Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Jin Xi, is this why you refused to let me help you?” As soon as Su Pei Sheng said that, Cui Jin Xi’s expression shifted slightly.

She understood that he had already seen what happened just now. Cui Jin Xi looked at him sincerely. “Eunuch Su, can you help this servant with one thing?” Su Pei Sheng froze for a moment.

“What is it?”

“Please forget what happened just now and don’t mention it to anyone, all right?”

Cui Jin Xi’s expression slowly turned into a plea. “Eunuch Su, this servant begs you. All right?”

“You!”

Su Pei Sheng seemed a little unwilling to believe it. His eyes sharpened. “Jin Xi, do you know what you’re saying?”

“This servant knows.”

Cui Jin Xi knelt directly in front of him, kowtowing as she answered, “Please grant this servant’s request, Eunuch Su!”

“You’re far too foolish.”

Su Pei Sheng looked disappointed and furious. “Yong Shou Palace is such a good place. You could go there and become the palace steward. When a mistress moves in, you’ll be her head maid at Yong Shou Palace.

You won’t walk the good road, and you insist on choosing this one instead. If you’re not careful, you’ll be crushed to pieces. Do you understand that?”

“This servant understands.”

Cui Jin Xi stayed bowed to the floor, her voice full of resolve. “This servant is willing!”

“You…”

Su Pei Sheng was so angry his face turned green. He pointed at the person on the ground who refused to lift her head. He wanted to scold her, but no words came out. After a long while, the emotional Su Pei Sheng finally calmed down.

He looked deeply at the person before him, then closed his eyes and said, “Do as you please.” After throwing out that line, he flicked his sleeve and left.

“This servant thanks Eunuch Su!”

Cui Jin Xi kowtowed and thanked him. When she lifted her head again, his figure was already gone. Still kneeling on the ground, she quietly let out a breath of relief. Yet her eyes still shimmered with joy and anticipation….

The days of staying behind closed doors to nurture the pregnancy felt very comfortable. Three midwives and two wet nurses had already moved into Yan Xi Palace. Li Si Qi did not care who stood behind them. She gave each of them a Puppet Pill, and they all became loyal to her.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raised its head, on this auspicious day, Li Si Qi’s eight-and-a-half-month belly finally showed signs of movement. Right after waking up, she felt her water break.

“Lu He!”

“This servant is here. Is My Lady getting up?”

Lu He lifted the bed curtains and asked carefully. “It’s still early. Would My Lady like to sleep a little longer?”

“Go call Senior Palace Maid Ruo Lan. I should be giving birth.”

Li Si Qi did not get up. She continued giving orders. “Have the small kitchen prepare everything and try not to alarm anyone. What time is it now?”

“Replying to My Lady, it’s just before dawn.”

Lu He answered, “In about half a quarter-hour, it should be daybreak.”

“A good time.”

Li Si Qi responded, “Hurry and go get people.”

“Yes!”

Lu He hurried off. The right side hall quickly became lively. Senior Palace Maid Ruo Lan soon came in. Seeing her mistress on the bed so calm, she asked, “My Lady, this is…”

“My water already broke.”

Li Si Qi gestured for her to help her sit up. “It should be easier with twins. Have the midwives tidy up and come to the birthing room to check me.”

“Yes. This servant will help My Lady to the birthing room.”

Just as Senior Palace Maid Ruo Lan helped her up, He Xiang ran in, asking anxiously, “My Lady, how are you?”

“It’s fine. The contractions just started. It’ll still take a long time.”

Li Si Qi was very calm. “Be steadier and keep watch everywhere. Even though everyone in Yan Xi Palace can be trusted, accidents can still happen. Don’t be careless.

If anything goes wrong, you won’t get to stay in Yan Xi Palace anymore.” He Xiang answered seriously, “My Lady, please rest assured. This servant will watch over all of Yan Xi Palace.”

“My Lady, warm water is here!”

Lu He came in with two palace maids. “The small kitchen is preparing food for My Lady.”

“Mm. Just make sure it’s all arranged properly.”

With their service, Li Si Qi rinsed her mouth and washed her face. Then she changed out of the clothes soaked by her waters. After a spell of bustling about, as the contractions grew more and more frequent, Li Si Qi could only go to the birthing room first.

“Mm, I’m leaving it to you.”

“My Lady, should we send someone to report to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress?”

“No rush.”

Li Si Qi did not care. “Wait until after daybreak. Then it won’t be too late to send someone to report.”

“Yes, this servant understands.”

A group of them arrived at the prepared birthing room. The midwives, freshly tidied, immediately checked her. One of the midwives said, “Lady Xin, you’re already dilated to seven fingers. You should be able to give birth in about half a quarter-hour.”

Li Si Qi replied, “Good. Thank you for your trouble.”

“It’s what we should do.”

The midwife added, “Lady Xin hasn’t eaten yet. This servant suggests Lady Xin eat something first. If the mother has no strength, she can’t deliver a child!”

“All right!”

Even though she had no appetite, Li Si Qi did not refuse. Lu He quickly brought in a bowl of chicken noodle soup, with two poached eggs added. The fragrant noodles still stirred a bit of craving. While she ate, Li Si Qi had Little Teapot give her a Smooth Delivery Pill.

After she finished eating, she did not lie down. Instead, she slowly walked around…. At this time, Noble Lady Fu Cha in the main hall and Xia Dong Chun in the left side hall both learned the news. They were already prepared.

The moment they heard, they sent their own people over to keep an eye on things. With their bellies already large, they planned to come over a little later. Two young eunuchs left Yan Xi Palace and headed unhurriedly toward the Imperial Study and Jing Ren Palace. Once the emperor and the Empress knew, it meant the entire inner palace would know.

Kang Shou Palace. The Empress Dowager, who had just risen, also heard the news. She asked in a low voice, “How is it?”

“Replying to the Empress Dowager, Lady Xin is doing very well.”

Zhu Xi lowered her head and replied, “Everything in Yan Xi Palace is normal. Nothing unexpected happened.”

“Good, as long as it’s normal.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was somewhat complicated. “The three midwives are all experienced hands. The imperial dragon-phoenix twins will surely be born safely.” The dragon-phoenix twins needed to be safe.

As for whether the birth mother would be safe, that depended on luck. Zhu Xi’s gaze flickered twice. She said softly, “Lady Xin carefully nurtured the pregnancy. The little prince and little princess will surely be safe and sound.”

“Quite so.”

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and looked at the person beside her. “Zhu Xi, go on my behalf. After the dragon-phoenix twins are born, have the Empress take good care of them.”

“This servant obeys!”

“Go.”

The Empress Dowager dismissed her. Without realizing it, her face showed an expression of everything settled, the dust finally falling. Lady Xin was about to give birth! The news swept through the entire inner palace like a gust of wind.

Consort Hua sent Song Zhi as her representative, and the concubines from other palaces all hurried toward Yan Xi Palace. But no one expected… They had barely arrived, and before they could say a single word, a voice came from inside: “Born! My Lady gave birth to a little prince!”

“Waa!”

A loud infant’s cry followed. Everyone could not help looking at each other. Wasn’t Lady Xin giving birth a bit too fast? The Empress wore a smile, but anyone watching closely could see her hands trembling slightly.

Zhu Xi could not help glancing at her.

“A happy event, a great happy event!”

The Empress ordered in an excited tone, “Someone, hurry and report the good news to His Majesty. The little prince was born first.”

“No need. I’m here!”

The emperor walked in and heard the Empress’s voice as soon as he entered.