"Your Highness, what is with that look? If you don't welcome me, I shall leave," the man said, turning to depart.
Xue Jingyun gritted her teeth. "Qing Yi, you stop right there."
Qing Yi didn't slow his steps. "You want me to stop? So I just stop? How does that make me look?"
"Qing Yi..." Xue Zining's voice rang out.
Qing Yi sighed, turned, and walked back in. He looked at a certain person with a sour expression. "You go out first. I need to examine the Emperor."
Xue Jingyun rose and cast a cold glance at him. He raised his head to meet her gaze. "Your Highness is displeased?"
Xue Jingyun looked at him blandly, then left.
Xue Zining couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "What are you doing?"
Qing Yi grinned. "You wouldn't know. While you were away, I was living in a hellish nightmare. Only with you here does he have any semblance of humanity."
"What is he like?" Xue Zining asked, curiosity piqued.
Upon hearing this, Qing Yi's expression turned grave. "He doesn't rest for nights on end, poring over memorials. He goes to court at dawn, like a walking corpse, devoid of any thought of his own."
Xue Zining was stunned, a faint ache blooming in her chest. She could already picture Yan Zhao in that state.
"So, if you weren't here, I don't think he could go on. He would simply work himself to death."
Xue Zining's gaze faltered. "He..."
"Enough. With me here, you'll be fine," Qing Yi said with a smile, his hand reaching for her wrist.
Qing Yi's expression gradually grew serious. Xue Zining saw the change. After a long moment, he withdrew his hand.
She waited quietly for him to speak. After a considerable pause, he finally said, "Does Your Majesty wish to hear the truth?"
Xue Zining nodded. "Of course. Speak, I can bear it."
"Then let me start with the good news!" Qing Yi declared.
"Start with the bad news," Xue Zining insisted. Hearing good news after bad would only lead to disappointment.
It was better to face disappointment first, then have hope.
Qing Yi sighed and nodded. "The bad news is that while your body has improved, it cannot sustain you until the birth of the little prince. As the pregnancy progresses, the prince will absorb more of the mother's strength, which you may not be able to withstand."
Xue Zining nodded. "This isn't really bad news, is it? It's just that I know the consequences."
The consequence being fading away into nothingness? "And the good news?"
Qing Yi looked at her. "As for this good news, I'm not sure if it is good news. You are carrying twins."
Xue Zining blinked. "Really? I'm carrying twins?"
Qing Yi nodded. "Absolutely. And it can be confirmed they are a boy and a girl, a sign of great fortune."
Xue Zining felt a surge of excitement. "Does Yan Zhao know?" She longed to share this news with him. Not only did they share a blood connection, but now they would have two children.
Qing Yi shook his head. "Your Majesty, I don't advise you to let the Crown Prince know."
"Why? This is such joyous news, he should know."
"What is joyous for others might not be for him. His greatest concern is your health. If he knows you are carrying twins, I fear..."
Qing Yi's words struck a chord. He was not wrong. If Yan Zhao knew she was carrying twins, she shuddered at the thought of his reaction.
"Don't tell him," Xue Zining said.
Qing Yi nodded. "Yes, I obey your command."
"How long can my body hold out?" Xue Zining asked, this being what she most wanted to know.
Qing Yi hesitated for a moment. "There is a force within you now that is helping to protect the little prince, but it can only sustain you until delivery."
"Alright, I understand. Do not tell anyone about today's events," Xue Zining said.
Qing Yi nodded and withdrew.
She touched her abdomen. She was carrying two children. This was something she had never imagined. No wonder she felt her belly was larger than when she carried Xue Yan.
Footsteps sounded from outside the door. She looked up and saw that clear, handsome face. Her heart still skipped a beat. In the past, she hid nothing, but now, she could not tell him.
She never doubted Yan Zhao's feelings for her. But precisely because she knew his feelings so well, she didn't want him to know.
"A'Ning, what are you thinking about?" he asked, seeing a hint of hidden thoughts in her expression.
"Nothing," she replied.
He stepped closer and took her hand. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. The babies will be fine too."
Xue Zining nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Yan Zhao, I won't leave you again."
No one would part them.
"Good," his voice was deep and hoarse.
After a long while, she felt his shoulder pressing against her. She looked up to see a peaceful, sleeping face.
She slowly got up. His body tilted with her movement. She quickly reached out to catch him, guiding him onto the bed.
Looking at his serene sleeping face, she could imagine how hard he had been holding on all these days.
"Your Majesty..."
She quickly shushed him. Xue Yan, who had just entered, quickly retreated.
Getting out of bed, she covered him with the quilt. After taking a few steps, she returned and imprinted a kiss on his lips, whispering, "Sleep well, I'll be back soon."
She rose and walked out. Xue Yan approached her. "Your Majesty, Chang Ping wishes to see you."
"Summon Miss Yun and Young Master Yun as well." Upon returning to the capital, she had brought Yun Wei Shu and Yun Duan Hai with her.
Xue Yan nodded and relayed the orders.
In Chang Ning Palace, Xue Zining looked at An Ping, who stood before her. The old hatred seemed to have vanished, leaving behind an endless, indescribable feeling. Was it sympathy? Or pity?
An Ping looked at Xue Zining, sitting unharmed before her, and felt as if all her strength had been drained away. The feeling was one of powerlessness and despair. She knew the tide had turned; she had lost, utterly and completely lost.
She collapsed onto the ground. "Kill me, torture me, do as you please."
"In the past, I had already planned that if I returned safely, I would show no mercy. But now, I have changed my mind," Xue Zining said slowly.
An Ping let out a scoff. "You don't want me to die a painless death? The victor is king, the vanquished are bandits. I accept it. I only wish for death. Can you not even grant me that? After all, we lived together once."
"If not for our past connection, An Ping, do you know how many times you would have died?"
An Ping startled and gave a low laugh. "Is that so?"
Just then, Xue Yan entered. "Your Majesty, Miss Yun and Young Master Yun have arrived."
"An Ping, look who has come," Xue Zining said.
An Ping turned, and her gaze fell upon a figure clad in plain white. She froze. Recognizing the person, she cried out, "Cousin, cousin, what is this..."
Yun Wei Shu stepped forward, her voice choked with sobs. "Cousin, Aunt and Mother are already gone."