Princess Yan is pregnant!

Everyone in the Imperial Study was digesting this news.

Emperor Jingming cleaned his ears and asked the Imperial Physician again: “Princess Yan is with child?”

Pan Hai silently rubbed his nose.

His Majesty had made the Imperial Physician repeat it twice, likely fearing these censors hadn’t heard clearly.

The Imperial Physician complied enthusiastically, saying loudly: “Yes, Princess Yan has been pregnant for over a month…”

The Imperial Physician’s resonant voice echoed in the Imperial Study, reverberating in everyone’s ears.

The faces of the censors gradually turned the color of a pig’s liver.

Although censors had the right to present memorials based on hearsay, it was one thing to impeach high-ranking officials, but to impeach a woman, only to find out she was pregnant… was too embarrassing.

If their mothers or wives found out when they got home, they would likely be scolded.

Seeing the dumbfounded censors, Emperor Jingming suddenly felt refreshed.

Hah, it was finally these old fellows’ turn to be embarrassed. They were so eager to criticize others, and now they’ve gotten what they deserved.

It seemed that the jade ruyi scepter he had bestowed on Seventh Son’s wife had brought her good fortune.

Emperor Jingming felt increasingly pleased. He glanced at Yujin, feigning displeasure: “Seventh Son, your wife’s pregnancy is wonderful news. Why didn’t you inform the palace? If you had said something, how could these beloved officials have misunderstood?”

The censors felt as if they had been slapped several times, their faces stinging.

Yujin’s refined eyes revealed some hesitation: “Father Emperor, I’ve heard that in the capital, a woman’s pregnancy shouldn’t be mentioned before three months have passed…”

Emperor Jingming’s expression changed slightly.

He knew of this saying too, supposedly revealing it too early could lead to miscarriage!

Emperor Jingming’s gaze slowly swept over the faces of the censors. Beyond their flushed faces, the censors suddenly felt immense pressure.

What did His Majesty mean by this? If something were to happen to Princess Yan, would they be held responsible for the child?

This was a dragon’s descendant… Thinking of this, the censors suddenly felt uneasy.

The censor who had been the most vehement inwardly cursed the Crown Prince’s advisors half to death.

Censors weren’t supposed to take sides, but people always had their inclinations, and he was considered supportive of the Crown Prince’s faction.

It couldn’t be put that way. His Majesty had always been very protective of the Crown Prince’s position, and as a subject, supporting the heir apparent was normal. But the Crown Prince was truly too reckless, hinting at impeaching Prince Yan without clarifying the situation, resulting in this embarrassment…

Thinking this, the censor knelt with a swollen face to beg forgiveness.

Emperor Jingming sighed, saying magnanimously: “I know you beloved officials were all trying to uphold our Great Zhou’s etiquette and rules. Although there’s been a misunderstanding, I won’t blame you.”

“We have sinned—” the censors said weakly.

His Majesty was going too far, still kicking them while they were down!

Emperor Jingming smiled at the kneeling censors, his tone affectionate: “You need not beg my forgiveness, just learn from this in the future.”

Let’s see if you dare to fixate on the royal family’s private affairs again. Even when he wanted to leave the palace, he was besieged. You’ve all become too presumptuous.

Emperor Jingming then looked at Yujin: “Prince Yan, these officials didn’t intentionally target you. They were upholding the royal family’s dignity, without any personal motives. You mustn’t harbor resentment.”

“Son understands,” Yujin replied calmly, lowering his gaze and remaining silent.

Emperor Jingming saw that he was feeling wronged.

Indeed, who wouldn’t feel wronged after being unjustly attacked by several censors? Moreover, revealing a wife’s pregnancy too early was considered unlucky…

It seemed he should give Seventh Son some compensation.

It was impossible not to have any resentment towards the censors. Emperor Jingming, wanting to exact a small revenge, bestowed a heap of gifts on Princess Yan in front of the censors to calm her nerves.

