The city's celebrations and the anxieties of the "pregnant man"

The news of Princess Yi's pregnancy spread like wildfire throughout the capital, like a spring breeze across a lake. Guests flocked to offer their congratulations, practically breaking down the threshold of the Prince's residence.

Inside the Prince's Mansion, in the flower hall, a chorus of warbling birds filled the air.

Crown Princess Xu Nianchu arrived personally, bringing many precious tonics. Holding Qin Yuti's hand, she carefully instructed her on pregnancy precautions, her composure revealing her concern. Shen Anci also rushed over in a flurry. Now the matriarch of the Lu family, she remained as straightforward as ever, patting Qin Yuti's shoulder (the force was promptly stopped by Xu Nianchu) and laughing, "You, Yuti! You got ahead of us without a word! Now, when we sisters get together, there'll be another little baby to keep us entertained!"

As she spoke, her mischievous gaze turned to Liu Mianying, who was leisurely sipping her new tea: "Ying'er, look at you, Yuti is about to become a mother. And you, you're still acting like nothing's wrong, you haven't even seen a decent husband yet? You can't possibly carry this huge family business all by yourself forever, can you?"

Liu Mianying put down her teacup, elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with her embroidered handkerchief, raised her exquisite eyes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, and slowly said, "Sister Anci, you're speaking too soon. Who told you... that I don't have someone I'm interested in?"

"What?" Shen Anci was stunned, and even Xu Nianchu and Qin Yuti looked over in surprise.

Liu Mianying blushed slightly, but remained poised and generous: "The time isn't right yet, so I'll keep it a secret for now. Anyway, who knows, my wedding banquet might be even more lively than yours, Sister Anci's!" Her words were full of meaning, leaving much to the imagination.

Shen Anci's curiosity was piqued, and she pressed for details, but Liu Mianying simply smiled and remained silent, cleverly changing the subject. The sisters laughed heartily, filling the flower hall with a joyful atmosphere. Of the four of them, three were already married, and one was about to have her wedding, yet their friendship remained strong. However, their conversation inevitably turned to domestic matters and their expectations for their future children.

The study in the front courtyard, however, presents a different scene of "brotherly affection and respect".

Crown Prince Zhao Jingchen, Prince Huai Zhao Jingxuan, Prince Rui Zhao Jingming, and Prince Yi Zhao Jinglan—these princes rarely gathered at Prince Yi's residence. Of course, their main purpose was to "reprimand" their most troublesome sixth brother.

The Crown Prince, holding his teacup, spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone: "Sixth Brother, Yu Ti is now pregnant with twins, and is extremely precious. Put away all your usual mischievousness. Take good care of her, and if anything happens to her..." He paused, glancing at Zhao Jingyi.

Prince Huai was gentle and responded with a smile, but his words were not soft: "Third brother is right. Sixth sister-in-law is now a meritorious official of our royal family. If you do anything rash and upset her, I, your second brother, will be the first to object."

Even the usually taciturn Prince Rui spoke up calmly: "The household's supplies must be handled with extra care. If needed, you can come to my residence to obtain them." Although he was not particularly close to Zhao Jingyi, the imperial offspring were a matter of great importance, and he took it to heart.

The most direct one was the Fifth Prince, Prince Yi. He had the temperament of a military general, so he put his arm around Zhao Jingyi's neck and chuckled, "Sixth brother, did you hear that? All the royal brothers have spoken! Take good care of your sixth sister-in-law! If I find out that you've upset your sixth sister-in-law or made my nephew uncomfortable, I, your fifth brother, will twist your head off and use it as a football before the royal brothers even have to lift a finger!"

Surrounded by his elder brothers, Zhao Jingyi was being "educated" by them. Shrinking his neck, he felt both touched and aggrieved, and whispered in defense, "I... I would definitely treat Yu Ti like an ancestor! How could I dare to offend her... Now, if she glares at me, my legs go weak..."

His words made his elder brothers chuckle. The Crown Prince shook his head helplessly, and Prince Yi punched him on the shoulder: "Look at you, so pathetic! Act like a father!"

At this moment, Qin Yuti was being carefully and almost exaggeratedly supported by Zhao Jingyi as they strolled in the garden.

"Slow down! Watch your step! There are pebbles! Oh my god, are you thirsty? Hungry? Tired? Should we go back and rest?" Zhao Jingyi's voice was filled with unprecedented tension.

Qin Yuti was both amused and exasperated: "Your Highness, I'm just pregnant, not a porcelain doll. If you keep making such a fuss, all the servants in the manor will start to get nervous along with you."

"No way! We have to be serious!" Zhao Jingyi said seriously. "You're the most precious person in our family right now! If you say east, I'll never go west! What do you want to eat? I'll have someone make it right away! No, I'll make it myself!"

Seeing his terrified yet silly expression, Qin Yuti felt a warmth in her heart and had no choice but to let him be.

As the sun set, the guests gradually dispersed.

The Prince's mansion finally returned to tranquility. Zhao Jingyi saw off the last guest, breathed a long sigh of relief, and returned to the inner room. He saw Qin Yuti leaning against the soft couch, her hand gently stroking her lower abdomen, a tender smile on her lips.

He walked over, squatted down in front of the bed, and carefully pressed his ear against her still flat stomach, asking naively, "Wife, do you think he (she) can hear me now?"

Qin Yuti was amused by him: "It's only been a little over a month, how could you hear it?"

Zhao Jingyi ignored him and continued to mutter to the flat surface, "Baby, I'm Daddy. You have to be good and not bother your mother, understand? Otherwise, when you come out, Daddy... Daddy will take you up on the roof and tear the tiles off!" He meant to threaten, but the words that came out were "let's play together."

Qin Yuti gently patted him and scolded, "You're always so unserious!"

Zhao Jingyi looked up, took her hand, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation for the future: "Yu Ti, we have a child. That's wonderful."

Outside the window, the evening glow painted the sky, foreshadowing good weather for tomorrow. Inside Prince Yi's residence, there was an atmosphere of anticipation and joy for the new life. Liu Mianying's pointed remark, like a pebble thrown into water, stirred ripples of curiosity in the sisters' hearts.

A new story, new expectations, are quietly taking shape in this warm and cozy atmosphere. His Highness Prince Yi's chaotic yet incredibly sweet life as a "pregnant man" has officially begun.