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Qin Xiao returned with an irrepressible gleam of joy in his eyes, which Weichi soon noticed.

"Qin Xiao, did you run into some good fortune? You seem so happy," Weichi asked.

Qin Xiao pinched the freshly wrapped clothes and boots in his hand, and the smile in his eyes betrayed him unconsciously, "Nothing much."

Weichi pointed at the corners of his mouth and said, "Nothing much? Look at your lips, they’re practically reaching for the sky."

At that, Qin Xiao paused momentarily, "That’s not true."

Seeing Qin Xiao’s reaction, Weichi reached for his forehead, "Eh, no fever though!"

Qin Xiao swatted Weichi’s hand away, "You’re the one with a fever."

Weichi sized up Qin Xiao from head to toe, feeling that he was exuding a temperament that didn’t suit a single man, and clicked his tongue twice: "Qin Xiao, something’s off with you, really off."

"I’m perfectly fine." Qin Xiao, overjoyed, took Chun Xi’s return gift and went back to his room.

Weichi clicked his tongue, "You reek of love like rotten wood."

*

At seven months into her pregnancy, Shen Chuwei couldn’t hide it, even with loose clothes.

By now, the baby in her belly was very active, often kicking without mercy while she was eating, sleeping, or lying down snacking.

The problem was there were two babies—one would move, and the other, to assert its presence, would also occasionally wriggle its little hands and feet.

For example, today, in a corner, Shen Chuwei sat on a small stool, sneakily eating the roast duck that Xiao Jinyu had bought for her, especially spicy.

Xiao Jinyu watched Shen Chuwei gnaw on a duck leg while wiping her nose with a handkerchief, "Sister-in-law, my brother is too cruel, starving you like this?"

"Don’t get me started. Ever since Chun Xi showed the Fetal Education Book to His Highness, I’ve been forbidden from eating this and that." Shen Chuwei complained while gnawing on the duck leg.

As if Chun Xi alone wasn’t enough, Xiao Jinyan would come too? Who could stand it?

Xiao Jinyu, full of curiosity, asked, "Sister-in-law, is the Education Book really that powerful?"

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, cheeks puffed, and said, "Extremely."

Now Xiao Jinyan would read some Education Book each day, not too proud to ask questions, questioning her about its content.

"Sister-in-law, give me a copy. I really need it right now."

Shen Chuwei looked up to see Xiao Jinyu’s earnest eyes, "What do you want a Fetal Education Book for?"

Xiao Jinyu leaned in close to her ear and said, "Miss Han is too strict with me, I need to read the book too, to make her behave."

Shen Chuwei couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

Xiao Jinyu, completely befuddled, stared at Shen Chuwei, who was almost choking with laughter, "Sister-in-law, what’s so funny?"

Shen Chuwei’s laughter abruptly stopped; she clutched her belly while frowning deeply.

Xiao Jinyu was startled and quickly came forward to support her, "Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?"

It took a moment for Shen Chuwei, still clutching her belly, to squeeze out three words, "... Inside the belly,"

Prompted by a kick from the babies, she was caught by surprise.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan rushed over with large strides and held her in his arms, his hand patting her belly anxiously, "Is it a stomachache?"

When Xiao Jinyan came to Hehuan Hall and didn’t see Shen Chuwei, he followed the scent of roast duck and was met with the sight of Shen Chuwei in discomfort.

Xiao Jinyan saw the roast duck in his brother’s hand, his expression darkening.

Realizing the Crown Prince’s mood was off, Xiao Jinyu quickly explained, "This is for me, not for sister-in-law."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the duck leg in Shen Chuwei’s hand and looked coldly at his brother, "Do you believe your own words?"

Xiao Jinyu caught a glimpse of the damning evidence in Shen Chuwei’s hand and guiltily lowered his head.

Xiao Jinyu was the only one who’d take risks to bring her food. If Xiao Jinyan blamed him, what would Shen Chuwei do if Xiao Jinyu stopped bringing her food?

Shen Chuwei quickly changed the subject. She leaned close to Xiao Jinyan’s ear, "Your Highness, the baby is kicking me, your concubine. Do you want to feel it?"

Xiao Jinyan froze, his eyes sweeping coldly towards Xiao Jinyu.

This frightened Xiao Jinyu, whose back went cold from the terrifying gaze of the Crown Prince.

Xiao Jinyan carried Shen Chuwei horizontally and quickly walked away.

In the room

Shen Chuwei lay on the couch, watching Xiao Jinyan fixate on her belly. Whenever he saw a small bump rise, he couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it.

Frightened, the baby would retract, only to find a new spot and continue lifting its little hands and feet.

Xiao Jinyan found it fascinating; whenever a small bump appeared on the belly, he would press down on it.

Watching this scene, Shen Chuwei suddenly thought of a game, Whac-A-Mole in slow motion.

Xiao Jinyan became intrigued, "My son is too mischievous; when he comes out, he’ll need proper guidance."

Shen Chuwei casually mentioned, "Maybe it’s the sister fighting the brother for territory, you know?"

Xiao Jinyan paused at this, and stared at her belly for a few moments longer, "If it’s boy and girl twins, that would be a great omen for Daxia."

He continued, pausing, "I would then have reason to convince my father to appoint you as the Crown Princess, my official wife."

"Is it so easy to become Crown Princess?" Shen Chuwei thought of Lady Liang, Concubine Xue, each striving so hard for the title; with no power or backing, wouldn’t it be even more difficult for her?

"It’s indeed not easy to become Crown Princess," Xiao Jinyan said with a double meaning.

Becoming Crown Princess is not easy, and being one is no piece of cake, either.

The East Palace’s countless duties are more than enough to keep one busy.

However, Shen Chuwei missed the deeper implication.

"The chance for twins is too small; maybe it’ll be two sons or two daughters."

"We will know when they are born."

Xiao Jinyan looked at her belly, praying for boy and girl twins, so he wouldn’t have to wait any longer; he could have Xiao Jinyu appointed as Crown Princess in advance.

With Lu Zhaoyan’s support, this matter would be easily settled.

At bedtime

Shen Chuwei watched the Crown Prince, who, after reviewing memorials, continued to read the Fetal Education Book. She sneakily glanced at the title, and sure enough, he was already reading about what to pay attention to in the eighth month of pregnancy.

ps: Four updates