Gu Qingyan and Jiang He had considered Bai Qian's reaction after learning Gu Lin's true identity: she might be surprised, or she might choose not to believe it, or even she might be angry.
But I never expected Bai Qian's reaction.
Bai Qian stared at Gu Lin for a moment, then said softly, "Take off your mask."
After removing the mask, Bai Qian stared at the scar on Gu Lin's face. It was said that Emperor Zhaoyuan dared not show his true face and always wore a silver mask whenever he appeared.
It turns out it was because she wanted to cover up the long scar on her face.
"You've had a tough time all these years." Bai Qian stretched out her right hand, made a fist, and punched Gu Lin's left chest. "You're really lucky."
Gu Lin suddenly laughed, "You survived and became the person you admire most. So, are you still going to fight me?"
"beat!"
A few tears welled up in Bai Qian's eyes. When she learned that Gu Lin was still alive, she also knew that Gu Lin had suffered a lot.
But now Gu Lin tells her that he not only survived but also became the legendary Emperor Zhaoyuan of Da Ning, and Bai Qian's heart trembles slightly.
She couldn't imagine what this man in front of her had gone through all these years.
"I'll beat you someday." Bai Qian raised her fist. "Understood. If Da Ning makes any unusual moves, I'll let you know immediately."
As a general who leads troops into battle, Bai Qian quickly grasped the current situation.
Gu Lin also achieved Gu Qingyan's success under immense pressure.
"No need to overthink it," Gu Lin's voice rang out. "The best option for Da Ning right now is for Da Qing not to go to war with Da Ning."
After saying that, Gu Lin disappeared from their sight again.
However, the atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony did not improve because of Gu Lin's last words; the expressions on everyone's faces remained somewhat serious.
“My father has been leaving early and returning late every day lately, only to go out again after a brief visit,” Gu Qingyan said, lowering his head. He knew that his father had many things to deal with because of him.
"Your Majesty, we must conquer Great Wei."
Only by winning can we live up to the hard work of so many people.
"Then we'll depart in three days. I'll entrust the entire matter of supplies to Kui Ruo." Gu Qingyan nodded. This attack on the Great Wei was too important, so he only dared to use people he could trust.
“Kui Ruo is exceptionally intelligent, so he is the most suitable person to be in charge of the supplies.”
"Uncle and Aunt should go back and rest early..." Gu Qingyan's hands clenched into fists under his sleeves. His uncle and aunt had just gotten married and were already heading to the easternmost and westernmost parts of Daqing.
......
The night before departure.
At the dinner table, Jiang He and Bai Qian ate in silence, neither of them knowing how to start the conversation.
"Axi, shall we go for a walk?"
Seeing Bai Qian stop eating, Jiang He quickly spoke up.
"I'm a little stuffed, so it'll be good to go for a walk." Bai Qian's eyes were already a little red. She grabbed Jiang He's hand, and the two of them wandered aimlessly around the mansion.
"Axi, although Gu Lin is here, Da Ning is far more complicated than you and I imagine." Jiang He's eyes were full of worry. Otherwise, why would Gu Lin be so busy lately?
I'm worried...
Before Jiang He could finish speaking, Bai Qian reached out and pressed her hand against Jiang He's lips, "Don't say such unlucky things. Heng County must be defended by someone. Even if you lead troops to attack Da Wei, it will still be fraught with danger."
Sending 70% of our forces to fight against 100% of Wei's forces—if Wei weren't currently experiencing a natural disaster, we wouldn't even dare to estimate our chances of winning.
The two looked at each other in silence, and eventually their eyes reddened.
They should have been newlyweds enjoying their time together, but instead, they carried a mission that concerned Daqing.
"War!" Bai Qian said casually. "What general doesn't love war? Only by fighting can one achieve merit and bring blessings to one's descendants."
And... the best end for a general is to die on the battlefield.
But now she... can't bear to see Jiang He get into trouble.
"Axi, promise me you'll come back safely. We'll both come back safely."
After saying that, Jiang He picked Bai Qian up and carried her in his arms. That night, the red candles in the room never went out.
It wasn't until dawn that Bai Qian finally nestled weakly into Jiang He's arms.
Jiang He patted Bai Qian's back repeatedly with his large hand, then lowered his head and kissed the strands of hair on Bai Qian's forehead that were damp with sweat before slowly getting up.
A short while later, a bowl of herbal soup was placed in front of Bai Qian.
Looking at Bai Qian, who had her back to him, Jiang He was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Axi…”
Tears streamed down Bai Qian's face as she gripped the blanket tightly. "Is it a contraceptive potion?"
The sobs grew louder and louder, and Jiang He quickly put down the soup bowl in his hand and hugged Bai Qian tightly.
“Axi, your journey is fraught with danger. If you are pregnant, I fear something might happen to you.” Jiang He’s voice trembled as he spoke, so he personally went to the Imperial Hospital to obtain the prescription and then prepared the medicine.
“We’ll have children in the future, A-Qian.” Jiang He hugged Bai Qian very tightly. “But this time, I just want you to be safe and sound.”
He cannot tolerate any accidents.
Bai Qian was crying so hard she could barely breathe. She realized that many of her thoughts had changed after the wedding; she had become more greedy.
In the past, every time Jiang He went to war, she only hoped that Jiang He would return safely.
Now she... still wants to leave Jiang He with a child.
Bai Qian reached out and covered her lower abdomen, crying as she said, "Jiang He, it's not certain that I can get pregnant."
She knew that Jiang He was facing even greater danger this time. She still had Gu Lin to face it with, but Jiang He... Just thinking about this made Bai Qian's tears flow even more.
“Drinking those herbal soups will affect my ability to get pregnant in the future.” Bai Qian cried heartbrokenly. “Let’s fight quickly, finish the war in a month… two months, and then it won’t affect me even if I get pregnant.”
"Axi!"
Jiang He's voice was clearly starting to crack.
"I've been drinking contraceptive soup for several days now, I won't get pregnant." Bai Qian reached out and touched Jiang He's face. "I won't drink it tonight, okay?"
"I'm begging you, Jiang He..."
In Bai Qian's eyes was a persistence that Jiang He couldn't understand.
She is now not only a general in Daqing, but also the wife of the Marquis of Dingyuan.
The Jiang family did not allow concubines or other wives, so every generation of the Marquis of Dingyuan's wives risked their lives to give birth to a son.
“If I get pregnant, what the wives of the previous Marquis of Dingyuan could do, Ahe, I can do too.”
Bai Qian looked up and kissed Jiang He's forehead.
Jiang He reached out and knocked over the bowl of contraceptive medicine. He then carried Bai Qian to the bed and gently wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Okay, go to sleep for a while."
I have already dedicated myself to the country, yet I still wish to dedicate myself to my family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com