The shelter of the heavens brought news.
Within the Endless Fire Domain, the Mysterious Empress had given birth to a child.
Beneath Jian Mu's shade, countless celebrations continued without end, washing away some of the oppressive atmosphere that had lingered since the conflict with the Maha Gu Clan.
"...So you all kept this from everyone and only made it public after the child was born?"
Taking the peacefully sleeping infant from Xiao Yan's arms, Yao Chen gently rocked his own arms with practiced familiarity, unable to resist looking somewhat speechlessly at Xiao Yan's family, who were clearly in the wrong.
"Special circumstances called for special measures, didn't they?"
Yao Wan gave a light cough. In truth, she had wanted to hide it from everyone except Xiao Yan, but who could have known that this fellow had such a loose tongue? During the time she was recuperating, her courtyard had been a complete uproar without a moment's peace.
"I know you were worried that the Maha Gu Clan might take advantage of the situation, and I can understand your family doing so—but was there really any need to hide it from me as well?"
Yao Chen shook his head, clearly unconvinced by that explanation. He could not help lowering his head to look at the infant in his arms. Even as a baby, the child's lovely features, inherited from his parents, were already apparent.
"Teacher..."
Xiao Yan opened his mouth, only for Yao Chen to glare at him. He promptly shut up again.
At least on this matter, it seemed he was destined to be the punching bag.
Xiao Yan shrugged in resignation.
"Forget it, forget it. What's done is done. I have nothing more to say."
Yao Chen shook his head. He was not truly angry; he merely wanted to