Time flew by, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shengjing’s early summer had turned into midsummer. The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and the clothes becoming thinner.

A young man in bright yellow leaned lazily on the bed and sighed as he looked at the blooming lotus flowers on the table.

He turned to Chang Le and said, “The weather is getting hotter. It’s time to prepare to go to the villa to escape the heat.”

His belly was already four months along. He didn’t feel much in the first three months, just a bit of extra flesh. But these days, he could clearly feel that his belly was starting to grow, which made him nervous.

Senior Huang said it was still small at this time, but in the second half of the fourth month, it might be changed every day.

After hearing this, Duan Changchuan felt even more uneasy. He just wanted to quickly go to the villa to live, preferably until the weather in Shengjing turned cold and people started to wear winter robes.

“Two days ago, this servant has checked the preparations for going to the villa are almost done. Each department has almost completed their tasks. It’s possible if Your Majesty wants to go now.” Chang Le saw that his brows were still furrowed and softly comforted him.

The young man shook his head, “Wait a little longer, wait until Elder Sun’s letter arrive … At least we can see some good results.”

The people in the epidemic area were suffering, and Physician Sun, despite his old age, was in the dangerous zone, racing against time to save lives.

As the ruler of this country, how could he escape to a villa to avoid the heat? How would that be different from a fatuous ruler?

Changle fanned him gently while kneeling beside him and said, “Your Majesty, please don’t worry. When Shiyi and Xiao Ba returned from Huainan earlier, they said that Physician Sun had things well under control and there would be no mistakes.”

The young man nodded, “Mm …”

Then he blinked and looked out the window again.

There were still a few peonies that they moved from the Qing Lu Palace last time.

Yi Man was a sensible person. Back then, he deliberately planted these two peonies outside the study, facing the window. Therefore, every time Duan Changchuan was tired of reading or reviewing memorials, he could see them when he looked up.

However … it was already midsummer, and these peonies which were considered “miracle of Qing Lu Palace” tried their best to bloom for a few days, but in the end, they couldn’t resist the long-overdue flowering period and withered one by one.

On the branches, there were still half-drooping small flower buds.

“Does Your Majesty miss Her Highness? It has been five days since Xiao Ba and the others sent a message to Huainan, and there should be news today or tomorrow,” Chang Le’s voice sounded beside him.

Only then did Duan Changchuan retract his gaze from the window and reply softly, “Hmm …”

He missed her … and was worried about her.

–

Bai Su’s letter arrived on the same night.

Shiyi and Xiao Ba were exhausted. Their faces were still covered in dirt when they reached the outside of Ming Sheng Hall. The two shadow guards had traveled urgently without stopping, not mention to stop for took a bath, they’re not even having time to untie their belts.

As soon as Duan Changchuan opened the door, the smell hit him instantly. making his stomach churn and … started to retch.

“Wait a moment … Ugh … Step back … Cough … These few days, I have been, ugh … vomiting badly.”

The two shadow guards were slow to react before quickly retreated.

However, they did not dare to delay for even a moment and hurriedly presented the letter that Bai Su had asked them to bring to the young man.

“Your Majesty, this is a letter from Her Majesty!” Shiyi knelt on one knee and presented the tube with both hands, “It has been fumigated with atractylodes and mugwort as the Empress instructed. Xiao Ba and this subordinate were also fumigated before coming! The Empress is fine. She said that she caught a cold during the rainy days. When this subordinate went over, the Empress was almost recovered and specifically told you not to worry!”

Duan Changchuan immediately gestured for Chang Le to take the letter. His expression visibly relaxed and joy could be seen between his brows.

Until …

When he opened the tube, a small piece of paper fell out from it.

It said: I heard that a certain Omega sent someone to spy on me. So, there’s nothing this time. Reflect on your action.

The smile froze on his face.

Xiao Ba watched as his young emperor angrily crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it back into the scroll, letting out a barely audible snort before storming back into the room with the tube.

The door was slammed shut with a loud bang, clearly showing his anger.

Xiao Ba, “…”

So … did His Majesty cry or not?

When did he cry …?

When should I deliver this hidden letter?

He was a little bewildered.

–

Duan Changchuan was indeed angry, very angry.

He had waited for a long time before he finally received a letter. Two shadow guards rushed over, but in the end, he only a punitive little note.

[Although I was partly at fault … how could she punish me in such a way?]

[She obviously knows that I miss her so much …]

The young man sat on the couch. The more he thought about it, the sadder he felt. However, he also felt it was embarrassing to cry over such a small matter. He tried his best to hold it in, and after a while, his eyes and nose turned red.

He felt very aggrieved.

[How could she be so mean?]

–

Just as he was feeling sad, Chang Le knocked on the door and called out from the other side of the door, “Your Majesty, may this servant come in?”

