Chapter 35 Powerless to Support the Delicate Child
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Chapter 35: Powerless to Support the Delicate Child 1
I knew the Jurchens always liked to eat mugwort mixed with glutinous rice, so I didn’t think much of it and chatted with her casually before returning to my own palace.
Half a month later, the Eighth Prince’s wounds had healed. Fubai personally saw off the Emperor’s Consort and the other concubines with the Empress.
I saw the Third Imperial Uncle, the Eighth Prince, and Brother Quan all dressed in military uniforms, with a tuft of bright scarlet cherry-red fur on their heads. When the breeze blew, it fluttered lightly, giving them an indescribable aura of majesty and solemnity.
Fubai personally filled the wine cups and toasted the soldiers with encouragement and praise. Brother Quan came up to me, reminding me to take good care of myself and to give birth to a plump and healthy nephew for him when he returned.
The Eighth Prince just smiled quietly beside, looking at us without any unusual expression. When they were about to leave, both brothers gave me a gentle smile.
Only then did a heavy weight in my heart lift.
The day the Eighth Prince and Brother Quan left was also the last day of my medicine. I waited and waited, but Doctor Zhong didn’t bring the medicine. When Lin Xi urged for the fifth time, she hurriedly knelt before me, anxious and unsettled: “Mistress… the dried ginger was accidentally boiled down by the young eunuch who prepared the medicine…”
My heart tightened, almost fainting. Now that Brother Quan and the Eighth Prince were away from the capital, I feared no one could get that dried ginger anymore. Fubai rushed over and ordered Huang Changzheng to take the young eunuch to be executed, then sent the imperial guards to search for more. Doctor Zhong said, “It’s already been a while since the medicine was cut off, so taking more now won’t have much effect.” I felt gloomy and my headache worsened.
Doctor Zhong tried acupuncture and applied medicine again, but there was no effect at all. The heavy headache came on relentlessly, seemingly spreading down to my abdomen. Doctor Zhong urgently said, “Quick, summon the midwife. The Empress may deliver prematurely.”
I clutched my belly, rolling on the bed, big beads of sweat dripping continuously. When the midwife arrived, I was already unconscious from the pain. In a daze, I heard shouting and running footsteps, and someone loudly urging me to push, stuffing what seemed like ginseng slices into my mouth. Wave after wave of intense pain struck me. I don’t know how long I struggled, until suddenly a tearing pain shot through me. It felt as if all my strength was drained at once; in a moment, all sounds faded away, and I lost consciousness.
Chapter 35: Powerless to Support the Delicate Child 2
I clutched my belly, rolling on the bed, big beads of sweat dripping continuously. When the midwife arrived, I was already unconscious from the pain. In a daze, I heard shouting and running footsteps, and someone loudly urging me to push, stuffing what seemed like ginseng slices into my mouth. Wave after wave of intense pain struck me. I don’t know how long I struggled, until suddenly a tearing pain shot through me. It felt as if all my strength was drained at once; in a moment, all sounds faded away, and I lost consciousness.
In a haze, it seemed I slept for a thousand years, wanting to open my eyes but lacking the strength, like waking from a long dream, where the dream’s images drifted farther and farther away.
Suddenly, sensation slowly returned, forcing myself awake. The room was empty, not a single person there, so quiet I could even hear my own breathing clearly. My hand instinctively touched my abdomen, feeling flat as if nothing was there. Panic-stricken and unsure what to do, I shouted loudly, “Lin Xi… Lin Xi…”
Lin Xi hurried in from the palace gate, both worried and joyful: “Mistress, you’ve woken up.”
I asked, “Where is the child? My child?”
Lin Xi hurriedly said, “The imperial princess was safely born, and the wet nurse is in the side chamber with her.”
Feeling a faint sadness, I murmured, “An imperial princess?”
Lin Xi replied, “Yes. She’s very beautiful, the Emperor and Empress are overjoyed.”
I said, “It’s good that the princess is safe.”
Lin Xi said, “Doctor Zhong said the princess was born prematurely, with insufficient energy and blood, so she needs careful nursing.”
Worried, I hurriedly said, “Bring her here quickly for me to see.”
Lin Xi said, “Doctor Zhong said the Empress is weak after birth and must rest for a few days, so the maids are waiting outside the chamber.”
“No matter, bring her here quickly.” Seeing I insisted, Lin Xi gently closed the door and went out to bring the imperial princess.
