Zhao Ming was sitting in the study room on Ji Cheng's chair and was checking the reports of the harem given by Head Consort Jia shi. It's been three weeks since Ji Cheng left the palace and there was no news from the border.

At first, it was difficult for her to accept the truth that he went on the war and she couldn't even see him off. However, as the Empress of the Ji Dynasty, she had to accept this bitter reality and the state the country was in, they needed Ji Cheng more than her.

Before her husband, he is the Emperor and the people look up to him for their lives.

With the support of Aunt Shen Jia and Wen Xu's overdosed pampering, she gathered herself and immersed herself in work as she was aware if she doesn't work, she will keep thinking about the worse things.

And she doesn't want to think about negative thoughts at a moment when a new life was growing inside her.

The door of the study was open and when Jia Shi entered the room, she saw Zhao Ming still reading the reports.

She sighed and walked to her and closed the reports, startling her. " Jia shi, what are you doing?"

" What am I doing? What are you doing? How can you still work? It's past lunchtime and you're still working. How can you be so irresponsible towards your health?" Jia Shi scolded her while clearing the table, placing the files on the side.

Zhao Ming let out a low laugh seeing Jia shi nagging her like an elder sister when in reality she was elder than her in age and position. However, in the last few days, she has gotten closer to her and they don't use formalities when alone.

" Before leaving the palace, His Majesty has put me responsible for your health. I can't let him down by keeping you and the future heir of Ji Dynasty hungry for so long."

Zhao Ming smiled at her words and shakes her head before giving in to her. " Yes, Yes, now the future 'heir' is more important than this poor Empress."

Jia shi chuckles and didn't respond to her dramatic comment and asks Lu shi to bring food for Zhao Ming.

-

After lunch, she was in the orchid pavilion and was showing her beauty products that she uses to Wen Xu.

" This rose tint will give your lips a beautiful pink color and will also moisten your lips." Zhao Ming explained while showing the lip color that she had made some time ago for herself.

Wen Xu's eyes widened seeing the silver square box in Zhao Ming's hand in which there was a soft red color paste which is not only beautiful but also has a distinct scent.

As they were chatting, a guard entered the chamber and said, " Empress Dowager, a soldier has come from the eastern border with His Majesty's news."

Wen Xu pursed her lips and glanced at Zhao Ming who became anxious hearing this. She patted the back of her hand and said, " Call him inside."

After the guard left, she shook her head and said, " I am sure it will be nothing. Don't be nervous." She said those words to compose her but it was not easy for her either.

-

" Greeting to Empress Dowager and Her Majesty. I came here to inform Empress Dowager about the safety of His Majesty and to report about the situation at the border."

" King Xuegang has pulled out his troops from the eastern border and peace has been restored there. However, the dispute is still continuing on the western border with Prince Ji Zhelan. His Majesty is planning to march towards the western border to check the conditions there and restore the law and order." The soldier relayed the message as he stayed in the bowing position out of courtesy.

Zhao Ming was relieved that things were getting better but when she heard that he is going to the western border to deal things with Ji Zhelan, her complexion turned pale.

Wen Xu was shocked as well, however, she kept her calm and send the soldier back before turning to Zhao Ming, " Don't worry. Didn't you hear what he said? The peace has been restored on the eastern border, now only the western side is left. I am sure Ji Cheng will handle everything."

" However, I wonder what made Xiao Ruogang back out from the war," she muttered in wonder. Zhao Ming took a deep breath and was thinking about the same thing.

-

"SLAM!!"

Ji Zhelan slammed hard on the table with his palms when he heard the news about Xiao Ruogang taking back his troops from the war. They had decided to attack Ji Cheng together, he will handle the western border while Xiao Ruogang takes the eastern side.

The sudden attack will weaken their military power and since Ji Cheng was missing at that time, it would put the military and country in chaos. And everything was going smoothly according to their plan, they just needed to find a good opportunity to penetrate into the country and take over the palace.

However, before they could do so, Ji Cheng not only came to settle the issue but restored the peace on the eastern border in such a short time.

" How can he betray me like this? Didn't he want to take revenge on Ji Cheng? Now, what happened when he was the one leading in the war?" He growled and threw the documents on the table in anger.

His man who informed him about this situation didn't say anything and stood there with his head held down.

" Are you sure Xiao Ruogang went to meet Ji Cheng? Then that must be the time when Ji Cheng has done something to make him change his mind."

" Hah, Ji Cheng, seems like I have underestimated your powers, huh." He takes a deep breath to understand the situation and prepare the strategies according to it.

" If he has handled the situation at the eastern border, then he must be preparing to come to the western border now. Call our men for an emergency meeting. We need to change our strategies according to the situation." He said while rubbing his temples.

It took him a great deal of courage to lead this war and if things go wrong this time, his dream of ruling over the Ji Dynasty will not only go in vain, the idea of tormenting Ji Cheng will also crumble with this war if he fails to get Ji Cheng down from the throne.

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