The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 150: Pregnancy
In Rongcheng, the Wang Yizhou Mansion.
Empress Dowager Xiao had her eyelids half-closed, reclining lazily on a soft couch, one hand gently stroking the white cat resting in her lap, her posture relaxed and leisurely.
Beside a golden flower pot filled with ice cubes stood two maids. Each of them held a large embroidered fan, intricately designed with floral patterns, which they gently waved to direct the cool air from the ice toward the room.
On the couch, Empress Dowager Xiao’s brows remained furrowed, her expression growing increasingly somber.
Her current displeasure was not only due to the heat in Yizhou, which was even more unbearable than the capital but also because of the reports that were being carefully delivered to her by Xia Ying.
After Xia Ying finished his report, he stepped forward and began massaging the Empress Dowager’s shoulder.
Empress Dowager Xiao slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp, and spoke in a slightly cold tone, “Liang Wang is such a useless fool. He had such a good opportunity and still failed to accomplish anything.”
Xia Ying paused for a moment, his movements faltering. After a brief hesitation, he spoke softly, “Empress Dowager, the Pingxi Army, and the Lingnan Border Army are both pressing down on the two major gates of Yizhou, and they’re advancing with great momentum. It seems that the attack on Yizhou is just a matter of when, not if.”
“Empress Dowager, should we make early preparations?”
Empress Dowager Xiao did not respond immediately to Xia Ying’s words. Instead, she closed her eyes once more.
After a brief pause, she slowly spoke, “The power of the fiefdom in the Great Xia is only matched by the provinces of Yang and Yizhou.”
“Yizhou is rich in fertile land, with abundant harvests year after year, and it is a land of plenty, a true heaven-sent place.”
“Yizhou is easy to defend but difficult to attack. With its natural geographical advantages, it could be defended for another ten or twenty years without issue.”
“However, the political situation in Great Xia may not remain stable for decades. The empire has just endured two great wars, North and South, and who would have the time or energy to focus on Yizhou now?”
“The two armies’ pressure may simply be a statement of Yizhou’s independence, an empty show of force.”
Although Empress Dowager Xiao spoke in a calm tone and seemed quite confident in her words, Xia Ying understood that, in truth, the Empress Dowager herself was uncertain about whether the enemy army would actually march into Yizhou.
In recent days, Yizhou Wangfei, Song Yin, had repeatedly suggested that Empress Dowager Xiao retreat to Chicheng Mountain, which was only a day’s journey from Rongcheng. However, the Empress Dowager had refused each time.
Xia Ying understood that the Empress Dowager’s reluctance was not out of fear of the heat, but because the Yizhou Wang Mansion, with its tight security, was far safer than Chicheng Mountain.
Xia Ying felt a growing sense of unease. Perhaps the Taizi would still give the Empress Dowager some leeway, but the Taizifei, Qin Yan, was ruthless and heartless, the kind of person who would turn her back on anyone, even her closest kin…
————
As the saying goes, “Fear attracts what it dreads,” and suddenly there was urgent military news outside.
Xia Ying quickly stepped out, and after a short while, he returned to report to Empress Dowager Xiao in a hurry, “Your Majesty, both Jianmen Pass and Tang Pass were breached last night. The Pingxi Army and the Lingnan Army have entered Yizhou from the northern and eastern routes respectively.”
At this news, Empress Dowager Xiao abruptly sat up from her couch. The sudden movement caused a sharp pain in her waist, and she cried out in discomfort, “Ahh…”
Xia Ying immediately rushed forward to support her.
After a brief moment of recuperation, Empress Dowager Xiao steeled herself and spoke in a harsh tone, “Order Song Qingfeng and Kou Huai to fight with all their strength!”
“If we lose a single city to either of them, I want their heads brought to me!”
Xia Ying hurriedly left to convey the Empress Dowager’s orders. When he returned, he overheard her voice again from within the room, “Jianmen Pass and Tang Pass are both formidable and strategically critical strongholds. For both to be breached at the same time is no coincidence.”
“There is a traitor within Yizhou!”
What Empress Dowager Xiao said was exactly what Xia Ying had suspected in his heart.
