I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

Inside Liu Ruoshuang's courtyard.

"what!"

A suppressed cry of pain came from the bedroom.

Several experienced maids were bustling in and out, carrying hot water and clean cloths.

This is the scene that Zhao Chen'an saw when he rushed into the courtyard.

"Your Highness!"

The maids bowed to him immediately upon seeing him.

"What happened?" Zhao Chen'an asked in a deep voice.

An older maidservant hurried forward, her face showing a mixture of anxiety and joy, and reported:

"Your Highness, Madam Liu... seems to be about to give birth! Her water just broke."

She's about to give birth!

Zhao Chen'an's heart jumped.

Although he was prepared, he still felt a surge of tension when the moment actually arrived.

"Where are the midwives? Are they all ready?"

"Your Highness, everything is ready! They've already gone in!"

Zhao Chen'an nodded.

Soon, Wulanxue, Li Qingluan, and Xiao Chuchu, who had received the news, also arrived.

"Husband, don't worry. Sister Ruoshuang is a lucky person and will be alright."

Ulanxue gently comforted her.

Li Qingluan nodded as well:

"The midwives are the most experienced in the capital, nothing will happen."

Zhao Chen'an stood outside the door, listening to the intermittent painful groans coming from inside, and his heart clenched.

Time is passing by, second by second.

Waiting is so agonizing.

From afternoon until dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire palace in a golden light.

The sounds inside the bedroom, which started off suppressed, gradually became louder and louder, and then weaker and weaker.

Zhao Chen'an's fists had been clenched tightly without him even realizing it.

He wished he could rush in right now and use his powerful divine strength to share Liu Ruoshuang's pain.

But he couldn't.

Just when he was getting anxious and almost losing patience.

"Wow--!"

A loud and clear baby's cry, like heavenly music, suddenly broke the tranquility of the courtyard!

gave birth!

Everyone's spirits were lifted!

Zhao Chen'an's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down at this moment.

Almost at the same time, a mechanical notification sound that only he could hear rang in his mind.

[Ding! Detection of the birth of the host's third offspring. The Myriad Heirs System is activated!]

[Initiating a comprehensive aptitude assessment of offspring...]

[Rating generated!]

[Overall score for offspring: 88 points!]

[Talent: 80 points]

[Potential: 90 points]

[Physical constitution: None]

Bloodline: None

[Special Talent: A Mind with Seven Apertures of Exquisite Insight!]

[A Mind with Seven Apertures: Born with seven apertures in the mind, possessing exceptional intelligence and keen insight. They have a photographic memory, extraordinary understanding and analytical abilities regarding all things, and a certain probability of discerning people's true intentions.]

A mind with seven orifices, exquisitely discerning?

Zhao Chen'an was slightly taken aback.

This talent... is simply heaven-defying!

Photographic memory, exceptional comprehension and analytical skills, and the ability to see into people's hearts?

Isn't this just a low-budget version of mind reading combined with a super brain?

Ordinary mind-reading techniques may only be able to hear the surface thoughts, but this incredibly perceptive mind, combined with its extraordinary analytical abilities, can probably see people's hearts much more clearly!

Such talent, if used for cultivation, might not be as good as an innate Dao physique.

But what if it's used to handle government affairs and weigh public opinion?

A thought uncontrollably popped into Zhao Chen'an's mind.

This child is simply born for the throne!

He certainly had no intention of becoming emperor.

After all, he couldn't stand being confined to the palace all day and having to deal with all sorts of political affairs.

But the future of the Great Zhou still needs a shrewd and capable successor.

Although his other brothers were also outstanding, they would probably pale in comparison to this child who possessed a "seven-aperture exquisite heart".

Of course, the child is still young, and his future depends on his own choices.

What Zhao Chen'an needs to do is clear away all obstacles for them, so that they can freely choose the path they want to take.

Just as he was lost in thought, the system notification sounded again.

[If your offspring's score exceeds 80 points, a 100x bonus will be triggered!]

[Congratulations, host, on obtaining the sacred-grade magic artifact—the Nine Provinces Universe Cauldron!]

Sacred magical artifact!

Zhao Chen'an's heart skipped a beat!

[The Nine Provinces Universe Cauldron: Forged by ancient sages who gathered the finest gold from the nine provinces and refined the primordial energy of heaven and earth over a thousand years.]

This cauldron can be used for alchemy and weapon forging, greatly improving the success rate and quality. It can also be used in combat; weighing immensely, it is indestructible and possesses inherent suppressive power. Furthermore, it can gather the fortune of an entire region and suppress the fate of a nation—truly a peerless treasure!

Suppressing the nation's destiny!

Upon seeing the last four words, Zhao Chen'an's breathing became rapid.

The value of this cauldron far exceeds that of ordinary sacred objects!

This is practically a national treasure tailor-made for a powerful force!

With it, the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty will be more stable, and it may even be able to challenge for a higher imperial position in the future!

"Squeak—"

Just then, the bedroom door was slowly opened.

A midwife with a joyful expression came out carrying a swaddled baby and bowed deeply to Zhao Chen'an.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations! Lady Liu has given birth to a healthy baby boy, and both mother and child are safe and sound!"

Zhao Chen'an strode into the bedroom. A faint smell of blood mixed with the scent of new life was not unpleasant.

On the bed, Liu Ruoshuang's hair was soaked with sweat and clung to her pale cheeks.

She looked weak, but her beautiful eyes shone with maternal radiance and joy.

"Your Highness..."

She called softly, trying to get up, but Zhao Chen'an quickly stepped forward and pressed her down.

"Don't move, just lie still."

Zhao Chen'an's voice was gentler than ever before. He sat on the edge of the bed and took the swaddling clothes from the midwife.

The little one in my arms was quiet, fast asleep with his eyes closed.

Her little fists were clenched, her cheeks were rosy, and she had a few wrinkles.

His eyebrows and eyes do indeed bear a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Liu Ruoshuang.

It is foreseeable that when he grows up, he will definitely be a handsome young man who can win the hearts of countless women.

This is her third child.

A prodigy born with a "seven-aperture exquisite heart".

A warm feeling and a sense of responsibility welled up in Zhao Chen'an's heart.

"Thanks a lot."

He held Liu Ruoshuang's hand and said softly.

Liu Ruoshuang shook her head, looking happily at the child in his arms.

"It is Ruoshuang's blessing to be able to bear children for her husband."

"Nonsense."

Zhao Chen'an smiled and looked down at the baby in his arms:

"This little guy is naturally intelligent and will surely amount to something great in the future. I think we should name him Zhao Ding."

The tripod is a national treasure, symbolizing the stability of the country.

This name embodies his hopes for the child and for the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"As for a nickname..."

Zhao Chen'an's mind raced, and he thought of that heaven-defying talent: "How about we name her Linglong'er?"

"Zhao Ding, Linglong'er..."

Liu Ruoshuang murmured it twice, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I'll listen to my husband; this name is very good."