When Lin Xi placed her in my arms, I was so worried—she was so soft and tiny, I feared hurting her. She slept so peacefully in my arms, her small round face flushed red, lips moving as if sucking something.
Chapter 35: Powerless to Support the Delicate Child 3
When Lin Xi placed her in my arms, I was so worried—she was so soft and tiny, I feared hurting her. She slept so peacefully in my arms, her small round face flushed red, lips moving as if sucking something.
This was my child—the one I had carried for more than seven months. I couldn’t help but shed tears of emotion, joyfully overwhelmed and unsure what to do!
Early the next morning, Fubai came rushing to see me, having missed court. I struggled to sit up, and he supported me: “Your body is still weak; why bother with all these formalities?”
I turned my head and said firmly, “Please, Your Majesty, name the imperial princess.”
He held my hand gently and said softly, “No hurry. I and Rong’er’s child must be given a proper name. Let’s first grant her a title.”
I was overjoyed; the title was an honor only bestowed upon an imperial princess who was married. My son was only one day old, and his favor was self-evident. I solemnly knelt down: “The imperial princess was just born. How dare I accept such favor from Your Majesty?”
Fubai gently cupped my hand and took the daughter from the wet nurse, looking like a tender father.
“My child and yours are precious beyond words,” he whispered softly, as if afraid to startle the little one in his arms. He ordered Huang Changzheng behind him, “Tell the Imperial Household Department to select a title for the imperial princess.”
I bowed in thanks, “I shall wait for the imperial princess and thank Your Majesty.”
He added, “When she turns one month old, I’ll hold a promotion ceremony for her and bestow the title of Zhaoyi.”
I was so surprised and delighted I didn’t know how to respond—was it gratitude or something else?
Three days later, the Imperial Household Department sent three possible titles. Fubai and I both favored “Yihui,” meaning suitable for both home and chamber, virtuous and kind. The Empress was also happy for Yihui, exclaiming, “When the imperial princess marries, it will be easy to grant her a princess title.” Enxi and Lady Yue agreed as well.
I laughed, “Yihui is only a few days old, and Your Majesty is already looking forward to her marriage. The princess title is an honor granted to those whose families have rendered great merit—how could she be so fortunate?”
Fubai said from the side, “Who knows? Yihui will surely grow up beautiful and dignified; granting her the title of princess won’t be a big deal.”
Chapter 35: Powerless to Support the Delicate Child 4
Fubai said from the side, “Who knows? Yihui will surely grow up beautiful and dignified; granting her the title of princess won’t be a big deal.”
I smiled and dismissed it as a joke.
Lady Yue teased the wet nurse holding Yihui, saying, “Just a few days ago she was a lump in Sister Rong’s belly, how did she suddenly become a little person with a nose and eyes?” She gently pinched Yihui’s cheek, and the child seemed to respond with little coos, as if trying to speak.
Enxi exclaimed, “How can Yihui talk already?”
The Empress and I both laughed. The Empress said, “When will Enpin and Lady Yue have children to play with?”
Enxi and Lady Yue blushed deeply, unsure what to say.
Fubai and the Empress didn’t mind much. The Empress suddenly seemed to remember something: “Your Majesty, although the sisters haven’t done much to serve you, they have put in a lot of effort. Why not reward them during Rong’er’s great celebration?”
Fubai nodded, “Very well. Enpin and Rong’er both entered the palace without bearing the Dragon Heir, but I consider their service sincere—promote them to Noble Consorts. The others will receive silver and jewelry; the Empress can decide.”
The Empress responded with a “Yes.” Enxi quickly thanked the Emperor. Both she and I couldn’t help but glance at Lady Yue, who was still playing with Yihui and occasionally giggling softly. Both Enxi and Lady Yue entered the palace together, and Enxi was promoted two ranks today, even surpassing me in favor. If she bore a Dragon Heir, she might well become one of the four imperial consorts. Perhaps Lady Yue felt uneasy and grew distant from us.
In Fubai’s heart, he probably meant no offense. Maybe subconsciously, he believed Enxi, as the daughter of the Dragon Prime Minister, was more precious. Lady Yue didn’t seem to care, apparently not hearing our conversation, focused solely on teasing Yihui and occasionally letting out a sweet laugh.
Looking at Lady Yue’s eyebrows, I suddenly thought of my sister. I quickly knelt and said seriously, “Your Majesty, let’s name the child Cui’er.”
