79: The ruthless emperor, ten months pregnant, reveals his tender side.

When Ye Wen stepped into the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, the morning mist had not yet fully dispersed. The Bronze Immortal Palace stood majestically amidst the Chaos aura, ancient patterns climbing the stone pillars, shimmering with a faint green light. He passed through the Nine-layered Barrier, and the moment his footsteps landed on the jade steps before the bedchamber, the bronze doors carved with Taotie Patterns slid open silently—an honor reserved for him alone.

Inside the bedchamber, a rustling sound came from behind the mica screen. The Ruthless Great Empress reclined on the Mysterious Ice Couch, her ink-black hair cascading down and winding like a river over the Thousand-year Cold Jade Mat. The morning light filtered through the Shark-silk Curtains, casting a pearly luster on her snow-white skin. A lace strap slid half an inch down her rounded shoulder, revealing the cinnabar mark on her collarbone.

“You certainly know how to pick your time.” She raised her hand languidly. Her ten-month-old pregnant belly stretched the thin silk into a full curve, appearing faintly beneath the gauze dress with every breath. The Innate Dao Patterns emerging around her navel shimmered with golden light; that was the fetus breathing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Ye Wen's Adam's apple bobbed. Even though they met every day, he was still captivated in his Divine Soul by this breathtaking beauty.

Ye Wen came to the Ruthless Great Empress's side and reached out to place his hand on her belly. The moment his fingertips touched the pregnant belly, a warm tremor came from his palm; the little life kicked his palm lightly through the skin. The Ruthless Great Empress let out a soft hum, her slightly furrowed brows losing three parts of their sharpness, instead revealing the delicate charm of a mortal woman.

“You're here. Help me comb my hair while you're at it,” the Ruthless Great Empress said, looking at Ye Wen, whom she hadn't seen for a few days. Having said that, she stood up and sat down in front of the dressing table.

Before the dressing table, Ye Wen silently picked up the comb and began to help the Ruthless Great Empress comb her beautiful hair. The mirror reflected the Ruthless Empress's half-closed Phoenix eyes, the red at the corners of her eyes not yet faded, appearing three parts more vivid than the rouge she usually applied. Her dark hair flowed like a waterfall through his fingers, carrying the cold fragrance of the chaos green lotus. “The child was restless yesterday; she will be able to come into this world very soon.” Her fingertips twined around the ends of her hair hanging over her chest.

Agarwood Incense rose in curls from the bronze censer. Ye Wen's combing motion suddenly paused—on the snow-white skin of the woman in the mirror, a pale golden pregnancy mark was spreading along her waistline. The Ruthless Great Empress lowered her eyes following his gaze and actually let out a low laugh: “Mesmerized?”

Looking at the Empress in his arms, Ye Wen did not answer.

Instead, he suddenly pulled the Ruthless Empress into his embrace. The pregnant belly pressed between the two of them, rising and falling gently with their breathing. “Don't move.” The Ruthless Great Empress's fingertip tapped on his heart, but her tone softened by seventy percent, “Be careful not to press...” Her final words were swallowed into a lingering kiss. Dark hair intertwined on the Gilded Mirror Stand, reflecting the shimmering morning light filling the room.

Ye Wen's lips gently moved away from the corner of the Ruthless Great Empress's mouth, their breaths intertwining with a warm air. The Ruthless Great Empress tilted her head slightly, her fingertip pressing lightly against Ye Wen's chest, her tone carrying a hint of laziness and reproach: “Be careful, don't press against the child.”

Her voice was low and soft, carrying an unquestionable majesty yet revealing a bit of tenderness. Ye Wen looked down at her high-bulging pregnant belly; ten months of pregnancy made her abdomen rounded and full, as if a most precious life was being nurtured inside. He gently loosened his embrace, his movements tender and cautious, for fear of disturbing the child in her womb.

The Ruthless Great Empress slowly rose from the dressing table, her lace-strap nightgown swaying gently with her movements, outlining her graceful figure. Her steps were elegant and composed; despite the weight of her pregnant belly, her grace was not diminished in the slightest. She walked to the couch on the side and sat down gently, her long legs slightly curled up, the white gauze hem falling onto the cold jade floor, reflecting a soft glow.

Ye Wen followed behind her, walked to the couch, and lay down on it. His movements were gentle, as if afraid of disturbing this peaceful atmosphere. Seeing this, the Ruthless Great Empress's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. She turned slightly and fell into Ye Wen's arms, her head resting on his chest, her dark hair scattering like a waterfall across the crook of his arm.

Ye Wen's palm gently caressed her pregnant belly, feeling the warm touch and the slight fetal movement, a surge of indescribable tenderness rising in his heart. His fingertips lightly traced the golden Dao patterns around her navel, his tone full of gentleness and expectation: “Our child will definitely be the most dazzling existence in this world.”

