Yun Xiao looked at Wan Wan, sighing softly.
"Wan Wan, I don't know why, but I'm always worried something might happen to him. Am I being overly anxious because of my pregnancy?"
"Your Highness, please don't worry. His Majesty is so formidable, ordinary people are no match for him. Didn't they say even Ye Jingyi was defeated when you went to Guangning City? What are you afraid of?"
As Wan Wan spoke, Yun Xiao suddenly started, her thoughts seeming to clear. She remained motionless, as if petrified, sitting at the table, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, her small face cast in a cold light. Wan Wan wondered what was wrong.
She had intended to comfort her, but it seemed to have made her more distressed. Just as she was about to ask, Yun Xiao anxiously stood up.
"No, I've realized where the problem lies! Quickly, go to the study. I need to see Prince Lin!"
Her words were urgent and her tone anxious. Wan Wan, unsure of what was happening, could only help support her. Outside the palace doors, several palace maids were waiting. Upon seeing the Empress emerge with a troubled expression, they dared not ask questions and followed closely behind.
Then came the eunuchs in the great hall, and the eunuchs at the gate. None of them understood what had happened, but seeing their mistress emerge, they could only follow.
Outside the hall, a palanquin was waiting. Yun Xiao got into it and ordered in a deep voice, "Go to the study."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The eunuchs carrying the palanquin dared not be careless. They carried it steadily, striding swiftly straight towards the study.
Wan Wan and Qiao'er supported the palanquin from either side, followed by a large group of eunuchs and palace maids. The scene was quite grand.
However, everyone was rather bewildered, not knowing what had happened. It must be something serious, otherwise, their mistress wouldn't look so upset.
Outside the study, Eunuch Fu Hai was on duty. Prince Lin was handling state affairs inside.
Upon seeing the Empress alight from the palanquin, Fu Hai was startled and quickly went to greet her, respectfully bowing and asking, "Greetings, Empress. May I know why Your Highness has come to the study?"
"I need to see Prince Lin."
Without paying any mind to Fu Hai, she strode directly into the study. Who would dare obstruct the Empress?
Prince Lin had already heard the commotion outside and had risen. He saw Yun Xiao walk in and immediately spoke respectfully.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why have you come?"
He now privately referred to Yun Xiao as Imperial Sister-in-law, a rule that must not be broken.
Yun Xiao had no time to bother with what he called her. Upon seeing him, she cried out, "Shangguan Lin, I must go to the border. Prepare a horse and send people to accompany me to catch up with Murong!"
Shangguan Lin's face darkened upon hearing this. He had thought that His Majesty had made things clear with this woman, which was why she had stayed peacefully in the palace.
But this peacefulness had only lasted half a day before she became restless, preparing to pursue them. How could this be? Her belly was as round as a ball; how could she ride a horse or travel by carriage?
"Imperial Sister-in-law?"
Yun Xiao completely ignored him and called out, "Shangguan Lin, did you not hear me? Immediately send people to pursue them. They haven't gone far yet!"
"Imperial Sister-in-law, your humble brother dares not."
Shangguan Lin refused outright. This time was different from the last. Last time, His Majesty had accompanied them, and she was only five months pregnant. Now, looking at her, she seemed close to giving birth. How could she chase after a man? What if she went into labor halfway?
"Shangguan Lin, if your Imperial Brother meets with any misfortune, I will not spare you."
Yun Xiao was on the verge of tears. Shangguan Lin sensed her unusual distress and calmly pressed, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"
"I finally remember what happened when we encountered Ye Jingyi in Guangning City. Why did his martial arts recover, and why did he become so hideous? It's because he turned into a poisonous person and practiced poisonous techniques, which caused his facial features to become displaced, making him ugly.
Last time, when we went to apprehend the Western Mountain Blood Bandits, we discovered their leader was from Xi Liang. Now, Xi Liang has broken its promise and attacked Dong Qin. Connecting these events, I believe the leader of the Western Mountain Blood Bandits must be an important figure from Xi Liang.
He is the Crown Prince of Xi Liang, and Ye Jingyi is certainly in Xi Liang now. Among those attacking the city, he is a poisonous person. Not to mention poisoning, even if blood splashes onto someone, it will be fatal. Your Imperial Brother is completely unaware of this matter. If he falls into a trap..."
After Yun Xiao finished speaking, she fell silent, her face very pale.
Shangguan Lin's expression also turned grim upon hearing her words. However, he still disagreed with letting Yun Xiao pursue them.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, I will send people to gallop swiftly to catch up with His Majesty and the others. You should remain in the palace and await childbirth."
Shangguan Lin knew that this woman and His Majesty loved each other deeply. Their love moved him, but this was not the time for sentimentality. This woman was about to give birth, potentially the Crown Prince of Dong Qin. How could he let her act recklessly?
As Shangguan Lin spoke, Yun Xiao's gaze darkened, and she said chillingly, "Shangguan Lin, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I have come to inform you of my decision, not to take orders from you. If I wish to leave, none of you can stop me."
Her momentum surged, breaking through the air, fierce, sharp, and alluring.
Shangguan Lin was rendered speechless. After a moment of thought, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice.
"Very well, you may go. But you must take two imperial physicians skilled in martial arts with you, and let Zhi Qiu accompany you. There will be several guards for your service, and the carriage cannot travel at high speed. I will also send someone ahead to deliver a message."
"Good, it will be as you say. But do not tell him I am coming. He will be uneasy fighting if he knows."
Shangguan Lin nodded with a heavy heart. If he had known this, he would have insisted on going to war himself. Was this a burden anyone could bear?
It was truly a thankless task. If anything happened to her, His Majesty would not forgive him upon his return. However, if he didn't let her go, no one could change this woman's decided course of action. With Prince Yun also absent from the capital, who else could control her?
Although Prince Shangguan complained, he did not hesitate when it came to action. Since he had agreed, he immediately gave his orders.
Twenty elite imperial guards were dispatched, along with two imperial physicians from the palace, both highly skilled, in case the Empress went into labor halfway. These were for emergencies. In addition to these, Yun Xiao had her own four formidable escorts.
Adding to that, she herself was not to be trifled with, so making trouble for her would not be easy.
His heart felt somewhat relieved. A luxurious carriage was prepared, appearing ordinary on the outside but containing a small, well-equipped living space within.
The soft couch was covered with soft brocade quilts and embroidered cushions. Zhi Qiu, possessing martial arts skills, and two imperial palace maids traveled with the carriage.
Once all preparations were complete, the carriage departed from the palace.
Before departure, Shangguan Lin repeatedly instructed Zhi Qiu to take good care of the Empress.
Even without his instruction, Zhi Qiu would have taken care of her. However, seeing his extreme caution, her heart felt a touch of melancholy, but she quickly cast it aside. Zhi Qiu was not the type of girl to dwell on misfortunes.
Meanwhile, Wan Wan and Qiao'er, upon hearing that their mistress was leaving the palace for the border, wept profusely, heartbroken.
Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have been so worried, but now their mistress was close to childbirth. How could she travel to the heavily guarded border?
Shangguan Lin had already dispatched others to catch up with the vanguard, ensuring the Emperor was informed of the gravity of the situation.