Jin Ming had been preparing this moment, ensuring that the legacy of the throne would pass through his bloodline. His thoughts were consumed by a single ambition: to claim the throne, to see his daughter rule by his side.

In his hands, he carried a tea set, but this was no ordinary blend. The tea was a carefully crafted concoction designed to prepare your body, to make sure that tonight, you would conceive. It had been months in the making, the herbs had been carefully sourced, the mixture perfected in secret. And Jin Ming had already made sure that you had consumed countless other concoctions.

His eyes narrowed as he thought of the other men in the palace. They had tried, of course, but their efforts had always been in vain. You had never carried a child, and Jin Ming knew why.

He had seen to it personally.

Each time, he had fed you teas that would prevent conception, ensuring that your body was never ready for another. He had done this out of love, he told himself, out of devotion to you. But deep down, he knew it was for his own gain, to remove any competition for your affections, and to ensure that when you finally carried a child, it would be his.

Jin Ming set the tea set on a small table, the delicate porcelain gleaming under the soft candlelight. He paused for a moment, his fingers lingering over the cup "My Empress," he spoke softly as he set the tray before you, his voice smooth as silk. "I have brought you something special tonight, a tea that will help ease your tired body and prepare you for rest." His gaze was soft and warm, the perfect picture of a devoted lover.

"You’ve been so stressed lately, my dear," he continued, his voice gentle, yet carrying a weight of hidden meaning. "This tea will help you relax," He paused, his smile deepening, his eyes locking onto yours. He could see the subtle fatigue in you. But you had never known the true cost of his devotion. You would never known the lengths he had gone to in order to keep you from becoming pregnant by anyone else.