Giving Birth But Not Raising, Why Are You Crying Now That I’ve Become an Immortal Emperor? - Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 – Qin Yao Regrets Abandoning Her Child, I Was Too Heartless

Seeing Zhao Tianming visibly agitated, Chu Xi felt secretly satisfied, though her face remained expressionless. She spoke indifferently, “When he grows up, I will make him my imperial consort. By then, there will naturally be an heir to the throne.”

Zhao Tianming froze in place, staring at the swaddled Ye Lingyun. His eye twitched hard, and he was at a loss for words.

Zhao Feng, meanwhile, was utterly stunned, his mind blown to pieces by what he had just heard.

For years, he had coveted Chu Xi’s beauty. He had thought today’s matter of securing an heir would serve as the perfect excuse to win her favor and finally bring this stunning woman into his arms.

But now, she had casually picked a baby to deal with them!

This was outrageous! Unbearable!

Zhao Tianming regained his composure, fixing his gaze on Empress Chu Xi. Suppressing the flames of anger within, he said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, surely you don’t intend to use such an excuse to brush aside your subjects?”

“Can this little thing truly be worthy of being the empress’ husband?”

At these words, Chu Xi’s calm expression turned icy, and her tone grew colder, “Duke Wuyou, the matters of this Empress’s consort are none of your concern.”

“You’ve overstepped your bounds.”

She stared indifferently at the two disgruntled men below the jade steps, silently contemplating.

This little one had an innate Dao physique. Bringing him into the inner court when he grew up was actually to her advantage.

Besides, raising tender grass was far more appealing than tolerating Zhao Feng, with his sinister and effeminate demeanor. A person she raised herself would also be more trustworthy.

Seeing her firm attitude, Zhao Feng realized there was no hope today. He cast a resentful glare at Ye Lingyun, saluted Chu Xi, and stormed off in anger, ignoring his father.

Seeing this, Duke Wuyou Zhao Tianming had no choice but to relent. After some superficial pleasantries, he too departed.

Watching the two unpleasant individuals finally leave, Chu Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her elegant brows relaxed as she stepped forward to take Ye Lingyun from her maid, Xue Yi.

With her slender fingers, she teased the baby nestled in her arms. Her stunningly beautiful face softened with a smile as warm as spring sunshine, her phoenix-like eyes brimming with gentle affection.

Ye Lingyun’s chubby little face and innocent, wide eyes were truly irresistible to her.

“Hehe, little baby, you’re still the cutest,” she murmured.

Held gently in her arms, teased and doted on, Ye Lingyun smelled the faint fragrance of her presence. Feeling the softness of her embrace, he stared at the breathtaking beauty before him and, inexplicably, began to cry.

His sudden outburst left Chu Xi flustered, and even Xue Yi hurried over to help, though neither knew what to do.

After all, these two young women were clearly inexperienced when it came to taking care of a baby.

Fortunately, Ye Lingyun only cried briefly before calming down under their well-intentioned but clumsy soothing.

“Hehe, it seems Your Majesty has taken quite a liking to this little one,” Xue Yi said with a smile, watching Chu Xi cradle Ye Lingyun with a tenderness that revealed a surprisingly feminine side of the Empress.

But then, a thought crossed her mind, and her brows knitted slightly in worry.

“Your Majesty, I fear Duke Wuyou will not let this matter rest so easily.”

Though Xue Yi’s outward identity was merely that of a maid, she was, in fact, highly skilled, with cultivation nearing the Great Perfection realm. As Chu Xi’s confidante, she was deeply trusted.

This gave her the freedom to discuss court matters openly with the Empress and even offer counsel.

However, Chu Xi, preoccupied with teasing Ye Lingyun, seemed to pay no mind to her concerns. Instead, she appeared thoroughly engrossed, as though unable to pull herself away.

Noticing this, Xue Yi’s expression became strange. She hesitated before asking, “Your Majesty… you don’t really plan to make this little one your consort, do you?”

Gently pinching Ye Lingyun’s soft cheeks, Chu Xi arched her elegant brows. A playful smile graced her plump red lips as she said proudly, “Of course. This little one is so adorable. When he grows up, he’ll surely be very handsome.”

What?

Hearing this, Xue Yi’s eyes widened in shock. The Empress, so overflowing with affection, seemed like a completely different person.

She had thought Chu Xi’s move was merely a stalling tactic, but now it seemed she was serious?

Night, the Empress’s Bedchamber

Chu Xi had changed out of her formal phoenix-embroidered gold robe into a loose silk sleeping gown. The flowing fabric hinted at her enchanting figure with every movement.

Having just finished her evening routine, she prepared for bed. Ye Lingyun, swaddled in his blanket, had already been placed on her bed by Xue Yi, pretending to sleep.

Lying down, Chu Xi turned to embrace Ye Lingyun. She gazed at his soft little face and couldn’t resist leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek.

“Little baby, don’t worry. You’re my shield now, so I won’t let you suffer in the future.”

She held him close, murmuring to herself for a while before drowsiness overtook her. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.

Only then did Ye Lingyun, who had been feigning sleep, slowly open his eyes, exhaling in relief.

Though the situation was still precarious, it seemed somewhat stable for now.

With this woman’s protection, his safety seemed assured.

As for those unreliable parents of his—would they regret sending him away to be raised by others?

When the year was up and they found the village ravaged by a great demon, how would they feel?

Yaochi Holy Land

In a palace perched atop a majestic peak, Qin Yao lay asleep in her robes, her serene beauty dreamlike.

But her dreams were anything but peaceful.

Under a dark sky, a massive shadow descended, scooping up a swaddled infant amidst cries and tossing him into its gaping maw.

“Lingyun!”

Qin Yao jolted awake, sitting upright, her body covered in cold sweat.

“Was that… a dream?”

She gasped for breath, taking a long time to collect herself.

“Thank goodness…”

Hugging her knees, she curled into a ball, her lips tightly pressed together, her expression full of melancholy.

She missed Ye Lingyun.

“Sending the child away to be raised… Was I… too heartless?”