Chapter 975: First Volume_Chapter 975: Joy in the Qin Family

First Volume_Chapter 975: Joy in the Qin Family

What Zhang Chao didn't know was that Qin Feng was deliberately leaving him hanging, not only because of the matter concerning Li Xiaolan, but also for political considerations.

Zhang Chao, as an Official of the Ministry of Rites, had come alone to Changshui County as a Diplomatic Envoy, which already showed sufficient sincerity, so the purpose of this trip was surely to get Qin Feng to withdraw his troops.

But reality was cruel — the Winter War had already begun, and Qin Feng held an absolute advantage; crushing the Northern Di was only a matter of time. To withdraw troops at this Deadline would only give the Northern Di a chance to catch their breath.

Moreover, a Blood Feud had already been forged. Even if Qin Feng spared the Northern Di, to them Qin Feng would still be a sworn enemy, and one day the Northern Di would find ways to take revenge on Qin Feng.

As the saying goes, cut the grass without removing the root, and endless trouble will follow!

Therefore, getting Qin Feng to withdraw his troops was almost impossible. Of course, if the King of the Northern Di were willing to abdicate, that would be another story entirely — but unfortunately, such a possibility was extremely slim.

Qin Feng wanted Zhang Chao to understand the situation clearly — State Peace Talks were not something one could hold just because one wished to.

At this moment, Li Xiaolan was lying in bed, her complexion somewhat pale. At first Qin Feng assumed Li Xiaolan's "period" had come, so he paid it no mind. But as time went on, Qin Feng sensed something was off.

Li Xiaolan had not shown any sign of menstruation in recent days, and if her period were troubled, it would surely be accompanied by menstrual cramps. Yet Li Xiaolan was only weak, not in pain, which meant it was not simply a matter of "private affairs."

"Xiaolan, tell me honestly — what's really going on?" Qin Feng's expression was grave as he questioned her in a low voice.

Sensing the unquestionable authority in Qin Feng's gaze, the usually composed and calm Li Xiaolan could not help but avert her eyes: "Perhaps I caught a chill…"

Before Li Xiaolan could finish, Qin Feng cut her off directly: "Impossible. As the saying goes, prolonged illness makes one a good doctor — I deal with wounded soldiers all day, what kind of illness haven't I seen? Your condition is neither troubled menstruation nor a cold."

"Xiaolan, is there anything you can't tell me?"

Facing Qin Feng's relentless pressure, Li Xiaolan knew she could no longer evade and could only sigh softly: "It is indeed troubled menstruation, or rather… my period simply hasn't come. I noticed something was off as early as half a month ago. I'm afraid I've contracted some terrible illness."

A flash of fear crossed Li Xiaolan's eyes. Back in the Ancestral Land of Beixi County, when she and Madam Qin had lived under assumed names, she had personally seen several village women die in regret after contracting women's terrible illnesses. Li Xiaolan feared she too had contracted such an illness, which was why she had grown so listless and indecisive.

She was not afraid of death — she was only afraid of dying at this moment.

She and Qin Feng had only just attained their happy union — why did Old Heaven choose this very time…?

But when Li Xiaolan looked up at Qin Feng, she noticed something odd in his eyes.

Li Xiaolan could not help but grow nervous: "Feng'er, do you know what this illness is?"

Qin Feng did not answer in haste, but asked in a low voice: "These past few days, have you had a poor appetite? Frequent nausea?"

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan nodded repeatedly: "Yes. Back in the Ancestral Land, those village women, before they died, also found it hard to swallow — they couldn't even get water down."

"Sigh… why does Old Heaven…"

Just as Li Xiaolan was lamenting, Qin Feng suddenly seized her hand, his emotions growing more and more agitated: "No period, and nausea — you nearly scared me to death! The reason you've been so weak these past few days is simply that you've been eating too little — you've been starving yourself alive."

"I should have realized it long ago!"

Li Xiaolan did not understand why Qin Feng was reacting so strongly and asked in confusion: "Starving? You mean I'm not ill?"

Qin Feng's hands had begun to tremble slightly from sheer excitement: "Not only are you not ill — you're with child!"

With child?

Li Xiaolan was stunned for a moment. Although she was well-versed in Assassination-technique and skilled with poisons, she knew very little about women's matters. If she were in Jingdu, experienced servants would naturally have guided her through it. But now trapped in Changshui County, the three women around her were equally inexperienced.

Li Xiaolan recalled what had happened between her and Qin Feng, counted the days, and combined it with the strange symptoms her body had shown these past few days — her previously pale cheeks instantly flushed blood-red.

"Oh heavens…"

"With a great war at hand, why did it have to happen at this very time…"

Just as Li Xiaolan was tangled in her thoughts, Qin Feng pulled her into his arms and said, word by word: "I… I'm going to be a father!"

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan grew even more bashful. She had been cold-blooded and ruthless her whole life, yet now, because she was about to become a mother, her entire body burned and her breathing grew rapid — just like a girl first awakening to love.

But seeing Qin Feng's utterly ecstatic appearance, Li Xiaolan felt immensely happy in her heart.

"I… we aren't even married yet. Can this still count as good news?" Li Xiaolan asked softly, head lowered.

Qin Feng pushed Li Xiaolan back gently, gripping her by both shoulders. Qin Feng, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, now found his eyes slightly moist: "We'll marry once we return to Wang Du — if there's still time…"

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan asked softly: "And if there isn't time?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath and blurted out: "Then we'll marry right here in Changshui County!"

Li Xiaolan covered her mouth in shock: "No, I can't do that to Yun'er. Yun'er is the proper first wife."

Of course Qin Feng had not forgotten Xie Yun'er, but everything had its priorities. He hurriedly comforted Li Xiaolan: "Carrying a child takes ten months — by then we'll most likely already be back in Jingdu. If something truly goes wrong and we can't make it, I'll send someone to bring Xie Yun'er here, and we'll hold a double wedding."

In fact, Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er had long ago discussed this matter of marriage. Xie Yun'er understood in her heart that Li Xiaolan, as a Princess of Shedynasty, could not possibly be Qin Feng's secondary wife. Even out of regard for Shedynasty's patriarchal clan system, Li Xiaolan had to be married first. The best solution was to wed on the same day — Li Xiaolan would enter the household first, establishing the order of seniority with Xie Yun'er.

Qin Feng once again pulled Li Xiaolan into his arms, overjoyed: "Don't worry, I will naturally handle all of this properly. You just need to rest and take care of the baby."

"Thank you, Xiaolan."

By now Li Xiaolan's pale complexion had completely turned rosy. She asked shyly: "Thank me for what?"

Qin Feng held Li Xiaolan tightly, saying with emotion: "Thank you for letting me become a father, and even more thank you for carrying on the Qin Family line."

"The Qin Family only has this one lone sprout — me — so carrying on the line is of utmost importance. Xiaolan, you are the great benefactor of our Qin Family. Once the siege of Changshui County is lifted, I will send someone to share this good news with Father and Mother."

Li Xiaolan turned and embraced Qin Feng as well, biting her lip and saying nervously: "Perhaps it was that child Niu Er who brought us this good luck…"