The sisters quickly asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Liang Xiao was startled and hurried over.
Jian Qinwan remained silent, sat down, and took her own pulse. After a moment, her entire face turned crimson.
Liang Xiao knew that Jian Qinwan had learned some medical skills from Mu Xueqin and cautiously asked, "Is it that..."
Jian Qinwan quickly turned her head away, not daring to look at Liang Xiao. "Hurry and ask my eldest sister-in-law to take a look again... *gag*..."
Pan Feng, who had come to live in Yan Prefecture with Liang Xiao's family, rushed over to take Jian Qinwan's pulse.
"Congratulations, Marquis of An! Little sister is indeed experiencing morning sickness!" Pan Feng got up, grinning from ear to ear, and couldn't help but clap her hands.
Liang Xiao stood stunned, his hand holding the warm water kettle for Jian Qinwan trembling, "I'm going to be a father?"
He hadn't been this nervous even when he faced the barbarian cavalry alone.
Immediately after, Liang Xiao felt immense guilt.
It was freezing cold, and she had followed him to Yan Prefecture, while he still had to deal with the war against the barbarians and couldn't be with her often...
Looking at the envious sisters, Jian Qinwan quickly lowered her head and covered her face.
A moment later, cheers erupted from the sisters in the courtyard.
Although Luo Qingxue and the others were envious, it was a joyous occasion that Liang Xiao had an heir.
In Jian Qinwan's room, Liang Xiao gently held her and couldn't help but kiss her cheek.
"Do you think it will be a boy..." Jian Qinwan asked weakly.
Liang Xiao smiled, "We mustn't favor boys over girls! No matter if it's a boy or a girl, they are our child, the same!"
The Great Qian Dynasty was already unusually tolerant towards women; in special circumstances, women could even become the head of the household, preventing relatives from seizing their property.
Even so, male chauvinism remained the global norm.
Jian Qinwan's heart was filled with sweetness, and she stroked her small belly, saying softly, "If it's a girl, then she'll be..."
"Like you, gentle, beautiful, and kind!" Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Jian Qinwan nodded shyly, murmuring, "And if it's a boy, then he'll be like you, smart, brave, handsome, and perhaps, a little shameless~"
Liang Xiao's old face turned red, and he coughed tactfully, saying with a smile, "For our child, let's not learn my shamelessness."
"That's true, you are one of a kind, the only one in the world who is so shameless yet not detested~" Jian Qinwan giggled and snuggled into Liang Xiao's arms, tickling him. "I'm pregnant now, so you can't bully me! I'm going to tease you wildly, tease you..."
That night, Liang Xiao embraced Jian Qinwan and taught her a lullaby.
Looking at his wife sleeping soundly, Liang Xiao, who had once known profound loneliness, felt as if he were in another lifetime.
But in his heart, Liang Xiao's conviction grew stronger.
To restore a peaceful and prosperous era to the Great Qian, allowing more families to enjoy such warmth as his own!
The news of Jian Qinwan's pregnancy was kept secret for the time being.
Even though she was pregnant, Jian Qinwan couldn't bear for Liang Xiao to specially take time off to accompany her, merely instructing, "The country's war is paramount. I have my sisters for company and my eldest sister-in-law to look after me, so you don't need to worry about me."
Liang Xiao, touched, solemnly agreed.
The more joy he felt, the more cautious Liang Xiao became with his arrangements for the Northern Border army camp. He immediately arranged for the return of the generals from the Dugu and He families.
"Why are we being sent back to the capital? Is this the Emperor's decree?"
After these generals complained, they could only tremble and obediently return to the capital in the face of Liang Xiao's authority.
Upon receiving the news of Liang Xiao sending back the generals, the Left Virtuous King became even more convinced, "This fellow truly intends a surprise attack. Be prepared at all times, and ensure he never returns!"
At the Northern Border army camp, Tu Luotu brought another war letter from the Left Virtuous King, along with a set of women's red skirts.
"Marquis of An is so afraid of fighting, why not simply put on these red skirts, parade around the camp, and admit you are as timid as a woman!"
Facing Tu Luotu's humiliation, Liang Xiao merely smiled in response, "It's cold, and it must be hard for you barbarians to endure hunger and cold. How can you tighten your belts and send away clothes?"
