Zhao Mian returned to Yongning Palace accompanied by his younger brother and learned that when he left, Qianjiyuan had sent a secret report in a hurry.
There is no secret report that can make Qianjiyuan disturb His Majesty on New Year's Eve. Zhao Mian received the secret report and felt that it was related to Beiyuan. For a moment, he was afraid to open it.
Zhao Lin was a little uneasy when he saw his brother holding the secret report without moving: "No, are you okay?"
Zhao Mian heard himself say, "It'll be fine."
He calmly unsealed the bag and opened the secret music.
Zhao Lin didn’t know what was written in the secret report. He only saw his brother’s pupils suddenly shrink, and then he quickly calmed down. There was no emotion on his face, and his whole aura became different.
This is the usual expression my brother has when he is dealing with serious matters. It is completely different from the look he had just now when he was hurt by love.
Zhao Lin asked: "Brother, what happened?"
Zhao Mian said succinctly: "The 50,000 troops stationed in Liangzhou by Beiyuan have already set off for Shengjing a few days ago."
"I remember that the governor of Beiyuan Liangzhou is the direct descendant of their prince." Zhao Lin's eyes widened, "Could it be that the Liangzhou army is going to Shengjing to support the king?"
Zhao Mian said in a deep voice: "The palace coup in Beiyuan is bound to end up like this."
The reason why Wei Zhenfeng tried to achieve his goal through the palace coup was to control the chaos within the scope of Shengjing, or even within the palace, so as to reduce casualties and achieve a quick victory. But how could others let him achieve his wish so easily
Wei Zhaoxiu was not an issue for the moment. His mind was hard to fathom. Neither he nor Wei Zhenfeng could figure out what Wei Zhaoxiu was thinking. And Wei Changdu, the crown prince of Beiyuan, had long seen that Wei Zhenfeng was intent on taking over the throne, so how could he just sit there and wait for death
Even though Wei Zhenfeng has taken control of Shengjing and sat on the throne, he still has to face the 50,000 troops rushing from Liangzhou.
Zhao Lin couldn't help but worry about the other father of his unborn nephew or niece: "What about Wei Zhenfeng?"
"He should have anticipated this." Zhao Mian was surprisingly calm. "The army that Beiyuan used to destroy Xixia is still in his hands. He will make good use of it."
Zhao Lin studied Zhao Mian's expression and asked cautiously, "Brother, aren't you worried?"
Zhao Mian lowered his eyes: "Not bad."
He couldn't worry. Once he worried, it would seem as if the situation Wei Zhenfeng was facing was really dangerous.
Although Wei Zhenfeng is a bit talkative, he is very capable. Wei Zhenfeng can always handle everything in a cheerful and cheerful manner. He must trust Wei Zhenfeng, and even more so, he must trust his own vision.
The father of his children would not be a loser.
Zhao Mian looked at the Jinghong Sword placed on the sword stand.
At this moment, the Youlong Spear, which matches the weapon well, might be in the hands of its master, killing enemies on the battlefield with great passion, clearing away obstacles one after another for his master's path to imperial power.
And what about him? He was like a man and woman in a storybook, feeling sad and depressed, climbing up the wall on New Year's Eve, and showing his helplessness in front of his brother. This was what Zhao Mian should do? How did he become like this because of Wei Zhenfeng
So what if Wei Zhenfeng doesn't come? He is the king of a country with vast territory, so can't he have a child
He is vulnerable.
Zhao Lin wanted to say something, but Zhao Mian said, "You go back first. I want to be alone for a while."
Zhao Lin walked away, looking back every few steps. Every time he looked back, he saw his royal brother standing alone in the empty hall, lonely and deserted, with no one to rely on. The sight of him made him feel very uncomfortable.
After Zhao Lin left Yongning Palace, his mind was filled with the lonely figure of his brother. He was so worried about this that he told his fathers about it.
"That's great. My brother is about to give birth and I have to worry about Wei Zhenfeng's condition," Zhao Lin cried out in pain. "My brother must be feeling very uncomfortable!"
So, there were two more people who were extremely worried.
