"Tell him," Qin Shuhuai heard the footsteps and knew that it was Wei Yan who came. He raised his voice: "If the Wei family has a general who doesn't even dare to fight, then why not bring the sword and I will kill him for the Wei family first!"

Wei Yan appeared at the end of the corridor. He looked at Qin Shuhuai standing in the distance. For some reason, he suddenly felt as if he had returned to the battle in which the entire Wei family had died.

His father and his elder brother were holding the flags of Southern Qi and waving them desperately.

Shout out loudly—Fight! Fight! Fight!

He couldn't help but clench his fists and speak out word by word.

"Your Majesty wants to fight," he said with a surge of emotion in his heart, "Then I will obey your command and fight!"

Qin Shuhuai said nothing.

When Liu Shuyan heard the word "Your Majesty", he was startled.

Perhaps it was Qin Ming's firm will to fight, perhaps it was the humiliation that had been accumulated for many years, or perhaps it was the high spirits aroused by the blood-thirsty palace coup.

Liu Shuyan obviously felt that both Qin Shuhuai and Wei Yan seemed to have a different belief in this country.

If we say that the Southern Qi Dynasty in the past was a gentleman who always tried to achieve perfection and harmony.

During this moment, a gentleman draws his sword and points it angrily at the other party.

Qin Shuhuai looked at Wei Yan's determined eyes. Wei Yan held up his sword and walked to him step by step, kneeling in front of Qin Shuhuai. Qin Shuhuai raised his eyes to look at Liu Shuyan, who pursed his lips and knelt down as well.

Qin Shuhuai breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll leave Nanqi to you," he said calmly, "I'm leaving now."

After saying that, Qin Shuhuai turned and left.

Jiang Chun had already prepared the horses. After Qin Shuhuai got on the carriage, Jiang Chun followed him and said, "Zhao Yi will go to Beiyan to find Xiahou Yan first. Your Majesty, what if Xiahou Yan doesn't rebel?"

“He will not resist.”

Qin Shuhuai spoke calmly and lowered the curtain.

The civil unrest in Qi was quelled extremely quickly, and Liu Shuyan was temporarily appointed as prime minister to take charge of internal affairs. Wei Yan quickly arrived at the southern border, handed Qin Ming to Wu Li, and then turned to the northern front. Qin Shuhuai let his substitute continue to serve as his regent to the outside world, and secretly followed Qin Peng to Beiyan.

It was just that these private matters would not reach Zhao Yu for a while. Only the matter of quelling the palace turmoil reached Zhao Yu, and at that time he had just arrived at the border of Northern Yan.

Qin Peng was in poor health and had been sleeping most of the way. When she half-closed her eyes, she saw Zhao Yu holding the note with a frown on his face.

She coughed softly and whispered, "What's wrong?"

"You're awake," Zhao Yu came back to his senses and hurried forward: "Would you like some water?"

Qin Peng didn't say anything, just took a sip of water from Zhao Yu's hand.

Zhao Yu placed her head on his legs and let Qin Peng lean against him. Qin Peng didn't have the strength to struggle, so she just leaned there quietly.

Qin Peng's lack of resistance almost made Zhao Yu cry. He felt much better instantly, and the note in his hand seemed unimportant. He said gently, "Sister, the chaos in Qi has been settled. You can rest assured."

Hearing this, Qin Peng breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up at Zhao Yu and said, "Ayu, will you cause trouble for Qi again?"

"My sister is by my side, whatever she says is what counts."

Zhao Yu lowered his eyes and held Qin Peng's hand.

He felt particularly at peace in his heart. As long as this person was by his side, he felt peaceful in his heart.

Even though he had a vague fear in his heart, when she frowned, when she suppressed her sorrow, there would always be a little part of him that was afraid and sad.

Hearing what Zhao Yu said, Qin Peng sighed and closed his eyes.

"Ayu..." She wanted to say something, but she didn't say it. Zhao Yu didn't ask, but raised his hand to rub her temples. She slept for a long time and had a headache easily, so Zhao Yu tried every means to make her feel more comfortable.

The carriage drove for a while and then stopped. He could hear other people talking outside. Bai Huai rolled up the curtain and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the team to welcome you is here."

"Um."

