Chapter 49: Purple Imperial Star Appears

Suzhi just fell asleep, and you came over—aren't you afraid of waking her?

Looking at Queen Jiang in his arms, Ao Yifan said with a smile.

No worries, anyway she knows about our business.

Queen Jiang said, "Besides, I am Changxi, not Queen Jiang!"

Hearing this, Ao Yifan couldn't help but smile slightly.

She had heard Changxi say that, to cope with the impending childbirth, she needed time to adjust, so during this period she simply couldn't vie with Queen Jiang for control of the body.

In other words, Queen Jiang is now impersonating Changxi's identity within her body.

Who would have thought our pure and kind Queen Jiang would also learn to be wicked and even frame others?

Ao Yifan felt that Queen Jiang, struggling to pretend to be Changxi, was utterly adorable, though he wasn't foolish enough to expose her.

After all, for Ao Yifan this was only beneficial, with no drawbacks.

……

Your Majesty, it's getting late—time to rest!

Seeing Emperor Xin still reading the frontline battle report, an attendant beside him couldn't help but whisper a reminder.

Hearing this, Emperor Xin rubbed his weary eyes and said, "The unrest among the North Sea factions won't cease a day—I can't eat or sleep in peace!"

Your Majesty, the North Sea war is under Grand Tutor Wen's charge—surely it's fine; why do you worry so?

The attendant said.

Hmph, what do you know?

Emperor Xin gave a cold snort and said, "The North Sea factions' revolt appears to be the lords' rebellion, but according to Grand Tutor Wen's judgment, there is also a demon clan's shadow involved—I cannot afford to be careless!"

But the queen is about to give birth today, Your Majesty—why not spare some time to keep her company?

The attendant reminded.

This……

A hint of hesitation crossed his face; ultimately Emperor Xin still shook his head and said, "State affairs are urgent—have someone send more nourishing supplies to the queen's side."

Yes, Your Majesty!

The attendant bowed in assent.

Just then, the heavens shifted; Emperor Xin looked up and, to his astonishment, saw the stars that should have been invisible on a full‑moon night suddenly appearing in profusion.

Among them, the purple imperial star that symbolizes earthly emperors was shining especially brightly!

The imperial star has appeared—it means our Great Shang will welcome another mighty ruler! Hahaha, onward, to the queen's chambers!

At this moment Emperor Xin had already forgotten his earlier reluctance to visit the queen.

There's no helping it—Yin Shang is about to receive a mighty ruler; how could Emperor Xin remain calm?

……

The purple imperial star has appeared—Yin Shang's fortune flourishing again? Impossible!

At the Marquis of Xibo's residence, Marquis Ji Chang gazed at the heavenly omens, his face filled with disbelief.

Years earlier, Ji Chang had used his Zhouyi divination to calculate that Yin Shang's fortune would run out, and at the same time he had derived an omen——

Phoenix cries at Mount Qi!

Having formed a plan, Ji Chang never told anyone about this divination result, merely silently accumulating strength.

Originally, in Ji Chang's daily divinations, Yin Shang's fortune was waning little by little.

Yet tonight's stellar signs showed the purple imperial star appearing—it foretold that Yin Shang's fortune would actually flourish once more.

With two extra copper coins in his hand, Ji Chang began his own divination.

The divination shows the imperial star is in the palace—it seems the king's child is about to be born!

His eyes narrowed slightly, and a chill flickered in Ji Chang's gaze.

……

Hahaha, Queen, where is the king's child?

Before he arrived, his voice rang out—Emperor Xin strode like a dragon and tiger to Queen Jiang's chambers.

But upon seeing Ao Yifan cradling the newborn Yin Jiao, he couldn't help but frown.

How come you're here?

It was obvious Emperor Xin had not been paying attention to palace news, yet he still didn't know that Ao Yifan had been residing in the palace for a while.

Your Majesty, it's because I, the consort, am about to give birth and feel uneasy that I had Suzhi and the prince consort enter the palace to keep me company.

Queen Jiang said.

Hearing this, Emperor Xin felt a pang of guilt—indeed, since the queen returned to the palace he has been preoccupied with the North Sea war, unable to spare time to accompany her.

Great King Uncle, quick look—little brother is adorable!

At that moment, Jinzha held Yin Jiao and walked to Emperor Xin's side.

Seeing Jinzha's little Yin Jiao in his arms, a feeling of blood being thicker than water surged in Emperor Xin's heart.

Haha, as the king's own child, he looks just as handsome as his father!

Emperor Xin lifted Yin Jiao and burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Lady Yin glanced at the adorable Yin Jiao, then at her own imperial older brother, and remained silent.

The Great King's birth of his first prince was cause for celebration throughout the realm.

Moreover, when this child was born, celestial portents already appeared—he will surely lead Yin Shang to a prosperous future.

Therefore, at the next morning's court, with Bi Gan at the forefront, the officials jointly submitted a memorial urging Emperor Xin to appoint Yin Jiao as crown prince of Yin Shang.

Naturally Emperor Xin had no reason to refuse; soon the edict ennobling Yin Jiao as Yin Shang's crown prince was issued.

……

What? Queen, you're pregnant again?

Hearing Queen Jiang's words, Di Xin's face was full of surprise; he hadn't expected that he himself was this capable, making the queen conceive again so quickly.

Yes, Your Majesty, from now on you don't need to accompany me; you can focus on handling state affairs.

Queen Jiang said.

Alright, thank you for your understanding!

Di Xin nodded satisfactorily; he was very pleased with this queen.

After all, she doesn't cause trouble at all, fully supports me, and silently bears my offspring—what else could this be but a heavenly blessing?

Di Xin added a couple more remarks, then turned and left the queen's chambers. After all, the North Sea region has become increasingly unsettled lately; even the former demon master Kunpeng has appeared, so Di Xin truly doesn't have much time to keep Queen Jiang company.

After Di Xin left, a figure walked out from the inner chamber.

Seeing Ao Yifan, Queen Jiang flung herself into his arms.

I didn't expect it to go so smoothly.

Ao Yifan said.

It's also thanks to bearing a child for the prince consort, receiving the spiritual energy infusion that has greatly strengthened my true spirit, allowing me to so smoothly influence the king's consciousness.

Chang Xi said.

This is also because, regarding my affairs, the king doesn't pay special attention, so I can influence him so easily; otherwise, if it were about the North Sea, even with my abilities, I couldn't influence him so easily.

Queen Jiang said wistfully.

I didn't expect that after this spiritual energy infusion, your souls could switch at will—so, who are you now, Chang Xi or Queen Jiang?

Ao Yifan held Queen Jiang, laughing as he said:

You guess!

Blinking her eyes, Queen Jiang said somewhat playfully.

Hehe, the difference between you two lies in the subtle nuances of your voices; I won't guess, I will put it to practice to discover the truth!

You're annoying!