Chapter 129 The Succession of the State Is Only by My Bloodline
The Lu clan members hesitated, but were somewhat swayed by Lu Lingyue's words. They said they would go back and discuss it further, and would send someone to give Shi Qing a reply soon.
"Yes. But time waits for no one, so the clan elders must make a decision quickly."
The words Lu Lingyue conveyed made the clan elders even more uneasy.
The deep-seated problems in the land of the Phoenix Kingdom are long-standing and cannot be changed overnight. Yuan Yan had long been prepared for a protracted war with the powerful clans.
However, not long after the investigation was proposed, the Lu family took the lead in responding and actively cooperating, which attracted the attention of many aristocratic families who were still observing. They were worried that they would fall behind and become the first to openly oppose the court, and thus began to waver.
The Lu family's current proactive and sensible attitude is quite different from their previous one.
Yuan Yan ordered an investigation and quickly discovered that Lu Lingyue was also involved.
That night, Yuan Yan did not go to the other ministers' quarters, but instead entered Lu Lingyue's palace.
After a passionate encounter, Yuan Yan's movements were unusually gentle, and Lu Lingyue reached her climax several times, trembling slightly.
Looking into Yuan Yan's eyes, which were so close to hers, and seeing his focused expression, Lu Lingyue felt a sense of disorientation, as if she had returned to the past.
Yuan Yan ran his fingers through her dark hair, admiring it as he spoke, watching her long hair cascade down her hands like a waterfall. "Ling Yue, I love this gift you gave me."
This long-lost, intimate address made Lu Lingyue pause slightly. In that instant, Lu Lingyue seemed to suddenly hear the sound in his chest gradually quickening... it was his uncontrollable heartbeat.
"If Your Majesty is pleased, that's good."
Lu Lingyue knew he hadn't chosen the wrong path. He leaned back slightly from Yuan Yan's embrace, his voice firmer than ever before, clear yet warm.
"As long as Your Majesty needs us, your servants and the Lu family can be your sharp weapons, at Your Majesty's beck and call."
He came from a prestigious family. But when Yuan Yan needed him, he could also be the sharpest sword piercing through that family, doing anything for her.
Yuan Yan smiled. She suddenly found Lu Lingyue's current appearance rather endearing.
The imperial edict promoting Lu Lingyue to the rank of Junior Minister was issued early the next morning.
"Lu Lingyue doesn't deserve it! Why can one or two others be promoted to the rank of Junior Minister, but I can't..."
First, Zheng Fu became a junior minister, and then Lu Lingyue was promoted, surpassing him.
Yuan Yan wouldn't even give him the rank of Junior Minister, placing him below Lu Lingyue and He Jia, clearly showing he didn't care about him at all!
Yu'er's inner desire for a man suddenly flared up.
He was so angry that he threw a tantrum in the palace, blaming all the mistakes on Lu Lingyue.
But he dared not do anything more to Lu Lingyue, and could only sulk in his heart.
He Jia lived in Ningqiu Palace. Compared to the others, she was truly without favor or affection, possessing only a title.
The palace maid offered kind words of comfort.
Yu'er thought of He Jia. He Jia had not been favored by her yet, and she resented him all day long, blaming him for her lack of favor, like a resentful husband in his boudoir.
"Besides, His Majesty asked about the master during his meal yesterday, so he will probably come to see the master again soon."
Upon hearing this, Yu'er's mood improved slightly. She gave a soft snort and said nothing more. Her face still showed a huffy expression, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.
...
The power struggle between Yuan Yan and the aristocratic families finally came to a conclusion after repeated back-and-forth battles.
The moment the new household registration and land registers were delivered to the emperor's office, it meant that imperial power had overwhelmed the aristocratic families.
"Your Majesty's move is truly a blessing for the nation and a boon for all the people..." Du Heng complimented with a smile.
Yuan Yan was very satisfied with the quick results.
During this period, she seemed to have divine assistance, possessing inexhaustible energy and boundless vitality. For several days in a row, she worked tirelessly day and night, handling court affairs, yet remained energetic and spirited.
The system timidly raised its hand: [Host, don't get agitated. Let's have a physician take your pulse first.]
"What's wrong? I know my body very well. There's nothing wrong with me. I'm perfectly healthy."
Yuan Yan didn't feel any discomfort. However, trusting the system, he still summoned the imperial physician to examine him.
The old doctor's expression changed slightly when he took the pulse for the first time, and then he switched to his other hand to feel it carefully.
She respectfully inquired about Yuan Yan's recent physical condition, and then pondered for a moment.
After answering each question, Yuan Yan asked the old imperial physician, "Imperial Physician Wang, is there something wrong with my health?"
"Your Majesty, the Empress is in good health." The old imperial physician kowtowed.
"Your Majesty's pulse is smooth and strong, a sign of an auspicious unicorn returning to your embrace!"
The Qilin throwing itself into her bosom... to put it simply, it means Yuan Yan is pregnant.
Yuan Yan was slightly taken aback, digesting the information in the old doctor's words, and a heartfelt joy rose in his heart.
"Good, good," she said twice. "This child has come at just the right time."
In this world, women who are pregnant not only do not experience discomfort, but their physical health is also enhanced.
Yuan Yan has been in high spirits lately, and he shows no signs of fatigue no matter how much he does, which is probably due to this child.
"System, bring out the Qilin Pill. I'll take it now," she said to the system in her mind.