Zhao Yu nodded, lowered his head and said to Qin Peng: "Sister, we have arrived in Beiyan."

Qin Peng responded, and seeing that she still had no strength left, Zhao Yu picked her up and walked out of the carriage.

As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, Qin Peng saw a long red carpet being spread out in front of him, and the trees beside the carpet were full of red flowers.

Qin Peng couldn't tell what kind of flowers they were. He only saw a stretch of bright red flowers that seemed to burn people's eyes like fire.

On both sides of the road, there were boxes covered with red cloth, piled up one after another, laid out along the road.

Qin Peng frowned, raised his eyes in Zhao Yu's arms, and coughed, "What... are these?"

"Your betrothal gift."

Zhao Yu said as he put her on his lap. When the people around saw Zhao Yu putting a woman on his lap, they couldn't help but look up.

The ceremonial officer could not help but speak: "Your Majesty, this is..."

"From now on, this is my empress." Knowing what the ceremonial officer was going to say, Zhao Yu turned around with a smile. That smile was cold and chilly. Being stared at by that gaze, the ceremonial officer suddenly felt like he had fallen into an ice storage.

The ceremonial officer knew what kind of iron fist this emperor had. When he looked at his subjects like this, if they said anything inappropriate, they would lose their heads.

The ceremonial officer knelt down hastily, his palms sweating. Zhao Yu looked at him and said gently, "I plan to sit on the golden throne with the empress in the future. Do you think this is in accordance with etiquette?"

"Etiquette is determined by people. If your majesty says it is appropriate, then it is appropriate!"

When the ceremonial officer Cang Huang spoke, Zhao Yu burst into laughter, patted him on the shoulder, and got on the guard.

Qin Peng watched all this with a cold look in his eyes. After Yu Qie started to move again, Qin Peng asked directly, "What are those betrothal gifts?"

“This year’s taxes.”

"What do you mean?"

"Sister, I want to give you the best of everything in this world."

As he spoke, he held her hand, his eyes full of tenderness: "I will prepare thousands of miles of red makeup for you, I will hold the most grand wedding for you, I will make you equal to me, and share this Northern Yan with you. Look," he rolled up the curtains to let Qin Peng see the bright flowers on the sidewalk, and said gently: "I specially asked them to prepare the hibiscus and graft it onto the trees along our way. Does it look good?"

"You're crazy!"

Hearing this, Qin Peng raised his voice suddenly.

The journey they had along the way was about a thousand miles. If what Zhao Yu said was true, and he asked the prefectures along the way to graft all the trees on the road onto Hibiscus, you can imagine how much effort that would have taken.

Not to mention the taxes along the way that serve as her "dowry", which would probably drain the air out of these state capitals.

“Where do the taxes go?”

Qin Peng tried his best to keep his voice calm. Zhao Yu smiled slightly and said, "Of course it is your private library."

"You're crazy..."

This time, Qin Peng really thought Zhao Yu was crazy.

How could any sensible monarch of any country do such a thing as handing over the country's annual tax revenue to a princess who married into the marriage from an enemy country?

Without any probing, Qin Peng knew that at this moment there must be public resentment in Northern Yan.

She anxiously grasped Zhao Yu's sleeve and said hurriedly: "Ayu, I don't need these. I don't want these taxes, you ask them to take them back. You will get yourself killed if you do this!"

Zhao Yu's face was calm. He looked at Qin Peng's anxious expression for a long time, then smiled bitterly: "I haven't seen you care about me like this for a long time."

Qin Peng was stunned. She had never thought that Zhao Yu would say such a thing.

Such words seemed like a silent accusation, but after saying it, Zhao Yu also realized that it was inappropriate and said hurriedly: "I'm not saying that you don't care about me..."

At this point, he didn't know what to say.

Qin Peng looked at his expression and thought of the past.

After she married Qin Shuhuai, she was not indifferent to Qin Shuhuai's accusations, and she always distanced herself from Zhao Yu to some extent.

Zhao Yu would still find ways to make trouble at first, but the older he got, the less trouble he made.

It was true that Qin Shuhuai accused Zhao Yu of being scheming and obstructing him, but it was also true that she distanced herself from him.

