All previous chapters have been completed; you can refresh the page to view them.
Peter the Great did indeed covet Barbara's beauty and figure, but he was clear-headed and would not destabilize the empire's political situation for a woman, even if she was now carrying his only child.
His thoughts were focused on the past six months of pampering this woman. After the child was born, he wanted to find a more powerful mother for his child—his queen. Only then could the child rightfully become the crown prince and the next emperor.
As for Barbara, if the situation is under control, she will change her name and settle down in another city. If the situation is not good, he will have no choice but to take action.
Barbara knew all along that men were unreliable, and the men in the palace were even more so. She could have children for men, and by having children, she could gain her own status. The birth of this child determined her future fate.
She couldn't possibly be content to hide behind someone like that, especially since her life might be in danger. She touched her stomach, becoming even more determined to form an alliance with Qin Yiyi.
“Your Majesty, I have been feeling cold in winter since I became pregnant. I heard that the Duke of Flame has a huge flame crystal that can keep the indoor temperature constant, even in winter. I wonder if it is possible for Barbara to use it. I will return it to the Prince after the child is born.”
The princess said that this crystal was with the Flame Duke's "white moonlight," who had miscarried after being attacked by the princess and was still in postpartum confinement.
"But, but I heard that the Prince's crystal is currently... I wonder if it's any good..." Barbara sighed as she spoke.
Upon seeing Barbara's appearance, Peter the Great immediately nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely get it for you. Just say that I need it, and no one will suspect anything!"
How could a mere mistress compare to one's own child? Peter the Great readily agreed to this small request.
Barbara chuckled. The falling out between the brothers was part of her scheme. Even if the Emperor was still on good terms with his younger brother now, everything would change the day the child was born. It was better to take this opportunity to wake up her brother.
While Barbara was manipulating Peter the Great, Qin Yiyi's territory was also welcoming wave after wave of people.
Black and White Whales used to be the largest mercenary group in Qin Territory, and now they have recruited thirty or forty people. Unexpectedly, this winter, a mercenary team of more than one hundred people came in.
They were fully equipped and looked like seasoned veterans, which immediately caught Qin Yiyi's eye.
Qin Ling and her men are all security personnel who have never been involved in a real battle. Even though her current armed force has reached over a thousand people, if someone from a legion like her father's were to come, only a dozen or even no more than thirty people would be needed to wipe them out according to the battle plan.
They are still too weak. It's not that they are weak in strength, but mainly that they lack experience and have never been on the battlefield. Such strength can only frighten ordinary civilians.
Qin Yiyi looked at the strong and muscular mercenary leader in front of her, and the mercenary leader was also looking at Qin Yiyi.
Qin Yiyi admired his battle-hardened aura, which exuded a bloodthirsty killing intent, while the other party was surprised that Qin Yiyi, at such a young age, could control a territory and do it so well.
Many people rise to power through connections, and it's not uncommon for lords to be only eighteen or nineteen years old. But the territory is so prosperous that even in winter, people work hard and enthusiastically. Everyone talks about the territory as if entering it is a great honor. He originally thought the lord was at least a man in his early thirties who was calm and resourceful. But he didn't expect her to be a young girl who was at most twenty years old!
Dressed in a Rococo retro style outfit, drinking afternoon tea, with a huge tiger lying next to him.
The huge tiger glanced at him lazily, then spoke.
"I want a roujiamo (Chinese hamburger)!"
The mercenary leader was quite frightened.
I almost backed away and was about to turn and run.
Qin Yiyi patted the tiger's head and fed it a roujiamo (Chinese hamburger).
"Don't be afraid, it's just a domesticated pet. It can talk and has a slightly higher fighting ability, but that's about it!"
"Don't be afraid, come in. I want to talk to you. Does your mercenary group have any missions in the winter? If not, how about you take on my job? A life without work is incomplete, and I think mercenaries should challenge themselves!"
Just as the mercenary leader was about to reply to the lord after catching his breath, he saw countless tentacles emerge from behind the lord. Two of the tentacles took the paper and pen from the table and handed them to the mercenary leader.
"How about we sign a contract to become an instructor in the territory? For a period of six months?"
Mercenary leader: "....."
Looking at the countless tentacles behind Qin Yiyi and the big white tiger beside her clamoring for more roujiamo (Chinese hamburger).
This art style... does he have the right to refuse?
However, in order to better discuss salary and benefits, he coughed twice.
"Our mercenary group is one of the top mercenary groups in the empire. Even if we break away from the main body and go out on our own, we are still elites. The average individual combat experience is more than three years, and our squad leaders have more than five years of experience. As for me..."
Qin Yiyi smiled as she looked at the mercenary leader.
"You submitted your information when you entered the territory. I know you have over ten years of combat experience, but I believe that training my people will also benefit you! As for compensation, how about I provide you with accommodation and meals?"
The lord was unwilling to give money, but was willing to provide winter lodging and food. The food and lodging for more than a hundred people were taken care of, and the lord thought she was already very generous.
The mercenary leader shook his head: "We can only benefit from fighting enemies stronger than ourselves. To be honest, teaching this group of people is like a math PhD teaching a child 1+1—it won't do us any good!"
"So this price..."
Qin Yiyi tapped her fingers on the table beside her and pondered for a while.
"So you're looking for an enemy stronger than you to fight to hone your combat skills, right?"
"Look at what you're saying, isn't it easy to find?"
? ? ?
The mercenary leader was puzzled. They were a large, experienced mercenary group of nearly two hundred skilled fighters, possessing extensive experience in group combat, and their teammates coordinated exceptionally well...
Wait... what's this oppressive feeling...? Why is there suddenly such immense water pressure in the room, this pressure from the ocean... it feels like we're facing the threat of a landslide and tsunami...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
