The Southern Border remained silent for a long time. Within a few days, the armies of Great Liang arrived at the city gates. The vast army had marched across the Ten Thousand Mountains and the Twelve Grottoes, advancing towards the capital.
However, not long after, the troops of Northern Qi arrived to reinforce them. The two sides confronted each other, locked in an intense conflict.
The people of Great Liang issued an ultimatum: if the person was handed over, Great Liang would immediately withdraw their troops.
But the Southern Border refused to surrender the individual, and war was imminent.
The soldiers of Great Liang were known for their ferocity and skill in battle. They were led by Tantai Ye, who had long campaigned on the battlefield. The generals of the Southern Border were no match for him. Even with the provisions and troops from Northern Qi, they were still retreating steadily.
Chiyou, on the verge of giving birth, was exhausted by the escalating war reports.
The vast royal court was empty.
She walked to the desk and sat down, picking up her brush and dipping it in ink.
"Xuan Qing."
Xuan Qing, who was handling war reports in the outer hall, heard her voice and quickly entered.
"What is it?"
Chiyou handed him the letter case and said, "Send an envoy to the Great Liang military camp to deliver this to Liu Rong Ruo."
In the military camp, Liu Rong Ruo received the letter while discussing matters with his generals in the tent.
He glanced at the envoy from the Southern Border, then his gaze fell upon the envelope in his hand. He sneered.
Tantai Ye strode over, snatched the letter from his hand, scanned it, and let out a cold laugh.
"Give her a month's time, and she'll return to you. Do you believe that?"
The envoy from the Southern Border stood inside the tent, looking at the Great Liang generals on either side, trembling slightly.
Although it was a long-standing custom not to kill envoys during wartime between nations,
Hadn't the Prince of Dingbei of Great Liang killed an envoy during the battle of Xiqiang in the past?
Liu Rong Ruo remained silent for a long moment. He then looked at the envoy from the Southern Border and said in a low voice,
"Tell her, if she dares to deceive me again, she knows the consequences."
The two nations entered a truce. The army of Great Liang set up camp outside the Twelve Grottoes, effectively surrounding the entire Southern Border.
However, Great Liang did not engage in any slaughter. The people of the Southern Border continued their lives in an orderly fashion.
Within the Southern Border's royal family, those affiliated with the old Gu King harbored malicious intentions. They sought to collude with the Northern Di and secretly attempted to assassinate Chiyou. The Myriad Gu Cave was destroyed.
Chiyou had already intended to eliminate these individuals for Chiyou, thereby securing her position as the Gu King.
Thus, she seized this opportunity, setting a trap in the Myriad Gu Cave. She personally killed the old Gu King's faction, purging the court.
That night, she was carried into the delivery room, covered in blood.
Xuan Qing immediately ordered the palace gates to be sealed. Only a few discreet doctors were stationed at the entrance.
Xia Yun accompanied Chiyou as they waited.
Fearing for her safety, Chiyou ordered the High Priest to perform a sacrifice and burn incense at the Heavenly Wolf Platform, pleading with the heavens to protect the mother and child.
In the pitch-black night, the vast royal court was brightly lit.
Throughout the entire night, maids carried basins of bloody water in and out.
From time to time, the midwife's shouts and urgings could be heard from the delivery room. Xuan Qing, waiting outside, listened to the cries of pain within, his brow furrowed tightly.
Just before dawn, a cry suddenly rang out, echoing throughout the entire royal court.
Xuan Qing, who had been on guard all night, let out a sigh of relief and slumped onto his chair.
"She's given birth. It's a boy."
Hearing the midwife's voice from within, Chiyou was overjoyed.
"Sister has given birth! I want to go in and see."
Xia Yun immediately stopped him, "It's too cold inside. Don't go in yet."
On the bed inside, Chiyou's face was pale. Fine beads of cold sweat trickled down her forehead, dampening her temples.
She weakly looked at the baby handed to her by the midwife before fainting.
