Seeing Lin Chan’s complexion turn unwell, Lin Shi hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Her good upbringing prevented Lin Chan from spitting out what she’d already put in her mouth. She forced herself to swallow, which only intensified the nauseating sensation.

The old lady had her suspicions. After the meal, she immediately summoned a physician to examine Lin Chan.

The physician carefully took her pulse, then congratulated the old lady: “Congratulations, Old Lady. Your eldest granddaughter-in-law is with child, though the pregnancy is still in its early stages and requires careful attention.”

The old lady was overjoyed and rewarded the physician generously.

“How far along?” Lin Shi asked.

Lin Chan’s face flushed slightly. “My monthly courses were delayed for some days. I only felt unwell today…”

“In that case, the Minister’s residence doesn’t know yet?”

Lin Chan nodded slightly.

“Since that’s so, return home early to rest. Limit your activities for the next two months.” The old lady instructed her trusted nanny, “Cuixiang, personally escort the eldest granddaughter-in-law back.”

On the road back, Han Baocheng remained completely bewildered. Squeezed into the carriage, he asked Lin Chan in a low voice, “Why does the old lady’s personal nanny need to escort you?”

Lin Chan couldn’t bring herself to say it right away. Finally she said, “You’ll know when we get back.”

Upon returning to the Minister’s residence, before Lin Chan could worry about how to broach the subject, Nanny Dou—whose given name was Cuixiang—told Han’s mother the good news.

Han’s mother was beside herself with joy. After politely seeing Nanny Dou off, she immediately summoned a physician to take the pulse.

Soon the Minister’s residence was enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration over Lin Chan’s pregnancy.

Some families rejoiced while others worried. The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace had been somewhat gloomy lately.

The war had been won, and after resolving the most pressing problem, new difficulties now confronted Emperor Tai’an. One was the issue of displaced civilians and depleted national coffers caused by the war. The other was the problem of the vacant position of heir apparent.

No money on one hand, no successor on the other.

And in the eyes of civil and military officials, having no heir was more terrifying than having no money.

During court this day, the assembled ministers raised this topic once again.

One censor, with the determination of someone throwing caution to the wind, proposed the suggestion of adoption.

Another official tactfully mentioned Prince Liang.

Emperor Tai’an’s face darkened as he swept his sleeves and departed, leaving the assembled ministers looking at each other in bewilderment. In twos and threes they walked out while discussing among themselves.

Prince Jing rushed back to his residence and told Princess Consort Jing what had been discussed at court.

“This is bad! His Majesty might adopt a crown prince from the imperial clan!”

Princess Consort Jing sprang to her feet. “Has someone from our household been selected?”

“No, a censor just raised the matter. His Majesty didn’t seem particularly willing.” Prince Jing had rushed so quickly that his forehead was covered in sweat. He drank several large mouthfuls of tea to moisten his throat.

Princess Consort Jing was quite speechless. “Then why is Your Highness so anxious? I thought someone had been selected.”

Prince Jing shook his head pessimistically. “Even if he’s unwilling now, isn’t it just a matter of time? Could he really reinstate Prince Liang?”

If that were the case, what was the point of all that effort fighting Northern Qi? Either way, they’d be finished.

“Even if there’s an adoption, they’d choose someone young. Shuo’er and Huan’er are both grown—they’d never be chosen.” Princess Consort Jing wasn’t worried.

Even among common wealthy landowners without sons who needed to adopt from the clan, they chose those with close blood ties and young age—ideally too young to remember—so they could be properly raised.

“The princess consort makes a good point. I was thinking that since Shuo’er just distinguished himself, he made an impression on His Majesty…”

Princess Consort Jing lowered her voice. “Even if Shuo’er were chosen, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

Just now the prince’s urgency had led her astray. Thinking it through now—if chosen, he’d be crown prince!

“Think about the former Crown Prince Qi Ming.”

Princess Consort Jing’s smile froze.

