TSWRLM -Chapter 317 The Battle Approaches

The war between Zhaoling and Yuexi could erupt at any moment, yet Hanjing remained a picture of prosperity and peace.

The Court of Justice had not revealed the truth about the arrest of the Grand Tutor’s residence, only citing allegations of involvement in the Xuzhou corruption case to confiscate the property.

An’an, being still young and having severed ties with the Grand Tutor’s household, had escaped unharmed.

By the end of July, Xiao Yecheng had obtained the recipe for the Soul-Entrancing Incense through Lanshu and sent it back to the capital.

However, the Imperial Medical Institute still had not developed a medicine capable of controlling the addiction, meaning those who had fallen under the incense’s influence could only endure it on their own.

Chun Xi and Xiao Qinghe went almost daily to the princess’s residence. After the noblewomen experienced the agonies of withdrawal, they would help encourage them, ensuring they did not contemplate suicide and to persevere through the torment.

Every ten days, Shen Qingyuan would write a letter to Chun Xi.

The task of cutting off the water proved far more difficult than Shen Qingyuan had imagined. He and the officials of the Ministry of Works split into three groups to inspect different areas. After over half a month of effort, he finally made the final decision and devised a plan.

Now, they were simultaneously organizing civilian evacuations while stockpiling explosives, preparing to blow up the mountains and block the river at the right moment, cutting off the water supply to Wengzhou.

Shen Qingyuan was extremely busy; finding time to write a letter was already a challenge, and each letter contained only a few sparse sentences.

By contrast, Chun Xi’s letters were far more detailed.

Her belly was growing heavier, and she grew hungry faster than before, yet Nanny Li and Nanny Zhang forbade her from overeating, allowing only some fresh walnuts to prevent the baby from growing too large and complicating childbirth.

Princess Hengyang shared the same concerns, but she could rely on her husband to stir up firewood—he complained not at all, instead pampering her all the more. He even learned to cook, finding ways every day to entertain and comfort her.

On the first day of autumn, she visited the Xiao family, who attended to her in every way; the day was lively and bustling.

Returning from the Xiao household, she saw her eldest brother, who had lost quite a bit of weight.

Her eldest sister-in-law, Madam Qian, had gone to her natal home with their child. Their eldest brother did not go to fetch her; instead, he quit his work at the lumber workshop, using his own savings to start a small carpentry shop.

The shop was just beginning, and business was modest, but her brother was confident, and his demeanor had changed noticeably. Chun Xi felt genuinely happy for him and instructed her stewards that if anything in the shop broke or needed replacing, they should consult her eldest brother.

Cao Wen also sent a letter. His handwriting had improved dramatically, his grades were soaring, and he had gained the favor of the academy’s scholars. After updating her on his progress, he even inquired about Chun Xi and her unborn child, which made her heart swell with comfort.

Through the exchange of letters, autumn quietly arrived.

Han Jing’s autumn heat was intense—a single rain cooled the air for a few days, but then the heat returned.

One afternoon, after lunch, Chun Xi was urging her mamas for a chilled sweet melon when suddenly a messenger arrived at the princess’s residence: “Madam Shen, our princess is about to give birth!”

The Empress and the Empress Dowager had stationed many attendants to watch over Princess Hengyang, so Chun Xi knew there would be no issues, but she still hurried immediately to the residence.

From far outside the main courtyard, Chun Xi could already hear the princess scolding her husband:

“Wen Yanshu, you wretched dog! If it weren’t for your face deceiving me, I would never suffer like this! If you dare leave the child to me alone, I will cut off your head and destroy your family!”

The princess’s voice was loud and full of conviction, which reassured Chun Xi. Entering the main courtyard, she saw it densely packed with people.

The prince consort stood near the entrance, his expression grave. Once the princess paused from scolding, he replied with a few words, promising to serve her faithfully for the rest of his life to atone for his mistakes.

When Chun Xi arrived, the maid immediately reported her presence. Soon, Princess Hengyang’s voice called out:

“A-Xi, don’t come in! You’ll scare me! Just stay outside and watch over me; that’s enough to put me at ease.”

Chun Xi imitated the prince consort’s posture and leaned against the door, speaking softly:

“I am not afraid, Princess, and you needn’t be either. Once the child is born, I will take you to eat all kinds of delicious foods. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with a kind of ice cream to eat with jam—it’s really tasty.”

The reminder made the princess resume her scolding:

“You wretched man! This whole summer I haven’t had my sour plum drink, nor eaten much chilled fruit—all because of you! And now it hurts so much—so infuriating!”

Wen Yanshu quickly admitted fault: “Yes, yes, all my fault. After the birth, I’ll accept any punishment. For now, Princess, you should speak little and save your strength.”

“Shut up! I don’t need your advice!”

The princess deliberately contradicted the prince consort, her voice growing even louder. Just as she finished, the baby suddenly cried out.

It was born!

Chun Xi let out a sigh of relief, her eyes curved in a smile as she said to Wen Yanshu:

“Congratulations, prince consort, you’re a father now.”

Wen Yanshu was still stunned for a moment before asking anxiously:

“Is the princess alright?”

Immediately, someone answered:

“The princess is safe. Congratulations, prince consort, the princess gave birth to a young master.”

With many attendants present, the delivery room was quickly cleared.

The wet nurse brought the child out for the prince consort to see, while Chun Xi was led inside.

Princess Hengyang lay on the bed, exhausted but alert.

Before Chun Xi could speak, the princess murmured discontentedly:

“Exactly as I predicted—it’s a boy.”

Her daughterhood dreams were thoroughly dashed; she did not feel the joy of a new mother.

Chun Xi sat by her side, speaking gently:

“It doesn’t matter what kind of child, Princess. The most important thing is your safety. And you delivered so quickly—you really are remarkable.”

Chun Xi raised her thumb in praise, which slightly lifted the princess’s mood. Smirking, she said:

“It hurt terribly just now, but I endured it. Let’s see who dares say Princess Hengyang is delicate in the future.”

After such exertion and a few more words, the princess finally rested.

Exiting the room, Chun Xi saw the sun had already begun to wane and felt a pang of longing.

The smooth delivery was a good omen; she hoped matters on the other side were proceeding equally well.

Shen Qingyuan’s plan to cut the water was indeed going smoothly. But after only two days of blowing up the mountains and blocking the river, a sudden heavy rain arrived, lasting three days with no sign of abating. If it continued, the flooding would cover a much wider area than expected, and the blockage site itself would become very dangerous.

After all, the dam was not professionally constructed. If it broke, Wengzhou would become a sea of water. Not only the Yuexi enemy and civilians inside the city, but even the soldiers brought by the General of the Nation would be swept away.

Shen Qingyuan worked with the Ministry of Works officials to reinforce the water blockage while sending word to the General of the Nation: if the rain continued, within five days, they would have to break the city and retreat.

Meanwhile, Wengzhou was bustling.

The city’s crops had grown exceptionally well this year, and the harvest was only a few days away. Yuexi’s 100,000-strong army had gathered, ready to march on Wengzhou, with arrows and crossbows already pre-positioned.

In a few days, Xuanyuan Lang would lead his troops in a triumphant march toward Hanjing.

Tonight was the pre-battle rally feast.

He wanted his soldiers’ morale at its peak—unstoppable, unbeatable!