Unfortunately, instead of receiving comfort from Song Shuhao, he heard her say, "What can you do now that it's already born? Put it back in my belly?"
Zhang Yu snorted, unable to express his grievances.
By the time Song Shuhao finished her postpartum confinement, it was already April. Following Ling Xiao's advice, Song Shuhao had a comfortable postpartum period. When the weather was nice, she could go out for walks, enjoy the flowers and scenery, and appreciate the beauty of spring. She had originally thought she would have to stay indoors for a whole month.
Compared to Song Shuhao and Zhang Xin, even after more than half a year of marriage and despite the Prince of Ning's great efforts, Ling Xiao's belly remained flat. The Prince of Ning was frustrated and helpless, then consoled himself that matters of the child were a matter of fate.
Ling Xiao still went to the yamen every day, her life not much different from before her marriage. However, her colleagues treated her with more politeness. Unless there were special circumstances, Prince Ning would escort her to the yamen every day and then pick her up to return to her residence.
At first, everyone tacitly acknowledged and secretly admired the good relationship between the two. Later, they all got used to it and would occasionally make a joke, but Ling Xiao always remained composed and never got angry about it.
On the sixth day of the fourth month, Prince Ning was urgently summoned to the palace by Zhang Yu before he had even gotten up. He was unable to go out with Ling Xiao, so he told her, who was still asleep, and left first. Ling Xiao did not mind. She woke up, got ready, had breakfast, and then left Prince Ning's residence in a carriage.
It was still early, and there weren't many pedestrians on the road. On the way to the yamen, a long arrow suddenly shot out from the shadows towards the carriage. The arrowhead was pre-ignited and struck the carriage, and many more long arrows followed, raining down on the carriage. Before long, the carriage curtains were ablaze.
The coachman had already stopped the carriage when the first arrow struck, so even if he wanted to tell Ling Xiao to stay inside, there was nothing he could do. If he didn't get out, he would likely be burned alive or suffocated inside.
She had been secretly escorted, and when the attack occurred, they revealed themselves, protecting the carriage and ensuring Ling Xiao's safety. Although the attackers came with great force, Ling Xiao did not believe they wanted to kill her. After finally forcing her to appear, the arrows shot from the shadows had changed to their normal form, no longer carrying flames.
The guards brandished their long swords to fend off the attack, but soon another group of men in black appeared, also attacking them. It was unclear how many men the enemy had sent; they seemed intent on surrounding them from all sides, leaving them nowhere to escape.
Even if they went to get reinforcements at this point, it was too late. The guards fought back while trying to move Ling Xiao elsewhere, but ultimately, they couldn't fight against so many opponents. Ling Xiao stood in the center of the encirclement, her brows furrowed, lost in thought, yet without panic... even as those around her fell one after another.
“Princess Ning, resistance is futile. You might as well come with us.” Finally, a man in black, who seemed to be the leader, walked up to Ling Xiao with a blood-stained longsword and said in a deep voice.
Then he saw Ling Xiao smile, nod, and say, "Okay." It was a quick and decisive answer.
...
The sudden appearance of the men in black was clearly a trap set in advance, waiting for Ling Xiao to appear so they could take her away. However, the origins of those men in black were not revealed at all, which should have been a very bad thing.
When Prince Ning received the news that Ling Xiao had been taken away, Ling Xiao was still in the palace. However, he didn't seem to be in a hurry, nor was he surprised by the news. He simply looked at Zhang Yu and said, "In that case, it seems that the estimated time was accurate."
Zhang Yu nodded almost imperceptibly, and seeing his expression, couldn't help but smile, "Aren't you worried that he might not show up later?"
Prince Ning silently looked at his sixth brother and retorted, "What's the use of worrying?" His sixth brother was clearly talking without any real understanding of the situation. Of course, he didn't want Ling Xiao to take any risks, but no one else could do it for her. Besides, Ling Xiao had said she would protect herself, and he had to trust her.
“It’s bound to happen. Since they chose this time, they know that the longer it drags on, the worse it will be for them. They have to finish this quickly.” After a brief pause, Prince Ning said with certainty.
Zhang Yu remained noncommittal, but stood up and said, "Xiao Shi, let's go."
