His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

fleeting.

Unless one has very sensitive senses, one would not notice it at all.

Mo Sangyu lifted the carriage curtain and spread his spiritual senses to carefully explore the surroundings.

However, nothing was found; it was as if the subtle fluctuation just now was merely an illusion.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Granny Yu also looked outside, but she didn't notice anything at all.

"fine."

Mo Sangyu concealed the doubt in her eyes and lowered the carriage curtain again.

The rest of the journey back to the palace proceeded without incident.

This made Mo Sangyu suspicious; perhaps she was just overthinking things.

Yun Jin had been within the Great You territory, but later, Mo Sangyu confirmed his exact location and discovered that he was actually near the forbidden area.

It's the deadly black swamp that Feng Xingyu visited.

Two days later, Yun Jin suddenly disappeared.

It was obvious that he had entered the deadly Black Swamp.

Could they have died inside?

Otherwise, with a tracking symbol, it's impossible for someone to disappear without a trace.

Mo Sangyu had mentioned this matter to Feng Xingyu, who said that if it was confirmed that he had entered the Deadly Black Swamp, his chances of survival were slim.

After all, Feng Xingyu knew better than anyone how dangerous that place was.

However, we cannot judge based on the strength of martial arts practitioners. Yun Jin is a puppeteer, and the puppets he creates are impervious to swords and spears and immune to all poisons. Perhaps they can really enter and leave the Black Swamp at will.

Back at Zhaohua Palace.

Feng Xingyu had just finished discussing matters with several ministers, and a faint trace of fatigue was hidden in his red eyes.

Upon seeing Mo Sangyu, her eyes immediately lit up again: "You're back?"

Mo Sangyu walked towards him. He sat on the soft chair, opened his arms, hugged her waist, and buried his head in her chest.

A brief moment of relaxation.

So you know you're tired.

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but Mo Sangyu swallowed them back.

Judging from the current situation, things should calm down tonight.

"Have you had dinner yet?" Feng Xingyu asked.

"Yeah, I've already eaten out."

"Let's take a bath together."

After Feng Xingyu finished speaking, he picked her up and walked towards the warm pavilion, his steps light and brisk, showing no sign of fatigue.

Mo Sangyu: "No, you..."

"This is the most enjoyable moment of my day; it helps me eliminate fatigue."

Feng Xingyu held her in his arms, leaned close to her neck and gently sniffed, as if he had instantly become much more energetic.

"..."

Mo Sangyu was speechless and choked with emotion.

"No, wait a minute."

Upon arriving at the warm pavilion, Feng Xingyu tossed her into the heated pool, then pressed himself against her, his hands gripping her slender waist. Just as he was about to kiss her, Mo Sangyu pressed her hand against his chest and quickly asked, "Feng Xingyu, are you sure you want a child?"

Feng Xingyu paused.

For so many days, he had been waiting for her to take the initiative to speak.

Actually, a few days later would have been fine, anyway, he was enjoying this time.

"Um."

He whispered, "I want it."

He paused, then added, "The territory we've worked so hard to conquer needs someone to inherit the throne. Whether it's a son or a daughter, you have to give me one."

"What, you had a child just so you could inherit the throne? Is being emperor comfortable?"

"..."

Feng Xingyu had no way to refute this.

Being an emperor is never an easy task.

It is a heavy burden, a shackle, and a responsibility.

Ayu is free-spirited and unrestrained by nature, and never wants to be bound by anything.

Therefore, she would not want their child to bear the heavy burden of the nation from the moment of birth.

At the very least, children should have the right to choose, to choose the life they want, rather than being born with a predetermined destiny.

At this moment, Feng Xingyu suddenly understood Mo Sangyu's concerns, and at the same time felt a little guilty about his previous thoughts.

"Ayu, I'm sorry, it was my oversight."

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek, his red eyes tender yet earnest.

"Being an emperor is exhausting, but our children don't need to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the nation, nor are they confined within the high walls of the palace. Everything is done according to their own wishes..."

He leaned down, his forehead touching hers, his breath warm.

"Right now, all I want is a child that is completely ours."

"Then, what about the throne? Who will it be passed on to?" Mo Sangyu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"There are so many capable people in the world. If you don't mind the trouble, you can change one every three years."

Feng Xingyu's words startled Mo Sangyu for a moment.

In this world, dynasties have always valued the inheritance of bloodlines, and the hereditary succession of imperial power is an ancestral system that no one has ever dared to treat lightly.

Now that he is the supreme ruler, possessing a vast empire, he is able to cast aside worldly constraints, not clinging to the inheritance of bloodlines, nor insisting on the preservation of imperial power.

Such vision and perspective far surpass those of ordinary people; their thinking is advanced, free-spirited, and insightful, completely unbound by feudal conventions.

It truly made her look at things in a new light.