The family planned to stay with Zhao Mian until he gave birth. Zhao Lin even temporarily overcame her fear of men for her brother and planned to stay in Yongning Palace for a while to provide comfort to her depressed brother at any time.
The next day, Zhao Qi brought his youngest son to Yongning Palace. He thought that waiting for them was a pregnant woman who was sick with longing, anxious and in urgent need of comfort. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the palace gate, he saw the Minister of Works, who was nearly 60 years old, walking out of the palace with tears in his eyes. When he saluted them, his voice was hoarse and nasal.
Zhao Qi asked curiously, "What happened?"
Zhou Huairang explained, "Your Majesty, a cousin of Minister Zhang used his high-ranking official title to bully others in Minister Zhang's hometown. The censor discovered this and reported him. Then the Emperor summoned the Minister to the palace and gave him a severe reprimand. It's Chinese New Year."
He was able to scold an old minister like this. It is clear that his skills are still as strong as before.
Zhao Qi looked at his youngest son: "Didn't you say your brother was very sad and fragile?"
"Yes," Zhao Lin also felt strange, "My brother was really very fragile last night, the kind who was alone and sad."
The two walked into the hall and saw Zhao Mian walking indoors accompanied by Jiang Dehai and Bai Yu, saying that this would help the baby come out earlier.
"I want to resolve this matter as soon as possible, so that I can be free sooner." Zhao Mian disagreed, "I am already tired of those loose clothes that cannot be tied with belts."
Zhao Qi asked tentatively: "Mianmian, do you not want to wait for Wei Zhenfeng anymore?"
"No more waiting." Zhao Mian said arrogantly, "I live my own life."
There was nothing to be afraid of, he was not afraid at all.
Zhao Qi and Zhao Lin looked at each other. Zhao Mian keenly saw that there was something fishy going on between the two of them, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Zhao Qi betrayed his youngest son without hesitation: "Alin said you are very fragile, and we are worried about you."
Zhao Lin was horrified and couldn't believe it: "Father, you...!"
Zhao Mian's face froze for a moment, then he sneered, "Nonsense."
Zhao Qi laughed: "Father is very pleased that you can cheer up. But why do you feel that you need a life of your own? Do you think we don't exist?"
Zhao Mian was stunned for a moment: "That's not what I meant."
"Father knows what you mean." Zhao Qi said sourly, "It's just that Wei Zhenfeng means something different to you than to us. Father knows it all."
"But our significance cannot be replaced by Wei Zhenfeng." Zhao Lin rarely said something that made sense, "Royal brother, if it hurts you, just grab my hair and bite my hand. Then when Wei Zhenfeng comes, I will grab and bite him back, then it will be even."
Zhao Mian frowned slightly: "What are you talking about?"
Zhao Lin vowed: "Because I will be by your side when you give birth."
Zhao Mian said expressionlessly: "No, you won't."
He would never let his younger brother see him giving birth, otherwise where would his dignity as an older brother be
But putting aside his majesty, although he couldn't stick to Wei Zhenfeng, he did have his family to stick to.
How lucky I am.
During the Chinese New Year, Yongning Palace was always bustling with activity. With Zhao Lin around, it was hard not to be lively.
A few days later, one afternoon, Zhao Mian was accompanied by his father in the palace to review the memorials. According to Beiyuan's intelligence, the Liangzhou army had already reached a place only a hundred miles away from Shengjing. Whether they would come to the king's defense or be captured, it would be clear in a few days.
The news that reached Shangjing was only a few days ago, so it is possible that the battle of Shengjing had already ended.
"The Liangzhou army has been stationed on the border between Nanjing and Beiyuan for many years. The two countries have not fought for many years, so it is inevitable that the army will become lazy." Xiao Shiqing said, "In terms of experience, Wei Zhenfeng and others are better."
Just as Zhao Mian was about to speak, he suddenly felt an unbearable pain in his abdomen. He had a vague premonition that he was about to give birth, and a flash of panic flashed in his eyes, but his tone was still steady: "Father, I..."
