109 Premature Birth

Five months later, my belly had grown so large that I could barely see my own feet while standing. Upon my return, my younger brother and the people on the island all knew I was pregnant; seeing that I did not elaborate, they dared not ask. My brother tried to question me several times, only to be silenced by my remark that he was still too young to understand.

"Sister, are you feeling better today?" A voice sounded from outside the door, and I knew it was my brother, accompanied by Ling Yi.

Ling Yi was the leader of the "Twelve Killers." I remembered when all twelve of them had knelt before me, and it was then that I learned the history of their group. My late father had a younger sister, Princess Yuzhen. It was said that during a time when the Lingyun Kingdom’s power was not yet stable, Princess Yuzhen resolutely married far away into the Great Desert. The Twelve Killers were sent with her, remaining there for twenty years. Perhaps out of guilt toward his sister, my father never summoned them back, not even on his deathbed.

"I am feeling better," I said, steadying myself against my belly as I sat down.

"A message has arrived from Dongfang. He will return today; it shouldn't be long now."

"That is good," I replied, picking up a piece of pastry to eat.

Since becoming pregnant, I was constantly plagued by cravings. Lingyun Island was not entirely isolated from the outside world; Dongfang Qingyu often traveled abroad, partly for his own affairs and partly for the sake of the people on my island. In my past life, born into the Huangfu family, I knew nothing but business. Many of the techniques used on Lingyun Island were things I had taught them myself—innovations unknown to the outside world. If my initial intent in securing this island was to create a sanctuary, my goal now was to dominate the commerce of the three kingdoms. We were only just beginning, having sent a few people out to accompany Dongfang Qingyu.

"Princess, Young Master Dongfang has arrived," Afu said, entering with Dongfang Qingyu following behind her.

"Qingyu, you’ve returned." I moved to stand, but Dongfang Qingyu stopped me with a gesture.

"Don't move, Zijun. This time, I have brought back an old acquaintance of yours."

"An old acquaintance?"

Despite the dark complexion and the fact that he had swapped his tribal robes for different attire, I recognized the distinct features of his ethnicity at a glance. I stood up in shock. "The Ancient Tribe."

How could Dongfang Qingyu be so reckless? How could he know this man was an old acquaintance of mine?

"Young Master," Ling Yi and Ling Si—who had returned with Dongfang—bowed to the man from the Ancient Tribe.

I was stunned. Since when did the Twelve Killers have a "Young Master"? In my bewilderment, I instinctively reached out to grab my brother’s hand; if any trouble arose, protecting him was my priority.

"Zijun, Zijun, I am Guteng, the son of Princess Yuzhen."

"My aunt’s son?" My brother and I exchanged a glance, at a loss for words. He was our cousin.

"Yes, Princess, have no doubt. This is indeed the son of Princess Yuzhen."

"I am... quite surprised."

Dongfang Qingyu tactfully took Afu, Ling Yi, and Ling Si outside, leaving the space to us.

"Sister, this is wonderful! We have a cousin!" My brother gripped my hand, his excitement palpable. After the palace coup, we had lost all our kin.

"Sit down first," Guteng said, walking over to support me.

"Thank you... Brother." I felt the hand supporting me tremble for a brief moment.

"I didn't think you would call me that." Guteng smiled, a handsome sight.

"When our aunt married, neither Zijun nor I were born. I remember when I was four, she returned once, and a young boy was with her. That must have been you, Brother. But Zijun hadn't been born yet."

"That's right. You were so small then, unlike the stunning beauty you are today. And Zijun has grown so much." Guteng reached out and ruffled my brother’s hair.

"Brother, now that you've come, will you stay?" I asked, clutching his sleeve.

"My mother instructed that I should remain in the Central Plains this time to look after you both."

"Having a brother is wonderful," I said, rubbing my head against his sleeve. My brother held onto his other sleeve just the same.

"Brother, why didn't you reveal your identity when you sent me the Millennium Black Iron and the Myriad-Year Celestial Silk?"

"The timing was not right."

Guteng took my hand, his eyes falling on the bracelet I wore. His brow furrowed.

"What is it, Brother?"

"Take it off. Let me refine it for you."

"Alright." I handed it to him.

"Brother, I am not in a condition to do much. Could you teach my brother? He cannot remain an ordinary person forever, especially now that Father is gone," I said, looking at him with a sense of melancholy.

"Sister, I will master the martial arts..."

"He is my brother now, too. Do not worry."

"That is a relief."

