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Before entering the Bedchamber, the Emperor and Empress, with the help of servants and maids, removed their fox furs before proceeding into the Bedchamber.

Inside the Bedchamber, it was well heated with red charcoal briquettes, and a warm atmosphere was felt upon entry.

After several days of recovery, Shen Chuwei had no issue getting out of bed to perform a courtesy.

She stepped forward and curtsied, "Your Majesty, Empress, I wish you peace and prosperity."

The Empress stepped forward a few paces to help Shen Chuwei up, "You’re still in your confinement, there’s no need for formalities. Return to your bed and rest."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Shen Chuwei said as she went back to the bed and lay down at the urging of the Empress.

After the Emperor entered, he glanced around the room, noted the empty cradle, and frowned.

"Where are my grandson and granddaughter? Where are they?" he asked.

Xiao Jinyan replied, "Your Highness, the wet nurses have taken them to the Side Hall to feed."

The Emperor had come especially to see his grandson and granddaughter but arrived at an inconvenient time; both babies were in the Side Hall being fed.

Now, all he could do was wait.

The Empress, holding an exquisite gift box, sat down at the bedside. As she opened the box she said, "Lady Shen, I had two Life-preserving Locks custom-made for the babies by the Imperial Workshop. Take a look and tell me what you think."

Shen Chuwei looked at the gift box in the hands of the Empress. It was a dark red color with a highly intricate and elaborate floral pattern carved on it; the box alone was luxurious.

She picked up one of the Life-preserving Locks with curiosity. The craftsmanship of the ancient master jeweler was in no way inferior to modern techniques.

The gold lock was small and exquisitely made.

In her hand was one carved with a Dragon Pattern.

The other carried a Phoenix Pattern, and together, they made a perfect pair.

The Empress, eyeing the Dragon and Phoenix Life-preserving Locks in Shen Chuwei’s hands, said, "We had not expected twins, let alone a boy and girl. Thinking a dragon and phoenix bring good fortune, I had the Imperial Workshop create the Dragon and Phoenix Life-preserving Locks."

"That shows the Empress’s foresight; both Life-preserving Locks are beautiful," Shen Chuwei complimented generously.

The Empress felt a sense of accomplishment whenever Shen Chuwei approved of something she timed right.

Because she believed if Shen Chuwei liked it, the babies would definitely like it too.

The Emperor sat on the couch, sipping new tea served by Chun Xi, listening to the conversation between the Empress and Lady Shen, and noticed a problem.

Not only did the Empress know about Lady Shen’s pregnancy, but she also knew she was expecting twins.

Crown Prince Yuyu probably knew early on as well.

Only he, the Emperor, was kept in the dark.

To say he wasn’t angry would be a lie.

It was one thing for others to keep it from him, but quite another that the Empress did so; that was what truly bothered him.

They were husband and wife, after all!

The more the Emperor thought about it, the more suffocated he felt, sensing the Empress was gradually taking him less and less seriously.

He sighed again in his heart.

Xiao Jinyan stood to the side, listening to the Emperor’s internal musings.

Who would have thought that a ruler of such high standing would be so concerned about his wife, going to great lengths to protect her?

This was also why the favor of concubines in the harem never ceased. If Consort Ning was gone, there was He Jiayu; now, she had already become He Jiayu.

In such a short time, advancing from a talent to a noble lady was enough to make the other women in the harem jealous.

Without any surprises, it wouldn’t be long before she was promoted to Concubine.

Xiao Jinyan looked toward his mother. The Emperor had never shared his feelings with the Empress, so naturally, he never received a response from her.

In the Empress’s eyes, the Emperor was nothing more than a man indulging in his desires, hugging one beauty after another, marrying her only to solidify the Crown Prince’s position.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze then shifted to Lady Shen. He wouldn’t be like the Emperor; he wouldn’t let Lady Shen have misunderstandings. He wouldn’t let her feel she was just one among his many women.

At this moment, the wet nurse returned with Taotao and Susu. Seeing that both the Emperor and Empress were present, she quickly moved forward to curtsey.

"Your Majesties, I wish you peace and prosperity."

The Emperor was brooding and sipping tea when he saw the nurse holding his grandchildren. He immediately set down his tea bowl and ordered, "Bring over the princess for me to see."

Since he specifically asked for the granddaughter, the nurse dared not delay and hurriedly brought Susu to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the princess is awake," the nurse announced.

Because it was winter, Susu was bundled in a small cotton quilt.

The Emperor looked at the palm-sized little face, rosy and tender, with dark eyes staring intently at him without blinking.

"Bring her to me," he urged.

"Yes." The nurse passed Susu to the Emperor.

The Emperor, eager to hold his granddaughter, took the little one carefully, as it had been a long time since he had held such a small child.

Susu kept her eyes open, looking around, and somehow her chubby little hand wriggled free from the quilts, waving about aimlessly.

The Emperor had held many princes, but as he had no daughters of his own, this was the first time he was holding a baby girl.