Pang Xiao stood frozen in place, his eyes vacant, making Huzi increasingly frightened.

“Your Highness, you… this is good news, please don’t get too excited.”

Pang Xiao waved his hand, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Arrange for more people to secretly protect Princess in Jingang.”

Huzi’s expression became stern as he nodded, “Yes.”

Pang Xiao turned and strode back into the tent with quick steps, his face grave and speaking slightly faster, “We need to accelerate our pace. The longer this war drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us.”

Ji Zeyu nodded in agreement. Carefully observing Pang Xiao’s expression, he knew he must have learned something—ninety-nine percent likely it was news from Qin Yining’s side.

“Zhixi, what’s wrong with you?”

Pang Xiao’s thoughts had already flown to Qin Yining’s side. Upon hearing this, he took a moment to react before coming back to his senses, “Sister Yi is about to give birth, and the physician says it’s twins again this time. I want to end this war quickly.”

The longing that had been suppressed in his heart and never expressed reached its peak upon learning that Qin Yining was pregnant with twins again and would give birth any day now.

How could he not miss her? It was just that being busy fighting every day, busy recapturing lost territory, resisting the Tatars, he had no choice but to suppress his longing for her. After marrying him, she hadn’t lived the good life he thought he would give her, but had followed him through so much fear and displacement for so long. Now she was about to walk through death’s door again—such a momentous event as childbirth—yet he was still at Tianmen Pass, completely unable to accompany her.

The last time Qin Yining gave birth, it was fraught with danger. Even now, when Pang Xiao thought about it, his scalp would tingle. He truly didn’t want anything to happen to Qin Yining. If something happened to her this time, what would he do?

They truly needed to accelerate their pace so he could reunite with Sister Yi sooner.

Seeing that after answering, Pang Xiao had fallen into contemplation again, looking absent-minded, Ji Zeyu pressed his lips together and after a long while said, “Since we need to attack quickly, there are methods for quick attacks. We can do this…”

Pang Xiao collected his thoughts and focused intently on discussing with Ji Zeyu and the others.

Meanwhile, at the mansion where Qin Yining resided, they had invited Jingang’s famous midwives.

“Princess, the birthing room has been prepared properly. We’ve invited Jingang’s two famous midwives, and they’re now living in our mansion. With me here as well, Princess can just put your mind at ease. I guarantee both you and the children will be perfectly safe.”

Qin Yining smiled, “With you here, I’m naturally at ease.” Stroking her heavy belly, Qin Yining felt as if breathing was like having stones pressed against her chest. The closer she got to delivery, the more swollen her legs and feet became. She couldn’t even wear embroidered shoes now because her feet had swollen at least two sizes larger.

But even so, she still had to be supported by Ji Yun and Bingtang on either side for daily walks.

Xie Yue had taken over the matter of preparing military supplies, discussing everything face-to-face with Manager Zhong, no longer letting Qin Yining worry about anything.

Qin Yining supported herself on Ji Yun’s hand, having to rest after walking just a few steps, rubbing her aching back, “These past few days I’ve felt uncomfortable, and not only that, I keep having bad premonitions. Have Jingzhe and the Elite Tiger Guards carefully inspect the residence again—don’t let anyone take advantage of the chaos.”

Once she went into labor, everyone would likely be in complete disarray, and if someone infiltrated, they might not be discovered quickly. What if assassins snuck in to attack? Or what if someone infiltrated to steal her children?

The more Qin Yining thought about it, the more worried she became, her brows furrowing tightly.

Bingtang giggled, “Princess, you’ve given these instructions several times already. Jingzhe and the others arranged everything long ago. Don’t worry, everyone’s here, absolutely nothing will happen.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining smiled bitterly, “You don’t know—my premonitions about bad things have always been very accurate. Whenever I can think of something and feel the premonition is bad, things will develop in a bad direction. I don’t want to be like this, but I still can’t help worrying. After all, His Highness and I have made too many enemies. I’m afraid that if something happens, my children will suffer. You mustn’t suffer, must you? Right?”

As Qin Yining spoke, she caressed her highly protruding belly again. She knew the children couldn’t understand this, but she still liked to frequently communicate with the children in her womb.

Bingtang knew this was a phenomenon unique to women about to give birth—they were always more anxious than usual.

“Don’t worry, we won’t let anyone break in. If it really came to that, the Elite Tiger Guards and secret agents could all go face the wall in contemplation!” Bingtang deliberately tried to make Qin Yining laugh.

Qin Yining cooperatively curved her lips.

However, emotional anxiety couldn’t be relieved just by others offering a few words of comfort. She didn’t want others to worry about her, but controlling her emotions wasn’t easy either.

She knew her condition wasn’t right—perhaps it was due to approaching childbirth? Once the children were safely born, things would be better.

Qin Yining comforted herself this way and continued moving around according to Bingtang’s requirements.

The delivery date was several days earlier than Bingtang had predicted. This day, Qin Yining had just finished washing and was preparing to sleep when she felt the need to relieve herself. She had to get up and be supported by Ji Yun to go out, but after walking just a few steps, she noticed something unusual beneath her skirt.