Knowing that Guteng was our aunt’s son was the happiest news I had received in a long time. My brother and I spent the rest of the day in high spirits. The next day, my brother was either trailing after Dongfang Qingyu or Guteng, learning whatever he could. Seeing his diligence and willingness to endure hardship gave me great comfort. The coup had forced us both to grow up. I admitted that even on Lingyun Island, my nerves remained frayed; many nights I still woke from nightmares of that cliffside, of Yun Heng and Li Yexuan standing before me, their mocking smiles and the undisguised hatred in their blood-red eyes.

But with Guteng here, I felt much more at ease.

Afu walked with me around the island. I made it a daily habit to walk, as the air was beneficial for my health.

"Princess, we should head back; it is quite windy here."

"I am going to see Qingyu. You return to the room and take some refreshments to my brother; he must be sweating through his training again." If I weren't so hindered, I would have gone myself.

"Princess, how can I leave you alone?"

"What is there to fear? Everyone on the island is one of us. Just be quick and return. Go!"

"Then please be careful, Princess."

As Afu turned to leave, I called after her to slow down. Dongfang Qingyu’s residence was not far, so I walked there slowly. The door was ajar, and voices drifted out. I did not intend to eavesdrop, but the words reached my ears regardless.

"Young Master Dongfang, Young Master... chaos has broken out in the Yuehua Kingdom. The Emperor died suddenly, the Crown Prince has rebelled, and Prince Xuan has been killed in battle."

It was impossible. How could Li Yexuan be dead? I slammed the door open and rushed to Ling Yi, who was delivering the report, grabbing his sleeve.

"What did you just say? What happened to Li Yexuan? Tell me!"

"The spies from Yuehua report that the Prince Xuan’s estate caught fire, and Prince Xuan did not make it out..."

I let go of Ling Yi’s sleeve, stumbling back two steps.

"How can this be? How could he die?" I muttered to myself. Dongfang Qingyu and Guteng rushed to catch me.

"Zijun, stay calm."

I looked at Qingyu. "Tell me this isn't true. How could he die? A man as cunning as he is, who could even deceive me... how could he just die?"

"It is not certain yet. The body has not been found, so we cannot jump to conclusions. Don't panic, I will send more people to investigate. Think of the child..."

I don't know if the baby felt my distress for its father, but a wave of abdominal pain struck me. My legs gave way, and I felt something fluid release. As I collapsed, Dongfang Qingyu caught me in his arms.

I was laid upon the bed, knowing full well that I was going into premature labor—the child was only eight months along. The doctor arrived and confirmed it; the midwife was already preparing.

In my final moments of clarity, I grabbed Dongfang Qingyu’s hand. "Qingyu, promise me... save the child."

"What are you saying? You are the one who matters."

"Promise me!" I gripped his hand with all my remaining strength. If Li Yexuan was gone, I had no desire to settle any more grudges. I had loved him once; I could not let him leave no heir.

"Very well. But you must hold on. You have to raise your own child."

I nodded, sweat pouring down my forehead.

"Sister..." My brother stumbled in, rushing to my side.

"Listen to your brother from now on..."

Pain engulfed me, and my hand fell limply. The midwife cleared everyone from the room; there was no time to lose.

"Princess, you cannot sleep. Remember to do as I say."

Three midwives worked around me. The waves of pain felt as if they were crushing my entire body. There was a moment when I had no strength left, and I wanted to let go, to follow him into the void and end it all. But in my ear, I heard Dongfang Qingyu’s voice, faint yet insistent.

"Zijun, Li Yexuan could not possibly die just like that. If he had, would he still be Prince Xuan? The child in your womb has already lost a father—do you intend to leave it without a mother as well? Zijun, do not give up!"

I realized later that the voice was real; Dongfang Qingyu had ignored all protocol to burst into the delivery room. My brother had been held back outside by Guteng. I don't know where I found the strength, but I awakened once more. The child had no father; it could not lose its mother, too.

"Ah!"

With the cry of the infant, I finally exhaled. I had birthed the child, but before I could see it—before I even knew if it was a boy or a girl—I closed my eyes and sank into unconsciousness.

Unexpectedly, I dreamt of Li Yexuan. I was five, and he must have been eight. We were sitting together under a cherry blossom tree. He was carefully peeling chestnuts for me, holding them out, insisting I call him "Brother Xuan" before he would let me eat.

At that time, my head rested on his small shoulder. No matter what motives he had later in approaching me, at that moment, he was simple and pure. Since remembering that childhood meeting, I had been afraid to think of it, yet the dream was so vivid, refusing to be pushed away.

We, too, had once shared a simple, innocent companionship.