Empress Dowager Xiao turned to Xia Ying and spoke coldly, “Tell Ye Yi to find out who has the audacity to betray me!”
Xia Ying took the order and left.
Ye Yi was the leader of Huayue Tower and a master at gathering intelligence. With his involvement, it wouldn’t take long to uncover the traitor.
———–
In the northern part of Yizhou, at Yun City.
General Song Qingfeng, after quickly issuing a series of orders to his subordinates, walked with a grim expression toward the prison.
Jianmen Pass had been breached last night, but fortunately, the roads leading from Jianmen Pass into Yizhou were narrow and difficult to navigate, most of them being mountain paths.
Because of this, even though Song Qingfeng’s forces were caught off guard, they were able to retreat while taking advantage of the terrain, managing to hold back the Pingxi Army just after they entered the pass.
As expected, the Pingxi Army from the northwest was as fierce as rumored, unstoppable, and relentless. The Yizhou soldiers, who had not seen battle for a long time, were no match for the elite Pingxi forces.
Although Song Qingfeng’s troops had slowed down the Pingxi Army’s advance into Yizhou, the military reports sent back to Yun City showed that the number of casualties among the Yizhou soldiers was steadily rising.
Song Qingfeng’s heart grew heavier as he thought about the situation. This wasn’t a sustainable solution.
Losing Jianmen Pass, a position that should have been easy to defend, was because of a problem within his own people. This filled Song Qingfeng with both shock and anger.
Even if they were able to repel the Pingxi Army this time, they would still face the wrath of Empress Dowager Xiao from Rongcheng.
Soon, Song Qingfeng entered the dark and damp prison.
In front of him was a young man bound by his hands, hanging from the execution rack.
This man was Shen Hong, the deputy general of Song Qingfeng’s army, and one of his most trusted and capable subordinates.
Song Qingfeng frowned as he looked at Shen Hong and spoke coldly, “Everyone, leave.”
“Yes, General.”
Shen Hong, with his head lowered, barely moved his eyelids in response. He seemed to have lost all his strength, as though he had been subjected to severe torture.
Once the others had left, the prison was left with only Song Qingfeng and Shen Hong. Song Qingfeng took a few steps toward him and lowered his voice slightly as he asked, “Did Song Yin order you to do this?”
Shen Hong remained silent, not making any movement, but Song Qingfeng did not miss the subtle tightening of the veins on Shen Hong’s hand when he mentioned the question.
Song Qingfeng’s mind began to form an answer.
It had to be his daughter, Song Yin.
Only she would have the means to simultaneously bribe people within the Northern Army of Yizhou and the Tang Pass guards, including those in the Kouhuai Army.
If it was indeed Song Yin, Song Qingfeng could already guess some of her motivations.
It had to be related to Ye Qinghe, the Wang Yizhou.
Song Yin had once mentioned her discord with her husband, Ye Qinghe, and she had even considered asking Song Qingfeng to help her with a divorce. But how could Song Qingfeng agree? At the time, he had thought it was just a petty quarrel between a married couple—nothing worth making a fuss over. He hadn’t taken it seriously.
But he never expected Song Yin would take such drastic action.
Song Qingfeng looked at Shen Hong and spoke again, “Over these days, only Song Yin has communicated with you. To avoid suspicion, you even made sure to show me the letters every time.”
“I don’t know how you two have been secretly communicating, but you really have a lot of nerve. Do you understand the consequences of this?”
At one point, Shen Hong had even been considered Song Qingfeng’s ideal son-in-law. Song Qingfeng knew that Shen Hong had always harbored feelings for his daughter, Song Yin. However, Song Yin had been chosen as the shizifei of Ye Qinghe, who was still a shizi at the time. Over the years, Shen Hong remained unmarried, and Song Qingfeng understood that his unfulfilled love for his daughter was the root of his heartache.
Therefore, Song Qingfeng did not doubt that Shen Hong would obey Song Yin’s every word.
At this moment, Shen Hong slowly raised his head and looked at Song Qingfeng, who was furrowing his brow. Weakly, he spoke, “General, Song Yin is suffering in the Yizhou Wang Mansion.”