Yujin calmly expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for Father Emperor’s generous gifts.”

Emperor Jingming nodded inwardly.

Not showing excessive joy over some rewards, Seventh Son was indeed quite steady, at least he wasn’t shallow.

“You may all withdraw.”

“We take our leave.” The censors fled in embarrassment.

The Imperial Study emptied in an instant.

Emperor Jingming looked at Yujin, fondling a white jade paperweight.

“When did you receive this good news?”

Yujin said: “She felt unwell after visiting the Old Madam of the Yining Marquis. I was worried and had the family physician check her pulse. We didn’t expect she was pregnant, which is why she couldn’t go pay respects…”

Emperor Jingming nodded slightly.

Pregnancy had many taboos, one of which was not participating in celebratory or mourning events.

“You should have informed the palace.”

“Son was afraid it might be bad for the child—”

Emperor Jingming’s expression turned serious: “What’s there to worry about? You’re not ordinary people. Your wife is carrying a dragon’s descendant; the fetal deity will only protect it!”

Yujin lowered his head: “Son has learned his lesson. In the future, if there’s any good news, I will inform Father Emperor immediately.”

Emperor Jingming was about to agree wholeheartedly but felt it inappropriate. He cleared his throat and said: “Why tell me? Just inform the Empress.”

“Yes, son understands.”

“Alright, go back and accompany your wife. Let her rest easy and nurture the fetus.”

Yujin expressed his thanks and left with a cart full of rewards for Prince Yan’s residence.

“What? Seventh Brother took back a heap of rewards?”

In Prince Qi’s residence, the princes were stunned by this news and sent their confidants to gather more information.

Soon after, the princes were even more stunned: Princess Yan was pregnant!

Everyone looked at Prince Shu.

Prince Shu’s face turned slightly dark.

Here we go again. He knew that with any little development, he would be compared to Seventh Brother.

What had he done to deserve this? It was just that he and Seventh Brother had married one after the other.

Prince Shu was inwardly furious but couldn’t escape his brothers’ teasing.

“I didn’t expect Seventh Brother to be so quick. Sixth Brother, you need to work harder,” Prince Lu said, patting Prince Shu’s shoulder heavily.

Prince Shu gulped tea and said irritably: “I’m not in a hurry.”

“Sixth Brother indeed needn’t rush. After all, it’s only been a few months since your marriage,” the eldest prince, Prince Qin, smiled, trying to smooth things over.

Prince Lu, ever the troublemaker, tactlessly said: “Seventh Brother married a month later than Sixth Brother.”

Prince Shu threw his teacup on the table and stood up: “Thank you for your hospitality, Fourth Brother. I have matters to attend to at home, so I’ll take my leave first.”

As soon as Prince Shu left, the others also excused themselves.

Prince Qi smiled as he saw everyone off at the door. When he turned back, the smile had vanished from his face, and he strode towards the back courtyard.

Princess Qi had just finished organizing this season’s accounts and found that the household expenses had exceeded the budget. She was pondering how to make up for the deficit when Prince Qi walked in.

Princess Qi put aside the mundane matters and greeted him with a smile: “Have the princes left?”

Prince Qi’s gaze fell on Princess Qi’s plain face, feeling inexplicably irritated.

Not only was she lacking in beauty, but after so many years of marriage, she had only given birth to one daughter. She was truly useless.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Prince Qi was silent for a moment, then said: “Seventh Brother’s wife is with child.”

Princess Qi’s hand trembled, and the smile faded from her face.

Princess Yan had only been married for a few months, yet she was already pregnant…

Prince Lu returned to his residence and embraced Princess Lu, planting a kiss on her face.

“What’s gotten into you, Your Highness?” Princess Lu half-pushed him away, feigning annoyance.

Prince Lu felt a wave of relief: “Fortunately, you stopped me from getting involved. Seventh Brother’s wife is pregnant!”