As the next day's sunlight streamed warmly through the curtains onto the bed, Chu Fan finally awoke. He discovered Qiu Ya was no longer beside him. She had already risen early, ready for the day. Chu Fan's mood, like the sunlight, gradually brightened and warmed as he awoke from his slumber.

Although Qiuya had spent last night with Chu Fan, she wasn't just his personal maid; she was also a skilled martial artist. Even with minor injuries, she was still able to wake up early and prepare to serve Chu Fan. For Chu Fan, Qiuya's presence wasn't just caring and thoughtful; it was an integral part of his life.

With Qiuya and three other maids attentive, Chu Fan, dressed appropriately and in high spirits, emerged from the palace. Seeing Eunuch Li patiently waiting in the courtyard, he asked, "Little Li, I pondered Liu Xueyu's affairs deeply last night. Why haven't you yet revealed to me why she refuses to marry me?"

Eunuch Li looked embarrassed, and replied with a hint of worry in his tone, "Your Majesty, I did not intend to conceal the truth. It is because the Third Princess of Shu, Liu Xueyu, strictly forbade me to reveal any information about her."

Chu Fan's emotions had obviously reached a boiling point at this moment. His face was filled with anger and his eyes were like knives. He stared directly at Eunuch Li with an unquestionable majesty in his tone. He sternly rebuked:

"Little Li, you should know that you are a minister of the Wei Kingdom, my servant, not a lackey of the Shu Kingdom! Does that mean my will has no weight in your eyes?"

After being severely reprimanded by Chu Fan for acting on his own initiative last time, Eunuch Li has been careful not to do anything out of line. Because His Majesty will be very dissatisfied with those who do not obey his orders. Therefore, when Chu Fan's anger erupted again, Eunuch Li immediately knelt on the ground and hurriedly explained:

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I am a loyal servant and will never change my mind. Yesterday, I saw Your Majesty was very sad after hearing the wishes of the Third Princess of Shu. I immediately informed the Third Princess of Shu of this matter, hoping that she would change her decision.

After hearing Your Majesty's deep sorrow, the Third Princess of Shu realized that Your Majesty had misunderstood her intentions. Therefore, she has accelerated her journey and should have arrived in Kaifeng by now, entering the Imperial Palace soon. Then, Your Majesty will be able to meet the Third Princess of Shu in person and ask her true thoughts.

Eunuch Li reported everything to Chu Fan in detail in one breath. He knew very well that if he did not explain things clearly, Chu Fan might doubt his loyalty again and he was absolutely unwilling to bear Chu Fan's anger and distrust again.

After hearing the news that Liu Xueyu was coming, Chu Fan's originally tense face relaxed a little. He said in a deep voice: "In that case, I will wait here patiently for Liu Xueyu's arrival."

Chu Fan sat on a stone bench in the courtyard and instructed Hong Zhu beside him to arrange for the palace maids to prepare some exquisite pastries in case of emergency while waiting for Liu Xueyu's arrival.

After Qiuya's careful guidance last night and the report from Eunuch Li just today, Chu Fan was able to calm down and face the upcoming Liu Xueyu with a more peaceful attitude.

He knew that many things, whether good or bad, could only be explained and misunderstandings avoided face to face. Because many misunderstandings and estrangements arose from a lack of face-to-face communication, face-to-face communication might help them untie the knot in their hearts.

Chu Fan didn't have to wait too long. Soon, Liu Xueyu slowly walked into the courtyard, surrounded by a group of palace maids.

Chu Fan's eyes followed Liu Xueyu's figure closely, and when he saw Liu Xueyu's figure clearly, he couldn't help but feel shocked. He noticed that Liu Xueyu's belly was slightly bulging, which was an obvious sign of pregnancy, and Chu Fan's heart was filled with complicated emotions.

Chu Fan hurried forward, stretched out his hands and supported Liu Xueyu steadily. He asked with concern: "Sister Xueyu, is this really our child?"

Liu Xueyu nodded gently, tears glistening in her eyes. With immense joy and excitement, she softly replied, "Yes, Brother Chu Fan, this is indeed our child. It's been over three months, and I haven't had the courage to tell you, worried that it would distract you and affect your important plans."

A warm current suddenly surged in Chu Fan's heart. He recalled his previous misunderstandings of Liu Xueyu, and his heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.

In this world, there are neither so-called condoms nor birth control pills. Moreover, when Liu Xueyu was still in Wei State, Chu Fan and she were very close. For a period of time, the two of them were in bed every day. Even if the probability was very small, there should be a possibility of pregnancy.

Chu Fan carefully supported Liu Xueyu and let her sit down slowly. At this moment, Chu Fan's doubts about why Liu Xueyu was unwilling to hold a wedding with him deepened. After all, Liu Xueyu was pregnant with his child. According to common sense, she should be looking forward to this wedding more. Why would she not agree to a wedding with him?

Chu Fan asked softly, "Sister Xueyu, why don't you want to hold a wedding with me? You are pregnant now, and this is the time when you need a legitimate status. Don't you want our child to be born into this world openly? Or is someone forcing you to give up this wedding? Tell me who is behind this. I will never allow anyone to destroy our happiness."

Ever since learning that Liu Xueyu was pregnant, Chu Fan suddenly felt a strong sense of mission. After all, this was his first child in two lifetimes, and he felt that he had the responsibility and obligation to protect this unborn little life.

Liu Xueyu gently shook her head and looked at Chu Fan tenderly and said, "Brother Chu Fan, no one is forcing me, I just have some concerns in my heart."

Chu Fan frowned slightly. He gently stroked Liu Xueyu's cheek and said softly, "Can you tell me if you have any concerns? Let's face it together. No matter what the problem is, I will do my best to solve it. No matter what, you, Liu Xueyu, are my woman. I will protect you and your child."

Under the current circumstances, Chu Fan felt a strong urge to exercise his power as emperor. For him, if even his beloved woman could not stand by him openly, then he asked himself, was he still a real man?

Normally, if it were any other time, Liu Xueyu would have burst into tears. However, at this moment, she stared at Chu Fan with eyes full of tenderness.