327. Twins are better as siblings

The news of the Mohist army's occupation of Chujing spread throughout the country in less than a month, and the dignitaries from various countries who were originally scheming against each other suddenly calmed down. In less than ten years, under their eyes, the Dingwang Mansion had gone from being suppressed by Mo Jingqi to a huge force that was capable of competing with anyone. Many people regretted that they did not take advantage of the Dingwang Mansion's weakest time to make a few more attacks regardless of the cost, so that now there is an unpredictable and powerful enemy.

However, seeing the Mohist army soldiers stationed on the fortress like wolves and tigers, the troops who were originally ready to move could not help but withdraw their steps. It is true that the desire to destroy the Mohist army is strong, but everyone knows the principle that the first bird to be shot will be shot. If they can't help but fight to the death with Prince Ding's Mansion, it will only benefit others.

While the rulers of various countries were calculating their own plans, there was chaos in Prince Ding's Palace in Licheng.

The usually peaceful and serene main courtyard was noisy. Several people in the flower hall were sitting or standing, all looking restless. In the courtyard outside the palace, many people were also standing anxiously waiting. If you have been in Prince Ding's mansion for a long time, you will definitely remember that such a scene was also played out once seven years ago. Yes, today is the day when a new member of Prince Ding's mansion is about to be born.

In the flower hall, Mo Xiuyao sat in the main seat with a calm face. But if you look carefully, you will find that his whole body has been stiff. If he had not been enduring, he might have rushed into the room. Although he had experienced it once when he gave birth to Mo Xiaobao a few years ago, it was precisely because he had experienced it all that he felt it was more terrifying. What's more, when Mo Xiaobao was born, there was only one, but this time there were two. Everyone in the flower hall moved away from Mo Xiuyao. Even Mo Xiaobao, who usually loved to be naughty and make his father uncomfortable, was very tactful and stayed away from Mo Xiuyao, lying in the arms of Mr. Qingyun on the other side.

Ye Li was not the type who liked to scream when she was in pain, so when she gave birth, it didn't sound as scary as other women outside. Qin Zheng, who was sitting next to her, couldn't help but think of when she gave birth to Xu Zhirui. It was said that the screams were so loud that the entire Xu residence could hear them. It even frightened the usually cold Xu Qingze so much that he fainted when he heard that the child was born. Comparing it with Ye Li's current situation, she suddenly felt that she was too embarrassed.

Mo Xiaobao looked eagerly at the maids carrying water in and out from time to time. He leaned on Mr. Qingyun's arms with some worry, and his dark eyes were full of fear. Mr. Qingyun patted his grandson with pity and whispered: "Don't be afraid, Chen'er, your mother is fine. Chen'er, do you want to go out and play with Zhirui and the others? When you come back, your younger brothers and sisters will come out." Mo Xiaobao shook his head and said, "No, Chen'er has to wait for his younger brothers and sisters to be born. Grandpa, did it hurt when my mother gave birth to Chen'er?" Mr. Qingyun smiled and said, "Yes, every mother feels pain when giving birth. So Chen'er must be filial to mother in the future. Do you understand?"

Mo Xiaobao nodded heavily and said, "Chen'er knows. Chen'er will definitely be filial to mother. Chen'er loves mother the most."

"Good boy."

There were also many people standing in the courtyard outside the door. Not only were there people from Prince Ding's Mansion, but also people like Hua Tianxiang, Han Mingxi, Ye Wenhua, etc. The flower hall was too small to have any place to sit, so they could only wait anxiously in the nearest courtyard.

In the bedroom, Ye Li lay on the bed, enduring the pain, her face pale. Madam Xu II watched anxiously as Grandma Wen was busy, and could only hold one of Ye Li's hands and said, "Li'er, don't be afraid. If it hurts, just scream." Ye Li forced a smile at Madam Xu II. This time giving birth was indeed more painful than the last time she gave birth to Mo Xiaobao. There was a burst of severe pain, and Ye Li finally couldn't help but groan in pain.