Qin Peng couldn't tell what was right or wrong, especially since Zhao Yu was not her biological brother, she had no idea what was right or wrong.

The two were silent for a moment, and Qin Peng took the initiative to reach out and hold him: "Ayu, you have to pay back the tax."

Zhao Yu looked at Qin Peng holding his hand, lowered his eyes, and responded: "Okay..."

The taxes were returned, but the hibiscus along the way had already been installed, so wherever Qin Peng looked, he saw the bright red color.

Qianlihongzhuang, indeed.

After about half a month's journey, Qin Peng finally arrived in Yandu.

Yandu was not much different from when she came here seven years ago. When the city gate slowly opened, Qin Peng saw the colors of her hometown gradually appear in her eyes.

When she was Jiang Yi, when she was Dong Wanyi, and even when she was Qin Peng in the beginning, she had imagined countless times that she would come back one day.

What will she be like then? Will everyone cheer and be happy? In what capacity will she return?

She doesn't know.

But the only thing she knew was that at that time, her younger brother would still throw himself into her arms and call her "sister" with tears in his eyes, just like he did in the past.

At that time she could say, Ayu, my sister is back, how are you doing?

But now standing in front of the city, she found that she hadn't even guessed this most certain thing.

She covered her chest and coughed softly.

She had been sick all the way, Zhao Yu was extremely anxious, but he remained calm. He raised his hand and held Qin Peng's hand, saying gently: "Peng Peng, slow down."

Now that they were in Yandu, it was impossible for Zhao Yu to call her sister in front of everyone. Qin Peng's hands couldn't help but tremble when she heard the sound of "pengpeng", and Zhao Yu's heart was also shaking.

He had wanted to call her like this for many years.

The two of them arrived at Qin Peng's residence in silence. Qin Peng was already exhausted. She waved her hands and said to Zhao Yu, "I'm tired."

Zhao Yu was a little panicked. Qin Peng was sleeping longer and longer now, and his cold was getting worse. It didn't look like he was going to get better.

Zhao Yuqiang smiled and said, "Sister, go to sleep first. The doctor will be here soon."

While the two were talking, a group of people came in carrying medicine boxes. They took turns to examine Qin Peng, who was lying on the bed, drowsy.

After the examination, the doctor went to another room for a consultation. Zhao Yu watched Qin Peng fall asleep, then went to the side hall to wait for the doctor's final result. After waiting for a long time, a young man came in. He was a doctor Zhao Yu brought from the countryside, named Zhang Qing. Zhao Yu appreciated his outstanding medical skills.

Zhang Qing bowed, and Zhao Yu waved his hand and said, "Just tell me what's going on."

"After suffering from cold for a long time, evil spirits have entered the body." Zhang Qing said succinctly: "But I think the cold is secondary, and the heart disease is the most serious."

"Heart disease?" Zhao Yu raised his head and frowned: "What will happen if the heart disease is not cured?"

"If a heart disease is not cured, it will take a long time to heal. I am afraid that..."

Zhang Qing didn't say the rest, but Zhao Yu understood.

He felt bitter. Although Qin Peng agreed to come to Beiyan, how could he not know who she cared about?

"One more thing..."

Zhang Qing was a little worried. Zhao Yu looked up and saw Zhang Qing's hesitant look. He felt a little uneasy: "What's wrong?"

"The princess seems... to be pregnant."

Zhang Qing looked at Zhao Yu's expression and said this.

Zhao Yu's face changed suddenly, and Zhang Qing knelt down immediately without saying a word.

The unmarried princess was pregnant, and this princess was about to become the queen of Northern Yan. With such a big secret, Zhang Qing felt that he would not be able to chop off enough heads!

However, what Zhao Yu cared about was not the child, but the fact that Qin Peng had no chance of reincarnation after she became pregnant.

This was her only chance to live, and she was so depressed that she couldn't get any treatment.

Zhao Yu didn't dare to think too deeply. He was so frightened in his heart that his hand holding the cup couldn't help but tremble.

He managed to control his emotions, then raised his head and said, "The previous doctor never told me about this."

"The princess has been pregnant for a short time and her pulse is not obvious. It is only because I am an expert in this field that I was able to diagnose her."

After hearing this explanation, Zhao Yu nodded: "Then there is no need to make this public."

