Chapter 214: A Cup Of Wine

Jiang Xuening didn’t quite understand why she suddenly called herself “foolish.”

She lifted her head to look at Shen Zhiyi.

But unexpectedly, at that moment, the body leaning closely against her shoulder swayed slightly, then collapsed onto her. Startled, she cried out, “Your Highness!”

Days of tension suddenly unraveled, and fatigue surged forward. A dull pain arose in Shen Zhiyi’s abdomen.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on her forehead.

Her brows furrowed tightly, her vision darkened, and before she could utter another word, she lost consciousness.

Panic spread among the surrounding people.

Even Yan Lin immediately dismounted from his horse.

Jiang Xuening felt her heart sink. When she saw the faint traces of blood spreading across Shen Zhiyi’s dress, an ominous premonition gripped her. Her mind went blank, and she called out in alarm, “Doctor! Quickly, call for a doctor!”

---

Shen Zhiyi was already with child. As the Grand Princess of Daqian, her time in Tatar had been full of hardship—only she knew how much suffering she had endured. And after the war began, Tatar King Yanda had put immense pressure on her. She was caught between her longing for her homeland and the anxiety of the war, her mind stretched to the limit.

Now that she had finally arrived at Yanmen Pass and met familiar faces, her emotions surged uncontrollably—how could she not suffer a breakdown?

This fainting spell turned out to be the sign of a premature birth.

Yan Lin immediately ordered the entire army to search for a midwife.

But Yanmen Pass was a military outpost built to defend against foreign invasions. It was filled with soldiers—plenty of men, but few women, let alone midwives skilled in childbirth.

Fortunately, there were some military doctors who treated wounded soldiers.

These doctors usually ran medical clinics inside the fortress, and after much effort, a few were found who had experience stabilizing pregnancies and delivering babies. They were quickly summoned.

Everyone waited anxiously in the courtyard.

Jiang Xuening was especially pale.

In her previous life, Shen Zhiyi had met her untimely end in Tatar, and the child carrying both Daqian and Tatar blood had perished as well. She dared not even think about what would happen in this lifetime.

She had managed to save Shen Zhiyi…

But if… if she lost this child…

Standing outside the doorway, she listened to the chaotic sounds from within. Her fingertips felt ice-cold. When Shen Zhiyi finally regained consciousness and cried out in pain, her heart felt like it was being torn apart.

The ordeal stretched from morning until afternoon.

The doctors, lacking in experience, were on the verge of giving up.

But just as the dim twilight descended, a weak yet distinct cry rang out from inside the room. It wasn’t loud, nor strong—more like the feeble mewing of a kitten—but it was there.

The doctors nearly wept with relief.

Stumbling out of the room, they announced, “It’s a boy! A baby boy! The Grand Princess is safe and well!”

At last, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Xuening, who had stood stiffly all day, nearly collapsed onto the ground.

It took her a while to gather herself. She accepted Yan Lin’s offered hand for support, steadied herself, and lifted the curtain to enter the room.

This was the barren frontier, and the room was simple—furnished with nothing but a table, chairs, and a bed.

Shen Zhiyi lay on the bed.

A maid, eyes brimming with tears, carefully handed the premature baby to her. With trembling, weakened fingers, Shen Zhiyi lightly stroked the baby’s cheek. Then, lifting her gaze, she saw Jiang Xuening and rasped, “Ning Ning.”

Jiang Xuening’s tears poured uncontrollably.

She couldn’t bear to think about what Shen Zhiyi—born into nobility, accustomed to a life of luxury—had suffered in Tatar. Yet, when Shen Zhiyi looked at her child just now, her eyes were filled with boundless tenderness.

Jiang Xuening stepped closer to the bed. “Congratulations, Your Highness. He is safe and sound, too.”

The swaddled infant had a tiny face, no bigger than a palm, flushed red and slightly wrinkled. Being born prematurely, he appeared much smaller than a full-term baby. His damp newborn hair clung to his head, and his tightly shut eyes occasionally accompanied a few incoherent murmurs.

Shen Zhiyi was utterly exhausted. Even the fingers she had been using to gently caress the baby’s cheek fell weakly to her side. Looking up at Jiang Xuening, she suddenly said, “All this time, I never thought about giving him a name. I had imagined having a considerate daughter, never expecting a boy instead. Ning Ning, help me choose a name for him.”

Jiang Xuening was momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, she finally said, “How about the name ‘Jia’? May he grow up happy and healthy.”

Shen Zhiyi softly repeated the name, blinked, and then smiled faintly. “Then he shall take my surname. From now on, he will be called ‘Shen Jia.’”

Her surname was Shen?

Jiang Xuening suddenly realized something, and a wave of bittersweet emotion surged within her. But she dared not show any sorrow. Instead, she forced a smile and echoed, “Shen Jia… it does have a nice ring to it.”

---

Now that Shen Zhiyi had been safely brought back, the border war had reached its conclusion.

