A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 747: Chapter 747: Wait for Him?!

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived quickly.

The feast was set in Ningshou Palace, and Noble Concubine Shih sent out invitations to all the palaces. No one dared not to attend. However, it was a different story for Xia Ruqing. Her belly had grown so large that walking had become difficult. Even the Noble Consort wouldn’t dare to force her. Therefore, it was only natural that Xia Ruqing would not go.

That morning, upon waking, Xia Ruqing felt that something was off. Once Zi Yue lifted the quilt, the mattress was completely soaked.

”My lady!” Zi Yue panicked for a moment but quickly regained her composure. ”Please don’t be afraid, my lady. All the necessary items have been prepared. I will go call for help!”

She was about to leave after speaking, but Xia Ruqing swiftly grabbed her, enduring the pain, and said, ”Go tell Sister Huang and the others to send Chenchen away quickly!”

Childbirth was a bloody affair. A two-year-old child should be spared from such a sight if possible.

”Yes! My lady, please rest assured. I am on my way!” Zi Yue quickly left with hurried steps.

Zi Su and Zi Ning also soon learned of their mistress’s impending labor. One hurried to send the Crown Prince to the Study Room. The other rushed to call for the Sisters, the midwife, and the Imperial Physician. The Palace Maids and eunuchs of Qingya Residence were well-trained, busy yet orderly.

Before the Imperial Physician and the midwife could arrive, Sister Huang and Sister Jiang came in to tend to her. They were Experienced Sisters, after all. They hurriedly prepared a new bed for Xia Ruqing, moving her to a clean spot, while also arranging for someone to boil hot water and fetch cotton, blankets, scissors, and other things they would need later.

Seeing them all frantically getting ready, Xia Ruqing said with a smile, ”I feel alright. It’s not too painful at the moment!”

Not to mention she had already experienced childbirth once; during her pregnancy, she had also read medical texts in her spare time. She knew a lot about childbirth, which made her less afraid and even feel considerably calmer.

Sister Huang laughed and said, ”It’s good that the mistress isn’t scared. The Imperial Physician said you have a stable fetal position and your health is good! Although it is twins, the fetal positions have been adjusted properly. You will give birth easily!”

Xia Ruqing simply nodded with a smile. ”Let’s hope so!”

「...」

News that Xia Ruqing was going into labor quickly spread throughout the Harem. Li Shengan received the news first and hurried over with several Palace Maids and eunuchs. These were personally selected by Zhao Junyao. He was worried that there would be a shortage of hands or a lack of trustworthy people at the time of birth, so he had made arrangements before he left. Once the news was received, Li Shengan hurriedly led them over.

He was instructing them urgently while hurrying along, ”This is a critical time! Stay alert, and don’t act out of line. If you fail to serve properly and offend the mistress...!”

”Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Li. Servants will remember!” the group responded.

Li Shengan then nodded and quickened his pace. Thank goodness I had sent word to the Emperor just a few days ago! I wonder if the Emperor will come back earlier!

By the time Li Shengan arrived, the Imperial Physician and the midwife had already come, and Consort Xian had entered the birthing room. Li Shengan couldn’t enter either. He could only step forward to inform Sister Huang that these people were reliable and could be used directly if more hands were needed.

Sister Huang didn’t seem surprised and nodded with a smile. ”Allow me to thank Eunuch Li on behalf of my mistress!”

Li Shengan hastily stepped aside. ”Sister, you are too kind. Serving the mistress is our duty!”

Seeing Li Shengan respond this way, Sister Huang simply smiled and said no more. Just then, a sudden announcement rang out from outside.

”Empress Dowager arrives! Noble Consort arrives!”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s complexion changed. But the courtesies that should be paid could not be omitted. All the Servants, Palace Maids, midwives, and Wetnurse Nannies, high-ranking or low, came out and knelt down in the courtyard, forming a dense crowd.

Xia Ruqing looked at the empty room. She listened to the Empress Dowager’s lengthy and intricate ’lecture’ outside. She suddenly felt aggrieved. Damn it! They just arrived and made such a fuss, calling everyone out and leaving me alone here! Are they sure this isn’t deliberate?

However, considering what the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort had been doing these days, Xia Ruqing was not surprised. The Empress Dowager even dares to spread rumors and falsely accuse the Royal Family of infidelity, effectively cuckolding her own son! What else is she incapable of doing? At her age, she doesn’t even think of accumulating some good karma for the afterlife! Ugh, never mind, I won’t think about it anymore.

Xia Ruqing shook her head and cast these thoughts aside. Her belly was already hurting quite regularly. But it did not seem severe yet, still bearable.

To distract herself, Xia Ruqing lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and began breathing slowly, trying to conserve her strength. Perhaps because she was carrying twins, this time her labor was progressing very slowly. The regular pains, lasting from morning until night, didn’t seem to hasten. They even seemed to lighten somewhat during the night. She had her evening meal, then simply lay down and fell asleep on the birthing bed. She had a dreamless night and slept quite peacefully.

Early the next day, the pain intensified a bit. When she called the midwife to check, she said there was still no sign of birth. Xia Ruqing felt somewhat helpless, touching her belly and unable to decide whether to laugh or cry. ”You two are really waiting for someone, aren’t you?”

Zi Yue, who was by her side wiping her face, couldn’t help but laugh. ”Mistress, the Little Prince is waiting for the Emperor!”

Xia Ruqing shook her head. ”How could that be? He won’t be back for another ten days or half a month!” How could they possibly wait that long?

”What if they can?!” Zi Yue laughed.

As a contraction hit, Xia Ruqing no longer had the energy to talk, her brow furrowed and sweat beading at her temples.

The Empress Dowager had come yesterday with a long lecture before leaving. Today, no one else came, and the courtyard was eerily quiet, with only the shadows of Maids hurrying in and out. However, Xia Ruqing actually preferred the peace. If a roomful of people sat there eagerly watching, she would be the one to feel unnerved first. And so, she endured the pain from morning until afternoon. The midwife checked again and again, each time noting that she had only dilated two fingers’ width.

Xia Ruqing was on the verge of breaking down! The birth of Little Bun was so straightforward! These two babies are truly troublesome!

The Harem was quiet and serene, everyone hidden away in their own abodes, not venturing out. Only Qingya Residence was bustling with activity.

However, Zhaochen Palace seemed to have also become lively in the afternoon. Since it was Zhaochen Palace, naturally, the news did not spread to the Harem.

But Eunuch Li was run off his feet. The Emperor had returned suddenly, without any notice, truly catching him between surprise and shock. He was glad Consort Xian now had support. But he was also fearful—what would the Emperor think about everything that had happened in the palace? Could it impact him too? He hadn’t yet figured out how to save himself! Anyway, Consort Xian Pin had been bullied so much; that couldn’t be concealed!

”The Emperor?” Li Shengan approached cautiously.

Zhao Junyao changed into his clothes, buttoning up as he walked out. ”Proceed to Qingya Residence!”

Li Shengan became somewhat anxious. ”Your Majesty, the ladies of the Harem are not yet aware of your return! As for the welcome...”