Seeing this, Ji Yun was afraid Qin Yining would become nervous along with her, so she didn’t dare make a big fuss. She first helped Qin Yining sit down nearby, then quickly went out to find Bingtang.

When Bingtang entered, she saw that Qin Yining’s complexion had improved somewhat. After examining her, she said, “Princess, the children are about to be born. Shall we move to the birthing room?”

“How can they be early?” Qin Yining asked worriedly, “Could there be something wrong with the children?”

“How could there be? Don’t let your imagination run wild,” Bingtang quickly said. “Good, your condition is very good right now. While you still have strength, let’s walk a bit more.”

Ji Yun said, “Should we still have them prepare and let Princess take a sedan chair?”

“That won’t do. If Princess can move herself, why take a sedan chair? Princess, listen to me—the more active you are now, the easier delivery will be later. Not only should you not take a sedan chair now, you’ll need to walk around more later too.”

Qin Yining nodded, feeling a sudden sharp pain in her abdomen that made her stop. The unbearable pain spread, but fortunately Qin Yining had always known how to endure, so she didn’t immediately scream out. After enduring for a moment, she continued walking slowly toward the birthing room that had been prepared long ago.

The two midwives and Bingtang together served Qin Yining the labor-inducing medicine, then changed her clothes and supported her as she moved around the room.

Qin Yining sometimes felt better, sometimes suffered severe pain.

“Princess, if you feel uncomfortable, cry out. Crying out will make you feel much better,” Bingtang advised worriedly and sympathetically, seeing Qin Yining like this.

Qin Yining shook her head, “Crying out wastes too much energy.”

A drop of sweat slid from her chin onto her clothes, staining the light crimson cross-collared wide-sleeved outer robe with a small dark mark.

Bingtang thought for a moment and said, “The kitchen has prepared nourishing soup for you. Have some later to avoid losing strength.”

Qin Yining nodded, grabbed a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from her face, then continued following what Bingtang and the midwives instructed.

Compared to when she gave birth to Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er, Qin Yining’s delivery this time was slightly smoother, but she still suffered pain for an entire day. It wasn’t until the evening of the next day that loud crying sounds came from the inner quarters.

Xie Yue and Manager Zhong had been unable to focus on proper business these past two days, both worrying about Qin Yining’s condition. Manager Zhong could be said to have watched Qin Yining grow up, and Xie Yue was utterly loyal to Pang Xiao. Both understood that only when Princess and His Highness were harmonious would they, as followers, have good days.

So when they heard the first cry, the two men who had been pacing around like spinning tops unanimously stopped and looked anxiously toward the inner quarters.

Although they were both trusted confidants of Qin Yining and Pang Xiao, there were still differences between men and women, so they couldn’t directly go ask.

Until just a moment later, a second loud cry was heard.

Xie Yue and Manager Zhong were both stunned for a moment, almost incredulously saying, “Could it be that Princess has given birth to twins again?”

Manager Zhong and Xie Yue looked at each other, equally beaming with joy.

“Quick, let’s quickly send a maid to ask!”

“Right, right, right, go ask quickly! How is Princess’s condition? Is it a young master or a young miss?”

Xie Yue and Manager Zhong urged the maid to inquire at the inner quarters, and soon she brought back good news.

“Gentlemen, Princess has given birth to dragon and phoenix twins. Princess’s condition is good right now, and both the young master and young miss are very healthy!”

“Really!” Xie Yue clapped his hands, “Quick, grind ink for me, I need to tell His Highness! Hurry, hurry, hurry!”

Having many children was a blessing. His Highness and Princess were deeply devoted to each other and unwilling to take concubines, so their lineage was already thin. With all the troubles that had occurred at home, if His Highness eventually ascended to the throne and their lineage remained thin, that wouldn’t do. Even if His Highness didn’t plan to have other women, they would have to persuade him.

But unexpectedly, Princess was so capable—after giving birth to twin boys, she had now produced dragon and phoenix twins!

At this tense time for His Highness, dragon and phoenix twins were an auspicious omen of prosperity! Perhaps what they had been hoping for could truly be realized!

Xie Yue remembered when Pang Xiao had gathered several of his trusted advisors and told them about the Qin and Yao families’ feigned deaths to escape, that trusting look in his eyes. He remembered Pang Xiao’s usual regard and recognition for them, and how no matter what dangers he faced, he would never easily abandon any of them.

Such a benevolent lord now had dragon and phoenix twins—this was heaven’s blessing to him, the good fortune he deserved!

Xie Yue’s eyes couldn’t help but moisten.

When he learned that the Qin and Yao families’ secret departure to distant lands was just to preserve their lives, he had already felt immense relief. Now learning that Pang Xiao had three sons and one daughter, he was even more delighted.

With trembling hands, ink drops fell onto the letter paper due to his excessive excitement without his notice.

Xie Yue wrote down his excited feelings and ordered someone to rush the letter to the front lines.

Meanwhile, Qin Yining also breathed a sigh of relief and sent the good news to the front lines.

So when Pang Xiao received two letters and learned that Qin Yining had actually given birth to dragon and phoenix twins, he immediately raised his arms in jubilation, threw down his long sword, and ran a lap around the training ground!