allonlinenovel Chapter 279: Undercurrents Come Quietly, Guard as Before
Chapter 279: Undercurrents Come Quietly, Guard as Before
As spring passed and autumn arrived, Yun Mengting's pregnancy deepened, her figure becoming increasingly rounder, and her every gesture was filled with the gentle love of a future mother. Ling Xuan never left the mansion, arranging all matters in a meticulous manner, hoping to ensure a smooth and worry-free pregnancy for her entire ten months. The sweet osmanthus flowers in the courtyard were in bloom, their fragrance sweet. Ling Xuan broke off a few branches and placed them in the vase in Yun Mengting's room, smiling, "Ting'er, smell this sweet osmanthus fragrance, isn't it comforting?" Yun Mengting leaned back on the couch, smiled and nodded, "With the prince here, everything is comfortable."
Yet, beneath the calm lies a lurking danger. The suppressed forces at court persist, secretly colluding with cults to target the Yun family's cherished new life. They bribed a resentful servant in the Yun family's kitchen, instructing him to slip a trace amount of abortion drugs into Yun Mengting's diet. While the dosage is small, the cumulative effect is enough to cause catastrophic consequences.
That day, Yun Mengting was drinking her tonic soup as usual when she noticed something strange about the taste. Her stomach churned, and she vomited violently. Ling Xuan was horrified and frantically called for a doctor. The doctor took her pulse and frowned, "Miss Yun's pulse suggests she's been exposed to something she shouldn't have. The fetus is unstable." Ling Xuan's eyes widened with anger, and he ordered a thorough investigation. Soon, the servant was apprehended and, under interrogation, confessed everything.
Ling Xuan was so angry that he drew his sword, wishing he could kill the man right then and there. Yun Mengting weakly held him back, "Your Highness, don't be impulsive. The person behind this hasn't surfaced yet. Don't alert them." Ling Xuan suppressed his anger and sheathed his sword, his eyes as cold as a pond. "Anyone who dares touch my wife and children will pay a thousandfold!"
Meanwhile, the cult's demons, having learned their plan had been exposed, launched their offensive prematurely. Taking advantage of the darkness, they led a group of bewildered zealots and descended upon the Yun family. Suddenly, flames erupted outside the Yun residence, accompanied by cries of killing. Ling Xuan donned his armor and reassured Yun Mengting, "Ting'er, don't be afraid. I'll be back soon." With that, he charged into the night, sword in hand.
The Yun family guards and Ling Xuan's personal soldiers fought bravely, but the lunatics showed no fear of life and death, and the battle became increasingly brutal. A mysterious old man also arrived to assist, unleashing a miraculous spell that sent sand and rocks flying, blinding the lunatics and buying the Yun family a moment's respite.
Yun Mengting was extremely anxious in the house. She knew that she could not panic at this moment, so she forced herself to get up and directed her servants to take care of the injured and pass on the message.
In the midst of a fierce battle, the cult leader appeared, wielding a strange magical weapon and muttering incoherently. He exuded a chilling aura. Seeing this, Ling Xuan leaped forward and engaged him in a fierce battle. The leader's skills were profound, and each of his moves was ruthless and brutal. Ling Xuan gradually began to struggle, but the thought of his wife and children inside the house rekindled his endless fighting spirit.
"If you want to harm my wife and children, you'll have to get past me first!" Ling Xuan roared, his sword strikes becoming increasingly fierce, as he lunged at the leader with all his might. The leader dodged, but Ling Xuan had a hidden trick up his sleeve. A kick to the wrist knocked the weapon loose. Seizing this opportunity, Ling Xuan concentrated all his strength and, with a single strike, pierced the leader's protective aura, striking him squarely in the chest. The leader screamed in agony and fled, wounded. The remaining thugs, without a leader, were instantly routed.
After this battle, the entire Yun family was exhausted. Ling Xuan returned to the house, bloodied. Seeing Yun Mengting safe and sound, his eyes instantly welled up. He knelt before the couch, burying his head in Yun Mengting's hands: "Ting'er, I almost couldn't protect you..." Yun Mengting gently stroked his hair, tears streaming down her cheeks: "Your Highness, we made it through this. Don't blame yourself."
As the days slowly recuperated, Yun Mengting's pregnancy finally stabilized. Ling Xuan grew increasingly cautious, treating the Yun family like an ironclad prison. However, a new storm was brewing at court. The emperor, upon hearing of the Yun family's repeated attacks, while not blaming them, grew somewhat distant from Ling Xuan, no longer entrusting him with trivial matters. Ling Xuan felt annoyed, but could only force a smile in front of Yun Mengting.
Yun Mengting could not fail to see his thoughts. Taking advantage of the perfect moonlight, she dragged Ling Xuan for a stroll in the courtyard. "Your Highness, power is fleeting. Now we have each other, and a child to be born soon. A complete family is more important than anything else." Ling Xuan gazed into her gentle yet resolute eyes, and the haze in his heart gradually dissipated. "Ting'er, thanks to you, I'm not lost."
At full term, Yun Mengting screamed in the delivery room. Ling Xuan stood guard outside the door, anxious and pacing. Every cry of pain stabbed him like a knife, and he wished he could suffer in her place. Finally, a resounding baby cry pierced the night, and the midwife emerged with joy, announcing, "Your Highness, it's a boy, and both mother and child are safe!"
Ling Xuan rushed into the delivery room and saw Yun Mengting, sweating profusely but beaming with happiness. Tears welled up in his eyes. He gently lifted the child and placed her beside her, holding her hand. "Ting'er, thank you. Our little family is complete." In that moment, the hardships and conspiracies of the past seemed like a backdrop. The room was filled with warmth, a precious gift they had fought so hard to protect. It also filled them with the courage and longing to move forward fearlessly into the future.