No wonder he's the man Mo Sangyu has her eye on.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing the slight glint in Mo Sangyu's eyes as she stared at him, Feng Xingyu chuckled and asked, "Were you startled by my words?"

They had worked so hard to build their empire; if Gu Jinzhi and the others heard these words, they would probably be terrified.

But Ayu knew it wouldn't happen.

Ayu's ideas would only be crazier and bolder than his.

Mo Sangyu stared at him for a while without answering his question. Instead, she kindly reminded him, "Feng Xingyu, if I get pregnant, because of the soul contract, all my reactions will be transferred to you. If you really want a child, then I advise you... to be mentally prepared."

"...What kind of reaction?"

Feng Xingyu asked a question first, and then immediately said, "I can bear any reaction, and being able to take on the hardships and suffering of pregnancy for you is something that others would beg for. I am fortunate to have this opportunity."

What they said was quite pleasing to the ear.

Mo Sangyu smiled faintly: "Every pregnant woman's reaction is different. For example, some women may experience loss of appetite, nausea, frequent vomiting, fatigue, lethargy, dizziness, palpitations, and mood swings."

"It can also cause lower back pain, swollen legs and feet, and make the body increasingly cumbersome and difficult to move around."

"Your belly will be stretched taut, resulting in unsightly stretch marks that are difficult to remove even after they fade."

"In the later stages, I was restless and unable to eat or sleep. Every step of the ten months of pregnancy was arduous."

"Not to mention the pain during childbirth, when the cervix is ​​split open and the pain is excruciating, it's a near-death experience, like walking through the gates of hell."

Mo Sangyu wasn't trying to scare him; many pregnant women face far more serious problems than what she described.

Especially in ancient times when medical technology was limited, pregnancy was a life-or-death situation for women.

After hearing all this, Feng Xingyu fell completely silent.

He truly had no idea that...pregnancy and childbirth for women could be so arduous and dangerous.

Mo Sangyu: "Scared?"

"no."

Feng Xingyu stared at her, gently shook his head, and after a long while said, "It's fortunate that we have a soul contract, which can transfer those negative reactions to me. Otherwise, I would have given up on having you bear my child..."

So, after saying all that, he didn't back down; on the contrary, he felt fortunate because of the soul contract.

"Feng Xingyu."

Mo Sangyu smiled and hugged his neck: "I promise you, we... will have a child."

She didn't tell him that the pregnancy wasn't caused by external factors, and that the soul contract wouldn't transfer those reactions to him.

Of course, she was not an ordinary pregnant woman, and naturally she would not endure all the hardships and dangers that ordinary pregnant women would face.

"real?"

Feng Xingyu's eyes suddenly lit up. He gripped her hand tightly, trying to calm himself, but he couldn't hide his excitement: "Ayu, are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?"

Mo Sangyu's eyes crinkled into crescents, her smile gentle. She leaned forward and lightly kissed the corner of his lips: "Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"

Feng Xingyu could no longer contain his overwhelming joy and pulled her into a tight embrace, his strength so great that it seemed he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

He buried his face in her neck, his voice deep and passionate, full of tenderness and emotion.

"That's great, Ayu, that's great!"

Having her in this life is already a great blessing. Now, with the hope of having a child, Feng Xingyu truly has no regrets.

The warm pool water ripples gently, exuding warmth and tenderness throughout the room.

Mo Sangyu didn't know how she got back to her bedchamber. When she opened her eyes again, Feng Xingyu was still lying next to her, which was rare for him.

My whole body feels incredibly sore and weak.

This man has an incredible amount of energy.

Suitable for taking care of children.

"Why are you awake? Go back to sleep."

Feng Xingyu kissed her forehead lightly, then lifted the covers, got out of bed, and quickly dressed.

Mo Sangyu looked at him sleepily: "It's not even dawn yet, what are you doing up so early?"

"There are still some memorials left to review from yesterday; I need to finish reviewing them before the morning court session."

"Go back to sleep. When you wake up, have someone come and let me know. I'll have dinner with you."

"Um."

Mo Sangyu responded lazily, turned over, and closed her eyes again.

The candlelight inside the hall was dim and soft. Feng Xingyu moved very quietly as he walked out of the room and then slowly closed the door.

……

After the morning court session, since no one from Zhaohua Palace had come to deliver a message, Feng Xingyu went directly to the Qin Zheng Hall.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the hall was solemn.

Feng Xingyu sat in the main seat, with several tall stacks of memorials piled up in front of him.

Gu Jinzhi, Wen Zhixia, and several other officials stood on either side, each holding a stack of documents.

"These are the household registers submitted by the newly incorporated prefectures."

Wen Zhixia presented the documents in her hand: "A total of 3.72 million households, with a population of over 18 million."

Feng Xingyu took it, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.

"Less than expected."

"Yes."

Wen Zhixia said, "In recent years, the taxes in Dayou have been heavy, and many people have fled and gone into hiding. These are only the registered ones; the actual population should be much higher."