Author's Note: A short chapter. (* /ω＼*)
Zhang Wan is the grandmother of the female lead in the new story o(*￣▽￣*)o
→This is the new story: "The General Sees Me as a Freak," which will be released in a few days!
An ancient version of a fangirl and her crush story, expected to have a cute and sweet art style. Feel free to add it to your favorites if you're interested (づ￣3￣)づ╭
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Copywriting:
Following love at first sight and falling in love at second sight,
The seventh young lady of the Shen family became General Han's number one "fangirl".
He always expresses his love in a very subtle way.
Chenluo: General Han, you may not believe it, but my future husband looks exactly like you.
Han Xuan: ...
Chapter 107 Standoff
It seemed to be an ordinary morning court session.
Officials entered the palace gates one after another, walked through the long corridor, and ascended the white marble steps to enter the main hall. For a long time, only the soft sound of footsteps and the slight rustling of robes could be heard.
As dawn broke, Zhang Yu strode into the main hall without looking to the side. He lifted his robe and sat down on the dragon throne, his expression nonchalant. He then slightly raised his chin and glanced at the neatly standing ministers.
For a moment, the hall was silent, then the high-pitched voice of the chief eunuch echoed, saying something like "There is something to report." The ministers then sprang into action, reporting important matters to Zhang Yu.
About half an hour later, a commotion arose outside the hall. The noise grew louder and louder until it was impossible for those inside to ignore it. The sudden turn of events left the ministers, who were unaware of what was happening, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Zhang Yu seemed to be frowning, about to send someone to check the situation, when the Imperial Guard Commander walked in with a serious expression. He immediately clasped his hands in greeting, knelt on one knee, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is requesting an audience outside the palace!"
That was Empress Dowager Feng, who should have been at the Hanshan Palace, but instead appeared here, and according to etiquette, she shouldn't have been here either. However, at the moment, most people were more suspicious of Empress Dowager Feng's purpose in requesting an audience with His Majesty the Emperor during the morning court session without any prior notice.
"It's morning court time now, and I'm not free. Tell the Empress Dowager that whatever it is, we can discuss it after the morning court session." Zhang Yu seemed unaware of the implications of Empress Dowager Feng's appearance, but he responded to the Imperial Guard Commander in this way.
Everyone present knew that the Emperor and Empress Dowager had a long-standing feud and had never reconciled. The Imperial Guard Commander, unlike the others, seemed to have fewer hidden agendas. After Zhang Yu spoke, he took the message and withdrew to relay it.
But the matter did not end there. After a short while, Empress Dowager Feng's voice rang out, reaching everyone's ears, "Your Majesty, are you not going to see me? Are you planning to ignore Lord Ling's life or death?"
She slowly entered the hall, dressed in a red satin robe with gold brocade and the character for longevity, and a golden dragon and phoenix crown adorned with auspicious cloud patterns, pearls, and rubies. She was both solemn and dignified, displaying the demeanor and presence of an Empress Dowager. Behind her stood Ling Xiao, whom she referred to as Lord Ling, who was being escorted.
All eyes in the hall instantly turned to Empress Dowager Feng and Ling Xiao, and the cause of this turn of events seemed to have become clear. The Empress Dowager may have long been dissatisfied with the Emperor's cold attitude, and by targeting Lord Ling, she was perhaps also aiming at the Empress.
Ultimately, everyone could see that Ling Xiao was a valuable asset for Empress Song, whom the emperor had groomed. His ability was only one aspect; overcoming public opposition to appoint him was not so simple.
But now, Ling Xiao has become the Princess Consort of Ning, her status even more prominent than before. Empress Dowager Feng's actions show absolutely no mercy to Prince Ning. And by all accounts, it seems utterly reckless.
As expected, before Zhang Yu could speak, Prince Ning stepped forward first. He looked at Empress Dowager Feng in surprise, then at Ling Xiao, took a few steps forward, and asked, "What does Mother mean by this?" Ling Xiao and Prince Ning exchanged glances, confirming that the other party had not encountered any major problems and that the situation was still under control.
Empress Dowager Feng glanced at him, flicked her sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Little Ten, I know you are not feeling well, and so am I. But such a bad thing can only be done by me."
Her gaze shifted, and she turned slightly to look at Ling Xiao. Empress Dowager Feng sighed softly and said, "If I had noticed sooner, Wanru would not have died unjustly. I am truly ashamed before the Shen family."