Please Call Me Your Highness (GL) - Chapter 23

Xiao Fu’s belly grew larger by the day, and with it, the number of things requiring caution increased. Dong Xiaoning, immersed in joy, had long cast aside the old notion of “It’s fine to live, but dying isn’t so bad either.”

At court, taking the opportunity of clearing Chi Fan’s name, the Emperor purged yet another group of officials. With Ming Zhexiu, who had once been pushed into the public eye, now dead in the secluded inner residence, the struggle for succession was finally, truly over.

Dong Xiaoning had barely needed to act—the Emperor had taken the reins himself.

“Careful, careful,” Dong Xiaoning said warmly, supporting Xiao Fu inside the cozy bedchamber. By now, Xiao Fu had resumed her real name and looked radiant.

“I’m not a child—can I not even walk on my own now?” Xiao Fu feigned irritation.

“Yes, yes, that was my fault,” Dong Xiaoning quickly apologized.

“In such a cold winter, this child should be born in a warm season,” Xiao Fu said softly, her hand caressing her belly, eyes filled with tenderness.

“Mm. Our child will have a bright future,” Dong Xiaoning replied firmly. “You are my wife—the only rightful Crown Princess Consort. No one else is worthy of that title but you.”

At these words, a shadow flickered across Xiao Fu’s expression. The Emperor had yet to officially approve the matter, and outside the palace, rumors still swirled. But both Xiao Fu and Dong Xiaoning were people who desired everything—love and status. To them, love and power went hand in hand. On this matter, neither was willing to compromise.

“They say we should wait until the child is born. I refuse to believe in such nonsense. Why wait? Everything that should belong to her, I will give her—even before she’s born.”

Dong Xiaoning now seemed fully accustomed to her status as Crown Princess. Her tone carried the weight of authority.

Xiao Fu looked at Dong Xiaoning with eyes full of love. This life, just like this, was already enough for her.

After the New Year, under Dong Xiaoning’s persistent insistence, the imperial edict officially bestowing Xiao Fu with the title of Crown Princess Consort was issued. With her status confirmed, countless eyes—both overt and hidden—turned to watch the unborn child.

As winter’s snow melted and the days grew warmer, the time finally came for the new Crown Princess Consort to give birth.

“If she bears a Qianyuan, the line of succession will be secured,” the Empress mused aloud.

“I don’t care if it’s Qianyuan, Kunze, or Zhongyong—it’s my child all the same,” Dong Xiaoning retorted immediately. She was well aware that the Empress still clung to her ambitions, still trying to use the child for political leverage. But it didn’t matter anymore. Whatever hardship lay ahead, she would face it bravely. She would no longer run from anything.

The Emperor sat silently, watching the mother and daughter locked in opposition. The struggle for imperial power spared no one—not even those who shared one’s pillow.

From dusk until deep into the night, they waited—until a sharp, piercing cry of a newborn split the silence of the night sky.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, and Her Highness the Crown Princess—it is a Qianyuan. The Crown Princess Consort has given birth to a Qianyuan! The great land of Dayu now has a rightful heir!”

At once, a chorus of congratulatory voices filled the air.

Dong Xiaoning’s face lit up with joy. Without a thought for propriety or the opinions of others, she strode directly into the birthing chamber—not to see the child, but to check on Xiao Fu.

Shortly after, Xiao Fu awoke. The first thing she saw was Dong Xiaoning at her bedside. Then, a nursemaid brought over the newborn. It was indeed a Qianyuan, just as she had hoped. Given the realities of their world, having a Qianyuan would make many future challenges far easier to overcome. She smiled in bliss—not solely because of this, but because her heart was full.

There was still a long life ahead of them, and she wished to spend it in happiness, just like this.

Dong Xiaoning held Xiao Fu’s hand tightly. Even though she still didn’t fully understand the mechanics of this ancient ABO world, in this moment, she felt something real—tangible. She was no longer like a wandering soul lost in a strange world, but finally someone truly alive, living with purpose.

The memories of her past life remained etched in her heart, but the life she had now—was just as vivid, just as real, just as extraordinary.

“Xiao Fu, thank you.”

Thank you for giving me the courage and hope to keep living.