Hearing the side hall door slowly open, Dong Shi and Physician Hong turned back to see Xiao Rongyan nervously supporting Bai Qingyan as they walked out. Dong Shi immediately put away the peaceful and respectful expression she had worn while discussing external explanations with Physician Hong, her face stern as she looked at Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan.

Seeing Dong Shi, Xiao Rongyan released Bai Qingyan and knelt before Dong Shi again, saying: “Mother, A’Yan and A’Bao have already discussed everything properly. We’ll announce to the public that… Xiao Rongyan is gravely ill and doesn’t have long to live, and A’Bao, out of deep affection, is willing to marry Xiao Rongyan. This gives a reasonable explanation for the hasty wedding. As for the grave illness, A’Yan will handle it properly and absolutely won’t damage A’Bao’s reputation in the slightest. Tonight Xiao Rongyan will fall gravely ill, and we’ll ask Imperial Physician Huang to personally come diagnose his pulse, confirming that his days are numbered.”

Hearing Xiao Rongyan’s words, Dong Shi finally felt truly relieved. After all, A’Bao was the Female Emperor… a grand wedding wasn’t so simple, with complex procedures. She had been genuinely worried, but if Xiao Rongyan was gravely ill, everything could be simplified and the rushed timeline would be understandable.

Moreover, if Xiao Rongyan was gravely ill and A’Bao was still willing to marry him, it would benefit A’Bao’s reputation.

Dong Shi sighed, then looked at her daughter who was smiling at her, which made Dong Shi want to give her daughter a good beating. But since they were outside the great hall, she couldn’t lay her hands on her.

Dong Shi cleared her throat and said coldly, “In that case, go back and prepare. Don’t make any mistakes.”

Xiao Rongyan kowtowed to Dong Shi: “Thank you, Mother!”

“Go quickly…” Dong Shi urged, as if she didn’t want to see Xiao Rongyan anymore.

“A’Yan takes his leave!” Xiao Rongyan rose, bowed respectfully again, turned back to give Bai Qingyan one deep look, then departed.

“Wei Zhong!” Dong Shi suddenly reacted, calling loudly to Wei Zhong in the distance: “Quickly go stop the people who were sent to summon Grand Secretary Dong and Minister Liu from the Ministry of Rites!”

Wei Zhong was just about to leave when he saw Bai Qingyan signal that he needn’t hurry.

“Mother! I think it’s unnecessary. We can let Uncle and Minister Liu come together to discuss. It’s natural for Mother to be concerned about my marriage. Using this instance of A’Bao being overworked… Mother thinking that once A’Bao marries, she can be distracted and rest properly, asking Uncle and Minister Liu to discuss and create a plan – who would know Xiao Rongyan would suddenly fall gravely ill… then nothing would seem deliberate.” Bai Qingyan said.

She linked arms with Dong Shi: “Although A’Bao feels bad about deceiving even Uncle and Minister Liu, but… recalling people now, followed immediately by Xiao Rongyan’s grave illness, would be too obvious. Clever people… or even clever people with ulterior motives might see through the mystery. Moreover… if Mother wants Physician Hong to stay by A’Bao’s side, there needs to be a suitable pretext. A’Bao thinks… after Xiao Rongyan’s death, Mother worrying about A’Bao’s health would be a good reason.”

“Now your mind is clear!” Dong Shi was still angry.

“Mother, A’Bao truly knows she was wrong! Today Mother enlightened A’Bao, and in the future… A’Bao will be cautious in words and actions, strict with herself!” Bai Qingyan stepped back and bowed formally to Dong Shi.

Seeing her daughter like this, even if Dong Shi had been angrier, most of her fury dissipated. She helped her daughter up, taking her hand as they walked toward the main hall together, saying: “However, you’re carrying a child now. No matter how busy state affairs are, you still need to rest properly…”

Under the corridor, six-sided palace lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. In the flickering lamplight shadows, Bai Qingyan walked arm-in-arm with her mother toward the main hall, listening to her mother’s detailed admonishments, her eyes slightly moist.

The yellow glow of the palace lanterns reminded Dong Shi of when she was first pregnant, reminded her of her husband…

How many nights had Bai Qishan tossed and turned sleeplessly, secretly wiping tears behind Dong Shi’s back, regretting that he had once let their daughter follow him to battle, and that he hadn’t been able to protect her well, resulting in her never being able to have children again in this life. Although this child came at an inopportune time, Dong Shi couldn’t help thinking that if her husband knew A’Bao was pregnant, he would be overjoyed.

That day, Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi were summoned to the palace. Sitting below Bai Qingyan and Dong Shi, they listened as Dong Shi brought up Bai Qingyan’s grand wedding, asking them to set the procedures. This truly relieved both Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi.

After the two emerged from the great hall, Liu Rushi smiled and said to Dong Qingping: “Grand Secretary, you’ve worked hard these past days!”

Dong Qingping knew Liu Rushi was referring to his efforts searching everywhere for portraits of young talented men and arranging Bai Qingyan’s marriage prospects. He said: “Now that His Majesty has ascended the throne, many people hope His Majesty will marry and bear an heir soon.”

“Bear an heir…” Liu Rushi clenched his fist tightly. As a breeze swept across his face, his hair fluttered as he said in a low voice: “But His Majesty is a woman after all. Since ancient times, childbirth has been like stepping through the gates of hell with one foot. This minister… inevitably worries.”

Since Bai Qingyan’s ascension, Liu Rushi had witnessed the clarity of court governance, seen Bai Qingyan’s diligence, and even greatly admired her courage in delegating power regarding new policies. To encounter such an open and wise monarch as a court minister was a lifetime’s fortune. Although he knew it was wrong to think this way, Liu Rushi was truly afraid of losing this ruler.

Dong Qingping looked at Liu Rushi with parted lips. He understood what Liu Rushi was thinking. As court ministers… to encounter a monarch like Bai Qingyan was indeed a great fortune in life…

“It’s too early to think so much about this. After all… most people in the capital know about His Majesty’s health condition. An heir… is just our hope. Whether it’s possible still depends on Heaven’s will.” Dong Qingping smiled and patted Liu Rushi’s shoulder: “Minister of Rites, His Majesty’s grand wedding still depends on you to create the procedures.”

Seeing Dong Qingping lift his feet to walk down the high steps, Liu Rushi was slightly stunned, looking at his former superior, quickly lifting his official robes to chase after him: “Didn’t the Empress Dowager say for you and this official to be jointly responsible?”

“You’re the Minister of Rites now, you’re the highest in the Ministry of Rites… naturally, this matter is your responsibility.”

“You can’t say it like that! Grand Secretary Dong… You’re His Majesty’s uncle!”

Dong Qingping and Liu Rushi, one walking and one chasing, debated as they headed toward the palace exit.

·

Xiao Rongyan had just returned to the courier station and was preparing to go back to arrange with his subordinates about falling gravely ill tonight when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. His eyes turned cold instantly. His steps paused, and he reacted quickly, turning around and raising his hand to block a fist coming toward him. A blade slid from his sleeve, ready to strike at the attacker. Looking closely, he saw it was Bai Qingyu wearing a blue-faced, fanged mask. Xiao Rongyan quickly stopped his blade’s momentum.

“You…”

Before Xiao Rongyan could finish speaking, Bai Qingyu punched him hard in the face, causing Xiao Rongyan to stagger backward and crash into a tree trunk.

Bai Qingyu’s fists were tightly clenched, his chest heaving violently.

Xiao Rongyan’s back pressed against the large tree as he put away his dagger, asking: “Do you want to fight me openly here at the courier station?”