Upon hearing Ye Li's words, Feng Zhiyao's expression twisted in anger. After a long silence, he gritted his teeth and spat, "Mo Jingqi! The prince is too soft-hearted. I've said it before—if he himself doesn't care about the Chu kingdom, why should we bother? We should just march straight to the capital and see what tricks he has left!" Ye Li shook her head with a sigh. "Moving against Mo Jingqi now will only make our situation worse." No matter how dark and malicious Mo Jingqi's heart might be, he was still not a debauched and tyrannical ruler. The people of this world were deeply influenced by feudal doctrines, and those loyal to the royal family were far from few. There was even the saying, "If the ruler demands a subject's death, the subject has no choice but to die." If the Mo Family Army openly broke with Mo Jingqi now, it would only drag the stationed troops from other regions, who had yet to take sides, into this chaotic war. And if others seized the opportunity, not only would the Chu kingdom fall, but the Mo Family Army would likely perish as well.
Feng Zhiyao understood Ye Li's reasoning, but his heart still burned with indignation.
"What should we do now?"
Ye Li looked up at the vast sky and murmured, "At all costs, we must hold back Zhennan Wang. We absolutely cannot let him interfere in the central plains' war." Feng Zhiyao's heart trembled slightly as he gazed at her slender yet upright figure, realizing the gravity of her words. They were about to face Zhennan Wang, known as the God of War of Western Liang, and the endless reinforcements of the Western Mausoleum Army. Meanwhile, the Mo Family Army stationed in the northwest had only 200,000 troops left. "This general obeys your command!"
After dismissing Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li couldn't help but frown. These past few days, her body had grown unusually fatigued. It was only the end of September, and after standing on the city wall in the wind for a short while, she now felt slightly dizzy and unwell. Normally, anyone could have an off day, but she couldn't afford to collapse now. Leaning against the wall with one hand, she lowered her gaze and waited for the dizziness to pass. Rubbing her temples, she felt a surge of frustration.
"Are you unwell?" Han Mingyue's voice came from behind. He had been behaving himself these past few days, and Ye Li had only instructed people to keep a discreet eye on him without further interference. Han Mingyue had been quite docile, mostly staying in his courtyard or accompanying Su Zuidie in conversation. Somehow, he had managed to keep Su Zuidie quiet and well-behaved lately. Turning around, she saw Han Mingyue standing a short distance away, looking at her with concern. Ye Li replied indifferently, "It's nothing, just a little tired. Why have you come up here, Young Master Han?"
Han Mingyue studied her for a moment before stepping forward. "If the princess consort trusts me, perhaps I could examine you." Ye Li tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise. "Young Master Han knows medicine?" Han Mingyue smiled faintly. "I know a little."Stepping forward, Han Mingyue took Ye Li's hand to check her pulse. Ye Li didn't resist, merely watching him quietly. Han Mingyue frowned as he felt her pulse, then looked up at her before pressing his fingers down again. After a long while, he finally sighed lightly and released her hand.
Ye Li gazed at him with a faint smile. "That expression, Young Master Han—could it be that this consort has contracted some incurable illness?"
Han Mingyue shook his head, his expression complicated as he regarded her. "I don’t know whether this counts as good news for you, Consort."
Ye Li smiled slightly, signaling that she could accept whatever news he had.
Han Mingyue spoke solemnly, "You are with child—not yet a month along."
Ye Li froze, her mind momentarily blank yet also racing with countless thoughts. Han Mingyue’s words had struck her like a thunderbolt. Though she had lived two lifetimes and experienced things most people wouldn’t in ten, bearing a child was still a first for her, in both past and present lives.
Objectively speaking, she wasn’t prepared for this. Even if everything had gone smoothly, in her original plans, childbirth was something that should have happened only after she turned eighteen. But now… this child had come at the worst possible time.
Yet, despite everything, an inexplicable surge of excitement and joy welled up in her heart. She was pregnant—this child was hers and Mo Xiuyao’s first, the closest blood relative she would ever have…
Han Mingyue quietly observed the shifting emotions on Ye Li’s delicate face—shock, doubt, joy, worry—until they finally settled into resolve. He understood then what decision she had made.
Looking at her slender figure, he spoke sincerely for the first time, "Consort, this child… may have come at an inopportune time."
