Chapter 1349: Chapter 1347: Childbirth (Part 1)
Although he didn’t really like this eldest daughter, although... if Xia Ruqing hadn’t reminded him, he wouldn’t have remembered the existence of this daughter at all.
But now that he knew, he would not allow anyone to bully her.
It’s just like an object; I may not like it myself, but I won’t allow others to defame or trample on it.
Moreover, the Princess is not an object, but a person, his daughter.
What else is there to say?
Should he not stand by his own daughter, and instead stand by outsiders?
Xia Ruqing was dumbfounded, shocked and scared.
She never expected Zhao Junyao to say something so... ’domineering’, and say it in such a nonchalant, calm manner.
She opened her mouth several times, finally mustering a sentence.
"That... Your Majesty!"
"I just asked how you would handle it, and you’re a bit... over the top!"
Burying them all wouldn’t that mean wiping out the family? That’s your son-in-law, Your Majesty!
And there’s Tao Hanlin, who has diligently served the Imperial Court for most of his life.
If things end so quietly, other ministers may also feel disheartened!
"Do you not have a shred of sentiment?"
Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sentiment? Where does sentiment come from?"
He had no deep impression of the Tao family.
In other words, neither Tao Hanlin nor the Tao Prince Consort had done anything that left an impression on him.
In a certain sense, people who can’t be remembered are dispensable.
Zhao Junyao had been the Emperor for so many years, he naturally understood this principle.
Xia Ruqing opened her mouth, yet found herself unable to argue back.
"It seems... that’s how it is!"
"But..."
"No buts!"
Zhao Junyao interrupted her.
"Alright, Qingqing, I will have someone investigate this matter! You don’t need to worry about it!"
Xia Ruqing felt a little concerned but still nodded.
"I understand!"
The two chatted about other matters for a while, then had lunch together and took a nap in the afternoon.
...
The Eldest Princess’s Mansion.
From time to time, sounds of wailing and the voices of Sister and the midwife encouraging her could be heard coming from the rear hall.
Amidst the noise, the palace maids brought in basins of clean hot water, and took out basins stained red with blood.
The entire hall was frantic yet orderly.
Consort Zheng had been there since early morning.
Sitting on the couch outside the hall, listening to the commotion inside, she was restless.
Hong Yun timely served tea to comfort her.
"Don’t worry too much, I’m sure the Imperial Physician is already on the way and will be here soon!"
Consort Zheng, irritable, pushed away the tea.
"How can I still have the heart to drink tea!"
"Though I’ve never experienced it myself, I know how dangerous it is inside!"
Hong Yun took the tea away and sent someone to take a look outside.
A moment later, she rushed in to report.
"Your Ladyship, Consort Hui and the Imperial Physician have arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zheng immediately stood up.
"Quickly invite them in!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Hui entered from outside, accompanied by the palace’s Imperial Physician.
The Imperial Physician was about to bow, but Consort Zheng stopped him.
"No formalities, quickly go inside and check!"
The few Imperial Physicians wasted no time and went inside with their medical kits.
Consort Hui sat down next to Consort Zheng, anxiously asking.
"How is it now?"
Consort Zheng patted her chest, feeling a little reassured but still worried.
"It’s still not going well!"
"They say it’s a difficult labor!"
"Let’s hope the Imperial Physicians can resolve it!"
"Hopefully..."
Consort Hui held her hand in comfort.
"Rest assured, everything will be alright!"
"Several Imperial Physicians came, even Judge Zhang is here!"
Consort Zheng gratefully squeezed her hand.
"Thank you very much!!"
Consort Hui smiled slightly and shook her head.
"No need to thank me!"
"I’m here under the orders of the Empress as well!"
Consort Zheng forced a smile and said no more.
Consort Hui saw her growing more tense and started a conversation on purpose.
"By the way!"
"Where is the Tao Prince Consort?"
"The Princess is giving birth, why isn’t anyone from the Tao family here?"
With a bitter smile, Consort Zheng replied.
"You’ll laugh when I tell you; they’ve all gone to the temple to pray!"
Whether they were really praying, who knows what they were actually doing!
Consort Hui frowned, feeling suspicious.
’What blessings are they seeking at this time?’
She thought for a moment and then said.
"The Princess’s premature labor is not only known to the Empress, but even the Emperor..."
"So, are they praying, or avoiding responsibility?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zheng felt a sickening feeling as if swallowing a fly.
She coldly sneered and sarcastically said.
"It’s just as well the Emperor knows!"
"As for the future of the Tao family, whether they live or die is not my concern!"
"My only hope now is for the Eldest Princess to live well!"
She is the Princess’s mother consort, and she had arranged this marriage with the Tao family.
If the Princess loses her life because of the Tao family, she would be the culprit.
Even if the Emperor didn’t hold her accountable, he would lose any goodwill towards her.
Her remaining life would then be...
Besides feeling heartache for herself, she truly felt heartache for the Eldest Princess.
Such a fine woman, strangled by her own husband’s family!
She would feel deep remorse herself, with her conscience troubled for the rest of her life.
"It’ll be alright!"
Consort Hui held her icy hands.
"Be assured, everything will be fine!"
Consort Zheng expressed her gratitude again.
...
The two sat in the main hall from morning till afternoon, waiting from dawn until dusk.
Just when Consort Hui couldn’t hold on and was about to return to the palace.
The inner hall finally resounded with the cries of a baby, not loud but enough to uplift everyone’s spirits.
"She’s given birth!"
Consort Zheng was overjoyed to tears.
Consort Hui was also very pleased.
"Congratulations, Sister Consort Zheng!"
The midwife came out with the baby to deliver the good news.
"Congratulations, Your Ladyship, the Eldest Princess has given birth to a young prince, and both mother and child are safe!"
This news made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
Even Consort Hui, as an outsider, was pleasantly surprised.
"This is truly wonderful news!"
"Indeed! With both mother and child safe, she has finally overcome this ordeal!"
For the first time, Consort Zheng found even the pitch-black night sky outside beautiful.
"Reward them! Heavily reward them!"
A group of servants knelt in gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship!"
Consort Zheng, in high spirits, called them to rise.
After waiting a bit longer, once inside was cleaned up, she went to personally confirm that the Eldest Princess was well.
Only then did she return to the palace with Consort Hui to report the news to the Empress.
...
Duanning Palace.
Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao had already gone to sleep.
The news was reported to Zi Yue.
Zi Yue pondered that since it wasn’t urgent news, there was no need to disturb the Emperor and Empress’s dreams.
So, she delayed reporting it.
Therefore...
The Emperor and Empress only learned the news the next morning.
"How wonderful!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, you’re a grandfather again!"
Xia Ruqing teased him.
Zhao Junyao pulled a corner of his mouth.
"It’s not the first time, why get so excited?!"
In fact, aside from a bit of happiness, he really had no other feelings.
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