Earlier, due to Bai Qingyanâs premature labor from falling off her horse, the hearts of several ladies were all focused on Bai Qingyan, fearing any accidents happening to her or the child. They werenât in the mood to worry about military reports, nor did they think deeplyâjust assumed it might be a military defeat and didnât send anyone out to inquire.
Now that Bai Qingyan has successfully given birth, their minds eased, they sense something amiss.
What kind of person is Bai Qingyan? Others may not know, but as her aunts, how could they not understand?
Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Bai Qingyan, a seasoned warrior and avid reader of military strategy, was meticulously taught by the King of Zhen, Bai Weiting, and the Duke of Zhen, Bai Qishan. How could she not handle a single defeat?
Mrs. Dong saw the military report tightly held in Bai Qingyanâs hand while aiding her childbirth. Upon being asked about it by the Fifth Madam, she couldnât help but shed tears. She bravely swallowed her tears and said, "A Yu and Xiao Qi are missing."
The ladies were stunned.
"How... how could this be?!" Fourth Madam Mrs. Wang widened her eyes. "Ah Jue and A Qi, shouldnât they be protecting A Yu well?"
"Someone needed to feign defeat to lure the enemy deep enough for an ambush. A Yu took Xiao Qi to lure them. Unexpectedly, Cui Shanzhong was already informed and set up an ambush partway through," Bai Qingyan said, her voice hoarse.
"Was it Yan Kingdom that carelessly spread the word?!" Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi suddenly recalled Bai Qingyan had dispatched troops to the Yan Kingdom border, claiming that any movement from Yan Kingdom should lead directly to Yan. Her fingertips dug deeply into her palms, eyes rimmed red as she hesitantly asked, "Or did Yan Kingdom do it on purpose?!"
Bai Qingyan shook her head, not uttering a word.
Though the ladies were deeply anxious upon hearing this news, their anxiety couldnât compare to what the eldest sister-in-law and Kid were enduring, especially since Kid had just given birth.
Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi reached out to take the two children from Fourth Madam Mrs. Wang and Second Madam Mrs. Liu. She walked to the bedside and placed the children next to Bai Qingyan, looking at Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan, saying, "Eldest Sister-in-law, Kid... donât worry. A Qi is the elder brother, and with A Qi there, heâll surely exhaust all means. Even if it costs his life, heâll find A Yu and Xiao Qi!"
Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi suppressed her emotions, bent over, and clasped Bai Qingyan and Mrs. Dongâs hands: "Kid gave birth to twinsâa dragon and a phoenixâitâs a sign of auspiciousness... A Yu and Xiao Qi are both resourceful children; theyâll definitely be safe!"
"Indeed!" Third Madam Mrs. Li chimed in, "People say that enduring great hardships is followed by blessings. Hasnât the Bai family faced life-and-death situations enough? Every time, weâve come through safely! Kid, youâre in the postpartum period now, so donât worry too much. Take good care of yourself during this time, understand?"
She turned to look at her two children, gently tapping their little cheeks with her fingers.
"Alright, Kid has been fatigued for a day and night; itâs time she should rest. We shouldnât disturb her peace here anymore. Eldest Sister-in-law, youâve worked hard for so long; do rest well," Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi stood, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and said to her sisters, "Letâs leave first!"
Second Madam Mrs. Liu and Third Madam Mrs. Li, Fourth Madam Mrs. Wang, followed Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi out of Bai Qingyanâs bedchamber. Mrs. Qi turned her head to say to her sisters-in-law, "A Yu is the spiritual pillar for Eldest Sister-in-law and Kid. Kid is currently in her postpartum period, and we canât let Eldest Sister-in-law and Kid be too heartbroken over A Yu and Xiao Qi. With an incident like this in Xiliang, the military report canât be kept hidden! News will spread quickly. So, sisters, some of us have talented people in our maternal families. We should all send them to Xiliang to find A Yu and Xiao Qi! The more people, the more hope; thatâs our small effort as aunts for A Yu and Xiao Qi."
"Thatâs exactly what I think!" Third Madam Mrs. Li nodded repeatedly before Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi could finish speaking, hurriedly lifting her skirt hem and supporting a nannyâs hand to go, "Iâll write to my maternal family immediately!"
"Iâll write to my maternal family too!" Second Madam Mrs. Liu hurried back as well.
Fourth Madam Mrs. Wangâs lips moved upon hearing this, but she looked back into the bedchamber and nodded firmly.
"Fourth Sister! I know about your maternal familyâs situation." Fifth Madam Mrs. Qi held Mrs. Wangâs arm and walked down the steps with her, "Write them, saying... if they can find A Yu and Xiao Qi, itâll be a great merit! Because the Wang family treated Fourth Sister poorly, Kid didnât promote the Wang family upon ascending the throne. Tell them this is their best opportunity; if they miss it, they arenât destined for wealth! Tell them that each of the other ladies has already written to their maternal families seeking help to compete for this merit!"
Fourth Madam Mrs. Wangâs palms were sweaty: "Will this work?"
"Fourth Sister doesnât know her younger brother? He loves aligning his perspective with others. If they hear weâre competing for merit, heâll definitely rush to do it!" Mrs. Qi gently patted Mrs. Wangâs hand.
Mrs. Wang paused her hand, which was holding the Buddha Beads, and nodded: "Alright! Iâll listen to Fifth Sister-in-law!"
·
Inside the bedchamber, Bai Qingyan was already exhausted beyond measure and should sleep well. But her concern for A Yu and Xiao Qi kept her mind exceptionally alert even though her body was utterly fatigued.
Nanny Tong brought Chun Zhi to seal the windows tightly with palace maids and eunuchs and added several braziers. Bai Qingyan had just given birth and couldnât catch a chill.
The Earth Dragon was also fired up.
Dong Qingping, as Bai Qingyanâs uncle, was the first to enter the palace since Bai Qingyan had just given birth. He couldnât enter to see Bai Qingyan but could speak a few words to her through the thin curtain.
Bai Qingyan giving birth to twin dragons and phoenixes was a highly joyful event. Dong Qingping recounted the auspicious signs in the eastern sky before Bai Qingyanâs labor to her: "With such an auspicious omen, A Yu and Seventh Mistress will surely be safe! Kid... take good care of yourself during this time! Iâve already sent someone to inform your grandmother to come tomorrow. Rest well today."
"Go share the joyous news! Let the court officials know the Emperor has given birth to... twins!" Mrs. Dong sighed and began to speak slowly.
"Alright!" Dong Qingping responded, restraining his inner worries about A Yu, "Iâll go now!"
After speaking, Dong Qingping was about to leave but said a few more words to Bai Qingyan: "Kid, what youâve instructed, Commandant Lu is already handling! Donât worry too much; Iâve deployed all Dong familyâs Hidden Guards to Xiliang to find A Yu and Seventh Mistress. Your maternal uncle has sent a letter for Grandmother to have Changlan personally lead people to Xiliang to search for them! Rest assured!"
"Thank Grandmother and Uncle..."
"No need for such formalities!" Dong Qingping finished speaking, not wishing to disturb Bai Qingyanâs rest further, and went to share the joyous news with the court officials.