Minister Hu stated calmly, "2.5 months are left, Your Highness," while a doubt appeared in his eyes as he wondered why the queen was asking this question.
Zhang Lian leaned back in her chair gradually, maintaining a powerful yet easy-going posture. She said, "Alright," in a calm voice,"Bring back Chen Gou." It's time to have a new baby." With a heavy heart, she let out a sigh. She understood that this might be the last one.
Minister Hu's thoughts were wandering. *Chen Gou?* He kept thinking about the boy. Why would the queen, who was so strong and cunning, decide to have three children with him?
Chen Gou was simple, awkward and totally insignificant in addition to being ugly. The question drew at him. *Does he have a high level spiritual roots?* he wondered.
His eyes moved to the table's Talent Detection Ball. Maybe I can use this to find out.
Zhang Lian's commanding voice cut through his thoughts. "Also, during the spiritual root testing ceremony, make sure Chen Gou does not enter the city. Hold him off. Let him in only after the cultivators have departed."
Minister Hu became even more puzzled. *Why not just put him in prison?* The idea crossed his thoughts.
He was aware enough, though, to keep his doubts to himself. He obediently nodded.
Then, Zhang Lian gracefully got up from her chair, her long pink robe trailing behind her like silk. As she approached the door, her white hair flowed like moonlight as it fell down her back. The only sound she made as she left was the soft swish of her robes, the jasmine fragrance chasing after her like a shadow.
Now by himself in the room, Minister Hu sighed deeply. He also slowly rose from the chair, his big belly jiggling slightly.
He approached the Talent Detection Ball, his fingers brushing its cool, smooth surface. Shaking his head, he muttered to himself, *I'll start by testing my own children first,* and turned to leave the room, his heavy footsteps echoing through the room.
---
Zhang Lian was followed closely by a little black cat with bright orange eyes as he made his way down the vast hallway. Floating several inches above the floor, the smooth and gorgeous creature passed between the guards' and maids' legs with ease.
As it hovered carelessly beside the queen. "Nya," the cat said softly and seriously, its voice resonating in Zhang Lian's thoughts, "why are you attempting to interfere with his path? I told you it was impossible, didn't I?
Zhang Lian kept going, her steps unwavering, a soft, sinister smile curling at the corners of her lips. With a calm response, she said, "I want to see how his luck work's."
The cat flickered its tail & wings slowly, its orange eyes narrowing slightly and shining with a caution. Yes, but isn't this risky, Nya? Its tone was both lighthearted and serious as it inquired, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Zhang Lian maintained a fixed, unwavering gaze. She said firmly, "Yes, I want to do this," her voice was quiet but determined.
The cat titled its head, observing her closely for a movement before letting out a sigh. It then gave a casual flick of its tail and hummed low and delighted. "Whatever, nya," it said, with a slight roll of the eyes."
---
Zhang Lian was lying in her private room the following morning, her silk sheets distorted beneath her. Chen Gou lay naked beside her, he was tired due to their recent encounter.
Zhang Lian heard a faint notification in her head.
[Ding ding! Congratulations, host. You are pregnant and have earned 1 Normal Point. (^‿^)]
Zhang Lian gave a sinister smile. She put a hand on her tummy, then She turned to look at Chen Gou, who was still breathing heavily. With steady breathing, Chen Gou's chest rose and fell gently. The traces of the events were visible as a thin layer of sweat on his skin.
The sheets were soiled, with white spots of liquid & water substance leaving a trace of their intimacy.
A small trickle of white fluid ran down Zhang Lian's vagina and his rod on the bed beneath them.
Zhang Lian stared at him, her eyes growing slightly darker. " It's the time to test your luck," she muttered, her voice roughly audible over the silence. Despite being quietly stated, the words had a lot of hidden meaning.
At the sound of her voice, Chen Gou opened his eyes a little but not completely. Over the years, he had become used to the queen's confusing comments.
She called on him every six months, and he came voluntarily each time. He was enchanted by her beauty, even if he wasn't aware of the true nature of their relationship. However, after each encounter, he felt an empty feeling that he was unable to understand.
But he will eventually take the spiritual root test this year. Passing it, he thought, would provide him with the answers he was looking for; maybe it would also explain the empty feeling that tore at him after each visit to the queen.
….
A few days later, Chen Gou was eating his evening meal at the wooden table in a small, quiet village.
His mother was occupied with everyday household chores as she hurried around the kitchen.
The air in the otherwise quiet house was filled with the cozy smell of stew. Chen Gou chewed casually, his mind wandering. As he dipped his spoon into the dish to eat.
The town was suddenly filled with piercing, loud screams. The sound sent a wave of panic through the air, like a blade slicing through silence.
Chen Gou's mother froze, horrified. Her hands shaking let go of the bowl she was holding, and it hit loudly on the floor.
Her heart was pounding in her chest as her face went pale, she looked out of the window and she saw.
Outside, two individuals made their way through the smoke, the rooftops burning and fire licking at the sky. Even though their faces were covered, they were clearly *Demonic cultivators.* Along with the noises of disorder and screaming, the air was heavy with smells of smoke.
She turned around, terror shining in her eyes. She yelled, "Chen Gou!" with a trembling voice as she hurried over to him.
With his spoon halfway to his mouth, Chen Gou looked up, confused from what happened. "Mum? What happened?" His mother remained silent, hiding her fear.
With that, she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his seat, causing the bowl to fall over and the partially consumed stew to spill over the table. Though Chen Gou's mind was racing, he let her take him toward the back of their house without resisting.
She cried out, "Hide, quickly!" in a frightened tone. There was no time for comfort or explanation. Their feet a mad tangle of movement, she tightened her hold around his arm and they went towards the back of their home.
As they arrived at the back of the home, Chen Gou's heart pounded in his chest. Fear filled the air. His mother looked at the storage space hidden under the surface.
With an anxious murmur, "Here," she drew Chen Gou toward the small area. She pushed open the secret door to show the small hiding place. She pushed him inside without thinking.
With her trembling body, she followed him in and shut the door, enclosing them in total darkness. The air seemed gloomy and dense. She whispered a barely audible whisper, "Stay quiet, no matter what."
With his heart pounding, Chen Gou remained quiet. Despite not understanding what was going on, he remained mute because of the worry in his mother's eyes. Like a rising and decreasing tide, the screams outside became louder and then quieter.