Ever since Xiao Che unilaterally concluded that Lin Wanwan was carrying twins, he has entered a state of near-manic excitement.
The emperor was overjoyed to have both the "foundation of the nation" and his "little cotton-padded jacket" (his beloved daughter) in one fell swoop, making everything seem pleasing to the eye. Even the censors, who were usually the most critical, became somewhat endearing in his eyes. He always had a smile on his face when he went to court, and he would hum off-key tunes while reviewing memorials, leading the entire court to believe that their emperor had been possessed.
His greatest pleasure each day was staying by Lin Wanwan's side and conducting his unique "telepathic" prenatal education.
The sun was shining brightly on this peaceful afternoon.
Inside the bedroom of Kunning Palace, Lin Wanwan was leaning against a soft couch reading a book. Her belly was already quite large, making it increasingly difficult for her to move around.
Meanwhile, the emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty was in an extremely undignified posture, turning sideways and carefully pressing his ear against her round belly.
He closed his eyes, his expression focused and devout, and he was muttering incantations.
"My little ones, can you hear your father? The weather is nice today, and your mother is in a good mood too. You must behave and not make a fuss, understand?"
This is his latest method of "prenatal education." He firmly believes that through this method, he can pass on his imperial aura to his future heirs in advance, so that they can be influenced by it from an early age and possess the spirit to rule the world.
Lin Wanwan was already used to his childish behavior, and just smiled helplessly, reaching out to stroke his soft hair, letting him "act up".
The entire bedroom was filled with a peaceful and warm atmosphere.
However, amidst this tranquility, a sudden change occurred!
Xiao Che, who was concentrating on "transmitting imperial authority," suddenly felt his ear being kicked solidly through his belly by a little guy inside him!
The force wasn't great, but it was incredibly clear, carrying a vibrant, life-giving energy, like a thunderclap that exploded in his ears!
Xiao Che's body suddenly stiffened.
He was frozen in place, as if under a spell, remaining completely still in that comical pose.
Time seemed to slow down infinitely at this moment.
His mind was blank.
He...he got kicked?
His future heir... kicked him?!
"What's wrong?" Lin Wanwan sensed his unusual behavior and asked with concern.
This question seemed to have flipped a switch.
"boom--!"
Xiao Che, who was in a petrified state, was instantly "unsealed"!
He suddenly raised his head, and on his incomparably handsome face, there was first extreme shock, which was then completely replaced by a volcanic eruption of earth-shattering ecstasy!
"He moved! Wanwan! He moved!"
He shouted incoherently, his voice trembling with disbelief. Like a child who had received the most precious candy in the world, he was so excited that he didn't know where to put his hands. He wanted to touch Lin Wanwan's belly, but was afraid of disturbing that great moment, so he could only wave his hands helplessly in the air.
"I felt it! He kicked me! He just kicked me hard!"
Lin Wanwan was amused by his exaggerated reaction and gently comforted him, "Yes, yes, the baby kicked you. Don't get so excited, it's normal."
"Normal? No!" Xiao Che immediately retorted, his eyes flashing with a frightening light, a kind of crazy light called "overthinking." "This is not normal at all! Didn't you feel it? That kick just now, how steady and powerful it was! How could an ordinary fetus have such divine strength?!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and an absurd yet undeniably believed idea instantly occupied all his thoughts.
"I understand!" He slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, "This isn't fetal movement! This is... this is my son, demonstrating his innate divine power to me! This is the Crown Prince conveying his will to me!"
Lin Wanwan: "..."
Looking at the man in front of her who was completely trapped in his "fatherly fantasy" and unable to extricate himself, she decided to give up on communicating.
However, she still underestimated Xiao Che's level of "drama queen" skills.
After reaching this absurd conclusion, His Majesty the Emperor was not calmed down; on the contrary, he became even more excited. He believed that this historic first "interaction" was by no means a trivial matter, but a major omen concerning the fate of the nation!
The future crown prince has already begun to "govern"!
As his father and the current emperor, he had to respond to this in the highest terms!
"Someone! Come quickly!" Xiao Che suddenly stood up and shouted at the outside of the hall in an urgent tone, as if the border had been lost.
