Chapter 292: Princess Consort Xiao, Er Ya Is Pregnant
Warfare on the grasslands intensified.
Sang Kun, having received grain from the Northern Frontier, stood taller and gathered the desperate herdsmen, forming them into units of cannon fodder and pressing towards the Barghu Grassland like a dark swarm of ants.
Temüjin, however, suffered losses and shortages of supplies and food, presenting a desolate picture.
Although his command was never short of fierce generals, with Muqali, Subutai, Chilawen, and others all being top-tier warriors on the grassland.
Ultimately, even the best fighter can be overwhelmed by numbers.
The Kereit tribe had vast resources; they could assemble tens of thousands of cavalry even after losing ten times, but Temüjin could not afford to lose again.
The guards outside his tent had dwindled from an initial five thousand to less than two thousand, and even his son Ogedai Khan had a blood-soaked cloth strip wrapped around his arm.
“Withdraw into the Greater Khingan Range.”
Inside a dilapidated tent, Temüjin sat on the ground, gritting his teeth and saying hatefully.
Sang Kun and Zhamuha were not planning to leave him any room to survive, intending to annihilate him completely.
Even the Barghu Grassland offered him no place to stay; tribes that had once submitted to him now betrayed Temüjin upon seeing the might of the Kereit tribe.
Now, he could only retreat like a stray dog, leading his remaining followers towards the Greater Khingan Range.
In the past, the ancestors of the Mongols, the Shiwei people, had emerged from the Greater Khingan Range.
There were still many relatives there.
Having decided on the direction of retreat, Temüjin then looked at his good brother Jelme.
He said in a deep voice, “Jelme, I need you to go to Kuyun-Ordu. Deliver a message to Ong Khan.”
“Tell him that I, Temüjin, am willing to submit, only asking for a piece of pasture so that the name of the Kiyan tribe does not disappear from the grassland.”
Hearing Temüjin’s words, Jelme was stunned: “Leader?”
This was complete submission to Ong Khan.
He was even willing to hand over his people, keeping only a patch of grassland?
Not only Jelme found it difficult to comprehend, but the other generals were also shocked.
Was this still the great hero Temüjin they knew?
Facing their lack of understanding, Temüjin said with a stern attitude, “Go, Jelme.”
“The survival of the Kiyan tribe rests entirely on you.”
Jelme had no choice but to sigh heavily, turn around, and leave the large tent.
After everyone had departed, Temüjin lay on the ground with a weary expression, murmuring to himself, “Ong Khan, Sang Kun, I, Temüjin, will not admit defeat.”
At the same time, a troop of cavalry was slowly approaching Dragon City from the direction of the Yin Mountains.
Each man had three horses, and most were sturdy soldiers wearing single layers of clothing, but half of them carried greyish-white armor on their horses.
It was the cavalry from the Third Garrison of the Yin Mountains.
As they neared Dragon Bone Lake, a young general pointed towards the silhouette of Dragon City in the distance and said to the woman beside him.
“Princess Consort, that is Dragon City.”
The young man appeared to be fifteen or sixteen, handsome, but lean due to his age, with eyes resembling Da Hu.
This was Da Hu’s younger brother, Er Bao.
Currently serving under Li Dongjiang of the Third Garrison as a Chiliarch.
Stationed in the Yin Mountains Grassland year-round, this trip was essentially a visit home, and also to protect the woman beside him.
The Princess Consort of the Sixth Courtyard Department of the Liao State, Xiao Yanyan’s sister-in-law, Shu Lü Wujin.
She could also be called Princess Consort Xiao!
The sky over Jin Prefecture was mostly clear blue for miles, with extremely high visibility, and following the direction Er Bao pointed, Shu Lü Wujin could clearly see the outline of Dragon City.
She could not help but show admiration.
Having grown up in the Royal Court of Western Liao, she was accustomed to the felt tent settlements on the grassland.
She had also spent considerable time in Kuyun-Ordu and Yemili, witnessing magnificent cities across the land.
However, this Dragon City before her was no less impressive than the Eastern Capital, Kuyun-Ordu, and others.
It stood over ten feet tall, constructed with blue bricks, stretching for several miles, and a golden Sun and Moon Battle Flag could faintly be seen fluttering in the wind.
The Sun and Moon Totem on the flag exuded dignity and strength.
