Su Wan'er was feeling bored and was about to pour herself a cup of tea to soothe her nerves when she suddenly heard the next words from the Grand Elder.
"Therefore, the next heir of the Yuwen Family should be born this year," said the Grand Elder, trying his best to maintain a solemn and serious demeanor when discussing important matters.
"Cough, cough..." Su Wan'er hadn't even taken a sip of the tea when she suddenly started coughing.
Si Junlin thought she had choked on the tea, so he deliberately patted her on the back to comfort her.
Su Wan'er coughed even more violently. The Grand Elder was still here! How could the Queen be so bold? What on earth was he doing?
"Oh, Your Majesty, please don't be offended. In our Southern Border, we always attach great importance to divination. For all matters such as weddings, funerals, and other important events, we must observe the celestial phenomena to choose an auspicious day. This might be different from the customs of your country?" The Grand Elder seemed quite used to this.
"I... I'm not offended by this. It's just... it's okay for weddings and funerals, but do you also need to observe the celestial phenomena for childbirth?" Su Wan'er couldn't help but ask, "Grand Elder, you know it's already the season of blooming flowers in February. It will take another ten months for the fruit to ripen... Giving birth is not something you can do whenever you want! Even if your Southern Border is very good at divination, you can't be so accurate about this, right? If you want the heir to be born this year, doesn't it mean that the mother has to conceive within a month? Things like this are always unpredictable, aren't they?"
"Exactly. Your Majesty is truly quick-witted. That's exactly why I'm here," the Grand Elder seemed to be ready to put aside his dignity and talk about this matter.
"..." Su Wan'er was completely stunned. No way! The current Queen was Si Junlin, or rather, his soul was in her body. Did the Grand Elder want the Queen to conceive this month? That would be courting death. Si Junlin would probably order the Jin troops to cross the border river the next moment. Then your Southern Border would be gone, and there would be no need for an heir. Su Wan'er looked at the Grand Elder thoughtfully, wanting to persuade him to think twice.
"Grand Elder! We agreed on our wedding day that our marriage was only for the peace of the two countries and our respective kingdoms. This matter might..."
"Your Majesty, don't misunderstand. You don't need to make any sacrifices. I also know that Your Majesty has someone in your heart," the Grand Elder said and then gave a meaningful look at Su Wan'er.
Su Wan'er really started drinking tea this time. She poured the tea herself and didn't even test the temperature. Now it was both hot and choking. Si Junlin was even more considerate this time. He actually took the teacup from her hand, then handed her warm water and patted her on the back.
Su Wan'er really thought he was doing it on purpose. She was extremely flustered at the moment. What was the Grand Elder thinking? Didn't he have any principles at all? Was he just going to watch her and his Queen cuckold him?
"Oh, Elder, please don't be offended. Please continue," Si Junlin said.
"I know this matter is abrupt, so I'm here to ask for Your Majesty's opinion. Since ancient times in the Southern Border, there has been a precedent of having two queens at the same time due to the change of elders," the Grand Elder said.
Su Wan'er finally understood. At least he was smart enough not to provoke Si Junlin. What he meant was that since Si Junlin couldn't give birth, they would just appoint another queen to do so?
Wait a minute. If they were to appoint another queen...
"Do you... do you mean Xiao Jiu?!" Su Wan'er couldn't control her anger and loudly questioned him.
"Yes. Since Your Majesty already knows, I'm sure the Queen should also know. I... have had feelings for Jiu'er for a long time. To be disrespectful, if it weren't for the war between the two countries and the Queen getting there first, I might have married Jiu'er earlier," the Grand Elder seemed quite ashamed.
Su Wan'er's anger grew even stronger. "You! If Xiao Jiu was willing to marry you, would you still be waiting until now? Are you just making up such an excuse?!" Su Wan'er realized in her heart that this had nothing to do with the court officials' divination. This was clearly a scheme, just to appoint another queen and marry Xiao Jiu in a proper way.
"In the past, I spoiled her too much," the Grand Elder didn't seem to care at all, as if he already had a well-thought-out plan.
"Elder, do you mean you're going to force her?!" Su Wan'er raised her voice again, as if she was about to start a fight.
"Don't be rude!" Si Junlin lightly scolded. He seemed quite serious.
Su Wan'er was not convinced at all. She didn't think Si Junlin would really care about Xiao Jiu.
"I know you two are good friends with Jiu'er, but... I'm still in charge of the Southern Border for now. This kind of family matter probably doesn't allow others to interfere," the Grand Elder seemed to show his confidence.
"Grand Elder, don't worry. We don't mean to oppose. We just think that this kind of thing should still follow the will of the Holy Maiden," Si Junlin was quite reasonable.
Su Wan'er was so angry that she gritted her teeth.
"Of course. I also thank the Queen here. Your Majesty can rest assured. Even if there are two palaces, the East and the West, Jiu'er will not overstep her boundaries. She will still respect you as the superior..."
"That's not necessary. Since they are of equal status, they should be treated equally. Moreover, the Holy Maiden is of noble status. She is the real queen," Si Junlin seemed to be hiding a smile in his eyes.
Hearing his words, the Grand Elder was actually very touched and bowed deeply. "To have such a virtuous queen is truly a blessing for our Southern Border."
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, the Grand Elder suddenly turned back and looked at Si Junlin, as if it was hard for him to speak. "Your Majesty... Some things are better said earlier. Even though Your Majesty is virtuous, we come from different kingdoms after all. Moreover, in my heart... I'm afraid I won't care about anyone else except Xiao Jiu in my life."
"..." This time it was Si Junlin's turn to be embarrassed. "Grand Elder, you misunderstood. We are originally... on different paths. Let's just live in peace, live in peace."
It took Si Junlin a while to realize what the Grand Elder meant. He originally felt sorry for the Grand Elder's deep affection for Long Xiaojiu. Agreeing to have two queens was just because he thought it was an inevitable thing. But the Grand Elder actually misunderstood that he was trying to show his virtuous attitude to gain favor? He really thought too highly of himself and the position of the Southern Border Queen!
"Si Junlin! You're actually helping the evildoer. You... You're heartless! You're cruel! You're just a... a... Mmm."
Su Wan'er was just about to vent her anger when suddenly her mouth was blocked...
After a kiss, all her anger disappeared.
"You... You're so shameless!"
"You can continue talking. I'm not afraid I can't block your mouth," Si Junlin thought to himself. Although he was using Su Wan'er's body, he was still the one who took advantage. Hehe.
"..." Su Wan'er immediately shut up and stared at him angrily.
"Your Xiao Jiu might not even be this angry. Moreover, now that we know about it, the Grand Elder will definitely not harm her even if he takes her away," Si Junlin said. According to the Grand Elder's plan, he would surely let Long Xiaojiu conceive the heir first, and then persuade a few court officials. At that time, having a woman from the Southern Border as the queen, and she was also a Holy Maiden, would surely be a popular and undisputed happy event. It would be much better than him, who was forced to come here.
"How do you know he won't harm her? Didn't you hear him say that he wants... an heir? Xiao Jiu told me a few days ago that she doesn't want to! I don't know what this guy is up to!"
"You also know his purpose. But a woman's childbirth is the most delicate thing. Just because of this, besides keeping her under house arrest, he definitely won't dare to do anything to Long Xiaojiu," Si Junlin seemed to have accurately predicted the Grand Elder's plan.