Anzhi Hall fell abruptly silent as everyone sank into a deep sleep.
The siblings were nestled in Jin Shanyao's room. A chessboard lay on the table, and a clay stove gave off a cozy warmth, with red dates and longan roasting on top.
Jin Shanyao leaned back in her chair, cracking melon seeds. She glanced now at the white pieces, now at the black, looking relaxed.
"Sis, are you hiding a chess piece in your hand?" Meng Anci stared at Meng Anzhi, his face full of suspicion.
"No."
Meng Anci didn't believe her. He stood and reached across the table to grab her hand. "Open your hand and let me see."
"I told you, I'm not." Meng Anzhi raised her hand to block him, refusing to open it. Jin Shanyao reached out and caught Meng Anci, saying softly, "Stop that. Your sister is pregnant."
Those words shocked both siblings into stillness.
Meng Anzhi hurriedly raised a hand to feel her own pulse, but detected nothing. She looked at her aunt, her eyes full of confusion.
Jin Shanyao secretly covered Meng Anzhi with a layer of Spiritual Power to make the pregnancy more stable. Smiling, she said, "It's still very early. In another half month, it will become more apparent."
Joy instantly lit up Meng Anzhi's face. "That's wonderful! Now I can finally breathe easy."
In another three months, the new emperor's mourning period would end. During this time, the households in the capital had all been secretly preparing for marriages. With this child, she would no longer have to be troubled by the consort selection.
Meng Anci, however, gave an unconcerned huff. "What's there to be afraid of? Even without this child, I could have found a way to keep you out of the selection."
Meng Anzhi gently stroked her