The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Extra 8 Marriage
In Northern Liang.
The Empress is pregnant, and everyone is greatly pleased.
The Emperor ordered his officials to search throughout Northern Liang and the Great Xia for famous doctors. They were to work together with the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to ensure the safety of the Empress.
The doctors checked the Empress’s pulse every day and confirmed that her pregnancy was stable, strong, and healthy. The palace also began preparations for her childbirth, proceeding smoothly with the necessary arrangements.
While everyone in Northern Liang rejoiced over the Empress’s pregnancy, they were also in awe of Empress Shen’s legendary background.
Empress Shen’s background is profound. Even after being made Empress, she still continued to hold the title of Commander of the Northern Liang Red Army. She was born into the prestigious Shen family of Great Xia and was the noble daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. She was also titled the Princess of Huayang.
What surprised everyone even more was that Empress Shen wasn’t a young, unmarried woman; she had been previously married and had given birth to a daughter.
Speaking of Empress Shen’s biological daughter, she is also extremely well-known.
The Empress of Great Xia.
The people of Northern Liang couldn’t help but marvel:
Mother and daughter, Empress Shen and her daughter are truly remarkable.
———–
After the news of Shen Shiying’s pregnancy reached Great Xia, the Great Xia court immediately sent a delegation to Northern Liang with great fanfare.
Northern Liang treated the Great Xia delegation with the highest respect. This was not only for the sake of the Empress but also to strengthen the diplomatic relations between Northern Liang and Great Xia.
Since the Shizi of Duan Wang Mansion and General Shen and his son from the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion were both outsiders, it was inconvenient for them to stay in the palace. Therefore, Northern Liang arranged for them to stay in a high-standard guesthouse for diplomats in the capital, allowing them to visit the Empress every day.
The only members of the Great Xia delegation who were allowed to stay in the palace were the female guards sent by Qin Yan.
As for Northern Liang’s arrangements, both Shen Shiyan and his son Shen Ci from the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, as well as the Shizi of Duan Wang Mansion, Feng Subei, could all understand.
But Shen Shiying knew the true reason behind these arrangements.
Xiao Qian, that vinegar jar.
———–
Northern Liang Imperial City
In the sleeping quarters, Empress Shen Shiying was reclining lazily on a soft couch. She lifted her phoenix eyes slightly and cast a glance at the Northern Liang Emperor, Xiao Qian, who had just entered the room.
When Xiao Qian walked closer, Shen Shiying lazily spoke, “I heard that Yan Yan’s subordinates, regardless of gender, are allowed to enter and leave the Great Xia palace.”
Upon hearing this, the tall, handsome man dressed in a dragon robe paused, stopping just two steps away from Shen Shiying.
Xiao Qian narrowed his eyes as he looked at the lazy, beautiful woman on the couch. His gaze was dangerously sharp.
Regardless of gender?
Allowing Shen Shiying and Qin Yan’s female subordinates into the palace was already the greatest concession that the cold-faced emperor of Northern Liang had made.
Had it not been for Shen Shiying’s request, Xiao Qian’s original stance would have been, “Not even women!”
Xiao Qian recalled the one person who bothered him the most, his own niece, Princess Xiao Weiru of Rong’an County, the younger sister of Xiao Jingyan from the Yubei Wang Mansion.
Xiao Weiru and Shen Shiying had a good relationship, and she enjoyed her as his niece. Shen Shiying admires Xiao Weiru, while Xiao Weiru has a crazy admiration for Shen Shiying.
For some time now, Princess Xiao Weiru had often visited the palace to see and keep the Empress company. Every time Xiao Qian encountered his niece in the palace, he couldn’t help but notice how Xiao Weiru would stare at Shen Shiying with admiration.
No matter what Shen Shiying was doing or saying, Xiao Weiru’s gaze seemed to be glued to her face, making Xiao Qian’s anger flare up.
Moreover, Shen Shiying and Xiao Wei Ru often had pleasant conversations. If it weren’t for the fact that Xiao Qian, the Emperor of Northern Liang, always had to send Xiao Wei Ru out of the palace, Xiao Wei Ru would never want to leave.
A cold light flickered in Xiao Qian’s eyes. It was about time Xiao Jingyan and Xiao Weiru, the brother and sister, were married off.
Completely unaware, Xiao Wei Ru: …
And Xiao Jingyan, who was dragged into this by his sister: …
————
After Shen Shiying finished speaking, she closed her eyes and rested again.
Seeing the woman’s heartless look, Xiao Qian was a little angry.
Xiao Qian strode forward to the edge of the couch, leaned over, stretched out his hand to support the edge of the couch, so as not to hurt the child in Shen Shiying’s belly with his weight, and held Shen Shiying’s head with his other hand, and kissed the woman domineeringly and forcefully.
