Chapter 36: The Canary Captured by the Enemy Emperor 23

Lin Muqing guessed that last night’s assassination attempt had something to do with the imprisoned consorts.

“Oh? Has His Majesty not come by?” she asked.

Xiao Yu replied, “He came last night—but then went to avenge you. The black-clad assassins were sent by General Chen.”

Xiao Liu clapped her hands in excitement. “I heard His Majesty personally drew the sword he had sealed away for a year and chopped off the general’s head!”

Lin Muqing’s impression of Jun Yuanming improved even more. “Such bravery. Truly a man who fought on bloody battlefields.”

She found herself eager to see him again.

---

In the Imperial Study

“Your Majesty, Consort Lin is here.”

“No need to announce her. Let her in.”

Jun Yuanming had just finished morning court and was about to head to Shuyu Palace—but she had come to him first.

She’d walked so far just to see him.

Watching her bounce toward him, face full of joy, his heart pounded uncontrollably, and his love for her surged wildly.

“Your Majesty!” Lin Muqing called out, and then tiptoed up to kiss him directly.

All the fear and anxiety from yesterday poured into that kiss—it became her outlet for everything she couldn’t say.

The long, fiery kiss melted both their reason.

Jun Yuanming caught his breath, lips brushing hers, and softly asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, Your Majesty~” she replied, her voice soft and teasing.

Outside, Eunuch Qin quietly closed the door.

The large chair he usually used for court affairs was spacious enough for two.

“Mm…”

Jun Yuanming leaned down, careful not to press on her belly.

Her slender, pale arms, which had just been wrapped around his neck, slid down weakly onto the armrest.

Clothes still intact—yet what followed…

…

After their passionate moment, Lin Muqing felt a little shy.

This place is supposed to be serious and dignified, she thought. We really shouldn’t have done that here…

But… she couldn’t say she didn’t like it.

---

In the days that followed, the two were inseparable.

Once Anhe Hall was completed, Lin Muqing moved into the new palace and was officially conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

And then—four months later…

She gave birth.

The entire palace had been awaiting the arrival of her children.

Ten midwives were prepared. Five handpicked palace maids stood by. An army of imperial physicians and court doctors waited outside the chamber.

Inside, Lin Muqing lay on the bed.

She had traded a valuable antique vase for futuristic pain-free childbirth technology—so the moment contractions began, she used it. No pain.

Still, she occasionally let out loud cries, just to avoid freaking out the midwives.

“Imperial Consort, bite down on this 100-year-old ginseng. It’ll help restore your strength!”

“Push harder now… yes, yes, stop for a bit, then keep pushing.”

“I can see the head!”

“Ah—!”

“Hot water, quickly!”

---

Outside, the Empress Dowager and Jun Yuanming stood nervously.

Jun Yuanming, for the first time in his life, felt genuine fear.

He hadn’t been afraid even when he was sent away as a hostage prince. Not even when he was nearly beaten to death.

Aside from his worry for his mother in the Cold Palace back then, he’d never known fear.

But this moment—watching Lin Muqing in childbirth—filled him with such dread that his eyes turned bloodshot.

“I want to go in,” he said, voice hoarse and shaking.

The Empress Dowager stood in his way. “No. I know you love her, but some rules must be upheld. You’ve broken enough of them for her already. Childbirth chambers are off-limits to men. I must stop you on this.”

“Ah—!”

Jun Yuanming’s heart twisted, as if a giant hand was crushing it.

“This is a critical moment. You can’t go in. You’re the Emperor. If the midwives panic because you’re there, things could go wrong.”

Her words overlapped with the midwives inside—

“He’s almost out!”

“Waaah! Waaah!”

“The next one—quick, I can see the head…”

---

“She’s delivered!” The Empress Dowager gripped her prayer beads tightly, whispering, “May the Buddha bless them. May both mother and children be safe.”

Jun Yuanming stood frozen by the door, hands behind his back, pacing with anxiety.

How much longer must this go on?!

“Ah—” Lin Muqing called out again. She wasn’t in pain, but pretended to be now and then, just to keep up appearances.

It drove Jun Yuanming into even greater panic.

“The second baby is out!”

“Scissors! Hot water!”

“Another prince—both are princes!”

Time ticked by—

“All three are out!”

“They’re beautiful!”

“Just need to deliver the placenta…”

---

Three midwives carried out basins of blood.

“So much blood?” Jun Yuanming’s breath hitched, voice cracking.

The midwives quickly changed the water and reported, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort has given birth to three princes, all safe and healthy.”

“Why is there so much blood?” he demanded.

The head midwife stammered, “It’s from removing the placenta—normal levels, not too much.”

“This isn’t ‘not much’ to me!”

Jun Yuanming grew more agitated.

“Why can’t I hear her voice?”

“Imperial Consort has fallen asleep from exhaustion.”

“I’m going in.”

The midwives panicked. “Your Majesty, that’s against custom—!”

The Empress Dowager didn’t dare stop him anymore.

Jun Yuanming was crying. Where was the majesty of an emperor now? She feared what he’d do if restrained.

“Then let’s go in together.”

But Jun Yuanming didn’t wait. He strode inside, his steps nearly stumbling.

The sight of the blood, and his beloved laying there, unconscious or asleep, almost crushed him.

Worry and pain burned in his eyes. He calmed his breathing, then stepped gently toward the bed.

Lin Muqing, who’d just been resting, caught his familiar scent and whispered softly, “Your Majesty…”

“Don’t talk.”

His usually warm palm was ice-cold and trembling as it touched her cheek.

Jun Yuanming lowered his head, his lashes casting shadows over his eyes, which were filled with sorrow at her pale face and closed eyes.

“Thank you, Qing’er… for giving me three sons.”

“I want to see them…”

Lin Muqing slowly opened her eyes, managing a faint smile.

Sweat-soaked strands of hair clung to her face, making her look a little disheveled—but Jun Yuanming leaned in and kissed her gently.

“Mother,” he called softly.

The Empress Dowager approached with a child in her arms.

Her gaze toward Lin Muqing held a rare tenderness.

“This one is the youngest. He smiled at me just now.”

“He looks exactly like you, Yuan’er.”