The chief eunuch guarding the door trembled with fright and scrambled in, asking, "Your Majesty... what has caused such a panic?"
Xiao Che didn't even glance at him. He simply paced anxiously back and forth in the hall, his hands behind his back, his face bearing a serious expression that said, "The affairs of state are urgent and cannot be delayed." He quickly issued orders:
"Issue my decree! It's extremely urgent! Immediately! Summon the Prime Minister, Grand Tutor, Minister of War, Minister of Revenue... all core cabinet ministers to the palace at once! There must be no delay!"
The chief eunuch was so overwhelmed by the long list that he was completely stunned.
An emergency summons of all key ministers? This is the highest level of alert only used in the event of a palace coup or foreign invasion!
His voice trembled as he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty...may I ask, what...what is the matter?"
Xiao Che abruptly stopped, turned around and glared at him, announcing in a matter-of-fact yet supremely authoritative tone a reason that nearly killed the head eunuch on the spot:
"The Crown Prince has decreed that we discuss matters of state!"
...
Half an hour later, an invisible "palace coup" swept through the entire central government.
The elderly prime minister was enjoying time with his wife and grandchildren in his residence when a troop of imperial guards suddenly burst through the door, shouting, "His Majesty summons you urgently!" The old prime minister was so frightened that he almost thought it was the remnants of the regent making a comeback. He even put his official hat on crookedly and was half-supported and half-carried into the carriage.
The white-haired Grand Tutor was leisurely listening to a tune while lying in a rocking chair when the eunuch delivering the imperial decree rushed in as if attending a funeral, shouting, "The Crown Prince has decreed!" The old Grand Tutor was so frightened that he spat out his tea and almost died on the spot.
The Minister of War was reviewing his troops at the drill ground when he received the imperial edict. He initially thought the Northern Barbarians had broken the peace agreement and were brazenly marching south. Without a word, and without even changing out of his armor, he grabbed his sword, mounted his horse, and galloped into the palace, ready to die for his country.
The Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Personnel... all the ministers who received the imperial edict were terrified, their faces changing drastically.
To them, the words "The Crown Prince has decreed" could only mean one thing—His Majesty was in trouble! A treacherous minister had kidnapped the Empress, who was pregnant with the Emperor's child, and wanted to "use the Crown Prince to command the world"!
This is a palace coup! A coup! A catastrophe that could shatter the heavens!
In an instant, the entire officialdom of the capital was filled with unease. Countless carriages and fast horses rushed out from various mansions, heading towards the palace, staging a thrilling "race against time."
When these anxious, worried, and even death-defying ministers rushed into Kunning Palace, they were stunned into silence by the sight before them.
There were no sword fights, no treacherous officials, and no kidnapped empress.
Inside the warm and peaceful bedroom, all was serene.
The Empress was resting peacefully on the soft couch, a helpless yet doting smile on her face.
Meanwhile, their emperor, who was thought to have "met with misfortune," was standing unharmed beside the soft couch, one hand carefully protecting the empress's belly.
When he saw the ministers, who were panting and some were even wearing armor and carrying swords, he was not surprised at all. Instead, he showed a satisfied expression that said, "You've come at the right time."
All the ministers looked at each other, their brains completely frozen.
The prime minister, panting heavily, walked forward shakily and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty...you...you summoned us so urgently...what has happened in the palace?"
"An unexpected event? No, it's an auspicious omen!" Xiao Che shook his head with a serious expression.
Auspicious omen?
Everyone was even more confused.
Xiao Che ignored their doubts. He carefully, with an almost pious gesture, extended his finger and gently pointed to Lin Wanwan's high, protruding belly.
His expression was more serious and earnest than ever before, as if he were interpreting a divine oracle from heaven.
He cleared his throat and, in an extremely solemn tone, addressed the stunned members of the national leadership, earnestly "translating":
"My dear ministers, there is no need to panic. I have summoned you here to discuss matters of state."
He paused, and under the breathless gaze of everyone, slowly said:
"Just now, the Crown Prince kicked me again."
He carefully "savored" it for a moment, and then offered his own professional interpretation:
"This kick was powerful and steady, landing with precision, without the slightest hesitation. This is an extremely auspicious sign! It means that our Great Liang's harvest this year is secure!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com