"Naturally, in the future, these individuals will still require General Xiao's guidance to hone their skills."
Emperor Mingde, with a smile, raised an eyebrow, his teasing tone evident in his attitude towards Ling Yao's defense.
Ling Yao looked at him and said earnestly, "Imperial Brother, I am not joking. When the empire is stable in the future, the pillar that is Xiao Shan will no longer be needed to bear such a heavy load. But for now, you cannot deny that in this empire, only he can secure it."
"Adding embellishments later will never compare to offering charcoal in the snow."
"I will also remind Imperial Brother that his eyes hold no regard for mountains or rivers; he comes for me alone."
Therefore, do not be suspicious of him! One day, he will retire with his achievements, never coveting even an inch of this place.
Emperor Mingde's handsome face grew solemn, and he nodded heavily, "Imperial Sister, rest assured, I understand everything in my heart."
His Imperial Sister's trust in Xiao Shan seemed even more steadfast than he had imagined.
"There is also something else that I fear you must know."
"Uncle King of Runan is dead." His handsome face carried a hint of sadness.
"Dead?" Ling Yao exclaimed, "Was it illness?"
"No, he was murdered. In a small village, his wet nurse and his only servant were killed. The child's whereabouts are unknown." Emperor Mingde was saddened. He even regretted whether he should have allowed his uncle to leave the capital.
Even though a disguise had been made, proclaiming the King of Runan dead, it had not deceived those people.
"At the scene, there was a soldier's token from the Western Suburb Barracks."
The Western Suburb Barracks were currently under Xiao Shan's jurisdiction.
"It wouldn't be Xiao Shan."
"I naturally know it wasn't him. Those people are hidden among us, so you must be extremely careful."
Ling Yao nodded gravely. Just then, a stray arrow shot towards Emperor Mingde's flank. It was an accident from two sparring martial artists.
The arrow had no chance to get close before Ling Yao reached out and controlled it. The arrow froze unnaturally, suspended in mid-air.
The close-quarters guards, who had already drawn their arrows to block, retracted their hands and knelt on the ground.
At this moment, everyone in the field saw this scene, including the two martial artists who had caused the mishap, all kneeling in awe.
Instantly, the previously clattering training ground fell silent.
Emperor Mingde stood up and sternly declared, "Attempting to assassinate the Emperor! Drag them away! Give them eighty heavy lashes, banish them from the palace, and never employ them again!"
The imperial guards immediately dragged away the two men, whose faces were ashen, and they left the training ground.
In the evening, when Xiao Shan returned, Ling Yao told him about the King of Runan and the incident at the training ground.
"I will be more vigilant. Your Imperial Brother is more decisive than the late Emperor," Xiao Shan said, then added nothing more. He rested his large head on Ling Yao's belly, beginning to listen to the movements within.
Ling Yao thought of Emperor Mingde's appearance at the time, his gaze sharp, his imperial might fully displayed, his decisiveness in killing, and his aura of fierce determination. He was indeed more like an emperor than her father.
She could only hope that he would become a wise ruler of Jing.
Ling Yao stroked Xiao Shan's large head, her eyes filled with a gentle glow, "Did you hear anything?"
"I heard them discussing who would come out first."
"Let the boy come out first, to be the elder brother."
Xiao Shan pressed his mouth to her belly and commanded, "Did you hear that? Your mother says the elder brother comes out first to protect his sister."
"A Shan, is there trouble at the border again?"
"Yes, don't worry, I'll be able to see the children born." Xiao Shan covered her belly with the quilt, propped himself up on his arms, leaned down, and pecked her. His gaze was as deep as the sea, "I must see you safe."
Ling Yao took an object from under the pillow, a transparent bead strung with a red cord, within which a trace of red light flowed.
"What is this?"
Ling Yao hung it around his neck, "Inside is a drop of my blood, infused with my will. I hope it can keep you safe."
"You're taking blood again." Xiao Shan's tone was complaining, but he cherished the bead, examining it for a moment before tucking it inside his clothes, placing it close to his chest.
"My wife is truly good to me," he sighed, then rested his head on Ling Yao's chest, his large head nuzzling and sniffing.
