CHAPTER 572: CHAPTER 68 LABOR

Taking three quick strides toward the Qianqing Palace, Feng Jiwu appeared to move slowly, yet he was extremely fast.

In the past few days, due to focusing on the anomalies related to Qing Yu, Feng Jiwu indeed had neglected the Empress. Even though the Empress had been residing in the Qianqing Palace all this time, together with Feng Jiwu, he still felt a sense of indebtedness.

No sooner had he rushed to the Qianqing Palace than Feng Jiwu received a cold reception from Feng Chuhuan.

As a close friend of Si Qingwei, the Empress, Feng Chuhuan had been visiting daily, showing great concern for the unborn nephew or niece.

Under these circumstances, with Feng Jiwu’s continued absence and previous grievances, it was no wonder she harbored hostility toward him.

"Isn’t this His Majesty? Why, have you decided not to attend to your own affairs today?" Feng Chuhuan said in a strange, mocking tone, her demeanor quite like that of a belligerent old woman.

"Han’er, His Majesty has urgent matters to attend to," Si Qingwei said softly, tugging at Feng Chuhuan’s sleeve.

But the resentment in her eyes was apparent, clearly showing that the Empress was not indifferent.

After all, with the pregnant woman nearing childbirth, her mind was inevitably filled with numerous thoughts; Feng Jiwu’s recent neglect to attend to her and instead focusing on a giant statue, did indeed make her feel quite dissatisfied.

Faced with the displeasure of the two women, Feng Jiwu could only evade the more challenging topics, shifting the conversation, "The Empress’s due date is approaching. We must ensure that the midwife is always on standby in case of sudden complications."

"Hmph, you don’t need to teach me..." muttered Feng Chuhuan.

It seemed that the elder princess wasn’t taken in by such attempts to change the subject.

However, that didn’t matter, as Feng Jiwu didn’t need her to be.

"Your Majesty is considerate," Si Qingwei said with a beaming smile.

That was sufficient for him.

"Your Majesty, as our child is about to be born, have you thought of any names for the child?" Si Qingwei asked.

Naming the child was traditionally the prerogative of the parents, and Feng Chuhuan also had many names in mind, but Si Qingwei had not accepted any.

She wanted Feng Jiwu to name the child, hoping to bring a bit more warmth of home to her often lonely husband, to let him know he had more to care for in this world.

It was a lovely thought, but...

"Erm..." Feng Jiwu hesitated, "Let’s have Daoist Qingyu name the child. He is well-versed in the Heavenly Mechanism Divination Skill and would surely know how to pick a suitable name."

Feng Jiwu had heard from Qing Yu previously that, while his expertise in the Way of Heavenly Mechanism wasn’t the pinnacle, he was nonetheless a master in the field.

Qing Yu’s cultivation in Martial Arts, whether it was the Yin Yang Technique of the Yin Yang Family, the Circulation of the Six Voids Technique, or the Heaven and Earth Supreme Skill he was currently practicing, all were related to the Yin Yang Five Elements and Eight Trigrams.

Such Martial Arts were always deeply connected with the Way of Heavenly Mechanism; the creator of the Heaven and Earth Supreme Skill was even Fu Xi, the ancestor of the Yi Dao, who had developed it in accordance to the laws of heaven and earth.

Cultivating these Martial Arts, Qing Yu, though not widely famous as an adept of the Way of Heavenly Mechanism, was genuinely competent.

This more pragmatic idea also demonstrated care from Feng Jiwu. However, this practical thought was clearly not acceptable to Si Qingwei and Feng Chuhuan.

Feng Chuhuan’s pale face turned utterly dark, and she exclaimed, "Daoist Qingyu, Daoist Qingyu, is he your father? Even for naming your own child, you need him to do it!"

What does this mean, that I don’t have the right to name the child, but that demon does?

Feng Chuhuan thought of this, and his anger intensified.

"Han’er..." Si Qingwei hurriedly stopped Feng Chuhuan from continuing to speak. As the only confidant, Si Qingwei knew all too well the taboos of Feng Jiwu.

Especially when it concerned the late Emperor.

Sure enough, Feng Jiwu’s expression turned cold, and he said indifferently, "Qing Yu is not my father. My father could not have lived until today."

The indifferent words carried deep scorn. The indifference and hatred within them made everyone present have a moment of realization.

Of course, Qing Yu couldn’t possibly be Feng Jiwu’s father, Feng Tianming had died long ago, on Fenglai Mountain. It was even highly likely that he had died at the hands of someone sent by Feng Jiwu.

Feng Chuhuan’s anger vanished instantly, his face turned deathly pale, and his body couldn’t stop trembling.

On Fenglai Mountain, that masked man had cut off six heads with a single sword stroke, all of them close relatives of Feng Chuhuan. Had it not been for the sword’s momentum running out, Feng Chuhuan might have become one of those severed heads flying through the air.

Regarding who this masked man really was, many informed people set their sights on Feng Jiwu. As Feng Jiwu’s confidant who knew his personality, Si Qingwei was quite certain that the man was either Feng Jiwu’s subordinate or accomplice.

Now, bringing up this matter was indeed revealing the anger in Feng Jiwu’s heart. Feng Chuhuan had stepped on a landmine.

"Daoist Qingyu’s capabilities, I have witnessed them. Since Your Majesty trusts him so much, let’s wait until Daoist Qingyu finishes his seclusion. It’s just a few days away from the expected day," Si Qingwei quickly tried to smooth things over.

Although that Daoist was called a Demon Path, his capabilities were indeed extraordinary, and Si Qingwei could only abide by Feng Jiwu’s insistence.

However, in his heart, Si Qingwei still agreed with Feng Chuhuan’s words; Feng Jiwu really almost treated that Daoist as his father. Even Feng Tianming, his own father, had never enjoyed such treatment.

What Si Qingwei didn’t know was that Feng Tianming had not only missed out on such treatment, but his corpse had also been used as a suppression object. For Feng Tianming, Feng Jiwu really had little familial affection to speak of.

It was only Feng Qiwu and Feng Chuhuan, who had not suffered much, who still remembered the goodness of Feng Tianming, almost killed but couldn’t forget.

Just as they were speaking, Si Qingwei suddenly tightened his face, his hands unconsciously holding his belly.

"Ouch—"

The sudden cry of pain made everyone present panic, and Feng Chuhuan was at a loss, not even knowing where to put his hands.

Thankfully, Feng Jiwu still remained composed. He quickly stepped forward, one hand on Si Qingwei’s belly, his hands feeling the life trembling within.

Though he seldom acted now, not practicing as before by carrying out tasks for the Azure Dragon Association, Feng Jiwu’s Heavenly Repair Tribulation Hand hadn’t faltered.

With just a light touch, Feng Jiwu felt the movements of the little life about to come into the world. It was about to be born.

"Call the midwives, the Empress is giving birth," Feng Jiwu shouted.

The due date was originally estimated for the end of the month, but it was a few days early. However, it wasn’t considered premature.

Three midwives ready at all times rushed in, carrying the Empress to the bed.

Feng Jiwu, as usual, was asked to leave and wait outside.

"Is this what bonds are?" Hearing the screams from inside the palace, Feng Jiwu pressed his hand against his chest, feeling the strong beating.

The usually steadfast Heavenly Repair Tribulation Hand was now trembling non-stop, influenced by the calm mindset gifted by Qing Yu’s spirit; even now, it was falling apart.