Chapter 91
On the day Li Yicheng ambushed the Northern Di army at the Black -Snake Ridge, Ning Yuan, who was guarding Meizhou, led his troops to rush to the rescue as expected. When they arrived at Black -Snake Ridge, Li Yicheng had already killed the Northern Di general Ge Siqi.
With Ning Yuan's help, the Northern army defended the Northern Frontier, and the thirty thousand Northern Di soldiers all lay buried in the snow.
No one expected that Ning Yuan would arrive like a godsend and break the siege of Luojia. What's more, considering the timing, he had set out from Meizhou with troops before Li Yicheng led his forces to confront the enemy, which seemed too coincidental.
Zhao Heng looked at Li Wenjian, who was holding the military report, and hurriedly asked, "What exactly happened? How is the Second Prince?"
"Ziren has been rescued. Liang Xingyan tried to stop someone from the Northern Mansion, using my jade pendant to pursue and kill Ziren's wife. Wan Yu and Xilin happened to save her and then took her to Meizhou for help."
Li Wenjian briefly explained the situation to Zhao Heng. After the initial shock, she quickly calmed down. Relief washed over her, and a long-lost smile finally appeared on her lips.
The Crown Prince's greatest concern was the Second Prince of the Northern Mansion. Now that the siege of the Northern territories has been lifted, he can finally rest and recuperate.
"Your Highness, along with the military report, there is also a personal letter from the Second Prince." Mu Gui said, respectfully handing the letter to Li Wenjian, then turned and quickly left the bedchamber.
"Brother Kong Huai, we are of the same blood."
Without any warning, the words on the paper in Li Wenjian's hand entered his eyes. The note, written by Li Yicheng during his severe injury, had crooked characters, but his style was faintly discernible in the strokes.
Li Wenjian's gaze was fixed on these few words, unable to move away.
As time passed, over a decade had gone by, but he still remembered the words he had said to his younger brother when he was just an ordinary youth. He would never forget, never ever forget.
Turning over the translucent back of the letter, it seemed that the main body was written on the other side. He flipped it over.
"He Xian and others colluding with the remnants of the former dynasty to harm Big Brother Wei. In a few days, my subordinates will set out to send him back to the capital for trial. The other day, I killed Ge Siqi and the others to avenge Big Brother Wei."
Li Wenjian stared at the letter from Ziren in his hand for a long time, flipping it back and forth. Gradually, a faint feeling of bitterness filled his chest.
There had been many times when he almost believed that Ziren had betrayed them when presented with ironclad evidence. Yet, each time, he firmly and bravely overturned his own convictions, allowing himself to believe deep down that Ziren was innocent.
At this moment, he was grateful for his trust in Ziren.
His every move clearly indicated that he believed in him as well. Even when leading two thousand soldiers to ambush the thirty thousand Northern Di army in the mountains, even when surrounded by darkness and unable to see any light.
He still believed in him, thousands of miles away.
In this moment, Li Wenjian's heart was filled only with deep gratitude. The heavens took away Wei Zhan, diverted Liang Xingyan, but ultimately left Ziren by his side.
Li Wenjian's throat felt choked, and his eyes slightly reddened.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, gently pressing a handkerchief on his eyes.
Zhao Heng's voice was soft, "The wind blew into your eyes, making them red."
Li Wenjian raised his hand and rubbed her hair.
*
After a spring rain, many flowers in the garden gradually bloomed, and Zhao Heng's belly bulged day by day.
In April, there were signs of premature birth in Li Junning, so Zhao Heng's visits to the Princess Mansion became more frequent. To prevent any mishaps, Zhao Heng had arranged for experienced midwives from the palace to go ahead and be ready to assist.
On the sixth day of April, Zhao Heng had left the Duke's residence early and boarded a carriage to the Princess MansionâYao Qin had reported this morning that Li Junning had begun to have frequent abdominal pain last night, and the midwife said it could happen in these few days.
The carriage rolled over the stone pavement with a creaking sound, and Lian Zhou looked at Zhao Heng with concern, saying, "My Lady, you are also four to five months pregnant, you should take care of yourself, going out of the palace all the time makes me worried."
Zhao Heng was leaning against the carriage wall, reading a book. She heard Lian Zhou's words, put down the book, and slowly lowered her gaze to her protruding belly.
