Shangguan Yin held Yun Xiao tightly until she fell asleep, her peach-blossom-like charming eyes still radiant.
Under the lamplight, Yun Xiao's face was as delicate and beautiful as a hidden orchid in a valley. Her complexion had improved significantly after the recent period of recuperation.
Her belly had grown larger, and she was due to give birth in just over a month. Shangguan Yin's large hand gently stroked her cheek, finally resting on her abdomen, clearly feeling the child kicking and moving inside.
It was surely a mischievous little one, perhaps a boy. He was originally meant to be the Crown Prince of the Eastern Qin Kingdom. If he took the child and left, would he blame them? Parents were always a little selfish.
Shangguan Yin thought, and slowly drifted off to sleep by the bedside. That night, however, an urgent dispatch traveled eight hundred li to the palace.
Outside the palace doors, Fuhai carefully called out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yin jolted awake, his brows rising displeasurably, his expression cold. Fortunately, Xiao'er had not woken up.
Her body was a little heavy now, and her sleep was deep, so she wasn't easily roused. Shangguan Yin gently released her and slowly got out of bed to leave.
Outside the silk screen, Fuhai reported quickly, "Your Majesty, something has happened. Prince Lin and Prince Yun have entered the palace overnight."
The simultaneous arrival of the two princes meant something had occurred. Shangguan Yin reached out to signal Fuhai to help him dress. After putting on his clothes, he walked out with a sense of urgency, followed closely by Fuhai and several eunuchs.
The group headed directly to the main hall of Qingxiao Palace. In the hall, Yun Mo and Shangguan Lin were pacing incessantly, their faces etched with anxiety. Upon seeing Shangguan Yin emerge, they prepared to bow. Shangguan Yin, unaware of what had happened, quickly waved them off and spoke in a deep voice.
"What has happened?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Fengya Pass is in urgent need of aid. The Xi Liang Kingdom is attacking Fengya Pass. Because the two countries had signed friendly documents, a portion of the soldiers at Fengya Pass had been redeployed. Who knew the Xi Liang Kingdom would come with such ferocity? The border is now in urgent crisis."
"What?" Shangguan Yin's face darkened, becoming extremely displeased. His clear, refined, and ethereal countenance instantly turned grim and chilling, his pupils flashing with sparks. He walked down from the hall and paced back and forth. "What does the Xi Liang Kingdom mean by this? To do such a thing."
The Xi Liang Kingdom had explicitly sent envoys to Eastern Qin to seek friendship, and now they had been met with this. Fine, truly fine.
Shangguan Yin was so furious he could kill. At that moment, Shangguan Lin stepped forward from the side and spoke with sorrow.
"Furthermore, Southern Jin is also attacking our border, forming a pincers attack with Xi Liang from the south and west. We must dispatch troops to these two places urgently, otherwise, once both defensive lines fall, we might lose several cities. The prefectures and counties near Southern Jin will be lost, as will several cities close to the Xi Liang Kingdom."
"Could it be that Southern Jin and Xi Liang have joined forces?"
"It is likely so."
Shangguan Lin and Yun Mo spoke in unison this time.
Shangguan Yin's clear and elegant face was cast with a chilling aura. His pupils held unfathomable light. He raised his head and spoke, "The morning court is about to begin. Let's go, immediately to the Jinluan Hall. We will discuss this with the ministers and quickly dispatch troops to the two border passes to provide urgent aid. We absolutely cannot lose a single city."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Lin and Yun Mo nodded simultaneously and walked towards the palace doors.
Although there was still some time before the morning court, staying here was not an option. It was crucial to devise countermeasures as soon as possible.
During the morning court, when Shangguan Yin announced the urgent dispatch from the border that had traveled eight hundred li, all the civil and military officials were shocked.
While the invasion by Southern Jin was somewhat understandable, as they had no peace treaty with Eastern Qin, the actions of Prince Li of Xi Liang, who had personally come to Eastern Qin to seek amity, were different.