Feng Xingyu nodded.

"The state governments should conduct a thorough investigation, ensuring no information is concealed and no false reports are made. Once the investigation is complete, the land should be redistributed."

"I obey your decree."

Gu Jin stepped forward and presented another document.

"Your Majesty, this is the new road plan proposed by the Ministry of Works. According to Her Majesty's previous wishes, the expressway needs to be extended further south to connect the newly annexed prefectures. Here is the route map, please take a look."

Feng Xingyu took it and examined it carefully.

"feasible."

He said, "The Ministry of Works should start construction as soon as possible, and the funds and provisions should be allocated from the national treasury without delay."

"Yes."

"Furthermore, the scientific expedition system that Your Majesty mentioned before has been implemented."

Gu Jinzhi spoke in a relaxed tone, her eyes full of approval.

"This year's autumn examinations proceeded smoothly, with students from humble backgrounds actively participating. Regardless of their origins, only their talents were considered, and more than two hundred outstanding individuals were selected. They have all been assigned to various places to gain experience and take up positions."

"Next year in the spring, we will lower the requirements for the examination, increase the number of places, and take into account both civil and military policy essays, so as to select both capable ministers who can govern the country and talented people who can save the world."

"This method of selecting talent is deeply popular and provides a continuous pool of talent for Da Chen."

"Your Majesty is truly thoughtful. This measure benefits the country and its people. From now on, the imperial examinations will follow this system, and it can be implemented for a long time."

As Feng Xingyu listened, his red eyes flickered slightly, filled with smugness.

His Ayu is incredibly capable.

"Very good, let's proceed according to this procedure."

"Your Majesty is wise."

The officials in the hall nodded in unison, all expressing their admiration.

Hearing the ministers' praise, Feng Xingyu calmly corrected them: "It is Your Majesty's wisdom."

Such a good plan that benefits the country and the people was all thought up by his Ayu; he would not take credit for it.

"That concludes today's official business. You may all leave."

The ministers bowed and withdrew, leaving only Gu Jinzhi and Wen Zhixia in the hall.

Now, these two, one male and one female, have become Feng Xingyu's right-hand men.

With the two of them by his side, he can handle government affairs much more efficiently.

Once everyone else left, Gu Jinzhi relaxed and stopped standing so stiffly.

He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, our Great Chen is now powerful, and three countries have taken the initiative to send envoys to deliver peace treaties and promised to pay tribute every year. They dare not provoke us in the slightest."

"They're terrified that Da Chen will lead troops into battle again, so they're all vying to curry favor. They're not only sending gold and silver jewels, but they're also insisting on sending princesses for marriage alliances. Oh, and there's even a small country that sent its royal prince for the marriage. What are we supposed to do about this?"

Feng Xingyu said calmly, "What's so difficult about that? The alliance can be maintained. As long as they behave themselves and don't provoke us, we won't touch them. As for the marriage alliance, let's just refuse it."

Don't refuse.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a light and sly voice came from outside the hall.

Mo Sangyu strolled leisurely into the Hall of Diligent Governance, her eyebrows curving into a smile, looking on with an air of anticipation.

"Since there's no intention to fight, a marriage alliance would be much better. It would stabilize the surrounding small countries and also do good for others, killing two birds with one stone."

Feng Xingyu frowned instantly, his red eyes filled with displeasure.

The Great Chen royal family now consists of only one emperor, without even a collateral branch of the royal family.

What is Ayu trying to do?

Could it be that you want to help him build a large harem and keep all those princesses who were sent to marry foreign rulers?

Could it be because she wanted to get revenge on him for forcing her to have a child?

Thinking of this, Feng Xingyu's face darkened further, his gaze fixed on Mo Sangyu, his whole being screaming "I'm not happy".

Mo Sangyu glanced at him, saw through his thoughts, and couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, feeling both annoyed and amused.

What kind of crazy, wonderful things is this man thinking about?

"Isn't your younger brother Feng Tingye still naked?"

Feng Xingyu: "..."

What do you mean by "still naked"?

"And then there's Yuan Zhao, Han Xiao, Lu Jin, and Luo Ming—all handsome and accomplished warriors, yet they're all bachelors and quite old. Aren't the princesses sent by the various countries for marriage alliances good enough for them?"

Upon hearing this, even Gu Jinzhi nodded in agreement.

It has to be the Empress's sharp mind.

He was never disappointed.

However, he soon... changed his mind.

"As for that prince, he shouldn't be wasted either."

Mo Sangyu pondered for a moment, then slowly turned her gaze to Wen Zhixia.

"Our Wen University is beautiful and talented, and holds a high position of power. That prince is a perfect match for her."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Mo Sangyu glanced at Gu Jinzhi beside her and saw that his face had turned completely black.

Knew it.

Let you pretend.

"Okay, it's decided then."