"Yes, we are with child." A smile graced Shen Xihe's lips, while her obsidian-dark eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Her heart surged like storm-tossed waves. Her stubborn desire for a child of her own with Xiao Huayong stemmed from her wish that someone as extraordinary as him would leave more traces in this world to be remembered.
Now that her wish was fulfilled, she hoped the child in her womb would be a boy. She was determined to nurture him into a peerless ruler, celebrated through the ages, so that whenever he was mentioned, people would think of his father. Whatever his father lacked time to accomplish, he would achieve.
Though... it might seem unfair to the child, burdened from birth with heavy responsibilities, his choice of Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong as parents destined him for an extraordinary path. He must walk this road gloriously, leaving a trail of splendor in his wake.
"Is the Crown Princess's fetus well? How should Her Highness be cared for hereafter? What must I pay attention to..." Xiao Huayong bombarded Zhenzhu with a stream of questions.
During her time following Old Man with White Hair, Zhenzhu had cared for pregnant women. Since Shen Xihe began preparing for pregnancy, she had paid extra attention to medical principles. Thus, she detailed all prepared precautions to Xiao Huayong, tailored to Shen Xihe's current physical condition.
Xiao Huayong listened with intense concentration, even solemnly preparing a small notebook to meticulously record every point.
From that day onward, he diligently documented Shen Xihe's daily activities and diet, saying it was for their child to read when grown, so he would know how much his mother had sacrificed to safely deliver him and ensure his robust health.
Hearing this, Shen Xihe felt her heart swell with warmth and sweetness.
Though pregnant, the news remained undisclosed. After discussing with Xiao Huayong, they decided to announce it after three months when Shen Xihe's pregnancy stabilized, thereby unsettling those lurking evils. Meanwhile, they would take these two months to implement every possible precaution.
The ever-composed Xiao Huayong had become uncharacteristically cautious, amusing and touching Shen Xihe: "Beichen, I hope our child and I are not burdens to you."
This man, usually imperturbable and profound as still waters, had suddenly become hesitant, pondering every step repeatedly. The calm decisiveness and resolute judgment she once admired in him seemed to have vanished.
"You are no burden, nor have I lost my composure or confidence." Xiao Beichen reached out to steady Shen Xihe. "It is because I treasure you too much to allow even the slightest mishap."
If extra consideration and effort could identify oversights and ensure smoother, more thorough arrangements, Xiao Beichen was willing to expend this worthwhile effort for Shen Xihe and their child.
"The Beichen in my heart is a magnificent man who settles the world with a laugh, stirs storms with a glance, and shrouds the skies with a raised palm." Shen Xihe turned to gaze at him, her eyes unusually soft, likely due to her pregnancy. "I know your current demeanor stems from love-born worry, but seeing you like this makes me involuntarily grow wary as well."
It was an uncontrollable sentiment, stirred by Xiao Huayong's actions.
Hearing this, Xiao Huayong composed his expression. He had never imagined Shen Xihe would be influenced by him—she was always so calm and rational. The sage's teaching of "neither elated by gain nor dismayed by loss" was a state he had only ever witnessed in Shen Xihe.Yet the softest part of her heart felt as if gently brushed by a feather—itchy and unable to suppress the joy that lifted the corners of her lips.
"So... I already hold such importance in Youyou's heart..." he murmured softly, as if speaking to himself.
Shen Xihe understood him clearly and nodded earnestly, "Mm, you are my dearest kin, of utmost importance."
Dearest kin—Xiao Huayong still felt somewhat unsatisfied. After all, she had many dear ones. He wanted to be her beloved. But considering Shen Xihe's reserved nature and the fact that she had already confessed her affection for him, he decided not to nitpick over words. He could simply reinterpret it as "beloved" in his own mind.
With this thought, Xiao Huayong felt even more delighted.
He smiled with a mix of self-satisfaction and what Shen Xihe perceived as foolishness. She raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was thinking about now. It must be related to her, given his unusually peculiar smile—a sight she had grown accustomed to.
Xiao Huayong had never revealed his habit of self-consolation to Shen Xihe. He would never tell her, lest she give him that indescribable look again.
However, now that he knew his every move could affect Shen Xihe's emotions, Xiao Huayong felt both happy and cautious. He concealed his anxious side and resumed his usual demeanor of effortless composure, seizing every opportunity to flirt and whisper sweet nothings to Shen Xihe as the Crown Prince.
In the past, Shen Xihe had genuinely found Xiao Huayong's opportunistic love talk slick and glib. But now, perhaps out of habit, she couldn't help but smile whenever she heard it. Her feelings had shifted from resistance to calm acceptance, and now to joy.
The couple had been recuperating in the Eastern Palace for a month, and no one knew of Shen Xihe's pregnancy. In April, Bu Shulin was to be married, and Shen Xihe insisted on attending. Firstly, the bride was the daughter of the Grand Princess, making it a royal wedding, and Shen Xihe needed to represent the imperial family at the ceremony.
Secondly, everyone knew of her close friendship with Bu Shulin. It would be unreasonable for her to miss her friend's wedding.
Given these two reasons, she could not make excuses to decline, as it would only arouse suspicion among those closely monitoring her every move.
Xiao Huayong was aware of this and wanted to accompany Shen Xihe, but she stopped him. "After all, this isn't the wedding of a prince or princess. Your presence as the Crown Prince would make it overly grand. Moreover, if you're by my side, constantly worrying about me, it might give us away. I'll go and return quickly, accompanied by Mo Yuan and Zhenzhu. Nothing will go wrong."
Reluctantly, Xiao Huayong saw Shen Xihe—who remained firm in her refusal to let him go—to the gates of the Eastern Palace.
Bu Shulin's wedding was organized by the Ministry of Rites according to the standards of a princely heir, with the Minister of Rites presiding as the officiant. The grandeur surpassed that of even the most affluent families. The Grand Princess had only this one daughter, and the bridal procession stretched for miles, making the event far more spectacular than Xiao Changmin's wedding two months prior.
Yu Sangning also attended the wedding banquet with Xiao Changmin. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the imperial family, she shared a table with Shen Xihe. Seated in the center, Shen Xihe was flanked by Li Yanyan and Yu Sangning. Both women had unresolved tensions with Shen Xihe and refrained from conversing with her.
Unable to chat across Shen Xihe, the three most esteemed imperial daughters-in-law maintained an awkward silence, causing even the nearby princesses and senior clan members to tread carefully.
It wasn't until a bowl of soup was served that Yu Sangning lifted the lid of the porcelain tureen, covered her mouth, and turned away to retch, drawing everyone's attention.An experienced matron couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Could it be that Princess Consort Zhao is with child?"
Yu Sangning retched a few times, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks as she nodded with modest restraint, "Yes, it was only confirmed yesterday. It's still early—just one month along—so it's best not to make it widely known yet."
Congratulations immediately poured in from all sides, with some praising Yu Sangning's good fortune to conceive just one month into her two-month marriage.
Shen Xihe quietly raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by Yu Sangning's pregnancy, yet thinking it rather good—another person to divert attention.
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