The Ruthless Great Empress closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, her palm covering the back of Ye Wen's hand and pressing it lightly: “This child hasn't even been born yet, and he is already breathing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. In his Bloodline, there is both your Yin and Yang Origin and my Chaos Physique, he will surely be extraordinary in the future.”

Ye Wen looked down at her, his eyes full of doting and tenderness. His palm gently rubbed her pregnant belly, feeling the rhythm of life, his heart filled with expectations for the future: “When she is born, I want to take her to every corner of this world, to let her see the magnificence and beauty of this world.”

The Ruthless Great Empress let out a light laugh, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: “You certainly think far ahead. However, if this child takes after your personality, I'm afraid she will also be a restless one in the future.”

Hearing this, Ye Wen also laughed, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead: “If she takes after your personality, that would truly be a headache.”

The two looked at each other and smiled, a warm and peaceful atmosphere permeating the bedchamber. The Ruthless Great Empress leaned in Ye Wen's arms, feeling the warmth from his chest, her eyes full of tenderness and satisfaction. Her palm gently stroked her pregnant belly, her tone carrying a rare softness: “This child is our hope and our future.”

Ye Wen held her tightly, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss in her hair, his voice low and tender: “Regardless of what the future holds, I will stay by your and the child's side, protecting you both until forever.”

In the bedchamber, only the sounds of each other's breathing and heartbeats intertwined, as if time had stood still at this moment.

Ye Wen looked down at the Ruthless Great Empress in his arms; her face looked exceptionally moving in the morning light. Her dark hair was like a waterfall, scattered in the crook of his arm, her eyes carrying a hint of laziness and charm. Her lip color was vivid and enticing, the slightly upturned corners of her mouth carrying a faint smile, as if silently tempting him.

Ye Wen's heart couldn't help but speed up, and he couldn't resist leaning down again to gently kiss her lips. This time, his movements were exceptionally careful, his palm gently supporting her lower back to avoid touching her high-bulging pregnant belly. His kiss was gentle and delicate, carrying endless tenderness and treasure.

The Ruthless Great Empress felt his cautiousness, and a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. Her palm pressed lightly against Ye Wen's chest, her tone carrying a bit of playful anger: “You're being mischievous again, never serious for a whole day.”

Her voice was low and soft, carrying a lazy charm that made Ye Wen's heart tremble. He pulled back slightly, his eyes full of doting: “Haven't seen you for a few days, I missed you.”

The Ruthless Great Empress looked at the deep affection in his eyes, her lips curling up slightly, her fingertips lightly tracing his cheek: “You, you're always so smooth-tongued.”

Ye Wen let out a light laugh and leaned down to kiss her lips again. This time, the Ruthless Great Empress did not push him away again, but instead gently hooked her arms around his neck, actively responding to his kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, carrying a faint fragrance, as if they could make one intoxicated.

Their breaths intertwined with a warm air. Ye Wen's palm gently stroked her hair, his movements gentle and delicate. The Ruthless Great Empress leaned in his arms, feeling the warmth from his chest, her heart full of tenderness and satisfaction.

In the bedchamber, a faint fragrance permeated the air, as if even time had stood still at this moment. Ye Wen's kiss gradually deepened, carrying endless attachment and deep affection. The Ruthless Great Empress closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, allowing him to take what he wanted and allowing herself to sink into this tenderness.

After a long time, Ye Wen finally released her slowly, looking down into her eyes, which were full of tenderness: “No matter how I look at you, you are so beautiful that I can't help but want to make a mistake with you. I think of you every day.”

The Ruthless Great Empress leaned in his arms and nodded gently, her tone carrying a rare softness: “Mm, I know. When the child is born, I will compensate you well, but for now, you cannot act recklessly.” The Ruthless Empress looked softly at her rounded belly, for fear that Ye Wen would act recklessly.

Listening to the Ruthless Great Empress's words, Ye Wen smiled and said, “You are a Great Empress; I believe you will protect our child well. I haven't seen you for a few days, and now that I've come, you can't just let me kiss you twice and then send me back, can you?” By the end, Ye Wen was even acting like a spoiled child.

When a grown man acts like a spoiled child, even the Ruthless Great Empress found it incredibly cheesy.

Listening to Ye Wen's cheesy love talk, the Ruthless Great Empress looked at Ye Wen's grinning face with playful anger.

“Really... you only know how to bully me,” the Ruthless Great Empress said with playful anger, then slowly closed her eyes.

Seeing the Ruthless Great Empress close her eyes, Ye Wen's face was filled with joy. He then gently picked up the Ruthless Great Empress, stood up, and headed toward the side room.

The Ruthless Great Empress allowed Ye Wen to carry her to her Private Bedchamber.

Ye Wen gently placed the Ruthless Great Empress on her couch and then followed her onto it.