Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 98

Slowly, Xiao Yun continued, “I also want a little sister…”

Qin Ling looked at his longing eyes, involuntarily recalling the day Changning entered the palace. That day, he had eagerly watched as Su Youlin and Su Lingyi left the palace.

No wonder… for the past two days, he had been constantly fixated on her stomach.

The man beside him raised an eyebrow slightly, remaining silent, only turning his head to look at Qin Ling as if waiting for her response.

The four-year-old prince was becoming more understanding. It was the time when curiosity was at its peak, and Qin Ling couldn’t casually brush him off. Even if she managed it today, he would bring it up again tomorrow.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Ling suddenly remembered Taoist Lingyun’s words, which fit the situation perfectly. She gently replied, “Yun’er, this is something Mother cannot promise you. A little sister… depends on fate.”

The words “little sister” had been buzzing in the young prince’s head for days. Xiao Yun grabbed Qin Ling’s sleeve and asked, “Mother, what should I do? How much longer…”

Xiao Yu’s lips curved into a slight smile as he lifted his son into his arms.

Seated on his father’s arm, Xiao Yun lowered his voice, “Father…”

Xiao Yu said, ‘I promise you.'” In the young prince’s eyes, his father was capable of everything. With his father’s promise, his little sister’s fate was secured. Xiao Yun’s lips curved into a smile as he said, “Thank you, Father!”

Watching the two harmonizing in expression, Qin Ling instinctively covered her stomach, which had become the center of attention.

Xiao Yu asked the momo, “What time is it now?”

The momo replied, “Three-quarters past the period of xu (7-9 PM).”

Xiao Yun immediately responded, “This son will go with Momo to freshen up in the clean room.”

Xiao Yu put him down, and the momo, trying to suppress a smile, took the little prince’s hand.

With the promise made, the short legs happily left the hall.

The serving attendant had an unusually pleasant expression. As soon as the candle was lit, she immediately bowed and left.

Xiao Yu sat back beside Qin Ling, his hand caressing her soft hair, his breath drawing near instantly. Qin Ling turned to him and asked, “Your Majesty, have you taken your medicine?”

Xiao Yu nodded, uttering a vague “Mm-hmm,” then removed his waistband and discarded his clothes outside the tent. As it turns out, men always approach the process of childbirth with enthusiasm and positivity.

The night breeze gently stirred, warming the lotus-scented canopy.

He reached out to remove Qin Ling’s golden hairpin, allowing her jet-black, silky hair to cascade down, accentuating her porcelain-like fairness and delicate charm. Her long, slender legs rested in the man’s hands, forming the beloved curve he adored.

Leaning in to kiss her, tender and soft, his fingertips explored gently.

While no tender words were spoken in the tent, he never forced himself upon her in their interactions. Unlike the meticulous records of Zhaoyi Qin’s favors as documented in the palace records, Xiao Yu treated her no differently than an ordinary husband would treat his wife.

He’d pause if she winced in pain; if she made a sound, he’d smile and hasten his movements. Once finished, he’d even fetch water for her.

At that moment, Qin Ling held a cup of water, her eyes misty as she looked at him, “I want to bathe.”

Taking the empty cup from her hand and placing it aside, Xiao Yu turned back, saying, “Didn’t we agree that if we were expecting a daughter, we’d try again.”

Enduring the stickiness, Qin Ling weakly reclined, and Xiao Yu, pinching her waist lightly, leaned closer and lightly kissed her earlobe.

Thinking he would continue, Qin Ling immediately moved away, raising her hand defensively against his chest. “I don’t want to,” she whispered.

His gaze was intense as if he couldn’t get enough of her, but he playfully asked, “What are you thinking?”

The man’s mischievous thoughts were evident, but Qin Ling ignored him and simply closed her eyes.

After a while, he lifted her up and carried her to the cleaning chamber. As he held her close, their skin touching, Qin Ling’s hand happened to rest on the scar on his chest. The uneven texture made her slowly open her eyes, and she stared for a while…

After spending quite some time in the cleaning chamber, they returned.

The lights were extinguished as they lay on the bed, surrounded by darkness. Qin Ling raised her hand, gently tracing the scars of varying sizes with her fingertips, softly asking, “Your Majesty, is it because of some old injuries that you drink those medicines?”

The soft question made Xiao Yu stiffen for a moment. His throat moved before he answered, “Yes, and no.”

Looking at him with confusion, Qin Ling asked, “What do you mean?”

Xiao Yu softly replied, “Soldiers who lead armies don’t go unscathed, but as you know, those physicians tend to exaggerate. Drinking those medicines is just for peace of mind.”

Qin Ling was familiar with the workings of the imperial physicians. After contemplating, she asked again, “Do they still ache on rainy days or during overcast weather?”

He pulled her closer, lightly kissing her head, “No, they don’t ache.”

Qin Ling asked, “Ever?”

Xiao Yu was about to answer when a knocking sounded from outside—

Eunuch Sheng’s voice came, “Your Majesty, urgent news.”

Qin Ling immediately sat up. It was past midnight, and if it weren’t something significant, considering Eunuch Sheng’s temperament, he wouldn’t disturb the emperor’s rest.

Xiao Yu softly said, “Rest, I won’t return tonight.” With that, he draped on his clothes and left Jingren Palace.

***

Lu Ze had been waiting for some time outside Yangxin Hall. As Xiao Yu approached, he made a respectful gesture, “I greet Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu said, “Skip the formalities, come in and speak.”

