Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 88 Hualan is pregnant, father and son recognize each other

The day when the army sets out is approaching.

Early this morning.

Hualan specially took Shulan with her to the Yuqing Temple, a popular temple, to add some incense money and ask for a talisman for Zhao Han.

After worshipping the Three Pure Ones statues, Shulan took the initiative to help Hualan get up from the cushion.

"Don't worry, sister. The master is blessed by heaven and will surely return safely."

Hua Lan nodded, and just as she was about to speak, she felt her stomach churning.

Cai Zan, who was standing by, saw this and hurriedly handed over a handkerchief.

"Madam, have you caught a cold, or did you eat something bad? Let's go back home and ask a doctor to take a look."

Without giving Hualan any explanation, the group hurriedly got on the carriage and headed home with the help of Caizan and Shulan.

Soon, they arrived at the Zhao Mansion, the back house.

The doctor hurried over with a medicine box and carefully took Shulan and Caizan's pulse under their nervous gazes.

After a moment, the doctor took a step back, and with a smile on his face, he bowed and said, "Congratulations, Madam!"

"Your pulse is pregnant! I've been seeing it for nearly a month."

"The pregnancy is stable, madam, just rest assured and take care of it."

Hua Lan was stunned when she heard this. She gently stroked her still flat belly, tears of excitement welling up in her eyes.

"Quick, take the doctor down to claim the reward!"

Cai Zan responded with a smile, then took the doctor out of the room and gave him a reward of ten taels of silver.

Shulan quickly stepped forward and held Hualan's hand, tears welling up in her eyes. She said excitedly, "Sister, you are so kind! If the master knew about this, I don't know how happy he would be!"

"No wonder I've been feeling so tired these days. I thought I was just exhausted, but it turns out it's..."

Hua Lan lowered her eyes and smiled slightly, deciding to wait another two months before returning to the Sheng family to announce the good news in person.

If my grandmother and mother knew about this, they would definitely be very happy.

But after a moment, the smile on Hualan's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of deep thought and solemnity.

Shu Lan blinked her watery almond eyes and looked at her with confusion, "Sister, why are you so sad all of a sudden? Are you feeling unwell?"

Hualan sighed softly, took Shulan's hand and sat on the couch together.

"I have just thought about it carefully, so I'd better not tell you about this for now."

Seeing Shulan's puzzled expression, she softly explained, "We are about to go to war, and military affairs are very busy. If the master knew that I was pregnant, he would inevitably be distracted."

"On the battlefield, swords are blind and distraction is the most important thing. I would rather you lead the troops without distraction than have him worry about me."

"When the official and the soldiers return triumphantly, it won't be too late to give him a surprise."

Shulan's eyes flashed with heartache, and she whispered, "Sister, you've thought it through carefully. I was inconsiderate. I'm afraid I've wronged you by hiding it from you."

Hua Lan smiled and said, "As long as my lord can return safely, this little grievance is nothing."

After Zhao Han returned home, Hualan prepared to send him to Shulan's yard on the grounds that she was not feeling well.

"Hua'er, are you really okay?" Seeing Hua Lan's face a little pale, Zhao Han asked a little worriedly.

"Don't worry, sir. It's just that there are a lot of things going on at the farm these days. Just let me rest for a few days. You should go and take care of Sister Shulan."

"If you don't go now, I'm afraid Sister Shulan will be waiting anxiously."

Hua Lan's face was filled with smiles as she was about to push him out the door.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Han lowered his head and gently touched Hualan's cherry lips, then turned and headed towards Jingguanyuan.

-

The day before the expedition, inside the camp.

On the altar, three huge animal heads were placed according to the rules of cow on the left, sheep on the right, and pig in the middle, to worship the god of the six military flags.

This is the most solemn sacrificial rule, called Tailao, which can only be used when the emperor offers sacrifices to heaven or when the army goes to war.

When a prince or a deputy general offers sacrifice to the flag, a small sacrifice is used and only sheep and pigs may be slaughtered.

Ordinary military ceremonies and county sacrifices only used an ox or a pig, which was called a special sacrifice.

The auspicious time has arrived, the green flags are waving, and the army is lined up in neat rows, standing solemnly here.

Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Fu, was wearing armor and had a solemn expression. He led the generals in performing the ceremony of bowing twice.

After the ceremony, Duke Ying faced the army and shouted, "The Western Xia have wolfish ambitions and have repeatedly violated the Celestial Empire, slaughtering border inhabitants and burning and looting prefectures and counties! Since the Qingli era, the massacre at Yanzhou and the defeat at Sanchuan have incurred a heavy debt of blood!"

"Today, the royal army marches north to avenge the national humiliation for the people of Guanzhong!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers' armor clanged, their spears slammed to the ground, and they roared in unison.

"Avenge! Avenge!"

Seeing that his soldiers were already eager to fight, he suddenly drew his sword, pointed it towards the northwest, and shouted loudly: "Tomorrow, the troops will march to Fuzhou. All the men of the Great Zhou will offer the blood of the bandit chieftain as a sacrifice to the wronged souls on our border!"

"The blood of the bandit chief is a sacrifice to the wronged souls at the border!"

"The blood of the bandit chief is a sacrifice to the wronged souls at the border!"

"..."

Suddenly, the war drums in the camp sounded like thunder, shaking the sacrificial flags.

After the sacrifice, Zhang Fu walked down from the altar, patted Zhao Han on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Chengyuan, this is your first time to join the army. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"The battlefield is unusual, swords have no eyes, and you must be cautious at all times."

Zhao Han cupped his hands and said, "This humble official will always keep this in mind!"

