I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

My consciousness felt like it was sinking into a murky, lukewarm pool, with a buzzing noise in my ears, while my body felt completely drained of strength, unable to even move a finger.

Ye An'an struggled for a long time before finally breaking free from the darkness and slowly opening her eyes.

What comes into view is the familiar bright yellow gauze curtain of the East Palace's sleeping quarters, and the air is filled with a faint calming fragrance and a strong medicinal smell.

"Your Majesty! You're awake!"

Fuyun, who was guarding the bedside, was both surprised and delighted, her voice trembling with tears.

Immediately afterwards, a face filled with anxiety and concern approached; it was the Empress.

"An'an, how are you feeling? Is there anything wrong?" The Empress held her hand, her eyes were even more bloodshot than before, clearly she hadn't slept all night.

Ye An'an's memories were like beads from a broken string, rolling around in her mind for a long time before finally being strung together.

Military report... ambush... fell off a cliff... whereabouts unknown...

Xiao Jingshi!

Her heart clenched, and that suffocating pain swept over her again.

"Your Highness..." As soon as she opened her mouth, tears welled up uncontrollably, and her voice became extremely hoarse.

"Don't cry, An'an, listen to your mother, you can't cry now." The Empress hurriedly wiped away her tears, her tone more serious than ever before.

At this moment, an aged voice sounded from the side: "Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has just awakened. It is crucial that she avoids strong emotions. The unborn child in your womb is already somewhat unstable due to excessive worry. If she were to experience further grief, I fear... I fear there is a risk of miscarriage!"

He is the chief physician of the Imperial Hospital, Physician Zhang.

Ye An'an's body stiffened abruptly, and she subconsciously placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

child……

Her child with Jing Shi.

She turned her head sharply, staring at Judge Zhang: "My child... how is my child?"

Imperial Physician Zhang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the pregnancy is stable for now. But you must relax and rest, otherwise... the consequences will be unimaginable."

The consequences could be disastrous.

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, instantly calming Ye An'an down.

She can fall down, she can break down, she can die.

But what about the children?

This is Jing Shi's only bloodline, the most precious continuation he left in this world.

If she can't even save this child, how can she face Xiao Jingshi? Even if he really... really can't come back, how will she explain herself to him in the afterlife?

No.

She cannot fall.

Jing Shi is simply missing, not dead.

As long as his body is not found, he is still alive.

He's so capable, he'll definitely be fine.

He will definitely come back.

She and the child were waiting for him.

How could he bear not to come back?

An unprecedented and powerful force surged from the deepest part of her body.

That was the instinct of a mother's strength, and also the responsibility of being his wife.

Ye An'an took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve.

When she looked at the Empress again, a faint but determined light rekindled in her eyes, which had been overwhelmed by grief and despair.

"Mother, I'm alright." Her voice was still hoarse, but her tone was incredibly firm. "Don't worry, for Jing Shi's sake, for the baby in my belly, I will hold on."

Seeing her like this, the Empress felt both heartache and relief, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"Good child, good child..." She hugged Ye An'an tightly. "Your mother knows you're suffering. But you're right, we all have to hold on. Jing Shi hasn't returned yet, and this Eastern Palace, this family, still needs you to hold it together."

The Empress's words enlightened Ye An'an.

Yes, with Jing Shi gone, she is the mistress of this Eastern Palace.

Countless eyes are watching her from outside, waiting to see her fail and the Crown Prince's downfall.

She absolutely cannot let those people succeed.

She would protect their home and his place until he returned.

"Fuyun," Ye An'an said, her voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority.

"This servant is here."

"Pass down my message: everything in the Eastern Palace shall remain as before. Anyone who dares to gossip behind the scenes or disrupt the morale of the army shall be flogged to death without exception."

"Yes!" Fuyun looked at the unprecedentedly cold and stern light in her mistress's eyes, felt a chill in her heart, and immediately accepted the order and left.

"Sinking pearl".

"This servant is here."

"Go to 'Liren Pavilion' and 'Wenxianglai' and tell the managers that all business is proceeding as usual. If anyone takes the opportunity to cause trouble, report it to the authorities directly and do not hesitate to take action."

"yes!"

She issued a series of instructions in an orderly manner.

In that instant, she was no longer the little woman who needed Xiao Jingshi's protection.

She is the Crown Princess of Daliang and the only candidate to become the future Empress.

She must use her own shoulders to bear the weight of this sky that could collapse at any moment.

The Empress watched as she quickly calmed down and began to handle various matters in an orderly manner, her thin shoulders seemingly becoming strong and reliable in an instant.

The Empress nodded with satisfaction, thinking to herself: Jing Shi, you didn't misjudge me. Your An An is stronger than anyone else.

Ye An'an forced herself to drink a bowl of medicine and eat a few mouthfuls of bird's nest porridge.

She forced herself to eat and forced herself to rest.

She knew that from this moment on, her body no longer belonged solely to herself.

She wanted to protect her husband's empire and provide for her children.

In the stillness of the night, she lay on the empty, cold bed, clutching tightly to the casual clothes Xiao Jingshi had left behind, still faintly scented with his ambergris.

Tears fell silently, soaking the pillowcase.

Jing Shi, where are you?

Do you know that my baby and I are waiting for you to come home?

You must come back.