Shen Youying shook her head: "This little hardship is nothing. Father has been missing since he went to the Northwest. Now that you've left, I feel uneasy. If I go to the Northwest with you, I might be able to find out about Father."
Xue Shen thought the same thing. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he no longer hesitated and pulled her into his arms, saying, "Okay, let's go together."
*
On May 21, Xue Shen, as the commander-in-chief and Pang Lai, as the deputy commander, led 50,000 imperial guards to the northwest to annihilate the remnants of the Northern Rong.
On the day Xue Shen departed, Shen Youying did not appear to see him off, citing that she was too far along in her pregnancy to go.
Emperor Cheng'an waited for news in the palace. When he heard from the palace servants that Xue Shen had already set off, a smile that had not appeared on his face for a long time finally appeared. He got up and walked towards the inner hall.
As he entered, a tall, muscular guard emerged from the room. Upon seeing Emperor Cheng'an, he immediately bowed in greeting. Emperor Cheng'an frowned, dismissed the guard, and stood at the doorway without going any further. He said to Qi Zhong, "Summon the Empress out. I have something to tell her."
A moment later, Empress Zhou emerged from the inner palace.
She wore a purple dress, adorned with white jade jewelry around her neck and wrists. Although she was older, her beauty had not faded; instead, she possessed a more mature and charming allure. Especially lately, she seemed to have blossomed anew, radiating a new vitality.
Emperor Cheng'an squinted at her and said, "I remember the Empress's period usually starts around the middle of the month. Has it started this month?"
Empress Zhou lowered her head and said, "Not yet."
Emperor Cheng'an nodded in satisfaction and said, "In a few days, I will have the imperial physician examine your pulse. If it is successful, then that guard can be dealt with."
Empress Zhou obediently replied "Yes," and then asked, "What does Your Majesty wish to instruct me?"
Emperor Cheng'an then remembered the important matter and said, "When Prince Qin goes on his expedition, you should arrange for four nannies who are skilled in taking care of pregnant women to go to Prince Qin's residence. They must take good care of Princess Qin. Before Prince Qin returns to the capital, Princess Qin and the child in her womb must not suffer any mishaps."
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