Gu Yankai looked at Zhao Han with eyes full of relief, then thought of his good-for-nothing second son. He couldn't help but sigh, "If Zhonghuai were half as steady as you, I wouldn't have to worry about him so much."

"He has been intelligent since childhood, whether studying or practicing martial arts, he can grasp everything instantly, but he just refuses to put it to good use."

"I don't even know if this bastard studied seriously at the academy. He didn't even bother to bring back a letter home."

Although Gu Yankai's tone was blaming, he couldn't hide his deep concern.

Zhao Han smiled calmly, "Don't worry, Lord Gu. Zhong Huai will surely pass the imperial examination next autumn."

Gu Yankai raised his eyebrows upon hearing this, clearly a little surprised. "Why are you so sure? Could it be that the boy has boasted in front of you?"

"No, Lord Gu, just wait and see. Zhong Huai's misbehavior in the past was simply due to his youthful temperament."

"I guarantee that he will concentrate on his studies at the academy."

Gu Yankai stroked his beard doubtfully. After a moment, he laughed out loud and said, "If that idiot really can pass the imperial examination, I will definitely hold a banquet at home."

"You must be there, and we can celebrate behind closed doors."

"Okay! It's a deal!" Zhao Han smiled.

When dusk fell, Zhao Han wanted to go back home and spend some time with Hualan and Shulan.

Unexpectedly, he was stopped by a eunuch in casual clothes. "Deputy General Zhao, the emperor has ordered you to come to the palace to see the emperor immediately. No delay is allowed."

Zhao Han frowned slightly, his face full of confusion. It was really puzzling that the emperor summoned him at this moment.

He looked at the eunuch calmly, then bowed and said, "Thank you for leading the way."

Half an hour later, Zhao Han, led by the eunuch, entered from the inconspicuous side door on the west side of Donghua Gate and went straight to Funing Palace.

This is where officials live and rest on a daily basis.

He was seen sitting on the Arhat couch, holding half of a heart-shaped pendant in his hand, with a calm expression.

Empress Cao sat on the right, her dark green palace dress showing her elegance and grace, but there was a hint of worry in her phoenix eyes.

What surprised Zhao Han was that Princess Fukang was also there.

At this moment, she was standing aside, playing with the tassels on the jade belt around her waist. When she raised her eyes, she looked at herself with confusion.

However, Zhao Zhen's personal eunuch Zhang Maoze would smile at him from time to time.

The eunuch's smile made him feel uncomfortable.

Just as Zhao Han was about to salute, Zhao Zhen waved to him and said, "No need to salute, come closer to me."

Zhao Han stepped forward and was three steps away from Zhao Zhen.

He stopped and bowed, "I wonder why the emperor has summoned me to the palace at this moment?"

"Chengyuan..." Zhao Zhen's voice suddenly trembled, and he handed half of the heart-shaped pendant to Zhao Han with a solemn expression.

After Zhao Han took it with both hands, his pupils suddenly contracted.

He was very familiar with the pattern of this jade pendant. It was clearly a pair with the other half that he had worn for many years!
He subconsciously took the other half from his waist. The moment the two jade pendants touched each other, they fit together perfectly to form a complete lotus.

"This..." Zhao Han's throat rolled and his ears buzzed.

He looked up at Zhao Zhen in disbelief, then looked at Empress Cao with red eyes, and felt as if struck by lightning.

Unexpectedly, the unfaithful man who should be hung at the city gate as a warning to the public mentioned by Mother Hu turned out to be the current emperor - Zhao Zhen!
Empress Cao's eyes were filled with tears as she choked out a sob and said, "Chengyuan, your father has known your identity since the palace examination."

"These past few days, he's been tossing and turning every night, wanting to immediately recognize you, his long-lost flesh and blood, but he's also worried that the turmoil in the government will hinder your future."

Having said this, Zhao Zhen turned his head away and secretly wiped away a tear, while Empress Cao stepped forward and held Zhao Han's hand.

"Now you are going to join the army to fight. Swords are merciless. Your father and I are really worried."

"I summoned you here today to let you know that you must always prioritize your life and never put yourself in danger."

"You are our only hope..."

Huirou, who was standing aside, blinked her eyes, and raised her hand to pinch her cheek hard in disbelief.

Hiss—it hurts so much, this is not a dream!

When Empress Cao saw Huirou's appearance, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

She whispered, "You were born on December 16th at the hour of Chen, and Huirou was only ten days later than you."

Huirou stood there, staring at Zhao Han in a daze.

Suddenly, a bright smile appeared on her face, tears welling up in her eyes, "Brother, I have a brother!"

This crisp voice was like a small hammer, knocking on Zhao Han's heart. He almost instinctively responded, "Sister Huirou."

After wiping away his tears, Zhao Zhen turned around and looked at Zhao Han meaningfully.

These days, he was looking forward to the day when he would recognize Zhao Han and his son, but he was also afraid that Zhao Han would have resentment towards him because of the past.

"I am sorry for you, for letting you live among the common people for twenty years... I..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhao Zhen choked again.

Zhao Han gazed at Zhao Zhen quietly, gave him a courtesy name, promoted him to the position of tutor, supported him in forming a cavalry battalion, and summoned Hua Lan to the palace...

I thought everything was due to the emperor's grace, but I didn't expect it to be...

No wonder Zhao Zhen would always chat about family matters whenever he was reading classics and history books.

"Daddy..." When Zhao Han uttered this slightly unfamiliar word, his throat tightened and his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.

However, Zhao Zhen still caught it keenly. He cried with joy and hugged Zhao Han in his arms.

"Good...good boy!"

(End of this chapter)