In the following days, Yu Yao stayed in Qin Mansion to cultivate her fetus in peace. Her belly began to swell gradually.
Already over four months.
The Qin Mansion doctor has examined her several times to confirm the safety of her pregnancy, but he only discovered a pair of twins and failed to identify that she was carrying three fetuses in her womb.
Even so, Xiangling and Xiangju were overjoyed.
Every day, they were fully alert and careful in serving her.
Every detail of her diet and daily life was carefully planned to ensure her comfort, with no oversight allowed.
Cinan Palace.
The afternoon sunlight filters through the delicate lattice windows, softly shining on the ground inside the room, casting a golden glow.
The empress sat gracefully on the bed, listening to the palace staff report that Qin Mansion's Shu Fu Nv is pregnant with twins, and she was very delighted.
Previously, due to the rumors outside, she had been suspicious in her heart for a while and secretly sent people to investigate.
Only when no evidence was found and it was discovered that the rumors were spread by the dismissed empress, did she finally put her heart at ease.
"This pregnancy with twins is a great joy. Go and give her the pair of jade bracelets in my treasure vault, which have exquisite water head, as well as the string of South Sea pearl necklace."
The empress, overjoyed, ordered her maid to go to Qin Mansion to deliver the rewards.
Li Laomao stepped out, bowing slightly: "Empress, may I say that Nǚ Shùfu Yú would be extremely grateful."
The empress smiled and continued, "Also select several high-quality Sichuan silk and Suzhou embroidered brocade for the children's clothing. As well as that carved jade statue of Guanyin bestowing a child, also give it to her, praying for the Bodhisattva's protection in giving birth to a healthy baby."
"Yes, Empress."
Li Laomao replied respectfully and quickly retreated.
The Zichen Hall, Emperor Xuanhuang's palace.
The night was deep and dark, with the faint moonlight filtering through the window curtains, casting a weakly clear glow in the bedroom.
Xuanyuan Zan sits at the desk, holding a brush in his hand. His brow is furrowed as he tells the head eunuch Li An by his side: "The Shu Fu Nv of Yuan actually conceived twins, what should I do with this heart..."
The branches outside the window swayed back and forth in the night wind, occasionally colliding with the window lattice, emitting "thump thump" sounds, making this silent night even more cold and desolate.
Li An knows to some extent the thoughts of the emperor, but as the woman of the Qin King, even if His Majesty likes her very much, he cannot hold any affection for her.
It is obvious to everyone with eyes that Qin Wang loves Yu Shu Fu Nv dearly. If the emperor's thoughts were known to Qin Wang, it might cause some disturbances.
Qin Wang is not an ordinary prince, his prestige in the military and among the people is very high, and he is also the emperor's closest brother.
If he decides to do something, the emperor's throne might not even be secure.
Of course, such words would not dare to be said unless he wanted to lose his head.
Li An repressed the thoughts in his eyes, bowed his body, and carefully replied: "Your Majesty, this is a great joy for Qin Mansion. You should be happy."
Xuanyuan Zan heavily placed down the brush, sighed deeply, "I know all too well, but the taste of this... is hard to express... Well, you may go."
Li An bow his body and retreated, gently closing the door behind him.
Xuanyuan Zan stared at the black sky outside the window, his mind in turmoil.
He paced back and forth in the bedroom, his inner turmoil and contradictions growing stronger.
Thinking of that woman, he unconsciously raised the corner of his mouth.
"Indeed... Even with three thousand beauties, none can match her smile when she turns back."
Too bad, she belongs to someone else, and he can't take her.
A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes as he continued to look at the document in his hand.
The Qin Mansion, Mingxi courtyard.
Yu Yao was unaware of the matters within the palace.
She instructed Xiangling to take the gifts from the empress and deposit them in the warehouse, then lazily lay on the bed, picking up a novel randomly.
She looked bored and the novel in her hand was just a routine.
It was all about a daughter of a wealthy family falling in love with a poor scholar, and then the parents forbidding their marriage.
It's really nothing new.
She threw the novel aside and suddenly had the urge to go to the frontier of Xiyu.
The battlefield is dangerous, but it's more interesting than staying in this mansion, and it can also help nurture a bond with Xuanyuan City.
It's her belly, after all... triplets...
The battlefield conditions are harsh, I'm not sure if the nutrition can keep up with it there first.
The jostling along the way alone would be difficult to bear.
Triplets are no laughing matter.
Even with the Dan to preserve the fetus, it's not a sure thing.
Upon thinking of this, the idea was again dismissed.
The remaining sunlight casts a layer of gold gauze over the vast and desolate land of the Western Regions, adding a mysterious and poignant color to this barren land.
