No-Hunting Zone 7

“The pain of childbirth is the most intense and can threaten life due to heavy bleeding or infection, especially in an unstable environment. I think she was just too nervous,” Kasar skillfully operated the sophisticated instruments, placing an anesthetic mask over her face, “but don’t worry, with me here, she’ll be fine.” Li Erben clenched his fists tightly, “So, what… what should I do?” “You,” Kasar looked at Li Erben, raising an eyebrow, “don’t break my equipment, and don’t hurt her.” Li Erben: … Kasar smiled, “Hold her hand, encourage her, gently.” Soon, Mao Anan woke up, saw Li Erben’s face, and burst into tears without a word, insisting on a cesarean section immediately, unable to bear the pain. Li Erben was frantic, begging Kasar to let her give birth in her sleep. Kasar also felt it unsafe for her to give birth in such a state, so he administered anesthesia. “Will she be okay?” “Li Erben, you can question my character, but not my skills.” “But why hasn’t she given birth yet? Could it be a difficult birth?! I insist on saving the mother! I want her!” “Tsk tsk… pity she didn’t hear such devoted words.” “No, I can’t lose her again. She mentioned something about growing an embryo in a nutrient solution, and I agree now. I won’t let her be in such danger again. Why isn’t she waking up? Why is she sweating so much, Kasar, are you capable?” “Li Erben, go get me a scalpel, the sharpest one.” “What are you going to do! Does it require surgery?” “No, I’m going to cut your vocal cords.” “…!!!” After waiting hour after hour, Mao Anan woke up several times, and Li Erben did his best to soothe her anxious mood. Her emotions stabilized, and she even bared her teeth at Li Erben, declaring she would beat him up once she had the strength, and requested Kasar to let Li Erben experience pregnancy. Li Erben held her hand against his face, “As you wish, all as you wish.” Mao Anan pinched his face weakly, “You… pig!” Li Erben asked, “Pig? What’s that?” Kasar leaned over to explain, “A kind, gentle, smart, and highly fertile (emphasized) food.” Li Erben: …! After a day and night of struggle, finally, finally, the baby was born. Li Erben, trembling, received the newborn from Kasar, his voice choked with emotion, unable to speak, “It’s actually…” Kasar handed the baby to Li Erben, turned to the exhausted Mao Anan and said, “Just hang in there a bit longer, there’s one more.” Mao Anan: Pulling her hair… I don’t want to give birth anymore… Li Erben: What! Another one? The second came out much easier, and Kasar handed the crying second child to Li Erben, laughing, “Li Erben, now Mao Mao doesn’t need to give birth again. With a spare, it doesn’t matter if the first one dies.” Li Erben: … You can’t speak without offending! The medical team carefully took the two newborns from the Prince for cleaning and health checks. Li Erben knelt beside the delivery bed, repeatedly kissing Mao Anan’s fingers with reverence. Mao Anan had already fallen into an exhausted sleep. When Mao Anan woke up, she found the Prince, who had been by her side, had dark circles under his eyes, “You… why do you look so haggard…” Li Erben hugged Mao Anan in joy, his voice choked, “You’ve been asleep for a long time; I was afraid you wouldn’t wake up again…” Mao Anan was suspicious, “Have I been asleep for a long time?” “Yes,” Li Erben carefully examined Mao Anan’s face, then buried her in his embrace again, “It’s been five full days; Kasar said your body has some issues and needs deep sleep for repair.” “But,” Mao Anan reached out to touch Li Erben’s face, “I heard you could fight for a month without looking tired. How come you have dark circles after just five days?” Li Erben didn’t care about his dark circles and quickly picked up Mao Anan, “Do you want to see the children?” “Yes!”
Mao An’an immediately tried to get up from the bed but fell back due to her weakness. Li’erben caught her limp body and held her close, wrapping her tightly in his luxurious, thick fur coat. Even though it was just a few steps from the bedroom to the nursery, and the central temperature regulator maintained a constant twenty-seven degrees Celsius, he wouldn’t allow even the slightest chill to reach her. “The babies…” Mao An’an asked with some concern, “What color are they?” She was terribly afraid they might be silver, because during her time with Casa, given his twisted personality, he might have tampered with something to spite Li’erben. She feared he might have altered the hair color gene to silver. If that were the case, Li’erben might suspect her involvement with that scoundrel… But if they were white… Mao An’an anxiously looked into Li’erben’s eyes. Li’erben gazed deeply at her, his lips slowly, stiffly curling into a warm smile she had never seen before, “They are black, very much like you, and very much like me.” Mao An’an sighed in relief; black was good… “They are two lovely and excellent little princes,” Li’erben kissed her smooth forehead, “All of Austin’s people thank you, the entire empire thanks you for your great contribution, and all the nobles in the Forbidden Hunting Area are praying for your health and fortune.” Mao An’an lowered her head, “No need… really… I just…” “I know,” Li’erben lifted her chin, nervously licked his lips, then slowly, solemnly kissed her, just a light touch before he quickly stood up, “Will you marry me, accept the scepter of Austin’s first queen consort?” Mao An’an was stunned, then shook her head lightly, “…I’m not willing.” Li’erben hadn’t expected her refusal, and for a moment, he was speechless. Why wouldn’t she agree? Wasn’t such an honor enough to move her, to keep her in Austin, by his side? Could it be that the living could never capture her heart…? He wanted nothing more than to place the scepter, adorned with precious gems symbolizing power and nobility, into her hands, to have her stand by his side forever, receiving the reverence and respect of all Austin’s nobles until the end of their lives. It seemed that only then could he be sure she was by his side…