Feel It, the Baby Is Moving!

"Qinglian, how does it taste? Is it to your liking?"

"Qinglian, even if you're the Emperor, how do you handle so many state affairs every day? Isn't that exhausting?"

"Qinglian, look at how worn out you are. You're already this tired after just one day. Why not go back and sleep before continuing? For your sake, and the child's?"

"..."

He just kept chattering away without stopping!

Ye Qinglian felt a headache coming on!

"If we're eating, then eat. Why are you talking so much!"

Seeing that his wife was annoyed, Chu Ning immediately shut up and did not say another word!

He could not disturb the baby!

It was all for the child!

Yet once Chu Ning stopped talking, Ye Qinglian felt even more irritated.

It felt strange to make someone so talkative shut up completely.

She felt that her status as Emperor held no threat at all before Chu Ning. Was he so confident because she was carrying his child?

She picked up a bite of food and put it into her mouth. It was her favorite spicy flavor, and her mood improved slightly.

"I have already told you that you are not allowed to wander around the palace freely."

"You're afraid someone will discover me, but I was extremely careful. No one could possibly find me. Is that still not allowed?"

Chu Ning looked at her eagerly. "I only came because I saw that you were only eating at this hour and was worried about your health. Can't I even bring you a meal?"

Ye Qinglian fell silent for a moment.

"How did you manage to avoid even the Dark Guards' notice?"

"Your Husband is a hidden master beyond the world."

Hearing the word Husband, Ye Qinglian immediately glared at him. "The two of us have not yet held our Grand Wedding. Even after it, you should address me as Your Majesty!"

"Got it, Qinglian!"

Ye Qinglian: "..."

"Do you think that just because I'm carrying your child, I don't dare lay a hand on you?"

"I broke through to Sage Level today. Crushing you would be as easy as crushing an ant!"

The woman glared at him threateningly, but Chu Ning merely smiled.

"Qinglian, that threat really has no force behind it. If you truly wanted to attack me, would you need to tell me first?"

Ye Qinglian narrowed her eyes. Did he really think she would not dare?

"Besides."

Chu Ning added with a smile, "I'm doing this for your own good. I haven't caused you any trouble, so why would you hit me?"

Forget it!

She would teach him a lesson later!

For the sake of the delicious food!

Ye Qinglian gave a cold snort. "I do not know what method you used to evade the Dark Guards' eyes, but there cannot be a second time!"

Chu Ning decisively refused!

"That won't do!"

"You dare defy me?"

"I have to think of you and the child. Xiao Bing said you're a workaholic who spends all day handling state affairs and doesn't even have time to eat. If I don't secretly bring you food and watch you finish it, what if something happens to your health?"

Ye Qinglian froze at his words, and her imposing aura immediately weakened.

Her expression remained blank. "I am a Cultivator. There is no need to worry."

"Cultivators are people too, unless you aren't human."

"With my current realm, I can be called a god among Cultivators."

"So what if you're a god? You're still carrying my child, and you're still going to be my Wife someday."

Ye Qinglian: "..."

"I do not wish to argue with you. You are merely a mortal. I fear that if I strike, you will be reduced to dust and bones!"

She glared at Chu Ning and warned, "So do not make me angry. Understand?"

Chu Ning shook his head.

"I have to think about you and the child. Even if I can't help you with anything else, I can at least make sure you eat three proper meals a day."

Ye Qinglian was silent for a moment, then tugged at the corner of her lips.

"If you wish to bring food, then bring it. But if anyone discovers you even once, I will hold you accountable!"

He was truly annoying. Yet most of her anger stemmed from her inability to adapt to Chu Ning's kindness.

She had never had it before, and now it had suddenly appeared. Moreover, this fellow only cared about her and the child in her belly. The change was too drastic, and she still could not adapt to it.

So she had no real reason to attack Chu Ning, nor could she possibly do so.

Chu Ning was merely a mortal, though his cooking was passable.

If he wanted to do it, then he could. The day he stopped bringing food, so be it. It was probably only a few days of enthusiasm anyway!

She said calmly, "Later, go find Xiao Bing. You may withdraw a thousand taels of gold from my Imperial Treasury as a reward for cooking for me."

She never owed others anything. She would only repay them with better terms.

"No."

Ye Qinglian was slightly displeased. "You do not want gold or silver?"

