NFBE Chapter 20 Consort Mei's Difficult Childbirth
Chapter 20 Consort Mei's Difficult Childbirth
"You mean Consort Mei is full-term, but there's still no sign of pregnancy?" The Emperor frowned slightly, gently placing the memorial in his hand on the imperial desk. He looked sharply at Li Desheng, his tone filled with doubt and worry.
"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. The Imperial Physician Zhang, who is in charge of Consort Mei's pregnancy, has been summoned by the Empress for questioning, and we should have a result soon," Li Desheng replied respectfully, bowing deeply.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression grew even more solemn. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly stood up and resolutely said, "Go to Anning Palace." With that, he ignored the memorials that had not yet been reviewed and strode towards the outside of Qinzheng Hall.
"His Majesty is departing for Anning Palace—" Upon seeing this, Li Desheng hurriedly raised his voice and shouted, his unique hoarse voice echoing throughout the palace.
Immediately afterward, he hurried to catch up with the emperor, calling out repeatedly, "Your Majesty, please wait for this humble servant!"
However, the Emperor moved with incredible speed, and in no time at all, he was safely seated in his sedan chair. Li Desheng, panting heavily, barely managed to catch up.
When Li Desheng finally caught up with the palanquin, he saw the Emperor sitting upright, his expression cold and silent. Li Desheng quickly straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes, took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, and then raised his voice again to shout, "Let's go!" As his shout rang out, a group of eunuchs and palace maids surrounded the palanquin, and the procession headed towards Anning Palace in a grand procession.
Cuiwei Palace
"Your Majesty, I just heard from someone that Her Majesty the Empress summoned Imperial Physician Zhang, who was treating Consort Mei's pregnancy, for a consultation," Yaoqin said hurriedly as she entered.
Hearing this, Su Nuannuan, who was sitting on the couch teasing the little prince Cheng'er, smiled slightly and looked up at Yaoqin: "Oh, look at you, so flustered, is the sky about to fall? You still have the mind to meddle in other people's business." As she spoke, she lowered her head and gently pinched Cheng'er's pink cheek.
Yaoqin quickly walked up to Su Nuannuan and curtsied, saying, "Your Highness, please stop teasing me."
Su Nuannuan still had a smile on her face, and reached out to tidy her hair: "You, you always worry about things that aren't your business. You're so free now, have you watered the vegetables in the garden? Don't let those seedlings dry out."
Upon hearing this, Yaoqin quickly explained, "Your Highness, I was just worried about you and afraid you'd be bored all alone in the palace. That's why I rushed over to report this news to you."
Su Nuannuan put down the rattle drum in her hand, gently hugged Cheng'er in her arms, and coaxed him, "With our lovely Cheng'er by my side, how could I be bored? As for Consort Mei, we don't need to pay too much attention to her, lest we cause ourselves unnecessary trouble. We just need to close the palace gates and live our lives in peace."
Yaoqin nodded obediently: "I understand, Your Majesty. But..."
"Just what?" Su Nuannuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Yaoqin.
Yaoqin lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly and muttered softly, "Your Majesty, actually, the vegetables planted in that garden are being taken care of."
Eunuch Li treasured that vegetable patch so much, treating it like his own eyes, that there was no need for any servants to watch over it anymore.
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, shaking her head and saying, "You little rascal, you're just so gossipy. But whatever, as long as someone looks after the vegetable garden, it's fine with you."
"Going out to listen to gossip is fine, but you must be careful and not cause any trouble. If something serious happens, even I might not be able to protect you," Consort Zhuang said to Yaoqin with a serious expression.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, Yaoqin, who had been somewhat dejected, instantly brightened up, her face breaking into a radiant smile as she cheerfully replied.
Seeing this, Jinse couldn't help but complain, "Your Majesty, you spoil her too much! If you continue to indulge her like this, won't she become completely unruly?"
Consort Zhuang smiled slightly and replied softly, "Yaoqin is doing very well. She has a lively and cheerful personality. With her around, there is much more laughter and joy in our Cuiwei Palace, making it especially lively."
Jinse thought about it and agreed, nodding in agreement, "Yes, Your Highness is right. When the Fifth Prince grows up a bit more, Cuiwei Palace will definitely become even more lively."
For some reason, as she was talking, Su Nuannuan suddenly had a picture of Yaoqin and Cheng'er bickering in her mind. The scene was so funny that she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
When Jinse saw her mistress laughing to herself for no apparent reason, she was first taken aback, then realized what was happening, and the corners of her mouth also turned up slightly.
As night fell and the entire Cuiwei Palace was immersed in the tranquil atmosphere of impending rest, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps could be heard. Immediately afterwards, a palace maid rushed in to report: "Your Highness, Consort Mei has given birth, but... the situation does not seem very optimistic."
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang's heart tightened, and she hurriedly asked, "Have the Emperor and Empress gone to visit him?"
The palace maid took a breath and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Emperor and Empress have already gone there."
"Moon Lady, Yaoqin, Zhixiang, Tingxue, the four of you must take good care of Cheng'er and ensure that nothing goes wrong. Jinse, you will come with me to Plum Blossom Pavilion." Su Nuannuan rose and gave the instructions with a solemn expression, her beautiful face showing a hint of worry.
"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured, we will definitely protect the Fifth Prince." The four replied in unison.
Su Nuannuan nodded slightly and hurried towards Meixiang Pavilion with Jinse. However, before they even stepped through the gates of Meixiang Pavilion, a heart-wrenching wail reached their ears. The sound was extremely shrill, as if it could tear a person's heart and lungs apart.
Su Nuannuan was startled, and her pace quickened involuntarily. Upon entering the Plum Blossom Pavilion, she saw the Emperor and Empress seated in the main seats, with a group of concubines standing on either side. Su Nuannuan dared not be negligent and quickly stepped forward to respectfully bow: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
After performing the rites, Su Nuannuan carefully walked to Consort Qin's side and stood still, lowering her voice to ask, "Sister Consort Qin, what exactly is going on? Why is Consort Mei wailing in such pain?"
Consort Qin replied softly, "According to the imperial physician, Consort Mei's baby is too large, and there may be danger during childbirth. The imperial physician has just consulted His Majesty about whether to save the mother or the child."
Su Nuannuan frowned deeply, her worry evident: "Where is Physician Zhang? Wasn't he the one in charge of Consort Mei's pregnancy? How could this situation suddenly occur?"