As Lu Ze entered the hall, he handed over two urgent reports. One was sent back through the postal station by Xue Xiangyang, and the other was expedited from the governor of Langzhou to the capital.

Border military reports held utmost importance. Xiao Yu opened the one from beneath.

Starting roughly two years ago, Xiao Yu had gradually placed some informants in Qi State. These individuals were posing as merchants, and though they couldn’t access the powerful figures of Qi, they managed to gather some information about their activities. Qi State had been intensively training troops lately, perhaps indicating intentions for war.

Lu Ze commented, “Qi State’s intentions persist.”

Xiao Yu replied, “These years have indeed given them a chance to recuperate.”

Bringing up those years, Lu Ze couldn’t help but say, “Four years ago, had it not been for Your Majesty’s wisdom to repel them and withdraw troops, if we had listened to the strategists and pursued them, who knows what would have happened…”

Lu Ze was well aware that in the first year of Yanxi, when the emperor planted their banners on the Qingzhou border, the Great Zhou reserves were depleted. During that year, Great Zhou’s morale was shaky, coupled with an empty treasury, the 80,000 soldiers needed nearly 300,000 stones of grain within a month merely for their provisions.

Pressing the white jade finger ring on his hand, Xiao Yu said, “Yanqing, Great Zhou and Qi State will inevitably clash sooner or later.”

Lu Ze nodded, “I understand.”

Without the impending clash, the emperor wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to mend relations with Mongolia, and Dantai Yi wouldn’t have schemed to instigate tensions between the two countries.

From the topography of Zhou, Qi, and Mongolia:

Great Zhou is situated below, Mongolia in the middle, and Qi State above.

Four years ago, Mongolia was amidst internal turmoil during the political transition, unable to focus on reaping benefits. Now, the situation had markedly changed. In the event of a war between Zhou and Qi, Mongolia, holding the formidable strength of the grassland warriors and skilled generals, would play a crucial role once they decided their allegiance.

By saving Jida’s life at Mount Li, Xiao Yu had garnered a sense of gratitude, intending to use this favor to entice the old Khan to send troops.

Xiao Yu turned to Lu Ze, “How has Jida been lately?”

At the mention of Jida, Lu Ze couldn’t help but smile wryly, “Your Majesty, when the Second Prince was recovering from his injuries, he was relatively calm. But once he felt better, he started dragging me to drink with him every day. He’s been roaming the streets and alleys incessantly. I’ve been sick thrice because of it. The Second Prince is quite passionate. When he hears of Qi State’s recent actions, he’s furious to the core.”

He, a commanding officer of the Imperial Guards, had been degraded to a mere drinking companion.

Xiao Yu inquired again, “When does he plan to return to Mongolia?”

“In ten days,” Lu Ze coughed lightly.

Xiao Yu called for Sheng Kanghai. “Eunuch Sheng.”

Sheng Kanghai bowed, “I’m here.”

“Immediately instruct the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Rites to prepare a farewell banquet for the Second Prince,” Xiao Yu commanded.

Sheng Kanghai responded, “I’ll carry out your orders promptly.”

Xiao Yu held the urgent report, weighed it in his hand, and said to Lu Ze, “It’s already autumn. Even if Qi State plans to mobilize its forces, the earliest would be late autumn. The northern regions are bitterly cold, and this battle won’t be any easier than four years ago. The infantry’s cotton uniforms should be prepared in advance.”

Lu Ze inquired, “Your Majesty, where are you planning to deploy our forces?”

In recent years, the struggle between the imperial power and the aristocratic families had intensified. While there had been frequent changes in the civil officials within the court, the military officers remained largely the same as four years ago.

Some were too old, some too young, and some just not capable enough. The governors of Langzhou and Yuzhou were still considered useful; however, Fang Shu was reckless, and He Zichen had never crossed swords with them…

Seeing the emperor’s silence, Lu Ze’s heart skipped a beat, “Your Majesty, you’re not considering leading the expedition yourself, are you?”

Xiao Yu lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Let’s discuss this matter later.”

With that said, Xiao Yu opened Xue Xiangyang’s confidential letter detailing the evidence of the Chu family’s smuggling activities.

The Minister of Justice personally verified it in the garrison town, and all evidence, including testimony and physical evidence, was complete.

After a long silence, Xiao Yu said, “Continue monitoring Chu Luwei. Don’t make any hasty moves.”

“Yes.”

***

Autumn arrived, bringing heavy rain, exacerbating the illness of Empress Dowager Chu.

The Imperial Hospital was constantly making trips to Cining Palace; no one could turn a blind eye to it.

Xiao Yu consecutively visited the Cining Palace to pay respects for seven days. With the emperor’s attentive attitude, the thunderous cough of the empress dowager gradually weakened.

Eunuch Zhang smiled and said, “If I may speak frankly, Your Ladyship, perhaps you’ve been overly concerned. You treat His Majesty like your own offspring… how could His Majesty not think of filial piety?”

Holding a Buddhist prayer bead in her hand, the empress dowager chuckled, “Filial piety? If he were truly filial, he should have let Ying’er enter the palace four years ago. He’s been guarding against the Chu family at every step. There’s a barrier between us.”

Mentioning her niece, the empress dowager couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

From the age of twelve Chu Ying to the current nineteen…

Now that the crown prince had been established, the position of the empress was likely already on the emperor’s mind.

Within less than a year, a mere fifth-ranked minor official’s daughter had suddenly become the eldest daughter of Cheng’en County.

Was she being considered as the future empress?