The entire household took turns admiring the Great General’s firstborn son, their faces beaming with joy—except for the little devil, whose expression grew darker by the minute.
His hopes were dashed, and it felt like the sky had collapsed!
The Old Marchioness, oblivious to his distress, carried the baby over to him. "Jin Cheng, come see who he looks like!"
"Let me check." The little devil reached out with hostility, not to hold the baby but to swiftly lift the swaddle and verify whether the infant truly had a certain appendage.
Everyone: "…" What a vulgar gesture.
Upon confirming the truth, Jin Cheng was furious.
"It’s really a boy!"
How outrageous! Not only had this brat stolen his position as the firstborn, but now he’d also snatched away his future little empress.
Unforgivable!
The little devil glared fiercely at the baby, but the firstborn merely slept peacefully, oblivious to his rage. Undeterred, Jin Cheng extended his mischievous hands again, prying open the baby’s eyelids to glare directly into his eyes.
"???"
Zong Zhao seized his wrist and rescued the tormented infant. "What are you doing?"
Jin Cheng pouted pitifully. "Father, you and Mother should try harder. Next year—next year, you must give me a little empress, or the age gap will only grow wider!"
Zong Zhao’s lips twitched. "Give up. There won’t be any more children after this."
Jin Cheng: "??? What’s going on, Father? You’re still young! If you’re not going to raise a whole football team, how can you stop after just one?"
The sight of a son urging his father to have more children sent the entire room into laughter.
Zong Zhao gritted his teeth. "If you want kids, have them yourself."
Jin Cheng batted his lashes, his big eyes shimmering with exaggerated sorrow as he whined, "Daddy, I just want a little empress. It’s my only wish! I’ve been such a pitiful emperor for so long—can’t you fulfill my dream?"
Even the Old Marchioness’s heart softened, and she opened her mouth to intercede—
Zong Zhao shot a glance and said flatly, "Keep pretending."
The exposed little devil: "!"
Father, you heartless man!
Hmph! Mother was always kinder—he’d go pester her instead!
Amid the father-son squabble, another joyous announcement came from inside the room: "Congratulations, Great General! The lady has given birth to a firstborn daughter!"
The midwife brought the second child and placed her in Zong Zhao’s arms.
The Old Marchioness exclaimed in delight, "A girl! It’s a girl! Ah, this is wonderful! Our family finally has a daughter! Quick, let me see her too!"
Jin Cheng, who had been racking his brain for ways to convince his mother to have another child, froze at the sudden news.
Firstborn daughter… a girl…
His little empress!
The little empress had arrived!
Mother had given him his little empress!
The collapsed sky suddenly soared back into place!
While Zong Zhao and the Old Marchioness admired the newborn girl, Jin Cheng rushed over in a frenzy, his eyes gleaming as he cried, "Little empress! Little empress! Let me hold her!"
The Old Marchioness didn’t understand why he kept calling her "little empress," but she handed the baby over with a chuckle. "Jin Cheng, this is your sister—twelve years younger than you."
The little devil carefully cradled her, marveling, "So light! So tiny! So soft! I don’t dare use any strength!"
The Old Marchioness explained, "Since they’re twins, they’re a bit lighter than usual at birth. Your father and uncle were the same—they’ll grow sturdier with time."
Jin Cheng was so overjoyed his eyes nearly disappeared into his grin. He howled, "Coronation! Now! I’ll make her my little empress!!"
The entire room fell into stunned silence, even the maids gaping in disbelief.
They’d assumed the emperor’s talk of a "little empress" was just playful—something to consider when the girl was older. Who knew he’d want to do it immediately?!
Heavens! What kind of empress hasn’t even been weaned yet?!
The little devil was now in such high spirits that even the baby boy he’d resented earlier seemed delightful. He grinned. "What a handsome brother-in-law!"
Everyone: "???"
Who gets a brother-in-law before they’re even a month old?!
A master of mood swings, Jin Cheng alternated between gazing at one baby and then the other, his smile so wide it eclipsed his eyes.
When the midwife finally announced that visitors could enter, Zong Zhao hurried inside. After speaking quietly with Xu Wan for a while, he allowed the Old Marchioness and Jin Cheng to bring the babies in.
"Mother! Look! Isn’t she the cutest?!" Jin Cheng bragged excitedly.
Xu Wan, though exhausted from childbirth, smiled faintly. "She is. And the other one?"
"Right here. Come, Jin Cheng, bring them both closer so your mother can see." The Old Marchioness carried the boy over, placing both infants beside their mother on the bed.
Xu Wan examined them. Though twins, their features were distinct—a relief to her.
Jin Cheng was ecstatic. "Mother, once my little empress gets her name, I’ll write an imperial decree for her coronation. You can keep it safe. When she grows up, no matter who tries to interfere, I’ll honor that decree and make her empress. But if she refuses, you can destroy it, and we’ll pretend it never happened. Deal?"
Xu Wan shook her head gently. "If she agrees, you can write the decree then. Why do it now? Are you afraid you’ll change your mind later?"
The little devil mumbled, "I just want you to feel at ease. The empress’s position is highly coveted—many will scheme for it…"
Xu Wan replied tenderly, "I only want all of you to be happy. Titles and power mean nothing to me."
Jin Cheng’s shoulders slumped. "Fine. I’ll wait until she grows up and ask her properly."
"You…" Xu Wan wanted to say more, but she was too weary.
Zong Zhao noticed and reassured her, "Rest now. I’ll talk to him."
"Alright." Xu Wan trusted that Zong Zhao shared her concerns.
Jin Cheng had no idea what they were hinting at, but his instincts warned him it was nothing good. He quickly stood. "Ah, Father, Mother, it’s getting late. Maybe I should return to the palace and visit another day."
Zong Zhao approached. "I’ll walk you out."
Jin Cheng: "…"
Stay away!!!
The Great General’s estate was vast, but Jin Cheng had never felt its size so acutely—the path to the gate seemed endless, leaving far too much time for conversation.
"I’ll send someone from the palace to bring Mother some tonics—" The little rascal tried to seize the initiative.
Zong Zhao cut him off bluntly. "Whether in private or public, don’t call them those titles."
Jin Cheng: "…"
Here it comes—and so direct!
The little devil put on his most pitiful face, making one last plea. "Father, what’s the harm in calling her ‘little empress’ and him ‘brother-in-law’? I’ll just do it discreetly! Like just now—only you, Grandmother, and Mother were there. You wouldn’t spread it, right?"
