After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Xie Jinchen caught her mischievous hand, held it in his palm, and placed a light kiss on his lips. "I know..."

His gaze fell on her still flat stomach. "But I'm still worried. No, I have to write to my two masters later. They are knowledgeable and experienced, and they must have better methods for ensuring a safe pregnancy."

Jiang Dusheng was amused by his alarmed expression and leaned back against the soft pillows. "The baby is still several months away. Also, did you consult a monk about methods to protect the pregnancy?"

Just then, Wang Dazhuang's loud, boisterous voice came from afar outside the courtyard, growing louder as it approached:

"Master, Master! The whole manor is buzzing with the news that you're pregnant! Is it true? Oh my God! Thank Buddha! The Bodhisattva has granted our wish! Our Duke's manor is going to have a little master!"

Wang Dazhuang's voice was filled with exaggerated joy and excitement; even before he arrived, his voice had already penetrated the doors and windows:

"Then can I stay and help you take care of the child? I, Wang Dazhuang, may not be good at much else, but I'm definitely good at soothing children. I guarantee the little master will be happy every day!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng couldn't help but chuckle.

"A ghost babysitting someone's child? That's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing. But..."

She touched her lower abdomen, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "My child is naturally not afraid of ordinary yin energy."

Soon, the day of Jiang Dusheng's delivery arrived.

Huiming, Huiqing, and Xuanji Zhenren had already arrived outside the delivery room. The three of them used Buddhist light and Taoist pure energy to create a barrier that enveloped the entire courtyard.

Wang Dazhuang paced around inside the barrier, constantly muttering phrases like "May the Bodhisattva protect us, may our ancestors manifest their power, may the Master be safe and sound."

Ruan Guyan also looked nervously in the direction of the house.

After Xuanji Zhenren finished setting up the last key to the barrier, he walked to Xie Jinchen's side and confirmed it once again:

"Are you really going to do this? Although that method is recorded in ancient books, no one has ever tried it."

Xie Jinchen stared intently at the closed delivery room door, from which he could faintly hear Jiang Dusheng's suppressed cries of pain and the encouraging voice of the midwife.

Without any hesitation, he nodded emphatically: "Then I will be the first. Please tell me the key to casting the spell, Master."

Seeing that he had made up his mind, Master Xuanji said no more and whispered in his ear.

Just then, a sudden, sharp cry of pain came from inside the room, followed by the midwife's anxious voice:

"Madam! Push harder!"

Xie Jinchen's heart clenched, and without thinking of anything else, he turned around and rushed into the delivery room.

One of the two experienced midwives specially appointed by the new emperor happened to be carrying out a bowl of bloody water. Upon seeing this, she hurriedly said:

"Your Excellency! This is unacceptable! The delivery room is filled with the scent of blood and is an unclean place. Men should not enter! It might offend your noble aura, which would be bad luck for both you and your wife! You can wait patiently outside. Your wife's baby is in the correct position; she is blessed with good fortune and will surely have a smooth delivery!"

Xie Jinchen's voice was hoarse but resolute, "My wife and children are inside, how can it be considered filthy?"

Having said that, ignoring the nanny and the group of maids and servants who tried to stop her, she pushed aside the people blocking her way and strode straight in.

Inside the room, Jiang Dusheng lay on her back on the couch, her forehead soaked with sweat, her face pale, and her lower lip marked with blood from being bitten.

Intense contractions swept over her consciousness like a tidal wave; she gripped the brocade quilt beneath her tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Hearing hurried footsteps, Jiang Dusheng turned her head with difficulty. Her unfocused and pained gaze sharpened for a moment when it met the tall figure that had entered against the light.

Feelings of grievance, dependence, and pain intertwined.

She reached out her hand to Xie Jinchen, her voice so weak it was almost inaudible: "Xie Jinchen...it hurts so much..."

That one sound was enough to make Xie Jinchen's heart clench with pain.

He walked a few steps to the bedside, grasped Jiang Dusheng's cold, trembling hand, and enveloped it in his warm palm.

With his other hand, he gently brushed aside the damp hair on her forehead, wiped away the sweat, and spoke in a soft voice:

"Be good, just bear with it a little longer, it will stop hurting soon."

After speaking, he turned his head to look at the midwife, his eyes instantly becoming sharp and authoritative:

"Granny, no matter what happens or what you see, continue doing what you are supposed to do. Do not panic. Understand?"

The old woman, intimidated by his imposing presence and knowing the extraordinary abilities of this Duke and the Imperial Advisor, quickly nodded, "I understand! I will certainly not make a mistake!"

Xie Jinchen said no more.

He released Jiang Dusheng's hand, took a step back, raised his right hand, and without hesitation, drew a deep line in the palm of his left hand with his fingers, from which blood immediately gushed out.

Xie Jinchen closed his eyes and began to chant an incantation in a low voice:

"We are connected by blood and fate."

"I endured suffering, but you will find sweetness in it."

"Guard your spirit and dedicate your lifeblood."

As he chanted the incantation, the blood flowing from his palm did not drip down, but instead floated in the air, spontaneously outlining a formation pattern.

In the center of the array, two intertwined humanoid phantoms could be vaguely seen.

"Now, I will use my own body as a guide, to absorb their pain and transfer it to myself!"

"Imperial Edict!"

"Crossing the Throne - Turning Around!"