"Congratulations, Sister Zhu, your wish has come true!"
In Qixiang Palace, Qi Daiyu said with a smile. She had rushed over as soon as she heard the news.
Qin Saizhu was still somewhat dazed. She hadn't expected that she was truly pregnant.
For no reason, two tears slid down her face. Qin Saizhu wiped them away, embarrassed. "You must think me silly. I am just... so very happy."
Qi Daiyu comforted her, "You trust me, that's why you show your true feelings in front of me."
"I am truly overjoyed," Qin Saizhu said. "In this palace, I have not received the Emperor's favor infrequently. Yet, from the time I was assigned to serve the Emperor until now, it's been eight years, right? I never had any news. I thought I was destined to have no children in this lifetime. Who knew such a surprise would come suddenly?"
In the current harem, she had served the Emperor the longest. Watching those who came after her get pregnant one by one, how could Qin Saizhu not feel envious?
Physicians had examined her, all saying there was nothing wrong with her body, it was just that the destined time hadn't arrived.
As time passed, Qin Saizhu had given up hope.
It was precisely because she had given up hope that she was so overwhelmed with emotion now.
Qi Daiyu hadn't realized that Qin Saizhu, usually the most optimistic, had endured so much inner torment, and she sighed inwardly.
"Sister Yu, I will cherish this child dearly. I will do everything I can to be the best mother," Qin Saizhu vowed with gentle firmness.
Qi Daiyu replied, "I believe you!"
"When the child is born, you will be its aunt!" Qin Saizhu declared.
During their previous conversations, Qi Daiyu had told her that, given her own physical condition, it would be very difficult for her to conceive.
By saying this now, Qin Saizhu was also worried that Qi Daiyu might feel sad.
Qi Daiyu said, "Alright then! As the future aunt, I'll have to make lots of toys for my future nephew."
Qin Saizhu laughed, "What if it's a niece?"
Qi Daiyu: "Then I'll make lots of cloth dolls?"
Both of them laughed.
Just as they were talking, Ye Qiong arrived.
"The magpies were chirping incessantly this morning. I knew something good was going to happen. And sure enough, today I heard the wonderful news of Sister's pregnancy. Congratulations, Sister!" Ye Qiong bowed to both of them.
"Zhima, quick, bring another stool," Qin Saizhu instructed.
Qi Daiyu teased Ye Qiong, "You live right here in Qixiang Palace. How come you arrived later than I did?"
Ye Qiong explained, "Don't mention it! I heard the peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden had bloomed and went to pick some to make flower cakes. When I heard the news about Sister Qin's pregnancy, I rushed back immediately. Before leaving, I changed my clothes, which caused the delay."
This was her way of explaining that she was afraid the peach pollen on her clothes might affect Qin Saizhu, so she had specifically changed.
Qin Saizhu smiled, "You are so thoughtful."
A flicker passed through Ye Qiong's eyes as she smiled and said, "Sister, guess who I ran into in the Imperial Garden?"
Qin Saizhu said, "With so many people in the palace, anyone could have gone. How could I guess? Don't keep us in suspense, tell us!"
Ye Qiong: "I saw Consort An with the Eldest Prince and the Second Princess in the Imperial Garden."
Mentioning the Eldest Prince, Qin Saizhu and Qi Daiyu exchanged a glance.
After Concubine Shu's incident, the Emperor had not stripped her of her right to raise the Eldest Prince, who still resided in Chengqian Palace. However, Attendant Consort Lv, who originally also lived in Chengqian Palace, had been moved out and relocated to the east side hall of Yanxi Palace.
Concubine Shu was under house arrest, but the Eldest Prince was not. Consort An taking the Eldest Prince out did not violate any rules.
Qin Saizhu remarked, "Consort An is truly loyal to Concubine Shu."
Qi Daiyu privately disagreed with this statement. She had seen from the recordings Consort An's secret contacts with Concubine Cao. She was certain Consort An was involved in Concubine Mei's affair, though for some reason, not a single trace linking her to it remained. And Concubine Shu, from beginning to end, had never mentioned Consort An.
