After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 30

Yan Yue stopped coughing, her face as pale as paper.

Xie Mingyou examined her carefully for the first time and noticed the exhaustion between her brows. Only her eye makeup concealed her true emotions, and with her long, raven-black lashes, Xie Mingyou suddenly realized that from this angle, Yan Yue looked fragile, as if she might shatter at the slightest touch, or be blown away by a gust of wind.

And yet, earlier, she had dragged her and deliberately left her by the window to suffer.

The thought sent a dull ache through Xie Mingyou’s heart.

She wanted to say something kind, to ask how she had been all these years, to inquire whether there had been hidden circumstances behind her marriage alliance. But the moment she opened her mouth, irritation took over: “How can someone your age fail to take care of themselves? How do you expect to govern a country like this?”

Faced with her impatience, Yan Yue covered her lips and looked up at her, apologetic. “My health has always been poor. I must be quite the joke to the State Preceptor.”

She was clearly distancing herself, refusing any connection even calling her “State Preceptor.”

Xie Mingyou’s temper flared. With a cold expression, she sneered, “Hah, what kind of joke haven’t I seen before?”

Yan Yue had indeed been frail as a child, but never to the point of coughing up blood.

She glared at her, wishing she could bore a hole through her with her gaze.

Yet seeing how she truly seemed as fragile as paper, ready to scatter at the slightest touch, Xie Mingyou grew even more frustrated. She had already decided to forget the past and focus on being a powerful minister holding the reins of authority so why did Yan Yue keep shaking her resolve?

Back then, she had abandoned her for comfort and wealth, pushing her into the hellish depths of Yue. Did she even know the suffering she had endured there?

Xie Mingyou gritted her teeth. “If you’re this weak, you shouldn’t be sitting in this position.”

Always on the verge of collapse, so delicate that the slightest touch could break her, Xie Mingyou’s heart burned with the urge to lock her away.

Somewhere only she could see, where no one else could lay a finger on her. Yan Yue attended court daily, dealing with endless troubles. With her health so poor, this lifestyle would only worsen her condition.

Xie Mingyou searched for excuses in her heart, she must be exhausted, managing such a vast country alone, drowning in trivial matters. Even she would feel overwhelmed.

She reached out, tilting Yan Yue’s chin up, staring at her bloodless lips. In the end, she pulled her into an embrace.

Yan Yue rested against her chest, listening to the strong heartbeat, a symbol of safety. For the first time in a while, she no longer felt so lost, as if life was worth waiting and hoping for.

But her body could no longer endure strain. Every time, she had to drink bitter medicine, and her encounters with Xie Mingyou had already drained her.

She closed her eyes and remained silent, feeling gentle hands combing through her long hair. It was soothing, comforting. She stopped thinking and simply leaned against her.

Xie Mingyou regained her composure. Even after all these years, the person before her remained impossible to forget.

She had sworn to neglect her, to make her suffer, yet the moment Yan Yue showed the slightest discomfort, she was the first to panic.

How, then, could she ever make her miserable?

This truly was an unsolvable knot.

“Your Majesty!”

The Junior Mentor entered and saw Xiao Yunli in visible distress, realizing her heat cycle had struck.

Glancing around, she noted the guards Xiao Yunli had brought, none of whom were suitable.

Frowning, the Junior Mentor knew that at this critical moment, the monarch could not afford any mishap.

Yan Chen had poisoned her with a power-dispersing toxin, but she had already prepared the antidote. At the border, a hundred thousand troops stood ready, awaiting Xiao Yunli’s command alone.

She had come to Zhao Kingdom with one purpose to avenge her humiliation by killing Yan Chen and destroying the kingdom.

For the prosperity of Li Kingdom, she was willing to sacrifice anything.

Glancing at Xiao Yunli, the Shaoshi tightened her grip on her sword.

“Shh!”

Song Shujiu jolted awake from her sleep, the sound of clashing blades ringing in her ears. Her drowsiness vanished in an instant.

Assassins?

Realizing this, she could no longer stay in bed. She quickly threw on a robe and got up, only to find Yan Chen already gone.

In the courtyard, a veiled woman was locked in a fierce duel with Yan Chen, their blades flashing in deadly dance.

Shiqi arrived upon hearing the commotion and joined the brutal fight.

The Shaoshi’s fury burned hotter. In an instant, she unleashed a flurry of poisoned needles with terrifying force, forcing Shiqi back several steps. The impact even sent a dull ache through Yan Chen’s palms.

Song Shujiu gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

The sharp-eyed Shaoshi caught sight of her this meddlesome young lady from the Prime Minister’s residence, always getting in the way.