"I understand."

Zhang Qing spoke respectfully. Zhao Yu waved his hand and asked Zhang Qing to leave.

Then he went back to Qin Peng. Qin Peng closed his eyes, as if he was in a nightmare.

She dreamed of a heavy snowfall when she was young, and it was particularly cold. She and Zhao Yu leaned on the bed, covered with a quilt, Zhao Yu and she huddled together, and the two children shivered. Zhao Yu looked up and asked her, "Sister, where is mother?"

"She... doesn't know."

In fact, Qin Peng knew.

Their mother had already forgotten them and went to the edge of the Ye Lake, waiting for the king whom she would never meet. Because she knew that the king would definitely go to the Ye Lake on a snowy day, she completely forgot about her two children and waited for the king.

It was particularly cold that night, and Qin Peng couldn't help thinking, it would be great if his mother could come back.

She had winter clothes she brought from her own palace. The cotton coat was nice and warm. She would only take it out in winter when she wanted to see the emperor.

She especially wanted her mother to come back and take out her cotton-padded clothes so that the three of them could cover themselves together and not feel so cold.

As she was thinking this, she heard a knock on the door.

Qin Peng jumped off the bed, opened the window, and saw Qin Shuhuai standing at the door.

Because the mourning period had not yet passed, he wore a plain white headband and plain clothes, looking like a boy carved out of ice and snow.

He held a white fox coat in his hand, and his face turned a little green due to the cold. He handed the coat to her and said with a trembling voice, "Take it."

Qin Peng was stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion: "You are so cold, why are you giving this to me?"

Qin Shuhuai pursed his lips, handed it to her and said, "I'm fine, you take it."

Qin Peng couldn't help laughing. She pulled him into the room, closed the door, and dragged him onto the bed, saying, "Your cloak is so big. The three of us can squeeze in. It should be enough."

"Who is squeezing you..."

Qin Shuhuai couldn't help but speak, but the warmth brought by their clasped hands made him reluctant to leave.

Qin Peng half-pushed him onto the bed and squeezed him together. Qin Peng held Zhao Yu in his arms, and he and Qin Shuhuai leaned against the wall, wrapped in cloaks, and squeezed together.

Qin Shuhuai stood stiffly, looking straight ahead. Qin Peng looked at him strangely: "Why are you so nervous?"

"My mother said that boys and girls over the age of seven cannot sit together..."

"What about those bed-sharing guys?"

Qin Peng rolled his eyes, and Qin Shuhuai blushed and said, "So what? They are husband and wife."

"Oh," Qin Peng nodded and said, "Then don't worry, I will marry you in the future."

As she spoke, she patted Qin Shuhuai on the shoulder and said, "Can I lean on you?"

Qin Shuhuai wanted to say no, but Qin Peng had already come closer.

Leaning on that person's shoulder, feeling all the warmth that person brought, Qin Peng didn't know why, but felt particularly sad, and could only call that person's name over and over again.

Qin Shuhuai, Qin Shuhuai.

She had a high fever all night, and Zhao Yu sat beside her, listening to her screaming all night.

He didn't say anything, and quietly used wine to wipe Qin Peng's palms and arms to cool down.

When she became hoarse from shouting, I would give her some water to moisten her throat.

When Qin Peng woke up, what he saw was Zhao Yu's red eyes.

He had been up all night and was about to go to court, so he was a little tired.

But he didn't show it at all. Instead, he went up to Qin Peng and asked her the moment she woke up: "Are you feeling better? What do you want to eat?"

Qin Peng looked at Zhao Yu quietly for a long time, and finally said, "Actually, you don't have to be so nice to me."

As she said this, she smiled bitterly: "I have already come to Beiyan, haven't I?"

Hearing this, Zhao Yu, who was about to feed Qin Peng water, stopped. He slowly raised his head and looked at Qin Peng.

"Why do you think I do so many things?" He curled his lips, his eyes looking like he was about to cry.

"If I just want you to come back," he said with difficulty, "and I'm so nice to you, what do you think I want?"

"Zhao Peng," he put down the cup and lowered his eyes: "I beg you for a favor."

"Can you please," he looked up at her, almost pleading in his voice, "live a little better."

