Just now, because of Bai Qingyan’s fall from the carriage and premature birth, the several madams had devoted all their attention to Bai Qingyan, fearing that something might happen to both Bai Qingyan and the children. They had no mind to worry about military reports and hadn’t thought deeply about it, assuming it might be news of a defeat, and hadn’t even sent anyone out to inquire.

Now that Bai Qingyan had safely given birth and their hearts had settled, they sensed something was amiss.

What kind of person was Bai Qingyan? Others might not understand, but how could these aunts not know?

Victory and defeat were common affairs in warfare. Bai Qingyan was not only a battle-hardened veteran but had also extensively studied military texts and received careful instruction from Prince Zhenguo, Bai Weiting, and Duke Zhenguo Bai Qishan. How could she not accept a single defeat?

When Dong Shi was helping Bai Qingyan give birth, she had already seen the military report clutched tightly in Bai Qingyan’s hand. Hearing Fifth Madam’s question about this matter, she couldn’t hold back her tears. She forced herself to swallow them and said: “A’Yu and Xiao Qi are missing.”

The several madams were all stunned.

“How… how could this be?!” Fourth Madam Wang’s eyes widened. “A’Jue and A’Qi, shouldn’t they have protected A’Yu properly?”

“This time, someone needed to feign defeat to lure the enemy deep for an ambush. A’Yu took Xiao Qi to lure the enemy, but who knew that Cui Shanzhong had already received intelligence and set an ambush midway.” Bai Qingyan’s voice was hoarse.

“Did Yan accidentally leak the intelligence?!” Fifth Madam Qi suddenly recalled Bai Qingyan’s earlier order to deploy troops to Yan’s border, stating that if Yan made any unusual moves, they should drive straight to Yan’s capital. Her fingertips dug deeply into the tender flesh of her palms, her eyes moist and red as she tentatively asked: “Or was it… Intentional on Yan’s part?!”

Bai Qingyan shook her head without speaking.

Though the several madams were all extremely anxious upon hearing this news, they… no matter how anxious they were, they couldn’t be more distressed than Elder Sister-in-law and A’Bao, especially since A’Bao had just given birth.

Fifth Madam Qi reached out to take the two children from Fourth Madam Wang and Second Madam Liu, walked to the bedside, and placed both children beside Bai Qingyan. Looking at Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan, she said: “Elder Sister-in-law, A’Bao… rest assured. A’Qi is the elder brother. With A’Qi there, he will spare no effort and would even sacrifice his life to find A’Yu and Xiao Qi!”

Fifth Madam Qi suppressed her emotions, bent down and grasped the hands of both Bai Qingyan and Dong Shi: “A’Bao gave birth to twins of dragon and phoenix—this is an auspicious sign… A’Yu and Xiao Qi are both resourceful children. They will surely be safe!”

“Yes!” Third Madam Li also said, “They say surviving great disasters brings great fortune. Haven’t our Bai family experienced a few life-and-death situations? Which time didn’t we get through safely? A’Bao, you’re now in confinement. You absolutely must not worry too much. Rest properly during your confinement! Do you understand?”

She turned to look at her two children, extending her finger to gently touch the little faces of both children.

“Alright, A’Bao has been exhausted for a day and night. It’s time she should rest. Let’s not disturb A’Bao’s peace here! Elder Sister-in-law, you’ve also worked hard for so long—rest well.” Fifth Madam Qi stood up, tilted her head to dab at her tears with a handkerchief, and said to her other sisters-in-law: “Let’s go first!”

As soon as Second Madam Liu, Third Madam Li, and Fourth Madam Wang followed Fifth Madam Qi out of Bai Qingyan’s bedchamber, Qi Shi turned to her sisters-in-law and said: “A’Yu is the spiritual pillar for Elder Sister-in-law and A’Bao. A’Bao is now in her confinement and cannot be allowed to grieve too much over A’Yu and Xiao Qi’s matter. With such an incident in Western Liang, the military report definitely cannot be concealed! The news will spread quickly. Like this… sisters-in-law, our maternal families all have some capable people. Send them all to Western Liang to search for A’Yu and Xiao Qi! One more person means one more hope. This can be considered as us aunts contributing what little we can for A’Yu and Xiao Qi.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Third Madam Li nodded repeatedly before Fifth Madam Qi had even finished speaking. She impatiently lifted her skirt hem and walked away, supporting herself on her nanny’s hand: “I’ll go write to my maternal family right now!”

“I’ll also write to my maternal family!” Second Madam Liu also hurried back.

Fourth Madam Wang’s lips moved upon hearing this, but she looked back at the bedchamber and still nodded firmly.

“Fourth Sister-in-law! I know your maternal family’s situation.” Fifth Madam Qi linked arms with Wang Shi and walked down the high steps together with her. “Write back to them and say… if they can find A’Yu and Xiao Qi, it would be a great merit! Because of how poorly the Wang family treated you, A’Bao didn’t promote the Wang family when she ascended the throne. Tell them this is the Wang family’s best opportunity—if they can’t seize it, they have no destiny for wealth and honor! Also, tell your family… that we other madams have already written to our maternal families for help to compete for this merit!”

Fourth Madam Wang’s palms were sweating: “Will this work?”

“Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t you know your half-brother? He loves to judge others by himself. If you say we sisters-in-law are competing for merit, he’ll rush to participate!” Qi Shi gently patted Wang Shi’s hand.

Wang Shi’s hand fingering the prayer beads paused, then nodded: “Good! I’ll listen to Fifth Sister-in-law!”

·

Inside the bedchamber, Bai Qingyan was already exhausted beyond measure and should have had a good sleep, but because she was worried about A’Yu and Xiao Qi, even though her body was utterly fatigued, her mind remained very clear.

Nanny Tong led Chun Zhi in directing palace maids and eunuchs to seal the windows tightly and add several charcoal braziers. Bai Qingyan, having just given birth, could not be exposed to the wind.

The underfloor heating was also lit.

Dong Qingping, as Bai Qingyan’s maternal uncle, entered the palace first. Although he couldn’t go in to see Bai Qingyan since she had just given birth, he could speak a few words with her through the light gauze curtains.

Bai Qingyan giving birth to dragon and phoenix twins was an extremely joyful matter. Dong Qingping told Bai Qingyan about the auspicious omens that had appeared in the eastern sky just before her delivery: “With such a great auspicious sign, A’Yu and Seventh Miss will surely be safe! A’Bao… rest well during your confinement! I’ve already sent someone back to deliver a message to your maternal grandmother, asking your grandmother and your aunt to come tomorrow. Today, you should rest well.”

“Go announce the joyful news! Let all the court ministers know that His Majesty has given birth to… dragon and phoenix twins!” Dong Shi sighed and spoke slowly.

“Good!” Dong Qingping responded, restraining his worry about A’Yu: “I’ll go right away!”

Having said this, Dong Qingping was about to leave after paying his respects when he spoke to Bai Qingyan again: “A’Bao, the matters you instructed have already been handled by Grand Commandant Lu! Don’t worry too much. I’ve already dispatched all of the Dong family’s shadow guards to Western Liang to search for A’Yu and Seventh Miss. As for your younger uncle, your grandmother has also sent a letter asking Changlan to personally lead people to Western Liang to search! Rest assured!”

“Thank you, maternal grandmother and uncle…”

“Such words are too formal!” Dong Qingping finished speaking, not wanting to disturb Bai Qingyan’s rest, and left after paying his respects to announce the joyful news to the court ministers.