Madam Xu wiped the sweat off her forehead and asked, "What's going on? How long will it take for you to give birth?"

The old lady said with some embarrassment: "I'm afraid we have to wait a little longer. The young master's fetal position is a little abnormal, and we have to correct it." Madam Xu's face darkened. She had also given birth to two children, so she naturally knew the troubles of abnormal fetal position. "Then hurry up. You know the identity of the princess, so don't let anything go wrong!"

The old woman nodded repeatedly and said, "Don't worry, Madam, the princess's condition is not serious, and nothing will go wrong. It's just that the princess will suffer a little." Ye Li also heard their conversation and nodded slightly, "It's okay, you can do it." The old woman then stepped forward and began to push the fetus into the correct position. Madam Xu held Ye Li's hand and whispered to comfort her, "Don't be afraid, Li'er... relax. When your aunt gave birth to your third brother, the fetus was also in an abnormal position. Don't worry."

Ye Li nodded, enduring the pain.

They waited from day till night, but apart from the occasional groan of pain from Ye Li, they never heard the cry of the child in the bedroom. Mo Xiuyao, who had been sitting in the main seat, finally couldn't bear it anymore and stood up to go inside. Mr. Qingyun hurriedly shouted, "Stop!" Mo Xiuyao paused, raised his feet and continued to walk forward. Mr. Qingyun said in a deep voice, "If you want to stay in for Li'er, don't go in for a long time! If you go in, will the midwives inside dare to move?" This was indeed true. The pressure from Mo Xiuyao at this time was unbearable for the midwives, not to mention the midwives, even the people sitting in the flower hall could not stand it. Qin Zheng had already led Mo Xiaobao to wait outside the door. I'm afraid that once Mo Xiuyao goes in, those old ladies will become even more panicked, and it's not uncommon for mistakes to happen in the chaos.

Mo Xiuyao's body was filled with cold air, and he turned around to look at Mr. Qingyun. After a long while, he finally turned around and sat back down. But his fierce eyes left no doubt that he wanted to blast the tightly closed door open.

Everyone waited until dawn before the first cry of a baby was heard from the room.

The people who were originally solemn and worried seemed to wake up in an instant and stood up one after another. Mo Xiaobao also ran in from outside, "Sister, I heard your voice!" After saying that, he ran to the door, but the door of the delivery room was still closed. Mo Xiaobao did not leave, but waited at the door eagerly. After a long while, another cry was heard, and everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Not long after, Mrs. Xu and a midwife came out, each holding a child, and smiled, "One son and one daughter, mother and child are safe."

The children were sent to Mr. Qingyun. The two wrinkled little red monkeys made Mr. Qingyun very happy. "Good, good children. How is Li'er?" Madam Xu smiled and said, "She was tired after a day and a night and fell asleep. Father, look, this is the elder sister and this is the younger brother." Mr. Qingyun nodded happily and said, "Girl is a good word, very good, very good..."

Mo Xiaobao pulled Madam Xu's clothes and said impatiently, "Aunt, Aunt, Chen'er wants to see his younger brothers and sisters."

Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter. When Madam Xu turned around to hand the child to Mo Xiu Yao, there was no trace of Mo Xiu Yao there.

The child was born safely, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had waited here for a day and a night, and they were all very tired. Especially Mr. Qingyun, who was already eighty years old, could not stand the fatigue. Seeing that Ye Li and the child were safe, Xu Hongyu quickly ordered Qin Zheng and Xu Qingze to help Mr. Qingyun go back to rest, and everyone else also went back to rest. Only Mrs. Xu II still needed to spend some time to look after the two children with Grandma Wen.

Ye Lisong woke up from a deep sleep. There were candles in the room, but it was already dark outside. She raised her hand and touched her abdomen out of habit, but found that the round belly that had accompanied her for several months had become flat, and her whole body was sore as if it had been dissected once. She moved her body and saw a head of silver hair scattered on the side of the bed. She saw Mo Xiuyao lying on the side of the bed, holding one of her hands and sleeping soundly.

