Chu Ruoyan gazed into his eyes: "Yan Zheng, you always plan before you act; you wouldn't be this rash. You have no way to deal with the puppet technique. So what can you possibly do in the Southern Barbarian lands? What if you..."
Her voice choked, and her body trembled uncontrollably at the thought of a certain possibility.
The man held her tightly, soothing her: "A'yan, A'yan, listen to me."
He lifted her chin, his eyes, dark as polished lacquer, gazing deeply into hers: "The puppet technique is indeed terrifying, but I am already prepared and won't be easily ensnared. Moreover, I've sent Old Xu to invite a master proficient in the Western Border's esoteric arts. He will accompany us on this journey. Rest assured, I will bring Elder Brother back and return to you whole and unharmed!"
Chu Ruoyan bit her lip, silent.
Yes, the Crown Prince is still in the Southern Barbarian lands...
His father and brother are still there.
This trip is unavoidable no matter what, but...
Her right hand rested on her lower abdomen. An inner war raged within her. Why did this child have to come at such a time?
"A'yan, what's wrong?"
Noticing the woman's unusual demeanor, Yan Zheng asked softly.
Chu Ruoyan took a deep breath and shook her head: "It's nothing... I was just thinking, you had already planned all this, hadn't you? That's why you suppressed the Xiao family with such thunderous force today—also to make an example of them and warn those in the capital with ulterior motives, right?"
"Yes, A'yan, I can't stop worrying about you... I've already spoken to Second Sister-in-law about Wen Jing, and with Little Six here, they'll keep an eye on him. It's you I'm concerned about." Yan Zheng frowned. "The matters concerning you, Yun Lang, and Roumin must wait until I return. The affairs of the previous court run deep and treacherous. I will leave Shadow behind to ensure your safety."
Chu Ruoyan's face changed: "No! Your journey to the Western Border is fraught with danger. How can you leave Shadow with me?"
Yan Zheng pressed her shoulders: "A'yan, I am going to lead an army, not fight alone. Shadow, being an assassin, is not suited for me. Besides, he's been distracted lately because of his mother's affairs and needs your guidance. Having him stay by your side will also set my mind at ease."
Hearing this only made the sting in her nose grow sharper.
The words "Must you really go?" rolled on the tip of her tongue several times but were ultimately swallowed back.
"Alright, but you must..."
Before she could finish, the door burst open with a bang.
Yan Zhao rushed in, and the two immediately separated.
"What is the meaning of this? Barging in without knocking, so reckless!" Yan Zheng scolded.
But Yan Zhao's face was full of desperate hope: "Third Brother, are you going on a campaign? To the Southern Barbarian lands? Take me with you! I'll go too! I'll be your vanguard, your foot soldier, anything! Please take me!"
Yan Zheng's brow darkened: "What nonsense are you talking!"
"It's not nonsense! I want to go! Third Brother, have you forgotten? I was once a Southern Barbarian prince consort for a time. I know their troop deployments, their internal terrain! I beg you, take me! I can definitely be of help!"
As Little Six spoke, he kowtowed, his forehead hitting the floor.
The dull thud sounded painful, but Yan Zheng remained unmoved: "Get out! Matters of military strategy are not for you to meddle in!"
Yan Zhao said nothing, just kept kowtowing incessantly.
Soon, his forehead was bleeding.
Yan Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at him coldly. Chu Ruoyan hurriedly said, "Alright, Sixth Brother, whatever you have to say, get up first!"
As if seeing a glimmer of hope, Yan Zhao crawled forward on his knees and grabbed the hem of her robe: "Third Sister-in-law, please, help me persuade my third brother! I... I want to avenge Father, Mother, Elder Brother, Second Brother, Fifth Brother, all of them!!"
This cry seemed wrenched from his chest, filled with grief and indignation.
Chu Ruoyan's eyes moistened. She glanced sideways at Yan Zheng and saw the man's stern expression soften slightly: "Sixth Brother, it's not that I won't let you go. But the Yan family has no more men left. If we both go and both end up..."
