The emperor waited for the noise to die down before continuing. "Furthermore, I have another announcement that will bring great joy to the empire."
His expression softened slightly, showing genuine emotion for the first time.
"My wife, Empress Helena Hartfield, has fully recovered from her long illness."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The empress had been bedridden for years. Many had assumed she would never recover.
"And more than that—she has been confirmed to be with child. A male child."
The arena exploded into noise.
"A new prince!"
"The empress recovered and is pregnant?!"
"This is a miracle!"
"But what does this mean for the succession?"
In the stands, cultivators and nobles began furiously calculating the implications.
A new prince, born directly from the emperor and empress, would have an undeniable claim to the throne—stronger than any of the current princes who were from different mothers or adopted.
