Prince Wen personally led the army
"My wife is the child of my father, the king, and my mother, the queen. He loves my mother deeply, and he loves you deeply too. I also hope that my wife will live a peaceful and happy life for the rest of her life."
I'm also afraid that something might happen to you. The second half of the sentence got stuck in Wen Yici's throat, for fear that it would add to her worries.
Wen Yici took her into his arms and said, "I want to know you, and we will live forever. Even if the mountains are gone, the rivers run dry, the winter thunders and the summer snows, and the heaven and earth merge, then I will dare to part with you. In the unpredictable days, both you and I will be safe and happy."
"Everything in the world is destined. Having you is my blessing. I am lucky in three lives."
Yuanli looked at him and described his features and figure in detail, as if she wanted to carve him into her heart, so that when she returned to dust in the future, all she would see was him.
Since the three-day court holiday, Wen Yici seemed to be much busier. Fortunately, she was pregnant and easily tired, so she often slept until nightfall. When she opened her eyes, she would see Wen Yici holding a military book beside her.
"Congratulations, Princess. The fetus is now five months old. I see that you are carrying twins, but the fetal position is slightly abnormal. However, it is not a problem. I will prescribe two medicines for you, and the fetal position will naturally correct itself."
"Thank you, Doctor Lin, for the reward. Ziyun, please send it off for me."
After sending the imperial physician away, Wen Yici was still standing there in a daze, staring at her belly intently, until she called him several times before he reacted.
"So, I have two daughters now. That's great. My dear, you are amazing. No, I am amazing too, haha."
"What if it's two sons?"
"A daughter, she must be a daughter. I like daughters the most. They are soft and tender like you. But no matter what my wife gives birth to, I will like it."
Suddenly, the fetus in the mansion kicked. Yuanli covered her stomach and cried out "ouch". Wen Yici quickly helped her sit down, frowning and asked, "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"
Yuanli placed his palm on her belly, and Wen Yici rigidly controlled the force, fearing that if he used too much force he would crush her. The child gave her another polite kick, and Wen Yici felt the baby's movement in his palm, and the corners of his mouth curled up wildly, his eyes full of surprise.
From that day on, Wen Yici would always lie in front of her belly to feel the movements of the baby in her belly. However, an oral message came from the palace that his father was seriously ill, and Wen Yici was the regent to assist the prince in handling state affairs.
Wen Yici was much busier, and Yuanli was very worried, but his father would not see anyone except Concubine Yu. Fortunately, Concubine Yu often sent him news about his father to take back.
It is winter now, the weather is freezing and Yuanli no longer goes out. Xiaotao comes to give her the account book and bonus, and Yuanli even invites her to stay in her room.
"Princess, have you heard that the Gujia envoys have arrived? It's a grand spectacle, with camels, tribute, and wooden crates lined up outside the gates of Kyoto. They're also said to be accompanied by a princess, whose face is partially covered by a veil, making her look exceptionally alluring."
Listening to Xiao Tao's vivid description, Yuanli was amused by her appearance and couldn't help but jokingly said, "How beautiful can it be? Can it be more beautiful than a fairy?"
"Hehe, I didn't squeeze in, didn't see it, and I just heard people say it. However, I think that no beauty in the world can compare to our Princess Wen."
"loquacious."
Xiao Tao told her about recent interesting events in Kyoto, which put Yuan Li in a very good mood. Wen Yici came home near dusk, and he hadn't eaten much of his dinner. He just stared at her blankly.
Seeing that he seemed to be worried, Yuanli felt a little worried, but he was unwilling to say it, so she had no choice but to wait for him to talk about it.
The next morning, before daybreak, Lin Jian hurried over and presented an urgent report from the border.
Ziyun brought the secret report into the room. Wen Yici didn't dare to move for fear of waking her. He lay on the bed, flipping through the report with a frown on his face. He didn't notice that Yuanli was already awake and looking at him in confusion.
Seeing her staring at him worriedly, Wen Yici couldn't hide anything, so he told her the truth: "My lady, don't worry for now. Calm down and don't disturb the fetus."
After Yuanli nodded, Wen Yici slowly said, "Loulan was attacked, and the border was in chaos. Yun Qinian, the eldest son of the Yun family, died for his country. The border commander is missing, so we need to send someone from Kyoto to the border to lead the troops."
Hearing this, Yuanli became a little anxious. Although she had prepared herself mentally in advance, she couldn't help but worry about Yun Zhaowan.
The children of the Yun family are loyal to each other and united in facing the outside world. They have been very close to each other since childhood. If Yun Zhaowan learned about the death of her eldest brother, she would definitely not be able to accept it.
Yuanli could no longer fall asleep. At daybreak, before Wen Yici left for court, she repeatedly told him to tell the prince to take good care of Yun Zhaowan's emotions.
Half an hour passed, Yuanli was still waiting in the mansion, but Wen Yici had not returned yet. A servant came to report that the Gujia delegation wanted to see Prince Wen's mansion.
Yuanli had no intention of meeting the guest, so she sent Ziyun to get rid of him. But just as Ziyun left the house and before she could say anything, the curtain of the carriage was slightly lifted, and the beautiful woman sitting inside looked at her.
The woman had her face covered with a veil and was dressed in gorgeous clothes. She seemed to be the Princess Gujia that Xiaotao had mentioned.
Ziyun sensed something was wrong and immediately sent someone to report into the mansion, while she stayed behind to deal with the Gujia delegation. It was not until the man came out and gave her an affirmative look that Ziyun welcomed the Gujia delegation into the mansion.
The princess dismissed the messenger and only brought two maids into the palace.