“So this is Dragon City…” Shu Lü Wujin murmured softly.
Although it was her first time in Jin Prefecture, she had heard that Jin Prefecture had been extremely desolate before, entirely grassland, and particularly cold in winter.
But she had not expected that in just a few years, such a magnificent city would be erected in Jin Prefecture.
And it had already replaced Yemili to become the heart of the Northern Frontier.
After her amazement, she thought of Xiao Yanyan, who had married into Jin Prefecture, and sighed softly, “I wonder how A Man is doing lately.”
Coming from the Yin Mountains this time, one reason was to specifically see Xiao Yanyan and her child, whom she had not seen in a long time, and another was to relax on this journey.
After all, life in the Yin Mountains had felt somewhat lonely since Xiao Simo’s passing.
Moreover, the other women Xiao Simo had left behind were particularly troublesome, which also bothered Shu Lü Wujin.
She was seeking peace and quiet.
Although she had seen the silhouette of Dragon City when they were at Dragon Bone Lake, they were still quite a distance away.
By mid-afternoon, the group finally arrived outside Dragon City.
Just then, a familiar figure came into view.
Xiao Yanyan stood not far away, holding a child, wearing a simple, elegant light gray dress, with her hair styled in a simple bun.
Seeing the approaching group, a smile immediately bloomed on her face, and she strode forward.
“Sister-in-law!”
Xiao Yanyan’s voice carried a hint of joy, and Jin Dao in her arms seemed to sense his mother’s happiness, waving his little hands and babbling.
Shu Lü Wujin quickly dismounted and hurried forward to grasp Xiao Yanyan’s hand, her eyes slightly moist, “A Man, I’ve missed you terribly.”
Xiao Yanyan was also extremely excited.
Since Xiao Simo’s death, she had not seen Shu Lü Wujin for nearly two years.
During these two years, she had experienced pregnancy and childbirth, and the child was too young to be separated from his mother for extended periods.
Xiao Yanyan could only remain in Jin Prefecture.
She had been missing Shu Lü Wujin greatly.
After all, she had lost her parents when she was young, and it was Xiao Simo who took care of her as she grew up. Even when Shu Lü Wujin married in, Xiao Yanyan was not very old.
Therefore, the relationship between the sisters-in-law was very good.
Apart from Xiao Simo’s three concubine-born sons, Shu Lü Wujin was the only relative from her maternal home.
As for the mothers of those concubine-born sons? Xiao Yanyan did not pay them any mind at all.
The sisters-in-law met and wept with joy.
Soon, their attention shifted to the child.
The little one was looking at Shu Lü Wujin with his large, dark eyes, his small mouth pouting as if saying something.
Causing Shu Lü Wujin, who had lost her own beloved son, to melt with affection.
Xiao Yanyan taught him to speak, “Jin Dao, this is your maternal aunt.”
“Say, maternal aunt.”
Jin Dao’s round, big eyes stared intently. Over a year old, he could already speak simple words.
It was just that “maternal aunt” was a rather unfamiliar word.
“Ooo ooo ooo~”
Hearing him make sounds like a chicken clucking because his tongue couldn’t quite form the word, Shu Lü Wujin laughed.
“This child… is truly a treasure.”
“Look at these eyes, as bright as stars on the grassland.”
Seeing her fondness, Xiao Yanyan offered the child to her, “Sister-in-law, want to hold him? He’s very well-behaved, he doesn’t usually cry.”
Shu Lü Wujin hesitated for a moment, then carefully took the child, afraid of hurting him.
After all, she hadn’t held a baby in many years.
Then, Er Bao also came over, wanting to hold his grand-nephew.
It was Shu Lü Wujin’s first time meeting Jin Dao, and he, his paternal uncle, had also seen him infrequently.
The group soon entered the city.
This also caused many military households and their families to peek out and watch.
“Who is that? To have the Madam personally come out of the city to greet them?”
A woman who was sewing the sole of a shoe nudged her companion, her eyes full of curiosity.
“Looking at their clothing and demeanor, they don’t seem like our Jin Prefecture Han people, but rather like Khitan people.”
“Isn’t the Madam herself of Khitan origin?”
“Yes, perhaps they are the Madam’s maternal relatives!”
