Shang Xiche stared in disbelief at the urgent report sent to the capital, which stated that Duke Chen and others had almost starved to death in the border town.

Was he seeing things, or did he encounter a ghost early in the morning?

The Chen family has been generals for generations.

The Duke of Chen was an old man who could be described as a tyrant of the capital. Was he really that useless?

Could he possibly allow himself and his soldiers to starve to death on the border?

Then, when Eunuch De took out several memorials recently sent by Duke Chen and began to look through them, Shang Xiche couldn't help but have a strange expression, his lips twitching, unsure whether to laugh or be angry.

Given the immense power of the Great Zhao Kingdom, the only generals throughout history who could bring themselves to such a miserable state are probably the Duke of Chen and his two brothers.

It's a complete joke!

Shang Xiche picked up his vermilion brush and made a heavy stroke on the last memorial of the Duke of Chen, which was filled with blood and tears. He then threw down the brush and left.

Seeing such a ridiculous and speechless thing first thing in the morning is just infuriating.

He needed to go find Consort Yin to have some fun and relieve his emotions.

He didn't know why, but although his health had improved somewhat, he could only feel interest in Consort Yin. Only with Consort Yin could he find that unbridled pleasure he used to have—although he would always suffer a little mishap, it was still a delightful little pleasure.

Fortunately, Consort Yin was indeed beautiful and alluring, and she was considered one of the most beautiful women in the harem.

As Shang Xiche strolled leisurely toward Chengxiang Palace, he thought to himself: Hmm, not a bad deal.

At this moment, Consort Yin was in a side hall of Chengxiang Palace.

Nie Meier was heavily pregnant and about to give birth.

Shang Xiche glanced at Nie Meier as he came over. He didn't have any feelings for Nie Meier; he had only slept with her once when he was drunk, and he didn't expect her to get pregnant.

But he now has a special affection for this child.

Because this was his last child before his health deteriorated, and perhaps the last child of his life.

"This child will be born in the next few days. Your Majesty, I would like to ask for auspiciousness on behalf of Mei'er. Please grant him a name in advance. Would Your Majesty grant this request?" As soon as Consort Yin saw Shang Xiche, she snuggled up to him in a sweet voice, asking for a reward.

Shang Xiche was quite pleased with her approach and smiled as he stepped forward to press down on Nie Meier, who was about to get up and bow to him.

He reached out and felt the baby's movements, a rare look of paternal tenderness on his face: "Hmm, the little one is kicking exceptionally hard; he's most likely a prince. Under the vast sky, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king. If he's a prince, let's name him Chenghao; if he's a princess..."

"Your Majesty, he must be a prince. I can feel it, and the imperial physicians also say that my fetal breathing indicates that it is most likely a prince," Nie Meier said anxiously.

Shang Xiche was abruptly interrupted, which displeased him greatly.

However, considering that Nie Meier was six months pregnant and that he had just named the child in her womb, he refrained from making a scene.

Consort Yin didn't remind Nie Meier, but gently rubbed Shang Xiche's body and said in a sweet voice, "Alright, Your Majesty, Meier should rest too. Let's go to my room to talk, hmm?"

"Alright," Shang Xiche agreed without hesitation, since he hadn't come to see Nie Meier in the first place.

Nie Meier lowered her head and respectfully saw Shang Xiche and Consort Yin off.

She was originally a maidservant who accompanied Consort Yin. She and Shang Xiche had only a one-night stand, which happened when Shang Xiche was drunk.

Without emotional connection or expectations, all that remains is loyalty.