Chapter 2: A Time of Chaos (II)

“At this point, it’s useless for you to dwell on these thoughts. It’s better to relax and wait to see what happens!”
Zhang Yanji knew Li Kuo was right and stopped arguing.
Some matters need only be briefly mentioned—everyone understands. Talking too much only makes things worse.
“Spend more time with your sister-in-law; she’s also pregnant. I think within a few days, an imperial edict will arrive in Jiangdu ordering you to lead the troops into battle. By then, even if you want to stay with her, you won’t have the chance!”
Zhang Yanji patted Li Kuo’s arm and left silently.
Brothers don’t need many words…
The light in the inner room was dim, with the flame on the candlestick flickering, casting uneven shadows across the room.
The mood of those in the room was just as uncertain.
Du Jingtian picked up the bright red dress that had taken half a month to embroider, feeling a dull pain in her heart. Though she knew her husband was worried about state affairs, she was now pregnant too. How could he not even spare some time? Couldn’t he come and spend time with her and the child?
Sigh!
Du Jingtian threaded the black thread through the needle eye and began embroidering stitch by stitch. This was their first child with Xiao Qi, and the first garment must be made by her as the mother…
“Ah!”
Perhaps distracted by her thoughts, Du Jingtian pricked her finger on the needle and cried out in pain.
“Be more careful. You’re pregnant now—let the servants handle these tasks.”
Li Kuo appeared behind Du Jingtian without warning and gently pulled her into his arms.
Though happy, Du Jingtian used this opportunity to express her dissatisfaction and pushed him away.
“Who needs your concern? Do you even remember I’m pregnant? I thought you had all your attention on state affairs.”
Li Kuo wasn’t annoyed. He stepped beside her and said, “That’s heartless of you. Even if I neglect someone else, I wouldn’t dare neglect you. Haven’t I been worried about An Lushan’s rebellion these days? As soon as things calmed down, I came to you—doesn’t that show I care?”
Du Jingtian took the chance to act coquettishly. “Oh? So I really should thank you? I thank you, Lord Military Commander!”
She imitated the posture of a noblewoman expressing gratitude, but ended up looking ridiculous, making Li Kuo burst into laughter.
“If you put it that way, I really have no place to hide. Alright, alright—have I not apologized enough?”

Li Kuo bowed slightly as an apology to Du Jingtian.
“It can’t be just me; there must also be a son!”
Du Jingtian refused to let go of this “infidel” and added, “How do you know it has to be a son?”
Li Kuo was momentarily stunned and joked, “How do you know for sure it’s a son?”
Du Jingtian glared at him and said, “It’s because you keep complaining that you have no children. If I don’t give you a son this time, how can I face you?”
Li Kuo hadn’t expected Du Jingtian to be so childish. He said, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll be happy whether it’s a boy or a girl!”
Du Jingtian dismissed him as hypocritical.
After a while, seeing that Li Kuo was silent, she took the initiative to talk again, “What do you think we should name the child? It’s already been six months; we should make plans soon. I heard that a good name can benefit the child for a lifetime.”
Li Kuo smiled and said, “Don’t listen to those so-called noble wives talking nonsense. Naming isn’t that complicated. Look at the children of ordinary families—names like Er Gou or San Wa, and they live just fine, right?”
Du Jingtian placed the baby’s clothes on the bed and glared at Li Kuo, “That’s different. They give their children cheap names because they’re poor and worried they can’t support them. You, as a high-ranking official, may be honest, but you’re not so poor that we’ll starve, are you? If it’s a boy, he’ll either enter government service or join the army. Either way, he needs a proper name. And for a girl, the name is even more important. Her virtue can be seen to a large extent from her name!”
Du Jingtian regarded this matter as more important than anything else, leaving no room for Li Kuo to refuse.
“Okay, okay! Since my wife has spoken, I’ll do as you say!”
Feeling relaxed for once, Li Kuo stood up and started walking around. Although he had joined the army early in life, he came from a family of scholars, so he still had some cultural background. Under normal circumstances, he could recite a few poems in no time.
But since it was his own child’s name, even the usually carefree Li Kuo became nervous for some reason.
After a while, Li Kuo’s eyes lit up. “I’ve got it! With the rebels rising up and half of the Tang Dynasty in chaos, if it’s a boy, how about naming him Tianyou? To mean ‘graced by heaven’s favor.’ May heaven bless this child and the Tang Dynasty!”
Du Jingtian thought for a moment and said helplessly, “You’re the one who should come up with names. But still, you always tie everything to the Tang Dynasty!”
“Hehe, hehe.”

Li Kuo smiled faintly and said, “If it’s a girl, how about naming her Feng Xi?”
Du Jingtian was utterly confused and asked, “What does that mean?”
Li Kuo spread his hands proudly and said, “Feng Xi is taken from Nüwa’s name. Nüwa is also known as Feng Lixi. Our Li family’s names have always alternated between single and double characters across generations. My grandfather’s name had two characters, while mine has just one. So, whether the child you give birth to is a boy or a girl, the name should have two characters. Hmm, Feng Xi is a good name.”
“What’s so good about it?”
Du Jingtian glared at Li Kuo and said, “If it’s a boy, you could name him Tianyou. But what do you expect a girl to do? Mend the sky with Nüwa’s fossils?”
“No need to mend it!”
Seeing Du Jingtian angry, Li Kuo quickly said, “If the sky really collapses, I’ll be there to hold it up, so you two won’t get hurt! You should take good care of yourself and avoid disturbing the fetus!”
After a brief pause, Li Kuo continued, “Besides, things haven’t gotten that bad yet. An Lushan is acting against heaven’s will and lacks popular support. I reckon he’ll soon be abandoned by everyone. By then, I’ll lead the old soldiers from Anxi to capture that fat man and present him to the emperor!”
“That’s all you know how to say!”
Du Jingtian cast a resentful glance at Li Kuo and said, “After this war is over, can we go home, Xiao Qi?”
Li Kuo’s body trembled slightly as his lips parted faintly. She hadn’t used that nickname in about five or six years!
These years had been hard on her.
“You want to return to Chang’an? Fine, I promise you. Once the court puts down this rebellion, I’ll petition the emperor to resign from my position and return to Chang’an. We’ll buy a piece of good land by the Wei River and live a peaceful life farming and weaving.”
Li Kuo wrapped his arms around his beloved wife and said softly.
“No!”
Du Jingtian firmly refused, “I want you to take me to that deep grotto in Zhongnan Mountain, where we first met!”
Du Jingtian leaned into her husband’s broad, warm arms and slowly closed her eyes.
“The stream murmured, and the pendant jingled. That spring was so warm. You used your sword to cut a peach blossom for me and pinned it in my hair. Do you still remember what you said to me? ‘Plowing the fields, filled with sorrow; if we become rich or noble, never forget each other…’”