Shen Yuheng’s pregnancy passed through winter and entered spring beneath many eyes.

Some eyes watched with sincere blessing.

Some with calculation.

Some with hope that a prince’s joy would become a prince’s grief.

The seventh prince’s residence became quieter as the months deepened. Xiao Jingyuan reduced unnecessary banquets. Shen Yuheng no longer attended gatherings unless required by palace etiquette. The main courtyard’s food, medicine, bedding, incense, and water were all checked before use. Even the flowers placed in vases were inspected for pollen, fragrance, and hidden medicinal properties.

Outsiders laughed at first.

They said the seventh prince had become overcautious.

They said Shen Yuheng was too precious.

They said no pregnancy could survive being guarded like a military pass.

Then Empress Ji sent two experienced palace midwives to the seventh prince’s residence and ordered that all pregnancy-related matters be reported through Fengyi Palace.

No one laughed openly after that.

The public explanation was clean and proper: Seventh Wangfei was young, carrying twins, and had once been weakened by illness. His Majesty valued imperial bloodline. Her Majesty the Empress was careful with palace descendants. The seventh prince was a new husband and naturally nervous.

All of this was true.

It was not the whole truth.

Behind closed doors, Shen Yuheng’s system scanned him every day.

It monitored fetal movement, maternal strain, blood condition, nutrition, toxin exposure, sleep quality, and hidden infection risk. It adjusted old interstellar medication into dosages small enough to blend with ancient recovery routines. It warned against herbs that even experienced physicians might have used out of habit. It taught Shen Yuheng breathing patterns, muscle control, emergency positioning, and how to preserve strength during labor.

None of this could be spoken aloud.

So in public, Shen Yuheng’s stability became the result of skilled midwives, careful care, proper nourishment, Empress Ji’s protection, and good fortune.

Good fortune was a useful veil.

The closer the birth came, the quieter Xiao Jingyuan became.

He no longer teased as easily. He no longer slept deeply. At night, Shen Yuheng often woke to find him sitting beside the bed, one hand lightly resting over the quilt near his abdomen, listening to breaths that had not changed.

The first time, Shen Yuheng pretended not to notice.

The second time, he sighed.

“Jingyuan.”

Xiao Jingyuan immediately looked up. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

“Thirsty?”

“No.”

“Pain?”

“No.”

“Then—”

“Come sleep.”

Xiao Jingyuan paused.

Shen Yuheng lifted the quilt slightly.

“Are you waiting for me to invite you three times?”

The battle prince who could silence court officials with one glance moved obediently onto the bed.

He lay beside Shen Yuheng, careful not to press against him. His arm hovered for a moment, uncertain where to place itself now that Shen Yuheng’s abdomen was round and heavy with their children.

Shen Yuheng watched him.

Then he took Xiao Jingyuan’s hand and placed it gently over the side of his abdomen.

A small movement answered beneath his palm.

Xiao Jingyuan froze.

Shen Yuheng smiled faintly. “Yunheng is awake.”

Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes lowered.

Another small movement followed, lighter and more sudden.

“And that should be Yunxi,” Shen Yuheng said.

The names had been chosen after many discussions.

The elder twin would be Xiao Yunheng.

Yun from auspicious clouds. Heng from constancy, from Shen Yuheng’s own name, and from the hope that the child would grow steady in heart and broad in bearing.

The second twin would be Xiao Yunxi.

Xi from brightness, warmth, and dawn light breaking through snow.

When Shen Yuheng first suggested using the character Heng for the elder child, Xiao Jingyuan had gone silent for a long time.

Then he said, “I like it.”

His voice had been low.

Too low.

Later that night, he kissed Shen Yuheng for a long time, carefully, almost reverently, as though the name itself had become another vow.

Now, feeling the child move beneath his hand, Xiao Jingyuan’s throat tightened.

“They are strong,” he said.

“They are imperial grandchildren. They should have some temper.”

“Like you?”

Shen Yuheng glanced at him. “Like me?”

Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes softened. “Calm outside. Fierce inside.”

Shen Yuheng laughed softly.

The movement drew another answering kick from one of the children.

Xiao Jingyuan immediately became tense. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

“Truly?”

“Jingyuan, if you ask once more, I will make you sleep in the outer room.”

