Yе Yuqing lаughеd uрon heаring this: "Yоu'rе frоm Wu Кingdom, not Wei Кingdоm. Where еlse cаn уоu gо bеsidеs returning with me?"
Fеng Yue calmly bit into a driеd fruit аnd smiled: "Shе cаn аlsо сomе tо mу рlаcе."
Glancing down аt hеr, Ye Yuqing sаid: "Your Majеsty had bеtter not mеddlе in оthеrs' аffаirs."
"Нe Chоu hаs alwауs bеen mу pеrsоn, how cаn this bе cоnsidered meddling?" Fеng Yue narrowеd hеr еyеs, looking at him fоr а mоment bеfоrе sауing: "Нow аbоut this, Your Нighness? I dоn't intend to rеturn Hе Сhоu to уоu. In ехchange, I'll givе you a hundred cаtties of Su Mоuntain cоld iron, а sрeсialty of Wei Kingdom. That material is rare and precious—more than enough to exchange for a palace maid, right?"
Su Mountain cold iron was the material used to forge the Unrepentant Sword and Eternal Regret Blade. It was indeed extremely valuable. If it were an ordinary palace maid, Ye Yuqing would have agreed without hesitation. But this was He Chou. Looking at her face, he shook his head: "No exchange."
Somewhat surprised, He Chou widened her eyes to look at him.
No exchange? Didn't he say earlier that he planned to use her to exchange for something? She thought trading herself for so much cold iron was already a great deal—could he possibly want to exchange for a city? That seemed impossible.
"Then what does Your Highness want?" Feng Yue asked.
"I lack nothing in material goods, but I lack people," Ye Yuqing said: "Just let her return with me."
"After all, she's also my friend. If she's unwilling, I won't let her go." Rubbing her stomach, Feng Yue said: "It's getting late now. We've been up all night, and the sky is already bright. Your Highness should rest early."
Ye Yuqing's face darkened, and he reached out to grab the person. However, Yin Gezhi behind him moved much faster, directly seizing his shoulder and calmly saying: "Your Highness might not find the way. I'll escort Your Highness to your room."
With that, he led him out.
Ye Yuqing angrily said: "Yin Gezhi, don't go too far!"
"Who's going too far?" Yin Gezhi replied: "It was good that Your Highness saved He Chou earlier, but even as her savior, you shouldn't torment people like this."
"Which eye of yours sees me tormenting anyone?" Ye Yuqing frowned.
Yin Gezhi shook his head: "Has Your Highness not noticed at all? He Chou and Feng Yue are the same age, yet when they stand together, He Chou looks much older."
Older? Ye Yuqing didn't understand. He only thought Feng Yue was well-maintained and appeared youthful, but he didn't think He Chou looked old.
However, judging by the attitudes of the emperor and empress, it was impossible for him to take her away openly.
Better think of another way.
Feng Chuang, who received the order, was very puzzled: "Your Highness, must we take Wangyou back?"
"Yes," Ye Yuqing nodded: "I want to see her before we break camp tomorrow."
"...Understood."
The elite troops of Song Kingdom, after a full day of deployment, ended up being used just to retrieve a palace maid.
When the Wu army passed through Yushan Pass and continued toward the Wu border, He Chou looked around blankly at the carriage walls.
"Your Highness?"
Ye Yuqing's expression was extremely unpleasant, completely ignoring her. But whenever she moved slightly, he would turn his head and glance at her lightly.
He Chou didn't know how she had been taken out, but she knew she was definitely finished this time. The grudge-holding Crown Prince Ye wouldn't let her off easily.
Inside Yushan Pass.
Feng Yue glared at Yin Gezhi before her: "She's been snatched away!""Mm." Yin Gezhi pressed her back down: "You've been worrying about her for days now. Get some proper rest."
"But... He Chou..."
"No buts," Yin Gezhi said. "Everyone has their own path to walk. I told you long ago that excessive compassion is useless. Judging by the people Ye Yuqing sent, he might not be entirely without feelings for He Chou. If you force her to stay by your side, she'll likely end up lonely and alone in her old age."
"Who says?" Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. "Can't we arrange a good marriage for her?"
Giving her a disdainful look, Yin Gezhi said, "You're getting more foolish by the day. Can't you read the look in He Chou's eyes? There's not a hint of vitality in them. How can you expect her to live a proper life with anyone? You'd better spare those good families."
Pouting angrily, Feng Yue hugged her belly and muttered, "Hurry up and come out, little one. Your father is bullying me, and there's no one to help your mother!"
Yin Gezhi chuckled softly, about to say that her belly was only eight months along and it was still early, when he suddenly noticed the expression on the face of the person on the bed change.
"Your Majesty," Feng Yue took a deep breath and frowned, "What would you do if I suddenly told you I'm about to give birth now?"
Yin Gezhi was taken aback. Looking at her expression, he shook his head. "Don't try to scare me."
"But... it seems to be true." Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as Feng Yue forced a dry laugh. "Don't just sit there. Go find a midwife quickly. I can hold on a little longer."
His face instantly paled. Yin Gezhi was so frightened he nearly lost his soul. He immediately stood up and rushed out, accidentally knocking over a water basin by his side. The loud clatter startled Guan Zhi outside, who hurried in. "Master?"
"Go fetch a midwife," Yin Gezhi said, taking a deep breath. "Prepare hot water and towels. Her Majesty is about to give birth."
Guan Zhi was stunned but didn't dare delay for a moment, immediately dashing out!
Thus, in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all the generals at Yushan Pass were alerted. Even Yin Yanzhong and the others, who had retreated to the pass, gathered in full armor outside the room.
When the midwife arrived, she was so frightened by the sight that her legs went weak. Guan Zhi had to help her inside.
"Don't be nervous," the woman on the bed, drenched in sweat, comforted softly. "Those people outside are just here to lend me strength. It's a premature birth, so they're all very worried."
The midwife nodded shakily and glanced below. The amniotic fluid had already broken.
"Just... follow my lead."
"Alright," the woman on the bed smiled. "I feel this baby is positioned well. It's good to give birth early. It's small... Don't let your hands shake. I'll count to three, and you push, okay?"
The midwife wanted to cry. How could she not shake? Usually, when women gave birth, they cried and screamed inside while the men waited calmly outside. But with this noble family, why was the one giving birth so calm, while the handsome husband sitting beside her looked utterly terrified?
Yin Gezhi had specifically asked medical women about childbirth. He knew how to deliver a baby, and if not for the people around him holding him back, he would have taken over himself. This midwife didn't seem very reliable—she was even trembling.
"Doesn't it hurt?" he asked hoarsely.Feng Yue gritted her teeth: "It does hurt a bit... but I can bear it. After all, we’re people who’ve lived on the edge of a blade—how could we be so delicate!"
"If it hurts, cry out," Yin Gezhi frowned. "Don’t hold it in."
Her eyes flickering, Feng Yue chuckled: "You’re already this tense when I don’t make a sound. If I were to cry out, wouldn’t you go mad? Alright, don’t worry—it’ll be a smooth delivery."
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