Zhao Ming was lying on the bed in her chamber and was taking a rest after lunch. Due to the pregnancy, her body has gotten fragile and she feels tired and exhausted all day long. On top of that, her morning sickness has gotten worse, she feels nauseous just by looking at the food that she used to enjoy before.

  She sighed heavily and caressed her stomach which hasn't started to show yet. Even though it isn't showing yet, she could feel the presence of the little life growing inside her. The feeling of becoming a mother slowly getting to her, the responsibility on her shoulders was increasing making her realize the absence of Ji Cheng beside her even more.

  It's been a month since there is no news about her. The last news she received about him was that they had restored the peace on the eastern border and were moving to the western border to deal with the conflicts over there.

  " It's so hard to be the Empress…" she closed her eyes as she tried to hold onto her feelings that she has been controlling all day long. What she has expected to be the exciting-fun story is becoming a sad-tragic story.

  " Knock, Knock."

  Her eyes snapped open when she was startled by a loud knock on the door. " Come in."

  She raised her brows when Lu shi entered the room while panting hard. Her forehead was covered with sweat and she seemed like she was trying to say something but no words came out.

  Zhao Ming's expressions turned grave when she saw this condition of her and hurriedly sat up on the bed and looked at her worriedly, " What happened? Is there any news from the border?"

  " Your Majesty……You have been summoned to the Imperial Court. There is news about His Majesty." Lu shi finally managed to speak after she managed to catch her breath.

  Zhao Ming pursed her lips as she tried to calm her racing heart by repeating, 'Zhao Ming, it's okay. Everything will be fine. There must be good news.'-

  In the imperial court, the ministers were gathered as they were notified about the message that came from the border.

  The news of Zhao Ming being pregnant was still concealed from them due to security reasons and only the close people in the palace knew about it.

  When Zhao Ming entered the court followed by Lu shi was walking behind her while making sure Zhao Ming's long dress doesn't get tangled in her steps and leads to her fall.

  " Greeting to Her Majesty.!!" The ministers stood up in courtesy and bowed to her while greeting her.

  She responded to their greetings with a nod and walked to? Wen Xu who was looking at her anxiously seeing her climbing the stairs to the throne while holding her long dress.

  " You're okay?" Wen Xu asked Zhao Ming when she reached to her side and sat beside her.

  After settling onto the seat, Zhao Ming turned to her and shook her head in a not-to-worry manner. Meanwhile, the ministers that were present in the court were surprised to see the intimate relationship between Wen Xu and Zhao Ming. Since when both of them became so close?-

  [Flowers are blooming, the world is choosing peace over war! With the grace of God and the rightful leadership of His Majesty, the period of war has come to an end. The enemies have been defeated and the person who attempted the treason to take over the throne, Prince Ji Zhelan has been held captive.]

  The ministers in the court started to whisper when they heard the news as the messenger was reading the message that had come from the border. They also received the news that the eastern border's concern has been resolved, however, they were not aware of how he managed to make Xiao Ruogang back out from the war.

  Now he has held Ji Zhelan captive as well, no one can be compared to his power.

  [ The peace has been restored on the western front and with this congratulatory message, His Majesty will be making a return to the Palace soon. The ministers are advised to prepare for the return of His Majesty accordingly. - Military Chief, Jin Hui.]

  " He is coming back…" Zhao Ming murmured in a low voice, as she teared up while thinking about his return. Since the letter must have been sent a few days ago, it means Ji Cheng must be on his way back to the palace.

  They can finally meet. Finally!!-

  Two days later, the palace was turned upside down with the news of the arrival of Ji Cheng in the city with his men. There was less time to prepare for their welcome since they received the letter two days before only and they are here already.

  Zhao Ming was wearing the traditional-robe of the Empress which is thrice the size of her and was equipped with all the heavy jewelry. She did all this to welcome him as she wants to show him that she was doing her best to accept herself as the Empress and wants to fulfill the duties that were expected of her.

  She was waiting for his return with Wen Xu and other consorts and maids at the gates of the main palace. Since they have entered the capital city, they will soon reach the palace and they gather outside the palace to welcome them as they were victorious in the war.

  For his grand welcome, the drums, firecrackers, flowers were prepared to celebrate their victory and return to the palace.

  Zhao Ming sighed heavily while holding the tray of flower petals for his welcome, " Your Majesty, you should go back to rest. Your face has turned pale. The sun is too bright and you look unwell." Lu Shi who was standing beside her noticed her pale face and weak state.

  After finding out the news of the victory and His Majesty's return, she had cried for hours as she was happy and overwhelmed at the same time. It was the celebrating news yet she cried for hours and blamed it on her pregnancy for having extreme mood swings.

  Today as well, everyone told her to take it easy and relax but she keeps working and was preparing for his welcome herself.

  " She is right. Zhao Ming, you should go and rest. We will stay here for his welcome so you should go and rest. Don't exhaust yourself till you faint." Wen Xu said in a low voice, looking at her worriedly.

  Zhao Ming shook her head, " I am fine. How can I go in and rest when he is coming back after the war? As the Empress of the Ji Dynasty, I should stay here for his welcome." she insisted while looking at the empty road expectantly.

  Wen Xu sighed and shook her head when she failed to convince her-

  " Oh, His Majesty is coming!!" As they were talking, one of the maids who saw Ji Cheng's carriage coming from faraway shouted while pointing towards the road where his carriage could be seen coming closer that was surrounded by the number of guards following him on the horse or walking by his carriage.

  The guards were holding the country flag white in color with a golden dragon embroidered on it.

  " Long Live His Majesty!!"

  " All Hail to His Majesty!!"

  " Long Live Majesty!!"

  The soldiers were repeating the chants as they approached the palace.

  Zhao Ming's eyes lit up with a relieved smile when her eyes fell on him sitting on the horse carriage wearing his dark blue military uniform in which he looked unbearably handsome and dominant, his aura was unmatched.

  'That's like my Emperor.'-

  Ji Cheng's expressions became gentle when he saw Zhao Ming standing outside the palace, waiting for him outside the palace. Even though she was standing among the consorts, she was easily recognizable due to the heavy robe that she was wearing.

  He knows how much she hates this kind of heavy clothes yet she chose to wear this. This separation has not only made them impatient but made them realize how much they were meant for each other.

  There can be differences between them but there is no way they can stay away from each other.

  " Why is she standing outside? She must be tired," he murmured worriedly while craning his neck to look at her from afar-

  Zhao Ming let out a tired breath when it was taking long for the carriage to approach them since the public was waiting for Ji Cheng and it was interrupting their way, making their pace slower than expected.

  The sun was shining above her head, her face was covered with sweat beads and her mouth turned dry. She frowned as her vision started to turn blurry.

  " Lu……shi…" She murmured while trying to hold Lu shi for support but her legs lost the energy as she lost her consciousness.

  " Your Majesty!!" Lu shi shouted in fright when Zhao Ming lost consciousness and caught her before she could touch the ground, preventing a bad fall.

  " ZHAO MING!!"

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