Chapter 411: Chapter 409 He Just Isn’t Willing to Let Go Easily
Doctor Xiao Chen finished speaking, and the Imperial Study fell into prolonged silence.
It was unclear how much time had passed before the figure behind the Dragon Desk gestured for him to withdraw.
A male heir...
She was carrying a male heir...
Outside the hall, a light rain drizzled persistently.
Lu Ying closed the memorial before him, his narrow eyes reflecting the faint hue of blood under the lamplight.
He pressed against his brow bone.
Why did it have to be a male heir?
Gui Quan entered to replenish the lamp and noticed his discomposure, knowing full well he was thinking of Princess Zhaoning’s pregnancy yet again.
Recently, he had often secretly summoned Doctor Xiao Chen at night to inquire about Princess Zhaoning.
When he didn’t ask, his heart would be consumed with worry. But whenever he did inquire, he would still be displeased.
Gui Quan could only offer advice: "Your Majesty, over the past months you’ve been preoccupied with handling the northern warfare, rarely setting foot in the harem. At your age, the Supreme Emperor already had three or four children. It would be wise for Your Majesty to bestow favor equally upon the concubines and expedite the extension of the royal lineage."
When Lu Ying was the Crown Prince, court officials loved to criticize his lack of offspring.
Now as an emperor, though the chatter about heirs had quieted somewhat, a few remarks still occasionally surfaced.
Lu Ying massaged his brow and responded coldly, "The memorials are piling up on the desk. They must all be reviewed by tomorrow morning and delivered to the prefectures at full speed. Would I have time for the harem?"
Gui Quan was momentarily speechless.
Truthfully, these memorials didn’t all require the emperor’s personal attention.
When the Supreme Emperor ruled, weren’t many of them delegated to the Crown Prince and court ministers?
"Your Majesty handles everything personally, which naturally leaves little time for yourself," Gui Quan said while offering him a cup of tea for health, "Perhaps Your Majesty should consider letting others share the burden, leaving more leisure time for yourself to visit the harem and relieve your boredom."
Lu Ying ignored him and opened another memorial.
Gui Quan darted a glance at him.
To be precise, ever since Princess Zhaoning had entered the palace, His Majesty’s visits to the harem had significantly decreased.
Was His Majesty genuinely devoted to national affairs, or was he using them as an excuse to avoid Princess Zhaoning?
Sigh, this matter—who could truly say?
Gui Quan shook his head and quietly withdrew.
As the year-end drew closer, court affairs grew busier, and the Prefectural Governors and vassal lords began arriving in the capital to report to Lu Ying.
Cui Ji returned from the north.
Shen Yinning was surprised to hear Haitang mention it: "Wasn’t he serving as an imperial envoy, negotiating with various nations?"
"Your servant heard that Lord Cui is only making a brief return to report his duties. He’ll soon continue his mission in the north." Haitang helped her with her grooming, "Perhaps Lord Cui will visit you in the palace. You have a newly tailored Shu brocade flower skirt in your box—its festive colors are quite fitting. Shall I fetch it for you to wear?"
Shen Yinning agreed, brushing Haitang’s temple with her hand, then picked out a wooden hairpin from her jewelry box.
It was carved and gifted to her by Cui Ji long ago. If she wore it, he might feel pleased upon seeing it.
At that moment, Cui Ji had just finished reporting at the Imperial Study.
Among the eight Western Region states allied with Yan Country, three had already defected and withdrawn their troops from the Great Zhou border.
The pressure on Great Zhou’s frontier had eased considerably.
Cui Ji said, "Within half a year, I am confident I can persuade the remaining five states to exit their alliance with Yan Country."
Lu Ying fiddled with the Moyu Ring on his finger.
Cui Ji—just a frail scholar. He had thought Cui Ji might perish in the effort abroad, which would have been a convenient resolution.
Unexpectedly, Cui Ji had managed to return alive.
Lu Ying remained expressionless and murmured faintly, "Lord Cui has indeed lived up to My expectations."
