The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

In a quiet room of Qizhen Temple, several blue-and-white porcelain bowls and plates with subtle patterns are neatly arranged on a round sandalwood table.

Luyi walked in from outside carrying a large celadon soup bowl.

As soon as the lid was lifted, the steaming hot bighead carp and tofu soup released its delicious aroma.

The broth, made with spring water, is milky white with a few bright green scallions floating on top, making it quite appealing.

Jiang Guo'er changed into a light green embroidered jacket with floral patterns and sat down on the embroidered stool.

I picked up the spoon and carefully scooped a spoonful of soup into my mouth.

She instinctively held her breath, afraid that her stomach would churn again at any moment.

Fortunately, the soup went down smoothly, and my stomach felt fine without any discomfort.

Jiang Guo'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief and picked up her chopsticks to pick up some fish.

Finally, I can eat in peace! It's delicious, the fish is so tender! Fish from the mountain spring is so fresh!

Pei Yan sat opposite her, taking in her satisfied little face, and picked up his bamboo chopsticks.

"Eat more, and if you can grow up to be as big as that fathead fish kite in the future, you'll be at peace."

Jiang Guo'er's action of picking up food instantly stopped.

She raised her face and gave a sweet, obedient smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. I will certainly eat more and take good care of myself."

But in his heart, he was already cursing.

She quietly reached into her clothes, stretched out her fingers, and scratched the soles of the silk doll's feet several times.

A tingling, itchy sensation shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head. Pei Yan froze, nearly crushing the porcelain bowl in his hand.

[You wicked Pei Yan, you stinky Pei Yan! I, your grandma, am naturally beautiful. Even if I ate several bowls of rice, I would still have a full bust and a slim waist! How did I end up looking like a fathead fish?]

[How annoying! I thought you were so kind this afternoon on the back hill, even condescending to let me fly a kite and praying for your well-being!]

She even prayed for me?

What blessing are you praying for?

Pei Yan was not annoyed at all; instead, he raised an eyebrow with interest.

He picked up the fish soup, took a sip, and suppressed the suppressed laughter that was about to spill from his throat.

Jiang Guo'er rolled her eyes, then reached out with her chopsticks and deliberately picked out a piece of fish meat covered with tiny bones from the soup bowl.

She diligently placed the fish into the porcelain bowl in front of Pei Yan, her voice so soft and sweet it could melt your heart:

"Your Excellency is very busy with state affairs and must be very tired. You should eat more fish to nourish your body; this piece of meat is the most tender."

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, staring at the gleaming "assassin" in the bowl.

Tsk, this girl holds a grudge.

He picked up his chopsticks and carefully removed the tiny, intricate fish bones one by one.

But this piece of fish had so many bones that, before I knew it, a sharp pain shot through my throat.

Pei Yan frowned, dared not eat anymore, and quickly spat out the whole piece of fish.

Seeing this, Jiang Guo'er couldn't help but tease her.

"You can't spit out fish bones, Prime Minister? I should have removed them for you."

Pei Yan was both amused and exasperated. Just as he was about to reach out and pinch her nose, three very soft knocks came from outside the door.

"Enter."

Xiao San pushed the door open and entered, closing it behind him. He quickly walked to Pei Yan's side and reported in a low voice.

"Your Excellency, news has arrived from Suzhou that the 100,000 taels of silver promised by Prefect Zhao, along with three large carts of precious antiques and paintings, have been secretly escorted overnight and will soon enter the city."

Pei Yan's gentle expression vanished, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became oppressive.

He will have a great use for this embezzled money.

"understood."

Pei Yan stood up and straightened the hem of his casual clothes.

Before leaving the quiet room, his gaze involuntarily fell on Jiang Guo'er's flat stomach.

His fingertips, which were behind his back, twitched, but he ultimately resisted the urge to reach out and touch them.

Turning to look at Xue Lingyi beside him, Pei Yan's voice was deep and cold.

"Take good care of her. I've left a few elite guards outside to watch over her; just call them if anything happens."

"Don't worry, Your Excellency, take care." Xue Lingyi curtsied.

No sooner had Pei Yan left than Lüyi rushed forward, while Xue Lingyi sat down next to Jiang Guo'er, covering her mouth with a handkerchief while laughing incessantly.

"The Prime Minister just said he wanted you to eat until you were as fat as a fish, and I see you have indeed gained quite a bit of weight these past few days."

Jiang Guo'er glared at her, annoyed.

"Even you're making fun of me."

As she spoke, she habitually reached out to support her lower back.

It was this small gesture that made Xue Lingyi's smile fade.

Not right.

Since becoming pregnant, Jiang Guo'er has suffered from severe morning sickness, unable to eat or sleep well, yet her figure has become far more plump than usual for her pregnancy.

"Guo'er, give me your hand."

Jiang Guo'er was stunned for a moment, then obediently extended her right hand.

Xue Lingyi extended three fingers and placed them firmly on her inch-long foot.

The room fell silent instantly, with only the sound of the night wind outside the window.

A moment later, Xue Lingyi's eyes widened, and she gasped.

"You…" Xue Lingyi lowered her voice, "It sounds like the pulse of twins!"

Jiang Guo'er froze on the spot, her mind blank.

She instinctively covered her stomach with both hands, her eyes welled up with tears without warning.

A surge of immense joy washed over him, followed by an indescribable pang of sadness.

If I can leave him with a son and a daughter, making a complete family, then I will have repaid my debt for deceiving and exploiting him.

With two children, he won't be too lonely in the future.

[Only after I've avenged myself can I finally rest in peace...]

Seeing her tears, Xue Lingyi quickly took out a silk handkerchief and put it in her hand, whispering words of comfort.

"Don't cry, the baby is still very young, I can't be 100% sure."

"Before this is finalized, let's keep it from Pei Yan. Don't take it too seriously yourself."

Jiang Guo'er sniffed and quickly wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

"I understand."

Xue Lingyi frowned and pondered for a while, then lowered her head and touched her flat stomach.

"If you really are pregnant with twins, then this fake belly I'm using to cover it up will have to be made bigger!"

Luyi stopped wiping the table and came over to offer suggestions.

"Miss, how about stuffing it with more freshly made cotton? It'll be lighter and make it look bigger."

Jiang Guo'er couldn't help but laugh.

"The cotton is too soft. If someone accidentally touches it and it dents, wouldn't that immediately give away its quality?"

"I think it would be better to sew a pillow-shaped bundle from thick silk cloth, stuff it with scraps of cloth and dried cassia seeds. It won't deform easily, and you can feel the texture even through the clothes."

"That's a great idea!" Xue Lingyi clapped her hands in approval. "Let's start doing it when we get back to the manor tomorrow."

The scene abruptly shifts to the Cold Palace in the Forbidden City.

No living people are seen here all year round, and the air is filled with a musty, damp smell.

A trusted old nanny stood guard outside the palace, keeping watch for Consort Yu.

Consort Yu turned her wheelchair and came to the moss-covered brick path, where she knocked on a palace door.

A maid peeked out, saw it was her, and immediately came over and pushed her inside.

A few dim oil lamps were lit inside the hall.

The deposed empress Xiao Yuzhen sat on a rosewood daybed.

Although she was dethroned as empress, she relied on the fact that she held leverage over the empress dowager, so her clothes were always clean and her complexion was rosy, and she did not lack for food, clothing, or daily necessities.

Consort Yu staggered and fell off her wheelchair. As soon as she opened her mouth, tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

"Your Majesty, you must do justice for me!"