Shedding the heavy winter clothes, the thin spring clothes couldn't conceal it anymore, but she still felt that the fetus was too small. Li Juning had a much larger belly than her at this stage before.
However, the court physician Zheng, had said that the position of her fetus was further back, so her pregnancy was not as obvious.
"It's okay." Zhao Heng gently placed her hand on her abdomen and her eyes softened, "Physician Zheng also said that the mother should walk frequently for the sake of the child."
Lian Zhou stopped persuading her and simply pulled up the velvet blanket on her knees.
As Zhao Hoeg worried about Li Juning and pondered over the Northern frontline battles, she recalled the letter she had received from Xiao Ning a few days ago. General Ning had left her with Li Yicheng in the Northern borders camp, and she was now on a killing spree.
Looking out through the window, Zhao Heng saw the bustling market outside. Ever since the Northern Di army invaded the Black -Snake Ridge, the two nations had officially gone to war.
Most of Li Yicheng's Northern Mansion army were former soldiers who had followed Wei Zhan, and after waiting for many years, they finally had the chance to avenge their grievances and fought back against the enemy with high spirits.
Unable to defeat, the Northern Di army resorted to retreating back to the Ussuri Grasslands. However, this time Li Yicheng was determined to annihilate the Northern Di, leading his troops to pursue them even before his wounds had fully healed.
Li Yicheng's bravery and fearlessness had always been praised among the Northern Mansion army, and when Ning Wanzhi mentioned this commander, her words were full of admiration.
Ning Wanzhi said that they were preparing to surround the Northern Di army from all sides, and now the encirclement was slowly tightening. It wouldn't be long before the Northern Mansion army achieved a great victory.
Perhaps to reassure her and focus on nurturing her pregnancy, Li Wenjian had not been keen on discussing politics with her lately. Even if he did, he chose to share good news.
The last time she heard from the study that Shude's rebel forces had been suppressed, but Liang Xingyan was still missing.
Everything was progressing in the right direction.
Looking at the lively market outside the window, Zhao Heng hoped for true peace to arrive as soon as possible.
She picked up the warm water on the small table and took small sips.
Although Zhao Heng had never witnessed a woman giving birth, she had read many medical books and knew how painful it could be. She had expected Li Juning to be in excruciating pain.
However, when Yao Qin led her into the bedroom and she saw Li Juning leaning comfortably on the couch, surrounded by four or five maids serving various snacks.
As Li Juning leisurely enjoyed a piece of chestnut pastry, she noticed Zhao Heng approaching and a smile formed on her lips, "Sister-in-law, are you here?"
Yao Qin raised the bead curtain, and Zhao Heng entered the room to find Xiao Zheng Hanlin there as well. Xiao Zheng Hanlin immediately stood up respectfully to greet the guest, "Lady Liangyuan."
When Zhao Heng heard his dull voice, quite different from his usual cheerful self, she turned her head to look closer and was surprised to see his red eyes, clearly indicating that he had just cried. Suppressing a chuckle, she smiled and nodded.
"I want to drink the sweet rice balls made by you, could you make me a bowl?" Li Juning smiled and patted her pregnant belly.
Xiao Zheng Hanlin looked at her with teary eyes, hesitating and lingering, with a look of reluctance.
"Go quickly, the delivery room is filled with the smell of blood, don't upset yourself," Li Juning said. "So many midwives are watching over me, nothing will go wrong."
Xiao Zheng Hanlin instructed, "Remember to listen to the midwives, do as they say. If you can't bear the pain, call me, I'll be waiting outside for you."
"I understand, you can rest assured." Li Juning lightly patted his hand.
As his figure disappeared outside the door, Li Juning couldn't help but complain to Zhao Hong, "I can't believe him. I was crying in pain, and he cried louder than me. His voice was louder than mine."
As Li Juning's words fell, she clutched her belly and exclaimed, "Oh, the pain is starting again. Quickly, call Yang Pozi and the others to come and check on me."
Yao Qin immediately called for assistance, and soon several midwives arrived. Some were at the bedside instructing Li Juning on breathing techniques, while others lifted the blanket to check on the baby's condition. Zhao Heng didn't want to disturb them and quietly stepped aside, anxiously waiting.
Li Wenjian had gone to the military camp today and hurried back to the Eastern Palace as night fell. Zhao Heng enjoyed waiting for him to dine, and he was worried she had waited too long.