A volley of silver needles shot toward Song Shujiu, freezing her in terror. She couldn’t even move.

At the last critical moment, someone pulled her away, sweeping her off her feet and carrying her several meters back.

Yan Chen held her, slightly breathless. “What are you doing out here?”

Song Shujiu had no martial skills and little strength. Coming out now was practically inviting an attack.

“I wanted to make sure you were safe.”

She cared for her, how could she pretend nothing was happening when assassins had come?

What if Yan Chen got hurt? Her estrus cycle wasn’t even over yet.

Seeing the worry in her brows, Yan Chen’s heart softened. This Shaoshi fought with sinister techniques, excelling in poison and ambushes.

A truly troublesome opponent.

With Song Shujiu wandering around under her nose, it wasn’t safe. Glancing at Shiqi and the guards now flooding the estate, she carried Song Shujiu away from the chaos.

Inside Yafang Cottage.

Yan Chen set her down on the bed. The ordeal had left Song Shujiu wide awake, and she looped her arms around Yan Chen’s neck with a bright smile. “We’re safe now.”

“Don’t mess around.”

After settling her, Yan Chen considered the situation. The Shaoshi had launched a solo night raid.

The princess’s estate was now in their sights.

Xiao Yunli had abandoned all pretense, acting purely out of spite.

What would come next was already clear.

Her worst fears had come to pass.

Now, she had to figure out how to resolve this crisis. Zhao Kingdom couldn’t withstand this war.

Song Shujiu, sharp as ever, noticed the distant worry in Yan Chen’s eyes. Uncharacteristically docile, she murmured, “Don’t worry.”

After spending time with her, Song Shujiu had grown more perceptive. She could guess what troubled her.

In the original novel, Li Kingdom had launched a full-scale invasion of Zhao. Though the outcome was unknown, now that she was inside the story, perhaps the plot could still be altered.

“Go help Shiqi.”

Song Shujiu understood her thoughts. She would be safe here.

Yan Chen gazed at her. Lately, Song Shujiu had grown more attuned to her, stirring unfamiliar emotions within her. Her eyes softened as they lingered on Song Shujiu’s abdomen.

Soon, the princess’s estate would welcome a new member. She pulled Song Shujiu close, pressing a fleeting kiss to her forehead light as a dragonfly skimming water, yet carrying all her unspoken words.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be back soon.”

Song Shujiu nodded, and Yan Chen rose.

In the inner courtyard.

The Shaoshi’s arms grew numb. More guards from the estate arrived, led by Shiqi, whose skills matched her own after their repeated clashes.

She knew that prolonging the fight would gain her nothing, but escape was no longer easy.

No one knew how the monarch was faring now. Having failed to kill Yan Chen, she remained deeply resentful.

“Clang!”

The sword hilt fell to the ground.

A cold sensation touched Shaoshi’s neck, she had lost.

The crowd surrounded her.

Before she could release the silver needles in her hand, Seventeen kicked her wrist.

She winced in pain, brows furrowing.

“Still trying tricks,” Seventeen sneered. People from Li Kingdom always resorted to such underhanded, dishonorable methods.

“Capture me, and the monarch will avenge me.”

Li Kingdom’s hundred thousand troops only needed an excuse. Since the monarch hesitated to make a decision, she would become the catalyst.

Fortunately, her status in Li Kingdom was high enough that news of her capture would soon reach the monarch’s ears.

With this thought, Shaoshi’s mood turned almost manic with exhilaration. A wild, unrestrained smile spread across her face as she gave up resistance, allowing herself to be restrained.

In the villa, Xiao Yunli had passed the critical period. The agony of being temporarily marked by Yan Chen yet denied her presence drove her to the brink of madness.

“Shaoshi,” she called softly.

In the past, a single summons would bring Shaoshi swiftly to her side.

Now, there was no one.

A realization dawned on her as she turned to the other guards. “Where has Minister Shaoshi gone?”

One stepped forward, not daring to meet her gaze, and said slowly, “Minister Shaoshi took her sword and left. She said, she was going to avenge you.”

Xiao Yunli’s expression froze. She had gone alone to the princess’s residence.

How reckless.

With plans still unsettled, charging into Yan Chen’s stronghold now, how could she possibly succeed?

Xiao Yunli clenched her fists, glancing at the hourglass beside her.

The time had passed without her return. Something must have happened.

“Send our people to investigate,” she ordered.

If Yan Chen had captured Li Kingdom’s master poisoner, the loss would be devastating. Shaoshi was far too valuable to her.

Beyond poisons, she was also essential in weapon development.

Now, she and Yan Chen would have to settle this properly once and for all.

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