Widowed for Five Years, the Widow is Pregnant with the Emperor’s Child

Chapter 218

A few days later, the long-vacant house next to the Cen family courtyard was bought by someone. After two days of cleaning and moving in various household items, it seemed the new owner planned to live there for a long time.

Early in the morning, Yun Wan overheard Lin Xiu expressing curiosity about the new neighbors, and then someone knocked on their courtyard gate.

Yun Wan said, "Aunt, let me go see who it is."

Since that encounter with the rogue on the street, Yun Wan hadn't left the house, only strolling in the yard and drying spices.

She lifted the latch and pulled open the door. A handsome, strong-jawed face came into view.

"Good morning, madam," Emperor Jingxuan greeted her with a smile.

Seeing him, Yun Wan was both surprised and unsurprised. "You... why are you here so early?"

She remembered that the place where he lived was at least half an hour's ride away by horse from Fengshui Alley.

Emperor Jingxuan glanced at the neighboring house and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Catching sight of Jiang Fusheng at the entrance of the neighboring property, Yun Wan understood. "So it was you who bought the house next door?"

Emperor Jingxuan curled his lips. "Since you wouldn't come to stay at my place, I had no choice but to come to yours."

After confirming that the child in Yun Wan's womb was his, he postponed his return to the capital.

He had hoped she would stay in his residence for the sake of her pregnancy—after all, the house there was larger and the surroundings more pleasant—but Yun Wan refused, wanting only to remain with her family.

So Emperor Jingxuan settled for the next best option: since the mountain would not come to him, he would go to the mountain.

"Wan, who is it?" Lin Xiu called out from inside when Yun Wan didn't return promptly.

People were coming and going in the alley, so Yun Wan stepped aside. "Please, come in and talk."

Unlike the first time, she was now inviting him in on her own initiative. Emperor Jingxuan lifted his foot over the threshold and strode grandly into the courtyard, mindful to support Yun Wan, who was with child.

Lin Xiu said, "Oh, it's Qi Ye."

Her attitude toward the father of her niece's child was neither warm nor deliberately cold.

After all, to her, who the father was didn't matter.

Helping Yun Wan sit on a wooden chair, Emperor Jingxuan noticed Lin Xiu moving things and stepped forward. "Aunt, let me give you a hand."

Lin Xiu didn't refuse.

Upon learning that the owner of the neighboring house was now him, she was slightly surprised.

Emperor Jingxuan smiled politely and said, "I'll be troubling my aunt and uncle from now on."

Seeing this, Cen Yuanzhou rolled his eyes.

Within half a month, every household in Fengshui Alley knew that someone new had moved in next door to the Cen family—a tall, young, handsome man.

That wasn't the main point. The main point was that he looked refined and noble, clearly from a wealthy background, yet he had set his sights on the little widow of the Cen family, seemingly eager to become the stepfather of her unborn child.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to do this," Yun Wan said.

She didn't understand why he kept delaying his return to the capital, crowding himself into this narrow alley.

If it was for the sake of the child, the baby hadn't even been born yet, and they didn't even know the gender. Besides, it wasn't as if he had no children already.

Yun Wan wished he would just leave and let her keep the child.

"My legs belong to me. I go wherever I please," Emperor Jingxuan said.

He didn't need to guess what this little widow was thinking—she was probably plotting some mischief to drive him away.

But since he had already decided to stay because he couldn't let go, he wouldn't let her have her way. Nor would he give her the chance to marry someone else.

After all, she was carrying his child.

Scooping up a spoonful of meat congee, he gently brought it to her lips. "Open your mouth. One more sip."

Being fed by a man for the first time, Yun Wan's face flushed, and her ears burned.

Knowing he wouldn't give up until she ate, Yun Wan reluctantly opened her mouth and took the bite.

It was also the first time Emperor Jingxuan had ever waited on a woman, and he found a certain joy in it.

......

Autumn passed, and winter arrived. Yun Wan's belly grew bigger day by day, and her body became heavier.

The good news was that throughout her pregnancy, she hadn't experienced the common symptoms other women suffered from—morning sickness, cravings, swelling.

Over the past few months, Lin Xiu had used the ingredients Emperor Jingxuan sent to prepare all kinds of delicious food for Yun Wan, so her complexion was incredibly radiant, making others envious.

In the bitter cold of winter, the family celebrated a lively and joyous New Year. Right after the Lantern Festival, Cen Yuanzhou embarked on his journey to the capital for the imperial examinations.

He was now the family's hope and their future pillar, filled with a burning ambition for success and honor.

Although Emperor Jingxuan had stayed in Yangzhou for months, he wasn't idle every day—he had important matters to attend to as well.

Still, whenever he had free time, he would come to keep Yun Wan company, claiming it was his duty as the father of her child.

Yun Wan knew this was just an excuse, because' a father's duty held little weight for a man of his status.

But since he was willing to come, she couldn't very well chase him away. Gradually, they seemed to grow accustomed to each other's presence.

