Chapter 501: Dragon‑Phoenix Twins

All gazes instantly converged on her like spotlights, even the wind seemed to stop, leaving only the taut heartbeat sounding unusually clear in the silence.

Chen Yan clenched both hands into fists, his fingertips nearly digging into his palms; the usually steady eyes swirled with raging waves, and his breathing was held extremely light.

Yuwen Ze held his breath and focused, Du Shuying subconsciously tightened her grip on Cui Yuanrong's hand, and the onlookers' eyes were full of hope and anxiety.

The midwife wiped sweat from her forehead, her chest rose and fell with rapid breathing, then she thrust her face up, eyes flashing with hot joy, her voice rose a few pitches, brimming with uncontrollable excitement: "The lady has given birth to a pair of dragon‑phoenix twins!"

"The miss is healthy, and the young master is very robust!"

The words shattered the courtyard's dead silence, and the midwife immediately stepped aside; behind her two other midwives each cradling a swaddled bundle walked out slowly.

In the bundle on the left, the baby girl's eyebrows and eyes were delicate, her tiny mouth barely moving.

The baby boy in the right bundle cried softly, yet his voice was full of vigor; his rosy face radiated vigorous life.

Pei Xun stared at the swaddles, his pupils suddenly constricted, blood seemed to surge to his head, the corners of his mouth involuntarily lifted, his usually steady face now full of ecstatic joy, his hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

"The legitimate first son! Suiwan really gave birth to the legitimate first son!" he shouted wildly in his heart, the joy in his chest nearly spilling over, "This vast Weiguo Gongfu finally has an heir!"

All worries vanished like smoke, leaving only an indescribable excitement and satisfaction that almost made him burst into laughter.

The legitimate first son, bearing the blood of both the Chen and Pei families, will be cultivated with everything!

Cui Yuanrong's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, she released Du Shuying's hand; the hand that had just trembled rose high, she clasped both hands together in a deep bow to the heavens, tears that had not yet dried rolled down her cheeks, yet she wore a full smile.

"Thank heaven, thank earth, my daughter is fine!" she sighed deeply, her voice full of the relief and gratitude of surviving a disaster.

After her emotions steadied a bit, looking at the two swaddles held in the midwives' arms, the smile in her eyes grew softer.

Cui Yuanrong lightly patted her chest, murmuring to herself, "Suiwan's belly really lived up to expectations!"

Although she knew there were two children, she feared the low‑probability event of both being girls…

Now at last the dust has settled; this child must be the heir!

The heir who inherits the love and resources of both the Chen and Pei clans!

Beside them, Zhu Yi stood solemnly in the shadow of the corridor, the Long Sword in his arms held ever tighter.

When he heard the words "young master", a flush of excitement rose on his face, his heart surged, and it took him a long time to calm.

He subconsciously lifted his gaze toward the Ancestral Hall of the State Duke Mansion, his eyes distant and solemn, silently reciting in his heart: "It's a legitimate son! The Young Master has a legitimate son! The lady has a legitimate grandchild!"

"Lady, surely your spirit in heaven has seen it!"

Surely at this moment, the lady is also filled with joy…

His remaining life, Zhu Yi will protect the Young Master's family.

Du Shuying's gaze withdrew from the pair of exquisitely carved swaddles and fell on her slightly swollen lower abdomen.

She lifted her hand, a gentle smile at the corner of her lips, fingertips lightly caressing her belly, her voice hushed, as if whispering to the child within: "Suiwan got a boy in one pregnancy; you must also make Mother proud!"

The brows that had been tense from worrying about Pei Suiwan fully relaxed.

In her eyes swirled an unfading hope, as if filled with starlight.

If the little one in her womb is a boy, then he too will be the heir…

Yuwen Ze could no longer contain his excitement, slapped his thigh hard, genuinely rejoicing for A Xiong, and shouted loudly: "Great! Wonderful!"

While speaking, he couldn't help a hearty laugh, "Now I have not only a godson, but also a goddaughter!"

"Hahaha!"

Sweating profusely, the midwife had just announced the good news, and before she could catch her breath she bowed repeatedly to Chen Yan, her voice hoarse yet still loud: "Congratulations, Duke! Congratulations, …"

"Hold off on the congratulations for now!"

Before he could finish, Chen Yan's urgent voice abruptly cut him off.

At this moment he could no longer care about the joy of the dragon‑phoenix twins; his mind and eyes were wholly concerned with Pei Suiwan in the Warm Chamber.

The earlier mournful cry still lingered in his ears, keeping his hanging heart from settling.