The two countries had signed documents, and now they had gone back on their word, directly attacking Eastern Qin. This behavior was truly an egregious insult. All the civil and military officials were eager to volunteer and request permission to go to Fengya Pass to fight the enemy.
Shangguan Yin surveyed the ministers below. Since the new faces had taken their positions, these court officials were much more energetic than before. Many would bravely charge forward when faced with matters, unlike in the past. He felt a sense of gratification.
He immediately turned his gaze to the Minister of War, Lan Qinglun, who was positioned below.
"Minister of War, urgently mobilize troops. How many can be mustered?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, only twenty thousand troops can be withdrawn from Yan Jing. Additionally, ten thousand troops can be mobilized from nearby cities. Calculating this, we can mobilize a total of one hundred thousand troops urgently."
Lan Qinglun reported with meticulous detail. Shangguan Yin's thick brows knitted together. He glanced at the officials below and spoke with a chilling tone, "For this expedition to Xi Liang, I intend to personally lead the campaign."
"Personally lead the campaign!"
The hall instantly fell into a profound silence. One could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned. After a long moment, Prime Minister Sima Qingyun was the first to speak out.
"Your Majesty, this matter must not be done."
Shangguan Lin also stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this matter must not be done."
Finally, all the civil and military officials knelt down. "We implore Your Majesty to withdraw this order."
In the hall, Shangguan Yin, seated on the dragon throne, his expression obscured by a faint green light, was still astonishingly beautiful, his beauty captivating and overwhelming.
He frowned in deep thought. He had considered this seriously. He had to do this for his future days to be more peaceful. He had to leave Lin a completely new Eastern Qin, a kingdom that the other three nations could not underestimate. Only then could he be at ease. And for this expedition to Eastern Qin, he wished to lead it himself.
Once his mind was made up, he could not be swayed by the hundreds of ministers below. He spoke in a deep voice.
"My mind is made up. All my beloved ministers, please rise."
If he left the imperial capital, his royal brother could manage the state affairs and gradually get accustomed to them. It was just as he wished to pass the throne to him, but he resolutely refused.
Therefore, in many matters, as long as he was in the palace, he would not take over. Once he left the capital, he would have to accept them without hesitation.
Hearing the Emperor speak like this, the ministers below dared not say anything more and slowly rose.
Shangguan Yin swept his gaze over them and commanded in a deep voice.
"Minister of War Lan Qinglun, receive this decree. Immediately mobilize troops from neighboring cities. Three days from now, I will personally lead the campaign to the border."
"This subject receives the decree."
Lan Qinglun immediately received the decree. Shangguan Yin then looked at Yun Mo and slowly said, "Yun Mo, receive this decree. Lead fifty thousand troops to Yongning City. You must catch Southern Jin completely off guard."
"This subject receives the decree."
Yun Mo accepted the decree.
Shangguan Yin then assigned some court officials to accompany the army.
After the morning court dispersed, Shangguan Yin returned to Qingxiao Palace, pondering all the way how he should bring this matter up with Xiao'er. He feared she would worry about him, but this was something he had to accomplish. By the time he won this battle, Xiao'er would also be due to give birth.
A faint smile flickered across the Emperor's handsome features. At this moment, the eastern morning glow ascended, its brilliance enveloping the elaborately carved and painted imperial palace.
Although it was dazzlingly beautiful, like celestial palaces, their desires lay elsewhere, thus it was difficult to stir their hearts.
In Qingxiao Palace, Yun Xiao had just woken up. In her eighth month of pregnancy, her legs had become swollen, so Wanwan and Qiao'er were massaging them. Seeing the Emperor walk in, they quickly got up and respectfully said.
"Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Rise. You may withdraw."
Shangguan Yin waved his hand, ordering everyone to leave. Wanwan and Qiao'er, along with the palace maids, withdrew.
Yun Xiao looked up at him. She saw that the Emperor's expression was uncharacteristically serious, as if something had happened. She asked with concern, "Mu Rong, what has happened?"