"Your servant has heard that Princess Zhaoning is currently in the harem," Cui Ji said. "I miss her dearly and wish to see her."
Miss her dearly...
Lu Ying savored the words, his narrow eyes betraying a trace of scorn.
The two of them had been entangled back in Gan State, and now, after so much difficulty, they were finally together—and she was pregnant with a bastard child. They couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment.
He chuckled faintly, "In just a few months apart, Lord Cui already yearns for his delicate concubine? Such indulgence at a young age—how will you shoulder great responsibilities in the future? Besides, Lord Cui departs for the north at dawn; wouldn’t it be more proper to spend this time with your legitimate wife at home rather than dallying with your concubine in the palace?"
Cui Ji met his gaze squarely, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. Why deny your servant reunion with his family? If word spreads, it may dishearten the officials. Worse still, if any salacious rumors arise, they would tarnish Your Majesty’s noble reputation."
Lu Ying’s eyes turned icy.
He was well aware that he had no solid grounds to prevent Cui Ji from seeing Shen Yinning.
He just...
Couldn’t reconcile himself with it.
De Sun hurriedly entered to report, "Your Majesty, Lady Shangguan requests an audience."
Shangguan Min had come from Huo Mingyan’s palace.
She curtsied to Lu Ying and said respectfully, "I have already sought permission from the Empress to accompany my husband to Furong Palace for a visit to Zhaozhao. I specifically came to the Imperial Study to join my husband."
Lu Ying clenched the ring tightly.
Shangguan Min was clever, bypassing him directly to gain the Empress’s approval.
Ultimately, as it concerned the official’s family matters—and even Huo Mingyan had agreed to the couple visiting Shen Yinning—he had no pretext to object.
He watched helplessly as Cui Ji and Shangguan Min departed the Imperial Study, his eyes swirling with brewing storms.
For a long time, he suddenly swept his sleeve and followed them out.
Within Furong Palace.
Shangguan Min’s eyes immediately caught sight of the jesting books strewn across Shen Yinning’s desk.
The mere titles were far from appropriate.
She felt the sky was collapsing, "What about the ancient books I had sent to you in the palace? You didn’t read them? What kind of rubbish are you reading here?!"
Shen Yinning replied sheepishly, "I didn’t read these; Wei Yu bought them and read them."
Cui Ji swept a glance at the wooden hairpin adorning Shen Yinning’s hair. Though his expression remained sharp as winter’s chill, his heart softened, "I’ve brought some northern specialties for you. Besides beef, lamb, and spices, I also purchased a box of gemstones. See if there’s anything you fancy, and have someone craft it into jewelry."
In the past, he struggled financially and couldn’t afford to gift her anything too extravagant.
Now that things had improved, he wouldn’t let her endure further deprivation.
Shen Yinning invited them to sit and called Haitang to serve tea.
Shangguan Min knew Cui Ji wanted to speak privately with Shen Yinning. Although she admired and respected Cui Ji greatly, she had little interest in romantic affairs and preferred not to interfere with these two’s feelings, so she left temporarily under the pretense of exploring the palace.
The other maids in the hall also exited.
Cui Ji tightened his hands, his obscure gaze falling on the maiden’s pregnant belly, "It should be about seven months now, right?"
"Yes," Shen Yinning answered softly, "Doctor Xiao Chen mentioned it might be a male heir."
A male heir...
Cui Ji’s eyes flashed with deep concern, and his voice dropped further, "If it were a daughter, it wouldn’t matter, but it’s a boy. If the Huo Family or Shen Family learns of the true father of your unborn child... Cui Ji plans to depart for the north tomorrow. If the Commandery Princess is willing, Cui Ji is prepared to take you along. This way, we can avoid the palace’s hostilities and schemes. Once the time arrives, we may return to the capital."
The new emperor had yet to produce an heir.
Shen Yinning’s unborn child would likely be his eldest son.
It was easy to predict how the Huo and Shen families would stop at nothing to eliminate Shen Yinning and her child.