allonlinenovel Chapter 278: Joy and sorrow intertwined, the storm continues
Chapter 278: Joy and sorrow intertwined, the storm continues
Ever since the Yun family wiped out Liu Tianjiao's influence, the capital seemed to have been shaken off a layer of gloom, temporarily returning to its former tranquility. However, this peace didn't last long. Yun Mengting often felt nauseous when she woke up in the morning. At first, she simply thought it was due to overwork and didn't pay much attention to it.
But after a few days, the nausea symptoms became more frequent. Ling Xuan was the first to notice something was wrong. He was extremely anxious and immediately asked a highly respected old doctor in the city to come.
The old doctor took the pulse for a moment, then a smile broke out on his face. He bowed to Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness, Miss Yun, this is a happy pulse, and it's estimated to be more than a month." Ling Xuan was stunned at first, and then, ecstasy flooded into his eyes like a tide. He suddenly hugged Yun Mengting in his arms, his voice trembling slightly: "Ting'er, we have a child!" Yun Mengting was also surprised and happy, her eyes red, and subconsciously put her hand gently on her lower abdomen, where was nurturing the fruit of their love that they had been looking forward to after going through countless hardships and being reborn.
The Yun family instantly became lively upon hearing the good news. Yun Mengting's mother, Mrs. Li, smiled until her eyes narrowed into slits, and she held her daughter to her side, nagging and giving endless instructions. Her father, unable to conceal his joy, also hurriedly sent people to buy various nourishing delicacies.
Ling Xuan has transformed into a caring and warm husband. The hands that used to wield swords are now willing to cook soup for Yun Mengting. The eyes of the cold prince are full of tenderness and longing for becoming a father.
However, hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface of peaceful days. Liu Tianjiao, on the run, is like a wounded wolf, constantly searching for an opportunity to strike back.
He secretly teamed up with a mysterious foreign force, promising huge sums of money and ceding territory in exchange for a team of elite death squads, hoping to take advantage of the Yun family's joy brought by the new life and take a big bite.
In the court, those ministers who were jealous of Ling Xuan and the rise of the Yun family were also busy. They jointly wrote a letter to impeach Ling Xuan, saying that although he was a prince, he neglected state affairs because of personal feelings, and used the Yun family to eliminate dissidents, which showed that he had evil intentions.
The emperor, already wary of Ling Xuan's command of a large military force and his growing prestige, was furious upon seeing the impeachment memorial and immediately summoned Ling Xuan to the palace. Ling Xuan knew this journey was fraught with danger, but to protect Yun Mengting and her unborn child, he refused to retreat.
Before leaving, he held Yun Mengting's hand tightly, his eyes burning: "Ting'er, don't be afraid. Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up. I will definitely return safely. You and the child are everything to me. Wait for me." Yun Mengting held back her tears and nodded vigorously: "Your Highness, I believe you. Please take care of yourself."
After entering the palace, the atmosphere inside the Golden Throne Hall was suffocatingly low. The Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression sullen. "Ling Xuan, do you know what crime you've committed?" Ling Xuan knelt calmly, his head held high. "Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal to you and to the Great Chu. The Yun family has been repeatedly framed by treacherous individuals, and we have no choice but to fight back. All this is done to protect the stability of our dynasty. I beg your Majesty to understand." The Emperor snorted coldly, "Empty words! How can I believe you? Effective immediately, you will surrender 30% of your military power and return to your residence to reflect on your mistakes!" Ling Xuan's heart tightened, his heart filled with helplessness, but he could only obey the order: "Your Majesty, I obey."
While Ling Xuan was trapped in the palace, Liu Tianjiao seized the opportunity and led his assassins to attack the Yun family under the cover of darkness. The Yun family was heavily guarded, but these assassins were well-trained and attacked fiercely, and the shouts of killing pierced the night.
Yun Mengting was terribly anxious upon hearing the commotion. She ignored everyone's attempts to stop her and stood in the courtyard, her whip in hand. Her eyes were as cold as ice. "Liu Tianjiao, you shameless wretch! Come at me if you dare!" Liu Tianjiao appeared, laughing wildly and wantonly. "Yun Mengting, today is the day your Yun family will be destroyed. Your unborn child will never live!"
Yun Mengting, seething with rage, whipped her whip with all her might, striking Liu Tianjiao, completely oblivious to her pregnancy. The two instantly engaged in a fierce struggle, blood splattering everywhere. The Yun family also fought desperately, and the battle was intense.
Seeing Yun Mengting's physical strength gradually weakening, a mysterious old man and a group of chivalrous men arrived in time, and the situation eased slightly. The old man shouted, "Men of the Yun family, listen up! Hold your ground! Don't panic!" Hearing this, everyone quickly regrouped.
Seeing the situation was dire, Liu Tianjiao tried to flee, but was struck in the leg by the old man's hidden weapon, stumbling to the ground. He was about to struggle to his feet when Ling Xuan, on his horse, galloped back. Seeing Yun Mengting safe and sound, Ling Xuan's heart finally settled. He glared at Liu Tianjiao with a fierce glare, unsheathing his sword and stabbing him: "You evil thief, how dare you harm my wife and children? I'll kill you!" Liu Tianjiao was unable to dodge and was struck by the sword through the heart. He died with his eyes wide open, his heart pierced by the sword.
Although the Yun family had emerged victorious from this battle, they were also deeply wounded. Yun Mengting was frightened and felt a dull pain in her abdomen. Everyone hurriedly helped her into the house, and a doctor rushed to treat her. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured, but only needed to stay in bed for a while to recuperate. Ling Xuan stayed by her bedside, feeling full of self-blame: "Ting'er, it's my fault for not protecting you well and causing you suffering." Yun Mengting shook her head weakly: "Your Highness, please don't say that. We are all safe, and everything will get better from now on."
In the court, Ling Xuan offered his military power and presented detailed evidence to prove his innocence. Seeing that he truly had no intention of rebelling, the emperor, mindful of his past achievements, softened his stance and did not pursue the matter further.
As the days passed, Yun Mengting's belly gradually grew. Ling Xuan would walk slowly with her in the courtyard every day, whispering to her unborn child about the future. They knew there might still be bumps in the road ahead, but as long as they held each other and had their family by their side, nothing was insurmountable. This warmth, a result of surviving a tragedy, quietly settled and deepened over the years.