Hearing the sound of the door closing, Xiao Rongyan hurriedly took a hidden pouch and placed it behind Bai Qingyan’s waist. He untied the ribbons of the ceremonial crown, set the crown aside, and then crouched down to help Bai Qingyan remove her shoes. Grasping her feet, he sat down on the bed’s edge, placing her feet on his lap to massage them. “How do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Xiao Rongyan remembered when his sister-in-law had been with child – his elder brother had said she couldn’t stand for too long, and after standing too long… her feet would swell. Every night, his brother would massage them to provide relief.
Bai Qingyan’s hand tightened around the hidden pouch, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks…
Through the thin layer of foot covering, Xiao Rongyan’s burning palm warmth transmitted through, making Bai Qingyan unconsciously want to withdraw her feet, her heartbeat quickening as well.
Perhaps, the two of them had not yet reached the stage of being an old married couple – their intimate moments still made Bai Qingyan feel nervous.
Bai Qingyan felt uncomfortable all over from Xiao Rongyan’s massage, hurriedly withdrawing her feet under her hem, laughter in her eyes: “Stop massaging, it tickles…”
Seeing that Bai Qingyan’s feet showed no abnormalities, Xiao Rongyan finally felt relieved. His profound eyes gazed at Bai Qingyan, who had become his wife today, and he said in a low voice: “Although we used Xiao Rongyan’s identity, our marriage… I’m very happy, A’Bao… from now on, you are my wife.”
The flickering red candles illuminated Bai Qingyan’s profile. Xiao Rongyan moved closer to Bai Qingyan, supporting himself with both hands on either side of her, slowly approaching her, wanting to kiss her.
Meeting Xiao Rongyan’s gaze, watching his handsome features draw nearer and nearer, her heartbeat grew faster and faster.
Seeing the shy expression flowing through Bai Qingyan’s brows and eyes, Xiao Rongyan could no longer restrain his emotions. He gently kissed Bai Qingyan’s forehead, quietly gazing at her, watching her reaction. His gaze then fell to the corner of her lips, and a burning kiss landed on the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Rongyan moved even closer to Bai Qingyan, his clothing rustling with movement, making her ears burn.
“Your Majesty…”
Before Xiao Rongyan could deepen the kiss, Nanny Qin’s voice suddenly came from outside the hall, startling Bai Qingyan into pushing Xiao Rongyan away.
“Nanny Qin, please come in!”
Bai Qingyan, not minding Xiao Rongyan, put on her shoes and sat properly by the dragon-phoenix bed, appearing dignified and composed, though her ears were completely red.
Xiao Rongyan could only sit properly as well.
Nanny Qin entered alone, carrying a calming soup for Xiao Rongyan. She passed through layers of gauze and brocade red curtains, bowed to both Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, and seeing their clothes were properly arranged, smiled and said: “This is what Madam asked this old servant to bring – calming soup for the son-in-law.”
Hearing it was from Dong Shi, Xiao Rongyan quickly stood to express thanks, taking the jade cup from the black lacquered gold-decorated square tray Nanny Qin held, tilting his head back to drink it all in one gulp. He stepped back and bowed to Nanny Qin: “Please ask Nanny to thank Mother on my behalf.”
Nanny Qin was very satisfied seeing Xiao Rongyan’s unhesitating manner. She nodded, then smiled and said in a low voice: “Now that the eldest miss is carrying a child, these first three months are the most crucial. Madam worries that the eldest miss and son-in-law are young and inexperienced, not knowing restraint, so she specially sent this old servant to remind the son-in-law… You must let the eldest miss rest well, and if the son-in-law’s body feels unwell, you should also rest early.”
Only then did Bai Qingyan understand – Mother was worried that the two of them might be unable to control their emotions, so she had Nanny Qin bring a bowl of sleep-inducing medicine for Xiao Rongyan to take and sleep early.
Understanding Mother’s intention, her ears grew even redder.