"I wonder why Princess Gujia came to visit me?"
"You and I are both princesses, born to serve our country, so I won't beat around the bush with you. But since you're pregnant, I want to remind you that you should be mentally prepared for what I'm about to say. If the baby gets disturbed, it's your child who'll be hurt, not me."
Seeing that she had ill intentions, Yuanli became a little defensive and subconsciously protected her belly.
"Yesterday, Gujia offered Prince Wen a hundred camels, thirty chests of treasure, a thousand taels of gold, a hundred pieces of silk, the cession of Xizhou City, and a hundred years of peace and tranquility between the two countries. He wanted me to marry him, but he refused. He said you were his first wife, his only wife, and that even if I were traded for the entirety of Gujia, he wouldn't hesitate for a moment."
"Then what's the point of you looking for me? Can I marry you?" Yuanli smiled as if she didn't care, sipping her tea by herself.
"Xizhou is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and it happens to be on the border between the two countries. Princess Wen, don't you think about the country? I am willing to make further concessions. He doesn't have to divorce. You and I are equals."
Yuanli put down the teacup, gathered the hot water bottle in her hand, and stood up, saying, "Princess, there is no need to worry anymore. Wen Yici, I will never give in. Ziyun, show the guest away."
After saying that, Yuanli put the hot water bottle in her pocket and went back to her room. She was not the beautiful lady in mortal operas who would shed tears at any moment. If someone came to her door and spoke nonsense just for a piece of fiefdom and asked her to give it up, she would never give up.
For him, she didn't even care about the position of a god, and a dowry and fiefdom outside the city of Kyoto was just a foolish dream.
Just as she was getting angry, Wen Yici rushed back. He eagerly knelt beside her legs, hugged her waist and said, "I will fight to earn back the fiefdom for you. I can also give you gold, silver and jewelry. Please don't sell me out."
Yuanli stared at his trembling shoulders, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She gently stroked his black hair and said jokingly, "I don't need gold, silver, or land."
Wen Yici slowly raised his head, his eyes tearing up as he looked at her in disbelief, "I can cook porridge, sew cushions, massage, and paint hairpins. I'll give you everything you want. I'm in good health and can do my job well. A husband who has shared his hardships with his wife should not divorce her. Please don't give me to another princess, okay?"
Yuanli held his fair face in her hands, wiped away the tears that were welling up in his eyes, and kissed the corner of his mouth gently.
"The mountains are gone, the rivers are dry, the winter thunders and the summer snows, the heavens and the earth merge, yet I dare to break up with you. Have you forgotten, my husband? I may be a bit of a money-grubber, but I won't sell you for silver. After all... you've done a good job."
Hearing this, Wen Yici stood up and sat down with peace of mind. When the secret guard informed him that Princess Gujia was coming to see her, he was very panicked. He was afraid that she would misunderstand, that she would want the fiefdom instead of him, and that she would have a miscarriage.
Yuanli poured him a cup of tea, and he took out a letter from his sleeve. The cover read: From Jiahe himself. The familiar, vigorous and powerful handwriting made all the annoyance in her heart disappear.
In the letter, Yun Zhaowan told her that the Yun family was a family of military commanders, generations of whom had sacrificed their lives for their country. They, the Yun children, had been prepared for sacrifice for as long as they could remember. While she was saddened by her eldest brother's death, she would not collapse. She was proud of him, and her second brother, Yun Qiyu, had already volunteered to be stationed at the border.
At the end, Yun Zhaowan repeatedly urged her to take good care of herself. After reading this letter, Yuanli was very impressed and felt relieved.
"Father still won't summon anyone today?"
Wen Yici nodded and said, "Yes, Concubine Yu said that my father's condition is getting better. She told you not to worry too much and to take good care of the baby in your belly."
Yuanli was a little anxious. Her father's illness came on suddenly and without any signs. But he didn't want to see anyone else but Concubine Yu.
The days went on like this for half a month. Yuanli was already six months pregnant. Since she was having twins, her body was heavier than that of an ordinary woman. Wen Yici was getting busier and busier, so Yuanli had to take good care of herself.
As the New Year approaches, snow rolls across Kyoto. The biting cold wind howls and blows snow onto people's skin, causing them to feel as painful as a blade scraping against them.
At night, Wen Yici rode his horse back home.
Urgent news arrives from the border: Yun Qiyu, the second son of the Yun family, has been killed in action. The Protector General is already old, and things are looking suspicious at the border, suggesting internal trouble. Wen Yici decides to personally lead the army to quell the civil unrest.
Yuanli packed his luggage with concern. Even though her body was heavy and slippery in the snow, she personally sent him to the gate of Kyoto until the black dot on the horse was completely swallowed by the darkness.
Ever since Wen Yici left, Yuanli often couldn't sleep well at night and was often awakened by nightmares. In the dream, Wen Yici was fighting in the blood with scars all over his body. The swords and knives cut into his body without mercy, and his clothes were torn and bleeding.
The next morning, the cold wind sneaked in through the cracks in the carved window and woke her up. Her eyes were dark and she could not fall asleep again.
Ziyun came in excitedly and reported: "Princess, a eunuch has come to the palace and said that the emperor has recovered from his illness. You can enter the palace to see the emperor."
She lifted the quilt and sat up, saying tiredly, "Hurry, change my clothes and bathe me, prepare the carriage, and go to the palace."
The streets of Kyoto were covered in snow. Due to the war, there were few people around. The people stayed indoors and the empty streets were a bit deserted. The carriage from Prince Wen's mansion passed by, leaving long tracks on the snow-white ground.
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