The storm over kingship (5)

"I've sacrificed so much this time, Your Highness. You must make it up to me and agree to one condition, all right?"

Just as Jian Shang was feeling moved by Qi Ji's generosity and understanding, she suddenly made that request.

"A condition?!" Jian Shang blurted out in surprise, wondering what Qi Ji could still want now. Then he smiled and readily agreed. "Of course. Tell me!"

Jian Shang would never believe that Qi Ji did not care at all about becoming queen. If she did not, she would never have followed him. Besides, Qi Ji was not a woman without desires or ambitions.

She had given it up only for his sake. Since that was the case, Jian Shang felt that any condition was open to discussion!

"I want... a child!"

Qi Ji bit her red lip, her cheeks flushing as she spoke, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

"What?"

Jian Shang froze and blurted out the question, wondering if he had misheard.

In Forging the Sacred Court, he had never heard of an Otherworlder having children. Many Otherworlders had married natives, but Jian Shang had never heard of any such union producing offspring. He himself had overlooked the issue.

Hearing it brought up so suddenly, Jian Shang could not process it for a moment and thought he had misheard!

"A child! I want a child!"

Qi Ji knew she sounded a little flustered, but she had certainly spoken clearly. Seeing Jian Shang's reaction, the small hands gently massaging him tightened, and she spoke through gritted teeth, sounding quite exasperated.

"Well..." Jian Shang's heart jolted. For a moment, he did not know how to answer.

Originally, since Qi Ji had willingly relinquished the position of queen, Jian Shang had intended to agree to any condition within his power, whether out