“Umm…” Shen Shiying habitually protected her abdomen, lying on her back on the soft couch to endure and enjoy the kiss of the man who seemed a little angry.
When Shen Shiying was about to push the man away, Xiao Qian slowly lowered his head, and a low and somewhat ambiguous voice sounded in Shen Shiying’s chest.
But how could Xiao Qian be satisfied with just a kiss? The passion in the hall was ignited at once.
When Xiao Qian was about to start moving, Shen Shiying hurriedly used her hands to hold the man’s solid chest.
Shen Shiying’s gaze still carried a hint of coquettishness, and she panted slightly, “Don’t you remember the imperial doctor’s instructions?”
Xiao Qian’s deep black eyes were fixed on Shen Shiying’s phoenix eyes, his Adam’s apple rolled up and down, and he spoke in a low voice, “Hmm.”
“I won’t do anything reckless.”
Shen Shiying’s eyes were as charming as silk, and she looked at the man’s thick black hair with her peripheral vision, she could not help but moan from her red lips, “You… um…”
After a while, the angry voice of Empress Shen Shiying echoed in the hall, “Xiao Qian!”
In response to Shen Shiying, Xiao Qian made some rogue moves in the hall and laughed like a mature man.
Only Heaven knew how Xiao Qian obsessed with Shen Shiying after pregnancy, which greatly tested his proud self-control.
How could Xiao Qian really do anything outrageous to Shen Shiying? The emperor would not allow any uncertainty to threaten Shen Shiying’s safety.
After Shen Shiying gave birth to the baby in her belly…
————
After the Great Xia delegation arrived in the Northern Liang capital, Feng Subei, Shen Shiyan, and Shen Ci not only visited Empress Shen Shiying in the palace every day but also engaged in discussions with the civil and military officials of Northern Liang, arranged by Xiao Jingyan, Yubei Wang in Northern Liang, about political matters.
However, Feng Subei seemed somewhat distracted.
I wonder if everything in the capital is going well…
Uh… Shizi, you’re not really concerned about the matters in the capital, are you? You’re actually worried about Miss Lin’s betrothal, whether it’s been resolved yet, right?
After Feng Subei’s group arrived in Northern Liang, the Prince of Duan from Youzhou sent someone to deliver a letter to him.
In the letter, Duan Wang angrily scolded Feng Subei, “You should pursue your own wife! What’s the deal with involving your mother in this?”
Feng Subei also sent a reply to his father, Duan Wang, with only one sentence in the letter, “Don’t you want to hold your grandson?”
This really infuriated Duan Wang.
———–
In the fifth lunar month, Feng Subei received a letter from Great Xia once again, but the news in the letter was mixed with both joy and worry.
The good news, which Feng Subei had expected, was that Qin Lin had broken off the betrothal.
However, the other news was that Qin Lin had left the capital.
According to what his mother, Duan Wangfei, had learned from the Qin Mansion and the Empress, Qin Lin had been sent to the northwest on official business, and it seemed that she wouldn’t return to the capital anytime soon.
Feng Subei put down the letter and furrowed his brows slightly.
Qin Lin left the capital on official business? He hadn’t heard of her holding any official position before.
However, since it was the Empress’s arrangement, Qin Lin’s safety shouldn’t be a concern.
Feng Subei knew that Qin Lin wasn’t without feelings for him, but she had always been cautious, wary, and resistant toward him.
He also understood that in the past, Qin Lin had probably been constrained by her status, but what about now?
It was fine if she went to the northwest, let her take her time.
But, there couldn’t be any unforeseen complications in the meantime.
Feng Subei instructed his attendant, Lin Shu, to stay in the capital and issue orders for them to immediately head to the northwest and secretly protect Miss Qin Lin’s safety.
While giving the orders, Lin Shu added one of his own, “If any suspicious men appear around Miss Lin, report it immediately.”
Lin Shu was also working hard, hoping his young master could marry the young lady as soon as possible…
————-
On a clear morning of the ninth lunar month, in the Northern Liang Imperial Palace, Empress Shen Shiying safely gave birth to a son.
When the midwife, beaming with joy, brought the prince out of the delivery room, Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang took a large stride forward, bypassing the swaddled infant and heading straight into the delivery room.
After the emperor’s visit, Shen Shiyan and Shen Ci…
Why did the Emperor of Northern Liang react in the same way as Emperor Feng Zhan of Great Xia?
They were also concerned about Shen Shiying’s condition. Shen Shiyan, Shen Ci, Feng Subei, and Xiao Jingyan of Yubei quickly walked to the door of the delivery room and asked the imperial doctors who had just come out whether the Empress was safe.
