From the early hours of the morning until late at night, Qi Daiyu had sat for almost an entire day, even having her meals hastily delivered to the main hall. After resting, the Empress returned to relieve Consort Ning. Seeing the exhaustion on Qi Daiyu's face, she once again urged her to go back and rest.
Qi Daiyu shook her head. "I've waited this long; a little longer won't matter now."
She looked anxiously towards the birthing chamber.
Two hours had passed since the first signs of labor began, yet Qin Saizhu still had not given birth. Even the Empress, no longer as composed as she initially was, had sent people in several times to check on the situation. The Empress Dowager's attendant, Nanny Zhao, had also come by a few times.
Shortly after the Chou hour (1-3 AM), Jiang Yuan arrived as well.
The Empress bowed. "Your Majesty, why have you come?"
Jiang Yuan: "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come and see."
Just then, a royal physician hurried out. Frowning, Jiang Yuan asked him, "How is Consort Zhuang?"
The physician's forehead was beaded with sweat. "Consort Zhuang is having a difficult labor. If this continues, it is very dangerous. This humble servant suggests using a labor-inducing decoction." Childbirth was perilous for women, especially first-time mothers. If the baby could not be delivered and too much time passed, both mother and child were at risk.
Upon hearing this, the Empress asked, "Would this decoction harm the child?"
The imperial physician kept his head bowed. "As it is medicinal, its purpose is to help Consort Zhuang deliver the child more quickly." All medicine carried some risk, and labor-inducing decoctions were particularly potent, causing greater harm to Consort Zhuang's body. But given the current circumstances, there was no other choice. Saving her life was paramount; everything else was secondary.
Jiang Yuan made the decision immediately. "Administer the medicine."
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The imperial physician was about to retreat when he stopped. “Your Majesty, if... if the situation becomes critical, should we prioritize saving Consort Zhuang or the young prince or princess?”
The hall fell silent. Qi Daiyu stared fixedly at Jiang Yuan, her hands involuntarily clutching her sleeves, terrified she might hear a heartless word from him.
Fortunately, Qin Saizhu held a place in Jiang Yuan's heart. "Neither Consort Zhuang nor the child is to come to harm, especially Consort Zhuang!"
These words made his stance clear. The imperial physician, now understanding the priority, hurried off to prepare the medicine.
It will be fine, it will be fine. Qi Daiyu comforted herself inwardly, her mind in turmoil. She frantically searched the "light screen" for all possible dangers during childbirth, the variety of answers turning her face pale.
Even in her original world, with its advanced technology, childbirth was never one hundred percent safe. Given Qin Saizhu's current situation, how could she not worry?
The snow fell heavier and heavier. The cries of pain from Qin Saizhu in the birthing chamber grew clearer and louder, interspersed with the midwife's urgent instructions and the worried comforting words of her maids, Zhi Ma and Xiang Chun.
It was extremely chaotic.
Outside the chamber, however, there was a restless, tense silence.
Until a loud, clear cry pierced through Qixiang Palace, shattering the quiet.
Qi Daiyu's eyes lit up.
"She's given birth! Consort Zhuang has given birth!"
"It's a princess! She has borne a little princess!"
One person after another came out to announce the joyous news. A weight lifted from Jiang Yuan's heart, and a smile appeared on his face. "A princess is good! A princess is wonderful!"
The Empress also smiled. "The Eldest and Second Princesses will have a companion now!"
Soon, the newborn Third Princess was brought out, swaddled tightly. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the Third Princess is healthy and strong! Her little legs are full of vigor, and her cries are loud!"
A corner of the swaddling cloth was lifted, revealing the tiny, red-faced infant crying lustily.
Jiang Yuan took the Third Princess from the midwife. "She must weigh nearly seven catties!"
Such a robust size explained why Consort Zhuang's labor had been so difficult.
The Empress said, "It's good to be robust. She'll be easier to raise and less prone to illness later."
Noticing Qi Daiyu still standing in place, she asked curiously, "Consort Hui, won't you come and take a look?"
