The Royal Capital.
The imperial palace.
The Imperial Study.
"Tap, tap, tap-"
Ji Minghao's gaze was deep as his fingers kept tapping lightly against his desk.
Just then.
Creak-
The half-closed door was pushed open, and a woman in a long court dress gracefully stepped over the threshold.
"This consort pays her respects to Your Majesty!" The woman dipped in a curtsy to Ji Minghao.
Ji Minghao looked up at the woman before him, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"No need for such formality, Hui'er. You're pregnant now. You shouldn't make any strenuous movements!"
"As the reigning Human Emperor, Your Majesty must still receive the proper courtesies from this consort." The woman smiled faintly.
As she spoke, she stroked her lower abdomen, her expression tender.
"Did you come alone today? Where is Mother?" Ji Minghao asked.
"How could Aunt fail to answer Your Majesty's summons? She will be here shortly!" the woman said.
Just then.
Tap, tap, tap-
Soft footsteps approached from afar.
"Aunt is here!" said the pregnant woman named Hui'er.
Only a moment later.
A woman who appeared to be in her twenties, with a dignified, graceful, and radiant beauty, appeared before them.
"Your son pays his respects, Mother!" Ji Minghao rose from his chair, descended the steps before his desk, and bowed to the dignified woman.
"You are too courteous, Your Majesty!" the woman said. "May I ask what important matter prompted this sudden summons?"
"That man has passed away!" Ji Minghao said.
"What?!" Shock swept across the dignified woman's face, her pupils trembling slightly.
"Your Majesty, he only just acted yesterday, and he looked no different from eight hundred years ago. His divine might was still unrivaled, and he brimmed with vitality. How could he have passed away?" Hui'er asked from beside them, doubt