Seeing that they seemed genuinely happy today, Bai Chuxiao felt a little strange. What was going on? So she asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, Crown Princess, is there any joyous occasion?"
Liu Shuyao blushed slightly upon hearing this, but Empress Li smiled and said, "Xiaoxiao noticed? There is indeed good news; Shuyao is pregnant."
Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised. What a coincidence! The one in the manor already had one. It seemed there would be a lot to compete for in the future. The Crown Prince was truly blessed with an heir…
"Sister Bai, you flatter me. It's only been half a month."
"Congratulations, Crown Princess! The child will be the eldest grandson of the Emperor, a very prestigious position," Bai Chuxiao said with a hint of flattery. Ah, isn't this the kind of polite talk one has to say in the palace?
Empress Li was naturally pleased to hear this. With the arrival of the eldest grandson, the crown prince's position would be even more secure. She then smiled and said, "Then I'll take Xiaoxiao's auspicious words. The crown prince has just set off on his campaign, and this child has already arrived. It's clear he's a blessed child."
Liu Shuyao chuckled, "It's too early for Mother and Xiaoxiao to say such things. What if this baby is a girl?"
Empress Li, naturally giving her face, said nonchalantly, "A cute and clever little princess is not bad either. There's plenty of time; no rush."
Liu Shuyao felt relieved. It was still necessary to give a heads-up, to avoid everyone getting disappointed and causing unnecessary unpleasantness.
"Mother, now that I am pregnant, I am unable to serve the Crown Prince. Perhaps we should select a few concubines first, so that when the Crown Prince returns, there will be people to serve him."
So the Empress summoned her here just to share the joyous occasion and to witness the dignified and composed demeanor of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Bai Chuxiao picked up her tea, took a sip, and quietly watched their performance.
"Your mother knows you are a virtuous woman, Shuyao, but now that you are pregnant and the Crown Prince has returned, you will naturally be well taken care of. What kind of appearance is it to bring so many concubines into the mansion?"
Liu Shuyao hesitated for a moment, "But if we add another second sister from the Bai family, I'm afraid she won't serve the Crown Prince well. The Crown Prince can be paired with two concubines, so why don't you choose another one, Mother?"
Empress Li then chuckled and said, "Shuyao's thoughts are not wrong. In my opinion, Zhirou is a good girl. What do you think, Shuyao?"
Liu Shuyao nodded with a smile, "The people Mother has chosen are naturally good. How about Miss Li and Miss Bai, the two concubines, enter the manor together?"
Empress Li's expression softened with satisfaction. After what happened at the Bai residence, she now disliked Bai Chuwan intensely. If it weren't for the need for the Left Prime Minister's assistance, she would never have agreed to Bai Chuwan marrying into the Eastern Palace. It takes two to tango, and she wasn't trying to excuse her son. The Crown Prince was at fault, but Bai Chuwan wasn't entirely innocent either. This whole charade had ruined You'er's reputation.
If it weren't for the need to rebuild her prestige, You'er wouldn't have had to go to the north as a military supervisor. The north has been controlled by that vile Wei Mingyue's family for years, and who knows what they might do to harm You'er. Fortunately, the Seventh Prince was there, which gave her some peace of mind; otherwise, she would never have agreed to the Crown Prince going to the battlefield.
It's a bit of a disservice for her own niece to be a concubine, but Liu Shuyao is a sensible and understanding person. Now that she's taken the initiative to suggest it, she thinks more highly of her. Naturally, she'll still give her the dignity befitting a Crown Princess and won't let that girl Rou'er surpass her.
"I trust Shuyao with what she says, so let's do as you suggest."
Then, turning to Bai Chuxiao with a smile, she asked, "Does Chuxiao think I've wronged your second sister?"
Seeing that the conversation had turned to her again, she could no longer remain silent. What was the point of asking these questions? The Empress had already spoken; how could she object? "Your Majesty is overthinking it. It is Second Sister's good fortune to marry into the Eastern Palace."
Empress Li smiled again, "It's good that Xiaoxiao understands. It's not convenient for me to summon ministers, so I'll trouble you to go back and inform your father and second sister."
"Yes," Bai Chuxiao sneered inwardly. Was it that she couldn't summon him, or that she dared not? Not only did she fail to secure the position of Crown Princess, but she also wanted to enter the manor with other families' daughters. Wasn't this utterly humiliating Bai Linan? She was sure that if this were told to her cheap father, her second sister might get another beating.
Liu Shuyao's methods are quite clever. Li Zhirou and Bai Chuwan don't get along to begin with; if they both enter the manor now, things will get out of hand. They'll start fighting, and anything could happen. If anything goes wrong, she won't be blamed.
However, she wouldn't meddle in other people's business, after all, she was happy to see the Bai family unhappy.
Upon returning to the Left Prime Minister's residence, she immediately shared the "good news" with everyone. Too lazy to even look at their unpleasant faces, she leisurely returned to the Liuli Courtyard to examine the map.
I've heard that the Northern Yan army is led by the Third Prince Xiao Hong and Yuwen Yaofeng, the son of the Pillar of State General. This Pillar of State General, Yuwen Yankun, is the very man who decisively defeated the Duke of Dingguo, causing the Qin family to perish in the north. His son must be quite capable, and the Third Prince is also a brave and skilled warrior. No wonder they were able to capture two cities in quick succession. With the surrender of the Bingzhou Provincial Governor, they must now have a thorough understanding of the defenses of all the cities in Bingzhou.
However, Shangliu is easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as Duke Zhenguo Wei Junyan holds out until the imperial reinforcements Chu Tianze and his men arrive, they can launch a counterattack. If Shangliu falls, then Bingzhou will be completely finished. This battle will not be easy...
Bai Chuxiao stared blankly at the map in her hand, lost in thought. She had already memorized the locations of all the cities in the North...
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and his army were still on their way. Worried about the slow pace of their march, Chu Tianze led a contingent of men to Shangliu City at full speed. Fortunately, they arrived in time; any later, and Shangliu would have fallen.
Although they almost failed to hold on, Wei Junyan showed no remorse whatsoever; he remained arrogant and haughty.
"The Prince of Yan has arrived far too slowly, with only these few men. I wonder when the main army will arrive."
A cold glint flashed in Chu Tianze's eyes. "The Northern Army is no less formidable than the opposing side. Is this how the Duke of Zhenguo defends the city?"
"Hmph, how to defend a city is not something a mere child like you can say. When I was fighting alongside His Majesty to conquer the world, you weren't even born yet."
Chu Tianze sneered, "Since that's the case, let the Duke of Zhenguo lead the Northern Army to defend the city for the next two days before the main army arrives. Let me see your prowess, Duke of Zhenguo."
"What do you mean by this, Prince Yan? Since they are reinforcements, the troops you brought should naturally be under my command."
"Does the Duke of Zhenguo not understand the Emperor's decree? This time, I am the commander-in-chief, and the Northern Army should all obey my orders. The Duke of Zhenguo only needs to do as I say," Chu Tianze said calmly.
Wei Junyan said with a gloomy face, "His Majesty's decree appointed you as the commander-in-chief of the reinforcements, but it did not say that you were the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army. I, the Duke, do not know what Your Highness Yan is thinking. Are you here to provide assistance or to seize power?"
Chu Tianze smiled dismissively, "Alright, I don't have time to waste with your nonsense. Duke Zhenguo, you should use that time to think about how to defend the city these next two days."
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