Chu Ning said helplessly, "I'm in the palace. Even if you give me money, I have nowhere to spend it. Besides, there's food, drink, a wife, and a child here. What do I need money for? To go out and find women?"

"How dare you!"

Ye Qinglian glared at Chu Ning and said coolly, "Then what do you want? Just say it. So long as it is something I can grant, I can agree to it!"

"I don't believe you."

Ye Qinglian was stunned.

This fellow...

He was definitely doing it on purpose!

He was making fun of her!

Chu Ning took Ye Qinglian's bowl and chopsticks, smiling brightly.

"Someone just went back on her word. Clearly, sayings like 'a ruler's word is never spoken in jest' are nonsense. There's no point asking for promises that can't be kept. Don't you think so?"

Ye Qinglian's mouth twitched!

Was that what had happened just now!

She had lost her composure because even her strongest Dark Guards had failed to detect Chu Ning's traces. It had infuriated her!

Now they were discussing his reward for cooking!

Before Ye Qinglian could speak, Chu Ning smiled.

"Among common folk, men usually handle affairs outside while women manage the home. In the palace, Qinglian, you're obviously the one handling things outside. I can't help you with much, so I'll just cook and make use of what I'm good at."

"And there's really no need for a reward. Between husband and wife, that would be far too distant."

Ye Qinglian's face reddened, but she quickly came up with an explanation for Chu Ning's behavior.

She understood!

This fellow was not after a reward. He was after her empire!

If he tricked her into becoming his, then the empire would become his too. He could have anything he wanted!

"What you are thinking is utterly impossible. The empire belongs to me. I will never Give up to others!"

Chu Ning looked utterly baffled.

"Huh?"

Ye Qinglian had already seen through Chu Ning!

Her empire was enormous. If a mortal did not care for wealth, fame, or profit, what else could he possibly want?

Throughout history, there had been many cases of the Inner Palace meddling in politics and bringing ruin to a nation. And he was a man—of course he would have ambitions!

"I advise you to state your terms now. This is your only chance. If you bring it up again next time, it will be impossible."

She looked at Chu Ning expressionlessly and spoke in an indifferent tone.

Neither of them would owe the other anything. Whether he wanted to enter court and receive an official post or command an army, she could agree!

It would be repayment for letting her eat such delicious food!

Chu Ning hesitated, then asked tentatively.

"Really?"

"I guarantee it with my reputation. So long as it is something I can do, I can agree to whatever you ask, provided it is not excessive!"

Chu Ning smiled. "All right. It's not anything excessive. Can you let me hold the child?"

Ye Qinglian asked in confusion, "But I am only three months pregnant. How are you supposed to hold it? Do you intend to cut it out?"

Her expression suddenly changed, and she pressed a hand to the sword at her waist!

"If you dare lay a hand on my child, you're dead!"

Chu Ning was completely dumbfounded!

"That's my child too! How could I possibly do that? What are you thinking!"

Ye Qinglian frowned.

"Then how are you going to hold it?"

"You agreed?"

"Of course. It is not an excessive request."

Chu Ning immediately stood up and moved beside Ye Qinglian with a smile.

"Simple. Qinglian, stand up and don't move..."

The woman became even more confused.

Stand up and do not move—what was he planning to do?

Take the chance to attack her?

Not to mention Chu Ning had no cultivation, even if he possessed Sixth Realm cultivation, it would be utterly impossible for him to harm Ye Qinglian at her current Sage Level.

"Chu Ning, you had better quickly explain what you intend to do, otherwise..."

Suddenly!

A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, and Chu Ning pressed his entire body against hers!

Ye Qinglian's face instantly flushed red. Her eyes were wide with shock, and her whole body trembled!

This fellow! He actually wanted to hug her!

She had never expected Chu Ning to have the nerve to hug her, the reigning Empress!

Not to mention that she was at Sage Level!

Ye Lianyi was just about to slap this shameless dog of a man flying and teach him a lasting lesson when Chu Ning's voice reached her.

"Qinglian, I think I can feel the baby moving."

Those hands were indeed wrapped around her lower abdomen.

She froze.

So he really was hugging the child?

But he was doing it this way...

Suppressing the shyness in her heart, she focused and felt for it.

"Huh?"

Her expression immediately brightened, replaced by joy.

"It's true. It really is moving..."