The Tatars had suffered severe losses in the prolonged battle and would need at least three to five years to recover. Yan Lin and Xie Wei had no intention of committing massacres against ordinary civilians. Moreover, the cultural gap between the Central Plains and the Tatars was vast. Even if they occupied the enemy’s cities, governing them would be a painstaking task, with endless hidden dangers.

Thus, despite having breached the royal court, the army began withdrawing in batches over the next month.

The Tatars, in turn, sent a peace offering to Xinzhou.

When the news reached the Central Plains, celebrations erupted everywhere.

Jiang Xuening stayed at Yanmen Pass for a month to care for Shen Zhiyi, who was still weak from childbirth. Only when she saw that Shen Zhiyi was gradually recovering did she dare to depart for Xinzhou on the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month. The journey, though not long, had to be taken slowly to avoid jostling the recovering mother and child, stretching what should have been a short trip into two or three days.

The news of the princess’s return had long since reached Xinzhou.

The common folk rarely had the chance to see royalty, and with the triumphant return of the army, they eagerly lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the princess’s divine presence and witness the grandeur of the victorious soldiers. The crowds were so dense that the streets were completely blocked.

By midday, they entered the city. It was evening by the time they reached the general’s residence.

The residence had already been prepared with clean and comfortable rooms. More skilled doctors had been summoned to check Shen Zhiyi’s condition and ensure the safety of the newborn, prescribing nourishing tonics to aid in their recovery.

With all the commotion, the new year was fast approaching.

For years, the Tatars had constantly harassed the borders, but now, under the command of the new general, they had been utterly defeated, losing even their royal court. The long-lost Princess Leyang had also been safely rescued and had even given birth to a child. The border towns rejoiced, and morale soared in the military.

The entire region came together in celebration. Banquets were held throughout the city, not only to honor the returning soldiers but also to welcome the princess home, celebrate the newborn’s survival, and ring in the Lunar New Year.

On the night of New Year’s Eve, the general’s residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and banners.

Shen Zhiyi, having regained some strength, could now walk around the courtyard.

Jiang Xuening personally applied makeup for her before they attended the grand banquet.

Xie Wei, Yan Lin, Lu Xian, You Fangyin, and even Ren Weizhi—who had been delayed at the rear transporting supplies—were all present. The gathering included military officers, musicians, and entertainers, filling the hall with a lively atmosphere.

The once desolate border town now pulsed with the splendor of a grand festival, reminiscent of the vibrant capital.

“I’ve never fought a war this satisfying in my life! We had food, we had money—hell, I’d fight another ten years if it were always like this!”

“Right? When has it ever been this smooth?”

“I used to underestimate General Yan. Turns out, heroes emerge young. I’m getting old, truly old!”

“Come, come, let’s toast to General Yan!”

Some of the people at the banquet had drunk enough that their faces were flushed. They leaned on each other for support and got up from their seats, holding their wine cups and walking over to Yan Lin to offer him a drink.

Tonight, Yan Lin had already changed out of his heavy armor and was dressed in a simple, dark black outfit. With his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his movements naturally drew the attention of nearby courtesans and wine girls, who often looked his way with flirtatious glances and coy smiles.

But Yan Lin seemed oblivious to all of it.

As people approached him, though he stood up, he did not take the wine. Instead, he said, “My lords, please excuse me, but I do not drink alcohol. I fear I may disappoint your kind gestures.”

The crowd paused in surprise.

One older general with a thick beard, however, laughed heartily and clapped a hand on Yan Lin’s shoulder. “How can a hero like you not drink? A true man should drink when it’s time to drink! Everyone here is enjoying themselves, and you’re not even having a sip? This won’t do! Someone, bring a cup for General Yan!”

Immediately, someone responded and went to fetch a drink.

After all, tonight was a grand banquet held in the city, a celebration for both the military and civilians. The number of people attending far exceeded the usual staff at the general’s residence. To help, even waiters and managers from local taverns had been called in to assist.

The border town had a relatively open and liberal culture, and even some young women who were eager to find a good match had come. After all, finding a good husband from the army could make for an excellent marriage.

Among them was a beautiful young woman dressed in red. She had carefully applied her makeup for the occasion, with a gold flower sticker on her forehead and subtle, seductive glances from her eyes and the corners of her brows.

Her presence drew the gaze of many in the room.

She was serving wine at the table when she heard her name called. She turned with a wine jug in hand.

Yan Lin didn’t pay her much attention and simply reiterated that he didn’t drink.

The young woman’s eyes glanced at him, and her cheeks reddened slightly. There was a hint of shyness, which only made her even more charming in the lively atmosphere.

She returned to the table, filled an empty wine cup, and brought it over to Yan Lin.

Yan Lin furrowed his brow slightly and made no move to take the cup. Instead, he turned to the teasing generals and said, “You’ve all had a bit too much to drink.”

At this moment, Jiang Xuening entered, supporting Shen Zhiyi.

