Chapter 38

Time passed quickly, like a white horse galloping past a crack.

This year, because the Emperor was seriously ill, the New Year celebrations were very simple. The entire palace was covered in a heavy, gloomy atmosphere, filled with sadness.

Half a month after the New Year, the Lantern Festival arrived.

And finally, it was time for Su Jingyao to give birth.

The Empress had already prepared the birthing room with great care. She even arranged for five experienced midwives to be ready and waiting.

When the palace maid from Xiyan Hall came to report the news, Imperial Doctor Li also arrived early to wait outside the hall, fully focused and ready for anything.

Everything was prepared carefully in case something unexpected happened.

This was Su Jingyao’s first time giving birth, so she felt very nervous and unfamiliar with everything.

Fortunately, Su Jingyao had the care of the experienced Li Mama and a few skilled midwives beside her.

She was carefully lifted into the birthing room.

Waves of intense pain hit her, like a tidal wave. Sweat beads covered her forehead.

She clenched her teeth tightly, each breath becoming more difficult.

The pain of childbirth was unbearable!

And in this backward ancient time, a small mistake could endanger her life.

If Su Jingyao hadn’t been confident in the careful maintenance of her body, she might not have dared to become pregnant and give birth.

After all, childbirth in ancient times was a very dangerous thing, and a slight mistake could cost one’s life!

After enduring frequent contractions, Su Jingyao began the difficult process of labor.

Her screams grew louder, echoing through the birthing room, as if she was releasing all her pain.

Her hands tightly gripped the bedding, her fingers turning pale from the strain. The joints of her hands bulged, clearly showing the immense pain she was enduring.

Her body trembled from the pain.

For the sake of her child, she gave it all.

When Jun Zechen hurried over, he heard her painful groans coming from inside.

The sounds seemed to come from deep within her soul, making his heart ache with concern.

Tonight was the Lantern Festival, and the palace was hosting a small banquet.

Because Su Jingyao’s belly was large and she had difficulty moving, she did not attend.

When the palace maid from Xiyan Hall reported to the Crown Prince, the banquet had not yet ended.

However, upon hearing the news, Jun Zechen became anxious and immediately rushed over.

The Empress was in charge of the banquet.

“Slave greets His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

The palace maids of Xiyan Hall immediately knelt in greeting.

“Subject greets His Highness, the Crown Prince.” Imperial Doctor Li hurried over and bowed.

Jun Zechen’s face was solemn, his brow furrowed, and his eyes full of worry and concern.

The sounds of the woman’s suffering echoed in his ears, making his heart feel as if it were tightly gripped by an invisible hand, causing immense discomfort.

“Everyone, rise. What’s the situation now?”

Jun Zechen’s voice was deep and hoarse, filled with urgency and worry.

“Your Highness, rest assured. The side consort’s pregnancy has been very healthy, and the baby is in the right position. She will surely give birth to the royal heir safely.”

Imperial Doctor Li quickly reassured him, his voice somewhat comforting.

Jun Zechen furrowed his brows even deeper and nodded slightly, indicating he understood, but his anxiety did not lessen.

He had rushed to Xiyan Hall, walking faster than usual.

Gradually, the Crown Princess, Consort An, and others arrived as well, except for Tang Fengyi, who was now in a difficult condition.

Miaoyun, Miaoxia, and Li Mama stayed with Su Jingyao in the birthing room, while Miaoyue and Miaoxue waited outside.

Seeing that so many people had arrived, Miaoyue stepped forward.

“Your Highness, it seems the consort’s delivery will take some time. Would you and the other consorts like to sit next door?”

Jun Zechen glanced at the women behind him, his frown tightening even more.

“Crown Princess, take them next door to sit.”

“Aren’t you coming?” Ling Yue asked.

“I’ll stay here.” Jun Zechen’s voice was firm and resolute.

Ling Yue felt a pang of bitterness in her heart and lowered her eyes, saying, “Your Highness, I will stay here with my sister.”

Then, she turned to the other concubines and said, “If any of you are tired, you may go next door to the warm room to rest.”

Seeing that both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were standing outside the birthing room, no one would dare to leave.

They all nodded in determination, showing they were willing to wait patiently for Su Jingyao’s delivery.

Time passed slowly, minute by minute, almost an hour had passed.

Su Jingyao was now drenched in sweat, her body soaked as if she had just been pulled out of water.

Her pale face turned red from the effort, and sweat beads covered her forehead.

One of the midwives excitedly shouted, “The head is out! The head is out! Push harder!”

Su Jingyao gripped Li Mama’s hand tightly. Upon hearing this, she gritted her teeth and mustered all her strength.

She never wanted to give birth again!

Finally, a loud cry echoed through the room— the baby had arrived.

The midwife, seeing the baby for the first time, burst into joy, “It’s the royal grandson, it’s a little prince!”

Everyone in the room cheered and smiled, their faces filled with joy.

