Chapter 32

When he woke up the next day, Qi Xinglan felt an unusual uneasiness in his heart. The dream he had last night was like a shadow hanging around him.

After waking up, Fu Wen went to work early. After washing up, Qi Xinglan walked around outside the hall. The September wind was a bit cool and it almost woke people up in no time.

The air outside was indeed better, and after walking around and coming back, the weird feeling in my heart disappeared a little.

I do have something to do today. Two months ago, Qi Xinglan gave a gift to Princess Wenxi's little daughter. As a result, the Princess's Mansion gradually became connected with Qi Xinglan.

She also made an appointment to meet him at Lanquan Hall this afternoon, bringing her little daughter with her.

The jade pendant that Hui Lin gave to Qi Xinglan on his birthday was now taken off by Qi Xinglan and was being rubbed in his hand. He sat there and Fu Wen watched from a distance, not knowing what he was thinking.

At this moment, she was only hoping that the young lady from the Princess's Mansion would arrive soon. With the noise of children playing, the atmosphere might be much better.

In fact, Fu Wen could guess what Her Majesty the Queen dreamed about that left such a big impact. It was nothing more than something related to the King.

But it is true that there has not been a single letter from the king, not even a single piece of news.

Fu Wen waited and waited, and finally it was noon. She watched Qi Xinglan eat just two bites and then put down her chopsticks.

"Your Highness, is today's meal not to your liking?"

Qi Xinglan looked up, perhaps realizing that her attitude was different from usual, so she smiled and said, "No, I just don't have an appetite. Please leave."

Fu Wen was helpless, but didn't say much.

Not long after, Wenxi and her daughter finally arrived.

The young lady loved to talk. She would talk to Qi Xinglan about this and that. Wenxi would sit aside drinking tea and remind her from time to time.

"Ningning, Auntie can't hug you because her belly is swollen."

"Auntie, can Ningning touch your brother?"

"How do you know it's my younger brother?" Qi Xinglan smiled and gently placed her hand on her belly. "Did you feel it?"

In fact, it has been five months, and you should be able to feel some movement, but it is not always possible to feel fetal movement. Ningning said with regret, "Is my little brother asleep? Why is he not moving?"

Her mother and Qi Xinglan were amused and laughed, "Ningning, children can't move all the time, they need to rest."

Fu Wen heaved a sigh of relief after hearing the commotion.

But they were not happy for long when a little eunuch rushed in.

"Sister Fuwen, let me go in and talk to Her Majesty the Queen. There's news from the border." The little eunuch was running with sweat all over his face, his face as red as an apple, and he asked her breathlessly.

"Ah? You...you go in."

Fu Wen felt that this was not a good thing, so she followed him in.

Qi Xinglan saw that the visitor was talking about news from the border, and did not care if there were other people present. "What news?"

The eunuch looked at Qi Xinglan, sniffed, and then said in a tearful voice: "Your Highness, the king's army was ambushed, and only a few people survived. General Yan led the team to search for them urgently, but... they haven't found them yet..."

The palace became quiet, and only the young eunuch could be heard talking.

Wenxi didn't dare to say anything, and Ningning was stopped by her mother when she wanted to speak. Yuanyuan saw her mother's expression with her round eyes, and seemed to know that she shouldn't speak at this moment.

Everyone in the audience looked at Qi Xinglan, as if waiting for him to speak.

Qi Xinglan's facial expression did not change, but his fists were clenched tightly. After a long while, he took a deep breath and asked, "Does the Queen Mother know about this?"

"...I guess I just found out."

"Okay, go down." After the others left, Qi Xinglan let go and leaned weakly against the back of the chair.

Wenxi knew that he was still pregnant, and gave Fuwen a look, and the latter also walked closer.

"Cousin, my cousin is a lucky man. Don't...don't worry too much. Make sure the little prince is safe first."

"Can you let your lady-in-waiting help you to the bed to rest for a while? Don't...don't be too uncomfortable."

"I...I'll take Ningning away first and come to see you another day."

Wenxi knew that now was not the time for her to be here. She heard that her cousin had gone out to fight in the war and not long after that, he brought back his cousin's wife and said he wanted to marry her, and even took a concubine. Their relationship was absolutely beyond the reach of others.

My cousin is now in critical condition, and my cousin's wife is pregnant with a baby. It is a time of turmoil in the court.

If...if my cousin really can't come back, then the baby in my cousin's belly will become the target of public criticism.

Thinking of this, Wen Xi pointed at a palace maid before leaving and said, "Go to the Imperial Hospital and find a doctor to come to Lanquan Palace to stay. Keep an eye on Her Majesty the Queen at all times and make sure to protect Her Majesty the Queen."

"I obey your command."

"Ningning, let's go back."

"Mother, I hope my uncle and aunt are okay."

Wenxi pulled her daughter over and held her in her arms, comforting her: "Of course nothing will happen to them. They are all good people, and good people will have good results."

*

Qi Chaoting naturally also heard the news. When he arrived, his hair was all messed up, and it was obvious that he was in a hurry.

"Brother!" Qi Chaoting pushed open the door and saw Qi Xinglan's expression. He walked closer while unconsciously lowering his voice, "Brother you..."

Qi Xinglan didn't answer. Qi Chaoting was anxious. Fu Wen was watching by the side and shook her head helplessly at Qi Chaoting.

