"One, two, three... seven, eight." Ivy Shen counted and couldn't help but frown. "All of you together only have eight kids—isn't that way too few?" As she spoke, she glanced at her own massive belly. I've got seven in here myself!
Everyone burst out laughing. They're all strictly one-on-one couples—no way they can compete with Ivy.
"Auntie!" The eight little kids immediately swarmed over, sweetly calling out to Ivy Shen.
"Auntie, you're so pretty!"
"Auntie, you're really beautiful!"
All eight kids were in total agreement: Ivy was a super beauty.
Hearing that, Ivy frowned. "Oh, stop it. With a belly this huge, how could Auntie possibly look good? You little rascals just want to butter me up." But even as she said it, she couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, kiddos, go play with Brother Snowball!" Adrian Night hurriedly rounded everyone up.
"Brothers and sisters, today Brother Snowball is taking everyone on a palace adventure! Come on, let's go~~~"
"Wait, what does 'let's go' mean?" Everyone looked confused.
"'Let's go' just means hurry up—move it, move it," Tiny Lucian explained.
"Yeah, hurry up! The rest of the brothers are all in the toy room," Little Bloom chimed in.
"Alright!" Everyone quickly followed Brother Snowball and the rest of the boys toward the courtyard. The eunuchs and maids all rushed after them, ready to serve these little ancestors.
"Come on, let's sit in the garden for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon," Ivy said with a smile. There were plenty of pastries and tea in the garden—perfect for snacking and chatting.
"Your Majesty, Princess Qinyin is asking when you'll come to the Garden of Ten Thousand Blossoms?" Chief Eunuch Frank hurried over to report.
Everyone laughed—they knew Big Sis Yvonne couldn't wait. "We're heading over right now!"
"Alright!" Frank nodded and quickly ran off to deliver the message.
Ivy looked at Lacey, Elena, Nina, and Clara, feeling a rush of emotion. Five whole years—they hadn't seen each other in all that time. There was so much to say.
As for the men, they were all left to be entertained by the Seven Husbands.
"Sis..." Lacey looked at Ivy, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.
"Sis, what are you up to?"
"Sorry, I haven’t come to see you in five years. Please don’t be mad at your big sis," Lacey said, tugging her hand. Five years apart had made Lacey even more mature and charming—and, honestly, a bit chubbier. Clearly, Screwball had been taking good care of her.
"Sis, you’re making it sound so formal! Haven’t we all kept in touch by letter? It’s not just you who didn’t come see me—I haven’t had time to visit you either," I replied, a little embarrassed.
Elena smiled gently and took Lacey’s hand. "Xin’er would never blame us. Even if we don’t see each other much, we’re always in touch."
They’d all come here together, so it didn’t take long for everyone to feel at home again.
Everyone nodded and laughed as they headed toward the Imperial Flower Garden.
"Sisters! Sisters! Over here, over here!" Nina waved and shouted from afar. For the past five years, she’d practically lived in the palace, and all the kids especially adored their Aunt Nina. She’d once thought about having a child for Elena, but seeing Elena happy even without kids—and with all those doting husbands—she realized it didn’t matter. The palace was just a street away from her own house. It was easy for the kids to visit, and the palace had even set aside a courtyard for her, so she could stay whenever she liked.
Soon, the women were chatting away. If three women make a drama, then this crowd was a full-blown tea party.
Looking at everyone’s happy faces, Ivy felt blessed too. She had so much happiness, so much family, and so many good friends.
It really was a gift from heaven.
In five years, Lacey had three kids—two boys and a girl.
Big Sis Elena had one boy and one girl.
Nina had a boy and a girl too.
Clara had just her Little Tian.
Right now, Elena was pulling Lacey aside for a good old chat.
Meanwhile, Nina and Clara were deep in conversation, all old grudges long forgotten.
"Big Sis Elena, are you doing okay now?" Ivy asked, holding Elena’s hand.
Elena smiled softly, squeezing Ivy’s hand in return. "Xin’er, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I honestly wouldn’t see much point in living. Because of your help, I’m truly happy now—happier than I’ve ever been. He cherishes me, really loves me, and I have two well-behaved kids. I have no regrets in this life."
"Elena, come on, don’t say things like that. Good things always happen to good people!"
Elena nodded and, a bit startled, poked Ivy’s huge belly. "Xin’er, this—this looks kind of terrifying."