TFSRITA Chapter 185

The emperor looked at the fourth prince, his gaze flickering as thoughts raced through his mind. Finally, he made a decision.

As noon approached, the imperial decree appeared at the palace gate.

“His Majesty’s decree…” Fourth Prince Xu Chengming stood nearby with a faint smile, while a eunuch read the imperial edict. His eyes met Ji Jiaxun’s for a moment, and he gave a barely noticeable nod, then focused on the decree.

Due to the sacrifice of Pingwu Hou and the military order from Ji Jiaxun, the commander of this expedition was Ji Jiaxun, with Xu Chengming serving as the supervisor. Together, they would lead an army of 200,000 to suppress the rebellion, joined by the forces stationed in the northwest.

Ji Jiaxun raised his hands, palms open to the sky, and respectfully declared, “I accept the decree!”

 

When Ji Jiaxun left the capital, Yan Qing went to see him off.

Standing on the city wall, one hand on her belly, she called out as he turned his horse around and looked back at her, announcing to him and everyone else, “I’ll be waiting for you to return with the child!”

Ji Jiaxun didn’t give the usual silly smile; he simply looked at her seriously, taking in her image. He watched her until she was out of sight, then reluctantly left.

Turning around, he saw the eldest prince, Xu Cheng’an, approaching. At first, it seemed like he was watching the army leave, but as he passed by her, he spoke in a low voice, “You’re quite clever.”

After the incident with Pingwu Hou, if Ji Jiaxun were to die in battle, as long as it wasn’t on the battlefield, there would be public outrage.

And since she was being kept as a hostage, no one dared to touch her.

Yan Qing smiled humbly. She wasn’t clever she was quite foolish; otherwise, why would she have let things escalate to this point, even knowing the plot?

But she knew she had been left behind to hold something over Ji Jiaxun.

Her actions were meant to remind everyone that she was pregnant, and she deserved to live well.

Once she descended from the city tower, Yan Qing packed her things and returned to the Prime Minister’s residence. The people who had been watching the Princess’s residence disappeared.

With the help of the remaining ten hidden guards, Yan Qing settled into the Prime Minister’s residence, using her father’s influence to shield them from prying eyes.

Since the Fourth Prince had gone, she speculated that he would use this opportunity to claim the throne.

There wasn’t much she could do, but she could direct the hidden guards to monitor the Third Prince’s covert forces and expose them, allowing the Fourth Prince and the Eldest Prince to deal with them. Now, even with the emperor’s support, the Third Prince had lost much of his power.

As long as the Fourth Prince and Ji Jiaxun cooperated and gained control of the military, the Eldest Prince would be no match for him.

“Qing’er, come have some fish soup, you’re getting big, you need to nourish yourself more,” came the voice of Song Shi.

Yan Qing was interrupted from her thoughts and smiled, looking up to see Song Shi, who was carrying a bowl of fish soup, approaching with a loving expression. “Don’t think about those things, you’re your father’s most cherished daughter, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Yes, I know,” Yan Qing nodded and accepted the creamy white soup.

Song Shi looked at her with affection, her gaze softening as she looked at Yan Qing’s belly.

“Qing’er, you’re almost due, and I don’t know when that troublesome boy will come back,” Song Shi said, her previously cheerful face now clouded with concern.

Yan Qing spoke calmly, “It’s fine, the midwife is ready, it’s no problem.”

Song Shi’s expression was a mixture of joy and helplessness. “You are carefree.”

Despite her words, there was pride in her eyes. She had originally worried that her daughter’s marriage to a notorious wastrel would be hard, but now she saw that her daughter had made a good life for herself. At least, for now, the whole capital was praising her.

But at the end of the day, there was still a bitter feeling. What good was a good reputation if her husband did not come back?

The battlefield was cruel, which was why most people disliked marrying soldiers—the death rate was too high in ancient times.

Yan Qing pretended not to notice the look in her eyes and remained calm.

But with the due date approaching, she couldn’t help but long for Ji Jiaxun’s return.

After all, he was the father of her child.

Just then, the Prime Minister, her father, returned, rushing straight to her courtyard, looking excited. “Good news! The army has completed its mission and is returning to the capital.”

With the news brought by her father, Yan Qing felt completely at ease.

The rebellion had been quelled, and the emperor wouldn’t dare let Ji Jiaxun die.

But that night, she saw Ji Jiaxun.

He had come back secretly, while the army was still on its way. He had returned with the good news.

Late at night, as Yan Qing was asleep, she suddenly felt someone watching her. Her belly felt warm, and the baby started moving, kicking her sharply in the stomach. The pain made her pale, and she immediately woke up.

Opening her eyes, she saw a figure standing before her.

Just as she was about to call out, the person covered her mouth. As he drew closer, the familiar scent reached her, and she stopped calling out, instead pushing his hand away in irritation. “How long has it been since you bathed?”

Ji Jiaxun, embarrassed, replied in a low, slightly hoarse voice, “Three days…”

Yan Qing: “…”

Her lips twitched as she held her belly, preparing to get up.

But Ji Jiaxun stopped her, saying, “Rest, I just wanted to see you.”

Yan Qing took his large hand in hers. It was warm, but rough, full of calluses, showing the hardship he had endured.

She sighed inwardly and whispered, “I’ll have someone bring you water to bathe, it won’t be noticed, don’t worry.”

“No need, I just want to see you. I’ll leave soon,” Ji Jiaxun shook his head.

Yan Qing didn’t insist, lying back down.

Ji Jiaxun lay near the head of the bed, a little farther away, probably afraid she’d find him bothersome. Yet, his hand still held hers firmly, and they spoke quietly.