His words were casual, but the atmosphere turned tense. Governor Jiang broke out in cold sweat and quickly waved his hand, “No, no… unnecessary.”
Terrified by Si Zhan’s unpredictability, he swore, “Your Highness, whatever commands you have, this official will fulfill them with utmost loyalty.”
Si Zhan quietly watched him until he was almost trembling, then lightly laughed, “You’d better remember today’s words. I can invite your entire family here again if I choose.”
Governor Jiang kowtowed, a sinister light flashing in his eyes. Si Zhan was startled, asking, “Where did Prefect Jiang get his soldiers?” Prefect Jiang was a civil official, and the garrison was barely two hundred strong. Yet, outside were at least five thousand soldiers.
Yuan Bi replied, “The military commander of Linchuan Town, Gao, is Prefect Jiang’s brother-in-law. The soldiers’ armor has the character ‘Gao’. Our subordinates were negligent to think Prefect Jiang would borrow soldiers from him to attack King Yi’s residence.”
Si Zhan narrowed his eyes at the distant fire, gritting his teeth, “Anyone who dares disturb my wife’s childbirth will face extermination. Send a signal for the brothers in the camp to come down the mountain openly.”
“Yes!” Yuan Bi said, about to leave, but Si Zhan added, “Give me the sword.” Yuan Bi handed him the sword, and Si Zhan gripped it solemnly, declaring, “Since they want to turn the world upside down, I’ll turn the sky of Qian Nan upside down.”
In the delivery room, Ning Wan Wan was drenched in sweat, struggling with silver needles in her arms and gripping the bedding tightly.
Her watery eyes were red as she looked outside and asked Uncle Zhou, who was kneeling and treating her, “Uncle Zhou, what’s that sound outside?”
The midwife shouted, “Madam, push, push harder…”
Uncle Zhou remained calm, “Madam, the young master will handle things outside. You just focus on giving birth.”
Ning Wan Wan struggled to stabilize her mind and push hard. After a time, she felt she could exert no more strength. She grabbed Uncle Zhou’s hand, breathing heavily, “Uncle Zhou… if… if we can only save one… you must remember to save the child…” Her red eyes stared at Uncle Zhou.
