CHAPTER 1071: CHAPTER 591: A SLAP AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF

"Pregnant?" Zhao Douan’s face showed a look of astonishment, but he immediately reacted: "Bian Ji’s?"

Not to mention that Princess Yunyang had been confined in the nunnery for over a year, completely unable to contact the Prince Consort. Even if she could, based on the information he had previously obtained, after giving birth to Li Lang, Princess Yunyang no longer allowed the timid Prince Consort Li Shuping to share her bed.

So... the last mention in the intelligence linked only Bian Ji with Princess Yunyang.

"It should be," Qian Kerou said, somewhat uncertainly. Seeing Zhao’s eyes widen, she became more confident: "It definitely is, the timing also matches."

Bian Ji left the Capital during the downfall of the Divine Dragon Temple, which according to the timeline, was around the summer Sealing when the Empress returned to the Capital.

So it’s been about half a year.

"When did this get discovered?" Zhao Douan asked with some toothache and continued: "Does Your Majesty know?"

Qian Kerou replied: "We only recently got the news. Before this, Princess Yunyang hid it well until later when it could no longer be concealed and was reported by the nuns at Jizhao Temple... Your Majesty probably knows as well."

She knew, but didn’t give any corresponding directives... it is indeed a bit difficult to handle. After all, Yunyang is the Empress’s aunt... To say that this behavior disgraces Royal dignity, would it be too forceful to abort the pregnancy, not to mention, she’s been pregnant for half a year, and aborting now might directly risk Princess Yunyang’s life.

Even without considering this layer... given Princess Yunyang’s past personal conduct... Royal face had long disappeared with her... it wouldn’t make much difference if there were another child...

The key is that under the entire backdrop of Great Yu being shrouded in the clouds of war, whether the Empress or Zhao Douan, neither truly have the heart to focus on this minor matter.

"I understand." Zhao Douan sighed and stepped out, calling a squad of Jinyi, and rode towards Jizhao Temple.

...

Inside the meditation room.

Xu Xueling’s small face looked bemusedly at the scene in the room.

On the floor of the empty meditation room laid a bedding, surrounded by warm charcoal basins. Princess Yunyang wore a simple, loose nun’s robe, her black hair slightly disheveled on her head, quietly sat in the room, gently patting her visibly swollen belly while humming a tune, a strange smile at her lips.

"Aunt..." Xu Xueling was dumbfounded.

Princess Yunyang stopped humming, turned her head to look over, her face first squinted at the sudden flood of pale daylight from the opened meditation room door, then from the cold wind blowing in, her skin rose with goosebumps, warming the charcoal basins in the room.

Being a mother again, Princess Yunyang hesitated for a moment, carefully discerned, then revealed surprise and uncertainly said: "Xueling?"

Xu Xueling belatedly turned her head, angrily dismissed her attendants to guard outside the temple, then stepped forward and closed the door.

Turning back, she carefully walked beside Yunyang, squatted down, and with complex eyes said: "It’s me, Aunt."

Princess Yunyang blinked, asked: "Has your father already been defeated and captured into the Capital?"

Confined within this small space, the Eldest Princess’s information had been highly obstructed; the last news she got was Zhao Douan’s great defeat of the King of Qingzhou, capturing the father and son back to the Capital.

"..." Xu Xueling was choked, then shook her head, while holding Yunyang’s hand shaking her head: "No, um... things are quite complicated, I came to negotiate with the court representing my father..."

She briefly explained, then stared at Yunyang’s belly, couldn’t help but ask: "Aunt, is this another of Li Shuping’s?"

Her tone was a bit uncertain, even staying in the North she knew her aunt’s actions could be somewhat...

Princess Yunyang didn’t directly answer but slowly smoothed her hair, eyes calmly asking: "Can you tell Aunt about the happenings outside during this half year? Aunt can’t hear any news here."

Her tone was unusually calm, vastly different from her past volatile temperament.

The domineering Xu Xueling was unexpectedly "obedient" in front of her aunt, though filled with curiosity, she still organized her thoughts and shared one event at a time to Yunyang.

When hearing Zhao Douan advancing south along the west line, first defeating the "Scholar General" at the Huai River, then persuading Xue Shence’s defection, recently annihilating Yunfu Army, killing Xu Jingtang... causing a delicate situation, prompting the negotiation stance.

Yunyang surprisingly remained calm, without any violence and anger, even no disappointment or grief, seeming whether it was Zhao Douan’s victory or the death of Xu Jingtang, neither sparked much emotional fluctuation in her.

This scene made Xu Xueling a bit creeped out, thinking to herself: Could it be that Aunt truly changed her nature in this nunnery, often accompanied by the blue lights and Buddhas, attaining Buddha Nature?

Is this really Princess Yunyang?

"So much happened in just half a year." Yunyang softly lamented, suddenly asked: "Do you know the follow-up on Divine Dragon Temple? Bian Ji’s whereabouts?"

Xu Xueling shook her head, honestly replied: "After Divine Dragon Temple’s downfall, Xuan Yin and Bian Ji disappeared. However, in the southern battlefield, monks from Divine Dragon Temple opposed the court."

Yunyang nodded: "I see."

Xu Xueling asked again: "Aunt, this child..."

With an oval face, and dark thick hair, Yunyang’s lips curved, gently caressing her belly: "Bian Ji’s."

"Ah!" Xu Xueling was stunned, wanted to ask something but found herself speechless for the moment.