After Shen Shixiao was born, he regained his quiet temperament. As long as he was fed and satisfied, he never cried or fussed, being very well-behaved.

“Mother Consort, didn’t Father Emperor say this should be a little sister? How did it become a younger brother?”

“Does Yan’er not like having a younger brother?”

“I do like him.”

Shen Shiyan extended his small hand and gently touched Shen Shixiao, then suddenly grinned with his mouth missing several baby teeth, smiling happily.

“Whether it’s a younger brother or younger sister, Yan’er likes them both.”

He had been doted upon since birth and now never hesitated to express the feelings in his heart. Reaching his still chubby little hand into his robes, Shen Shiyan pulled out a jade pendant.

“Noble Consort Shang said jade pendants ward off frights. I’ll give it to my younger brother.”

Carefully hanging the jade pendant on the infant’s cradle, Shen Shiyan held Shen Shixiao’s hand for a long time without letting go.

After giving birth to Shen Shixiao, Song Wan frequently brought Shen Shiyan to Changle Palace so the two brothers could spend time together. She hoped they could look after each other like she and Song Fu did.

Shen Shiyan seemed to understand her intentions and carried himself very much like an elder brother.

Because the difficult childbirth had damaged her body, for quite some time after giving birth, the Imperial Kitchen prepared medicinal meals to restore Song Wan’s health.

Song Wan didn’t feel her body was particularly restored, but she did become increasingly plump day by day.

“Your Majesty, Director Liu has sent new gowns. Would you like to try them on to see if they fit?”

Song Wan stood up and looked at herself in the bronze mirror, blinked, then suddenly laughed.

“In the past, I always wanted to be more plump. I really disliked looking so frail all the time. But now that I’ve become fuller, I actually find it unsuitable.”

During this period, she had taken many supplements and exercised little, nourishing herself until her skin was fair and her complexion rosy. Even Song Wan herself felt she looked three parts more beautiful than before.

However, for some reason, Shen Qianyu hadn’t stayed overnight at Changle Palace in quite some time. Sometimes, even after returning to Changle Palace to dine with her, he would leave in a hurry to sleep at Yangxin Hall.

They had been married for many years, and he had never been so abnormal before.

“Did His Majesty say where he would be staying tonight?”

“His Majesty said he won’t be staying at Changle Palace tonight and instructed the servants to attend to Your Majesty before you retire.”

Hearing this, Song Wan’s brows furrowed slightly, but she said nothing more.

Seeing this, Heng Wu said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, do you think someone improper has approached His Majesty?”

“No.”

Having been husband and wife for so long, she at least had this much trust in Shen Qianyu. After thinking for a moment, Song Wan said, “I’m afraid when I gave birth to Xiao’er, it worried him too much.”

There were no secrets between her and Shen Qianyu. Even if the couple had any doubts or grievances in their hearts, they would speak directly.

So Song Wan didn’t take the matter of him not staying at Changle Palace to heart.

After Shen Qianyu left court, she asked him about it plainly.

“Your Majesty doesn’t stay at Changle Palace—is it because you fear I might become pregnant again and damage my health?”

She asked so directly that Shen Qianyu could only nod with reddened eyes and acknowledge it.

Song Wan would never know how important she was to him.

During both deliveries, Shen Qianyu had waited outside that door. He had personally heard Song Wan’s agonized moans in the room, personally watched the midwives carry out basin after basin of blood. How could he be at peace?

He wasn’t afraid of mountains of blades or seas of fire, but he truly feared Song Wan becoming pregnant again.

“Wan’er, I don’t want to see you pregnant again, nor do I want more children. I only want the two of us to accompany each other safely through this life until we grow old.”

“You don’t want another little princess who looks exactly like me?”

“I only want Wan’er.”

Song Wan embraced Shen Qianyu and said softly, “What if I want a daughter?”

When Ming Xiang had brought the adorable and well-behaved Niannian into the palace, she had truly been delighted beyond measure. And even if not for herself, she also wanted to fulfill Shen Qianyu’s wish.

He had longed for a little princess for so long—she couldn’t bear to let him have regrets.

“Even if Wan’er wants one, it cannot be.”

He had already secretly asked imperial physicians to prescribe him something. Whether intentional or unintentional, he would not let Song Wan conceive another child.

The ordeal of childbirth for women was truly difficult to endure. He could no longer withstand such terror, not even once more.

Shen Qianyu held Song Wan in his arms and said softly, “Wan’er, wait for me two more months. Once I… I’ll return to stay at Changle Palace.”

He feared his willpower was insufficient and would ruin things.

When it concerned Song Wan, he had to be extremely careful.

Although Shen Qianyu’s words were vague, Song Wan instantly understood the unspoken implications. She looked up at Shen Qianyu in surprise for a long time, then finally smiled softly.

As an emperor, his actions were truly… bold.

If the world knew he had taken such measures that could overturn the dynasty, the historical records would surely write him down as a foolish ruler.

But as her husband, Song Wan’s heart held only feelings of gratitude.

Having been married to him for many years, she had lowered her guard time and again, finally bit by bit coming to regard the man before her as an ordinary husband.

In her heart, this man was finally no longer an emperor first, but a husband foremost.

Song Wan tightly wrapped her arms around Shen Qianyu’s waist. Even though she knew he still had agents in Nanqing, she would never again doubt whether he suspected her aunt and Qianbai.

Before others, he was the ruler of a nation, but facing her, he was only her husband. That was enough.

“I’ll wait for my husband.”

However long it took, she could wait.

The Emperor and Empress had been married for years without ever living in separate palaces, but after giving birth to the Second Prince, the fact that Shen Qianyu hadn’t stayed at Changle Palace for a long time soon became known throughout the front court and rear palace.

Everyone said the Empress’s exclusive favor had finally come to an end, and the harem would undoubtedly welcome new people.

In less than half a month, this talk spread like wildfire. When it reached Song Wan’s ears, she only smiled slightly and didn’t take it to heart.

But though she wasn’t anxious, it worried the others in Changle Palace terribly.

After hearing this, Heng Wu was anxious all day long. She worried in her heart but didn’t dare ask Song Wan, afraid of troubling her mistress.

“Your Majesty, have you heard the rumors outside?”

Song Wan looked up, surprised that the first to bring up this matter wasn’t the usually quick-tempered Heng Wu, but rather the always silent and taciturn Luanjian.

“Recently, there are quite a few scheming palace maids in the palace who frequently approach His Majesty. Your Majesty has managed the rear palace for many years with consistent benevolence. I’m afraid those restless ones think Your Majesty lacks thunderous methods and consequently want to climb above your head.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Heng Wu couldn’t hold back any longer upon hearing this. “If Your Majesty gives the order, this servant will go today to teach those with improper thoughts a lesson, let them see who truly rules this palace.”

“It’s fine, no need to bother.”

Song Wan smiled. “When has His Majesty’s heart ever changed? You needn’t worry about this. After some time, once His Majesty finishes with court affairs, he’ll return to stay at Changle Palace.”

After saying this, she gently patted Luanjian’s hand.

With this reassurance, Heng Wu and Luanjian gradually set their minds at ease.

But they hadn’t been relieved for even half an hour when everyone saw Heng Zhi hurrying in from outside.

She dismissed the others and moved close to Song Wan, saying, “Your Majesty, just now a eunuch from Yangxin Hall came to report that while His Majesty was bathing, he kept a palace maid with a beautiful face…”