“She says she has never had a day without wanting to escape that disgusting place.”
“Why doesn’t the General help Song Yin find freedom?”
As Song Qingfeng left the dungeon, the last sentence Shen Hong had said echoed in his mind, “General, is it worth it? For the private interests of Empress Dowager Xiao, so many innocent brothers have died or been wounded.”
Song Qingfeng truly felt that it was not worth it. His soldiers were not protecting the country; they had become nothing more than pawns in the political games of the court, mere sacrifices. It was indeed not worth it.
Back in the council hall, Song Qingfeng immediately issued a military order, “Withdraw all soldiers and retreat to Yun City.”
His soldiers were the soldiers of Yizhou’s people, not the soldiers of Empress Xiao.
Song Qingfeng’s troops no longer held their position at the key passes. If the Pingxi Army intended to attack the city, the soldiers would surely fight to the death to defend it. However, if the Pingxi Army was merely passing through on their way to Rongcheng to target Empress Xiao, then it would have nothing to do with him.
Indeed, after Song Qingfeng’s troops retreated to Yun City, the Pingxi Army did not lay siege to the city but instead marched swiftly towards Rongcheng, ignoring the towns along the way.
Song Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Pingxi Army’s target was indeed Empress Dowager Xiao in Rongcheng.
He could only hope that his daughter, Song Yin, would be able to protect herself and that nothing would happen to her.
————-
To the west of Yizhou lay a vast mountain range, crisscrossed with ravines and swift rivers, with few people daring to traverse it. There was not even a proper road.
Because the terrain was so treacherous, Yizhou had never considered placing large troops there, as no army could possibly pass through this area to enter Yizhou.
However, at this very moment, in the mountain hollow of Baishui River Bay in western Yizhou, two thousand elite soldiers lay quietly hidden, having recently arrived from the western regions, heading southward.
At the hour of Shen (around 3 p.m.), Shen Ying approached Qin Yan, who was resting with her eyes closed on a large rock shaded from the sun, and reported, “Master, the Pingxi Army and Lingnan Army have entered Yizhou.”
Qin Yan opened her eyes, the weariness in her phoenix gaze vanishing instantly, replaced by unwavering determination and cold ruthlessness.
She issued her command in a low voice, “Take action.”
Shen Ying immediately took the order and left to arrange matters.
Qin Yan closed her eyes again, sitting in silence for a moment. She seemed to sense that lately, her energy had been somewhat drained.
An hour later, the group swiftly eliminated the few remaining guards in the western part of Yizhou. They then proceeded into Yizhou, heading directly towards the capital, Rongcheng, where the Yizhou Wang Mansion was located.
———–
At the same time, a force of five or six thousand soldiers, who had been lurking in the southern mountains of Yizhou for several days, received news from within the province and immediately set off towards Yizhou.
Their leader was none other than Ning Wang Feng Sui, who should have been in Qingzhou.
Ever since hearing the news that Empress Dowager Xiao had left the capital for Yizhou to declare its independence, Feng Sui had not been able to calm the restlessness in his blood for even a single day.
Feng Sui knew that what stirred in his veins was not just anger, but a thirst for revenge—a bloodline seeking to repay the debts owed to his mother and to himself.
No matter the great war on the borders of Great Xia or the power struggle within the kingdom involving Liang Wang, what did it have to do with Feng Sui?
With his limited resources, he had no power to compete with the mighty Taizi Feng Zhan for the throne.
When the chaos in Lingnan began, Ning Wang Feng Sui immediately led his men into the southern border of Yizhou, where he quietly hid, waiting for the right moment.
Feng Sui’s forces did not recklessly enter Yizhou, because even if they did, they would quickly be surrounded and eliminated.
It wasn’t until today, when Yizhou’s situation changed dramatically, with two major passes breached and the region overwhelmed, that he saw the perfect opportunity.
————-
The news of two mysterious forces entering Yizhou from the west and south, both heading straight for Rongcheng, soon reached the ears of Empress Dowager Xiao.
Her heart tightened. She had some guesses about who the intruders might be and immediately ordered the remaining 50,000 soldiers in Rongcheng to seal the city gates, standing guard in anticipation of reinforcements.
