While Mei and Leng Yue were spending their first night together in the kingdom of Lianhua, the same peace did not rest in the kingdoms of Yunhai and Xiyue.
In Xiyue, Mimi struggled through the long hours of the night, her cries filling the chamber again and again.
Lianyi did not leave her side for a single moment. He stayed with her through the pain, and the fear.
He held her hand as she cried out,
"It will soon be over," he whispered, rubbing her back gently, though his own voice was shaking.
He saw every tear that slipped from her eyes, every tremble that shook her body, every struggle she endured just to bring their child into the world. And each one carved itself into his heart.
When the midwife finally looked up and said, respectfully,
"It is time. Please excuse us,"
Lianyi stepped outside the room, his chest tight, his heart pounding like it would break through his ribs.
The silence that followed felt endless.
Then —
the thin cry of a newborn cut through the night.
Lianyi stopped breathing.
"Mother…" he whispered, his voice breaking, "she has given birth…"
The empress, who had been pacing beside him, covered her mouth in relief, tears filling her eyes.
And only then did Lianyi realize his own face was wet — his tears falling freely as he stood there, unable to move, overwhelmed by the sound of his child's first cry.
A moment later, the midwife stepped out, her face glowing.
"Congratulations, my prince."
"What is it?" the empress asked anxiously.
"A baby boy."
Before the words were fully spoken, Lianyi had already rushed inside.
Mimi lay against the pillows, pale and exhausted, but smiling at him. Beside her, wrapped in soft cloth, slept their tiny son.
The sight stole Lianyi's breath. His heart felt too full for his chest.
He stepped closer and carefully reached out to touch the baby's small hand. The softness startled him and he quickly pulled back, making Mimi laugh softly.
He knelt beside her and held her hand tightly.
"Mimi," he said, his voice shaking, "you have made me a man… a proud one. I swear to you, everything you have suffered, I will repay with every happiness I can give.
Anything you desire, anything at all — I will give it to you."
Mimi lifted his hand and pressed gentle kisses against his fingers.
"I am the luckiest woman alive," she whispered. "Having you as my husband is more than I ever dreamed. What more could I ask for?"
Lianyi lay beside her carefully and brushed soft kisses over her lips.
That was the scene the empress saw immediately she entered the room.
She stopped, and exclaimed, "Lianyi! Do you intend to make her pregnant again immediately?"
Lianyi jumped up at once, flustered, retreating with a red face while the women burst into laughter.
------
As Mimi was lucky enough to be surrounded by the comfort of the man she loved, it was not the same for Yue Rong.
Yue Rong's labor began at midnight.
Mr. Ha rushed out to call the midwife.
When the midwife arrived and examined her, she said gently,
"She is still in the first stage."
"First stage?" Yue Rong cried. "This pain is tearing me apart and you're telling me this is only the first stage?"
Before anyone could answer, another wave of pain hit her. She screamed and clutched the sheets.
"Take it easy, my dear," Hana said, rubbing her back. "It will soon be over."
Moments later, exhaustion pulled Yue Rong into sleep — as if she had not been the one screaming just seconds before.
But she had not slept long when another contraction tore through her body.
She gasped and sat up, tears filling her eyes.
"Can't I just sleep a little?" she cried. "Why must I suffer alone?"
Her thoughts drifted to the night that changed her life.
"You defiled me and left me in shame," she sobbed. "I curse the day I met you…"
Her crying weakened as sleep claimed her again.
In her sleep the pain returned. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore it — but labor was not something that could be ignored.
"Aaaah!"
Her scream echoed through the room as another contraction struck.
The midwife stepped closer, feeling her pulse, then placing her hand on Yue Rong's stomach, counting the waves of pain.
At last she said firmly,
"It is time."
She helped Yue Rong lie back and positioned her.
"When I say push, you push. When I say stop, you stop. Do you understand?"
But Yue Rong could barely hear her. The pain had swallowed her senses.
"Push," the midwife commanded.
Yue Rong pushed with everything left in her body. She wanted the child free from her, the pain to end.
Her whole body trembled. Tears streamed down her face as memories of the man who caused all this flickered in her mind , she tried to remember his face but no face was coming to her mind. Except the one name she dared not speak.
"Push," the midwife urged again, her voice sounding distant.
With the last of her strength, Yue Rong pushed.
Then—
A newborn's cry filled the room.
Relief flooded her chest. Tears of release slid down her cheeks as darkness closed around her eyes.
"Do not let her sleep," the midwife warned quickly. "It is dangerous now. Stay with us, my dear. You survived."
While the midwife tended to the baby, preparing to care for the mother, another sharp pain struck Yue Rong.
"Ahh!" Yue Rong cried weakly. "What is happening again?"
Hana stared in confusion.
The midwife placed her hand on Yue Rong's stomach — then froze.
"There is another," she whispered. "Another baby. I did not feel the second heartbeat earlier… this is rare."
The second birth came quickly.
One final push. And another cry echo.
Hana gasped, tears spilling from her eyes.
"A set of beautiful girls."
Yue Rong lay weak and trembling, her tears flowing silently as she stared at the ceiling — alive, and now a mother of two.
After Yue Rong had been cleaned and dressed, Hana helped her sit up, resting her back against the wall.
She brought her a warm bowl of food and placed it carefully in her hands.
Across the room, Ha Rin stood quietly, watching the two tiny babies from a distance — her eyes moving from the sleeping children to their exhausted mother with pure wonder.
"What will you name them?" Hana asked gently.
Yue Rong stared down at the little faces for a long moment.
A soft breath left her lips before she finally spoke.
"I will name the first one Mimi," she said.
She looked at the second child, whose tiny hand curled in her sleep, and after a pause, she added,
"and the second one Lili."
Hana smiled.
"That is a fine name," she said.