After Emperor Cheng'an's death, Xue Shen's succession to the throne was legitimate.

Because of the palace turmoil, many affairs piled up in the court and among the people. In addition, with Shen Youying's due date approaching, Xue Shen simply postponed the enthronement ceremony and moved into the East Palace for temporary residence.

According to the rules, he should have moved into the emperor's bedroom, but he felt that the place where Emperor Cheng'an had lived was unlucky, so he moved into the East Palace.

Shen Youying naturally moved over as well.

The Fire Cave Immortal said that she would give birth in four or five days. Xue Shen was worried, so he simply handed over all the affairs of the court to Xie Lianhong and spent his days in the East Palace with Shen Youying.

On the contrary, seeing that he was even more nervous than she was, Shen Youying began to shoo him away: "I'm fine, I don't need you to accompany me all the time. Your nervousness is making me nervous too."

Xue Shen looked helpless: "After all, it's my first time being a father, how can I not be nervous?"

Shen Youying said, "This isn't my first time being a mother, so I'm much calmer than you. If outsiders saw you looking so nervous, they'd probably be quite frightened."

Xue Shen laughed out loud: "So what if you're scared? I get annoyed just looking at those people these days. It'll make me feel more at ease if I stay with you."

One matter after another in the court awaited his attention, and there were also many hidden dangers left over from the reign of Emperor Cheng'an that he needed to address.

However, Xue Shen was so preoccupied with the thought of Shen Youying's impending childbirth that he was too preoccupied to deal with the mess.

Shen Youying smiled and gave him a reproachful look before continuing to read her book. Xue Shen sat down next to her and peeled pine nuts for her; the small dish in front of her had unknowingly been piled high with them.

Just as the two were enjoying their tender moments, some inconsiderate people kept coming to disturb them.

Wang Deshun bowed his head and came to announce: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Prime Minister Wang Yuanguang requests an audience."

Xue Shen raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "I haven't even had a chance to deal with him yet, and he doesn't know to stay away, but he actually dares to come close to me?"

Xue Shen had long disliked Wang Yuanguang, this opportunist.

However, he was a slippery character and delegated many things to others. Xue Shen was temporarily unable to investigate his crimes, so he let him go free for a while.

Wang Deshun bowed and replied, "Prime Minister Wang said that he heard the Empress was about to give birth, and thinking that childbirth is dangerous for women, he specially sent over his family's treasured thousand-year-old snow ginseng."

"So they came to deliver a gift."

However, Wang Yuanguang is indeed a shrewd person; even when giving gifts, he manages to hit the mark perfectly.

This thousand-year-old snow ginseng is extremely rare; even the palace only has a hundred-year-old one. It's unexpected that Wang Yuanguang actually possesses a thousand-year-old snow ginseng. Since Shen Youying became pregnant, Xue Shen has extensively studied medical texts and naturally knows the benefits of this thousand-year-old snow ginseng for pregnant women.

If a pregnant woman unfortunately experiences severe bleeding during childbirth, a single snow ginseng can pull her back from the brink of death.

Xue Shen had already prepared several hundred-year-old snow ginsengs in advance. Now that he heard that Wang Yuanguang had actually sent a thousand-year-old snow ginseng, he had no reason to refuse and summoned the person in without thinking.

Upon seeing Xue Shen and Shen Youying, Wang Yuanguang first performed a grand salute: "Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness."

Xue Shen raised his hand to signal him to rise, and without beating around the bush, asked directly, "I heard from Wang Deshun that you are going to offer a thousand-year-old snow ginseng?"

“Indeed, this is a treasure passed down through generations in my family. It is very beneficial to pregnant women. I thought that Your Majesty the Empress was about to give birth and might need it, so I took the liberty of sending it over.”

After he finished speaking, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve, carefully opened it, and inside lay a snow-white ginseng.

The ginseng is entirely white, with complete roots, and is shaped like a human figure, except for a small reddish tinge in the middle of the trunk. It is indeed a thousand-year-old snow ginseng.

Xue Shen accepted it with satisfaction: "This item has indeed solved my urgent problem. What reward do you want? Just tell me."

Wang Yuanguang hurriedly knelt down in fear and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not take credit. This snow ginseng is of little use at home, so I thought of offering it to you. If Your Majesty can safely give birth to twins, it would be best if you didn't need this."

Xue Shen nodded and said, "I have remembered."

When Wang Yuanguang is dealt with in the future, he might be lenient because of this ginseng.

Wang Yuanguang was a pragmatic man. Seeing the affection between Shen Youying and Wang Yuanguang, he did not disturb them and quickly took his leave.

After leaving the East Palace and returning to the Wang family residence, Lady Wang eagerly greeted him, asking, "Have you sent him out?"

Wang Yuanguang glanced at his wife with displeasure and frowned, saying, "Don't be so petty. You have to be willing to sacrifice your cubs to catch the wolf."

Lady Wang disagreed, saying, "Although His Majesty has not yet held the coronation ceremony, judging from his demeanor, he has clearly already regarded that Shen family girl as the Empress. If she were to give birth to twins, what chance would our daughter have?"

"Giving birth is a life-or-death experience, and the Shen family girl is pregnant with twins. If something were to happen to her, wouldn't that be an opportunity for Yunting?"

Wang Yuanguang scoffed, dismissing her idea with disdain.

"You're all talk and no action. You only think that because the Shen family's daughter is gone, our daughter will have a chance. But have you ever considered that other families also have daughters of marriageable age?"

Madam Wang didn't take it seriously: "Who else can compare to our Yunting?"

Wang Yuanguang chuckled, glanced warily outside, and closed the doors and windows before lowering his voice to say to her, "What if something went wrong during the Shen family's daughter's childbirth, and the snow ginseng I sent happened to keep her alive? Even if she eventually died, would His Majesty remember this kindness?"

Madam Wang looked puzzled upon hearing this: "But how can things be so coincidental? What if that snow ginseng really pulled someone back from the brink of death? Wouldn't that be like shooting oneself in the foot?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanguang shook his head, smiled mysteriously, and said with certainty, "The Shen family girl will not survive."

Hearing his confident tone, Madam Wang guessed that he must know something. She grabbed his arm and wouldn't let go, urging him, "Have you received some news? Tell me quickly."

Wang Yuanguang simply shook his head: "You don't need to ask any more questions. Just know that our daughter will be able to enter the palace soon."

*

Xue Shen handed the snow ginseng to Master Huodong, who examined it carefully and said, "It is indeed a good thing."

Xue Shen was relieved, but then repeatedly confirmed with him: "And is the risk high this time?"

Master Huodong shook his head: "No one can say for sure about a woman's childbirth until that time. If the baby is in the correct position, she will be born soon. But if the baby is not in the correct position, or if something else goes wrong, then she will really be on the verge of death and have to fight against the King of Hell."

Seeing Xue Shen's solemn expression, he comforted him, "Your Highness was never so worried and anxious when you were treating your leg ailment before. Why have you lost your composure now? Although the Empress is pregnant with twins, the risks of childbirth are greater than for others. But we have made sufficient preparations in advance, and as long as there are no unexpected situations, it should go smoothly."