But where would the reinforcements come from?
Qin Yan’s people encountered some minor obstacles on their way, and by the time they arrived at Rongcheng, it was already the evening of the following day.
When Qin Yan stood on a slightly elevated hill not far from the city, gazing toward the city walls, Shen Ying came to report, “Master, the Ning Wang requests an audience.”
Qin Yan furrowed her brows, Ning Wang?
As Ning Wang Feng Sui stepped onto the dirt slope, he immediately caught sight of a stunningly beautiful woman standing bathed in the soft golden light of the setting sun.
Feng Sui’s steps faltered for a moment, his heart giving a slight lurch.
After a brief pause, Feng Sui continued walking until he stood a foot away from Qin Yan.
Qin Yan glanced at Feng Sui from the corner of her eye, then averted her gaze without saying a word.
Feng Sui also turned his gaze in the direction that Qin Yan was looking at, and there, in the distance, lay his destination—Rongcheng.
After a moment of silence, Qin Yan heard a low, deep voice beside her.
“Taizifei, do you know that Rongcheng has another interesting name?”
Qin Yan didn’t turn around. She simply responded in a calm tone, “Rongcheng has had many names in the past. I wonder which one the Ning Wang is referring to?”
Qin Yan had once traveled far and wide, searching for the whereabouts of her mother, Shen Shiying, visiting various places inside and outside of Great Xia, including Yizhou. She had heard her share of local legends and rumors.
Her Yu Qingfeng in Yizhou also had its own branch. However, once Empress Dowager Xiao arrived in Yizhou, the people from Yu Qingfeng quickly evacuated.
Ning Wang Feng Sui had originally mentioned this story casually, intending to start a conversation with Qin Yan. To his surprise, Qin Yan actually took the bait.
Feng Sui secretly hoped to spend more time talking to Qin Yan, and as for the topic of their conversation, it didn’t matter much. He slowly continued, “When Rongcheng was first built, its city walls collapsed several times.”
“Yizhou has always been a place where witchcraft and sorcery are revered. A sorcerer once suggested using a thousand-year-old divine tortoise to crawl across the land where the city walls were to be built, and then constructing the walls according to the path the tortoise took.”
“Though this method seemed absurd, the walls built this way were surprisingly stable and never collapsed.”
“Over the years, Rongcheng has been repaired several times, but the city walls have always followed the same path as the original ones without any changes.”
“The walls of Rongcheng, as you see them now, are not rectangular and not built in the usual north-south orientation of city walls. Instead, they have a slight curve, resembling the shape of a tortoise.”
“Thus, the city came to be known as ‘Tortoise City’ or ‘Gui Cheng’.”
Qin Yan had heard of this legend before. The origin of “Tortoise City” might have been due to the soft, wet soil of Rongcheng, which made construction difficult. The idea of using a tortoise’s path to guide the construction was likely just a way to work with the terrain.
Qin Yan lifted her lips in a half-smile, her tone casual as she spoke, “Ning Wang has spent so much time in Wanning Temple, I didn’t expect you to be so well-versed in all matters.”
Feng Sui didn’t take the bait of Qin Yan’s half-serious, half-mocking remark. Instead, he got straight to the point, “We can cooperate to enter the city.”
“Our goals don’t conflict. You don’t have many people, and mine can serve as reinforcements. We can reduce casualties and increase our chances of success.”
Qin Yan turned her head and met Feng Sui’s gaze.
If her guess was right, Feng Sui’s target was none other than Empress Dowager Xiao.
After a moment of silence, Qin Yan finally nodded.
———-
However, Qin Yan had no intention of forcibly attacking the city, and Feng Sui did not inquire about her reasons for waiting.
Qin Yan had always been someone who took decisive action, and since Feng Sui had chosen to cooperate with her, he would not doubt her judgment.
In the late evening, Shen Ying came with a report, “Master, after Young Master Gu’s men entered Yizhou from Tangguan, they encountered fierce resistance from the Yizhou army in Jiangcheng. It is unclear when they will be able to reach Rongcheng.”
