Sheng Jiu instantly stood still on the spot, his cheeks and ears burning bright red. He scratched his head and weakly spoke up, "The dreams I had... were they really real?"
He reached out his hand and gently stroked his belly. Then, with a pair of bright, glistening eyes, he softly asked, "My lady, is there really a little baby in here?"
Wanwan turned his head away, not wanting to look at him. Seeing his cold attitude, Sheng Jiu retracted his hand dejectedly and said, "My lady, did I make you angry? Why are you treating me like this? In my dreams... you weren't like this at all."
Wanwan's eyelashes fluttered twice. "It's okay. I want to rest. Please leave first."
But Sheng Jiu quickly lay down beside him. "No! I want to accompany my lady while she rests!"
Cheng Mo glanced at them twice and then dragged Feng Yu out.
Seeing that he had already lain down, Wanwan didn't say anything more and quietly lay down. Sheng Jiu lay on his side and gently hugged him. His palm stroked his belly as he slowly said, "My lady, I can't remember many things. Did I make you angry before?"
Wanwan turned around and murmured in a low voice, "Go to sleep."
Whether Wanwan was asleep or not, Sheng Jiu kept talking on his own. "My lady, now that you're back, can we live a good life together from now on? I miss you so much. I dream about you every night. In my dreams, I see you crying. I think it must be because I treated you badly before, which is why you kept crying and left me..."
"But now that you're back... do you also miss me and can't bear to leave me?"
Sheng Jiu pressed his forehead against his back and gently rubbed it. His tone carried a hint of a sigh. Wanwan tightly closed his eyes, and crystal - clear tears wet the pillow.
For some reason, he remembered what Cheng Mo had said.
He only had one year to live.
Wanwan could feel his weak breathing. In the past, the body that hugged him from behind had a strong heartbeat, but now... he could hardly feel it.
Wanwan didn't know if he should forgive him. He only knew that there was indeed not much hatred left in his heart.
The two of them had been entangled until now. He had wasted his whole life, and Sheng Jiu had also sacrificed his entire life. He wondered who was more miserable between them.
Sheng Jiu tightened his arm around his waist. Wanwan slowly turned around and hugged him back. His palm stroked his protruding spine as he softly said, "You've lost weight."
Sheng Jiu looked up at him for a long time and then suddenly gently touched his lips with his own. Wanwan's body trembled, but he didn't dodge. The two kissed each other, and Sheng Jiu's eyes turned red.
Although the two of them were not extremely affectionate, they were still quite tender. As days passed by, it was the time of early spring, and it was also the time for Wanwan to give birth. The lake that Sheng Jiu had built was just right for Wanwan's delivery.
Sheng Jiu was so scared that he shed tears. He kept tugging at Cheng Mo's sleeve. "Sister, will my lady be okay? I'm so scared..."
Cheng Mo glared at him. "Don't say such discouraging words. I've been researching for five months. How could there be any mistakes?!"
Sheng Jiu wiped away his tears. Feng Yu handed her the water - avoiding bead. "You must, must keep Wanwan safe. As long as the baby is okay. If anything happens to Wanwan, I won't be able to explain it to Leng Yao. You should work hard and make sure... there are no mistakes!"
Cheng Mo rolled her eyes. "Why are you so nagging? If you use a bit more strength, you'll crush the bead! Just give it to me!"
Feng Yu finally let go.
The two of them watched until their figures diving into the water disappeared.
Sheng Jiu and Feng Yu sat on the boat and waited for a whole day and night before they finally came out. Cheng Mo carried the naked baby onto the boat.
Sheng Jiu took the baby and asked, "Where's my lady?!"
Without a moment's delay, Cheng Mo turned around and said, "Down there. Both father and son are safe."
The words "both father and son are safe" made their hearts settle down. Sheng Jiu lowered his eyes and looked at the baby. Tears fell "plop, plop, plop". Feng Yu said compassionately, "Come on. It's just giving birth. What's there to cry about? A big man crying all the time."
Sheng Jiu gave him a disdainful look. "You don't even have a wife. What do you know?!"
Feng Yu got excited. "Who says I don't have a wife?! I'm even your brother - in - law! Do you know that? I have a wife and a child! I have everything you have. What are you showing off in front of me?!"
Sheng Jiu was at a loss for words and mumbled, "Your child is not as cute as my baby!"
Feng Yu stared at him. "Mine is cute!"
Sheng Jiu stared back. "Mine is cute!"
"Mine!!!"
"Mine!!!"
"Both of you shut up and quickly carry Wanwan up!"
Cheng Mo pushed the person up. Sheng Jiu immediately hugged his waist and said anxiously, "My lady!!!"
Cheng Mo climbed up, out of breath. "You don't know. Wanwan... Wanwan had a breech presentation. It almost scared me to death! Fortunately, nothing serious happened..."
Sheng Jiu stroked Wanwan's cheek and gently said, "My lady, you've worked hard. Fortunately, both of you are okay..."
Sheng Jiu wrapped the cloak tightly around Wanwan and the baby. The few of them hurriedly returned to the palace hall. They all started to get busy with the baby's affairs, while Sheng Jiu hugged the still - sleeping Wanwan and whispered to him alone.
"You've given birth to a son for me, so I can rest assured. There will finally be a successor to this country. This country has been unlucky to fall into my hands. I won't be able to watch him grow up with my own eyes. Don't worry. I'll find the best teacher for him and pave the way for him... so that he can smoothly ascend the throne. I'll write the imperial edict in advance. Feng Yu... is a smart man with a good understanding of the ways of the world. He can assist him."
"I've already thought of the baby's name. Sheng Yang. I hope that under his leadership, our country will become a great and prosperous nation."
"Wanwan, I'm so tired. I want to have a good sleep. But I also think... it would be great if I could accompany you for a few more years, watch Yang'er grow up and ascend the throne."
"I'm already very content that you've been by my side during this period. These few months have been like a stolen time. I hope you'll always remember my goodness."
Sheng Jiu wiped the blood overflowing from his nose, reached out his hand to stroke Wanwan's trembling shoulder, and said with half - closed eyes, "It's okay. Don't cry. I'm fine."
"Little crybaby, don't cry anymore. I'm willing to sacrifice my life for you..."
"I've held on for too long. I've been holding my breath and managed to hold on until you gave birth. Finally, I got to see the baby."
Sheng Jiu gathered his strength and grabbed his shoulder. Choking with sobs, he said, "Wanwan, I only want to ask one question. Are you still angry with me?"
Wanwan bit his lower lip and didn't make a sound. He felt the hand on his shoulder gradually go limp. Then, with a hoarse voice, Wanwan said,
"I hate you so much."
"But... I also love you."
Sheng Jiu let out a soft laugh, and his breathing slowly weakened.
"I... love you. I've always... loved... you."
"I'm... sorry for the past..."