The baby prince, who had just left the womb and was being ignored by everyone…
A little slower than her brother and a few men from Great Xia, Princess Xiao Weiru of Rong’an County, upon hearing the imperial doctors’ words, sighed in relief.
“The Empress is perfectly fine.”
Xiao Weiru relaxed, lightly patting her chest before turning to approach the midwife holding the young prince.
However, the baby, who was still red all over and slightly wrinkled, caused Xiao Weiru to frown.
It seemed… not very cute…
Young lady, the baby hasn’t fully developed yet!
On the day the Empress gave birth to the prince, Emperor Xiao Qian issued an edict, formally declaring the Empress’s firstborn son as the Crown Prince. He also declared a general amnesty, with the whole nation celebrating.
————
After the Northern Liang Crown Prince’s full moon banquet, Shen Shiyan, Shen Ci, and Feng Subei confirmed that Shen Shiying’s health had recovered well and was relieved, preparing to leave Northern Liang and return to Great Xia.
As for the people arranged by Qin Yan, under their master’s orders, they were to remain in Northern Liang to serve Shen Shiying.
Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang agreed but only left female guards for Shen Shiying.
Shen Shiying: …
The Northern Liang Imperial Palace hosted a grand farewell banquet for the Great Xia delegation. After the banquet, Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang thanked Shen Shiyan and sent heavy gifts to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion.
Shen Shiyan understood that the Emperor of Northern Liang was doing this for Shen Shiying.
If it didn’t interfere with the Emperor’s position, Shen Shiyan actually appreciated this brother-in-law and intended to drink and enjoy with him.
After the palace banquet, at the Yubei Wang Mansion.
Xiao Jingyan of Yubei was from the imperial family but lost his father at a young age. With extraordinary talent and good conduct, he was chosen by Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang and carefully cultivated.
In the Yubei Wang Mansion, beside Xiao Jingyan, there was also his younger sister, Princess Xiao Weiru of Rong’an County.
It’s worth mentioning that Princess Xiao Weiru was quite a notable figure in Northern Liang.
Her title was not given to her due to her father or brothers but was earned through her own military achievements and political success.
Over the years, Emperor Xiao Qian of Northern Liang frequently entrusted Xiao Jingyan with handling military and political affairs alone. Meanwhile, Princess Xiao Weiru had been granted permission by the Emperor to become her brother’s right-hand assistant, the most capable aide to Xiao Jingyan.
This was also why Empress Shen Shiying admired Xiao Weiru.
In the Yubei Wang Mansion, Xiao Weiru didn’t immediately return to her own courtyard but instead went to the study to find her elder brother, Xiao Jingyan.
In the study, Xiao Weiru got straight to the point with Xiao Jingyan, “Brother, currently, Northern Liang and Great Xia share a border and are both major nations, yet the only connection between them is the Empress.”
“This time, the people from Great Xia have stayed so long in Northern Liang to ensure the safety of the Empress.”
“If anything were to happen to the Empress, the link between Northern Liang and Great Xia would no longer exist, and the diplomatic relations between the two nations would be in danger.”
“Therefore, I believe that Northern Liang and Great Xia need to establish even closer ties.”
At this point, Xiao Weiru paused slightly, seemingly pondering how to continue.
Xiao Jingyan guessed what his sister was going to say, and spoke in a calm voice, “Go on.”
Xiao Wei Ru continued, “The royal families of Northern Liang and Great Xia should ideally have another marriage alliance.”
“However, given the situation with His Majesty and the Empress of Great Xia, it’s likely that both emperors will not take additional wives.”
“So, the only option left is for the royal relatives of both nations to marry.”
Xiao Weiru paused again, then spoke once more, “And the most suitable candidates from Northern Liang are you, brother, and me.”
When Xiao Weiru finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the study.
After a while, Xiao Jingyan leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly, and spoke slowly, “I could marry a princess of Great Xia.”
“Then, if it were you marrying, would you be wed to the Shizi of Duan Wang Mansion?”
“Weiru, when you speak of such lofty ideals, is it for the public good or personal reasons?”
Xiao Weiru did not try to conceal her thoughts. She indeed admired the Taizi of Great Xia.
She looked at her brother and replied calmly, “What difference does it make whether it’s for the public good or personal reasons?”
After another moment of silence in the study, Xiao Jingyan’s voice rang out, “Tomorrow, I will ask His Majesty for permission, under the pretext of a diplomatic exchange, for both of us to go to Great Xia.”
Xiao Weiru smiled slightly, thinking to herself, “Good, this matter is half settled.”
Meanwhile, Feng Subei, who was unaware of being targeted: …