But Qi Daiyu said, "Your Majesty the Empress, how is... Consort Zhuang?" She had only seen one midwife come out with the princess. Where were the others?
The Empress was taken aback. Yes, in the joy of the Third Princess's birth, what about Consort Zhuang?
It seemed only then that sounds from the birthing chamber reached them—it was Zhi Ma's shocked cry: "Mistress!"
The next moment, a midwife stumbled out. "Your Majesty, it's terrible! Consort Zhuang... the bleeding beneath Consort Zhuang won't stop..."
"What did you say?!" Qi Daiyu and Jiang Yuan spoke almost simultaneously.
The midwife kowtowed repeatedly. "Consort Zhuang is likely... is likely..." Her whole body trembled. When she left, Consort Zhuang was already barely breathing.
Jiang Yuan kicked out at her. "You're all useless! Where is the imperial physician? Imperial physician!"
The imperial physician hurried out and knelt, merely shaking his head. "It's too late..." The labor-inducing medicine had accelerated the birth process, but it had also caused Consort Zhuang to expend her vital energy. The bleeding below wouldn't cease. He had administered medicine to stanch the bleeding and replenish blood, but the rate of blood loss far outpaced the medicine's effect...
The Third Princess was born safely, but Consort Zhuang... The imperial physician's face was ashen. He knew his head was likely forfeit.
Yet childbirth was inherently perilous; countless mothers fell at this hurdle, some even losing both mother and child. But this was something His Majesty probably would not listen to.
The Taiyi prostrated himself on the ground. "Consort Zhuang may still have words to say..." That was all he could offer, hoping the Emperor might spare his family out of regard for his past loyalty.
Jiang Yuan still refused to accept it, but the Empress was much calmer. "Your Majesty, this humble servant will go in to see Consort Zhuang."
Jiang Yuan gave no response. The Empress then walked towards the birthing chamber, pausing as she passed Qi Daiyu. "Consort Hui, would you like to accompany me inside?"
Qi Daiyu stood rooted to the spot, unmoving.
She could hear nothing, the words "Consort Zhuang is failing!" echoing in her ears.
How could it be... how could it...
It felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen solid. Despite the blazing braziers in the hall, she felt a bone-chilling cold.
Scene after scene flashed before her eyes: The first time she met Qin Saizhu, hearing her hearty laughter before even seeing her, piquing her curiosity. Then the curtain was lifted, revealing a cheerful, round face with dimples—she felt an immediate fondness.
Scenes of the two of them admiring the snow, grilling meat, drinking, and chatting merrily—it seemed to have been a snowy day like this one too.
Her leaning over Qin Saizhu's round, protruding belly to listen for the baby's movements, the two of them discussing what nickname to give the unborn child. Qin Saizhu had even said that after the birth, she wanted to eat the spiciest, most numbing hotpot...
How could it be... how could someone she was laughing with just yesterday be...
The Empress called Qi Daiyu's name once more.
Qi Daiyu blinked. She tried to speak but found no words would come. She could only lift her stiff feet and follow behind the Empress.
She almost stumbled into the birthing chamber.
Upon entering, she was met with an overwhelming, thick scent of blood.
The smell nearly suffocated Qi Daiyu. Her heart felt gripped by a giant hand, making it hard to breathe.
She hardly dared look at the figure on the bed. In just a few short hours, Qin Saizhu's face had grown deathly pale, her eyes terribly swollen.
"Yu... Yu'er..." Qin Saizhu struggled to utter a few words, her voice barely a whisper. It was Zhi Ma, kneeling beside her, who heard and cried out, "Noble Lady Hui, my mistress is calling for you."
Qi Daiyu threw herself by the bedside, grasping Qin Saizhu's hand. It was colder than the snow outside.
"Pearl Sister, I'm here! I'm here!" Qi Daiyu wanted to say these words, but they stuck in her throat. Tears flowed uncontrollably, dripping onto Qin Saizhu's hand.
Qin Saizhu seemed to sense her speechlessness and forced a faint, strained smile.
"My child... my child... I entrust to you..."
"Help me... help..."