Qi Chaoting had no choice but to sit down on the bed and try to comfort him: "Brother, you have to be more positive. Brother Fu has never lost a battle. Although he was ambushed this time, at least he didn't find anyone."

"If we haven't found the person yet, there is still hope, right?" Qi Chaoting touched his belly again, "Besides, you have a baby in your belly, you must cheer up..."

When Qi Xinglan mentioned the lucky grass, he relaxed a little. He sat up a little straighter, his Adam's apple rolling. At this time, Qi Chaoting looked into his eyes again, but his tone became flustered, "Brother, why... why are you crying?"

Qi Chaoting had never seen his brother cry in his entire life, so he knew that Huilin’s decision must have been a huge blow to him.

In fact, they all knew that with so many casualties, only King Xiyuan was missing, and his fate would definitely not be good.

"Brother you..." Qi Chaoting saw the medicinal soup that had been placed next to him for a long time.

Fu Wen said, "Miss Chao Ting, this is a pregnancy-preserving medicine. Your Highness is unwilling to drink it no matter what."

She picked it up. The medicine was half cold, but the bowl wall was warm when she touched it. "Brother, why don't you drink the pregnancy medicine first? This won't work."

Qi Xinglan pursed her lips, but finally picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

"Ting'er, I know the condition of my body well, so you don't have to worry too much." Qi Xinglan said in a hoarse voice.

Fu Wen couldn't stop crying, "Your Highness, please get well soon. The royal court still depends on you to cheer up. The Queen Mother fainted early this morning. If something happens to you again..."

"I won't, don't worry." Qi Xinglan raised her hand and touched her eyes, then adjusted her expression, "In the past two hours, have any court officials entered the palace?"

Fu Wen had been guarding Qi Qi Xinglan and had no idea what was going on, so she called a young eunuch in. Only then did she learn that several ministers had already gone to the Purple Palace.

"I guess they are just discussing countermeasures. Those who really want to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble will not jump out now." Qi Xinglan said, standing up and about to get out of bed.

It happened almost instantly, and before anyone around her could react, Qi Xinglan had already stood up.

"Brother, how can you go out now? You are so weak!"

She and Fu Wen looked at each other, and worry was evident in their eyes.

"Oh, don't I know my body? I'm fine now."

"Can..."

Without waiting for anyone to say anything, Qi Xinglan picked up the coat hanging beside her and put it on. "Okay, Fuwen, come with me. Ting'er, you go back first."

*

When Qi Xinglan arrived at the side meeting hall, it was already packed with people, and their sighs could be heard from a long distance away.

"What is everyone talking about?" Qi Xinglan walked in.

"Your Majesty!" Everyone could not hide the surprise in their eyes.

As no one was there, the incense burner in the hall had not been lit and the air was not circulating. Qi Xinglan felt uncomfortable with the smell, so Fu Wen walked over and opened all the windows.

"Your Highness is still pregnant with the little prince. How can you be so exhausted at this most important time?"

"Yeah yeah."

Qi Xinglan strode over and sat on the chair where Huilin had sat before.

"Tell me what you are discussing." Qi Xinglan glanced below, her voice clear and without any hint of illness.

"I'm asking you, what should we do about the situation in the court? If the king really..."

"He's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry about it." Qi Xinglan interrupted them.

"As for the court, with me and the Queen Mother here, Xiyuan will never be in chaos." He then looked at the speaker meaningfully, "If someone really wants to take advantage of the chaos to rebel, I will not show mercy."

After hearing this, all the ministers dared not say anything and could only kneel down in greeting.

After all, the rules in Xiyuan and Da Zhou are different. Women have the same status as men. In the royal family, if the king is absent, the queen, who is equivalent to the vice king, can temporarily take charge of the government.

Not to mention that Qi Xinglan is still a man.

"Then please withdraw. I am not in a position to attend the court. If you have anything to say, please send the memorial to Lanquan Palace."

"Yes, I will obey your orders."

Qi Xinglan took over the government affairs single-handedly for more than ten days.

One day, Princess Wenxi sent someone to present a beautiful white jade pendant, saying that it was made by a jade craftsman in the mansion and was given to him because she thought it was beautiful.

Wenxi's taste is impeccable. The carving of such a small pendant is very delicate, worthy of being a jade craftsman in the Princess's Mansion.

Qi Xinglan looked through the pages, thinking that it seemed to be almost September 19th. "Fu Wen, what day is September 10th today?"

"Fourteen."

Qi Xinglan nodded. September 19th was Hui Lin’s birthday, and she seemed to have not prepared a birthday gift yet.

"Fuwen, send a message to Wenxi and ask if I can borrow her jade craftsman."

"yes."

Wenxi acted quickly and sent the person there in the afternoon.

Qi Xinglan originally thought that he would be an old man with gray hair, but unexpectedly he would be a young man as gentle as jade.

"You...are you really a jade craftsman?"

"I dare not deceive Her Majesty the Queen." The man's answer was neither humble nor arrogant.

Qi Xinglan immediately understood what was going on. He was not a jade craftsman at all. He was more like Wenxi's jade-faced young man.

But he didn't ask too many questions. He just asked the young man to stay here for two days, made things according to his requirements, and then let him go back.