Yan Qing knew, of course, that once this war began, it would not be a matter of three or five days, or even three or five months — if it dragged on, three to five years would not be unusual.

Moreover, war demanded not only manpower but also consumed enormous financial resources. Once hostilities broke out, years of economic development could be destroyed in a single stroke.

Fortunately, the Marshal had always placed the economy at the forefront over the years, and had accumulated a solid economic foundation. When formal war broke out with Xi Nan, they would not fall behind in that regard.

Even so, facing such staggering expenditures remained an enormously vexing problem.

“Once I leave, I don’t know when I’ll be able to return.” Shi Ting deliberately avoided the subject, but he knew that with Yan Qing’s sharp mind, she would have long since worked it out. Rather than keep evading, he decided to tell her something of the war’s situation.

The Xi Nan army was marching northward into unfamiliar territory — fighting far from home — so in that respect, they held no advantage.

Xi Nan’s strength lay in the fact that they had once been the dominant power in this nation. In the final warlord conflict, they had been squeezed on multiple sides and forced to retreat back to Xi Nan. And now, several towns along the northern border of Bei Di had originally been under Xi Nan’s control.

Xi Nan’s forces were powerful and well-equipped, their economy flourishing, and over the years they had spared no effort in preparing for war.

Xi Nan possessed Xin Guo’s largest and most formidable munitions factory. Xi Nan had abundant mineral resources and fertile land.

On top of that, Xi Nan’s young commander was swift and decisive, a master of military strategy, and a man of ruthless ferocity. Under his personal leadership, this army would unleash its most devastating strength.

The Marshal had never dared to underestimate the Xi Nan army. On the contrary, he held a deep wariness of them — for Xi Nan was the fastest-growing and most formidable among all the warlord factions, a fierce rival capable of matching the Bei Di forces.

“Shi Guang has received what he deserved, and his forces have been swept up in one net,” Yan Qing said softly. “And besides, the Marshal is here to hold things steady. You don’t need to worry too much about matters on this side.”

“It’s mainly because of you.” Shi Ting clasped her hand tightly and said with warmth, “Meeting you and marrying you are the most important decisions I have ever made in my life. Qing Qing, you are my greatest treasure.”

He pulled her into his arms. “I still have a few more days in Shun Cheng — only so much time left to spend with you.”

He had troops to deploy and arrangements to make for the war — this was nothing like a simple business trip or leisurely journey.

And though Shi Guang had been captured, many of his rebel soldiers were still scattered about causing trouble. Rounding them all up was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

“I know,” Yan Qing said. “The Shi Family’s inner household is in chaos right now as well. Mother and I still have all those matters to deal with.”

“I’m putting a lot on you.”

“So formal all of a sudden?”

Shi Ting laughed, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. Holding her soft, warm body in his arms, he felt his thoughts beginning to wander.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Qing perceptively sensed something different about him.

“Nothing.” Shi Ting rested his chin on top of her head and nuzzled her a few times. “I ache.”

“Where does it ache?” Yan Qing lifted her head from his embrace, her face full of concern.

Seeing his beautiful eyes narrowed with a sly smile lurking in their depths, Yan Qing instantly understood what he meant. She thumped her fist against his chest: “What on earth are you thinking?”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“You said it yourself — that you ache.”

“I never said where it ached.” The man quibbled.

Yan Qing said in exasperation: “Where else could it be?”

“Madam, why don’t you tell me where you think it is?”

The two of them traded words back and forth in a rapid-fire exchange, going around in circles for a long while, until they both finally burst out laughing.

Their eyes met, tender and full of feeling. Reflected in each other’s pupils was nothing but boundless love and acceptance.

“I won’t tease you anymore. I’m going to check on Ling’ai.” Yan Qing said. “Do you want to come with me?”

“I still have some things to deal with.” Shi Ting held her close one more time, reluctant to let go. “I may be back quite late — if it gets too late, don’t wait up for me. Right now, rest is what matters most for you.”

With that, he gently nuzzled her abdomen and said with mock seriousness: “Don’t go making trouble for your mother, understood?”

Yan Qing was torn between laughter and exasperation. “He can’t hear you talking to him like that,” she scolded.

“I want him to get used to the sound of my voice — to imprint it in his mind.” A flicker of anticipation passed through Shi Ting’s eyes. “When he’s born, I may not be there by his side, so I need to leave some impression on him.”

Hearing his words, Yan Qing did her best to push aside the sorrow rising in her heart. No matter how much she was reluctant to let him go, she would support him in everything without hesitation.

This was the promise they had once made to each other — the peaceful and prosperous world they both strove together to protect.

~

Shi Guang had been defeated, and those loyal to him within the Shi Mansion had been taken into custody along with him. But there was still a great deal of wreckage to clear up within the compound.

Even though Shi Guang was no longer on the premises, the area where he had once resided had already been cordoned off.

Qiu Cao, seeing the soldiers, assumed Shi Guang had sent men to guard them, and thought nothing of it.

When dinnertime arrived and still no one had brought food, she waited a while and then sent Qing Mei to ask about it.

Qiu Cao was now Shi Guang’s only concubine, and a pregnant one at that. Naturally, she had been accorded special privileges — three meals a day prepared by the kitchen and delivered directly to her.

Today the kitchen had shown no sign of movement, and a pregnant woman gets hungry easily. Qiu Cao was beginning to grow irritable.

“The kitchen is getting more and more brazen,” Qiu Cao muttered, glancing at the large Western-style floor clock. “At this hour, and still no food.” She made up her mind to report them harshly to Shi Guang.

Just then, Qing Mei came rushing in — so flustered she forgot to knock.

“Qiu Cao Yitai, something terrible has happened.”

“What are you panicking about?” Qiu Cao frowned. “With Second Young Master here, what could possibly go wrong?”

Her eyes darted sideways, and a pleased expression crossed her face. “Is it that the Young Mistress has lost her baby?”

“No, no.” Qing Mei was so nervous she nearly bit her own tongue. “I just tried to go out, and the people outside wouldn’t let me leave. Those men out there — they’re not Second Young Master’s men at all.”

“Not Second Young Master’s men? Then who are they?”

“They’re the Marshal’s men.”

“The Marshal?” Qiu Cao doubted Qing Mei had seen correctly. “The Marshal suffered a grave wound and died far from home. How could his men be here in this mansion?”

“They really are the Marshal’s men. The one leading them is one of the Marshal’s adjutants — I recognize him.”

“Then where is Second Young Master?”

“I asked a few questions, and they drove me back inside.”

“Let me go see.”

Qiu Cao was so flustered she forgot to put on her cloak. Qing Mei hastily grabbed one and hurried after her to drape it over her shoulders.

“Qiu Cao Yitai, slow down.”

By now darkness had fallen. The compound’s lanterns were being lit one by one, and at the gate several people stood holding electric torches, their beams sweeping back and forth.

“Who are you people?” Qiu Cao approached the main gate. The unfamiliar faces made her tense immediately.