Xu Tianran Was Overjoyed to Learn That Ju Zi Was Pregnant; Ma Xiaotao Was Imprisoned at the Holy Altar and Subjected to Humiliation

The news from the pregnancy-testing soul tool ring traveled through the soul tool communication channel and quickly reached Ming Du.

When Xu Tianran saw the four words "first sign of an imperial heir," he stood frozen for a long while. Then, the wild joy of finally reclaiming victory after years of humiliation surged from his eyes. He did not doubt it, nor was he willing to doubt it—because what those four words proved was not Ju Zi, but himself.

"Pass down my order. The guard unit is to protect the Empress with all their strength. She is only to remain in the rear and command; she must not personally enter dangerous areas again." Xu Tianran issued the order at once, barely suppressing his almost unrestrained delight. "The Empress's most important duty now is to bear an imperial heir for me."

The inner court's senior matrons and the Worship Office both dispatched people to the front lines. When Ju Zi received the decree, she merely lowered her eyes and gave thanks. At last, she no longer had to return to Xu Tianran's bedchamber at the summons of a single edict, nor did she need to stand at the front lines and test blades for him for the time being. But she understood even more clearly that from this moment onward, another, thinner and tighter chain had been fastened around her.

She touched the forged soul tool ring hidden in her sleeve, her gaze terrifyingly calm.

This lie had to continue.

Ju Zi's unsigned letter to Huo Yuhao fell into the outer communication array of the Shrek camp half an hour later.

Logically, this letter addressed directly to Huo Yuhao should have been delivered into his hands. But because Ju Zi had saved Yuhao after he was injured, Tang Wutong had remained