Tu Luotu's face twitched, and he stared at Liang Xiao with a cold sneer.
Liang Xiao continued, "First, hang the 'no-battle' banner. Return the clothes, and then send the Left Virtuous King ten sets of red skirts for warmth."
Tu Luotu's expression turned grim. Just as he was about to retort, Liang Xiao had already dismissed him, too lazy to even entertain him this time.
Leaving the camp, Tu Luotu and his entourage got into a simple carriage provided by the Northern Border army camp. He looked around and noticed that many civilians had gathered to watch.
"Have the spies not spread the news, and were they all captured?" Tu Luotu wondered.
The barbarians had been trying to spread the news of Liang Xiao's cowardice throughout Yan Prefecture City, inciting some civilians who desperately wanted the Northern Border army camp to drive away the enemy.
But these civilians were filled with anger, clearly directed at him!
"Barbarian scoundrels! How dare you humiliate our Marquis of An!"
Rotten vegetables, rotten eggs, mud... a torrent of things rained down on the carriage.
"Why are the people of Yan Prefecture not afraid of barbarians at all now!" Tu Luotu and his entourage were startled and quickly urged the coachman to speed up.
"What's the rush?" the coachman chuckled.
Only then did Tu Luotu realize that the coachman was also "fully armed," wearing a conical hat specifically to defend against these projectiles.
In the army camp, the Left Virtuous King looked at the ten sets of red skirts sent by Liang Xiao, which, like Tu Luotu's, were covered in rotten eggs and mud, and wore a dejected expression.
A moment later, the Left Virtuous King sneered, "The 'no-battle' banner is already hung. He wants to show me his resolve to defend Yan Prefecture to the death. Once I divide my forces, he'll launch a surprise attack with his white-robed soldiers leading the cavalry to raid the camp. A clever plan! But merely a trick!"
His generals echoed his sentiments, looking expectant.
According to the intelligence they had obtained, all of Liang Xiao's and the Northern Border army camp's actions indicated a feigned defense, with preparations for an offensive.
The Left Virtuous King drew his sword and rose, majestic.
"Gentlemen, this move also shows that if Liang Xiao truly has the ability to summon the Heavenly General, he could lead his troops out for a decisive battle! Without the Heavenly General, the Great Qian is nothing to fear!"
"This battle must see the Yan Prefecture defenders utterly annihilated, and we should even enter Yan Prefecture and plunder the entire city! Even if we cannot capture Yan Prefecture, the Great Qian losing one hundred thousand Yan Prefecture defenders will leave it unable to support Yun Prefecture and Shuofang. At that time, the three northern regions will fall in an instant!"
"Issue an order to the entire army to prepare for battle, and await news from Yun Prefecture. Once the Tian River freezes, be ready to divide our forces at any time!"
The Left Virtuous King's provocations towards Liang Xiao grew more audacious with each instance, yet it had no impact on the soldiers and civilians of Yan Prefecture.
For the military and the populace, the soldiers of the Northern Border did not dare to disturb the civilians, their treatment had improved, and their families could live well. This spoke volumes about their deep support for Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing.
The Great Qian Iron Guards and the Qingtian Guards were practicing the "Que Yue Array" day and night, heavily guarded by surrounding troops. Anyone attempting to watch without permission would be executed!
In the past few days, Liang Xiao had repeatedly simulated the practical effects of their Que Yue Array and selected the location for its deployment.
Mu Hong and the others watched Liang Xiao, who was writing a string of Arabic numerals and unfamiliar mathematical symbols on paper. They were bewildered and dared not ask. Apart from Lü Changhe and Nan Jiyun, the others believed Liang Xiao was merely invoking the Heavenly General...
In the Liang residence, Christia still took time to accompany Sophia, her gentle words always bringing a sense of peace.
Sophia's emotional state was becoming increasingly stable. Elder Buti, responsible for protecting Christia, and the shadow guard captain Liang Mingyu watched with relief, but they remembered Liang Xiao's instructions and remained vigilant.
As the two sisters chatted, Christia suddenly felt a wave of nausea. She covered her mouth with one hand and then turned to vomit.