These past few days, Heyue has been feeling unwell and often drowsy. After discovering that her period was three days late, Hailan and Zhizhu excitedly reminded Heyue.

"Madam, shall we summon the imperial physician to check Ping'an's pulse?"

Zhizhu is already married and is now a mother of one child, but she still serves Heyue.

Only Hailan was alone, which caused Ling Heyue great worry.

Heyue didn't think much of it at first, because she was already thirty years old and had given birth to so many children, so it would probably be difficult for her to get pregnant again.

At this moment, after being reminded by her maid, Heyue suddenly realized that her period was indeed late.

Although it was somewhat unbelievable, He Yue dared not relax and still had the imperial physician summoned.

After carefully examining her pulse, the imperial physician's face lit up with joy. He stood up and congratulated her, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! You are pregnant!"

Hailan and Zhizhu held each other's hands, overjoyed and excited, while Heyue was completely stunned.

Zhizhu gave the reward money to the imperial physician, asked him to keep it a secret for the time being, and then saw the physician off.

He Yue looked dazed and incredulous before letting out a helpless sigh.

After giving birth to her youngest son, Hongming, Heyue never thought she would get pregnant again.

Although my mother gave birth to Heyue when she was over forty, it doesn't mean that Heyue will have the same fate.

She really doesn't want to be a sow giving birth to piglets!

While He Yue was feeling down, it didn't affect Thirteen's good mood after learning the news.

For two months, Heyue was carefully protected as a rare animal. Thirteen told Kangxi about it, and then a steady stream of rewards were sent to Thirteen's mansion, including those from the emperor, Consort De, and Consort Tongjia.

Equally enviable were the countless women both inside and outside the palace.

This thirteenth princess is truly prolific.

Little did anyone know that the Eighth Prince's wife, who also enjoyed special favor, still had no children, and only the eldest prince, born to Zhang, a concubine of Prince Lian, was raised by his side.

It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy.

Five-year-old Hongmu and seven-year-old Tongya huddled around Heyue's belly, listening to the sounds, their faces full of curiosity.

"Mother, is there a little sister/brother coming along?"

The siblings spoke in unison, then glared at each other, clearly dissatisfied.

"It's a little sister!" Hongmu corrected angrily.

Tongya raised her chin, not giving an inch: "Hmph, it must be the little brother, the little brother who is more obedient than you."

One of them wanted a little sister because he was the youngest, while the other disliked his only brother for being disobedient and wanted a little brother. They argued fiercely with each other.

Hongchang grabbed one person's head with each hand, his face darkening, and he said in a low voice, "What are you arguing about? Let Mother rest!"

The two children obediently shut their mouths and shrank back, but still couldn't help glaring at each other fiercely.

He Yue suppressed a laugh. These two little guys were most afraid of Hongchang. Every time they saw Hongchang, they were like mice seeing a cat.

Who could blame him when Hongchang's stern face resembled the serious Prince Yong?

Compared to Hongchang, Hongtun was much gentler and doted on his younger siblings the most. The younger children also liked to be close to Hongtun the most.

As a result, the two brothers were almost irreconcilable enemies; wherever one of them appeared, the other would never appear, except when paying their respects in the morning.

As expected, Heyue still hadn't seen Hongtun, and couldn't help but sigh.

These two brats are such a worry, yet I can't bring myself to scold either of them.

The next moment, with Hongmu and Tongya looking on with expressions of "I knew it" and righteous indignation, Hongchang's expressionless and serious face instantly turned into a silly grin. He immediately squatted down in front of Heyue, put his ear close to Heyue's belly, and asked excitedly, "Mother, did my little sister bother you?"

He Yue: "..."

Hongming and Tongya looked extremely aggrieved and sorrowful.

He Yue was not surprised at all.

Hongchang's most common trick is to put on airs and scare his younger siblings.

Needless to say, these were all learned from Prince Yong.

Heyue smacked Hongchang on the head and scolded, "Don't bully your younger siblings!"

Hongchang covered his head, pitifully accusing, "Why did you hit me, Mother?! How did I bully my younger siblings?"

"Hmph!" He Yue rolled her eyes, ignoring his feigned innocence.

Tongxuan hugged Heyue's arm and said softly, "He's their eldest brother, yet he has no sense of responsibility as the eldest brother. As the eldest brother, you should set a good example. How can you bully your younger siblings like this?"

Hongchang's face turned green: "Hey Xuanxuan, we're twins, how can you not help me and always side with them?"

Tongxuan blinked her big, dark eyes and smiled, "I'm on the side of reason. You're just bullying your younger brother and sister. As the second sister, I should point out your mistake. Also, we're siblings, not brothers and sisters."

"Hmph, it's just a few hours earlier, what's the difference?" Hongchang didn't care at all and continued to do as he pleased.

Apart from Hongtun, the other children had all arrived. Tonghui was sitting quietly on the tatami mat to the side, doing needlework, with a smile on her lips.

Heyue asked Tongxuan, "Where did Hongtun go?"

Tongya quickly answered, "Second Brother went to see Sister Fucha again early this morning."

Fucha Yiyun is Ma Qi's granddaughter, Fu Qing's eldest daughter, and Yu Xiu's niece.

Because Heyue and Fucha Yuxiu were close friends, Heyue's son Hongtun grew up with Fucha Yiyun from a young age. They were childhood sweethearts and inseparable.

Yiyun is a beautiful, sensible, polite, sweet-talking, and kind-hearted girl. She and Tongya are also very close friends.

He Yue knew Hong Tun's feelings for Fucha Yiyun, so she naturally gave her full support. Yu Xiu also had the same idea, so she usually let the two of them play together.

Although Fu Qing had some feelings for He Yue back then, that was all in the past when he was a child. After growing up, Fu Qing got married, and the couple had a very good relationship.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!