The First Jasmine - Chapter 158

Chapter 158 - A Sudden Joyful Tide

Upon hearing Ye Li's words, the expression on Feng Zhiyao's face twisted for a moment. Only after a long while did he gnash his teeth and bark out, "Mo Jingqi! The Prince is simply far too soft-hearted! I said it long ago: if he himself doesn't even want the rivers and mountains of Great Chu, why do we bother caring so much? Let's just march our forces straight into the capital and see what other tricks he can pull!" Ye Li shook her head and sighed, "Moving against Mo Jingqi right now will only make our situation even more dire." No matter how dark and venomous Mo Jingqi's mindset was, he was ultimately not a licentious and utterly despotic tyrant yet. The people of this world were deeply influenced by traditional feudal dogma, and those loyal to the imperial family were by no means few in number. What was more, there was the so-called saying: "If the monarch wants the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die." If the Mo Family Army were to suddenly tear off all pretenses with Mo Jingqi right now, it would only drag all those garrisoned troops across various regions—who had not yet taken part—into this chaotic battlefield. If someone else were to take advantage of the opening created by that, not only would Great Chu be finished, but the Mo Family Army would fearfully be finished as well.

It was not that Feng Zhiyao failed to understand what Ye Li said; he was simply finding it difficult to quell the fury in his heart.

"What should we do now?"

Ye Li raised her head to gaze at the dark blue firmament, saying in a low voice, "Hold down the Prince of Zhennan at all costs. We must absolutely never allow him to interfere in the battle for the Central Plains." Feng Zhiyao felt a faint jolt in his heart. Looking at that somewhat slender yet straight and upright back before him, he understood in his heart exactly what "at all costs" meant in her mouth. The opponent they had to face was the Prince of Zhennan, known as Xiling's God of War, as well as the Xiling armies that could be continuously replenished from Xiling itself. Yet the Mo Family Army remaining in the Northwest numbered merely these two hundred thousand men. "Your subordinate obeys the order!"

Dismissing Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li couldn't help but knit her brows slightly. Over these past few days, her body had become extremely prone to fatigue. Right now, it was only the end of the ninth lunar month; she had merely stood on the city wall for a short spell of wind, yet she was already starting to feel slightly dizzy and unwell. Under normal circumstances, anyone could have times when their body was out of sorts, but right now, she could not afford to collapse casually. Supporting herself against the city wall with one hand, she lowered her eyes to wait for these waves of dizziness to pass. Ye Li raised her hand to rub the center of her brows, feeling somewhat irritable in her heart despite herself.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Han Mingyue's voice came from behind. These past few days, Han Mingyue had been very well-behaved; aside from having people keep a quiet eye on him, Ye Li had not paid him much mind either. Han Mingyue was also very clever and sensible, staying in his own courtyard or keeping Su Zhidie company most of the time. Who knew what he had said to Su Zhidie, but over these past few days, Su Zhidie had actually remained quiet and well-behaved without throwing any more tantrums. Turning around, she saw Han Mingyue standing not far away, looking at her with a trace of concern. Ye Li said calmly, "It's nothing, just a bit tired. Why did Master Han come up here?"

Han Mingyue sized her up from head to toe, stepping forward to say, "If Your Grace trusts this humble one, why not let me check your pulse?" Ye Li tilted her head to look at him, asking with apparent surprise, "Does Master Han also understand medical arts?" Han Mingyue smiled faintly, "I know a thing or two."

Stepping forward, he took one of Ye Li's hands to check her pulse. Ye Li did not struggle either, merely watching him in quiet composure. Han Mingyue knitted his brows as he felt her pulse, raising his head to glance at Ye Li before pressing his fingers against her pulse once more. Only after a good while did he let out a soft sigh and release Ye Li's hand. Ye Li looked at him, asking with a smile, "With that expression on Master Han's face, could it be that this Princess has contracted some incurable disease?" Han Mingyue shook his head, looking at Ye Li with a complex gaze as he said, "I do not know whether this counts as good news for Your Grace or not either." Ye Li met his gaze with a faint smile, indicating that no matter what the news was, she could accept it. Han Mingyue said in a heavy voice, "Your Grace is pregnant, less than a month along."

Ye Li was startled, her mind seemingly turning completely blank for a moment while simultaneously flashing through countless thoughts. Han Mingyue's words brought too great an impact upon her. Although she had lived through two lifetimes and experienced things that even ordinary people wouldn't experience in ten lifetimes, giving birth to a child was still a first across both her past and present lives. Frankly speaking, she was not prepared for the matter of having a child. Even if everything had been peaceful and without incident, having a child in her original initial plan was supposed to be a matter for after she turned eighteen at the very least. But right now... this child had truly come at an extraordinarily bad time. Yet in her heart, an inexplicable, strange surge of excitement and joy still welled up involuntarily. She was pregnant... this child was the first child of her and Mo Xiurao, and would also be the family member closest to her in blood...

Han Mingyue quietly observed Ye Li's expression, watching as the shock, doubt, joy, and worry that flashed across that clear and elegant face gradually evolved into steadfast resolve. He instantly understood what kind of decision Ye Li had made. Looking at her slender figure, Han Mingyue said sincerely for the very first time, "Your Grace, I fear this child has not come at the right time right now."

Ye Li stared at his face, remaining silent for a long moment before saying, "Can this Princess assume that Master Han will not inform anyone other than the two of us about this matter?"

