A lone messenger horseman left the Purple Lotus City, carrying a letter in his bag that wrote the good news of the safe childbirth as he galloped along the wind on his horse. His destination was Li Junwei whom he would hand the letter personally.
A week had quickly passed since both ladies gave birth. The news of the princess's birth had rejuvenated the entire city with vitality as all the commoners gossiped about was the tale of the destined couple.
It was a funny word of nonsense that a drunkard had uttered in a bar somewhere. Just that, his nonsense was some spicy talk and so it did not take long for it to spread like wildfire by word of mouth.
Apparently, Li Yan's presence in the Wang estate as well as her giving birth to a baby boy had somehow leaked, reaching the ears of the populace.
The drunkard had blabbered about how it was destiny for Li Yan to seek refuge in the Wang Estate, her giving birth to a baby boy and then Lady Wang giving birth to the princess a day later. He blabbered with confidence that both children were going to be married after growing up.
It was a silly conjecture which everyone laughed off as a joke but that didn't make people stop talking about it entirely either.
While the city was busy with the autumn festivities, the farmers were busy preparing for harvest, and the people gossiped, the two ladies in question were living quietly in Wang Castle, taking care of their newborns and enjoying the bliss of motherhood.
This was especially true for Li Yan as she had been weakened significantly after childbirth and warranted rest above all.
While she was delighted to finally become a mother, take care of, and raise her son, everyone around her couldn't help but notice the air of melancholic gloom and heaviness around her.
One day, when Li Yan and Lady Wang were together alone in the courtyard, breastfeeding their newborn infants, Lady Wang couldn't help but feel frustrated at Li Yan and her behavior.
"Lady Yan, are you not happy? Why torment yourself like this?"
Jolting awake from her melancholic trance, Li Yan suddenly flinched as she got back to reality. Looking at Lady Wang, she said firmly, "Of Course I'm happy! I'm the happiest I have ever been… But…"
"But?"
With a sigh, Li Yan said, "It's been months, how's the war going?"
Lady Wang's eyes widened slightly as she understood the reason for Li Yan's sadness. Sighing inwardly, she decided to not touch upon this topic.
"The Xia's Prince Jing is leading the battle. He is a capable military general who is gaining more and more military merits by the day. And even though Eastern Wei doesn't have a general like Prince Jing, the fact is that the war has not been tilting toward anyone." Lady Wang said as she moved her fan.
"Why is that? I have heard of the great military prowess of Prince Jing. He is one of the best warriors in Xia and one of the great generals of his generation. And it's not like the Xia army is lacking in any way. Considering that Eastern Wei has no such outstanding generals, shouldn't the Xia have the advantage?" Li Yan asked in bafflement.
"You would be right. However, do you remember the reason behind this entire war?"
"The fool who plunged the kingdom into war due to his sheer stupidity? Wasn't that just an excuse?" Li Yan said in disgust.
"Yes, it was an excuse. But every war needs some justification and that fool handed the moral high ground to the Eastern Wei on a silver platter." Lady Wang jeered mockingly.
Suddenly, Li Yan's eyes widened with realization as she grasped the core of the problem. Seeing the look on her face, Lady Wang spoke, "Seems you have understood. A nation with intellectual scholars and mighty generals is still weak if its Ruler is incompetent and soft-hearted.
But the most tragic part is that common people must face the consequences of the stupidity of nobles. Especially, since both sides are balanced, the actual war is being raised in our Tianze to gain upper hand by using the sovereign warlords."
Lady Wang said as she discreetly slipped in a message that the war was affecting Tianze more than imagined. This was mainly the reason why Li Junwei could not leave the Li Province as he was aligned with The Great Xia.
"Indeed, the Xia Emperor is old and frail. He is afraid to lose everything and spends his time in the imperial harem, watching dances and writing poetry. The nobles take advantage of this and run rampant. Unfortunately, there is no one to stop them."
Li Yan said and sighed hopelessly with a thoughtful expression on her face as she stroked the head of her newborn son who was drinking the milk peacefully without any worry in the world. Seeing her son in leisure, Li Yan wished for him to stay like this forever. Far away from conflict, living in peace and serenity if possible, however, she didn't want him to turn out like the Xia emperor either, nor did she wish for him to be a coward.
Li Yan knew that in a chaotic world like this, the fools and the kind were the first ones to die. She had complicated thoughts about her son. On one hand, she wanted to have him by her side always, eating and giggling in happiness. But on the other hand, like any mother, she also had great expectations from her son. She hoped that he would become someone great, someone, who people looked up to and someone who would be never forgotten in the annals of history.
Involuntarily, the words escaped her mouth as she muttered, "Li Shuyi."
"Huh? What was that?" Lady Wang, who heard the faint murmur asked.
"I have decided. His name shall be Li Shuyi, styled Shijie." Li Yan said with a smile as she held little Shijie tightly close to her bosom to which the little guy protested harshly by kicking out his limbs.
"A good name! Excellent name! Li Shuyi, who is relaxed and happy. Or perhaps, a scholar and knower of the books. And Shijie, as in 'Outstanding In The World'. Lady Yan, you have a great sense of naming." Lady Wang praised as her gaze too drifted towards the carefree Shijie.
"If I may ask, what have you decided on the princess's name?" Li Yan asked curiously.
Embarrassed, Lady Wang said, "I can't decide. Husband gave me the autonomy to name her as I wish but I simply can't decide. Ah! What do you think?"
Gazing at the baby girl in Lady Wang's arms, Li Yan took her time to understand the qualities of the lass.
After much time and anticipation, Li Yan spoke, "Mmm… The little lass has skin as white and soft as snow. She is quiet and her blue eyes are frosty. I cannot think of a better name than 'Xue' as in 'Snow'. She is a good lass."
Hearing this explanation, Lady Wang's face shined and bloomed like the blooming of thousands of flowers. She exclaimed in happiness, "Wang Xue! Great!"
Celebrating the modest little naming venture, both ladies giggled and chuckle, creating a glamorous scene to behold. After calming down, both became silent, pondering on their own thoughts.
As Li Yan looked at her son with a tender, loving gaze, a tear escaped her eyes, gliding down her face and falling on the baby's forehead as she muttered in Shijie's ear, "My child, you must become strong enough to protect yourself. You see… Mother no longer can protect you. The cost of giving you this life was my Martial Arts. So… You must protect Yourself… And your mother as well. Will you do that, my son?"
Looking at his mother with a confused look with his mouth open, Shijie uttered some incomprehensible baby nonsense, and then suddenly he giggled as his hands reached out to Li Yan, wrapping around her in childish innocence. Shijie embraced his mother warmly.