“On the other hand, General Shen Ci’s forces are proceeding more smoothly. The Pingxi Army will reach here tomorrow.”
Qin Yan gazed in the direction of Rongcheng. The sky had darkened completely, and the night was filled with uncertainties.
If the internal supporters in the city hadn’t acted yet and something went wrong, then they would have no choice but to storm the city. At that point, the losses would be even greater.
Over the years, Qin Yan had often trusted her intuition when faced with decisions made with limited information, and each time, it proved to be right, helping her avoid risks.
She believed this time would be no different.
A moment later, Qin Yan spoke, “Signal them. We’ll move tonight.”
Shen Ying immediately took the order and left.
————
That night, Empress Dowager Xiao had trouble sleeping, waking up several times in a restless state.
At dawn, she sat up on her bed and called out to the outer room, “Xia Ying.”
Xia Ying had been keeping vigil outside for the Empress Dowager. Hearing her call, he immediately entered.
“Your Majesty.”
Empress Dowager Xiao rubbed her forehead and asked, “Has Ye Yi returned to report yet?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, Ye Yi has not yet returned.”
Empress Dowager Xiao frowned. Could it be that something had happened to Ye Yi?
An hour ago, Ye Yi had reported to the Empress Dowager with the name of the person he had investigated.
Empress Dowager Xiao was filled with both shock and anger. It was her?
The Wangfei of Yizhou, Song Yin!
This woman had been extraordinarily obedient to Empress Dowager Xiao since the moment the Taizi entered Yizhou. She had even helped Empress Dowager Xiao seize power from Yizhou’s Wang Ye Qinghe.
Empress Dowager Xiao could tell that Song Yin was a woman with some ulterior motives. It was common for women to be scheming, but what Empress Dowager Xiao hadn’t expected was for Song Yin to use her scheming against her.
It seemed that even Song Yin’s repeated suggestions for Empress Dowager Xiao to go to Chicheng Mountain for a summer retreat might have been nothing more than a trap.
Song Yin!
In a fit of anger, Empress Dowager Xiao ordered Ye Yi to kill Song Yin as quickly as possible.
But Ye Yi had still not returned with a report. Had something changed?
————
At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside, and Xia Ying rushed out.
Soon, Xia Ying quickly returned and said, “Empress Dowager, thieves have entered Rongcheng. They have already infiltrated the royal residence. Your Majesty, please get up and leave with me quickly.”
The sounds of fighting could be heard growing louder outside. Empress Dowager Xiao immediately rose, allowing Xia Ying to assist her in getting dressed.
The sounds of battle quickly grew louder, nearing the door. Xia Ying shielded the Empress Dowager, and both of them warily turned toward the door just as it was kicked open with a loud bang.
A beautiful woman appeared at the door, causing Empress Dowager Xiao’s eyes to narrow.
It was her!
Taizifei Qin Yan!
———-
Half an hour ago, the Wangfei of Yizhou, Song Yin, received a message from Qin Yan.
Taizifei, she had finally arrived.
After arranging for her subordinates to meet Qin Yan’s group, Song Yin composed herself and went to see Wang Ye Qinghe of Yizhou.
When Song Yin arrived at Ye Qinghe’s door, she dismissed the guards, saying that she had some private matters to attend to with Wangye. The guards, awkwardly, left.
When Song Yin entered Ye Qinghe’s room, he was peacefully asleep. Looking at Ye Qinghe’s calm and serene face, a surge of jealousy and resentment welled up inside her.
Although Ye Qinghe, the Wang of Yizhou, was under house arrest, he showed no signs of decline. He ate, slept, and maintained his appearance as usual. Except for not being able to leave the room, everything seemed unchanged. It was as though whether or not his power had been usurped had nothing to do with him.
Song Yin sneered inwardly. Ye Qinghe owed his comfortable position to the former Wang Yizhou. Even though he had little talent, he was able to keep Yizhou prosperous and flourishing for many years, simply by relying on the legacy left by the former Wang Yizhou and the policies he had established.
As for her, how many years had it been since she had slept so peacefully? Yet the one responsible for it all, Ye Qinghe, could sleep soundly every night. How could he? How could he?!