“And think about Prince Liang.”

Princess Consort Jing’s expression stiffened further.

“There’s no position more dangerous than crown prince. Though fortune favors the bold, we’re already wealthy and noble enough—it’s not worth taking such a risk.”

Princess Consort Jing nodded repeatedly. “Your Highness is right. Keep watch outside—the sooner His Majesty makes a decision, the sooner we can rest easy.”

Princess Consort Jing’s thinking was precisely that of the officials and nobles.

Whether reinstating Prince Liang or adopting from the imperial clan, Your Majesty, please decide quickly!

Emperor Tai’an hadn’t felt this kind of aggressive pressure from his ministers in a very long time.

Night had deepened, yet the palace lamps still burned in the bedchamber.

Emperor Tai’an sat quietly, not moving for a long while.

“Your Majesty, please retire early,” Liu Chuan gently urged.

Emperor Tai’an sneered coldly. “If I sleep, I’ll just have to listen to those people’s incessant clamor again.”

And the difficult problem he faced wasn’t something he could escape by covering his ears and not listening.

The heir apparent concerned the succession of the state—it was not a family matter.

At Prince Liang’s residence, at this same hour, Prince Liang likewise had not retired.

He was too excited to sleep!

“Has this prince’s opportunity finally come?” He walked barefoot on the moonlit bluestone tiles, completely unaware of the cold.

The personal attendant serving him closely watched Prince Liang’s appearance with both delight and unease.

The court had voices calling for Prince Liang’s reinstatement, so naturally as Prince Liang’s close attendant he was excited. But the prince before him, who had torn away his public pretense, made him uneasy.

He dared not speak, but he couldn’t help feeling that Prince Liang seemed somewhat abnormal.

“Why aren’t you speaking?” Prince Liang stopped and stared at the attendant, demanding.

Those pitch-black eyes were inexplicably alarming.

The attendant averted his gaze and respectfully said, “This servant has limited knowledge and dares not presume to discuss such weighty matters…”

Prince Liang kicked out at him. “Useless! What good are you!”

These current dog-slaves truly weren’t as useful as those in the former Eastern Palace. Once he was restored, he’d definitely replace all these useless ones.

The attendant saw the icy coldness in Prince Liang’s eyes and his heart trembled. Pushing aside his concerns, he began to placate him: “Your Highness, don’t worry. His Majesty has only you as his son—this is all quite natural…”

“Natural and proper—” Prince Liang very much liked this phrase. “Exactly, it’s natural and proper. Hahaha…”

In the quiet of night, his unrestrained wild laughter carried far. The attendant wanted to advise him but didn’t dare. His expression was extremely conflicted for a moment.

Throughout various parts of Prince Liang’s residence, those who heard this laughter were either shocked or shook their heads. By early the next morning, someone had already sent word into the palace.

“Prince Liang walked barefoot outside and laughed wildly?” After hearing the report, Emperor Tai’an’s expression changed repeatedly before finally settling into calm.

“Liu Chuan.”

“This servant is here.”

“Go release the news about Noble Consort Wu.”

“Yes.” Liu Chuan respectfully acknowledged, inwardly sighing for Prince Liang.

A legitimate eldest son of impeccable lineage who could cut off his own chances of becoming crown prince at critical moments—that truly took skill.

That very day, news spread from the palace: Noble Consort Wu was already three months pregnant.

Ordinarily, a minor noble consort’s pregnancy might not even create a ripple in a normal harem. But announced at this moment, it was no different from a tidal wave, sweeping from the inner palace to the court, affecting countless people.

His Majesty’s consort was with child—the voices calling for adopting an imperial clansman or reinstating Prince Liang could all cease, at least until Noble Consort Wu gave birth. There was no need to displease His Majesty.

When the news reached Prince Liang’s residence, Prince Liang’s eyes went vacant. “Impossible, impossible!”

Completely unable to accept reality, Prince Liang’s eyes rolled back and he fainted.