Chapter 51: Offspring

After Lady Liu withdrew, Shen Quanyi remained seated astride the edge of the couch. The room was silent; she slightly lowered her gaze, idly toying with the jade belt cinched at her waist. The stifling atmosphere almost made it hard for her to breathe.

Outside the window stood a tall shadow, swaying slightly before suddenly halting in front of the room. Li Qian exhaled deeply and entered the hall. Beyond the screen, he observed the slender figure beneath the lamp’s glow.

“Does your body still ache?”

The familiar, clear voice reached Shen Quanyi's ears. She looked up to find Li Qian already by her side; earlier, lost in thought, she had not noticed him.

“Today…”

Li Qian’s hand gently pressed down on Shen Quanyi’s fingers. She smiled softly, shaking her head tenderly, and said, “I understand your feelings, my lord.”

Words were unnecessary; their hearts were already connected.

Snow had begun to fall again.

His bright yellow robe was dusted with scattered snowflakes. He had given her his cloak and now came over without regard for the chill. Shen Quanyi took a cloth to brush the snowflakes off his garments. Li Qian was touched, pulling her hand into his. Together, they sat on the couch’s edge.

“I wonder how the Second Consort is faring. Today seemed perilous indeed,” Shen Quanyi said casually as she rose and moved a few steps toward the brazier. She poured a bowl of tea and personally handed it to Li Qian.

Taking the cup and sipping, Li Qian lifted his hand to stroke Shen Quanyi’s brow. “It’s nothing serious, just a slight chill.”

In truth, everyone knew Gu Tan had made quite a scene today. It was largely an act, but since she was with child, no one dared to comment, including Li Qian.

He rubbed the soreness between his brows, silently hoping for the child Gu Tan carried. A strong heir was essential for the dynasty’s longevity, yet his own offspring were fewer than those of his brothers.

Seeing Li Qian’s worried expression, Shen Quanyi’s eyes dimmed slightly. Without revealing her feelings, she quietly stepped away and instructed Zhang Desheng to summon a few young eunuchs.

Her legs eased slightly, and Li Qian looked down at the kneeling eunuchs.

“All right, you may sit now.”

He leaned forward, taking Shen Quanyi’s hand, then nudged his foot toward the eunuchs, who knelt beside the couch, holding rattles and gently massaging his legs.

At his signal, the eunuchs softened their touch. Li Qian had already composed himself, reclining lazily on the cushion, a leisurely smile on his face. “Whether it’s a boy or a girl matters little, so long as the child is born healthy. Though, it would be good if Huai Qian had a brother.”

Li Qian’s face bore a rare, tender smile. Shen Quanyi felt his joy deeply; their eyes met and held. His gaze shone like stars piercing the night, and her heart ached at how much he longed for Gu Tan’s unborn child.

At the thought, a wave of sorrow washed over Shen Quanyi, and she silently mourned, uncertain if that child was destined to come into this world.

Noticing the faint shadow in her eyes, Li Qian immediately pulled her into his embrace, raising his hand to caress her face. Their eyes met—her bright almond eyes—and a surge of affection welled up within him. He bowed his head and kissed her soft lips.

Shen Quanyi instinctively closed her eyes, her small hands clutching his garment tightly.

They were so close that Li Qian could see her delicate eyelashes fluttering slightly.

His heart filled with even greater tenderness for her. He kissed her fair ear, then bent down to rest his cheek against her slender, pale neck, soothing her gently: “I actually look forward more to having a child with you.”

At these words, Shen Quanyi awoke from the tender moment, calming her heart. Avoiding the topic, she lowered her head, burying her face in Li Qian’s broad, warm chest. The two nestled intimately together.

A few traces of satisfaction appeared on Li Qian’s face. He wrapped a hand around Shen Quanyi’s slender waist. “To have you as my precious treasure, I ask for nothing more.”

Held like this, Li Qian felt stirred, but it was still daylight. Shen Quanyi, shy, gently pushed at his chest, her cheeks flushed.

“It’s still daytime.”

Her soft resistance, to Li Qian’s eyes, was merely coyness. Smiling, he lifted her and laid her down on the couch.

“Daytime is better. I don’t need to light a lamp to see you.”

No one else heard these words. The eunuchs outside, having caught on, quietly withdrew.

Hearing faint sounds from inside, a few eunuchs returned. Both Hushang and Qiuyue sensed that something was happening within.

Qiuyue beamed with joy. The more favored the concubine was, the better their own fortunes. She thought that if a sister or brother were born in the future, it would be even better.

Excited by this thought, she glanced at Hushang beside her but saw him bowing his head, his expression unreadable.

Qiuyue puckered her lips, thinking him a bad person, then carried her basin and turned to leave.

After much exertion, Shen Quanyi was utterly exhausted; every ache in her body made her limbs feel as if they were falling apart.

In contrast, Li Qian looked refreshed, satisfaction written between his brows.

Qiuyue and Lady Liu came in with the basin and cloth to help Shen Quanyi wash up, while Li Qian was already fully dressed.

Shen Quanyi wore a thin nightgown, slightly disheveled at the collar, revealing fair, delicate skin marked with faint bluish and reddish bruises. Sensing the burning gaze upon her, she glanced shyly at Li Qian and tightened her collar.

Seated before the dressing table, she allowed Qiuyue to carefully arrange her hair into a bun.

“Madam,” Lady Liu suddenly whispered, presenting a finished embroidered sachet.

Shen Quanyi turned her head; their eyes met. Lady Liu squinted first, then lowered her gaze. Shen Quanyi smiled, seized the sachet, and offered it to Li Qian as if presenting a precious treasure.

Her demeanor was that of a young daughter, her eyes still sparkling with delight. Li Qian’s heart was warmed by her joy. He reached out to pinch her delicate nose and chuckled, “Well then, I have not loved you in vain.”

“You don’t know how many times I pricked my fingers making this. Look.” Shen Quanyi's voice was soft and sticky as she rarefiedly clung to Li Qian’s arm, acting coquettishly.

Li Qian laughed, concern softening his expression. He took her hand, examining her slender fingers, noting several small needle pricks on her tender flesh.

He lowered his head and kissed them, the warmth sending a gentle thrill through Shen Quanyi, who blushed and withdrew her hand.

His eyes rested on the sachet’s embroidery—the green bamboo stalks stood tall. He knew Shen Quanyi’s embroidery skills were modest, but to achieve such detail showed earnest effort.

He lifted it to his nose, inhaling the faint fresh scent of mint that lingered.