Eight years later.

June 12th, the seventeenth year of Zhenggan.

Today is the day the Empress gives birth; she is finally pregnant with her first child.

Guan Zhiyue was currently leaning leisurely against the headboard, showing no stage fright whatsoever.

She even had her nanny bring her a bowl of steamed egg custard.

"Xiao Cui, I'm not full from this steamed egg custard. Could you give me a bowl of noodles too?"

Guan Zhiyue looked disgusted and raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

She couldn't help but exclaim! This little rascal, to think he was born in such a hot summer!

But it was so hot that it was unbearable for her old mother!

The courtyard was filled with children; there seemed to be about seventy or eighty of them.

Everyone was anxiously watching the situation inside the house, their hearts filled with worry!

The two oldest children looked to be only twelve years old, but the girl standing next to them looked to be about fifteen or sixteen.

He looked extremely anxious, twisting the handkerchief in his hand so tightly it almost deformed.

His eyes were fixed on the door, refusing to look away for even a moment.

The children, lined up in a row, included two eight-year-olds, two six-year-olds, and two four-year-olds.

They were all boys, each one handsome and adorable, and their identical movements made them hard not to love!

For the past eight years, Guan Zhiyue and Li Qiji have been constantly having babies. Since they don't have any entertainment activities, all they do is have babies!

This is the ninth child I'm about to have; I don't know if it will be a boy or a girl.

The children were no longer twins, and Guan Zhiyue became a legendary figure in Nanding Kingdom.

Most people have twins either in one pregnancy or in two consecutive pregnancies, but hers is quite unique.

She's had four children in a row, and her fifth is finally a singleton. It's just unknown whether she'll be able to give birth to a daughter as she wishes.

Little Tuantuan is now six months pregnant and has given birth to several children.

"Eldest brother, how much longer until Mother comes out?" The four-year-old, adorable eighth prince shook his head, looking at Crown Prince Li Jingyu with a blank expression.

The seventh prince chimed in, "Yes, eldest brother, are we going to have a little sister this time?"

Li Jingyu looked at his brothers, who were all in a row, and all he could do was sigh to the heavens!

God, please give me a girl! Having too many guys is just too much work!

He felt that these imperial brothers were sent by God to torment him, to prevent him from working diligently.

We have to put in a lot of effort to torment him, so that everyone has to work hard and be diligent!

"Eldest brother, why don't you speak?"

Are you also praying that Mother will give birth to a little sister this time?

The fifth and sixth children also asked with curious expressions, even though they were already six years old.

But I still can't help wanting to ask my eldest brother about everything.

Li Jingyu took a deep breath, looked at his younger brothers, and said something that even he himself wasn't sure about!

"I think Mother, since the birth took so long this time, it must be a little sister."

The remaining seven younger brothers all turned their heads to look at him, as if they were confirming whether what he said was reliable.

Inside the delivery room.

Guan Zhiyue had almost finished eating, so she asked the nanny to bring her another bowl of ginseng soup, which she gulped down and rinsed her mouth with it.

He lay down directly, without any pain, and then exerted a strong effort.

Then came the loud cry of a baby, a sound so clear and resonant that it seemed to tear the sky apart.

"Waaaaah~~~"

"Waaaaah~~"

"Oh my, another little prince! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations on the birth of your little prince!"

The matchmaker happily picked up the baby, took the scissors from the side, and quickly cut the umbilical cord, uttering many joyful words.

When Guan Zhiyue heard that it was yet another drafty cotton-padded jacket, all she wanted to do was roll her eyes to the sky!

However, Li Qiji, standing to the side, also pouted in disdain and wiped Guan Zhiyue's sweat.

They only cared about her health and whether she could hold on.

Guan Zhiyue said nonchalantly, "I'm fine with anything. Are you going to carry me over later?"

"Yes, it's what I should do."

After Li Qiji finished speaking, he stepped aside and waited for the servants to clean Guan Zhiyue.

Change her into clean clothes, then carry her to the next room.

While I was at it, I took the newborn baby in the leaky cotton-padded jacket to my spatial dimension and washed him with spiritual spring water.

This will make his body much stronger.

"Ugh, it's that little brat again! All I want is a sweet, loving daughter, why is that so hard to find?"

Guan Zhiyue sighed as she reached out and poked the newborn, still wrinkled little baby.

"Perhaps this is fate. I also wanted a little princess as cute as Yue'er, but it's a pity." Li Qiji was also saddened.

However, they were also overjoyed with the birth of their ninth child!

"Little Nine, you're all the only one who matters. Your eight older brothers were all twins."

"Being born a single child is enough for you to brag about for the rest of your life."

Li Qiji raised his hand and gently touched the newborn baby, his face showing a loving gaze.

These are the fruits of his and her love! How could they not love each other?

----

The little rascals at the door watched as the midwife came out carrying a swaddled baby.

They all rushed over eagerly, asking, "Grandma, is it a little girl?"

The midwife smiled and bent down, letting everyone see the baby she was holding in her arms.

With a broad smile, she said, "Congratulations to all the little princes! Her Majesty the Empress has given you another little brother."

Upon hearing this, the eight little brats collectively let out a sigh!

"Sigh! It's another little brother!"

The midwife looked at the eight identical princes, then at the infant prince in swaddling clothes.

They were laughing so hard their eyes were practically slits; this family is absolutely hilarious!

The two adults didn't seem very happy either, and the children looked the same way.

"Your Highnesses, look how adorable this little brother is!"

All eight people glanced at each other in unison, and then let out another unanimous sigh, "Sigh! No one is as cute as a little sister!"

Li Lexin, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing and took Xiao Jiu from the midwife's arms.

She coaxed with a smile, "Little Jiu, I'm your big sister. You have to grow up quickly so I can take you to play!"

----

The Empress has given birth, and Li Jingyu, as the heir apparent, is about to embark on a new journey.

As the crown prince, he had a lot to learn, so Li Qiji simply sent the twelve-year-old to a border military camp for training.

He even said that any of the other princes who wanted to go to the military camp for training could go with the Crown Prince.

Five days after the Empress finished her postpartum confinement, the Crown Prince set off on a distant expedition, without a large entourage.

Only that one squad of personal guards and the group that Li Qiji had sent to protect them.

Amidst the poignant farewells of his ministers and family, Li Jingyu embarked on his journey.