The battle between Vermillion Bird and Azure Dragon was well worth it. The number of casualties was not high, and they struck a blow against the Azure Dragon Kingdom's arrogance by winning with fewer forces. Furthermore, Chong Yan shot and killed the Azure Dragon Emperor, causing them to lose both their armies and their empress, plunging them into chaos and making them unlikely to harbor any ambitions for a while.
Similarly, the news of the Azure Dragon Kingdom's defeat with fewer forces and the loss of their emperor reached the White Tiger Dynasty, instantly extinguishing any stirrings of ambition there.
They had hoped to seize an opportunity and carve out a piece of the former Black Tortoise Kingdom's territory. Upon hearing that the Azure Dragon Kingdom had suffered such a significant loss, not only a defeat in battle but also a compensation of eight million taels of silver, they immediately trembled with fear.
Losing a battle was a minor matter. What if the Vermillion Bird Kingdom's ambition was too great and they simply devoured them, following the example of Empress Hui Zhen twenty years ago, eradicating all members of the royal family and establishing their rule through brutal means, so much so that no one in the Black Tortoise Kingdom dared to rebel even now?
By the time everything settled, it was already the twelfth lunar month. During this period, Prince Qin led his troops to repair the houses in Qiuling Pass, reinforced the city walls, and, with the available funds, even built an inner city. They recalled the citizens who had previously left, providing monetary compensation to those whose homes were damaged. With money and grain, Qiuling Pass did not bear the lingering atmosphere of smoke and ruins that typically followed a war.
Instead, with the end of the year approaching, it presented a vibrant scene of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, appearing full of life.
Of the eight million taels of silver, Zhu Qin took charge and allocated one million taels for the military expenses of the Qiuling Pass garrison. Although the war was won easily, there were still unavoidable casualties. Some were transferred from other regions. With one million taels, Prince Qin first paid death benefits to the families of the deceased soldiers, then replenished the depleted weapons and armor, and then distributed the rest.
She drafted a budget and presented it to Zhu Qin. Zhu Qin, however, said that since it was her decision, she could spend it as she saw fit, which deeply moved Prince Qin.
What moved her even more was the news that arrived from the capital a couple of days prior: her daughter was pregnant. She would have a granddaughter, and the Qin family line would continue.
Holding high status and power yet not suspected by the emperor, with children who had established their own families and careers, Prince Qin felt she had nothing more to wish for in her lifetime as a subject.
As long as she remained well, she was willing to guard this place forever, even if it meant dying on the battlefield and being wrapped in horsehide in the future.
On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhu Qin and Chong Yan embarked on their journey back to the capital.
They should have left earlier, but Chong Yan's illness had had too great an impact, followed by several subsequent high fevers. The weather here was too cold, and it was already snowing heavily. If they delayed any longer, they might not be able to return. Therefore, despite his not being fully recovered, they had to set off for the capital.
They had not brought many people with them when they left. This time, returning to the capital with so much silver and gifts prepared by Prince Qin for her daughter, son-in-law, and the unborn child, she was worried and dispatched several thousand troops to escort them. Zhu Qin, on the other hand, found it troublesome.
Because of the presence of those people, a journey that should have taken a few days stretched into more than half a month. By the time they returned to the capital, it was almost the Laba Festival.
Upon returning to the imperial palace, they discovered that it wasn't just Qin Dan who was pregnant; Nangong Cai was also over two months pregnant.
Two months is not enough to show, so it would not be apparent. The reason they knew was that when they returned, Nangong Cai's husband, Qi Qianfan, was also at the imperial palace. Nangong Cai, worried they might misunderstand, quickly explained.
Only then did they learn that Nangong Cai was pregnant.
Zhu Qin thought back to the original plot. Nangong Cai and Qi Qianfan did have a child, but because she became empress, the number of men in her harem increased, and the palace intrigue was no less than that of an emperor's harem in a patriarchal society. That little crown princess was framed and nearly lost her life. Although she survived, she remained sickly.
Thinking of this, Zhu Qin said to them, "Since you are pregnant, your health is the priority. You need not come to court so early from now on. If there is anything, I will summon you to the palace."
Nangong Cai was stunned.
Having tasted the benefits of power, she would be lying if she said she wasn't reluctant.
But she knew that position was not hers.
She wanted to kneel and pay respects, but Zhu Qin stopped her: "You are pregnant, no need for such elaborate courtesies."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
During Zhu Qin's absence, while she was thoroughly informed about all major affairs in the capital, there were also some seemingly trivial but in reality very important matters.
She asked a few simple questions and learned that because her two new "employees" were pregnant, some people in the capital had recently become restless.
Nangong Cai said, "Previously, Your Majesty personally led the troops to war, and the Emperor of the Azure Dragon Kingdom also personally led his troops. Their forces outnumbered ours by a hundred thousand. Many nobles in the capital felt that Vermillion Bird would not win that battle, so there were many minor disturbances."
Zhu Qin sneered, "They will not give up until they hit the Yellow River. They think their good days will only come if I die. What good will it do them to become slaves of a conquered nation?"
Nangong Cai: "..."
Her imperial sister spoke rather carelessly.
"Long live Vermillion Bird, Your Majesty for ten thousand years."
Zhu Qin found such perfunctory pronouncements extremely boring.
If shouting "ten thousand years" could truly make one live for ten thousand years, then wouldn't those who sought immortality constantly have people chanting it at them?
"Pay them no mind. There will be an imperial examination next spring. Since they are unwilling to work, it's time to replace some and dismiss others."
They took money but did no work, occupying a position without contributing. There were plenty of people willing to take their place.
"Your Majesty is right."
Zhu Qin glanced at the drowsy people below and said, "If there is nothing else, the Regent and the Prince Consort may return. Go to the Imperial Hospital to get medicinal ingredients for nourishment, or take two medical attendants back to serve you. Your health is paramount."
That was the future emperor. If the child turned out to be sickly again, she would have to consider the consequences of establishing a sickly crown princess.
Nangong Cai's slight dissatisfaction vanished, replaced by her genuine concern.
Before her stood not only her sister but also her monarch. Her power was bestowed by her, and even if it were to be reclaimed, it would be only natural.
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
"Go on."
After they left, Zhu Qin walked over and took Chong Yan's hand. "You look so tired. I told you to go back and rest earlier, why didn't you?"
Chong Yan yawned, and a few tears welled up in his eyes. His eyes were slightly red and misty. He looked at her and said, "I can't sleep alone."
Zhu Qin held his hand and walked out. "You're being spoiled. Let's go, I'll sleep with you."
"Mm."
As they neared the sleeping quarters, Chong Yan suddenly asked, "Why does Your Majesty care so much about the Regent's unborn child?"
Zhu Qin did not conceal her intentions at all. She said, "I intend to make the child in her womb the crown prince in the future."
Chong Yan's drowsiness instantly vanished.
He stopped in his tracks, and Zhu Qin stopped with him, turning to look at him.
"What is it?"
Chong Yan looked at her with complex emotions and asked after a long pause, "Your Majesty, do you not intend to have your own child?"
"No," Zhu Qin replied matter-of-factly. "Life is short, and I only want to spend it with you. Do you want children?"