This was the Crown Prince’s firstborn son!

Such great joy would surely be followed by generous rewards.

Li Mama and the midwives carefully cleaned the baby and then took him out of the room.

As Su Jingyao gave birth, it felt as though all her strength was drained, and she collapsed, falling into a deep sleep.

Miaoyun and Miaoxia helped her manage her body, changing her into clean undergarments and tidying up her appearance.

The consort had long instructed them that no matter when or where, they must maintain a perfect image in front of the Crown Prince, even after giving birth.

After all, Su Jingyao could not be sure of Jun Zechen’s feelings toward her. She could not afford to make any mistakes in front of her superior.

When Jun Zechen heard the baby’s cry, his heart, which had been in suspense, finally returned to its rightful place.

His eyes were fixed on the baby in Li Mama’s arms, and he couldn’t wait to step into the birthing room to see the little woman.

The midwives quickly stopped him.

“Your Highness, you cannot go in. The birthing room is bloody and messy. You mustn’t enter!”

Jun Zechen’s face darkened. What kind of bloody scene hadn’t he seen before?

This was the blood of his woman and child—how could he not go in to see them?

“Presumptuous! Is there any place I cannot go?”

He was determined to enter, but at that moment, Li Mama quickly approached, holding the child and earnestly advised him.

“Your Highness, if you enter the birthing room today, there may be gossip tomorrow about the consort. Please consider the consort’s reputation!”

Jun Zechen’s foot, which had already stepped forward, paused when he heard Li Mama’s words.

These old-fashioned rules—he would abolish them sooner or later!

But not wanting to cause trouble for the woman who had just given birth, Jun Zechen held back his steps and did not move forward.

At that moment, the Empress hurried over with a satisfied smile on her face, clearly having been informed by the palace servants that the side consort had delivered the royal grandson.

“Quick, bring my royal grandson over so I can take a good look at him!”

The Empress said eagerly, her voice filled with anticipation.

Li Mama carefully carried the child and walked steadily over to the Empress.

The Empress gently removed her protective armor and softly stroked the baby’s delicate face with the back of her hand. Her movements were so tender, as if afraid of hurting the little life.

“Good, good, good! Truly my obedient royal grandson! Today, everyone who helped the side consort with her delivery will be generously rewarded, and all the palace servants in Xiyan Hall will also receive rewards!”

The Empress’s voice was filled with joy and affection.

“Crown Prince, come look, this child looks so much like you!” The Empress smiled as she spoke to Jun Zechen.

Seeing his mother so happy, Jun Zechen felt joy in his heart as well.

His gaze fell on the child, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

This was his first child, and he was finally a father. The feeling was both new and thrilling.

However, at this moment, what he wanted to see most was the woman who had just given birth.

Before long, Miaoyun and Miaoxia carefully moved Su Jingyao back to her chambers.

Seeing this, Jun Zechen could no longer hold back his anxiety and rushed inside like an arrow shot from a bow.

Ling Yue stood aside, watching Jun Zechen’s anxious figure, a dazed expression in her eyes.

So, Su Jingyao really was special to him.

It wasn’t just because she was pregnant that he cared for her. His care for her came from the heart, pure and sincere, with no impurities.

Jun Zechen quietly sat by the bed while Imperial Doctor Li focused on checking Su Jingyao’s pulse.

“Your Highness, the side consort’s condition is not serious. She only fainted from exhaustion after childbirth,” Imperial Doctor Li said slowly, his voice relieved.

“I will prepare a medicinal soup to replenish her energy and blood. After she drinks it, she just needs to rest and recover as normal.”

“Mm. You’ve worked hard during this pregnancy, Imperial Doctor Li. Anshun, reward him with one hundred taels of silver,” Jun Zechen’s deep voice commanded, with a hint of authority.

Anshun responded respectfully, and Imperial Doctor Li hurriedly knelt to thank him, a grateful smile on his face. He felt deeply moved.

It hadn’t been easy.

After Imperial Doctor Li left, Jun Zechen waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

The room fell silent, leaving only him and Su Jingyao, who was lying in bed.

His gaze gently rested on her pale face. Despite being pregnant, her face had not lost its beauty.

Her fair skin showed no puffiness, and even her limbs remained slender and graceful.

Now that she had given birth, her delicate figure seemed to reappear, like a willow tree in the wind.

Heaven truly favored her.

If Su Jingyao knew that this man credited her maintained appearance and figure to heaven’s favor, she would probably wake up in anger.

Everything she had achieved was due to her own hard work.

Jun Zechen gently reached out his hand, softly brushing the stray hairs from her forehead.

The image of hearing her painful cries outside the birthing room suddenly flashed through his mind.

At that moment, he wasn’t looking forward to the child’s arrival; instead, his heart was filled with sorrow.

She, who was so afraid of pain, how had she endured the agony of childbirth?

At this moment, Jun Zechen’s eyes held a tenderness he had not even noticed himself.