Ye Li stared at him for a long while before finally saying, "May this consort assume that Young Master Han will not speak of this to anyone besides the two of us?"Han Mingyue frowned anxiously and said, "Princess Consort, you must understand that the current situation simply doesn't permit you to keep this child. If the prince were here, he would think the same." Ye Li shook her head, "You're mistaken. Xiu Yao would make the same choice as me—to protect this child." Han Mingyue replied, "That's only because Xiu Yao is by your side and can protect you. But now, you're a woman leading hundreds of thousands of troops while pregnant. If anything were to happen... I'm certain Xiu Yao would never be willing to trade your life for that of an unborn child." Ye Li lowered her gaze to her still-flat abdomen and said calmly, "I know my limits. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Han." Han Mingyue wanted to persuade her further. He understood Mo Xiuyao well and knew the depth of his feelings for Ye Li. If anything were to happen to her because of this child... He couldn't even imagine how Mo Xiuyao would react. But seeing the resolute expression on Ye Li's delicate face, he ultimately fell silent. Over the years, he had witnessed how far a mother would go for her child, and Ye Li was more determined and decisive than any woman he had ever met. There was no way she would heed his advice. With a sigh, Han Mingyue assured her, "Without your permission, I won't tell anyone about this matter. However... it would be best for the princess consort to summon a physician immediately. Medicine to protect the pregnancy and tonics are absolutely essential."
"Thank you."
Returning to the study, Ye Li sat leaning against the desk, lost in thought. The sudden news still left her somewhat dazed. The composure and calm she had displayed before Han Mingyue was merely a habitual facade. After a long silence, she raised her hand to gently caress her unchanged, flat abdomen, her delicate features softening further. Here... was a child she and Mo Xiuyao had created together. Those who had never been mothers could never understand how wondrous this feeling was. Perhaps in a few months, she would be able to sense its changes, even feel the baby kicking inside her. A faint smile curved her lips, and the determination in her expression grew even stronger.
"Someone come in."
Wei Lin entered, stopping at the doorway and bowing respectfully. "Princess Consort."
"Fetch a physician for me." Wei Lin froze, concern flashing across his face. "Is the princess consort unwell?"
Ye Li shook her head. "Just go."
Assuming she was truly ill, Wei Lin wasted no time and rushed out. Before long, he returned, dragging along a young man in his early twenties. Seeing the unusually youthful physician, Ye Li arched an elegant brow. Generally, military physicians accompanying the troops weren't very old, as the hardships of marching were too much for elderly doctors to endure. But this young man seemed excessively young. Whether one admitted it or not, traditional Chinese medicine relied not solely on talent but more often on experience. Wei Lin clearly understood Ye Li's doubts and stepped forward to explain, "Princess Consort, Doctor Yang is considered a junior disciple of Shen. His medical skills have earned praise from Shen himself. For the past two years, he has been with the Black Cloud Cavalry in the northwest and remained in Xinyang City with the troops stationed there."Ye Li nodded and smiled apologetically at the young man, saying, "In that case, please examine my pulse, Doctor Yang."
The young doctor, clearly not encountering skepticism for the first time, approached without hesitation. He sat down, placed a pulse pillow, and began checking Ye Li's pulse. After a while, his slightly furrowed brows relaxed. He stood up and bowed to Ye Li, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness. From my examination, you are with child."
Hearing this, Wei Lin froze, unsure how to react. Under normal circumstances, the news of the princess consort's pregnancy would bring joy to Prince Ding's Estate and the entire Mo Family Army. But now, being with child meant neither the safety of the princess consort nor that of the Little Prince could be fully guaranteed. Ye Li lowered her gaze and murmured softly, "So it's true..." The young doctor nodded firmly. "Indeed, Your Highness. I am certain." Ye Li looked at him and asked, "Do I need any medication?"
The doctor shook his head. "Your Highness is in excellent health, and the pulse is strong. In my opinion, no miscarriage-preventing medicine is necessary at this time. All medicine carries some toxicity, so it's best avoided unless absolutely required. However, certain supplements will be needed. Also, please take extra care in the coming months to avoid a threatened miscarriage."
"The coming months? What about later?"
"After three or four months, the fetus will stabilize, and there should be little cause for concern. Still, caution is always advisable. Moreover... by the fourth or fifth month, Your Highness may find movement somewhat difficult..." At this point, the young doctor couldn't help but show concern. Unlike a physician who merely sits in a clinic, as a military doctor, he was well aware of the dangers of the battlefield and the unpredictability of its perils. Glancing at Ye Li, he could only add, "Please be careful in all matters, Your Highness."
Ye Li nodded. "I understand. Would you be willing to stay at the governor's residence for the time being, Doctor Yang?"
The young doctor bowed again. "It would be my honor to attend to the Little Prince. I shall obey your command."
"Thank you, Doctor. Please keep this matter confidential for now. Aside from those closest to me, I do not wish anyone else to know."
Though puzzled, the young doctor agreed. "I will prepare a list of necessary supplements and deliver it to your attendants."
"Thank you. Wei Lin, please escort Doctor Yang out."
"Yes."
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