Her voice was so faint Qi Daiyu had to tilt her head and press her ear close to Qin Saizhu's lips to hear. But after only a few words, the sound ceased, and the hand in her grasp seemed to grow colder still.
"......" Qi Daiyu realized what had happened but dared not look up, only clutching the hand tighter.
The women in the delivery room began to weep, their sobs mingling with the Empress's sigh.
Zhi Ma and Xiang Chun wept bitterly, overcome with grief.
Qi Daiyu remained in that position, letting her tears fall.
She did not know how she left the delivery room.
She heard Zhi Ma kneeling on the floor, reporting to the Emperor: "...My mistress and Noble Lady Hui were always close. Before her passing... my mistress begged Your Majesty to entrust the Third Princess to Noble Lady Hui's care. Please, Your Majesty, grant my mistress her final wish, in recognition of her years of service."
She heard the Empress also advise the Emperor: "Your Majesty, however much you grieve for Consort Zhuang, we must consider the Third Princess. She is still so young and cannot be without care."
She heard Jiang Yuan decree: "Posthumously elevate Consort Zhuang to the rank of Noble Consort Zhuang. She shall be buried with the full honors of her rank and interred in the imperial mausoleum."
"The Third Princess shall be entrusted to Noble Lady Hui for rearing. Noble Lady Hui is hereby elevated to the rank of Consort Hui and shall move to the main hall of the Changchun Palace."
"Consort Hui, will you not thank His Majesty for his grace?" The Empress quietly tugged at Qi Daiyu's sleeve.
Qi Daiyu woodenly performed the ritual bow. "I thank Your Majesty for your grace."
"Consort Zhuang is gone?" Consort Ning asked in surprise, pulling her quilt around her. News of the Third Princess's birth had just arrived, followed closely by the report of Consort Zhuang's death—no, she should now be called "Noble Consort Zhuang."
Yang Xue nodded, her own heart unsettled. "They say it was a hemorrhage that couldn't be stopped... My lady, our people did not act."
Qin Saizhu had overheard her mistress's conversation with the Grand Princess Yanping. To eliminate the threat, Consort Ning naturally could not let Qin Saizhu live.
Qin Saizhu's childbirth had presented the perfect opportunity.
However, Ye Qiong's side had backed down, and while she herself had a backup plan—Yang Xue had previously bribed a midwife—Qi Daiyu had sent Yan He to guard the delivery room, specifically watching the midwives. Unwilling to risk exposure, Consort Ning had called off the plan.
She had thought there would be other chances later.
Who could have guessed that without her lifting a finger, Consort Zhuang had still died.
Thinking of this, Consort Ning gave a light laugh. "It seems even Heaven is aiding me."
Yang Xue was still marveling. "This Noble Consort Zhuang was truly unfortunate. After serving His Majesty for years and finally conceiving, she made it all the way to delivery, gave birth, but didn't survive herself."
Although the Emperor had elevated her rank to Noble Consort Zhuang on the spot, rather than posthumously, granting her that honor, what use was a title when the person was gone?
"As for Consort Hui, her luck is good. She gained a princess for nothing and was promoted in rank." Now she was the mistress of her own palace.
Yang Xue couldn't help but think with some malice: They all say Consort Hui cannot bear children due to old injuries. Could she have deliberately gotten close to Consort Zhuang for this?
Consort Ning glanced at her. Yang Xue didn't understand, but she knew well the dangers of childbirth for women; otherwise, she wouldn't have planned to act during Qin Saizhu's labor.
Without explaining, Consort Ning got out of bed and walked to a specially arranged incense table. She moved the Buddha statue aside, hung up a portrait of Lady Yang, closed her eyes, and pressed her palms together.
After a long while, she opened her eyes and asked Yang Xue, "Has Ju Yi come during this time?"
Yang Xue nodded. "Once. As you instructed, I did not act overly familiar. I just gave her the ointment and expressed some sympathy for her plight."
"Good. She will come again. Treat her as usual." Consort Ning said, "Also, find time to go to the Qixiang Palace. Tell her I wish to see her."
