The midwife rushed out, panting, and blurted out the two tail colors—instantly leaving all seven men frozen. None of them knew who’d gotten lucky this time.
“Quick, what colors?” Everyone crowded forward, astonished.
Madam Jin gulped air and gasped, “It’s—it’s red and…”
“Mine! Mine! It’s mine, all mine!” Ethan Chu heard ‘red’ and shrieked, instantly cutting off Madam Jin.
“And the other one?” The other six hurriedly leaned in, asking again.
“It—it’s green!” Madam Jin panted out.
“Mine! Mine! That’s mine—ha, I knew it!” Lucian Vane burst out laughing, his joy impossible to describe.
Immediately, the two clasped hands and started hollering in excitement.
The rest looked a little bummed, but after just a few seconds they were all grinning again. Two more sons—awesome! Next round, they’d just have to try harder.
Whatever happens, these kids are theirs—that’s what matters!
So Chief Eunuch Fang dashed out to the main square and proclaimed that the Empress had given birth to two princes. Instantly, the cheers were deafening.
The ministers were beside themselves with excitement. Back when everyone thought Song Zhijue was the only heir, the whole palace felt so empty—one prince for such a huge realm was just sad.
But now? The Empress had two more sons—what a cause for celebration!
The ministers broke into a ruckus again, and the news shot out of the palace. In less than half a stick of incense, all Draken City knew—the cheers rolled across the land.
The seven husbands rushed in together. Ethan Chu stared at that fiery red little tail, eyes turning red—how could his kid be so gorgeous? This was his child, his blood!
Ivy Shen caught his smile and smiled back. Honestly, she'd always hoped this pregnancy would give Ethan a child. After all, Ethan was emperor—if she gave him a son, he could go home to Chu Kingdom and rule, and the rest of the adults could finally go traveling.
Ivy thought wickedly, not even feeling the slightest urge to play 'dutiful mom.'
“Wow, what a cute little Li!” Lucian Vane cradled the emerald-green baby, his smile spreading wider and wider.
Ivy smiled apologetically at the other men—this time she only had two kids, and some of them still didn't have any. Sigh, guess she’d have to keep trying!
Honestly, her quiet wish was to give each of them a child, one by one.
“Ivy, look at this!” Ethan Chu suddenly frowned at her, then handed over the baby, revealing a wing-shaped mark on the little arm.
Ivy froze.
Eli Crane, Liam Willow, Butterfly Rogue, and Caleb Miles all rushed over to look. The moment they saw it, they gasped, “It’s Pretty Boy! Pretty Boy!”
Ethan Chu blinked. “Huh? Pretty Boy?”
Ivy hurriedly cradled the baby, scrutinizing that birthmark. She could never forget it. Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind: “My name’s Shuai Shao—handsome young master Pretty Boy!”
All at once, Ivy laughed, hugging the baby tight. “Pretty Boy, is that you? I knew it had to be you!”
“Yeah, it’s definitely him!” Butterfly Rogue shouted, then immediately pouted, “So unfair! We risked our necks at Death’s Door, and if Pretty Boy’s gonna reincarnate as our kid, shouldn’t he be all four of ours? What’s it got to do with Ethan Chu?”
“Exactly!” The other three chimed in.
Ethan Chu rolled his eyes at them. “Shoo, shoo!” Then he plopped down beside Ivy, eager to ask about Pretty Boy.
So Ivy gave them a quick rundown of Pretty Boy’s story.
Hearing this, Ethan Chu carefully cradled the baby and looked at Ivy. “Ivy, can we call him Pretty Boy?”
“Mm!” Ivy nodded, and no one objected at all.
“Pretty Boy, from now on you really are Shuai Shao—not just a handsome young master, but a Crown Prince too!” Ethan Chu said dotingly, eyes full of warmth.
Looking at Pretty Boy, Ivy’s heart felt so warm. Her eyes grew misty. Back in the underworld, the only thing she couldn’t let go of was Pretty Boy.
