52: That's overthinking it...

Frankly, if these two sisters hadn't grown up together, met Mo Yingqi together, and shared such deep affection, they might have had to stab each other first, and only the survivor could remain with Mo Yingqi.

So why have more children? They already wished they could stick to Mo Yingqi twelve hours a day. Why bring another person into the world to compete with them?

Furthermore, Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning always held a subconscious resistance towards having children. Although both were skilled in medicine, they could indulge themselves while concocting medicinal decoctions that wouldn't harm their health but would ensure... they didn't conceive.

Moreover, after The Emperor ascended the throne and they became Legitimate Princesses, their maternal grandmother had earnestly advised them: “A child is a means to secure a man. Once you have a child, you gain an extra layer of connection, and invisibly, an extra layer of security and a chain. Be clear that children are not just the continuation of your bloodline, but also a joint creation...”

“...Unless he is a complete beast, a child is the best bond between parents. For you... it is a winning card to make him devoted.”

That's what was said, but they simply refused. Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning couldn't explain why. Mo Yingqi could have anything he wanted, except their lives.

It wasn't that they feared death; they were afraid they would never see him again, and even more afraid... that if they were gone, someone else would possess him.

But when it came to children, they were absolutely unwilling. The two sisters always had a premonition that the child, who had yet to appear, would eventually interfere with their relationship with Mo Yingqi. If that was the case, they would rather remain childless!

“Yingqi, let me ask you a question.” Luo Yongan pondered for a moment. “Do you really want a child?”

“Well... I suppose I do?” Mo Yingqi thought about it and nodded. “But I'm fine either way; it depends on you two sisters. After all, I am just the Imperial Son-in-Law, and besides... childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell for a woman. As long as you are happy, I am fine.”

Mo Yingqi was surprised by his own words, not because he was genuinely anxious to have a child—it was best to let such things happen naturally.

What surprised him was that his mindset seemed to have changed significantly. He wouldn't have said something like “as long as you are happy” so frankly in the past; he would have stammered and felt shy.

Although he was notoriously fierce in the Pacification Bureau, Mo Yingqi was essentially just a pure-hearted young man of twenty. Matters of the heart were not official business like those in the yamen. Furthermore, the only females he had truly interacted with growing up, besides his own mother... were probably these two sisters who had been his childhood sweethearts.

Not to mention, the two sisters had guarded him strictly since childhood. Although they were forced to leave when he was fifteen, they not only sent people to watch him, but if any woman approached Mo Yingqi, or if Mo Yingqi developed feelings for any woman, they would certainly rush over and kill that person.

Again, they gave all their love and tenderness to Mo Yingqi, but for everyone else... only coldness and cruelty remained.

Most importantly, they absolutely did not want to leave Mo Yingqi back then, but their maternal grandmother said one thing, and after thinking it over, the two sisters decided to steel their hearts and temporarily part with him.

“What you cannot have is the best; it will forever remain a thorn in his heart. Not to mention, over the years he has grown accustomed to your tenderness and your company. When you meet again, as long as you use deeper love and gentleness to show him that you are still yourselves, he... heh heh, will quickly succumb.”

Of course, their maternal grandmother probably didn't foresee that these two little ancestors wouldn't just follow her advice, but would become... even more frantic and reckless.

“Alright, if Yingqi says so, we'll listen to Yingqi. We'll just let nature take its course.”

After Luo Yongan finished speaking, she exchanged glances with Luo Yongning. They were very happy in their hearts; everything they had done over the years and days had not been in vain. Unbeknownst to him, the look in Mo Yingqi's eyes had slowly transitioned from initial astonishment mixed with a hint of resentment, into a tenderness he hadn't even realized, and a slight sense of... dependence.

“Alright, let's stop talking about this, Yingqi, hurry up and take a bath!”

“Yes, yes, the water will get cold soon, and the Serving Girls will have to reheat it!”

Before Mo Yingqi could react, the two sisters linked their arms through his, one on each side. But the question was, how did the conversation circle back to this? Hadn't he made himself perfectly clear?

“Wait, Sister Yongan, Sister Yongning, did I not explain myself clearly?” Mo Yingqi quickly spoke. “My meaning was...”

“We heard you, we heard you! Both ears listened!”

“In one ear and out the other, that still counts as hearing, right, Yingqi?”

Compared to the Princesss Residence, where things were, tentatively speaking, harmonious, the atmosphere at the Directorate of Ceremonial was much more strained.

“Tsk, the people from the Southern Division actually bribed some assassins. This Pacification Commissioner is really getting more competent, isn't he?”

Eunuch Fang looked at the organized notes in his hand, then looked up at a Eunuch opposite him: “Submit this. Let The Emperor handle it.”

“Eunuch Fang, what should we do with that person now?” The Eunuch took the notes. “You truly are capable; you didn't even use torture, just a few scolding words, and he confessed everything.”

“Those people from the Pacification Bureau are still human, and humans have weaknesses.” Eunuch Fang dismissed it. “Never mind, I'll go myself. Tell the Imperial Guards to watch him closely, don't let him commit suicide. He's still useful.”

He had intended to question him further, but remembering another matter, Eunuch Fang stood up, retrieved the notes, and went to the Imperial Study himself.

After Luo Nantian finished reading, he did not show any sign of anger. With those two girls around, he didn't need to worry about Mo Yingqi getting hurt. Besides, the other party probably didn't genuinely intend to kill Mo Yingqi, or the setup wouldn't have been so modest.

“Your Majesty, that person has confessed. For tomorrow's morning court, should we...” Eunuch Fang asked tentatively. “This servant believes this is an opportunity.”

“Of course, it's an opportunity, but I fear that tomorrow morning, even before I speak, someone will submit a memorial.” Luo Nantian sneered. “I sent Minister Shen to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region, openly pressuring the Xu Family, so the Grand Chancellor can no longer sit still.”

Having said that, Luo Nantian took out a memorial and handed it to Eunuch Fang: “Take a look. They are terrified that internal strife won't erupt on My side.”

Eunuch Fang respectfully received the memorial. The trust and understanding between these master and servant were far beyond what ordinary people could comprehend. When Empress Shen was not by his side, Luo Nantian would either consult with Ning Wuya or discuss matters with Eunuch Fang.

Having accompanied Luo Nantian all the way from his Former Residence and survived the Struggle for succession among the seven sons, one should not assume that Eunuch Fang was just an ordinary Eunuch.

“This...” Seeing the contents of the memorial, Eunuch Fang frowned. “A joint memorial asking The Emperor to establish the Crown Prince early?”

“Heh, after thinking for a long time, they finally came up with this step.” Luo Nantian wasn't surprised at all. “I have five sons, two of whom are legitimate sons. Furthermore, I have only been on the throne for a year. To ask Me to consider the foundation of the state and establish the Crown Prince early at this time...”

“It's too much thinking. Establish the Crown Prince? Those two rebellious sons wish the throne had nothing to do with them every day. The rest are either useless or too young. They want to use this tactic to sow discord among My sons? Ridiculous!”