Chapter 323: with translation of chapter title

Mu Yanzhi had temporarily shelved this decision, simply because she'd recently noticed she was starting to show her pregnancy.

Her form-fitting outfit no longer fits; ordinary dresses make her pregnancy very noticeable, but changing into a high-waisted ruqun helps a bit.

But she doesn't like wearing the high-waisted ruqun!

The only high-waisted ruqun she has at home is one she bought impulsively; it's pretty, but she feels it doesn't suit her.

Besides, ordering a new batch would take time, so she's just staying home these two days, fretting over her wardrobe.

Mu Yanzhi stroked her belly and told the baby, "Little one, I've gone through so much hardship for you—you'd better make me proud!"

"What hardship? What hardship has my little treasure endured?"

Gu Rongjin, who had just returned from court, asked.

"You're back?"

Mu Yanzhi didn't even turn her head, still fretting before the bronze mirror: "Look, I'm really showing my pregnancy now—I'm not attractive at all!"

"Where?" Gu Rongjin stepped over, took Mu Yanzhi's hand and gently turned her halfway: "No, you look wonderful!"

"Don't lie to me with a guilty conscience—my face has gotten fat, all puffy!" Mu Yanzhi lifted her head, bringing both cheeks close to Gu Rongjin.

"Nonsense! You're still beautiful—the number one beauty of the capital!"

"I'm practically becoming the capital's number one fat woman!" Mu Yanzhi didn't buy Gu Rongjin's flattery—she's not blind.

In a few months it'll be even worse—she'll probably never want to leave the house!

All the weapons from the Ministry of Works were moved to the princess's mansion.

"Don't worry, little Yanzhi, it's fine. After you give birth, you'll be the most beautiful mother in the world!" Gu Rongjin coaxed.

"After giving birth, plenty of women end up with changed figures!"

"No way, no way—I have plenty of ways to handle it!" Gu Rongjin assured.

"You're swearing on your head?!" Mu Yanzhi grew more irritated, thinking Gu Rongjin was especially slick-talking.

"Yeah, I swear on my head." Gu Rongjin nodded.

Mu Yanzhi rolled her eyes.

"Okay, okay, if my lady doesn't want to go out, she won't; usually she just walks at home, does work at home, and if the emperor summons her, we'll say she's sick—how about that?" Gu Rongjin hugged Mu Yanzhi and kept coaxing.

"Don't hug me—I'm annoyed!"

Mu Yanzhi pushed Gu Rongjin away without hesitation.

Staggering from the push, Gu Rongjin raised both hands in surrender: "I'm wrong, my lady; don't be angry, don't scratch people like a cat!"

"Get lost!"

"That won't do; only that is not allowed." Gu Rongjin reached to pull Mu Yanzhi: "Come on, let's sit down and play a game of chess, okay?"

"Play chess?"

"Alright, it's been a while since I played chess."

Mu Yanzhi was a little interested.

Having successfully coaxed his wife, Gu Rongjin quickly brought out the chess set.

"These past few days, the Ninth Lord has been staying behind closed doors; I can't figure out what they're up to." Gu Rongjin opened the chessboard and said.

Mu Yanzhi raised an eyebrow: "Staying behind closed doors? Is that basically telling us he's ignoring everything and doing nothing?"

"I suspect the same." Gu Rongjin laid out all the pieces: "Right now the court is buzzing about the heir apparent, yet the emperor isn't doing any rumor‑control work—I don't know what he's thinking."

Mu Yanzhi picked up a piece, hesitating to move: "I always feel the emperor is playing a game of chess."

"Is it regular chess or liubo?" Gu Rongjin teased.

"I'm serious; I rarely misjudge people."

"At least that's the case right now."

"I also don't want to misjudge, or I'll look foolish." Gu Rongjin urged: "Don't hover over the pieces—make a move!"

"What's the rush? A commander shouldn't rush." Mu Yanzhi teased: "You'll just end up as my pawn."

"I'm willing!"

"Fine, as the commander I'll teach you how to be a person."

Meanwhile, in Ganquan Palace, the idle new emperor is also playing chess, but he's playing against himself—how enjoyable!

"Father Emperor, are you summoning me, your son?"

Pei Biao entered.

The new emperor looked up, gestured for the palace attendants to withdraw, then summoned his eldest son forward.

"Come, help me solve this game."

Pei Biao approached and saw it was a lost position.

He sat down to ponder, his thoughts entirely on the board.

The new emperor, resting his chin on his hand, suddenly asked: "What do you think about the ominous star, Biao'er?"

Pei Biao's eyes momentarily couldn't see the board.

After a moment's thought, he said: "I believe it's better to trust that it exists than to doubt it."

"Anything else?" the new emperor asked again.

"I think the safety of the state comes first, after all the Guardian Princess often causes quite a stir." Pei Biao said.

"For example, what about this incident with the Infant Void Emperor?" the new emperor asked.

Pei Biao nodded.

"But the Guardian Princess is your mother's lifesaver." the new emperor sighed.

"Father Emperor could placate her well—give her wealth, honor, authority, and the glory of the Grand General's mansion." Pei Biao proposed.

"Your suggestion is indeed not bad as a method." The new emperor nodded, then asked him: "Cousin, do you think we should or should not let the Guardian State Princess go for a marriage alliance?"

Pei Biao swallowed a mouthful of saliva, glanced at his Father Emperor without leaving a trace.

From Father Emperor's expression, Pei Biao could not tell joy or anger; after hesitating a while, he said: 'As a subject, I believe that relieving the state's and the ruler's worries is what truly deserves the two characters "protector of the state".'

'Do you mean you think it would be better for the Protector of the State Princess to go marry into another family?' the new emperor sighed again.

Pei Biao dared not speak further, tried his best to focus his attention on the chess board again.

Just as Pei Biao reached out to pick up a chess piece, he heard his father opposite speak again: 'I heard you went to the Ministry of Works; are you interested in weapons or in construction?'

Pei Biao hesitated, unsure how to answer without seeming abrupt for suddenly going to the Ministry of Works.

Di er has never been interested in the Ministry of Works' affairs, nor does he inquire about the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Personnel.

'Really? But isn't the Eastern Palace supposed to handle some affairs?' Pei Biao said deliberately.

The new emperor smiled noncommittally: 'Since you're interested, you can share some of your younger brother's burden, alright.'

Pei Biao's heart surged with excitement, but he kept a calm exterior, calmly lifting his eyes to look at the new emperor: 'This, isn't it inappropriate?'

'What's inappropriate about it? You are my eldest son; this also counts as sharing my worries.' said the new emperor.

He glanced at this dead end, saying: 'Pei Biao, can't you solve it?'

Pei Biao refused to give up: 'I can definitely solve it; otherwise, Father Emperor, let me take this chess board back to study.'

'Good, I'll wait for your answer.' said the new emperor, smiling.

Pei Biao moved the chess board back intact, pondered it all night, and by dawn finally figured it out.

He personally brought it back for his father to see; the new emperor looked pleased and rewarded him with a jade pendant from the new tribute.

On the way back, he happened to meet the shaman doctor; the two exchanged pleasantries on the surface, but actually whispered privately when no one was around.

Pei Biao told the shaman doctor about the past two days; the shaman doctor asked, 'What is this dead end like?'

'I've solved it.'

'Your Highness, can you still restore it?'