Upon seeing the lively scene, she couldn’t help but smile and said to Yan Lin, “On the battlefield, when life and death are at stake, we’ve already risked our lives. What’s one cup of wine? These generals have shown sincere intent, and it would be better if you accepted.”

Yan Lin turned his gaze to her and fell silent for a moment.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Memories came rushing back, and she suddenly recalled something, a sense of unease filling her.

Seeing the beautiful young woman enter, the generals immediately recognized her as “Miss Ning’er” from the recent rumors. Upon hearing her speak so casually with Yan Lin, they all began laughing and teasing. “Yes, yes, Miss Ning’er is right. Even if General Yan doesn’t want to drink for our sake, he should at least do it for her! Come on, let’s toast him!”

Yan Lin simply said, “I don’t drink alcohol.”

The bearded general grumbled in response, “You’re not that old, what’s the problem with having a drink?”

Yan Lin, still staring at Jiang Xuening, lowered his gaze and replied, “I’m afraid it might scare people.”

A hidden pain stirred in Jiang Xuening’s heart.

But Yan Lin acted as if he hadn’t said anything, and continued, “I appreciate the good intentions of all the generals, but please, enjoy the wine yourselves.”

Most of the generals were rough and unrefined, and they were not used to someone refusing their hospitality. Besides, Yan Lin was still young, and his strange refusal to drink was causing some displeasure.

Thankfully, at that moment, Xie Wei and Lu Xian came in after finishing their conversation outside.

Seeing them, Jiang Xuening quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. “Ah, Master Xie has also arrived. While General Yan has certainly contributed greatly on the battlefield, if it weren’t for the swift supply of provisions and reinforcements, this victory wouldn’t have been so smooth. Why don’t we all raise our cups to Master Xie?”

Xie Wei stopped and looked at her.

Though he did not directly intervene in military affairs, everyone in Xinzhou knew his status. He was a high-ranking official from the capital who rarely spoke. The rough generals felt a certain distance from him, sometimes feeling a bit awkward or even intimidated by his calm, composed gaze.

As soon as Jiang Xuening spoke, the teasing mood dissipated, and everyone raised their cups to toast Xie Wei.

Xie Wei said nothing.

Jiang Xuening noticed that Xie Wei’s hands were empty. She glanced to the side and saw the young woman who had previously been offering wine to Yan Lin. Without thinking too much, Jiang Xuening took the wine cup from the girl’s hand and intended to pass it to Xie Wei instead. It was merely to help Yan Lin out of an awkward situation.

However, when she looked up and met Xie Wei’s gaze, she felt a strange and indescribable complexity stirring in her heart. No matter what, the first person she should thank for the victory at the border, the successful attack on the Tatar royal court, and the rescue of the princess was none other than Xie Wei.

Her hand holding the cup paused for a moment, but then she lowered her head slightly and handed the cup to him with both hands, saying softly, “Sir, please.”

The wine in the cup swirled gently.

Xie Wei glanced at the cup, then at her, before accepting it. His fingers brushed lightly against hers, causing her to flinch as though she had been burned, and she quickly pulled her hand away.

At that moment, the generals all raised their voices in unison: “We, the humble soldiers, offer a toast to the esteemed Master Xie!”

Xie Wei didn’t speak a word. He tilted the cup and drank the wine in one go.

The room erupted in applause, filled with cheers and laughter. Yet Xie Wei didn’t show much expression, simply handing the empty cup to a nearby servant who quickly took it and moved away.

The generals returned to their seats, and Jiang Xuening breathed a sigh of relief.

No one noticed the red-dressed girl, who had been the one to serve Yan Lin his drink earlier. Upon seeing that Xie Wei had finished the wine, her face turned pale, and an uneasy, regretful expression flashed across her face. Seizing the opportunity when no one was paying attention, she bit her lip and quietly blended into the crowd, disappearing from view.

Jiang Xuening helped Shen Zhiyi sit down before taking her own seat beside her.

Ren Weizhi and You Fangyin were talking quietly to each other.

When Lu Xian took his seat, he happened to glance over and, for some unknown reason, felt irritated. He quickly turned his gaze away and looked toward Xie Wei and Yan Lin, intending to speak to them instead.

Before he could say anything, however, a fast-moving figure from the outside entered the hall. It was a messenger, who quickly approached Xie Wei and whispered something in his ear.

Xie Wei’s expression shifted slightly.

He turned his head and looked toward the entrance of the flower hall.

Suddenly, a loud voice announced outside the general’s residence, drawing everyone’s attention: “Vice Commander of the Jinyiwei, Lord Zhou Yinzhi, has arrived!”

The banquet hall fell silent in an instant.

Jiang Xuening’s eyes widened in surprise, and she frowned immediately, sensing that something was amiss.

Moments later, a figure in deep blue civilian clothes—Zhou Yinzhi—walked through the courtyard and arrived at the front of the hall. He smiled and bowed, saying, “I, Zhou Yinzhi, have been sent by the Emperor to congratulate on the great victory over the Tatars at the border, and to pay my respects to Her Highness, the Princess, and Master Xie!”

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