chapter 48

Ever since the emperor of Guangliu married the daughter of Dawei’s prime minister as his empress, Guangliu and Dawei finally made peace. It couldn’t be said that this was due to Xia Fengguang’s ability as a woman but rather, it was because of the boldness coming from the clans at the borders of their countries. When facing the slaughter and crises of their citizens, both countries were damaged. Wasn’t there a saying for this?

Between two countries, there is no everlasting friendship nor are they everlasting enemies. Once a third force with intimidating power appears, even long-term enemies at war can become friends. This was indeed the case with Dawei and Guangliu.

The ministers of Guangliu had no complaints regarding their emperor taking in the daughter of the enemy country’s prime minister especially since they weren’t even considered the enemy anymore. However… their empress hadn’t given birth in the past two years. This wasn’t a matter that could be glossed over and many people brought this up during court meetings, hinting that perhaps the palace’s harem was lacking?

Dugu Ji laughed and the ministers who brought it up were returned home. Their official rankings was dropped by three titles. It didn’t matter whether or not if they were treasured ministers who made great contributions or if they were relatives of the royal family. In the eyes of Dugu Ji, they were simply paid positions and replacements could quickly be found to fill their roles. Henceforth, none dared to suggest adding concubines to the harem but their disapproval of the empress continued to grow.

“Come, Little Pi, this way,” Fengguang used the little hand drum, teasing the toddler who wasn’t even taller than the length of her legs.

“Empress… Empress…” The two year old sweetly ran over as he called out without fluency. He hugged Fengguang’s leg. “I want… Give to Little Pi.”

“If you want it, I’ll give it to you,” Fengguang bent down and gave the hand drum to him before she squeezed his round cheeks.

Little Pi was Qianqian Wan and Luo Mei’s son. Back then, Fengguang had been shocked when she saw Qianqian Wan’s real appearance for the first time. Originally, she had thought that he was a middle-aged man with a lot of facial hair but never did she imagine that he was actually a handsome youth and was able to have such an adorable son with Luo Mei.

Little Pi played with Fengguang. Luo Mei who had been standing to the side quickly hurried over and used a handkerchief to wipe Little Pi’s dirt-covered fingers. “Be careful, don’t dirty the empress’s clothes.”

“Mother… Little Pi is not dirty.” He widened his eyes, revealing a pitiful expression.

Fengguang’s heart was going to melt. She hugged him and comforted him, “Little Pi isn’t dirty. Your mother is just worrying too much over a small matter, right?”

“Yes!” The little boy nodded enthusiastically as though he had found an ally. He looked towards his mother triumphantly.

“Empress…” Luo Mei wanted to tell Fengguang not to spoil Little Pi too much but saw the man coming from behind Fenggugang. Her expression stiffened as she retreated a step and bowed. “Your majesty.”

Fengguang stood up and before she could turn, the person behind her held her hand and stepped to her side. She smiled as she looked up. “You came.”

Dugu Ji reached out to sweep the fallen flower off her head. “You can play so happily because I’m not here?”

“I didn’t forget you on purpose. It’s because Little Pi is too cute.”

Dugu Ji lowered his gaze at the little boy hugging Fengguang’s leg that was breathing heavily as they stared upwards at him. The corners of his lips curved upwards with interest.

Because Fengguang was often the one who played with Little Pi, he felt a sense of possessiveness that children often do, towards her. When he saw Dugu Ji stand at Fengguang’s side, he suddenly felt like his toy was stolen. Even though his parents told him that he needed to bow when he saw this man, he didn’t like him so he definitely wouldn’t bow to the likes of him!

Dugu Ji stroked his chin. “Since Fengguang likes this child so much, how about we have him live in the palace?”

Luo Mei froze.

“Little Pi is still young so he should be by his parents’ side. Ah Ji, don’t joke about this kind of thing.”

Since she said he was joking, then he’ll treat what he said as a simple joke. “Since you don’t like that, then I won’t mention it again.”

Fengguang smiled as she spoke to Luo Mei. “Little Pi must be tired from playing. Luo Mei, you should bring him back to rest first.”

“Yes,” Luo Mei gratefully looked at Fengguang and against Little Pi’s will, she carried him away.

The spring breeze was still chilly and as the wind passed, white pear-blossoms danced with an air of frost.

Dugu Ji draped his black cloak with a dragon design around Fengguang. “Your body is weak and it’s cold outside. Let’s head back.”

“I’m not cold yet.” She shook her head and held his warm hand, expressing her worry. “I heard that Scholar Zhang brought up deposing me as empress… And that you took away his court position to exile him.”

“This isn’t something you should worry about,” Dugu Ji replied lightly. There were always old geezers ignoring his wishes and bringing stuff up to uphold the so-called traditions. If he were to calculate, how many court ministers has he already gotten rid of?

“Ah Ji, how about…”

“Shhh…” He gently kissed her cold lips. “You know I can’t say no to you but if you keep saying things I don’t like to hear, I’m only going to get mad at myself.”

“But…” Her eyes flashed. “Actually, my parents have written letters to me about how Xia Qimeng gave birth to a pair of twins for Xiao Ruo while I…”

Even though the crown prince of Dawei had successfully taken the throne and the Ghost King Xiao Ruo’s power was consistently reducing, there were still a lot of plot points that remained the same. For example, Xiao Ruo and Xia Qimeng gave birth to a pair of intelligent twins. It was rumored that the two babies were able to speak their first words at six months and utter sentences at the age of one.

Dugu Ji caressed her cheek that was cold due to the wind. “Do you want a child that badly?”

She nodded.

“Then we’ll need to work hard everyday then.” His smile contained another meaning and amidst her surprise, he carried her back to their chambers.

“Wait, Ah Ji…” It was still daytime!

“I’m just working hard to make your wish come true so you need to cooperate with me, alright?”

Fengguang: “…”

Dugu Ji’s continuous hard-work lasted for three months and he made Fengguang finish studying the book titled ‘81 Styles’. After such an arduous process, Guangliu’s first prince arrived in the summer a year after.

Dugu Ji held the weak child that could snap if he used too much strength and sighed gratefully as he said, “So it wasn’t a waste of my effort of working hard every night back then.”

Fengguang was lying on the bed and she dug her head into the blankets as she flushed red.