QT: TPE Chapter 44.1

His sudden change in expression was absolutely hilarious.

At first, he was talking with the ministers around him, with a polite and gentle smile on his face, looking quite distinguished.

But when he saw her belly, his smile froze, he stood there stunned, and then his face turned ashen. His face was like a palette, changing colors very quickly.

Xu Lingyi chuckled inwardly. Li Xu was still young and hadn’t gained much experience yet, but he wouldn’t have that chance in the future anyway.

“Rise, my ministers.” The Emperor said.

Then the ministers rose and sat down in their seats.

Although many people were trying to restrain themselves, Xu Lingyi still felt that people would look at her from time to time, with the focus being on her stomach.

The Emperor deliberately kept quiet when the ministers didn’t ask.

Finally, some ministers couldn’t hold back and spoke up, still finding it hard to believe that someone in the Emperor’s harem could be pregnant.

It was also possible that De Fei was suffering from a serious illness.

“Your Majesty, is De Fei pregnant?”

As soon as the question was asked, all the people in the hall pricked up their ears and held their breath to listen.

The Emperor nodded.

“I was just about to share some good news with you all. My beloved concubine is pregnant.”

The Emperor’s words confirmed the matter.

Although he was overjoyed when he learned of Xu Lingyi’s pregnancy months ago, and thought that his emotions had calmed down over the past few months, he was still incredibly excited when he announced it to the public today.

After many years, he is finally going to be a father again.

The ministers realized what was happening.

“Your Majesty, this is truly a blessing for our Great Liang.”

Some ministers even covered their faces and wept.

An old man in his fifties wiped away his tears and choked out, “Your Majesty, this is a great thing! I am happy. I hope Your Majesty will not blame me for my lack of decorum in front of the palace.”

Xu Lingyi: “…”

For a moment, Xu Lingyi couldn’t tell whether the man was being sincere or just flattering the Emperor.

But His Majesty didn’t mind at all. He was happy that she was pregnant.

So his ministers could only be happier than he was. If anyone dared to wear a mournful face, the Emperor would punish them.

The entire banquet was filled with joy. Whether it was an act or not, the ministers kept toasting the Emperor, offering one blessing after another, praising the Emperor, and then praising Xu Lingyi.

The Emperor, who never drank before, was now in high spirits and drank one cup after another.

The ministers never imagined that someone in the harem could get pregnant; Xu Shi was truly lucky.

Those court officials who had contacted Li Xu were now feeling somewhat regretful.

If Xu Shi were to give birth to a prince this time, he would undoubtedly be made crown prince, leaving Li Xu with no chance.

However, this was not necessarily true; perhaps the Emperor was born without the destiny to have a son.

This baby might also be a princess, and there was a possibility that Xu Shi would have a difficult childbirth, resulting in two deaths.

The wise ministers decided to temporarily refrain from submitting petitions to establish a crown prince and also to temporarily cease contact with Li Xu, waiting to see whether Xu Shi’s child would be a boy or a girl.

If the baby is a prince, of course, one should support the legitimate heir. There is a proper successor, so why risk offending the Emperor?

“My Lord.”

The advisor beside Li Xu secretly reached out and tugged at Li Xu.

Li Xu then came to his senses.

Before coming, he thought that he would be able to see Xu Shi’s beautiful face again, but at the banquet, all he could think about was Xu Shi’s belly.

He knew very well that if Xu Lingyi was carrying a prince this time, he would have completely lost hope.

So Xu Shi couldn’t give birth to this child.

However, what could he do?

He could only hope that Xu Lingyi would give birth to a girl, so that she would no longer be a threat to him.

The deposed Gui Fei had also been pregnant and had given birth to Princess Minghua, but she never had another child after that.

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize he was staring at Xu Lingyi.

“Why is Prince Li staring at my beloved concubine?” The Emperor asked directly, his tone full of displeasure.

Li Xu’s heart skipped a beat.

 

 

 

You can support this lovely translator and your favorite series by buying me a cup of Ko-fi (˘▽˘)っ♨

I will really appreciate it. ♥️♥️♥️