Qin Peng didn't say anything. She looked up at the ceiling of the bed with a somewhat unfocused gaze.

"Ayu..." She sighed softly, "Who doesn't want to live a better life? I just can't do it."

“Whenever I close my eyes, I think of him.”

Qin Peng's voice was very soft, but it sounded like thunder in Zhao Yu's heart.

Zhao Yu held onto his clothes tightly, his face calm and motionless. Qin Peng did not notice his emotions and said slowly: "Sometimes I think that I must have been a very bad person in my last life. That's why I have to go through all this in this life. I have tried very hard, and he has tried very hard, but we can't be together. You see, now we are in love, but we still have to separate. And all this is caused by my beloved brother."

When Zhao Yu heard this, he raised his eyes slightly and his gaze fell on Qin Peng's face.

"You blame me?"

"I have no idea."

Qin Peng was a little confused: "I should blame you, but I can't blame you. I just think that if I can go back to the past one day, I hope," she said this slowly and calmly, without any emotion, just stating a fact she believed: "I have never seen you."

Zhao Yu didn't say anything, but a voice came from outside urging him to go to court.

He stood up, his body trembling slightly, but he still walked out with his back straight, as if nothing could knock him down.

Qin Peng slept for a while, and then he heard a familiar voice outside. Qin Peng turned around and saw a woman in palace dress walking in with the curtain rolled up.

She was a little surprised and pushed herself up: "Bai Zhi?"

"Princess." Bai Zhi smiled. Qin Peng hesitated for a moment: "Which princess are you calling me?"

"Your business," Bai Zhi pursed her lips, still not being able to accept it: "Your Majesty has already told me."

Qin Peng didn't know what to say for a moment, but Bai Zhi smiled and said, "I have always... been unable to believe it. It was only after His Majesty told me repeatedly and I checked many books that I believed it was true. I never thought... that one day you would really come back."

Bai Zhi sat in front of Qin Peng with tears in her eyes. She looked at Qin Peng lying on the bed, sniffed, and smiled: "You've lost weight."

"Yeah." Qin Peng also smiled, her smile was much gentler, and she looked at Bai Zhi and said, "How are you after coming back?"

"Very good." Bai Zhi quickly took a box from the side and said, "I brought some snacks that you liked to eat when you were a child. Take a look."

As she spoke, she reached out and helped Qin Peng sit up.

These were all the snacks she liked to eat many years ago. Qin Peng couldn't help but smile when she saw them.

“It’s still open after all these years?”

"Some are open, some are not," Bai Zhi twisted a piece of plum blossom cake for her, with a hint of nostalgia in her voice: "For the ones that were closed, I went to the boss and learned the craftsmanship from them. I'm not saying they are exactly the same. The flavors are probably there, so you can try them."

Qin Peng responded and ate the plum cake in small bites.

Bai Zhi looked at Qin Peng's quiet and careful appearance, and her heart couldn't help but ache. She wanted to say something, but hesitated. Finally, she turned her head away and said, "Princess, the internal turmoil in Nanqi has been settled. Did you know that?"

"Um."

Qin Peng lowered his head and ate the plum cake without saying a word.

Bai Zhi continued, "Qin Ming seemed to be injured and passed the position to Qin Shuhuai. Now Qin Shuhuai is the emperor. Did you know that?"

Hearing this, Qin Peng paused.

The name made her eyes wander, but she suddenly remembered that this matter had nothing to do with her anymore.

She lowered her head and whispered, "Oh."

"Princess," she took a deep breath, "Now Qi has begun to mobilize troops and stationed them at the border. What do you think they are going to do?"

Hearing this, Qin Peng raised his head suddenly!

Bai Zhi came over and said in a low voice, "Now everyone in the court is dissatisfied with Your Majesty. The cession of the Sixteen Prefectures in the south of Yan has aroused public anger. Princess, you must be careful."

Qin Peng naturally knew what to be careful about.

The ministers of Northern Yan were unwilling to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Southern Yan, and the most direct way was to ruin the marriage.

Qin Peng could guess what they would do with his toes.

Her breathing couldn't help but become heavier.

If the officials of Northern Yan intend to send her away...

