Beibei stood to one side, pouting, looking somewhat annoyed.

It wasn't because of what the baby said, but because I felt she was a failure; she didn't think of her mother's health first, but was just happy.

She secretly resolved that she could no longer be reckless and should be as steady as her brother.

Harigana woke up after sleeping for a short while. Pregnant women are prone to feeling hot all over, and Emperor Kangxi was worried that she would catch a cold, so he placed three basins of charcoal fire in the inner palace.

So, she was woken up by the heat.

"Xuan Ye?"

Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, I sat up and called out towards the door. Just as I was wondering whether I should take off my outer robe, I saw the two children follow me in.

"Baby, Beibei, come quick!"

He put down his water glass and waved to the two little ones.

I thought they would pounce on me, but they just stood by the low couch and didn't come any closer.

Judging from Kangxi's smiling face, it was clear that he had told them about his pregnancy.

"Mother, are you feeling unwell?"

Beibei tugged at Harigana's clothes and looked at her stomach with curiosity after speaking.

The baby nodded: "Mommy, is anything bothering you?"

With her two children taking care of her, she had no time to pay attention to Emperor Kangxi.

The mother and her two children soon sat down on the low couch and chatted happily, leaving the emperor standing alone to the side, wanting to join the conversation but unable to.

Look at them, they're so pitiful.

Half an hour later, Harigana had a change of heart and turned to look at the man with a resentful expression: "Xuan Ye, come and sit down."

He gave Beibei a look, and the latter immediately stood up and asked Kangxi for a hug: "Father."

Seeing her daughter stretching out her arms for a hug, even the strongest resentment dissipated.

Holding his delicate little daughter, he sat down next to Harigana, and the three of them instantly turned their conversation into a family meeting praising Kangxi.

Even at lunchtime, the tips of his ears were still a little red.

From the very beginning, Emperor Kangxi had no intention of hiding Harigana's pregnancy from him; however, without the instructions of his two masters, no one dared to spread the news.

It wasn't until Su Ma La Gu brought the tonics to Qingxi Palace that the women in the harem learned the truth.

The Empress Dowager already knew about it, and seeing that the two of them hadn't made any moves, she hadn't sent anything over.

Now that everyone in the harem knows, she has been generously sending over many tonics.

In less than half a day, the court and the people not only learned that the Empress was pregnant, but they even placed bets to guess how many children Harigana would have in her belly, and whether they would be boys or girls.

It was several days later that Kangxi learned that Li Dequan had received a message from an informant and thought the emperor would be angry, but he only grunted in response and that was the end of it.

After reviewing the memorials and returning to Qingxi Palace, he mentioned the matter to Harigana as a bit of a joke.

"How boring, do you even know who started it first?"

I frowned, feeling like something was off.

"Don't worry, Jiaojiao, I've already sent people to investigate, and we should have news in the next couple of days."

He certainly wouldn't let go of the prince as a wager.

Moreover, there must be some conspiracy behind this, and he vaguely felt that it was aimed at the crown prince, Yin Fu.

However, he did not share these thoughts and speculations with Harigana, fearing it would worry her.

"Okay, I understand."

Without saying anything more, since Kangxi had taken action, there would be no problem.

"Jiaojiao, are you feeling unwell?"

Harigana shook his head. It had been almost three months, and apart from feeling sleepy, he didn't feel anything else.

"You were here when Doctor Zhao took my pulse this morning, so I'm fine."

This time, Emperor Kangxi was unusually nervous about her pregnancy. He not only had Zhao Rongxi take her pulse every day, but also tightened the management of Qingxi Palace, fearing that something unexpected might happen.

Perhaps the suicide note from last time left a shadow on him, because he would often wander around the study. Although he didn't say why, she knew he was looking for letters.

She didn't realize it at first, but it was only when she wrote a letter to Seneja a few days ago and forgot to tell him that he saw it and looked nervous that she realized it.

"It's best to be careful. If you feel unwell at all, be sure to tell me immediately."

Harigana readily agreed.

After dinner, I habitually massaged her feet until she fell asleep, then washed my hands and went to bed to rest in her arms.

Several days passed in a flash, and it wasn't until I stopped writing before the New Year that I finally found out the truth.

As Kangxi had guessed, when he saw the files compiled by his secret guards, he said in a deep voice, "Go and deal with the person directly."

After Wei Yi disappeared, he had Li Dequan summon Nalan Mingzhu into the palace, and only left after the palace gates were locked.

"Xuan Ye, why are you back so late today?"

Harigana put down his sketchbook: "Dulan, go and bring up the food that's been kept warm in the small kitchen."

Emperor Kangxi only sent Li Dequan to deliver a message, saying that he was discussing something with Nalan Mingzhu, but he did not say what it was.

I thought the discussion would only last a little over half an hour, but I never expected it to go on for so long.

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

Dulan turned and went out, and soon returned with two food boxes. He handed one to Li Dequan at the door and placed the other on a small table in the inner hall.

"Jiaojiao, I'll tell you later."

Emperor Kangxi washed his hands before eating, and finished his meal in no time.

Harigana's heart skipped a beat when he saw Harigana's somber expression.

During this period, nothing else happened except for the betting.

If it involves war, it's impossible to only call on Nalan Mingzhu. Leaving aside the other officials for the time being, Prince Kang and Prince Yu will definitely participate in the discussion.

Therefore, she was certain that the matter they were discussing today was that one.

"Okay, no rush, eat slowly."

I helped him pick out a few dishes, poured him a glass of water, and quietly kept him company.

Half an hour later, Kangxi put down his chopsticks and waited for Dulan to remove everything before carrying her to the bed.

"Jiaojiao, the matter of placing bets has been investigated and clarified."

Kangxi didn't keep them in suspense and continued, "They are remnants of the previous dynasty. They plotted this, intending to target Yinfu."

Regardless of whether you give birth to a boy or a girl, they've already prepared their story in advance.

Harigana was a bit confused. How could he possibly use this thing?

Seeing her dazed and confused state, Kangxi's anger instantly subsided.

"Jiaojiao, they're trying to switch things out."

Whether it's a son or a daughter, they want to steal the child and raise her, so that the two brothers will eventually kill each other.

Even if they give birth to a daughter, she can become their puppet, and then they can target Yinfu.

"Are they crazy?"

Harigana knows that human nature is cruel, but knowing it is one thing, and whether he can accept it when it happens to him is another.

"Is the palace no longer clean?"