"Haha~, good, good, I have a son!"

Upon hearing the palace maid's report, Liu Hong couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Having lived two lives, he finally becomes a father, with his own bloodline. This feeling is something that others naturally cannot understand.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the birth of your son! The Han Dynasty has a worthy successor and will surely continue for ten thousand generations!"

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others who were serving nearby also stepped forward with joyful expressions to offer their congratulations.

Since Liu Hong ascended the throne at the age of twelve, they had served him by his side, watching the young emperor grow up little by little, and naturally developed some affection for him.

Now that the emperor has a son, they are genuinely happy.

Dou Miao and Dong Shi, who were waiting nearby, also smiled broadly as they watched the excited Liu Hong.

After waiting for so long, the birth of the imperial grandson finally put an end to Liu Hong's two mothers' worries, and they were naturally overjoyed.

After laughing, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang and the others, and shouted, "Quickly go and inform all the officials of this good news!!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang agreed, turned around first, and ran outside in a flash.

Zhao Zhong and Jian Shuo, who were a step behind, twitched their lips, withdrew their legs, and stayed by Liu Hong's side.

Because the prince had just been born and there was still blood in the Weiyang Palace, Liu Hong could only enter to visit him after the midwife and palace maids had finished preparing.

Dou Miao, who was standing to the side, also came over at this moment, looking at Liu Hong with a smile.

"Hong'er, have you thought of a name for the prince?"

"Your Majesty, I have already decided. I will name him Cheng."

Dou Miao asked, "Cheng? Is there any hidden meaning in this name?"

Liu Hong smiled and nodded, “The Book of Changes says: ‘All things have their own voice, which is in accordance with Heaven.’”

The character "承" here means "to bear" or "to inherit." If he wishes to inherit the Han Dynasty, he must bear what others cannot!

"Great name!"

After hearing Liu Hong's explanation, Dou Miao nodded in agreement.

Madam Dong, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward and said, "Although this name is good, I still hope that the prince can grow up carefree in the future. Hong'er, you have already endured enough. If your son suffers the same fate as you, he will be too pitiful!"

Liu Hong was raised by Dong Shi and knew very well how much suffering her son had endured for the Han Dynasty. Naturally, she did not want her grandson to follow in his footsteps.

Hearing his mother's words, Liu Hong simply smiled and nodded, without saying anything more.

He knew that this was just a grandmother simply doting on her grandson.

However, his status as the eldest son of the emperor meant that he could not grow up carefree like ordinary children.

Afterward, Liu Hong stopped arguing with the two mothers about the topic and began to discuss news about the prince's future.

While Dou Miao, Dong Shi, and Liu Hong and his mother were chatting, Zhang Rang also ran all the way to the outside of the South Palace.

Chen Fan, who was standing at the front of the officials, also walked over quickly, leaning on his cane with an anxious expression.

"Attendant Zhang, how is the situation?"

Zhang Rang took a couple of breaths and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, a prince has been born!"

"Excellent! Thank God, His Majesty finally has a worthy successor!"

Upon hearing this news, Chen Fan couldn't help but exclaim "Good!" three times, his excitement overflowing.

The officials behind him were overjoyed to hear this news.

Most of these officials today were recently promoted by Liu Hong, and their interests are now closely tied to those of the emperor.

Now that the emperor has an heir, their interests can continue to thrive.

In an instant, cheers rose and fell among the officials, and many officials shouted the news of the prince's birth to the surrounding people.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!!"

"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!!"

Upon learning that the emperor had an heir, the surrounding people cheered.

Liu Hong's kindness to the people was tangible and visible, and the people genuinely loved and supported him.

Now that they have heard that the emperor has a son, the people are naturally overjoyed for their emperor.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching all corners of the area.

The entire Nangong Square instantly transformed into a sea of ​​joy, which gradually began to spread to the surrounding areas.

Not long after, the prince's name was also announced.

When the officials heard that the emperor had named his son Liu Cheng, they understood the hidden meaning and felt reassured.

Just as the people were cheering, a messenger on a fast horse galloped from west to east toward the city gate on the official road west of the city.

This messenger was sent by Huangfu Song to deliver the Southern Xiongnu's letter of surrender to the imperial court.

Upon learning the messenger's identity, the city's garrison commander dispatched several soldiers to escort the messenger straight to the Southern Palace.

When the messenger saw the officials and common people cheering outside the palace, he was taken aback.

Then, escorted by several soldiers, the messenger squeezed through the crowd and came before the officials.

"Gentlemen, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, Chanyu Qiangqu, has written a letter of surrender, expressing his willingness to submit his entire tribe to the Han Dynasty. I have been ordered by General Huangfu Song to deliver this letter of surrender!"

The messenger loudly announced the news of the Southern Xiongnu's surrender to the officials, then took out Qiangqu's letter of surrender and handed it to Chen Fan.

The submission of the Southern Xiongnu was a joyous occasion showcasing the military prowess of the Han Dynasty, and naturally, the more people who knew about it, the better.

"Excellent! The birth of a prince, coupled with the submission of the Xiongnu, truly a double blessing!"

"Auspicious omen, an incredibly auspicious omen!"

"This foretells that our great Han Dynasty will surely enjoy continuous blessings and awe-inspiring power in all directions..."

The people around them were also excitedly discussing the matter.

A strong sense of pride and self-confidence also filled everyone's heart.

After reading the contents of the Southern Xiongnu's surrender document, Chen Fan handed it to Zhang Rang, who was standing nearby.

"Attendant Zhang, please deliver this letter of surrender to His Majesty and report the good news!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Rang nodded, stretched out his hands, took the letter of surrender from Chen Fan, and then turned and ran towards the palace.

Meanwhile, Liu Hong also arrived at Weiyang Palace and was carefully holding his son, who had calmed down, sitting on the edge of Song Yue's bed.

"Your Majesty, thank you!"

Looking at Song Yue's pale face, Liu Hong's face was also full of heartache. All the words he wanted to say were ultimately reduced to just "thank you".

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? Compared to you, what is my little suffering?"

Meeting Liu Hong's affectionate gaze, Song Yue's tired face revealed a happy and content smile.

"Come, take a look at our Cheng'er!"

Liu Hong smiled, then carried little Liu Cheng to Song Yue.

"His eyes are very similar to Your Majesty's; he will surely become a wise man like you in the future!"

Looking into Liu Cheng's big, bright black eyes, Song Yue smiled, a smile typical of women.

"That is, that is my son!"

Liu Hong smiled smugly.