Emperor Xuanyuan has led his troops to the western border of the Western Regions and quickly completed the construction of their camp.
Inside the tent, the candlelight flickered.
Emperor Xuanyuan is currently working with several generals around a large military map, starting to plan and deploy rigorously.
He pointed at various locations on the map, his voice steady and authoritative: "The terrain here is strategic. The two sides are towering mountains, the middle is a narrow gorge, this is a crucial place for military strategy. We must deploy our elite troops to fortify it and establish multiple defense lines, ready for any potential attacks."
"Not only should we make use of the terrain advantages to set traps and stakes for defense, but we must also closely monitor the enemy's movements. Once the enemy attacks, we must strike them hard and make sure they have no way back. We cannot allow the enemy any opportunity to take advantage."
A veteran general bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we will certainly fulfill our mission. Even if we have to fight until the last man, we will never retreat!"
Another young general was eagerly rubbing his fists together: "I am willing to lead the advance and charge headlong into the enemy lines to clear a path for our troops!"
Xuanyuan City nodded slightly, "All of you are the loyal and brave warriors of our Jing Country. This campaign concerns the honor and dishonor of our country, and the peace of our people. We should unite and work together to defeat the enemy, uphold the glory of our Jing Country!"
The crowd shouted in unison: "We are willing to serve the Lord, to sacrifice for our country!"
In the distant Western Regions' palace, the night sky was shrouded, with a cold moon hanging high.
Within the palace, the torches flickered, casting alternating shadows that illuminated the faces of those present.
The leader, Borto, sat on the throne, his face extremely gloomy.
"We have been sending tributes to the Western Regions every year. This year, we sent a lot of valuable items and beauties over. However, the Jing Country is still not satisfied and even invaded our western border on their own accord. This is truly taking things too far!"
His expression was extremely angry, and he shouted loudly.
The atmosphere in the palace was tense, and everyone was as silent as a frozen snake.
Haular stood in the back, angrily cursing: "It's all because of that woman, Yu Yao. If it weren't for her sudden betrayal and refusal to kill Xuanyuan City, Xuanyuan City would have died long ago. She has ruined our big plan, she is truly annoying!"
Borto stifled his anger and said in a cold voice: "It's too late to say this now. The most urgent matter is to discuss how to deal with the Jing Country's overwhelming army."
After a few curses, Haular finally said, "Chief, why don't we send in a suicide squad to launch a surprise night raid on their camp and catch them off guard?"
A strategist shook his head and said, "We cannot be rash. The Jing Country's army has prepared well for this time, and if we act impulsively, we may fall into their traps."
Everyone argued vigorously, and the palace was filled with noise.
Borto stood up abruptly, glared at the crowd below, and roared, "Shut up all of you! Send someone to gather intelligence about the enemy's situation first, then make a decision."
At the main camp of the Jing Country's army on the Western Border, the commander's tent.
Slightly dim, a few oil lamps giving off faint light.
The military maps and various documents on the ground were scattered in disarray.
Dongfeng held a secret letter and rushed in.
He glanced at Xuanyuan City, who was studying the military map, and took a step forward, handing over the secret letter with both hands, and spoke in a hurry: "Your Majesty, an urgent message from the capital!"
Xuanyuan City quickly took it and unrolled the secret letter in his hand.
Upon seeing the content, his handsome face turned dark like a storm cloud in an instant, and he was terrifyingly grim.
He was clearer about whether the child in Yu'er's belly was his than anyone else.
How could it be a spawn?
It's sheer nonsense.
He crushed the letter in his hand and continued to look down.
Seeing that some people suspected Yu'er to be a Western spy, he furrowed his brow deeply.
He secretly felt relieved that he had acted fast and sent Xifeng to erase any signs of her identity as a Western killer.
He saw that the letter mentioned that the rumors had been suppressed, and that the queen, who was the mastermind behind the rumors, had been deposed and sent to a cold palace.
Xuanyuan City's expression improved significantly. When he saw that the letter said Yu'er was carrying twins, his expression even improved further.
Dongfeng saw his master's expression darken like a storm cloud first, and then brighten up, curious about what was said in the letter.
But he dared not ask.
Xuanyuan City burned the secret letter in his hand, looked up at Dongfeng, and said in a low voice: "Bring back a team of elite troops immediately. Protect Yu Chufen and her unborn child. If there is any movement, you don't need to ask for permission. Make your own decisions."
Even though the queen had been deposed and gone mad, there might still be others who could harm Yu'er.
He would not allow anyone to harm her or the child in her womb.
"Yes, master."
Dongfeng bowed and left in a hurry.