Song Yin leaned forward and slapped Ye Qinghe heavily, waking him up with a sharp sound.
Ye Qinghe quickly sat up, holding his cheek, staring at Song Yin with a look of shock on his face.
Is this woman crazy?
Before Ye Qinghe could ask, Song Yin spoke slowly and logically, “Ye Qinghe, I have sent the Pingxi Army and the Lingnan Army into Yizhou. The people of Taizifei Qin Yan should soon enter the palace, and you will soon be able to witness the destruction of Yizhou with your own eyes. Are you looking forward to the destruction of your Yizhou Palace?”
After Song Yin finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the door.
Ye Qinghe’s heart trembled, and he immediately stood up and strode towards Song Yin, shouting, “What are you talking about?”
Just as Song Yin was about to turn around, the door was violently pushed open.
That person was Ye Yi, a confidant of Empress Dowager Xiao.
Ye Yi acted cleanly and neatly, without nonsense, raised his sword, and stabbed at Song Yin, but Song Yin swiftly dodged, and this sword pierced the chest of Ye Qinghe, Wang Yizhou.
Ye Yi frowned, but he only cared about the order given to him by the Empress Dowager, and immediately drew his sword and quickly turned towards Song Yin again.
Song Yin, who had just run to the door, was stopped by Ye Yi’s sword. Song Yin immediately drew out the soft sword from his waist and started fighting with Ye Yi.
After a long struggle, Ye Yi’s neck was cut by Song Yin’s soft sword, and blood gushed out instantly. Not long after, he died of blood loss.
Song Yin was not much better, she was also covered with wounds. Two swords hit her back, especially the one in the abdomen, which was the most fatal, and blood flowed out.
Song Yin sat down weakly along the wall. She turned her head and saw that Ye Qinghe’s eyes were still wide open, a large pool of blood flowed from the sword wound on his chest, and he seemed to have no breath.
Song Yin leaned against the wall behind her, closed her eyes, and breathed heavily. She felt that her physical strength was rapidly draining away, and she didn’t even have the strength to open her mouth to call for help.
The palace was in chaos because of the invasion of thieves, and no one cared about the imprisoned and disgraced Wang Yizhou.
Song Yin raised her eyes with difficulty, and finally looked at Ye Qinghe again, and finally dropped her hands and fell to the ground.
Ye Qinghe may never know until his death that his wangfei named Song Yin has loved him since she was a child and even dreamed of becoming his wife.
After being hurt by Ye Qinghe again and again, Song Yin’s love for Ye Qinghe gradually changed and turned into resentment and hatred.
But the last look Song Yin gave Ye Qinghe, whether it was relief or something else, only she knew…
———–
At this moment, in another part of the Wang Yizhou Mansion, there was no one to attend to the courtyard of Madam Yan, the former favorite of the Wangye, and her daughter.
When the wet nurse and the maids heard the shouting outside about thieves, they quickly packed their belongings and fled, leaving only a little girl crying loudly in the cradle.
Soon, a group of black-clad, masked men swiftly entered.
“Are you sure this is the child?”
“It should be correct, there is only one infant girl in the Wang Yizhou Mansion, Madam Yan’s daughter.”
“Alright, send a message to the Marquis, telling him the young lady is safe and will return to the capital soon.”
The group quickly took the infant girl and departed.
————
When Empress Dowager Xiao saw Qin Yan appear at her door grandiosely, a chill ran through her heart.
Had all of her people been dealt with by Qin Yan?
Xia Ying, with sharp eyes, stood in front of the Empress Dowager, shielding her as Qin Yan walked into the room. However, Empress Dowager Xiao coldly spoke, “Xia Ying, step aside.”
Xia Ying turned back in confusion, but upon hearing Empress Dowager Xiao’s second command, “Step aside,” he reluctantly moved to stand a step away, his gaze still sharp and vigilant as he kept watching Qin Yan.
Empress Dowager Xiao, proud as she was, likely did not want to show any weakness at this moment, not willing to yield to Qin Yan.
However, Qin Yan was not concerned.
Qin Yan and Empress Dowager Xiao locked eyes, both with sharp and cold gazes. Suddenly, Qin Yan realized that she and Empress Dowager Xiao had never had a formal conversation before.