Chen Yan stepped forward a large stride, hands clenched tightly, his urgent and caring expression almost spilling over, his gaze fixed on the midwife, his tone edged with undeniable urgency: "Where is the lady? How is she? Is she safe?"

That tone was intensely lingering; the midwife's heart tightened, she quickly suppressed her smile, bowed respectfully and replied: "In response to the Duke's words, the lady and the two children are all safe and well, everything is fine!"

She paused, seeing Chen Yan's tense expression ease a bit, then added: "Only that the lady exhausted herself during childbirth and is still resting in the Warm Chamber…"

"Miss Yun and Miss Mingyue have been staying inside, caring attentively; the Duke may rest assured, there is no serious problem!"

"Then that's good… safety is all that matters!"

The heart that had been hanging in Chen Yan's throat instantly settled back into his belly, the massive stone on his chest crashed down.

He let out a long sigh, the tension in his shoulders suddenly released.

The next second, the long‑suppressed euphoria surged like a tide.

His eyes instantly flashed with dazzling light, his mouth involuntarily curved upward, and even his voice was tinged with uncontrollable excitement.

Chen Yan slowly nodded, his gaze sweeping over the several exhausted yet visibly joyful midwives before him, recalling their recent toil in the Warm Chamber, feeling grateful.

Then, with a swift swing of his sleeve, he proclaimed loudly: "You have all done your utmost in delivering the lady; each of you will receive five hundred taels of silver and ten pieces of fine silk!"

"Thank you, Duke!"

The midwives bowed together, their voices full of uncontainable excitement and gratitude.

As they deeply bowed, sweat beads still rolled down their cheeks, yet could not hide the wild joy in their eyes.

When they rose, they exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling, reflecting disbelief and delight at the huge reward.

Five hundred taels of silver!

And ten pieces of fine silk!

That's wealth that ordinary families would never earn in several lifetimes!

The midwives' hearts surged, almost unable to restrain the urge to scream, all thinking together: "The Duke truly is magnanimous!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly, then loudly said: "Everyone else in the mansion, each will receive one hundred taels of silver and two pieces of silk!"

He paused again, then continued: "All share in the lady's joy!"

Those words fell like sweet rain on everyone's hearts, instantly igniting everyone's emotions.

The private soldiers guarding the courtyard flushed, but could not hide the excitement in their eyes.

The servants and maids showed their joy even more; the tense expressions they wore from worrying about the lady earlier instantly melted, their faces filled with genuine smiles.

"Thank you, Duke! Thank you, Madam!"

Everyone bowed in unison, their voices uniform and harmonious, full of gratitude and joy, echoing through the courtyard.

Chen Yan lifted his gaze to the still‑closed doors of the warm pavilion; the earlier exhilaration gradually subsided, and the longing he felt for Pei Suiwan rose again in his heart.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his impatience, his eyes falling on the midwife, and asked, "Can we go in to see the Madam now?"

"Duke, please remain calm!"

The midwife, seeing this, quickly bowed and became even more respectful, "Miss Yun specifically instructed that the Madam now needs quiet convalescence; she must regain some vital energy before she can see anyone!"

Chen Yan heard this, and the urgency on his face gradually faded.

He knew Yun Xi's medical skill was superb and she was always steady; her words were surely for Pei Suiwan's benefit.

Even though his heart was full of longing, he could not let personal desire delay his wife's recuperation.

After a moment of silence, he helplessly waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of compromise: "Very well, we will follow Miss Yun's arrangement and not disturb her rest."

Then, turning his head to Qingyu, he instructed, "Qingyu, go immediately and tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing soups..."

"Yes." Qingyu quickly bowed in agreement, daring not to delay, and after receiving the order turned and hurried toward the back kitchen.

The midwife, holding the baby boy, hurried forward two steps, bowed, her face filled with respectful and eager smiles, and softly said, "Duke, please hold the little lord and the young lady!"

Chen Yan was startled at first, then patted his forehead, his face breaking into an enlightened smile, his tone tinged with self‑mockery and joy: "I actually forgot about these two newborn little ones!"

Then, reaching out to the midwife, he said, "Come!"

The midwife hurriedly and delicately handed over the brocade swaddling cloth wrapping the baby boy, her movements extremely gentle, fearing to disturb the little lord within.

Chen Yan took it with both hands, instinctively adjusting his posture, cradling the swaddle tightly in his arms; his movements were a bit clumsy but full of reverence.

This is his first legitimate son, his eldest son!

He is also the future heir!

