CHAPTER 557: CHAPTER 546: THE MARCHIONESS’S MAID

As Zhong Lan’s belly grew larger, the entire Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion became increasingly anxious. Meanwhile, the Imperial Examination had begun, and unlike the worry for Zhong Lan, the Zhong Family did not harbor much hope for Zhong Jue’s performance in the exam.

But Zhong Jue did not care because he had already lost faith in his family.

"Lady, there’s no need to worry so much. The young master has been preparing for three years; he is bound to rank high this time," Ye Qiu comforted her. Having experienced certain events recently, Zhong Lan now placed the most trust in Ye Qiu, who was always by her side to assist her.

Zhong Lan sighed, "How can I not worry? If my brother does poorly this time, Grandmother and Aunt Wei will have an excuse to carelessly arrange a marriage for him."

"But you’re still here, aren’t you, Lady? As long as you are well, they wouldn’t dare to make a move recklessly."

"You’re right," Zhong Lan’s eyes became resolute, "Accompany me for a walk. Staying cooped up in the room isn’t helpful."

At the border, despite being well-prepared, Duan Rong Jing still encountered a hard-fought battle, ending in a devastating defeat. He sustained severe injuries, with his left shoulder blade almost visible.

"Marquis, a letter has arrived from the capital, accompanied by an imperial decree from the Holy Emperor."

"I’ll come out immediately," Duan Rong Jing struggled to rise from the bed, his face still terribly pallid.

"By the mandate of Heaven and carrying forth the Emperor’s will, it is hereby decreed that Marquis Weiyuan, due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, has aroused Our deepest sympathy. Hence, General Huang is specially appointed to temporarily take over Marquis Weiyuan’s duties..."

Kneeling on the ground, Duan Rong Jing was expressionless while the anger on his soldiers’ faces grew increasingly evident.

"Marquis Weiyuan, receive the decree!" After the eunuch finished reading the imperial decree, his expression carried a hint of schadenfreude.

"This subject receives the decree."

Once the outsiders had left, the soldiers inside the tent immediately burst into clamorous discussion: "General, what is the Emperor’s intention here?"

"Handing military authority over to that whelp Huang Jue, isn’t that just sending our soldiers to their deaths?"

"Huang Jue is clearly one of the Eldest Prince’s men; they have long been in collusion with the Turkic people. Had it not been for them, we would not have ended up this way. Moreover, we did not lose, so why would the Emperor do this?"

Duan Rong Jing raised his hand to silence them: "Be cautious with your words."

He then heaved a sigh: "You all know that the Eldest Prince is in collusion with the Turkic people. To please the Emperor, Huang Jue will assuredly win a battle soon. So there’s not much need to worry about the danger to the soldiers."

"But wouldn’t this render you powerless?"

"It doesn’t matter if I’m rendered powerless. What’s most important is that you all ensure your own safety. I hope that when the day comes for me to reclaim military authority, all of you will still be here."

"Yes, General!"

After everyone in the tent had left, Duan Rong Jing then picked up the letter from home.

Before even reading the content, just the sight of that graceful small script softened his gaze, and lifted the corners of his mouth slightly.

"Husband, Doctor Wang said that I am carrying twins in my womb, and my grandmother also mentioned that my grandfather had twin sisters. It would be wonderful if I also have a boy and a girl... My belly has been growing larger lately, and grandmother is quite worried, but actually, there’s not much issue, just that occasionally my legs would cramp at night, and I would wake up from the pain. However, the Imperial Physician said this is normal."

At this point, Duan Rongjing’s brows knitted together unconsciously. Leg cramps? Waking up from pain? Are the Imperial Hospital’s physicians that useless? They can’t even treat this pain?

But twins, could there be danger? His hand couldn’t help but tighten.

"Husband, the New Year is coming soon, and grandmother said you might not be able to return. You must take good care of yourself at the border, and both the baby in my womb and I will miss you."

After reading the letter for the first time, Duan Rongjing couldn’t help but read it thoroughly again, and then carefully put it away into a small box beside him before starting to write a reply.

"Take these two letters to the capital; this one to the Marquis Mansion, and this one to the Third Prince Mansion."

"Yes." A figure clad in black appeared silently.

Duan Rongjing closed his eyes in contemplation. Originally, he wanted to remain neutral, but how could he when the Eldest Prince pressed him so urgently? His young wife was awaiting him at home, pregnant with their two children; he must not let anything happen, he had to ensure their safety and prosperity.

"Ye Qiu, do you think the Marquis has received my letter by now? Will he think I’m being overly sentimental when he reads those words?" It had been over ten days since the letter was sent, and Zhong Lan was still feeling incredibly embarrassed as she recalled it. Pregnancy was a normal part of life for every woman; the hardships were worth enduring. Why did she complain to the Marquis so frivolously?

"Of course not, my lady. How would the Marquis know of your pregnancy hardships and cherish you if you don’t tell him?" Ever since Ye Qiu realized Zhong Lan’s feelings for Duan Rongjing had evolved from the initial calm, she decided to help her captivate the heart of the Marquis Weiyuan.

Even the most iron-hearted man cannot withstand a woman’s tender care, unless he has no interest in women or is already devoted to another. But observing the Marquis Weiyuan, it was not so; he was simply accustomed to being aloof.

The two of them had been married for only two days before being separated, and according to Ye Qiu, even one letter per month was too few. Thus, she told Zhong Lan to write about her daily life in her letters and to visit the Marquis Mansion more often. In that way, when the Marquis read her letters, he could find familiarity and a sense of closeness.

After a couple of letters, when they were no longer so unfamiliar and awkward, she could afford to act a little coquettish, express her longing for him. It wouldn’t matter if he didn’t reply; what mattered was that he knew she cared for him, missed him, and relied on him.

"But, will the Marquis think I am frivolous after reading my letter?" Zhong Lan asked with embarrassment.

"How could he? Look, the Marquis didn’t reply the first time, and the second time he replied, he simply told you to take good care of yourself, rigidly. But the last time he wrote back, he spoke of his experiences at the border and mentioned what he had in his stores to relieve boredom. What does this indicate? It shows that the Marquis is increasingly concerned about you," said Ye Qiu.

At Ye Qiu’s words, Zhong Lan’s face reddened, but her heart leaped with joy.

Ye Qiu went on, "Just wait and see, my lady, the Marquis’s reply this time will certainly be different."

Encouraged by Ye Qiu’s words, Zhong Lan gradually became more expectant. Ten days later, she finally received a reply from the border, right when the Old Marquis and Second Mrs. Shen were also present.

Second Mrs. Shen teased, "Having watched Rong Jing for so many years, this is the first time I’ve seen him care so much about someone. Back when he went on military campaigns, he never had the habit of writing back once a month; indeed, getting married has changed him."

The Old Marquis also joined in with a laugh, "His wife is enduringly pregnant with his children; if he doesn’t care now, then when? I was always worried he’d feel too stifled, but now I can rest assured."

Zhong Lan, her cheeks already rounded and fair due to her pregnancy, felt them burn even more at these words.