Four pregnant concubines—did this mean Fifth Brother’s hidden ailment was cured? Then his previous scheming to make Fifth Brother break his vow early was like trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead?

If he hadn’t schemed so much back then, Fifth Brother’s concubine wouldn’t have a several-month-old little one in her belly now.

Now it was wonderful—Fifth Brother had produced four little ones. Wasn’t he afraid of getting postpartum wind?

Thinking of these things, Prince Mu’s heart was shattered.

This way, trying to make moves against Fifth Brother’s offspring would be too difficult—

Prince Mu paced back and forth in his study. Not paying attention, he bumped into the corner of the table. In pain, he viciously kicked the rosewood table leg, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

If he couldn’t make moves against the offspring, then he would strike at the root and find an opportunity to take Fifth Brother’s life!

The more Prince Mu thought about it, the more feasible this idea seemed.

No matter how many children Fifth Brother produced, as long as Fifth Brother died, what use would a few nursing babies be? Could Father Emperor possibly bypass him, a grown son, and pass the throne to a grandson?

Prince Mu sat down heavily, his mood finally calming.

There was still time. He just needed to find an opportunity before Father Emperor went to have tea with former Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang.

Prince Mu settled down for the moment, like a poisonous snake waiting for the right moment to strike.

Soon, the hot summer passed, and the autumn of Mingkang’s twenty-sixth year was exceptionally cool. Usually in October, people in the capital had just put on lined clothing, but this year it was already snowing.

By November, heavy snow fell one storm after another, with the intensity of water turning to ice. Even those who usually went out for leisure stayed home, and except for necessary activities, everyone huddled indoors for warmth.

The Li residence now had Hao Ge’er, the son left by Bing Niang, plus Fu Ge’er, born to He Shi, who was over half a year old, and Liu Shi, who was about to give birth. Naturally, they kept the heated floors burning brightly, not sparing any expense on charcoal.

Old Madam Deng looked at the icicles hanging down from the eaves and sighed, chatting idly with Qiao Zhao, who had come to pay respects: “There’s too much snow this winter. I’m afraid there will be flooding next spring.”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

Too much snow water wasn’t just a flooding problem. If the people of Northern Qi couldn’t fill their stomachs, even if they feared Great Liang’s Marquis Guanjun, they wouldn’t stay peaceful just to survive.

There was also Xijiang, similarly located in the northwest. As a barren small territory that had always been poor, under natural disasters their situation wouldn’t be much better. Taking advantage of Northern Qi’s turmoil to fish in troubled waters was inevitable.

In that case, Shao Mingyuan would have to frequently lead troops into battle again.

With this realization, Qiao Zhao suddenly became worried about next year’s wedding date.

Shao Mingyuan was even more worried than Qiao Zhao.

Based on his understanding of the Tartars, February and March each year were exactly when they were most restless, and his wedding with Zhaozhao was scheduled for February.

Just thinking about this made Shao Mingyuan feel terrible.

He must have a grudge against the Old Man of the Moon!

No, he had to think of a way. It would be great if he could make an exception and have Zhaozhao marry him by the end of this year.

Before Shao Mingyuan had made any moves, Liu Shi suddenly went into labor.

Liu Shi had a good physical foundation and had given birth twice before. With the midwife’s assistance, after just over two hours, the loud cry of a baby rang out from the delivery room.

“Congratulations, Madam. You’ve given birth to a young master, weighing a full seven pounds.” The roomful of people surrounded Liu Shi, all offering congratulations.

Liu Shi looked with effort at the wrinkled baby and suddenly began to cry.

“Madam, please don’t cry. Be careful not to hurt your eyes.”

Liu Shi raised her hand to wipe her tears: “Quickly go report the good news to Old Madam.”

Thank heavens, and more importantly, thank Third Miss. She finally had a son. In the future, mother and daughters would have someone to rely on.

