Chapter 166

Chapter 166: The Promise Yuan Mingzhu had given birth to a daughter on her third pregnancy, and the Jiang family was overjoyed. When Cui Lingrong was brought into the inner chamber, Yuan Mingzhu had just finished some refreshments. Seeing Cui Lingrong arrive, she eagerly waved for her to sit down. "Finally, you've come," Yuan Mingzhu said excitedly. "You heartless thing—you know I can't leave, yet you still don't come to see me more often. Thank you for what you did for Fangjie. Because you thought of her, my eldest brother-in-law and sister-in-law have been a bit kinder to me." "Listen to you, as if I haven't come to see you in ages. The moment I heard you'd given birth to a daughter, I rushed over, just wanting to see you." Cui Lingrong was relieved to see that Yuan Mingzhu looked well. But Yuan Mingzhu had worries on her mind. Though she was staying with the Jiang family, she still learned some things about the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion through Fangjie. After dismissing the servants, she asked with concern, "I heard another concubine is pregnant?" Cui Lingrong confirmed it. "And you're still so calm about it? If she gives birth to a son, won't County Princess Rongjia snatch the child away immediately?" Yuan Mingzhu was anything but calm. "Don't worry, that won't happen." Cui Lingrong slowly explained the matter of Zhuqing. "Everything is going according to my plan. Zhuqing's child will never be recorded in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's family register. I suspect even Zhuqing herself isn't sure whether the child is Song Shulan's or Zheng Side's." Speaking of Song Shulan being cuckolded, Cui Lingrong felt only satisfaction, not the embarrassment of airing dirty laundry. Yuan Mingzhu was stunned speechless, then burst out laughing. "Oh my, what wonderful news is this? Song Shulan actually gets this kind of retribution?" She laughed for quite a while, and only stopped when Cui Lingrong reminded her. "When Song Shulan finds out, you must tell me—ideally I'll be there to see it." Just thinking about it made Yuan Mingzhu find it amusing. "Serves him right! And County Princess Rongjia deserves it too. Why don't you just give Song Shulan some sterility medicine? Otherwise, with concubines being brought into the marquis mansion one after another, how will you ever deal with them all?" Cui Lingrong leaned in and whispered a few words to Yuan Mingzhu. Yuan Mingzhu was stunned at first, then said indignantly, "Fine, you two! Keeping something this big from me! Alright, I'll let you off this time, but you're not allowed to hide anything else from me!" "Alright, alright, I understand," Cui Lingrong said. The two hadn't seen each other for a while, and Yuan Mingzhu pulled Cui Lingrong aside, asking about all sorts of things and inquiring about the news in Bianjing. After a moment, Yuan Mingzhu suddenly thought of something. "By the way, did you know Xie Yunting is going on another military campaign?" "Ah?" Cui Lingrong truly didn't know. She had been focused on her younger brother and the marquis mansion lately and hadn't particularly inquired about Xie Yunting's affairs. "My husband told me. The Emperor has overruled all objections to launch a northern expedition. But as you know, most court officials don't support it. Campaigns exhaust the people and drain resources. Others have attempted northern expeditions before, but every single one ended in defeat—instead, we were pushed further and further south." Yuan Mingzhu took a deep breath, because her husband was going too. Cui Lingrong asked, "When?" "In the next few days. The Emperor secretly summoned the military commanders, so your Song Shulan might have only heard some rumors." As she spoke, Yuan Mingzhu couldn't help but worry. "I know a man should stand tall and upright, not fear death. But I've never asked my husband to be extraordinary. This time, he has to follow Xie Yunting into battle as well." She was afraid. Very afraid. Swords and arrows had no eyes, and her husband was only average in ability—not a particularly outstanding military talent. Cui Lingrong frowned. "The country's strength has grown somewhat in recent years. Why is the Emperor so determined to recover the lost territories?" "What else could it be? Win, and you go down in history—who wouldn't want that?" Yuan Mingzhu said her fear was losing. "If they lose, the Emperor will be criticized, and Xie Yunting, as the great general, will be remembered with eternal infamy." Yuan Mingzhu was usually carefree and easygoing, but at times like this, she showed an unexpected delicacy of feeling. Cui Lingrong understood clearly. In the past, every northern expedition had ended in defeat, with the enemy even seizing territory. It wasn't until Xie Yunting appeared that they gained some chance of winning. Now Xie Yunting was going on a northern expedition. Could he win again? "You also know that Xie Yunting has offended many people, and plenty of them don't want him to win." Yuan Mingzhu took a deep breath. "But I hope he wins. He's close with Zeyu, isn't he? You... could you ask Zeyu to pass a message to him for me? I..." Yuan Mingzhu couldn't quite say it, but Cui Lingrong already understood what she wanted to say. "I'll have Zeyu relay the message. Your husband will return safely." Cui Lingrong told Yuan Mingzhu to rest well. "You can't worry too much during your confinement. Men have their own affairs. Since we can't go to the battlefield ourselves, we can at least guard the household and do our part." Yuan Mingzhu nodded. "Thank you." "Look at you, being polite again." Cui Lingrong smiled and wiped away Yuan Mingzhu's tears. By the time she left the Jiang residence, it was already past noon. The carriage had just turned a corner when it stopped again. Nanny Qiu was about to ask what was wrong when Xie Yunting's voice came first. "Sister Cui, could you step down from the carriage and talk with me for a moment?" Xie Yunting's voice was crisp and clear through the carriage's wooden panels. Thinking of Yuan Mingzhu's request, Cui Lingrong agreed without much hesitation. The two went to a nearby teahouse, where Cui Lingrong asked about the northern expedition. "So Sister Cui already knows. The Emperor has grand ambitions—we've lost half our territory to the Northern Di and the Xiongnu, and now is the time to reclaim our lost lands. Sister Cui need not worry about me. It's normal for men to bleed in war; I'm not afraid of pain!" Xie Yunting said with a smile. "General Xie is a man of towering integrity, so of course you're not afraid of bleeding or injury. But with the court officials opposing you, you'll be pushing the northern expedition forward under immense pressure—it's like fighting with your back to the river; you can only win, not lose." Cui Lingrong sighed. "I know you have grand ambitions too, but I hope you take care of yourself. Zeyu and I will both be praying for your safe return." Xie Yunting raised his brows and asked, "Will Sister Cui offer prayers for me?" "Naturally." "Good. Then could Sister Cui do me a favor?" Xie Yunting had come today specifically to say goodbye. "This northern expedition truly carries more risk than reward. If I don't return safely, I'd trouble Sister Cui to handle my estate and distribute it to the brothers listed in this register." With that, Xie Yunting produced a booklet—it contained the names of all the brothers who had followed him into the army, and he had recorded each one's family address in it. Cui Lingrong's heart suddenly grew heavy. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said yes. "I knew Sister Cui would agree. In all of Bianjing, I have no one else I can trust. Brother Cui is too preoccupied with his own affairs to help, so the only one I can rely on is Sister Cui. You won't find me troublesome, will you?" Xie Yunting was smiling, and his eyes were beautiful when he smiled. Cui Lingrong glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her head. "Naturally not. Still, I hope the General will return in triumph—I will personally go to the city gate to welcome you." Cui Lingrong made the promise. "Good. With Sister's words, I'll give everything I have to win this battle!" Xie Yunting added apologetically, "Shuanzi just got married, and now he has to follow me to the battlefield again. But don't worry, Sister—even if I can't come back, I'll make sure this rascal returns." The man's words rang with conviction, carrying the spirit of youth—a promise, and also a responsibility. He didn't want to see her suffer.