The princess regretted it.

Concubine Chun watched the Emperor's departing figure, her heart filled with warmth and anticipation. She gently stroked her belly, vowing to protect this child. She was also filled with gratitude towards Princess Jin'an. Without her, she might have truly lived in this harem, living alone with Gan Cao until old age. Now that she was pregnant, this was not only the Emperor's hope, but also her own future. She was well aware of the complexities and dangers of the harem, but for this child, she had to be strong.

After the Emperor left, Gan Cao quickly stood up and came to Concubine Chun's side. He happily but cautiously placed a pillow under Concubine Chun's body, looking at her with red eyes: "Your Majesty, great fortune! This is so wonderful! Your long-cherished wish is finally coming true."

Concubine Chun looked at Gancao's excitement and was filled with emotion. She gently held Gancao's hand, her lips curled up slightly, her eyes sparkling with joy, and said, "Gancao, you've suffered a lot with me these years. This child is indeed a pleasant surprise. But in the days to come, we must be more cautious."

Licorice nodded heavily and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I understand. I will be fully alert and take good care of you and the young master."

"I feel safe with you by my side." Chun Guiren gently stroked her belly and nodded slightly, her heart full of longing and hope for the future.

Changsun Hongze walked briskly back to the Health Preservation Hall. He felt as if the journey home tonight had become exceptionally short. His heart was filled with the joy and excitement of becoming a father again. That joy was like a spring breeze, gently caressing his heart and keeping his face filled with a bright smile.

Along the way, his mind kept fantasizing about what the unborn child would look like. Ideally, a prince, as dashing and handsome as he was, brave and resourceful, capable of inheriting the throne and ruling the country in perfect order. If it was a daughter, she'd look like Concubine Chun, with her gentle and graceful appearance, a lovable little princess. He imagined the little princess in a delicate pink dress, her smile as bright as a spring flower, and his heart softened. She would surely be as adorable as Jin'an had been when she was little.

Thinking of this, his steps became more and more brisk, forcing Eunuch Fuquan and Doctor Fang to jog to keep up. After returning to the Health Preservation Hall, Changsun Hongze was still immersed in this joy, unable to calm down for a long time. Although he already had many children, after so many years, he no longer remembered the feelings he had when he learned of the birth of those children. Now that Concubine Chun was pregnant, this joy seemed particularly strong, perhaps because the time he spent with Concubine Chun made him feel the warmth and tranquility he had long missed.

He sat on the dragon throne, his eyes a little hazy, his mind constantly sketching out scenes of the future. Eunuch Fuquan looked at the emperor like this, and felt happy for him. He said softly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun is pregnant now. This is truly a great joy. I wonder who Your Majesty will arrange to serve her?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Hongze looked up at Fuquan, calmed down, and said, "Noble Lady Chun needs to rest and recuperate now, so not too many people should be present. I remember that Nanny Su is now in the Imperial Food Bureau. You can go find her tomorrow. She can then choose two palace maids herself. I will arrange for someone to secretly guard her."

Fuquan replied respectfully, "Yes." Inwardly, he sighed, thinking the feng shui of the harem was about to change. Concubine Chun was about to rise to prominence. Nanny Su had once taken care of the Empress.

Changsun Hongze looked at Doctor Fang standing beside him and said solemnly, "Doctor Fang, Concubine Chun and her unborn child are now in your care. Do not let anyone know that Concubine Chun is pregnant. You must always pay attention to Concubine Chun's physical condition and report any abnormalities to me immediately."

Doctor Fang could see the emperor's importance attached to this pregnancy, and he couldn't help but feel nervous. He quickly knelt and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost and will not slack off in the slightest."

Chang Sun Hongze nodded and waved his hand, "You can leave first."

Doctor Fang bowed respectfully and said, "I'll take my leave." Then he slowly left the hall.

"Your Majesty, would you like to wash up and rest?" Eunuch Fuquan whispered to the emperor, who was once again lost in thought. Changsun Hongze waved his hand, "It's still early. I'm not sleepy yet. I'll read the memorial for a while."

"Yes," Eunuch Fuquan replied, then he gently lit another candle and placed it next to the table. He then stood quietly to the side.

The next day, Jin An sat in the hall's backyard corridor, eating sunflower seeds roasted by Qingli while watching with great interest as Han Shuang taught Ziyun and Hongyu martial arts in the newly renovated simple martial arts training ground. Ziyun had moved beyond the simple horse stance, and Han Shuang was patiently teaching her to strengthen her hands. Hongyu, having started martial arts a little later, was exceptionally flexible, so Han Shuang focused on her footwork.

Although Ziyun was a woman and looked frail, her eyes shone with determination, and she threw every punch with all her might, without hesitation. Hongyu, on the other hand, moved lithely and gracefully, like a dancing butterfly, light and graceful.