Xiao Jingyuan closed his mouth.

After a while, he said quietly, “I am afraid.”

Shen Yuheng turned his head.

Xiao Jingyuan rarely said fear so plainly.

He had spoken of danger, caution, preparation, and defense. But fear was different. Fear required taking off armor.

Xiao Jingyuan’s hand remained over his abdomen, warm and still.

“I know the system says all signs are stable. I know Physician Li says the pulse is good. I know Imperial Mother sent the best midwives. I know you are stronger than anyone thinks.” His voice roughened. “I know all of it. But I am still afraid.”

Shen Yuheng’s gaze softened.

He lifted a hand and touched Xiao Jingyuan’s face.

“I am also afraid.”

Xiao Jingyuan looked at him sharply.

Shen Yuheng’s eyes were calm, but not cold.

“Not because I think something will happen. Because bringing life into the world is never a small matter.” His fingers brushed Xiao Jingyuan’s cheek. “Being afraid does not mean we are unprepared.”

Xiao Jingyuan turned his head and kissed his palm.

“Then I will be afraid carefully.”

Shen Yuheng smiled.

“That is acceptable.”

The twins were born on a clear spring morning.

The night before, rain had fallen over Tianjing, washing the dust from palace roofs and noble gates. At dawn, the clouds broke. Golden light spilled through the eastern sky, and a faint rainbow appeared above the western watchtower of the seventh prince’s residence.

By ordinary standards, it was only spring weather after rain.

By imperial rumor standards, it was an auspicious sign.

The labor began shortly after sunrise.

The system detected the change first.

【Labor onset confirmed.】

【Twin presentation stable.】

【Maternal condition: within expected parameters.】

【Recommendation: begin prepared delivery protocol.】

Shen Yuheng was already awake.

He breathed once, slowly, and placed a hand over his abdomen.

“Call the midwives.”

Qingmo, who had been dozing outside the inner chamber, jolted awake so quickly he nearly hit the doorframe.

Within moments, the main courtyard moved.

Palace midwives entered with clean hands, calm faces, and practiced voices. Physician Li waited in the outer room. Hot water was prepared. Fresh cloths, safe medicines, warming soup, and emergency supplies were arranged according to plans Shen Yuheng had reviewed himself.

Publicly, everything followed ancient procedure.

Privately, the system had already mapped every risk.

【Pain pattern: normal.】

【Breathing rhythm guidance active.】

【Energy expenditure acceptable.】

【Emergency medication prepared in hidden storage.】

【Hemorrhage control protocol available if needed.】

Shen Yuheng lay against the pillows, hair damp near his temples, face pale but composed. Pain moved through him in waves, deep and relentless, but he did not waste strength crying out. He listened to the midwives. He listened to the system. He conserved breath, relaxed when told, pushed when instructed, and held his mind steady as though commanding a battlefield inside his own body.

Outside the delivery room, Xiao Jingyuan stood motionless.

At least, he appeared motionless.

His hands were clenched so tightly that the knuckles had gone white.

The system kept a partial alert open for him, but Shen Yuheng had wisely restricted details. If Xiao Jingyuan received every pain marker and physiological warning, he would likely break the door despite all rules.

Even restricted, the alerts were enough to make him feel as if his heart were being held over a blade.

【Primary user condition: stable.】

Then a pause.

【Pain level elevated.】

Then another.

【Energy consumption increasing.】

Xiao Jingyuan’s breath caught.

Physician Li, standing nearby, said carefully, “Your Highness, childbirth is naturally difficult. Wangfei has prepared very well. The midwives are skilled.”

Xiao Jingyuan did not look at him.

“Is he in danger?”

“At present, no.”

“At present,” Xiao Jingyuan repeated.

Physician Li chose his next words with the caution of a man stepping across thin ice.

“Your Highness, every birth contains risk. But Wangfei’s condition is far better than expected. He has preserved strength well, and the twins’ position was favorable in the last examination.”

Xiao Jingyuan closed his eyes.

In battle, fear came with movement. Orders could be given. Horses could be turned. Blades could be raised.

Here, he could do nothing.

That was the cruelest part.

He could command soldiers at the northern border, argue before the emperor, investigate poison, frighten officials, and send guards across half the capital.