Han Mingyue knitted his brows with a touch of anxiety, saying, "Your Grace, you ought to be clear that the current situation simply does not allow you to keep this child. If the Prince were here, he would likewise think the same." Ye Li shook her head, "You are wrong. Xiurao, just like me, would choose to protect this child." Han Mingyue said, "That is because Xiurao would be by your side, able to protect you. But right now, you are a woman leading hundreds of thousands of troops while carrying a pregnancy. If an accident were to happen... I believe Xiurao would never be willing to trade your life for the life of an unborn child." Ye Li lowered her eyes, looking at her still-flat abdomen, and said calmly, "This Princess knows what she is doing in her heart. Thank you for your concern, Master Han." Han Mingyue wanted to persuade her further; he understood Mo Xiurao, and was clear about Mo Xiurao's feelings for Ye Li. If anything were to happen to Ye Li because of this child... he simply didn't dare to imagine what kind of reaction Mo Xiurao would have. Yet seeing the resolute expression on Ye Li's clear and elegant features, he ultimately closed his mouth. Over the years, he had seen no shortage of how far a mother could go for her child, and Ye Li was the most firm and decisive woman he had ever seen, so how could she possibly listen to his advice? Sighing, Han Mingyue promised, "Without Your Grace's permission, I will not tell this to a single person. However... Your Grace had best summon a physician to take a look immediately; fetus-soothing medicine and tonics are also absolutely indispensable."

"Thank you."

Returning to the study, Ye Li sat leaning against the desk, lost in thought. The news that had suddenly arrived just now still left her somewhat unable to snap back to reality. The composure and ease she had displayed before Han Mingyue were merely a habitual disguise. Pondering for a long while, she raised her hand to gently stroke her abdomen, which remained flat without the slightest change, and Ye Li's clear, gentle features grew even softer. Here... there actually resided a child shared between her and Mo Xiurao. A person who had never been a mother would never understand how marvelous this feeling was. Perhaps in a few more months, she would be able to feel its changes, and even feel the baby kicking and punching inside her belly. A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips, and the expression between her brows grew increasingly resolute.

"Someone come."

The one who walked in was Wei Lin. Walking to the doorway, he said respectfully, "Your Grace."

"Go invite a physician over." Wei Lin was startled, asking with some concern, "Is Your Grace feeling unwell?"

Ye Li shook her head and said, "Go on."

Thinking that Ye Li was truly feeling unwell, Wei Lin paid no mind to propriety, turning around and sprinting off. After a short while, he dragged in a young man in his early twenties. Looking at the physician before her who was excessively young, Ye Li raised her delicate brows slightly. In truth, the physicians who accompanied the army generally were not too old, as the hardship of marching was not something those elderly physicians could endure. However, the young man before her was inevitably a bit too young. Whether one admitted it or not, traditional medicine did not rely entirely on talent; more often than not, it relied on experience. Wei Lin clearly understood Ye Li's doubt as well, stepping forward to explain, "Your Grace, Physician Yang can be considered Master Shen's junior fellow disciple's nephew. Master Shen has also given high praise regarding his medical skills. For these past two years, he has been with the Northwest Black Cloud Cavalry, and this time he also remained in Xincheng alongside the Black Cloud Cavalry staying behind to guard Xincheng."

Ye Li nodded, offering a somewhat apologetic smile to the young man as she said, "Since that's the case, then I'll trouble Physician Yang to take my pulse."

The young physician was clearly not encountering doubts from others for the first time. Unbothered, he stepped forward to sit down, taking out a pulse pillow to set it in place before taking Ye Li's pulse. After a good while, the young physician's slightly knitted brows smoothed out. He stood up, cupped his hands toward Ye Li, and said, "Congratulations, Your Grace. According to what your subordinate observes, Your Grace is expecting."

Hearing this, Wei Lin was startled, somewhat at a loss for what to do. If it were normal times, Your Grace's pregnancy would naturally be a cause of joy for Prince Ding's Manor and the entire Mo Family Army from top to bottom. But having a pregnancy right now meant that the safety of Your Grace, as well as the safety of the little young master, could not be completely guaranteed. Ye Li lowered her eyes, murmuring softly under her breath, "Truly expecting..." The young man nodded with certainty, "In reply to Your Grace, your subordinate is certain." Ye Li looked at him and asked, "Is there a need to prescribe any medicine?"

The young man shook his head and said, "Your Grace's body is very healthy, and your pulse condition is also very good. In your subordinate's opinion, there is no need for any fetus-soothing medicine right now. All medicines carry a degree of toxicity; since it is not strictly necessary, dispensing with it does no harm either. However, necessary tonics are still required. Also, for the first few months, I must ask Your Grace to be exceptionally careful and not disturb the fetal qi."

"The first few months? What about after that?"

"After three or four months, once the fetus stabilizes, there will be no major issue. However, safety still requires equal caution, and... after four or five months, I fear Your Grace may find moving about somewhat inconvenient..." Speaking up to this point, the young physician couldn't help but grow worried as well. He was not a consultation doctor who sat at home all day ignoring all else; as a military doctor accompanying the army, he naturally knew how dangerous the battlefield was and how many unpredictable accidents there were. Looking at Ye Li, he could only say, "I must still ask Your Grace to be careful in every way."

Ye Li nodded and said, "This Princess understands. For these coming days, I shall trouble Physician Yang to remain in the Prefectural Manor, alright?"

The young physician cupped his hands and said, "To be able to attend to the little young master is your subordinate's honor. Your subordinate obeys."

"I shall trouble you then, Physician. Please keep this matter confidential as well. Aside from the people by this Princess's side, this Princess temporarily does not wish for anyone else to know."

Although the young physician was somewhat puzzled, he still agreed, saying, "Your subordinate will turn around and list out the required tonics to deliver to the hands of the people by Your Grace's side."

"Thank you. Wei Lin, see Physician Yang out."

"Yes."