A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 193: Chapter 192 Little Prince

He subtly pulled his arm away from her grip and patted her comfortingly.

”You have toiled hard over these years, Empress!”

The affection between husband and wife was undeniable; he couldn’t just ignore it. However, it was also a fact that he simply wasn’t interested in her anymore. Confronting a woman who spent her days copying Buddhist scriptures, with one foot already in the gates of Buddhism, Zhao Junyao truly felt...

”Emperor, I am not weary, I... I...”

The Empress began to cry, unable to continue speaking.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Suddenly, urgent knocking came from outside the door.

It was Yu Lan.

”Emperor, Empress, something terrible has happened! The Noble Consort... she’s going into labor!”

That statement, like a massive boulder tumbling from a high cliff into a deep pool, sent ripples through everything.

”What?!”

Zhao Junyao and the Empress were both shocked.

”Isn’t she... supposed to have over a month left? How could she be...”

Zhao Junyao was already hastily getting dressed. Seeing this, the Empress quickly stepped forward to help.

The Emperor and Empress finished dressing and hurried together towards Xifu Palace.

On the way, Li Shengan briefly explained the situation.

”The Noble Consort fell from her palanquin; she had yet to leave the Imperial Garden! Fortunately, there were many people around her at the time, and thankfully she didn’t get hurt, but the Noble Consort was frightened! She was fine when she first got back, but after lying down for a while, she suddenly started having stomach pain! The midwife said... she is about to give birth!”

Zhao Junyao was furious. ”How could she just fall for no reason! Li Shengan, investigate this!”

”Yes!”

Li Shengan felt a headache coming on and cursed inwardly, Have some people finally lost their patience? Daring to harm even the imperial heir. If we find out who it is this time, they’ll be skinned alive if they don’t die first!

Thinking this, he glanced at the Empress before lowering his head and withdrawing.

「...」

Xifu Palace was in chaos. Thankfully, the midwife and Wetnurse Sister had been prepared early, so they weren’t completely flustered.

When the Emperor and Empress arrived, the Noble Consort had already been taken to the birthing room. Although it was hectic, the Palace Maids dared not make a sound. All that could be heard from inside were the midwife’s comforting words and the Noble Consort’s heart-wrenching screams. Basin after basin of bloody water was carried out, a horrifying sight that chilled onlookers to the bone.

In the commotion, the Empress stopped a Little Palace Maid to ask, ”How are things inside?”

The Little Palace Maid, knowing nothing of such matters, stammered and could not give a clear answer. The Empress, growing impatient, waved her away.

Shortly after, a midwife with bloodied hands rushed out and knelt. ”Emperor, Empress, the Noble Consort... is having a difficult labor...”

Zhao Junyao’s face instantly darkened. ”What did you say?!”

The Empress hurriedly comforted him, ”Emperor, the Imperial Physician hasn’t arrived yet. The Noble Consort will be fine!”

Then, she instructed, ”No matter what, you must ensure the safety of both the Noble Consort and the child!”

After speaking, the Empress sent the midwife back in.

Zhao Junyao sat down to one side, his mood heavy. He had grown up with Noble Concubine Shih since childhood. Even though she had become increasingly arrogant and he had grown to dislike her more and more, he had never wished for her death.

The Empress continued to comfort him from the side. ”Emperor, I’m sure everything will be all right!”

Zhao Junyao’s face fell. He nodded and said nothing more.

The Imperial Physician went in and was busy until midnight, yet the child was not born. It was said that the fetus hadn’t turned; its position was incorrect. The earliest it could be born was the next day.

Waiting idly was pointless, so Zhao Junyao gave an order. ”Ensure the safety of the mother and child at all costs!”

With that, he took his people and left first. The Empress continued to keep watch, only leaving when the sky began to brighten.

Noble Concubine Shih had barely fallen asleep as dawn approached, but it wasn’t long before she was awakened by the pain. The agony contorted her entire body; her eyes were bloodshot, and her voice had long been hoarse.

Ying Yue, heeding the midwife’s advice, tried to forcibly feed her some food, but it was all vomited back up.

”Your Highness, you must eat a little! The Little Prince is about to be born; you need strength!” Ying Yue was so anxious she cried.

In her delirium, Noble Concubine Shih clenched her teeth and grabbed the bowl of rice. ”Quick, give it to me! I’ll eat!”

Delighted, Ying Yue hurriedly continued to feed her.

After struggling until noon, Noble Concubine Shih finally gave birth to the child with a life-expending scream.

The midwife received the child and immediately beamed with joy! ”Congratulations, Noble Consort, it’s a Little Prince!”

He’s just... just a bit small and weak! But then again, he’s premature, so it’s normal for him to be underweight. He’ll be fine after being nourished for a while.

The midwife wrapped the child and placed him before Noble Concubine Shih.

Noble Concubine Shih was already utterly exhausted. Upon hearing that she had given birth to a Prince, and then seeing with her own eyes a red, wrinkly little baby lying before her, her entire being relaxed. Happiness, exhaustion... She quickly closed her eyes.

Ying Yue, who was attending to her, found something strange. ”Sister, isn’t it said that newborns usually cry out a few times when they’re born? Why does he neither open his eyes nor cry?”

The attending midwife’s smile was somewhat forced. ”You may not know, Miss, but since the Little Prince is premature, perhaps he can’t cry yet. He’ll be fine after being nourished for a while!”

”Oh!” Ying Yue was relieved.

「...」

The news that Noble Concubine Shih had been blessed with a precious son quickly spread throughout the palace.

The Empress was the first to become restless. ”Yu Lan, go to the treasury and find some gifts. We’ll go take a look!”

”Yes!”

Soon, everything was ready, and the Empress and her servants hurried to Xifu Palace.

In Noble Concubine Shih’s inner chamber, the Empress saw the Little Prince. He was so very small, such a tiny little thing. His eyes weren’t open, and he was constantly sleeping.

Such an adorable child. Why wasn’t he born from my womb?

Noble Concubine Shih was also asleep, so the Empress felt it wouldn’t be right to disturb her further. She left the gifts and departed with Yu Lan.

On the way back, the Empress walked very slowly.

”Your Majesty, don’t worry, we will have children of our own!” Yu Lan tried to console her. Even if you cannot bear a child yourself, there’s always the option of adoption. Once a child’s name is recorded under yours, it’s all the same, isn’t it? The Emperor and Empress have shared years of marital affection; he surely wouldn’t favor a concubine and neglect his wife over this!

But the Empress thought differently. She did not want to raise another’s child. In the Harem, those of the Third Rank and above could raise their own children. To adopt meant choosing from those of lower status, not to mention their humble origins. Besides, an adopted child isn’t one’s own flesh and blood. Who knew if they would truly be of one mind with her in the future? So, unless absolutely necessary, she did not wish to adopt!

Throughout the journey back, the Empress was fraught with worry, yet she ultimately couldn’t think of any solution.

「...」

「Zhaochen Palace」

Zhao Junyao was delighted to hear that the Noble Consort had given birth to a Prince. Gifts flowed into Xifu Palace like water.

That evening, when Noble Concubine Shih woke up, she was startled by everything before her. ”All these things...”

Ying Yue was very pleased. ”Your Highness, these are all gifts from the Emperor!”

Noble Concubine Shih instantly perked up. ”The Emperor? Did he come?”

Ying Yue responded, ”The Emperor is discussing matters in the Imperial Study Room and probably couldn’t get away. However, Eunuch Li did come by several times!”

The light in Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes dimmed.