As for men—

Hehe, now that she had both sons and daughters, what did she need a man for? Could he be eaten as food?

With another new addition to the Li residence, Old Madam Deng’s grief over losing her son was considerably diminished. She ordered the servants to distribute quite a bit of celebratory money, and the entire household was filled with joy.

With Liu Shi’s smooth delivery and no current worries in the household, during these icy, snowy days, Qiao Zhao spent her days nestled on the heated bed reading and playing chess to pass the time. On this particular day, she received word from Chen Guang that Shao Mingyuan was waiting for her in the adjacent residence.

Putting on her snow fur coat and changing into deerskin boots, Qiao Zhao took Binglu to the adjacent residence.

Shao Mingyuan was waiting right at the main gate. Seeing Qiao Zhao approach, he quickly grasped her hands to warm them: “Be careful of the slippery path.”

After days of snow, even though the accumulated snow in the courtyard had been swept to both sides, leaving a clean bluestone path, Shao Mingyuan still reminded her.

“This weather is too cold.” After entering the house with warm air rushing toward her, Qiao Zhao removed her heavy coat. Before Binglu could extend her hand, Shao Mingyuan smoothly took it and hung it on the clothes rack.

“Are you frozen? ” Shao Mingyuan cupped Qiao Zhao’s hands with both of his, gently rubbing them. “Why didn’t you carry a hand warmer?”

“It’s just a few steps.”

Shao Mingyuan gave a meaningful look, and Chen Guang smiled at Binglu: “Binglu, how about we go build a snowman?”

Binglu pursed her lips disdainfully: “Childish. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

Chen Guang blinked: “How about using black agate for the snowman’s eyes? I also collected a ruby that would be perfect for the mouth.”

“Let’s go!”

Seeing Chen Guang successfully coax Binglu away, Shao Mingyuan smiled with satisfaction, pulled Qiao Zhao to sit down, and poured her a cup of hot tea.

Qiao Zhao held the teacup, took a sip, and asked with a smile: “Is there something?”

On such a cold day, based on her understanding of Shao Mingyuan, if there wasn’t something important, he probably wouldn’t ask her to come out.

“Two things.”

Qiao Zhao gripped her cup and looked at Shao Mingyuan.

“First, I missed you.”

Seeing someone use a completely serious tone to say something not so serious, Qiao Zhao coughed lightly: “Speak of serious matters!”

“This is the most urgent, serious matter.” Shao Mingyuan was quite aggrieved.

He was such a serious person—when had he ever not spoken of serious matters?

“What about the second?”

This time, Shao Mingyuan was silent for a moment before tentatively asking: “Zhaozhao, how about we marry earlier?”

Qiao Zhao was startled: “My second uncle passed away less than a year ago—”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just tell me, are you willing to marry me sooner?”

Qiao Zhao thought for a moment and nodded lightly.

Since she had already decided on the person before her, she naturally hoped to marry him smoothly without any more complications.

Seeing Qiao Zhao nod, Shao Mingyuan was overjoyed and pulled her over to kiss her on the lips.

The young lady’s lips were fragrant and soft. Shao Mingyuan lightly touched them once and didn’t dare continue, silently suppressing the rising fire within him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: “Zhaozhao, then just wait to be a bride.”

Qiao Zhao smiled slightly: “Then I’ll wait.”

The two looked at each other for a moment, when Shao Mingyuan suddenly thought of something: “Zhaozhao, have you finished embroidering your wedding dress?”

The smile at the corner of Qiao Zhao’s mouth stiffened.

Could he not ask such mood-killing questions at a time like this? Would he let someone prepare for marriage happily or not?

Shao Mingyuan rubbed his face.

It seemed like he’d said something wrong!

“Uh, actually, wedding dresses are so complicated. We can just have embroiderers make it. There’s no need for the old-fashioned requirements.”

Miss Qiao nodded.

Someone was still somewhat tactful.

“What about the bridal veil?”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

She wasn’t getting married!