Well, today would be the first—and last.
Looking at Empress Dowager Xiao, Qin Yan spoke in a calm voice, “Did Empress Dowager Xiao ever think that there would come a day like this when you sent people to kill my mother and me?”
Empress Dowager Xiao pressed her lips tightly together, not answering Qin Yan’s question. Of course, Qin Yan hadn’t expected an answer.
As Qin Yan turned to leave, Empress Dowager Xiao suddenly spoke harshly from behind, “Qin Yan, don’t be so smug. The way I am now is the same way you’ll be in the future. You will inevitably follow in my footsteps.”
Qin Yan paused, turned her head slightly, and said, “My affairs need not concern the Empress Dowager.”
Just as Empress Dowager Xiao was about to say something else, a tall, slender man in fine clothing brushed past Qin Yan and entered the room.
It was him!
Xia Ying stepped aside once more to protect Empress Dowager Xiao.
Ning Wang said nothing, but immediately signaled for his subordinates to enter, engaging with Xia Ying.
Xia Ying was highly skilled, but unfortunately, two fists couldn’t overcome four hands, and he was eventually overwhelmed and killed by Ning Wang’s men.
Ning Wang then gestured to his subordinates, who nodded and dragged the pale-faced Empress Dowager Xiao over. They bound her hands and feet with coarse rope, tying her to a pillar in the room. Then, they used a rope to gag her, preventing her from biting her tongue and committing suicide.
Feng Sui took two steps forward and stopped in front of Empress Dowager Xiao, speaking coldly, “Empress Dowager Xiao, once my mother was locked in the imperial tomb by you and died there. Today, you shall experience the same fate.”
Empress Dowager Xiao glared fiercely at Ning Wang, her eyes fixed on his face, which bore some resemblance to that of the late Emperor in his youth.
Ning Wang raised his hand, and his subordinates immediately began pouring buckets of oil throughout the room. Empress Dowager Xiao seemed to realize what Ning Wang was about to do, and she struggled with the last of her strength.
At this moment, Empress Dowager Xiao truly realized how close she was to death. Earlier, even when she saw Qin Yan, she was sure that Qin Yan would consider the Taizi and wouldn’t truly harm her.
But where was Qin Yan now?
Qin Yan could not just stand by and watch Ning Wang kill her grandmother-in-law, the Empress Dowager—this was an act of great disrespect!
Ning Wang watched with satisfaction as Empress Dowager Xiao struggled in vain. Her own mother had likely been in the same situation inside the stone gate of the imperial tomb years ago.
After stepping out of the room, Ning Wang’s subordinates knocked an oil lamp to the ground, and the flames quickly leaped up. The door was then slammed shut.
————-
Outside the room, Ning Wang stood behind the door, looking through the gap at the rising flames within. However, there was no sense of satisfaction in his heart, only a feeling of relief.
In the end, he had killed the person who sought his life, his enemy, and yet, she was also a pitiful person.
Ning Wang turned around, with his back to the firelight from the room, and walked step by step toward the courtyard where a beautiful woman stood, watching him.
When he was two steps away from Qin Yan, he stopped.
His gaze fixed on her eyes as he slowly spoke, “You’ve seen it, the imperial family is indeed as bloody and dirty as this.”
“There’s still a long way ahead. The Taizi won’t have only you as his woman. There’s some truth in what Empress Dowager Xiao said—you’ll become the next her.”
“Qin Yan, you should have a broader world, not be confined within those high palace walls.”
Qin Yan’s expression remained calm, and she made no response to Ning Wang’s words.
Ning Wang sighed lightly, then spoke as he prepared to leave, “Take care.”
After Ning Wang and his group left Rongcheng, they headed directly south without returning to Qingzhou.
One of his subordinates, confused, asked, “Wangye, are we really leaving?”
Ning Wang Feng Sui understood the doubts and disagreements of his subordinates.
In the Great Xia, after all, he was a prince with a fiefdom, and if he left now, everything would have to start over from scratch.
But if he didn’t leave, all the things he had done before, including sending assassins into the arena, would cost him his life once the Taizi found out.