She calmed herself down, not showing any emotion on her face, and looked at Bai Zhi and asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"

Hearing this, Bai Zhi didn't say anything. She pursed her lips and said, "I know you don't believe me, but Princess, Bai Zhi is always Bai Zhi."

"You like Zhao Yu."

Qin Peng hit the nail on the head, and Bai Zhi smiled: "I can be passionate about what I like, but I shouldn't drag others into it."

Qin Peng remained silent. Bai Zhi spoke to Qin Peng for a few more words, then stood up and left.

After Bai Zhi left, Qin Peng closed his eyes and began to think about the meaning of Bai Zhi's words.

Bai Zhi is not only Bai Zhi now, she is also Xia Houyan's wife. And Xia Houyan is not only a son of the Marquisate, but also the military commander of Northern Yan.

Zhao Yu taught this position to Xiahou Yan because Xiahou Yan was the person he trusted the most. Zhao Yu had saved Xiahou Yan before, and whether it was the life-saving grace or the friendship they grew up together, Zhao Yu trusted Xiahou Yan unconditionally.

But now Bai Zhi came to tell Qin Peng all this, why?

At the same time, in the court, Zhao Yu's expression became increasingly ugly.

A group of old officials were arguing. One of them came out and said angrily, "Your Majesty, the Sixteen Prefectures of Southern Yan are so important, but you gave them away just for a woman's words. Are you worthy of the ancestors of the Zhao family?!"

"What does Lord Yang mean?" Zhao Yu sneered, "If you don't want to send me off, then fight me back?"

The handover of the Sixteen Prefectures in the south of Yan has begun. Wei Yan and his men were not easy to deal with, so he stayed in the middle of Qi and Yan for several days to let the people sent by Wei Yan take over the Sixteen Prefectures in the south of Yan.

Now that eight of the sixteen states in southern Yan have been completely controlled, how easy will it be to fight again?

Minister Yang looked very unhappy. He suppressed his anger and said, "Now the princess and His Majesty have not yet married. If this marriage fails, His Majesty's promise should not be fulfilled. We should talk to Qi State again..."

"Shut up!"

Zhao Yu suddenly raised his voice and threw the paperweight in his hand over.

The paper brushed against Lord Yang's hair and fell to the ground. Zhao Yu stood on the platform and said calmly, "Since I brought him back, there is no reason to send him back. Similarly, the things I sent away are like this. What is the most important thing now? It's not about the Sixteen Prefectures of Southern Yan, but my marriage!"

"Minister of Rites," he looked at the Minister of Rites with a cold look in his eyes, "How are the wedding preparations going?"

The Minister of Rites was so frightened that he knelt on the ground. He did not dare to raise his head or answer.

If the wedding is not ready now, then Zhao Yu will definitely be offended. If it is ready, then all the ministers in the court will be offended.

Zhao Yu saw the minister's hesitation and said gently, "Minister, if you can't do something like this, what's the point of keeping your life?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

The Minister of Rites saw the murderous intent in Zhao Yu's eyes and said hurriedly, "It's OK, Your Majesty. The wedding has been prepared and can start at any time."

"Okay." Zhao Yu nodded and said calmly, "Then let's follow the original plan and hold it as scheduled on the tenth day after tomorrow."

"His Majesty!"

Lord Yang raised his voice and said with sorrow: "Please think twice!"

"No need to think twice," Zhao Yu sat back on the golden throne and said calmly, "I have been thinking about this for almost ten years. If anyone provokes me again today, don't blame me for being rude!"

There was murderous intent in these words, and everyone could hear it. For a moment, everyone present dared to be angry but not to speak, and there was unusual silence.

After the court session, Xiahou Yan was the first to leave. Lord Yang caught up with him and said anxiously, "Marshal Xia!"

Xiahou Yan stopped and saw Lord Yang approaching him. He said calmly, "Lord Yang, what's the matter?"

"Marshal Xia," Lord Yang panted, "Are you going to just give up today's matter?!"

"What else?"

Xiahou Yan lowered his eyes, looked at his nose with his eyes, and at his mouth with his nose, and could not tell whether he was happy or angry.

Lord Yang gritted his teeth and said, "The Sixteen Prefectures of Southern Yan are such a crucial place. Is it reasonable for General Xia to sell out the country just because of Your Majesty?"

