"Your Majesty...I am pregnant."

These six short words, like a thunderclap, resounded on the terrace of the "Nine Heavens Embracing the Moon Palace".

Qian Xiaoxiao's pupils suddenly contracted, and she instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

Meng Yao's body trembled almost imperceptibly, and her originally clear eyes instantly welled up with extremely complex emotions, including envy, disappointment, and, more than anything, an indescribable bitterness.

Even Qin Lan, who is used to all kinds of big scenes, had an unusually complicated look in her eyes at this moment.

Looking at Su Wanqing kneeling on the ground, her womanly instincts made her feel, for the first time, a trace of... jealousy towards her "comrade-in-arms".

Lin Feng, the supreme ruler of the kingdom, was also stunned the moment he heard the news.

He stared blankly at Su Wanqing, at her face flushed red with shyness and excitement, and at her subconscious gesture of protecting her lower abdomen.

Is she pregnant?

Is... I'm going to have a child?

This thought stirred up a tidal wave in his mind.

He conquered planets, slaughtered behemoths, and built a great empire.

He thought his heart was already as hard as a rock, and nothing could cause him to have any intense emotional fluctuations.

But at that moment, a completely new, unfamiliar, yet incredibly overwhelming emotion instantly filled his chest.

It was a feeling mixed with joy, anticipation, a sense of responsibility, and a touch of... bewilderment.

He's going to be a father.

This realization shocked him even more than when he ascended the throne.

The kingdom needs an heir. He knew this better than anyone. Although he had indulged in pleasures and enjoyed the power of an emperor all these years, deep down he had been preparing for this.

He just didn't expect this day to come so quickly and so suddenly.

Moreover, the first woman to conceive his child was Su Wanqing.

"How long has it been?"

For the first time, Lin Feng's voice carried a hint of tenderness and nervousness that he himself was unaware of.

"Your Majesty... I just had the imperial physician confirm it; it's been almost two months." Su Wanqing's voice was still trembling.

“Two months…” Lin Feng slowly stood up and walked step by step to Su Wanqing.

He reached out and gently helped her up from the ground.

His gaze fell on her still flat stomach, his eyes filled with unprecedented tenderness and wonder.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Your Majesty, I have only recently begun to feel unwell and dared not disturb you. It was only today that I dared to ask the imperial physician to come and see me..." Su Wanqing lowered her head, not daring to look Lin Feng in the eye.

Lin Feng didn't say anything more, but simply reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

This embrace was devoid of any lust, filled only with pure, heartfelt joy and appreciation.

"Thank you for your hard work, Wanqing," he said softly.

Su Wanqing's eyes instantly reddened. She buried her head deeply in Lin Feng's arms, and the grievances, pressure, and joy that had been building up for so long turned into silent tears that soaked his clothes.

Qin Lan, standing to the side, watched the two embracing, her heart filled with mixed emotions. But she quickly suppressed those personal feelings and regained her absolute rationality.

She stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a loud, clear voice.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is a momentous occasion for our Star Kingdom! It is a symbol of the empire's enduring foundation!"

Her voice shattered the warmth on the terrace.

Lin Feng released Su Wanqing, looked at Qin Lan, and his smile became meaningful.

"Rise." He nodded, then his gaze swept over everyone present, and his voice regained its imperial majesty.

"Reveal my decree!"

Everyone, including Su Wanqing, immediately held their breath and bowed to listen.

"First, I hereby bestow upon Su Wanqing the title of 'Empress of Heavenly Mandate.' Her status is second only to mine, and she will oversee the entire harem and serve as the mother of the nation!"

This decision was expected by everyone. Su Wanqing was already the head of the harem, and now, thanks to her son, she was officially made queen, which was only natural.

"Secondly, the Queen's pregnancy is a matter of paramount importance to the nation. From today onward, the Queen shall be relieved of all tedious political duties and shall focus on her pregnancy. Political affairs shall be handled jointly by the cabinet vice ministers, and major decisions shall be reported directly to me."

"Third, order the Kingdom's Academy of Life Sciences to organize its top-tier expert team to form the 'Royal Fertility and Health Protection Group,' on standby 24 hours a day to be fully responsible for the Queen's health during her pregnancy. Ensure that the first prince of our empire is safe and sound!"

When he said the word "prince," Lin Feng emphasized it a few more times.

This sentence, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up countless ripples.

Prince!

Your Majesty has directly designated the fetus in Su Wanqing's womb as a "prince"!

what does that mean?

This means that if Su Wanqing gives birth to a boy, he will undoubtedly become the first in line to inherit this vast empire!

This signal is far too strong.

It was not only the ultimate affirmation of Su Wanqing's status, but also a silent yet extremely heavy declaration to all the other women in the harem.

Qian Xiaoxiao's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Her nails dug deeply into her palms, and her body trembled slightly with jealousy.

Meng Yao's eyes were also filled with sadness.

She knew that from this moment on, the distance between her and that man had been infinitely widened.

Qin Lan's pupils contracted sharply. Her clenched fists revealed her extreme inner turmoil.

As one of Lin Feng's longest-serving veterans, her loyalty to the empire was beyond question. But as a woman, she also possessed her own pride and resentment.

Why Su Wanqing?

In terms of seniority and merit, in what way is Qin Lan inferior to Su Wanqing?

Su Wanqing manages domestic affairs for His Majesty. She, on the other hand, fights for His Majesty, conquering all enemies!

Every inch of the kingdom's territory was won by her and her soldiers, one sword and one spear!

If Su Wanqing is the kingdom's "shield," then Qin Lan is the kingdom's sharpest "spear"!

Why is it that this immense honor, this honor of giving birth to the empire's first heir, does not belong to her?

Resentment, like a venomous snake, began to gnaw at her heart.

Lin Feng observed everyone's expressions. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

The healthiest harem is one that is stable yet full of competition.

Su Wanqing's pregnancy is both a reassurance and a catalyst. It will completely revitalize this harem.

"Alright, you may all leave." Lin Feng waved his hand. "The Queen is tired and needs to rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qin Lan, Meng Yao, Qian Xiaoxiao, and the others bowed and took their leave. However, their departing figures suggested they were all preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Only Lin Feng and Su Wanqing remained on the terrace.

Lin Feng helped Su Wanqing sit down on the soft recliner and personally covered her with a thin cloud-silk blanket.

"Don't kneel before me anymore," he said softly. "You and the children are my greatest possession."

A simple love confession touched Su Wanqing's heart more deeply than any reward.

She leaned on Lin Feng's shoulder, her face beaming with an unprecedentedly happy and content smile.

She knew that she was the first and greatest victor in this war.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the palace in just one hour.

"Have you heard? Empress Su... no, Her Majesty the Queen is pregnant!"

"My God! Really? His Majesty personally bestowed the title?"

"Absolutely true! His Majesty also said that he would protect this first 'prince'! Isn't that clear enough?"

The palace maids and guards were whispering amongst themselves. Their gazes toward Su Wanqing's residence, the "Phoenix Palace," were filled with awe and obsequiousness.

Everyone knew that the owner of this palace would become the most honored woman in the empire for decades to come.

In contrast, the atmosphere in the other palaces was completely different—oppressive and anxious.