Because of this, Qi Daiyu only felt that Consort An was unfathomable.
Could such a person truly be utterly loyal to another?
Qi Daiyu suspected it was more likely that Consort An was being good to the Eldest Prince to keep Concubine Shu in check.
The Eldest Prince was now Concubine Shu's only hope. But she was overwhelmed with her own troubles and could only entrust the still-safe Consort An to look after the Eldest Prince. For this reason, Concubine Shu would not say anything unfavorable about Consort An.
The relationship between the two seemed more like a transaction.
Ye Qiong sighed, "Perhaps she just pities the Eldest Prince?"
Qi Daiyu warned, "Don't be naive. Consort An has old ties with Concubine Shu. Her being good to the Eldest Prince is something His Majesty won't comment on. But if you were to get close to the Eldest Prince, it might not be viewed the same way." They had witnessed Ye Qiong's soft heart back at the Southern Mountain Palace, where she was even willing to plead for leniency for those who had harmed her.
Ye Qiong nodded, "Sisters, don't worry. I was only saying this in front of you two."
Just then, Zhuyi's voice suddenly came from outside, looking for Qi Daiyu.
Qi Daiyu quickly stood up and went to the door. "What is it?"
Zhuyi looked anxious. "Noble Consort Hui, the Empress has gone into labor! The Eldest Princess is frightened and won't stop crying. We can't calm her down. Please come with me to Kunning Palace at once!"
The Empress is in labor?
Qi Daiyu was taken aback. The Empress was indeed nearing her due date, but no one expected it to be today.
"Alright, I'll go right away!" She turned back to Qin Saizhu. "Sister Zhu, you are with child, best not to go."
"Don't worry about me, you go quickly!"
"Noble Consort Hui, I'll go with you!" The Empress giving birth was a major event. Qin Saizhu, being pregnant, didn't have to go, but she did.
Qi Daiyu: "Alright!"
Meanwhile, in Yikun Palace, Consort Ning had just received the news of Consort Zhuang's pregnancy.
She stared silently at the peach blossoms in the vase, her paintbrush paused mid-air.
Beside her, Yang Xue and Suihe exchanged glances, both seeing worry in each other's eyes.
"Your Highness..."
Consort Ning was called back to reality by the address. "Tell me, should I send congratulatory gifts?"
Yang Xue didn't know how to answer. She remembered that Consort Zhuang had once been on good terms with Her Highness for a period, but later, for some unknown reason, they gradually drifted apart.
Even disregarding their past friendship, considering just the difference in their ranks, as a Consort, Her Highness should bestow gifts.
Consort Ning said, "Even she is pregnant now. Only I have never shown any sign. But then again, the Emperor does not favor me. He visits Yikun Palace so rarely. How could I possibly conceive?"
The long pause caused a drop of ink to fall, staining the painting paper.
The painting was ruined. Consort Ning simply dropped the brush and walked over to the vase. "Even though my father is now highly trusted and employed by His Majesty, even though Concubine Shu has been confined... why does the Emperor still not see me? Why... does he just not see me!"
With a gentle sweep of her hand, the vase fell to the ground and shattered, the peach branches scattering everywhere.
Yang Xue and Suihe trembled. Consort Ning still wore that same calm expression. She took a step forward and trampled the peach blossoms underfoot.
"Go, select some fine items and send them to Qixiang Palace."
"Yes."
Yang Xue turned and went out, returning shortly after, "...Your Highness, news has come from Kunning Palace. Her Majesty the Empress has gone into labor."
The figure in the room instantly turned around. Faced with such a profound gaze, Yang Xue dared not meet her eyes, lowering her head deeply. The longer she served Consort Ning, the more she could sense the hidden frenzy beneath the calm exterior of Her Highness, who always valued propriety and was usually so composed.
After a long while, Yang Xue finally heard Consort Ning speak.
