Ning Chen felt deeply grateful to the woman emperor.

Back then, she'd drugged him and stolen his seed, and he'd held that against her more than a little.

Now, looking at the well-behaved, sensible son and daughter in front of him, Ning Chen suddenly thought the woman emperor was nothing short of a genius.

She'd drugged him and stolen his seed because she'd set her sights on his excellent bloodline. Even back then, she'd said their child would grow up to be a wise and enlightened ruler.

Wu Sijun wasn't even five yet, but he spoke clearly and sensibly, and everything he did had a certain poise... They say you can tell at three what a child will be. This boy was certain to turn out exceptional.

As for Little Lemon, it was too early to tell.

It didn't really matter. All Ning Chen wanted was for Little Lemon to grow up happy, free of every last piece of ceremony this world tied people up in.

The woman emperor watched Ning Chen holding the child, his face full of tenderness, and a smile came to her lips.

Then her gaze settled on Xiao Yanxi.

Xiao Yanxi tensed all over. The woman emperor's presence was overpowering. She felt as if some great force had closed in around her.

She hurried forward two steps and bowed. "This commoner woman, Xiao Yanxi, greets Your Majesty!"

The woman emperor lifted her chin and looked at her. "You're Ning Chen's woman?" she asked coolly.

Xiao Yanxi was a little nervous. "Yes!" she said softly.

The woman emperor gave a slight nod. "Not bad-looking. Ning Chen has always had a sharp eye for women. This emperor thought his next woman would be Tantai Qingyue. I never imagined you'd get there first.

If you could beat out Tantai Qingyue, you must have some tricks up your sleeve. Let's hear it... What tricks did you use to climb into Ning Chen's bed?"

Ning Chen frowned slightly. "What kind of nonsense is that? Watch your language. The children are right here."

The woman emperor shot him a look. "What,…