Duan Changchuan thought that he had something to report. He quickly sniffled and blinked back the tears in his eyes, tried to maintain a normal voice and said, “Come in.”

A young eunuch dressed in a hundred flower python walked in hurriedly.

As soon as Changle came in, he presented an almost identical paper tube in front of him, “This Xiao Ba …! He secretly stuffed another tube to this servant’s hand earlier, saying that the letter Shiyi brought was just a bluff from Her Highness. Actually, he had another letter and specially instructed that this letter must be given out before you start crying! He even asked this servant, ‘Aiya, Le Gonggong, you know His Majesty so well. When do you think His Majesty will cry? When should I take this letter out?’ Bah! Since this servant knows about this letter, how could this servant side with them to bully His Majesty? So, I snatched the letter and brought it directly to you!”

After he finished speaking, he proudly placed the letter in front of Duan Changchuan, “Your Majesty, open it quickly, this is the proper letter from the Empress to you.”

When the young man heard this, he was a little surprised.

Then he realized he had been tricked.

[What does it mean, give the letter before I cry! Even if I cry, I definitely won’t cry in front of Xiao Ba and Shiyi, okay?]

[That’s not right. How can I possibly cry?]

Thus, the young man, who was so angry and about to cry moments ago, snorted quietly and said confidently, “How can I cry over a letter?”

As if he wasn’t the one about to cry and feeling aggrieved just now.

Chang Le bowed and said, “This servant also said = how can Your Majesty cry over a letter? This won’t do. This servant still has to go and have a good talk with Xiao Ba. This servant is so angry! Your Majesty, please read the letter first. This servant will be back soon. If there’s anything, please call this servant!”

After he finished speaking, he ran out of the door without looking back.

–

When the door closed, the young man sitting on the couch moved his body slightly.

His gaze fell on the exquisite and beautiful letter tube and he raised his hand to reach it.

Just as he was about to touch it, he retracted his hand as if he had been electrocuted.

“Why should I read her letter after she tricked me like this? What’s so special about it? I won’t read it.” Duan Changchuan muttered to himself.

However, after a few seconds, his eyes couldn’t help but glance at the tube again.

I wonder what she wrote in the letter …

Is there a handkerchief with a pheromone …? The previous handkerchief I sent … Cough, did she use it …

Will there be … that letter?

Finally, all his resentment was overpowered by his curiosity, and he opened the letter.

[Right now, I need a soothing pheromone. Even if I not for myself, I have to take care of my baby … I’ll deal with her when she comes back.]

Hmm … a little persistence, but not much.

He opened the letter and the familiar handwriting entered his eyes.

[To my baby,

I hope this letter finds you well.]

With just the first two sentences, the anger that he had accumulated just now was disappear completely.

The young man’s ears were visibly red, but his mouth was still twisted, “Who’s your baby … I’ve never seen someone tease their baby like this. You can’t even take responsibility if they cry.”

[… I’ve read your letter. Your Majesty did very well, truly worthy of a ruler. You are brave and decisive, and this concubine is proud of you. But baby, don’t put yourself in danger in the future. I hope you can protect yourself first. Because just like you’re worried about me, I’m also worried about you. What’s more, there are two of you now. So, no matter what happens, you have to prioritize yourself first, okay?

I love the handkerchief you gave me. It smells good. Your name is embroidered on it. Having it is like having you by my side.

But Xiao Ba and Shiyi said that you’re anxiously waiting for a reply in Shengjing. I’ll use it tonight. Thank you, baby.

Don’t overthink and don’t worry too much. I’m doing well in Huainan. I’m also working hard so I can go back to accompany my baby.

I hope he’s doing well and waiting for me to come back

Be good, okay?

Kiss.

Your Alpha, Bai Su.]

The young man finished reading the two pages. When he reached the end, his heart was filled with warmth.

He couldn’t help but lean over and kiss the “kiss” gently.

He missed her.

He missed her night and day.

There were two letters in the paper tube. One was filled with tenderness …

It was obvious what the other letter was about.

Additionally, there was a pouch embroidered with lotus flowers. It was plump and a little heavy. He didn’t know what was inside.

The young man opened it curiously and fell out is a …

The shape and size were very small toy-like … jade?

Duan Changchuan:???

After a while, he realized:!!!

He hurriedly covered it with both hands!

His face turned bright red.

As he covered the entire jade, a thin piece of paper floated gently onto his hand.

On it was written: Warm it with warm water first, otherwise it might be too cold to use and uncomfortable.

???

Ah … Giving him such a thing was already surprising, but why did she have to give him instructions as well?!

He disdainfully crumpled the note into a ball.

[I-Don’t-Want-To-See-It!]

[It’s not like I’m … unsatisfied. I would never use something like this even in death!]

Moreover, where did she find this thing???

Wasn’t she worried that people would gossip about: the Empress being lonely and doing that by herself?!