As the war between the four kingdoms raged fiercely, when spring arrived, Feng Yue looked at the battle report on Yin Gezhi’s desk and finally couldn’t remain calm: “General Yin is wounded?”
“It’s his left hand, nothing serious,” Yin Gezhi frowned, looking at her large belly. “Be careful.”
“Didn’t you say once Yushan Pass was taken, you’d prepare to bring them back?” Pregnant women were prone to anxiety, and Feng Yue was burning with worry. “Why haven’t you set out yet?”
Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes, thinking that with her belly so big, who would dare to travel now?
He should have led people to meet them earlier. Otherwise, if there were delays on the road, they might run out of time. But…
“Ah, at this point, what is there to think about?” Feng Yue pushed him, stamping her foot. “Everything’s been settled with Qi. Your plans are always reliable – you can’t be the one to ruin them!”
“You’re so eager to send me away?” He gave her a sideways glance, His Majesty displeased. “Others say women want their husbands by their side during childbirth. Why are you trying to push me away?”
“Country first, country first – the nation comes before family!” Feng Yue frowned. “Don’t think that just because I’ve eaten palace food for so long, I’ve lost the spirit a soldier should have!”
After frowning at her for a while, Yin Gezhi said, “You have insomnia at night. Without me, who will put the small pillow under your belly? Who will pour you water?”
“There’s Ling Shu!”
“Then when you’re too tired during your walks, can Ling Shu carry you?”
“There are sedan chairs!”
Narrowing his eyes, His Majesty was truly angry now – it made no difference whether he was here or not.
With a cold snort, Yin Gezhi stormed out of the Central Palace, sulking with Feng Yue for the first time. In the current situation, who wasn’t anxious? He was anxious too! But wasn’t this a dilemma? Not only did she not comfort him, but she kept pushing him to leave as if his concern for her was just one-sided wishful thinking.
The palace servants watching were all shocked.
The Emperor and Empress had quarreled! The Emperor had stormed out of the Central Palace!
This news quickly spread throughout the palace and flew to all corners of Li City. Thus, many officials who wanted to send their daughters into the palace were delighted. Although they had signed agreements not to interfere with the imperial harem if the Emperor suddenly wanted to take a consort? They would gladly welcome that.
So, in the Imperial Garden blooming with flowers, various young ladies suddenly appeared, holding hands and blocking the Emperor’s usual path, greeting him one by one.
“Your Highness—” Ling Shu hurriedly rushed into the Central Palace, grabbing Feng Yue and shouting: “Something terrible has happened!”
Feng Yue looked at her in confusion: “What is it?”
“Today Official Qiao brought many young ladies into the palace. They’re all in the Imperial Garden now, seemingly hoping the Emperor will take a consort!” Stamping her foot in anger, Ling Shu said: “This Official Qiao angered His Majesty last time, and it was you who prevented His Majesty from punishing him. How can he now repay kindness with enmity?”
Raising an eyebrow, Feng Yue said: “Official Qiao’s daughter is already married, and his granddaughter is only six. He wouldn’t send her to the palace. If he’s leading this, he’s probably being forced. Don’t blame him.”
“But…” Looking at her large belly, Ling Shu said: “You’re still pregnant, and His Majesty hasn’t touched anyone else for so long. Now that you’ve just had a falling out, sending people at this time is simply shameless!”
Pinching her angry, puffed-up cheeks, Feng Yue smiled: “Our Emperor wasn’t originally a faithful person. Making him wait this long is quite unfair. If he wants to take a consort now… I won’t stop him.”
Though she said this, she felt very uncomfortable inside. Since she became pregnant and was made Empress, Yin Gezhi hadn’t touched her once. They say men are most likely to stray when their wives are pregnant; Yin Gezhi had held out for so many months, which she already thought was remarkable. One truly couldn’t force these things.
She wouldn’t force it. Even if one day he changed his heart and decided to favor someone else, she would…
She would poison him and let her son ascend to the throne directly!
Her face, which had been melancholic just a moment ago, immediately turned fierce, frightening Ling Shu into taking a small jump sideways: “Mis… Mistress?”
“Where are they?” Standing up and clenching her fists, Feng Yue said with a forced smile: “Let’s go see the excitement!”
Feeling a chill down her spine, Ling Shu carefully supported her: “They’re in the Imperial Garden.”
“Let’s go!”
With three palace maids and eight eunuchs, the Empress headed determinedly toward the Imperial Garden. But upon arriving and looking inside, hey, why was everyone kneeling?
Colorful dresses knelt all over the ground. Feng Yue swept her gaze across them – all fresh young girls, of suitable age and good figure. Looking further ahead, the expressionless Emperor Wei sat in his chair, his expression very serious.
“What’s… going on?” Somewhat confused, Feng Yue obediently lowered her sleeves, carefully stepping past the group of young ladies to Yin Gezhi’s side. “Did they do something wrong?”
“They didn’t do anything wrong,” Yin Gezhi spoke calmly. “Those who sent them here are wrong.”
