When Emperor Yongzheng stepped into Yanxi Palace, the afterglow of the setting sun was shining on the palace walls, gilding the courtyard with a soft golden hue.

He had not visited Yun'er for several days and couldn't help but miss her.

As for Hongli's affairs, it's best not to let Yun'er know, lest she be distressed.

As soon as I entered the inner hall, I saw Lin Yun leaning against a soft couch, holding a book in her hands, with a serene expression.

However, his gaze was quickly drawn to her belly—the curve there was much larger than he remembered.

"Yun'er," Yongzheng called softly.

Lin Yun looked up upon hearing the sound, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She quickly put down her book and tried to get up to greet the speaker.

Yongzheng strode forward and gently pressed her shoulder: "No need for formalities. You are heavy-set, so sit properly."

Lin Yun smiled slightly and said softly, "What brings Your Majesty here today?"

Yongzheng did not answer, but stared at her belly, his brows furrowing slightly: "Your belly... seems to be much bigger than it was a few days ago."

Lin Yun looked down and was also a little puzzled: "I also feel that I have become much heavier these past few days. I thought it was because the baby is growing fast."

Emperor Yongzheng's expression hardened, and he immediately turned to Su Peisheng beside him and said, "Summon the imperial physician!"

A moment later, the imperial physician rushed over and respectfully bowed to the Emperor and Consort Shu. Yongzheng said in a deep voice, "Take Consort Shu's pulse carefully."

The imperial physician dared not be negligent. He took out a silk handkerchief, placed it on Lin Yun's wrist, and concentrated on taking her pulse.

At first, his expression was relatively calm, but as time went on, his brows gradually relaxed, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He checked repeatedly, taking the pulse for a full quarter of an hour, before finally withdrawing his hand, a look of joy on his face.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The imperial physician knelt on the ground, his voice trembling with excitement. "Your Majesty is carrying twins! I have just confirmed this repeatedly, and the pulse indicates it is indeed twins!"

"Twins?" Yongzheng was taken aback, then his eyes lit up with surprise.

He looked at Lin Yun and saw that she also looked incredulous. He couldn't help but take her hand and say, "Yun'er, did you hear that? It's twins!"

Lin Yun gently stroked her belly, a tender smile appearing in her eyes: "No wonder I've felt more tired than usual lately, it turns out it's because of the twins."

The Yanxi Palace was immediately filled with jubilation, and the palace maids and eunuchs knelt down to offer their congratulations.

Emperor Yongzheng was overjoyed and immediately ordered a generous reward for the imperial physician, instructing him: "From this day forward, you shall come daily to take the pulse of Consort Shu and ensure the safety of both mother and child. Report any abnormalities immediately!"

"Your Majesty, I obey!" the imperial physician replied respectfully.

Yongzheng then looked at Lin Yun and said gently, "Yun'er, you are now pregnant with twins, so you must take extra care to rest. If you need anything, just tell me."

Lin Yun nodded, her eyes filled with happiness: "With Your Majesty's concern, your concubine and the child will be fine."

Emperor Yongzheng had dinner with Lin Yun and talked for a while before getting up to leave as night deepened.

-------

Consort Lin carefully applied makeup to her eyebrows in front of the bronze mirror. The woman in the mirror had exquisite features and skin as white as snow. She gently rubbed the rouge on her lips and revealed a smug smile.

Since the poisoning incident involving Consort Shu, the Emperor has paid much less attention to the harem, but Yanxi Palace has become an exception.

"They're all surnamed Lin, so why is she the one who gets the favor?" Consort Lin muttered to herself, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Ever since she was carried out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation after her last night of serving the emperor, she has been subjected to subtle mockery and sarcasm from the women of the harem.

Now, even though Consort Shu is pregnant, she still wants to monopolize the Emperor's attention, and tonight she will break this peace.

She stood up and had the palace maids help her change into carefully prepared clothes: a light gauze dress with a loose outer robe over it, seemingly dignified, but actually concealing a hidden secret.

With the slightest movement, her outer robe would slip down, revealing her fragrant shoulders and beautiful arms underneath. This was a "chance encounter" she had specially prepared for tonight.

After seeing Consort Shu, the Emperor would always return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and never stay overnight. She didn't believe that after months of abstinence, the Emperor wouldn't be moved by her.

"This is the best opportunity." She straightened her clothes in front of the mirror, her eyes gleaming with calculation.

As night deepened, Consort Lin quietly slipped out with her personal maid. She had already ascertained the Emperor's route and deliberately chose a corner of the road he was sure to take, pretending to admire the moon there.

In the distance, she saw a procession of palace lanterns slowly approaching, and her heart suddenly raced.

"Here I am!" She took a deep breath, composed herself, and strolled around casually.

Before long, the palace lanterns drew closer. Consort Lin seized the opportunity, slipped, cried out in surprise, and fell to the ground.

The outer robe slipped down, revealing a sheer fabric underneath and snow-white skin.

She raised her tear-filled eyes and looked pitifully at the Emperor: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I accidentally fell..."

Emperor Yongzheng was in a good mood, but this unexpected event suddenly interrupted him, and he frowned.

He narrowed his eyes, coldly scrutinizing Consort Lin on the ground. Her tricks were too clumsy, her intentions blatantly obvious.

What displeased him even more was that there were unauthorized people appearing on the road leading to Yanxi Palace.

"Where are the secret guards?" Yongzheng asked in a deep voice.

Before he finished speaking, several guards emerged from the shadows, knelt down, and begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, we have failed in our duty and beg for your punishment!"

Yongzheng snorted coldly: "What am I raising you for? You can't even guard this road?"

The guards dared not argue and could only kowtow repeatedly.

Seeing that the Emperor not only showed no mercy but also questioned the guards, Consort Lin panicked and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I was merely passing by and had no intention of causing trouble..."

Yongzheng, too lazy to listen to her excuses, waved his hand and said, "Drag her away, confine her to her quarters for three months, and make her copy the 'Admonitions for Women' one hundred times. If she dares to do it again, she'll be thrown into the Cold Palace!"

"Your Majesty!" Consort Lin's face turned ashen. She tried to beg for mercy, but was quickly dragged away by the eunuchs.

Yongzheng glanced at the guards and said coldly, "Each of them shall receive twenty strokes of the cane. If there is any further negligence, they will be brought back with their heads!"

"Your servants obey!" The guards, drenched in cold sweat, quickly retreated.

Having dealt with this farce, Yongzheng was already displeased. He turned and glanced at Yanxi Palace not far away, took a deep breath to suppress his irritation, and walked back towards Yangxin Hall.