“Look at the child in her arms, that’s the Madam’s beloved child, and also the Great Protector’s eldest legitimate son. For her to hold him, their status must be extraordinary.”
Among the crowd, discussions arose, and many people, not recognizing Shu Lü Wujin, speculated about her origins.
Meanwhile, the attention of the young girls was entirely focused on Er Bao.
He was a direct descendant of the Li family, the Great Protector’s cousin.
His father was the Commander of the Second Garrison, his elder brother was the Deputy Commander of the Sixth Garrison, and he himself was a Chiliarch in the Third Garrison. At such a young age, he had achieved remarkable military merit and had a limitless future.
Such a background was unparalleled in the entire Northern Frontier, and only Li Xiao’s younger brother, San Bao, could compare to him.
Furthermore, among the younger generation of the Li family, only these two were not yet formally married.
Therefore, there were quite a few girls watching them.
Seeing him dressed in a neat single-layer outfit, riding on horseback with a cavalry saber at his waist, his posture as straight as a pine tree, and a hint of youthful heroism on his face.
Some bolder girls, laughing, nudged their companions and whispered, “Look at Chiliarch Er Bao, he’s become even more heroic than the last time we saw him.”
“I heard he’s not engaged yet…”
“Your father just earned merit and was appointed Deputy Myriad Commander. Have your father ask Commander Li to speak to him, perhaps you lucky girl will get him.”
Most of the houses in Dragon City were not for sale but were distributed as rewards to meritorious generals.
Among them, the old Han people of Jin Prefecture occupied at least half the share.
They grew up on the Jin Prefecture grassland, with bold personalities, and even their daughters were very daring.
Er Bao had long been accustomed to this; since he reached marriageable age, there had been no shortage of such attention.
However, he also knew that his marriage could not be decided by himself.
It had to be decided by his elder brother and father.
Therefore, when he was in the Yin Mountains, Er Bao also had several girls around him.
But upon arriving in Dragon City, these girls could not be casually approached.
Because their fathers or brothers were either Chiliarchs or Centurions in the military, or high officials in the Great Protector’s Mansion, or Myriad Commanders in the local area.
If he approached them, he would have to take responsibility.
Therefore, he declined them all.
Xiao Yanyan watched this scene and said to Er Bao with a smile, “I see several girls who are quite good-looking! You’re still not interested, do you already have someone you fancy?”
“Tell me, Sister-in-law will go and propose for you.”
Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s teasing, Er Bao gave an awkward laugh and quickly shook his head, “No, no, everything is up to my father and elder brother to decide.”
If he truly met someone he liked, he would directly bring her back as a secondary wife.
The primary wife had to be chosen based on family background and character.
Seeing his ears turn red, Shu Lü Wujin couldn’t help but tease, “A Man, look, this child Er Bao is now a coveted prize in Dragon City. So many girls have their eye on him, this trip back might see his doorstep trampled by matchmakers.”
Xiao Yanyan also laughed upon hearing this, looking at Er Bao with a teasing gaze, “Sister-in-law is right, this child is straightforward and capable, any girl who marries him will be blessed.”
Facing the teasing from the two young women, Er Bao became even more flustered, his face turning bright red.
He scratched his head and couldn’t say a word for a long time, only able to quicken his pace forward, drawing a burst of light laughter from the two.
Fortunately, at this moment, a commotion ahead interrupted the two women’s teasing. Shu Lü Wujin looked curiously ahead and asked, “What is that?”
She saw a crowd gathered in front of a large shop with a prominent storefront, bearing a gilded plaque that read “Northern Frontier Bank,” which was very eye-catching.
Moreover, many of the military and civilian families who had been curious about their identities earlier also rushed over to join the fun, forming a dense crowd in front of the shop.
Among the crowd, Cui Benchang stood on a high platform, wearing a gray long gown, holding a “Northern Frontier Treasure” in his hand.
With a somewhat rough voice typical of grasslands people, he spoke loudly, “Fellow villagers, listen to me! Our Northern Frontier Bank opens today.”
“Your old currency, be it from Jin, Song, or Xia, can be exchanged here for our own ‘Northern Frontier Treasure’!”
“Deposit silver here, not only is it secure, but after some time, you’ll even get a few extra copper coins in interest, just like when you herd cattle and sheep to a place with abundant grass and water, and then you get more lambs!”