The system was also very pleased; the host's pregnancy meant that a female offspring would soon be born.
Once the country has an heir, the host's imperial power will be more secure, and the degree of control will be further enhanced.
Upon learning this good news, Yuan Yan immediately wanted to share it with Yang Lingyi.
She strode into the hall and called out before even seeing anyone.
"Yi'er, come here quickly!" Yuan Yan's eyes shone like stars.
At this time of day, Yuan Yan would usually still be in the Imperial Study handling state affairs and wouldn't be back so early.
Yang Lingyi was reading a book when she heard Yuan Yan's voice. She looked slightly surprised, put down her book, and went to greet him.
Seeing Yuan Yan's joyful expression, his mood brightened as well.
"Why are you so happy today, sister...? Has something joyous happened in the court?" Yang Lingyi asked with a smile as she straightened Yuan Yan's robes.
Yuan Yan laughed and pulled Yang Lingyi back to sit down at the table.
"Yi'er is wrong. It's not about the court, but good news from the palace."
"In the palace?"
What good news is coming from the palace?
Yang Lingyi was taken aback, unable to recall the answer, and a slight look of confusion appeared on her face.
"Exactly." Seeing this, Yuan Yan stopped being coy and smiled.
"Yi'er probably never imagined that the imperial physician would discover such good news when he examined my pulse today."
"Sister...is she pregnant?"
Yang Lingyi's eyes widened involuntarily.
As if stunned for a moment, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes became round and delicate, like the eyes of a doe, clear and bright, sparkling and extremely cute.
“Yes, there’s already a child here.” Yuan Yan couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Yi’er staring blankly at her belly, not moving at all.
As Yuan Yan spoke, he took Yang Lingyi's hand and placed it on his abdomen.
When Yang Lingyi placed her hand on him like that, he, who was not prepared, immediately held his breath.
The next moment, Yang Lingyi's movements became even lighter, as if she dared not make a sound and disturb the child inside, she was very careful.
"How long has it been?"
Even though the baby was still very young and couldn't be felt at all, Yang Lingyi didn't let go of the baby after Yuan Yan released her.
Yuan Yan: "It's been more than two months, hasn't it?"
The two snuggled together and chatted for a while. It took Yang Lingyi a long time to finally recover from this huge piece of good news.
"Sister, which minister is the child you have with...?"
As she said this, Yang Lingyi subconsciously held her breath, staring at her intently with a mixture of trepidation and longing.
He had been looking forward to raising the child with his sister for a long time.
It would be best if the child had his blood in his body.
Even if it wasn't, this child was still born to Sister Yan, and he would treat him as his own.
Yang Lingyi had already figured out what to do.
But when the moment actually arrived, and seeing that Yuan Yan was about to speak, he was still filled with nervousness, staring at Yuan Yan expectantly.
My heart was pounding, hoping she would give me the answer I most wanted to hear.
"Yi'er." Yuan Yan shook his head with a smile, enduring Yang Lingyi's expectant gaze.
"In my eyes, the child is only my bloodline, and I have no intention of revealing the child's father to the public."
"What..." Yang Lingyi was clearly taken aback by her sister's words and was slightly stunned.
Yuan Yan stood up and explained to him in detail, "Yi'er, you also know about the conflict between my father and me and Prince Qi Fengqing."
“From a very early age, I’ve been thinking that if I could keep the fathers of my children from being revealed to the public and treat every child in the palace equally, so that the princesses only know their mothers and not their fathers, would the next generation not repeat our mistakes?”
Yang Lingyi was initially surprised, not understanding why her sister would have such an idea. But as Yuan Yan explained, she calmed down and began to seriously consider her words.
If what my sister said is true, and every princess in the palace doesn't know her father or minister, and there's no difference in birth, since they're all of imperial blood, and only ability and virtue matter, then perhaps it's not necessarily a bad thing.
"Yi'er knows that her sister has always had her own ideas."
Yang Lingyi got up and went to Yuan Yan's side, taking her hand. "Although I don't know everything, I will fully support whatever decision my sister makes."
Looking at his expression, Yuan Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and grasped Yang Lingyi's hand in return.
"Yi'er, I knew you understood me best."
Inside the palace, a warm and affectionate atmosphere prevailed.
...
When the good news of Yuan Yan's pregnancy spread, the reactions of the people in the harem were varied.
"Your Majesty is pregnant?" Cui Minglan asked in surprise upon hearing the palace servant's words.
But then I thought about it and it made sense. His Majesty has been selecting consorts for several months now, so it's only natural that she's pregnant now.
"I wonder which of your ministers is so fortunate to have borne His Majesty a daughter." A hint of envy crept into his voice.
The palace servant was taken aback, then realized that no one seemed to have mentioned this point, which was rather strange.
Who is the father of the imperial heir?
...
At this moment, the palace was bustling with activity, as all the palace officials and attendants wanted to see His Majesty.
Shen Lianzhou rushed to Yuan Yan's side immediately, her voice filled with concern.
"How is Your Majesty feeling now?"
"I've heard that pregnant women need to take supplements. Is there anything Your Majesty would like to eat?"
Yuan Yan couldn't help but smile when he saw his slightly nervous expression.
Author's Note: Bad news! I've run out of chapters for today QAQ. I've been working overtime every day lately and I'm exhausted. The next update will be no later than Saturday, but it might be earlier depending on the situation.
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