Shangguan Yin had originally intended to keep it from Yun Xiao, but such matters could not be concealed. Moreover, with her eight months of pregnancy, it was utterly impossible for her to accompany the army. This, at least, brought him a measure of relief.
"Xiao'er."
Shangguan Yin spoke gently, reaching out to envelop Yun Xiao's small hand.
This matter would be rather cruel for Xiao'er. The Emperor of Xiliang was, after all, her maternal uncle. However, knowing their penchant for breaking promises, he had not sent Yun Mo to confront the Xiliang people during this campaign. Instead, he had dispatched him to the border of Southern Jin.
"I know you have something to tell me. Speak, it must be quite serious."
From their falling in love to their current marriage, Yun Xiao and Shangguan Yin shared a telepathic connection. Whenever he showed any change in expression, she could discern what had happened. Seeing his somber demeanor now, it was undoubtedly something of great importance.
Shangguan Yin paused before speaking.
"An urgent dispatch from Fengya Pass. The Xiliang Kingdom has invaded Eastern Qin, and hostilities have already commenced."
As expected, upon hearing his words, Yun Xiao appeared incredulous. Her face turned pale, a shadow flashing in her eyes, before she finally asked, "Then who has been dispatched to lead the troops?"
What pained her was not that the Xiliang people were her kin, but rather that she had come to regard Li Wang, Ji Qingge, as her friend. She had never imagined this man would be so untrustworthy, which was why she felt incredibly, deeply saddened.
And her uncle, his words were utterly useless.
Let them fight. The current Eastern Qin was different from before. Thanks to the treasures from those blood bandits and the increased trade taxes, their treasury was not overflowing, but it was certainly sufficient for war.
Shangguan Yin's expression was heavy. His features, so divinely handsome they incited envy, were now veiled by a layer of solemnity. After a long silence, Yun Xiao could not help but point at him, "It couldn't be that the Emperor himself is leading the expedition, could it?"
Her voice, in the end, became somewhat sharp, as if she could not bear the thought. Her entire face paled.
Shangguan Yin felt a pang of heartache, wishing he could abandon this personal expedition. However, it was his decision. He nodded forcefully, reaching out to hold her. "Xiao'er, yes. I, the Emperor, must personally lead the troops. The affairs of the court will be handed over to Prince Lin. If you have any concerns, you can discuss them with him."
"When do you depart?"
Yun Xiao gritted her teeth and asked word by word, wishing she could pound this man to death.
He was going to personally lead the expedition, and she wouldn't stop him. But why did it have to be now, when she was about to give birth? She felt fear and uncertainty.
It was because he was by her side that she had felt so content. But now he was pulling this stunt of personal expedition.
"Shangguan Yin, you scoundrel!"
Yun Xiao was furious. She suddenly stood up and moved a short distance away from Shangguan Yin, glaring at him with unbridled anger.
Shangguan Yin's expression turned anxious. He stood up and looked at her, speaking softly.
"Xiao'er, I know you dislike the palace, dislike the constraints here. I only wish to stabilize Eastern Qin and then accompany you through the mountains, living freely and unrestrained. But I must fulfill my duties. Give me five years. In five years, I will take you and our child away from here, and we will live the life we desire."
As Yun Xiao listened to his words, tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at him, listening to what he said, feeling a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Was everything he said true?
She had never voiced it, always steadfastly standing by his side because of love. She never imagined he understood everything. And he was willing to forsake this glorious empire to live a commoner's life with her, roaming the martial world.
Yun Xiao could no longer hold back. She rushed into Shangguan Yin's arms, wrapping her arms around his waist, and nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Murong. Go. I will stay here and wait for you. I will be good and wait for your return. Go."
"Xiao'er, wait for me. As soon as this battle ends, I will rush back. I will definitely return before the child is born."
"Mm," Yun Xiao nodded. Whether he returned now or not was no longer important, because his love was enough to accompany her.
"I'm fine. Don't worry. You must win this battle."
Yun Xiao scoffed inwardly. Ji Qingge, you untrustworthy wretch! With Murong in command, they would surely beat you into utter disarray and force you back to Xiliang. If it weren't for Xiliang's proximity to the desert, we might have taken a few more cities just for fun.
After these inner musings, Yun Xiao nestled gently in Shangguan Yin's embrace, quiet as a kitten.
In the following days, Shangguan Yin was very busy, mustering troops and assigning tasks.
Yun Xiao tried to take more walks whenever she could, as it was beneficial for pregnant women and would facilitate labor when the time came.
In summer, the garden was a riot of colors, with flowers vying for beauty, swaying in the gentle breeze. In the lotus pond not far away, the water was filled with lotus blossoms, white and pale pink, set against the lush green of the pond, a truly beautiful sight. A rich fragrance permeated the air.
Yun Xiao gazed thoughtfully at the distant lotus flowers, lost in contemplation. Her face was serene and beautiful, bathed in sunlight, exuding purity and grace.
Wanwan stood beside her, a little uneasy. Ever since learning that the Emperor was personally leading the expedition, her mistress had been in a daze. She didn't know what was wrong.
Yun Xiao was actually feeling anxious. Logically speaking, Murong's martial arts were exceptionally high, and his strategies were astonishing. She recalled a time they were fighting at Fengya Pass, and he had devised a diagram called the Nine Linked Rings formation, easily repelling the enemy.
Given his prowess, why should she be worried? Yet, the sense of unease in her heart was particularly pronounced, just like when he had gone missing in the palace before.
But where exactly was the problem? She couldn't quite articulate it. She tried hard to think, to ponder, what it was that made her uneasy. However, recently, due to her growing belly, her brain tended to be sluggish, severely affecting her judgment.
As night fell, Shangguan Yin did nothing else but accompany her in the sleeping quarters, speaking softly to her and the unborn child for half the night.
Although she repeatedly urged him to rest, he did not sleep. In the end, it was she who fell asleep. When she woke again, he was already gone. She knew he had set off for the border.
In the palace, Prince Lin was now in charge of governmental affairs.
In the darkness, she could not see the truth. Thinking that he might be in danger, tears flowed uncontrollably. Her heart was filled with panic. Where exactly had something gone wrong?
Her eyes remained open until dawn, and then she drifted into a hazy sleep.
When she finally woke again, it was already late. Yun Que chirped on the high branch outside the window. The flowers bloomed profusely, their fragrance rich and full. Yun Xiao gazed at the silken gauze canopy above her head. Wanwan stood by the table, asking with concern.
"Is Master hungry? Would you like something to eat?"
Yun Xiao did not reply, remaining silent. Since her pregnancy, she found herself prone to melancholy. She didn't know if it was true premonition or just a pregnancy symptom.
"Wanwan, has the army departed? I didn't even get to see him off."
Wanwan reached out to help her up, speaking softly to comfort her.
She knew how deeply devoted her mistress was to the Emperor. With the Emperor personally leading the expedition and her mistress nearing her due date, she was naturally more anxious than usual. They understood all this. What they didn't understand was why the Emperor insisted on personally leading the troops when Prince Lin could have been dispatched instead.
However, regardless of their lack of understanding, as servants, they could not discuss their master's affairs. Her duty was to help her mistress feel happy.
Wanwan attended to her mistress's washing and then had someone bring in meals.
Yun Xiao ate a little. Concerned about Murong, she had no appetite. Seeing her like this, Wanwan couldn't help but worry. "Master, you are close to delivery, how can you not take care of yourself? If you don't eat, how can the little prince be healthy when he is born?"