On the other side, Pei Xun could no longer contain his joy; seeing Chen Yan hold the grandson, he hurried forward and, smiling at the midwife holding the baby girl, said, "Let this maternal grandfather hold the little girl!"

The wrinkles on his face softened with his smile, full of affection.

Cui Yuanrong, seeing this, quickly stepped forward, her face full of worry, her hands slightly raised, carefully shielding Pei Xun's side, fearing any mishap.

She kept her eyes fixed on the swaddled granddaughter, gently admonishing, "Take it slowly! You mustn't drop the granddaughter!"

Pei Xun, holding the swaddled granddaughter, stared at the delicately carved little face, never getting enough of it; his mouth couldn't stop smiling, and the wrinkles at his eyes formed gentle gouhes.

He carefully adjusted his posture to make the little one more comfortable, then turned to Cui Yuanrong with a cheerful smile, "Madam, look quickly: the little girl's eyebrows and that perky little nose—aren't they exactly like Pei Suiwan's when he was a child?"

Cui Yuanrong quickly moved closer, her eyes meticulously tracing the granddaughter's brows and eyes, feeling increasingly affectionate, and she sighed lightly, "Indeed! Those features are as if carved from the same mold—no difference at all from Pei Suiwan's childhood."

She reached out to touch the little one's cheek, but fearing too much pressure would disturb her, she paused mid‑air, then gently brushed the edge of the swaddle, examined it a moment longer, and smiled, adding, "But that mouth looks more like A Yan's."

Pei Xun nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing.

On the other side, Chen Yan held the boy tightly in his arms, lowering his head to look at the swaddled infant, murmuring, "Little one, your mother endured much hardship to give birth to both of you, expending great effort..."

He raised his hand, gently patting the swaddle, "When you grow up, be more sensible, so your mother can be at ease!"

Yuwen Ze strode forward, his face bright with a hearty smile, resting his elbow on Chen Yan's shoulder, his tone teasing yet genuinely joyful: "A Xiong, you just got a pair of dragon‑phoenix twins; our families are now inseparable!"

The two exchanged a glance, all their joy and tacit understanding flowing through that look, and they burst into loud laughter together: "Hahaha!"

At that moment, a clear, resonant voice pierced the air: "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun!"

The voice came abruptly, shattering the courtyard's warm atmosphere.

Zhu Yi reacted the fastest; almost the instant the voice sounded, the Long Sword in his grasp whooshed out of its scabbard with a sharp, cold gleam.

He spun around abruptly, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, instantly locking onto the direction of the voice; the Long Sword in his hand pointed straight at the wall, and he barked loudly, "Who? Who is spying from the shadows! This is the Duke of Wei's mansion, a restricted area; if you don't retreat, beware of losing head or body!"

As soon as his words ended, the private soldiers in the corridor also reacted, swiftly drawing their blades, their expressions wary as they stared toward the wall, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Where everyone's gaze gathered, a figure slowly emerged atop the high courtyard wall.

It was an elderly Taoist in his early forties, draped in a faded yet tidy dark‑blue Taoist robe.

His hair knot was secured with a wooden hairpin; his face was lean and clean, a hint of smile at the corners of his eyes, giving him an ethereal, Taoist bearing.

He looked at the guarded crowd in the courtyard, especially at the Long Sword aimed at him, quickly raised his hand to press it, his face still beaming, his tone teasing, "Brother Zhu, show some mercy!"

"I, a humble Taoist, cannot withstand your two swords!"

Zhu Yi stared at the elderly Taoist on the wall, scrutinizing him for a moment, recognizing his identity; his tense expression suddenly relaxed, and the Long Sword in his hand slowly sheathed.

Chen Yan, still cradling his son in the swaddle, also turned toward the voice and saw that the person on the wall was Taoist Ji Songling; he was first startled, then his eyebrows lifted slightly, a hint of surprised smile appearing, and he asked loudly, "Taoist Ji, why have you come?"

That Taoist was no stranger; he was one of the martial heroes Chen had previously subdued.

Ji Songling laughed heartily, his voice bright, his toe tapping the wall; his figure leapt down like a light swallow.

He raised his hand, twiddling the speckled white beard under his jaw, his brows and eyes full of mirth, his tone tinged with mysticism: "I was originally sipping lightly at a city tavern, just when I was in high spirits, I suddenly looked eastward and saw five‑colored auspicious clouds, radiant light swirling, resembling a granary that covered a hundred miles..."

"So I came all the way here!"

"Who would have thought it was the Duke's mansion!"