His words were easy to understand, using analogies familiar to the grassland people, and the common people listened with expressions of understanding, their discussions becoming more animated.
Many people were already pushing forward, wanting to see what this bank was all about.
Xiao Yanyan, seeing this scene from afar, softly introduced it to Shu Lü Wujin in a gentle tone, “Sister-in-law, that is the bank that the Northern Frontier has just opened. It used to be a money house, and the Great Protector ordered it to be established.”
“Before, it was inconvenient for people to do business and deposit silver. With this bank, depositing silver is safe, exchanging money is convenient, and future transactions will be much easier.”
Shu Lü Wujin, looking at the lively scene, asked, “The Great Protector’s Mansion has issued new currency?”
“Yes, it’s called the Northern Frontier Treasure.”
“The gold, silver, and copper coins held by our Northern Frontier soldiers and civilians will gradually be exchanged for it.”
“Sister-in-law, the gold and silver items left by my elder brother don’t need to be touched, but the copper coins should be exchanged as soon as possible.”
“In two years, copper coins from other countries won’t be easily used in our Northern Frontier,” Xiao Yanyan said.
Dragon City was just a pilot program, and if the currency exchange went smoothly.
Li Xiao would issue an administrative order to replace the currency held by the military households of each garrison and the common people of each myriad household, based on their fineness and weight.
The old currency exchanged would be re-melted and forged into new coins.
The Northern Frontier would gradually end its chaotic currency system.
Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, Shu Lü Wujin nodded gently.
Xiao Simo had spent his life in military campaigns and left behind a considerable amount of silver, which was basically in Shu Lü Wujin’s possession.
Therefore, she inevitably became a target.
Therefore, he was inevitably targeted.
When everyone returned to the Great Protector’s Mansion, Li Xiao was already waiting by the gate.
He was in casual clothes, his usual seriousness from handling military affairs shed, a gentle smile on his face.
“Sister-in-law, you must stay for a while this time in Jin Prefecture; A Man misses you dearly.”
Li Xiao chuckled, his gaze lightly appraising Shu Lü Wujin.
The woman before him, though bearing the fatigue of travel, couldn’t hide her mature, feminine charm, seeming even more alluring.
And she doesn’t seem to be thirty years old yet?
She can still give birth!
Through the news from the Imperial Guard scouts in the Yin Mountains, Li Xiao knew quite well about Shu Lü Wujin’s situation there.
Her several concubine’s sons were growing up, while her legitimate son was long gone, and the household’s morale was gradually becoming unsettled.
Even many of the guards who were originally loyal to Xiao Simo had begun to waver.
In their view, the Xiao Family’s future would likely see one of the three concubine’s sons chosen to inherit the family business, and it was not surprising that they were placing their bets early.
Therefore, although Shu Lü Wujin still managed the Royal Mansion, her prestige had already been significantly impacted.
Shu Lü Wujin’s voice was gentle as she said to Li Xiao, “Thank you, Great Protector, for your concern. I’ve come this time to see Yanyan and the child, and also to rest in Dragon City.”
Li Xiao nodded, “Sister-in-law can stay as long as you like.”
He then turned to Er Bao beside him and instructed, “Er Bao, go home and rest first. The Great Protector’s Mansion will host a family banquet in three days, be here on time.”
Er Bao quickly cupped his hands and replied, “Yes, Elder Brother.”
That evening, Li Xiao prepared a simple home-cooked meal in Xiao Yanyan’s courtyard, a small banquet for just the three of them.
After a couple of drinks, Shu Lü Wujin’s cheeks flushed slightly, and the fatigue of her journey gradually dissipated in the warm atmosphere.
After the banquet, Li Xiao stayed in Xiao Yanyan’s main room, while Shu Lü Wujin was led to a guest room next door to rest.
The guest room was simply furnished but clean and tidy. She had just taken off her clothes and lay down when she heard faint, intermittent gasps coming from the main room next door.
At first, they were somewhat restrained, but then they became increasingly clear.
Shu Lü Wujin’s face suddenly flushed hot, naturally understanding what was happening.
She silently cursed “lack of temperance” and shifted further into the bed, intending to cover her ears. However, the sounds seemed to have legs and drilled into her ears.
But at the same time, a sense of sadness welled up in her heart.
