Giving Birth But Not Raising, Why Are You Crying Now That I’ve Become an Immortal Emperor? - Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 – The Empress’ Child Husband Ye Lingyun Is Stunned

“Innate Dao Physique?”

Miao Zhen’s exclamation caught Chu Xi’s attention. She turned to her with a curious expression and asked, “What kind of constitution is that?”

Retracting her hand, Miao Zhen carefully examined Ye Lingyun, as though she were appraising a priceless uncut gem. She explained, “The Innate Dao Physique is a rare and unique constitution tied to the Daoist lineage. It is extraordinarily rare and grants its bearer an exceptional affinity for comprehending Daoist principles. Such individuals are prodigies in cultivating our Daoist mystic arts and hold immense value to us.”

“This child must be brought back to the Dao Palace. In just over a decade, he could represent our Daoist sect as the Dao Child and compete with the Buddhist Sect and Wen Temple for dominance on the Immortal Ancient Stage.”

As she spoke, Miao Zhen reached out to take Ye Lingyun from Chu Xi’s arms.

To her surprise, however, Chu Xi tightened her hold on the infant, hugging him closer.

“No way, no way! I was the one who found him first,” Chu Xi protested, cradling Ye Lingyun protectively.

“How about this? I’ll take him back to Great Chu and raise him. Once he’s grown, he can join your Dao Palace—it won’t be too late by then.”

Miao Zhen’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly, her expression tinged with hesitation and inner conflict. To the Dao Palace, an Innate Dao Physique was of unparalleled significance.

Still holding Ye Lingyun tightly, Chu Xi softly reasoned with her, “Don’t worry. I’m the Empress of Great Chu—I’ll take good care of him.”

“The court ministers of Great Chu have been pressuring me to produce an heir, claiming that the nation cannot go a day without a crown prince. Now that I have this little one, I can use him as an excuse to delay things.”

“Especially that Duke Wuyou. He’s been suggesting his son as a potential match for me, but I know he’s really eyeing my throne. That old fox is a nuisance, but he holds significant influence in court and is quite powerful himself, making things difficult for me.”

“Help me out here, dear sister.”

After finishing her plea, Chu Xi pouted her red lips and winked playfully at Miao Zhen, putting on a pitiful, girlish expression.

Seeing the mighty Empress act in such a coquettish manner left Miao Zhen at a loss for words. Suppressing a chuckle, she shook her head with a wry smile and asked, “Are you planning to make this little one your crown prince?”

“The ministers won’t buy that. After all, you’ve only been gone for a few months, and suddenly bringing back an unrelated child would surely raise suspicions.”

Chu Xi’s phoenix eyes gleamed with cunning as she smiled and shook her head.

“No, not the crown prince,” she said slowly.

“I’m planning to bring him into my inner court when he grows up. After that, I’ll have him give me a crown prince, and that should appease the court ministers.”

???

Ye Lingyun, who had been quietly nestled in her arms, froze upon hearing this. His lips twitched in disbelief.

Well, isn’t this something? I’m still just a baby, and you’ve already mapped out my entire future?

Since crossing over into this world, I’ve been abandoned by my parents, survived a demon’s slaughter of the village, and now… a child husband? I’m speechless.

Miao Zhen considered Chu Xi’s request and reasoning for a moment before finally nodding under her hopeful gaze.

“Fine. I’ll leave him to you for now. But thirteen years from now, I’ll come to Great Chu to take him back.”

“By then, don’t get too attached and refuse to let him go.”

Hearing her agreement, Chu Xi beamed with joy. Her smile lit up her face as she eagerly promised to comply with Miao Zhen’s conditions.

Lowering her gaze to the little one nestled in her arms, Chu Xi studied Ye Lingyun’s chubby, innocent face and his large, shiny black eyes. The more she looked at him, the more she adored him.

She couldn’t resist pinching his soft, round cheeks. Watching him squirm slightly in her arms, her smile deepened. Lifting him up, she planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

“Little one, you’re so lucky! Stay by this Empress’s side, and I’ll make sure you live in luxury and never go hungry. Hehehe.”

…

A Few Days Later – The Imperial Palace of Great Chu

Within the solemn and majestic palace hall, Chu Xi sat quietly on her imperial throne. Her phoenix-like eyes were slightly lowered, her expression calm and composed as she cast a casual glance at the two individuals standing below the jade steps. A fleeting hint of displeasure flashed in the depths of her gaze.

The two standing below were none other than Zhao Tianming, the Duke Wuyou she had mentioned to Miao Zhen a few days prior, and his son, Zhao Feng.

Zhao Tianming was a large and imposing man, broad-shouldered and barrel-chested. His stern visage, deep nasolabial lines, and a sharp, menacing aura gave him an overbearing and aggressive demeanor. This was unsurprising, as he was a cultivator with transcendent power in the Ascension Realm, holding great influence and prestige in Great Chu.

As for his son Zhao Feng, he bore little resemblance to his father.

Great Chu’s current political climate was precarious. Chu Xi had only recently ascended to the throne, yet the court ministers were already pressuring her to marry and produce an heir as soon as possible. Zhao Tianming’s visit to the palace today was to further this agenda.

“Your Majesty, as the saying goes, ‘A nation cannot go a day without a crown prince,’” Zhao Tianming began, his deep voice reverberating through the hall.

“My son, Zhao Feng, is young, handsome, skilled in both civil and military affairs, and has been meticulously guided by me over the years. His virtues and reputation are impeccable. If Your Majesty is inclined, why not accept him into the court and give birth to a royal heir to secure the lineage of Great Chu?”

Zhao Tianming’s sharp gaze rested on the empress seated high above him.

Hearing his words, Chu Xi lifted her eyelids slightly and glanced past Zhao Tianming to Zhao Feng. Her gaze remained cold as her brows imperceptibly furrowed.

Zhao Feng’s features were sharp and effeminate, his lips thin and mean-looking, his face oozing treachery. Although he kept his head lowered, Chu Xi could clearly sense the occasional sinister glances he cast her way, his eyes filled with a vile greed that made her inwardly recoil.

You really have the nerve, Duke Wuyou, to sing such praises of your son. What shameless boasting.

“There’s no need for that,” Chu Xi replied with an indifferent tone, rejecting the proposal outright.

She was well aware of Zhao Tianming’s ambitions—this was a thinly veiled attempt to seize the throne of Great Chu. Moreover, as the Empress, renowned for her unparalleled beauty and noble elegance, how could she consider someone as sinister as Zhao Feng worthy of her?

Zhao Tianming’s expression darkened at her refusal, but he pressed on, “If Your Majesty does not favor my son, that is of no consequence. I can assist Your Majesty in finding another suitable candidate. The position of crown prince must not remain vacant for long—it is a matter of urgency.”

Chu Xi smiled gracefully, her phoenix eyes glinting with a playful light. She spoke softly, “There’s no need for Duke Wuyou to trouble himself. I have already found a suitable candidate.”

Zhao Tianming was momentarily taken aback.

“Who might that be?”

Chu Xi did not respond directly. Instead, she waved her hand casually, and from the shadows emerged her maid, Xue Yi, carrying a swaddled infant in her arms.

“Here he is,” Chu Xi said lightly.

Ye Lingyun’s chubby little face was also covered with a sad look, and he was sighing about his tragic fate.

Upon seeing the infant in Xue Yi’s arms, Zhao Tianming was completely dumbfounded.

“Him? A baby? Are you joking with me?”