Moreover, Feng Sui knew why Empress Dowager Xiao had been so determined to eliminate his mother and him.
Feng Sui had once seen a decree in his mother’s possession, a decree issued by his Father Emperor. It was a decree about changing the heir.
Whether or not his Father Emperor had truly lost his mind, the fact remained that Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Hui could not tolerate him.
If Father Emperor wanted to change the heir, how could he allow someone like him to survive?
Taizi Feng Zhan could never tolerate his former uncle, who had almost ascended to the throne, living under his watch.
And that lost decree about changing the heir, if it were to resurface now, could shake Taizi Feng Zhan’s position as the heir to the throne, and at the same time, it would also be Feng Sui’s death warrant.
He had no choice but to leave.
————
The next day, news spread quickly throughout Yizhou that Empress Dowager Xiao and Wang Yizhou had suddenly fallen ill and died unexpectedly.
The Yizhou army ceased resistance, and everyone knew that the rule of Yizhou was about to change.
At the Yizhou Wang Mansion.
Gu Junyan from the Count of Pingnan Mansion and Shen Ci finally arrived, meeting with Qin Yan, who had already taken control of Chengdu.
Shen Ying set a table with fine wine and dishes to welcome these lords after their long journey.
Shen Ci filled everyone’s cups, raised his wine goblet, and said cheerfully, “Come, let us toast to this victory.”
Gu Junyan lifted his cup, but Qin Yan remained unmoved, her hand still resting by her side.
Qin Yan furrowed her brows slightly, gazing at the black-glazed goblet filled with wine as if lost in thought.
Shen Ci was about to persuade her to drink, but Gu Junyan spoke first, “We two brothers will drink, while Yan Yan must be tired.”
Shen Ci, not suspecting anything, clinked his cup with Gu Junyan’s and tilted his head back, drinking the contents in one go.
As Gu Junyan lowered his cup, his gaze momentarily dropped, concealing the fleeting sorrow in his eyes.
Qin Yan didn’t drink, was it because…?
Shen Ci refilled Gu Junyan’s cup and spoke up, “Junyan, I heard you’re engaged. You’ll marry after the national mourning period, right?”
Gu Junyan glanced at Qin Yan, who seemed still lost in thought, then nodded at Shen Ci.
Shen Ci gave Gu Junyan a hearty pat on the shoulder and smiled, “If I’m not tied up with official duties by then, I’ll definitely go to Lingnan to celebrate with you.”
At this point, Qin Yan had come back to her senses, and she had also heard the conversation between the other two.
She smiled faintly and looked at Gu Junyan, saying “Congratulations. If I can’t be there when you marry, I’ll make sure to send a gift.”
Gu Junyan looked at Qin Yan, a faint and somewhat forced smile curving at the corner of his lips.
————–
After the banquet, Qin Yan seemed somewhat distracted. While she was being helped to wash up and prepare for bed, Shen Ying suddenly remembered something, and exclaimed in surprise, “Has… has your monthly cycle been delayed? Oh no, oh no, Mister Ji isn’t here, and I completely forgot about it!”
Shen Ying slapped her forehead, then started counting on her fingers.
Before Shen Ying could work out the details, Qin Yan’s cold voice broke the silence.
“Send for the army doctor.”
Shen Ying quickly rushed out.
An hour later, Qin Yan took a deep breath, gently placing one hand on her abdomen. A sense of dread filled her heart.
It was only now that she realized her period was late. Recently, she had also felt more fatigued and sleepier, and her appetite had been poor. She had almost convinced herself it was just the result of long days of marching.
But… could she really be pregnant?
It must have been when they were at the Turkic camp, by the lake…
Fortunately, her pulse seemed steady now. It seemed the child was still stable and healthy, despite everything.
Qin Yan instructed Shen Ying, “Send word to Yishan. I’ve requisitioned his Wanxue House.”
“Also, send a letter to Shenxi Valley to have Mr. Ji come to Meishan immediately.”
“Remember, don’t let anyone else find out.”
Shen Ying complied with the order, unable to hide her smile.
The mistress was pregnant!
They were going to have a little master!