Synopsis
Xie Zhaoning x Yi Zhang
Princess with command of the army x upright top scholar and Vice Minister of Revenue
[Power Couple | Pregnancy Before Love | Forbidden Romance Between Ruler and Subject | Seven Months Pregnant at the Start | Court Intrigue | Breaking the Deadlock to Protect the Realm]
While in Jiangnan on imperial orders to investigate the salt-trade corruption and its old faction, Yi Zhang suddenly received a secret edict.
An express summons, ordering him back to Chang'an.
He thought it might be a palace coup, the young emperor being held in check, war on the northern frontier, or another upheaval in court.
But when he hurried back to the imperial study, the only one waiting for him was the princess, who had always commanded the capital's forces and was known for attending court dressed as a man.
They had not seen each other for half a year. She wore a loose, water-blue ruqun. Her cool features had softened somewhat, but she looked unmistakably exhausted.
"Your Majesty's imperial seal summoned me back to the capital in haste. May Your Highness explain?"
Xie Zhaoning relaxed her ramrod-straight back and leaned against the chair. She said calmly,
"It wasn't His Majesty."
"I summoned you back."
Only when Yi Zhang's heart lurched and he looked up toward the throne did he recognize the familiar figure.
Xie Zhaoning seemed thinner, yet her belly had grown round.
Yi Zhang's gaze fell on it, and his heart sank.
She looked to be seven or eight months pregnant.
And the night they had gotten drunk together had been seven or eight months ago.
Xie Zhaoning lowered her eyes and gently stroked the life within her belly. Perhaps sensing its father's presence, the child that had kept her up for several nights finally began to quiet down.
Her expression remained calm, as if she were speaking of something perfectly ordinary.
"I summoned you back to be here for the birth."
"There are signs of premature labor. It may happen within the next few days."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have summoned you back before the salt case was fully resolved."
Xie Zhaoning had supported the young emperor for many years. Now that he was thirteen, she had planned to gradually hand over her military power and retire after completing her duty.
But she had never expected to be carrying a child who should not have existed.
Within the court, the old faction of salt-trade profiteers had held sway for years, while the Fourth Imperial Uncle secretly colluded with officials. Beyond the borders, the northern frontier watched like a tiger, and the border threat remained unresolved.
And the father of the child in her belly was none other than Yi Zhang, who was about to head south on orders to investigate the salt case.
A top scholar from a humble family, now serving as Vice Minister of Revenue.
A princess who commanded the capital's forces and a minister who controlled the realm's finances could not stand together as one.
A royal who aspired to secure peace and stability for the realm, and a subject devoted to integrity and principle, could not be together.
And yet, before a storm of snow, they had already promised each other the one bond that would last their whole lives.
She carried the realm in her heart, and his child in her womb. He upheld his duty as a subject, and devoted his life to her.
1. Both are emotionally and physically devoted to each other, 1v1; the male lead is attentive and devoted.
2. An alternate-history setting with no real-life model. The female lead will not seize power and become empress. This is not a power fantasy about a dominant heroine.
3. Includes extensive scenes of pregnancy and childbirth suffering. Read with care if this is not for you. The bonus chapters will make it up to the female lead.
4. All descriptions of pregnancy, prenatal care, and labor assistance are fictional. In real life, always follow medical advice about pregnancy. Do not imitate the procedures in this story.
Also by the author: the completed novel #Thus the Clear Snow Covered the Blue Scroll#
A forbidden romance between a female grand tutor and her student, with mutual pining and a child in the bonus chapters. Give it a read
Theme: Protect the country and help the world, but protect one person even more.