As soon as Ye Li moved, Mo Xiuyao quickly opened his eyes. Seeing Ye Li looking at him, his sleepy eyes suddenly lit up with ecstasy, "Ah Li, you're awake..." Ye Li nodded, raised her hand to smooth his messy long hair, and asked softly, "How long have I slept? Where's the child?"

Mo Xiuyao looked outside and said, "It's already five o'clock in the morning. You have slept for almost a day and a night. The child..." There was a trace of confusion in Mo Xiuyao's eyes. He had never seen the child before.

"Someone come!"

Qing Shuang and the others who had been waiting outside hurried in upon hearing the voice, "My Lord, is the princess awake?" Seeing Ye Li awake, Qing Shuang was also very happy, "I will ask someone to bring the hot porridge prepared for the princess." Mo Xiu Yao called her and asked, "Where is the child?"

Qingshuang smiled and said, "The young master and the little princess are sleeping outside. I'll ask the nanny to bring them in." After saying that, Qingshuang bowed and turned around and left in a hurry.

Soon, Nanny Lin and Nanny Wei came in, each holding a swaddle. They carefully placed the swaddle on the empty space on the bed next to Ye Li, and said with a smile, "Princess, take a look. The little prince and the little princess are so pretty." Ye Li looked down. Although she already knew what a newborn baby looked like, she still felt embarrassed. With her eyesight, she couldn't tell what was so pretty about these two wrinkled and red little monkeys. But after all, they were her own children. Looking at the two little things sleeping comfortably with their eyes closed, Ye Li felt as soft as cotton in her heart.

Ye Li lovingly touched the baby's red face with her fingers and couldn't help but smile.

Nanny Lin said, "Princess, the one in the red swaddling clothes is the little princess, and the one in the yellow swaddling clothes is the little prince. The little princess looks exactly like you when you were a child."

Ye Li twitched her lips. Anyway, she didn't see how this little bun looked like herself. She smiled and looked at Mo Xiuyao and asked, "Xiuyao, take a look." Mo Xiuyao was not very interested in the two little buns at first, but he looked over after hearing what Nanny Lin said. After looking for a long time, he looked at Ye Li's face again, and nodded and said, "They are indeed very similar. My little princess will definitely be as beautiful as Ah Li in the future." So, this person didn't actually see it, but it was a beautiful wish.

Ye Li had slept for a day and a night, but when she woke up, she felt a little hungry. After eating a bowl of meat porridge that Qing Shuang had cooked carefully, she sent Mo Xiuyao to rest. Mo Xiuyao had not had a good rest since Ye Li had a seizure two days ago, and he was relieved to see that Ye Li was indeed safe. After Ye Li finished her porridge, he got up and went to rest.

Ye Li, however, had slept for too long and couldn't fall asleep now. So she put the two little kids, whose eyes were not even open yet, on her bed and watched them. Seeing the two babies sleeping soundly with their eyes closed, her heart was filled with tender feelings. She leaned down and kissed the two wrinkled little faces. Just after dawn, Mo Xiaobao, who received the news that Ye Li had woken up, ran over and ran into the bedroom without letting anyone know. Ye Li looked up and saw him poking his head in from outside. She couldn't help but smile and said, "What are you looking at? Why don't you come in?"

"Is father not here?" Mo Xiaobao looked around the room, and seemed to be sure that Mo Xiuyao was not here before he walked in with confidence. He ran to Ye Li and looked at the two little kids lying side by side on the bed, "Mom, are you okay?" Ye Li smiled and rubbed her son's head, saying with a smile, "Mom is fine, come and see my sister and brother."

Mo Xiaobao followed and climbed onto the bed, kneeling on the bed and looking at the two little buns. He stretched out his little hand and poked them curiously, asking, "Why do the little sister and brother look like wrinkled little monkeys? They are not pretty at all."

Ye Li quickly grabbed his naughty little hand and said with a smile: "In a few days, you will become a white and chubby little baby. The little baby looked like this when he was just born."