Xiahou Yan didn't say anything, and Lord Yang was about to say something, but he suddenly raised his hand, patted Lord Yang on the shoulder, and said calmly: "You shouldn't be involved in this matter."

After saying that, Xiahou Yan walked out.

He sat in the carriage, swaying back home. As soon as he entered the house, Bai Zhi hurried forward and said anxiously, "Husband!"

Seeing Bai Zhi, Xia Houyan couldn't help but smile, but he noticed that Bai Zhi looked strange, so he put away his smile; "What's wrong?"

"Someone wants to see you."

Bai Zhi lowered her voice and pointed to the backyard. Xia Houyan looked over there, and after a long while, nodded.

Bai Zhi sent the servants away for Xiahou Yan, and Xiahou Yan went into the backyard alone. When he arrived in the courtyard, Xiahou Yan saw a young man in white clothes sitting on the ground, playing chess with him on the chessboard.

There were two guards standing behind him, one was very handsome and the other was pretty, but with just one glance, Xiahou Yan could tell that these two were top masters.

The young man in white had his back to him, but Xiahou Yan had already guessed his identity. He took a deep breath and bowed respectfully: "Southern Emperor."

The young man in white didn't look back, he just placed the chess piece on the board.

"I came here to make a deal with Lord Xia."

As he spoke, the other party stood up and turned around.

A familiar yet unfamiliar face appeared in Xiahou Yan's eyes. After not seeing him for many years, he looked even more handsome.

His eyes fell on him, his expression calm and composed.

His tone was calm, yet serious.

He said, "I want to take my wife home."

Zhao Yu came back angry, and Qin Peng obviously noticed it.

But he restrained himself very well, and Qin Peng didn't point it out.

Qin Peng's obedient attitude made Zhao Yu feel much more comfortable. He slowly said, "Our wedding will be the day after tomorrow. Do you have any requests?"

"No." Qin Peng said in a low voice, looking at the fish tank, bored.

Zhao Yu felt a little uncomfortable. He said slowly, "I have been preparing for this wedding for many years."

"Um."

Qin Peng responded casually.

Such an indifferent look made Zhao Yu feel uncomfortable. He felt a tightness in his chest. He wanted to say more, but he knew clearly that this person's presence here was a forced move. He should have anticipated what she would do.

He smiled reluctantly and changed the subject, "Forget it, let's not talk about this. I left in a hurry this morning and forgot to tell you, sister." He held her hand and said gently, "You have a child."

Hearing this, Qin Peng raised his head suddenly. Zhao Yu looked at Qin Peng's eyes, which finally showed some emotion, and felt relieved. He said gently, "Don't worry, I will raise this child as my own. Don't be afraid."

Qin Peng opened his mouth, but no words came out.

She and Qin Shuhuai had been looking forward to having a child for a long time.

It didn't come in the past, but it has come now.

She didn't dare to speak, she was in a daze and silent.

Zhao Yu stayed with her for a while and then went to review memorials.

The next day, the palace maids brought all the wedding clothes and asked Qin Peng to try them on.

Qin Peng had to try on quite a lot of wedding dresses, and many new faces suddenly flooded into the palace. When Bai Zhi invited Qin Peng to try on the wedding dress, she deliberately sent everyone away, leaving only Bai Zhi, the tailor, her, and a little palace maid in the room.

The tailor was tall, with heavy makeup and a pretty face.

Perhaps because it was her first time entering the palace, she was rather timid and did not dare to raise her head.

Qin Peng didn't think much of it. She let her help her put on her wedding dress. She carefully recorded the data of each position while she chatted with Bai Zhi.

"How can one not love a minister of a country?"

Bai Zhi was leaning on the bed, looking lazy, as if she was just the wife of an official.

Now Qin Peng dared not ignore every word Bai Zhi said. After she understood that Xiahou Yan was planning to take action, she became very sensitive to everything.

Bai Zhi is now chatting with Qin Peng, and Qin Peng roughly knows Zhao Yu's current location in Beiyan.

There is no doubt that Zhao Yu has almost completely controlled Northern Yan in these years and has become the most prestigious and powerful monarch in Northern Yan.