When she finally awoke, it was already evening.
A maid had cleaned her body and changed her clothes.
The room was quiet. Xuan Qing had sent everyone else away and was waiting by himself.
Seeing that she was awake, he picked up the baby from the cradle and handed it to her.
"He's very well-behaved, not crying or fussing."
Chiyou propped herself up and took the baby into her arms.
The little child saw his mother, his large, grape-like eyes rolling around. His small hands flailed towards her, making babbling sounds.
Her heart instantly softened to the point of melting.
Xuan Qing stood by the bed and said,
"Everything has been arranged according to your instructions. I will take the child and ensure Liu Rong Ruo never knows of his existence."
Chiyou's eyes reddened, and she remained silent for a moment.
"I will never marry in this life. I will treat him as my own. Once things are stable, I will bring him back to the Southern Border."
Chiyou held the baby tightly in her arms, "Xuan Qing, thank you."
Xuan Qing was startled and gently stroked her hair.
"We grew up together. There's no need for such formality."
After giving birth, Chiyou spent every day with her child. However, the Great Liang army was watching menacingly from outside, and she knew she couldn't delay any longer.
At night, she gazed at the soft, milky-scented infant in the cradle, gently caressing him. Warm tears streamed down her cheeks.
As if sensing her presence, the child suddenly cried out, his small hands anxiously reaching out to touch her face.
Chiyou tenderly picked up the child and soothed him in a soft whisper.
When Xuan Qing entered, he couldn't help but smile as he looked at her gentle profile.
"I never thought I'd see you as a mother. The little girl from back then has grown up."
Her gaze towards the child was as soft as spring water.
The warm lamplight illuminated the surroundings.
Xuan Qing stood beside her, playing with the child in her arms.
"Give him a name."
Chiyou paused, kissed the baby's chubby little face, and changed the subject.
"Has the Great Liang army reached the royal city yet?"
Xuan Qing nodded, wearily rubbing his forehead, and chuckled.
"If you don't show up soon, he's going to use cannons to bombard our Southern Border royal family."
Chiyou's expression remained unchanged.
"You should leave as soon as possible."
-------
The day Xuan Qing took the child and left was bright and sunny.
Chiyou stood on the cliff, watching their retreating figures. Pain and reluctance tore through her.
She had deceived him. They would never see each other again.
"Ah Wu, let's go back."
Xia Yun's voice came from behind her. Chiyou withdrew her thoughts and followed him down the mountain.
Great Liang sent people to escort Chiyou. However, the Southern Border once again broke its promise. Soon after, hundreds of thousands of troops arrived at the city gates. The soldiers guarding the royal palace looked at the vast army approaching, and the entire royal city was thrown into a panic.
Inside the palace, Chiyou looked at her younger brother sitting below and said in a low voice,
"Have you heard everything your sister told you?"
Chiyou's eyes were bloodshot. He lowered his head and silently grunted in affirmation.
"Go back."
After he left, Xia Yun entered from outside.
He leaned against the doorframe, the soft light illuminating his handsome face, lending him an air of casualness.
"You tricked Xuan Qing, deceived the High Priest, and arranged everything for Chiyou. What about you? What are your plans?"
Chiyou was taken aback, her eyes curving into a smile as she walked towards him.
She reached his side and looked at the scenery outside the royal court.
"With you accompanying him, I have nothing to worry about."
Having said that, she took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and gently shook it.
Xia Yun watched as she slowly opened and drank it. His eyes darkened slightly, and he didn't stop her, just watched quietly.
"With the support of Northern Qi, the Southern Border might not necessarily lose if a war breaks out."
"The one leading the troops is Tantai Ye, renowned throughout the Western Regions. No one in the Southern Border can fight him. We will lose sooner or later. We cannot afford another war."
As she spoke, she suddenly tilted her head to look at him and smiled.
"Brother Yun, he won't let go. I don't want to sink any deeper."