Chapter 677: Female Sovereign’s Consort Selection 34

Seeing the satisfied look on Tang Wan’s face as she ate, Lan Xintong couldn’t help but let the corners of his lips curl upward slightly. His gaze lingered on her, steady and unblinking, as though he wanted to etch every expression into his memory.

Sometimes, he couldn’t help but think—

He must have done something extraordinary in his previous life to deserve this.

Otherwise, how could he have met someone like her?

If there were another lifetime…

He would still want to find her.

Still want to stay by her side.

—

Time passed quietly.

In the blink of an eye, another year slipped by.

By now, Tang Wan and Lan Xintong had been married for over two years.

They shared the same bed every night, their relationship harmonious and affectionate.

And yet—

There was still no sign of an heir.

—

The court began to grow restless.

Whispers spread among the officials, concern slowly turning into unease.

How could the empress, after two years, still have no child?

Even General Lan, who had always maintained her composure, found herself increasingly anxious. The matter weighed heavily on her mind until she could no longer ignore it.

One day, she finally entered the palace to speak with Lan Xintong in private.

“Xintong,” she began cautiously, though her tone carried urgency, “tell me honestly… does His Majesty truly favor you? Have you… truly shared a marital life?”

Otherwise—

With his strong constitution—

How could there be no child after all this time?

Lan Xintong stiffened slightly at her words.

For a moment, he lowered his gaze, then quickly shook his head.

“Mother, please don’t think like that,” he said. “His Majesty treats me very well. As for… the rest—I have already consulted physicians in private. They all said there is nothing wrong with my body.”

General Lan froze.

Then, slowly, a troubling thought surfaced.

“Could it be…” she said hesitantly, her voice lowering, “that the problem lies with His Majesty?”

If that were the case—

It would be far more serious.

A man could always be replaced.

But if the empress herself had an issue—

Then the entire lineage would be at risk.

—

The moment those words left her mouth, Lan Xintong’s expression changed.

Before he could respond, General Lan suddenly stiffened.

She turned toward the doorway.

Tang Wan stood there.

—

She had clearly heard everything.

For a brief moment, the air seemed to freeze.

General Lan’s heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me! This minister spoke carelessly—please do not take offense!”

Tang Wan quickly stepped forward, reaching out to help her up.

“Mother-in-law, please rise,” she said gently. “Why such formality? It’s nothing.”

There was no anger on her face.

No trace of displeasure.

But that only made General Lan more uneasy.

After two years on the throne, Tang Wan was no longer the same person she had once known. Her calmness was no longer simple—it was layered, controlled, unreadable.

Who could say what truly lay beneath it?

—

Once General Lan stood, Tang Wan walked calmly to Lan Xintong’s side and sat down.

Her expression turned thoughtful.

“What my mother-in-law said isn’t unreasonable,” she said slowly. “It has been over two years. Logically speaking, there should have been news by now.”

Then she turned slightly.

“Send for an imperial physician,” she instructed the attendant nearby. “Someone well-versed in… such matters.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the attendant left, Tang Wan gestured again.

“Mother-in-law, please sit.”

General Lan nodded stiffly, taking her seat, though she felt anything but at ease.

At that moment, Tang Wan reached out and placed her hand over Lan Xintong’s, her voice softening.

“Tongtong, don’t worry,” she said gently. “This is my oversight. I neglected the matter of heirs.”

Lan Xintong’s expression eased slightly, but he shook his head.

“My wife, you shouldn’t say that,” he replied quietly. “If there is a fault, it is mine—for not giving you a child.”

Tang Wan fell silent for a moment.

Then her expression darkened slightly.

“That kind of thinking is unacceptable,” she said firmly.

Her tone carried a rare sharpness.

“I didn’t marry you just so you could bear children for me.”

—

The room fell completely still.

General Lan and Lan Xintong both stared at her, stunned.

As if they had just heard something entirely unimaginable.

Because in this world—

Such words… should not exist.