"What?" Mo Xiaobao was confused and a little bit disgusted and unbelieving. How could he be so wrinkled and ugly? His aunt said that he was born a chubby baby. But... looking at his well-behaved brother and sister who were sleeping, they were not that ugly. Mo Xiaobao nodded heavily in his heart. Even if his brother and sister were a little ugly, he would still love them and treat them very well, even better than Leng Xiaodai and Xu Zhirui!

"What are you thinking about?" Looking at Mo Xiaobao nodding and shaking his head with a thoughtful look on his face, Ye Li raised her hand and touched his little forehead.

Mo Xiaobao smiled and said, "Mom, Xiaobao will love my brother and sister very much."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Mother knows that Xiaobao will be a good brother."

When Ye Li gave birth to Mo Xiaobao last time, she didn't sit in confinement for a full month like most other families. In her previous life, it was not uncommon for many women to run around a week after giving birth. As for Westerners, there was no such thing as sitting in confinement. Ye Li naturally didn't have the patience to sit in confinement for a full month. Not to mention other things, there were too many things to do in these few months. But even so, Ye Li was still forced by Madam Xu and two maids to lie on the bed for half a month before being allowed to move freely.

At the end of May, Prince Ding's Mansion sent invitations to dignitaries and celebrities from surrounding countries, inviting them to attend Mr. Qingyun's 80th birthday at the end of June. Along with the invitations, there was another piece of news: Princess Ding gave birth to twins in May, a boy and a girl, and Prince Ding's Mansion had a new baby. The news of Ye Li's pregnancy was originally only circulated among the generals under Prince Ding's Mansion, but it had never been announced to the outside world. Although outsiders were a little surprised why the princess who had always been with Prince Ding did not participate in this Chujing battle. But many people just thought that the princess stayed to stay in the northwest, and did not care much. Now that the news came out, people were even more jealous of Prince Ding. He had just taken over the two imperial cities of Xiling and Dachu, and soon the princess gave birth to a pair of boy and girl twins. It was as if all the good luck had been bestowed upon Mo Xiuyao alone.

Among those who heard the news, Mo Jingli and Ren Qining were the most angry.

Needless to say, Mo Jingli and Mo Xiuyao were born incompatible. Now his son and daughter are married and in love. How could Mo Xiuyao not be angry when he couldn't even find his only son? In a fit of rage, he naturally remembered his deep hatred for Mo Jingqi and tortured the seven or eight-year-old emperor again. Needless to say, the timid and cowardly little emperor was frightened and cried so hard that he almost fell ill.

Compared to Mo Jingli, Ren Qining was even more sad and angry. His sons, daughters, wife, and concubines were all killed by Mo Xiuyao. This killing method was no different from exterminating the entire family. In this way, the factional struggle within the Northern Territory, which was not very harmonious to begin with, was provoked. How could Ren Qining not hate Mo Xiuyao with gnashing teeth? When he saw the bright red post aimed at the golden auspicious cloud, Ren Qining was so sad and angry that he almost vomited blood.

"Mo Xiuyao! Mo Xiuyao!" In the study, seeing Ren Qining gritting his teeth and looking ferocious, his confidants were so scared that they dared not speak. After a long time, when Ren Qining slowly calmed down, someone came forward and asked carefully: "Sir, this post... shall we go?"

Ren Qining sneered and held the invitation in his hand tightly, as if he was holding Mo Xiuyao himself. "Go, why not? Not only will I go back, but Beirong, Nanzhao and Xiling will also go back. If we don't go, won't people look down on us?" The staff was startled and asked worriedly, "Could it be that Mo Xiuyao is holding a Hongmen Banquet this time?"

Ren Qining glanced at his subordinates and snorted, "Hongmen Banquet, no matter how powerful Mo Xiuyao is, he doesn't have the ability to block so many people in Licheng and kill them. He just wants to find out what the rulers of various countries think. It just so happens that I also want to meet Yelu Ye and Lei Zhenting."