Who could understand the loneliness of a woman guarding an empty room after her husband’s death?
Especially after seeing Jin Dao’s exquisitely carved appearance today, she couldn’t help but think of her own son.
“If Nair were still alive, he would probably be married by now too, wouldn’t he?” Shu Lü Wujin’s eyes gradually became moist.
If her son were still alive, how would the mothers of those concubine’s sons dare to act so imperiously in front of her?
Without a son to support her, relying only on herself, a weak woman, to sustain such a large Royal Mansion was truly too exhausting.
The sounds from the main room continued.
About an hour later, her emotions gradually calmed down.
The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, Er Feng, San Feng, and Si Feng came to join the fun.
Er Feng had been married to Wei Xuan for over a year and had finally gotten pregnant three months ago. Her pregnancy was not yet obvious, but her steps already carried a hint of cautious lightness.
The three women first paid their respects to Li Xiao and Xiao Yanyan: “Elder Brother, Sister-in-law.”
“We heard from Er Bao yesterday that Sister-in-law Shu Lü had arrived, so we came to see.”
Li Xiao, eating breakfast heartily, said to Er Feng, “You’re so impatient just after becoming pregnant, be careful of your footing.”
Xiao Yanyan also beckoned to her three sisters with a smile, “Come and rest, I’ve asked the kitchen to stew bird’s nest porridge, we’ll have it together later.”
Er Feng, being older and pregnant, was relatively composed, while the other two younger maids were even more lively.
They chattered about what they had seen while passing through the courtyard earlier.
Er Feng nodded, her face full of admiration, “When I came in, I happened to see Sister-in-law Shu Lü playing with Jin Dao under the corridor, tsk tsk, such grace, how can she look like someone who has been through so much?”
“No wonder Elder Brother always says Khitan noblewomen are extraordinary.”
Xiao Yanyan chuckled at her, “You really don’t know how to hold your tongue.”
After chatting for a while, Er Feng then took the two maids to see Er Ya.
As soon as they entered Er Ya’s courtyard, they saw the living room door wide open. Er Ya was sitting in a chair, her wrist resting on a pulse rest.
Beside her, an old man with a white beard was squinting as he took her pulse, with two maids standing by, their expressions somewhat solemn.
Er Feng walked quickly forward and asked Er Ya with concern, “Er Ya, are you feeling unwell? Why did you invite a doctor?”
Er Ya smiled faintly with a touch of weariness on her face and shook her head, “Sister-in-law, it’s nothing serious.”
“I just haven’t had much appetite lately, nothing tastes good, and I always feel so weak, so I asked Doctor Zhang to take a look.”
The white-bearded Doctor Zhang was a renowned doctor in Dragon City, experienced. At this moment, he slowly withdrew his hand, stroked his beard, and revealed a gentle smile.
He said to Er Ya, “Congratulations, Madam, it is not an illness, you are pregnant, almost two months along.”
“What?”
Er Feng was first stunned, then her face erupted with a look of joyful surprise.
“Really? Er Ya, you’re pregnant too? This is truly wonderful news!”
San Feng and Si Feng were also very happy.
“Grandfather will be happy again now.”
“We must hurry and tell Elder Brother and Grandfather.”
“Oh right, we must also quickly send word to Second Brother-in-law.”
The two young maids were arranging things.
Er Ya herself remained stunned for a moment before reacting.
A blush spread across her face, and her hand unconsciously rested lightly on her lower abdomen, her eyes filled with disbelieving joy as she murmured, “I… I’m pregnant?”
Soon, Li Xiao also received the news, and a smile instantly bloomed on his face.
He also felt a sense of emotion, his efforts during this period had not been in vain.
By his count, there were already four women in the mansion who were pregnant.
The first was Huang Xiuer, followed by Tajiguli and Sorghaghtani, and finally Er Ya.
In the future, there would be even more women getting pregnant.
“As for offspring, naturally the more the better.”
When these children grow up, they will all be driven out.
Riding horses, leading soldiers, forging south, conquering north, venturing west, expanding east.
Whoever can plant the Sun and Moon Battle Flag on unfamiliar land will own the territory they conquer.
By then, all the nations under heaven will flow with the blood of the Li family.
The wombs of all women in the entire world will carry the seed of Huaxia.
