The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Shen Qingruo slowly stopped crying and looked up at her wet little face.

She reached out her small hand and took Shen Wangxi's large hand, first letting him wipe away her tears, and then, holding his hand, she gently placed it on her still flat stomach.

Shen Wangxi stiffened, looking down at her, "Aruo?"

Shen Qingruo's voice was still soft and sweet from crying, "Your Majesty, Aruo is already carrying your child."

Shen Wangxi's pupils contracted sharply, and he looked abruptly at her lower abdomen, almost whispering:

"Didn't you drink the contraceptive soup? Why...?"

His mind was in complete chaos; the sudden news had left him utterly bewildered.

Shen Qingruo looked at him, placed her small hand on his large hand, and obediently explained, "Actually, I didn't drink a drop of the contraceptive soup."

"Because Aruo thought that His Majesty's flesh and blood might already be in his womb, he couldn't bear not to have him."

Shen Wangxi was still in a daze, both shocked and overjoyed.

Seeing that he was in a daze, Shen Qingruo took his hand and led him to the window.

A pot of orchids, which was originally lush and green, now looked rather wilted, with unhealthy yellow edges on the leaves.

The little girl stretched out her delicate white finger, pointed to the potted orchid, and said softly:

"Your Majesty, look, it actually drank all that contraceptive soup; Aruo really didn't touch a single drop."

"So now, Aruo has His Majesty's heir."

Shen Wangxi's gaze slowly shifted from the wilted orchid to her sincere little face, and then to her lower abdomen.

He was so fond of her that he didn't know what to do.

It turned out that his Aruo had secretly kept his child all along.

With trembling hands, Shen Wangxi reached around her slender waist and pulled her into his arms.

"Aruo..." His voice was terribly hoarse, filled with emotion, as he called her name again and again, "My Aruo..."

He held her too tightly, and Shen Qingruo let out a soft hum, but did not struggle, obediently letting him calm her emotions.

"Is His Majesty no longer angry?" she asked softly.

"I won't have any more children," Shen Wangxi replied immediately. "It's my fault, I misunderstood you."

He lowered his head, found her soft lips, and kissed them tenderly.

"Is my child really here?" He was still somewhat unsure, his palm tentatively exploring her lower abdomen.

"Mmm." Shen Qingruo nodded in his arms, tilting her small face up with gentle eyes. "The imperial physician diagnosed it and said that the pregnancy is still early, but the pulse is very stable. Your Majesty, Aruo is so happy."

Looking at the joy in her eyes, Shen Wangxi felt a surge of tenderness in his heart and whispered gently, "I am happy too."

"I will give him the best of everything in the world, showing him favoritism and never letting him suffer the slightest grievance."

He looked at her and solemnly promised, "I assure you."

Shen Qingruo nestled in his arms and gently closed her eyes.

-

At dinner time, Shen Wangxi personally held chopsticks and continuously placed dishes into the small plates in front of the little girl.

His eyes and brows revealed obvious joy, and even his usual aloofness had faded considerably.

Seeing Shen Qingruo eating so obediently, taking small bites, Shen Wangxi felt even more satisfied.

"Eat more." He picked up another piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it on her plate. "You're eating alone now, but you're supplementing for two."

Shen Qingruo glanced at him helplessly, the corners of her lips curved into a smile, and she softly replied, "Mm."

After dinner, the palace servants cleared away the bowls and plates and served tea.

Looking at her lower abdomen, Shen Wangxi felt an even stronger urge to announce it to the world.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Aruo, I have made up my mind. Tomorrow I will issue an edict to bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine."

"My woman, my imperial offspring, should have a high status and be worshipped by thousands. She can no longer remain in Qingyi Palace in such an ambiguous manner."

Shen Qingruo was drinking tea when she heard this. She gently put down her teacup and reached out her small hand to tug at Shen Wangxi's sleeve.

She shook her head, her voice soft yet firm, "Your Majesty, Aruo does not wish to."

Shen Wangxi frowned immediately, looking at her with confusion: "Why? Don't you want to be by my side legitimately?"

"That's what Aruo was thinking." She looked up at her, her almond-shaped eyes filled with worry. "But Your Majesty, the baby is only a month old now, and the pregnancy is at its most unstable."

She took his large hand and placed it on her lower abdomen again, her voice softer, pleading:

"Aruo is afraid that if we make a big fuss now and everyone knows about it, it will disturb the baby."

"If... if something were to happen, Aruo wouldn't be able to bear it."

As she spoke, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her frail and helpless appearance successfully led Shen Wangxi astray:

Yes, the people in the palace are unpredictable. Ah Yan and Ah Yun are not the same as before.

His Aruo is so delicate, and the child is even more precious. He can't afford to make any mistakes, so it's best to keep it a secret for now.

Shen Wangxi reached out and pulled her into his arms, gently nuzzling her head with his chin, and whispered:

"Very well, whatever you say. It was my oversight; I only thought of giving you honor and honor, but forgot about your safety."

"Then let's wait two more months. Once the first three months are over and the pregnancy is stable, I will bestow titles upon you."

"I will take advantage of this time to personally select a palace closest to the Taiji Hall for you, renovate it, and then bestow a title upon you."

Shen Qingruo nestled in his arms, nodded obediently, and said in a soft voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty~"