Fubai seemed not to hear clearly, asking dazedly, “Cuì’er?”
I said, “Just now I saw Sister Yue’s warm smile with Yihui, as pure and flawless as jade. I wish Yihui a lifetime as precious and happy as jade.”
Chapter 35, Section 5
I said, “Just now, when I saw Sister Yue and Yihui’s warm smiles, they were as flawless as jade. I wish Yihui to be as precious and happy as jade throughout her life.”
Fu Pei murmured, “Cuier... Jade? Let’s just call her Cuier.” He lifted Cuier up and gently kissed her cheek, as if full of endless affection and reluctance.
A faint gloom touched my heart, but more than that, I was moved. Fu Pei still remembered my sister.
The Empress, however, could not bear it, her eyes full of pity and sympathy, showing how deeply she loved Fu Pei.
It was not that I wanted to deliberately remind him of my sister’s kindness. Cuier was greatly favored, and without Fu Pei’s full support, she might not have been able to live securely.
But in public, I called Cuier “Yihui” to avoid gossip by those with ill intentions. In front of Fu Pei, of course, I called her “Cuier.”
Yet inside, I was conflicted. Fu Pei treated me and my daughter so well—how would he treat my sister? What I never understood was that Fu Pei didn’t seem heartless; if the affairs of the previous dynasty didn’t involve the harem, why did he execute my sister?
I could not come up with an answer, so I had to let it go for the time being.
Cuier was premature and physically weak, often spitting up milk, seeming more tired than other children.
Chief Physician Zhong said that all infants were like this and, combined with her innate deficiencies, she seemed to have inherited my tendency to sleepiness and headaches. But it was nothing serious, so he prescribed medicinal meals for the wet nurse and told me not to worry.
Although the Empress instructed everyone to disturb me less, her residence was always bustling. Even those who rarely came, like Consort Jing and Lan Xuan Shi, visited with unusual cheerfulness, always bringing delicacies or rare treasures, saying they were for the future Princess Yihui.
I only smiled and said, “The Emperor merely spoke casually; don’t take it seriously. Besides, Yihui is still young and doesn’t need these things yet.”
Though I said this, they still loved my palace as usual. Coupled with Fu Pei’s generous gifts, I often had to rack my brain to find space for all those items.
Chapter 35, Section 6
Though I said that, they still loved my palace as always. Plus, Fu Pei often bestowed gifts, so I frequently had to think about how to make room for all those things.
On the other hand, there were some benefits. The eldest prince, the third prince, and several imperial princesses had all grown into big children. Though still lovely and sensible, they weren’t as playful as Cuier. So I often gathered the consorts for conversations and laughter, the atmosphere lively and harmonious. Both Fu Pei and the Empress were pleased, saying Cuier was a delightful addition to the grand Taihou harem.
The weather grew hotter, and Xiao Anzi from the Imperial Household Department delivered ice more frequently. He said, “Now, Noble Consort... pardon my poor memory, soon you will be Imperial Concubine. The ice in your palace is the same as that in the Empress’s—this West Scenic Palace is the coolest place here.”
I was happy and casually rewarded him two gold ingots. He was so delighted he didn’t know what to do.
Enxi and Lady Yue, who were also in the palace, found Xiao Anzi’s nervousness amusing. Enxi said, “An Gonggong handles his duties well and deserves the reward.”
Lady Jing said, “An Gonggong, don’t forget who truly cares for you, don’t forget the place the Emperor often thinks of.”
Xiao Anzi knelt and said, “Please, Ladies, just call me by my humble name. I was thoughtless before, but I will serve you all diligently from now on to make up for it.”
I told him to get up, “It’s just a joke, no need to take it seriously.”
Only then did he thank us profusely and leave.
The grand ceremony was set for Yihui’s full moon—June 8th. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau said it was a good day, very auspicious for everything.
The Empress spared no expense for us. First, it was Yihui’s full moon banquet—such a joyful event had not occurred in the palace for a long time. Second, it was the promotion ceremony for Enxi and me, the two most favored consorts now in the palace, so it had to be flawless.
Even the palace robes and jewelry for Enxi and me were personally inspected by the Empress.
That day, Enxi wore a palace robe of honey color embroidered with lotus patterns in gilt thread, styled with the “Zhu Yue” hairstyle. Though not as grand or dazzling as mine, it had a unique charm of its own.
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