Dugu Han had not expected Princess Mei to respond in such a way, "Uh, alright, then let the Chief Physician diagnose her to ensure safety."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern," Feng Xuxu replied with an expression of heartfelt gratitude.

At her side, Eunuch Shi immediately led an elderly man over fifty years old into the hall. The old man carried a box on his back, and as he entered the grand hall, he performed a kneeling salute to the emperor, "Your Majesty, may you be in peace."

"Yes, rise and examine Princess Mei. How is the princess’s health?" he demanded, not with anger but with a focused intensity in his eyes as he watched the Chief Physician.

"Your servant obeys," the physician said, rising to approach Feng Xuxu. He knelt down again, took out the pulse diagnosis kit from the box, and placed it on the small tea table next to the princess, "Princess, please place your hand here."

After covering the princess’s slender wrist with a clean handkerchief, he began to take her pulse intently, sometimes frowning, sometimes shaking his head. Dugu Han watched, anxious in his heart.

Releasing her wrist, Dugu Han could hardly contain his impatience, asking preemptively, "How is Princess Mei’s health?"

"Princess Mei is in good health, though her child exhibits some instability. However, it’s nothing serious; she only needs to rest quietly," the Chief Physician answered the emperor truthfully.

The emperor’s face darkened. Her well-being was of no concern to him; what he wanted to know was whether the flesh in her womb was the Princely Heir. Glancing at the ineffectual object, he then looked at Feng Xuxu with a smile, "Knowing that you are not in serious trouble, I can also be at ease."

Hearing the emperor’s insincere words, she couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Turning to look at the emperor seated at the top, she spoke softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This concubine will surely take good care of the child in my womb and will not let down Your Majesty’s deep concern."

"That would be very good," he remarked, taking a sip from the cup on the table.

Feng Xuxu noted this and turned to ask the Chief Physician, "Why is my belly larger than others at a similar stage?" She gazed up with big, puzzled eyes.

"Replying to the princess, according to the pulse, you are carrying twins," the old physician said with certainty, recalling the pulse he had felt earlier.

Upon hearing this, Feng Xuxu feigned surprise, "Really? I’m carrying twins?" Her face lit up with joy.

Upon hearing this, the emperor felt his forehead throb, gripping his cup more tightly. He silently cursed Dugu Chen’s luck.

"Then, is it possible to tell if they are male or female?" she asked, casting a sidelong glance at the uneasy-looking emperor, snorting inwardly.

"This... it cannot be discerned," the Chief Physician replied, shaking his head honestly.

Feng Xuxu sighed, sitting back in her chair with a somewhat dispirited look.

"Haha, we will know when the time of birth comes," said the emperor, his eyes smiling at Feng Xuxu, yet the smile did not reach his eyes.

"Your Majesty, an experienced midwife told me they were girls before, but I wanted to take this opportunity with the Chief Physician here to find out if it’s a boy or a girl in my womb, so I don’t have to keep worrying," Feng Xuxu said with a tinge of sadness.

After hearing this, Dugu Han saw the sorrow on Feng Xuxu’s face, which did not seem to match her words, and saw the Chief Physician nodding occasionally. The illness in his heart seemed to be alleviating. After gesturing to the Chief Physician to leave, he began to probe Feng Xuxu subtly.

"Oh, I wonder how my younger brother is faring now?" Dugu Han said, his expression wrought with grief as he mentioned his brother, revealing a posture of brotherly courtesy.

Feng Xuxu lowered her gaze to hide the dark light in her eyes, "This concubine does not know either. It’s been a month of searching with no news."

"I believe he will return. He has with him a family heirloom, a Jade Pendant said to avert evil and bring good fortune," he continued, his gaze shifting towards Feng Xuxu.

Feng Xuxu was startled. A family heirloom Jade Pendant? A talisman against evil? Then she recalled, Dugu Chen had given her a Jade Pendant. Was the emperor now inquiring about that very Jade Pendant?

"Is it a Crescent Jade Pendant?" she asked the emperor with uncertainty.

"Yes, where is it?" he demanded abruptly, his voice rising sharply.