"To Kunning Palace."
By the time Consort Ning arrived at Kunning Palace, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were already there.
She glanced around. The Eldest Princess was sobbing while being held by Concubine Qi Daiyu, and Consort An, Consort Nie, and others had also gathered.
Order reigned in Kunning Palace. Eunuchs and palace maids went about their duties. The midwives had already entered the birthing chamber, from where the Empress's suppressed cries of pain could be heard.
Consort Ning calmly paid her respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor did not even glance at her, his gaze fixed intently and expectantly on the birthing chamber instead.
A pang struck Consort Ning's heart. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she too looked towards the birthing chamber.
Qi Daiyu held the Eldest Princess, gently patting her back in a steady rhythm.
The Eldest Princess should not have been present for such a scene. However, she happened to be there when the Empress's water broke. Terrified by the sight of the Empress in agony, she watched as her mother was taken into the birthing chamber. Worried for her mother, she absolutely refused to leave.
Anyone who tried to take her away was met with loud cries and tantrums.
It was only when Qi Daiyu arrived that she calmed down a little, yet she still would not leave.
Now, she clung tightly to Qi Daiyu, unwilling to let go even when the Emperor came to hold her. It seemed only Qi Daiyu could offer her a sense of security at this moment.
"Auntie Qi, will Mother be alright?" the Eldest Princess whimpered, her eyes swollen like fish bladders as she listened to her mother's painful moans.
Qi Daiyu said, "She will be. Her Majesty will be fine. Don't worry, Eldest Princess. You'll soon see your mother and your little brother."
The Empress had suffered severe reactions during the early months of this pregnancy, but her condition had improved greatly in the later stages. Furthermore, imperial physicians had been in constant attendance. There should be no cause for concern.
The Eldest Princess felt like crying again. She wanted to say she didn't want a little brother; it was because of having to give birth to him that her mother was in such pain. But the Eldest Princess also understood that everyone in Kunning Palace was filled with anticipation for the brother in her mother's womb.
It seemed this brother was immensely precious, perhaps even more precious than she was.
The sounds from the birthing chamber suddenly intensified. The Empress Dowager grew extremely tense, and Nurse Yang massaged her palms to soothe her.
About a quarter of an hour later, following a sharp cry from the Empress, the loud, clear wail of an infant rang out.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both stood up.
A short while later, a midwife emerged carrying a swaddled bundle, her face beaming with joy.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress and the prince are both safe and well!"
Regardless of their private thoughts, everyone present knelt down.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations!"
Jiang Yuan wore a broad smile. "All servants of Kunning Palace shall receive three months' extra pay!"
The congratulations from the palace servants grew even louder, filled with genuine delight.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. She gently lifted a corner of the swaddling cloth to peek. "The Second Prince looks so much like the Emperor!"
"He's so tiny, how can you tell?" Though he said this, Jiang Yuan also leaned in to look, the smile on his face growing even more pronounced.
"Has a name been chosen for the Second Prince?"
Jiang Yuan said, "I've long had one in mind. What about the character 'Sheng'?"
The Empress Dowager repeated, "'Sheng'?"
Jiang Yuan gently stroked the baby's fine hair. "With this child's birth, may peace reign across the land."
The Empress Dowager looked at him in surprise. The aspiration contained within that wish was no small matter. It seemed the Emperor held profound hopes for the Second Prince.
The Empress Dowager smiled. "Jiang Sheng. A fine name!"
"I want to see my brother too! Father, Grandmother, let me see my brother!" The Eldest Princess, who had been waiting on the side for what felt like an age, could wait no longer.
Jiang Yuan laughed heartily and picked up the Eldest Princess.
The Eldest Princess peered down carefully. Her first thought was that her brother looked rather ugly, his face all wrinkled, not at all like their father.
But then, as if struck by another thought, she smiled again.
Since her brother was born safe and sound, her mother must be very happy.
Her mother treasured this brother, so she would treasure him too. She would protect her brother.