Even when each had their own tasks to do, they simply stayed nearby in silence, not disturbing one another.

The snow outside the window had stopped. Emperor Jingxuan pulled her halfway into his arms, his palm gently stroking her swollen belly with tenderness.

"In a few days, I need to return to the capital for a while. I've left some people for you at the house next door. If anything comes up, just tell them directly."

Breathing in her rich fragrance, he took a deep breath, a hint of infatuation flickering in his eyes.

Yun Wan lowered her head and murmured an acknowledgment, a faint hesitation showing on her face.

After struggling briefly, she asked in a hesitant voice, "...Will you come back?"

"Naturally," Emperor Jingxuan nodded without a second thought. "I'll be sure to return before our son is born."

Yun Wan's brow relaxed, but then she pressed her lips together and said, "If you're too busy, there's no need to come back—"

Before she could finish, the man interrupted her. "Don't worry, madam. I will come back to welcome our son into the world."

Hearing this, Yun Wan pouted slightly. "Why are you so sure it's a boy? What if it's a girl?"

Catching her small expression, Emperor Jingxuan smiled. "I dreamed it. You gave me a big, strapping son."

Yun Wan was puzzled. Why hadn't she had such a dream? Wasn't a pregnancy dream supposed to belong to the mother?

......

Yun Wan thought she would never see the Lu family again, but half a month after Emperor Jingxuan left, the Lu family sent people, led by the Lu family steward.

They clearly meant trouble.

When the steward saw Yun Wan, his gaze lingered on her belly for a moment before he spoke respectfully, "Third Madam, I have come on the orders of the Old Madam and the head of the household."

Yun Wan's expression turned cold. "I am no longer your Third Madam."

She hadn't missed the steward's glance. In her heart, she guessed that he was almost certainly after the child in her belly.

Sure enough, the next moment, the steward said with a smile, "You may no longer be the Third Madam of the Lu family, but the child in your womb carries Lu family blood—the heir of the third young master."

"To be honest, I have come today to take you back to the capital."

Ever since the news of Old Madam Lu's attempt to kill her daughter-in-law spread in the capital, the Lu family's reputation had plummeted.

Families that had once considered marrying their daughters into the Lu family had all changed their minds.

Hearing this, Yun Wan's eyes gleamed with alertness and disgust. "The child in my belly has nothing to do with the Lu family."

The steward thought she was speaking out of anger and didn't take it seriously. After all, the child in the Third Madam's womb was clearly conceived before she left the Lu family. Who else's could it be if not their Third Young Master's?

It was precisely for this reason that, after news of Yangzhou reached the capital, the Lu family had dispatched the steward to demonstrate their seriousness and strong stance.

The steward continued, "I know you are still upset, but concerning the bloodline of the Lu family, I am merely following orders. Please forgive the offense."

He waved his hand, and the matrons behind him stepped forward, ready to forcibly take Yun Wan away.

They knew Yun Wan was close to giving birth, but they did not intend to take her to the capital. Instead, they planned to bring her to a private estate of the Lu family, wait for the child to be born, and then return to the capital with the baby.

In their plan, Yun Wan was no longer a wife of the Lu family. She could remain in Yangzhou if she wished—as long as they took the child back.

But Yun Wan had no intention of letting them touch her. She immediately cried out, "Guards!"

At her command, the hidden guards stationed in the neighboring estate emerged with a clatter, surrounding the area tightly inside and out.

These were the men Emperor Jingxuan had left for Yun Wan before his departure—each one highly skilled in martial arts, carefully selected. She had not expected they would actually prove useful.

The leading guard rested his hand on his broadsword and asked, "What are your orders, Madam?"

Yun Wan's face was cold as she glanced at the steward. "They mean to do me harm. Drive them out."

The Lu family steward was stunned by the sight. His expression was one of bewilderment. He could not understand why these obviously well-trained men would take orders from a widow.

But before he could figure it out, he and the men he brought were beaten back. Then they were tied up, hands and feet bound securely.

.........

On a warm and sunny afternoon in early March, Yun Wan was curled up on a soft couch, doing some needlework. As she bent over, a sudden pain struck her abdomen, and she felt a wetness beneath her.

Yun Wan had gone into labor.

The Cen family estate was thrown into a bustle of activity.

At the canal dock, a boat that had sailed downstream from the capital had just moored. A travel-worn man disembarked, mounted the horse waiting for him, and galloped straight toward Fengshui Alley.

The moment he dismounted and heard the cries of pain coming from the courtyard, he stumbled, nearly collapsing. Then, as if carried by the wind, he rushed to the door of the birthing chamber, his voice filled with urgency.

"Auntie, how is Wan?"

Seeing him arrive in a hurry, Lin Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. "She's still in labor. But rest assured. The baby is in the right position. We've hired the best midwife in Yangzhou. Everything will be fine."

Just as she finished speaking, a loud, hearty cry pierced the air.

