Chapter 79: Crown Prince’s Concubine – 7

Her grandmother gave a dismissive wave of her hand, unable to bear seeing everyone so conflicted. “Since none of you can bear to be apart, none of you shall go to the clan school. I will invite a teacher from the palace to tutor you both privately.”

Ren Xin: “…” She really shouldn’t have let her heart soften. In truth, she wasn’t studious at all. Really!

Qingfeng wailed, “It’s over, it’s over. Little Aunt, we’re dead meat.”

Ren Xin didn’t understand those words at first—not until a white-haired old man with a snowy beard, dressed in simple cloth robes and wearing a face of absolute gravity, began their lessons.

Only then did Ren Xin realize what it meant to use a dragon-slaying saber to kill a chicken¹. This man was the former Emperor’s teacher; he had assisted three generations of monarchs and his students were spread across the world.

Ren Xin didn’t even dare to meet the old man’s eyes, terrified he would realize she was an idiot.

Little Qingfeng had it much worse. After all, she was a pregnant woman, while he was a sturdy young boy.

Eventually, Ren Xin couldn’t resist writing a letter to Xie Liangchen.

“I’m carrying your child, yet you aren’t by my side. Do you feel guilty? It’s fine, everything can be made right. You just need to tell Grandmother to stop making me attend lessons. If you do, you’ll still have a wife to hold when you return. Otherwise…”

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but chuckle. How could this little girl be so amusing? In truth, Grandmother had informed him of her pregnancy immediately. He had been so excited he hadn’t slept all night, feeling a mix of joy and guilt while thinking deeply about many things. About the Xie Family, and about the future.

Furthermore, Grandmother had said that Xin Xin was a very motivated wife. She had proactively asked to study alongside Qingfeng, and Grandmother had granted her wish by petitioning the palace for a teacher. No one expected the one who showed up to be the Imperial Tutor² himself.

Grandmother had even teased: “Your wife is a blessed one, but she’s also soft-hearted. Seeing Qingfeng looking so lonely, she couldn’t help but drag herself into it. Who knew she’d summon such a great deity? Qingfeng’s future is essentially secured now.”

Yes, it was secured. The Xie Family had served in the military for generations, knowing only how to serve the country with absolute loyalty. It wasn’t until their men died off one by one that they began to wonder: was this truly the right path?

Thus, his grandmother intended to groom Qingfeng for a career as a civil official, and he had not stopped her. Perhaps this was the only way for the Xie Family to preserve a bloodline.

The imperial decree for their marriage had been an accident, but Ren Xin’s appearance felt like a pleasant surprise. He was glad he hadn’t asked the Emperor to rescinded the order. It seemed Grandmother and Qingfeng liked her very much as well.

When writing back, Xie Liangchen tried to use plain language as much as possible, fearing Ren Xin might be too illiterate to understand. The gist of it was that he was powerless to help; everything followed Grandmother’s arrangements. Besides, hadn’t she asked for this herself?

He also reminded her not to forget the clothes she was making for him, or else autumn would be over.

After reading the reply, Ren Xin felt out of sorts. She needed to devour a braised pork hock to suppress her anger.

When news of Ren Xin’s pregnancy spread, everyone marveled at her luck. This daughter of the Ren Family was truly blessed. If she gave birth to a son in one go, her status would be unshakable. Regardless of whether the young General Xie could return, she would have nothing to fear; she would have established her footing in the Xie Family.

However, when this news reached the Crown Princess’s ears, it gave her a physical jolt. Was this woman’s luck simply too great? To be pregnant so soon after the wedding?

In her previous life, Ren Xin had been just as fortunate. The Crown Prince doted on her, the children loved her, and in the end, her son became the Emperor while she became the Empress Dowager³.

And what about herself? She had been nothing but withered bones!

In this life, she had struck first, marrying Ren Xin off early. Considering that Ren Xin had treated her daughter well in their past life, she had chosen a decent match for her. It was just that the men of the Xie Family truly didn’t live long; Xie Liangchen was destined to die in battle two years from now.

With a family background like the Ren Family’s, being able to live as a widow for the Xie Family was considered Ren Xin’s good fortune!

But she never expected that the woman would actually get pregnant.

Translator’s Notes