shoulder, he heard his younger sister say:
“You’re about to become an uncle, yet you’re still so immature. If you’re like this, I dare not go to the Zheng family to propose marriage for you.”
"Who said I was going to get married? I..." Shen Muzhi realized something was wrong before he could finish his sentence.
uncle?
The pregnant woman is the sister-in-law; he should be the uncle.
What kind of uncle?
He glanced at his younger sister's stomach instinctively.
Although it was already spring, she was dressed quite warmly, and wearing a white cloak, so it was not noticeable that Zhou Xuance and Shen Chongde were also watching her closely.
"Yiyi?" Zhou Xuance frowned. "You wouldn't...?"
Shen Zhi smiled but remained silent.
Perhaps because the surprise came too suddenly, Shen Chongde was stunned for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.
With the war over, his daughter-in-law and daughter both pregnant, he had time to enjoy his grandchildren.
Shen Jingchuan, leading his troops behind, was overjoyed to hear that his younger sister was pregnant.
Zhou Xuance's expression was complicated...
"You don't like children?"
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