The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 276 - Removal

Ningchen knew she was probably just flattering him, but seeing her beautiful smile and her rounded pregnant belly, his heart softened. He couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Your Majesty should eat more. I still think you look even more handsome when you smile," Ye Yun teased, raising an eyebrow as she picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl.

Then she added, "If this little one inside me looks like Your Majesty, that would be perfect."

Ningchen glanced at her helplessly, "What, are you saying you're not good-looking? It would be just as good if the child looked like you."

"No, no, no," Ye Yun shook her head seriously.

She looked around shyly, then beckoned him closer.

Seeing her playful expression, Ningchen's mood lightened even more, and he leaned in, humoring her.

Ye Yun whispered softly in his ear, "I like Your Majesty. I love looking at your face. If the child looks like me, then when you're not around, I won't be able to look at them and think of you."

Her reasoning was... quite something.

Ningchen couldn't help but find it both amusing and charming. He thought to himself how skilled she was at sweet-talking him.

He had only ever heard of people keeping objects to remember others by, but this idea of looking at a person to remember another was new to him.

Still, her playful words did lift his mood.

After finishing their meal, it was time to take a walk and digest.

As the time for Ye Yun's delivery approached, it was important to add a bit more exercise to make the birth process easier.

Naturally, Ningchen accompanied her, strolling around Zhao Chun Pavilion together.

"The frontier has reported that the Liao Kingdom is showing signs of unrest near the territory of Zhasake. It seems they're gathering troops, and I'm concerned war might break out," Ningchen said suddenly.

He wasn't supposed to discuss such matters with the concubines of the inner palace, but the Liao Kingdom not only bordered Zhasake but also Lingzhou, where Ye Zhe was stationed. If war were to break out, Ye Zhe would inevitably be called to the battlefield. So it was difficult to hide this from Ye Yun.

As expected, Ye Yun's expression grew serious upon hearing the news.

"Is it true?"

"Prine Ao Qi sent a report. There's no mistake," Ningchen said in a low voice. He tightened his grip on her hand slightly. "But it's uncertain whether there will be a battle yet. Don't worry too much."

Ye Yun lowered her gaze momentarily before looking up with a determined expression.

"My brother grew up following my father in the military camp. Defending the frontier has always been his duty, and as a subject, it's his mission to serve the Emperor with loyalty. Though I am a woman, I understand this is not the time for hesitation. If war truly breaks out, I support my brother leading troops into battle."

Ningchen gazed at her intently. Her eyes held an unusual calmness, mixed with a sharpness and resolve not commonly seen in women of the inner palace.

Her words were sincere, though deep in her eyes, Ningchen caught a faint trace of worry. He had always thought of Ye Yun as a spoiled, willful woman, but now he saw that she possessed a sense of national duty.

Suddenly, Ningchen recalled the time in Zhasake, when this woman held a longbow, competing against Princess Duolan.

Ye Yun wasn't a mere delicate bird in a gilded cage; she was like a fledgling eagle, quietly concealing her sharpness.