It took Shen Xuanxuan a long time to finally react. She bowed to the group before leaving with Song Le'er.
Back in the courtyard, Bai Chuxiao sat down and rubbed her temples wearily. Suddenly, she said, "Lanxiang and Qingzhu, do you think I was too cruel...?"
“Miss, how could you think like that? She brought this upon herself by daring to harm a child. If we hadn’t discovered it this time, she would have truly succeeded…” Qingzhu quickly said.
“Yes, Miss, why think so much about someone like that? It wouldn’t matter if she died ten thousand times. What you need to do now is rest well and make sure you don’t harm the baby…” Lanxiang comforted her.
“Recently, apart from the Prince’s confidants and my maternal grandmother’s side, everyone else has disappeared, to avoid encountering so many troublesome things. Little Baozi can’t take any more trouble…” Bai Chuxiao nodded and touched her lower abdomen.
“Miss should have thought of this sooner…” Lanxiang said with a smile.
Nestled in the mountains on the south bank of the Huai River was the military camp of the Prince of Yan's residence. Inside the main tent, the group was somewhat surprised to see Cui Hao, who had suddenly appeared from Yongzhou.
Chu Tianze's eyes narrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Has something happened to Xiaoxiao?"
Cui Hao glanced at Shen Tao beside him before saying, "Your Highness, Madam Shen's attempt to harm the young prince failed, and she even used the Shen family's merits to spread rumors within the palace... In the end, she even cursed the Princess and the young prince. The Princess has specially ordered me to recall General Shen..."
Even the usually loud-voiced Song Fei was speechless upon hearing this. Damn it, Madam Shen Tao really thinks life in the Shen family is too good, she's practically courting death...
"What? Is Xiaoxiao alright...?" Chu Tianze quickly stood up and asked.
"With the lady in the manor, the discovery was timely, and the princess is unharmed!"
Seeing that this was a matter concerning his own family, Shen Tao turned green with anger and broke out in a cold sweat. He immediately knelt down and said, "Your Highness, it is my fault for failing to discipline her properly. That shrewish woman dared to speak nonsense behind my back. But the Shen family has no ill intentions. Please, Your Highness, see the truth. I will personally return to apologize to the Princess Consort..."
"Fine, Shen Tao, it's because I've given your Shen family too much face, repeatedly displeasing the Princess. If anything happens between the Princess and my daughter this time, you'll have to go to the underworld and beg for forgiveness..." Chu Tianze said coldly, looking at Shen Tao on the ground.
Shen Tao quickly said, "Your Highness, please calm down. I have always respected the Princess Consort. My wife's actions were absolutely not my intention..."
Song Fei snorted coldly, "However, what your husband did was truly unethical. If the Princess and the young prince were injured, could you bear the responsibility? But Your Highness, both Shen Tao and I admire the Princess greatly, and I believe he absolutely had no other intentions..."
The two had worked together for many years, and he knew Shen Tao's personality very well. He certainly didn't have any complaints about the Prince of Yan's mansion, but he was rarely home. It was hard to say about the other people in the Shen family.
Chu Tianze spoke coldly, "Cui Hao, is the Princess truly unharmed?"
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort is temporarily fine, but Madam Shen's final curse was too vicious, and the Princess Consort is in a very bad mood..." Cui Hao glanced coldly at Shen Tao and said in a cold voice.
"Cui Hao and Song Fei will stay here and proceed according to plan. I need to go back. As for Shen Tao, since the Princess Consort has told you to go back, then go back. If the Shen family causes any more trouble, you won't need to follow me anymore..."
After saying this, he instructed Mo Yan and Mo Wen, then rode off on his horse and disappeared, clearly having no intention of taking Shen Tao with him.
Shen Tao stood up with a livid face and looked at the two people in the tent, saying, "Please excuse my rudeness!"
"Stop talking and hurry home. The princess returned to Yongzhou to recuperate, but your family has made things unsettling for her. If this matter is not handled properly, you know what will happen..." Song Fei sighed.
Cui Hao snorted coldly, "This humble general must also remind the general that Madam Shen's actions and words will not save her life. Furthermore, Miss Shen has already been executed. If General Shen wants to go back to plead for her, there is no need to do so, lest you anger the princess for nothing."
Shen Tao cupped his hands in greeting and sighed softly, "I know, thank you both. I'll take my leave first!" With that, he led a few trusted men, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Yongzhou.
After only the two of them remained in the tent, Cui Hao cupped his hands and said, "General Song, please explain the current situation to me in detail. I will cooperate with you!"
Song Fei nodded, and the two began discussing the war. They talked about the expansion of the Azure Dragon Camp and the special weapons they had acquired. Cui Hao was busy with a lot of things in Yongzhou, but Murong Xuan was also unable to leave because she was about to give birth. Among the generals remaining in Yongzhou, Bai Chuxiao had no choice but to send Cui Hao over first...
At night, Bai Chuxiao sat in the courtyard, gazing at the stars in the sky, lost in thought. Her slightly protruding belly was even more noticeable under her thin blue dress.
"Your Highness, it's getting windy, why don't we go back..." Lanxiang said softly from the side. These days, she always felt that the princess was not so happy.
"It's stuffy in here, let's sit for a while longer..." Bai Chuxiao said softly, resting her chin on her hand.
She had always known that pregnancy was difficult for women, but she had never experienced it herself. Now that she had, she understood why so many women were depressed during pregnancy and eventually died in childbirth. Only now did she truly understand the feelings of her mother, whom she had never met.
Even now, she can't help but overthink, feeling bored, longing, and nostalgic. All sorts of emotions seem to inexplicably surface, and she can't control them at all. Of course, it could also be because she's too idle.
Bai Chuxiao gazed at the scenery in the courtyard. The night was as still as water, but the courtyard was brightly lit by the slightly yellow lanterns, giving it an unreal feel. Suddenly, a figure in black appeared at the entrance of the courtyard, standing in the wind, his robes fluttering gently in the breeze.
Seeing the familiar figure under the lantern, Bai Chuxiao stood up, her nose slightly stinging with emotion...
Under the eaves, her delicate yet slender face stirred a sudden pang of heartache in Chu Tianze. He quickly stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms. "Xiaoxiao, I'm back..."
"Yes! I know." Bai Chuxiao leaned on his shoulder, savoring the familiar scent, sniffed, and felt a little more at ease.
"I'm not leaving. I'll stay with you and wait for our little dumpling to be born safely," Chu Tianze said, sensing the emotions of the woman in his arms, his eyes slightly reddening.
“Okay, then I’ll be selfish this once. You’re not allowed to go anywhere before Baozi is born…” Bai Chuxiao said softly, holding his hands tightly.
The maids in the courtyard, seeing the two cuddling together, quickly retreated. Lanxiang and the others exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the prince had returned. Although the princess had appeared calm these past few days, the maids who had been by her side all along knew that the princess's emotions were not right at all. That calmness was just an act for the sake of the madam and Madam Murong.
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