Hearing him say this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Soon someone raised another question, "If the young master goes in person, he will have to bring a wife with him. But now..." It is indeed inappropriate for the ruler of a country to go on a diplomatic mission to a foreign country without the company of his female relatives. Moreover, there are some occasions where female relatives play an irreplaceable role. Especially when there was a powerful Princess Ding in the Ding Palace, the distinguished guests from various countries who went to attend the birthday banquet would definitely bring their female relatives. But the problem now is that the female relatives of the Northern Border royal family were killed without a single one left. And the thing that is giving Ren Qining a headache now is also the matter of the harem.

After Ren Qining married a princess from a northern tribe as his legal wife, he also took in several concubines. Most of them were women from the Central Plains, which naturally suited the minds of the Central Plains ministers around Ren Qining. After all, they have always considered themselves the orthodox Central Plains. Although they now have to rely on the power of the northern border to restore the country, they still hope that the next generation of emperors after the restoration will be of pure Central Plains blood. So at first, after the queen and the legitimate sons and daughters were killed, these Central Plains people were undeniably happy in their hearts. But then the princes and princesses born to several Central Plains concubines also died, and everyone realized the seriousness of the problem.

Now, the country cannot be without a king for a day, and the harem naturally cannot be without a master for a day. However, the two sides are at a standstill on the issue of whether Ren Qining should marry a woman from the Central Plains or a woman from the Northern Territory. Originally, it was easy to say when the Central Plains officials were weaker, but now that the Northern Territory has occupied a large area of ​​land in the Great Chu, a large number of people from the Great Chu have quickly joined the Northern Territory army. In this way, the original situation where the army was full of people from the Northern Territory was quickly broken, and the Central Plains officials gradually had the capital to challenge. So the issue of whether to marry a woman from the Northern Territory or a woman from the Central Plains has been debated for more than half a month. The two sides glared at each other and made sarcastic remarks as soon as they met, and they were just about to fight.

Ren Qining naturally preferred the Central Plains people. As a man, he naturally preferred the gentle and virtuous Central Plains women to the slightly rough Northern women. But the Northerners were not all fools. Ren Qining was a Central Plains person, and if he was asked to marry a Central Plains woman as his queen, would the Northern Territory have to change its name to the Central Plains? Would the Northern tribes still have a foothold? Naturally, they would resolutely oppose this.

Whenever he thought of this, Ren Qining had a headache. If he had successfully taken over Chujing this time, he could naturally use his reputation as the orphan of the previous royal family to restore orthodoxy, and these northerners would not be so important. It's a pity that he failed because of Mo Xiuyao's obstruction. In the future, he will naturally have to rely on these northerners, and it is impossible to get rid of or suppress them in a short time. Not only is it impossible, but he must support them even more. With a wave of his hand to interrupt the discussions of the crowd, Ren Qining said in a deep voice: "Go back and announce my decision. Confer the title of Queen on Helan of the Taji tribe."

"Sir!" Everyone shouted in unison, and one of them stepped forward and said, "Sir, Princess Helan is rude and willful, how can she be the queen of a country?"

Ren Qining said impatiently, "Can you find a more suitable candidate from the North? Being savage and willful... has its advantages. At least she doesn't have so many tricks that it will annoy people." His ex-wife, the princess of the North, was no less cunning than men. The North did not have as many restrictions on women as the Central Plains. The princess of the North was originally trained as an heir, but it was a pity that she fell in love with Ren Qining at first sight and was willing to be a queen in the harem instead of the patriarch of the most powerful tribe in the North. Even so, the restrictions on Ren Qining in many places had already made Ren Qining impatient. If Mo Xiuyao had not been so cruel, I'm afraid Ren Qining really wanted to thank him this time.

"Also, confer the title of consort to Lord Wang's eldest daughter and Lord Zhang's third daughter."

In this way, everyone was satisfied. When it comes to palace fighting, how could a Northern woman who only knows how to be naughty be a match for a woman from a noble family in the Central Plains?