CHAPTER 37: 37. START OF THE FAMINE

AT THE SAME TIME

EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:

The moment was thick with tension. Rosalie’s serene face suddenly sharpened, her eyes serious like a storm gathering on the horizon. I could tell that she was going to disappear soon.

"The real world is shifting." She said quietly, but her voice carried weight, like the ground itself might tremble beneath us. "Events are beginning events that will change everything. Soon."

I watched Mei Shen’s brows knit together, confusion flickering through her gaze.

"What is..going on mom?"Mei Shen asked.

"I understand this is hard to grasp." Rosalie continued. "But you must prepare to leave again. Not just you... but the baby."

My heart lurched, and I squeezed Mei Shen’s hand tighter. She needed all support she could get.

"Wait." I blurted. "The baby? Which baby? We only have one baby."

Rosalie’s gaze flicked between us, then softened.

"Your second child. You carry one now."She said.

Both Mei Shen and I blinked, stunned silence stretching between us. Her cheeks flamed a delicate pink, and I felt my own heat rise awkward and warm, like we’d been caught eavesdropping on some secret conversation.

"You’re... having another baby?" I managed, voice hoarse.

Mei Shen’s lips twitched in a shy, embarrassed smile.

"Our first time after so many years did the job. "She muttered.

Rosalie gave a small nod, then shifted the mood, her tone grave again.

"There is more. The farmers in the outer provinces they are struggling. A drought is coming, and with it, famine. It threatens to unravel the kingdom’s fragile peace."She said.

I could feel the weight of the news settle over us like a cold fog.

"So while the apocalypse looms beyond, here we have problems closer to home." I muttered, rubbing my temple. "Seems like there’s no rest for any of us."

Rosalie’s eyes held something fierce, protective.

"That is why your strength is needed now more than ever."Rosalie added.

I glanced at Mei Shen, whose face had settled into a calm determination. I could feel it the fire lighting back in her eyes.

"We’ll face it all." I promised quietly, pulling her closer. "Together. We needed to make sure that we can be in charge of it and we can protect everyone we love."

"Two babies! Two babies! Can I teach both of them hide and seek?"Huan asked.

I could tell Mei Shen was sad that her mom is dead but her ghost could talk to us thanks to the god. Huan joy was infectious, and even Mei Shen’s lips twitched into a genuine smile. But then, almost imperceptibly, her eyes darkened for a moment, like a shadow passing over a sunny field. I squeezed her hand under the table.

"Whatever’s haunting you, Mei, we’ll face it. Together."I said.

Her breath hitched just slightly, but she nodded.

"Thank you, Lianwei."She said.

Then, without warning, Rosalie appeared again, quiet as a whisper. She crossed the room and wrapped Mei Shen in a warm embrace, gentle but full of unspoken words. As she pulled away, she slipped something into Mei Shen’s hand a delicate necklace, shimmering faintly with an otherworldly glow. Before I could ask, the god’s voice filled the space.

"This heirloom will let you speak to her mother across worlds. When you need guidance, you won’t be alone."Rosalie said.

I watched Mei Shen clutch the necklace, a mixture of wonder and sorrow in her eyes. I let the moment breathe. Rosalie had vanished again, fading like morning mist, and Mei Shen was still holding the necklace like it might disappear if she let go. Across the room, Huan was practically vibrating with excitement, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Two babies!" He beamed. "I’m gonna show both of them my treasure box! And we can all eat peach buns and-"

I chuckled softly, walking over and crouching to meet his eyes.

"Hey, little fox."I said.

He blinked up at me, still grinning.

"Yeah?"Huan asked.

I reached out and ruffled his hair.

"It’s not two babies. Just one."I explained.

His eyebrows rose, little face scrunching in thought.

"Just one?" He repeated, almost suspicious.

"Just one." I said with a smile. "One little sibling. A baby who’ll need their big brother to look out for them."

Huan blinked again, then his entire face lit up with a blinding grin.

"I’ll be the best big brother ever!" He declared. "I’ll protect them and play with them and tell them about Mei Mei’s dumplings!"Huan said happily.

I laughed, something warm catching in my throat.

"That’s the spirit."I said.

Mei Shen watched us from the bed, still pale but with a look in her eyes that melted every inch of my heart. She looked tired, yes, but also... content, in that soft, fleeting way that said she was letting herself believe this could be real. She deserved that. She deserved peace. I knew that we can do everything.

"I am so happy, Mei Shen."I whispered softly.

I stood again and walked back over, sitting beside her. I didn’t ask if she was alright, she wouldn’t lie to me, but she also wouldn’t say what she couldn’t put into words yet. So I just held her hand.

"Me too, Lianwei."She smiled back.

Huan scampered over to her other side, crawling into her lap without asking, wrapping little arms around her waist and pressing his cheek to her stomach. I could tell that he could not wait to meet his little sibling.

"Hi baby." He whispered to her belly, soft and full of wonder. "I’m your big brother. I’m going to be the best one ever."

"I know that you will, Huan. I am sure about it."Mei Shen smiled proudly.

I didn’t know how a heart could break and swell all at once, but that’s what it felt like. Mei Shen’s fingers trembled slightly as they stroked Huan’s hair, and for a second, she looked like she might cry. But she didn’t. She just leaned into both of us. And I knew, in that small, quiet moment, apocalypse or not, gods or not, old worlds and new this was the fight worth everything. Our family.