When Xin Lin arrived outside the Imperial Palace, Gui Hu had already brought new information.

"Shi Fei is expecting."

Upon receiving the news, Xin Lin breathed a small sigh of relief.

Shi Fei has always been frail, and it was her weakness that caused her to faint.

"That’s good news."

Xin Lin looked at the high palace walls, but felt a mix of joy and worry in her heart.

Shi Fei had finally regained Emperor Longteng’s favor, but Jiang Qing’s earlier warning, as well as the Ice Horned Dragon in the Dragon Ancient Tomb with its Dragon Vein extracted, weighed heavily on Xin Lin’s mind.

On the other hand, Empress Feng was also a significant factor.

Empress Feng had always been displeased with Shi Fei. Even though Long Qingxuan had returned, it was clear he wouldn’t inherit the throne, leaving Long Qingchen and Little Xinzhuo as the remaining heirs.

Little Xinzhuo had remarkable talent, and his cultivation had recently advanced by leaps and bounds. Emperor Longteng had frequently praised him in public, coupled with the Empress Dowager’s affection for Shi Fei and her child, now Shi Fei was pregnant again under such circumstances.

According to feedback from the ghost soldiers, when the Imperial Physician conducted the examination, Empress Feng was present, and her expression was very displeased.

"It seems I’ll have to visit the palace another day and advise Shi Fei and Little Xinzhuo to be cautious."

Xin Lin pondered for a moment.

"Gui Hu, there’s one more thing: please dispatch some more ghost soldiers to Shi Fei’s residence. There’s no need to be overly cautious at the Chu Mansion side."

Xin Lin thought for a while and decided it was safer to increase the guard.

Given Empress Feng’s deep-rooted influence in the palace, Xin Lin feared she might make a move against Shi Fei.

Moreover, that Shadow Martial Soul lurking in the palace had not reappeared since the last incident.

Afterward, Xin Lin had Ma Jingtian secretly test Captain Yang.

Yet, the usually cooperative Captain Yang stubbornly refused to reveal the other party’s identity, only saying it was a devotion to the Royal Family.

As for the devotion, Xin Lin had heard that the true foundation of the Dragon Ascending Royal Family lay in those devotions.

The number of devotees, their strength, all were secrets at the core of the Royal Family, known only to Emperor Longteng.

Though they were just devotees, Xin Lin feared that the Shadow Martial Soul might be related to General Shi’s assassination years ago.

Even, it might be connected to that mysterious box, but all of these were just Xin Lin’s conjectures, and she would never mention them to Xin Zhuo or Shi Fei.

After arranging the manpower, Xin Lin quietly returned to Qingtian Academy.

The next morning, Little Xinzhuo came looking for Xin Lin.

"Sister, I’m really sorry. Last night, in a moment of panic, I asked the ghost soldiers to find you immediately."

Little Xinzhuo stuck out his tongue, embarrassed.

"I already know the whole story. This is good news. Soon you’ll have a little brother or sister."

Xin Lin ruffled Little Xinzhuo’s hair.

With that touch, Xin Lin suddenly noticed, Little Xinzhuo had actually grown a bit taller than her.

This kid, not only has his cultivation progressed rapidly, but he’s also shot up in height.

Xin Lin couldn’t help but feel envious.

Unlike herself, who had always been all arms and legs.

"Sister, you need to put in more effort. If this continues, when we go out, people might start calling you my younger sibling."

Little Xinzhuo grinned, smirking.

"You little imp, don’t get cocky. When the End of Year Assessment comes, I won’t go easy on you."

Xin Lin waved her fist.

Jokes aside, they couldn’t forget serious matters. Xin Lin gave Little Xinzhuo some Spiritual Spring and reminded him to have Shi Fei watch out for the palace maids and eunuchs around her.