Facing such a monarch, Xiahou Yan's resistance was undoubtedly very difficult. However, ceding the Sixteen Prefectures of Southern Yan had already consumed so much national strength to prepare for a wedding, and this action had also greatly angered everyone in Northern Yan. This time, Xiahou Yan was just gambling.

But what if you lose the bet?

Qin Peng did not dare to ask directly. Bai Zhi and Qin Peng lazily introduced the current situation of Beiyan. Suddenly, she yawned and said to the maid beside her: "Go and make me a bowl of Tremella soup."

The maid went out in response.

As soon as Qin Peng went out, she was about to speak when she saw the tailor suddenly raised his hand, covered her mouth, and whispered, "Peng Peng."

When the voice came out, Qin Peng's eyes widened suddenly. She stared at the tailor's appearance and finally caught a glimpse of the man's familiar eyes.

Qin Peng couldn't help but blur his eyes. Qin Shuhuai said quickly and steadily: "When the fireworks show starts tomorrow, Xiahou Yan will launch a palace coup. Here are two packets of medicine." Qin Shuhuai hesitated a little when he said this. He explained the effects of the two packets of medicine in detail, then pursed his lips and said: "You can choose."

Qin Peng nodded. Voices were heard outside. Qin Shuhuai looked at Qin Peng's watery eyes, put down his hand that was covering her lips, and kissed her hard.

Bai Zhi's eyes were wide open in shock, she couldn't believe that Qin Shuhuai would do such a thing in front of her!

However, Qin Shuhuai didn't care. He let go of Qin Peng just before the other party's maid entered the room. He then knelt down again and adjusted Qin Peng's belt.

Everything happened quickly and urgently. Qin Peng raised his hand to cover his lips, while Bai Zhi stood aside, stunned.

"Madam," the maid next to her spoke calmly, "Tremella soup."

"Yes." Bai Zhi regained her usual dignified demeanor as a lady from an aristocratic family and took the Tremella soup.

After putting on the wedding dress and making sure that there was nothing that needed to be altered, Bai Zhi took Qin Shuhuai away.

But Qin Peng couldn't come back to his senses for a long time and stood in front of the mirror, allowing others to manipulate him.

Zhao Yu followed the ancient etiquette and did not come to see her. He stayed in his own palace, familiarizing himself with tomorrow's procedures and asking people to report Qin Peng's every move.

However, the more he listened, the more his brows frowned.

Because Qin Peng... didn't look happy at all.

He knew that he had robbed Qin Peng, so she shouldn't be happy. However, he always had a little hope in his heart that Qin Peng could be a little happy.

People are like this, once they get a little, they want more.

He listened to Qin Peng's every move, absent-minded. Qin Peng, holding the medicine in his hand, was also restless.

She probably guessed Xiahou Yan's plan, and they didn't have to rebel. If Zhao Yu hadn't insisted on his own way, the relationship between Xiahou Yan and Zhao Yu would never have reached this point.

Is she really going to kill him?

Qin Peng thought about it, holding the medicine in his hand, and finally said, "I want to see His Majesty."

The maids looked at each other, not daring to answer. However, this message was immediately conveyed to Zhao Yu. This was the first time Qin Peng took the initiative to ask to see Zhao Yu, and Zhao Yu hurriedly said, "Princess, please come over!"

However, after saying this, Zhao Yu felt a little flustered again. It was not auspicious for married people to meet each other before marriage, but he was unwilling to refuse Qin Peng's request to see him. After a long time, he finally came up with a way to hide behind the screen to meet Qin Peng.

When Qin Peng arrived at Zhao Yu's palace, Zhao Yu was sitting behind a screen to meet Qin Peng. Qin Peng felt a little weak, and the maid next to her wanted to help her sit down, but she brushed the person away and said to the person behind the screen: "Ayu, come out, I want to go for a walk with you."

Zhao Yu was a little hesitant, but he couldn't refuse Qin Peng's words. He was afraid that any refusal would annoy the other party.

Seeing that Zhao Yu didn't move, Qin Peng went behind the screen. The eunuch next to him wanted to stop him, but Qin Peng was determined and walked all the way inside and came in front of Zhao Yu.

By the time Zhao Yu reacted, they had already met.

Qin Peng put on makeup and looked much better. But she still seemed to be easily fatigued, leaning on the side, breathing slightly.