At the time, she’d just grabbed him on impulse, but never expected to end up so tied to him. This child was truly precious, easy to love.
When she left, she’d cried without letting him see—she couldn’t bear to part with that kid, but had no way to take him with her.
After returning, she’d sometimes dream of that big-eyed boy: “Big Sister, I like you, I can’t bear to leave you.”
Every time she dreamed that, her heart broke. She always wondered how Pretty Boy was doing—was he okay now?
Now, seeing him again as her own child, she could hardly describe her feelings—just overflowing happiness.
It was wonderful. Really, truly wonderful!
“Ivy, look—Little Li is smiling!” Lucian Vane grinned, and the others crowded around. Sure enough, the tiny baby squinted, lips curled in a smile, looking absolutely adorable.
“Oh my gosh, so cute!” Liam Willow said, soft-hearted.
“Come on, let your seventh daddy hold you!” Eli Crane gently took Little Li from Lucian, his face full of tenderness.
“Wifey, wifey, when will you give me a Little Flower?” Butterfly Rogue pouted, dissatisfied.
Liyin Yin couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, while you were out, Ivy promised next time she’ll give each of you a child.”
“Really?” Butterfly Rogue’s face lit up, and the others looked just as hopeful. Even Nightfall City was eager—he wanted to see what a little purple tail would look like.
Ivy slumped against her pillow, nodding. “That depends on your effort.” Some things just couldn’t be planned—she might have a field, but which seeds would grow was anyone’s guess.
(This chapter isn’t over yet ^.^ Click next page to keep reading!)
Everyone nodded in agreement. “We won’t let Ivy down!”
And so, Empress Ivy Shen welcomed two more princes. In an instant, the whole nation celebrated; when Chu Kingdom heard about the new princes, they were thrilled beyond words.
Every Sending-Child Temple in Chu Kingdom was packed. Everyone came to thank the Bodhisattva for granting them a prince, their excitement overflowing.
***********
Two months later
Time flew by. The two little ones were already two months old, adorable as ever. Every time Ivy saw them, her heart brimmed with happiness.
And Little Snowball had started walking—his tiny body toddling forward, his mouth occasionally mumbling, “Mama, mommy.”
That word tugged at Ivy’s heart, and she spent her days hugging Little Snowball, wrapped in pure happiness.
All seven husbands were just as delighted. Each one crowded around Little Snowball, playing with him nonstop, hoping he’d call out to them.
Soon, Little Snowball recognized them all, stretching out his tiny hands and sweetly saying, “Daddy Four, Daddy, hug me!”
“Good boy, Daddy Four will hug you,” Liam Willow said, tears of joy in his eyes. He loved all three children with all his heart, wishing he could keep them close forever.
Ivy sat in her wicker chair, watching the cozy scene. Her heart was so warm. After everything she’d been through, this was the life she’d always wanted.
Outside the window, magpies were already flying with the news of joy. Ivy stretched lazily—her palace life was ending, and a new journey was about to begin.
“Hey!” Ivy stood up, smiling as she called out.
“Huh?” Everyone turned to look at Ivy.
“Ethan Chu, send Pretty Boy to Chu Kingdom—let him be Crown Prince. Little Snowball will be Crown Prince of Soaring Phoenix. As for Little Li, let Big Sister take care of him!” Ivy declared.
Everyone was stunned, confused. “Ivy, what are you up to?”
“What am I up to? Something important, of course—we’re going on a trip!” Ivy spread her arms, dreaming aloud. She was determined to go out and have a real adventure.
Everyone frowned. “Leaving the kids behind to travel? Is that... moral?”
Ivy frowned right back. “If you bring the kids, it’s not a vacation! Besides, how are we supposed to plant seeds with them tagging along?” She finished with a playful grin—she still wanted to give each husband a child!
“Agreed!” The seven husbands immediately raised their hands in support.
“Let’s go—first stop, Mount Hua!” Ivy beamed. She wanted to see how Evening Glow and General Nee were doing, and… what had become of Nightfall City!