Feng Yue blinked – if they weren’t wrong, why make a group of young ladies kneel?
“I am deeply pained.” Looking up at her deeply, Yin Gezhi said coldly: “Empress, they don’t know why We are angry. Do you know?”
What? Feng Yue was confused and wanted to shake her head, but before she could, he held her head still, then stood up and looked at her with feeling: “You understand Our heart best.”
Feng Yue: “…” Sorry, she didn’t understand.
“When We ascended the throne, Our beloved officials made a promise – if We became Emperor, they would never interfere with the imperial harem.” His tone grieved, Yin Gezhi’s expression was very hurt: “But now, Our trusted officials have broken their word.”
“Your Majesty,” one bold young lady frowned and spoke: “The young ladies all came to the palace of their own accord today, not at the instruction of our elders. Please investigate clearly.”
“Of your own accord?”
“Yes.” The girl in the emerald green dress straightened her back: “We admire Your Majesty’s divine bearing and requested our families to let us come see Your Majesty once. We don’t seek any titles, only Your Majesty’s favor!”
As she spoke, she kowtowed deeply.
Watching this, Feng Yue thought this girl was quite articulate, and when she looked at her face as she raised it – hey, she wasn’t bad looking either. Someone like this, Yin Gezhi might actually be interes…
Before she could finish her last thought, Yin Gezhi’s cold voice interrupted: “Seek Our favor?”
These four words, filled with mockery, made all the young ladies lower their heads, with the leader trembling in fear.
Walking to stand before that young lady, Yin Gezhi half-squatted and said: “Raise your head.”
Heart leaping with joy, the green-robed lady felt she had hope and hurriedly looked up at him, showing a sweet smile.
“Too ugly.” His eyes showing not a ripple of emotion, Yin Gezhi shook his head, stood up, and pointed at Feng Yue beside him, saying coldly: “Unless your beauty surpasses the Empress’s, don’t even think about gaining Our favor.”
These words left no room for face-saving. All the young ladies choked upon hearing them.
Feng Yue smiled, suddenly remembering the Wu Kingdom training ground long ago, when someone had also pointed at her expressionlessly, saying coldly: “This woman’s looks are ordinary. If any of you below can surpass her in beauty, I shall take you as disciples.”
At that time, those standing below weren’t orioles and swallows, but Wu Kingdom girls in armor wanting to become his disciples. How time flies! The same scene, the same her and him, yet Yin Gezhi had transformed his former calculations and manipulation into such gentle protection.
Fate was truly an interesting thing.
Turning her head casually, she caught Feng Yue’s enchanting smile, and Yin Gezhi’s eyes deepened as he nodded slightly: “Your face is still the most pleasing to look at.”
With that, he pulled her toward Dragon’s Saliva Palace.
“Eh?” Coming to her senses, Feng Yue raised an eyebrow: “There are so many people here, are we just leaving them?”
“Yes,” Yin Gezhi said. “I’ll get angry later, and tomorrow the whole court will have to kneel and apologize to Me.”
With his skill at making mountains out of molehills, supported by superb acting, how could those old bones in court be his match?
Smiling and shaking her head, Feng Yue followed his steps, asking teasingly: “Not angry with me anymore?”
“I was still angry before,” looking at the path ahead expressionlessly, Yin Gezhi said: “Not anymore.”
His anger with her was an internal matter between husband and wife. Once someone tried to take advantage of the situation, he still cherished his Empress. She was carrying their child – in life, what could be more important than one’s wife and child?
No more anger – if battle calls, then to battle it is. At worst, he could leave Guanzhi behind to watch over her.
Having figured things out, His Majesty’s expression softened considerably. He brought her back to Dragon’s Saliva Palace, checked her pulse for safety, and fed her.
“This time, We shall personally lead the army – this is confidential.”
In the imperial study that evening, Yin Gezhi summoned all his trusted subordinates and instructed seriously: “The news must be contained, it cannot leak out. The palace will act as if We are simply accompanying the Empress, and she will cooperate in the act, helping Us handle some official matters. But she can no longer bear such strain, so the main memorials should be handled through discussion by the Three Excellencies, understand?”
“Understood!” Everyone responded, and Emperor Wei gave some additional instructions about miscellaneous matters. When everyone was about to withdraw, he looked at Guanzhi and said: “Those by Our side don’t need to be highly skilled in martial arts. Leave more in the palace.”
Head bowed, Guanzhi responded quietly.
Banners flying, it was soon time for the Emperor to depart. Nominally it was a certain general supporting the border, but this general was Emperor Wei, wearing silver armor and wielding a crescent blade, standing majestically at the head of the troops.
Looking worriedly in the direction of the palace, Yin Gezhi said: “Guanzhi, you must take good care of the Empress. If anything goes wrong, We will hold you responsible!”
His body trembling, Guanzhi swallowed: “…Yes.”
Remembering Feng Yue’s reluctant expression when helping him dress this morning, Yin Gezhi felt some pain in his heart. He turned his horse around, deciding to leave Li City quickly.