Xiao Jingxi sighed: “Do you know why the northern borders have been stable for so many years, only becoming turbulent in recent years?”

Ren Yaoqi put on a look of sudden enlightenment: “Simply because life has been too peaceful.”

The husband and wife looked at each other for a moment, then smiled again.

As Xiao Jingxi had expected, after Yelu Sage returned, she immediately threw herself into the struggle for the throne. The Southern Chancellor of the Liao naturally supported his son-in-law Yelu Moqi, but the Northern Chancellor was divided into two factions – one supporting the previous Liao King’s youngest son, while the other was quietly being gathered by Yelu Sage. Although everyone understood that military and political division was harmful to the nation at this time, human desire was a miraculous thing, and those who hadn’t stood at the peak of power couldn’t comprehend power’s allure. “Secure the interior before expelling foreign threats” was not a strategy that one or two rulers would adopt.

The reason Yelu Sage could gather the Northern Chancellor’s forces immediately upon her return naturally owed much to a certain strategically minded man in Yunyang City.

The events of this year were major incidents in the Great Zhou Dynasty’s history, but no matter how significant the events were, after they passed, the common people still lived as they always had. The panic of armies pressing against the city was gradually forgotten by ordinary Yanbei citizens, as eating, sleeping, and surviving were the real priorities.

In the blink of an eye, it was March – grass growing, orioles flying, flourishing everywhere with vitality.

However, the Prince of Yanbei’s residence was tense from top to bottom this day, because Ren Yaoqi was about to give birth.

The Princess Consort had begun preparing for Ren Yaoqi’s delivery three months ago. Ren Yaoqi also began experiencing labor pains on her expected due date. Nanny Gong, along with two other midwives, had been staying in Zhaoyang Palace for the past few days, so initially Ren Yaoqi’s labor proceeded very smoothly.

The reason it was said to be smooth initially wasn’t because Ren Yaoqi later encountered danger during the birth process, but because just as the child was about to be born, the weather suddenly changed. The originally clear blue sky suddenly darkened, with black clouds rolling and thunder and lightning intertwining, yet strangely there was only thunder and lightning but no rain.

The previously bustling streets of Yunyang City suddenly emptied of pedestrians, everyone hiding in buildings on both sides of the streets or under eaves, looking up at the cloud layers above that were so dark they appeared purple under the lightning.

Spring thunderstorms were normally common and considered good for farmers. Although it was somewhat strange to have only thunder and lightning without rain, it wasn’t particularly bizarre. However, in later times, some people still felt there were unusual celestial phenomena that day.

And Ren Yaoqi gave birth to her child amid this rolling thunder.

“Congratulations to Your Highness and Her Highness, congratulations, Second Young Master – the Young Madam has given birth to a little young master!” With a clear, strong cry, the birthing room opened, and those inside came out joyfully to announce the good news.

The Prince and Princess Consort were overjoyed upon hearing this. The Princess Consort was so emotional that she covered her mouth to prevent herself from crying out. The Prince beside her gently embraced her shoulders and rarely spoke in gentle, soothing tones.

Xiao Jingxi’s first question, however, was: “How is the Young Madam?”

The person announcing the good news quickly replied: “It was a smooth birth. The Young Madam is doing very well, just somewhat exhausted.”

Xiao Jingxi’s tense expression finally relaxed, and his eyes also took on joy.

Needless to say, no one in the Prince of Yanbei’s residence was unhappy that day, and an endless stream of people came to offer congratulations.

When Ren Yaoqi woke up again, it was already dark – not because of the weather, but because evening had fallen. The daytime thunder and lightning had come suddenly and left quickly, soon returning to bright sunshine and clear skies. However, at that time, Ren Yaoqi had been working hard to give birth and naturally didn’t know.

As soon as she opened her eyes, Ren Yaoqi saw Xiao Jingxi sitting by the bed watching her. Warmth spread through her palm – her hand was being held in Xiao Jingxi’s.

Ren Yaoqi still felt tired, but she made an effort to smile at Xiao Jingxi: “Why are you sitting here? I’m fine, just a bit tired.”

Xiao Jingxi gently brushed away the hair sticking to her cheek: “Mm, I also just came in and sat here for a while.”

Ren Yaoqi guessed he had been sitting for more than just a while, because while she was sleeping, she had vaguely sensed someone sitting beside her the whole time, which had given her peace of mind.

However, Ren Yaoqi didn’t expose this. She looked around the room and found that only she and Xiao Jingxi were there, not even a single maid was visible.

Xiao Jingxi noticed her gaze and said gently, “I was afraid they would disturb your rest, so I sent them all away. The child is in the next room. Would you like to see him?”

After the child was born, Ren Yaoqi had only gotten one glimpse, knowing it was a son, and then had drifted off to sleep. Hearing Xiao Jingxi mention the child, her heart warmed, and she nodded: “Yes.”

Xiao Jingxi adjusted Ren Yaoqi’s blanket corners, then got up and walked out. Soon, he returned carrying a bright red swaddling bundle. Ren Yaoqi’s gaze fixed unblinkingly on them.

Xiao Jingxi gently placed the swaddling bundle beside Ren Yaoqi and sat on the bed’s edge, saying quietly: “He’s still all wrinkled and not very pretty now. Mother says he’ll look better in a few days.”

