Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

Consort Yuan touched her slightly protruding belly; three months had passed since she sent Xiao Lie to the frontier.

The imperial physician Zhao examined her pulse and found that she was three months pregnant.

In this palace, she never actually had a casual encounter with the emperor.

This child is Xiao Lie's.

"Your Majesty, how could you misunderstand me like this?"

Yuan Ajiao's tears flowed uncontrollably. "Everyone outside says that the Emperor is capricious, a foolish ruler who easily trusts treacherous ministers and spoils his princes into being lawless."

"Everything I've done is for Your Majesty's sake."

She then invited Physician Zhao in, saying, "Physician Zhao, it's time to inform the Emperor about the pregnancy you helped me find a few days ago."

The emperor was greatly shocked, his gaze shifting back and forth between Consort Yuan's belly and Physician Zhao's face.

With his health in such poor condition, how could he still have a new imperial son?

"Imperial Physician Zhao, is what Consort Yuan said true?"

The emperor's gaze toward Physician Zhao was filled with disbelief.

Even he himself believed that it was impossible for him to get Consort Yuan pregnant again.

Imperial Physician Zhao replied with great certainty, "Your Majesty, the Empress is indeed pregnant, and is already three months along."

The emperor was overjoyed, and his previous suspicions about Consort Yuan vanished completely.

He beckoned to Consort Yuan, signaling her to sit beside his bed. "Such wonderful news, why didn't you tell me immediately?"

Consort Yuan knelt before the Emperor and began to weep, "Your Majesty, you only have the Third Prince in your heart, so naturally you will not make any arrangements for the child in my womb."

"I have suffered for the first half of my life. I finally became a favored concubine. I have only one wish for the rest of my life, which is to help my son become the new king."

The emperor was stunned for a long time, amazed that Consort Yuan had the audacity to say such treasonous things in front of him.

But then he thought again that none of his princes were capable of anything great.

Perhaps it is truly possible to establish the child in Consort Yuan's womb as the new crown prince.

It's not yet possible to tell whether it's a boy or a girl.

"Imperial Physician Zhao, how much longer until we know whether Consort Yuan is carrying a prince or a princess?" The Emperor's expectant gaze fell upon Imperial Physician Zhao.

Physician Zhao hurriedly replied truthfully, "Your Majesty, when the baby is five months old, we will be able to tell whether it is a prince or a princess by examining the pulse."

That means we'll know in two more months, and the emperor was overjoyed.

He placed all his last hopes on the pregnancy of Consort Yuan.

"In that case, you shall oversee both the inner palace and the outer court for the time being." Upon hearing of this joyous occasion, the emperor entrusted all matters to Consort Yuan.

Consort Yuan had not expected that the Emperor would so easily allow her to oversee the country.

But then she thought again that the medicine Xiao Lie gave her was developed by Old He using all his knowledge.

The emperor became increasingly infatuated, and the more he was manipulated by her, the more he became.

Now we can only hope that Xiao Lie can achieve a swift victory on the frontier.

She was, after all, just a woman, though she had the support of small factions left behind by those powerful families.

But with wolves in front and tigers behind, dealing with them isn't so easy.

frontier.

Xiao Lie waited in his tent all night for news.

Only when flames roared in the distance did he smile with relief.

The raid was a success!

I just don't know if all the plans have been completed.

"Seventeen, how long until they come back?" Xiao Lie asked excitedly.

Seventeen said helplessly, "Your Highness, aren't you just asking a question you already know the answer to? They'll be back soon."

It's not like we're separated by a vast distance.

Xiao Lie coughed lightly to cover up his embarrassment.

He couldn't sit still any longer and went straight to his grandfather, Xiao Tianze.

Xiao Tianze had just gotten up; it seemed he had had a good night's sleep.

"Grandpa, how can you sleep like this?" Xiao Lie was dumbfounded.

"If I were like you, unable to sleep over the slightest thing, how could I lead troops into battle?" Although Xiao Tianze slept soundly, he could be immediately awakened by the slightest disturbance around him.

This is a habit he developed through years of training in combat.

Xiao Lie touched his nose; he couldn't really blame himself.

He had never personally fought in a battle, so he was not as calm as Xiao Tianze.

Grandpa Xiao Tianze had already instructed people to prepare breakfast.

When they return in triumph, they will be able to enjoy a hot meal.

After waiting and waiting, the soldiers finally returned.

"Lord Duke, Your Highness, I have successfully completed all the tasks assigned to me."

The enemy camp is now in chaos.

Some enemy troops have already begun to flee.

Xiao Lie had an undisguised smile on his face.

Unexpectedly, the enemy forces were scattered so easily.

"We'll send out our troops immediately," Xiao Tianze said, wanting to press his advantage.

"Grandpa, no!" Xiao Lie stopped him. "Let's wait a little longer. Their reinforcements won't arrive in time. Perhaps after a few days, all the original enemy troops will have scattered."

Xiao Lie advocated sending only 30,000 elite troops to launch surprise attacks from time to time.

With the loss of their two commanders-in-chief, morale must be low.

Just by launching a few small attacks, we can drive them away.

Xiao Tianze pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll do as you say."

There is no doubt that we will win the battle.

Xiao Lie thought for a moment, and then discussed with his grandfather Xiao Tianze whether they should send the good news back to the capital.

The emperor was taking elixirs and consuming drugged food, making him increasingly unable to manage state affairs.

If the emperor were to see the news of victory at this moment, he might be so overwhelmed with excitement that he might fall into a coma.

"You tell me how to write it, and I'll write it." Xiao Tianze was increasingly satisfied with Xiao Lie.

He said that his grandson could not possibly be just a spoiled brat, a scoundrel blinded by his love for his children.

Once the report of victory was written, Xiao Tianze arranged for people to return to the capital.

A few days later, Xiao Lie's plan worked as he had anticipated, and the enemy army was reduced to only 60,000 men who were still putting up a stubborn resistance.

The rest either died, were injured, or fled.

What's even more ridiculous is that the reinforcements turned tail and ran away as soon as they heard about the fighting at the front.

Who would be willing to go to the battlefield and die at this moment?

"Grandpa, then you lead the troops to attack them with all your might." Xiao Lie prepared to sneak back to the capital.

The emperor is about to pass away, and he needs to return to the capital to make arrangements in person.

Xiao Tianze was somewhat reluctant to part with his grandson, who had only been back with him for a few months.

As they were about to part again, he couldn't help but tear up.

Moreover, with the capital in chaos, Xiao Lie's return journey is fraught with danger.

"Can you stay?" Xiao Tianze pleaded, "After Grandpa wins the battle, I'll accompany you to the capital."

Xiao Lie had made up his mind. "Grandpa, this war won't last much longer. Soon the Southern Barbarians and Northern Di will send their surrender documents."

"Then you can bring your army and join me."

Xiao Tianze understood that once his grandson made a decision, it could not be changed.

He suppressed his reluctance, hugged Xiao Lie, then turned his back and agreed, "Then you go first."