Now, in Mother’s heart, she probably couldn’t be trusted either.
“Mother is right! I will certainly put A’Bao and the child first in all matters. Please ask Nanny to set Mother’s mind at ease.” Xiao Rongyan bowed to Nanny Qin again.
Nanny Qin nodded and curtsied to them: “Then this servant will take her leave first. Eldest Miss and son-in-law, rest well.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Nanny, please tell Mother to rest early as well.”
“Yes!” Seeing neither showed any displeasure, Nanny Qin responded happily and withdrew from the great hall.
Xiao Rongyan turned back to look at Bai Qingyan sitting by the bed, her features like a painting, serene and beautiful, his eyes also taking on a smile.
That night was the first time Xiao Rongyan held his life’s beloved in his arms while sleeping. Although they had not consummated their marriage, his heart was incomparably joyful. Since his mother’s death, he had never slept so sweetly…
Bai Qingyan, like Xiao Rongyan, also slept extremely well.
The next day, the usually diligent Great Zhou Female Emperor did not hold morning court, but the ministers were each filled with joy, hoping the Great Zhou Female Emperor would soon give birth to an heir.
An imperial heir was also a matter of state, and a woman’s childbearing years were limited. The Female Emperor’s fate with children was thin, so how could the ministers not be anxious? They wished that today she would marry, and tomorrow the Female Emperor would have an heir.
The Great Zhou Female Emperor suspended court for two consecutive days, and everyone sighed about the deep affection between the Female Emperor and her Imperial Husband. However, what no one anticipated was that this Imperial Husband of lowly status died on the night of the twenty-sixth day of the same month, just ten short days after marrying the Great Zhou Female Emperor. The entire nation mourned.
The Great Zhou Female Emperor was grief-stricken to the point of collapse, fainting several times. The Great Zhou Empress Dowager, worried about the Female Emperor’s health, ordered Imperial Physician Hong to remain by the Female Emperor’s side from that day forward.
The “Records of Zhou” states: The Great Zhou Female Emperor appointed Xiao as Imperial Husband during his illness, but Heaven did not grant longevity, and he died on the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month in the first year of Yuanhe.
Xiao Rongyan left together with the Great Yan diplomatic mission that came to bid farewell. Although his heart was reluctant and he couldn’t let go of Bai Qingyan and the child in her womb, he had no choice but to leave.
After seeing off Xiao Rongyan, the Ghost-Faced Prince of the Rong Di also entered the palace to bid farewell.
After Bai Qingyan had dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids from the great hall, Bai Qingyu’s gaze inevitably fell on Bai Qingyan’s abdomen. He restrained his gaze, lowering his eyes and asking in a low voice: “Sister, do you truly have feelings for this Murong Yan?”
Bai Qingyan gazed intently at A’Yu. How could she not understand… if she said yes today, in the future A’Yu would certainly show mercy to Murong Yan to spare her heartbreak.
“My relationship with Murong Yan is personal! Public and private matters cannot be mixed. He is my beloved, and he is also our Great Zhou’s opponent.” Bai Qingyan’s brows and eyes carried an extremely faint smile. “We are both military people, and we both understand that when facing a worthy opponent, giving our all is the greatest respect.”
Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, Bai Qingyu finally felt relief in his heart. At least Sister hadn’t been blinded by emotion. He nodded and spoke of serious matters: “A’Yu understands, Sister can rest assured! Li Zhijie has already come to find me three times, wanting the Rong Di to ally to resist the strong nations of Great Zhou and Great Yan. I’ve already agreed to Li Zhijie that I would enter the palace today to report this trip to the Female Emperor, then return to Rong Di to discuss with the Rong Di leadership and send envoys to Xi Liang.”
“In this way… Sister sent Third Brother to Xi Liang to establish an alliance, but the results haven’t returned yet, and the alliance with Rong Di is also uncertain. Li Zhijie presumably won’t easily leave the capital.”