Seeing Xiao Jingxi’s attempt to comfort her, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but find it amusing. She turned her head to look at their son – the little one was sleeping with his eyes closed, his face still somewhat red with sparse hair on his head. He indeed wasn’t very pretty, and being so small, it was impossible to tell whose features he resembled.

“Would you like to hold him?” Xiao Jingxi asked quietly, seeing Ren Yaoqi’s gaze fixed on their son’s not-so-pretty little face.

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and also spoke quietly: “Let him sleep. I don’t have much strength right now either.”

Xiao Jingxi had just been making conversation and didn’t say anything more upon hearing this. The husband and wife – one lying down, one sitting – both watched their soundly sleeping child, occasionally exchanging smiles, with Xiao Jingxi continuously holding Ren Yaoqi’s hand.

The next day, Ren Shimin and Li Shi, along with the Ren Yaohua couple, came to visit.

Li Shi was overjoyed to see her little grandson, repeatedly saying “Buddha’s blessing, Buddha’s blessing,” and refused to let go once she held the child.

Ren Shimin frowned as he carefully examined the child in Li Shi’s arms, then gave a reserved evaluation: “He looks quite intelligent and clever.”

Li Shi also looked down at the child, then at Ren Shimin. The child’s features hadn’t developed yet, and he kept his eyes closed while sleeping – how biased would one have to be to conclude he was intelligent and clever? Even though Li Shi was very fond of her grandson, she really couldn’t agree with this assessment!

Fortunately, Li Shi had always refrained from contradicting Ren Shimin’s words. She nodded in agreement without changing expression: “Master is right. Looking at the child’s forehead, it does resemble Master’s somewhat.”

Ren Shimin tilted his head to examine the baby, then nodded: “Mm, indeed so.”

The Ren Yaohua couple: “…”

Li Shi and Ren Yaohua went in to see Ren Yaoqi.

Li Shi wiped away tears while saying, “You are truly blessed. Now I can finally rest easy.”

Then Li Shi looked at Ren Yaohua: “How is your body’s recovery? Little Nuan is also growing up, so it’s time for you to…”

Before Li Shi could finish, Ren Yaohua interrupted: “Mother, I’m still young. Children will come eventually. Don’t worry about me.”

Having been the Lei family’s matriarch for so long, Ren Yaohua had undergone tremendous changes in both bearing and temperament. She might have had some worries when her daughter was just born, but not anymore. Although heirs were important, she clearly understood that even if she never bore a son in this lifetime, she could still maintain her position as the Lei family’s head wife. Moreover, having been married to Lei Ting for so long, Ren Yaohua trusted him completely.

Seeing her resolve, Li Shi could only soften her approach and sigh: “As long as you know what you’re doing. Hold the baby more later – perhaps it will bring one to your belly.”

Ren Yaohua didn’t believe in such things but humored her with agreement, then asked Ren Yaoqi: “Has the child’s name been chosen yet?”

Ren Yaoqi cooperated with Ren Yaohua’s change of subject: “The name hasn’t been decided yet.” The child’s name was to be chosen by the Prince, but the Prince of Yanbei hadn’t thought of one yet.

Seeing the sisters talking, Li Shi’s heart was drawn to her grandson outside. After sitting for a while, she went out again, simply letting the two daughters chat in the room.

After Li Shi left, Ren Yaohua breathed a sigh of relief. Every time Li Shi saw her, she brought up the topic of children. If Li Shi weren’t her mother, she would want to avoid her whenever she saw her from afar.

“By the way, do you know about the rumors outside?” Ren Yaohua deliberately lowered her voice to ask.

Ren Yaoqi had just given birth yesterday and was still very weak, so naturally, she didn’t know what Ren Yaohua was referring to. However, since Ren Yaohua was asking her now, it must be related to her, so she asked: “What rumors?”

Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi, hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice further: “Do you know there were unusual celestial phenomena yesterday?”

Ren Yaoqi was stunned – she didn’t know. Yesterday, she had no energy to pay attention, and afterward, no one mentioned it in front of her.

Ren Yaohua said: “Yesterday, when you were giving birth, there was sudden thunder and lightning, and the rolling clouds faintly carried purple qi. Outside, they’re saying it’s because the Prince of Yanbei’s little young master was born extraordinary, destined for immeasurable nobility.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but be shocked.

With the Prince of Yanbei’s residence status, the child was already extremely noble. What “immeasurable nobility” implied, Ren Yaoqi naturally understood. However, she didn’t feel joy at this, but instead frowned.

She naturally didn’t believe in such things – thunder and lightning were perfectly normal in this season. But even if she didn’t believe, she couldn’t prevent others from believing. Even if others didn’t believe, those with ambitions would still have concerns about it.

As a mother, Ren Yaoqi hoped her child could grow up safely and peacefully – that was most important. She didn’t want her child to be branded as “extraordinary” from birth, attracting attention from all quarters, because this meant the child would face far more dangers than others during his growth.

After Ren Yaohua and the others left, Ren Yaoqi had someone call Xiao Jingxi back and ask him about the rumors outside.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s worried expression, Xiao Jingxi said, “Put your mind at ease. I will protect our child well and let him grow up safely. I won’t let the outside rumors endanger him.”