However, upon his return to the Eastern Palace, Mu Gui reported that the Lady was not there.
"Third Princess had a sudden onset yesterday. Perhaps she will give birth today," Qin Zhu said. "Before leaving this morning, the Lady mentioned that if Third Princess were to give birth today, she might return later."
It was understandable. Juning's pregnancy had been particularly difficult, with a near-miss accident before. It was necessary to be cautious.
While Li Wenjian waited in the study and read documents for Zhao Heng to return, he waited until the gates were almost locked when someone reported that the Third Princess was experiencing birthing difficulties, and the Lady was still with her. It was unlikely she would return tonight.
Putting down the documents in his hand, he took a sip of tea, glanced at the dark sky overtaking the scenery, and couldn't sit still any longer. "Prepare the carriage, we're going to see Third Princess."
Upon the arrival of the Crown Prince, Xiao Zheng Hanlin, who heard Li Juning's cries from the delivery room, wiped away a few tears from his sleeve.
After hearing this news, he led his entourage to greet the Crown Prince.
Upon their return to the birthing chamber, they heard the midwife coming out cheerfully announcing, "Congratulations, My Lord, congratulations, Your Highness, it's a little princess."
Xiao Zheng Hanlin hurriedly approached the midwife and asked, "Where is the Third Princess?"
"Mother and daughter are safe and sound," the midwife smiled. "The Third Princess just gave birth and is currently resting."
Relieved, Xiao Zheng Hanlin was about to step inside when the midwife urgently stopped him, "The birthing chamber is still delicate, My Lord must not enter. Wait until tomorrow when everything is settled before going in."
As he attempted to say more, the steward reminded him, "The tea is ready in the hall, please accompany the Crown Prince for tea."
Realizing there were others around, Xiao Zheng Hanlin quickly apologized.
Watching the usually dignified and courteous Xiao Zheng Hanlin act so out of character, Li Wenjian lightly chuckled at his red eyes and said, "Xiao Zheng Hanlin is experiencing the joy of becoming a father. What harm is there in that?"
Inside the room, everything was under control as the experienced midwives handled the situation smoothly, except for a brief moment of panic when they discovered the baby's position was not ideal. Zhao Heng nervously followed the events throughout the night.
When everything in the birthing chamber settled down, she went to the outer chamber to see the newborn baby and learned that Li Wenjian had arrived.
Knowing his purpose for coming, she didn't delay any longer, quickly tidied up, and left. Xiao Zheng Hanlin, concerned for Li Juning and the child, escorted them to the door. Without waiting for them to board the carriage, he eagerly turned back towards the birthing chamber.
As Li Wenjian's carriage pulled up to the residence, Feiyu alighted and placed a small stool for Zhao Heng to step onto. As she climbed into the carriage, a slender, fair hand reached out and pulled her in.
Caught off guard, Zhao Heng found herself tumbling into Li Wenjian's lap.
The man's dark eyes gazed intently into her face, his large hand gently kneading her shoulder.
"Tired?" he asked.
Zhao Heng shook her head and leaned forward, inquiring, "Why are you here?"
Their eyes met, and Li Wenjian detected a mischievous glint in hers, knowing she was deliberately asking the obvious. He pursed his lips and replied, "To visit my niece."
Zhao Heng extricated herself from Li Wenjian's embrace and adjusted the folds of her skirt at her waist. She looked at him, and suddenly, a chuckle escaped her lips. "Do you like her?"
Li Wenjian lowered his gaze and smiled, understanding her amusement at his insincerity. He shook his head and said, "Not really."
"Newborns are all wrinkled and unattractive. They'll look better as they grow." Zhao Heng met his eyes.
Li Wenjian's gaze shifted to her abdomen. "Our children will surely be as beautiful as you."
"I'll take that as a good omen." She placed a kiss on his jawline. "But regardless of their appearance, let's just hope they're not as demanding as the little princess."
Li Wenzhen was taken aback by her sudden kiss.
She was like a spiky tofu lately, untouchable and off-limits.
He could only clasp her hand and imprint a heavy kiss on her palm. "Qichu was crying earlier today."
He added, criticizing, "How pathetic."
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Author's Note:
Aheng: I won't say who can't live without their wife!
Li Dog (trying to change the subject): Little Zheng is so pathetic! It's a joyous occasion, why is he crying?
Dear Mom: Oh, some people will be crying even louder than him! I won't say who!!