0p0 Chapter 618: Princess Mingzhu
Chapter 618: Princess Mingzhu
Empress Dowager Li nodded with satisfaction: "Thank you for your hard work, Queen!"
The Seventh Prince did not refuse and followed Empress Dowager Li's words with a sigh, "Your Majesty Mother has been working a bit hard lately, but there's nothing we can do about it. Your Majesty Father is away from the Imperial City, and there's so much to worry about! Just now, Your Majesty Mother inquired about today's Imperial City patrols and asked about Concubine Jiang's harem affairs. She's exhausted and dizzy, so she just lay down to rest! But since the Imperial Grandmother has finally arrived, I'll be there right away..."
Empress Dowager Li quickly waved her hands, "Forget it! Let the Queen rest! She has enough to worry about! Mingzhu! Your mother is right to worry. Take this prescription and don't come to the palace for the time being. Take good care of yourself and have children for your prince consort as soon as possible. That's the serious matter!"
Princess Mingzhu resisted the urge to spit blood. She clenched her palms tightly, her sharp nails pricking her palms. "Good! I'm so sorry that my grandmother and mother have taken so much trouble for me!"
Princess Mingzhu looked at the prescription, feeling incredibly ironic. Could the Queen be so kind? She simply didn't believe it. She could be accused of being a mean-spirited person, but the rift between her and the Queen had grown deeper over the years, something they both knew all too well. And now, whenever her father was away from the Imperial City, the Queen wouldn't even show up, much less treat her with a friendly attitude. It was a foregone conclusion!
The Seventh Prince chatted with Empress Dowager Li for a few words before looking at the eldest princess again, his eyes full of meaning. "Eldest sister, you should take good care of yourself in the eldest princess's residence for the time being! Going back and forth to the palace is exhausting. Grandmother, my mother mentioned you today, saying that she's been busy and neglected you. She specially prepared soft pastries and nourishing Ganoderma lucidum soup. She said that when my father returns, he must see our family together and happy!"
Empress Dowager Li smiled and nodded repeatedly. The Seventh Prince changed the subject, "Grandmother, Mother also asked that you come and live with me in Fengqi Palace so that I can take care of you personally. Since you are here today, please don't leave! I will give you my bedroom!"
Empress Dowager Li patted the Seventh Prince kindly and said, "What are you talking about? That bedroom is where your father, the Emperor, and your mother, the Empress Dowager, usually live. How can it be appropriate for your grandmother to live there?"
"Then you can choose another palace..."
Empress Dowager Li quickly waved her hand and refused, "It doesn't matter where I live, my old bones. The Empress is already busy enough, and it's hard for her to show her filial piety. I have useful people in the Cining Palace, so I won't add to the chaos! Your mother is right! When your father returns, the most important thing is that our family is well!"
The Seventh Prince echoed, "Yes! Mother also said that those of us who stayed behind in the Imperial City only contributed a little to ensure the peace and stability of the former court and the harem. However, it is Father and the Crown Prince who truly shoulder the responsibility for the rise and fall of Dasheng and carry the heavy burden forward! What we can do is really too little!"
Empress Dowager Li was deeply moved. She sighed, "The Queen is right! In fact, the Imperial Grandmother knows it very well in her heart!"
Empress Dowager Li was thinking about herself. She had always shared her affection with the Seventh Prince, Prince An, Princess Mingzhu, and others. But when it came to the critical moment, when life and death were at stake, she still had to rely on Emperor Shenwu and the Crown Prince. Their excellence was unquestionable! With them around, Empress Dowager Li and others could always enjoy wealth and glory in peace.
Empress Dowager Li left with a sigh of regret, and gave Princess Mingzhu a few words of advice: "Take good care of yourself, and don't worry about anything else! It's natural for your mother to be worried about not seeing you. From now on, you will stay in the Grand Princess's residence! Remember to tell the Empress Dowager when you have good news!"
The eldest princess could only bow her head and secretly left the palace with gnashing teeth. Lan Qingwu was on guard against herself. She knew she had to be patient and wait for the opportunity.
Lan Qingwu and the Shenwu Emperor began a year-long mission of sending letters by flying eagle. The Dasheng Imperial Palace had an eagle kennel, and the Shenwu Emperor took with him some of the trained hawks. One of these, a hawk with a single white feather, became the Hongying, the official messenger hawk used by the Shenwu Emperor and Lan Qingwu. It flew back and forth between the border and the Imperial City, delivering letters for the two. On average, Lan Qingwu would receive a letter from the Shenwu Emperor every three or four days.
Lan Qingwu named the eagle "Baiyun". Today, Baiyun flew into the backyard of Fengqi Palace again. The Seventh Prince whistled, and Baiyun landed on his shoulder. The Seventh Prince skillfully took the letter and fed Baiyun some raw meat. He instructed the palace servants: "When I am not around, you must keep an eye on Baiyun at all times. Make sure these letters do not fall into the hands of others!"
The palace maid quickly responded.
The white clouds once again brought Emperor Shenwu's longing.
"My beloved wife, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person! One day without seeing you feels like three years! Now that the war is raging, and I have no idea when I will return, I am filled with longing for you. This love of mine will never end! I will return victoriously soon and hold you in my arms to comfort my longing. I hope you will eat well, drink well, and sleep well every day. I look forward to the day we will be reunited!"
Lan Qingwu couldn't help but blush, secretly criticizing the Emperor Shenwu for traveling so far to write such a letter back. What if the child saw the contents...
She immediately picked up her pen to write a reply. Lan Qingwu's reply was much more practical, covering daily trivial matters, interesting things in the harem, etc. At the end, he also reminded Emperor Shenwu to take care of his health and not to get hurt.
Thousands of miles away in the border grasslands, after tentatively winning several small wars, Emperor Shenwu took the initiative to launch the largest war against the main force of the Beinar army!
The Shenwu Emperor stood amidst the three armies, his hands behind his back, atop his chariot. He wore dark armor, the arm armor radiating a cold hue. His eyes, blazing with murderous intent, were like a handsome god of death. Surrounding him stood a dense mass of soldiers, guarding the emperor of Dasheng.
Above the sky, a ferocious eagle was spinning and flying, patrolling back and forth, staring at the enemy below.
The war drums sounded, the army lined up, and the leading generals rode tall horses, standing tall and straight, looking directly at the huge enemy army opposite.
Suddenly, a general from the opposing side galloped onto the battlefield on a black warhorse, his voice as loud as an ox: "I heard that the Emperor of Dasheng has arrived. Do you dare to fight? If I win, have the Emperor of Dasheng send your Queen to me. Ever since I met the Queen of Dasheng, all other women have become meaningless blades of grass! Emperor of Dasheng, are you here before the three armies? Do you dare to accept the challenge?"
A flash of anger instantly flashed in the eyes of the prince in the front, and his phoenix eyes were sharp and deep!
The next moment, the prince shouted loudly and galloped out on his horse. In a flash, he was in front of the general, with the spear in his hand stretched out to the enemy general's neck: "Naridel! You are looking for death!"