Page 342

Twins?

Doesn’t that mean she has two grandsons?

Two grandsons, oh!

The Empress’s heart was as excited as horses stampeding, pounding rapidly.

How could Shen Chuwei forget to chew the duck meat in her moment of distraction?

The Empress still didn’t know she was carrying twins.

Seeing the Empress’s expression, it must have been a shock.

After the surprise, the Empress pressed on, "You haven’t diagnosed incorrectly, have you?"

Imperial Doctor Wen had glanced at Shen Chuwei to make sure she had no reaction before he finally replied with relief, "To respond to Your Majesty, this minister did not diagnose incorrectly; it is indeed twins."

Once the Empress was certain, she couldn’t wait to look at Shen Chuwei, who was in a daze, clearly shocked by the twins.

"Lady Shen, did you hear? You have two babies in your belly, and there has never been a case of twins in the Royal Family before."

Shen Chuwei nodded guiltily, "This concubine has heard."

The Empress comforted her carefully, "You needn’t worry, though giving birth to twins is harder than a single child. This palace will request the best midwife and Imperial Doctor Wen to deliver your babies and ensure you and the children are safe."

Shen Chuwei nodded, "This concubine understands."

If circumstances allowed, she even wanted to have a C-section for herself...

The Empress couldn’t help staring at Shen Chuwei’s belly, oh my, she suddenly had two grandsons, and twins at that—what fortune.

It seemed the Guanyin from the White Horse Temple was indeed effective.

Lucky that she took Shen Chuwei to pray for children too, if she had gone alone, perhaps it wouldn’t have worked.

"Take good care of yourself, and tell this palace if you need anything."

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Hmm."

Only then did the Empress leave Xiaoxiang Pavilion with peace of mind.

On her way out, the Empress walked straighter than she had in days, the recent surprises were more than she had ever expected.

"Imperial Doctor Wen, she looks quite thin. Should she eat more nourishing foods?"

Imperial Doctor Wen respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Lady Shen is currently in good health and does not need to overindulge in nourishing foods; too large a fetus can also affect childbirth."

The Empress herself had been through childbirth twice and understood all too well the immense pain women had to endure. Delicate as Shen Chuwei was, she would undoubtedly fear pain.

"What Imperial Doctor Wen says makes sense; too large a fetus is detrimental to childbirth."

Imperial Doctor Wen bowed his head in acknowledgment.

The Empress then cautioned, "Imperial Doctor Wen, remember, this matter must not be disclosed."

Imperial Doctor Wen replied respectfully, "This minister understands."

The Empress thus nodded, satisfied.

With her mood lifted, everything pleased her eye.

Even that night, when the dog Emperor came to Fengyi Palace, she uncommonly refrained from showing disgust.

In recent days, worn down by the Empress’s persistence, the Emperor came over, took her hand, and asked gently, "Empress, I heard that you’ve been frequently visiting Xiaoxiang Pavilion in the East Palace?"

Rather than answering, the Empress countered, "Your Majesty, I can’t go to the East Palace anymore?"

The Emperor earnestly said, "It’s not that you can’t go to the East Palace. Xiaoxiang Pavilion? Such a place? So close to the Cold Palace, you must think of your health."

The Empress scoffed, you’re aware of how close Xiaoxiang Pavilion is to the Cold Palace, yet you still locked Shen Chuwei there? Ridiculous!

"Wouldn’t it be solved if Your Majesty releases Lady Shen?"

The Emperor spoke righteously, "Empress, the Crown Prince has yet to produce an heir, and this is no small matter. If the Crown Prince does not favor Shen exclusively, would I lock her up? I don’t intend to keep her there forever, merely until the Crown Prince spreads his favors and obtains an heir. "

The Emperor tried to control his temper. After all, the Empress was pregnant, and her health could not be risked by undue stress.

Watching the dog Emperor’s justifying manner, the Empress waited until he finished speaking before she replied distantly, "This concubine fears Your Majesty may regret it someday."

The Emperor huffed, "Nonsense, how could I ever regret it?"

The Empress ignored the dog Emperor.

I just won’t tell you that Shen has conceived, and with twins no less.

Make you regret it one day!

She was very much looking forward to the sight of a sovereign lamenting his past decisions.

And the sight of the dog Emperor eagerly yearning for grandsons, only unable to embrace them.

The Emperor held the Empress in his arms, his hand naturally finding its way to her abdomen. Already father to two sons, he looked forward to this child being a daughter.

As long as she resembled the Empress.

"Lingling, don’t go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion anymore, listen to me," he said.

The Empress glanced at the dog Emperor’s restless hand. These days, he was always touching her belly.

Though indeed, she had gained some flesh there.

She had indulged in extravagant feasts with Shen lately, always returning to Fengyi Palace overfilled.

Over time, the flesh on her belly grew as a result.

When the Emperor’s hand slid underneath, the Empress frowned deeply.

She spoke softly, "I get along very well with Lady Shen, I enjoy talking and chatting with her."

Come to think of it, could you take your hand off?

Are you addicted to touching it?

Unaware of the Empress’s thoughts, the Emperor only knew that his child with her was growing inside, most likely a girl.

Because during the previous pregnancies, the Empress had severe morning sickness, but not so much this time.

Only her temper seemed to have grown worse.

Thinking of the possible future Princess, he couldn’t help touching her belly a few more times.

The Empress grew impatient, not understanding the point of his touches and unable to sleep because of them—

Eventually, the Emperor stopped and gazed at the woman in his arms, wondering why she still hadn’t told him about her pregnancy.

Was she still angry at him?

Just as the Empress was falling asleep, she heard the dog Emperor say again, "Lingling, don’t go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion tomorrow."

The Empress: "..." I’ll go if I want to; what are you going to do, lock me up too?

The next morning, the Emperor had to wake early for the morning court. Before leaving, he woke the Empress and instructed, "Wait for my return so we can have breakfast together."

After speaking, he left.

Leaving the Empress, who was angry at being woken up, staring alone at the ceiling.

Not getting enough sleep at night and not allowed to rest in the morning, the dog Emperor really deserved a beating!

Before the Emperor descended from the morning court, the Empress took several delicious dishes to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, planning to have breakfast with Shen Chuwei.

...PS Despite the rush, I finally wrote a Chapter. I’ll update again around dinner time.