Chapter 1179: Chapter 1173: Duty “Who’s there?!” Bai Qingyan’s breathing was slightly rapid. Upon hearing the voice, Bai Qingyan’s spine stiffened. The shadow took another two steps down the stairs, and the silhouette became clearer—it was Bai Qingyu, covered in blood. “A Yu!” Bai Qingyan’s eyes widened, a shiver ran down her scalp. The Jade Official fell from Bai Qingyu’s head, his hair tangled with drying blood splayed messily, his armor was pierced with arrows, and blood flowed from Bai Qingyu’s silver armor down the stone steps, pooling at Bai Qingyan’s feet… After speaking, Bai Qingyu spewed blood from his mouth, collapsing forward… “A Yu!” Bai Qingyan heard Bai Qingyu’s hoarse voice and dropped the Sun-shooting Bow, taking two steps in one to catch Bai Qingyu, but she missed and staggered onto the stairs. She suddenly opened her eyes: “A Yu!” Sitting by the bedside, Xiao Rongyan’s expression was tense, his hands gripping Bai Qingyan’s shoulders. Bai Qingyan, drenched in cold sweat, saw Xiao Rongyan’s deep and handsome features and sighed in relief… Even though she knew she was dreaming, recalling Bai Qingyu’s bloody appearance in the nightmare still made her scalp tighten. “Had a nightmare?” Xiao Rongyan wiped Bai Qingyan’s forehead with a warm cloth, and seeing Bai Qingyan attempting to sit up, he quickly helped her and placed a cushion behind her back. “Don’t be afraid, it was just a dream!” A Yu is fine now at Yecheng Pass. “Why are you here?” Bai Qingyan took the cloth from Xiao Rongyan’s hand and wiped her neck. “Today is the fifteenth, I couldn’t accompany you on New Year’s Eve, and I’ve been thinking about it.” Xiao Rongyan casually placed the cloth Bai Qingyan used aside, grasping Bai Qingyan’s hand and gently caressing her belly, “Is the child being good? Is there any mischief…” Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze to her belly, a faint smile on her face: “Very good.” After gathering herself, Bai Qingyan noticed the redness in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes, that he had slimmed down considerably, his features more defined. “You really didn’t need to rush here…” She lowered her gaze to their clasped hands, gently rubbed her thumb over his, then looked up at Xiao Rongyan, “Instead of rushing here, you might as well sleep a little longer; there are still several cities to take.” “The spoils from Liuxiang Mountain have been divided, and this time I came with your Zhou’s An Qingshan mainly because the matter of the two kingdoms merging should be prepared, we should draft a plan together, that way Little Ali can be informed, and Little Ali can prepare. Also, to keep you in the loop, about how Yan Kingdom and Zhou Kingdom should coordinate in the fights to come!” Xiao Rongyan finished speaking with a smile, looking at Bai Qingyan, without saying more about the strategies and how the upcoming battles should be fought. “Why are you staring at me like that?” Bai Qingyan urged, “How does your Yan Kingdom plan to fight the upcoming battles?” “Does Kid not miss me? Upon meeting, you only ask about battles and not how I’m doing?” Xiao Rongyan leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, lowered his voice, and asked, his deep dark eyes fixed on her, “Don’t even ask how I’m doing?” She paused, then couldn’t help but laugh, adjusted her posture but kept holding Murong Yan’s hand, bright sparks in her eyes: “How can you turn it around ? Clearly you spoke of sharing ideas after you arrived, about the war ahead, how did it become my fault?” As the words fell, Xiao Rongyan unexpectedly kissed her. Outside the window, Wei Zhong instructed the servant softly to make less noise, while the rustle of silk from Xiao Rongyan approaching was heard, along with restrained soft footsteps outside. She panicked, reached to push him away but Xiao Rongyan grasped her wrist, his fingers that shed cocoons gently caressed her slender wrist. The familiar scent surrounding her, stirring her heart. Xiao Rongyan only lightly kissed then released her lips, quietly gazing at his beloved whom he constantly misses, taking in her deeply blushing ears, his sight fell on her lip corners. He cupped Bai Qingyan’s face, pressing his burning lips against hers once more. This time, it wasn’t a light kiss; his presence forcefully invaded her heart and lungs. “Is the young lady still sleeping?” Shen Qingzhu’s voice reached her, Bai Qingyan quickly turned away, suppressing her breathing: “Qingzhu is here…” Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥 Although the two were married, judging from Bai Qingyan’s embarrassed demeanor, still fearing to be seen, Xiao Rongyan couldn’t help but chuckle softly: “Relax, with Wei Zhong guarding outside, nobody will come in.” As Xiao Rongyan spoke, Bai Qingyan indeed saw Wei Zhong walking down the corridor through the lattice window, smiling at Shen Qingzhu: “Her Majesty fought such a war pregnant, afterwards has not rested much, let Her Majesty have a good sleep!” Shen Qingzhu looked at the black lacquer tray with freshly brewed fetus-preserving medicine for Bai Qingyan. “Ms. Qingzhu, give me the medicine! I’ll have someone simmer it, so when Her Majesty wakes up, she can drink it.” Wei Zhong hurriedly took the tray from Shen Qingzhu’s hand, softly reminding Shen Qingzhu, “Ms. Qingzhu you are not made of iron, go rest yourself! If you collapse, who will protect our Majesty?” Shen Qingzhu nodded, urged Wei Zhong to take care of Bai Qingyan, then went to rest… These days, Bai Qingyan hasn’t slept for as long as Shen Qingzhu hasn’t slept; Bai Qingyan lay down, yet she couldn’t trust anyone else with Bai Qingyan’s fetal medicine, always keeping an eye on it. She was extremely exhausted by now. “Then it will be hard for Eunuch Wei!” Shen Qingzhu said, gave her courtesy to Wei Zhong, and withdrew. Xiao Rongyan smiled, seemingly quite pleased, glanced at Bai Qingyan, lightly pecked the corner of her lips, and speaking, warm breath brushed Bai Qingyan’s nose, tickling it: “Can’t you trust your own people, hmm?” Bai Qingyan always had reservations regarding Wei Zhong because… she hadn’t fully trusted yet was willing to believe him. Perhaps it has to do with Wei Zhong once following her grandmother, although she and her grandmother had shared goals, their positions were not entirely aligned. Wei Zhong was a very straightforward and loyal person, was completely loyal to the grandmother while under her charge, and with her… even knowing she held reservations, he was still willing to follow her, fulfilling his duties. Perhaps it was time for Bai Qingyan to change her view on Wei Zhong. “What are you thinking about?” Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan’s foreheads touched, nudging her as a form of gentle reprimand, kissed the corner of her lips again, “Half a month apart, finally seeing you, you’re distracted in my presence? Do you not miss me? Hmm?”