Emperor Jingxuan could no longer hold himself back. He pushed the door open and entered, going straight to the bedside. He called out softly, "Wan, my wife!"

At that moment, Yun Wan still had some strength left and had not yet fallen asleep. Hearing his voice, she struggled to open her eyes. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Emperor Jingxuan looked at the woman before him. She seemed as if she had been pulled from water, her breath faint and fragile. A sharp pain stabbed through his heart, like a spike digging in ruthlessly.

"I'm sorry. I came too late," he said, his voice tight, low, and hoarse, thick with deep emotion.

Catching the guilt in his eyes, Yun Wan was momentarily stunned. Then she slowly shook her head, her voice gentle and soft. "Don't blame yourself. You didn't break your promise."

Hearing this only made Emperor Jingxuan feel worse. He held her hand tightly, refusing to let go, his expression laced with remorse.

Yun Wan asked, "Is it a boy or a girl? I want to see the baby."

"It's a boy."

Just then, the midwife had finished cleaning the baby and brought him over. Yun Wan took a look and suddenly smiled.

It was a child who was already fair and chubby from the moment of birth.

Emperor Jingxuan did not dare to touch the son who was no bigger than a kitten. He turned and said softly to Yun Wan, "My wife, would you like to give him a name?"

Yun Wan nodded and said slowly, "Sui. May his life be peaceful and healthy, and may all things go smoothly for him."

.......

A flash of light. Yun Wan woke from her dream.

The moment she opened her eyes, she met a man's gaze, dark and filled with deep grievance.

Puzzled, Yun Wan looked at him with confusion.

Emperor Jingxuan stretched out his long arm, pulled her close, and buried his head in the hollow of her neck. His voice was heavy. "Husband dreamed that you had not only forgotten me, but were carrying my child and about to marry some other wild man."

Just remembering the dream made his whole body ache with anger.

"Is that all it is?" Yun Wan could not help but laugh helplessly at his troubled expression. "You said it yourself—it was a dream. It doesn't mean anything."

"We are both getting older, father to several children. How can you still be acting so childish?"

She reached up and gently touched the faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, stroking them softly as if to smooth them away.

Emperor Jingxuan took her hand and pressed it against his cheek. He said petulantly, "I still don't like Cen Yuanzhou."

Yun Wan asked, "When did my cousin manage to offend you this time?"

"He wouldn't dare," Emperor Jingxuan snorted coldly. "But he dared in my dream. He dared to pick up a broom and chase me away. Overreaching fool!"

He let out a cold laugh.

No matter where they were, that cousin of hers was always the same weak, pale-faced pretty boy.

Their family of three had spent nearly half a year in Yangzhou, traveling all over the Jiangnan region.

Mingyang still remembered her promise not to interfere with her parents' time alone together. So, she spent her days away from home, exploring on her own.

Emperor Jingxuan assigned her a squad of imperial guards for protection. Mingyang understood the importance of her own safety, and she was already used to having people around her.

Thus, to enjoy everything Yangzhou had to offer, Mingyang led a large crowd of people through the streets every day, visiting shops and restaurants. She never left a store empty-handed. The Cen family estate was soon piled high with things she had bought.

From large items like furniture and cabinets, to small things like snacks, toys, and trinkets, everything imaginable was there. Mingyang was having the time of her life.

Soon, rumors began circulating in Yangzhou: An unruly female tycoon with powerful backing from the capital had arrived. She paraded through the streets every day, buying up entire shops. She was rude and extravagant to the extreme.

If Mingyang had known she had become such a wasteful daughter of the rich, she would have surely yelled, "Unfair!"

No one knew that of all the things she bought, nearly half were destined for the capital.

Besides gifts for her elder brother, who was still toiling away at state affairs in the palace, she also had things for her Third Imperial Brother, Cousin Pei, Aunt Zhou, her maternal aunt, her friends... only a small part of the loot was for herself.

As for how people concluded Mingyang came from a powerful family—it was because of an incident. The son of the former prefect took a fancy to Mingyang and tried to harass her. In response, Mingyang struck him hard with her whip.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍man threw a fit, shouting that his father was the prefect and demanding she be taught a lesson.

Mingyang promptly struck him again with her whip and sneered coldly, "My father is the emperor!"

Afterward, everyone in Yangzhou high society watched, waiting to see Mingyang's comeuppance. But instead, news came that the prefect was found guilty of dereliction of duty and embezzlement. He was dismissed from his post, and his entire family was exiled.

From then on, every member of Yangzhou's aristocratic circles treated Mingyang with nothing but courtesy and respect.

Half a year later, bidding farewell to their friends in Yangzhou, the family of three returned to the capital.

Gazing at the mighty river from the boat, Mingyang curled up in her mother's arms and asked, "Mother, what is the meaning behind the title Father bestowed upon me?"

"Naturally, there is a meaning," Yun Wan nodded. Stroking her daughter's soft hair, she said tenderly.

"The sun of the morning, the brightness of the day. That is what you are, our daughter."