Like a large, fawning dog.
"Hurry up and come out, you two little brats! You've occupied my wife for too long!"
Children are all debt collectors, making him miss out on so much pleasure.
"A Shan~" Ling Yao called him softly, cupping his large face, "I want to see the lantern festival. I've never seen it before!"
He could never refuse his wife's requests. However, at this moment, Xiao Shan was somewhat conflicted, "Walking a few steps will swell your legs. With such a large belly, I'm afraid."
The lantern festival meant too many people, jostling around, what was there to see? It was too chaotic.
But his wife had never seen it before!
How pitiful.
"Alright, I'll find a way."
"Hehe, Brother A Shan is so good." Her tender fingers brushed against his high nose bridge.
"You know how to coax me, call me more."
Xiao Shan loved it when she called him that. It had a captivating charm, like a deadly enchantress, making him feel weak all over, his strength useless.
Yet, he was willingly so.
Soon it was the lantern festival. This year's lantern festival was different from previous years; it had moved from East Ninth Street to East Twelfth Street.
Coincidentally, it was located directly below the Huashang Tower.
This was naturally Xiao Shan's doing.
By mid-afternoon, the street was already crowded with people. Lantern vendors were busy hanging lanterns, food vendors were setting up their stalls, and peddlers with small trinkets hanging from them were also present.
Xiao Shan carefully helped Ling Yao out of the carriage.
"There are fewer people now, so you can walk around. When it gets crowded, we'll go into Huashang Tower."
"I know!" Ling Yao was extremely excited, her eyes already scanning everywhere.
Wang Cuilan, after a few days of rest, found her arm no longer hurt. She took out her sachets to sell. Today was the lantern festival, with many people and a lively atmosphere, so she was sure to sell quite a few.
She had arrived at East Street early, wandering around with sachets hanging from her.
Then, she saw a figure in front of her that had always filled her with dread.
It was Xiao Shan, indeed Xiao Shan.
His entire demeanor was like that of a prince or nobleman from a play. His black hair was tied up with a gilded crown, his thick eyebrows were like brushes, and he wore a close-fitting black robe with embroidered borders of an indescribable material and a cloak, radiating an imposing aura that could be felt from afar.
In front of him, everyone seemed as small as ants.
Wang Cuilan was stunned.
Xiao Shan had indeed prospered, and in a way that was utterly unattainable.
The woman beside him, that woman... Wang Cuilan felt as if her throat had been constricted.
Ling Yao was holding a fragrant roasted skewer, unable to resist. She lifted her veil and took a careful bite.
"I can't help it, the baby wants to eat," she said with a placating smile.
Xiao Shan was helpless.
Wang Cuilan saw it. At that time, this woman was also like this, sitting in the carriage back to the village, nibbling on a candied haw with each bite, doted on by Xiao Shan like a child, making the women in the village envious.
She hadn't died, she hadn't died!
And she looked like a noble lady of immense status.
In fine silks and embroidered boots, her nobility was beyond description.
Wang Cuilan hastily turned away, afraid of being seen by them.
After they passed, she heard two richly dressed young men nearby discussing.
"Did you see? That's the Divine Martial General, my greatest idol. Once I persuade my old man, I'll definitely join his command and achieve something great."
"Give it up. With your physique, the Divine Martial General wouldn't even glance at you. Everyone under him is a top-tier fighter. You wouldn't catch his eye even after ten years of training."
"Get lost. I'm smart, I can be a strategist too."
"The Divine Martial General's strategist is the renowned descendant of Guiguzi, who is immensely capable and can defeat enemies from a thousand miles away. You, better forget it!"
"Are you still my friend? You're so discouraging. Am I really that useless?"
"It's because I'm your friend that I'm not letting you go down the wrong path! See that? Beside him is the current Divine Maiden, Princess Ling Yao. No matter how great the Divine Martial General's power, can it be greater than the Divine Maiden's? Who doesn't know that the Divine Martial General revolves around the Divine Maiden? If you ask me, you might as well participate in this imperial examination and follow the civil path. If you gain the appreciation of the Emperor and the Divine Maiden, you can also become famous throughout the land."