The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 350 - 342: The Emperor became depressed after discovering the fake pregnancy, Shen Liangdi’s pregnancy was exposed_2

Chapter 350: Chapter 342: The Emperor became depressed after discovering the fake pregnancy, Shen Liangdi’s pregnancy was exposed_2

The Empress was stunned for a few seconds before suddenly recalling the "dog Emperor’s" tenderness and consideration these past days, always preferring to caress her belly at night.

So he thought she was pregnant?

The Emperor added, "If this child were a Princess, it would be even better, since we already have two sons."

Looking at the dog Emperor’s face full of anticipation, she really didn’t want to disappoint him, but she couldn’t bear the crime of deceiving the sovereign.

"I am not pregnant, my lord. The reason I supported my stomach was because I overate."

Emperor: "Nonsense, you’ve even prepared our daughter’s clothes."

The Empress knew explanations were useless, so she proposed, "Your Majesty, please have the Imperial Doctor take my pulse to know the truth."

The Emperor paused but still ordered Eunuch Li to call the Imperial Doctor.

It was Doctor Wen who came, and after taking the pulse, the Emperor asked impatiently, "Well?"

"Her Highness the Empress is not with child," Doctor Wen cautiously reported.

The Emperor, who had been hoping for so long for a daughter, couldn’t accept that just like that, she was gone.

Sitting in his chair, his gaze fell on the Empress’s stomach, the Princess he had longed for... was gone!

Seeing the dog Emperor’s demeanor, the Empress gestured to Doctor Wen to leave.

Understanding her hint, Doctor Wen picked up his medicine box and exited.

The Emperor, deeply aggrieved, mourned the loss of the Princess he had awaited for over a month.

The Empress tugged at the dog Emperor’s sleeve, "Your Majesty?"

The Emperor turned his head away, not even showing a hint of sadness, while his heart was incredibly heavy with grief.

Pretending to be pregnant to vie for favor was not unheard of in the palace.

The Empress felt it necessary to explain, "Your Majesty, this is not the fault of your concubine. I never claimed to be with child."

The Emperor glared at the Empress, "You still mention it?"

The Empress immediately fell silent.

After the farce, the Empress got her wish to lead a procession to the White Horse Temple to pray for blessings for her daughter-in-law and grandsons, leaving the Emperor to grieve in silence for a long time...

Today, Qin Xiao bought water chestnut cakes and ancient-smoked pigeon.

Shen Chuwei had never tasted these two delicacies and found them quite enjoyable after trying them.

Qin Xiao had also bought something for Chun Xi this time, intending to give it to her and then run away.

But Chun Xi had learned to be smart; when Qin Xiao approached, she directly grabbed his sleeve and wouldn’t let him run.

Chun Xi tilted her small face upwards, looking at Qin Xiao quizzically and demanded, "Why do you always run away after giving me things?"

Qin Xiao had just taken out the item, not having had the chance to give it to Chun Xi yet.

"I’m afraid you won’t accept it."

"..." Chun Xi: "So you run?"

Qin Xiao spoke the blunt truth, "If I run, then you’ll have to keep it."

"Then why do you insist on giving me things every now and then? I’m almost feeling guilty taking them all," Chun Xi said, fully aware that one shouldn’t accept rewards without merit, especially since Qin Xiao had given her quite a few things, making her feel very uneasy.

"I give because I want to. If you think it’s inappropriate, then you ought to return the favor," Qin Xiao stated straightforwardly, even the concept of returning the favor firmly and confidently.

Chun Xi pondered for a moment; gift exchanges did seem reasonable, didn’t they?

"...Fine then."

Qin Xiao stuffed the item into Chun Xi’s hands, "Then keep it."

And, almost reflexively, he turned and left.

Chun Xi, not particularly strong, could only watch as Qin Xiao quickly departed the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, disappearing at the doorway.

"...He ran again."

The little eunuch, seeing Qin Xiao far away, came out from a corner and returned to Xinlan Hall to report everything he had seen to Lady Chang.

Lady Chang snorted, "It seems Shen Lady and Qin Xiao have an unspeakable relationship. Huai Xiang, prepare yourself, I’m going to see the Emperor."

Huai Xiang: "Yes."

Shortly after, Lady Chang hurried to the Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor had just finished reviewing memorials, and the thought of the daughter he had longed for who was now lost made him secretly mourn again.

Eunuch Li entered, bowing, "Your Majesty, Lady Chang requests an audience with you."

Hearing Lady Chang’s name, the Emperor coldly refused, "I’m not available at the moment."

Eunuch Li had served the Emperor for many years and could tell by his tone that he was displeased. After hesitating, he added, "Your Majesty, Lady Chang insists it’s a matter of great importance, concerning the Imperial offspring."

At this, the Emperor paused, then lifted his stern gaze to Eunuch Li, "Let her in."

"Yes." Eunuch Li retreated, and shortly after, Lady Chang entered. She advanced and knelt to perform the proper greeting, "This concubine greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with peace and security."

The Emperor asked coldly, "Lady Chang, what is this important matter you’ve come to discuss?"

Lady Chang slowly raised her head and saw the Emperor’s expression twitch, "Your Majesty, this concubine has discovered that Shen Lady suddenly became pregnant."

At first, the Emperor was startled, almost in disbelief, "What did you say? Shen Lady is pregnant?"

Lady Chang confirmed firmly, "Yes, Your Majesty, it is absolutely certain."

The gloom that had just clouded the Emperor’s heart eased considerably, and he couldn’t help but beam with joy, "I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to already have offspring. This is indeed great news. No wonder the Empress has been visiting the Xiaoxiang Pavilion daily; it turns out Shen Lady is pregnant."

"Even the Empress, such wonderful news and yet she doesn’t inform me?" At this moment, the Emperor’s mood was indescribably joyful.

Seeing the Emperor so happy, Lady Chang secretly sneered in her heart, delighted now, but soon the Emperor would be raging with anger.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been on a personal campaign for over five months, and Shen Lady’s pregnancy seems to be about four months along. Her belly isn’t as large as it should be after five months," she said.

The smile on the Emperor’s lips froze and his cold eyes swept towards Lady Chang below, "What are you implying?"

Lady Chang felt a chill down her spine as she cautiously spoke, "Your Majesty, Shen Lady has been hiding her pregnancy, and there must be something fishy about it. The other day, this concubine happened upon Shen Lady, and her belly looked like that of four months along. This concubine fears Shen Lady harbors a secret, which is why I have come to report to Your Majesty."

ps: Second update on April 28th