Chapter 55: Pregnancy

Snow fell heavily, covering the land in a sheet of white. In Lingnan, a place where snow was rare, the sudden drop in temperature froze to death countless refugees who had been displaced by famine and left homeless.

Amidst this rare snowfall, the Jiang family launched their uprising, accusing the ruler of being unworthy and causing the heavens to send heavy snow. The Jiang clan claimed they would cleanse the ruler’s tyranny on behalf of the heavens.

The Jiang family’s uprising was joined by the Shen clan of Yingchuan, the Liu and Qin clans of Luoqi. Even the rebel armies that had once troubled the imperial family aligned themselves with the cause. With various forces united as one, the corrupt imperial armies were no match for the professional troops trained by Jiang Qingzhou. After a few battles, they were utterly routed. The Jiang army marched straight for the imperial capital.

For this uprising, the Jiang family mobilized almost their entire force. In the allied army composed of various factions, Mother Jiang Shuiping served as the commander-in-chief, while Jiang Qingzhou was the vanguard general. All the elite troops trained by the Jiang family over the years were taken away, leaving Langning County empty. Jiang Qingzhou’s task for Jiang Yang was to hold Langning County.

Because they had taken all the elite troops, Mother Jiang Shuiping worried that someone might take advantage of Lingnan’s vulnerability and attack, which would put the allied army in danger of being attacked from both front and rear.

Jiang Yang had a headache. She had never received any formal military education, and her only knowledge came from reading “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. But if she had to do it herself, she didn’t have that talent. Moreover, the resources Jiang Shuiping left her were pitifully few. All that remained in Langning County were the old, weak, sick, and disabled. Not only was there not a single famous general, but there wasn’t even one capable fighter – their swordsmanship couldn’t even match hers.

What a headache!

Jiang Yang inspected the army, cramming some military books based on her childhood experience of reading “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. She put on a show of strength on the city walls of Langning County, making it appear as if there was no shortage of troops. She also sent several groups of scouts to guard key positions, reporting back every few hours.

By the time she finished all this and returned to the Jiang mansion, it was already late at night. Jiang Yang had been busy all day outside, not only inspecting the entire city but also drinking and socializing with the cunning officials in the city. Every word she said had to be thought over a thousand times in her mind, fearing that under the influence of alcohol she might say something wrong. She couldn’t relax for a moment and was exhausted both physically and mentally.

On the way back, her steps were unsteady. The inner chamber of Xue Ju was brightly lit, with two silhouettes reflected on the candlelit window, their forms hazy.

“Mei’er, you should rest early,” Fu Yue said, holding the child.

Before the uprising, Jiang Qingzhou had brought Fu Yue back to the Jiang mansion and entrusted him to her care. Perhaps Jiang Qingzhou, although acknowledging her feelings for the Qin clan, didn’t dare to fully trust him, or was guarding against a man’s jealousy.

Their brotherly relationship was also made public. When the Liu clan found out, they secretly mocked: “This is how it is with those from humble backgrounds, they can only rise by being a woman’s concubine.”

Although they looked down on him in their hearts, after all, he was their daughter’s man, and Fu Yue had given Jiang Qingzhou two sons, which could be considered a contribution to the Jiang family’s lineage. So they didn’t make things difficult for him, but secretly sent many things to their proper son-in-law from the Qin clan’s room.

Although Liu could be harsh at times, he wasn’t the kind of vicious father-in-law who, having been rained on himself, would tear apart others’ umbrellas. In his eyes, the Qin clan and himself were of the same class, both born as young masters from prestigious families, not comparable to those lowly servants from humble backgrounds.

The Qin clan didn’t have much reaction to Fu Yue’s presence. Perhaps he had long known about Fu Yue and Jiang Qingzhou’s relationship, and showed no dissatisfaction when Jiang Qingzhou directly brought him home. He always maintained a faultless smile while managing the household, flawless in both his conduct and affairs.

Chi Mei rubbed his eyes, his voice clearly tinged with weariness: “I’m not tired, brother. At this hour, Ah Yang hasn’t even rested yet, she’s still busy outside. I’m her man, I already feel guilty that I can’t share her burden, how could I rest first?”

“But you’re pregnant, don’t be so hard on yourself. If not for yourself, think about the child. Have you forgotten what Father promised you?”

Indeed, Chi Mei was pregnant. Just as the Jiang family started their rebellion, he was diagnosed as being three months pregnant. Counting the days, it seemed to be from the time of their first intimate experience… The stupid fish really hadn’t lied to her, the conception rate of the merman race was truly high.

At first, when the stupid fish’s belly started to swell, she thought he had just gotten fat.

After a passionate session in bed, Jiang Yang lay there patting his belly and said, “Chi Mei, you need to lose weight, you’re getting a belly.”

The stupid fish’s face turned red and white, for the first time looking at her as if she were an idiot, when usually it was the other way around.

He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his so-called ‘big belly’, saying angrily with puffed cheeks, “Look carefully, I haven’t gained weight. Even after giving birth, we male merfolk don’t lose our figures! Look carefully!”

It wasn’t until Jiang Yang had guessed wrong three times that she finally came to the unbelievable conclusion that he was pregnant. It was like a bolt from the blue, making her head spin. Then they called for a doctor to check, and only then did they learn that he was already three months pregnant, and with twin girls.

Upon learning this, Jiang Yang immediately took Chi Mei to see Liu. At this crucial moment of the uprising, with the outcome uncertain, the entire Jiang family was actually treading on thin ice. The once strict and unshakeable rules could be simplified at such a time.

“Father, just as Mother started the uprising, Chi Mei became pregnant, adding a daughter to our Jiang family. It shows that this child is heaven’s will, bringing fortune to our Jiang family. The unworthy ruler has led to the decline of the imperial clan, yet our Jiang family can flourish and our lineage can continue endlessly.”

Although Liu knew these were all words Jiang Yang was using to deceive him, at this time, with a cloud of gloom hanging over the Jiang family and even the entire Langning County – if the rebellion failed, the whole Langning County would suffer – the Jiang family indeed needed a joyous event to dispel this gloom. So he no longer minded Chi Mei’s status and agreed that if he could safely deliver the child, Chi Mei would be promoted to the position of side room.

“I don’t care about being a side room or not, it’s just a status. Even if I’m not a side room, doesn’t Ah Yang still stay with me?” Chi Mei said softly. Even though his voice was filled with undisguised fatigue, he still persisted: “Brother, you don’t need to worry about me. Have you forgotten? My health has always been good. I just want to share some of Ah Yang’s burdens. Besides, what hardship do I have? I sit in the courtyard all day, eating and drinking well, but Ah Yang has to run around outside. She’s the one who’s really working hard. I don’t want her to come back to a dark room after a tiring day, with no one to talk to, serve tea, pour water, or massage her shoulders. That would be too pitiful for Ah Yang.”

Listening to Chi Mei’s words, Jiang Yang leaned quietly against the doorframe, her head resting on the intricate carvings on the door. The smell of alcohol surrounded her, almost numbing her senses. With her last bit of consciousness, she knocked on the door and called out softly, “Stupid fish, Chi Mei, good husband, open the door for me.”

There was a commotion inside, and the door was quickly opened. Chi Mei exclaimed in surprise, “Ah Yang, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Yang, drunk and soft, fell into Chi Mei’s arms, hugged his face and gave him a quick kiss, then tilted her head and fell into a deep sleep.