Xiao Shiqing knew what had happened when he saw his son's forced calm expression. He immediately dropped the pen in his hand, picked up his son without saying a word, and strode towards the inner hall, saying in a cold voice, "Call the imperial physician."
Zhao Mian leaned in his father's arms and smelled the faint scent of ink on his father. He couldn't remember the last time his father hugged him... The smell of his father seemed to have never changed.
The distance from the outer hall to the inner hall was very short, only long enough for his father to ask him, "Does it hurt?"
Zhao Mian's eyes felt sore for no reason, and he didn't know if this was a normal reaction to the upcoming birth. He said in a hoarse voice, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt much."
"Don't be afraid." His father gently placed him on the bed. "The emperor and the imperial physician will be here soon."
Cheng Boyan and Bai Yu were on standby at Yongning Palace, and Zhao Qi and Zhao Lin also rushed over at the first opportunity. Zhao Mian was still not in any condition, but Zhao Lin, a dark-skinned man, was almost crying. He knelt beside the dragon bed and stretched his head towards Zhao Mian's hand: "Brother, if it hurts, just grab my hair, don't be polite!"
"Get out." Zhao Mian pushed Zhao Lin's head away with disdain, "I don't want the first thing the child sees is Black Skin."
Zhao Lin refused to let go of the blanket and said, "Brother, please don't chase me away!"
Zhao Mian could no longer bear it and ordered, "Come here, drag the Second Prince out for me!"
Xiao Shiqing said: "Alin, come with me."
When Zhao Lin was dragged out by Shen Buci, he was still shouting "Royal brother, royal brother". It was not until the door was closed that Zhao Mian's ears were finally quiet.
Apart from the imperial physician, there were only him and his father in the bedroom.
The father sat down beside the bed and held his hand: "Father, I will stay with you, okay?"
Zhao Mian hesitated for a moment and nodded.
His father could see his miserable and painful appearance, but no one else could.
"If you feel uncomfortable, just shout it out or cry." Zhao Qi gently coaxed his child, "Don't hold it in."
Before Zhao Mian could respond, another wave of pain came over him. He groaned, still with a proud look on his face: "The ghosts howling and the wolves howling are too ugly, I don't want it."
Zhao Mian didn't want it, but Zhao Qi wanted to cry.
His Mianmian is still so young, she will only be 20 years old after the Chinese New Year, why should he suffer like this
Zhao Qi tried hard to hold back his tears and smiled: "No way, you were also very cute when you cried loudly as a child. Okay, from now on, let's listen to the imperial physician, okay, Mianmian."
Why does the emperor sound like he is coaxing a child? It is obvious that he is about to become an emperor himself.
Zhao Mian hummed helplessly and slowly closed his eyes.
His father carried him into the inner hall. His younger brother kept making noises out of anxiety, but his father stayed by his side the whole time.
These... should have been done by Wei Zhenfeng.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month in the second year of Tianchong, Nanjing welcomed the new eldest son of the emperor.
The little prince was very cute. Although his facial features had not yet fully developed and it was hard to tell who he looked like, his eyelashes were long and thick, longer and more numerous than the eyelashes of Shen Buci and Zhou Huairang combined.
Zhao Mian only took a look at the little prince, and after confirming that he was healthy and not dark-skinned, the tension in his heart finally relaxed. He was so tired and sleepy that he wanted to fall asleep immediately, but before that, he had something to emphasize.
"I didn't cry." Zhao Mian said softly, "I'm not a spoiled child at all."
"Yes, yes." Zhao Qi stroked his son's long hair and smiled with tears in his eyes, "Mianmian is so brave, you are the bravest baby in the world!"
Zhao Mian's lips curled up slightly, and he fell into a deep sleep with his father by his side.
Before he lost consciousness, he was still thinking that praising him for being brave was something Wei Zhenfeng should do.
After Zhao Mian fell asleep, Zhao Qi wanted to put his hands that were outside into the quilt, and suddenly noticed that he seemed to be holding something in his hands.
No wonder Mianmian kept her hand clenched tightly and refused to let go during the whole process.
Zhao Qi gently opened his son's palm and saw a delicate and small gold seal lying inside.
(End of this chapter)