Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1157 - 1154_1

Chapter 1157: Chapter 1154_1

Unknowingly, the sun had already set. Thus, several ministers, including the emperor, stood by the desk for the whole day.

Only Xiao’er had to go to Kun Ning Palace a few times during the day to breastfeed the children. After the children were fed, they fell asleep. Actually, babies only a few months old sleep most of the day. They stay awake for less than 30 minutes each time, and sleep right after being fed.

Looking after them wouldn’t be too much trouble for the Empress.

The sun had set, and the Empress personally came to urge everyone to eat.

Even after a full day of discussion, they had only managed to debate over the battle plans for a dozen counties. There were still tens of counties left to discuss!

They were destined to work through the night!

So the Emperor summoned everyone to have dinner quickly, and then continue the discussion.

The Empress took Xiao’er back to Kun Ning Palace for dinner.

Then, she was amazed by the portion Xiao’er ate.

After Xiao’er finished eating, she asked the Empress, "Mother, could I get a maid to prepare a bowl of bird’s nest for me later?"

The Empress nodded, but she was a bit concerned and asked, "Xiao’er, won’t you feel too full if you eat so much?"

Xiao’er shook her head and replied, "No, I won’t. I need to provide milk for four children. If I don’t eat more, there might not be enough milk."

The Empress was touched by her words. She had given birth to several children too, but they were all fed by wet nurses. She couldn’t help reaching out and grasping Xiao’er’s hand, saying, "You’ve really been put to a lot of trouble. You’re such a good mother. Your own health is also very important. Don’t force yourself to eat too much if you can’t, okay? If there isn’t enough milk, we could let a wet nurse feed them."

"Don’t worry, Mother. I know my limits. Moreover, the children won’t take milk from a wet nurse, so I don’t have a choice."

"Good girl, it’s their blessing to have a mother like you!" The Empress praised her.

Xiao’er smiled but didn’t say anything in response. She realized that, essentially, all mothers were the same. The mothers Xiao’er had encountered in her two lives all loved their children immensely. Therefore, she did not believe what she was doing was anything extraordinary.

Xiao’er talked with the Empress for a while longer before taking the children back to the palace where Shangguan Xuanyi used to live. She didn’t return to the study room. It was dark and the children had become clingier. She needed to take care of them.

The Emperor requested Xiao’er to stay overnight in the palace as Shangguan Xuanyi would have to continue the meeting in the palace tonight.

Xiao’er didn’t refuse. Whether she stayed there or not, it was all the same. Thus, she stayed in the palace with the children.

During the meeting in the study room, they all spent the afternoon standing and discussing the map of Nangong Country. Even the emperor had not seated. Xiao’er felt her feet getting numb.

Xiao’er thought about how everyone had been standing in the study room for a day, and would have to continue into the night. There were lots of counties that needed to be discussed. Even staying up all night might not be enough to cover all of them. She couldn’t imagine how they were going to manage without having a break for an entire day and night!

Especially the emperor and General Di. They were the oldest ones present! However, they showed no signs of fatigue!

Lying in bed, Xiao’er thought about how everyone envied those in high positions. Actually, people didn’t realize that the higher you rise, the busier life gets. Successful people are always busy.

While ordinary people are playing or sleeping, they are still working.

In this world, no one can easily achieve success without effort!

Xiao’er fell asleep while she was lost in thought.

Back in the study room, after everyone finished their meal, they resumed their intense discussion.

...

As night deepened, the maids brought snacks.

Seeing this, Shangguan Xuanyi said, "Please send a portion to my wife as well."

Shangguan Xuanyi knew that Xiao’er needed to eat a lot to ensure she had enough milk. He was worried that she might feel uneasy about asking the maids to prepare food for her.

"Prince Rui, a servant has already delivered it. However, Yang Liu said that the Princess has already gone to bed."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t say anything else. He waved his hand, signaling for the maid to leave.

He thought to himself, Xiao’er must be extremely tired to go to sleep so early.

Everyone rushed to finish their snacks before continuing their discussion.

This time, they didn’t finish until nearly dawn. They had almost finished the discussion.

Because the terrain of the remaining counties was relatively simple, the victory would depend on the number of soldiers each side had and their ability to deploy them.

The only county left to discuss was Li County.

"This county has one distinguishing feature, its people are extremely proficient in using poison! The Imperial Court of Nangong Country was very cautious about the people of this county, and generally didn’t provoke them!

Li County could be seen as an independent entity within Nangong Country. The Li Clan’s people didn’t subdued to the restrictions of the imperial court. They were even exempted from military service and taxes. If we want to attack Li County, I think its people will certainly resist! Because we have disrupted their peace." Shangguan Xuanyi stated.

"That’s right, so this county should be the last one we conquer. If we can’t conquer it, we might as well give it up!" The emperor agreed with Shangguan Xuanyi’s comment.

In the later stage of a war, our troops will be utterly worn out. If we are poisoned by the people of the Li Clan in this county, it won’t be worth it.

Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t say anything in response.

It wouldn’t be difficult for our soldiers to conquer Li County. However, he had heard that the Li Clan’s people were very vengeful. Whoever offended them would be retaliated against by any means necessary.

"Let’s put the matter of this county aside for now. What we need to do is find a way to prevent the Li Clan’s people from allying with the soldiers of Nangong Country."

"Yes, if we can persuade the Li Clan’s people not to ally with the Imperial Court of Nangong Country, we might be able to give them the same conditions that Nangong Country’s court used to give them. Or even more."

"That way, it won’t matter who governs Li County. It won’t affect the Li Clan’s people. Hopefully, they won’t intervene."

"Let’s put it aside for now. I’ve already sent someone to test the Li Clan’s leader’s reaction. We’ll see what they think before we decide what to do next." To take Li county, we must outsmart rather than offend the Li Clan’s people.

"Alright." The emperor made the final decision: "Okay, we have discussed almost everything. Everyone’s been working for an entire day and night without rest. Go home and rest. We won’t attend the morning court assembly."

The emperor had been standing for so long his legs were on fire.

Upon hearing his decree, all of the ministers bowed and took their leave.

Some ministers were even a bit staggering walking out.

After all the ministers left, Shangguan Xuanyi saw the fatigue engulfing the emperor’s face and said, "Father, you should go back to bed to rest as well!"

"Yes, father, let us help you back to your bed!" Shangguan Xuanhao stepped forward to take the emperor’s hand.

The emperor pushed him away, "Go away, I am not bedridden!"

Shangguan Xuanhao was helpless at his father’s stubbornness.

"What time is it now?" The emperor asked.

"It’s the start of Mao hour, the day is still young."

The emperor nodded upon hearing the reply: "Alright then, you two should also get some sleep before leaving the palace."

Hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi and Shangguan Xuanhao took their leave.