Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Heilong-yuan(Black Dragon Wall)
Heilong Bay (Black Dragon Bay)
Heilong Ridge (Black Dragon Ridge)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
Qinglong (Azure Dragron)
——
Yin Jixue didn't deliberately try to hide her pregnancy, but with how seriously Lou Zhao was treating the matter, she couldn't help but be both amused and exasperated.
She, the one carrying the baby, actually had to comfort the child's father.
"Didn't you say that demonfolk children hatch from an egg after birth? I won't even have to go through ten months of pregnancy."
Lou Zhao, a first-time father, was so nervous it made him a little silly. "I don't know anything about this… I'm afraid I'll mess up and make you suffer."
"Since you're so anxious, maybe we should just go back now," Yin Jixue suggested. "Though traveling will be a lot harder with a kid in tow."
Lou Zhao rested his head against her shoulder.
"We promised to travel the world together. I can protect you—both of you."
Yin Jixue chuckled. "You know, not long ago Mother asked me when I was planning to have a child. She even tried to recommend some ancient fertility remedies. I turned her down flat."
Back then, Her Majesty the Empress had said that giving birth would secure Yin Jixue's position and "tie down the Demon King."
Such were the beliefs of the old world: that a wife secured her status through childbirth. If she couldn't have children, her husband would be expected to take concubines.
At the time, Yin Jixue had told her mother that she wasn't planning to have children any time soon—and that Lou Zhao wasn't in a rush either. She'd even joked that it was difficult for demonfolk to conceive, so there was no guarantee she'd get pregnant anytime soon.
And then, just like that, she got pregnant.
—
In the main palace hall...
"Your Majesty, my daughter has long admired you. She begged me to arrange a meeting so she could gaze upon your divine visage..." The Assistant Minister of Rites wore a face full of wrinkles and sycophantic smiles.
To Yin Ao, the banquet felt incredibly dull. Though it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, as emperor he had no control over his own time. All he wanted was a quiet meal with his parents and sister.
He had no consorts. Yet all these ministers had shown up with their families, crowding the women's quarters even though the Empress Dowager was there to keep things in order. As for the men—they were constantly jostling for his attention. Their intentions were as obvious as they were shameless.
"I've said before—I'm not considering expanding the harem for the next two years."
The Assistant Minister of Rites cried out, "Your Majesty, the inner palace without a consort is a palace without a master!"
Yin Ao had had enough. He waved a hand.
"This man is drunk. He's acted improperly before the throne. He is hereby confined to his home for two weeks and exempt from morning court. Let him reflect thoroughly."
The ministers aligned with him all looked grim.
What did the emperor mean by this?
The tension grew thicker, and many silently hoped their assassins would manage to create an opportunity.
—
Meanwhile, in another palace room—
Yin Jixue sat up suddenly from Lou Zhao's lap. "What's that noise outside? A stray cat?"
Her hearing was sharp. She could swear she'd heard faint footsteps on the roof—light, but distinct.
There were no electronics in ancient times. Nights were dead silent, and the slightest sound stood out.
Lou Zhao gently pressed her back down and continued massaging her shoulders. "Just a mosquito."
Yin Jixue rolled her eyes. "Do I look like a three-year-old to you? It's autumn—what mosquito would be stomping around on the roof?"
And since when did mosquitoes make that kind of noise? Unless it was a spirit beast?
Her mind jumped to the idea of an assassin.
"Don't tell me it's an assassin?"
Lou Zhao lazily opened one eye. "If it can be killed with one finger, it's just a mosquito."
Yin Jixue wasn't fully convinced, though. She still felt a lingering unease. The palace wasn't a market street—how could assassins come and go as they pleased? She began to worry about the emperor's safety.
Surely they weren't after her, right? She hadn't done anything to warrant it… had she?
Back in the banquet hall, Yin Ao had made several pointed remarks, and the coalition of ministers was fuming.
It must be that enchantress in the palace who's bewitched His Majesty.
They exchanged knowing glances, and one of them finally stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I have something I wish to say. I'm unsure if it's appropriate…"
Yin Ao waved his hand impatiently. "Then don't say it. I'm tired. Enjoy your food and drink."
He wasn't about to let this group ruin his mood.
If not for the fact that they were competent—handpicked by his father and mostly uncorrupt—he'd have replaced the whole lot already.
They took their salaries and did little to earn them—only ever causing him headaches.
Yin Ao left the banquet early. The Retired Emperor and Empress had already quietly slipped away—it wasn't their event, after all.
Some ministers had even wanted to tattle on Yin Ao to the Retired Emperor, accusing him of unfilial behavior. But by the time they looked, their targets were long gone.
In the past, a young emperor with the Retired Emperor still holding influence could be pressured. Complaints to the right person might have forced compromise.
But Yin Jixue had changed all of that. Her presence had brought genuine warmth to the royal family, and the once-fragile bonds of blood had become strong again.
—
"What?! I'm going to be an uncle?!" Yin Ao returned to hear the good news and finally cracked a smile. He immediately began thinking about what gift he should prepare for his future niece or nephew.
Yin Jixue teased him with a smile. "You like kids this much—why not settle down yourself?"
Yin Ao smiled wryly. "Even as emperor, I want to marry someone I truly love—not just pair up for the sake of politics."
After witnessing the independence of the women in the Demon Realm, he found no interest in the pampered, fragile daughters of court ministers.
Now that the Yin Dynasty was stable, he no longer needed to use marriage as a political tool to consolidate power. He still had the freedom to choose love.