But beyond that door, Shen Yuheng was suffering, and Xiao Jingyuan could only wait.

A muffled sound came from inside.

Not a scream.

Only a low breath that broke at the edge.

Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes opened instantly.

He took one step forward.

The senior palace maid sent by Empress Ji blocked him with remarkable courage.

“Your Highness.”

Xiao Jingyuan’s gaze lowered to her.

The maid’s legs nearly softened, but she held her ground.

“Wangfei ordered that Your Highness may enter only if the midwives call. If Your Highness rushes in now, Wangfei will be distracted.”

That sentence stopped him.

Not palace rules.

Not propriety.

Shen Yuheng’s order.

Xiao Jingyuan stood there for a long moment, then forced himself back.

“Report every change.”

“Yes.”

Inside, Shen Yuheng heard the disturbance faintly and knew without asking that Xiao Jingyuan had nearly broken in.

The pain was sharp enough to blur the room for a breath.

Even so, he almost smiled.

“Tell him,” he said, voice low but clear, “if he frightens the midwives, he will sleep in the outer room for a month.”

The senior midwife, who had been nervous despite her experience, paused.

Then she laughed once.

The tension in the room eased.

The message was passed outside.

Xiao Jingyuan stood silent after hearing it.

Then, with visible effort, he said, “Tell Wangfei I will obey.”

When the first child was born, the sun had risen fully.

A loud cry cut through the delivery room.

The sound traveled through the closed door and struck the outer room like thunder.

Xiao Jingyuan stopped breathing.

Then the midwife’s delighted voice rang out.

“The elder young master is born! A son!”

The outer room erupted into relief.

Qingmo burst into tears on the spot.

Physician Li exhaled.

Xiao Jingyuan did not move.

His face had gone blank, as if joy had arrived too suddenly for expression.

A son.

His and Shen Yuheng’s child.

But before joy could fully land, the system sounded again.

【First infant condition: stable.】

【Second delivery continuing.】

Xiao Jingyuan’s heart tightened again.

Inside, the first child was quickly cleaned, checked, and wrapped. The system confirmed strong breathing and a healthy response. Shen Yuheng heard the cry and closed his eyes briefly.

Yunheng.

But there was no time to sink into emotion.

The second child was coming.

The second delivery took longer.

The room grew tenser.

The system remained steady, but its prompts became more frequent.

【Maternal energy dropping.】

【Administer prepared restorative dose: minimal.】

A small system medication dissolved beneath Shen Yuheng’s tongue, hidden beneath the cover of a midwife wiping sweat from his lips. To outsiders, it looked like a prepared ginseng solution.

His strength returned by a thin but crucial margin.

The senior midwife guided him firmly.

“Wangfei, breathe. Yes, like that. Good. Keep your strength. The second young master is close.”

Shen Yuheng’s fingers gripped the cloth beneath him.

His hair was soaked with sweat. His lips had lost color. Yet his eyes, when they opened, remained clear.

He thought of the evacuation passage beneath unfamiliar stars.

One minute and forty-two seconds.

He had held then.

He could hold now.

Another wave of pain tore through him.

This time, he did not suppress the sound entirely.

Outside, Xiao Jingyuan’s control nearly shattered.

The senior palace maid had to block him again.

“Your Highness!”

Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes were red.

Before he could speak, the second cry rang out.

Sharp.

Fierce.

Alive.

“The second young master is born!”

For a heartbeat, the whole residence seemed to fall silent.

Then the sound of people kneeling, laughing, crying, and offering congratulations crashed together.

“Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Wangfei! Twin sons! Mother and children are safe!”

Mother and children are safe.

Xiao Jingyuan’s knees almost gave way.

He gripped the edge of the table.

The system spoke in his mind.

【Primary user condition: exhausted but stable.】

【Infant one: stable.】

【Infant two: stable.】

【Twin delivery complete.】

Only then did Xiao Jingyuan realize his hands were trembling.

Inside the room, Shen Yuheng heard the second child cry and finally let his body sink back.

The midwife spoke cheerfully near his ear, but the words sounded distant. Someone wiped his face. Someone changed the bedding. Someone brought the children closer.

Two small bundles.

Red-faced.

Wrinkled.