Feeling a sharp gaze from beside him, he swallowed the word "dead." "...if we both meet with misfortune, do you intend to leave your Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, and Wen Jing truly as widows and orphans?"
Yan Zhao's eyes reddened: "Then let me go in your stead! Yes, Third Brother, you have a family now, but I am still alone. If I die in battle, I won't be letting down any young lady. So let me go! Third Brother, you stay and take care of them!!"
Blood ties, when it comes to life and death, are ultimately reliable.
Yan Zheng's gaze softened, but his tone was cold and sarcastic: "You go? Leaving aside Meng Ji, are you a match for Meng Ze?"
Yan Zhao trembled violently, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white: "I... I am not..."
However unwilling, he had to admit that since their father and eldest brother's deaths, the only person in this world who could face Amuze in battle was Yan Zheng!
"But... but Nanny Zhou said Third Sister-in-law is already..."
"Sixth Brother!" Chu Ruoyan interrupted, her voice firm. "If you have nothing else, please leave for now. I still have things to discuss with your third brother."
Yan Zhao gritted his teeth, turned away dejectedly.
Reaching the door, he suddenly said: "Yan Zheng, I will definitely pass the military imperial examinations and return to the Yan Family Army with honor!"
The corner of Yan Zheng's mouth lifted: "Good, I'll be waiting!"
After Little Six left, the smile lingered on his lips as he looked at the woman: "A'yan, what did you want to tell me?"
Chu Ruoyan's right hand rested on her abdomen; she had made her decision.
She shouldn't keep this from him...
"Yan Zheng, I need to tell you something very important. Listen well." She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, they were clear and serene. "You are going to be a father."
Yan Zheng was stunned: "What father?"
His gaze dropped to where her hand rested, and his eyes widened instantly: "You... you... I..."
The powerful Chief Councillor, for once, stumbled over his words, his usually cool eyes filled with astonishment and joy. But then, remembering something, he frowned again.
He stared at her belly for a long moment before asking softly: "Can we not keep it?"
The woman's beautiful eyes widened in shock. He quickly explained: "A'yan, childbirth is too painful. I don't want you to face that danger either..."
Chu Ruoyan was taken aback.
On their wedding night, he had said he didn't want children.
She hadn't realized he meant it seriously, not just saying it.
"The child is already here. How can we not keep it?" The woman shook her head with a soft laugh. "Don't worry, Chief Physician Zhang will oversee things, and if need be, there's always Old Divine Doctor Qin. Everything will be fine."
Only then did Yan Zheng's brow relax slightly, but thinking of something else, his expression darkened again.
Chu Ruoyan hated seeing him like this most. She raised her hand to smooth his furrowed brow: "I know. You must be thinking, why do you have to leave the capital at this very moment? Yan Zheng, I'm telling you about the child not to make him a burden holding you back, but in the hope that you will come back alive, safe and sound, to see me and our child."
A gentle smile graced the woman's face. Perhaps because of the pregnancy, Yan Zheng felt she seemed to be glowing.
"A'yan, I swear, I will come back to you alive!"
Chu Ruoyan knew he never broke his promises. Her heart eased, and the next moment, her whole body was lifted into the air.
"Yan Zheng! Put me down!"
But it was useless. The man had swept her up into his arms!
Hearing the commotion, Nanny Zhou and Yulu glanced into the room and were scared out of their wits.
"Son-in-law! The young mistress is with child!"
"Please put her down quickly, it's too dangerous!"
Yet the man paid them no heed. He spun her around in the air a few times before finally resting his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse: "A'yan, thank you."
Thank you for coming into his life.
Thank you for giving him a home.
Chu Ruoyan clung nervously to his shoulders, wanting to say that if he was truly grateful, he should put her down now. But then the man added, "Go back to the Duke of Chu's Mansion."
Chu Ruoyan: "?"
"While I am away from the capital, you should stay at the Duke of Chu's Mansion. I will come to fetch you when I return."
