"Your Majesty, this servant will immediately send a message to Lord Li," Yan Lan said as she withdrew.
Murong Yan caressed her belly. If all went well, this child would be born next summer.
With this child, there would be no need for Xuanyuan Sheng's existence anymore.
The women in the harem, though they had some skills, were no match for her. After all, they were merely her leftovers.
Although Xuanyuan Sheng currently favored her and was willing to make her his wife, his affection was nothing more than a form of charity, like keeping an obedient pet.
He could summon her at will and discard her just as easily. When he was happy, he would coddle her; when displeased, he would cast her aside.
She could only transform herself into what he liked, subtly currying his favor.
She didn't care for such affection; it was merely a performance to achieve her goals.
What she wanted was never love. Such intangible things were worthless in the face of power and authority.
If one day she posed a threat to his throne and empire, he would undoubtedly abandon her without hesitation.
Given that, she might as well seize the opportunity early.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived outside the hall!" a palace maid announced.
Hearing this, Murong Yan's face once again donned a gentle smile.
"This humble consort greets Your Majesty!"
Xuanyuan Sheng helped Murong Yan up. "Yan'er is with child now, there's no need for such formality."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."
Xuanyuan Sheng gazed at the woman before him. Despite her pregnancy, she remained as radiant as ever.
"Yan'er, I've heard you haven't had much appetite lately. Is this true?"
Murong Yan nodded slightly. "The royal child is a bit restless, but this consort is fine."
"Once Yan'er gives birth to my son, I will immediately proclaim him as the Crown Prince."
Xuanyuan Sheng was quite excited about his first child.
For years, no one in the palace had borne any offspring, which worried him. He had specially requested the imperial physicians to examine him, only to be told that his health was fine.
Now in his thirties, it was time for him to consider the matter of an heir.
If Yan'er were to give birth to his first son, he could be groomed to become the Crown Prince.
"This consort is overwhelmed by your grace!"
Xuanyuan Sheng gently touched Murong Yan's belly. "Yan'er, just focus on taking care of yourself and the child these days. I will have people handle everything else."
In the winter of Shengjing, the biting wind was harsh, and the usually bustling markets were now sparsely populated.
In the teahouse, the storyteller's tale came to an abrupt halt at its climax.
There were quite a few idlers listening to the stories, ordering inexpensive tea and sitting for an entire morning.
Ming Jiu couldn't understand why his master always liked to come here in his spare time to listen to these bizarre stories.
The tea in the teahouse was very ordinary, and the brewing skills were no match for those in their household.
Most of the stories were popular tales of love and hate, or unusual occurrences in the martial arts world, a mix of truth and fiction, which he found uninteresting.
He always felt that this wasn't a place his master should frequent.
In such a public space with little cover, it was easy to be discovered.
"Brother Yan, I didn't expect to see you here. Are you also here to listen to the storyteller?"
A man in black clothing sat down beside Xuanyuan Yan without invitation.
"Doctor Fukang, what are you doing here?" Ming Jiu asked upon seeing Fukang.
Fukang picked up the teapot and cup on the table, pouring himself some tea.
"Brother Yan, you seem to be in good spirits, listening to stories in the teahouse on such a cold winter day."
"As are you," replied Xuanyuan Yan. He had some admiration for this miraculous doctor who had cured him.
After he had lost his sight, he had searched far and wide for famous doctors, but to no avail.
He had thought it was his fate, and had even considered ending his life at one point.
Ming Jiu told him about a miraculous doctor at the Five Elements Medical Hall who might be able to cure his eyes.
With a last-ditch effort mentality, he went to find him.
The treatment process was terrifying, and he had thought at times that this doctor was deliberately torturing him.
It wasn't until the moment he regained his sight that he realized everything the doctor had done had a purpose, and they had become acquainted because of this.
Fukang looked into the distance. "It's the end of the year. You should be a bit more cautious about certain matters. Don't wander around aimlessly every day."
Xuanyuan Yan remained silent for a long time. The man before him was too shrewd; he couldn't see through him and didn't know whose side he was on.
"Thank you for your concern. I'll be careful."
Fukang sighed. "I know I can't persuade you. I can only wish you good luck."
"Things are about to change in Shengjing. I think I'll travel for a while. I hope when I return, you're still alive and well."
Xuanyuan Yan took a small sip of tea. "Then I wish you a safe journey."
After drinking a cup of tea, Fukang left gracefully.
Ming Jiu didn't understand what the two had been talking about. "Master, what was Doctor Fukang's purpose in coming today?"
"His purpose? Perhaps to warn me, or maybe to say goodbye."
He knew what Fukang wanted to do, but didn't expose it, nor did he express support or opposition. This was already the best outcome.
"Alright, let's go back. Tell the people in hiding to stop all activities for now."
Ming Jiu didn't understand. This was a crucial moment, and suddenly stopping would be detrimental to their future actions.
"Master, we are now..."
"No need to say more. I know what I'm doing." Fukang's warning wasn't without reason. Being too eager for success could lead to failure at the last moment.
They had waited for so many years; what difference would a few more months make?
Seeing Xuanyuan Yan's insistence, Ming Jiu didn't dare say more. He trusted that his master must have his reasons.
"What about General Qin?"
At the mention of Qin Yuchuan, Xuanyuan Yan felt a headache coming on. It seemed he would have to send him away earlier than planned.
The southern border had been restless for a long time; he would have to add fuel to the fire.
As long as Qin wasn't in Shengjing, he wouldn't pose a threat. Out of years of friendship, he didn't want to put him in a position of disloyalty or dishonor.
"Go investigate that woman in the palace, and also have someone keep an eye on the border situation."
"I'll do it right away, but which woman in the palace?"
Could it be that his master still had feelings for that woman?
She was already Xuanyuan Sheng's woman. She had betrayed and humiliated his master in the past. How could such a woman be worthy of his noble master?
He couldn't understand what his master was thinking, still wanting to investigate her affairs.
The women in the harem spent their days fighting for favor. What was there to investigate?
"Master, do you still have lingering feelings for her?" Ming Jiu asked hesitantly.
Xuanyuan Yan glanced at him, wondering what nonsense he was thinking about.
"I asked you to investigate the Empress. What are you pondering?"
"This subordinate understands. I'll go investigate right away."
He felt relieved it wasn't about that woman. But why was the master suddenly interested in the Empress?
He couldn't be planning to steal her away to get revenge on them, could he? After all, he had heard that Xuanyuan Sheng deeply cherished the Empress.
That would be unnecessary. With the master's status, he could have any girl he wanted. Why would he set his sights on someone who was already taken?
